Stories Through the Shutter - A Travel & Photography Podcast

E072 - The Campervan isn't dying, but its not very well!!

The Campervan isn't dying, but it's not very well!! is the episode that charts the bumpy road of modern campervan life — quite literally. This isn't a dreamy #vanlife highlight reel. It’s the real story: from beds that get stuck mid-trip (meaning we had a train to catch) to windscreens that won’t wash (twice, same part). Join me as we rattle our way through dodgy taps, wardrobe doors that never shut up, and habitation doors that cost £600 just to open.
This episode dives into the challenges of owning a campervan that’s not old, not neglected — just... not great. We’ll talk about sourcing fridge hinges from Germany, the moment our roof knob nearly gave up, and that one blind that's gotten weirdly stiff. And that’s before we even get to the air con leak, failing brake discs, and the mysteriously dodgy tambour door that still haunts our dreams.
It’s chaotic. It’s costly. And somehow, we still love it. If you’ve ever muttered “It’s fine, we’ll fix it later” in a layby, this one’s for you.
Links to my content:www.richardchubb.com.comwww.youtube.com/@richardchubbUKSocial: @richardchubbUK

E071 - A Disappointing Pub Stopover, plus visits to Tyneham and Tank Museum

This week on the Driving Horizons Podcast, we dive into a surprisingly disappointing pub stopover during our campervan travels—what went wrong, and what we think should be done differently. But it’s not all bad news! We also take you along to two unforgettable stops on the Dorset coast: the hauntingly beautiful abandoned village of Tyneham, and the impressive Tank Museum in Bovington.
Whether you're into UK road trips, van life experiences, or hidden historical gems, this episode is packed with insight, tips, and real talk about life on the road.
🔹 What to expect from a pub stopover🔹 Why Tyneham is a must-see for history lovers🔹 Our honest thoughts on the Tank Museum
Perfect for anyone into van life UK, family camping or just looking for unique places to explore in Dorset and the Jurassic Coast.
🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and come along for the ride!
#DrivingHorizons #VanLifeUK #Tyneham #TankMuseum #UKTravelPodcast #CampervanLife
 
Links to my content:www.richardchubb.com.comwww.youtube.com/@richardchubbUKSocial: @richardchubbUK

E070 - The Lion, The Pitch but no downloads - Great Location but zero Internet

This week's episode is all about our latest trip! Our camping trip at the Caravan and Motorhome Club site at Longleat.
 
During our stay, we headed into Bath, just 40 mins away, plus of course, our visit to Longleat Safari park.
 
I also detail the good, the bad and the ugly about the campsite
 
Website - www.drivinghorizons.com
YouTube - www.youtube.com/@drivinghorizons
Socials - @drivinghorizons
Links to my content:www.richardchubb.com.comwww.youtube.com/@richardchubbUKSocial: @richardchubbUK

E069 - Cofton Holidays - Great, but a couple of things annoyed me!

In this episode of the podcast:
Join me as I share all the highs — and a few unexpected lows — from my recent stay at Cofton Holidays, one of the South West's most talked-about holiday parks. From peaceful countryside vibes and well-kept facilities to a few standout moments that genuinely impressed me, Cofton had a lot going for it. Whether you're looking for a relaxing family escape or just some quality time in nature, there’s a lot to appreciate here.
But hey — no trip is perfect, right? While I definitely enjoyed my stay overall, there were a couple of things that didn’t quite hit the mark. I’ll get into the nitty-gritty of what went well, what could’ve been better, and a few tips that might help if you're planning your own visit.
So, if you’re curious about whether Cofton Holidays lives up to the hype — or just want to hear some honest holiday talk with a few laughs along the way — this episode’s for you!
 
 
Website - www.drivinghorizons.com
YouTube - www.youtube.com/@drivinghorizons
Socials - @drivinghorizonsAffiliate Link to the Walk we did: https://alltrails.pxf.io/Qj2g1Y
Links to my content:www.richardchubb.com.comwww.youtube.com/@richardchubbUKSocial: @richardchubbUK

