Research your destination: At the initial planning stage, it is important to research the routes you would like to use. Even for those with satellite navigation, you want to make sure that you won’t miss out on any areas you would have liked to visit. Invest in a guide book, which can offer invaluable tips and information or research the places you wish to visit. Buying a map can prove essential no matter where you are travelling and is especially helpful in areas where new roads are being built such as Spain and Portugal.

Prepare your campervan: It may be prudent to get your campervan serviced before a long trip in the UK or if you are planning to venture into Europe. However, there are many checks that you can perform yourself such as checking tyre tread and pressures; checking oil, coolant and washer bottle levels; cleaning awnings to make sure they are free of mildew; filling gas tanks and making sure there are no leaks; examining the campervan battery; looking at break disks; checking that all the appliances in your van are working and lastly if you intend to travel to sunnier climates, make sure that the air conditioning is in good order.

Check your paperwork: Wherever you may be venturing, your campervan will need to have valid tax, an MOT and campervan insurance. These checks are vital as without this precautions you will be committing a criminal offence by driving your vehicle and could face a large fine.

Take a plethora of music: Make sure you take a variety of good driving music with you as you’ll be spending a lot of time driving in your vehicle. If you are taking company, it could lessen any arguments if you both take a selection of music you enjoy – you may need the entertainment should you encounter a traffic jam.

Food and drink: Life’s essentials! Make sure to take plenty of bottled water if you are taking your campervan to Europe as water on some campsites can be treated with chlorines or other chemicals. It is also useful to take a variety of foodstuffs in case you are driving through remote areas with few shops or amenities.

Facilities: Perhaps one of the most vital things to check and install is one’s toilet as this is an essential for a long road trip. In addition, check your fixtures and fittings to make sure that they are in good order and you will be comfortable sleeping in your van for extended periods.

Security: Although camper vans have a long list of advantages including the fact that you can stay in stunning locations in your ‘own home’ there is a small but important drawback – that of security. Campervans are fairly easy to see and can be a target for thieves. Make sure your campervan insurance will cover any break-ins and in addition, good locks and an alarm can be prudent.

Lastly, enjoy your trip in your own little piece of home, freely taking in the sights and sounds that the open road has to offer.