London one of ten best-value destinations in world

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Caravanners looking for a budget for money destination in the UK may be surprised to hear that London has been named among the top ten best-value places to go in the world.

According to Lonely Planet, the recession has caused the capital to become more affordable, especially for foreign visitors.

UKinbound chief executive Mary Rance explained the exchange rate between the pound and other currencies has made the city a great choice for those from abroad.

She said that London had a real chance to benefit from the downturn by attracting more tourists.

“With investment from government in overseas marketing to raise awareness of the fantastic value currently on offer in Britain, we could ensure that this opportunity is not missed and that 2010 is a bumper year for inbound travel,” Ms Rance suggested.

Meanwhile, the Caravan Club responded to the Lonely Planet list by saying that its 18 sites in the south-east of England could make excellent bases for a trip to the capital.

Caravanners could have black box monitor installed in vehicle

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Caravan enthusiasts could soon find every detail of their drive to a campsite recorded by an aeroplane-style black box recorder.

The European Commission has launched Project Veronica to look into how the technology can be used in cars.

The equipment would monitor and record driver actions such as speed, braking and indication, with the ultimate aim of improving road safety.

However, the Institute of Advanced Motorists has warned that the black box would not necessarily cut the number of accidents on UK roads.

“In terms of road safety the only way it affects how people drive is the cultural thing of ‘there’s a black box watching me so I’ll be careful’,” explained chief examiner Peter Rodger.

He said that while this will have an effect on some drivers, others will not change their habits.

Mr Rodger added that the technology will only help tell what happened in an accident, not prevent it occurring.

Police investigate caravan arson attacks

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Police near Luton are investigating an incident in which two caravans and a car were set alight.

The fire broke out in the early hours of yesterday (November 4th) morning at Ver Meadows travellers’ site in Redbourn.

Fire crews were called out to the blazes separately, with one of the caravans containing a gas cylinder, which had to be removed.

While no-one was hurt, police are treating both incidents as arson attacks, with Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue assisting with their investigations.

Local residents with caravans may be interested to know that the Hertfordshire Caravan Club has over 300,000 member families and a network of more than 200 sites across the UK.

Founded in 1907, the society also has an additional 3,000 small private certified locations which take no more than five caravans at a time.

The club organises rallies almost every weekend of the year and aims to bring caravan owners together in a friendly setting.

Caravan sites raise debate in Cheshire

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The subject of caravan sites has stirred debate among council members in Cheshire, it has been revealed.

According to thisischeshire.co.uk, Labour and Liberal Democrats representatives are at loggerheads over whether developers should be allowed to set up satellite travellers’ sites.

Councillors in the area have knocked back numerous applications for permanent sites, but some believe there are not enough provisions in place.

“This council has failed in its duty to provide suitable sites for travellers in this area,” the newspaper reported Labour councillor for Poplars and Hulme John Kerr-Brown as saying.

“They are having no responsibility to the community or travellers.”

A number of recreational campsites exist in Cheshire, such as Manor Wood, which features 25 super pitches surrounding a lake, as well as level grass areas for a further 25 caravans.

The site also has a heated swimming pool, climbing frame, fishing, tennis courts and internet facilities set within ten acres of countryside.

Lotto-winning couple buy new caravan

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A couple who won the lottery more than a year ago have elected not to splash the cash, save for buying a new caravan and sofa.

Stan and Pat Cable from Eye, Suffolk, spent £12,000 on a new mobile holiday home and invested in a new couch for their council house after winning £3.98 million last May.

However, they have been criticised for not moving out of their local authority residence in order to make room for those who need it more.

The pair have broken no rules and are entitled to stay in their home, the local council explained.

But 85-year-old Reginald Fidler wrote to his local newspaper to complain that the Cables could afford a mansion if they wanted.

“It’s a shame that someone else can’t benefit from their luck,” he said.

The couple explained that they were happy with their home and their neighbours and had no plans to move.

Meanwhile, the Sun has reported how a mum who scooped £8.37 million on the lottery took 12 family members for a holiday at a caravan park after winning.

Devon caravan park offers early booking discounts

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Camping enthusiasts booking a break in a new Primrose caravan holiday home are being given the chance to take advantage of a special offer from a North Devon site.

Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks is offering up to £280 off the cost of bookings made before the end of November.

Guests can stay at the site for a week from July 3rd, 10th or 17th for £545, while other early booking offers allow a family to stay for seven nights from June 5th for £350 – a saving of £255.

Those staying in peak season will get a £50 discount, meaning they pay £850 for the week in the static caravan.

Each Primrose caravan sleeps up to eight and includes a shower room and fully-equipped kitchen.

The holiday homes feature central heating and French doors, which lead to decking, with guests able to enjoy ten indoor and outdoor pools, a nine-hole golf course, two outdoor water parks, a cinema and tennis courts for free.

Visitors can also access ten-pin bowling, a climbing wall, two-man bungee run and go-karting for a modest fee.

Those heading to Devon may also be interested in paying a visit to Crealy Great Adventure Park and the World of Country Life.

Run a marathon to provide caravan holidays for families

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A charity that provides caravan holidays to disadvantaged families across the country hopes to provide as many as 1,600 breaks in 2010.

In order to achieve its goals, the Family Holiday Association is looking for fundraisers to enter the Malta Marathon or Half Marathon.

