Police report caravan hitchings theft in Oxfordshire

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners have been warned to be on their guard in the Oxfordshire area, after a pair of thieves made off with several caravan hitchings. The suspected pair struck at a caravan centre near Thame, stealing a total of 51 ALKO-branded hitchings, which were carried away in a trolley before being loaded into a vehicle, the Oxford Times reports.

Police are currently studying CCTV images to identify the culprits, who are believed to be in their late teens or early twenties.

The offence, which will come as a warning for anyone considering cutting corners on their caravan insurance, was reported to have taken place in the early hours of Thursday April 21st.

Popular caravan parks in Oxfordshire include Bladon Chains, Burford and Four Oaks, all of which are certified Caravan Club sites.

Earlier this week, caravan owners in Cambridgeshire were warned to be vigilant after a spate of caravan thefts in the Fenland and Huntingdon area.

Seabird Spectacle for touring twitchers

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan lovers are encouraged to pack their binoculars this summer, as the Seabird Spectacle is returning to RSPB Bempton for its second year. The popular bird-spotting course, which is organised by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, will be offered on six weekends in May, June and July.

Visitors can start their day on board the MV Yorkshire Belle, which takes you in amongst the swooping and diving birds off the north east coast.

This is followed up by lunch at popular local restaurant, Rags, before a visit to the eco catering facility at RSPB Bempton.

Avid twitchers can expect to see more than 200,000 birds gathering here, including gannets and guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes, as well as the ever-popular puffins, all of which will provide great opportunities for budding nature photographers.

Caravan lovers looking to book onto the Seabird Spectacle days out are advised to reserve in advance as places are expected to go quickly, following a recent BBC Countryfile feature on the bird sanctuary.

REVIEW: 2011 Elddis Avante 554, layout, pictures and price

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Last year, Elddis Caravans re-launched its popular mid-range Avante series. After ten years of successful production, the range was completely overhauled for the 2011 season.

The designers made over forty major improvements including three brand new layouts; the five berth 515 and two new 4-berth options, the 564 and 554.

Deeper lockers, longer beds and increased headroom have improved the interior space with more room for living and luggage, and its makers have justifiably dubbed the Avante range ‘the definitive family caravan’.

Here we take a closer look at the Elddis Avante 554 – a brand new layout for 2011.

Space & Practicality

The 554 is the result of the Elddis ‘Design a Layout’ competition and is unique to this range. It features four berths, two of which are spacious fixed rear bunks, and a sizeable corner washroom which works well for growing families.

Two substantial wardrobes, one between the kitchen and washroom and a second between the fixed bunks and rear washroom, provide a realistic level of storage space for longer trips away.

There’s a multi purpose storage unit/ dresser on the nearside, which is the logical place for a TV with plenty of surface area left for food prep.

Space throughout the range has been increased and made more user friendly; the 554 boasts 6’5″ headroom, and the lockers are 50% deeper than in the outgoing design…

Click here for part II of the Elddis Avante 554 review, including further pictures, price, weights and layout details.

ROYAL WEDDING: Last minute weekend caravan deals and events

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by Holly Tribe

From last minute getaways and motorhome rentals to an extraordinary caravan repair discount; we bring you the best deals going before, during and after the bumper Royal Wedding bank holiday weekend.

Last minute pitches:

If you were inspired by the glorious sunshine last weekend and have your heart set on a last minute getaway – there are still a number of number of deals to be had.

Family favourites Haven Holidays UK still have limited availability at some of its 23 coastal touring and camping parks across the country.

Blue Dolphin in Yorkshire, Orchards near Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, Golden Sands in Lincolnshire and Perran Sands in Cornwall all still have pitches available over the long weekend, currently being offered at £57 for three nights – saving up to £114 for the long weekend away. To browse alternative destinations, or make a booking, click here.

A right royal knees up:

However, if you would rather be closer to the action, campers are being invited to pitch a tent on Clapham Common right in the heart of London. A big screen will broadcast the wedding live to the assembled masses, alongside a programme of live music and traditional village fete stalls set up to entertain the whole family.

Three nights accommodation from 28th April – 1st May will cost £75 per person, (kids under 12 go half price) Please note – no caravans allowed at this one, canvas only. Head to camproyale.co.uk for more information.

