Goboony offers some Easter inspiration

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Easter traditionally marks the beginning of the touring season and the four-day weekend, which this year falls on April 15th to 18th, is nearly upon us.

As the weather starts to improve in the UK, attractions throw open their doors and some put on special events, it’s a great time to start enjoying the touring lifestyle.

For the past two years, pandemic restrictions have put a dampener on Easter trips, which means families up and down the country are more eager than ever to enjoy a spring getaway in 2022.

With this in mind, campervan hire firm Goboony is offering some inspiration on motorhomes to rent and where to take them depending on your needs.

For example, it recommends this four-berth van with two showers for families looking to take advantage of attractions such as Peppa Pig World near Southampton.

Active families can have a go at everything from sailing to raft building and swimming at the Helly Hansen Watersports Centre in Greater Manchester with a dog-friendly motorhome for four.

Pack up the whole family, and perhaps the kids can bring a couple of friends, to explore Pembrokeshire’s Dinosaur Park from the comfort of a six-bed motorhome.

There’s plenty of room for bikes, paddleboards and other sporting equipment in this off-grid adventure van in Aberdeen with the lure of Newburgh Beach close by.

Meander through the North Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in style in a six-berth motorhome fitted with a solar panel and bike rack.

Try this VW T5 in and around Swansea for the ultimate luxury experience, complete with mood lighting, as well as all the facilities for four people.

Goboony has seen a 545 per cent increase in motorhome bookings for the Easter weekend this year compared to 2019, highlighting the desire for many to hit the open road.

The hire company offers more than 6,000 leisure vehicles on its platform and has facilitated holidays for in excess of 100,000 people across the UK, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium.

 

 

 

Photo credit: Pexels/RODNAE Productions

CAMC’s Experience Freedom still has spring availability

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With daffodils starting to bloom and the days beginning to feel a little longer, there’s no doubt that spring is in the air.

Here at CaravanTimes, that can only mean one thing – holiday parks reopening for the season.

While many of you will be taking your caravan or motorhome out of winter storage, others may be looking for alternative accommodation on your first trip of the year.

This is where the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Experience Freedom comes in, offering glamping, camping and motorhome hire in idyllic locations across the UK.

What’s more, there’s still availability on many of the Club’s sites for these options, whether you’re looking to treat mum on Mother’s Day or enjoy a family getaway this Easter.

Among the possibilities are glamping pods at Moreton-in-Marsh is the Cotswolds, which sleep two adults and two children, with en suite facilities and cooking equipment.

Or why not book a stay in a glamping cabin at Penrith’s Troutbeck Head, where six guests can enjoy the incomparable views of Blencathra?!

Take the kids on a good old-fashioned adventure to Southlands on the Isle of Wight, where you can stay in safari tents and cook your meals at the barbecue station.

Choose glamping pods or cabins at Cayton Village for easy access to Yorkshire’s coast at Scarborough, just four miles away.

If you fancy a city break, then Abbey Wood is situated with great transport links to London and is offering cabins and pods too.

Prices for Experience Freedom accommodation start at £79 a night. While non-members can book these options, CAMC members receive a ten per cent discount, as well as a number of other benefits.

The CAMC was founded in 1907 and has around one million members. It operates more than 2,700 sites in the UK and abroad.

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/baikang yuan

Top tips for taking a trip with your dog

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Camping and caravanning trips are a great way to take a trip with your four-legged friend in tow, with plenty of opportunities for you and your dog to explore the great outdoors.

While a touring holiday or accommodation under canvas can help to keep things flexible, there’s still a few measures you can take to ensure your dog is content on your travels.

Caroline Spencer, natural canine behaviourist at Bella & Duke, has shared her top tips holidaying with your pet pooch.

Create a doggy checklist

Making a list of everything you need for your pet, including their favourite toy, food, lead and water bowl will ensure you don’t leave any of the essentials behind.

Research your destination

Getting information in advance about dog-friendly places in the local area and good walking routes will help prevent any unforeseen hiccups.

Plan for comfortable travel

Consider your dog’s comfort in the car or motorhome during your journey, with shades to block out direct sun, regular stops and plenty of air conditioning.

Refrain from washing the dog bed

Tempting as it might be to freshen up your dog’s bed prior to your holiday, allowing it to maintain the familiar smells from home will keep your pooch calm.

Let your dog explore

Giving your pet a chance to explore the area as soon as you arrive will help them to acclimatise quickly and feel safe in their surroundings.

Keep the dog food fresh

If your dog is used to a raw food diet, you can transport its meals in a cool bag with ice packs or invest in a small plug-in freezer for your caravan or motorhome.

Pack treats

Rewarding your dog with treats for a successful journey and settling down in your destination is a good idea, so don’t forget to bring them with you.

Choose activities you’ll both enjoy

Think about the types of things both you and your dog enjoy doing together and organise an itinerary that incorporates them into your holiday.

Keep things the same

Consistency is key for dogs, so be sure to act the same way with them on your camping or caravan trip as you would at home.

Pack water for longer walks

One of the benefits of being away from everyday life is the chance to take your dog on longer walks, so make sure they stay well hydrated.

