New pods added to Camping and Caravanning Club site

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Last year site managers at the Camping and Carvanning Club trialled a new idea, introducing wooden camping pods to their range of accommodation. The marked popularity of these items with families has led to the Club installing a further three pods at their Thetford Forest site for campers to enjoy.

The pods offer a quirky and modern way to enjoy camping and have heating, electrical sockets and lighting. The added comforts have proved hugely popular with guests and the permanent structures take away the hassle of dismantling wet tents.

The units are built by Newfoundland Lodges and are constructed from locally sourced timber and insulated with sheep’s wool. Married couples Rob and Dawn Muggridge and Neil and Julie Purnell are the franchisees of the site, which now carries a total of six pods.

Dawn Muggridge was enthusiastic about the value of the new pods for visitors. “The additional Camping Pods are sure to be a big success as they are a fantastic way to experience camping in a dry, fun and idyllic setting.”

She also introduced a new feature which caters for canine companions. “Dog owners also now have the chance to experience the Camping Pods with our new specific dog-friendly Pod.”

In addition to Thetford Forest the camping pods are available at the Eskdale, Bellingham and Skye sites.

Festival goers trade in canvas for caravans

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With the festival season now well underway, event managers have reported campers are increasingly trading in their tents for a drier substitute.

In a move towards glamping – glamorous camping – revellers are looking to stay out of the wet this summer in caravans and motorhomes.

Organisers of Glastonbury, the summer festival most synonymous with rain, have reported they are increasing the number of motorhome and caravan pitches to keep up with growing demand on site this year.

Rita Sadler, a manager at caravan insurers Safeguard, said: “Festivals like Glastonbury have been notoriously jinxed with bad weather and campers are gradually wising up to the notion that canvas might not be the best option.”

She added: “The benefits of caravanning over camping at festivals are all too apparent when the bad weather hits.”

Following this trend, Safeguard have warned revellers of the importance of getting adequate personal contents insurance. With valuables such as MP3 players and mobile phones becoming part of the festival kit, security is an important issue.

Sandringham Club site named winner in park awards

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The Sandringham Camping and Caravanning Club site has been crowned champion in the ‘Your Top 101 Sites’ awards for 2010.

The shortlist was decided through votes cast by readers of magazines Caravan and Motor Caravan. Voting took place during International Caravan and Motorhome 2009, held at the NEC last October.

A huge number of votes were cast and the top five sites were visited by anonymous inspectors before a winner was decided.

Verna and Chris Stansfield who visited the Sandringham site said in their report: “It is a natural campsite which has been established in sympathy with its environment and into which it fits unobtrusively.”

Bob Hill, the Club’s site director was delighted at the news. “It is a real honour for The Club to receive this award.’

He added: “The Sandringham site is located in a beautiful area and our Holiday Site Managers, Nigel and Sandra Farnsworth have done a fantastic job of preserving the surrounding environment and creating a delightfully informal, peaceful haven for all campers.”

The Camping and Caravanning Club had a further 20 Club sites in the top 101, including its Keswick site which took third place.

More information about the Sandringham site can be found on the Camping and Caravanning Club website.

Family time on holidays ‘is important’

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Holidays are an important way of spending time with your family and friends, it has been suggested.

Whether caravanning in the UK or jetting off abroad, Brits should value the chance to get away with their partners, children or parents, according to holidaylettings.co.uk.

The firm claimed that quality family time is becoming a rare commodity due to the fast-paced life most people live nowadays.

A large proportion (65 per cent) of Brits believe that a holiday is the most important thing that they spend their disposable income on.

Holidaylettings.co.uk head of communication Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies added that travel websites now help families research and book budget breaks.

“As a reflective of the sensitivity surrounding cash and the economy, most travel sites enable people to refine their holiday search by budget,” she said.

Meanwhile, caravan owners could be tempted to head to the continent after the Post Office Travel Money Monitor reported favourable exchange rates for Brits heading to the eurozone and eastern Europe.

