Love2Stay announces family festive programme

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Salop Lesure’s Love2Stay caravan park in Shropshire is gearing up for Christmas, with festivities due to commence on November 20th.

During the first weekend, visitors will be able to peruse the wares of more than 100 traders at the Shropshire Handmade and Creative Christmas Gift Fair.

It will coincide with the opening of a vast synthetic ice rink, which is due to remain at the site over the festive period.

On November 28th, the caravan park will become a mass of people all dressed up in Santa or elf costumes to raise money for a local charity.

The Salop Santa and Elf Dash will start at 9am and see families run or walk five kilometres in aid of the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Participants will get a medal, as well as lots of fun memories to get them into the Christmas spirit.

The big guy himself will also be putting in an appearance, as Love2Stay will host a Santa’s grotto within its grounds, where kids will be able to present him with their Christmas lists.

There will also be a twilight trail around the park, complete with colourful illuminations to delight visitors once the sun’s gone down.

Laura Wilde, marketing manager at Love2Stay, said: “After little Christmas cheer in 2020, we are delighted to be hosting our full Christmas programme this year and introduce extra activities to really enhance the festive spirit at Salop Leisure and Love2Stay.

“We hope our exciting events will make the festive season magical for our customers and their families.

“In addition to celebrating Christmas in Shrewsbury, our exciting programme of activities aims to raise public awareness of the full range of services we offer at Salop Leisure and Love2Stay.”

The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show to return in 2022

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After the uncertainty and cancellation of a number of high profile caravan and motorhome shows, it’s good to know that Scotland’s flagship event is set to go ahead next year.

The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show is scheduled to be held at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, which is currently hosting the COP26 climate conference.

Leisure vehicle enthusiasts will be able to check out the latest models and accessories, as well as explore various elements of the lifestyle between February 3rd and 6th.

The four-day event will showcase more than 200 touring brands, as well as featuring representatives from both the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club to offer advice.

Visitors will also be treated to a taste of some of the tempting produce they may encounter on the road at the show’s very own farmers’ market.

From cheese to confectionery, taking a caravan trip in the UK is a great way to discover local delicacies and a number of them will be on offer in Glasgow.

Darren Brechin, group show director, said: “Over the past year, we’ve seen a spike in demand for touring holidays due to Covid, with more people now opting to explore the great Scottish outdoors instead of going abroad, so we’re expecting to welcome a lot of new faces to this year’s event.

“The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show is all about showing our visitors the different ways you can make the most out of your holiday, whether that’s touring the North Coast 500 with friends, relaxing with family at a holiday park or exploring Europe’s top beaches in a motorhome.”

He added that his team will be delighted to welcome touring brands back to the SEC to showcase their 2022 portfolio of products and to see visitors exploring all that holiday park operators have to offer.

Tickets to the show can be purchased here.

Nick’s News – Best cities for nature, top certificated locations and the Swift Select 122

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

Are you thinking of heading abroad any time soon? I recommend you check the small print when it comes to regulations around Covid tests and vaccinations if you are. That’s the one thing I discovered after the past week away in the Netherlands and Germany.

See my comments last week about getting into the Netherlands via the Harwich-Hook of Holland ferry. Coming back on the same crossing was just a little bit fraught too.

For the return leg, my partner and I had to complete Passenger Locator Forms, then order a lateral flow test to be delivered to our home for taking within two days of our return. They were priced at £23.99 each, but I think our little saga is over now.

In the news

From Plymouth to Aberdeen – our best cities for nature lovers

Congratulations to Plymouth, as it’s scooped an award as the best UK city if you’re a nature lover. The results are based on research covering aspects ranging from stargazing spots to outdoor activities, rare species of animals and National Trust sites.

It all sounds slightly random, but up there with overall winner Plymouth were Bristol, which was dubbed best for star gazing spots; Aberdeen for its natural hotspots; and Newcastle, where rare animal species including red squirrels can be seen.

If that’s all the excuse you need for visiting, then who are we to question it?!

