Tyre Safety Month And How To Keep Safe And Sound

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By William Coleman

This month is Tyre Safety Month and as touring folk we are usually driving on 6-8 tyres at a time with another 2-3 stored on board in case of an emergency. So it is safe to say we are a large part of the tyre industry and we need to do all we can to not burn rubber at a fast rate.

Having tyres in poor condition can cause massive issues with safety and the police, if stopped you are looking at a possible 3 points and a hefty fine. Now add to that how dangerous poor tyres can be and you have a possible disaster waiting to happen.

The whole idea behind Tyre Safety Month is to raise awareness of just how important it is to stay on top of your tyre condition. TyreSafe want you to be vigilant and check your tyres at let once a month to ensure you stay safe.

I know that in my much younger years I had no idea how often I should check or how quickly my driving style/habits would eat through the rubber. Once you start looking you then realise you need to check your tracking and alignment to ensure your car is not causing excessive wear. Something that can have a knock on effect on your caravan’s 2-4 tyres.

It is advised that you check your tyres at least once a month, less on the caravan if you are not using it month in month out. I check them after every long distance drive to see if there is any non ware related damage such as nail, glass or anything else than can cause large amounts of damage.

Having a good tow car usually means that you’re not able to get run of the mill rubber for your wheels. With pricey rubber comes reliability so you will more than likely go through a lot less than those who buy standard economy ones.

For those who want to keep on top of tyre safety here are some recommended tips to keep things safe and ensure you do not get caught short on tour towing the caravan.

Frequent Checks

Depending on how much you use the tow car and caravan you should be checking at the very minimum of once a month, more so if you are adding heavy mileage every month.

After each long trip spend 5 minutes going over all of your wheels ensuring there is no damage or baldness. A few minutes every other week will save you a lot of trouble down the road, pun very much untended.

Have The Right Kit

As a kid I would always have a few puncture repair kits knocking around for when I inevitably got a flat. Now as an adult I do the same but for my car, times do not change that much.

You can get a very good puncture filling kit for around £15-25, depending on where you shop. These are more of a bandage that a cure but it will get you home or to a garage in safety without damaging the wheel and rims on your car.

You may also want to keep a tyre depth gauge on hand to make sure you’re within the legal limits. The law requires your tyre tread to have a minimum depth of 1.6mm so get yourself one of these little gadgets and stay within the kaw.

Spares

I know some people who either have no spare of use their old replaced tyre as their spare. Not advisable. When it comes to keeping the spare you should always have one that is in brand new condition.

When I got my new car it came with one of those space saver tyres which I immediately replaced with a real one. The space savers are good for emergencies but personally I would rather trust swap it for the real thing.

Pressure and Alignment

Having low air pressure puts a lot of extra stress on the tyres and can lead to your tracking being knocked out of alignment which just leads to a costly trip to the garage.

Checking your tyre pressure is very easy to do with a generic tyre pub or a trip to your local petrol station that has an air pump.

All of these are things I imagine you already know but it is always good to have a refresh. These tips will work for both the tow car and your caravan or motorhome.

Driving habits will ultimately be the deciding factor in how long your tyre will last. Bad habits like overloading the van or not staying on top of the condition of what you are driving on will see you changing things up more often.

Shrewsbury Resort Team Up To Provide Luxury Stay For Wildlife

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By Willam Coleman

Two top award winning companies in Shropshire are forming an alliance to create dual wildlife areas for animals to live in safety where guests can relax and bird watch.

Love2Stay caravanning and luxury glamping resort in Shrewsbury has partnered with CJ Wildlife at nearby Upton Magna to introduce two bird feeding stations and a new insect habitat for a butterfly and bee garden.

Keen to incorporate wildlife into the resort to provide nature and wildlife experiences and information for customers, Love2Stay will also be introducing bird and insect identification charts to help people of all ages to observe, learn and engage with nature.

A children’s activity pack will also include information about birds, mammals, butterflies, bees, bugs and pond life.

The new partnership is tied in with the ethos of Love2Stay, which is to provide families with an escape where they have a digital detox, engage with nature and get children playing outside in the fresh air.

