By Emma Dodd

This week sees the Caravan and Motorhome Club focusing on all the people who have newly come to caravanning in light on the coronavirus pandemic.

It has launched the Big Little Club Welcome, which is running from August 31st to September 5th and is designed to offer advice and tips for beginners.

The idea is that anyone wishing to adapt to the touring lifestyle can tap into the already established community and ask any questions they might have.

One of the exercises promoted by the Caravan and Motorhome Club was asking its members to complete the following sentence: “When I first started touring, I wish someone had told me.”

Lots of people from the one million-strong community got involved, with the responses ranging from practical advice right through to heartwarming lessons learnt from experience.

Harvey Alexander, director of marketing and membership at the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “The Caravan and Motorhome Club is a huge community of friendly and helpful people, from fellow members to campsite and head office staff.

“I know when I’ve been on a campsite and needed help, fellow members are always quick to roll up their sleeves and pitch in or offer tips and hints.”

He added that in answer to the question, he wishes he’d known what an amazing lifestyle touring is, as he would have started years earlier.

A selection of the other responses to the question: When I first started touring I wish someone had told me.

“How hard the ‘withdrawal’ would be during lockdown and how desperate we would be to have a weekend away as soon as the sites opened.”

“There’s a switch just inside the doors that needs to be on before any 12v light will work.”

“How much we would love it! And how helpful other caravanners are when you’ve bought your first awning off eBay with no instructions and everyone around you ends up helping to put it up.”

“To buy ratchet straps to put around the awning when it is down and folded so that it goes in the bag much easier!”

“How many wonderful memories we would make, and how happy we would be when we are in our caravan.”

By Emma Dodd

Good news for caravan lovers, as one of the UK’s most highly anticipated annual shows has been given the go ahead in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown.

Malvern Caravan Show is set to take place from October 2nd to 4th and, despite similar events having been cancelled, it has been given the go ahead by organisers.

Caravanners, campervanners and motorhomers will descend on the Three Counties Showground in Malvern where dealers and accessory suppliers will show off their ranges.

There will be special offers that are only available at the show, as well as the chance to see new models coming to the market, plus the latest must-have gadgets to make staycations the best they can be.

Of course, visitors to the show can opt to stay in their caravan or motorhome in the beautiful surroundings of the Malvern Hills.

Others may be on the lookout to buy their own leisure vehicle, with in excess of 200 new and used models expected to be on display.

Day tickets to the show are priced at £5, but subscribers to various caravanning magazines are entitled to free entry or discounts.

Pitching up for the duration of the show costs £37 and visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of being surrounded by other caravan enthusiasts.

More than 4,000 people attended the show in 2019 and it will be interesting to see how the organisers manage the event in the wake of the pandemic.

Visitors will be advised on the social distancing rules in place and ways they can help to control the spread of coronavirus.

Have you been to the Malvern Caravan Show in previous years and will you be attending in 2020?

By Emma Dodd

Bikes can be a great way to get around locally on your caravan holiday, but it can be tricky to know which rack is the best for attaching cycles to your leisure vehicle.

Luckily, Cycling Weekly knows a thing or two about bike racks and has put together a handy guide for caravan and motorhome owners.

The first thing the publication says to note is the nose-weight limit of your vehicle, as you do not want to place undue pressure on the tow-ball of your car.

If you find it is too high, you can put heavier items behind the rear axle to reduce the nose-weight.

It’s also important to know the rules surrounding bike racks for different countries if you’re planning on taking them abroad.

A-frame mounting is a good aerodynamic option for single-axle and twin-axle campervans and the Fiamma Carry Bike XL can carry two bikes with a maximum load of 35kg.

The Enduro BC260 A-frame Bike Rack is good if you’re carrying e-bikes, which tend to be heavy, as it can accommodate up to 60kg in weight, but you must take the 10kg of the rack itself into the equation.

Rear wall mounting bike racks are only really a good idea on motorhomes and the Thule Elite G2 Bicycle Carrier can hold two bikes up to a total weight of 60kg. Purchase additional parts to increase the bike carrying capacity to four.

Opt for the Fiamma Carry Bike UL if you’re looking for a lightweight option capable of carrying two bikes or being upgraded to three with a maximum load of 55kg.

Tow car mounting should be considered if an A frame mount would exceed your nose-weight limit. The Saris Bones EX 3-Bike Rack fits most cars and can cope with a total carry weight of 48kg.

If you have light bikes then the Fabbri BICI OK 3 Bike Rack is good for loads up to 45kg, as long as the wheelbase is less than 1100mm.

Do you take bikes with you on your caravan or motorhome holidays? What set up do you use?

By Emma Dodd

There’s something about an epic road trip that really captures the imagination and when you’ve got your own caravan or motorhome, you really can enjoy the freedom of the open road.

Touted as Scotland’s answer to Route 66, the North Coast 500 represents a great opportunity to tap into that spirit of adventure during a time when our wings feel a little clipped by the coronavirus.