Poole’s win – the Club announces its top small sites

More congratulations are in order. This time they go to Poole Farm, which is the latest winner of the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s annual Certificated Location of the Year (CL) awards, as voted for by its members.

Adults-only, pet-friendly Poole Farm is on the Devon and Cornwall border. It boasts electric hook-ups, Wi-Fi, a toilet and shower room, and tourist information stop, which is way above the norm for a typical CL

There were other winners too, as Rails End Nursery in Worcestershire came second and Cae Bugail in Anglesey third. The Best Newcomer award went to Walnut Tree Farm in Norfolk.

What is a CL, you may be asking? It’s a minimal facilities place that’s limited to a maximum of five vehicles at a time, and authorised by the Club, which carries out regular inspections. They can be anything from a farmer’s field to grander affairs with hardstandings, mains electrics and more. Simple camping is the essence, though.

There’s a hitch, albeit a little one. You have to be a Caravan and Motorhome Club member to use its 2,000-plus CLs. Believe me, it’s a small price to pay.

Motorhome for me?Interior of the Swift Select 122

Swift Select 122 – a perfectly pitched van conversion

Are you looking for a six-metre long, two-berth, end lounge, Fiat Ducato-based van conversion? There’s no shortage of contenders for your £50,000-plus here. You’ll certainly want to put Swift’s Select 122 on your shortlist.

It is indeed a straight two-berth, with just the cab seats for travel and a rear lounge of two inward-facing settees, with kitchen and washroom midships. And Fiat’s latest, series 8 Ducato has plenty of upgrades to make it worth the leap.

There’s everything from the new 2.2-litre, 140bhp diesel engine to improved steering and gear change, and enhanced handling, to a much racier dashboard.

Also, Swift has never been afraid to turn on the style, complementing the new Lanzarote Grey paintwork with some nifty graphics, while inside it’s all very swish too, without feeling cramped.

The only factory-fit option is some £3,000 for automatic transmission. But that could be to your advantage in the current climate of a stuttering supply of new motorhomes. Your dealer will be in a better position to add specific extras to suit, either at the time of purchase or a future date.

Three good: Latest Ducato base ups its game, Swift clout and a user-friendly floorplan in a compact overall length
Two bad: Washroom misses a few tricks and dealer options only
Perfect for… Two, in search of a bit of style
Also consider: Auto-Sleeper Warwick Duo, Auto-Trail V-line 610 SE, Elddis Autoquest CV20 or Benimar 120

David Bellamy pledge for nature encourages holiday parks to protect wildlife

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A holiday park in Milford-on-Sea is among the locations across the country taking a pledge to help protect native wildlife.

Shorefield Country Park offers caravans and lodges as part of its accommodation mix, but has gained a reputation for its striking treehouse stays.

Having won the David Bellamy Conservation Award consistently for the past two decades, the site is setting ambitious new environmental goals under the revamped scheme.

The David Bellamy Blooming Marvellous Pledge for Nature launched earlier this year and represents an opportunity for holiday parks to show off their green credentials.

It’s named after the late botanist and environmental campaigner, who worked tirelessly to get people out into the countryside and enjoy nature.

In order to qualify, a park must show they are:

  • Improving existing habitats for local wildlife
  • Creating new habitats where possible
  • Managing green space in an environmentally friendly way
  • Involving staff and guests in wildlife conservation
  • Engaging with conservation bodies close by

Every year, the initiative will release a series of challenges and ask the parks involved to pick one to focus their efforts on.

In 2021, these projects include efforts to set up bird boxes, plant native trees and provide a pollinator patch.

David Bellamy advisors attend the parks regularly to check their progress and offer help and advice on the best ways for wildlife and caravanners to coexist.

Shorefield Country Park has been working to create tree, hedge and wildflower habitats that play host to an array of wildlife, including birds, grasshoppers, honeybees and butterflies.

Visitors keen to feel close to nature can take advantage of the site’s touring and camping pitches or opt for a stay in one of two wooden treehouses.

