VAN LIFE
Surprising celebs who love caravanning…From Strictly star’s converted van to A–list rocker’s motorhome trip with Beyonce
One Hollywood A-lister has a surprising link to the caravan industry
SHE may be the ultimate WAG luxuriating in a multi-million pound mansion and enjoying first class holidays to Barbados.
But Coleen Rooney, 38, has proven she has still got her working class Scouse roots by saying she loves nothing more than a caravan holiday or a trip to Butlins.
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The mother-of-four, famed for her numerous exotic breaks, told her I’m A Celeb camp mates that her family fell in love with Butlins after she took the kids to the Skegness holiday resort on a whim.
"It kept coming on the TV, Butlins, Butlins, so I went and it was Diversity that was on, it was the May half term I think," she recalled of their unlikely visit.
Coleen revealed eldest son Kai, 14, “loved it” so much that when he returned to school he told his teacher he'd been on "the best holiday I’ve ever been on".
Then, as Corrie star Alan Halsall, 42, shared he’d been on a caravan trip two weeks before flying to Australia, Coleen admitted to caravanning in Wales with husband Wayne Rooney and their children "a couple of times a year.”
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Coleen’s love of caravanning stemmed back to her childhood, when her dad bought a caravan for £200 - and it didn’t even have a toilet.
She reminisced: "We used to have one when we were kids, my dad bought it for £200 and it didn’t have a toilet, so we had a dunny and we used to call it the p**s pot.
“We got £50 back when it got scrapped, so we got our money’s worth!”
But Coleen and Alan aren’t the only celebs to love a caravanning trip.
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Gemma Collins
TOWIE royalty Gemma Collins, 43, may be more used to five-star luxury in Marbella or Dubai.
But last year she spent a fun family weekend in a static caravan in Clacton-on-Sea.
Battle of the celeb caravans from Dragons Den star’s budget ‘ebay’ motorhome to the Radfords’ £40k beast to fit 22 children
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Gemma headed to the campsite with her brother Russell and nephews Hayden and Kane.
She happily shared pictures of her posing outside the family’s home for the weekend on her social media.
The media personality shared snaps, even gave fans a glimpse from inside the trailer.
She then beamed for a photo alongside Hayden, before hitting the arcade for a game on the coin pusher machine, writing: "I'm having the best time at Clacton.
"Sensational fun I felt like I was in Vegas baby. PS….Me and H love Minions.”
Stacey Solomon & Joe Swash
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The TV couple may have a multi-million pound fortune and a stunning family home, but they love a cheap and cheerful family holiday.
Earlier this year Loose Woman Stacey Solomon, 34, documented her fun-filled stay at Haven Kent Coast Holiday Park with husband Joe Swash, 42, and their brood - where guests can stay for just £49 a night.
Stacey gleefully posted snaps of her and the kids cruising around the campsite on a golf buggy and the kids enjoying a splash in the pool.
But it seemed fans couldn’t believe the TV stars had chosen a budget trip, and Stacey hit back on her return home, posting: "There must be some kind of stigma around holiday parks because so many of you messaged saying you couldn’t believe that’s where we’d chosen to go!”
She revealed the Solomon/ Swash clan had a brilliant time there, so much so the kids "cried their eyes out" when it was time to go - prompting them to book in for another night.
Stacey then claimed she was being "held hostage" by her kids with Joe, who include Rex, four, Rose, two, and one-year-old Belle.
Laura and Jason Kenny
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They may now be Dame Laura Kenny, 32, and Sir Jason Kenny, 36, after their record-breaking Olympic achievements, but that doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy a down-to-earth caravan holiday.
The couple - who are Britain’s most successful Olympic cyclists of all time - married in 2016 and shunned a honeymoon in the Maldives or Mauritius.
Instead, they chose a motorhome holiday with their dogs Sprolo and Pringle.
They spent a month in the camper van taking in the romantic sights of St Tropez, Monaco, Nice and Lake Como.
“We had such a wonderful time,” said Laura. “When Jason said he wanted to hire a motorhome for our honeymoon, so the dogs could come too, I was a bit sceptical.
“I am so glad he did. The four of us have seen some really beautiful places on our trip and had the absolutely best time together.”
Carol Vorderman
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Carol Vorderman, 63, loved sleeping under the stars so much during her stint in the I’m A Celeb jungle that she was prompted to buy her own camper van so she could carry on at home.
