Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
All-weather pitch
Vicky Lissaman on all you need for a wondrous winter camping trip
Hitting the road in a campervan was the soaraway success of summer holidays last year. With more people choosing self-catering staycations in their own little home on wheels, campsites saw record bookings and motorhome sales and hires reached an all-time high.
But while the warmer months might be the obvious choice for a camping trip, there are plenty of good reasons to holiday in the great outdoors during winter.
At this time of year, you could see nature at its raw, frosty finest with snow-clad hilltops and even a possibility of spotting the northern lights.
Plus there’s always a country pub with a roaring log fire to pull into along the way.
With the motorways free of holiday snarl-ups and campsites much quieter, road trips will be a lot more relaxing, though of course you need to check the weather forecast so you don’t get stuck in the worst of winter weather.
Out of season, campervan rental is cheaper due to lower demand, so you can bag a bargain and take your pick of the models on offer.
For those of you who are contemplating your first foray into van life, however, getting organised might seem like a daunting task.
So we’ve teamed up with campervan rental marketplace Indie Campers to share some top tips on how to turn an out-of-season road trip into an amazing adventure.
STAYING WARM
No one likes the thought of de-icing windscreens with frozen fingers, condensation trickling down walls and damp bedding. But keeping cosy in your vehicle is surprisingly simple.
What to pack: Ensure you have warm clothing and plenty of removable layers. Woollen base layers are best, along with down trousers and wool sweaters.