Guests can look out across the surrounding woodland from the treehouses, which offer luxurious furnishings, including freestanding baths.

What are the benefits of certificated locations?

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Earlier this month the Caravan and Motorhome Club announced the winners of its Certificated Location of the Year Awards 2021, but what are the benefits of opting for this type of pitch?

Certificated locations (CLs) are small sites that accommodate five or fewer caravans, motorhomes or campervans and often only offer basic facilities.

As opposed to larger holiday parks, CLs often tend to be in remote and idyllic positions that are not suitable to be opened up to large numbers of overnight visitors.

That means staying at a CL in your own leisure vehicle gives you a sense of exclusivity and a much more intimate experience.

Some of the most picturesque CLs scattered across the country can be found on farms or on country estates, while others are tucked beside historic inns, making them convenient for freshly cooked meals.

CLs can represent an additional revenue stream for local communities and bring in a few holidaymakers without overwhelming the area.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has granted more than 2,200 certificates to landowners allowing them to operate CLs.

Those that were recognised as being particularly worth visiting in this year’s awards were all nominated by members of the Club.

Poole Farm CL on the border between Devon and Cornwall was crowned the winner this year and is an adult-only site that welcomes dogs.

Holidaymakers can take advantage of its proximity to Dartmoor National Park, Bodmin Moor and the North Cornwall Heritage Coast.

Nick Lomas, director general of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “Our growing network of CLs provides our members with unique stays across the UK, and whilst they all offer something special, unfortunately they can’t all win!

“The Certificated Location of the Year Awards celebrate owners who truly go the extra mile to deliver the very best visitor experience, and I’d like to congratulate them all.”

Nick’s News – Alan Murchison’s bespoke camper, Motorhome Holiday Company scoops award and the Swift Sprite Compact

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

Greetings from Germany. We made it and are currently on our second site over on the eastern side of Germany. It’s at Sanssouci, near the historic town of Potsdam, with a day trip to Berlin in the offing, having just done two nights at Freizeit Luxoase, near Dresden.

But we almost didn’t make it. A mix-up over Covid tests meant we nearly missed our ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland, as it seems the Dutch authorities don’t recognise our NHS tests. Luckily, we just had time to compete a 15-minute test at the port.

We weren’t the only ones falling foul of Covid bureaucracy here and despite the port staff at Harwich calling on our behalf to find we had indeed tested negative, at the time of writing we were still waiting for the official email. These were promised within 15 minutes of taking the test. More news of our travels next week.

In the newsAlan Murchison's custom campervan

A Michelin-starred campervan?

It’s a one-off, but just look at this campervan, produced exclusively for multi-Michelin starred chef Alan Murchison by specialist Volkswagen converter CJL Leisure. And yes, that is a full-size coffee maker you can see; it’s actually powered by a 3,000-watt inverter, complemented by a 350-watt solar panel.

Can you believe it can also carry up to five bikes, as well as performing the usual campervan duties?! Alan is team chef and provides support for the Canyon/SRAM UCI Women’s World Tour Team. The camper is based on CJL’s Adventure Competition model.

Motorhome Holiday Company’s Prestige pickings

Congratulations to the Motorhome Holiday Company, which has just won Motorhome Service of the Year at the Prestige Awards 2021, a competition designed to reflect excellence in customer care. The company runs a rather unique motorhome hire operation, as well as branching out into other areas relating to the leisure vehicle lifestyle, most notably in the past year with a new style of accessories shop at its base near Weston-Super-Mare in north Somerset.

Boss Matt Sims told me: “Winning this award is a source of huge pride for the entire team. We are all passionate about customer service and experience so to be recognised with this award is a great achievement for us as well as a huge morale booster.

“2021 has been a challenging year for us. We have seen record numbers of motorhome hire bookings, we’ve launched our new shop instore, as well as online and have welcomed more new custom than ever before. To win the award towards the end of the season is great timing!”

