Come & Meet The Beast! On Show in the Campervan Campout Self-Build Section

I am delighted to announce that, along with a number of other fabulous Built Not Bought campers, The Beast, our unique, Volvo N10 overland truck, will be on show in the Self-Build Show Section of the Campervan Campout.

The festival takes place at the South of England Showground, Selsfield Road, Haywards Heath RH17 6TH, on 3-5th May, 2024.

If you have any questions about our build, our travels, or how we manage with four dogs in tow, please feel free to ask.

Or just come along and say ‘Hi’!

We will have some stickers and other goodies to give out. I will also be launching my new book, Building The Beast, which documents the trials and tribulations of our DIY build. The ebook is available on Amazon at the special Pre-Launch price of 99p/99c.

If you are thinking about buying or converting a van, I really recommend visiting shows or attending meet-ups. This is without doubt the best way to get ideas, see what options are available, meet suppliers, manufacturers, and chat with experts and other like-minded people. If you already own a van, it’s just a fun thing to do!

And there’s a plethora of information, expertise and FUN available throughout the weekend at the Campervan Campout!

Here’s a summary of what you can expect at the three-day family friendly extravaganza:

What’s On At The Campervan Campout?

• Self Build Show –  The ultimate showcase of creativity and innovation on wheels! It’s more than just a show; it’s a community hub where self-builders and future builders unite.
• Built Not Bought Campers – My friend Carl is hosting a dedicated hub for those passionate about crafting their very own camper haven. Here, you’ll find practical tips on van conversion, inspiring stories, and lessons learned the hard way so you don’t have to. It’s not just about building a camper; it’s about crafting your dream lifestyle with a foundation of knowledge and support. Welcome to your community, where every question finds an answer and every build sparks a new friendship. The Facebook group, Built not Bought Campers, is a safe place for everyone to discuss topics, provide hints and tips, give advice, show your vans off, self built, and also coach built.
• Live Music – A stellar lineup of performances, headlined by the sensational Chris Moyles with his ’90s Hangover Tour to evoke the best of ’90s nostalgia. View the lineup!
• The Campout Hub –  Talks, Q&As, and discussions from a variety of experts. From bloggers to YouTube stars, and industry pros, our speakers are here to inspire and educate on a myriad of topics. Click HERE for the lineup of speakers, including Bluefix, who fitted The Beast’s electrics.
• The Silent Disco Beach Party – Each night, three of VDub’s finest DJs will spin a variety of tunes on three channels, promising a silent disco to remember. Whether it’s pop hits or funky rhythms, grab a headset and get ready to groove. It’s a family-friendly, beach-themed blast where your vibrant outfits add to the fun. 
• The Wellness Sanctuary – We all have magic inside of us that is waiting to be accessed. When we release our fears, limiting beliefs, outdated patterns and behaviours, we are able to connect to a higher state of consciousness and one-ness with self and others.  Find out what’s happening in the wellness Sanctuary.
• Family Fun – A variety of activities that cater to all ages. From creative arts and crafts to engaging camping talks, discover what’s on for families by clicking HERE!
• Foraging – With Urban Forage at Campervan Campout! Dive into the world of foraging through a series of engaging walks, interactive cooking demos, and culinary experiences.
• Bushcraft –  A blend of engaging fire demos, hands-on fire lighting sessions, and creative workshops, including carving and daily crafts like paracord bracelets, games pouches, and woodland keyrings, there’s an adventure for every attendee.
• Shopping Village – Whether you’re looking to buy a new motorhome, seeking the latest in vanlife accessories, or searching for unique artisanal creations, our diverse range of exhibitors has you covered. Click HERE to see the list of exhibitors already booked.
• FAQs

In the UK, there is a full calendar of vanlife shows and get togethers. My post 2024 UK Van Life Festivals, RV, Caravan, Camper, Motorhome, Overlanding & Self-Build Events details many of them, and includes a downloadable Vanlife Printable Festival Planner.

A Note on Dog Friendliness

• The Campervan Campout is super dog friendly. There’s even Paws in the Pool: a doggie swimming pool which you can book for yourself and up to four pooches at a time. Reserve your spot early to avoid disappointment: email info@pawsinthepool.co.uk as soon as you’ve secured your pitch!

My New Book: How (Not) To Build Your Own Camper!

My latest book, Building The Beast: How (Not) To Build An Overland Camper, which documents the trials and tribulations of our first DIY camper conversion, is due for release as an ebook on 26th April 2024, just ahead of the show.

The book has already gained several 5* advance reviews on Goodreads.

Bag your ecopy NOW at the special pre-launch price of 99p/99c on Amazon.

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Vanlife Printable Festival Planner

The hyperlinks in the document will work if you download the pdf.

Motorhome & Camper Rentals

You can also rent campervans or motorhomes to see how you like the lifestyle, or the layout of a particular model. If you want to take your dog, there are dog friendly rentals. Some dealers also rent out campers or offer test drives.

The suppliers below bring together owners who want to make extra income from their vans and those wanting to rent a campervan and sample vanlife. Please note, I have never tried any of them, so these are not personal recommendations.

• Budget Campervans – offers campervan hire in the UK, including one way rentals, as well as hire options worldwide.
• Camplify – helps you find the perfect campervan for your next UK holiday, with comprehensive insurance and RAC breakdown cover.
• Camperbug – lists campers for hire by county in the UK, and also offers campervan hire abroad.
• Goboony – motorhome hire from a local owner. Goboony claims the largest fleet in the UK.
• Indie Campervan Hire – has listings in Europe, North America & Oceana. They also offer long-term campervan hire options for those who wish to sample the lifestyle.
• Quirky Campers brings together owners of bespoke campers and those who want to rent a unique campervan.