Auto-Trail V-Line 660 S review

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By William Coleman

As we head into a new world of touring and staycation holidays, CaravanTimes feels a responsibility to bring you many different van types to look at. This month’s touring van is the impressive V-Line 660 S from Auto-Trail.

Each year Auto-Trail tries to improve upon the previous version of the V-Line range to keep up with the ever-changing holiday habits of the UK staycationer. This year brings a few improvements to the line-up that makes the 660 S a very enticing option for those who want an action-packed weekend or an extended touring trip.

This practical two-berth model comes with two seat belts, so it does cater more for couples than families. It is easy to see why Auto-Trail has aimed the 660 S at the active younger crowd who enjoy compact and energetic touring.

Driving

The first thing that stands out about the V-Line 660 S just how easy it is to drive. Having been built on a Fiat Ducato, you know you are going to get a high level of driving quality.

As standard, all the engines in the V-Line range are 140BHP, so carrying the onboard weight of the living area feels effortless.

As much as we have enjoyed using automatic models recently, there is something to be said about having a well made Euro six-speed manual gearbox to play with. You can feel the performance of the engine when shifting gears and it makes hills and narrow lanes so much easier to manoeuvre through.

Exterior

There are not a huge amount of changes to the exterior this year, but those little changes do stand out.

Exterior decals are subtle enough to be noticed but not stand out like an eyesore. Some manufacturers out there seem to get a little too happy with the external printing.

An optional bike rack is available that will hold two bicycles, which we can see being a popular extra throughout 2021. As standard, this model will come off the factory line with an exterior awning fitted.

One more handy bit of tech is the electric step to help you get in and out the van. We may have forgotten to roll it out one morning and stepped out without realising.

Day and night living

Practicality is the best word to describe the inside of the 660 S. During the day you have a spacious rear lounge with two large benches that can either be made into two single beds or a large double come evening time.

The great thing about the rear lounge is that it flows nicely to the two barn style doors at the back of the van. Once they are open the van takes on a totally different feel. You can sit in bed with an amazing view of your surroundings.

Dining options are limited due to the size of the van, but the comfort of the two benches with a removable table in the middle is perfect for a comfy evening meal or breakfast before heading out.

Storage has been expanded this year with additional space under the benches that can store bedding or heavier goods, like extra tinned food or items that are not needed too often. The cupboard size is plentiful but the storage under the hob is not amazing.

Washroom and kitchen

Campervans sometimes struggle with washroom space and they can feel quite uncomfortable. However, Auto-Trail has managed to utilise the limited chassis space without compromising the bathroom. Yes, it is compact, but there is enough space to be comfortable and not feel restricted or too confined.

The cooking area is quite spacious and has a new design this year. You have more than enough space and work surfaces that you won’t be piling things up and struggling to prep and cook at the same time.

As always, you have hobs, an oven and grill at your disposal and enough plug sockets for a kettle or toaster.

Tech and gadgets

This model features the new 4.7kW Whale gas/220v heating and hot water system with an i-Van intelligent control panel. This system looks very different from previous years and could become the new norm for Auto-Trail moving forward.

The cab features aircon, driver and passenger airbags, steering wheel controls and cruise control with speed limiter functions.

Should you require a good internet connection while away, you can add motorhome Wi-Fi at an extra cost.

If you want some handy driving and tech extras you can opt for the new Lux Pack, which includes an eight-inch Zenec touch screen with a full colour reversing camera.

Verdict

With an on the road price of around £45,556, there is a lot that makes the 660 S an exceptional van. The pricing is competitive considering the high specifications the basic version comes with.

This is not the best van for families due to the belt and berth number, but for couples or friends who want to see more of the UK and take part in leisure activities, it is absolutely spot on.

There are extras to choose from that are great to have but as standard, this is an all-round camper that will serve the new love of touring well.

Caravan parks are already getting booked up for summer 2021

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By Emma Dodd

The holiday market is looking very different to how it did just a year ago and families are beginning to realise it might not return to normal any time soon.

Caravan parks and camping sites are already starting to get booked up for summer 2021, as holidaymakers ensure they don’t miss out on a break away next year and staycations look set to continue.

The big names, such as Parkdean Resorts, Haven and Park Resorts are advertising deals for the summer holidays and starting to see bookings rolling in, reports The Sun.

