(Image: Denson Automotive)
“Having a camper van means that if people want to pop to Scarborough for fish and chips they can, or if they want to travel up to Scotland for three months, they can do that too.”
That’s the kind of freedom that owning a camper van represents to Linden Kitson, the managing director of Wetherby-based business Denson Automotive. And it seems that the public are in agreement; according to a report by Statista in 2022 the number of new motorhome registrations reached approximately 11,600.
Spurred on in part by the Covid-19 pandemic, people increasingly turned to the kind of nomadic, road-tripping lifestyle that vans can offer – a movement further fuelled by aspirational social media content.
In 2023 the #vanlife hashtag had been viewed more than 12 billion times on TikTok, and there was upwards of 15 million posts using the phrase on Instagram. Travel influencers have made profitable careers out of showing life on the road, including ‘tours’ of their camper van conversions.
So as a region, is Yorkshire reflective of the national trend?
Selling a lifestyle
The interior of one of the vans (Image: Denson Automotive)
When Linden established his business in January 2020, intentional or not, it was auspicious timing to capitalise on the van life phenomenon.
Indeed, Linden believes that Denson Automotive is fundamentally a ‘lifestyle company selling a concept’. When customers arrive at the workshop in Thorp Arch they’re taken to the ‘Dream Room’ to discuss the vision for their new home on wheels.
If they’re going completely custom-made, from counter colours to exterior wrap, every aspect is decided on before the team source the van and start to outfit it. While Denson does accept vans that people bring to be transformed, Linden explained that it’s very rare that people have found one beforehand, choosing instead to trust the team to pick something.
He said:
“It can be hard for the average customer to see the potential in a van, but we know what to look for. We take what people might think are rough and ready builders’ vans and make them into someone’s dream.
“There’s a massive market for budget-friendly camper vans; we feel like we’re really in that sweet spot.”
Linden and his team convert 10 vans a month and while many are straightforward jobs, there’s been a few surprising – and specific – requests.
“One of our jobs was turning a van into a replica of Nigel Mansell’s 1980 racing car. Another lady was really into astronomy and had a wolf and stars across the exterior.”
Before and after (Image: Denson Automotive)
Living the dream
Hand in hand with the idea of van life is the concept of digital nomads – another term for remote workers who can take their job on the road.
More than 72 per cent UK employees said they were planning on working remotely in a different country, so they can both earn money and travel freely, according to research from the Post Office.
Nine in ten respondents said they imagine digital nomadism becoming a key part of the future of work, with 50 per cent citing the reason as wanting to increase their work-life balance and it give them the opportunity to see the world whilst staying employed.
Camper vans can offer a chance at living this type of lifestyle – and according to Linden, his customer base is wide-ranging; from retired couples looking to take weekend breaks, to young people taking the plunge and hitting the road.
Camper vans can offer a chance at a digital nomad lifestyle (Image: Denson Automotive)
He added:
“We’re helping people to achieve a dream van and a life that they might not even know about beforehand.”
Not only is North Yorkshire is blessed with some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, but there’s a plethora of campsites – as well as legal, on-road parking spots – scattered amongst the national parks.
Popular spots around the Harrogate area include sites at Rudding Park, Knaresborough and Ripley but there’s a whole host of other locations across the North York Moors, the Dales and the Wolds – as well as the enduringly popular seaside spots.
In fact, many of the most well-known sites are often booked months in advance, especially during the summer and school holidays. So perhaps this year you’ll join the thousands of Brits hitting the roads of Yorkshire and beyond for a camper van holiday – and maybe you’ll even take the next step and join the van life movement for good.
Ferret fun facts
- The concept for the famous VW camper van was initially sketched out by Dutch importer Ben Pon in April 1947, with the first model being released in 1949 at the Geneva Motor Home show.
- It is estimated that there are anywhere between 150 – 545 camp and caravan sites across North Yorkshire.
- The largest motorhome allowed on the road in the UK can’t exceed 12 metres length and 2.55 metres width.
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Police have issued CCTV to identify two men involved in a theft from a van in Starbeck.
The incident happened at around 2pm on July 5, 2023, close to Papa Johns Pizza on the junction of Stonefall Avenue and Knaresborough Road.
Items were taken from a van belonging to a telecommunications engineer, who was working at height.
