Eddie The Eagle To Open The NEC Caravan And Motorhome Show

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By William Coleman

A British legend will be officially opening the 2017 Motorhome and Caravan Show at Birmingham’s NEC on October 17. Michael ‘Eddie’ Edwards has now been confirmed for the show.

Eddie ‘The Eagle’ who represented Great Britain in the 1988 Winter Olympics will be featured alongside the iconic VW campercans. Something he has a long history with. ‘The Eagle’ was fortunate enough to have been given a VW camper conversion by his father which was his home away from home during his ski-jumping career. “I’m really looking forward to opening the show,” says Eddie. “I travelled over 50,000 miles in my beige VW caravanette. It wasn’t super-fast, but I got there. It had an extendable roof and boiling my kettle on the stove helped me keep warm in the mountains at minus 20 degrees!”

There will be a full showcase of the VW Campervan. There will be 3 decades of models starting from the 1950s. There will be over 700 of these iconic camper vans on display over the three day event. Personally I’m most excited to see the new 2018 VW range. Hopefully they will have some new concepts for the modern VW camper.

The highlights of the generations of VW Camper on display will show the T1 with its split-screen. The classic ‘van with a face’ is the definitive look for the much loved motorhome. They were manufactured from 1950 to 1967, with its air-cooled engine outputting just 25bhp: around half the power of a 50cc moped. In the 1950s camper conversions were designated as commercial vehicles with a speed restriction of 30mph; this was successfully challenged in court in 1956 and campers were reclassified as private vehicles.

Eddie the Eagle joins a line-up of celebrity chefs who will cook from the kitchens of newly-launched leisure vehicles in the LIVE Theatre at the show.

Carvantime will be at the show for the entirety of the event. And I will be paying special attention the icon VW Campervan. Keep an eye on our Facebook for live broadcasts and competition.

The Touring Barber

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By William Coleman

Everyone loves a caravan conversion. You can’t go to a festival without buying a pizza or a nice cocktail from the side of an old school caravan convert. How about a nice trim or a brand new hairstyle on your front door.

With life being as hectic as it and combined with extortionate parking prices, if you can find a space, making a trip into town to get some hair pampering can almost seem more like a day at work rather than luxury. That is all about to change for the people of Warwickshire.

Julian Rahau has decided, following his window cleaning retirement due to injury, to become Bravo Barbers, the mobile barber and hair stylist. Following a fall from a ladder than lead to quite a nasty injury he decided that a career change was on the cards. After the injury Julian started training with a hairdresser his landlord introduced him to. After that tutelage he decided to take it a step further take a course at Warwickshire College where he became fully qualified.

Julian says: “I’ve always been good with my hands, so I started to train as a hairdresser, took a college course, worked as a barber in a salon and that has got me to this point – ready to begin my journey with Bravo Barbers.
“I’m going to reach people in areas without a hairdresser – they don’t have to drive or find a parking space, watch the time or be in a rush. They can just walk in and relax. “You have to have the courage to take that step but I have always thought myself as an entrepreneur with a lot of creativity.”

Cats On Tour

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By William Coleman

When planning a trip away you always need to make sure you have arranged care and accommodation for you pets. They’re a very important part of the family and you always want the best for them. Well why not take them with you?

Yesterday I wrote about a new concept for a dog friendly caravan. Well what about cats? The argument can me made that cats are a lot more self sufficient than dogs, making them a much easier travelling companion.

Bailey even designed a specialised caravan for our feline friends for when you’re relaxing on your latest staycation. Take a look at the full article Bailey’s Cat Caravan

So when you’re away and you want to take your kitty with you why not get them their own small indoor carava, you don’t want them feeling left out do you? Click this link to see how to get a cost effective cat caravan to keep them in the stayction spirit, Cat Caravan

With the amount of locations now advertising being pet friendly you may never need to pay for your cat to be looked after during your UK based holiday ever again.

Take a look at our facebook to see what everyone else thinks, Cat On Holiday

Green Energy Fuelled Motorhome

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By William Coleman

Motorhoming is adored in the UK. It is something most us have all experienced and has a yearly economic contribution of a staggering £500m. Being green and protecting the environment is something that we are all responsible for as caravan and motorhome owners. But as of yet there is no real green alternative that is a suitable replacement for our diesel powered vehicles, until now.

