M&C Show: The CAMC’s driving experts show Annabel Croft the ropes

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One obstacle most new touring enthusiasts face is getting to grips with manoeuvring the vehicle.

At the 2022 Motorhome & Caravan Show, Annabel Croft and Harvey Alexander, Director of Marketing and Membership Services at the Caravan and Motorhome Club, discuss how to become confident on the road.

Annabel participates in one of the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s manoeuvering training course taster sessions and Harvey shares his top tip for staying safe when touring.

Watch our video coverage to learn more.

M&C Show: Annabel and Nick play a game of “Would you rather…?”

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You might be familiar with this fun conversation starter, but have you ever played a game of “would you rather” with a touring twist?

Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, and Annabel Croft, tennis legend and recently appointed motorhome enthusiast and member, get to know each other with a series of fun “would you rather” questions related to campervans and touring.

Watch our video coverage to find out whether Nick prefers levelling or emptying the cassette and what Annabel would choose between a trip to the UK or Europe.

Watch our video coverage of this year’s show to find out more.

M&C Show: Getting to know Annabel Croft with Nick Lomas

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Annabel Croft is a former professional British tennis player and current tennis coach, radio host and TV presenter. She has recently embraced the touring lifestyle and is a special guest at this year’s Motorhome & Caravan Show. 

At the show, Annabel and Nick Croft, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, get to know each other a bit better. They discuss the weirdest places they’ve slept in a motorhome, their dream touring destinations and their must-have gadgets for life on the road. 

Watch our video coverage to learn more.

M&C Show: Nick Lomas welcomes Annabel Croft to the CAMC

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Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, chats to Annabel Croft, recent member and special guest at this year’s Motorhome & Caravan Show. 

You may recognise Annabel as one of Britain’s tennis champions. Now, she’s a successful radio host, TV presenter and tennis coach. But did you know that when she’s not busy doing all of this, she loves to explore the world in her campervan? 

Find out what inspired Annabel to get involved in the touring community, her best experiences to date and where she would like to go in the future.

Nick also explains the unique perks available to members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, including access to more than 200 sites in the UK and other services, training courses, offers and discounts. 

Watch our video coverage of the event to find out more.

Welcome to the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2022

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Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, welcomes you to this year’s Motorhome & Caravan Show. Find out what to expect at the event and where to find Nick if you want to say hello. 

Taking place from the 18th to the 23rd of October 2022 at the NEC in Birmingham, this year’s show features over 350 exhibitions showcasing the UK’s largest display of new campervans, motorhomes, touring caravans, trailer tents and accessories. It’s guaranteed to be an event to remember. 

CaravanTimes was at the event to bring our readers all the latest from the 2022 edition of the Motorhome & Caravan Show. 

Watch our video coverage of this year’s show to find out more. 

Spooky caravan getaways for Halloween

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Halloween is fast approaching, so why not give yourself a break and explore one of the UK’s spookiest getaway locations to celebrate? 

The team at Ropers Leisure have come up with five scary hotspots to give the whole family fright. Whether you want to pitch up in a tent or a caravan, these bone-chilling destinations are home to plenty of caravan parks where you can rest assured the ghosts can’t get you. 

Whitby

If you’ve read Bram Stoker’s classic Gothic novel Dracula, you may be familiar with the Yorkshire town of Whitby. The seaside location and the dramatic Whitby Abbey are what inspired the author to write about the vampire. 

The town’s eerie atmosphere and towering ruins make it a popular destination during the Autumn season. Be sure to visit the town’s most famous landmark, along with St Mary’s churchyard, Green Lane and Bagdale Hall. 

Windmill Inn is a great campsite to pitch up at once you’re well and truly spooked. 

Warwick

Warick’s most iconic landmark, Warwick Castle, has a reputation for hosting some of the best Halloween events in the UK.

If you’re feeling adventurous this Halloween, why not try out one of the haunted tours or scare mazes? Kids can also enjoy trick-or-treating inside the castle grounds. Hatton Country World is a great spot to settle down for the night. 

Somerset

Somerset is home to one of the most exciting Halloween destinations: Wookey Hole Caves. This historic site has a hair-raising atmosphere with plenty of dark passageways to be explored. The caves are believed to be haunted by witches who are said to have spent many nights performing rituals in its depths. Do you dare? 

