Oyster Sat Tec At The NEC- What Makes A Good Satellite System

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By William Coleman

On board entertainment is big business and there are a lot of different options out there on the market. As technology changes the on board entertainment system begin to change also. Smart TVs and internet streaming seem to be rising in popularity, but is this a future proof method?

There was a time when keeping yourself entertained when it was either raining or the night time consisted of a good book or board game. Now on sites across the world it seems as though that has become a thing of the past for many people.

There are still a lot who do partake in the old pastimes but the world of touring and entertainment has changed as people want those on board creature comforts so they can go further for longer.

As streaming TV becomes one of the most dominant media platforms on earth we are seeing the impact in the caravan world. A lot of people have invested in a smaller sized SmartTV, iPad and laptops to watch their favourite shows while on tour. But is this a cost effective way of keeping yourself entertained?

This week at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show we caught up with Oyster-Sat Tech’s Managing Director, Julian Preston, to discuss how a satellite is still the king of touring TV solutions.

After speaking with Julian I realised that as fun and easy as streaming can be it really is not an alternative to satellite. Julian raised a lot of interesting points, many of which I think a lot of people may not actually realise. If you are streaming READ THE SMALL PRINT, as you may just spent a fair bit more than you bargained on.

UKCC Reveal Holiday Parks and Campsites Generate £9.3 Billion

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By William Coleman

The holiday sector has always been known for its high income generation for all involved. We are now seeing the caravan world bring in some serious revenue as an independent report, titled ‘Pitching the Value’, is the first time holiday parks and campsites across the UK have been analysed to show the value of the sector to the nation’s economy.

Holiday parks and campsites around the UK generate £9.3bn in visitor expenditure and support 171,448 full-time employees, a major report reveals today.

‘Pitching the Value’, which focuses on the economic impact of the sector together with the health and wellbeing benefits of such holidays, was carried out by Frontline Consultants on behalf of the UK Caravan and Camping Alliance (UKCCA). The alliance is an umbrella group comprising The National Caravan Council, The Camping and Caravanning Club, the Caravan and Motorhome Club, and the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.

Bob Hill, who led the UKCCA joint working group, said: “This is a groundbreaking report that clearly demonstrates the important benefits to the economy brought by the UK’s many holiday parks and campsites.

“Pitching the Value will help the industry attract more investment and ultimately improve opportunities for it to grow, develop and create new jobs. Our findings reinforce the importance of holiday parks and campsites to the country’s tourism economy.

That will help us to improve holidaymakers’ on-site experiences and choice, which in turn will also attract more overseas visitors to these shores.”

Holiday park and campsite operators also support local communities through capital and operating expenditure, and wages. Nearly half of those companies and organisations that took part in the report cumulatively spend nearly £303 million per year in this way.

The research also found they engage with local communities through support for events such as fundraising activities, participate in recycling and environmental initiatives, and promote healthy active lifestyles in the great outdoors through pastimes such as walking and cycling.

The four sponsoring organisations of the UKCCA own or are affiliated to 6,243 holiday parks and campsites across the UK with a combined total of 438,076 pitches. Those sites offer holidaymakers a diverse range of accommodation such as touring pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, rented holiday homes, lodges, and chalets, plus glamping units like tipis and yurts, together with a wide selection of on-site facilities.

Bob added: “We want to use this compelling evidence to ensure key influencers and decision-makers support the development and growth of our industry at a national, regional and individual business level for the benefit of our economy and for holidaymakers themselves.”

The Caravan and Motorhome Club represents the interests of about one million caravan, motorhome, campervan and trailer tent owners across the UK. Founded in 1907, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has a wealth of experience and prides itself on offering great value and high quality sites for tourers.

The Club offers members over 2,700 sites in the UK and overseas as well as glamping pods, yurts, camping pods, tent camping plus a motorhome and Airstream hire scheme available to non-members through its Experience Freedom operation.

Camper Van Insurance From The Caravan And Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

The market growth of camper vans is undeniable. It seems as though a lot of younger people are opting for a camper to be their primary vehicle Monday to Friday and their home away from home on the weekends. Now the Caravan and Motorhome Club has redefined its campervan insurance product.

Designed for the more spontaneous habits of many campervanners, the Club’s campervan insurance enables them to set off in their beloved vehicle to the UK and Europe for up to 365 days a year, safe in the knowledge they are fully insured.

