Ladram Bay Holiday Park In Daring Antarctica Bid

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By William Colema

Ladram Bay Holiday Park in Budleigh Salterton has helped fly the flag for medical research by backing a recent charity fundraising expedition to the South Pole in Antarctica.

Making the grueling trek to one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet was polar explorer Alan Chambers MBE who served for 16 years in the Royal Marines..

Among those joining him on the expedition was former England Rugby Captain Lewis Moody, and their successful venture has raised around £250,000 for brain tumour charities.

The team members each pulled their own sleds weighing 200kg, and walked for up to 12 hours a day at an altitude of 10,000 feet in temperatures as low as -35C.

The expedition mirrored a similar charity trek made by Alan two years ago to the North Pole which also received support from Ladram Bay Holiday Park.

On both occasions, the teams celebrated their arrival at the far ends of the earth by unfurling a special flag to mark the park’s long history of providing family seaside holidays.

Ladram Bay director Zoe House, whose family has owned the park since 1943, said the business was very proud to be associated with such an amazing venture:

“Alan is a very courageous and determined person, and I’m sure that the success of his latest challenge will be especially inspiring to younger people,” she said.

“The fantastic sum that his team have raised will help fund a pioneering new clinical trial to change outcomes for those with a brain tumour.

“We’re so grateful to him for flying our celebration flag at the South Pole, and we can’t wait to hear what his next adventure will be!” added Zoe.

She said that Ladram Bay had long been keen to encourage its younger guests to take part in exciting physical activities when on holiday.

The park has built an indoor climbing wall suitable for all ages and abilities, and provides equipment for watersport activities which can be enjoyed from Ladram Bay’s private beach.

There is also a popular swimming pool and splash zone to enable guests to burn off the calories.

Ladram Bay provides a wide range of luxury holiday caravans and holiday lodges to rent or own, glamping pods, and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

There is more information about the park at www.ladrambay.co.uk

Park Holidays Guests Give Platinum Award

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By William Coleman

Verdicts from customers staying with Park Holidays UK have resulted in the group receiving the highest possible rating from a leading independent reviews website.

The company is now the proud bearer of the 2020 Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, based on the number of glowing reviews posted by park guests.

The honour comes after three successive years of Park Holidays UK gaining gold status from Feefo as a result of attracting consistently favourable verdicts from families.

The top-level platinum award is held by only a small elite of holiday firms which allow customers to post unedited reviews via Feefo, and receive an exceptionally high scoring.

In 2019, said Feefo, almost all of the guests summing up their satisfaction with Park Holidays UK gave it a rating of 4.5 or 5 – the maximum score – based on their experiences.

Feefo is one of the world’s most trusted travel review websites because only holiday guests verified as genuine customers are permitted to comment.

They are invited to rate the company on any aspect of its performance, from how easily a booking can be made to the standards of accommodation and the quality of the entertainment.

Tony Clish, director of the group which now has 31 coastal parks in Southern England, said that all members of the staff team should take a bow:

“This is a fantastic achievement of which everyone at the company can be proud, not least because of what customers are saying in their reviews,” he said.

“Our high quality standards always earn a thumbs-up, but guests are just as keen to comment on the relaxed atmosphere, friendliness, and hospitality they enjoy.

“Making this happen is entirely down to the enthusiasm of our loyal and hardworking staff – and many reviewers say what a great difference they make to their stay.

“It’s always our aim to provide guests with the best possible holiday memories, and we are delighted to be exceeding their expectations in so many different ways,” added Mr Clish.

Bookings for 2020 have got off to an extremely strong start, he reports, and sales of holiday caravans and lodges look likely to set a new record high this year.

More information about the group’s parks, and details of holiday deals and holiday home ownership opportunities, can be found on Park Holidays UK’s website at www.ParkHolidays.com

Bailey Of Bristol Reveal New Layout For Grande Range

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By William Coleman

Just one week before the February Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC Bailey of Bristol have publicly announced a brand new layout for their best selling 8ft wide Alicanto Grande range.

When Bailey first announced that they were going to be releasing an 8ft wide model, followed by many other manufacturers, I was unsure how the market would respond. Here we are well over 18 months later and it seems the caravan word love the larger vans, so much so that Bailey are adding more to their line up.