Until recently the only green energy motorhome was the Nissan e-NV200. Which due to its small size does not really appeal to many motorhomers. Seeing the need and demand for something bigger bigger which is green powered German motorhome manufacturer Dethleffs have utilized solar energy for their latest creation, the e.home, based on Iveco Daily van. The e.home concept is a fully sized 4 berth motorhome with a large lounge area and fully furnished kitchen.

What gets the Daily moving is a 107bhp electric motor that will power the motorhome for up to 174 miles per charge. This millage will differ depending on the weight loaded into the vehicle. But this is where the e.home concept kicks into gear. The shell of the motorhome is covered with thin-film solar panels that span 31 square meters. Dethleffs say they can generate up to 3kW of electricity to keep the 228aH sodium-nickel-chloride battery charged.

The ensure they are fully powered by green energy they have opted to use an electric cooker and heater instead of gas. Both of which are actually connected to the battery that powers the engine. So be warey that when you’re cooking your fry up for 4 that you are taking away millage.

Despite the e.home being in its concept stages for now it does show what can be done be done outside of the diesel motorhomes we have been used to.

Staycation For Dogs

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At the latest Lawns Caravan Extravaganza for the UK’s first ever bespoke dog friendly caravan was revealed by holiday home manufacturer Willerby. A kennel load of pups and pooches ventured the Lawns Caravan show to get their paws on the dog welcoming new design.

The new caravan has lots of specifically designed features to make taking your pet on holiday with you a lot more comfortable for both you and your pooch. Britain has always had a special place for man’s best friend in its heart. Now with an estimated 40% of UK households having pets the number of pet friendly holiday locations is on the rise.

After a day out in the country you can bet that your dog will have found its fair share of puddles and ponds to jump in. The last thing you want is to bring the dog back and have it run amok and covering your holiday home in the wilderness it has stuck in its furr. Well not to worry, this new home comes intact with an outdoor hose to clean off the muck and critters.

After the evident increase of pet friendly locations being chosen Willerby saw a big gap in the market. And that’s what sparked the idea and which is now a reality.

The idea has incorporated the needs of both pet and owner. A caravan is not the biggest environment to share with a pet. So with that in mind Willerby adapted a fitted gate that allows you to close of certain areas from pets. There is nothing worth than having your dog under your feet when you are trying to cook for the family. During the hot weeks of summer you can use the stable door to let the air flow in while keeping your dog from charging outside.

Space saving is one of the main drives behind the new home. You may not want to dog sleeping on the sofa or the bed. You also do not want them on the bare floor or taking up space in a doggy bed. So to ensure compatibility for the pet and practicality for the owner there is a specially designed space in the kitchen for the dog to sleep. And the interior is furnished with adorable personal touches – handy hooks in the shape of dog tails and dog-themed bedding.

John and his wife Jean visited the caravan with their dog Benji. Mr Parkes said: “This is the first holiday home we’ve ever seen that’s been designed specifically for dogs. Benji was into everything. He loved it and we think it’s brilliant.”

Kirtsen Bolton, Marketing Director at Willerby said: “Our new pet friendly holiday home is perfect for those who can’t imagine taking a break without their furry friends.The holiday home is fitted with a number of adaptations to suit pets. We’ve even built a mini replica of the model in the form of a kennel that sits on the porch, so dogs can enjoy some peace and quiet in their own private surroundings!”

Huge Staycation Campaign Aimed At UKs Youth

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By William Coleman

Following the recent boom in the UK’s leisure and tourism industry VisitBritain has launched a UK-wide campaign to get the youth of our country to take their holidays and weekend breaks at home.

The campaign has launched over digital and social media by Join the World-Discover the UK, who are spending £2.5m on the venture. The launch took place on 11th September and will use aim to use overseas social media methods to reach, what VisitBritain, is calling the “Lost Generation”.