With around 225,000 campervans and motorhomes in use in the UK, and over 30,000 members
owning a campervan, the Club is launching a new web page dedicated to campervanners and their insurance needs, promoting the key benefits of the scheme which retains 9 out of 10 members who renew their policy each year.

The exclusive Premium Saving Guarantee offered by the Caravan and Motorhome Club means that members taking out insurance for the first time will save at least £25 on any existing renewal if they’re insured elsewhere*.

New for old cover means if you bought your vehicle from new (and you are the first and only
registered keeper and legal owner of the vehicle) and it is stolen or written off while less than 24
months old, the policy will replace the vehicle with a brand new one, subject to availability.

And for those that don’t get to go away in their campervan as often as they would like, the Caravan and Motorhome Club offers a premium discount for low mileage.

Harvey Alexander, Marketing Director at the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “We know that a growing number of our members own campervans and we want to make sure we are catering to the needs of this expanding group.

We have carefully researched the travel habits of campervanners and ensured our insurance meets their distinct requirements, just as it does with motorhomes; campervan insurance now has its own dedicated web page on our site, with the benefits of the policy clearly laid out.”

Pro Tec Covers At The NEC

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By William Coleman

It seems that nowadays you can find a case or cover for just about every item you own. From the very small like a phone case to the weird and wonderful like a dog onesie. What about those more high value items like motorbikes, cars, caravans and motorhomes?

The caravan is a very unique vehicle for many reasons. The portable habitation van seems to be the target of both affection and vandalism in almost equal measures. So why not take some steps toward preventing anything nasty happening to your pride and joy by investing in a bespoke cover.

Pro Tec Covers are on hand at the NEC to help you safeguard your vehicles. They know that transporting a caravan does come with its own set of risks such as being damaged in transit by stones popping up from the road and general wear and tear.

There is nothing worse than setting up only to find that one of your very expensive windows has a nice big crack from a stone chip. Pro Tec have just the solution to prevent any unwanted surprises.

One thing that I firmly believe is that a cover is great crime deterrent. For reason beyond my comprehension the caravan is a flashing beacon for vandals and idiots alike. It seems as though they are also very popular among arsonists too, another baffling point.

A cover hides the caravan in plain site and makes it almost invisible to criminal element. If you are going to have your leisure vehicles stored out the front of your home under a cover most vandals will not want to spend the time removing covers out in the open.

So not only do Pro Tec covers protect you from the elements they will also keep your vans safe and sound when stored.

Their stand at the NEC show had a lot of traffic, I was surprised that I was able to grab one of the team to find out more about the family run company and their amazing range of products.

If you are visiting the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show this week be sure to visit stand 1208 in Hall 1 or directly online at http://www.pro-teccovers.co.uk/

Truma At The NEC- iNet And System Automation

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By William Coleman

Nowadays it seems as though the most advanced technology on the planet is available to everyone no matter where they are thanks to smartphone. Automation and advance tech has now found its way into caravans all thanks to the big brains working at Truma. How do they use their systems to make your life easier?

At home you can have a speaker that recognises your voice and will order you something from Amazon, you have a phone that record 4K footage and send it to a friend in a split second and you can even turn on a car without using a key. Gone are the days where you have to wait for weekend paper to see what was on at the cinema or buy a magazine to see what films are on Friday night.

So as technology evolves we are seeing the benefits in the caravan world. Certain companies, like Truma, are the front runners in making sure your caravan is up to date with all the mod cons to make your holiday time more comfortable.

Truma believe in automation and with this in mind they have developed several systems and apps that all work together to keep you living in comfort and luxury.

With their iNet System you can be fully automated and controll your on bored heating while you are out and about. So if it has been a particularly cold day out you can send a text message to and get the van toasty warm before you arrive. Nobody wants to sit and wait for the van to warm in the winter months.

Another great thing about Truma’s iNet System is that it is fully compatible with Alde systems so they are automative and cross brand compatible.

We caught up with Truma’s Managing Director, Martin Fitzpatrick, this week at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show to find out more about how Truma are bringing 21st century tech into leisure vehicles.