Park Holidays UK suggest how to avoid VAT increase on caravan holidays

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by Chris Malone

The news that January 2011 will bring with it a new VAT level of 20 per cent has led Park Holidays UK to advise caravanners to book up for next year’s vacation now.

According to the firm, sorting out a break in advance of the tax rise could help Brits save a penny or two.

It is also offering those who enjoy a holiday in 2010 and book up for next year a further £40 off a week-long stay or £20 off a short break.

With new chancellor George Osborne’s first budget hitting almost everyone in the pocket, any holiday savings could come in useful.

The Conservative cabinet member has cut public spending, reduced benefits and increased a number of taxes in a bid to reduce the deficit.

“Financially speaking the time to act is now,” Park Holidays UK said.

“You’ll get the same fantastic holiday, accommodation and service but minus that impending extra VAT cost.”

The company recently revealed that Brits buying a caravan can now get up to a 20-year guaranteed licence at its sites.

Caravanners should use doctor for travel health advice

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Many Brits travelling abroad take pointers from friends and colleagues rather than their GP, it has been claimed.

Caravanners planning a trip abroad should seek out professional health advice instead of relying on what their associates tell them, TV doctor Pixie McKenna stated.

The expert is backing the 8 Weeks To Go campaign, which encourages holidaymakers to visit their GP prior to departure to get reliable advice.

Dr McKenna revealed that one in two Brits will experience some sort of holiday injury or illness in their lifetime.

She noted that many people are taken in by myths that circulate among friends and colleagues, such as the belief that gin and tonic can help ward off malaria.

Another common misconception is that rabid dogs are never friendly – which could be costly to unsuspecting caravanners who are bitten by one.

“People are misinformed about many things and if you hear something from a friend or a colleague you are probably going to think that it is the correct information instead of trying to verify it yourself with a healthcare professional,” Dr McKenna explained.

Surf’s up in Newquay

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Caravanners spending Midsummer Night in Newquay this year could be in for a treat, according to site operator Parkdean.

The firm noted that the town is set to host the tenth annual Midsummer Night Surf, which will see some of the UK’s best surfers battle it out in the late twilight.

Taking place tomorrow and on Saturday (June18th and 19th), the event is held at Lusty Glaze in the heart of Newquay.

Now one of the UK’s most popular surfing dates, Midsummer Night Surf attracts huge crowds and features a festival atmosphere.

“As well as top class surfing there will be day and night entertainment, a beach barbeque and a spectacular firework display to finish off the event after Saturday night’s surfing,” the holiday firm added.

Parkdean has four holiday parks nearby – Newquay, White Acres, Holywell Bay and Crantock Beach – all of which welcome families.

The company recently suggested that those caravanning in the Cornwall area check out some of the region’s beautiful coastal walks during their stay.

Plenty of activities in Bath

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Caravan enthusiasts heading to Bath for a summer holiday will have no shortage of activities, it has been suggested.

As well as its usual attractions, the city is set to host a number of special events this summer, Bath Tourism Plus explained.

The Roman Baths By Torchlight will take place throughout July and August and should be a “very unique experience”, according to PR and communications executive Lucy Weaver.

According to the expert, this is just one of a number of summer attractions that caravanners could take advantage of over the coming weeks and months.

She suggested that Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey are also likely to be popular attractions.

Recent figures from Hotels.com show that more people are interested in holidaying in the UK, with the number of accommodation searches up on previous years.

One of the more popular destinations was Bath, with the online resource recording a 73 per cent increase in searches to the city.

Kia Sedona awarded MPV Best In Class title at 2010 Towcar Awards

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Kia Sedona awarded MPV Best In Class title at 2010 Towcar Awards

Kia Motors will be celebrating this week after their 2.2 diesel Sedona was crowned champion in the Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) category at the 2010 Towcar awards.

The judging panel run by What Car?, Practical Caravan and the Camping and Caravanning Club were impressed by the models 6-speed automatic transmission, and remarkable towing capabilities.

