Half-term caravan holidays: South East

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by Gemma Roskell

The south-east of England has been hailed as an ideal spot for caravanning holidays by the area’s tourism body.

Fran Downton, marketing and communications manager at Tourism South East, said many of the best caravanning and touring sites are located in the region.

She insisted that the area boasts some “stunning scenery” and offers a wide range of activities, including guided walks and biking tours.

“From stunning countryside to outstanding coastlines, the south-east is one of the richest parts of the country for a day out, short break or holiday,” she remarked.

“Discover the south’s ancient past, explore the region’s literary connections or get the blood pumping with an activity based pursuit.”

Some of the south-east’s biggest family tourist attractions include Legoland in Berkshire, Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey and Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent.

There are also numerous cultural attractions, such as Windsor Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, Blenheim Palace and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Camping & Caravanning Club site bookings up 20%

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by Gemma Roskell

Long-time caravan enthusiasts have known the benefits of touring holidays for years, but now it seems that many more people are catching on.

According to John Dale, publicity manager at the Camping and Caravanning Club, caravan breaks are becoming “extremely popular” among UK families.

He pointed out that club site bookings are already up by around 20 per cent this year compared to last year.

“It seems as though a lot of people are looking for a caravan holiday rather than travelling abroad,” he remarked.

The rising cost of aviation and the widespread disruption to flights in 2010 may have something to do with the trend.

However, Mr Dale also cited the “indifferent” weather abroad and the poor rates of exchange as other factors encouraging families to consider caravanning holidays in the UK over foreign trips.

Last week, Alicia Dunne, deputy director general of the National Caravan Council, also identified a growing trend for UK caravan breaks.

She said caravanning has become a particularly popular holiday choice for older people and those with children.

Anna Ryder Richardson to unveil industry’s ‘greenest ever’ caravan

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by Holly Tribe

Celebrity interior designer and eco-campaigner Anna Ryder Richardson is getting ready to unveil the caravan industry’s greenest ever holiday home.

Haven Holidays has commissioned a leading holiday home manufacturer, Willerby Holiday Homes, to design a new thermally efficient static caravan named ‘The Vision’. From the outside, it is similar to the company’s 50,000 strong fleet of static caravans, but on the inside, its creators have used a range of thermally efficient building materials resulting in a 45% decrease in gas and electricity running costs at huge benefit to the environment.

Peter White, sales and marketing director of Willerby explained ‘the insulation, including walls, ceilings and floors, provides similar layers of protection as bricks and mortar, taking the holiday home industry to a new level. ‘The Vision’ also includes double-glazing, 100% energy efficient lighting and water saving devices throughout.’

Stephen Twiss of Haven Holidays has been leading the project and explained the environmental benefits of holidaying closer to home.

“Owning a caravan on one of our parks is in itself a commitment to a sustainable holiday choice. We are confident that both new and existing Owners will opt for the advanced eco-benefits of ‘The Vision’, saving costs and further minimising their impact on the environment.’

Former star of Changing Rooms Anna will be officially unveiling the new holiday home at the Boat & Caravan Show on Saturday 26th February. She now runs a conservation-led zoo and is a passionate campaigner for environmental issues.

Highlighting the need to provide domestic holidaymakers with sustainable and eco-friendly vacation alternatives she commented; “Holidaying in the UK is not only fun but it’s also better for our carbon footprint. I love the idea of taking this one step further by buying a caravan that has such low impact on the environment.’

Catch Anna unveiling ‘the Vision’ on Stand 3215 at the Boat & Caravan Show on Saturday 26th February at Birmingham’s NEC.

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Half-term caravan holidays: York

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners planning their next breaks may find that York has plenty to offer, particularly for active families.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of Visit York, said the ancient walled city is a “vibrant” and “exciting” place with an “unrivalled historic backdrop”.

She pointed out that York has a variety of “world class” visitor attractions such as the Jorvik Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum.

It is also home to numerous independent stores and high quality restaurants for those who simply enjoying browsing the shops and trying out local foods.

There are several caravan parks near York where families can pitch up for a weekend or longer.

For example, the Naburn Lock Caravan and Camping Park is just four miles from the centre of the city, while the Beechwood Grange Caravan Club Site just a five-minute drive from the nearest park-and-ride facility.

Other top York attractions include the famous York Minster, the York Dungeons and the medieval street commonly known as the Shambles.

National Caravan Council: why caravanning is attractive to families and `grey tourists`

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanning has become a particularly popular holiday option for families and older people, according to the National Caravan Council.

Alicia Dunne, deputy director general of the organisation, said the staycation trend has definitely added to the appeal of caravan breaks in recent years.