Proving that bigger is better Bailey saw a sales boost when they introduced their new 8ft wide range this autumn. Models from this ‘Luxurious and limitless’ range have topped the Bailey best-sellers list since their introduction, appealing to customers either as a touring or seasonal use vehicle.

Once the vans hit the market they were met with an enormously positive reaction from the public which had led to Bailey adding a new fourth layout to the already impressive range.

The Alicanto Grande Faro is the new 4-berth twin axle model is going to be on display next week at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2020. I know there are a lot who would never consider an 8ft van but I urge all of you to find one and spend some time aboard, those extra few inches make such a difference to the entire van.

The Faro is a brand new lay out for Bailey which features a comfortable transverse rear double island bed, no arguing in the morning when someone wakes up early, and a central nearside en-suite washroom that sits opposite a well-appointed dressing area.

Moving further forward, into the living area, you’ll find the signature Alicanto offside L-shaped kitchen and a large parallel seat front lounge which converts into either twin singles or a large double bed at night. It was when me and a member of the team sat opposite each other on board an 8ft van and really felt the difference in space you get.

The exterior skin of than van is a stunning ‘Polar White’ GRP body shell which has been very well complimented by the ‘Metallic Bronze’ coordinating graphics scheme, which together with new Diamond Cut style TUV tested alloy wheels and the signature Bailey ‘room with a view’ vertical front skylight announce that Alicanto owners travel and arrive in style.

In addition to looking good, the Faro also comes with a host of practical exterior features including a Truma 100 watt solar panel, an external satellite connection, a gas BBQ point and a 230v.

As you’d expect from all of Bailey’s vehicles the Faro is using their patented Alu-Tech construction technology, cloaked in a GRP outer skin, making them more robust and more durable, yet lighter than those manufactured using conventional methods, offering greater protection against the elements to keep you comfortable, safe and secure all year round.

To date approaching 65,000 Bailey leisure vehicles have been built with this ground-breaking technology, and are currently being used and enjoyed around the world. We have taken them all over Europe and they performed excellently in staggering temperatures in Turkey and horrifically cold weather in the Arctic.

To ensure that this eye-catching investment remains safe on the road and secure on site it is fitted with the all latest safety and security equipment, including the AL-KO ATC Trailer Control System, TyrePal TPMS, AL-KO Secure wheel lock (two on twin axle models), and a TRACKER Monitor Stolen Vehicle Recovery System with an integral intruder alarm, all as standard specification.

Alicanto models are fitted with a fully specified Alde programmable radiator heating system which allows you to holiday no matter the time of year. Combined with the market-leading thermal characteristics of the Alu-Tech body shell, this makes the Alicanto Grande a genuine all-weather vehicle, a fact confirmed with the achievement of the highest rating for thermal performance (Grade III Classification of EN1656-I) in rigorous cold chamber testing.

Moving on to the inside you’ll see just how spacious these 8ft vans are and you won’t be unimpressed with the level of finish bailey put into them. This new van features the new ‘Mendip Ash’ furniture that has a new curved dual finish Italian design overhead locker doors with black chrome handles. Upgraded LED task and mood lighting throughout gives Alicanto that unmistakable touch of class.

Lounging comfort is guaranteed by new fully sprung base cushions and curved corner backrests with headrests, in a choice of either standard ‘Farringdon’ or optional ‘Portobello’ soft furnishings. The same is true in the bedrooms where larger beds with new memory foam topped mattresses promise a good night’s rest.

Feature kitchens provide up to 25% more work surface plus 30% more cupboard storage capacity thanks to their new L-shaped design. New features such as a large circular sink with concealed fixings, plus Perspex splashbacks and glass splash guards, are both stylish and practical. The headline act in a very impressive list of branded kitchen appliances, is the new Dometic 10-series 153 litre electronic fridge freezer with a universal handed door mechanism.

Commenting on the expansion of the Alicanto Grande range Bailey Managing Director Nick Howard said:

“The Alicanto Grande is our most luxurious caravan range yet. With everything you need to get the most out of every holiday, it’s been designed and built with our customers’ needs in mind, further establishing our place as The Nation’s Favourite. Models provide more space, more style, more comfort and more practicality, and give people more reason than ever to Go Bailey!”

