Firefly

Description of Beds: Firefly’s ultra-comfortable bed is wider than a king-sized bed, but not as long. This makes it ideal for 2 adults to sleep in, and you could easily fit a child for a three-in-the-bed adventure! The 168cm-wide bed pulls out and assembles (with the help of a memory foam, custom-cut block) to a full length of 175cm. The overhang out into the main living space means you won’t sleep with your toes crumpled up against a wall - just ask the 6”5 climber who traipsed all over Scotland in this van! The chunky, comfy mattress will tempt you back at the end of a day spent enjoying the outdoors. Better yet, there’ll be no waking up with bad sofa cushion back pain in the morning! Please note bedding is included. Description of Seating: The cab has three seats in the front (including driver), all with three-point belts and headrests. Both passenger seats can fit a children’s car seat or booster seat, secured using the seatbelt, as there is only an airbag on the driver’s seat. Description of Electrical Setup: Firefly uses a 170W solar panel to power its appliances, including a fridge and overhead lighting above the hobs and bed. The solar panel connects to a leisure battery. To charge your phone or other devices, there is a four-plug extension cord connected to the inverter under the front passenger seats. The fairy lights run off either 3 AA batteries (included) or USB power, so can be run on a power pack, too. About the area: Firefly lives down a little lane in Grayshott, on the Hampshire/Surrey border. The South Downs National Park is within a 10-minute drive, where you’ll find beautiful hilly walks a-plenty, extensive woodlands, country pubs, and picturesque villages to explore. The south coast is less than an hour away - you could be eating fish and chips on the beach in no time, or grab your board to enjoy the perfect surf set-up! The whole area is a patchwork of sweeping commons, Aonbs and Sssis (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest). The Surrey Hills are on our doorstep, and Chichester Harbour, the North Wessex Downs, Kent Downs, High Weald and even the Isle of Wight are all within easy reach. Parking: If you’re driving, you can leave your car safely in our driveway, down a quiet no-through lane. If you’re travelling by train, head to Haslemere station (not Hazelmere!) and take the bus to Grayshott (15 mins) or we can pick you up. Cooking Equipment: Firefly’s kitchen is well-equipped for your cooking needs, with two gas hobs and a built-in gas oven and grill. Pots, pans, chopping boards, knives, and roasting tins are all included so you can cook up a storm. You’ll also find a kettle, potato peeler, tin opener, and garlic crusher to make life easier. Once you’re ready to eat, there are enough plates, bowls, cutlery, and mugs for 4. Washing up is easy in the copper sink, the foot pump gives a good flow from the tap, and we always have washing up liquid, sponges, and Marigolds to hand! Water and Sanitation: There is a glass demijohn to store drinking water next to the gas tank, under the oven. You can use this to decant into cups or fill up your water bottles for the day. Water for the sink is pumped from a 25-litre tank via a foot pedal. There is no toilet, but there is a portable pee bottle for emergencies or a middle-of-the-night wee! There is a trowel, too, but no shower. Audio Equipment: There’s a radio and CD player in the front of the van. If you want to play your own music in the back or on the drive, don’t forget your portable speaker! Type of Heating: Firefly has a gorgeous wood burner. We provide matches, firelighters, kindling, wood, and a billhook to break down logs. Let us know if you’re unsure about building fires and we can show you how it’s done! Conversion Story: Firefly was converted into the beautiful home it is today by a Glastonbury carpenter. Thanks to his careful craftsmanship, Firefly is full of beautiful and quirky wooden features, including the live edge along the kitchen counter and the nifty shoe compartment. He enjoyed a nomadic lifestyle for a couple of years with his partner before handing over the keys to a new owner. We met Firefly on a chilly December night in 2021 on the North Devon coast and fell in love. We took shelter in its warm glow for a year, only giving up the joys and freedom of van life to move close to family for the birth of our baby girl.