Isle of Wight caravanning industry booming

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The Isle of Wight is enjoying a strong year for camping and caravanning tourism, it has been revealed.

According to the Isle of Wight County Press, the destination’s campsites have posted a rise in usage figures for the past three months.

July saw many of the island’s caravan parks fill up, with Kite Hill Farm Caravan and Camping Park owner Jean Abraham noting that people seem markedly more interested in staycations.

“It has been absolutely non-stop and we have even had people phoning after 22:00 BST to check on availability,” she told the newspaper.

The island is benefiting from its detachment from mainland Britain, claimed Orchards Holiday Park manager Debbie Downer.

She said that people get the feeling of going abroad by taking their caravans on the ferry to the Isle of Wight.

Ms Downer also noted how her park has been busier than normal during the summer months.

New Hobby Caravans insurance from Cover4Caravans

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by Holly Tribe

Specialist caravan insurance broker Cover4Caravans.co.uk is adding Hobby caravans to its portfolio of products.

The announcement is good news for owners of these distinctive tourers who may have previously struggled to find comprehensive cover.

The German made range have traditionally been built with wider dimensions than standard British ‘vans making them trickier to repair. And a reputation for being popular with thieves has meant many insurers have been reluctant to provide policies in the past.

Richard Burgess, Director at Cover4Caravans, expressed his concern that Hobby were under-represented in the insurance market. He explains: “Insurance Underwriters continue to look back rather than forward and despite the improvement in security devices, they continually decline to offer quotations for these caravans. This isn’t right.

He added: “We have been talking to Insurers for some time now to obtain cover for Hobby Caravans. Our research suggested that with the right security devices in place, these caravans deserve a realistic premium to be offered.”

Before they will issue a policy the firm requires that caravans are fitted with a tracking system, and to be attached to a hitchlock and secured with a wheel clamp like the AL-KO Secure lock when not in use.

Hobby owners can apply for a quotation using either of the firms web-based or telephone services. Insurance premiums start from under £150 and cover includes caravan and contents insurance up to £17,000, theft, malicious damage, and accidental damage cover.

In other news, a pensioner recently had his uninsured Hobby caravan stolen while he was asleep onboard.

Five caravan accessories for the perfect summer

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by Holly Tribe

The sun has got his hat on and for many caravanners this is our favourite season to go exploring. If you visited an outdoor leisure store recently, you’ll be aware of the mind boggling array of accessories currently on the market designed to help caravanners make the most of the good weather.

One of the great things about touring is being able to switch from a cosy environment indoors to enjoying the best of the weather right outside the door of your caravan. And the clear advantage over camping or going on a picnic is that your vehicle affords you storage space for larger items which make your al-fresco dining more comfortable. From folding tables and chairs to a full-sized outdoor barbecue there is a range of caravan-friendly equipment for outdoor lovers.

Here at Caravan Times we’ve picked out our favourite accessories to help make the most of warm sunny days and balmy nights.


Lafuma chair

When the sun comes out, make sure you have somewhere comfortable to sit and watch the world go by. The French company Lafuma manufacture a range of hugely popular caravan chairs and recliners. Built using lightweight materials, even the recliners pack down to just a few inches thick for easy storage. For the ultimate in luxury, the Lafuma RSX sun lounger (pictured) has padded seat fabric and comes in a selection of colours.

Price: £99
Where: www.gardeningmegastore.co.uk

Boxmate

Now you’re sitting comfortably, it’s time to unwind with a sundowner so grab a bottle of plonk and put your feet up. To stop your tipple getting warm, Swedish company PorPac have just introduced a new product onto the market – introducing the Boxmate. It works like a thermos keeping the contents insulated and includes a cooling pack which means you can top up your cold beverage without having to leap up and down to the fridge for refills.

Price: details coming soon
Where: details coming soon

Cadac barbeque

An increasing number of caravans are now being built with external bbq points, making al fresco cooking an increasingly popular dining option. Cadac have an excellent range of good quality, sturdy gas grills and bbqs. Unlike their coal powered equivalents, gas bbqs can be conveniently hooked up to your on-board supply and don’t leave a mess ash and coals to deal with at the end of the day. The Cadac Safari Chef bbq (pictured) is a quick assembly model with foldaway legs and packs down into its own carry bags for easy portability and storage. It includes interchangeable/reversible surfaces so you can barbecue, griddle, fry, stir fry, boil and oven cook and weighs just 4 kg.

