The South Coast Van Life
Embracing the vanlife adventure: exploring the open road with Olivia Thurlow. Join Liv as she shares her favourite spots along the Dorset coast, sure to inspire your own roadtrip wanderlust.
At the time of writing, it’s day 300 of life on the road, living, working and traveling from Betty, our Sprinter. We’ve crossed continents, got stuck in the sand dunes of the Sahara (for the ‘photo’... not proud, but keeping it real) and stopped for goats, wild pigs and tortoises crossing roads. We’ve slept in many uninspiring car parks interspersed with some ‘how is this even real?!’ Park ups, where wild beaches, herds of camels and mountains act as our ever changing window views.
#Vanlife is hugely romanticised…I’m also guilty of this. It’s not as ‘freeing’ as one thinks and there’s a large dose of faff and admin involved BUT you can’t deny there’s something special about exploring on wheels… it’s a way of getting excited and making a ‘thing’ out of the whole journey, not just the end destination. Cliché? Sure, but it's true.
‘Home’ has meant many things for me recently, but the Dorset coast will always remain a constant.
Here are some of my top spots to visit along it:
Bramble Bush Bay
Once you’re on the other side of the chain ferry, most park on Ferry Road and flock to Studland Beach. My dream spot is Bramble Bush Bay. It’s far more secluded and the name itself reminds me of the nostalgic adventures of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five. Set up camp for the day amongst the heathland and you’re good to go! Park up opposite one
of the natural trails down to it and it'll feel like you’ve got your own little beach… or so I like to pretend.
Eype
Park up at Eype for a hike to Golden Cap, the highest point on the Jurassic Coast before returning via Seatown for lunch, a pint and/or a rejuvenating beach sauna experience courtesy of the Seaside Sauna Haus.
Kimmeridge
An ideal destination for a day of campervan fun, the drive down is firmly up top in my road trip list. Spot the ‘to the sea’ sign, it always makes me smile. After a swim, surf, fossil hunt or hike along the south west coast path, make the most of the huge car park with a view before a night at a nearby campsite – Steeple Leaze Farm is great, or you could try the quarry (unofficial advice!)
Stop off on route and check out The Rum Life’s pop-up on the hill, conveniently situated next to the Isle of Purbeck viewpoint. With a bumper lineup of visiting food trucks, coffee, cocktails, yoga and fun every Thursday-Sunday until September. Make this a destination! @therumlife
Sandbanks Harbourside
Don’t underestimate Banks Road – time your arrival for an early evening stand up paddle or fish and be ready to cook dinner al fresco during sunset hour. The views over the harbour never disappoint, even if it is a busy road!
Looking to go further afield? The Poole to Cherbourg ferry is very convenient for a taste of the European ‘vanlife’ – France is so campervan friendly. We spent our first few weeks on the road pootling around Brittany, which many countries later, is still within our top five road trip destinations, particularly the Crozon Peninsula.
