Maintenance key for caravan owners looking for return visits

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Caravan park owners have been warned of the importance of keeping their sites up to scratch if they want to ensure visitors return for future trips.

The Maclaey Argus reports that two couples who regularly visit the same caravan park in Australia are fearful that its current state could not only lead to a lack of guests, but also have implications on local businesses.

Jeff Rodway is one of the frequent visitors and believes that the owners of the site are not using a percentage of any fees received towards ensuring facilities are well maintained.

He told the publication: “The facilities leave a lot to be desired. We travel six months of the year with the caravan and have been around Australia and this is the worst park we have stayed at.

“When camping we are prepared to take on nature and the elements, but when you are trying to set up and have three inches of water under your feet while trying to connect power to your site it is a dangerous situation to be in.”

Among the checks that should be regularly carried out on caravans to ensure their safety are looking more closely at tyres, lights, brakes and gas fittings.

New caravan park focuses on families and eco-friendliness

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Environmental friendliness and a focus towards catering for families with young children are among the aims of a new £2 million caravan park to be built in County Durham.

The Teeside Mercury reports that 76 touring pitches will be present on the Caravan Club site near Startforth, which covers eight acres of land.

Among the additional features that will greet visitors are a children’s play area, toddler facilities, a laundry area and a toilet block.

The block will also feature underfloor heating, while rainwater will be recovered to be used to flush toilets a solar pre-heating will provide hot water.

A spokesperson for the Caravan Club told the publication: “The club always favours the opportunity to develop a site ‘from scratch’ on either greenfield or brownfield land.

“This approach enables perfect planning to the high standards and specifications that members rightly expect.”

Enjoying a caravan holiday is one of the most eco-friendly ways to experience a break as they give off only a fraction of the gases created by air travel.

Grandparents take grandkids caravanning

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A UK holiday operator has noticed an emerging trend for grandparents taking their grandchildren on caravanning holidays.

According to Haven Holidays, almost one in five spring bookings at its sites are of this sort.

The firm owns 35 sites across the UK, many of which are located next to or near the seaside.

It offers numerous activities for youngsters, such as Annabel’s Creative Kitchen, which is a course designed by Annabel Karmel that acts as an introduction to cooking.

Tiny Mites Music allows children to indulge their creative side, while the Learn2Swim classes should help boost confidence in the water by utilising the heated pools available at every one of Haven’s caravan parks.

“We make sure all our parks have baby-changing areas, buggy-friendly access, high-chairs and baby menus readily available in restaurants and baby equipment available to hire to keep packing to a minimum,” the firm said.

It added that kids are welcomed in all of its venues, which should allow families to enjoy their time holidaying together.

In other news, Haven recently announced plans to allow families to bring their dog on vacation for just £1 extra.

Bring dogs to caravan park for a pound

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The May Day long weekend is fast approaching and caravan owners may be preparing to head off on another adventure.

Some may be concerned about what to do with their dog while they are away, but Haven Holidays believes it has the answer.

The operator is running an offer whereby customers can bring their canine companion for just £1.

“Family holidays just aren’t the same if you have to leave one family member behind,” the firm said. “Especially if it’s the one that doesn’t argue, doesn’t need any luggage and is always pleased to see you.”

As such, Haven is offering those who book a break at selected sites the chance to bring their pooch along.

Perran Sands is one of the company’s 35 parks and offers miles of sandy beach where families and their dogs can enjoy a pleasant walk along the Cornish coastline.

Haven recently noted a rise in bookings for 2010 and suggested that flight cancellations and tight finances may have been contributory factors.

Haven: BA strike helping caravan industry

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While the British Airways flight staff strike may have damaged the air carrier’s fortunes, the industrial action has helped the UK caravanning industry.

According to Haven Holidays, bookings at its sites have surged as a result, with a 42 per cent year-on-year rise over the Easter break.

“Our hotlines have been jammed with callers and many customers have said they were thinking of going abroad but had now decided to go for somewhere more convenient where they were less likely to experience delays,” a spokesperson said.

They added that Easter holidays are beginning to catch up with summer vacations in terms of popularity among families.

With 35 caravan parks across the UK, Haven caters for 2.5 million people each year and is one of the UK’s leading tourism providers.

It was named operator of the year in the 2009 British Travel Awards.

Meanwhile, Haven recently noted that Brits are shunning trips to the eurozone thanks to the poor exchange rates.

New static caravan development planned for Hertfordshire

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Individuals and families looking for the chance to sample more of what London has to offer may be able to through opting to stay in a caravan rather than a hotel.

The Camping and Caravanning Club is expecting to open a new complex in Hertfordshire next year, which will home 15 static caravans on the outskirts of the capital, with the first of which predicted to be finished by the end of 2010.

Meanwhile, it is suggested that travellers will still get ample chance to see what London has to offer, while staying in a location that is much quieter and surrounded by woodland.

Mike Nicholas, the organisation’s national holiday homes manager, said: “The leafy haven of Theobolds will provide holidaymakers with the best of both worlds – a quiet, peaceful environment to base themselves, with London only a short train-ride away.”