Caravan crush

Swift Sprite Compact – a narrow winner

Slender and light. Weren’t nearly all caravans like this once? Seriously, this latest addition to the Sprite line-up from Swift is just 5.37m long and a super-slim 2.03m across its bows. And, at 1,094kg max, it’s towable by just about everything. Yet the facilities are packed in and the interior – all recognisably Swift – doesn’t feel as cramped as you might expect.

Other than that, it’s a standard enough two-berth, end kitchen, corner washroom layout. If you’re under 5ft 11in, you might be happy enough with the twin single beds. I’m 5ft 6in but count me in for the 1.82m x 1.80m double, thank you very much.

Three good: Narrow body, all the usual Sprite hallmarks and lightweight
Two bad: Slightly short bed sizes and only the one floorplan so far
Perfect for… shorter folk
Also consider: Xplore 304

How to prep your motorhome for winter

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Winter is on its way and after a 400 per cent increase in searches for ‘which motorhome to buy’ over the last year, there’s a good chance some owners will be meeting the colder season with a leisure vehicle for the first time.

While the winter months aren’t usually when people think about their motorhomes, how you treat them at this time of year will determine their condition when you get back to holidaying come the spring.

In order to get the best out of your motorhome year round, comparethemarket.com has put together a list of things to consider when winterproofing your leisure vehicle.

Pay attention to insulation in older models

If you’ve bought a brand new motorhome, then all your insulation requirements should be taken care of, but in older models, there may be areas where it’s lacking.

These include the compartments around your water tanks and waste systems; panels around the windows; the roof and floor, where heat can easily escape.

Fit winter tyres

Anyone planning to continue using their motorhome throughout the winter months must ensure it’s safe to do so and one measure is to fit winter tyres.

They may seem like a big expense, but when looked after properly they can be used year after year, and they help with steering control, acceleration on slippery surfaces and reducing stopping distances in bad weather.

Drain your water system

Before putting your motorhome into storage for the winter, be sure to drain your water system, as it could have serious implications if the liquid inside freezes.

This is easily done by opening the valves or taps. You may also wish to remove any built-in water filters that have a tendency to freeze too. Replacing them in the spring will ensure everything is in good working condition.

Avoid condensation build-up

Protecting your soft furnishings from condensation while in storage is important, so decide on a strategy that works for your circumstances.

This could be storing the cushions indoors, but not everyone has the space to do so. If that’s you, then wrap them in cotton sheets and strategically place moisture-absorbing crystals around your motorhome.

Disconnect the gas

All storage facilities have policies on gas, so find out what yours is if you’re going to be using a specialist site.

Either way, you should turn off and disconnect the gas if your motorhome isn’t going to be in use and store the gas bottles in a safe and secure location until you need them again.

Move your motorhome

If at all possible, it’s a good idea to move your motorhome periodically over the winter months. This has a number of benefits, including preventing its workings from seizing up and ensuring there are no unforeseen issues with it.

Another important reason to drive your motorhome is that this will turn the wheels and ensure the whole weight of your vehicle isn’t sitting on the same spot on your tyres for months.

 

 

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Frankie

Nick’s News – Salop Leisure’s extension, The Caravan Handbook and Bilbo’s Celex

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

What’s the biggest issue regarding taking the campervan over to the Netherlands and then across Germany at the end of this week? It’s the worry over whether we’re all sorted as far as Covid regulations are concerned.

I’ve been following all the updates from our own government as well as the Dutch and Germans, but there’s always that nagging feeling that I’ve missed something. Or I’m going to get caught out by a sudden change in policy.

And the only way I’ll really find out for sure is at the actual borders, which is why, two days before departure, I keep checking and double-checking. Still, it’s our first venture abroad in two years. I just hope we make it!

In the news

Salop Leisure’s ambitious plans

What’s the UK’s most impressive leisure vehicle dealership? It simply has to be Salop Leisure, whose premises on the outskirts of Shrewsbury just seem to grow and grow.

Its café alone is bigger than the showrooms at most places, plus it is has Love2Stay, the award-winning camping and glamping site it developed some four years ago, as part of the complex.