E068 - From Pitch to Pint: The Red Shoot Experience

In this episode of Driving Horizons, I take you with me to the heart of the New Forest, where I spend a night at Red Shoot Campsite—a site that's not only surrounded by natural beauty but also happens to be right next to a cracking countryside pub. Yes, you actually drive through the pub car park to reach your pitch!
Join me as I share my full experience, from the scenic (and sometimes narrow!) drive-in, to settling into a neat and tidy pitch, testing out the showers, and all facilities, exploring woodland walks, and of course… grabbing a well-earned pint next door at the Red Shoot Inn. 🍻
Whether you're a seasoned camper or just planning your first trip to the New Forest, this episode is packed with practical tips, honest thoughts, and a bit of pub-fuelled charm.
Plus, I’ll be talking about a fun new idea: building a guide to the best pub-campsite pairings across the UK—with your help!
🎧 So plug in, settle back, and let’s roll.
Links to my content:www.richardchubb.com.comwww.youtube.com/@richardchubbUKSocial: @richardchubbUK

E067 - Pints & Pitches: An ultimate guide to Pubs with Campsites nearby

Ready to combine your love for campervan adventures, scenic UK travel, and the charm of a traditional British pub?
In this episode of our UK travel podcast, Driving Horizons, we’re revealing 10 incredible campsites with pubs right next door — perfect for campers, hikers, and pub lovers alike.
Whether you're exploring the countryside in your campervan, trekking the UK’s best hiking trails, or just chasing that perfect pint after a long day outdoors, this guide has you covered.
Discover hidden gems across Hapshire and Dorset, plus a bit further afield — all within walking distance to cozy pubs with local ales, hearty meals, and unforgettable atmospheres. From forest retreats to coastal escapes, these camper-friendly campsites offer the ultimate UK camping and pub crawl experience.
Perfect for van life enthusiasts, UK holidaymakers, weekend wanderers, and anyone searching for the best campsites with pubs in the UK.
Subscribe for more travel tips, van life hacks, campsite reviews, and pub recommendations.
Get ready to park up, pitch your tent, and enjoy a cold one — because nothing says "perfect camping trip" like a pub next door.
Links to my content:www.richardchubb.com.comwww.youtube.com/@richardchubbUKSocial: @richardchubbUK

E066 - Exploring the South of England – 2025 Travel Plans

🚐 Devon Road Trip: Exploring Dartmoor National Park, Exmouth, Salcombe, and Dartmouth—plus, where to find the best cream tea and seaside fish & chips!
 
🦁 Longleat Stay: Camping near the famous safari park, a drive through the monkey enclosure (fingers crossed for the van!), and exploring nearby Warminster & Bath.
 
🌊 Jurassic Coast Adventure: Continuing the journey west from Durdle Door, with coastal hikes, fossil hunting, and breathtaking sea views.
 
🍺 Campsites with Pubs: A deep dive into the best sites in the South of England where great food, local ales, and cozy atmospheres are just a short walk away.
 
🌞 Summer Holiday Plans: Campervan adventures are on the horizon, but the destination is undecided—France, Isle of Wight, or maybe Scotland? Listeners' tips welcome!
 
💬 Get in Touch: Share your travel recommendations or leave a voicemail at DrivingHorizons.com—your suggestion might make it onto the next episode!
 
🔊 Tune in Now! Subscribe, leave a review, and join me next time for more UK travel and campervan inspiration. 🚐✨
 
Website - www.drivinghorizons.com
YouTube - www.youtube.com/@drivinghorizons
Socials - @drivinghorizons
Links to my content:www.richardchubb.com.comwww.youtube.com/@richardchubbUKSocial: @richardchubbUK

E065 - Welcome Back - Giving the Podcast Another Chance

After over two years away, I’m back behind the mic! In this episode, I talk about why I stepped away, what’s changed, and why I decided to give this podcast another shot.
🔹 What You'll Hear in This Episode:
Why I originally stopped podcasting 
What’s changed in the past two years 
What to expect moving forward 
💬 Join the Conversation:I want to hear from you! What topics interest you? What would you like to see on the podcast? Let’s make this a two-way conversation.
📩 Stay Connected:Follow, subscribe, and reach out—let’s build something great together!
🎧 Thanks for Listening! See you in the next episode. 🚀
Links to my content:www.richardchubb.com.comwww.youtube.com/@richardchubbUKSocial: @richardchubbUK

E064 – Great New Forest Campsites and This Weeks News

The New Forest is a great place to explore, whether it be on foot, on bike, or visiting all the local villages to explore.
There are lots of great campsites, and in this episode, I have gone through a few of our favourites, and also a few on our wish list.
From ones with facilities, to ones with not as many, but allowing fires, there should be a campsite among these few to suit all needs.
I have even included an Adults Only one...just don't tell Max!! Here is a blog post to the campsites I have discussed.
Ii also chat about this weeks news, which includes information about the February NEC Show, and a bit about the AA Campsite Awards 2022.
Don't forget to leave a nice review on your chosen platform, and if you have any suggestions for improving the show, then leave me a message!
Links to my content:
www.drivinghorizons.com
www.youtube.com/richardchub
Social: @drivinghorizons
Links to my content:www.richardchubb.com.comwww.youtube.com/@richardchubbUKSocial: @richardchubbUK

