Episode E00 - Bye Bye Driving Horizons, Hello Stories Through the Shutter

Episode Summary

Key Topics Covered

Takeaways

Tune in to this exciting new phase of storytelling as Richard embarks on a journey filled with exploration, creativity, and a commitment to capturing the world through his lens. Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up with new episodes of Stories Through the Shutter!

Welcome to another, albeit it brief, podcast!

Work has taken over my life for the next 4 weeks, so in this episode I am just explaining what may be coming up over the next few weeks, and explaining why there may not be an episode every week. 

This could well be the shortest podcast I ever do! But I wanted to keep the regular listeners updated!

In this episode, we hit the road to explore another of the UK's touring parks.

I talk abut the site and what we thought, plus, we pay a visit to one of our favourite funky beachside cafés with serious character.

Whether you're planning your next campervan getaway or just love the idea of quirky pit stops, this one's packed with info. From scenic pitches to flat whites served in a beachside shack, we’ve got stories, tips, highlights of our most recent trip.

So buckle up, brew a cuppa, and let’s tour Britain the campervan way!

In this week's episode, I share with you our plans for a Summer 2025 Road Trip, which takes us around the North West area of France.

We are taking the Campervan across the channel from Portsmouth, before embarking on a 1,100km road trip that takes us to Mont Saint Michel, Carnac, Loire Valley, Le Mans and lots of places in between.

Follow the route, and keep up to speed with our trip over on: www.drivinghorizons.com/campervan-road-trip-france-2025/

The VW California is great. We love it.

It works as an every day car.

It ferries us on holiday. 

We eat in it.

We sleep in it.

We play games in it.

But, what are the benefits, and the downsides, of upsizing to something bigger?

In today's podcast, I discuss my thoughts on the pros and cons of moving to a bigger van. From the driving of it, the sleeping and the living in it.

The Question is....is bigger necessarily better?

The Campervan isn't dying, but it's not very well!! is the episode that charts the bumpy road of modern campervan life — quite literally. This isn't a dreamy #vanlife highlight reel. It’s the real story: from beds that get stuck mid-trip (meaning we had a train to catch) to windscreens that won’t wash (twice, same part).

This episode dives into the challenges of owning a campervan that’s not old, not neglected — just... not great. We’ll talk about sourcing fridge hinges from Germany, the moment our roof knob nearly gave up, and that one blind that's gotten weirdly stiff. And that’s before we even get to the air con leak, failing brake discs, and the mysteriously dodgy tambour door that still haunts our dreams.

It’s chaotic. It’s costly. And somehow, we still love it. If you’ve ever muttered “It’s fine, we’ll fix it later” in a layby, this one’s for you.

This week on the Driving Horizons Podcast, we dive into a surprisingly disappointing pub stopover during our campervan travels—what went wrong, and what we think should be done differently. But it’s not all bad news! We also take you along to two unforgettable stops on the Dorset coast: the hauntingly beautiful abandoned village of Tyneham, and the impressive Tank Museum in Bovington.

Whether you're into UK road trips, van life experiences, or hidden historical gems, this episode is packed with insight, tips, and real talk about life on the road.

🔹 What to expect from a pub stopover

Perfect for anyone into van life UK, family camping or just looking for unique places to explore in Dorset and the Jurassic Coast.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and come along for the ride!

#DrivingHorizons #VanLifeUK #Tyneham #TankMuseum #UKTravelPodcast #CampervanLife

This week's episode is all about our latest trip! Our camping trip at the Caravan and Motorhome Club site at Longleat.

During our stay, we headed into Bath, just 40 mins away, plus of course, our visit to Longleat Safari park.

I also detail the good, the bad and the ugly about the campsite

In this episode of the podcast:

Join me as I share all the highs — and a few unexpected lows — from my recent stay at Cofton Holidays, one of the South West's most talked-about holiday parks. From peaceful countryside vibes and well-kept facilities to a few standout moments that genuinely impressed me, Cofton had a lot going for it. Whether you're looking for a relaxing family escape or just some quality time in nature, there’s a lot to appreciate here.

But hey — no trip is perfect, right? While I definitely enjoyed my stay overall, there were a couple of things that didn’t quite hit the mark. I’ll get into the nitty-gritty of what went well, what could’ve been better, and a few tips that might help if you're planning your own visit.

So, if you’re curious about whether Cofton Holidays lives up to the hype — or just want to hear some honest holiday talk with a few laughs along the way — this episode’s for you!

In this episode of Driving Horizons, I take you with me to the heart of the New Forest, where I spend a night at Red Shoot Campsite—a site that's not only surrounded by natural beauty but also happens to be right next to a cracking countryside pub. Yes, you actually drive through the pub car park to reach your pitch!

Join me as I share my full experience, from the scenic (and sometimes narrow!) drive-in, to settling into a neat and tidy pitch, testing out the showers, and all facilities, exploring woodland walks, and of course… grabbing a well-earned pint next door at the Red Shoot Inn. 🍻

Whether you're a seasoned camper or just planning your first trip to the New Forest, this episode is packed with practical tips, honest thoughts, and a bit of pub-fuelled charm.

Plus, I’ll be talking about a fun new idea: building a guide to the best pub-campsite pairings across the UK—with your help!

🎧 So plug in, settle back, and let’s roll.