Our latest adventures with Peggy

Welcome to the "Latest trips" page of AtoZvanlife! Join us and our beloved motorhome, Peggy, as we recount our most recent escapades across the UK. Discover the locations we have most recently visited, read some historical facts, and soak in the  natural sights we've encountered on our vanlife journey. We're excited to share our highlights and perhaps inspire your next adventure!

Peggy Takes Us to Lowestoft – Adventures with Arnie by the Sea

 

Our latest trip in Peggy took us to Lowestoft, England’s most easterly town –what a mix of sea air, history, and quirky finds it turned out to be!

We started with a walk along The Scores – a network of steep, narrow lanes that wind down from the town to the sea. These paths are steeped in history, some dating back centuries. One in particular has a rather dark tale  Crown Score, In the 18th century, it was deliberately designed with a sharp bend and blind corner to trap returning fishermen. Local rogues would lie in wait, robbing them of their hard-earned catch and wages before they could reach home. Today, it’s a peaceful, atmospheric walk, but you can almost feel the echoes of its rougher days. Thankfully, our stroll was much friendlier!

Next came a bike ride from Gunton Cliffs along the coast, passing Gulliver, the the 126-metre-tall wind turbine that’s become a local landmark. We pedalled on to the most easterly point in the UK,  marked by the “Euroscope” – a compass-like sculpture showing distances to cities around the world. Standing there, with nothing but the North Sea ahead, felt like being at the edge of the map. where the sea seemed to stretch forever.

Lowestoft’s charm really shone in its details – the Pavilion standing proud by the seafront, a reminder of the town’s Victorian heyday the old Star Tea Company shop with its beautiful frontage and engraved lettering running along the inside walls, and the former chemist’s shop, now selling gardening tools and antiques but still lined with its original apothecary drawers and shelves a tangible link to the days when remedies were mixed by hand. It felt like stepping into a time capsule.

It was one of those trips where every turn revealed a little story – and with Peggy parked up and Arnie by my side, it was the perfect blend of seaside fun, history, and gentle exploring. 

Peggy’s Day Out to Oulton Broad – Boats, Boardwalks & a Touch of History

As part of our weekend trip, Peggy took me and Arnie to Oulton Broad, a place where the Norfolk Broads meet the bustle of a working waterfront – and where history quietly drifts alongside everyday life.

The first thing that caught our eye were the skeleton boats – the weathered wooden frames of old vessels, their ribs exposed like the bones of sea creatures. These silent relics tell stories of fishing trips, cargo runs, and long-forgotten journeys. Alongside them, the jetties stretch out into the water, where working boats still moor up, their ropes creaking in the breeze. It’s a fascinating mix – modern craft bobbing next to the ghosts of the past, and even the occasional sight of a warship a reminder of Oulton Broad’s strategic role in maritime history.

We wandered into the Victorian park, a beautifully kept green space that’s been welcoming visitors since the 19th century. With its ornamental gardens, bandstand, and sweeping views over the water, it’s easy to imagine families in their Sunday best strolling here over a century ago.

From there, we followed the boardwalk, a gentle path that hugs the water’s edge. It’s the perfect place to watch the world go by – from paddleboarders and sailing dinghies to the larger cruisers heading out towards the Broads. The air was fresh, the light danced on the ripples, and every so often, a gull’s cry reminded us we were never far from the sea.

Oulton Broad might be small, but it’s layered with history – a place where the past hasn’t been swept away, just quietly anchored alongside the present. And with Peggy parked up nearby, it made for a perfect day of exploring, relaxing, and soaking up the stories of the water. 

Peggy Rolls into Somerleyton – Thatched Charm & a “Clown Party”

The last part of our weekend away in Peggy took me and Arnie to the picture-perfect village of Somerleyton, a place that feels like it’s been lifted straight from a storybook.

We started at the village green, where a ring of beautiful thatched cottages sits like a postcard come to life. Each one is brimming with character –  In the centre stands the old village pump, once the lifeline for locals before running water came to the area. It’s a lovely reminder of how communities used to gather and share news while filling their buckets.

From there, we took a gentle stroll to the working train station – a rare treat in such a small village. The station still serves the Norwich–Lowestoft line, and it’s a charming spot to watch the trains roll in, framed by the surrounding countryside.

We also made sure to point visitors towards the village hall, the heart of Somerleyton’s community life. It’s here that the locals put on their much-loved pantomime every year – though Arnie, with his usual cheek, affectionately calls it “the clown party.” The hall buzzes with laughter, music, and that warm, slightly chaotic energy that only a village panto can deliver.

Somerleyton might be small, but it’s full of life – a place where history, community spirit, and a dash of humour all meet around the green. And with Peggy parked up nearby, it was the perfect mix of peaceful charm and local character.