Haven recommends caravanners get travel insurance

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British holiday firm Haven Holidays has suggested that those caravanning or enjoying any other sort of holiday in the UK invest in travel insurance.

According to the company, people staying in mobile homes may need cover against unforeseen circumstances such as injury, theft, breakdown and loss.

Haven offers its own personal and car breakdown insurance that is designed to help holidaymakers avoid costs arising from such situations.

Guests at its parks can also benefit from the company’s HomePlan cover, which offers emergency assistance for their home while staying at any of its parks across the UK.

“Even though you are holidaying within the UK, you may still face unforeseen expenses if you are injured or fall ill on holiday … Haven’s great value personal and car breakdown insurance can help you to avoid any such costs,” the company said.

Haven has 35 sites around the country, many of which are located near to the seaside.

Parkdean praises Devon beaches

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A UK caravan park operator has suggested that its guests may have trouble choosing a beach to visit in Devon, due to the sheer number of quality seaside spots.

Parkdean
noted that visitors to its sites in the area will often find it hard to resist the lure of sun, seas and sand, but that they sometimes struggle to decide on which beach is best for them.

However, the company believes it has the answer and has made a list of its favourite locations, which are all in close proximity to its resorts.

Whether you prefer a relaxing day sunbathing and building sandcastles or riding the waves on a surf or body board, Parkdean believes that Devon has the beach for you.

“Devon is a great place to enjoy a family holiday so if you haven’t been yet why not check out one of our three family holiday parks situated across the region and enjoy some of Britain’s best beaches,” the company said.

Meanwhile, Parkdean recently showed its support for one of its entertainers, who is competing on Britain’s Got Talent.

Lunar Caravans model beats competition

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British leisure manufacturer Lunar Caravans is celebrating after one of its products beat two highly-respected competitors in a recent competition.

The Lunar Lexon SE took the Practical Caravan Editor’s Choice award ahead of Swift Group’s Sterling Eccles Ruby and Bailey Senator Series 6 California.

With prices starting from £15,595, the Lexon SE sleeps up to four people and is 7.19m long by 2.28m wide.

It features a number of great items as standard, including alloy wheels, two-piece entrance door, awning light and external gas/mains output.

Heating comes in the form of a Truma pump that is responsible for both the air and water temperature.

Cooks might enjoy using the 105-litre digital-control fridge, three-burner gas hob and separate oven and grill, which are aided by an extractor fan to remove any fumes.

The electric-flush Thetford C250 toilet and wheeled waste tank, as well as a separate shower, make using the washroom easier than ever.

Meanwhile, Lunar Caravans recently celebrated its 40th anniversary by renovating one of its early model vehicles.

Caravanners can enjoy walks in Cornwall

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Holiday park operator Parkdean is allowing caravanners to recommend walking routes in Cornwall, which will then be published on the firm’s website.

The company has made its own list of country and coastal trails that can be accessed from its sites in the area, but is keen to give its customers some input too.

“Cornwall is a great place to enjoy a family holiday or a relaxing break, if you haven’t been there before why not check out one of our eight holiday parks in the region,” it said.

Parkdean’s sites act as fantastic bases for a walking or surfing holiday in the area.

These include four close to Newquay, two near the Lizard, one in St Martins and one just outside Rock.

Each accepts caravans and also has a range of accommodation available, as well as free entertainment and kids’ clubs.

Meanwhile, Parkdean recently suggested that Brits looking for a family beach holiday should choose one of its resorts in Dorset, which grant access to 95 miles of Jurassic coastline.

Park Holidays UK mascot makes special appearance

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The mascot of a UK caravan park chain has made a special appearance at a London children’s hospital.

Park Holidays UK’s Loopy visited the kids of Great Ormond Street Hospital recently, after being invited by one of the company’s holiday home owners.

Deb Ballenger’s three-year-old grandson Tyler has been unwell and wanted to see his chum Loopy, so the friendly rabbit hopped to the capital at top speed.

He met Tyler and the other patients in his ward and shared news of everything going on at Park Holidays UK’s 23 sites around the UK.

The kids also enjoyed playing games and learning songs with Loopy and Tyler was reportedly “over the moon” at seeing his holiday buddy.

Meanwhile, Park Holidays UK recently suggested that its caravan sites offer the perfect place for a new mother and baby to spend their first vacation together.

It explained that the lack of flight delays, hassle over passports and worries about foreign illnesses made a staycation a great idea.

Caravanners should ‘take care of tyres’

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Caravan enthusiasts who plan to do a lot of driving this summer may be keen to avoid a tyre blowout and all the stress that comes with it.

Irish website joe.ie has given drivers some advice on caring for vehicles’ only point of contact with the road that extends beyond simply checking the tread depth.

It explained that debris on the road can often be damaging to tyres, but that motorists can reduce the effect by slowing down.

Driving at speed heats up the rubber, making it softer and therefore more susceptible to wear and tear, which can lead to nasty bubbles, bald patches and even blowouts.

Another tip is to rotate the tyres, moving the front ones to the back when they start to wear down.

According to the online resource those at the front will age quicker than the rear tyres as they generally have to support more weight.

It advised car owners to have their tyres checked and repaired by an expert on a regular basis as this can cost a fraction of the price of a whole new tyre or wheel.

Compass brand returns thanks to Elddis and Discover Leisure

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First-time caravan buyers looking for an affordable family vehicle will welcome the return of caravan brand Compass to the marketplace. Tomorrow (May 21st) a line of touring caravans developed with Elddis will be on sale under the Compass brand. The Compass Caravans are exclusive to Discover Leisure and available across all five of their dealerships across Britain.