“The only thing not included is the view,” he added.

All four models of the new Alicanto Grande range will be on display at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2020 on stand 3020 from 18th to 23rd February.

To get a sneaky look at the new van and it’s layout you can view a gallery on our Facebook page.

Auto-Trail Offers And NEC Deals

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By William Coleman

The NEC show is just over a week away and already the offers are on display so shoppers and visitors can get a sneak peak of what to expect when they arrive at the February Caravan, Motorhome and Camping Show 2020.

Trade shows like the NEC caravan shows are a shopping delight where, if you do your research, you can walk away with some amazing deals.

When it comes to offers, and show specific offers, Auto-Trail seem to be one of the front runners who are giving an early preview of what vehicles will be on display and what deals can be had.

When browsing all the impressive displays make sure you head over to stand 3040 to take full advantage of the industry specialists who are there to give you all the info you need, oh and the money saving offers.

Now is the perfect time to purchase your dream touring leisure vehicle, whether you’re on the look out for a compact van conversion for two or a large coachbuilt motorhome suitable for family and friends – we have an exclusive offer to suit every single model Auto-Trail produce.

Purchase a 2020 Auto-Trail leisure vehicle between the 6th – 23rd February 2020 and you will benefit from the following offers!

2020 Tribute Compact – SAVE £2,344
Drivers pack,140 bhp engine upgrade and Auto-Trail “Connect” CAT 7 Tracker system free of charge (1st year subscription only)

2020 Tribute Coachbuilt – SAVE £2,694
Lux pack,170 bhp engine upgrade and Auto-Trail “Connect” CAT 7 Tracker system free of charge (1st year subscription only)

2020 V-Line & Adventure – SAVE £995
140 bhp engine upgrade and Auto-Trail “Connect” CAT 7 Tracker system free of charge (1st year subscription only)

2020 Imala – SAVE £2,294
140 bhp engine upgrade, Media pack and Auto-Trail “Connect” CAT 7 Tracker system free of charge (1st year subscription only)

2020 Tracker & Apache – SAVE £1,589
Media pack, Rear protection bar and Auto-Trail “Connect” CAT 7 Tracker system free of charge (1st year subscription only)

2020 Frontier – SAVE £1,290
Media pack + upgrade, Rear protection bar and Auto-Trail “Connect” CAT 7 Tracker system free of charge (1st year subscription only)

Caravan Guard Paperless Policies Raise Over £110K

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By William Coleman

A kind-hearted fundraising initiative by caravan and motorhome specialists Caravan Guard, and Leisuredays, has raised more than £110,000 for Heart Research UK.

Ten years ago, Caravan Guard launched its Paperless Policies initiative, which sees them donate £1 to the charity each time a new caravan, campervan or motorhome insurance customer opts for their policy documents to be emailed rather than posted out.

Throughout 2019, Caravan Guard’s Paperless Policies campaign and other fundraising efforts raised a hearty £17,645, pushing the total gifted in the last decade to an incredible £110,887!
The caring staff at Caravan Guard don’t just promote the paperless policies, they also go extra miles for the charity by taking on challenges such as the Great North Run half marathon and running healthy heart events.

A “love yourself” event saw the charity deliver health and lifestyle checks and staff were encouraged to make 2020 the year to care completely about their health, as well as others.
Many are already sharing healthy recipe ideas and signing up for a range of challenges, as well as inspiring each other to lead healthy lifestyles.

Associate Director Laura Wilby presented Heart Research UK with a cheque for £17,645 during the Halifax-based company’s healthy heart day.

“We’re delighted to have raised so much money for such a great cause in 2019 and absolutely thrilled to have smashed through the £100,000 mark in the last decade,” said Laura. “A big thank you to our customers too, who have chosen to go paperless so we can pass on all this money to help with the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.”

Caravan Guard cares passionately about many local and national charities to help them make a difference to the lives of others. Two runners also raised £2,283 for Heart Research UK last year after finishing the 2019 Great North Run half marathon in record times, and the company’s Great Yorkshire Bike Ride team added more donations into the fundraising pot.

The money raised in 2019 could potentially help pay for scientists to develop a new blood test to identify high-risk patients after treatment for a heart attack or contribute towards new MRI techniques to examine heart muscle structure.

