France a popular camping destination

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France remains a popular destination among UK holidaymakers, thanks in part to its camping options.

Caravan enthusiasts often head to Brittany due to its lovely scenery and relatively cheap prices and it has been pointed out that the nation still holds appeal for Brits looking to get away from it all.

The Association of British Travel Agents noted that the country is still the second most popular place for UK residents to head on holiday.

Spokesperson Sean Tipton said: “In terms of visitor numbers from the UK it’s only a few years ago that Spain overtook France as the number one most popular foreign holiday destination and it is still number two”.

He added that this is a reflection of how dominant the country has been over the years and suggested that the dip in visitor numbers in 2009 is unlikely to change its popularity.

As well as Brittany, France’s capital Paris and other destinations such as Cote D’Azur, the Dordogne and the Loire Valley all hold appeal for UK visitors, Mr Tipton explained.

Local law firm help couple secure future of caravan site

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A popular caravan site with question marks over future ownership has now been secured thanks to teamwork between a couple and a local law firm.

Eileen and Ian Cox are now the sole owners of Abbot’s House Farm in Goathland, offering 90 pitches for caravans and tents. Their purchase was completed with the aid of Latimer Hinks Solicitors who helped secure the future of the business. They had previously owned the firm with another couple.

The caravan site attracts up to 2,000 holidaying families a year and is situated in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park alongside the North York Moors Railway.

Only a Heartbeat away

Many of these tourists are attracted by the nearby village of Goathland, made famous by the TV programme Heartbeat and only a 15 minutes’ walk away from the site. It is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding countryside and tourist attractions by car, walking, or cycling.

The existing toilet and shower block has been further enhanced this season with the addition of a toilet/shower facility for the less able. Future developments this year will include a laundry and a new games room that Mr and Mrs Cox will make, by converting existing unused buildings. A detached holiday cottage will also be available towards the end of the current season, being a complete refurbishment of Abbot’s Cottage, a former farmworkers’ bungalow.

Legal aid

After question marks over the future of the caravan park Eileen and Ian were delighted to finally secure the business and singled out legal firm Latimer Hinks for their specialist support. Ian Cox commented “Thanks to there being a wide range of specialists available at Latimers Hinks, we were able to use the firm for all the legal requirements needed to complete the deal. We could not have achieved our dream of owning the business outright without the breadth of expert knowledge available at Latimer Hinks.”

Nicola Neilson is a partner at the firm which is based in Darlington and she was “delighted to have been able to help them achieve their goal of becoming the owners of this popular caravan and camping site. She added “We wish them well with their plans to further improve the business, which is located in one of the most stunning areas of Britain.”

Abbot’s House Farm can be found in Goathland and as well as the aforementioned 90 pitches for caravans and tents, offers self-catering holiday accommodation comprising a bunkhouse barn, and a holiday apartment which is part of the farmhouse. For more details click this link or you can call 01947 896270.

Site operator Parkdean believes Norfolk ideal for cyclists

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Caravanners holidaying in Norfolk have the benefit of being able to take advantage of the many fantastic cycle routes, it has been claimed.

According to Parkdean, the area is full of beautiful sandy beaches, famous broads and protected wetland, which make it a great destination for holidaymakers who love getting on their bike.

“What better way to take in the stunning views than taking a bike ride around some of the most scenic areas of region,” the firm said.

The caravan site operator has constructed a list of favourite local cycle routes around Norfolk, with everything from a gentle ride around the countryside to a tough pedal down dirt tracks.

It is also keen for its customers to add their own favourite routes to the list and urged them to get in touch to recommend them.

The company added that Norfolk is a great place to visit for families or those looking for a relaxing break with plenty to do.

Meanwhile, Parkdean recently noted that its sites in Devon could be ideal for those planning to visit the Gold Coast Oceanfest, which takes place from June 18th to 20th.

The cost of waiting at airports

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Park Resorts has released figures which show that Brits waste a collective 15,773 years of their lives waiting at airports.

