A van might not be the most glamorous of vehicles and during the winter months this is especially the case. But now summer is well and truly here (isn’t it?), I have come to realise the many possibilities that the humble van can offer up.

On any holiday, it’s often the accommodation that really racks up the cost. Unavoidable for those among us not blessed with a van, but as I recently discovered when taking a peek into a friend’s van (painted in the classic white of course), the van can offer a home from home. Inside said vehicle was enough space to sleep an entire person (or two if they were really good friends), and I realised how much money could be saved by roughing it a little.

Of course, for a longer trip, those who love their home comforts might find staying in a van a little too much to bear; you would need to time toilet breaks with the opening times of local amenities, or else park your van next to some bushes bearing substantial foliage. Public swimming pools, rivers and the sea might offer ways to keep one fresh.

But the best thing about staying in a van for a while is the ability to move on whenever you feel like it – a truly freeing notion. Petrol might be a big cost, of course, but the savings made from avoiding expensive hotels and bed and breakfasts would be sure to make your fuel bills a lot easier to bear.

If you’re thinking about taking the van away anywhere this year, whether within the UK or on mainland Europe, it’s a good idea to make sure your van breakdown insurance is fully up to date first.