Last minute discounts:

If you fancy getting a taste of the touring lifestyle on a last minute holiday, Motorhomes2go are renting out a Swift Escape 664 4 berth motorhome from 30th April to 7th May for £497 (down from £595) but you’ll have to be quick – the offer is strictly first come first serve. The firm will arrange insurance and set up with you during the telephone booking. For more information please call 01270 737260.

Discounted caravan repairs:

Here’s one to enjoy after the bumper holiday period has come to an end: Caravan repair specialist M.J.P. is offering a 20% discount on any caravan repair job booked in before the Royal Wedding. The Manchester based firm cover the North West region and can carry out on-site repairs, subject to the job required. To take advantage of this one-off discount, head to mjcoachbuilders.com.

Free tickets:

Catterick Caravans will be hosting the Great North Caravan & Motorhome Show from its eight acre site in Yorkshire starting on the 30th April. Over two hundred ex-demonstrator models are being sold off at rock bottom prices and there is a fun packed programme of family entertainment planned during the eight-day event. Download free tickets to the event here .

Cambridgeshire caravanners warned after thefts

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan lovers planning on heading to Cambridgeshire as part of their extended Easter break have been warned to be on their guard against opportunist thieves.

Local police told the Peterborough Evening Telegraph that seven caravans have been stolen in the Fenland and Huntingdon area since the beginning of the month.

Thieves are thought to have been encouraged by the warm weather, resulting in the spate of crimes at South Lake Water Sports caravan site as well as half a dozen private residences.

A spokeswoman for Ferry Meadows Caravan Club in Peterborough urged caravanners to remember to secure their vehicles when leaving them unoccupied.

“All the caravanners know how to keep their van safe. It is important to lock the caravan up and use wheel and hitch locks. We have not had a problem with caravans being stolen here but a lot of security is basic common sense,” she said.

Park Resorts gearing up for Royal Wedding parties

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan site chain Park Resorts is laying on a range of Royal Wedding-themed events for visitors this weekend, to spread the street party atmosphere. On April 29th, guests at Park Resorts across the UK can enjoy a range of entertainment and activities, including barbecue buffets, traditional picnics, sports day-style races and many more competitions for adults and kids alike.

Selected parks will also be showing the main event live on big screens, so you don’t have to miss a second of the regal proceedings.

Guests are encouraged to drag out their glad rags and dress to impress for this historic occasion.

Andy Edge, marketing director for Park Resorts, said: “We are tremendously excited about our royal wedding street parties. Creating amazing memories is what Park Resorts is all about and the street parties are going to do just this.”

Caravan lovers looking to get away over the Royal Wedding weekend can book a pitch at several Park Resorts across the UK, including sites in Yorkshire, Devon and Kent.

Bailey Caravans offer free Truma S Motor Mover for new Olympus models

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by Marcus Dubois

Bailey Caravans is offering customers a free Truma S Motor Mover with every purchase of a new Bailey Olympus. The caravan mover retails at £1,140 and is popular with owners of single-axle models due to the simplicity of manual engagement.

The offer is only available to those customers who place an order for the Olympus from today (26th April 2011). Customers will also receive a free fitting of the Truma S Motor Mover which is included in the deal.

The Olympus was the second model from Bailey to use the firm’s Alu-Tech construction platform introduced in 2009. The system consists of five parts rather than the traditional nine used in “sandwich” construction, and incorporates a single-span front and roof section. The body panels are then clamped together with a bespoke aluminium framework for extra strength. Following the record sales success of the pioneering Pegasus model, Bailey now uses the Alu-Tech system across all its caravan ranges.

Bailey has offered the same class-leading 10 year body shell warranty on the Olympus range, while also meeting Grade III insulation standards for all-weather touring. Click here for more information on the Bailey Olympus range

Rough Guides claim staycations mostly due to love of the UK

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by Chris Jefferies

It appears that more and more Brits are falling in love with the UK countryside and choosing to stay at home with their caravan rather than go holidaying abroad, according to a recent survey.

Despite the popular assumption that people holidaying at home on a staycation simply cannot afford to go anywhere nicer, the study by Rough Guides shows that many simply love to stay in the UK.