Taking place on February 28th 2010 the event has been part of the organisation’s activities for the past three years.

“Family holidays are a rare chance for us to spend quality time together – something that would greatly benefit vulnerable families who never have that opportunity,” said team member David Burling.

He urged Brits to join him in the race to help provide a vacation for some of the country’s neediest families.

Accommodation and transport are being arranged by sports tour specialist Teamlink Travel, which will also provide advice and support for runners through their training.

Applicants hoping to obtain a Family Holiday Association break must be on low income, not have been on vacation for four years, have at least one child aged three or more and have been referred by a welfare agent.

Caravan fans raise thousands for charity

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Caravan enthusiasts in Skegness have helped raise thousands of pounds for charity.

According to the Skegness Standard, residents at Taggs Caravan Site clubbed together to donate £7,000 to the Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and Skegness Lifeboat Association.

The funds were raised by holding a number of events, including bingo and raffles during the summer season.

The newspaper revealed that drinkers at the local Tunny’s Tavern have spent the last decade raising cash for the lifeboat service, generating a total of around £25,000.

Caravanners heading to Skegness may be interested in checking out the pier, which has been standing for more than 125 years.

It hosts a ten pin bowling alley, amusement arcades, laserquest, kids’ play area and numerous places to eat.

Other attractions include Batemans Brewery, the National Parrot Sanctuary and Skegness Stadium, which holds stockcar racing events.

Those looking to try their hand at water sports such as waterskiing could also do so at Skegness Water Leisure.

Millionaire buys three new caravan parks

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A multi-millionaire has announced the purchase of three caravan sites after flying to a holiday park golf course he owns by private helicopter.

John Morphet revealed that his Pure Leisure Group had purchased Sutton site Silverhill, Lincoln’s Orchard Caravan Holiday Home Park and Mablethorpe’s Lakeside in a deal thought to be worth £10 million, according to Cambs24.co.uk.

He explained the decision to buy the sites was made as a result of the recession, with financial circumstances meaning it was more sensible to invest in the new land than continue with plans for a new leisure centre at Tydd St Giles – another site owned by the firm.

Mr Morphet arrived at Tydd St Giles Golf Club in a Eurocopter EC-155 – one of only four in the UK, with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich holding the keys to one of the other three.

The leisure entrepreneur said his new purchases meant the group had “something for everyone” and pointed out the variations between the parks.

Tydd St Giles Golf Club offers patrons luxury holiday living with access to spa and leisure facilities, as well as golf and fishing.

Objectors hold up caravan park plans

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Local objectors look to have put paid to hopes of building a caravan park at an Ayrshire beauty spot.

According to the Ayrshire Post, plans to create space for 93 static caravans and 49 tourers have generated 432 letters of complaint to the local authority.

The decision will now be passed from South Ayrshire Council’s regulatory panel to the full council because of the level of objection.

The large facility would stretch along more than a kilometre of coastal road and locals feel that the natural beauty of the area would be compromised.

However, Mark White – the man behind the plans – has promised to plant a screen of trees and create a pond to help enhance the scenery.

Local MSP John Scott is against the plans and said that although tourism would receive a boost, the site would have a “detrimental impact” by obstructing locals’ views of the Carrick Hills.

Popular attractions in Ayrshire include the former home of Scottish poet Rabbie Burns, as well as ferry rides to the numerous islands off the coast.

Caravan site owner hit with massive tax increase

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The owner of a Devon caravan site could be forced out of business by a tax bill larger than his season’s takings.

Raff Cooper, who owns Marldon Tor, told the Herald Express that his summer income amounted to around £3,000 this year.

Despite this, he is facing rates of £5,600 after the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) rateable value was reassessed for the first time in five years, which has made him consider selling the site.

“They are asking for money that we simply do not have or even have the prospect of earning. This summer the most we had was seven caravans here at one time,” Mr Cooper told the newspaper.

He questioned how such actions would impact the local tourism industry, suggesting that it could “bring it to its knees”.

The site’s monthly bill was £50 for 2008/09, but has shot up to £290 for the next year.

The VOA said any ratepayer with questions over their new assessment should head to its website, where they will find useful information and guidance.

Caravan owners staying in Devon may wish to head to Crealy Great Adventure Park or try a tree-top assault course at Go Ape! in Haldon.

Static caravan owners ‘dodging council tax’

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Static caravan owners often use their holiday home for weekends or extended breaks away from the pressures of life, but some are overstaying their welcome, it has been reported.

Critics have spoken out against the growing number of people using caravans as their permanent place of residence, claiming they are taking what they can from the local area without contributing.

This is because caravans are currently not subject to council tax and owners are able to stay in them for around three-quarters of the year without breaking the rules.

BBC News recently reported that Conwy councillor Bob Squire is among those speaking out on the issue, after a number of site operators began pushing for 12-month occupancy.

He told BBC Radio Wales’ Eye on Wales programme that a number of caravan park residents had applied for bus passes, despite supposedly being on holiday.

“We also found that there were people claiming housing benefit, there were people on Jobseeker’s Allowance,” Mr Squire explained.

A number of caravan park residents had even been added to the local electoral register, the councillor revealed.

Meanwhile, the Sentinel recently reported that a Staffordshire school is planning to create a unique learning area inside a caravan.