And they’re not the only ones. Pitchup.com saw an uptick of 500 per cent on holidays for next summer last month alone.

Canopy and Stars reported more bookings coming in for August 2021 then it had for August this year.

With confidence in foreign holidays still at a low, it’s likely staycations will get booked up quicker than ever, as demand peaks.

That means many regular caravanners could miss out on pitches at their favourite sites if they don’t get themselves organised and secure a spot early.

While some people are looking forward to next summer, others are still hoping to salvage something of 2020.

A number of caravan parks have extended their season to welcome visitors right through half-term and in some cases up until the end of the year.

Anyone thinking of going away should take the restrictions in their local area into account, as well as those in the destination they’re travelling to.

The rule of six, social distancing, wearing facemasks and regular hand washing should all be observed while on holiday to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Coronavirus and your half-term caravan staycation

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By Emma Dodd

As the October half-term holidays draw closer and coronavirus restrictions become more convoluted, it can be confusing to work out what’s allowed and what’s not.

In terms of a family getaway in the caravan, it’s still possible to enjoy a staycation as long as you follow a few rules.

The two things to consider are the region you are travelling to and the location you are visiting from, as both will be a factor in what you can and can’t do.

Anyone living in an area with minimal local restrictions in place is free to travel to a caravan park within Great Britain that is also not under lockdown, as long as they follow the rule of six.

If this applies to you and you are planning on meeting up with another household, make sure you practice social distancing.

Anyone who has booked a half-term holiday for an area experiencing a local lockdown must only mix with members of their own household or support bubble.

This means no indoor socialising in each other’s caravans, pubs or restaurants.

If you are coming from an area in England that is under tighter restrictions then you are still allowed to travel, but these same rules apply.

When it comes to Scotland, the official guidance is not to visit the central belt, which stretches from Glasgow to Edinburgh, between October 10th and 25th.

Interestingly, this so-called circuit breaker lockdown will affect the majority of school children in Scotland, whose half-term runs from October 19th to 23rd and not England, where half-term is a week later.

Residents of this central belt have also been advised not to leave during this period, unless it is necessary and first minister Nicola Sturgeon does deem half-term breaks important.

She said: “We are not insisting that people cancel any half-term breaks they have planned.”

That means Glaswegians and Edinburghers can stay in a caravan but only with members from their own household.

Wales is much stricter in implementing its restrictions with areas under local lockdown being subject to a travel ban, meaning residents can’t leave for the half-term break, which will start on October 30th for most schools.

Visitors are also not permitted to travel to locked down areas of Wales, which was made clear when the largest caravan park in Europe sent holidaymakers home as soon as parts of south Wales went into lockdown.

Unlike the Scottish administration, the Welsh government has stated that holidays are not a reasonable justification to travel to and from restricted areas, putting an end to many caravan breaks.

Holidays to Northern Ireland are still permitted to anyone travelling from a non-restricted area with the exception of the county of Derry City and Strabane, which is locked down.

Northern Ireland’s current coronavirus policy states that only people within the same household or support bubble should mix indoors.

With the half-term holidays still a week or two away, depending on where you live, it’s important to keep an eye on the changing restrictions and how they might affect your caravan getaway.

Alde Flow giveaway

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By William Coleman

It may not be Christmas yet, but the team at Alde are feeling generous and are holding a special giveaway here on CaravanTimes. What do you need to do to win a brand new Alde Flow, supplied and fitted? Simply enter your details below.

We recently took a look at Alde’s first-ever aftermarket fitting, which makes it a bit of a big deal, and now Alde is giving one away for free. Yes, free!

Alde, the Kings of Comfort, created the new Flow system to ensure that running out of warm water at shower time becomes a thing of the past. Now you, and the whole family, will not have to rush in the mornings and you won’t be left with a teaspoon of hot water to wash with.

All you need to do to win this amazing prize is enter your details below and a winner will be selected on the day the competition closes, 19/10/2020.

One winner will be selected at random and then be contacted directly by Alde to arrange the fitting of the Alde Flow to their leisure vehicle.

Please note, you MUST already have an existing Alde Compact 3020HE fitted to your van to have this product. Without the 3020HE, the Alde Flow will not be compatible and cannot be won by you, there is no cash prize alternative.

