Reader wins Apple iPad in our Caravan Times NEC show competition

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by Marcus Dubois and Holly Tribe

During last month’s International Caravan and Motorhome Show at the NEC in Birmingham, the Caravan Review Database saw an unprecedented surge in popularity as vistors flocked to our stand to give feedback on their caravan. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who submitted a review of their caravan at the 2010 Show.

We are grateful for the exceptional response from show goers who told us about their caravan ownership experiences. And so at this year’s show we held a prize draw for one lucky entry to win an Apple iPad.

To enter the prize draw, caravanners were encouraged to give their tourers a rating out of five – and write a short review to advise future owners about any potential problems.

As a result the Caravan Review Database now covers the full range of caravan manufacturers – from big hitters Bailey Caravans and Swift Caravans to specialist European models from Geist and Eriba.

Prize draw winner

We are pleased to announce the winner, selected at random from the hundreds of reviews per day we received is Sally Mottram from Surrey.

“I’m absolutely delighted, my children couldn’t believe it when I told them, we’re all so excited!” she told Caravan Times.

Sally’s love of camping and caravanning began twenty years ago after becoming widowed while her children were still young. Every summer Sally would pack up the family and set off for five weeks of camping fun. And after swapping canvas for a caravan fourteen years ago, she still spends up to 8 weeks of the years caravanning.

“We have had many adventures of caravanning and I just love it!” she added.

As a member of the Christian Caravan and Camping Fellowship, Sally enjoys attending rallies all over the country in her ABI Marauder. Full of praise for her “faithful Marauder” which has served her for nearly ten years, she is now drawing on the help of Caravan Times to find a new 4-berth caravan.

Keep an eye out in the Caravan Times Community for future competitions – in the meantime, if you would like to submit a review of your caravan, please click here.

Cornwall named top UK holiday destination

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by Chris Malone

The Cornish coastline has long since been a popular destination for caravanners, and the South Western county has been officially commended as a superior holiday destination.

It was recently crowned Best UK Holiday County or Region at the British Travel Awards, which took place last week.

Cornwall finished ahead of runners-up Devon and the Lake District by some distance in the voting and had more reason to celebrate when St Ives was named Best UK Seaside Town.

Local attraction the Eden Project was also recognised when it scooped a silver award for Best UK Day Out Experience.

VisitCornwall head of tourism Malcom Bell spoke of his pride at accepting the awards on behalf of the area.

“To win at both county and town level is a huge achievement and the fact that the awards are based on public opinion make them even more significant,” he said.

Mr Bell added that it is the third time in five years that Cornwall has triumphed at the awards.

Click here to read about our top five Cornish caravan sites.

New National Forest Food Guide released

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by Chris Malone

Caravanners who love taking breaks in or around the National Forest might enjoy a new publication which could make their holidays even more enjoyable.

The new edition of the National Forest Food Guide is available now and educates readers on the variety of tasty treats to be sampled in the area.

It contains advice on where to buy delicious local food, covering everything from cakes and beer to mushrooms, bread and cheese.

Now in its fifth year, the guide has been compiled by local food expert Barry Smith and is regularly updated with new additions.

“It always surprises me that with every issue I discover more places to include in the guide,” Mr Smith said.

“I always welcome suggestions from members of the public.”

He encouraged locals and visitors to get in touch with any ideas they may have for new additions.

The National Forest is 200 square miles of woodland which extends into Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

The Burstner Averso Plus: Reinventing caravan interiors

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by Holly Tribe

German leisure vehicle manufacturers Burstner have launched the first caravan to feature a fold down bed in the Averso Plus range. And for those caravanners frustrated with the uniformity of white tourers, the Averso Plus can be ordered in a mint green colour.

The retractable double sleeping compartment lowers from the ceiling to overhang above the lounge area, avoiding messy bed conversions. An electronically assisted version is available as a cost option. The innovation has led some parties to credit Burstner with ‘reinventing’ caravan interior design.