Heart Research UK CEO, Kate Bratt-Farrar, said: “Over the last 10 years, we have been blown away time and again with the generosity of the Caravan Guard customers and staff. To have raised over £110,000 is a truly remarkable achievement, and we can’t thank them enough.

“The money that Caravan Guard has raised will be used to benefit patients as soon as possible, funding life-saving research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.”

Caravan Guard’s contact centre staff will continue to encourage more customers to receive paperless insurance policies so they can help even more hearts in the next decade!

Getting The Van Ready For The 2020 Season

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By William Coleman

The time of year is almost upon us, the 2020 caravanning season. As the days start to get longer the masses unwrap their vans from winter hibernation and begin to prep and clean the vans to get them holiday ready by mid March.

A lot of people have very different opinions on when the new touring season actually starts. Some go by the weather, some say the end of February or they stick to the Caravan Club darte of the 25th of March. Oh, and there are the 365 days a year group who do not believe in seasons.

For those who do believe that the caravan holiday is season this is the time of year where quite a few weekends and evenings are spent in the vans getting everything ready to face to open road and weekends on site relaxing in the sun.

So, for those who are about to embark on the journey of getting the van ready here are some hints and tips from us to you.

Get The Mop And Bucket

If you have done your mid winter checks on the van and gave it a little bit of love before the new season then you should not have much work on your hands leading into March. If you have not then you may want to start the spring clean sooner rather than later.

The spring clean is one of the first things you are going to want to do as it will, hopefully, help you go through each section of the van and see if there are any areas of concern that deserve immediate attention.

After the winter break pay particular attention to any fabric covered areas and esure yo both hoover and spray with some kind of air freshener to eradicate the musk that can occur when all the doors and windows have been closed for a few months.

Batteries and Electrics

During your winter storage the batteries will have been left idle and uncharged, something they really do not like at all. Hopefully they were disconnected when the van was stored away so as not to run completely dry to the point of no return.

When going through your spring clean pay some attention to the caravan leads and battery terming. Dust and clean are essential for a smooth running caravan.

Once the batteries are safely reconnected give a quick test by turning some lights on and off a few times and then test the water pump.

During the winter months, if you’re not using the van, it is always a good idea to keep the battery charged. If you are going to test the battery make sure you do it well ahead of the date you plan to go away as you are going to want a good few days of charging time before you set off.

Exterior Checks

We seemed to face some fairly harsh weather in the closing months of 2019 that brought in some quite high winds and a lot of property damage.

The harsh weather brought down trees and hurled debris through the air like it was popcorn so do not be surprised if your caravan or motorhome took a few knocks.

Checks for any cracked panels as they can be a costly repair and potentially lead to a lot more internal damage. Also check all the windows for drinks, dents and cracks as this is a part of the van that can be a nightmare to repair or replace.

While outside it is always worth giving the wheels and tires a good once over. Nine times out of ten you would have checked and treated them when storing the van but it is better to check them at this point. You just know sods law will have something go wrong while driving or just before you set off to head home.

Water Ingress And Damp

This is enemy number one of the caravan, motorhome or camper. Whilst going through the van hoovering and polishing keep an eye out for any damp that could have occurred.

During storage periods water leaks can occur and cause a good amount of damage throughout the van. It’s always a good idea to pop into the van a few times over the storage period to check for leaks before they get out of hand.

There are a few locations that are always worth checking during storage. The main spots are the window edges, doors and skylights.

These are more common leak hotspots that sometimes show little to no sign of damage so a lot of people do not notice until it’s too late.

If you have not had a chance to check the van over whilst it has been in storage the damp should hit the senses like a ton of bricks once you open the door. The smell of damp interior is unmistakable and your sense of smell should be able to lead you to where the issues are stemming from.

If you do run into this get yourself a dehumidifier and wash all the removable covers as soon as possible and get rid of any mold that has grown.

Consumables

The lights on the caravan are an essential part of the safety of a van and other road users. It is vital that these checks are at the top of your check list.

Spend some time checking the plugs for potential cracks in the housing or blown bulbs. Once you have given them a go over connect the caravan to the car and get someone to help you check they are in full working order.

If the bulbs are in good condition but you’re still having issues you may want to check the electrical connections to your tow car. The 13 pin plug could be misbehaving which will need a lot more attention and testing.