Once you’re sufficiently frightened, head to Bucklegrove campsite in Cheddar to park up for the night. 

Inverness

Scotland is often associated with ghosts, ghouls and strange goings-on and Inverness is no exception. 

The city was the site of the bloody Battle of Culloden and visitors can still see evidence of the event and even, supposedly, hear gunshots on the battlefield. 

Oh, and if you’ve ever heard of the Loch Ness Monster, why not try to spot Nessie while you’re in the area? 

Despite its terrifying, bloodstained history, Inverness was also recently chosen as one of the cosiest cities in the UK for autumn touring. Fortrose Bay is a great spot to pitch up in Inverness.

York 

This list wouldn’t be complete without York. Considered one of the most haunted cities in Europe, York has a rich history filled with murder, ghostly sightings and inexplicable events. 

There are countless creepy locations to explore in the city, such as the Shambles, a mediaeval street that’s meant to be haunted by more than 20 ghosts, and All Saints Church which is said to be a regular haunting ground for ghoulish monks and nuns.  

If you can sleep at all, we recommend turning in at the Robin Hood campsite. 

 

Image credit: Александар Цветановић / Pexels

 

Touring holiday popularity surges despite the rising cost of living

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Research carried out for the Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC) by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has highlighted a surge in UK touring holidays and a growing interest in the outdoors. 

The cost of living crisis has put a strain on families around the country and many are considering swapping overseas vacations for motorhome or caravan trips closer to home. 

Time away with family or friends is essential for mental health, which is why – despite the rising price of expenses – many outdoor enthusiasts aren’t letting the current crisis dampen their enthusiasm. In fact, the number of Brits considering a touring holiday has increased by 20 per cent over the last two years, and interest in owning a leisure vehicle is predicted to grow by 43 per cent by 2030. 

There are many reasons for this growth in popularity, one of the main motivations being that motorhome or caravan owners feel much more in control of the cost of their holiday than other travellers. Moreover, almost one-third of those interested in the activity said that rising fuel costs haven’t deterred them. 

Those needing more incentive to invest in a leisure vehicle will be glad to know that people who embark on touring adventures are 46 per cent more likely to spend time with their family and 37 per cent more likely to have increased exercise levels. Furthermore, 75 per cent of mobile home owners or those looking to purchase one report feeling less stressed on holiday. 

Their research also pointed to the fact that touring holidays help people to digitally detox, with motorhome owners (78.9%) and caravan owners (77.9%) reporting they spend less time on their digital devices when on the road. This is likely due to the fact that caravanning offers the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and reconnect with nature. 

For those considering a holiday on the road, there are plenty of remarkable destinations that you can enjoy without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking for a tranquil staycation spot, you’d love to discover some of the country’s best wildlife trails or you simply want a cheap location to pitch up and relax – the UK has something for everyone. 

If you’re planning to invest in a motorhome or caravan, be sure to brush up on the rules around towing and the proper maintenance procedures to avoid incurring additional expenses while on the road. 

 

Image credit: Boudewijn Huysmans / Unsplash

The UK’s most haunted destinations for Halloween touring

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The days are getting shorter and the temperature is dropping, but there are still plenty of reasons to hop in your leisure vehicle and get out on the road.  

With Halloween just around the corner, why not give your next autumn touring adventure a spooky twist with a visit to one of the UK’s most frightening regions? 

The experts at PsychicWorld.com have uncovered which areas in the UK have the strongest paranormal presence. To do this, they collated a list of 11,700 ghostly sightings in 59 counties across the country to reveal which spots are the most haunted. 

Whether you believe in the supernatural or you’re planning a family road trip and want to give the kids a good scare this Halloween, a visit to one of these eerie locations will surely be a holiday to remember. 

The sightings they collected included various paranormal activities, such as phantom horses and riders, legends of folklore, fairies, headless ghosts, women in white, animal ghosts and more. 

Yorkshire was named the spookiest location in the UK, with over 797 hair-raising sightings to date. 

There are lots of creepy spots to check out including East Riddlesden Hall, a 17th-century manor frequented by the spirit of the Grey Lady who roams its halls in search of her lost lover. If you want to learn about the area’s dark history, the original “Ghost Walk of York” is a must-do. 

Once you’re sufficiently spooked, you can explore the natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales before pitching up at one of the best caravan sites on the coast. 