Matt Allwright Martin Dorey Kick Start The Caravan Camping And Motorhome Show

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By William Coleman

The NEC Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show in Birmingham is a super fun event. Myself and the CaravanTimes team get to spend the entire week at the show talking to all the dealer, manufacturers and other exhibitors about what they are displaying throughout the week, but the show has to start somewhere….

This year’s February show kicked off in style with everyone’s favourite high street crime fighter Matt Allwright and environmentally friendly chef Martin Dorey. The dynamic duo were on hand to officially get things started this week in Birmingham.

If you want a new new camper, motorhome, tent or caravan or if you simply want to see what’s new for 2019 you can you can see it all under one roof.

There is a lot to do and see this week at the NEC and both Matt and Martin are personally endorsing the show. So get to the NEC and make the most of your week and visit the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show.

From walk-in wardrobes to Juliet balconies – the ultimate luxury caravan unveiled

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By Emma Dodd

At this point in lockdown, most of us are dreaming of a caravan escape, but the levels of luxury that such a post-coronavirus holiday will look like are set to vary considerably.

While many people are contemplating booking a few nights away in their second-hand tourer or pondering the idea of hiring a motorhome, ParkDean Resorts has unveiled something in an entirely different league.

The holiday company is offering a range of 14 ft-wide static caravans with walk-in wardrobes and Juliet balconies, French doors and en suites.

With prices for these top-of-the range caravans starting at £72,495, it’s safe to say they’ll represent a level of comfort higher than many of us have at home, let alone when camping.

While a spokesperson for ParkDean described The Excellence range as “truly the cream of the crop and takes caravan ownership to the next level,” it’s not the most expensive option in its portfolio.

Prospective caravan owners can decide to put their money into the ultimate static caravan with the Lodge, starting at £99,995 with opportunities to go even higher.

Expect vaulted ceilings, kitchen islands and a bright, open-plan interior for that price tag.

If you can’t stretch to such dizzying heights, the Comfort range comes in at £40,495 and boasts 12 ft of space, as well as central heating and double-glazed windows.

All of these models come under ParkDean’s Luxury Range, which are a far cry from leaky tourer holidays that many Brits experienced as children.

The ParkDean spokesperson told the Express: “Expertly designed and furnished to a high standard, our Luxury Range offers a collection of extra-wide static caravans with added space, style and comfort in abundance.

“These contemporary holiday homes are guaranteed to provide ultimate indulgence for your family getaways.”

The Caravan And Motorhome Club Team Up With BBC

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By William Coleman

Two staples of being English, the BBC and caravnning, so it is only natural that the two would be combined to provide entertainment for the whole family this season.

Castle Howard will host the first BBC Countryfile Live event to be held in the North, the event linked to the BBC’s flagship rural affairs programme will take place from 15 – 18 August 2019 and the Caravan and Motorhome Club will host a temporary campsite for event visitors.

One of Britain’s most watched factual TV programmes comes to life in a four day showcase packed with features celebrating everything we love about the British countryside.

Countryfile Live Castle Howard will include a range of features including the Village Green, the Countryfile Main Stage featuring the programmes presenters, the Wildlife Zone, Farming in Action and The Livestock Zone.

The new event will represent the best of the northern countryside, in the county where presenter John Craven got his first break as a reporter on the Harrogate Advertiser. It’s guaranteed to be the best day out this summer!

Brian Morgan, the Caravan and Motorhome Club Head of Communications and Events said, “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with Countryfile Live, we know our members, and event visitors, will enjoy the temporary campsite which will enable them to spend their time leisurely visiting all the features at Castle Howard. We will also be offering Countryfile Live visitors the chance to try free motorhome manoeuvring sessions.”

Show Opening Times
Thursday 15 – Saturday 17 August – 09:00am – 18:30pm
Sunday 18 August – 09:00am – 17:30pm

Campsite Prices: There is a minimum 2 night stay and prices include up to 2 adults in the same camping unit. Additional adults will be charge £10 each per night. Caravan and Motorhome members receive exclusive discounts
Camping Pass: £42 per night (including 2 adults) plus transaction fee*
CAMC Members Camping Pass: £36.75 per night (including 2 adults) plus transaction fee*

*Minimum 2 night stay, booking fee is £1 per transaction. Camping pass price includes up to two adults and £2.50 postage and package fee applies

Opening Times
The campsite opens on Wednesday 14 August, a day before the show and closes on Monday 19 August.