Sit Back And Enjoy

A close friend of mine has just finished preparing the van for a the new season, he is going away a week or two before the season starts, and he came u with an idea that never occurred to me. Taking the van and a one day test run. By doing a test run you can get a real sense of how the caravan, or motorhome, will preform on a longer trip.

A real world test is a much better way of seeing if you have done enough for the van to be fully ready. Finding out before holiday is much better than getting hit with an issue when you’re on site with a beer and a burger.

Explore Scotland With The Caravan And Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

From the stunning Scottish Borders to the wild beauty of the Highlands, Scotland’s diverse landscape lends itself to many exciting driving routes, and the Caravan and Motorhome Club has a range of Scottish campsites for every stop of the way.

With membership starting from just £54 per year for two people, why not take advantage of the year round benefits and set off on a Scottish road trip?

Here are five of the Club’s top Scottish driving routes, complete with nearby campsites to head to in 2020:

Scottish Classics: Glasgow to Fort William

The drive from Glasgow to Fort William is less than a three-hour journey, with the winding route passing through the stunning Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Tourers should stop at the beautiful Loch Lomond to stretch their legs near the banks of this famous stretch of water. The journey continues through the glen (renowned for being one of Scotland’s most scenic), where tourers find themselves surrounded by the magnificent munros and rolling hills of the Highlands.

The final destination, Fort William, is the perfect base for enjoying a walk through Glencoe or for exploring cultural sites including the West Highlands Museum. For those looking for a more adventurous trip, why not head to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak?

Tackling the Ben is high on many keen travellers’ bucket lists, but those who’d rather stay out of the clouds can enjoy the view from the bottom whilst they go on a tour of the Ben Nevis Distillery.

Stay at the Bunree Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite. Located just 10 miles from Fort William on the edge of the beautiful Loch Linnhe, guests at this campsite have been known to spot sea otters and cormorants. This tranquil site is the perfect spot for tourers to set up a base to enjoy all that Fort William and Glencoe have to offer.

Prices start from £24.60 per night for two adults sharing a standard pitch.

For History Lovers: Aberdeen to Inverness

This Highland adventure is a 116-mile journey through the breath-taking Cairngorms National Park into the ancient city of Inverness. The route is perfect for history buffs, who can explore The Highlands’ military history through the museums, forts and castles that dot the countryside.

Potential stops include the Gordon Highlanders Museum, 18th century Fort George and the Culloden Battlefield & Visitor Centre, the site of the famous final Jacobite battle, which has been restored to how it would have appeared in 1746. Tourers should also be sure to take a break in the expansive Cairngorms National Park so that they can take in this stunning part of Scotland.

Stay at the Culloden Moor Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite. Just one and a half miles from the Culloden Battlefield and a short drive to historic Inverness, this campsite is ideally located for bedding down after a long day exploring the region. The site is particularly good for dog owners, with a range of lovely forest walks nearby.

Prices start from £19.30 per night for two adults sharing a standard pitch.

The Spine of Scotland: Inverness to Stirling

Those driving back south from Inverness should be sure to follow the A9, otherwise known as the ‘Spine of Scotland’. Scotland’s longest road is a full 273 miles long and takes drivers past ever-changing scenery, from the mist-shrouded hills of the Cairngorms to the stunning river gorge Killiecrankie.

Popular stops along the route include Blair Atholl, to explore the historic Blair Castle and the Blair Atholl Distillery and Dunkeld for its incredible cathedral. The final destination, Stirling, is a gorgeous historical city with plenty to do, with the magnificent Stirling Castle a must-visit.

Stay at the Blair Drummond Caravan Park (Affiliated Site), ideally situated within the old walled garden of Blair Drummond House. There is a range of lovely walks around the nearby woodland and the neighbouring Blair Drummond safari park is a wonderful day out for families.

Prices start from £26.00 per night for two adults sharing a standard pitch.

Scotland’s Borders: The Borders to Edinburgh

This two-hour journey is perfect for those driving into Scotland from England. Starting from the border town of Gretna Green (famous for historic runaway weddings!) the drive continues through the borders, with possible stops at the Borders Textile Towerhouse, where visitors can learn about Scotland’s famous fabrics, tartan and tweed.

