17 things to pack for your next seaside campervan adventure

There has been something of a staycation boom in the UK the past couple of years, with people rekindling their love for the British coast, in particular.

Holidaymakers are reportedly booking their staycations up to a year in advance to avoid disappointment. As a campervan owner, you already have your accommodation sorted, so you don’t need to worry about booking something too far in advance – you have the flexibility to go when the mood takes you, and when the weather is looking just right.

That isn’t to say, however, that you shouldn’t prepare for a trip to the seaside. You need to ensure you don’t just pack the essentials, but everything which will make your coastal adventure as much fun as possible.

Can you really avoid getting sand everywhere in your van? How can you avoid coming away with soaking wet towels and swimwear? What are the tricks for staying cool in your van after a long, hot day at the beach? All will be answered in this blog.

What are the best seaside towns?

If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration on where to go on your next seaside campervan adventure, a recent survey on the best seaside towns in the UK might be of interest.

The survey by Which? quizzed 4,000 holidaymakers and ranked nearly 100 towns, revealed the following to be the most popular choices:

1. Bamburgh, Northumberland
2. Dartmouth Devon
3. Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear
4. St Andrews, Fife
5. Aberaeron, Ceredigion

The little village of Bamburgh, on the coast of Northumberland, has a three-mile-long stretch of beach, which helped earn it a customer score of 85%, beating more popular hotspots from Brighton to Bournemouth.

If you’re heading to Northumberland, or anywhere on this list, make sure you have some up-to-date campervan insurance in place to protect against theft or accident.

Items for staying safe

Naturally, as a campervan insurance provider, we put safety first – and the seaside is somewhere you need to be aware of the dangers and take proactive action to ensure you don’t find yourself in trouble, or out of pocket.

• Waterproof phone case

Whether you’re scrolling social media while chilling on the beach or splashing around in the sea taking some snaps, your smartphone is likely to be one or your most-used items at the seaside.

The latest phones are fairly watertight and will still work even if you accidentally take it for a swim. But they often need some time to dry out before they can be charged – which could prove a problem if you’re low on battery.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to invest in a waterproof phone case, which will keep out any water and sand – and it will also mean you have full use of your touchscreen and camera, even with wet hands.

• Cooling towel

Let’s be honest, we’re not used to spending too long out in the hot sun in the UK. It doesn’t take much for us to overheat, which can have serious health implications if not managed in the moment.

A cooling towel is sometimes just the ticket to bring your temperature down and take you out of the danger zone. Sat on the forehead of the back of the neck, a cooling towel can provide some instant relief, and stop you from having to slope away back to your van feeling worse for wear.

That said, if anyone in your party shows any signs of overheating (heavy sweating, cold, pale, clammy skin, nausea) you should seek some medical help.

On the flip side, if the great British weather isn’t that sunny, and you need to warm up quickly after your dip, a dry robe is a great investment. If you’re a surfer or into watersports, this is a must-have item to keep in your van.

• Beach bag

When exploring the seaside, you’ll have to park your campervan up somewhere, potentially leaving some valuables in the vehicle. However, you might want to bring as many high-value items as possible with you, to avoid them being stolen.

To do that, get yourself a big beach bag, where you can store any devices and excess cash that you might have brought along with you. Often at the beach, sunbathers have access to lockers – why not go and lock your high-value items away?

Whatever you do with them, make sure you’ve got adequate campervan insurance in place – it’s not possible to keep an eye on your vehicle 24/7.

• First aid kit

It’s easy to find yourself in a scrape at the seaside. The beach is filled with potential hazards, and all it takes is one wrong step and you can end up with a cut or wound on your foot. Or a bash on the head from a surfboard. You need to be prepared for the odd injury.

So, in your first aid kit, pack some plasters, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, bandages, plus anything else relevant to your group such as some antihistamine tablets and hydrocortisone cream for those prone to allergies.

Keep the kit handy in your beach bag, just in case someone requires some kind of treatment along the way.

• Beach umbrella or awning

One of the biggest health risks at the seaside is completely avoidable: sunburn. It goes without saying that you should apply sunscreen liberally before heading out into the sun, then reapply at regular intervals throughout the day.

Even when covered head to toe in SPF 50, you might just want to be able to shade from the sun and take breaks from the heat and the UV exposure. That’s where a beach umbrella or awning comes into its own – you’ll be the envy of the beachgoers as you sit there, browsing your phone or reading a book in the shade.

Items for staying cool, dry and sand-free

On a sunny day, there’s no better place to be than at the seaside. But, to maximise your time by the sea, you want to be able to stay cool and dry. It’s not much fun having to bundle back into your van with weary heads, an unwelcome mixture of sweaty, soggy and sandy. We’ve all been there, but the post-beach experience doesn’t have to be half as sobering.

