By Chris Littley

The world is very different to what it looked like this time last year and as we all adjust to the new normal, it’s worth being prepared for the changes ahead.

Just like every other element of our lives, caravan holidays have had to be tweaked to keep everyone as safe from coronavirus as possible while opening up the tourism industry. Here’s what you can expect.

More staycations

While owning a caravan has long meant having the flexibility to head off to all parts of Europe and beyond without breaking the budget, travel within the UK is now a reality for many. Staycations are expected to be embraced by Brits this summer, as everyone craves a holiday but fears going too far away from home.

Booking ahead

Gone, for now, is the whimsy of being able to hit the open road and see which caravan site is closeby for the night en route. Some sites will not be able to reopen after the pandemic and all of them will have to adhere to strict capacity rules. Couple this with increased demand due to more staycationers and it makes sense to book your spot well in advance.

Site check-in

Don’t expect to head into a small office to check-in upon arrival at your caravan site, as these spaces make social distancing very difficult. Individual parks will let visitors know their own procedures, but there’s likely to be online check-in and stewards directing you to your pitch based on your numberplate.

Closed amenities

Just because caravan parks themselves are open does not mean all of their amenities will be too. Expect some shower blocks, restaurants, swimming pools and entertainment venues to remain closed at the beginning of the season or even for the whole of 2020.

Extended season

Instead of flocking to caravan sites for the first holidays of the year around Easter, everyone was stuck at home. This means parks will be keen to make up for lost time and visitors are likely to feel the same way, so expect trips to be taking place well into the colder months, when many motorhomes are usually hibernating for the winter.

By Chris Littley

In this edition of CaravanTimes’ Classic Gold series we’re not just going back to 2013 for a vintage review, but the motorhome itself was built even earlier. The Lunar Solar 524 was produced in 2003 and despite being second hand, stood the test of time when our reviewer put it through its paces.

Tim, the reviewer, his wife and two children took it off on many adventures and found the layout ideal for a family of that size. Having the washroom at the end and the dinette on the side provided lots of surface area for practical tasks like making dinner.

Among the other features the reviewer was impressed by were an external 230v socket, dual flow kitchen area omnivent, large shower and a decent sized bed at the front. Unusually in a caravan at this price point the bed was almost king sized rather than just a standard double.

Despite giving the caravan an overall rating of five, Tim had a few niggles to report in his original assessment of the Lunar Solar 524. Firstly, he was not impressed that Lunar had not come in line with Swift and Bailey when it came to having split cushions on the side dinette. This resulted in a storage issue with the full size mattress when touring.

Conversely, he wasn’t pleased with the curtain that goes around the dinette bunk as this was split into three sections, making it awkward to manipulate. And finally, the ladder up to the bunk being at an angle, instead of straight, ended up being a trip hazard during the night.

Tim summarised: “Make no mistake, this is an excellent van and, considering it is now ten years old, is still high spec having some features that entry level vans still do not have today.”

Did you have a Lunar Solar 524 back in 2003 when they first hit the market or at any time after? Did you agree with our reviewer? Do let us know.

By Chris Littley

The government has confirmed that caravan sites will be allowed to reopen in England from July 4th, after tentative plans had been in place for weeks.

It will be the first time since March that restrictions on overnight stays will be lifted, allowing the hospitality industry to reclaim some of its summer revenue.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said in a statement: “From July 4th, people will be free to stay overnight in contained accommodation, including hotels, B&Bs, including campsites, as long as shared facilities are kept clean.”

It’s good news for caravan parks, who had hopes of opening earlier than the beginning of July dashed after a campaign by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) was unsuccessful.

While July 4th had been the expected date of reopening for some time, it was not until the government gave express permission for overnight stays to be allowed that it became official.

Those who like to holiday in their caravans with friends will also be able to do so, as the new guidelines allow two households to go away together.

Caravan parks will be allowed to reopen with reduced capacity and a number of virus prevention measures in place, such as social distancing rules and increased cleaning schedules.

It has long been argued by caravan lovers that taking a break in a motorhome is one of the safest ways to have a holiday post-pandemic, due to all the open space and fresh air.

Caravans that have their own self-contained facilities are particularly good at cutting down the risk of infection, and most leisure vehicles are parked up at least six metres apart.

One new feature being adopted by a number of caravan sites is wildlife corridors between pitches, where grass is being allowed to grow tall.

This will create a natural barrier, helping to encourage social distancing without feeling too intrusive.

Caravan owners in Wales and Scotland will have to wait until July 6th and 15th respectively before they can head off on overnight trips, but the idea of a staycation is now within reach.

By Chris Littley

Caravan sites up and down the country are putting measures in place to ensure they will be safe when holidaymakers return. But there are also things you can do to prepare your caravan for its first post-pandemic trip away.

Invest in a supply of gloves

You won’t get very far without putting fuel in your caravan, but petrol pumps could be a hotbed for the virus, so you’ll want to wear gloves to complete this task. Fuel stations should supply these, but you don’t want to be caught off guard if they’ve run out, so stash a box of gloves in your motorhome.