The Compass brand was in operation in 1998 when the Explorer Group was formed with famous caravan brands Elddis and Buccaneer. Yet recently the Compass line of caravans has not been available to those looking for a well-equipped family caravan at a competitive price. All this is set to change through Discover Leisure’s collaboration with Elddis. The dealership are introducing the option of monthly payments on the Compass Ventures in order to make purchase easier for those seeking their first caravan.

The last year has seen the popularity of caravanning boom as families avoid the potentially harsh costs of travelling abroad to discover the British countryside. In addition last month’s flying restrictions caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud will only add to the sense that staying in Britain for the summer may be the best option.

You can find the new Compass line at all Discover Leisure branches across the UK.

Could more caravan parks be an answer to boost ailing seaside resorts?

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Providing more locations for families to enjoy caravan holidays could be seen as one answer to spicing up Britain’s seaside towns.

According to Tony Clish, the director of Park Holidays UK, many seaside resorts are not moving with the times and are still reliant on old methods to pull in families, such as bed and breakfast accommodation.

However, he feels that the government have a large role to play if seaside resorts are to be turned around to suit current demands of those wanting to enjoy a week away in the UK.

He said: “It’s time to move our seaside towns out of the Victorian era when many of them were built, and to make them responsive to the needs and expectations of modern holidaymakers.

“Our seaside resorts have been shamefully neglected by successive governments, but they could hold a very important key to stimulating rural regeneration.”

Mr Clish added that better quality environments, space and freedom are what people are currently wanting from their breaks.

Meanwhile, figures from Which? Holiday magazine highlighted that 40 per cent of Brits headed to seaside destinations in 2009.

Elddis reaping the benefits of enhanced purchasing system

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Elddis is continuing to enjoy improved working relations with its supplier thanks to its innovative Vendor Rating System.

Forming part of the manufacturer’s ongoing attempts to enhance supplier performance levels, the scheme sees the firm receive instant feedback from all parts of the purchasing and supply chain.

This in turn enables Elddis purchasing professionals to draw up benchmarks for all areas of the supply chain, with this data used as the basis of future deals and thereby enhancing the quality and cost-efficiency of its caravans.

“The system has been designed to meet the specific objectives and priorities of the business with suppliers being evaluated on delivery and logistics performance,” explained Carl Peacock, Elddis’s purchasing manager.

“Ultimately this system increases efficiency and performance through our complete supply chain, which will have positive benefits for the customer and the business.”

In 2008, Elddis celebrated the awarding of the first qualification handed out through its Apprenticeship Scheme, aimed at training the next generation of caravan-makers.

Parkdean: Devon to host sport and music event

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Caravanners who enjoy music festivals have been reminded that the Gold Coast Oceanfest is set to take place in Devon next month.

Holiday site operator Parkdean suggested that its Ruda Holiday Park could be the ideal base for the event.

Taking place at Croyde Bay Beach from June 18th to 20th, the event is now in its 12th year and will feature big acts such as The Magic Numbers and Joshua Radin.

The music will be complemented by sporting action as some of the world’s top freesports athletes take part in a variety of contests that cover everything from skateboarding to surfing.

Surf lessons will be available, while holiday park guests could also take part in or watch the football and beach volleyball tournaments.

According to Parkdean, its Ruda Holiday Park is ideal for the event, with its touring and camping pitches, as well as holiday homes available for hire.

The company recently claimed that its Hampshire sites are ideal for walkers, thanks to the numerous trails in the area.

Parkdean offers more kids activities in Wales

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A UK holiday park operator has commented on the abundance of child-friendly activities available to caravan owners in Wales.

Parkdean
explained that it is one of its main goals to help kids have a great time when staying at its parks and suggested that families might enjoy a trip to its Welsh sites.

Each of the facilities offers a range of attractions for youngsters, but the firm noted that even more fun things to do exist beyond the confines of its parks.

“You might fancy visiting a theme park, exploring a castle or learning a new skill like riding a horse, whatever you are looking for we are sure you will find it near one of our Welsh holiday parks,” Parkdean said.

The Ogmore Farm Riding Centre is just one example of child-friendly activities in the area.

Kids can try horse riding on the wide beach, which the company claims is a dream come true for many.

In other news, Parkdean recently suggested that its Scottish sites could be the perfect bases for exploring the beautiful country.

Airstream creates unique caravan to partner MINI

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Danish premium furniture brand Republic of Fritz Hansen has kitted out a special Airstream touring caravan for the Salone del Mobile show in Universita degli Studi di Milano.

The famous exhibition takes place from April 21st until April 30th and will also see the Copenhagen-based firm display a Mini Cooper S Clubman it has worked on to partner the mobile home.

The company drew inspiration from the surfing lifestyle to alter the Airstream interior, which features a number of its products, including new interpretations of Arne Jacobsen’s Egg and Swan Chairs.

“Here at Republic of Fritz Hansen we are thrilled with the collaboration and really look forward to introducing this unique and eye catching concept,” explained chief executive and president Jacob Holm.

The vehicle chosen to accompany the caravan was selected to reflect the adventurous style of the Airstreams, with both the car and the mobile home being decorated in a similar fashion – a sleek black paintjob.

Airstream is an award-winning manufacturer and recently scooped a coveted prize in the Caravan Club Design Awards.