Rediscovering Van Life: 7 Days of Unplanned Freedom

Van life can mean many different things to many different people. For me, it’s about freedom, the kind that comes from not having a plan, from waking up somewhere new, and knowing that the road decides what happens next. I’d started to forget that feeling. So with seven days off work, I packed the van, pointed it toward Wales, and set out with no destination in mind.

The adventure began in Weymouth, Dorset, where I decided to travel down to the Isle of Portland for the first time , a strange little place that didn’t quite feel like the UK. After a bit of time relaxing on the beach, I set off to explore the island and eventually found myself standing beside the lighthouse. It was there that I started to feel that van life magic again.After debating whether to stay on the island overnight, I decided instead to head back toward Weymouth and found a quiet lay-by to park up for the night. Not quite the van-life views one usually chases, but it was peaceful and that’s enough sometimes.



Once I arrived in Wales, I was taken aback by its outstanding beauty, rolling hills and lush green fields stretching as far as the eye could see. I spent my days hiking across the valleys and swimming in open water, soaking up the rare gift of sunshine in a place known for its rainy weather.By the end of the week, I realised this trip had reminded me why I started living in a van in the first place. Van life isn’t about fancy setups or perfect park-ups. It’s about curiosity, freedom, and that small spark of adventure that can turn an ordinary week off work into something unforgettable.