• Quick-dry towel

Lightweight quick-dry beach towels have changed the game for beachgoers. As well as being quick to dry (up to eight times faster than a standard towel apparently), they repel bacteria and don’t retain funky smells.

So, there’s nothing stopping you from using the same towel to go swimming the day after your seaside visit. You can even use it to dry yourself after your morning shower. They’re also a lot lighter and thinner, so easy to carry and to pack down when necessary.

• Hand-held fan

Not all campervans are blessed with air conditioning. If you’re the owner of a slightly older van, you might have to do with opening the windows to keep you cool on a hot day.

To get a bit more breeze directly in your personal space, pick up a hand-held fan which can be used either at the beach or when driving to and from the coast - just make sure you’re not the one holding it if you’re in the driving seat.

• Sand-removing powder

If you love the beach, but hate the residual sand that’s left on your skin after a day of dipping in and out of the seam, you need to pack some sand-removing powder.

A relatively new product, Beach Powder promises to get rid of sand instantly. So, you can walk back to your campervan knowing that you’re not going to bring half the beach with you!

• Cooler bag

In addition to your beach bag, take a cooler bag, packed full of a refreshing mix of drinks and snacks. The beauty of the beach is that it’s free – but costs can quickly rack up if you don’t go prepared with refreshments, leaving you to spend money in the seaside cafes and beach shacks.

Having a cooler bag also means you don’t have to worry about losing your spot while you go and fetch snacks.

• Beach blanket

Whilst we’re on the topic of securing your spot on the beach… If you’re going to a popular seaside town, you’re going to want to put down something that says “don’t come too close”.

A big beach blanket is just the job. Some beach blankets come in at 2m x 2m, a good deal bigger than your standard picnic blanket, and much bigger than a standard towel, of course. They’re also designed for the beach, so are waterproof, sand-proof, anti-piercing and heat resistant.

Items for having fun

The fuller and more fun your day is, the better you and your party will sleep in your caravan at night. Beyond having a splash around in the sea and lounging on your beach blanket, there’s not a great deal to do at the beach. Whether your travelling party has children or not, it’s a good idea to take a few items which will make your seaside trip that bit more entertaining.

• Paddling pool

Why would you bring a paddling pool when you have the sea to play in? Well, if you have small children, it’s much easier to supervise them in a paddling pool than it is in the sea. Or you might just want to use it to dip your feet in when you’re getting a bit too warm.

A paddling pool can also be filled up when you’re back at the campsite – just check that it’s OK with the site managers.

• Bat and ball

If you haven’t got children, it can seem a bit strange to take a bucket and spade – but you won’t get any odd looks when enjoying a bit of bat and ball.

Again, it’s a great game to bring out when chilling at the campsite, too. In fact, you probably have a bit more space to extend your rally.

• Fishing net

A fishing net is a nice slim item to pack which can provide hours of entertainment for children and adults alike at the seaside. Make your way to a beach with rock pools and see what creatures lurk in the water.

Just make sure you put back everything that you catch.

• Frisbee or football

Why not both if you have the space? A game of Frisbee, in particular, never gets old and is fun for all the family. With a Frisbee, you don’t have to worry about it popping or causing damage from a stray kick.

• Board games

Board games are an essential item to pack, not just for rainy days in the campervan, but for stirring up a bit of competitive spirit at the seaside, too.

You can either bring along an old favourite or go for something fresh and new – just be careful not to lose the dice in the sand!

Items for repeat visits

If you intend on hitting the beach a fair bit during your seaside campervan adventure, there are a couple of practical items that you should pack.

• Clothes line

Even if you have a quick-dry towel, you’re still going to need somewhere to hang it – along with your swimwear – to ensure that it has a chance to dry through.

If you don’t bring a clothes line with you, your beachwear will probably just sit damp in a bag somewhere. All you need is a roll of washing line cord, which you attach to a tree and the awning rail, and you’re sorted.

• Portable stove

There’s something about the seaside air which builds an appetite. So, make sure your travelling party is well fed at the start and end of each day by packing a portable stove.

From a big breakfast to a one-pot veggie wonder, there’s plenty of good grub you can knock up with a single hob.

Campervan insurance that’s right for you

Ready to head for the seaside? Make sure you’ve got your campervan insurance cover sorted before you go.

Here at Lancaster Insurance, we have lots of experience in arranging campervan cover and

Benefits of cover through us can include:

• Up to 365 days EU cover available
• Gas bottle and awning Cover
• Windscreen cover
• Optional breakdown cover
• 24-hour claims helpline
• UK-based call centre
• Personal effects up to £6000
• Limit mileage discounts available

Get your campervan insurance quote from Lancaster Insurance today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.