By Chris Littley

Throughout the CaravanTimes’ Classic Gold series, we’ve seen some much loved models come under scrutiny, but today we’re looking at a motorhome that failed to impress. In fact, back in 2014, our reviewer was driven to despair by the Sterling Eccles Jewel. So, was she just unlucky or did other owners of this caravan have similar experiences?

Barbara Feather gave the Sterling Eccles Jewel just one star out of five for an overall rating, but what could possibly warrant such a response? She said: “Whenever we arrived at our destination, I would open the door with trepidation, wondering which bit would have fallen off this time.” Oh dear!

First it was the shower, with the door falling off not once but twice, and then she was concerned for the microwave, which looked like it might fall out at any moment. And it seems like the plastic trim was not good at staying in place either, with pieces coming off with every trip.

If it sounds like things couldn’t get any worse, Ms Feather goes into more detail, with the oven door falling off and the toilet fill light not working reliably. She elaborates on this caravan farce, stating: “But the crowning disaster was when the hitch lost the two of the three bolts holding it onto the chassis at less than three years old.”

At this point we can see why our reviewer might have given the Sterling Eccles Jewel such a harsh rating. Did the model have any redeeming features? Ms Feather did like the layout and the locker space, but opted to trade the caravan in for something else, as it obviously failed to meet her needs.

Did you ever own a Sterling Eccles Jewel? And if so, did you experience the same litany of disasters as our reviewer? We’d love to know your thoughts.

By Chris Littley

Caravan and motorhome dealers are experiencing a surge in demand for leisure vehicles, as the British public looks towards staycations for post-lockdown holidays.

Interest in caravans and campervans has skyrocketed in the wake of the coronavirus, which has put the idea of foreign travel well out of reach for many.

Dealerships, manufacturers and even classified listings websites have all seen a big increase in activity, reports Car Dealer Magazine.

Many people have started planning trips within the UK in anticipation of the government lifting the ban on overnight stays, which is expected to be sometime in July.

Potential caravan owners are therefore trying to secure themselves a motorhome in a climate where stock is short and demand is high, resulting in prices starting to increase.

Peter Vaughan, editor of Which Motorhome Magazine, told the news provider: “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.”

Caravan dealerships only reopened to the public at the beginning of June and many are reporting an unprecedented first week in which they sold as many motorhomes as they’d expect to in an entire month.

Greentrees Caravan Store in Norfolk has had its best sales figures for a May in 15 years and has hired new staff, as well as taking all its employees off furlough.

Meanwhile, the Don Amott Group in Derbyshire has taken nearly a million pounds in deposits for leisure vehicles in just three weeks.

It had been getting round the problem of prospective customers not being able to visit the caravans to make a decision during lockdown by offering virtual tours instead.

The situation is similar online, with British Caravan Auctions (BCA) having sold all 800 lots in its first online caravan and motorhome sale since lockdown, and many of them going for well above their anticipated values.

By Chris Littley

Caravan owners have been issued with fines and reminded of the ban on overnight stays away from home, after some have flouted the rules.

Police in Cornwall have seen an increase in the number of caravans and campervans being parked up overnight in recent days.

They have so far issued 14 fines for such behaviour and told the occupants of the leisure vehicles to return home, as current government restrictions make staycations in a motorhome illegal.

Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police issued a joint message in response to holidaymakers trying to camp in beauty spots including Porthcurno and Bodmin Moor.

Of the 14 penalty charges issued so far by officers to mobile home owners, 13 were in Newquay and one was in Bude.

Authorities in Cornwall have had a particularly tough time trying to prevent people flocking to the county since lockdown measures were amended on May 13th.

They have issued 92 fines in reference to breaches of the COVID-19 legislation and 63 per cent of them have been in relation to overnight stays in either caravans or second homes.

It’s not just individuals that the authorities are monitoring either, as Cornwall Council has been forced to investigate a number of campsites that have tried to reopen for business before the government has given the green light to do so.