E063 – Coming Up for the DH Podcast & Weekly News

In this episode, I spend some time discussing what is coming up on the show over the next few weeks, and I drop in a recording of this week's news story.
This weeks news story includes a new Sat Nav / GPS from Garmin. I also chat about a ruling that affects insurance companies, and how they price things, and finally, I talk about a story where the DVLA are perhaps not being as clear as they could, and should be.
In the second part of the show, I go through some ideas I have for the Podcast, and what may be coming up over the next few weeks, and even months.
Stay tuned, and I hope you enjoy this week's episode of the Driving Horizons Podcast.
Auto-Generated Transcript of the Show
It's Friday, the 11th of November. This is episode 63. And welcome back to Driving Horizon's
Hello. Hello. Hello. And a Good morning. A good afternoon and a good evening to whenever or wherever you are listening to this.
Welcome back to the podcast. And if you are new here, then welcome for the first time and if you are regular, then of course, welcome back. Driving Horizons is a podcast, website and YouTube channel all about camper van, life travel and generally seen as much of the UK in the world as we can. Bought you weekly by me Richard.
So sit back and let us get into this week's episode.
So welcome back to another show. And it is going to be a real quick one today. As you know, we are not travelling at the moment. But that is not going to stop me. So this week, I have not had much time to plan the podcast. And I've got loads of ideas that I want to do over the next few weeks.
So what I thought I would. Do today. Is a quick, a quick preview, if you like. Of what's coming up over or what's coming up on this podcast over the next few weeks. And as I am hoping, like I said last week, to be a regular feature. I will replay a recording of this week's news. Which has been taken from my camping and camper van news video that I released over on YouTube earlier this. Week.
And it is better to watch that on YouTube because you. See the screenshots and the items in the articles I'm talking about. And if you do want to, by all means listen to it here, it will give you the highlights, that's for sure.
But if you want to see it with all the screenshots, then head over to Driving Horizons dot com forward slash. YouTube. And you can watch it there with me going through the screenshots and talking in a bit more detail or showing you a bit more detail of what I'm talking about. So first up, we're going to play that segment from this week's Industry News, after which I will. Let you know. What exciting stuff we have coming up over the next few. Weeks. So here's that recording and I'll be right back.
This Weeks News
Hi, Richard here from Driving Horizons and it's time for the news roundup of all the stories in the camping and campervan world. That have caught my eye this week.
So welcome to this week's news. And I have three stories for you this week. And first up, and I am a little bit late to the party on this one, but Garmin Have released. A couple of new satnav’s or GPS’s Garmin Camper795 and the CamperCam795 The seven inch display should make it easy
to see and read while driving. Plus, there are tons of features
on these ones, things like. Road warnings, telling you all about steep. Grades,
sharp bends and even weight limits. And there is also. An. Environmental zone, which is a. Feature that warned you. About certain restrictions,
perhaps a low emission zone in a larger city, something like that
that would normally be chargeable. But my favorite
and possibly the most useful for me. Anyway, is when, especially if we ever. Bought a bigger van, is. The custom motorhome routine, which
among other things, gives you the ability to load in the dimensions of your motorhome or caravan
so that you don't find yourself going down small roads like this one in a huge van. A quick snapshot of their features. It is a seven inch screen. You can travel confidently along your
chosen route after programing the size of. Your rig, and it gives you a warning. For steep
curves, sharp bends, things like that. And it also discovers
the best stops, the best spot. Sorry to stop along your route
with the inbuilt Michelin Green Guide prices are around £390 for the camper795 or £500 for the camper cam 795. Which, from what I could see, the main difference is that the camper
cam has a built in dashcam. And next up, if you are about to undertake
a van conversion, then you probably know
that you have to let the DVLA know. The primary use of the van has changed
from a normal van to, say, a motorhome
or a motor caravan, I think they call it. However, it may not be as simple as that. I found a story on Out and About Live
where the DVLA has been criticized by the government ombudsman over camper
van confusion. The story involves would be camper
vanner informing the DVLA. They have converted their normal van to a camper van, only to be told
by the DVLA that no they haven't. It was just now a van with windows What’s the different then. All vans have windows. Otherwise why would you need window wipers anyway? Having a vehicle. Registered as a van with windows
rather than a motor caravan means the owner can face a number of issues,
including higher fees on toll road. Costlier MOT’s, having to abide by different
speed limits and not being allowed on some camping sites
that don't allow commercial vehicles I guess After being rejected,
they asked the DVLA for advice on what they had to do to
to get it changed. And the answer was vague, suggesting that they add Awning rails
or stickers to the exterior. So they did. And one of them added a big sticker