The Alde Flow – warm water for longer

Alde Flow is an additional water heater that connects to the Alde Compact 3020HE, something you must have for this product to work. This new wonder gadget increases the surface area between the central heating and hot water. The water can be heated as it flows through the system without needing a large storage tank.

How it works

    Cold water is preheated in the Alde Flow and pumped on into the boiler’s hot water heater.

    The preheated water is heated to about 65ºC by the boiler’s high-efficiency gas burner/electric heater.

    In the thermostat mixer, hot water is mixed with cold water to a comfortable temperature for showering and hand washing.

    Benefits of an Alde Flow system

    Having more hot water is something that can make a world of difference in the mornings, if not for your entire trip. With a system like this, you will have an extra 3.5 litres of continuous hot water, which will be warmed to 40ºC, once mixed with cooler water.

    On top of that you also get all of this:

    • Compact solution directly connected to the boiler
    • Easily controlled via the Alde Control panel
    • Decreased waiting time
    • Longer showers
    • Also compatible with older Compact 3010/3020 (as extra hot water tank)

Adria introduces its 2021 campers

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By Emma Dodd

After staycations became the holiday of choice in 2020, you may be in the market for a new caravan next year and one manufacturer has just launched its vans for 2021.

The Adria Vans Collection is a new generation twin van range featuring new layouts, models and a whole host of other improvements for the season.

Over the years, Adria has built up its reputation as a brand with standout features, such as its innovative and patented sunroof.

Add to this the cabin-loft, and open design living space, which have set the Twin Supreme and Twin Plus models out from the crowd.

For 2021, Adria has introduced a new layout, the Twin 640 SPB Family, which does what it says on the tin, bringing all the features you would need for a trip away with the brood.

On top of this, the brand has combined the cabin-loft design to its two new Twin models, in an effort to bring a more spacious feel to the van.

Adria will also be premiering a new Twin Sports 640 SGX edition, featuring elements of the award-winning Twin Supreme layout.

Combined with these features will be a comfortable sleeping compartment, additional versatility and accommodation for up to four people.

The Sports model will be shown for the first time at Caravan Salon Dusseldorf, where enthusiasts can check over its relevant merits.

Adria prides itself on inspired design, signature features, its exclusive sunroof innovation, cabin loft-design and open interiors.

The Twin family is now available in five models: 600 SPB, 640SPB Family, 640SLB, 640SGX and 640SGX Sport Edition.

Highlights of the vans include:

  • Latest Fiat Ducato Euro6 engines and driver aids.
  • Choice of eight exterior colours, with sporty new graphics.
  • Adria exclusive design sunroof and cabin-loft design.
  • Additional roof window.
  • New generation kitchen block, dinette, bathroom and bedroom.
  • Onyx interior design and glossy white cupboards.
  • The SGX & SGX Sport Edition also include the Truma and Webasto system as standard.

The new Twin Supreme and Plus models feature:

  • Reduced thermal bridges and new thermal breaks.
  • New recycled Ecofiber 40 material, heat-bonded for better insulation.
  • Improved insulation and air-loops around doors and windows.
  • New vapour barriers to prevent condensation.

SK Camping Interview- the outdoor specialists

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By William Coleman

The cold season is well and truly on the way and it is time to break out those winter warmers to keep toasty on holiday. We caught up with SK Camping and Leisure to talk all things touring as we head into a frostier time of year.

Having the right kit in your caravan really can make a world of difference to your trip. I’m sure there has been a time when you’ve pitched up only to realise you’ve forgotten that one key item. We know we have, more times than we would like to admit.

To avoid such mishaps it’s always worth popping to a well-stocked accessories shop to get some inspiration for what you need to take away with you and to find those essential items you might not have.

Just before the lockdown hit, CaravanTimes popped into SK Camping to pick up some bits for the Bailey Sahara trip. While we were there we could not help but notice just how much SK has in stock. It really is a one-stop-shop for all things outdoor living.

For those keen caravanners and motorhomers out there, you will find absolutely everything you need from aqua rolls all the way to top-end awnings and clothing.

Following our first visit way back in March, we decided to pop in once more and speak with the company’s managing director, Steve Norris, to find out more about this treasure chest of goodies.

CT- So, how long has SK Camping been serving the touring world?