The big news is there’s another site in the offing, just along the road. Salop has embarked on ambitious plans to adapt a nearby fishery into a campsite, compete with fishing, of course.

It’s called Spring Lea Park and the plan is for 20 touring pitches, some hire activity and 40 or so caravan holiday homes, some of which is already in place, but all to be completed next summer. That’s quick work. Watch this space

Go buy the bookThe Caravan Handbook

If you’re going to buy one book to enhance your enjoyment of caravanning and understand the many workings of the caravan itself, make it this one. That’s The Caravan Handbook, by Sammy Faircloth.

Self-published earlier this year, it’s on sale for £15.99 via Amazon, eBay and – if you prefer to deal with an independent organisation – the Alan Rogers Travel website.

It’s also available as an eBook on Google Play and iBooks. The price is £15.99 but you’ll easily recoup that in terms of the advice it gives on everything from maintenance to storage, winterising, towing and more.

Do I really need to hint it’s the ideal Christmas present for the caravanner (newcomer or old-hand) in your life?

Don’t stop now?

It’s October, so it must be… National Tyre Safety Month. As the weather changes and we start making our way into winter, it’s a good time for reminders to check our tyres regularly. Or even consider switching to winter tyres.

You probably know all the usual stuff: under-inflated tyres wear out more quickly, properly maintained tyres can actually save you money, defective tyres are a danger to yourself as well as others, but there’s still no excuse for not checking regularly.

TyreSafe, the organisation behind it all, is a charity set up to raise awareness of the importance of regular tyre maintenance. Even visual checks of your tyres – including the sidewalls, especially if it’s a caravan or motorhome that’s been sat for long periods – could help prevent something more serious happening.

I checked mine at the weekend and discovered a single dust cap was missing. How annoying is that?!

Motorhome for me?The interior of Bilbo's Celex

Bilbo’s Celex – why the stretch is worth it

I’m very impressed by the Celex campervan from Bilbo’s. The standard version is good, but the long-wheelbase variant is far, far better. There’s only a 40cm length difference, but that’s huge when it comes to campervans.

Hence the otherwise standard side furniture/rear bench seat/double bed benefits from extra floorspace, more permanent kitchen worktop and a shelved cupboard unit. Believe me, that adds up to a lot in a VW-based camper. Bilbo’s really does put practicality to the fore, making its own furniture with an easy-wipe finish, as well as its own design, safety-tested rear seat and elevating roof.

Behind all this, though, is an independent manufacturer that really does go about things in the right way, with its ISO 9001 manufacturer accreditation, GB National Smaller Series Type Approval, UK trade body the National Caravan Council approval and now part of a very small band of converters that are in Volkswagen’s Motorhome Qualification Scheme.

Three good: Long-wheelbase means more space, Bilbo’s practicality/quality/heritage, plus background qualifications
Two bad: It can get a bit pricey and can appear basic
Perfect for… If you want a VW-plus campervan!
Also consider: Hillside Birchover Classic LWB, Jerba Cromarty or Rolling Homes Columbus S

CAMC announce 2022 Caravan Design Awards Buyers Guide

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Once again, the incredibly useful Caravan Design Awards Buyers Guide from the Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC) has been published. 

The extensive judging was carried out over two weeks by an independent panel of six experts, including me, Dan Cartwright from CaravanTimes. Personally, I have judged the Caravan Design Awards for the Club for many years and can’t emphasise enough the organisation, diligence and professionalism of these awards and, as always, I’m proud to be involved and included. 

In these awards, we assessed 65 new-to-market caravans across many different capabilities, in all areas from bed sizes to jockey wheels, from security features to entertainment; all of the caravans were scored, assessed and judged. Each caravan was then given a score rating out of five based on the category it entered. 

I will be producing a more in-depth feature next week about the judging, but at time when stocks at dealers are very busy, shows are canceled and people are struggling to get to see a full line up of 2022 caravans, this buyers guide is even more valuable to help you work through which caravan you might be interested in next year. 