Despite the recent boom in the UK tourism industry is seems that there has been a dip in 16-34 year olds taking their vacations in Britain. The statistic show that 1.4 million 16-34 year olds took UK based holidays last year. That may seem quite a high amount of holidayers but it is actually down quite a lot when compared to the numbers from a decade ago.

The campaign has brought together the national tourism organisations from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in an effort to get an additional 1 million overnight which will have an estimated boost of £80m to the economy. The social media will campaign more than just trips. You can expect to see physical activities, nightlife and clubs, restaurants and food from around the country.

“There is an incredible amount to see and do across the whole of the UK and we want to inspire more young people to take in our world-class attractions, sites and cities,” said tourism minister John Glen
“By showcasing the exciting and diverse range of trips on offer I hope it will encourage many more young people to explore the UK.”
With such wide range of things to do in the UK this campaign will be highlighting the very best on offer. The launch will kick if 5 short films showcasing experiences in London and Yorkshire in England, Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland, Glasgow in Scotland and Elan Valley in Wales, through the eyes of international travellers.

Yellow Weather Warning Issued

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By William Coleman

As England prepares itself for the upcoming weather that storm Aileen will be bringing us the Met Office has issued some warning for certains parks of the country. Nottingham has been issued a Yellow Weather Warning by the Met Office for the next two days. From around 4pm today the Met Office are expected extremely strong winds across the region. We can expect strong winds and heavy rain over the next couple of days.

Be sure to check the weather before travelling over the next two days. Highways England have urged anyone travelling in a high-sided vehicle such as caravans and motorhomes to be very cautious as the expected high winds could blow these vehicles over.

As we have seen in recent footage from the storms in America these winds can be devastating to smaller cars and trucks, so the impact on larger vans, motorhomes or caravans could be worse due to their size. So if you are planning a journey in your leisure vehicle leave plenty of time for this weather, as you may be faced with delays or obstructions.

The winds should ease off on Wednesday morning so we will not be faced with this awful weather for too long. But the heavy rain will be an ongoing issue. There could be flooding and excess water on the roads creating adverse driving conditions.
Anyone who is planning a get away please be sure to leave a bit earlier, check the weather before and do all your safety checks before setting off.

Caravan & Motorhome Club Site Visit

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By William Coleman

Today I had the pleasure of being invited to Battle to visit the Normanhurst Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC) site. What I found when I visited really impressed me. I was very impressed by everything that I saw that day.

I arrived at 8am, after setting off at half 6 from London, to find the sun was already up and shining beautifully through the trees and woodland that surrounds this idyllic location. Speaking with a site member who has been visiting this location since the mid 80s, she told me that before the storm in 1987 there were a lot more trees surrounding the site. But due to the force of the winds a lot were completely torn out of the ground. The large trees give the site a nice secluded feel. Like your own personal escape from the world that’s being protected by a luscious tree line.

With a secluded feel to this site also come a very calming quietness. Once you are in the park all you can hear are bird chirping and the occasional movement of motorhomes. Having spent the whole day at this location I found the silence gave it a very tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. Absolutely ideal for anyone who wants to escape the 9-5 routine and just relax in the solace the natural surroundings provide. Walking round and taking in the beautiful park will lift anyones mood and provide a sense of calmness and positivity.

The site features a play area for the kids which comes with a climbing frame, swings, slide and a mini castle with climb. Just opposite the children’s park is a court which has basketball hoops and goals combined with some benches for a post game picnic. Just beyond the pitches is a walking path that drops you directly into an amazing stretch of woodland. Surrounded by fields filled with sheep and views that have to be seen to be believed. The walking path is lined by big oak trees that are coming to the end of their bloom on one side and a stunning landscape on the other.

The park is not the biggest CAMC site available but the pitch sizes are extremely generous. Each pitch has space for any size leisure vehicle with a good size orning, your tow vehicle, and then there is still space for you chairs, tables and BBQ.

Not only are the pitches well size they are also immaculately kept. The whole site is in amazing condition. All the lawns were mowed, edges were trimmed, bathroom/wash areas were spotless. There was not a single blade of grass out of place on the site. You can see the care and dedication that goes into maintaining its high standards. It was very impressive to say the least.