Chris Skitt, Love2Stay’s joint general manager, said: “We are pleased to be teaming up with CJ Wildlife to introduce two bird feeding stations and a new insect habitat to promote wildlife in communal areas at the resort.

“This will raise children’s awareness of what to look out for not only during their stay but when they are back home. The resort’s ethos is to get children and adults outdoors and engaging with nature.

“It’s really important to get children off their i-pads and computer games to embrace the beautiful countryside surrounding them here in Shropshire.”

CJ Wildlife, one of the UK’s leading specialist suppliers of garden bird and wildlife products with a range of food, habitats and care products, is keen to support and work with local businesses and those who share an ethos for conservation and nature.

The company has more than 30 years’ experience working alongside ornithologists and wildlife experts researching and developing a range of wildlife products to help people attract and care for more wildlife in their gardens and outside spaces.

Collaborations with partners aims to educate the public and raise awareness of wildlife care and how everyone can make and feel a positive difference by giving back to nature. Particular focus is on reaching younger audiences and inspiring wildlife champions of the future.

“With such extensive grounds promoting the outdoors, family time and well being, Love2Stay is a perfect match to promote a connection with nature and CJ Wildlife is very pleased to be working with the resort’s team,” said Rachel Schofield, CJ Wildlife’s sales and marketing coordinator.

“Simply engaging with wildlife through observing their day to day routine has many health benefits and learning how to interact and care for wildlife makes a noticeable contribution to conservation.

“Through our partnership we can attract more wildlife to the resort and share information with customers on how to enjoy wildlife whilst at home or away.”

Travelwolrd 2020 Preview

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By William Coleman

It has been less than a week since the end of the Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham and it seems Travelworld are not stopping when it comes to displaying their luxury motorhome to the masses.

Early next month at the Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld will be hosting an exclusive event for customers. From Friday 8th November – Sunday 10th November customers are invited to pop open the fizz and celebrate Travelworld’s preview of the new Hymer, Dethleffs, Carado and Niesmann+Bischoff 2020 models.

The Stafford based dealer will be revealing a number never before seen models from the Hymer Group. On top of that they will also be giving away 15 Dometic Mobicool boxes to the first 15 motorhome purchasers over the weekend.

The 2020 Hymer models include the new front wheel drive Tramp S and the new BML model, built on top of the fantastic new Mercedes-Benz chassis. The Tramp models feature new layouts with face-to-face lounge area, the new Hymer Exsis 580 with a complete new interior design will also be on display.

Niesmann+Bischoff’s new Arto 82E is featuring at the show, along with the new Dethleffs Globline 2020 model and the new Carado Van range.

Sales manager Nick Barker said: “We’re really excited to exhibit all the new 2020 models. With each brand diversifying, and really paying attention to what customers want, it’s difficult not to find a motorhome for everyone.

This year, we’re seeing a lot of new vehicles on the latest Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Chassis, but Fiat has also launched new updates on its chassis with a brand new 9 speed automatic transmission, which has already proved popular at this year’s NEC show.”

The three-day preview event offers exceptional ‘open event deals’ on all models, complimentary refreshments and motorhome test drives. The Hymer Group specialists also welcome any part-exchange vehicles.

Free Club Membership With New Adria Vans

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By William Coleman

Recently two major companies within the caravan and motorhome have come together to help boost sales and memberships respectively. Last week, just before the NEC Motorhome and Caravan Show, it was announced that the UK caravan, campervan and motorhome manufacturer Adria is now offering a year’s free membership to the Caravan and Motorhome Club to all customers who purchase a new vehicle.

There are a lot of new people joining the world of caravan and motorhome holidays and having a Club membership can make navigating through holiday destinations a heck of a lot easier. Now you get an automatic membership with a new Adria which is just another reason to get into the life.

Being a member of the Club only costs £52 a year, £1 a week, and provides members access to 2700 sites across the UK and many countries around the globe. I have stayed at lots of sites both here in the UK and affiliated sites in Europe and you can always depend on them to provide clean sites close to lots of sites, landmarks and fun days out.

