Best Van Life Books
Best Van Life Books
Here are a selection of van life and travelling books that we have read prior or during our campervan travels. These books cover van life living, how to travel, places to visit and the best ways to explore and find new places.
We will keep adding to this page as we read and discover new books.
If you have any favourite books to recommend we would love to hear about them- please do drop us a line at the bottom of the page.
1. How To Live In A Van and Travel
This van life book has been hugely popular over the past few years and sure many of you will already have this book and if not trust us- its a great read.
It's a fantastic starting point for anybody looking to get into van life. It will help you plan a successful transition from a house to a van and discusses all the ‘real van life’ situations that you need to be prepared for e.g. finding water and wild camping spots. It also has a great section for how to make money whilst travelling for those quitting full time jobs.
The contents listing:
1. Introduction
2. My story: quit job, build campervan, travel
3. About the van life
4. Get your van
5. Prepare for take off
6. Make a run for it
7. Freecamping & where to stay
8. Toilet & washing
9. Cooking & eating
10. Van safety
11. Travelling happy
12. Entertainment & technology
13. Staying connected
14. Making money on the road
15. Van maintenance & problems
16. Fears, excuses & actually doing it
17. An overview of my van
18. I think that’s about it
Find Mike Hudson aka @vandogtraveller on Instagram and check out Mike Hudson's website out for lots of great ideas and places to travel to.
2. Take the Slow Road: Scotland by Martin Dorey
Martin Dorey's books are hugely popular because they are so easy to read. The insightful information inside is complemented by excellent photos and diagrams too.
Scotland is an amazing place to tour by campervan with some stunning drives like the NC500. This book specifically covers the best drives and experiences depending on your hobbies and interests e.g. stunning mountain passes for walkers and the most beautiful beaches for surfers.
3. The Campervan Bible by Martin Dorey
Another brilliant, very easy to read book by the engaging author Martin Dorey. In this book Martin covers all aspects of van life including owning and every day van living, campervan cooking, sleeping and campervan maintenance.
4. Wild Guide Scotland
This is a must read book for anybody going on a road trip around Scotland. It covers not only the main well known stunning attractions Scotland has to offer but also shows secret hidden places which are rarely visited by tourists. This book will allow anybody going on a road trip to Scotland successfully plan their trip according to their interests.
Chapters:
- Isle of Arran
- Islay, Jura & Colonsay
- Mull, Coll & Tiree
- The Small Isles
- Isle of Skye
- Uists, Barra & The Barra Isles
- Harris & Lewis
- Orkney
- Shetland
- Argyll
- Fortwilliam, Glencoe & Glen Etive
- Morar, Moidart & Ardnamurchan
- Applecross, Kintail & Lochalsh
- Torridon & Gairloch
- Ullapool & Assynt
- Cape Wrath & North West Sutherland
- Caithness & East Sutherland
- Easter Ross & The Black Isle
- Loch Ness & Glen Affric
- Nairn & Morayshire
- Aberdeenshire
- Northern Cairngorms
- Southern Cairngorms
- Angus
- Perthshire
- Loch Lomond, Trossachs & Breadalbane
5. Wild Guide Wales
Part of the same series of guides as Wild Guide Scotland, this book is essential for any trip to Wales. Some of the places covered in this book are simply stunning and you would never know they were there without the help of this book.
Chapters:
1 Anglesey & Menai
2 Llyn Peninsula
3 Conwy & Llandudno
4 Snowdon & Llanberis
5 Glaslyn & Cwm Pennant
6 Blaenau to Betwys-y-Coed
7 Central Snowdonia
8 Southern Snowdonia
9 Denbigh & Flintshire
10 Bala & River Dee
11 Berwyn & Vyrnwy
12 Shropshire Hills
13 Radnor & Upper Wye
14 Aberystwyth & Cambrians
15 Cardigan & Teifi
16 North Pembrokeshire
17 South Pembrokeshire
18 Gower
19 Camarthen & West Brecons
20 Brecon Beacons
21 Wye & Black Mountains
22 Lower Wye & Usk
23 Glamorgan & The Valleys
6. Wild Guide Lake District and Yorkshire Dales
Another wild guide book- this one is close to our hearts as The Lake District is probably our favourite place in the UK to explore in our campervan.
Again, use this guide to find stunning locations that are off the beaten track to visit that you may not find on a simple google search. The Wild Guide series are a must for anyone planning an epic road trip in their van.
Chapters:
Lake District
North Fells & Bassenthwaite
Buttermere, Crummock & Ennerdale
Borrowdale
Ullswater
Wastwater & Eskdale
Langdales & Grasmere
North Windermere
Duddon & Ravenglass
Coniston & Grizedale
South Windermere
Barrow & Silverdale
Yorkshire Dales
Howgills & Dentdale
Swaledale
Wensleydale & Langstroth
North East Dales
Whernside & Ingleton
Stainforth & Malham
Wharfedale
Nidderdale & Ilkley Moor
Forest of Bowland
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