Welcome to this van conversion tour with a twist! Today, we’re stepping inside this – the ‘Hywel Davies lorry’ – a one-of-a-kind conversion that began its journey as a rigid back cattle lorry.
This transformation – completed by the skilled team at Olive and Oz Conversions in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire – now serves a very noble purpose…
No longer confined to transporting livestock, the Hywel Davies lorry now travels to local farmers markets, offering vital support for mental and physical health.
Created for the DPJ Foundation, a Welsh Mental Health charity, this conversion is more than just a renovation; it’s a beacon of hope and compassion in the community.
Base Vehicle Specification
↠ Manufacturer: DAF
↠ Model: LF 160, rigid back cattle lorry, half chassis
↠ Fuel: Diesel
↠ Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): 7,500kg
Lorry Conversion Interior
The Hywel Davies lorry conversion is a testament to creativity and sustainability, boasting repurposed and reclaimed materials throughout. This conversion has waterproof floors, doors that seamlessly balance light and weatherproofing, and comfy seating.
What’s more, keen-eyed observers might spot familiar fittings, as some were salvaged from a milking parlour, further deepening the ties to its agricultural heritage.
Lorry Conversion Layout
Inspired by it’s agricultural roots, this 7.5 tonne lorry conversion features an open seating area with kitchen, and a consultation room.
Key features:
↠ Farmhouse-style entrance
↠ Lounge/waiting room with kitchen
↠ Consultation room
↠ Spacious floor-to-ceiling utility cupboard
Seating
With space optimisation and function in mind, bench seating lines the walls of the coffee area, doubling as storage. Additionally, a functional swivel chair has been installed in the consultation room.
Plumbing & Bathroom
This converted lorry will be a regular feature at local farmer’s markets and agricultural events throughout Pembrokeshire. Designed as a roving consultation space where people can get together and talk all things health – mental and physical – it doesn’t require the traditional trappings of the campervan conversions we typically review.
You won’t find a sleek wetroom with a shower or toilet in this build – communal space and the consultation room are the focus.
Key features:
↠ Small galvanized metal corner sink
↠ Larger, covered kitchen sink
↠ Copper mixer tap
↠ 50L fresh water tank
↠ 50L waste water tank
↠ Shurflo pump
Kitchen & Consultation Space
In the kitchen, sleek black units paired with metro tiles, and wooden trims perfectly complement the farmhouse vibes. The agricultural aesthetic continues through to the understated consultation room.
Key features:
↠ Dometic CRX50 compressor fridge
↠ Waterproof (welly-proof!) floor
↠ 2 x cupboards, 1 x drawer
↠ Large utility/electrics cupboard
↠ Folding table
Storage
Drive-away ready, this conversion is the perfect mix of practical and aesthetically-pleasing, combining open shelving with trunk-style bench storage, and traditional kitchen storage spaces.
Key features:
↠ Industrial-style open shelving with copper trim
↠ Spacious under-bench storage
↠ Kitchen storage
↠ Utility cupboard storage
Lighting
Energy efficient LED ceiling lighting has been supplemented with statement wall lights that were once at home in the milking parlour!
Given a second lease of life, these once-upon-a-time milking teats are now a much-loved feature in this lorry conversion.
Key features:
↠ LED ceiling lighting
↠ Reclaimed milking parlour wall lights
Heating & Insulation
In keeping with its Welsh roots, this conversion is insulated with sheep wool insulation from Wool Insulation Wales Ltd.
A Plannar 4Kw diesel heater is ducted to both rooms heater to keep the space toasty.
Custom Design Features
This beautifully crafted Hywel Davies lorry by Olive and Oz is a truly remarkable conversion that perfectly captures a look of rural charm and feeling of comfort and sustainability. The meticulous attention to detail, from the repurposed decks and Welsh wool insulation to the thoughtfully installed solar power system, showcases a commitment to eco-conscious living and craftsmanship.
The integration of reclaimed materials and nods to its agricultural heritage, such as salvaged fittings from a milking parlour, adds layers of authenticity and character to this unique space.
Get articles like this straight to your inbox:
Lorry Conversion Exterior
Unassuming, approachable, and familiar in its landscape, the exterior of this rigid back cattle lorry has remained intentionally untouched, apart from a few upgrades:
Windows
Working with the existing features of this rigid back cattle lorry, clerestory-style windows have been fitted where there were previously vents.
Above eye level, they create a light space, without compromising privacy.