Starting and finishing at Inverness Castle, the 516-mile route takes in some of the most stunning scenery and iconic sights in Scotland from the Black Isle to Torridon and Ullapool to Dingwall.

To give this stunning destination the time and attention it deserves it’s recommended you plan at least five days to discover the route and seven to do so in a leisurely fashion.

What’s great about the North Coast 500 or NC500, as it’s known to its friends, is you can adapt it to suit your personal interests.

You can plan your trip to take in as many historical sites as possible along the way or base your itinerary on the delicious food and drink served up throughout the region.

Alternatively, you could indulge in some rounds of gold along the route or get the adrenaline pumping with adventure activities like canyoning and white water rafting.

Among the highlights to include while taking in the NC500 are the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, picturesquely sitting on the shores of Loch Assynt; Sutherland’s sweeping stretch of Balnakeil Beach; and Stac Pollaidh mountain in Wester Ross.

Picking up delicious local ingredients to cook up in your caravan should be a scrumptious part of the NC500 experience.

Stop by the Applecross Smokehouse on the banks of Loch Torridon for some freshly smoked salmon or select a pudding from Cockburn’s Haggis in Dingwall, which has been making the national dish since 1955.

Of course, once your motorhome is parked up for the night you may wish to enjoy some of the beer and spirits made along the route.

The official North Coast 500 IPA is produced by the Black Isle Brewery, while there’s no shortage of whisky options, including Toulvaddie, Balblair and Wolfburn distilleries to sample.

By Emma Dodd

Back in 2011 our anonymous reviewer got their hands on a second-hand Hymer 530FB dating from 2006. This made the well-built vehicle great value for money in their eyes. Today, it’s the subject of our CaravanTimes Classic Gold throwback.

The reviewer’s initial thoughts expressed the overall feeling that the caravan was comfortable and great attention to detail had been paid to the fittings. Most importantly, the fixed bed boasted a good quality mattress offering a sound night’s sleep.

It’s not just after dark where comfort was found either, with the seats coming up trumps too. The reviewer noted the backs of the seats came up higher than in their previous van, giving more support and therefore a better experience.

The positives kept rolling too. “It is probably the detailed finish in this van that makes it special for us. Power points everywhere, excellent lighting in all parts of the van, well thought out storage and well organised space. It’s great; we are very pleased with it,” they enthused.

Just one element of the Hymer 530FB stopped the reviewer from giving the caravan five stars out of five for space and practicality – the bathroom. It came up a little on the small side, but they got round that by pitching up mainly at sites with facilities they could use instead.

Are you a fan of the Hymer 530FB? Did you get one when they were first released or secondhand like our reviewer? Get in touch to let us know your thoughts on this Classic Gold caravan.

By Emma Dodd

Caravans and motorhomes are rising sharply in price, as a large proportion of the population plans to take a staycation in a leisure vehicle this year.

A survey conducted by MBH Corporation found that 20 per cent of Brits are still planning on taking a caravan holiday this year, pushing up demand.

Nearly half of those who said they’d be taking this type of trip said it was as a result of the coronavirus crisis and the impact it was having on foreign travel.

While it’s clear that many people are avoiding overseas trips due to the risks associated with passing through airports and the potential for countries to be put on quarantine lists, other types of accommodation are also less appealing.

Some 29 per cent of those surveyed said they didn’t want to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast during the pandemic.

Caravan holidays are therefore seen as some of the safest ways to get away, as families can remain self-contained within their bubble and use their own facilities.

Peter Vaughan, editor of Which Motorhome Magazine, said: “It’s a combination of people not wanting to holiday abroad, get on a plane or a cruise and looking for a safe and enjoyable holiday at home.

“Pricing earlier this year was strong as dealers could not get hold of quality used stock and that was even before coronavirus. A number of factors combined then which saw stock dry up and that has got worse now.”

Robinsons Caravans in Chesterfield reported an increased interest in caravans from a younger demographic from usual, as well as more first-time buyers in general.

It saw sales of new and used caravans increase by nine per cent in June and then by 14 per cent in July.

With uncertainty about when the pandemic might end and things return to normal, many people see investing in a caravan or motorhome as a long-term solution.

By Emma Dodd

The Western Isles Council has welcomed a move by the CalMac ferry company to display a warning about travelling to the archipelago without a booking.

Its website warns caravan, motorhome and campervan owners to make sure they have a reservation at an official site before setting off from home.

The council had found its own attempts to ask people to stay away unless they’ve secured a pitch in advance throughout the pandemic were largely ignored.

Since lockdown has been eased, there has been a significant increase in the number of people travelling to the islands and wild camping has been widespread.

Cllr Uisdean Robertson, chair of the council’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee, spoke about the local communities’ concerns with overcrowding during the pandemic.

He told the Stornoway Gazette: “Any restriction on the numbers of campervans and motorhomes to the Western Isles during these unprecedented times, that can be brought about, represents a responsible approach which does not impact adversely on the local environment and public health, while still in the local economic interest.”