Rob Nolan, Cornwall’s portfolio holder for the environment and public protection, told CornwallLive: “With the recent spell of sunny weather we’re seeing more people camping in the countryside but we’re reminding everyone that under the COVID-19 laws overnight stays outside your home are illegal and you can face a fine or prosecution.

“These rules were introduced to prevent the spread of this virus, protect our communities and relieve pressure on our NHS services, so please, enjoy our beaches and coastal paths but go home at the end of the day and if you’re a potential visitor planning a camping trip here please come back later.”

By Chris Littley

Martin Lewis of Money Saving Expert has updated his advice for caravan owners who have leisure vehicles at caravan parks during lockdown.

Previously, the official line had been that no refunds would be given, as fees ensured caravans would be kept safe in well-maintained parks and this view was upheld by the British Holiday and Home Parks Association (BHHPA).

As sites have now been closed since March and look unlikely to reopen again before July, it is a substantial amount of time that owners have not been able to benefit from using their motorhomes.

In light of this, Mr Lewis has spoken to a lawyer who agrees that partial refunds should now be pursued by caravan enthusiasts affected by the situation.

Adam Swirsky, the lawyer in question, has gone over a model contract and licence agreement supplied by the BHHPA and concluded a case could be made for breaches of service that parks have not been able to provide.

Mr Swirsky said: “I do now think that there is a potential claim for breach of contracting giving rise to an entitlement of damages.

“Those parks that are not providing refunds are opening themselves up to the risk of litigation; they may also be damaging their relationships with their caravan owners and may be subject to public criticism.

“In these circumstances, offering a refund would not only seem to be sensible but, in the long run, might save the parks the times and cost of dealing with numerous small claims”

For caravan owners wondering how to proceed, Mr Lewis has now made a template letter available to be modified and sent to individual sites depending on the exact words of individual contracts.

It is still recommended that owners systematically work through five distinct stages in trying to resolve the matter.

This means they should start by working out exactly which services they have not been able to access and then talk to the management at the caravan park.

If a mutually agreed resolution cannot be found, then a formal letter should be sent. This can be followed up with a Section 75 claim or a Chargeback for a partial refund.

Should this not yield results, caravan owners can turn to the Financial Ombudsman Service and then eventually take the park to court, but the majority of cases will not come to that.

According to the BHHPA, caravan park fees range from £1,500 to £5,000 per year, meaning even a partial refund could amount to a significant amount of money.

By Chris Littley

In this latest edition of our Dream Destinations series, we’re discovering the beautiful Isle of Skye.

Famously, the location Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped to after the Battle of Culloden, it’s become popular with caravanners escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

While the romance of the Skye Boat Song still rings in our ears, “Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing. Over the sea to Skye,” there’s now a convenient bridge to take holidaymakers and their caravans from the mainland to the island. Once you arrive on Skye at the village of Kyleakin, you can explore the Misty Isle’s many attractions.

Skye is heaven for outdoor lovers, with both the Black Cuillin and Red Cuillin mountains to explore. All bar one of the island’s Munros – peaks in Scotland over 3,000 feet – are found within the Black range. Beginners should start with Sgurr na Banachdich or Bruach na Frithe and work their way up to the likes of Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir.

With a backdrop of the Cuillins, the Fairy Pools at Glenbrittle are a magical place to indulge in a spot of wild swimming. The beautifully clear water in these natural rock pools comes right off the mountains via a series of waterfalls. It’s a special place to visit even if you don’t fancy a dip.

Be sure to stop by Dunvegan Castle, which is the ancestral seat of Clan McLeod, members of which have lived at the castle for 30 generations across 700 years. It occupies an idyllic spot on the shores of Loch Dunvegan and is crammed full of fascinating artefacts including a lock of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hair, the Fairy Flag and innumerable oil paintings.

Once the caravan has been parked up for the night, it’s time to enjoy a true taste of the island with a dram of Talisker whisky. This peaty single malt is distilled on the shores of Loch Harport in five copper pot stills just like it has been since 1830. A distillery tour is a good wet weather day activity and gives great insight into how the tipple is made.