Most of the spots are located in the centre of the site but there are several little hidden spots around the park for people who would like a more private stay. These spots can hold 2-3 motorhomes or caravans. Whereas the main part of the park has the majority of the visitors together.

Despite it being almost the middle of September the site was at full capacity. Each one of the beautifully kept pitches were occupied but there was still tons of space left which is a testament to its well positioned and well sized pitches. The visitors were all out relaxing, sunbathing and taking in the great weather. That’s how you make the most of the stunning 2017 summer.

We Buy Any Caravans Selling Hints & Tips

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By William Coleman

Recently I was speaking with We Buy Any Motocaravan about what are the key factors when trying to sell your motorhome or caravan.

We Buy Any Motocaravan provide an honest, friendly and efficient service for people who want to sell their leisure vehicle stress free. With more than 50 years of experience in the industry they are well equipped to help you on your sellers journey.

As anyone who has sold anything before knows, the devil is in the detail. Whether it be on eBay, the Friday Ad or a poster in the window of your car, people buy the best looking and most informative advert. So before you begin to list your vehicle for sale here are some of the things that We Buy Any Motocaravan suggest to look out for.

Evidence of Paperwork

The more paperwork you have the better. A paper trail of the vehicle provides a level of validity and trust and it will make for a much stronger chance of sale. If you can provide the MOT and service history it will show the buyer the care that has gone into making sure the motorhome or caravan has been very well looked after. If the vehicle has no MOT get one sorted as soon possible. I do not know of anyone who would look at let alone buy a vehicle without a valid MOT.

If you purchased your motorhome from new then you should have all the paperwork that it came out of the factory with. A well maintained and well documented vehicle will demand a much higher price.

If you can display evidence that you have had a motorhome habitation service carried out this will also be beneficial. You can think of a habitation service as being a motor homes equivalent to an MOT for the aspects of your motor home that are used for living such as LPG / Water / Electricity.

Wear, Tear & Paintwork

Anything that is movable will at some point in its life get marked or scuffed. In the case of a motorhome, for example, the possibility of it coming into contact with something else is very likely. The more damage to the vehicle the more the value goes down. Any good owner would tend to damage immediately, but the unavoidable cosmetic damage caused by everyday use is the one thing you cannot protect against. So always try to fix and repair anything that catches you eye. Because if you see it so will a potential buyer. This also applies to the interior and internal fittings. So go through the home inside and out with a fine toothed comb and look out for anything that may devalue what you are trying to sell.

Damp and Water Damage

The damage caused by a continual leak can be invisible for years. The signs of water damage can also be very hard to detect. Large motorhomes can have an indoor style plumbing system that unless you start taking things apart you will never find these damages, until it’s too late. The quicker you spot a leak the better. Water damage can sometimes cause more damage than it’s worth. So if you see it act fast and resolve it before the cost for repair become uneconomical.

Roof Condition

The roof is something that should be checked on a yearly basis. Much like the water damage, you can find the issue when it is too late. When doing your checks before selling always think whether this is something you would buy from someone if they presented it to you. If you use luggage storage racks check to make sure that, if they have been overloaded, there is no damage from the fittings.

There are a thousand different things to check and consider when preparing your motorhome for sale. Far too many to list in this one single article. Everything that you can see will need to be checked and cleaned. As a buyer they will scrutinise every little spec of dust they can find. For more advice and tips visit We Buy Any Motocaravan full extensive online guide to selling your motorhome, We Buy Any Motorhome Selling Guide

Brexit Boom For Staycations

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By William Coleman

The Brexit decision is having a fantastic impact on the Staycation industry in the UK following negative impact on the pound. It has been almost 15 months since Britain decided to leave the European Union. Whether you agree with the decision or not there is no denying the impact that Brexit has had on the Great British Pound (GBP).

The caravan industry has experienced a real boom since the 2016 referendum. Due to the weak value of the GBP against the dollar and Euro holidays abroad have become a lot more expensive. A pint of beer and a glass of wine in certain areas in Europe can set you back almost £17.

Salop Leisure, award winning caravan dealership with sites in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Stourport-on-Severn, have experienced real growth in the post Brexit market. Tony Bywater, chairman of caravan and motorhome dealership has reported record breaking sales numbers across the business during mid August.