Michael Cole is the Managing Director for Kia Motors and is delighted at the recognition: “We at Kia and our customers have always known what a good workhorse the Sedona is – without compromising comfort – so we are delighted that Practical Caravan and What Car? have endorsed that view!”

The new Sedona 2.2 CRDi comes with an industry leading seven year warranty and is competitively priced for it’s specification; the automatic is priced at £25,995 on the road. With seven full sized seats, leg room hasn’t been compromised and the cavernous interior has led to the MPV becoming a firm favourite with caravanners.

The vehicle is capable of towing loads of up to two thousand kilos. Towcar editor for Practical Caravan, David Motton commented: “The Sedona with its new, more powerful engine mated to a six-speed gearbox represents a lot of car for the money and there is little it cannot tow.”

In other news, the Land Rover Discovery 4 has been awarded top spot for ‘Britain’s Best Towcar 2010’.

Report calls for lower drink-drive limit

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by Holly Tribe

Caravanners may want to leave the keys behind if recommendations for a new lower drink-drive limit are put in place.

The review by Sir Peter North has advised the limit be taken down to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood from the current level of 80mg.

The cutback would translate to drivers being able to imbibe just one alcoholic drink before driving.

Commissioned by the former Labour Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, the report has gone to the new incumbent Philip Hammond for consideration.

“Our priority will be to tackle drink and drug-driving in the most effective way possible to protect law-abiding road users. We will respond to Sir Peter in due course” Mr Hammond commented in a statement to the press.

Despite recommending the reduction, Sir North commented that a zero limit would be impractical and says a total ban would be a step too far.

The lower limit would bring British legislation in line with most of Europe.

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England a ‘world-class all-weather destination’

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by Chris Malone

Caravan enthusiasts may already know that England is a great destination for a family summer holiday.

However, one tourism expert has claimed that the nation is great for a break even if the sun is not shining.

VisitEngland chief executive James Berresford praised the country for its ability to offer holidaymakers something to do whatever the weather is like.

Last weekend saw holidaymakers in the UK enjoy soaring temperatures, with the 30.9 degrees C experienced in Gravesend in Kent the highest seen in Britain this year.

Mr Berresford explained that many Brits enjoy nothing more than relaxing outside on a sunny day.

“Seaside resorts up and down the country benefit from the sunshine and we’re delighted that the predictions for an ice-cream summer seem to be coming true,” he noted.

However, the expert was keen to point out that the country offers plenty of attractions that accept visitors even if the weather is not at its best.

Land Rover Discovery 4 wins Best Towcar 2010

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by Holly Tribe

The all-new Discovery from off-road specialists Land Rover beat forty rival vehicles for the title of “Britain’s Best Towcar 2010”. The annual awards are overseen by industry leaders What Car?, Practical Caravan and The Camping & Caravanning Club.

Judges tested the popular TDV6 model which now sports the Jaguar Land Rover 3.0-litre V6 diesel. Testing was divided into categories, with each vehicle being marked on towing ability, driving and handling, space and practicality, running costs and value.

Practical Caravan’s Towcar Editor is David Motton and he was full of praise for the off-roader. “The Land Rover Discovery 4 is an exceptional car. It’s hard to say whether the 3.0-litre engine or the superb ride and handling deserve top billing.”

Marketing director for Land Rover Anthony Bradbury expressed his delight over the recognition, saying: “This is a hugely significant award for the Discovery 4 – and a true testament of the vehicle’s overall capability, package and refinement.”

The UK-made Discovery beat stiff competition from the likes of the Kia Sedona and Volvo SE Geartronic. Judges remarked upon the range of features that led to the model taking the top spot.

Mr Motton explains “With its full-size spare, self-levelling suspension, Trailer Stability Programme, huge boot and many more practical features, the Discovery 4 ticks more boxes than just about any other car”

Click here to read our road test feature on the award-winning Land Rover Discovery 4