Welsh adults only caravan park gets five star rating

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by Jack Beresford

A caravan site that has been used for camping since the end of the Second World War has been honoured by the Welsh government tourism body Visit Wales, who gave the resort a special five star rating.

The decision follows the completion of upgrade work on Tyddyn Du Touring Park, which now has improved shower and toilet facilities for use when staying there.

A report in the North Wales Weekly News explains that the land on which the site is built has belonged to the family of Pam Watson-Jones for over 120 years.

But while the area has been a popular fixture among campers since the 1940s, caravanners had to wait another 40 years before Ms Watson-Jones hit upon the idea of turning it into a site for tourers, subsequently gaining a license.

Speaking to the news provider, the caravan park owner admitted it had taken a lot of hard work to get to this level.

“I brought it up from two stars to four stars and now five stars,” she explained.

“I’m very proud because that is what you want to work towards – being the best at everything.”

It’s been a bumper year of success for caravan parks in Wales, with the Tree Tops site in Gwespyr also among the accolades after picking up a Wales in Bloom award for its beautiful gardens last month.

VIDEO: How the Whale Watermaster IC tackles caravan pressure problems

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by Chris Jefferies
Keeping your water system in good working order is crucial if you want your caravan to live a long and healthy life, and the water pump makers at Whale know that better than most.
Two main problems that often crop up are the unpredictable electrical supply to the water pump, and the danger of the pump burning out when the tank is empty.
With one new part called the Watermaster IC, Whale claims to have solved both of these problems.
In this video, CaravanTimes travels to Northern Ireland to meet the makers of this new part and find out how it can help make your caravanning holidays hassle free.
We also take a look at the company’s new 3D printer, a space-age machine that can build prototype parts from scratch in a matter of hours.
UPDATE: The Watermaster IC is now available to buy and comes fitted as standard on all 2013 Elddis Xplore and Avante caravans.

Stockton holiday park opts for static caravans over tourers

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by Jack Beresford

Developers and caravan enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting news regarding a decision on plans to revamp a holiday caravan park in the Yarm area of Stockton-on-Tees.

According to a report from gazettelive.co.uk, the Stockton Council planning committee is meeting today (September 12th) to discuss plans for the site.

The Welsh Family Trust LLP has submitted the new application, which will see the development of 34 chalet-style residential caravans in the area, which was originally set aside to be developed into a campsite for up to 80 touring caravans.

This new project has already received the backing of planning officers, who have submitted a recommendation to approve the plans. However, the proposals have yet to receive the full backing of the local council.

The initiative has divided local residents, many of whom are concerned at the damage the development will do to local wildlife and drainage systems. Others, meanwhile, believe the plans could provide a major boost to tourism in the region.

Local objections have hindered a number of caravan park development plans in recent months, with one site in Climping, West Sussex delayed amid concerns from residents regarding the environmental impact.

NCC announces first eight approved caravan distributors

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by Jack Beresford

The first eight firms to receive the prestigious National Caravan Council (NCC) Distributor Status accolade have been revealed at a special celebration held last week (5 September).

This new NCC Approved Distributor scheme is one of three new consumer focused initiatives designed to raise standards of customer service and professionalism across the caravan and motorhome industry.

It is hoped that, by establishing a new Consumer Code of Practice, members of the NCC will take heed of how best to operate and compete in the ever-expanding world of caravanning and camping, taking note of consumer rights at all times.

The eight firms to receive the recognition were: Orchard Caravans Ltd, Bridlington Caravan Centre, Lake Coast and Dale Leisure, Parklands Leisure, Keat Farm Ltd, Salop Leisure Ltd, Southern Counties Leisure and PM Leisure Homes Ltd.

These companies were presented with certification of their Approved status at The Lawns in Cottingham by NCC vice chairman Colin Crewther.

Commenting on the awards, NCC director general John Lally said: “Meeting the code is a significant achievement and demonstrates each businesses professionalism and commitment to best practice.”