Stock up on hand sanitiser and soap

Every time you come into your caravan from outside you should wash your hands or disinfect them with sanitiser. The latter can be more convenient in a motorhome where you’re short on space, so make sure you have enough to last for a whole trip and beyond.

Purchase extra cleaning products

As well as removing any virus particles from yourself, it’s important to be vigilant about your leisure vehicle too. Have extra cleaning products to hand in order to wipe everything down regularly, paying particular attention to door handles and taps.

Have your own equipment

There’s usually something you forget when heading off on a caravan holiday and more often than not you can borrow it from the people pitched up next to you. But a good way to stop the spread of coronavirus is to avoid bringing anything in from other vans. So, check and double check that you have everything from a can opener to wheel chocks before you set off.

Provide your own facilities

While caravan sites hope to open to visitors soon, there’s yet more doubt over whether facilities like shower blocks and restaurants will be allowed to reopen alongside them. If this is the case, you can expect to do more cooking inside your caravan and will need to find your own ways to have a wash. If you’re thinking about buying a new motorhome, it’s worth considering the need to be more self-contained and if not, it could be time to update any rudimental facilities in your existing van.

By Chris Littley

Lockdown has been a difficult time for many, but for others, it has represented the chance to complete projects they simply wouldn’t have found time for otherwise.

One mum from Cowdenbeath in Scotland has spent the coronavirus pandemic transforming a £250 caravan into a dream motorhome to take on holiday this summer.

Kerry Henderson has been unable to go to work as a hairdresser since lockdown was imposed in March and has been working to give the caravan a luxury vibe instead, reports the Scottish Sun.

Since it had been retired from its original use as a holiday home, the caravan had been left unloved by its previous owners and used as bike storage.

Now, it will return to its intended purpose but with a plush-looking interior that looks much more luxurious than the £200 that was spent on it to spruce it up.

Ms Henderson told the news provider: “It was stinking of oil when we got it. We gave it a good clean, ripped up the carpet to put down new vinyl, painted every inch and reupholstered the sofas.

“We thought, ‘We’re not going to get on holiday’, so it was the next best thing and we didn’t expect to get it so cheap.”

She roped her partner in to help with the job, which was completed entirely with materials bought at a discount shop and cheaply online.

The towing caravan sleeps two and has a stylish grey colour scheme, as well as on-trend geometric fixtures, such as lampshades and shelves.

Now, Ms Henderson just needs to wait for confirmation from the government that it is permitted to take caravans away for overnight stays.

At present, England is expecting its caravan sites to reopen on July 4th, while Scotland is preparing for July 15th, but these dates have still not yet been given the official go ahead.

By Chris Littley

As we continue to contemplate summer caravan holidays post-lockdown, this edition of Dream Destinations is another staycation location – Snowdonia. It’s the perfect place to escape to the mountains and forget your troubles, letting nature revive you.

The national park in Wales’ northwest corner is home to spectacular peaks including Snowdon, Tryfan and Cader Idris. There are more than 100 lakes to discover and views out across the sea towards Ireland to enjoy. All of which represent the perfect antidote to lockdown once caravanners are offered more freedoms.

All you really need to enjoy a caravan holiday in Snowdonia is a pair of walking boots and some trusty waterproofs. Most first-time visitors like to tackle Wales’ highest peak, Snowdon, and there are no fewer than six routes to the top.

The Llanberis Path may be the longest, but it’s also the easiest, with the Ranger Path and Miners’ Track representing a little bit more of a challenge. The Watkin Path and Crib Goch should only be attempted by those with mountain experience as there is some exposed scrambling to do near the top.

If you don’t fancy the hike, the Snowdon Mountain Railway will take you all the way to the summit in relative comfort. Setting off from Llanberis, it has transported tourists the 4.7 miles to the highest point in Wales since 1896.

For those keen to explore Snowdonia on two wheels instead of two feet there’s plenty of options – from long-distance routes to steep challenges. The Ffordd Brailsford Way can be completed as either a 50-mile or 75-mile loop and takes in stunning scenery, as well as a number of historic castles.

Pen-y-Pass is the classic Welsh cycling climb out of Llanberis and will put you through your paces over 2.4 miles, but there’s a nice cafe at the top as a reward. Several routes to the summit of Snowdon start from there, so the climb could represent the start of your day’s activities.

It would be a shame not to take advantage of the coast during your caravan trip to Snowdonia, as there are 200 miles of it. This encompasses 35 beaches, representing plenty of opportunities to indulge in everything from sea swimming and surfing to sailing and sandcastle building.

Where are your post-lockdown dreams taking you? We’d love to know.

By Chris Littley

Looking back through the archives for the CaravanTimes’ Classic Gold series is always fun, especially when it gives you a snapshot of family life for one of our reviewers. That is exactly the case today with the Bailey Pageant Moselle, which Jan Rosier took on the road with her family in 2014.

Overall, Ms Rosier was pleased with her caravan, giving it a rating of five stars, but there is one comment that gives more away. She said: “The layout is good for young families, but don’t buy if your children are approaching teen years.”

We can picture the scene now; her children’s feet sticking out of the bunk beds, which she described as short and narrow compared to other motorhomes. This is something to consider when buying a caravan you’re hoping to last your family for holidays for years to come.