To book tickets visit- www.caravanclub.co.uk/countryfile-live-campsite

Exclusive CAMC Member Show Tickets

Caravan and Motorhome members will be able to take advantage of the cheapest possible show ticket prices available. Offer is valid until 1 July 2019.
Adult: £14.95 | Child: £7.50 | Family (2 Adults 2 Children): £37.40

Dethleffs New 7 Berth Caravan

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By William Coleman

Having a big family usually leads to needing a larger caravan so you can make the most of your family’s holiday time. This new 7 berth caravan from German manufacturer Dethleffs provides a lot of accomodation without the hefty price tag.

This modern and cost effective series is aimed directly to larger families who want to extend their leisure time in comfort. Gone are the days of bringing a tent and having half the brood outside camping with the C’Go UP.

How do you fit 7 people comfortably inside a caravan without people top and tailing? You add two lift beds that are neatly concealed when not in use so as to make the living space that much more accessible. Compact living at its finest.

According to the “up and away” principle, the C’Go Up provides uncomplicated camping fun and, despite its manageable dimensions, offers plenty of space thanks to the easily stow-able pull-down bed above the seating group, and also an enormous headroom of 208 cm.

The smaller C’Go Up 465 KR hasa total length of just 683 cm, has four fixed beds and the option to convert the seating group under the pull down bed into a double bed if required.

The two transverse bunk beds in the bow may be loaded with up to 80 kg and have a length of 210 cm, so that adults could spend the night comfortably there. Also the lift bed with its 200 to 145 cm offers a lot of freedom of movement. The technically permissible maximum mass of this plan is 1,500 kg. If you are not satisfied with the 220 kg load , you can optionally load the vehicle up to 1.700 kg.

If you want to add more family and friends you can opt for the C’Go Up 525 KR. This model is the 7 berth that is total length of 7.57m. This model has been a great hit with children due to the separate bunk bed area that has been tailor made for the little ones. They even have their own seating area all to themselves which converts into an additional bed.

The lower bunk bed can be folded up and then used as storage space during the journey. Two spacious wardrobes also offer generous storage space . The technically permissible maximum mass of this family caravan is 1,600 kg. It can also be loaded up to 1,800 kg and then has a payload of more than 420 kg.

Both C’Go Up layouts are single axle, 230 cm wide, 271 cm high and have a 142 l fridge-freezer on board. Like the other c’go family members, they are captivating with their fresh and modern design, accentuated with upbeat colors and particularly popular with young couples and families.

I can see this being a winner for families who take away the kids, cousins and friends for weeks and weekends away all year round. Tons of space and sleeping space as well as keeping the whole family together. What’s not to love?

Campervan firm delivers virtual work experience to schoolchildren

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By Emma Dodd

A campervan conversion company has provided a local school with an innovative take on work experience during lockdown.

Jerba Campervans showed pupils at North Berwick High School the inner workings of the business during a video tour.

It showcased the skills and knowledge required to make bespoke campervans and the type of environment found in the workshop.

The firm’s current apprentices also created a video to demonstrate the paths they took to get into the industry and what their career outlooks are for the future.

This real-world experience is vital for youngsters who may not know where they’re heading and don’t necessarily want to go down the university route.

Gareth Jones, an apprentice at Jerba Campervans, said: “My friend worked here for a while and told me there was a position going, and so I applied and got the apprenticeship. I had no experience in this field beforehand. I just wanted to be in a job which enabled me to get hands-on.

“Everyone here is invested in the business, and this is partially down to the company being employee-owned, meaning there is a collective motivation to do the best we can each day.”

Setting up the digital work placement programme has been achieved by Gateway Shared Services to ensure pupils don’t miss out on valuable insight during lockdown.

Getting involved in the virtual work experience project is a continuation of Jerba Campervans’ commitment to offering placements to local school children.

It has been welcoming pupils with an interest in carpentry and vehicle conversions into its workshop since 2011 and will hopefully be able to do so again once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Jerba Campervans specialises in converting VW vans with a choice of five main types of transformations, which can then be customised by the mechanics and cabinet makers to fully suit the needs of the customer.

The Platinum Potty

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By William Coleman

We have all been faced with that nightmare scenario where we really need to toilet and then come face to face with a scene from a horror film. This can happen on planes, trains, pubs, clubs, bars and camp sites. Once such place where they guarantee a clean lavatory just took a top award for their clean efforts.