This route continues through southern Scotland’s spectacular countryside, with possible stops at Abbotsford, the former home of legendary writer Sir Walter Scott, and also Scott’s View, one of his favourite viewpoints that has stunning views across the valley of the River Tweed.

Edinburgh has a huge range of things to see and do, with Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens and the Palace of Holyrood House all popular. Visitors can also enjoy a stroll down the famous Royal Mile, which is often home to many bagpipers – the true spirit of Scotland!

Stay at the Edinburgh Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite. Located on the Firth of Forth, the campsite has easy access to the beach as well as Scotland’s magnificent capital city, making it the perfect spot for those after a coastal break near the city.

Prices start from £18.45 per night for two adults sharing a standard pitch.

The Malt Whiskey Trail: Moray

The Speyside Malt Whisky Trail is the ultimate road trip for any whisky enthusiast. Home to the largest concentration of distilleries in the world, this 74-mile trail comprises nine sites that visitors can explore.

With both household names and smaller distilleries, including world famous Glenfiddich, there’s something to appeal to every whisky fan. Each location is able to provide guided tours and tastings with true whisky experts – those planning on enjoying a dram should ensure they have a designated driver!

Stay at Sunnybrae Certificated Location and enjoy all the Highlands have to offer. Well located in Moray for heading out on the Whisky Trail, visitors can also enjoy the wonderful local wildlife, including kestrels, pine martens and deer and dolphins that can be spotted in the Moray Firth.

There is a range of coastal walks that are also accessible from the campsite, and a number of other activities including pony trekking cycling or touring historical sites.

Prices start from £12.00 per night for all occupants sharing a standard pitch.

The SEC Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show

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By William Coleman

This week the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home is in full swing at the SEC in Glasgow. We were there on opening day to see everything the new season has to offer and to find out what the Scottish are bringing to the table of touring holidays.

Show season is both a hectic and happy time for myself and the team, so I can only imagine what it is like for the companies that do the Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham show all within the first 2 months of the new year.

One of the brighter sides of working at these shows is that once the grafting is done I get to free roam and spend as much time as I like seeing everything on display across the many halls, and the SEC was a great day out.

The SEC show is not the largest of the UK shows but this year’s event has actually been one of the largest they have had, and was also a record breaker. The show director, Darren Brechin, spoke at the Club Stand during the show’s official opening and explained that this show had a record amount of companies on display and they have more stands than ever before.

Another noteworthy point about this year’s SEC show was the addition of a hall specifically for campervans. Over the past few years I am sure you have noticed both the rise in popularity of the campervan and their much increased presence at the trade shows.

One company, who I had not heard of before, called Caledonian Campers were actually displaying a full build from the ground up of a luxury customer VW camper. I have a good idea of what goes into the build but I had never seen it live and in such detail. From the seat embroidery all the way to fitting the full interior and windows. It really was impressive to see how much work goes into putting these campers together.

Having been to several shows all over the UK and Europe I do always try to speak to at least one new person be show that is not directly linked to the caravan world. I always like to see everything at the show and this year I spoke to a chap from Caurnie Soaperie to find out how smaller companies enjoy the caravan shows. I find it interesting speaking to people who do the shows that are not linked to the caravan world, of which there are usually quite a lot. Oh and I got some free soap for the other half.

Whilst walking round the show you cannot help but notice the large Scottish presence, from local dealers and holiday companies all the way to Scottish farmers who are selling locally produced chases, meats and whiskeys. So make sure you take a shopping basket with you when you go.

If you are going to visit the show this weekend make sure that you take full advantage of all the offers and show exclusives that certain dealers have on.

Another thing I urge you to do, provided you have travelled to the location and are not a local, is head into Glasgow town and seek out all it’s hidden gems. As far as cities go it is pretty good and I find somewhere new to eat and drink every time I visit.

This time round me and the team were on the hunt for a steak dinner. Little did we know that we would find somewhere that we never knew existed that totally blew us away. Opposite a steak and grill place we saw something that stood out from every other eatery, a Bavarian Beer Hall.

Without a doubt this is the best I have visited in Scotland. From the authentic decor all the way to the “Top 6” beers from the Munich breweries on offer it was 10/10. Oh and the food is absolutely amazing. Next time you’re in Glasgow make sure you go to Bavaria Brauhaus on Bothwell Street, it is about a 45 second walk from Glasgow Central station.