Any Small Caravan (750kg – 1,150kg MTPLM)

The lightest caravans on the market which can be towed with a huge range of cars. These caravans make best use of design and space combined with lightweight materials.

Entrants (stars)

  • Adria Action 361LT (4.0)
  • Bailey Discovery D4-2 (5.0)
  • Eriba Touring 310 (3.5)
  • Swift Sprite Compact (4.5)
  • Xplore 304 (5.0)

Any Pop Top Caravan over 1,150kg

With lower towing profiles compared to fixed-height caravans, pop-tops are great to tow. They also have their own distinctive style with larger floor platforms and often offer generous payloads.

Entrants (stars)

  • Eriba Touring 420 (4.0)
  • Eriba Touring 530 Ocean Drive (5.0)
  • Eriba Touring 530 Rockabilly (4.5)
  • Eriba Touring 542 (4.5)
  • Eriba Feeling 425 (4.0)
  • Eriba Feeling 442 (4.5)
  • Eriba Feeling 470 (4.5)

Any Two-berth Caravans

Find your perfect two-berth caravan. The models in this class offer both readily-convertible lounges to either double or single beds or fixed two-berth options.

Entrants (stars)

  • Adria Altea Aire (3.5)
  • Bailey Unicorn Seville (5.0)
  • Coachman VIP 460 (4.5)
  • Compass Casita 454 (4.0)
  • Elddis Affinity 520 (5.0)
  • Swift Conqueror 480 (4.0)
  • Xplore 422 (4.0)

Up to Four-berth Caravans

If you’re looking for a four-berth caravan, this selection offers the pick of the crop to help you find your perfect home away from home.

Entrants Stars (stars)

  • Adria Alpina Mississippi (3.5)
  • Bailey Unicorn Cabrera (5.0)
  • Buccaneer Cruiser (5.0)
  • Coachman VIP 540 Xtra (4.5)
  • Compass Camino 650 (4.0)
  • Elddis Crusader Borealis (4.0)
  • Swift Conqueror 560 (3.5)
  • Xplore 554 (3.5)

Up to Six-berth Caravans 

Looking for a six-berth caravan? Here’s what you need to see. This class offers a great selection of six-berth models including vehicles with drop down bunks and easily-convertible dinettes.

Entrants (stars)

  • Adria Altea Avon (4.0)
  • Bailey Pegasus Grande SE Ancona (5.0)
  • Buccaneer Aruba (4.5)
  • Coachman Acadia 660 Xtra (4.5)
  • Compass Casita 585 (5.0)
  • Elddis Avante 585 (5.0)
  • Swift Sprite Major 6 TD (4.0)
  • Xplore 585 (4.5)

Family Caravans   

Find your perfect family caravan. A selection of four berth caravans, entrants in this class have a maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM) of at least 1400kg. They also have payloads to accommodate all the items you will need for a family holiday.

Entrants (stars)

  • Adria Adora Seine (3.5)
  • Bailey Unicorn Madrid (5.0)
  • Buccaneer Commodore (4.0)
  • Coachman Laser 575 Xtra (4.5)
  • Compass Capiro 574 (4.5)
  • Elddis Affinity 574 (4.5)
  • Swift Basecamp 4 (3.5)

Large Family Caravans

Caravans in this class offer five or six berths to cater for larger touring groups. These caravans have a maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM) of at least 1500kg, to help with the holiday paraphernalia packing!

Entrants (stars)

  • Adria Adora Sava (3.5)
  • Bailey Pegasus Grande SE Turin (5.0)
  • Buccaneer Aruba (4.0)
  • Coachman Acadia 630 Xtra (4.5)
  • Compass Casita 868 (5.0)
  • Elddis Avante 840 (4.5)
  • Swift Sprite Super Quattro DB (3.5)

Any Caravan 8ft or more wide

If you’re looking for a large caravan with plenty of room then this is the class for you. These stylish and spacious caravans will provide the perfect base for your touring adventures.   