Unsurprisingly, London was the second most haunted region in the UK with a reported 701 chilling sightings. Home to ghostly pubs and spectres such as the Red Lady, Jack the Ripper, and the Highgate Vampire – London is guaranteed to frighten even the most laid-back trick-or-treater. 

Although the spine-chilling capital is often considered too expensive for touring holidays, there are numerous spots to pitch up in the surrounding countryside. Head to Surrey, Kent, Hertfordshire or Canterbury and make London a day trip on your touring itinerary.

Essex snagged third place on the list with 507 spooky activities recorded. The county is associated with many ghost stories about some of its most iconic buildings such as Layer Marney Tower and Hadleigh castle.  

Other areas with a strong paranormal presence include Sussex, Dorset, Devon and Northern Ireland. 

The full results of their research can be seen in the infographic below.

 

Image credit: Rythik / Unsplash

Why canned food is perfect for caravanners

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One of the best things about going away in your caravan is enjoying a simpler way of life and that applies to food too.

Instead of planning complicated meals, you can whip up warming creations with just a few ingredients and pared back cooking appliances.

This is an ethos promoted by Canned Food UK, which is keen to show caravanners how easy it is to make meals based around store cupboard favourites.

Among the benefits of taking canned ingredients on your next caravan trip are:

  • Time saving, as produce is pre-prepared
  • Can be stored at room temperature – perfect if your caravan fridge is small
  • Long shelf life, so you can stock up your cupboards well in advance
  • Contents are protected in the tin

Canned Food UK offers advice on all sorts of recipes you can cook up in your caravan, including prawn tacos, herby potato cakes, salmon tagliatelle, mixed bean chilli, corned beef hash and tuna bean pasta.

It doesn’t have to stop there either, as it recommends cinnamon pineapple fritters as an easy camping dessert created from tinned goods.

If you’re keen to embrace this way of cooking, then why not start with cowboy stew? Here’s the recipe, which serves four:

Ingredients

1 tbsp of oil
1 onion, diced
2 sticks of celery, sliced
1 green pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 can potatoes – 567g drained and diced
1 can of adzuki beans – 400g drained
2 cans of chopped tomatoes – 400g
1 can of sweetcorn – 200g drained
1 beef stock cube
1 can of beef in gravy – 400g
Cracked black pepper and salt to season

Method

  1. Heat the oil and fry the onion for five minutes.
    2. Add the celery, peppers and sauté for a further few minutes.
    3. Mix in the chopped tomatoes, beef stock cube, adzuki beans, diced potatoes, sweetcorn, and simmer on a low heat for around 15 to 20 minutes.
    4. Add the beef and heat through for a further few minutes.
    5. Season to taste.

The final word on cowboy stew goes to Canned Food UK: “Great served with crusty bread – and a glass of red wine for the adults – this is a hearty, high protein dish perfect for filling hungry campers.”

How to maintain your motorhome as the temperature drops

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With temperatures in the UK already dropping to -2°C, it’s important to start thinking about protecting your motorhome from the cold.

Keeping on top of maintenance tasks means you should be able to use your leisure vehicle comfortably for years to come.

Experts at We Buy Any Motorcaravan have identified the three types of jobs you should be carrying out at this time of year: preventative, scheduled and emergency, as well as how to tackle them.

While there are some checks you should do before every trip, like testing the lights and the tyre pressure on your motorhome, there are others more specific to the season. These include:

  • Clean your motorhome and remove food items to prevent a mice infestation
  • Remove moisture from the seals around the doors and windows
  • Empty the water system between trips to prevent liquid freezing in the pipes
  • Take bedding and blankets out of your motorhome when not in use to prevent them from becoming mouldy
  • Close curtains and blinds to stop the winter sun fading your interior
  • Unplug all appliances and turn off the main breaker switch if you’re putting your van into storage
  • Cover your motorhome with a tarpaulin to prevent winter weather damage while not in use
  • Use a dehumidifier in your motorhome regularly throughout the winter or place a large tub of silica gel inside to trap any excess moisture
  • Cover air vents to prevent insects entering your motorhome

Shane Malpass, managing director at We Buy Any Motorcaravan, said: “It doesn’t matter what size motorhome you buy – it will have been a huge investment on your part. So like any other major investment, it is important that you protect it, allowing you to enjoy the freedom of the road even more.

