Whereas the sight of a camper was once unusual, they're now to be seen everywhere - pootling along motorways, holding picnics, and even doing the weekly supermarket run. They've become part of the family, part of the 1 child, 2-car set up.

And I want one.

The thought of grabbing a few clothes and some tins of soup and heading off to explore unknown territory for the weekend appeals to me. As does pulling into a lay-by, making a cup of coffee and lounging on the sofa with a newspaper, instead of paying the exorbitant prices for the hassle of a service station.

Knowing nothing about campers and motorhomes, I flicked through some magazines. The glut of magazines on the shelf dedicated to motorhomes indicated its popularity, as well as its increasing hobby status. But the magazines were too overwhelming, coach-built, high-top, diesel, FSH (apparently, it has nothing to do with its sense of humour), door positioning, two-berth or five... There were so many things to consider and that was without even considering what make and model you wanted.

A showroom seemed a good idea. There's a number around the country and I spent a Sunday afternoon clambering in and out of used vans with less than 40,000 miles on the clock and brand new luxury vans with double bed and en-suite bathroom. It was a whole new world to me, a world of gadgets and detail. It's no wonder it's a hobby that men and women share. There's GPS navigation systems and solar power, there's natty cupboard fasteners and compact bathrooms with shower, and there's even bed layouts to suit everybody.

It was like house-hunting, at first you look at every one in detail, but before long, you're able to glance through the door and know instantly if it feels like the one for you.

Showrooms demonstrated another world to me, but an exhibition proved to be breath-taking. I thought, in my naiveté, that I'd seen everything there was to see and encountered all the people in this head-nodding club.

Arriving at the exhibition before the public doors had opened, I was privy to the careful strokes of the vacuum cleaner on the soft piled carpet and the endless circles of soft cloth on metal. Each motorhome was being lovingly prepared for the adoring gaze of thousands of people. And just as my friends and I had once created a circle with our tents by turning the door to the centre, so too were these companies creating an adult version of a camp using their state-of-the-art motorhomes.

And state-of-the-art they were. 70's retro isn't just in fashion in your homes, they are also a fashion in motorhomes. Metallic silver body and concept interiors like a set from a futuristic film set were dotted between the traditional white suburban motorhomes with vased flowers on the dining table and a pinny hanging in the dinky kitchen.

It wasn't just the design of the van, there were guages and dials to provide hours of entertainment for any man, plasma screens with built-in DVD players, bars of light that were obviously inspired by the 'lightsabre' of Star Wars, concept bathrooms, and beds that are pushed to the ceiling when not in use.

Not that you need to buy one of these ultra-modern vans to have every gadget and gismo on the market. There's a huge accessories market waiting out there for you, whether you want a new shaped loo, multi-tool, or wind turbine to power your pioneer hi-fi system. DIY, it seems has extended beyond the four walls and into the motorhome. You may not be able to expand the size of your van, but you can reupholster, revamp and upgrade depending on your imagination, budget and patience.

Regardless of size and expense, all of the motorhomes were created with an eye for style and space. After all, with more people viewing these beauties with an eye for transglobal adventure, not only are they looking for home comforts on wheels, but the space to avoid having months of cosy claustrophobic eruptions with their partner, family or friend.

And as with the family home, space is essential, especially the space to store your junk. More and more motorhomes are including storage space within the space of the body, some even have enough room to store a moped. If this isn't enough, you can still revert to a top-box and bike rack.

Going from VW camper to Winnebago and everything in between, you soon understand why it's increasing in popularity. Sales of motorhomes have risen by 17% over the last year; still not as many as caravans, but it's getting closer.

Camper vans have always been an eccentric hobby, but maybe its increasing popularity has more to do with the festival goers of the 70's and 80's being grown up and wanting to be in touch with nature without being in touch with the hard ground. Or maybe, I'm just getting older and want a little comfort with my coffee.

Whatever the reason, I still want a motorhome. But with so many to choose from, I'm no closer to choosing the ideal one for me. Maybe actually driving one will help.