Entrants (stars)

  • Adria Adora Isonzo (4.0)
  • Bailey Alicanto Grande Porto (4.5)
  • Buccaneer Barracuda (4.0)
  • Coachman Lusso II (4.5)
  • Compass Casita 840 (5.0)
  • Elddis Avante 860 (4.5)
  • Eriba Touring 820 (3.0)
  • Swift Challenger X860 (3.5)

Any Caravan with Dedicated Bed(s)

Whether you’re looking for a caravan with a fixed island bed, fixed bunks or fixed twin beds, these caravans offer a wide range of different layouts and interior designs.

Entrants (stars)

  • Adria Alpina Colorado (3.5)
  • Bailey Unicorn Pamplona (5.0)
  • Buccaneer Bermuda (4.0)
  • Coachman Lusso I (4.5)
  • Compass Camino 550 (4.5)
  • Elddis Avante 868 (5.0)
  • Swift Elegance 835 (4.5)
  • Xplore 554 (3.5)

Bailey’s Pegasus Grande Ancona wins Best Family Caravan award

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The Pegasus Grande Ancona from Bailey has bagged first prize in the Best Family Caravan category of the Practical Caravan & Practical Motorhome Awards 2022.

Its cousin, the Autograph 81-6, was not to be outdone either, scooping the top spot in another area of the competition to be crowned Best Six-Berth Motorhome.

The five-berth, single-axle Pegasus Grande SE Ancona has many features to recommend it, including the signature Bailey vertical front infinity window and a well-appointed washroom with a large separate shower cubicle.

An L-shaped second lounge at the rear of the caravan can be partitioned off with a folding screen should parents wish to separate the space into different areas for various family activities.

Practical Caravan summarised that “if you are looking for the best caravan to take your family on tour in, look no further than Bailey’s Pegasus Grande SE Ancona”.

The Autograph 81-6 is the biggest motorhome in Bailey’s portfolio and has been topping the bestsellers list for the manufacturer for the past two years.

Its spacious U-shaped lounge; well-equipped kitchen, complete with a double-door tower fridge; and practical washroom, which features a large separate shower cubicle set it apart.

Practical Caravan noted that “with its smart good looks, powerful engine and large interior, the Autograph 81-6 makes a great choice for those looking for a six-berth model that provides excellent accommodation with plenty of great fixtures and fittings”.

In total, 11 caravans and two motorhomes from Bailey’s range were shortlisted across the awards categories, meaning the manufacturer was well represented amongst those getting recognition.

Bailey of Bristol is a trusted name in the world of caravans and motorhomes, having been founded in 1948.

It remains a family-owned business and boasts being responsible for one in three new caravan sales in the UK.

Nick’s News – Bilbo’s gets Qualification Scheme status, the CCR200 and the Adria Alpina Mississippi

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

I’m planning ahead, as I’m off to the Netherlands and Germany later this month. I’ll be aiming to get over to the eastern side of the latter to explore the likes of Dresden, Potsdam and Berlin, none of which I’ve visited before.

Such trips take a bit more organisation these days, of course, especially getting to grips with the latest Covid requirements demanded by different countries. But I think I’m on top of things, having been double vaccinated, testing twice a week and – just a week ago – getting my second ever flu jab.

If anyone wants to offer any caravanning advice on the Netherlands and Germany do feel free to get in touch.

In the news

An NEC show that’s good to go

There will be a motorhome and caravan show at the NEC next February after all. It will be the UK’s first major leisure vehicle and lifestyle showcase event since the pandemic really did rip up our world (did it all kick off as recently as January 2020 here in the UK?!).

Well, just two years later and the next Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show is scheduled to take place in 2022. Will I be going? That depends, as at the moment it clashes rather too directly with the following:

CCR200 – another new route

The Cumbrian Coastal Route 200 (CCR200) is new and I can’t wait to go…in fact, dates are in the diary for early next year, well ahead of the main touring season. Doubtless taking its cues from Scotland’s North Coast 500 and East Coast 250, Cumbria Tourism has unveiled its very own driving and camping route.

