Thanks to the rise in staycations, and exploring the good old UK, many of us have realised we love adventure, freedom and the individuality that goes with it, none more so than Octavia Coates, proud owner of Roaming Delilah- a movable hotel suite on four wheels (also known as a luxury campervan) and founder of ‘The Well Heeled Hippy’.
As Director of her own PR Consultancy, Octavia has worked with a range of boutique beauty, wellbeing and health clients, so pimping up a camper van to allow her to explore the great outdoors seemed like a natural lifestyle choice for someone involved in the wellness industry. After taking Delilah around the UK in lockdown, she realised that she could easily wake up where she wanted and use Delilah as a travelling office, which has consequently turned into a business.
What could be better than waking up and it’s just you and the sound of nature? No traffic, sound of sirens, or recycling vans clicking glass bottles. Sounds like heaven right- and why shouldn’t that be a weekly treat which will invigorate the mind and senses.
Octavia has kitted out Delilah with every mod con imaginable for a self-sufficient vacay or home office. Although – as she is a self-confessed DIY disaster, she worked with a professional refit company who designed everything to her exact spec and the result is a fully air conditioned 2016 Volkswagen Crafter, high-top which comes in at just under seven metres long and runs on Diesel. The interior of the van has been transformed into a hand-crafted home from home living space, with everything you need to make your camping holiday comfortable and practical. Powered by Solar and rechargeable battery or gas means the shower is constantly hot, and a top of the range heating system means she is perfect for all season campervanning.
So far, Delilah has already been out on numerous jaunts around the UK with Octavia and her hound Brinkley- and finding secluded campsites and stopping when she pleases has been one of the major perks. ‘Delilah is totally off grid, so you can be self-sufficient pretty much anywhere. There’s nothing better than settling down for a night overlooking the beach and waking up to see the sun rise. She even has a WIFIi booster if you want to Insta-story your adventures as you’re on the move.”
Van life has been gathering momentum, and has boomed since the pandemic. With many still wary about travelling abroad, there is a huge rise in Brits looking for slow travel and staycation ideas. Relishing in the freedom that you have when you’re on your own itinerary, Octavia noticed that her friends were queuing up to borrow Delilah, so since August she has been renting her out. Up to 1-3 adults (plus a little one) can hire Delilah for exploring. Particularly popular with couples who love the idea of cuddling up in their own private cocoon (so much so, Delilah has witnessed three proposals so far- and they all said yes!)
“I’ve found a unique marketplace based on people’s love of getting back to nature, camping and exploration, but who want to do it with a little more of a luxurious experience. I felt that so many people felt very similar to me after lockdown with the desire to expand their worlds, even if that just means opening their laptops in a different environment once in a while or to spontaneously dash off for the weekend for an adventure and fire up their passion for life.”
If you want to hire her, she comes complete with everything that you need for an all inclusive weekend. From s’mores to toast on an outdoor firepit, snuggly blankets to watch the stars, fresh linen and a kitchen with fresh coffee and all mod cons. Even the bathroom transforms into a miraculously spacious wet room with a super-power shower! Whilst the movie projector, so you can watch films on the side of the van, give that extra personalised experience. Although she only sleeps two- very comfortably, the canopy is perfect for pitching a tent next door which is perfect for the whole family.
Delilah has already been out on numerous excursions around the UK with Octavia and her hound Brinkley, and finding secluded campsites and stopping when she pleases has been one of the major perks. On her jolly to Wales she came across Craig, who is an expert forager. Should you wish to have a go, Octavia can arrange an exceptional day of coastal foraging where you will learn all about the natural edible shellfish and sea vegetables that you can find along the West Wales seashore. After a day of exploring Craig will cook up your finds on his Solva stove, for a feast on the beach.
With ‘slow travel’ a different way of exploring the world, the emphasis on avoiding the over-saturated tourist areas, finding the places which are off the beaten path and integrating with nature have never been more relevant, Ocatavia has tapped into a market whereby people don’t have to invest in full scale holiday, and she can offer bespoke trips designed for convenience which cover some of the most beautiful places in the UK. She even offers a driving lesson so you can get to grips with the size, along with a concierge at their recommended destinations who will help you unpack and set up.
“As the saying goes, a change is as good as a holiday and I want people to fall in love with the UK and what amazing sights there are to see. Why wait until your next booked holiday when every weekend could be a different adventure. So I wanted to share my new found freedom with everyone.’
To hire this 5 star hotel room on wheels by the day (with a second van coming November) or be guided with a personalised adventure, check out the website The Well Heeled Hippy and join the mailing list to find out about star watching, foraging and other curated holidays in the UK and beyond which are coming soon.
Or follow Ocatvia’s adventure’s on Instagram.