Planning a One-Week Campervan Trip in the UK
A simple, personal guide to packing a family campervan for seven days — what to bring, what to skip, and a free checklist to download.
We have had our campervan for over a year now, and we still do not have one fixed strategy for packing. It always depends on where we are going and for how long. For a typical one-week trip around the UK, packing can feel like chaos. Two children, two dogs, limited space. It is a lot. Over time we learned that a calm plan makes everything easier. This post shares what we keep in the van, what we add for a week away, and a simple checklist you can download and use for your own trip.
Because the van is ours, many things stay there all the time. Beds are always ready with clean bedding, and I like to add a few extra blankets for warmth and comfort. The bathroom has the basics — small shelves above the sink and toilet where we keep things ready to go, and a cupboard under the sink for extras.
Beyond that, I like to think in simple groups: sleep, wash, cook, wear, play, dogs, and documents. When I follow these groups, I forget less and the van feels calmer.
Sleep and comfort
Bedding for everyone, two or three warm blankets, soft pyjamas, and cosy socks. We do not need blackout masks — the camper is perfectly dark at night. In winter, I just add thicker pyjamas and maybe an extra layer for sleeping.
Bathroom and health
Towels that dry fast, basic toiletries, toothbrushes, hairbrush, sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent (midges can be strong in Scotland), personal medicines, pain relief, plasters, antiseptic wipes, and a small first-aid kit. I also keep a few laundry pods and pegs for quick hand-washing.
Cooking and food
We keep a simple kitchen set in the van: pan, pot, kettle, chopping board, knife, plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, lighter, washing-up liquid, sponge, and tea towel.
For a one-week trip, I plan easy meals: breakfast basics, soups, pasta and sauce, rice, eggs, bread or wraps, fruit, snacks, tea and coffee, oil, salt, pepper. Reusable water bottles, a small cool bag for day trips, and a roll of bin bags are always useful.
If we camp off-grid, we check gas level, water level, and carry extra drinking water.
Clothes and shoes
UK weather changes fast, so layers are key. We pack light base layers, warm jumpers, waterproof jackets, quick-dry trousers or leggings, socks, underwear, and pyjamas. Hats and gloves in colder months.
For shoes, hiking boots always come first. We skip wellies — four pairs take far too much space! Instead, we pack one pair of lightweight waterproof trousers and Crocs or easy slip-ons for evenings and showers.
Each person has a small soft bag that fits in the overhead space to keep the van tidy.
Power and navigation
Phone cables for everyone, power bank, head torches, spare batteries, camera and cards, offline maps downloaded before we lose signal. If you use an inverter or solar, check it the day before leaving.
Documents and safety
Driving licence, insurance, MOT, breakdown cover, logbook or copy, campsite bookings if any, and ferry tickets if needed. Reflective vest, warning triangle, jump leads, tyre inflator, spare fuses, duct tape, and basic tools live in the van.
Do not forget spare keys — we sometimes do!
We also keep a paper map for when phones fail.
Kids and calm (and a little work too)
Travelling with kids in a small space means finding the right balance between fun and quiet. We always bring colouring books and lots of colourful pens. Both girls love drawing, and sometimes the table turns into a little art corner. We also have our Kindles — perfect for long drives, when space is tight but everyone still wants their own book.
Julia always brings her soft toys, small and delicate, carefully tucked beside her pillow. Lily never travels without her Schleich horses, so we keep a little box just for them. Somehow, there is always space for the things they love most.
Inside the van, we like calm moments — reading, drawing, listening to music, or sometimes just watching the view change through the window. On sunny days we take a small blanket outside for a picnic or to sit by the van with a hot chocolate.
And of course, our cameras and drone always come with us. Sometimes I bring my laptop too, just in case I need to reply to messages or do a little work in the evening. I try to keep it simple, but I cannot travel without my camera. Once I even went on a trip and realised… I had no memory card inside. A complete disaster — proof that even photographers forget things sometimes.
Dogs
Leads, harnesses, poo bags, collapsible bowls, water bottle, food for the week, towels for muddy paws, a blanket that smells like home, tick remover, and any medicines. Pet insurance details and microchip numbers stay in the glove box.
What not to bring
Heavy “just in case” items that end up taking space and never being used. A campervan feels best when it is light and simple. If the space is full, the mind is full too. We try to leave room to breathe.
Before we leave, we check the basics: gas, water, waste tank, fuel, tyre pressure, window blinds, and doors. We set a loose plan for the first night and keep the rest flexible. The best days often happen when plans can change.
At the end of this post you can download a one-page checklist. Print it, tick what you need for the season, and tuck it in a cupboard near the door. It takes five minutes and saves an hour of stress.
🌿 Extras and reminders
Coins for showers or parking in remote places.
Matches or a lighter, even if your stove has ignition.
Water hose, tap adaptor, and grey-water hose or collapsible bucket.
Levelling ramps and wheel chocks.
Window covers or extra clips for privacy.
Emergency snacks for late arrivals when shops are closed.
Fairy lights for evenings (small ones make the van feel like home).
Basic toolkit, cable ties, and duct tape.
Copies of important documents stored digitally.
🌿 Download Your Checklist (PDF)
A free printable version of this list — easy to tick off before every trip.