Nick Lomas Shares His Love For Scotland at The SEC 2020 Caravan Show

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By William Coleman

The Caravan and Motorhome Club have a large presence in Scotland and always encourage tourers to visit this wonderful country to take in all the beauty and scenery it has to offer. At this week’s SEC caravan show the Club’s Director General shares his love for all things Scotland.

Over the past few years I have come to love trips to Scotland, and I wish I went on more. There are just so many amazing destinations to visit and you can learn about so much about the rich history of this amazing country.

As well as a rich history and amazing culture, Scotland offers a range of freedom unlike anywhere else in the UK. If you want to get active and keep fit or just take in the beautiful landscape then Scotland is a must visit location.

When visiting Scotland over and over you can have an entirely different trip each time. The range of activities on offer are mind blowing too. One day you can take part in mountain sports like running, biking and climbing and the next day you can take to the highlands on hikes and wild camping.

For those who do not mind getting their feet wet should take full advantage of the watersports on offer. All the lochs and rivers provide the perfect opportunity for canoeing, paddle boarding, windsurfing and even coastal surfing.

Over the past few years I have had the good fortune of travelling the globe with the Caravan and Motorhome Club. One member who I have spent a lot of time with towing caravans and driving motorhomes with is Nick Lomas, the Club’s Director General.

Over the thousands of miles travelled Nick has always told stories of Scotland and all the trips he has both taken and dreaming of taking. We spoke with him at the SEC this week to find out what his plans for Scotland in 2020 are.

To find out more about how the Club can help you plan your next trip to Scotland visit www.camc.co.uk

Double Gold For Salop Leisure At Owner Satisfaction Awards

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By William Coleman

Shropshire’s multi-award winning caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure is celebrating after striking gold twice in the Caravan Owner Satisfaction Awards for 2020.

The list of accolades keeps getting bigger and bigger over at Salop Leisure with each award season that passes and this award season has been no different as the Shrewsbury-based company add two Owner Satisfaction awards to the trophy cabinet.

The Shrewsbury-based company is the only dealership in the country to have won gold awards in both the new and pre-owned caravans categories. It’s the second year running that Salop Leisure has scored double gold awards, which require an average satisfaction score of 80% or over.

The awards are based on the response to a survey by readers of Practical Caravan magazine and members of The Camping and Caravanning Club which identified the dealers best to buy from in the view of touring caravan owners.

Nearly 3,000 caravanners responded to the in-depth questionnaire, which included questions covering caravan design and features, reliability, build quality and dealer service.

Mark Bebb, Salop Leisure’s managing director, revealed that the company had won gold awards in six of the last 10 years and he thanked customers for their loyal support.

“We are delighted that our customers have voted in our favour again,” he said. “However, I still believe that we have a huge amount of work to do as an industry to drive forward customer service improvements.

“It’s an honour for the company to win these awards, but we are just part of the caravan supply chain.”

An awards spokesman said: “Practical Caravan magazine readers and The Camping and Caravanning Club members can be sure our findings are based on the collective wisdom of many owners and give a firm indication of the typical experience of owning a particular brand of caravan.

“Brand new caravans with all the latest features and technology are great, but we want to be sure that anyone shopping for a pre-owned caravan gets the same enjoyment and an equally high level of customer service.

“The best caravans are only as good as the dealer network that stands behind them.
It’s easy to be ready with a smile and a cuppa when someone’s wallet is twitching. What’s more important is to be as helpful and willing when something goes wrong.

“The best dealers are there for their customers in bad times as well as good, and attentive customer service and a willingness to listen go a long way. A friendly and efficient dealer can make a huge difference to the ownership experience.”

Ladram Bay £300k green Energy Drive

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By William Coleman

Ladram Bay Holiday Park is set to sink around £300,000 into an ambitious new green energy project – with the benefits being felt by both guests and the environment.

The family-owned park in will install a state-of-the-art solar energy system across various buildings in its grounds this winter.

Energy experts forecast that after the work is completed, Ladram Bay will be preventing a massive 171 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually from entering the atmosphere.