“Just like your car, you need to be willing to spend time carrying out motorhome maintenance and servicing in order to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible.”

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Anton

UK named a top destination for wildlife trails in Europe

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Over half of the world’s population lives in cities and with the progression of urban developments and our reliance on technology, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to connect with nature. 

However, holidays are essential for mental health and it’s proven that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is beneficial for our overall health and well-being. 

With this in mind, the experts at LiveRugbyTickets.co.uk have done their research to find out which countries in Europe are home to hiking trails that offer the most wildlife sightseeing opportunities. So, why not plan your next touring trip around reconnecting with the natural world and admiring the creatures that inhabit it? 

The country with the most wildlife trails is Switzerland, which offers over 600 routes packed with all kinds of animals including chamois (mountain climbing goats) and bearded vultures. The Netherlands took second place, with 369 wildlife trails per 10,000 km² where you can see deer, wolves, foxes and more. 

If you’re looking for wildlife trails closer to home to combine with your next touring adventure, you’ll be happy to know that the United Kingdom snagged third place on the list. 

The UK is home to 336 trails per 10,000 km² that are ideal for spotting foxes, badgers, seals, birds and many other types of wildlife.

Some of the most popular wildlife hiking destinations in England include Castleton, Mam Tor and the Great Ridge Walk in the Peak District and Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar and Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. 

In Wales, there are plenty of trails to discover in Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons. Further north, the top trails in Scotland for wildlife enthusiasts include the Quiraing Circuit in the Highlands and the Ben Lomond mountain path. Combine wildlife hiking in Scotland with other hidden gems for a caravan or motorhome staycation to make the most of your trip.

There is also a plethora of wildlife hikes to embark on in Ireland, including the Glendalough Spink Trail in the Wicklow Mountains National Park which is great for camping, birding and fishing. 

Other countries that made the top 10 include France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria and Italy. 

No matter which wildlife trail you choose to hike on your next caravanning adventure, it’s important to respect nature and ensure you’re taking the correct precautions at all times. 

Be sure not to leave rubbish behind or disturb wildlife and their habitats and take nothing with you but pictures. It’s also important to remain aware of your surroundings at all times and to wear weather-appropriate gear.

 

Photo credit: Simon Wilkes / Unsplash

Cosiest cities to visit on an autumn touring trip

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The days are getting shorter, Halloween costumes are making their way onto shop shelves and there’s a chill in the air that can only mean one thing: Autumn is here. 

Just because the summer’s over doesn’t mean there are no more touring opportunities on the horizon. With October half-term fast approaching, it’s time to start planning your next adventure. 

To simplify choosing your next caravanning destination, the experts at LotteryCritic.com have come up with a list of the cosiest UK towns and cities to visit this spooky season. 

They decided to analyse general factors associated with cosiness, such as rainfall, sunshine hours, wind speed and the number of days with snow or frost. 

Out of the top 15 towns and cities, seven of them are situated in Scotland. Inverness snagged the title of the cosiest Autumn destination, with 168 mm of rainfall and 22 days with frost on the ground. East Kilbride took second place and Aberdeen, Livingston and Edinburgh also made the list. 

With a vast selection of events, activities and getaways to enjoy this Autumn, Scotland is a fantastic country to explore on four wheels regardless of the weather. Additionally, there are plenty of hiking trails, beaches and hidden gems to explore – just be sure to wear weather-appropriate clothing. 

The third cosiest city in the UK is Carlisle, located in Cumbria, England which is expected to have 104 mm of rainfall and 82 sunshine hours – ideal conditions for cosying up in your leisure vehicle with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. 

Other cosy places to explore in your caravan include Cumbernauld, Bolton, Halifax, Huddersfield and Darlington. 

If you’re not ready to embrace the fall weather, then head to Sittingbourne in Kent. The town receives just 65 mm of rainfall and 121 hours of sunshine per month during the Autumn season. 

As the weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, it’s a good idea to plan adventures that aren’t entirely dependent on outdoor activities. Consider a themed road trip and ensure you always have a backup plan that includes indoor activities to keep everyone happy. 

There are plenty of spots to pitch up throughout the UK that are open all year round. So if you want to plan a touring holiday before winter sets in, then head to one of these cosy locations in the UK.

 

Image credit: Fredrika Carlsson / Unsplash