Among the items that a holidaymaker may want to ensure is included in their luggage before departing on a caravan break are a few toilet rolls, some tea bags and bed linen, in case this is not provided.

Buying a caravan should be treated in the same way as a house

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Families contemplating buying a caravan have been told to make the same considerations that they would when purchasing a house.

Alongside reading contracts carefully and being aware of all that is mentioned in the small print, potential caravan buyers are encouraged to use the services of a solicitor to run some checks.

Meanwhile, caravan insurance intermediary Caravanwise has highlighted that many prospective buyers are failing to do their homework in terms of whether they are buying on land at risk of flooding.

Philip Holden, managing director of Caravanwise, believes that if some background work is not carried out before making a purchase, then owners may find themselves struggling to secure insurance.

He said: “We do many quotations for static caravans every day but increasingly we are having to turn people away because the caravan is sited in a high flood risk area.

“Other insurance providers are in the same position and after the disastrous floods we have had in the last two years we are expecting this to become a massive problem this year.”

Caravan insurance will cover owners for problems including theft, vandalism or the vehicle being blown over by the wind when travelling down a major road.

INTERVIEW: Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury

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Meeting a television or film star in the flesh can sometimes result in disappointment. The phrase “larger than life” often comes to mind as presenters or actors appear vulnerable when interviewed, shorn of the lighting and editing which burnishes their image. Not so when meeting Julia Bradbury, the new star of BBC’s Countryfile and a guest of the Camping and Caravanning Club at Boat and Caravan Show. After a Q & A session on the Club’s New To Camping stand (where she deftly entertained the assembled crowd with anecdotes from her adventures) she proved herself to be as naturally engaging and charismatic as her television persona. We caught up with her after the session and met a presenter who is fiercely passionate about the outdoors.

“Shall we do the interview on the baby seats?” she laughs, as we make our way to the plastic mushrooms of the children’s play area. A member of the Camping and Caravanning Club since last year, Julia Bradbury is a vociferous advocate of exploring the countryside. And her interest in the outdoors goes beyond her professional committment, for it turns out Bradbury has been touring the UK “since right back when I was a nipper”. Her face lights up as she recalls being introduced to country walks by her father. “My dad is a Derbyshire lad and someone who appreciates the outdoors in all its form – landscape, flora and fauna – so he brought me up to appreciate it in the same way. I’ve been walking with my dad since I was six years old, I remember getting my first pair of walking boots and striding out with him”.

Encouraging women to explore the outdoors

Originally known for her work on consumer advice programmes such as Watchdog and Are We Being Served, Bradbury rose to fame when presenting a programme about the outdoors. BBC Four’s Wainwright Walks saw her retrace the mountain walks of renowned fell walker Alfred Wainwright, author of the standard guide to walking in the Lake District. From this and her work on Railway Walks she soon found herself tagged with the bizarre title of “Walking Man’s Totty”. However Bradbury is more keen to focus on the female audience who tune in. “Sure, I think those programmes really engaged the audience, but I think people quite like seeing a woman enjoying the outdoors in a non gung-ho way. I know a lot of women watch it and say ‘I like seeing you do that, because it means we can have a go’…it encourages them. And the guys? Well, you know…” she chuckles.

With such an avowed love of exploring, was Countryfile her dream job from the outset? “I’m afraid there was no grand master plan – a few years ago nobody could have expected or would have known Countryfile would have been in it’s current form. It’s changed and it’s moved with the times and I know it’s my work on the walking series which helped me here.” Having joined Countryfile in April 2009 as part of a revamp which saw the programme move from 11am to 7pm on a Sunday, she was eager to respond to criticisms levelled at the relaunch. “The programme has been on air for twenty years, and at its heart are rural affairs and rural issues. What’s good is that we are embracing and participating in all the activities in the UK that there are to do. As a result we’re getting an incredible number of viewers, more than the BBC had originally expected, and that’s just indicative of people’s interests right now”.

From husky racing to wild swimming

In under a year Bradbury has travelled the length and width of the UK participating in outdoor challenges from wild swimming in Oxfordshire to husky racing in the Caingorns. The latter amazed her as “for the first time in thirty years there was enough snow for it – the event takes place every year but on a tricyle-type contraption. They hated me calling it that but it’s a buggy that gets pulled along by the huskies. However this year for the first time we were actually able to race in the snow, and against the backdrop of the Caingorns. Week in, week out I am surprised at what we can do.”

So has she ever been caravanning? “As a family we’d never been on a caravanning holiday. My mum wasn’t a big caravanner and I think there’s a thing about caravanning and camping, as anyone who’s an enthusiast will know, is that whether it’s a family or a partnership affair, all parties must be willing. Otherwise there’s a lot of room for arguments.” She has however travelled in motorhomes to explore the UK. “My friends are surfers who like to follow the waves, so I go with a friend who has a VW camper and it’s all about going to find the best beaches!”

