Festival celebrates van life culture

A range of live music performances are at the festival throughout the weekend

Fans of camper vans, caravans and "van life culture" in general have gathered to celebrate this weekend in Shropshire.

From tents to motor homes and trucks to caravans, 5,000 people are attending the Vanlife Festival at the West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury.

It is the third time the festival has been held in the town to bring together everyone who loves the outdoors and camping.

Director Ruth Jones said people from all walks of life visited the festival and shared stories about their travels around the world.

"Some people have travelled all around Australia and others have lived in their vans for more than 30 years," she said.

It is the third time the festival has returned to Shrewsbury

A range of performances are featured at the festival including acts like Metz Jnr, Frankie Roe and The Gleaves.

There is also a large display of more than 100 classic camper vans and caravans beginning from the 1960s in the festival's Field of Inspiring Dreams.

"You can see what set-up people have and have a cup of tea with the owners, some even have parrots and cats," Ruth Jones said.

She added that the displays brought some people to tears as the caravans reminded them of childhood camping with their families.

Some of the caravans date back to the 1960s and evoked nostalgia in visitors

Damo Jones and Terry Smith founded the festival after meeting at camper van shows and wanted to create an inclusive event where every make and model of vehicle was welcome.

When Mr Jones and his wife Ruth started travelling with a tent at the age of 18, they would look "in envy" at people with camper vans.

"We would meet friends by inviting people around the campfire and we wanted people to feel involved from all walks of life," Ms Jones said.

The couple later managed to save up and purchase a van of their own and have been camper van owners for the past 20 years.

They have brought the campfire vibes to the festival by introducing faux campfires that everyone can sit around to share stories and get to know one another.

Converted trucks also feature at the festival with some costing up to £1m

Campervan and caravan lovers can explore the festival and be inspired by others until the event finishes on Sunday.

People are able to explore a range of caravans to be inspired by others