To see more images of the Bürstner Averso Plus range please click here.

The fold down bed is not the only original feature in the Averso Plus series – there’s also a retractable TV screen that can swivel on a 360 degree axis. When it’s positioned at the right angle, it can be watched from outside the ‘van through the window. Or as the manufacturers put it: “for perfect viewing pleasure both inside and out”.

Three layouts are currently available; from the compact two berth 410TS, up to the six berth 440TK and family friendly seven berth 510TK.

Averso Plus 410TS

The lounge area features sky lighting in the ceiling: a similar setup was recently used by Roma Caravans in their Park Avenue model. Spotlights create a ‘starry sky’ effect creating an intimate atmosphere at night-time.

  • Berth: 2
  • Price: 14,380 Euros
  • Curb Weight: 1,100kg

    • Averso Plus 510TK

    The 510TK is designed specifically for family living with bunk beds in the additional children’s room next to a secondary seating area.

  • Berth: 7
  • Price: 16,100 Euros
  • Curb Weight: 1,270kg

    • Averso Plus 440TK

  • Berth: 6
  • Price: 15,430 Euros
  • Curb Weight: 1,150kg

    • Customers can opt for an eye-catching mint paintwork option with leaf detailing. But if this doesn’t appeal to everyone’s design sensibilities a white or silver finish is also available.

    For now these ‘vans are only available on the Continent, but due to width restrictions for British caravans being relaxed earlier in the year, they are also suitable for UK roads.

    To see more images of the Burstner Averso Plus range please click here.

    Highways Agency issue Amber weather alert to weekend caravanners

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    by Holly Tribe

    Caravanners taking to the roads this weekend are being warned to take extra care due to high winds and inclement weather conditions.

    Strong winds that have swept the country over the last couple of days are set to continue over the weekend.

    The Highways Agency have issued an Amber warning, cautioning high sided vehicles including touring caravans, motorhomes, coaches and articulated lorries.

    Motorists should pay particular care and attention on high ground and exposed roads. Visitors to the North of England, notably those travelling across the Pennines should expect strong cross winds.

    Winds which reportedly hit storm force 10 last night brought down a number of trees in North Somerset and drivers are being advised to check their routes and, where possible, to delay their journey if travel conditions are poor.

    Live traffic updates and road conditions can be found at www.highways.gov.uk .

    Camping and Caravanning Club score a full flush in Loo Of The Year 2010

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    by Marcus Dubois

    One of the great joys of being in a home away from home is being able to keep things to the standards of cleanliness that one is accustomed to. Yet for caravanners who choose to use toilet blocks and site facilities when away, there is the ever-present fear that the loo may not be up to scratch.

    Which is why keen tourers may be interested to hear that the Camping and Caravanning Club has once again achieved high grades in the rigorously assessed 2010 Loo of the Year Awards.

    Ninety per cent of Club Sites entered (19 in total) were awarded impressive five-star grades in the Holiday Parks and Camping and Touring Sites category.

    Additionally, Eskdale and Ravenglass Club Sites also achieved commendable four-star grades.

    The British Toilet Association

    The Awards, which are run independently and promoted by the British Toilet Association, encourage the highest possible standards in all types of ‘away from home’ toilets throughout the UK.

    Bob Hill is the Club’s Sites Director and he was impressed by the results: “As a Club, we pride ourselves on providing fantastic, clean facilities for all campers.

    “It’s encouraging to see so many of our sites achieving five-stars and this number will only increase as our £29 million site development, improvement and upgrade programme continues to further enhance our facilities.”

    National Loo of the Year

    Yet it doesn’t stop here. The Club’s five-star entries will be entered into the National Loo of the Awards 2010 which will be held on Friday, December 3, at the Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth. Grading Certificates and National Awards will be announced and presented on the day.