The company saw a 26% increase in customers at their Shrewsberry site, which is also the company’s headquarters. The increase has been in all divisions of the business, including motorhomes, campervans and caravans. With the increased foot flow the other onsite stores, the Love Coffee restaurant and Love Plants specialist plants centre have also experienced an increase in takings.

Mr Bywater firmly believes that the recent success and boom in the industry is a direct result of the post Brexit economy in the UK. He has also added that recent issues and events round the world have had an impact. Getting through an airport has now become a task in itself, tougher security, long passport checks are putting a lot of people off of air travel. Add to that the threat of being caught in a terror event in cities around the world. These are all contributing factors that are keeping a lot of people in the UK for their holidays and getaways.

Depending on what side of the fence you sit on, this news is bittersweet. It’s great news for the UK travel and tourism industry, which is exactly what Brexit is supposed to do for us. But as far as the global impact of the weak GBP, the effect is still yet to be seen in its full form.

“They are definitely factors in the staycationing boom this year,” he said. “Many people are looking for better value for money and more flexibility with their holiday requirements for the future.

“A caravan holiday home, touring caravan or motorhome is available all year round whenever it is required and gives people absolute freedom to come and go as they please, whereas all that’s left after a holiday abroad is a suntan that fades and a few photographs.

“The beauty of owning a caravan holiday home, in particular, is that you can share it with other members of your family and you are assured of a high standard of comfortable accommodation every time you need a holiday of short break.

“Today’s holiday homes offer home from home luxury and the quality of parks in Mid Wales and the Heart of England is comparable if not better than other parts of the UK.”

He also reported that there was no one type of leisure vehicle that dominated the sales for first time and existing customers. The sales were pretty evenly spread for caravans, motorhomes and VW campervan conversion. The company has also welcomes a large influx of younger families this year.

Depending on what side of the fence you sit on, this is bittersweet news. It’s great for the UK travel and tourism industry, especially with such a large increase in younger buyers. This kind of positive impact is exactly what Brexit is supposed to do us and our economy. But as far as the global impact of the weak GBP, not to mention the UK market in the future, the effect is still yet to be seen in its full form.

As someone who has always gone on UK based holidays pretty much birth, I am over the moon with the amount of attention our industry is receiving. For me it seems, for now anyway, that we are in a win win scenario. The more we go on Staycations the more funds we pump into our economy and leisure industry. With that happening the experiences and locations can only get better as time moves on.

Has anyone here opted for a Staycation over an abroad holiday?

Cheshire Fest 2017

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By William Coleman

What better way to send off the spectacular summer of 2017 by coming to Cheshire Fest. A weekend full of fun, food, drink and entertainment for all the family.

The two day summer closing event is back. Cheshire Fest is guaranteed to have all the family jumping with joy over the two day extravaganza. The festival returns on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of September. This year it will be hosted in a new location, Manchester Rugby Club in Cheadle Hulme.

This is the second year of the now annual festival. The event celebrates the important things in life like good food and great music from some of Cheshire’s finest entertainment acts. The 2017 event is shaping up to even bigger than the 2016’s.

The weekend festivities kick off from 11am on both days with a full main stage programme of live entertainment throughout the day. Children, under the age of 15, get free entry. Adult tickets are £10 plus a booking fee. Adult tickets come with a free drink upon entry to the festival.

On Saturday the main stage, named the #RememberWhen Main Stage, will showcase some of Cheshire’s best tributes acts. Covering such artists as Take That, Ed Sheeran, Elvis and even The King Of Pop himself Michael Jackson. They will be joined by Britain’s Got Talent finalists’ MD Productions. Sunday will have a more rock and roll vibe as the main stage transforms into the #FestivalAnthem Main Stage. You can expect to hear some Great British anthems from The Antarctic Monkeys, Oashish and The Absolute Stone Roses.