Steve- We will have been trading nearly 30 years as of March 2021 and have catered for the camper from the start and then moved into the motorhome and caravan market. We started selling awnings and toilet chemicals and then grew this up to the present day.

CT- You have a huge product range, you don’t just do camping accessories, right?

Steve- We sell a huge product range and at the last stock take have 8,000 products in stock.
From swimming pool chemicals, pools, garden games, canopies, furniture, barbeques, boots, clothing, ski wear, backpacking equipment, food, gas, trailers (in the past), toys and fibreglass figures that we used to import.

CT- Did you see a boom through the “off-season” that COVID presented and how are things now that sites are back open?

Steve- We did see a boom and upturn during the summer. The lockdown and weather got customers thinking of staycations.

Customers we found were out buying new and second-hand caravans and motorhomes in their droves and many forecourts across the country [were] empty due to the staycation.

The awnings to go with these have sold very well, however, there has been a shortfall of stock as factories in the far east have been closed, low production and lead times being an issue.

CT- It is clear that winter touring will be very popular, are there any essentials you’d suggest?

Steve- Essentials for winter is anything to keep warm as the nights can get very damp and cold especially in an awning set up.

In terms of any extra heating, we would only recommend oil heaters for safety and you would see an increase in condensation within the awning.

CT- There are a lot of new, and younger, people joining the caravan world. What does the perfect starter kit for newcomers look like?

Steve- There isn’t a starter as such, for motorhome and caravan customers, however, a set of level ramps, toilet chemicals, water and waste rollers [are useful]. A lot of what is needed is pretty much within their vans.

For the humble camper, then yes and we would always recommend spare mixed pegs for all ground conditions, guy lines and tape. If a tent is well fixed it will perform very well.

In terms of kit, it’s important to have as good a sleeping bag and bed as possible; don’t skimp on comfort here, if you wake up tired and cold you end up an unhappy camper. Nice comfortable furniture, a good stove and cooker stand, the rest will follow as kit goes as you see and experience the wonderful world of camping.

Safe caravanning in autumn

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By Emma Dodd

With the caravan season starting late this year and some sites deciding to stay open for longer, 2020 might represent the first time you’ve experienced an autumn caravan break. Great – there’s loads of really rewarding elements to going away at this time of the year, but there are also additional safety considerations to bear in mind.

Set off early

Driving in the dark is more dangerous than in daylight, so it’s best to avoid completing your journey late in the day. In the autumn months, light starts to fade more quickly and from October 25th, the clocks change, giving us all shorter days. Set off with plenty of time to get to your destination before darkness falls, factoring in a couple of extra hours in case something unexpected delays your journey.

Check your tyres

There’s a reason that October is Tyre Safety Month and that’s because it’s even more important your tyres are in good shape at this time of the year. This means checking the tread and the pressure before you set off, and ensuring this is done on both your caravan and towing vehicle.

Be glare aware

Keep your windscreen clean to reduce the effects of glare when the sun is low in the sky and stash a pair of sunglasses in the glove compartment of your car. While the sun visor can help to counteract glare, additional measures will help to keep you and your family safe.

Keep an emergency kit in the car

Breaking down at the side of the road is no fun at any time of the year, but it can have extra complications in the autumn. Keep an emergency kit somewhere handy so you can grab it quickly and ensure the whole family is away from the vehicles while you’re waiting for assistance. As well as a warning triangle, hi-vis vest and torch, make sure you’ve got water and warm clothes to keep everyone comfortable.

Look out for leaves

Those beautiful brown and golden leaves that make autumn so picturesque can also represent a hazard. Clear them away from your caravan and car before departure, paying particular attention to the scuttle area beneath the windscreen, as loose leaves here can become attached to your wiper blades. Be aware of fallen leaves on the road that could obscure markings or hazards, as well as wet ones that can cause tyres to skid.

Reduce your speed

Excessive rainfall and areas of frost on the road are more common in autumn than in the summer months, so it’s worth being alert to these. Generally reducing your speed is a good idea as it will mean you can react better to changes in conditions and minimise any impact of adverse road conditions. Deer also breed in the autumn, which means they’re more active, so be aware they could appear in the road in rural areas.

The new Alde Flow system

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By William Coleman

Alde is introducing its first-ever aftermarket tech to ensure that there is more than enough hot water to go around. Say goodbye to the morning shower block run and say hello to longer-flowing hot water.