Donkey Creek Farm Caravan Park on Lancashire’s Fylde coast is officially one of the best place to “go” in Britain, according to judges of the annual Loo of the Year awards.

For the park’s washrooms have been named as top platinum winners in the latest Loo of the Year awards, bringing a chain of honour to the family-run business.

The prestigious accolade was made to Donkey Creek after the shower and toilet facilities provided for guests were “mystery shopped” by inspectors.

Celebrating the news of the award are Paul Lancaster and his wife Jane who opened the park last summer in a quiet rural location near the market town of Freckleton.

One of their first tasks was a built a state-of-the-art washroom facility for guests pitching up at the park with motorhomes, touring caravans and tents.Enabling them to spend a penny in five-star surroundings cost around a third of a million pounds – and has helped earn Donkey Creek a raft of glowing reviews.

And Paul and Jane also know that their success is not just a flash in the pan because, they say, advance bookings for 2019 are “way beyond our expectations”.

Although Donkey Creek is a new venture, the family has been involved with the parks industry in Lancashire for over half a century. It also owns long-established Lamaleach Park Estates near Lytham St Annes, a residential park which provides 120 park homes for people in or near retirement.

Donkey Creek, says Paul, was opened to cater for those seeking a high-quality location to pitch on the Fylde coast, close to both scenic countryside and its famous seaside resorts.The park’s spacious new facilities include large showers and drying areas, private family bathrooms, hairdryers, underfloor heating, and full access for people with limited mobility.

In addition to the platinum gong, inspectors also gave the washroom cleaning team a special certificate for the outstandingly high standards of cleanliness they maintain.

According to Paul, the washroom building simply mirrors what the park itself aspires to:

“Donkey Creek has a very special appeal to people who enjoy away-from-it-all holidays in gorgeous surroundings, and we’ve tried to provide the perfect backdrop for that,” he said.

“Our family feels very privileged to be able to live and work in this beautiful part of Lancashire, and it’s great to have our efforts acknowledged with an award like this,” added Paul.

The Loo of the Year awards have been running since 1987, and facilities are judged by inspectors against 101 criteria from the fixtures and fittings to overall standards of cleanliness.

Travelworlds 10 Year Partnership With Niesmann and Bischoff

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By William Coleman

A decade of success is being celebrated this year as Staffordshire- based Travelworld Motorhomes enter their 10th year of business as the UK’s sole distributor of Niesmann and Bischoff products.

The partnership started in March 2009 when the contract was signed at the factory in Polch, Germany ensuring that Travelworld was able to exhibit the new 2010 model year product for the first time at the 2009 NCC Motorhome and Caravan Show.

Speaking about Niesmann + Bischoff’s success, Ross Edwards, Managing Director of Travelworld said: “We were approached by the factory in the aftermath of the recession when they had lost their UK agent, the timing was perfect as we had also lost our main supplier in the USA for the same reason”.

“N+B had been on our radar for some time due to their similarities with the luxury brands that we had represented in the USA for so many years”. “We have always strived to work with the world’s most prestigious motorhome brands and of course, N+B are amongst the best in the world!”

Niesmann’s export manager Cecile Klärner said: “When Ross showed me their company for the first time back in March 2009, I was very impressed by Travelworld’s ability to deal with large luxury models, their qualified staff and high-end workshop equipment was also second to none.”

A decade later and Travelworld’s relationship with the high end prestigious brands has never been stronger. Their growing reputation within the UK market speaks for itself and their rise in popularity is second to none.

Cecile Klärner said: “In their family-run business customers are at the centre of their operation. Travelworld’s high motivation and professionalism are the key to their success in the UK.

“We never had any doubt about our decision 10 years ago to work exclusively with Travelworld in the United Kingdom. We are grateful for their faith in our products and we look forward to many more years ahead with the same enthusiasm as 10 years ago!”

Travelworld is looking to further the brand’s success in the UK with its new state-of-the-art dealership which has its grand opening this coming Monday, 18/02/19, in Telford. Which we will be attending, and yes we are rather excited.

Ross Edwards said: “Our previous site in Telford served us well and has enabled us to grow the Niesmann brand in the UK, since then we have grown considerably and recognised the need for a central location. Creswell Park is perfect for our continued growth and progress.”