The caravan site operator, which runs 37 facilities around the UK, noted that delays and check-in times when heading off abroad amount to more than 138 million hours of holidaymakers’ vacations.

According to the study, the financial cost of this waiting time totals £319 million, which marketing director Andy Edge suggested may surprise some holidaymakers.

“We’ve all experienced the frustration of spending twice as long in the airport as the flight itself, but we were shocked to see just how much the ‘wait at the gate’ is costing holidaymakers travelling abroad,” he said.

Mr Edge noted that the additional security measures brought in recently have only added to the frustrating delays.

Airport operator BAA recently revealed that its earnings per passenger through its retail outlets had risen six per cent year-on-year to £4.72.

In other news, Park Resorts has noted an increase in the number of families taking holidays with three generations together.

Win a copy of My Cool Caravan

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At the end of the last decade a number of people in recession-hit Britain turned to a pasttime which many have enjoyed for years. The popularity of caravanning surged as many took to the roads to discover the country, and in the midst of this a craze for vintage tourers started to grow.

Retro caravan enthusiasts Jane Field-Lewis and Chris Haddon have been discovering old trailers and vehicles for years, and became friends through their shared interest. With an aim to document some of the fantastic and stylish vehicles being restored around the country, the book My Cool Caravan was born.

Documenting over forty caravans of all vintages with lavish photography, this is the perfect sourcebook for the design-conscious who are curious about how people refurbish and customise their caravans.

We reviewed My Cool Caravan back in February and were taken with the personal stories and accompanying artwork.

Now we’re offering you a chance to win a copy of the book!

To win email us your full name and address to hello@caravantimes.co.ukand we’ll be selecting one entrant from random by Monday 26th April.

Good luck!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1. To enter a Caravan Times competition you must be:
(a) UK resident; and
(b) 18 years old or over at the time of entry.

2. Competitions are not open to employees (or members of their immediate families) of Caravan Times, or any subsidiary of Adfero.

3. No purchase necessary.

4. Only one entry per person.

5. If you want to enter this competition you must enter using the email address hello@caravantimes.co.uk

6. Sending an e-mail is not proof that we have received your entry. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed, or which are not received for any reason.

7. The winner will be selected by the editor of Caravan Times, whose decision is final.

8. The closing date is as specified in each competition, and we reserve the right to amend the competition details at any time.

9. If you win a competition, we will notify you by e-mail. The organiser’s decision will be final, and no other correspondence will be entered into.

10. No part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize.

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Caravan Club offers major discounts on caravan insurance

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Recently we reported on an increase in caravan theft, and in the light of this choosing to insure your caravan is one of the easiest decisions to make. Yet selecting a provider which meets your needs can be trickier with the array of offers in the market.

However being a mamber of a major touring club can come with additional benefits. One of the many services provided by the Caravan Club is their touring caravan insurance scheme. A specialised product designed only for caravanners it provides the cover needed in touring situations.

The latest offers include an increase in the ‘no claims’ discount to a maximum of 35% after 4 years free of claims. This means policy holders now qualify for 20% for 1 year of no claims, 25% for 2 years’ of no claims. and 30% for 3 years’ of no claims.

In addition it has been proven that wheel locks reduce the risk of theft, and the Caravan Club offers a 10% discount for caravans fitted with a qualifying device. Examples include the BPW Diamond wheel lock as well as the previously recognised AL-KO Secure. A 5% discount is offered for those storing caravans at a CaSSOA Gold site or in Caravan Club secure storage.

Towing safety devices are also recognised in the comprehensive scheme, and an additional 10% discount is offered to policy holders for fitting an AL-KO ATC or BPW iDC trailer control system to their caravans.

Lesley Coell is the Head of Insurance and Financial Services for The Caravan Club. She noted that “the newly implemented discounts could result in those qualifying for all the caravan insurance discounts being able to reduce their base premium significantly, enjoying a huge saving on what is already an exceptionally competitively priced and comprehensive product.”