On top of the obvious perks of site access and holiday ideas you can benefit from tons of member discounts, expert and industry advice as well as overseas travel services and insurances.

Brian Morgan, Head of Communications & Events for the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “We are so pleased to be partnering with Adria. They make high-quality vehicles for getting out on the open road and exploring the great outdoors, and it’s great to be able to enable their customers to access our network of sites and benefit from the added value that Club membership provides.”

Slavica Sterk, Managing Director from Adria said: “We know how excited our customers are to get out and start making the most of their new vehicle and so being able to offer them free Caravan and Motorhome Club membership is a brilliant added extra. The Club offers so many sites and benefits that there is something to please all interests and budgets.”

More and more often now you are seeing companies team up to help push things forward and get more people into vans and on site. It is interesting to see so many companies align themselves with the Caravan and Motorhome Club and I am looking forward to seeing what the next team up will look like.

Broad Lane Leisure At The NEC

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By William Coleman

This week I got the chance to catch up with the Broad Lane Leisure team to find out a bit more about the company and what they are displaying at the show. I actually found out a couple of things that I had no idea about, which is what makes meeting dealers at the NEC so great.

The NEC brings together every dealer, manufacturer and supplier of the caravan and motorhome all under one roof, which can be quite daunting for visitors. One dealer I would suggest visiting is Broad Lane Leisure .

This midlands based leisure vehicle company is a family run business that has been providing their customers with both caravans and motorhomes for 50 years! Over that time they have become no stranger to award wins for their special editions models and actually created the first ever dealer special.

Over the past 5 decades this family business has been supplying a loyal customer base, some of which have been buying from them for over 40 years, with all of the touring needs. From awnings and accessories to award winning vehicles that can only been found at Broad Lane’s two sites, they really are a one stop shop for your “staycation”.

Broad Lane also want to share some vital tips and advice for anyone buying, or thinking of buying at the show. And I must say the advice really is worth its weight in gold and may just end up saving you a few bob and a rather long headache.

Broad Lane’s Managing Director, Darren Brown, is enthusiastic about the touring world, which is something he attributes to the success of the company. They genuinely do love and care about the caravan holiday and everything that goes with it, which I am sure you will see in the interview we did with them this week at the Motorhome and Caravan show.

Customise Your Way With Autohaus At The NEC

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By William Coleman

The October Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC is a one stop shop for all things touring and has everything from pop up ice buckets to bus sized motorhomes. One section that gets larger each year is the camper vans so we catch up with one company who can customise a camper from the ground up.

The campervan market is at an all time high and the NEC show is one of the best places to see them. During my first October show in 2017 I interviewed one of the team at Autohaus Campers who are experts at fully customising their vehicles. After two years I decided to have a follow up interview so see what is new in the world of camper conversion.

The best thing about their service is the attention to detail they pay on every van they build. There is not one part of the build you cannot have input on. Each part of every camper is fully customisable and the team will be with you every step of the way so your final product is the one you dreamed about.

Make sure to visit their stand and at the NEC to see the very impressive lineup they have brought with them.

Making Money And Winter Touring With Camplify

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By William Coleman

Letting your van pay for itself and generate you extra income seems like a no brainer, especially with the off season well and truly in force. We caught up with the Camplify team at the NEC to get some hints on getting away in winter and how you can monetise your leisure vehicle.

Camplify are a peer to peer platform where you can list and rent caravans, motorhomes and statics. As an owner listing your vehicle you can make the van pay for itself or have it earn you some extra pocket money for a rainy day.

This week at the show you can visit the Camplify stand and find out, with their brand new price calculator, just how much extra cash you can take home by listing with them.

As well as being the AirBnb or the caravan world they are also touring holiday experts who have a wealth of knowledge on seasonal touring. They have some keen advice for winter touring, just in the nick of time too.

To find out more you can visit them at the NEC Motorhome and Caravan Show this week or visit them directly at Camplify.co.ukl.

Apps And Automation With Oyster Sat Tech At The NEC

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By William Coleman

The world of technology is an ever changing one and the caravan world is moving along with it. As the world of on demand, automation and entertainment technology moves in leaps and bounds Oyster stay up to date and innovative to provide you with the easiest TV set up on the market.