She said UK holidays look to remain popular for the third year in a row as travellers shun air travel disruption and expensive foreign exchange rates.

“The value that caravanning can offer is definitely attractive to both the family market and the ‘grey tourist’ in difficult economic times,” Ms Dunne
remarked.

She pointed out that increased costs, strikes and cancellations have put many families off flying.

Meanwhile, the pound is still comparatively week against the euro, while the overall cost of holidaying on the continent has risen.

“This all makes holidaying in the UK a more attractive option, especially for short breaks,” Ms Dunne insisted.
And she said that the facilities many UK caravan parks now offer enable families to enjoy a lot of the same activities they would abroad.

“Many parks have made their short-break offer more attractive, with themed breaks, top class entertainment and a range of activities for all that are not fair weather dependent,” she stated.

Winchcombe: the ideal caravan site for Cheltenham Gold Cup celebrations

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners planning a day at the races during the Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival are being invited to stay at one of the Camping and Caravanning Club’s sites.

Winchcombe is just a 20-minute drive from Cheltenham racecourse and is home to 96 quality camping and caravanning pitches.

Cheltenham 2011 will be taking place from March 15th to 18th, with the Centenary Day taking place first, followed by Ladies Day, St Patrick’s Day and Gold Cup Day, so there will be plenty for everyone to enjoy.

As the Camping and Caravanning Club pointed out, Winchcombe is ideally situated just nine miles from the centre of the horse racing action.

And with the 2011 festival being the event’s 100th year, it is sure to be a popular one, so caravan owners are advised to book their pitches soon.

Mike Nicholas, a spokesman for the Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “Winchcombe is in a great area for exploration, and the Gold Cup is one of many activities you can enjoy during your stay. We look forward to welcoming you.”

Towcar insurance reminder for caravanners

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners who keep a separate car for towing should be mindful of a new law being rolled out this spring.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is reminding motorists that soon they will have to keep their car insured at all times.

Only those who have notified the body that their vehicle is being kept off the road will be exempt from having to pay for insurance.

This means those who at present only insure their vehicle when they intend to drive it, such as during caravanning holidays, will have to secure insurance all year round, unless they make a statutory off road notification.

The aim of the new law is to crack down on uninsured motorists who, according to the DVLA, add around £30 to the average honest driver’s insurance premium.

Neil Drane, a spokesman for the Motor Insurers Bureau, said: “The change in law is a stepping up of enforcement activity, so that not only those vehicles driven without insurance will be caught.

“Now the registered keeper must make sure that their vehicle is insured all the time. And if it is, then they need not be concerned.”

Fifth Wheel Co. to launch first ever slide-out caravan

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by Holly Tribe

Specialist caravan manufacturer Fifth Wheel Company is preparing to launch the UK’s first ever caravan with a slide-out section.

The slide-out technology has been used in their existing ranges of fifth wheelers for nearly a decade, but it will be the first time it has been seen in a ‘traditional’ touring caravan. The launch will take place on Tuesday 22nd February, the first day of Boat and Caravan Show 2011 at the NEC in Birmingham.

Click here for our full review of the Inos

Caravan designers often have to battle with the age old problem of creating a decent living space whilst still adhering to legal towing limits. This extra compartment offers an innovative solution by increasing the internal floor space by a whopping three squared metres once it has been pitched.

Operations director Adrian Parry-Jones explained that the firm has been approached on numerous occasions about incorporating the slide-out design seen in their fifth wheelers on a conventional caravan.

“We are constantly asked why a slide-out hasn’t been introduced before on an UK caravan model. With our experience in manufacturing fifth wheel tourers we now have the technology to make this a feature for the caravan market.”

The firm initially imported American fifth-wheel type tourers and adapted them for the UK market, before they began to design and build their own models in 2002.

Details of internal finishes and the overall design are being kept a closely guarded secret until the launch at the Boat & Caravan Show next week, but the firm has revealed that ‘the new caravan will have a very high-specification finish both internally and externally. ‘

Check back soon for full details on this exciting new model from Fifth Wheel Company.

Interior designer makes over caravans at Haven Holiday park

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by Gemma Roskell

Interior designer Anna Ryder Richardson gave caravan owners in South Wales a few tips on decorating their units last week.

The former Changing Rooms presenter arrived at the Haven Holidays site Kiln Park in Tenby to help holidaymakers make over their caravans.

According to the Tenby Observer, she used cushions, throws, new bed linen and decorative touches such as candles and dried flowers to show how adding a few personal touches can really help to create a home from home.

