Willow - "Fern"
Our Tiny Living Story
By Willow & James (and our van, Fern)
When we first started talking about living tiny, we didn’t realise how much it would completely reshape our lives. My partner and I were both working long hours in London — always tired, always indoors, always rushing. I remember standing in our little rented flat, looking at all the things we’d somehow gathered, and thinking, “Why are we doing this?”
That same night, we sat on the floor with a notepad and started sketching out something different. Not a five-year plan. Not a promotion or a mortgage. Just… a quieter life. One where we could wake up with the sun and maybe go to bed with it, too. That’s when Fern started as an idea.
Building Fern: Our Tiny Home on Wheels
Fern is our long wheelbase Sprinter — we built her ourselves from the bones up. She’s simple and kind. Pale wooden walls, copper details, soft fairy lights, and a little herb rack by the window. She feels more like a woodland cabin than a van.
And in the middle of it all — our burner. He’s small, but don’t let that fool you. That little stove transformed everything. I honestly don’t think we’d still be living this way without it.
How the Burner Changed Our Vanlife Experience
Before the burner, the one winter we did was rough. We had layers and hot water bottles and that damp chill you just can’t shake. Waking up was hard. The van always felt cold, inside and out.
But the day we lit the burner for the first time? Everything changed. Now we wake up to the gentle crackle of wood, warm air wrapping around us while the rest of the world is still frosty outside. I make coffee while the embers glow, and that moment — just us, the fire, and the quiet — is probably my favourite part of the day.
It dries our clothes, takes away the damp, and makes even a rainy Tuesday feel like something to look forward to.
Life in the Van
Mornings are slow now. We light the burner, stretch out on the floor, maybe do some yoga with the back doors open if we’re somewhere green. Then it’s either finding a co-working spot in town or heading into the hills for a hike. Every day is different, but the rhythm feels natural.
Living tiny — and living with fire — makes you more mindful. You pay attention to what you’re doing.
Cooking on the Burner
We cook most of our meals on the burner in the winter. Our gas hob gets used maybe once a week.
My go-to burner meal is a smoky lentil stew — carrots, onion, garlic, paprika, and red lentils. You let it bubble away for an hour or so, and by the time it’s ready, the van smells like home.
Tip? Prep early, cook slow, and always keep a lid on your pot — it keeps the heat in and your food happy.
Tiny Challenges + Clever Fixes
Storage was one of our biggest early headaches. We ended up building hidden compartments under the bench seats, a pull-out pantry, and even a little shelf behind the flue for books and tea jars.
Our best hack? A fold-down desk that doubles as a chopping board and a laptop stand — tidy and multi-use.
But honestly, the hardest bit wasn’t physical. It was emotional. You have nowhere to go when you’re frustrated or tired. That forced us to communicate better, soften our reactions, and treat each other more gently. That’s been the biggest growth for us both.
Favourite Place We've Stayed
Glencoe, hands down. We parked up in a quiet lay-by surrounded by mountains and the rush of icy water. That night we lit the burner and sat there in silence, wrapped in blankets, while the wind howled outside. Wild on the outside, warm on the inside. That moment is everything vanlife means to me.
Advice to Anyone Thinking of Downsizing
You need way less than you think you do. Let go of the stuff — and the idea that more stuff equals more comfort. It doesn’t.
And if you’re living tiny full-time, invest in heat. Cold makes everything harder — cooking, sleeping, thinking. Warmth gives you back your energy and your sanity.
How the Burner Shapes Our Life
We don’t rush anymore. We follow weather, not WiFi. We choose a spot based on feeling, not convenience. The burner lets us stay off-grid longer, and turns even grey days into something soft and golden.
It’s more than just heat. It’s a ritual, a centrepiece, a reminder to slow down.
Can’t-Live-Without Item?
Slippers. Good ones. Warm feet change everything! Oh, and pots and pans that can be stacked! Space SAVER!
Unexpected Joy of Tiny Living
We’ve never felt closer. Not just physically, though yes — it’s a small space! But emotionally, too. Without walls between us or busy routines distracting us, we’ve learned how to really live together. The good and the hard bits. If we go on a hike somewhere and we really love the place, we don't need to leave! We have everything with us and completely self-contained!
Other Heat Sources?
Yes, we have a 2kw diesel heater, but it isn't the same. We tend to use the diesel heater if it unexpectedly drops cool or we've been out all day and when we come back to the van it takes the chill off. Our Lenny does it all. We’ve dried socks, steamed rice, and warmed chilly hands on it all winter long.
Festivals + Favourites
We love The Big Retreat, Camp Quirky and VanLife Eats Festival — all have this wonderful mix of creativity, music, and community. For inspiration, I always turn to Vanwives and Eamon & Bec. Their stories feel honest and comforting. Oh and The Indie Projects! We love them too!
Tiny living isn’t always glamorous. There are cold mornings, muddy boots, and condensation battles. But it’s also full of magic. Morning light through the trees. The sound of rain on the roof while the fire crackles. The joy of making something from scratch — and then actually living in it.
For us, Fern isn’t just a van. She’s our little world. And at the centre of it is that glowing burner — quietly keeping us warm, grounded, and exactly where we want to be.
Must haves in a van?
For us we had to make sure we had a double bed - ours is a permanent bed at the back of the van so we dont have to make it everyday! A decent fridge, we decided on the dometic copy and it works great! A shower inside - we knew we wanted a shower inside the van incase we were travelling and ended up in urban areas where you cant just put up a curtain! 2 forms of heating - diesel heater & wood burner, it wasn't our first thought however we saw so many comments on social media about wood burners that we then had to have one! A cooker, so we can cook or boil a kettle in the summer when we weren't using the wood burner... I am sure we have more, but they were our top priorities!
Why didn't we include any photos?
You might be wondering why there aren’t any pictures here. That’s on purpose.
Some stories are better told in words — soft ones, honest ones — without the pressure to stage or pose or filter. We feel more comfortable sharing what this lifestyle feels like, rather than showing what it looks like. Fern is our Home and we are careful about who we let in, but we love story telling!
This space is for real stories, not perfect ones. So while there’s no glossy photo album, we hope Willow’s words lit a little fire in your imagination.