Hire a Campervan; it might be the best idea you’ve had all year

sneakcampers
Jun 4
4 min read

Let’s face it - life is hectic... Between work, getting to the gym, remembering to do the food shop, trying to balance a social life and that magic (ish) never-ending pile of washing, weekends often vanish in a blink.. But what if, just once, you ignore the to-do list, packed your comfiest clothes and sneak off somewhere beautiful?

There’s something gloriously freeing about heading off into the countryside with no rigid plans—just you, wide open space, and a van full of potential. Here’s why I (and many of our happy campers) reckon you should do exactly the same.

Iris our VW T5 campervan in the beautiful UK countryside - ready to help you sneak off for a digital detox

Nature: My Sanity Saver

We all know that getting out in nature is good for the body and soul, but lets face it.. none of us do it as much as we should. If I'm being honest though, road tripping, camping trips, long hikes over Cornish headlands, cold dips in Dorset seas... they've saved my life in many ways. We both work full-time, one of us in London, the other in Cambridge and our jobs - like many - are fast-paced, screen-heavy and often very demanding. Zoom call after Zoom call, emails pinging from breakfast to bedtime, and a sense that I’m always "on" left me deeply anxious, suffering anxiety attacks in car-parks, getting parking fines from 4 million thoughts buzzing around my head, and picking arguments over I don't know what... It took some serious burnout warning signs (and some gentle nudging from friends) for me to realise I (we) needed a proper break.

Enter: our first campervan weekend.

Just two nights in the Peak District - no signal, no screens, nowhere to be and no time constraints - and honestly, I felt lighter. Calmer. More like me. We hiked Mam Tor at sunrise, sat by a fire and watched the stars; we played cards; made banana pancakes for breakfast; hiked until my legs ached, and fell asleep to the sound of rain tapping on the roof... I felt human again.. and I felt like I wanted everyone to experience a bit of what I had experienced.

Sunlight filters through the trees at New Forest, casting shadows on the forest floor beneath a clear, blue skies.

2. One Campervan: No Tent Pegs, No Fuss

I love the outdoors, but I’ll admit - I'm not keen on faffing about with tent poles, tripping over tent ropes and wet socks.. And so it's become our mission to make sure that when you hire a campervan through sneak. you have the smoothest, easiest route to escaping. When you hire a campervan from us, you can soak up all the magic of nature without sacrificing a comfy bed, a working kettle or somewhere warm to cosy up at the end of the day. It’s basically camping, but cosier and 100% faff-free. 3. Total Freedom (with a View)

There’s something so underrated about doing nothing on your own terms. Want to chase the sunshine? Linger by a lake? Pull over for an unplanned picnic? You can. Our ethos is simple; sneak away - find freedom, because a campervan turns every trip, every spontaneous detour and every pitch up into a mini adventure.

4. Logging Off Is a Power Move

A weekend off-grid might sound small, but it can make a huge difference. I came back from that first trip feeling more settled and more present; nature has a way of softening the hard edges of a frantic week! Sometimes all it takes is switching off the Wi-Fi, setting up camp with a view, sitting down with a good book, and staring at the stars. We've made it our mission to facilitate a total switch off and proper digital detox - Iris is stocked with Uno, playing cards and fun card games to help you lock your phone in the glove box and spend quality time together.

5. You Don’t Need Two Weeks—Just Two Days

This isn’t about some epic sabbatical. A long weekend of two or three nights (or four or five nights) is enough to slow down, breathe deeper, and remember how good it feels to just be. Even if it’s just you, a book, and a bag of crisps on a clifftop somewhere.

Need Ideas? Hire a Campervan and try these UK beauty spots

Northumberland Coast

Wide beaches, ancient castles, and fewer crowds. Park near Bamburgh, visit Holy Island at low tide, and walk the coast wrapped up in your fluffiest jumper. It’s wild in the best way.

Lake District

There’s something grounding about the Lakes—towering fells, deep waters, and poetic silence. Try the loop around Buttermere or brave the heights of Helvellyn. Bring your camera. You’ll want it.

Peak District

Perfect for dramatic walks and peaceful views. Mam Tor is a must-climb, and the stepping stones at Dovedale are pure childhood nostalgia. I like to stop for a Bakewell tart (the proper kind) and a coffee in Castleton.

The Cotswolds

Soft hills, storybook villages, and pubs with roaring fires. Wander through Bourton-on-the-Water, shop for knick-knacks in Stow-on-the-Wold, and lose track of time watching the sun go down over golden fields.