Price: £59.97
Where: www.tescodirect.com


Sunnflair Washing up stand

Take advantage of the great weather and move your entire kitchen outside. The Sunnflair washing up stand is portable and foldable with a large bowl, drainer and lower shelf. It frees up workspace in the caravan, leaving you (or the kids) to pack away the clean dry dishes at your leisure.

Price: £22.50
Where: www.gooutdoors.co.uk

Endless Breeze fan

When there’s not a breath of air on a steamy day, things can get a little sticky. To cool things down plug in the Endless Breeze fan from American company Fan-Tastic. It weighs just over 2 kilos and stands at 35cm tall on telescopic legs. Powered by a 12v power source, on full whack it kicks out an impressive 10mph breeze.

Price: £19.99
Where: www.outdoorbits.com

North Pennines gets brand new Caravan Club site

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by Holly Tribe

A new 76 pitch Caravan Club site opened last weekend at Teesdale Barnard Castle, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The North Pennines site is situated in open countryside near the Teesdale Way and Pennines Way. Visitors can take a tour of England’s highest waterfall at High Force, followed by a pint at England’s highest pub, the Tan Hill Inn.

Head of sites Marketing, Catherine Ford commented: “It has everything our members have come to expect from a Club site, and the area has all they could wish for to make a perfect holiday or short break, whatever their interests.”

The £1.5 million development is built to the same exacting standards seen throughout all Caravan Club parks. “I’m very excited about how this wonderful site has come together in a major investment, exclusively for Club members” Catherine added.

The Club has been sympathetic to the surrounding landscape, ensuring the site is well screened using planting schemes that encourage biodiversity. Exemplifying the Caravan Club’s increased commitment to environmentally friendly design, it also incorporates energy saving technologies including rainwater collection, ground source heat exchangers, and the facility to pre-heat water using solar power.

Recent figures suggest that the surrounding region can look forward a significant boost in trade with Caravan Club visitors expected to spend over half a million pounds in the local economy a year.

Click here to find your local Caravan Club Centre in our online community.

First pictures of Marquis Lifestyle range based on Swift caravans

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by Marcus Dubois

Marquis Caravans has announced today the launch of a new range of entry-level caravans. As a dealership, Marquis is better known for its successful retail of new and used motorhomes from established manufacturers. Yet as the UK’s largest dealer network for Swift, its comparative buying power has led to the creation of an exclusive range of tourers.

The seven-model line-up has been custom-built for Marquis by award-winning manufacturer Swift Caravans. The keenly priced range is suitable for those starting out touring, and is based on the Sprite range from Swift. A host of layouts are offered from a lightweight two-berth up to a luxury fixed bed six-berth.

Every model in the Marquis Lifestyle range will come complete with the ‘Diamond’ pack usually offered by Swift Caravans on their Sprite models. On the exterior, this comprises of an AL-KO AKS 3004 stabiliser, a spare wheel and carrier, and a door flyscreen. Included in this pack for the interior is a radio/CD player and a pair of scatter cushions.

Luxury as standard


However in addition to the ‘Diamond’ pack Marquis has added its own improvements to the caravan. Each model is specified with a microwave, and the seating is upholstered with more luxurious fabrics. Keen observers will easily distinguish these from regular Sprites with the addition of sleek graphics to the exterior.

A variety of flexible layouts are available, with the top of the range 620 offering six berths with plenty of space and a flexible seating/sleeping layout. Both the 470 and 620 come with a fixed bed sporting an Ultra Comfort mattress as standard.

From motorhomes to caravans


Those familiar with Swift’s range of motorhomes may have come across the name of Marquis. As the UK’s largest network of dealers for Swift the connection between the two firms has always been a strong one. Yet in addition other unrelated events may have shaped the decision to launch the new Lifestyle range.

As Marquis entered 2010 the firm recently introduced caravan sales to their offering with the launch of Marquis Caravans. Offering new models alongside used caravans with what the firm proclaimed to be an “industry-leading warranty” called CaraMarq, the new venture has already proved successful. The addition of the Lifestyle range based on the popular Sprite should prove popular with buyers making their first entry into caravan ownership.