Is there anything worse than being last in the shower and having about 20 seconds worth of warm water left? With the new Alde Flow system, there will be enough warm water to have the whole family showered stress-free and cold water- free. This new tech is also going to make a huge difference to those who like to go off-grid camping and want a hot shower after a day of activities.

We all know that a standard water heater just simply does not hold enough hot water, which soon runs cold if the family all shower one after the other. Alde has seen this as an issue that can be solved with an aftermarket fitting, the Alde Flow.

The Alde Flow – warm water for longer

Alde Flow is an additional water heater that connects to the Alde Compact 3020HE, something you must have for this to work. This new wonder gadget increases the surface area between the central heating and hot water. The water can be heated as it flows through the system without needing a large storage tank.

How it works

  • Coldwater is preheated in the Alde Flow and pumped on into the boiler’s hot water heater
  • The preheated water is heated to about 65ºC by the boiler’s high-efficiency gas burner/electric heater
  • In the thermostat mixer, hot water is mixed with cold water to a comfortable temperature for showering and hand washing

Benefits of an Alde Flow system

Having more hot water is something that can make a world of difference in the mornings, if not for your entire trip. With a system like this, you will have an extra 3.5 litres of continuous hot water, which will be warmed to 40ºC, once mixed with cooler water.

On top of that you also get all of this:

  • Compact solution directly connected to the boiler
  • Easily controlled via the Alde Control panel
  • Decreased waiting time
  • Longer showers
  • Also compatible with older Compact 3010/3020 (as extra hot water tank)

If you’re interested in having the Alde Flow retrofitted to your caravan you can contact Alde directly or find your nearest Alde dealer.

The definitive guide to caravanning and stargazing

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By Emma Dodd

Caravan holidays are the only opportunities some of us get to enjoy stargazing. That’s because cities and built-up areas tend to have too much light pollution to offer a clear view of the night sky. Many caravan parks, however, are out in the countryside, offering up perfect conditions. Check out this guide to stargazing on your next caravan trip.

What to pack

It’s possible to enjoy an evening of stargazing with very little kit indeed, but a few carefully chosen items will enhance the experience. If you intend to take up the hobby long term, you may wish to invest in a telescope, but in the meantime, a pair of binoculars is a great way to see more. Even if you do have a telescope, bring the binoculars for when others are looking through the eyepiece.

Stop yourself from stumbling all around the caravan as you’re setting up with a red torch. This little gadget will give you all the visibility you need to get organised without ruining your night vision. Red light does not make your pupils contract in the same way as white light, so it won’t affect the stargazing experience.

It’s important to feel comfortable if you’re going to be spending long evenings sitting outside your caravan staring up at the sky. That means packing plenty of warm clothes and something to sit on, as well as a midnight snack and perhaps the makings of a hot drink to keep everyone’s spirits up.

When to look skyward

The first thing to consider when contemplating a stargazing trip is the weather forecast, as misty and overcast conditions make it hard to see anything. Autumn is better than summer, as nights are longer and there is more darkness. While a full moon often reminds you to look towards the sky, this is the worst time to see stars, because its light washes out all but the brightest celestial bodies.

On your caravan trip, you need to wait until it’s really dark to get the best look at the sky. This will vary depending on the time of year, but the darker the sky, the better you will be able to see the stars and planets, giving you a good shot at identifying them.

Identify what you can see

When you’re first starting out in the world of stargazing, it’s worth knowing that Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are the brightest planets. Of these, Mercury is the hardest to spot as it’s close to the sun and low in the sky, meaning there is often glare obscuring it. The others are good markers to identify and use as a guide for other stars.

While Jupiter and Saturn are so far away from the earth they hardly ever vary too much in brightness, Mars is a different matter. Depending on where it and the earth are on their axes, Mars can seem much brighter or dimmer. Another clue to bear in mind is that Venus burns a bright white, while Mercury is more muted and Mars has an orange tinge to it, Jupiter is a light tan and Saturn yellow.

Always remember that stars twinkle and planets don’t when you’re trying to work out what everything is.

Tools to help map the sky

There are a number of tools that you can use to help you work out which stars and planets are which. Among the most convenient are stargazing apps on your phone, which use GPS and your device’s sensors to tell you where everything is, even if it’s cloudy. Star charts are more traditional and still work really well, but if gadgets are your thing, then a finderscope will be a must-have for you.