Carlight Caravans goes mainstream with new entry-level range

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by Chris Jefferies
Carlight Caravans has announced plans to launch a brand new range of entry level caravans, with prices ranging from £17,995 to around £27,000.
The prestigious marque was revived last year to much fanfare, with new models going into production for the first time in ten years.
But the prices, which started at around £35,000 for the single-axle Commander, proved to be prohibitive for many.
Now the company, which is widely known as the Rolls Royce of caravanning, has now decided to branch out into the mainstream, in the hope of convincing even more families to realise the dream of owning a brand new Carlight.
By moving their starting price under £18,000, Carlight are bringing themselves into direct competition with the likes of the Elddis Crusader and the Swift Conqueror.
The new Carlight range is due to arrive in the next few weeks, and Carlight fans will get a chance view them at the company’s headquarters in Sleaford, Lincolnshire towards the end of October.
First details emerging
John Gibbons, Sales Director at Carlight, told CaravanTimes that the new range has not yet been given a name, but there will be five set layouts to choose from, featuring both fixed beds and bunk beds.
He also confirmed that lengths will range from 13 to 23 feet, while the company is opting for an eight foot wide chassis, as can currently be found on continental caravans such as those made by Adria and Hobby.
In order to bring the prices down to a competitive level, these models will not be as customisable as the flagship Commander collection. Nonetheless, they are retaining the venerable Carlight name, so luxury touches are sure to abound.
But that’s not all – the company is planning to bring out yet another range in 2013, following its acquisition of Thomson Caravans earlier this year.
With all this in the pipeline, it seems like Carlight are certainly ones to watch as we move into the New Year.

Scottish caravan park granted ten-pitch site extension

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by Jack Beresford

The development of ten new caravan pitches at the popular Cloak Farm Caravan Park at Catterline in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland will go ahead as planned.

It follows the news that the proposal has won approval from the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee, after a meeting of officials last week.

Under the plans, the caravan park area will be extended by 4,600 square metres, which is roughly the size of a small football pitch.

The decision comes despite objections from members of the public and the Catterline, Kinneff and Dunnottar Community Council who were concerned that the surrounding landscape and access road would be severely disrupted by the development.

However, according to the Kincardineshire Observer, Aberdeenshire Council members were satisfied with the application, with Councillor Agnew among those backing the plans.

“I can’t see anything in the application that it can be validly refused for,” he told the news provider.

The approval of these plans came in the same week that a proposal to redevelop Stonehaven’s Queen Elizabeth caravan site received similar backing from Aberdeenshire authorities.

Hereford police call for help following Abbey caravan theft

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by Jack Beresford

The search for a caravan which was stolen from a property in Hereford last week has intensified, with police calling for information from the public to help them crack the case.

According to the Hereford Times, the tourer in question was taken from a property in Haywood Lane, near Old Mushroom Farm in at some time between Saturday September 1st and Wednesday September 5th.

The model has been identified as an Abbey Cardinal 318, which had been well secured prior to its theft.

The news provider noted that eye witnesses reported seeing a dark car towing a caravan in the area on Sunday September 2nd, though these reports remain unconfirmed.

In the meantime, local PC Jane Price is calling for someone to step forward with information related to this vehicle and have asked that those with further details call 0300 333 3000 quoting reference number 84S050912.

This news comes just one week after the Institute of Advanced Motorists called on caravan owners to invest in anti-theft devices in a bid to ward off any would-be thieves.

2013 Elddis Xplore: Pictures, prices and new layouts for refreshed range

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by Chris Jefferies
The Elddis Xplore range of lightweight caravans has been given a refresh for 2013, with a couple of new layouts and a revamped interior design.
There has been a lot of strong competition emerging in the entry-level market this year, with the launch of the Venus caravans back in February, so Elddis has had to up its game.
This new Xplore collection does just that, with two flexible layouts being introduced, along with a more versatile interior look.
The exterior is much the same as in 2011, with only a few graphical tweaks, but the inside gets a much fresher look than before, with the plain fabrics leaving plenty of scope for personalisation.

This new soft furnishing design is called Alpine, while the Noce Prosecco hardwood ash locker doors are similar to those in the Elddis Avante range.
What’s more there are new work surfaces, which come in the granite-effect design that has proved popular in the top-of-the-range Crusader collection.
Beyond the aesthetic changes, Elddis has also fitted a few interior upgrades that should make these caravans easier to live with.
Foremost among these is a new Whale water heater, which comes with a larger eight-litre capacity tank and a rapid heat-up setting to ensure piping hot early morning showers.
This comes backed up by Grade III insulation and the dual-fuel underfloor Whale space heater, which is mounted underneath the chassis to maximise interior storage space.
All of these things combine to make this a highly comfortable caravan, especially considering it’s entry-level price tag.
It’s also worth noting that this is the first Xplore range to be built using Elddis’ new Solid Construction technique, which promises greater structural strength and total protection against water ingress.
Layouts and Weights
The 2013 Elddis Xplore collection will come in a choice of five single-axle layouts, starting with the compact two-berth 302 and its bigger brother, the four-berth 304.
Moving up the range and there are two newcomers to consider…
Click here to continue reading 


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Bailey Unicorn II proves enduring appeal with six-year durability test

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by Jack Beresford and Chris Jefferies

The new Bailey Unicorn II could quite literally prove to be an enduring one, after the tourer passed a series of tests designed to assess its structural durability.