that said camper van to four sides. I'm not sure that would work. And it seems the issue is they won't
tell them exactly what they need to do to satisfy the requirements,
because the two people involved said if they did, then they'd obviously do it
and they would get reclassified. Now there are two separate complainants in this story
and it would appear that David and Mary. May not be alone as the number of successful applicants to the DVLA for a change in body
type to motor caravan dropped by 95% from almost 2500 to under 150 between January 2019 to January 2020. The DVLA eventually said this was due to making changes
to the way they process applications after realizing in June 2019
they had not been applying their existing vehicle body
type policy as originally intended. Now the Ombudsman found
that not only communicating about this significant change
in a clear way, in a timely way, it was a mistake and administration error
and part of the DVLA. They also found guilty
of not being transparent about what's required to register a vehicle
as a camper van and its processes. And they recommend that they apologize
to the complainants and give them £100 in recognition of their distress
and confusion and frustration. But they should also create an action plan
about how it intends to ensure the applicants have sufficiently detailed
information available to them before undertaking a conversion
about what elements constitute a vehicle, body or vehicle of body type
motor caravan and what they need to do. And they also need to provide
the Ombudsman with details of how it intends to make clear to customers the process involved
in determining a body type and in particular making a decision
on what body type to assign an application
for a body type motor caravan. And at this point,
I'm still not sure if David and Mary have managed to classify their camper
van correctly. I hope you have guys if you're watching,
which you probably aren’t. And the third article
today is all about insurance, and it is a story that I found over
on the Caravan and Motorhome Club websites excuse
me is an older story, but I wasn't aware. So perhaps
some of you are not aware of this either. Now we've all been frustrated
when new customers and not just insurance get better deals than those that
are renewing with their current provider. Well, the Financial Conduct Authority,
the FCA, have brought in their fair pricing initiative, which is aimed at
not penalizing those loyal customers that do choose to renew. The FCA found that some existing customers
that remained loyal were being punished as new customers were getting better
deals, I guess to entice them into signing up
with that new insurance company. But from the start of this year, 2022,
see told you it was an older story and both new and existing customers
must be offered the same price for the same cover,
which is kind of a blow for insurance companies,
because now that he's going to raise their new business prices
or lower their renewal prices so that they match,
that is what I have you for this week's Camping and Caravan News and the round up
the things that caught my eye. And don't forget, if you did. Like this
video, then give. It a thumbs up. And if I carry on getting likes and views,
then I'll definitely spend the time to bring you the weekly news
all about camping and camper vans. And finally, if. You haven't already. Why not subscribe to the channel that notification bell
so that you can see all our future videos on travels, camper van, news and reviews
and all things that we do here. If you click here,
you will find last week's news video. Thanks for watching
and we'll see you in the next video.
So there we go. That is this week's news and one of the stories there about the DVLA.
There were a couple of comments on my YouTube channel, which I'm going to go through in next week's news. And I've also reached out to three or four van conversion companies to see to try and get their thoughts and their experiences on if they register with the DVLA or is that down to the people they sell it onto when they change the logbook to do it?
So I'm trying to understand that in case that might prove helpful for other people. So stay tuned for that next week.
So like I said earlier, I am just going to real quickly. Run through the things that are coming up on the podcast over the next few weeks. I have 13. Weeks worth of ideas and all. Of them take a little bit of work. To do before I can actually record it. So I'm hoping to be able to find the time over the next few weeks to do that as well as maintain the website, as well as record videos and edit videos and publish videos and do my day job to pay the bills.
So I'm and also practice stop sign all the time, which is the hardest part. Okay.
So I have like say 13 things that are coming up and I don't know what order they're going to be coming out in. I am going to read them out in the order they're on my list, which may not be the actual order that they are released in. So don't expect to see the first one. I'm making sure next week, but don't expect to see the last one I mention in 13 weeks time either. And also other ideas might come up other things through the podcast that I want to do.
So here we go. Okay, so I am going to we went in. A summer earlier in the year actually it wasn't quite the summer, I don't think. I think it was more spring time to a national park in Devon.
And we did a amazing walk around Ludford Gorge and I have a quick video on that. That was part of our vlog series when we went to Devon, and I think that it deserves an amazing it's an amazing place. It deserves probably a bit more time. So I am going to go through that trip. It is not boring as it sounds, I promise, because it was. A stunning. Place and I'm not going to spoil it now.