Best caravan sites for stargazing

To ensure you get the best opportunities for stargazing on your caravan trip, pitch up at one of these sites that offer beautifully dark skies:

  • Glentrool Camping and Caravan Site – in 2009, Dumfries and Galloway was named the first official Dark Sky site in the UK, with an estimated 7,000 planets and stars visible to the naked eye.
  • Haltwhistle Club Site – officially the best place to stargaze in England, the Northumberland National Park is the biggest area of protected night sky in Europe.
  • Northern Lights Campsite – heading to the north-west of Scotland offers a chance to escape light pollution and see the night sky at its finest.
  • Rhandirmwyn Club Site – located in the Brecon Beacons, which was made a Dark Sky Reserve in 2013.
  • Grange Farm Camping and Caravan Site – take advantage of this Isle of Wight park’s elevated position with a view out to sea.

Bailey releases its first Ford-based motorhome

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By William Coleman

Bailey of Bristol just unveiled its latest motorhome for the 2021 season, but there have been quite a few changes to this leisure vehicle, which makes it the first of its kind.

The new Adamo motorhomes are very different from anything that has come before. Automatic? Ford-based? Is this really a Bailey model?

The simple answer to that question is yes. This innovative new motorhome is a fresh new look at what cutting edge features can be put inside a coach-built touring home.

You have three different layouts to choose from this year in the versatile Adamo range, all of which are under seven and a half metres with an MPTLM of 3,500 kgs and under. The lower weights make these vans suitable for anyone holding a full UK driving licence, without the need for a B + E entitlement.

Each model has been built upon a Ford transit chassis and has, as a minimum spec, a 2.0 160bhp engine complete with an automatic gearbox.

Models feature a brand-new design that includes convertible ‘flexi-lounges’, electrically operated drop-down beds, and ample garage storage space.

A fully specified Truma Combi programmable heating system combined with market-leading insulation, courtesy of the Alu-Tech body shell, makes the new Adamo a motorhome for all seasons.

The Adamo provides customers with more motorhome for their money with a list of standard-fit features normally only available as optional extras in comparable competitor products.

Models from the new range will start arriving on retailer forecourts as of the end of September, so you should be able to see them now.

The CaravanTimes team had a chance to spend some time in these vans well before they were announced, and it is safe to say that Bailey may just have a success on their hands!

Adamo 69-4

The 69-4 is a four-berth model that comes with either two or four travel seats. The two additional seats are located on the bench directly behind the driver’s cab.

This model features a parallel front lounge with a double drop-down bed above, central kitchen, rear bathroom, and end garage.

The overall length of the 69-4 comes in at 6.987m/22’11”. So it is not the biggest van out there, but you do get a good amount of space, especially with the large rear garage.

This model is perfect for the adventure weekend, or a quiet couple’s getaway. The drop-down bed also makes setting up for the evening the press of a button away.

To drive off the dealer forecourt with this model, you are looking at around £57,999.

Adamo 75.4I

Here is another four-berth model with the same seated belt number at the 69-4, but in the 75.4I you will find a big difference to the bedroom area.

Again, we see a front lounge combined with the central washroom and kitchen with a rear garage. Beyond the middle of the van, you will find a large rear bedroom with a double island bed. A door will separate you from the rest of the van for privacy, so of an evening you can cut the bedroom off from the rest of the van.

Another great feature of this model is the second double bed, yes a second pre-made double bed. At the front of the motorhome hovering above the lounge is a double drop-down bed. Putting the kids to bed has never been so easy.

This is a larger model with a body length of 7.485m/24’7″ and a height of 2.849m/9’4″. The price tag for this larger model will set you back around £58,999.

Adamo 75-4DL

The third and final model, and top of the range, also has four belted seats with a four-berth capacity. It is the same height and length as the 75.4I.

One main difference starts to appear as you head toward the rear of the motorhome into the daytime living area. Here you are presented with a U-shaped lounge that can be transformed into a double bed for the evening.

Bailey has added a central washroom and bathroom that you can cut off the rear end of the motorhome with a door that provides more privacy for both sleeping areas.