“We had a lot of fun making the caravans look so welcoming,” said Kiln Park’s general manager Andy Such.

The site is a four-star park with a level touring area offering 130 pitches, including landscaped hard-standing super pitches.

Ms Richardson worked her magic on some of Kiln Park’s static holiday caravans, but there’s no reason why touring caravan owners can’t achieve a similar look by changing their upholstery, curtains and other decorative features.

Caravanners urged to carry out basic tow car maintenance

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravan owners may not be taking tow car maintenance as seriously as they should if a new survey is anything to go by.

According to research by Sainsbury’s Car Insurance, one in five motorists do not carry out regular basic checks of their vehicles.

Checking tyre tread depths is one of the tasks most likely to be forgotten, with just 38 per cent of drivers checking their tyres on a monthly basis.

Furthermore, less than half carry out a regular inspection of their water coolant level, even though it is essential to prevent the engine from overheating.

Other checks likely to be neglected include the condition of the windscreen wipers and lights, the oil and screen wash levels and the tyre pressure.

Sainsbury’s Car Insurance spokesman Ben Tyte said: “It’s simple, straightforward and requires just a few minutes to carry out basic checks.

“Doing so will give you peace of mind that your car is in a good condition and safe to be on the road.”

Five great caravans for couples

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by Holly Tribe

In case the recent onslaught of flowers and balloons on local supermarket shelves had escaped you, it’s Valentine’s Day! And in the spirit of all things romantic, we’ve had a look around at some of the brilliant caravan designs to cater specifically to his ‘n’ hers touring.

So if you enjoy nothing better than packing up your tourer and heading off into the sunset with your significant other, here are some great caravans, old and new, for making the most of your hobby together.

Coachman Pastiche 460/2

Renowned for their practical layouts, Coachman Caravans have delivered a cracker of a twin berther in the Pastiche 460/2. Providing the ultimate in flexible living, you can choose to convert the front dinette into a comfortable double bed or use it as twin singles depending on your individual needs. There’s even a bespoke cocktail cabinet to stash a bottle of bubbly for special occasions.


AS Caravans Grosvenor
Perhaps the ultimate in luxury touring, relative newcomers to the market AS Caravans launched the two berth Grosvenor layout in 2010. As with the Pastiche, the front dinette converts into a spacious double bed and a well though out lighting scheme can be set to create that all important romantic ambience.


Lunar Clubman SI
Dubbed the masters of ‘lightweight luxury’ Lunar Caravans offer something special in the Clubman SI. There’s a practical kitchen, and plenty of high spec inclusions on the kit list, but the real treat is the sleeping area. The award winning layout was reconfigured for the 2011 season and now houses a transverse island bed next to a spacious rear end washroom that runs the width of the caravan.


Hymer Nova SL 470
With its clutter free approach to interior design, the two berth Hymer Nova SL 470 has deep curved overhead lockers creating plenty of space in this European offering. Pearl grey and silver exterior walls subtly set it apart from the madding crowd. With an inboard water tank, it’s a good option for couples that like to tour throughout the winter months.

Sprite Alpine 2

The Sprite Caravans have been in production for well over fifty years and it is one of the oldest brands of touring caravans still in production today. This entry level range from the Swift Group offers affordable touring with a sense of history. The twin bunks and spacious rear end washroom in the Sprite Alpine 2 should make this a popular choice with couples.

Do you have trouble booking caravan sites?

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by Marcus Dubois

Two summers ago I met a young family at a picturesque, out of the way caravan site. Nestled just within the M25, it felt like the heart of rural England, such was the tranquillity. The couple were the epitome of spontaneous caravanners: for weeks on end they would set off with their three-year old daughter and their rig to find a new pocket of Britain to explore. Yet they also revealed how picking a spot on the map and turning up was becoming increasingly difficult. Their favourite sites were often fully booked for weeks in advance.

Sound familiar? You may not be alone. Other caravan owners looking to book a quick weekend away have found themselves struggling to find availability for that month. Below we take a brief look at some of the problems typically encountered. And if you’ve been regularly unable to book your favourite site, or have any tips or tricks to share, please click here to join the conversation in our forum topic.

Types of site

While the mainstream sites tend to prove popular with newcomers , if you’re urgently looking to holiday in a particular place there are a number of options available if your first choice is fully booked.

For example, the Caravan Club’s main Club Sites are very popular with families, as they tend to offer full facilities such as hot showers, toilet blocks and washing areas. As such there is a tendency for some of these to be snapped up quickly when booking opens in December each year.

To read more about tips for booking and to have your say on this topic, click here