Advise on part-time camper

Hi,
I am looking into buying my first van that I would like to use as a camper during the warm season and at the beginning to use it only within UK, no travels to continental Europe yet.
However my other objective is to use it as a van to also transport some bulkier things if I need to (NOT TO use it as a removal van).
e.g. if I need new doors to my house I have to hire a van. Things like that. A lot of custom built campervans have the back blocked.
Currently I drive a standard car to what I can fit a bicycle if I take the front wheel off so not much.
Anything that is over 2m long won't fit.
I think this van is going to replace the current car so as you can imagine I don't want to jump straight into a big van e.g. Mercedes Sprinter to go shopping for instance.
It's not that I worry about driving a big van. I actually drove much bigger vans and quite enjoy it. I think the visibility in a van is way better than in a standard car and even if the vehicle is longer and wider the maneuvering is quite easy.

I am looking into these newish Volkswagens (Transporter, Caravelle) and Fords (Transit Custom) for instance. I think Caravelle looks good but it could be it's a bit too small.
Ready campervans are more expensive than the standard vans but what I see there are significant differences.
e.g. seats, air conditioning, pop up roof.
I am worried that if jump into buying a standard van (e.g. some white ones) used by the companies I will miss some of the important features that will make my life on the road easier and more comfortable.

I want to meet somewhere in the middle between regular van and high end van and I don't need it to be built for 247 living in it.
I can see some of them have the rear seats reclining which can be used for sleeping.
And I would appreciate a van that have more windows so on the sides and at the back.
I can add and remove things at the back as my journey with vans/campervans progresses but initially pretty much empty except some seats.

I am in the process of writing down a list of things to pay attention to when fishing for a van.
e.g. 6-gear manual, diesel, air-conditioning, cruise control. I think things like rear view/reversing camera is good.
Things like engine models, reliability, blue motion good or bad?

Alternatively I could buy something like a big family van (with windows) and slowly convert it into a camper.
I have no experience but perhaps start by upgrading the front seats.

As you can see my mind has created a dilemma I now have a difficulty reconciling.
I am sure I am overthinking it but it's because I very rarely change cars (quite loyal to them) and not in a habit of buying then to sell it next year.

What do you think? What should I pay attention to?

Most here are in the USA and can’t imagine the situations you are facing in the UK. I would think like Japan a lot would depend on vehicle tax as it relates to size. I did a while back see a build that slid in through the rear doors and was small enough and easily removed so it could be stored inside a small standard garage. There are also modular types designs in Europe as well. I believe there are some van clubs in the UK you might want to contact. I first saw them while researching diesel heaters on YouTube, so you might check them out. Good luck!

Unfortunately many of the vans you mentioned are not available for purchase in the USA. While you certainly are welcome in this forum you will
soon realize that the forum mostly has USA members and many of them live in their Vans vehicles full time or mostly full time.

I myself had a few vans over the years I took road trips and went camping in. Bit I never felt the need to have the interior built out with a kitchen and bath facilities. I just used basic campsite gear of portable stove, toilet and bed. My supplies were stowed in boxes and bags. Of course that was because I did not travel full time so I had no need for it to resemble living in an apartment.

Welcome to the Van Living Forum Victor. Good advice has been offered to you here and experiences the members share with you will certainly be helpful.
Your story takes me back to when I was starting out with my first van. I've documented that experience in the websites below if you would like to look thru them.

I'm experienced with VW's having owned several and shared use of a VW Camper Van a few times. (I maintained it as my share of the ownership back then in my school days) But a used in good condition VW Camper may be ok to start out with for now for you. But have it checked out by a service tech before buying and even take a drive in it with the owner before committing to a purchase.

On leaving school I was given a Ford Van (short wheelbase) by my father. It was a "no-build" with a pressboard covered floor with indoor/outdoor carpet, a cot rigged across the .rear wheel wells, a cabinet or kitchenette, a couple of plastic Jerry water jugs 5 US gallons each, and an ice chest. It worked well for me and was cozy if I had a girl friend with me for an outing. I had a Coleman two burner camp stove and Coleman Catalytic heater 3K to 5K BTU range. There was a central overhead light and a small light at the head of the bed. The battery in this van was located under the drivers seat in a metal box and it supplied my electrical needs adequately. I carried a battery powered world band radio and a weather radio with me. The Van had front & rear doors with windows and I had snap in mosquito screens made for them and one large one for the side doors with a zipper in the center. In time I made an awning for the side of it using ladder racks on the roof. I also found a plastic foot locker that was quite handy. It was a simple no-build that served me well. I found a bicycle rack in a yard sale and mounted it to the front bumper for my bike. I also mounted the spare tire to the left rear door to have extra room inside.

If I were starting out new again today, I don't think I would do it much differently. My present rig is a hightop extended Ford Van and having the extra room with headroom alike is so much more comfortable.

One of the greatest improvements for me has been a set of "West Coast" door mirrors. The top mirror on each side is flat while the bottom mirrors are convex to magnify the view of the lower sides. Much better views for operations.

Good luck