More information on the Caravan Club’s range of insurance products can be found by clicking this link.

Beach destinations to be popular this year

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A new study has found that UK beach locations may be even more popular this year.

According to the figures from consumer magazine Which? Holiday, two-fifths (40 per cent) of Brits enjoyed a trip to seaside destinations in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland in 2009.

Spokesperson Rebecca Leach predicted that the number may even rise in 2010, with the fine summer weather helping to boost visitor numbers.

“The reasons people gave for holidaying in the UK were that the locations were easier to get to, they preferred holidays in UK, or simply that they couldn’t afford to go abroad,” she explained.

Blackpool was found to be the nation’s favourite seaside resort of all time and offers a lot for families to enjoy while on vacation.

As well as its beach, there is also a theme park known as the Pleasure Beach and the famous Blackpool illuminations and tower.

Lets Stay UK recently noted that the number of UK tourists heading abroad during 2009 fell by 15 per cent.

Meanwhile, it recorded a 20 per cent rise in bookings for trips to Dorset.

Poolsbrook Caravan Club site welcomes mayor

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The Caravan Club recently welcomed a couple of respected guests to one of its sites in Derbyshire.

Poolsbrook Caravan Club had a visit from the mayor and mayoress of Chesterfield, with the pair surveying the newly-acquired park.

Around £1.9 million was spent on buying and upgrading the site, which provides more than 55,000 bed nights per year.

The development of the former colliery involved local tradesmen wherever possible and helps the local economy, with guests spending more than £470,000 per annum.

Aimed at being the greenest caravan site in the UK, Poolsbrook was designed to used energy-saving technology to limit its environmental impact.

“The mayoress and I found the visit to Poolsbrook Country Park Caravan Club Site extremely interesting,” said mayor Adrian Kitch.

He added that the caravans, facilities and atmosphere were most impressive and that he now understands the popularity of the site.

In other news, a ferry operator recently pledged to grant Brits free caravan carriage to Denmark and The Netherlands on selected days.

Brussels forces UK to place extra VAT on wide caravans

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Each summer over a million people in the UK take to the roads and enjoy caravan holidays, with 2009 a record year for numbers taking up the pastime. However after a change in the law yesterday, those wanting to invest in a larger caravan may find it costs a lot more – thanks to a ruling from Brussels.

The European Commission has taken steps to force the UK government to charge VAT (at 17.5 per cent) on all caravans under 2.55 metres wide, where previously caravans over 2.3 metres wide were exempt from VAT. HMRC accepted the ruling on 15 April and the changes came into effect yesterday (20 April).

The VAT increase is however part of a much wider programme of changes to legislations which lift limits on the width of trailers that can be towed on UK roads. Chartered accountants James Cowper believes the changes “are likely to be felt by all road users” as the wider vehicles begin to appear in greater numbers.

Terry Dockley is the VAT director at James Cowper and he explained the ruling further. “The European Commission has issued ‘infraction proceedings’ that will see an increase in the width of all trailers, including caravans, to be towed by cars on public highways, bringing the UK in line with the rest of Europe,” he outlined. “From 20 April, the width of towable trailers will increase from 2.3 metres to 2.55 metres, or 8.3 feet.”

“It is because the zero rating of VAT on caravans is directly linked to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations – the legislation that determines the width of towable trailers – that has triggered this change.”

Dockley believes however that the way in which the ruling was enforced was not commensurate with the subject matter of caravan widths. “It is also unusual to see that the European Commission has issued infraction proceedings over this matter; such proceedings contemplate the threat of legal action against a Member Country for a serious infringement, and it is difficult to see this matter as a serious infringement.”

The effect of the European Commission legislation will be felt across the caravan industry, but Terry Dockley believes it will resonate more with the touring community itself.

“The VAT on the purchase of caravans is not normally a subject that generates much interest, but the perception of an interfering Brussels in one of our national past-times is likely to cause much debate around caravan tables at sites across the country.”