When it comes to on board entertainment TV will always be king. Yes, there is streaming but the data does not go a long way, costs an absolute fortune and is only as good as the 3G/4G the area provides. When it comes to satellite connection you really do have to go out of your way for it not to work.

There are some that still feel that a satellite system can only work with a Sky Box with a subscription and is overly technical to use. This may have been true 15 years ago but the tech world has moved light years away from that.

With Oyster systems it really is all about ease of use and automation. You do not need to keep taking your Sky box out of the house, unless you really want to keep up with their specific programming which is very simple to do with an Oyster system. They have a one button system which means all you need to do is turn it on and the dish and box does the rest of the work for you.

In keeping up with things Oyster have now developed a brand new app which makes your on board TV needs even easier. The app will let you know when the system needs an update which it will organise for you, all you will need to do is connect the phone to the system via bluetooth while you sit on the sofa and relax.

Buying a van with an Oyster system will remove any long winded set up and now with the app that does the other half of the job for you it really does make for an easy and relaxing evening in the van.

Get Away Your Way With The Caravan And Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

With so many offers and services provided by the Caravan and Motorhome Club you really can take any holiday you want and do it exactly your way.

The Club can help you with every aspect of any holiday you want to take. They can help with sites, overseas trips, insurance, ferry crossings and a whole lot more. So make the most of your Club membership and get away your way.

Those looking to banish the winter blues in sunnier climes should look no further than a European getaway with the Caravan and Motorhome Club. With a year-round warmer climate and sites from just £12.61 a night, Spain and Portugal are great destinations for a winter caravan, campervan or motorhome break.
Here are the Club’s top picks for enjoying some winter sun:

Spain

Altomira

Set on a hillside in the rolling Valencian countryside, the Altomira site is a peaceful spot that’s perfect for nature lovers. Visitors looking to explore the stunning Spanish countryside will enjoy the many cycling and walking routes that are easily accessible from the site. Valencia, best known for its charming architecture and paella, is just a train ride away. Prices start from £12.61* per night for two people sharing a pitch.

Cabopino

Close to a beautiful beach and marina, the Cabopino site is great for those after a beachside break. The famous resort town of Marbella is a short drive away, with many popular beach clubs, restaurants and bars to be enjoyed. A heated indoor pool is open all year round, and the site organises excursions to other popular nearby locations, including Seville and Gilbraltar. Prices start from £19.14* per night for two people sharing a pitch.

Bonterra Park

The site at Bonterra Park is known for its fantastic social activities, which continue throughout the winter season, with quiz nights and Spanish cookery and language classes all on offer. The picturesque town of Benicassim is just a ten-minute walk away, with sandy beaches and the beautiful Desert de ls Palmes Natural Park. Keen cyclists can enjoy the many cycling routes close to the site. Prices start from £18.02* per night for two people sharing a pitch.

Half Term Adventures With The Caravan And Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

From quaint villages in the Cotswolds to the rugged Jurassic Coast, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has sites in some of the UK’s most beautiful destinations. With Club membership starting at just £52 a year and sites available from just £28.20 per night for a family of four, the only tricky decision families need to make is where to enjoy their budget half term break.

Here is a round-up of the top places to visit this October with the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Club’s glamping arm, Experience Freedom:

Touring with the Caravan and Motorhome Club

Cirencester

Where could be better for a half term family break than the ‘Capital of the Cotswolds’? Cirencester sits in the heart of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and makes a great base for enjoying all the Cotswolds has to offer. Families can wander through the ‘wolds’, explore honey-coloured villages and enjoy sampling local produce at the many markets. Cirencester has plenty to keep little ones entertained, with the Corinium Museum and the Cirencester Treasure Trail. The Cotswolds Wildlife Park is also a short drive away.

Stay at Cirencester Park Club Site, where prices start at £28.20 per night for two adults and two children sharing a standard pitch. Set in Grade 1 listed parkland, there are a number of stunning walks to take from the site, including routes into Cirencester itself, as well as a playground and a large dog field.

