You Only Need a Van #1: A Nissan Elgrand Weekend in the Lake District
There is a reason we have called this new series You Only Need a Van.
A good Japanese MPV is far more than a practical family vehicle. With plenty of space, comfortable seating and the ability to carry everything needed for a few days away, it can become a remarkably capable adventure vehicle.
For the first instalment in the series, we are following Em and Tom, who recently took their Nissan Elgrand 3.5 Highway Star from their home in Gateshead to the beautiful Stonethwaite Valley, near Keswick in the Lake District.
From Gateshead to the Lakes
The Elgrand is particularly well suited to journeys like this.
Its spacious interior, smooth 3.5-litre V6 engine and relaxed motorway manners make it a comfortable vehicle for the drive across to the Lake District. Once there, it offers enough room for camping equipment, food, clothing, paddleboards and all the other essentials that tend to accompany a weekend outdoors.
Em and Tom headed into the Stonethwaite Valley, surrounded by some of the Lake District’s most dramatic scenery.
With clear skies and warm weather, they could hardly have chosen a better weekend.
Outdoor Cooking and a Natural Shower
Part of the appeal of travelling in an MPV is the freedom to take more equipment than would comfortably fit into an ordinary car.
The couple made good use of their outdoor cooking setup, preparing burgers, halloumi and onions beside the river. Judging by the photographs, the food was every bit as good as the scenery.
Stonethwaite Beck also provided what might politely be described as the weekend’s shower facilities.
A dip beneath a waterfall is certainly a bracing alternative to a campsite shower block, but on a hot summer day in the Lake District, there are probably worse ways to freshen up.
Football, 5G and a Well-Stocked Coolbox
Saturday evening brought an unexpected modern convenience.
Despite being surrounded by mountains in a secluded valley, Em and Tom discovered that they had a 5G signal. That meant they could settle down and watch the England v Norway match while enjoying a few cold drinks from a very well-stocked coolbox.
It was a nice example of how weekends away can combine the best of both worlds: proper countryside and a sense of escape, without necessarily having to abandon every home comfort.
Sunrise Walks and Paddleboarding
They were up again at sunrise the following morning for a short walk through the valley.
The Lake District is at its best early in the day, before the roads and popular viewpoints become busy. Quiet paths, still water and the first light across the hills make an early start well worth the effort.
After the walk, they travelled on to Derwentwater for some paddleboarding.
That is where a vehicle like the Elgrand really starts to make sense. There is room for people, luggage, outdoor equipment and everything needed for a full weekend away, without the compromises that often come with a smaller car.
Why the Nissan Elgrand Works as an Adventure Van
The Nissan Elgrand has long been popular with customers looking for a comfortable and versatile Japanese MPV.
It can work as a spacious family vehicle during the week and then become the base for a weekend adventure when Friday arrives. Some owners choose a full camper conversion, while others simply use the generous interior space for sleeping, storage and carrying equipment.
The 3.5 Highway Star combines a strong V6 engine with a comfortable cabin and a more distinctive exterior appearance. For long journeys and weekends away, it offers the refinement of a luxury MPV with the practicality of a much larger vehicle.
Em and Tom’s trip is a perfect example of what these vehicles are capable of.
A drive from Gateshead to the Lakes. A weekend beside the river. Outdoor cooking, waterfall swimming, football in the valley, an early morning walk and paddleboarding on Derwentwater.
Sometimes, you really do only need a van.
Where Will Yours Take You?
At Vine Place, we specialise in carefully selected Japanese MPVs, including the Nissan Elgrand, Toyota Alphard, Toyota Vellfire, Honda Stepwgn and other versatile models.
Explore our current vehicles atwww.vineplace.co.uk.
Already own a Vine Place MPV? We would love to see where it has taken you. Send us your photographs and a few details about your trip, and your adventure could feature in a future You Only Need a Van story.
Real people. Real adventures. One Japanese MPV.