While you’re taking in the festival atmosphere you can venture into the Street Food Village and enjoy a whole range of culinary delights. There will be gourmet street food and international cuisine. The to wash that down travel to the Mini Beer Fest which will feature of 30 different beers, ciders and cask ales from all round the UK. The Gin Garden for the sophisticated palate, Cocktail bar and the glamourous Champagne and Prosecco Bar will be able to cater to everyone’s needs. Once you’ve made you way through those you can top it off with a little tipple on the Pimm’s Bus.

For the footloose among you there is a silent disco, if you haven’t tried this before make the most of this opportunity. If the silent disco is not for you transport yourself to Comic Con and Sci-Fi area to get your photo taken with your favourite Star Wars characters, who are taking the weekend off from fighting the Dark Side of the Force.

Festival Director Philip Osbourne said, “After launching our first festival in 2016, we’ve taken huge steps to bring on board a cracking team of organisers this year to reinvent the festival. We’re all about big days out with family and friends and we think this new format, location and programme will offer just that! It has been an absolute pleasure to put together the programme for Cheshire Fest, we hope the people of Cheshire enjoy what is sure to be a great weekend.”

Tickets to this unmissable event start at just £10 plus booking fees, which includes a free drink for every ticket buyer! Book now for the perfect end to summer. Tickets available at Caerphilly County Borough Council and at selected venues across Cheshire.

Camplify Interview With Founder Justin Hales

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By William Coleman

Following the article I wrote last week on the Camplify UK launch I had a chance to catch up with the founder Justin Hales. We were able to discuss the origins of his Camplify idea and much more.

Where did the unique concept for Camplify come from?

As a kid my family went caravaning as much as possible. Every school holiday we went somewhere in our caravan. Usually to the same place, a seaside park, where we went fishing and played in the sea. As an adult I wanted to get back into caravanning, but didn’t want to have to purchase one. I was walking around my township looking at all the caravans and motorhomes not doing anything for 90% of the year, and thought, “why can’t I just hire my neighbour’s?” Camplify was born.

What made you choose the UK for the next phase of Camplify?

Well a number of factors, the UK is the perfect place for a caravan adventure, there are some amazing places to see and the facilities at the parks are amazing. When you compare the cost of hotels with caravans in the UK, it’s a great value a family vacation. When we researched the industry, we found that around 70% of the RV owners had their caravans and motorhomes in storage, and used them around the same rate as Aussies. It is also a growth area in the UK. All these factors led us to want to jump into the UK market.

After the launch in Australia did you expect such a huge reception and growth?

We were not really sure what to expect. The Aussie market took a little time to warm to the concept, however in the UK thus far people are really excited and want to be involved which is very pleasing.

Have you spent much time in the UK touring around, if so do you have a favourite spot or location?

Yes, I have spent at least four weeks a year in the UK for the last three years. My favourite locations are; the Welsh coast around the Gower Peninsula, Cornwall around St. Minver, and the Peak District.

What do you think will draw the UK leisure industry to Camplify?

We are all about promoting what’s in your backyard and getting more people on more holidays. The hirers due to easy cost effective holidays, and the owners having more holidays with all the extra income they have. We want people to stop looking outside their backyard and realise they live in an amazing country, where they can escape the city to a fantastic retreat in only a few hours, in a cost effective way.

Where do you see Camplify UK in 2 years?

Being the largest community of RV owners in the UK, making owners lots of money in a safe and secure way, while sending thousands of people on holidays.

Upon launch will you have full UK coverage or will it take time to build up areas in the UK?

This really depends on where our owners want to list, but our plan is everywhere, as soon as possible.

Where did you get your passion for leisure holidays?

That’s simple, I was working in the mining industry in Australia, Africa, USA, and Asia. I wanted to do something more, and thought what is better than helping people go on holidays! I LOVE talking about holidays, and now I get to do it every day!

What is your preference. Caravan, motorhome or camping and why?

Hard question. I would have to say caravan, simply so you can get setup and do day trips without having to pack up and down every day.

What is your ideal weekend away on a staycation?

Easy, beach, fishing, craft beer, some local cheese, my wife, and our border collie Storm.

The soft launch took place earlier this month for people to join in and add their caravans, motorhomes, tents etc. So if this is something that possibly interests you get in touch with the Camplify team, www.camplify.co.uk