Devon

Families looking for coastal charm and culture will love south Devon. Brixham and the surrounding areas boast a huge range of activities, with something to do no matter the weather. Kids can brave the October chill and go crabbing in Dartmouth, or learn all about Tudor history whilst they explore a replica of the Golden Hind in Brixham. There are also a wide range of museums and art galleries in the area, perfect for budding culture vultures. Woodlands Family Park in Dartmouth is home to exciting theme park rides, a zoo farm and lots more for both big and little kids to enjoy. Its annual Hallooscream event is back for 2019, and throughout half term kids can scream their way around the Ghost Farm and carve spooky pumpkins.

Stay at the Hillhead Caravan Club Site, where prices start at £33.60 per night for two adults and two children sharing a standard pitch. Hillhead is one of the most impressive family-inclusive campsites in the country. With a huge range of on-site facilities, including a newly refurbished playground and play area, games room and restaurant, there really is something for everyone. Nearby activities also include a pitch & putt, tennis & fishing, which makes the area great for active families and competitive siblings!

Cambridgeshire

Those looking for an idyllic countryside break without heading too far from a city will love spending a half term break in beautiful Cambridgeshire. Peterborough is perfectly located for exploring the Cambridgeshire countryside. Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre, a lovely spot outside of the city with a working mill, farm animals and walking trails, is running its annual ‘scarewell’ Halloween event during the half term. Kids and adults alike will love picking pumpkins and visiting the infamous Farmhouse of Horror. Peterborough itself is full of family-friendly activities, including ice skating, theatres and the spectacular Peterborough Cathedral.

Stay at the Ferry Meadows Club Site, where prices start from £31.10 per night for two adults and two children sharing a standard pitch. Well placed in a country park, the site has access to all the park’s facilities, including off-road cycling, walking trails and a lake. The onsite playground is huge, with climbing equipment, tunnels and bridges that are suitable for kids of all ages. The bustling city of Peterborough and its many amenities are just three miles away.

Dorset

Dreamy Dorset is home to miles of beautiful coastland and countryside, as well as plenty of family attractions. Corfe Castle is a wonderful day out for the entire family, take a walk through the beautiful castle grounds, or head into the castle remains and learn all about the English civil war. The castle has plenty of exciting events planned for over the half term break, including a teddy bear Great Escape. Any visitor to Dorset should take time to explore the stunning Jurassic Coast, with particular highlights at Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.

Stay at the Hunter’s Moon Club Site, where prices start from £33.10 per night for two adults and two children sharing a standard pitch. Nestled against the beautiful Wareham Forest the site is a peaceful base for exploring all that Dorset has to offer. An on-site play area and playground are great for kids, and there is a fenced dog walk to keep four legged friends happy. Novelist Thomas Hardy’s birthplace, Higher Bockhampton, is a short drive from the site, and the nearby market town of Wareham holds frequent farmers markets – perfect for stocking up on snacks!
Glamping with Experience Freedom

For a half term holiday with a difference, book a luxurious glamping break at one of Experience Freedom’s beautiful sites from just £69 per night.

Abbey Wood

London isn’t often thought of as a glamping hot spot, but the Experience Freedom site at Abbey Wood is enough to change anyone’s mind. Nestled in wooded grounds in the Borough of Greenwich, visitors to the site are able to enjoy the best of the city away from the hustle and bustle. There’s plenty of green space in the area to explore, including Greenwich Park and Mudchute Farm and Park. Further afield, the site is well-located so families have easy access to London’s best attractions, including the iconic London Eye, ZSL London Zoo and the theatres of the West End.

Stay in one of the site’s trendy Airstream trailers. Airstreams feature a luxury kitchen, bathroom facilities and entertainment system and sleep up to four people (two adults and two children). Airstream hire at Abbey Wood starts from £69 per night (minimum two night stay) between 21 and 24 October.

Brighton

Bustling Brighton has the best of both worlds – an exciting seaside city and luscious countryside. The Brighton Club Site is set within the spectacular South Downs, with a huge number of walking trails available from the site itself. Brighton city centre is just two miles away from the site, with a range of activities perfect for any weather. The infamous Brighton Palace Pier brings hours of fun to both big and little kids, and the twisting alleys of the Lanes make for a shoppers’ paradise.