Where will be the first place you take your caravan after lockdown? Get in touch to let us know.

By Chris Littley

Caravan dealerships in England have now reopened to the public, after the government made the decision that it was a safe move to make as it eases the country out of coronavirus lockdown.

The National Caravan Council (NCC) had lobbied politicians to ensure caravan and motorhome showrooms were opened at the same time as their counterparts for cars.

As the majority of the dealerships are open air, they are easier to manage in terms of social distancing than traditional shops.

There is certainly demand for leisure vehicles, with Swift Group seeing a 40 per cent increase in web traffic after the prime minister’s statement of May 10th.

Interestingly, much of this growth is represented by the 18 to 44-year-old age group, showing that a younger audience is being drawn to the idea of caravan ownership.

Caravan holidays are looking like a reality for many this summer, as the prospect of going abroad seems less attractive and tied up with bureaucracy, including 14 days of quarantine upon returning to the UK.

Despite this, caravan parks have not yet been given the go ahead to open before July, even though they are seen by many as a good social distancing option.

When they do allow guests, there will be a number of measures in place to protect visitors’ safety and restaurants and entertainment venues within sites are likely to remain closed.

Nick Page, group commercial director at Swift Group told Out&AboutLive: “We are seeing a really promising trend emerging, which after a hard few months for the industry, is welcome news to UK caravan and motorhome manufacturers.

“Holiday parks are a brilliant option to enable social distancing, and as caravans and motorhomes are self-contained, will be one of the safest holiday options for those looking to get out around the UK this year.”

When visiting a caravan dealership, prospective buyers can expect to follow certain rules, such as a limit of two people entering at a time, keeping to a one-way system and using sanitiser points.

Many showrooms are encouraging customers to book an appointment before they arrive to prevent waiting or coming into contact with other caravan shoppers.

By Chris Littley

In this edition of CaravanTimes’ Classic Gold series, we are taking a closer look at the Coachman Laser 655/6 to see what our reviewer thought of the model and to prompt some debate between those who actually owned this motorhome.

The year was 2012 and the Coachman Laser 655/6 had only been on the market for 12 months when Fiona Wardle put it through its paces. She must have been pretty impressed, as she gave the caravan an overall four-star rating, but what about the finer points of the model?

Let’s start with the positives, Ms Wardle said the layout of the caravan was particularly good for families travelling together. She commented on the head height, stating it was good and that leg room was also sufficient. There weren’t any issues towing issues, either, which is an important practical point.

While she did find the beds and seats comfortable, our reviewer found the combination of slats fitted into a frame and gas struts strange. You would think that Coachman would have adopted the same system for all of the beds throughout the Laser 655/6, but apparently not.

Despite being pleased with the layouts of the kitchen and bathroom, Ms Wardle found a number of details meant it wasn’t as user-friendly as it could have been. For example, she bemoaned the lack of shelves in the top lockers and bathroom cabinet, which would become an annoyance on longer trips.

But it appears the reviewer managed to turn a blind eye to the niggles, summarising: “Overall, a lovely caravan.”

Did you buy a Coachman Laser 655/6 in 2011 or after? If so, what did you think of its layout, beds and all the little details? Do let us know your thoughts.

By Chris Littley

Caravan parks across the UK are not due to reopen to the public until July, but one national chain has outlined the measures it will use to ensure its visitors’ safety.

Haven owns 36 caravan sites across the country and is hoping to welcome back holidaymakers as soon as the government gives them the go ahead.

Caravan holidays will have to come in line with new social distancing and hygiene rules just like many other areas of recreation in the wake of COVID-19.

It’s expected that holiday parks will be allowed to welcome back guests from July 3rd, although further confirmation from Downing Street is anticipated.

Gerard Tempest, director of guest and proposition at Haven, told The Sun: “The experience has changed from when guests first arrive at the park.

“They will be given an allocated time for arrival, so that we can meet them at the gate and allow them to bypass reception – taking them straight to their caravan where they will be given their set of keys and a welcome pack.

