18 Jul 20258 min read
Van Life
Van Life in the UK: Complete Beginner's Guide
A grounded starting point for UK van life, covering legal basics, realistic budgets and the habits that make trips easier.
Secondgear Journal
Field notes for Britain’s vanlife builds, gear buys and weekends away
Practical stories from the Secondgear editorial desk, shaped around real UK trips, honest buying advice and lessons that travel well from one build to the next.
Story index
Latest stories
15 Jul 20256 min read
Buying Guides
How to Buy Second-Hand Outdoor Gear Safely
A practical checklist for checking used outdoor kit, spotting vague listings and asking the right questions before you buy.
12 Jul 20257 min read
Destinations
Best UK Wild Camping Spots (Legal & Accessible)
A practical look at UK locations where you can camp responsibly, with a focus on access, local rules and low-impact habits.
10 Jul 202512 min read
Van Conversion
Van Conversion on a Budget: £5,000 Build Guide
A realistic route through a budget van conversion, covering where to spend, where to buy used and what can wait until later.
8 Jul 20254 min read
Sustainability
Sustainable Outdoor Adventures: Leave No Trace
How to keep trips practical and low impact, whether you are in a van, under canvas or carrying your kit in on foot.
Community spotlightPitch your story
Share the build lessons worth keeping in the glovebox
We are after practical van build diaries, route notes and honest gear verdicts from owners across the UK, not polished brochure copy.
Build diaries
Honest lessons from budgets, layouts and kit that held up on the road.
Trip notebooks
Useful route notes, camp etiquette and stop-offs worth sharing.
Gear verdicts
Straight reviews from owners who have lived with the kit in real weather.