The super-efficient solar panels will work even on overcast days, providing energy and hot water which will see a huge reduction in the park’s carbon footprint.

This latest move joins a raft of other recent eco-friendly measures taken by Ladram Bay, and which are already benefiting the environment.

They include a solar-powered litter bin which crushes waste by up to 90%, new energy-efficient boilers, and an extension of the park’s ban on single-use plastics.

New plantings of native trees and shrubs have also taken place, and the park’s brochure size has been halved to A5 in order to minimise paper waste.

Director Zoe House, who is a member of the park-owning Carter family, said that caring for the natural world has long been a key element of the park’s philosophy:

“We first started welcoming holiday guests to Ladram Bay Holiday Park more than seventy years ago when it was a farm owned by my parents,” she said.

“Our agricultural roots have remained very important to us, and which is why our family tries to make sustainability a key factor in all of our business decisions.

“Helping us achieve this is our amazing ground team who work year-round on our various projects, and who often contribute great ideas of their own,” added Zoe.

News of the new green energy investment came as the park was named this autumn as a winner of the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.

A long-time holder of the annually presented accolade, it was given following an in-depth survey of the park and its policies by Professor Bellamy’s assessment team.

They praised the park’s large areas of wild flower plantings which provide vital foraging for honey bees and butterflies, and the many wildlife habitats created in the grounds.

Ladram Bay offers holiday caravans and lodges to rent or to own, plus glamping pods, and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

There is more about the park, and its many family-friendly attractions and entertainment facilities, at www.ladrambay.co.uk

New 3D Simulator To Help With Caravan Maneuvering

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By William Coleman

From time to time we all need to brush up on our towing skills, but is there a better and more visual way to brush up or learn new skills? This new bit of tech my just be a new way of learning.

As an industry we are getting younger which means there is going to be a whole new generation of potential caravan owners who are going to need to learn how to tow a caravan.

And as we move forward in how people digest training it seems that learning some basic tips via computer programme is very much the way forward. Someone who has seen the need for this is Jim Bedigan, the creator of Reverse My Trailer.

Reverse My Trailer is a new trailer reversing 3D simulator that will give users a 360 perspective on how to safely reverse a caravan, something that is vital to getting in and out of spaces as well of maneuvering/adjusting on pitch.

Being able to sit comfortably and have all the key principles involved in reversing explained to you can be a much better way of gaining the knowledge, plus you can pause and rewind should you need to go over some points.

As well as being 3D the simulator provides a birds-eye view, along with multiple rear mirror views of the reversing operation. It has an ‘autopilot mode’ that demonstrates how to reverse into areas such as gateways and parking spaces and a ‘guidance mode’ to help you try it for yourself.

Speaking with Jim he explained where the idea came from: A few years ago, I found myself watching Caravanner of the Year on BBC2. I don’t own a caravan myself but nevertheless found it surprisingly good viewing.

One test given to the participants involved the main driver giving reversing instructions to their partner to help them negotiate several obstacles.

Despite the pressure they were under due to the presence of TV cameras, shouted instructions and rapidly worsening tempers, most of them ended up doing a pretty good job. However, I thought the test illustrated very clearly just how difficult reversing a caravan can be for the inexperienced.

Despite not actually owning an actual caravan Jim does attach a trailer to his car and drive with that attached so he is more than aware of what the towing behaviour is like and the issues it can produce.

Having extensive knowledge in the 3D graphics world, Jim previously worked in the flight simulation industry, he decided that he could use his skills to help the towing community with a similar simulation.

Jim’s two main goals in creating this were to create a set of simulator models that would represent a range of real-world vehicles and trailers as accurately as possible and to workout a what steering should be applied at any point in time to keep the trailer on an ‘optimum’ approach route during manoeuvres, such as reversing into a gateway or a parallel parking space.

I think that this method of learning is extremely effective and will give a clear breakdown, for those who need it, of what you need to do to ensure that you safely reverse and maneuver your set up.

As we all know there is no better practice than getting in the car and actually trying it out but this programme is a great way to have some fun while learning. This is not a replacement for a qualified instructor, the same way the theory test will not prepare you for the open road, but it is fun and does give a little extra help to get your head round the intricacies of towing.

This programme is free to use so why not give it a watch and see what you could take away from the demo. You can download a free copy <here.
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