Hoping to draw folk away from the current Lake District hotspots – well, everyone agrees they do get too busy – the CCR200 is some 200 miles long (surprise), starting in Morecambe Bay and weaving through the Furness peninsula up to Haverigg, Seascale, Maryport and on to Carlisle. Please don’t all rush to go there, although that’s just me being selfish now!

Bilbo’s gets Volkswagen Motorhome Qualification Scheme status

Bilbo’s is the latest specialist campervan converter to be added to the Motorhome Qualification Scheme announced by Volkswagen at the start of this year. It joins a very short list – Hillside Leisure, Jerba and Rolling Homes are amongst the others – who meet Volkswagen’s criteria for manufacturing, financial stability, Type Approval and more.

Bilbo’s has been converting campers for some 44 years now, nearly exclusively using Volkswagens (OK, there was a brief dabble with the Mercedes Viano, and an even briefer flirts with Fiat’s Ducato) and in that time has produced nearly 5,000 campers.

True, it doesn’t make the flashiest of campers, preferring to take a steadier route with proven products, but maybe that’s the secret of its enduring success. As well as VW’s scheme, campers from Bilbo’s have NCC approval (National Caravan Council, our UK trade body) and GB National Small Series Type Approval, plus they come from a manufacturer that has ISO 9001 accreditation.

Why am I suddenly in favour of all this red tape and bureaucracy? Because it’s reassuring to know a company is trying to do things the right way before you part with some £50,000 and more when you’re about to buy your campervan dream machine.

Caravan crush

Adria Alpina Mississippi – tow the other chic

Inside this latest range-topper from Adria, and at the right angle (hint: sit down anywhere in the U-shaped front lounge, rest your head on either of the large corner restraints) and this could pass as a contemporary apartment. There’s not even an excess of curves to the furnishings, although I do like the concave shape to the overhead lockers. It’s all very clean cut.

The kitchen is almost a thing of beauty, from its most elegant of mixer taps to the L-shaped hob and sink combination, to the wall rails with adjustable hooks, even if the padded mini-shelf is a bit of a strange one.

But yes, it’s all very practical too. Right through to the transverse island bed in its own room and the full-width washroom at the back. For entertainment, a single control is on show for you to stream away to your heart’s content thanks to the Media Controller feature. And there’s plenty more here to keep you amused.

Three good: Chic, quality build and year-round capabilities
Two bad: Heavy (1,900kg) and expensive
Perfect for… The style conscious
Also consider: Coachman Lusso I or Swift Elegance 845

Pandemic sparks rise in multi-generational staycations

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More than a third of Brits are planning to holiday with grandparents or grandchildren in 2022, as families look to catch up on time lost together during the pandemic.

That’s according to research conducted by Park Leisure, which found multi-generational staycations are a trend that looks set to stay popular in the near future.

Cornwall, Devon and the Lake District were voted to be the most likely locations for families of varying ages all taking a break together.

Some 49 per cent of Brits said they were considering a seaside escape to Cornwall for their next family trip, while neighbouring Devon was top of the list for 43 per cent of respondents to the survey.

Choosing a holiday destination that suits multiple generations is harder than it may appear and while both grandparents and grandchildren were keen on the idea of Cornwall and the Yorkshire Dales, there were discrepancies with other locations.

London took the third spot for the younger generation, but came out in 14th position for the older demographic.

Grandparents would seemingly prefer to go to Dorset, which they ranked fifth, but the location found itself in 25th place in the grandchildren’s order of preference.

But once a destination has been decided upon, caravanning is a great way to enjoy time away together, as generations can have their own space alongside each other.

Lisa Williams, director of marketing and holiday sales at Park Leisure, said: “We’ve all spent so much time away from our families over the last year that it’s no wonder Brits are desperate to spend some quality time with their grandparents and grandchildren.

“Almost a third of people said they don’t see their extended family as often as they’d like and multi-generational holidays are the perfect remedy for that, allowing everyone to catch up and really bond.”

 

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Nikoline Arns