Ms Spencer said: “Going on holiday should be fun for both you and your dog. It’s the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time together, away from work and other distractions.

“It’s important to find the right balance between bringing some home comforts, like their cosy bed or favourite toy, and going out, exploring nature and having new adventures.”

Explore the Yorkshire coast with Route YC

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The US has Route 66, Scotland has the NC500 and now Yorkshire has Route YC – six itineraries designed to help you make the most of the county’s coastline that are perfect for exploring in a caravan or motorhome.

Each itinerary is based around a different location – Bridlington, Filey, Hornsea, Scarborough, Whitby and Withernsea – with the organisers suggesting visitors plan stays of three, five or seven days.

While the project is in its infancy, it would be good to see it expanded to show how the individual areas are linked. After all, the beauty of touring is being able to explore multiple locations on a single trip.

The official website states: “Your Route YC experience will take you from Yorkshire’s very own Lands’ End in the south through to smuggler coves and quaint fishing villages in the north, with abbeys, water sports, and seafood delights in abundance along the way.”

It suggests taking in the Georgian buildings and priory in Bridlington, learning to surf near Filey, and following the Pottery Trail in Hornsea.

Meanwhile, you can indulge in fresh shellfish in Scarborough, hike to Falling Foss waterfall near Whitby, and hunt for fossils at Tunstall Beach in Withernsea.

Creating a bespoke trip around your passion, whether that be food, history or wildlife, would be fairly straightforward, but at present, such routes haven’t been outlined on the website.

An interactive app is in the pipeline, which should help caravan and motorhome owners plan trips in the future.

Tori Gower, manager of Scarborough Surf School, said: “It’s fabulous to be part of Route YC. It’s a brilliant opportunity to show off everything the Yorkshire coast has to offer.”

Those who take on Route YC are encouraged to share their experiences with the hashtag #EnjoyTheRide across social media.

CampervanCo to launch one of the most sustainable campervans in the world

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CampervanCo unveiled the Ford Transit Custom Evolution Eco Camper at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show in Birmingham last month.

The model represents the next generation in low emission leisure vehicles and utilises pioneering hybrid technology to deliver up to 26 miles on a single zero-emission, electric charge.

Anyone concerned with range anxiety will be reassured with a one-litre Eco Boost range-extender engine.

CampervanCo designs and custom builds campervans, championing environmentally-friendly solutions to reduce the impact of the lifestyle, which is all about getting out and enjoying the great outdoors.

In 2016, the Scottish based company was the first manufacturer globally to produce fully hybrid and tribrid (natural gas, petrol and electric power) 4WD vans.

As well as being the lowest carbon emitting campervan the firm has ever offered, the Ford Evolution Eco Camper features modular, lightweight kitchen units, enhanced insulation for improved climate control and a hot water dispenser.

There’s also phone and tablet charging stations, optional Wi-Fi technology, an elevating roof and a lift-up bed space suitable for two adults.

Everything in the camper has been carefully considered to be as lightweight as possible, ensuring unrivalled fuel economy.

The 1,000 watt solar panel adds to the eco credentials and helps to boost the 3,000 watt leisure battery to power the cooking appliances and lighting.

Gary Hayes, CEO at CampervanCo said: “At CampervanCo we have set out ambitious targets to be entirely emissions-free by 2025, five years ahead of the government’s own commitments.

“The Ford Evolution Eco Camper is the next evolution in this strategy, providing motorists with 26 miles on electric charge, with an extender that allows them to discover new places without any anxiety about whether they will reach their destination.

“The campervan was first created to allow people to discover the natural world around them. There is an intrinsic connection to the outdoors and as such we have a responsibility to ensure we are doing all we can to limit our impact on the places we visit.”

 

 

Photo credit: Peter Sandground

Easter weekend bookings up by a third, says Camping and Caravanning Club

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Bookings at Camping and Caravanning Club sites across the UK are up by 33 per cent for the Easter weekend compared to 2019.

Easter traditionally marks the start of the touring season and is characterised by a buzz as parks that close for the winter reopen to guests.

For the past two years, however, things have been disrupted by the pandemic, making 2019 the last year that sites could fully take advantage of the nationwide holiday.

Staycations have risen in popularity over the course of the pandemic and now that restrictions are lifted, caravan sites will be making the most of the opportunity to welcome visitors.

Simon McGrath, head of communications and external relations at the Club, said: “Easter is a really popular time for camping that signals the start of the season.

“With the exception of Wales allowing campsites to open last year for Welsh residents, we missed out on the previous two Easters but this year looks certain to make up for lost time with strong bookings and a significant increase in the number of campers heading to our Club sites.”

He added that a record number of people had signed up as members of the Club last year, meaning site teams will be focusing on ensuring newcomers have the best experience possible.

To prevent issues upon arrival, the Club recommends that newbies carry out a few simple tasks before setting off on their camping or caravan holiday.

These include pitching your tent in the garden as a test run, making a kit list of items you’ll need, airing sleeping bags or bedding, checking gas hoses for cracks or bulges, and carrying out basic vehicle checks.

