A family of eleven has embarked on an adventurous journey across Europe in a motorhome, embracing the freedom of travel while homeschooling their children. Amy Edwards, 40, along with her husband Shane Edwards, made the decision to take their children’s education on the road following the COVID-19 pandemic. This bold move has transformed their lives, allowing them to explore diverse landscapes while prioritising their children’s learning experiences.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/homeschooled-in-motorhome-6526-e35bed4b433745bea5026d536f66a75c.jpg)
Prior to this new lifestyle, Amy was a self-employed hairdresser. However, the pressures of conventional schooling and the necessity of after-school clubs led her to seek alternatives for her family. “Although I had some flexibility with my work, I felt I was not able to provide the greatest level of involvement in my children’s upbringing,” she remarked. Consequently, she withdrew her older five children from formal education, and the younger ones never set foot in a traditional classroom. Amy’s homeschooling approach encourages self-directed learning, enabling each child to explore subjects that pique their interest.
In July 2025, the couple acquired a motorhome, initially using it for short family trips to Wales and the Peak District. Motivated by a passion for outdoor living, Amy expressed her desire for a lifestyle enriched by nature. “There’s simply not enough sunshine in the UK for that,” she said. Her vision also incorporates homesteading principles, aspiring to teach her children how to grow their own food and raise animals as part of their educational journey.
The family now travels through beautiful locations such as France, with Amy’s five children—Reggie, 15, Belle, 8, Shane, 6, Jesse, 4, and Nelly, 1—joining her and Shane on this enriching journey. The freedom of being able to travel outside of school holidays allows them to avoid the summer crowds and expensive peak periods. “We’re not tied down to just 28 days of leave each year, and since the children don’t attend school, we can travel at our own pace. This makes life substantially more affordable for us,” Amy explained.
Despite their adventurous spirit, Amy reveals that the desire to live in a motorhome has been an ambition for nearly a decade. “You’ve got to focus and get your priorities right,” she noted, indicating that their nomadic lifestyle was not a hasty decision but rather a culmination of careful planning and dedication.
As they journey through Europe, Amy and her family are contemplating the possibility of establishing roots outside the UK, taking into account factors such as more affordable property prices and a more favourable climate. “Our ultimate dream is to acquire land where we can cultivate our own crops and raise animals, integrating this into our children’s education,” she shared.
A key part of their journey is documenting their experiences on social media, allowing them to share the joys and challenges of their lifestyle with a wider audience. Recently, Amy posted on Instagram, capturing a joyful moment of her children splashing around in a pool in Portugal after their adventures through the French Pyrenees.
Looking ahead, the Edwards family remains open to where their travels may lead them. With a sense of excitement, Amy reflected, “Since we’ve been on the road, we find ourselves continually asking whether we want to settle down too soon or if we should extend our travels, as we are truly having the best time.”
As they navigate their way through Europe, the Edwards family exemplifies a modern approach to education, combining adventure with learning, and embracing the vast possibilities life has to offer beyond traditional boundaries.