North Yorkshire Police have appealed for help in identifying two men who were involved in the incident.
A force statement said:
“The first man is a white male, 16-20-years-old, 5ft 8 inches tall with short ginger hair. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a black jumper.
“The second man is white, around 30-years-old, around 6ft tall and was wearing a black jumper and jeans.
“If you recognise the men in the images below, please get in contact.”
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation can email joseph.havercroft@northyorkshire.police.uk.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230124365.
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Witness appeal after collision near Ripon leaves driver with serious injuries
A woman has been left with serious injuries after a collision between two vehicles in Studley Roger near Ripon.
A white Citroen car and a white Volkswagen Crafter van were travelling in opposite directions on Limekiln Bank when they collided at around 2.05pm on Monday.
The driver of the Citroen suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
“We are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the collision itself, or either vehicle immediately prior to them colliding, along with any dashcam footage.”
Anyone with information should contact PC Michael Spittlehouse by emailing Michael.spittlehouse@northyorkshire.police.uk or calling 101 and asking for him, using incident number 12230092030.
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Van driver taken to hospital after major crash at Allerton Park
A van driver was taken to hospital after a serious collision with a lorry on the A1(M) at Allerton Park last night.
The crash happened at junction 47 just before 6pm and led to three-mile tailbacks and lengthy delays.
Firefighters from Knaresborough, Harrogate, Ripon and Tadcaster were summoned to help.
According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log, “a van had impacted the trailer of a HGV and the driver was trapped by the dashboard”.
It added:
“On arrival, crews used cutting equipment, spreaders, rams and a turfer to free the male driver of the van.
“The driver was transported to hospital by road ambulance with a suspected broken femur.”
North Yorkshire Police has not released any information about the incident.
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Cyclist seriously injured in collision with van near Weeton
Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision near Weeton in which a cyclist was seriously injured.
It occurred on the A658 Harrogate Road between Weeton railway station and Pool Bridge on Monday, January 30, between 5.50pm and 6.15pm.
A North Yorkshire Police statement today said:
“It involved a van and a bicycle, which collided near to Riffa Business Park, resulting in serious injury to the cyclist.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident, or may have relevant dashcam of the collision or the van or bike involved, is asked to contact TC174 David Minto of North Yorkshire Police Road Policing Group.
“Please either dial 101, or email david.minto@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference number NYP-30012023-0380.”
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Fly-tipped jalapenos could solve mystery of Harrogate couple’s missing van
A Harrogate couple who run a mobile business selling tacos hope the discovery of some tinned jalapenos by the side of a road will lead them to whoever stole their van.
Tom and Emma Peak set up Tacoporium six years ago and sell their Mexican treats at weddings, festivals and corporate events.
But the business suffered a blow when one of the two vehicles they use, a white Ford van, was stolen from the back of their house just off King’s Road on Sunday night.
Fortunately, it isn’t their main vehicle but it contained numerous items including cutlery, trays, a cooking back — and jalapenos.
Today the couple received an email from Ryedale District Council accusing them of fly-tipping a list of items that had been dumped near Malton.
Mr Peak explained to the council the van had been stolen and now hopes that knowing where the goods were deposited will help narrow down the police search of where to look for the still-missing van.
He has even seen the funny side, posting on Instagram:
“Now let’s find that van and nail these fools who don’t appreciate a good quality pickled pepper.”
He told the Stray Ferret:
“They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. They put no value on my jalapenos whereas they are the best money can buy.”
Mr Peak plans to drive to Malton this week to collect the abandoned items — and reassured customers the business would continue despite the missing van.
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Pedestrian hit by van on busy Harrogate road
A man was injured as he crossed a busy Harrogate street this morning.
The man was crossing Bower Road when he was struck by the vehicle, which had just turned left from Franklin Road.
The pedestrian was on the ground for several minutes, causing traffic to be diverted, but remained conscious. It is not known how serious his injuries are.
Several police cars attended the scene but North Yorkshire Police has not responded to requests for information.
Eyewitnesses described the man, whose name is not known, as elderly and said a large crowd gathered to offer help.
Retail staff on Commercial Street opposite also came to the man’s aid before paramedics arrived.
The incident happened at about 10.40am this morning.
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