Another mental image to savour is that of her family, complete with teenagers, all trying to manoeuvre around the van. She noted the bathroom door opening up to block the main entrance, thus preventing anyone outside from getting into the caravan.

But apart from these aspects, Ms Rosier was impressed with the Bailey Pageant Moselle, stating that the quality inside was excellent. She liked the storage and the way that it towed, as well as the bathroom (if you discount the issue with the door).

In summation, Ms Rosier said: “Nothing ever broke and the beds were very comfy.” You can’t get fairer than that.

Did you buy a Bailey Pageant Moselle and if so, how did you find it? Let us know.

By Chris Littley

Caravan sites across the UK will not be able to reopen in June, it has been confirmed by the government.

July 4th had been set as the expected date for a long time, but a campaign led by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) had hoped it could be brought forward.

Sites are due to reopen in Northern Ireland on June 26th, which the association hoped would set a precedent for England to follow suit, but the transport secretary dashed those hopes.

Grant Shapps said: “The next review. or the next potential date for an unlock, if it’s possible, if the science allows, is July 4th onwards. So it won’t be weeks and weeks away.”

As well as confirming that caravan parks will not be permitted to reopen early, the statement also casts uncertainty over whether they will be allowed to welcome guests from July 4th.

Ros Pritchard, director-general of the BH&HPA, acknowledged that the date for England was still an ‘ambition’ and that an indicative date of July 15th has been set for Scotland.

She added: “Guidance on procedures is expected soon but we have no idea when opening dates will be confirmed to give us and our customers certainty.

“It’s worse in Wales where currently we have no prospect of opening at all. The Welsh First Minister has expressed his sympathy for our plight, but no more. Sympathy won’t keep the wolf from the door!”

When caravan sites are given the green light to reopen to the public, they will do so with stricter cleaning regimes in place, the enforcement of social distancing rules and measures like contactless check-in to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

It is not yet known whether on-site facilities including toilets and shower blocks; restaurants and cafes; and entertainment venues will be able to open up at the same time as the caravan parks.

By Chris Littley

Following a temporary closure due to COVID-19 restrictions, Coachman Caravans has restarted production of its leisure vehicles.

The family-run business is based in Hull and closed its doors to workers for ten weeks due to government guidelines issued on March 24th.

Since it reopened earlier this month, we’re happy to report Coachman’s factory has managed to return to pre-lockdown levels of production, with measures in place to ensure the safety of all staff.

These have included thermal imaging cameras at all of the entrances, personal protective equipment for employees and the implementation of strict two-metre social distancing throughout the premises.

Caravan and motorhome dealers have seen a surge in demand, as Brits look towards staycations for their summer holidays.

With the prospect of caravan parks reopening in July with social distancing measures in place, many people will be thinking about investing in leisure vehicles for safe, self-contained trips away.

Coachman is optimistic about the future and ready to meet this new demand for caravans at the 35 dealerships it serves across the UK.

Elliot Hibbs, managing director of Coachman Caravans, said: “Whilst we expected our closure and the effects of COVID-19 to have detrimental effects on the business, we have not seen this. Our order book is full until the end of the year and we had less than two per cent of orders cancelled during lockdown, many of which have now been replaced.”

As some potential caravan owners may not be keen to visit dealerships in person, many are continuing to offer virtual tours online.

For those who want to look at motorhomes on site, dealers are encouraging them to book a time slot and follow the one-way systems put in place.

Many dealerships are open air, helping to reduce the possibility of spreading the virus.

By Chris Littley

The Camping and Caravanning Club has announced it plans to reopen the majority of its sites across the UK in a phased rollout from July 4th, with new social distancing rules in place.

At present, the club has not been able to confirm that toilet and shower facilities will open at the same time, because the government has not yet given the green light for such services to be used by the public once more.

The move is good news for caravan owners whose motorhomes are fitted with their own toilets and showers, however, representing the opportunity for a long-anticipated trip away from home.

A statement from the Camping and Caravanning Club said: “In order to operate our sites in a responsible manner we will be increasing our cleaning regimes; where facility blocks are open there will be two deep cleans a day and four supplementary cleans.

“This places extra demand on our staff so we have had to look at campsites which are better suited to self-sufficient campers where facility blocks will not be open this season.”

Visitors to the sites can expect to experience contactless check-in; six-metre spacing between pitches to aid with social distancing; and signs and markings to reinforce the importance of keeping two metres apart from others.

The current plan is for the first Camping and Caravanning sites to reopen in England on July 4th, with many in Scotland following on July 15th. Sites in Wales and Northern Ireland will start to welcome visitors later.

However, this plan has not yet been set in stone and dates may change, as it’s possible the government could implement new social distancing measures should a second spike in coronavirus infections be seen.

The club added in its statement: “Being in the fresh air, the physical space between pitches and with additional social distancing measures, we believe that we are well-placed to offer you a safe, enjoyable UK holiday, providing a much-needed break away from home.”

All of the club’s sites have been closed since March 22nd due to the coronavirus pandemic and the government’s decision to place the country in lockdown.