For a full breakdown and product specifications, you can view the Adamo range in all its glory,Click here

Trend for breathing new life into old caravans continues

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By Emma Dodd

As a nation we love a project and in lockdown it was caravans that everyone seemed to turn to for channelling their creativity and making something their own.

While restrictions were loosened over the summer, many newfound caravan owners took to the open road to try out their freshly-renovated leisure vehicles and enjoy the lifestyle.

But it seems the appetite for finding old caravans on eBay and Gumtree has not waned, with headlines boasting of spectacular transformations on small budgets still splashing across the news pages.

The latest is Melanie and Mark from Bristol, who bought a 25-year-old Clubman for £700 and set themselves the task of renovating it with a budget of just £1,000.

Melanie told LatestDeals.co.uk: “We first took out all the interior including the stained brown carpet, velour green curtains, the rails and pelmet and three clocks that had been placed randomly.

“We also took off the lights, all the door handles, took the seat covers out and stripped off the window plastic and blinds.”

They then started sanding, painting, wallpapering and adding new fixtures to the caravan, which would have cost £20,000 if they had bought it brand new.

Of course, they had the benefit of Mark’s experience, as he owns his own building company.

The couple opted for a light colour scheme to make the most of the space in the two-berth Clubman, creating a bright and airy vibe in their caravan.

While many have embraced the idea of renovating a dilapidated caravan to fulfil the holiday needs of themselves and family, they have proved the answer to a variety of other lockdown issues too.

Rundown caravans have been purchased to create everything from home offices and home schooling venues to summer houses and breakout spaces.

They’ve represented a good opportunity for the new owners to focus on a finite space they can truly have autonomy over and complete a discernible transformation at a time when so much seems out of our control.

From Ikea hacks to bargains from B&M and The Range, the focus has been on achieving high-end looks through careful selection and placement as opposed to big budgets.

Indie parks prepped for a winter wonderland

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By William Coleman

This year’s touring season was cut short due to lockdown, so winter looks like it’s going to be very busy for sites across the UK. With the “winter season” approaching a group of independent holiday parks is almost ready to showcase its winter plans.

Best of British, which is a consortium of independently-owned sites and parks, says it has quite a few plans for winter to welcome guests right the way through December and well into the new year.

The group has promised that there will be thrilling spectacles awaiting guests, which will highlight Britain’s coast and countryside locations in all their glory.

“Almost everyone was robbed of their spring breaks this year, but winter is going to be payback time,” said James Loveridge of Highlands End Holiday Park in Bridport, Dorset.

“Demand has meant that we will be staying open until the end of December for holiday home rentals, and right throughout November for motorhome and touring guests.

“We’re delighted as I think we’ll see many people becoming overnight converts to a rarely-glimpsed side of our county at its most calming and tranquil.”

Highlands End is one of the 50-plus holiday parks belonging to the Best of British group, all of which are independently owned and offer verified top quality standards.

These Best of British sites are located throughout England, Wales and Scotland, most of which have decided that staying open beyond their usual operating months is beneficial to business and the overall holiday economy of the UK.

“A lot of our visitors in summer were new to staycations, and clearly loved the experience as they are now booking return visits later in the year,” said James.

“What they will be discovering is a gorgeous secret Britain which you can have all to yourself, and not feel you have to compete with other visitors.

“Here in Dorset, for example, are lovely beach and cliff-top walks, as well as inland paths through the countryside, which all have a special quality out of the main season.

“We’ve also a host of memory-making experiences on offer, from fossil hunting to winter storm watching or simply stargazing at Dorset’s famous dark skies,” added James.

As well as Highlands Park, many of the sites in the network will be offering holiday homes for hire, which have been designed for all year round touring. These modern staycation homes come with full heating and insulation to ensure the colder months feel just like summertime. Think more luxury static chalet than caravan.

Another leisure vehicle that is growing in popularity is the motorhome. Throughout the upcoming winter season, it is expected that the demand for motorhome rentals will rise, with a lot of newcomers using them instead of touring vans.

James said that local businesses in areas served by Best of British parks would also be likely to welcome the extension of the holiday year into winter.

“The spending of holiday visitors helps to keep a lot of enterprises afloat, and they were deprived of this income during spring’s shutdown of parks.

Although it will be impossible for us or other businesses to recover those losses, it will be great to see our visitors making the most of Britain in its winter finery!” said James.