Her commitment to UK tourism even extends to family holidays, which are always taken at Crieff in the Scottish Highlands. “We enjoy spending a lot of time there as a family, so personally Scotland is my favourite UK destination. As you said, I’m lucky enough to go to just about every other corner of the UK with Countryfile, but I think if I had to choose another, Cornwall is a favourite personal destination of mine”.

Walking through Africa

Filled with seemingly boundless energy, Bradbury is looking forward to another year of wild adventures. She revealed to us that the latest will see her explore walks in Africa “as part of a tranche of programmes ahead of the World Cup. The Drachenburg Mountain range was wonderful, and we also take a walk through the Kruger National Park.” However fans of the UK will not be disappointed as she is off around the country again in April, though she couldn’t tell us details. “We’re filming another UK walking series but the location of them is so secret that not even the editors know yet! I’ve been told England, Scotland or Wales” she laughs heartily.

One of those in life fortunate enough to follow her passion as her daily work, Julia Bradbury leaves us with an exciting prospect ahead of her year of touring the UK: “I’ll let you know when I find somewhere completely new and unspoilt!”

Interview by Marcus Dubois. Julia Bradbury was a guest of the Camping and Caravanning Club and promotes their “New To Camping” initiative. For more information please click here.

Park Resorts offers summer bargains

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Caravan and holiday site operator Park Resorts has encouraged Brits to keep an eye on its website for summer bargains.

The firm said it regularly updates its offers and availability and suggested that those planning a vacation act fast to avoid missing out on the best deals.

With the Fifa World Cup coming up, the company’s 39 parks will be screening all of the matches, including England’s games against the USA, Slovenia and Algeria.

Families can stay at one of Park Resorts’ holiday homes during June and July from as little as £79, while May will be even cheaper, with prices from just £69.

Those with little tykes will be able to treat them to a school holiday vacation, with seven-night specials from £389 per holiday home.

Meanwhile, the company recently drew attention to some of its sites’ proximity to Blue Flag beaches.

“There is no better entertainment for the kids than spending the day at the beach, making sand castles and swimming in the sea then heading back to the park for some fabulous evening entertainment,” it claimed.

Berkshire caravan site wins appeal

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A Berkshire caravan park has been victorious in its appeal against a council ruling that it could not add an extra mobile home pitch to the site.

The Babbage versus North Norfolk District Council case saw an inspector agree with the owners that the addition was legitimate and in keeping with the original planning consent, planningresource.co.uk reported.

When the site opened in 1972, the council gave its permission for 51 residential caravan pitches, but failed to state a maximum number that would be allowed.

The licence later obtained by the owners under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 did limit the number to 51 and contained conditions about the amount of space allocated to each one.

However, the inspector working on the case ruled that there was no material change of use involved in adding a further mobile home and that the original planning permission should apply.

He explained that adding an extra vehicle would not sufficiently limit the space to be of any real concern.

In other news, an Angus caravan park owner has been hit with a £1,500 fine for carrying out illegal work at his site.

Scottish caravan park owner fined

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A Scottish caravan park owner has found himself in hot water after carrying out work he had been explicitly told not to undertake.

Crofthead Caravan Park owner Gordon McCormack pressed ahead with upgrades to an access road to his Blairgowrie site, despite being told that he would have to submit details of any planned work prior to it beginning.

According to the Press and Journal, neighbours complained about the work beginning on passing places on the road to the site, which had achieved consent for an extra 60 caravans in 2008.

Fiscal depute Hannah Kennedy reportedly told the court that Mr McCormack had gone against the council’s wishes.

“The council served a stop notice on the site and spoke to the owner to halt the works on February 27th, 2009,” she revealed.

Ms Kennedy added that the site owner then went ahead with work on a platform and wall just a week later.

Mr McCormack was fined £1,500 for his actions, with sheriff Kevin Veal suggesting that the punishment would send a message to others in similar situations.

In other news, planningresource.co.uk has revealed that a Berkshire caravan park owner’s appeal against a decision ruling that he could not add an extra mobile home to the site has been upheld.

UK tourism is relying on the British

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The number of Brits taking holidays in the UK has risen in the last year, while fewer foreign nationals are choosing to stay in the country.

According to recent figures from Eurostat, the industry as a whole suffered during 2009, with a two per cent drop in overnight stays.

The number of nights spent in the country by non-residents fell by 7.8 per cent, although the blow was softened by a 2.2 per cent rise in Brits holidaying at home.

According to the Association of Independent Tour Operators, some of the results are unsurprising.

Spokesperson Ian Bradley explained that the staycation trend meant that a rise in British holidaymakers was not unusual, but that the foreign national figures were “certainly a higher drop than we would have expected”.

He suggested that if Britain is to compete with other European nations then it will have to do more to encourage visitors, despite the fact that it is one of the continent’s best performers in terms of tourism.

“We’ve got to concentrate on the amount of sites that we have, the heritage that we have, the quality of food, the sights that you can see,” Mr Bradley said.