With overseas travel still proving difficult and popular European destinations being subject to quarantine, many places in the UK are dealing with record numbers of visitors.

While wild camping is legal in Scotland, a large influx of holidaymakers all arriving at the same time and staying without proper facilities represents a strain on the local infrastructure.

It’s also worrying for islanders trying to keep the coronavirus out of their communities.

In many parts of the UK, caravan parks have seen so much demand they’re booked up until October, as people try to make the most of a shorter holiday season.

By Emma Dodd

A touring park in Leicestershire has been named among the best staycation sites by VisitEngland in its annual awards.

Eye Kettleby Lakes has taken the bronze award in the category of England’s best Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the year.

It was pipped to the gold and silver spots by Derbyshire’s Landal Darwin Forest and Swallowtail Hill in Sussex, which offer lodges and glamping facilities respectively.

Eye Kettleby Lakes sits on the edge of Melton Mowbray and is a family-run site with added touches of luxury like hot tubs.

A spokesperson for the park said: “Our tranquil luxury park is the perfect destination for guests looking for a peaceful location with beautiful long walks, wildlife and scenery.”

These elements have become all the more sought after in the wake of lockdown, with outdoor activities at the top of most people’s staycation wish lists.

Usually, visitors would benefit from an on-site bar and tearoom, but current coronavirus restrictions mean the kitchen remains closed.

Those keen to taste local delicacies can still buy pork pies and Stilton cheese in the nearby market town.

The highlight of any visit to Eye Kettleby Lakes for those who like to fish will be the nine coarse fishing lakes. Anglers can try to catch fish up to 30lbs in weight in the two specimen carp lakes.

Caravanners can choose from 61 pitches in the northern area of the site, complete with luxurious log cabin style amenity blocks, or 69 pitches on the southern side with stone bathrooms and views of the surrounding countryside.

Eye Kettleby Lakes is a dog-friendly site and even has a warm water dog shower for any pooches that get muddy during their outdoor adventures.

Nigel Huddleston, tourism minister, said: “I would like to congratulate all the winners and businesses around England who are doing an outstanding job in showcasing the best in tourism. I encourage everyone to get out, enjoy summer safely, and experience everything England has to offer.”

By Emma Dodd

Rewind to 2011 and our reviewer Alan Wright and his partner are touring around with their Ace Supreme Twinstar. This caravan had been on the market since 2005, but it was still going strong, offering plenty of space for the two of them on their travels.

Mr Wright had bought the caravan new and was impressed with the way it towed. He liked the Ace Supreme Twinstar so much that he had thought about replacing like with like, but the Swift Group stopped making this model some years ago.

As well as the comfy fixed bed and well laid out seating area, our reviewer was impressed with the size of the fridge freezer. Being able to stock up well before a trip helps to make things go smoothly along the way.

Unfortunately, the economics of taking the caravan abroad did not work out for Mr Wright and his partner. They found it cheaper to fly after breakdown cover for Europe and all the other expenses were taken into consideration.

So, the caravan only got one trip away to the sun, but it did not squash the enthusiasm of the reviewer. He rated in four out of five in every category, ranging from equipment and comfort, through space and practicality right up to quality and reliability.

And for the final word, we return to Mr Wright. He said: “We now tow with a Kia Sedona 2.9 diesel and it returns about 30 mpg with the van on, so not bad.”

Have you ever toured in an Ace Supreme Twinstar? Do you wish that Swift Group would start making them again? Get in touch to let us know.

By Emma Dodd

Police in Cheshire are among some of the forces in the country to use a new tool to identify stolen caravans and motorhomes.

The VIN CHIP anti-theft identification system lets officers scan touring caravans and motorhomes at distances of up to 15 metres away.

It can even identify vans that have been reported stolen when they’re travelling up to 60mph and allow officers to access information on who the registered owner is.

Since the system is now being rolled out, caravan and motorhome owners are being encouraged to have a VIN CHIP fitted and their vehicle logged with the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS).

Inspector Anton Sullivan, of the Roads and Crime Unit, said: “Due to supply and demand, the number of caravan and motorhome theft incidents tend to rise in the summer months.

“This year the demand for them is even greater than normal, with travel restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic making staycations, mobile homes and caravan holidays more popular than ever.”

He added that this means there couldn’t have been a better time to add the VIN CHIP scanning system to their toolkit when monitoring the roads.

Modern caravans are all fitted with a chip featuring the vehicle identification number (VIN) when they’re manufactured, but older models can have one added to take advantage of the technology.

Installing a GPS vehicle tracker and keeping the subscription paid is another way the force recommends protecting your caravan or motorhome against theft.

They often come with an alarm, which could give you early notice of someone trying to steal your vehicle and therefore increase your chances of getting it back.

Many insurers require owners to fit hitch locks, wheel clamps and immobilisers while the vehicle is in storage, over the winter for example.

Put these into use on your holiday too, as they offer an extra level of security to prevent anyone from driving away with your caravan or motorhome, and consequently ruining your trip.