    The five-star Club Sites are: Barnard Castle, Chertsey, Chichester, Dunbar, Folkestone, Glencoe, Kessingland, Milarrochy Bay, Sailsbury, Sandringham, Scarborough, Scone, West Runton, Cheddar, Hereford, Polstead, Skye, Charmouth, Dartmouth. For more information please visit: loo.co.uk

    To find out more about the Club’s Loo of the Year-winning sites, you can telephone the Club’s Contact Centre on 0845 130 7633 or 024 7647 5426. Alternatively the Club’s website is campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

    Airstream Bambi: A brief history of the silver dream

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    by Holly Tribe

    Airstream’s smallest and lightest ‘silver bullet’ trailer, the Airstream Bambi was introduced to British shores in 2009. Light enough to be towed by a VW Golf, they offer the vintage US dream to the UK market.

    Airstream Caravans are renowned for their striking brushed aluminium exterior inspired by graceful aircraft design. Award winning architect and designer, Christopher Deam, was responsible for creating a new look for the European range.

    He explained: ‘While the exterior of the Airstream was imagined using the highest technology available from the aircraft industry, the interiors often were quaint’, adding “I wanted the interior to deliver on the promise of the exterior”.

    His vision has been successfully achieved with interiors sporting ultra-modern white and black maple veneer furniture. Updates for the 2010 season saw the addition of exposed aluminium interiors and a front panoramic window, launched at the National Boat and Caravan Show at the beginning of the year.

    Built to last a lifetime

    With an outstanding reputation for longevity, around 65 per cent of all Airstream trailers ever made are still on the roads today. The Bambi’s iconic status was cemented in 2007 when a ’63 model was displayed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York – celebrating vehicular design and architecture.

    If you fancy owning one of these iconic silver trailers, Airstream Europe today announced it will be selling the 2009 Bambi 422 demonstrator model at a bargain price. This one-off caravan is kitted out with red interior furnishings and matching red Zipdee canopy awning. Just in time for Christmas and before the VAT hike next year, it’s priced at £27,000, a saving of £6,640 on the latest RRP. For details please contact Michael Hold or Earl Briggs on 015396 24141. Full details of the Airstream Bambi can be found at www.airstreameurope.co.uk.

    In other news, Airstream recently revealed it will be revising the layout of the 534 model for the 2011 season.

    Oprah Winfrey goes camping in a trailer tent caravan

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    by Holly Tribe

    Known as American daytime TV’s first lady and the richest woman in entertainment, few would have Oprah Winfrey down as a caravan enthusiast.

    Yet in the latest episode of her long running chat show ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ she went back to grass roots on a camping trip to Yosemite National Park, California. The media mogul who once gave away a car to every member of her audience hit the road to experience the caravanning lifestyle for herself.

    As Oprah took to the woods with her friend Gayle King, their first task was to set up camp for the night which took the form of a pop up caravan. A camera crew was there to document the camping trip for the last season of Oprah’s chat show and follows the two friends as they erect the Coleman Niagara trailer tent.

    Click here to watch Oprah and Gayle’s big Yosemite adventure, as they reverse the trailer and set up the side walls and windows of their trailer tent.

    The pair were invited by park ranger Shelton Johnson in a bid to encourage more African-Americans to visit US National Parks. According to Oprah.com of the 280 million tourists that visit US parks each year, just just 1% are African-American.

    Bailey Unicorn models to be fitted with TRACKER security device

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    by Holly Tribe

    A leading stolen vehicle recovery company has supplied its TRACKER system to Bailey Caravans‘ flagship range.

    The TRACKER caravan monitor system is the only alarm system to be rigged up to all 52 of the UK’s police forces bringing unrivalled protection to owners of Bailey Unicorn and Pegasus models.

    How does it work?

    The caravan monitor system is fitted with an intelligent movement sensor that can detect when thieves are trying to tow the caravan away. The unit is operated by a fob, held by the owner to activate and deactivate the alarm.

