How to Stay Cool in the UK in a Camper Van
Real tips from the road: keeping cool, safe and sane in 30°C heat
Here’s the ultimate guide to staying cool in your camper van during a UK heatwave. Whether you're a weekend adventurer, full-time nomad or simply planning a summer road trip, these tips will help you beat the heat and enjoy the ride.
☀️ Why Campervans Gets So Hot in the UK
While British summers may not usually rival the Mediterranean, climate change is making extreme heatwaves more common—and more intense.
Camper vans, especially older models, aren’t built for this kind of heat. Most lack insulation for summer temperatures and very few have built-in air conditioning. Without proper airflow, the inside of a van can easily hit 10°C higher than the outside.
In our case? The van reached 33.8°C during a drive—even with windows cracked open and blinds down.
So how do you deal with this kind of heat when you live (and sleep) inside your van?
Let’s break it down.
🛠️ Vanlife Cooling Kit Essentials
Before we even talk about park-ups or shady walks, here’s what made the biggest difference to our comfort and safety in the heat.
✅ Reflective Thermal Window Covers
We doubled up: first the blackout blinds, then silver reflective foil behind them. These bounce sunlight out of the van instead of letting it bake the interior. It may sound basic, but the temperature dropped by at least 3–4 degrees compared to bare windows.
✅ Open Windows Strategically
Create airflow by leaving your windows cracked—especially on the shaded side of the van. If you're parked in woodland or away from busy roads, this is key to preventing that stuffy "greenhouse van" effect. If you arent travelling with animals then you can have the windows wide open allowing that air to move.
✅ Spray Bottle & Cold Water
We carried a mist spray bottle and used it liberally on ourselves, our dog (Frank), and even around the doorways. Instant relief. We also dunked our heads in streams and poured cold bottled water over ourselves, a bit like an outdoor cold shower.
✅ Electric Kettle > Gas Stove
Avoid heating the van unnecessarily. Our gas hob turns the inside into an oven. So we switched to an electric kettle, only used briefly in the morning for tea.
Pro tip: Cold brew coffee is your new best friend. Make it the night before and chill it in the fridge for a refreshing morning pick-me-up.
🐾 Keeping Pets Cool in a Camper Van
Pet safety is non-negotiable.
Dogs can suffer heatstroke in just minutes. According to the RSPCA, temperatures over 24°C can be dangerous, and vehicles become deadly fast.
Here’s what we do for Frank (our dog) and Murphy (our heat-loving cat):
- Early morning walks: Before 9am, when pavements and paths were still cool.
- Shaded woodland routes: We found areas with tall trees and streams to cool his paws.
- Water access: Frank had fresh, cold water at all times, and we bathed his belly in rivers.
- One stays in the van when going to shops: On hot days, one of us always stayed behind with the animals—windows open, blinds down, and fans running if possible.
Important: Never leave pets unattended in a warm van, even with windows cracked. It can be fatal.
🧊 Heatwave-Friendly Vanlife Tips
Let’s round up all our best cooling hacks from life on the road:
💦 1. Shower Smarter
If your van has a shower, go cold-only during heatwaves. Too hot? Use bottled water outdoors. It may not be glamorous, but it works.
🥗 2. Eat Fresh, Cook Outdoors
Cooking inside is a last resort. We made a refreshing feta salad with chilli honey dressing outside under the trees—easy, quick, and mess-free.
❄️ 3. Pack Your Fridge Tight
A well-stocked fridge keeps cool more efficiently. The less air, the better it functions on hot days.
🚴 4. Hop on the Bike
Need supplies? Use your bike instead of heating up the cab. Bonus: breeze on your face.
🛍️ 5. Use Public Air-Con
Supermarkets, libraries, and even shopping centres offer free cool-down zones. One of us shopped while the other stayed in the shaded van with Frank.
🚐 6. Take a Scenic Drive
With windows down, a slow drive through shaded woodland offers a welcome blast of breeze. Avoid motorways—stick to forest routes.
👖 Extra Hacks We Loved
- Cut trousers into shorts — Sometimes you just have to DIY your summer wardrobe.
- Use what you’ve got — Our spray bottle? A reused
cleaning bottle. Effective and budget-friendly.
- Don’t forget the breeze — Even the gentlest wind in woodland can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts: Campervan Travel Isn’t Always Easy, But It’s Worth It
Vanlife in a heatwave is sweaty, sometimes stressful—but never boring. With a bit of prep, a few clever tricks, and a shady forest nearby, you can ride out even the hottest UK days.
The key? Adapt, slow down, and embrace the little things. Like dipping your feet in a cold stream. Or finding the perfect shaded spot for a nap. Or eating fresh salad outdoors while the birds sing above.
These are the moments that make it all worth it.