“Getting around will change too – in the same way that you have one way aisles at the supermarket, we’ll have that on a much bigger scale in the park.”

Behind the scenes, things will be different too, with additional cleaning teams dressed in PPE targeting high-touch areas like door handles on a strict schedule.

Each caravan will be cleaned and sealed between stays, with visitors able to break the seal on their unit at the start of their holiday and told not to enter if it has already been broken.

These measures should help to provide peace of mind to people looking for a staycation in the UK this summer.

While it’s still unclear whether swimming pools, playgrounds, restaurants and entertainment venues will be able to open at Haven parks, guests will be able to order food via an app and have it delivered to their caravan.

Mr Tempest added: “We are seeing a lot of the kinds of people who have not really considered holiday parks in the past, those who had a misconception that they are still the same as when my grandparents had a caravan on the coast.

“That is not the case – they have moved on enormously and people will ask themselves why they hadn’t considered this before.”

By Chris Littley

The French government has announced its caravan parks will be allowed to reopen from tomorrow (June 2nd), as it continues to outline its plans to come out of lockdown.

Édouard Philippe, the country’s prime minister, described the move as part of a new phase in which “freedom is the rule and restriction the exception,” reports The Mirror.

All of what has been dubbed the ‘green zone’ of mainland France will be able to welcome these new freedoms, but the Ile-de-France region, where Paris lies, will have to wait until June 22nd.

That will equate to 8,000 sites, with businesses feeling a sense of relief and holidaymakers able to salvage something of the summer.

Of course, new measures will be in place when the sites open, with rules to wear masks in enclosed spaces and social distancing etiquette enforced.

Many parks have swimming pools to allow visitors to cool off from the heat of the French sun and this is one area where there will be a number of changes.

Sun loungers are likely to be removed to discourage lingering and markings taped out on the floor to enable safe queuing for water slides.

Christophe Lelièvre, vice-president of the National Federation of Outdoor Hotels said: “Pool water is chlorinated so there are no worries concerning the virus”, but campsite managers are encouraged “to limit the number of deckchairs, or even take them off”.

Individual sites will have to find their own systems to allow visitors to use facilities, with time slots and colour-coded bracelets among the options put forward.

Mr Philippe commented on the easing of travel rules: “I call on all French to show the same kind of responsibility as they have been showing throughout the crisis.”

While France is hoping to open its borders to visitors from many European countries, this will not include Britain, as a 14-day quarantine rule is set to come into force on June 8th.

Caravan lovers in the UK will be looking to see how other countries manage the reopening of sites as it may inform the ways in which it is handled here.

By Chris Littley

There’s some debate as to whether caravan parks in England will be allowed to reopen in June or July, but those in Wales are set to start welcoming visitors back from June 1st. If you’re hoping to be in the first wave of holidaymakers, is your leisure vehicle ready for a post-lockdown trip?

Here are some of the ways to prep your caravan for the coming season.

Give it an airing

Leisure vehicles can smell a little musty when they are taken out of long-term storage, but as long as you put the right precautions in place before the winter, a little airing is all it should need. Open up all the windows and doors for six or seven hours, either outside or in a ventilated space to let fresh air in.

Check for any damage

Spend some time inspecting both the interior and exterior of your caravan for damage. It could be a leak you hadn’t noticed, some dirt that has accumulated or signs of wear and tear. Noticing these things as you’re about to set off on a journey is no good, so check now while there’s time to rectify any problems.

Sort out your tyres

If your motorhome still sports its winter tyres, these need to be swapped for the road tyres that you use for most of the year. Be sure to check for any wear on the tread, cracking or even bulging, which can occur when the weight of the whole vehicle has been sat on the tyres for a long period of time. Finally, inflate your tyres to the optimum pressure as outlined by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

Prep your water system

It’s good practice to empty your water tank and disconnect pipes throughout the system before putting your van into hibernation. Now, it’s time to reverse the process, refilling the tank, sterilising the system and running it through to check for leaks.