The Club operates nearly 100 sites across the UK, including the Sandringham Club site within the royal estate in Norfolk, St Davids in Pembrokeshire and Oban in Scotland.

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Gabe Pierce

Indie Campers looking to match supply with demand

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Online marketplace Indie Campers is hoping to bridge the gap between the current demand for leisure vehicles and supply in private hands.

Last summer it launched its peer-to-peer rental platform in Europe and the US, and is now set to bring it to the UK.

Dubbed the Airbnb for campervans, it’s designed to make it as easy as possible for those not using their leisure vehicles to rent them out for profit.

As staycations are more popular than ever but new and used motorhomes and caravans are in short supply to buy, this could represent a good opportunity for those wishing to embrace a touring holiday.

In the first six months of the platform launching in Europe, Indie Campers received in excess of 20,000 booking requests.

The company has been around for nine years, renting out its own fleet of 3,000 campervans, so this latest initiative extends its presence in the market.

Working in a similar way to Airbnb, Indie Campers’ marketplace allows owners to create an account and list their leisure vehicle in a straightforward process.

Owners then have full control over who they rent their beloved vehicle to, with all payments being processed from Indie Campers’ secure booking system.

The company believes owners could make up to £29,000 a year with the system, but income could be more modest for those who wish to enjoy the vehicle themselves between rentals.

This can be done easily, as owners are able to block out their own holiday times to prevent bookings interfering with their own plans.

Owners decide how much to charge in rental fees and can update these on the platform to reflect changes in the industry, such as demand.

Liability insurance, theft protection, comprehensive insurance and roadside assistance are automatically added to each booking, taking away the hassle for both parties.

Pierre Everling, vice president of marketplace at Indie Campers, said: “The demand for RV travel in the UK is booming. We have experienced an increase of searches of more than 60 per cent on our UK platform since last year.

“For the past few months, we have been working hard to make this demand available to private campervan owners in the market. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Riverside [Insurance] and the official launch of our peer-to-peer marketplace in the UK.”

Requirements for owners to join the platform include an ID and primary insurance policy certificate, with this information enabling a contract to be created.

Indie Campers currently operates in 15 European countries, including Germany, Spain and Iceland, with depots in more than 50 cities to make picking up and returning a leisure vehicle as convenient as possible.

Riverside Insurance specialises in low-cost car hire excess insurance, which it has been providing to customers since 2007.

How will motorhome shortages and price rises affect you?

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The coronavirus pandemic and an increased interest in staycations has led to a huge surge in demand for motorhomes and caravans. Coupled with supply chain issues, this means getting your hands on a leisure vehicle has become more difficult, let alone finding one at a reasonable price.

Now, Shane Malpass, director of We Buy Any Motorcaravan, has used his experience in the industry to predict what the year to come may look like. He explores the causes of the current issues and what we can expect in the future.

The shortage of new motorhomes

Addressing the problem of shortages of new leisure vehicles, Mr Malpass said there are a number of contributing factors:

  • Semiconductors are in short supply and they are an integral part of anything new and electronic, including the tech found in motorhomes.
  • Wood has been hard to get hold of, meaning manufacturers haven’t been able to build internal cabinets.
  • Power shortages in east Asia have led to staff working shorter weeks and therefore completing fewer vital components.

Mr Malpass used Swift as an example of how these factors have impacted models. He said the Swift Command unit has been switched out of the manufacturer’s lower-priced models in favour of a simpler alternative without a screen, as there aren’t enough components to go around.

Motorhome price rises for 2022

The cost of buying a new motorhome has risen, with Mr Malpass saying you can now expect to pay £10,000 more for the Swift Escape than would be expected. Models from the likes of Bailey are retailing at around £6,000 more than predicted, and high-spec motorhomes aimed at the German market are £15,000 or more over the recommended retail price.

Mr Malpass said: “There are still floods of first-time buyers onto the market, which is incredible for the industry. All we need now is some of the campsites to invest to the standard the newbies will demand, plus more opening up to meet the demand.”

Availability of used motorhomes and caravans

Used motorhome and caravan dealers are very low on stock, with some that usually offer 20, 30 or 40 to choose from now only displaying two or three. Mr Malpass said a large chain that has 13 branches is reporting just 38 used leisure vehicles available across all of its dealerships. This situation is unlikely to change while new leisure vehicles are in short supply.

With so few used motorhomes becoming available, anyone who can secure one should expect to pay a premium for it. First-time buyers will find bargains are virtually impossible to secure in 2022 and prices are expected to continue to rise in subsequent years, with only a small depreciation over time forecast.

Mr Malpass’ advice to anyone looking to purchase a motorhome is to buy right away. He warns that as models are getting snapped up so quickly, there’s not an opportunity to think too long about making a decision. Anyone who dithers is likely to find a motorhome they’ve looked at has already been sold and the next one to come along will be more expensive.

 

Photo credit: Pixabay/MemoryCatcher

Video: The CAMC’s Nick Lomas talks to JB Gill

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Nick Lomas, director general of the Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC), speaks to JB Gill, who is a famous face and ambassador for the Club. They discuss planting cherry trees and birch trees at a Club site as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy to mark 70 years on the throne.