More than a third (35 per cent) of survey respondents said that they were planning a holiday in the UK because they love our national countryside, including scenic caravan hotspots such as Blackpool, Cornwall and Devon.

Only 14 per cent said that they were choosing to stay in the UK for purely financial reasons, while just 13 per cent said staying in Britain is simply less hassle.

The survey comes as Rough Guides publishes Make the Most of Your Time in Britain, a new travel companion, including some of the best UK attractions for touring caravan lovers.

VIDEO: Bike tows caravan as part of art exhibition

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by Holly Tribe

From time to time here in the Caravan Times office, we stumble across an off-beat use for the humble caravan that perfectly sums up the spirit of the lifestyle – and this new installation from artist Kevin Cyr is a perfect example.

A touring caravan is perhaps not the most obvious artists muse, but this wistful exhibition from Brooklyn-based Kevin Cyr demonstrates the more romantic side of caravanning.

Watch video footage of the bike and caravan rig out on the open road

Entitled ‘Home in the Weeds’, the installation examines ‘the idea of shelter as a safe haven for a future worst-case-scenario’ alongside optimistic notions of ‘home’ and ‘self-preservation’.

One of the large scale installation pieces displays a compact caravan hitched up to an old 3-speed Raleigh bicycle (pictured). Kevin Cyr explains how the caravan ‘expresses nostalgia for innocence and exploration and is stocked with items reminiscent of my childhood camping trips’.

The exhibition will take place at 941 Geary Gallery in San Francisco until June, but Brit based art fans can find out more from their website www.941geary.com.


King’s Lynn Camping and Caravan Park gets eco-upgrade

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by Chris Jefferies

King’s Lynn Caravan and Camping Site has just completed a £250,000 eco-friendly facelift. Based in North Runcton, the modern block features toilets, showers, facilities for the disabled, a baby room and laundry area.

The camping site has also been designed with sustainability in mind, with power being generated by rain harvesting, solar panels and solar tubes.

As a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme, the park now also features reduced-flow shower fittings as well as a robust recycling facility for glass, plastic and paper products.

Set in ten acres of mature parkland, King’s Lynn Caravan and Camping Park has Wi-Fi available on site and the local town provides activities, such as fishing, golfing, riding, bowling and clay pigeon shooting.

Other local attractions include traditional glass-blowers Caithness Crystal and Beers of Europe – an extensive shop and warehouse with over 3,000 different ales, beers, ciders, whiskies, spirits and more.

Devon caravan site launches late summer golf event

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by Chris Jefferies

If you’re looking to make the most out of the summer touring season and maybe swing a few clubs, then the two-day golf event at Hillhead caravan site in Devon may be an ideal choice. Passionate putters can enjoy a fun-filled day at the nearby Cayman golf centre on September 28th, followed up on the next day at Churston golf course.

The weekend event will be rounded off with a special dinner and award presentations at Nico’s restaurant.

Hillhead caravan site is situated in 22 acres of Devon countryside, near the south coast, and guests can enjoy free use of the outdoor heated swimming pool.

Other useful facilities on the site include a shop, a bar, a restaurant and a takeaway service, while a pitch and putt course is available for those looking to sharpen their skills or try golf for the first time.

Late season pitches for the Hillhead Golf Break 2011 are available now for just £7.70 per caravan.

Caravan owners feeling the pinch of petrol prices over Easter holidays

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by Chris Jefferies

Motorhome and caravan owners heading away for the Easter weekend may need to count the pennies this year, as an AA survey has shown how the price of driving is stacking up. Compared with this time last year, it will now cost £2 more for every 100 miles driven, meaning a long-distance trip to Cornwall or the Lake District could prove costly.

The AA Fuel Price Report for April also found that the chancellor George Osborne’s decision last month to lower fuel duty by 1p per litre was wiped out in under a week by rising fuel prices.

Average prices at the pumps have risen again, meaning that petrol now costs a record 135.79 pence per litre on average, while an average litre of diesel will set you back 141.99 pence.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “The pain of soaring fuel prices that have plagued UK families through the winter is now being felt by the summer tourism and leisure industry.”