Coniston Park Coppice

Lying by the waters of the stunning Coniston Water in the heart of the Lake District, Coniston Park Coppice is the perfect off-the-beaten track half-term getaway. The Lakes are notable for their huge range of trails and tracks, with the highest peak in England, Scafell Pike, as the jewel of the area. Further afield, the The World of Beatrix Potter is great for keeping little ones busy on a rainy day, and Wray Castle in Windermere has both indoor and outdoor fun.

Stay in a contemporary glamping pod at either Brighton or Coniston Park Coppice from £89 per night (minimum two-night stay) between 21 and 24 October. Glamping pods sleep up to four people (two adults and two children) and feature simple cooking appliances, essential tech and an en-suite, as well as an all-important outside box for muddy boots!

Brand New Member Offers From The Caravan And Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

Many people are aware that Caravan and Motorhome Club membership offers access to over 2700 quality sites in the UK and overseas. However, not everyone is aware of the range of offers, specially created to reduce the cost of the ultimate holiday adventure, that are included in the membership fee of just £52 per year.

The Club is constantly launching new offers, covering a wide range of interests and activities, and its most recent new deals include:

Jaguar Land Rover – Save up to 24% off the stylish Jaguar XE and XF, plus up to 10% off capable towcars Land Rover Discovery and Discovery Sport

National Tyres and Autocare – Free safety checks and save 5% off tyres, 50% off MOT and 20% off autocare including batteries, breaks, exhausts and much more at the UK’s largest independent tyre and autocare specialist

ViewRanger – the world-leading walking, hiking and outdoor app helps people plan, track, and share activities. Members receive a seven-day free trial and 12% discount on PREMIUM + Ordnance Survey Maps subscription

One of the most popular offers is the Pump-King Fuel Card, which enables members to save on average 8p per litre on premium diesel or unleaded fuel and 5p per litre on standard diesel or unleaded fuel at all Esso petrol stations. That’s a typical saving of £5.60 per tank on premium fuel or £3.50 on standard fuel (based on a 70-litre tank of fuel). Not only will the Pump-King Fuel Card save members money at the more than 1,300 Esso stations across the UK, but it’s free – there is no sign-up fee, no transaction fee and no processing fee. Plus, members can earn Nectar Clubcard points when filling up.

The Club also offers some exceptional car offers with a number of manufacturers inspiring members to embark on their next road trip with the very latest make and model.

Here are just some of the great deals to choose from:

Save on Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2020 winners including £3,983.75 on the Volvo XC40 D4 R-Design Pro AWD and £5,235 on the Volvo V60 D4 AWD Cross Country Plus

Save over £5,600 on a brand new Hyundai Santa Fe Premium SE Automatic

16% discount plus a free fitted tow bar on all new Mitsubishi Shogun Sport models

SsangYong offers a free fixed towbar and electrics on selected models

Other examples of the Club’s offers include:

Save an exclusive 20% at Roadchef including Costa, Fresh Food Cafe or Restbite

Save 10% on a caravan motor mover. Witter Towbars and Westfalia Automotive UK
have partnered with leading manufacturer Purple Lines to offer this discount to Club members

Purple Lines’ enduro and e-go caravan motor movers come with a five-year warranty and are fitted to the highest standard by a professional installer

Members receive a free remote control worth £200 when purchasing a motorhome kit from E&P Hydraulics. The self-levelling system enables drivers to get their motorhome perfectly level and stable at the touch of a button

Save up to £40 on a TyrePal Tyre Pressure Monitoring System which continuously monitors the pressure and temperature of your tyres whilst you are driving and gives clear visual and audible alerts should anything start to go wrong

Outdoor adventurers can re-style their holiday wardrobe and save up to 15% off with both Cotswold Outdoor and Mountain Warehouse

Save up to 10% on car hire with Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Save 10% on Raleigh bikes

Save 4% with Sainsbury’s Everyday Shopping Card