Carol’s ‘Vordervan’ - as she has nicknamed it - even has a special retractable roof so she can do a spot of stargazing when she is in bed at night.
The TV star spent months planning and converting her van to her own specifications.
She told OK: "I'm a Celebrity was the first time I slept under the stars for three whole weeks, no tent, just the sky and the air, and I became addicted to being outside.
How much does it cost to live in a caravan?
LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs:
Initial Costs
- Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition)
- Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year
Ongoing Monthly Costs
- Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities)
- Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120
- Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80
- Internet and TV: £20 - £50
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40
Other Potential Costs
- Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25
- Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance
- Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time)
Sample Monthly Budget
- Pitch Fees: £400
- Utilities: £80
- Maintenance and Repairs: £40
- Internet and TV: £40
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25
- Total: £585
Annual Estimated Cost
- Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020
- Insurance: £500
- Maintenance and Repairs: £480
- Total Annual Cost: £8,000
Tips to Save
- Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons.
- DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself.
- Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs.
While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK.
“I've ordered a 4x4 van and working with a company to convert it.
"I've got a lot of farmer friends and I want to park up in their fields. I will go and see mates more, stop off in the Lake District.”
She continued: "I might get myself a dog, get the campfire going.
"I'll be able to put my blow-up paddleboards in it and it will have a hot shower and tiny kitchen.
"I've got a list of people who want to come with me. And anyone who says: 'Women of 60 shouldn't be doing things like this.'
"Well, it is happening. I've never felt freer.”
Sara Davies
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She may be worth millions, but Dragons Den star Sara Davies, 40, loves nothing more than heading out on the open road for a low-cost family break.
Entrepreneur Sara loves to take her sons Oliver, six, and Charlie, three, off for holidays in her huge campervan.
The motorhome has a huge kitchen as well as separate bedrooms so the family aren't cooped up in the same room at night.
On a trip to Yorkshire, she gave fans a tour of the vehicle that her dad renovated for her.
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She told fans: "He set himself a budget of £13,000 all in (including the van - and he went a bit over but I believe he's still under £15k (of course there was no labour charge there - but he spent over a year in total working on it!)”
He even installed solar panels, so Sara doesn't need to find somewhere to plug in for power.
Filming around the vehicle, she showed off the kitchen with its own bar area, sofa and sprawling bed space for her and her children.
Despite the huge interior, Sara likes to set up an outdoor living space if the weather permits, so the family can relax around a fire pit.
Annabel Croft
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Tennis legend Annabel Croft, 58, is another celeb who loves spending time holidaying in a caravan.
Alongside her husband Mel Coleman - who tragically died in May 2023 at the age of 60 - the sportswoman transformed a classic white van into a camper.
The portable holiday home features a little dining area, a big bed, with storage underneath, and space for cooking.
At the time she said: "I love walking and just not being tied to anything, and heading off to visit the local area - it's so freeing."
Dame Helen Mirren
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She may have an Oscar on her mantelpiece but Dame Helen Mirren, 79, loves nothing more than a laid-back caravanning holiday.
She is a member of the Caravan Club and loves the great outdoors.
Dame Helen has said caravanning gets her away from the "hustle and bustle of city life".
In a promotional interview for the 2018 film The Leisure Seeker, about a middle-aged couple taking an RV road trip, Helen revealed her sister also loves the great outdoors.
She told : "My sister in England has a caravan, but it’s one of those sort of permanent caravans. She loves it, though.
"She goes every weekend to her caravan. We do both share a bit of a penchant for caravanning."
Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow
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Chris Martin, 47, may now be an A-list celebrity with some very high-profile friends, but he got his humble beginnings in and around caravans.
His grandfather, John Martin, started Martin's Caravans in Exeter in 1929.
The business was passed down to his son, Anthony Martin, who in 1999 decided he wanted to sell the business because his own son’s band, Coldplay, was actually doing quite well.
Growing up around caravans, it was only natural that Chris would have a soft spot for the freedom they give.
It was even reported that he and now ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow, 52, enjoyed an American motorhome holiday with their pals Beyonce, 43, and Jay-Z, 55.
Lorraine Kelly
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Scottish TV star Lorraine Kelly, 65, is a self-confessed caravan enthusiast.
She said: "The great thing about going round in a caravan is that you see so much more.
"It’s the freedom of the open road which really attracts me.”
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The telly host was even once voted the ideal celebrity holiday companion by caravan users back in 2010.
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