Caravan couple set for 10,000 mile honeymoon in Swift

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by Chris Malone

A couple of caravan enthusiasts are set to embark on a mobile home journey of epic proportions.

According to BBC News, James Kenny and Donna Collins will celebrate their honeymoon by taking their Corniche built by Swift Caravans on a 10,000-mile journey across Europe.

The pair have invested in a caravan that is 25 years old – the same age as Ms Collins – and hope it will last the journey across Norway, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Spain, Portugal and a host of other countries.

Mr Kenny married his wife in a traditional ceremony in Yaxley, near Peterborough, on Saturday (July 31st).

The 26-year-old told the news provider that they are hoping to do the trip on the cheap, but that he has invested in a cheap plasma TV so he can still watch his Only Fools and Horses DVDs.

“People think we’re completely insane or they think it’s a great idea and wish they were doing something like it themselves,” he was reported as saying.

Meanwhile, mobile home supplier Homestead Caravans has invested in a new workshop facility.

Owners fight for Eastland Meadows caravan site

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by Chris Malone

A caravan park is set to learn its fate after it was decided that a government inspector will make the final decision on changes to restrictions placed on it.

Maldon District Council had imposed a limit of 28 days on those wishing to stay at Eastland Meadows Country Park, the Maldon Standard reported.

However, the owners are hoping to have it overturned and will welcome the official adjudicator after its February application was turned down by the local authority.

The council is reportedly worried that the site could be used for permanent accommodation if the regulations are relaxed.

This would “reduce the tourism potential and attractiveness of the site in the long term and would set an adverse precedent within the district for other similar caravan parks to respond in a competitive tourist location”, it claimed, according to the newspaper.

Although a date for the hearing is yet to be set, a government official will now have to visit the site and gather evidence before coming to a final decision on its future.

Meanwhile, BBC News has reported that one Northamptonshire couple are planning to visit 27 countries in their caravan to celebrate their honeymoon.

David Bellamy picks Witton Castle in Durham as favourite caravan site

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by Chris Malone

Botanist David Bellamy has revealed that Witton Castle in Durham is his favourite campsite in the UK.

He told the Daily Mail that the Bishop Auckland site is close to his home and features a medieval castle in the middle.

Furthermore, it has just been renovated by its new owners and has room for caravans.

The expert was discussing his David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme, which is now in its 13th year.

It recognises camping and caravanning sites in the UK that are environmentally friendly and encourages others to follow suit.

It currently ranks 620 venues around the country and separates them into gold, silver and bronze categories.

Bellamy explained that he was amazed by the work of caravan sites when he started the project in 1997.

“There were so many super places,” he told the newspaper. “We soon found that people were very proud of their natural surroundings – all the wild flowers, rabbits, squirrels, even dragonflies.”

One company to be recognised by the David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme is Haven, which has 31 gold award-winning parks and four silver ones.

Homestead Caravans installs new workshop

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by Chris Malone

Mobile home supplier Homestead Caravans has invested in a new facility that will help it to better serve the needs of its customers.

The firm has created a new workshop that will enable it to carry out a wide range of caravan repairs.

According to Homestead Caravans, the new facility has drawn praise from Abbey, Swift and Elddis – three of the top brands in the UK industry.

Users can rest easy knowing that their vehicles are in the hands of Gas Safe-registered engineers, who will guarantee that any work carried out to gas feeds meets legal requirements and those of insurance firms.

Customers can also have their mobile homes serviced and accessories fitted at the facility, with omnivents, alarm systems and ovens just some of the potential new additions available.

Meanwhile, the Maldon Standard has revealed that the fate of a local caravan park is to be left in the hands of an inspector, who will decide whether to allow guests to stay for longer than 28 days.

Bailey Unicorn: the all-weather caravan

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by Marcus Dubois

Alu-Tech. In the last two years the word has quietly become part of common parlance in caravan circles, such has been the impact of the new range from Bailey Caravans. The term refers to the interlocking aluminium framework, producing a shell which the manufacturer has proclaimed to be stronger than traditional methods. And the public appear to have agreed, with record sales of the Bailey Pegasus and Bailey Olympus in the last year validating the technology.