Carried out at the famous Millbrook Proving Ground, the caravan underwent a standard automotive simulated structural durability assessment.

Spread over three weeks, the exercises covered seven key areas specified by the Millbrook team themselves.

These included paved roads, kerb strikes, pot holes, the high speed circuit, twist humps, driveway ramps and the hill route.

Over 1,000 miles of testing were undertaken at the Millbrook facility, with Bailey attempting to simulate six years of use.

Bailey has tested a number of its caravans and motorhomes over the past few years but it was thought that the presence of a new bodyshell, which features a GRP outer skin, a new design front and rear bumpers along with a large opening front skylight in the caravan, made it worthy of further examination.

The tests also allowed the firm to test the performance of the new Michelin tyres – results were recorded at regular intervals, with the information demonstrating the solid performance of the tourer.

More could be set to come from Bailey of Bristol, as the company has just announced the opening of six additional dealers to its nationwide network.

Ebor Leisure World, Hitchin Caravans and Stowford South Wales have been added to their roster of caravan dealers, while Dumfries Caravan Centre, Emmbee Motorhomes and Caravans, and Stowmarket Caravans and Motorhomes will all now be stocking the Bailey Approach SE motorhomes.

Gulliver’s Land theme park offers cut-price tickets to C&CC members

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by Jack Beresford

The Camping and Caravanning Club has teamed up with the people behind the popular Gulliver’s Land Theme Park to offer a bargain deal for anyone staying at their Milton Keynes Club Site.

Starting this week (10 September), travellers can purchase two and three-day Hopper and Combined passes to the popular adventure park from just £27 per person.

This pass offers access to a variety of rides and shows all houses within the theme park site which is close to the camping area.

These discounted passes are exclusively available to those staying at the Gulliver’s Milton Keynes Club Site and can be purchased by simply presenting a campsite receipt when purchasing tickets at the entrance to the theme park.

The deal is open to both members and non-members, with the passes offering unlimited access – though they must be used on consecutive days and have to be purchased after 4pm on the day prior to your visit.

Club sites director Bob Hill said: “Camping has never been more accessible, tents are now even on offer in your local supermarkets so there’s no reason not to try pitching up with the Club.

“We’re delighted to work with Gulliver’s, Milton Keynes to continue to offer fun filled holidays at inexpensive prices.”

This discount is available until Sunday November 4th 2012.

Caravan Club’s million pound Stonehaven plans get go-ahead

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by Jack Beresford

Plans to redevelop Stonehaven’s Queen Elizabeth caravan site have received the backing of Aberdeenshire councillors, who voted unanimously to approve the project.

Back in June, the Caravan Club submitted two separate applications to improve the site, with a total investment of £1.75 million planned ahead of the 2013 tourist season.

Under the proposals, the number of pitches at the site will be reduced from 103 to 84, with a toilet block, tent and play area added along with a wardens’ compound, reception building, service points, new lighting and CCTV columns, according to the Mearns Leader.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and a number of local officials had initially opposed the plans amid concerns that the site would be at risk of flooding.

However, after SEPA withdrew its objection, consultees followed suit, with the Flood Prevention Unit admitting it was satisfied with the application, while local officials also backed the plans to bring more tourism to the region.

Tony Barnett, estates manager at the Caravan Club, described the plans as a “definite asset for Stonehaven”, with officials working alongside SEPA to ensure the development runs as smoothly as possible.

The news comes just a week after plans to develop the Jubilee Park in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, won council approval.

Swansea caravan thieves face 14 months in prison

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by Jack Beresford

Two men who stole a caravan from a company showroom in Crymlyn are facing 14 months in prison after pleading guilty at Swansea Crown Court this week.

Stephen Banham, 37, and Richard Turner, 39, admitted to breaking into the Blazers Caravan Company property before cutting through a chain fence and removing a concrete bollard in order to tow away the £18,000 tourer.

According to the South Wales Evening Post, after connecting the caravan to a Land Rover, the pair set off through a play area, heading towards the M4.

However, their plan was rumbled when a member of the public who lived nearby spotted the pair.

After closing in on the caravan thieves, police searched the aforementioned vehicle and caravan, where they found a Sat Nav with the addresses for a number of caravan sales premises, along with boltcutters.

Speaking at Swansea Crown Court, Judge Huw Davies QC condemned the “carefully planned” actions of the pair.

“This is a plain case of a planned offence. You travelled to Swansea from the South of England with the intention of committing the kind of offence which you went on to do,” he said.

The case is the latest incident involving caravan break-ins and comes just days after Welsh police called for owners to take extra care when securing their tourers.