Reconnect your electrics

Charge your battery and clean leads and terminals before reconnecting your battery. This will ensure smooth running right from the start of the season. To make sure all is in good working order, test the inside lights and water pump. Then move on to the exterior lights, checking for any missing pins or cracked housings along the way.

Stock up your caravan

Put all of the essential items you usually stock your caravan up with back into the cupboards. This will be different for all caravanners, but things like washing up liquid, cleaning supplies and sunscreen are likely to go in at the beginning of the season and remain there until it’s time to put the van back into hibernation. This prevents the need to restock the basics for every trip.

By Chris Littley

For caravan owners, it has sometimes felt that Jeremy Clarkson’s whole career has been built on his dislike of motorhomes, but the former Top Gear host has now made an epic U-turn.

In his recent column for The Sunday Times, he spoke out about changing his mind on the vehicles and even buying one for himself.

He wrote in the column: “I’ve made it very plain that I hate them. And now I’ve bought one.”

Mr Clarkson lives in a small cottage with his partner Lisa Hogan and her daughter, making it difficult for the young woman to invite friends round.

So, the solution seemed to be to get a caravan and the family invested in a Cosalt Rimini model, but it ended up being unused when the friends realised there was no Wi-Fi.

Mr Clarkson said: “I was cross. And I remained cross right up to the point that Matt Hancock, who is the health secretary, announced last week that ‘lavish’ foreign holidays would not be possible this summer.”

He seemed to realise that caravanning looks like a very appealing option once lockdown rules are relaxed and people are desperate to leave their homes but won’t be able to travel abroad.

The issue of social distanced holidays is one that still requires a lot of clarification and there will be problems with capacity and visitors flooding tourist hotspots.

Mr Clarkson pointed out that Brits will not be holidaying on the Greek islands this summer or renting cottages or staying in hotels.

He summarised: “If you want a holiday, you’re going camping.”

The first time that Mr Clarkson was seen pitting himself against caravans on air was during the third season of Top Gear.

Three of them were destroyed as a stuntman tried to jump a Volvo estate over a bank of caravans and spectacularly nosedived off the ramp instead.

Since then, the topic of caravans has become a running joke with Mr Clarkson, with his opinion of motorhomes only seeming to get stronger and stronger.

So, if there’s one good thing about the lockdown, it could be seeing the outspoken host being proved wrong.

By Chris Littley

As we start to think about slowly coming out of lockdown, it’s only natural to begin fantasising about the places we’d like to visit in our caravans, once the time comes. That’s what the Dream Destinations series is all about and this edition focuses on the Portuguese city of Porto.

Located at a strategic point where the Douro River meets the sea, Porto has historically been the place where port wine was shipped off for export. It’s therefore not surprising that the city has become synonymous with the beverage, yet there’s much more to this fascinating gem on the Iberian peninsula, making it the perfect place for a caravan getaway.

The wide river is traversed by no fewer than six bridges, connecting the medieval Ribeira district on one side to the historic port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia on the other. Each of the bridges has its own character, from the majestic arc of the Ponte Dom Luis I to the sleek futuristic design of the São João Bridge.

Of Porto’s many places of worship, two stand out for a visit. São Francisco Church is celebrated for its highly decorated baroque interior, complete with carvings opulently gilded for maximum impact. Another baroque beauty is Clérigos Church, whose soaring tower can be seen throughout the city and is therefore a fantastic viewpoint.

Some of the most beautiful craftsmanship in Porto is not found in a church, palace or museum, however, but inside São Bento Railway Station. The walls of this building from the turn of the 20th century are adorned with 20,000 traditional blue and white azulejo tiles, telling the story of Portugal’s history.

When it comes to impressive features that should be included in a classic bookshop Livraria Lello & Irmão has them all. Dark wooden balustrades – check. Imposing central staircase – check. Ornate stained glass – check. And if the Lello bookshop was in need of any more pedigree, it’s said to have been the inspiration for Hogwarts’ library, after a certain aspiring writer spent some timing teaching English in Porto during her youth.

Which destination will be the first you get away to in your caravan once lockdown is over? Do let us know.