ONE couple ditched pricey holidays to Thailand, Costa Rica and the Maldives for staycations – after renovating a carpenter’s van.
Andy and Claire Stocks, who hail from Barnsley, opted for UK road trips after deciding to buy a run-down van to convert.
The couple now go away every week and document their travels on their YouTube Channel – and they’ve just published a book It Started with a Van detailing all of their staycation adventures.
When the pair first ditched far-flung destinations for the UK, it’s safe to say their friends were dubious.
Andy explained: “People that knew us from before doing this would have never thought we’d be fans of motorhomes.
“We were always going to exotic places rather than staying at campsites.”
But since owning a van, which has since been traded in for a newer motorhome model, the pair have ventured all over the UK.
Claire admitted: “I don’t think we ever appreciated how beautiful the UK is and we go everywhere – one of my favourite places is actually Hartlepool.”
“We went with no real expectations but we saw dolphins in the sea there – it blew our minds.”
Andy added: “We’ve found some great waterfalls in the UK too – which we actually went all the way to Costa Rica to see.
“But actually there are loads in North Yorkshire like Janet’s Foss and Malham Cove.”
Other places they’ve explored are Glastonbury which Andy described as an “amazing spiritual town”.
In the Yorkshire Dales, the couple stopped by The Strid which as Claire explained is one of the most dangerous stretches of water in the world.
When it comes to campsites, Claire and Andy like to mix it up from five-star sites to cheaper options with beautiful sea views.
Talking about one of their most memorable stays, Andy said: “There’s a campsite on the Isle of Mull called Fidden Farm.
“You turn up and can park wherever you like, but as it’s coastal, you stay right on the white beach.
“It has the best sunsets that you could possibly wish for and so wild – you get every season within around 15-minutes.”
Pitches start from £14 per night per adult, and £7 per night for children.
When it came to five-star stays, the couple said the Concierge Camping in Chichester was one of their favourites.
Claire admitted it’s “one of the best campsites I’ve ever been to”,
The campsite even has ‘award-winning washrooms’ which is perfect for those who don’t enjoy the classic camping toilet situation.
It has granite-topped wash areas, complimentary toiletries and lots of the facilities have underfloor heating.
Sun Travel found pitches from £73 per night.
On occasion, Andy and Claire head over to Europe. At one point they explored seven countries including Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, France, Belgium and Italy in two weeks.
And for anyone driving across to France in a motorhome, they suggest you check into an Aire.
‘Aire’ is short for the French term ‘aire de service’ – which essentially is a free or cheap motorhome camping area.
Andy explained: “We used Aires on a trip to Normandy, they’re really basic campsites but they’re about €10 a night so it’s a really cheap way to get around.”
Claire added: “You don’t have to book either, and they’re spotlessly clean and lots of them have beautiful views as well.”
“There’s a lovely one outside of Honfleur,” said Andy. “And from there you can just walk into the town.”
Talking about whether it’s made travelling any cheaper, Andy confessed it hasn’t as he never saw any return on his original van.
But he added: “I don’t talk about money – but it’s all experience. That’s how the book ends, it’s not about money, it’s about your life.”