    Simon Howard is the Marketing Director for Bailey Caravans and he hoped customers would be reassured by the leading security device being fitted. “We chose TRACKER for all three models (and any subsequent models) in the Bailey Unicorn Range because it is the first name in stolen vehicle recovery, ensuring our customers can tow their purchase away with added peace of mind, at no extra cost.

    The devise will be fitted to 11 models across both the Bailey Unicorn and Bailey Pegasus ranges, and customers will be provided with one year’s free subscription to the TRACKER service.

    In other news, Bailey recently achieved its best ever sales performance at this year’s International Caravan and Motorhome Show.

    Could this be the new layout in the 2011 Airstream 534 caravan?

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    by Holly Tribe

    A model from Airstream Europe’s iconic ‘silver bullet’ touring caravan range is set to get a new layout in 2011.

    Details of the final floorplan have not yet been released, but a spokesman from the company explained the design team have been busy incorporating a higher spec washroom into the layout: “The Airstream 534 will have a new floorplan in 2011. [We’re] trying to get a full shower and a cassette toilet in there,” he said.


    The current four-berth caravan houses a rear end transverse fixed bed, and front dinette with a basic all-in-one wetroom. The current vacuum toilet installed in the 534 has been criticised for its noisy functionality, so a cassette toilet will be a welcome upgrade.

    Wider caravans on UK roads

    A change in the law earlier this year resulted in the legal width for British touring caravans being increased from 2.3m to 2.55m, bringing the UK in line with the rest of Europe.

    This new width allowance could create space for a rear end fixed bed/end washroom configuration with the toilet and shower located to one side of the bed. With this in mind we had a look at Airstream’s US portfolio which has a range of wider models, notably the Victorinox, introduced earlier this year.

    The model was introduced in the United States in conjunction with Victorinox, makers of the iconic Swiss Army Knife, to celebrate their 125th anniversary. It has a rear nearside fixed bed with a rear end shower and toilet unit contained in a separate washroom. This could be a great new layout for the 534 if Airstream decide to increase the width of the cabin.

    The European arm of Airstream Caravans anticipate the new model will be ready by spring next year. The single axle 534 model is currently priced at £46,865. Weights and prices for the redesigned model will be confirmed in die course.

    South Lakeland council hosts caravan conference

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    by Chris Malone

    The Lake District National Park is often a popular spot for caravanners, campers and walkers.

    However, it was not the beautiful scenery or stunning water features that attracted mobile home owners to the area earlier this week.

    South Lakeland District Council held its first caravan conference yesterday (November 9th), the Westmorland Gazette reported.

    The event was run in conjunction with other local authorities in Lancaster and Cumbria and focused on raising health and safety awareness in caravan sites.

    The discussions covered health and safety in a number of formats ranging from gas and electricity to fire risk assessments.

    Grounds maintenance, water supplies and play areas were also on the agenda, the newspaper reported.

    More than 100 people visited the Fallbarrow Caravan Park in Windermere for the conference, with both site owners and caravan enthusiasts in attendance.

    Meanwhile, caravan enthusiasts visiting parks in the south-west may wish to attend the famous Bath Christmas Market.

    South-west caravanners could head to famous Christmas market

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    by Chris Malone

    Caravan enthusiasts visiting parks in the south-west may wish to attend the famous Bath Christmas Market.

    The event runs from November 25th to December 12th and has been extended by a week to mark its ten-year anniversary.

    According to organisers Bath Tourism Plus, the market is the premier Christmas shopping experience in the south-west and is not to be missed.

    More than 130 retailers sell unique and handcrafted items that make great festive gifts and shoppers can warm themselves up with a tasty treat or hot drink from one of the numerous vendors on site.

    A great deal of hard work has gone in to make sure the event is a great success, explained Bath Tourism Plus chief executive Robin Bischert.

    “We have a small team dedicated to making the Christmas Market a success for all involved including businesses in and around the city centre that benefit from the influx of people to the area,” he said.

    Meanwhile, a mid-Wales based caravan dealership has reported record earnings of £4 million for the month of October.