The Bailey Unicorn is the third range of caravans to use the Alu-Tech construction method, yet it is the first of its kind to carry the Alde heating system as reported recently in Caravan Times. The Alde Compact 3010 Wet Central Heating System will come fitted as standard in both single and twin axle models, and will distribute an even temperature throughout the caravan.

Conventional heating systems are considered adequate for short trips in colder weather, yet often require a fire to provide the heat output. The Alde system however is powered by a 12v circulator using a small current to draw heating fluid through the pipes. Providing an experience akin to central heating in your home it is a significant improvement on regular heating and allows caravanners to use their vehicle in the coldest of conditions.

Thicker panels, less joins

Yet those who have suffered problems in the home will already know that the best heating systems are rendered inadequate if the house is not properly insulated. With this in mind, Bailey has worked hard to improve the state of caravan insulation with Alu-Tech. Thicker body shell panels feature superior grade polystyrene, carrying extra insulation to pipe runs and wheel boxes.

In addition the new design interlocking framework in the construction method has greatly reduced the number of external joints and fixing points by ninety per cent. Timber-free body panels and added protection around doors and windows offer a second level of insulation. This greatly increases the heat containment properties of the Bailey Unicorn, and as such the caravan carries the Grade III Classification of Thermal Insulation for EN1645-I.

A caravan for all seasons

The appearance of radiators concealed behind the furniture has added weight to the Bailey Unicorn, and the manufacturer suggests as much as 50kgs more than the Pegasus range. However it is unlikely to deter potential purchasers who are likely to be true enthusiasts looking for a caravan for all seasons. Last year Caravan Times commented on the surge in popularity of winter caravanning in Britain. The Bailey Unicorn looks set to be the first in a number of well-appointed caravan models launched in 2010, suited for those who demand more from their vehicle outside of the summer months.

Why caravan insurance is a good investment

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by Oliver Knight

Stringent rules surrounding time off school for children and the financial recession have lead to an increase in people looking for budget caravan breaks, it has been suggested.

And with many recent and upcoming events, such as National Camping and Caravanning Week and the National Feast of Lanterns benefitting from this popularity, insurance experts are reminding holidaymakers to take out adequate cover to ensure that they are prepared should any incidents occur.

Currently, owners are not required to take out insurance on their units, but experts claim that in the long-term it should be viewed as a good investment, as money saved from opting for a low-cost break will be rendered futile if you are faced with reparation costs.

Citing statistics from the Camping and Caravanning Club, David Quick, director of Insure My Caravan, states that because of a significant increase in bookings caravans may well be a target for thieves and accidents this summer.

“In light of recent news regarding caravan figures increasing at such a high rate, no risk can afford to be taken to compromise your caravan’s safety, particularly with more expensive models,” he explains.

“Insurance is a small price to pay in relation to damage costs which may be incurred by common incidents such as tipping over, meaning it is well worth being insured simply for peace of mind to ensure an enjoyable holiday.”

To avoid accidents occurring during transportation, caravan owners are also reminded to carry out necessary vehicle checks before setting off.

Fifty percent more orders for Coachman Caravans

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by Oliver Knight

Strong sales at a recent trade show have left one caravan manufacturer confident about the future of the sector.

Hull-based Coachman Caravans has enjoyed its most successful preview to date, with orders 50 per cent higher than last year.

The organisation claims that this recent success at the event, which was held on July 13th and 14th, points to a renewed sense of confidence and optimism in the industry.

Coachman used the trade fair to showcase the 2011 season model updates to its VIP, Laser, Amara and Pastiche ranges.

All the caravans have been given new internal furnishing improvements, while the Amara has been completely revamped inside and out to hopefully appeal to the growing number of families opting for a UK-based break.

“Although the past few years have been very challenging for many in the caravan industry, we have seen strong sales across this period, with the 2010 season being our most successful yet,” Coachman managing director Jim Hibbs said.

The company explained that it has, so far, managed to defy the current economic crisis and invest heavily in innovative machinery and personnel which has led to it enjoying its most successful year to date.

Mr Hibbs reveals that Coachman has spent in excess of £700,000 this year on a new aftercare unit and new computer-controlled machinery.

“We’re still cautious, and we’re not about to make sweeping predictions about the economy, but this show was the strongest signal yet for us that there is cause for optimism among the quality sector of the industry,” he added.