Key features:
↠ Clerestory-style windows
↠ Reclaimed wood frames
Lorry Conversion Power Set-up
Off-grid capabilities and dependability were critical for this conversion, given the important part it will play in the community. The lorry has a large bank of solar panels on the roof, and a high spec system with smart monitoring for easy control.
Fully Loaded Off-Grid Electrical System
Key features:
↠ 4 x 350w panels on the roof (JA Solar)
↠ Smart MPPT controller (Victron)
↠ 2 x 200Ah 24v Lithium batteries (Victron)
↠ Lynx Smart Battery Management System (Victron)
↠ MultiPlus-II 5000VA Inverter (Victron)
↠ Victron Cerbo GX for easy electrical system monitoring and control
↠ Vintage industrial style sockets and exposed wiring
🌟 We think the rustic-styled Hywel Davies lorry converted by Olive and Oz Conversions is an impressive transformation and new lease of life for this cattle lorry! What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
Get articles like this straight to your inbox:
FAQs About Lorry Conversions
Can you live in a lorry in the UK?
It sounds like a great idea to hit the open road with the extra space available in a converted lorry, and it is! But the big question you’re probably asking yourself before you embark on this venture is ‘can you live in a lorry in the UK?’.
The simple answer is ‘yes, you can’, as long you abide by local parking restrictions (see below) and planning permissions.
With a larger vehicle, it’s important to plan your travel and parking more carefully, as finding ‘wild’ parking may not be as straightforward.
Furthermore, many people who design larger conversions plan to ‘live their best lorry life’ by parking on private land for long stretches of time. While this may be possible, it’s not advisable.
Technically, if you plan to live in a vehicle, on a plot of land, for more than 28 days in a 12 month period, planning permission should be sought.
Is it easy to convert a lorry?
Converting a lorry for off-grid living requires skills in carpentry and electrics, as well as time (a lot of it!), plus the tools to do it. It is possible to self-convert a lorry, but the size of task shouldn’t be under-estimated!
On a positive note, converting a lorry or box truck is very rewarding, and can be slightly easier than converting a van in some ways.
Why? Because the frame you’re working within is typically a more regular ‘box shape’, making some of the joinery aspects a little simpler.
Can you park a lorry in a residential area in the UK?
Generally, parking a vehicle up to – and including – 7.5 tonnes (such as the lorry featured here) is completely legal as long as you abide by the local parking regulations and you don’t block or endanger any other traffic, road users or pedestrians. It’s also important to consider any ULEZ/CAZ charges.
Hence, as long as you’re parking legally, not blocking traffic or causing a road hazard, and have paid any fees, there is nothing that is stopping you from parking on a residential street.
But… that doesn’t mean that people won’t get annoyed by your presence. We always advise against any ‘camping behaviour’, and you should arrive late, leave early, leaving no trace.
Also, one good thing to remember is that, because a lorry’s maximum loaded weight is more than 2500 kg, sidelights should be left on at night.
What kind of license do you need to drive a 7.5 tonne lorry in the UK?
Based on the DVLA’s website (Driving License Categories), to legally drive a motorhome, campervan, or lorry (HGV) in the UK, you must hold the appropriate licence and ensure that your vehicle adheres to size limits.
License requirements vary depending on your age and the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) or Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of the vehicle. This weight includes the vehicle’s own weight plus the maximum load it can carry.
For motorhomes and lorries with a GVW ranging from 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes, a category C1 licence is required.
If your vehicle exceeds 7.5 tonnes in GVW, you’ll need a category C licence to operate it legally on UK roads.
The lorry conversion featured here has a GVW of 7.5 tonnes, thus requiring a C1 license.
How do I apply for a C1 license to drive a lorry?
Car licences issued in the UK before January 1997 have automatic rights to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes (known as ‘grandfather rights’).
If you gained your car licence after 1997, you cannot automatically drive Category C1 vehicles, so you will need to apply to upgrade your licence.
There are three aspects to the application process, should you like to add the C1 classification to your license.
Specifically: you must provide a Medical Assessment, take a Theory Test, and complete a Practical Test. The Theory Test is further broken down into a case study, a hazard perception test, and a multiple-choice test.
How much does it cost to live in a lorry?
Typically, you can expect to spend between £650 – £1,500 per month to live off-grid in a lorry conversion.
It’s important to note that it is usually more expensive to live in a lorry than it is to live in a camper van. Fuel, maintenance, and parking costs are more expensive. Also, where you are able to park will also be more restrictive.
To read more about the costs of vanlife, check out this article: How Much Does Vanlife Cost?