Family starts two new caravan sites

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A brother and sister have founded two new caravan sites for Brits to enjoy after seeing the pleasure their parents derived from their new mobile home.

Ian and Wendy Todd bought a motorhome as a 40th anniversary present to themselves and their delight in the camper led son James Todd and daughter Sarah Lyon to take the step.

Both own land and decided to use it to create small campsites with help from the Camping and Caravanning Club.

Ms Lyon explained that she believed she could offer campers more than other sites she had visited by using a two-acre field to provide pitches.

She explained that the Greets Farm site has plenty of room and is just a mile from the “pretty village” of Welburn.

“My brother’s site, Mount Pleasant Farm, is a working farm, and offers pedestrian and cycle access to Dalby Forest,” she added.

Both facilities have been awarded Certified Site status, which is given to camp grounds with space for up to five caravans and additional tent pitches.

Brits may be encouraged to avoid the hassle of flying caused by last week’s volcanic eruption and opt for a short break at a campsite instead.

To book a pitch at Greets Farm, please call 01653 619453 or email sarah.todd@greetsfarm.co.uk.

To book a pitch on Mount Pleasant Farm, please call 01751 460337 or email J-Todd@btinternet.com.

Both sites can be viewed through the Club’s online system, siteseeker.co.uk

Dunster House offer virtual tours of Steath Caravans online

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Last year the caravan world was introduced to the Stealth, the first tourer from log cabin manufacturers Dunster House. Launched at International Caravan and Motorhome, the caravan instantly stood out from the crowd with its gloss-black nosecone and modern lines. Inspired by the world of penthouses and luxury yachts, the cream leather and gloss surfaces introduced a highly contemporary look to the market. (Click here for our in-depth video on the Stealth)

For those who were unable to make the shows this year, Dunster House have now provided the option of viewing their Stealth caravans online through a 360º Panoramic tour. With a full screen option and zoom facilities it bridges the gap for those unable to see it in person.

Unlike many caravan manufacturers Dunster House do not use dealer networks but instead sell direct to customers via their own network of sites. The firm believes there is no need to use traditional dealers; all issues can be handled by the dedicated manufacturing team, led by an industry expert and sales team that provide customer service.

Manufacturer Alex Murphy recognised the needs of customers and commented “Without a network of dealers, it can sometimes be hard for customers who in particular live in out of the way locations to see our caravans. It is well worth the trip to see us, even just for a coffee and a chat. But for those who can’t; our website is a great way to fall in love with Stealth.”

He was also excited about what the virtual tours could offer potential buyers. “A panoramic tour is great; it gives a great feeling of actually standing inside the ‘Stealth’ and seeing just what it is that everyone is talking about!”

The company have claimed “record sales” were taken at Boat and Caravan 2010 this year, offering “yet another assurance to everyone that Stealth Caravans are here to stay.”

To take a 360 degree tour of the Stealth online, you can visit the official site here

Parkdean: Cornwall a famous film destination

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Cornwall could be an attractive proposition for caravanners who like their movies, it has been suggested.

According to holiday site operator Parkdean, which runs 24 caravan sites around the country, the area has been used in a number of films over the years.

The most recent was Alice in Wonderland, which used Antony House in one of its opening scenes.

Described as “a perfect, pocket-sized mansion, something beautifully symmetrical, with intimate interiors, wide views and landscaped gardens”, the site is just 30 minutes drive from Parkdean’s Looe Bay Holiday Park.

Meanwhile, Holywell Bay Holiday Park is in close vicinity to where Pierce Brosnan had a famous car chase as James Bond in Die Another Day.

St Michael’s Mount also featured in spy spoof Johnny English, which saw Rowan Atkinson play a bumbling secret agent.

The site was used as the setting for villain Pascal Sauvage’s lair.

In other news, Parkdean recently suggested that St Michael’s Mount is a great place to visit due to the legend of Cornish giant Cormoran, who supposedly created the tidal island.