But that's one thing that's coming up.
As a creator of these podcasts, I also listen to podcasts, so I have a number of podcasts that I listen to as regularly as I can. And I'm going to let you know where they. Are and I am going to link to those in the show notes and things like that so that I can send to you.
So the you may be me may be able to discover them and you may enjoy them as well and see if there's something you'd like to add to your podcast. Your podcast list.
I have an idea that I want to share about our campsite wishlist. So these are campsites that I've seen over the years when we've been looking at doing trips and things and that kind of campsites that I really want to visit and I'll tell you why I want to visit them and where they are and things like that, and what appeals about those campsites. To me.
We are also. Members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club site and also the Camping and Caravan Club site. And I want to do a comparison on those too, because some people will do I join a website?
Should I join, show, join this one, show, join one at all and then have a comparison as to who may help people in making a decision. So but before I do that, I'll only say that one caravan and camping club site.
So I'd like to stay a couple more to get a flavor rather than just base my findings on that one campsite. I'd like to stay two or three more so that I have a fair reflection of the state of loads of caravan in my time campsites with not many camping and caravan campsites. So I'd like to I'd like to do that as well.
I'm not sure if this one would actually materialize. It depends on how long it takes me to get it together because we did our ten day trip around on or around the whole of Wales, but we saw lots of things in Wales in the summer and there are a few things that we would have done differently. I'm not sure if that's going to justify a whole podcast or not, but I will go through some ideas or some things that I think that had we done it differently, we may have had a better time and maybe experienced more or experienced different things rather than how we did it.
So that's our favorite cooking gear. We do lots of cooking while we're out camping in the van.
We have a amazing connect stove that I've talked about on here before, I think, but there's loads of cooking gear that we have that makes it easy, quick and convenient to cook inside or outside of the van. So I'd like to share that with you guys. This next one will also turn into a video. I've just got to find the time to do it.
We have a Volkswagen, California, which we love, but there are also some little niggles that. Perhaps we don't love. As much. I don't want to say hate, but I want to share those with use that I was thinking of buying a particular 2015 VW California. It might help those in making a decision or looking out for some of the things that we've noticed over the last four or five years.
I'm debating whether or not to do it. And go into more detail on the campsites that we visit.
For example, we stayed at a campsite called Concierge Camping, and I'd love to explain all about it on the podcast and give you my thoughts on what you can expect when you get there.
And the pros and cons and where it is and what's around there and things like that. So if anyone's thinking of going to that area, that might be a good not just for concierge camping, but for all the other campsites we've stayed as well. Caravan cooking.
I've mentioned the equipment. What about the. Meals we are going to go through? Perhaps a number of meals that we like to eat while we are in the van.
They're easy, convenient, doesn't create much washing up and we have at home just as easily transferable to the camper van as well.
Reading. I like reading. I read as many books as I can, not as many as I would like, but I have a list of camper van and travel books. It's also a blog post on the website which I'd like to go through and tell you who they're by and what it's about. And no spoilers, but why we or why I like them and why I've read them and why I keep them on the shelf, things like that. I'd like to share with you more on. The New Forest has loads of great campsites in the new forest.
There's lovely places to visit and a new forest. It's a national park. It's over 100 years old. It's been a national park. I think. I think so. I think that I can really go through lots of things around the new forest, which is near where we live, the visitors to Sydney Forest that I find useful. So they are 12 or 13 things that are coming up over the next few weeks.
Like I say that the main work in doing it recording only takes 1520 minutes, but the research behind it is where the time is and to get it into a decent format, which I've not been doing.
So there we go.
We are on 16 or 17 minutes of this podcast. I am going to leave it there for now. It is Friday the 11th. I'm recording this on Thursday the 10th. It will be released on Friday the 11th. If you're listening to on Friday the 11th, have a great Friday.
If you listen to it any other day, have a great day.
Please leave me a good review on your chosen podcast platform. And if there are things you don't like rather than just give me one star, why not tell me?
Tell me what you don't like.
Tell me what you'd like to hear and we'll see what we can do.
But in the meantime, thank you for listening. Have a great week and we'll see you next time on Driving Horizons.com.
Bye for now.
Links to my content:www.richardchubb.com.comwww.youtube.com/@richardchubbUKSocial: @richardchubbUK