Table of contents for November 2023 in Caravan

Here at Caravan, the team is buzzing with anticipation for the NEC show and the annoucement of the winners of the Caravan of the Year Awards, which are held in association with Creation Personal Finance. Inside, there’s a show guide to help you plan your show visit. Speaking of trips, our travel features will whisk you away to enchanting Andalusia for some delightful winter sun and invite you to explore the Christmas markets of Bruges and Ghent. But that’s not all; we’ve also curated some fantastic ideas for weekend getaways right here in the UK. If all this has your wanderlust stirred, why not seize the opportunity to subscribe? You can bag the next five issues for just £5 by heading to W caravan.ma/bestchoice or calling 01778 392017 quoting cara/bestchoice.…

Sometimes, when you set off in your caravan, you are heading to places you’ve never been to before, and sometimes the surroundings are more familiar. Having spent nine of my formative years living near Winchester, it is probably safe to say that it falls in the latter category. However, as a subsequent long-time resident of East Sussex, revisiting former haunts for a three-night stay at the recently updated and beautifully appointed Winchester Morn Hill Caravan and Motorhome Club site, proved very enjoyable. Winchester is a gracious, historic city, perhaps best known for its cathedral, its statue of King Alfred and the Great Hall with its famous round table. Yet move beyond the obvious attractions and there is much more to discover. Catching the very convenient number 64 bus from outside…

Reading through an article in which the beautiful language of Wales was questioned as having been ‘invented by a lunatic’, I thought it would be useful for visitors to our beautiful country to have an insight into its equally beautiful language. I was not upset by that description and, to an extent, I understand how it could seem so. However, the truth is that the Welsh language is glorious. Cards on the table, I am Welsh, born and resident. I have sung in a choir for nearly 40 years, but I am not a fluent Welsh speaker. I have written this from the stance of an English monoglot who has been immersed and surrounded by Welsh all my life. This guide is intended to help visitors gain even more from…

How much you have to spend on a caravan may depend on the way you finance it. Just like buying a car, there are lots of options available. You could arrange a loan through your bank or through a caravan dealer. But there are also many other options out there. BUYING ON FINANCE Black Horse is the market leader in providing finance for caravan purchases, offering a range of options including spreading the payments over a period of between one and 10 years. Most caravan retailers have dedicated finance managers who will give detailed advice and submit your loan application for you. Buying on finance means you decide how much you’re comfortable spending each month and then tailor the length of the agreement to that figure. So, if you can…

When you’re out and about in your caravan, you don’t need to give much thought to where it’s stored – it stays on the pitch. But, it’s important to consider where you will keep your caravan when you’re not using it. Do you have the capacity to keep it at home, or do you need another plan? Keeping your caravan at home is certainly convenient, but these days more owners are preferring to put their’vans into storage instead of the driveway. Caravans are getting bigger – especially with the rise in popularity of eight-foot-wide models – and parking space on new-build properties is often limited, plus some houses might not have driveways at all. All things considered, paying a relatively modest fee to store a caravan safely is a sensible…

European manufacturer, Adria, will be launching a new four-berth compact and quirky model into its Action range at the NEC show. The Action 391 PT has a new and nifty feature of the additional bed space in the form of a pull-out that sits above the standard bed, effectively making a bunk. Built for those looking for a lightweight and sporty-looking ‘caravan, the Action range features a number of configurations to suit. These lightweight models are ideal for two or more people and, due to the low MTPLM, can be towed by many vehicles.…

My mind was racing at breakneck speed – Donna Nook, Gibraltar Point, Holkham Hall, Sandringham Estate, the Norfolk Broads… I’ve always had an appetite for planning more than it’s practically possible to achieve on my trips. This inevitably leads to a little disappointment for a while, until I try to remind myself that it’s quality not quantity that matters every time. At one stage I had compiled a list with three headings: ‘must do’, ‘if possible’ and ‘maybe’. I’d rewritten it countless times over, before I finally decided to put both the list and my procrastinations aside and just get on with it. What would be would be. The first thing on my ‘must do’ list was visiting Rosedale Abbey on the North Yorkshire Moors, so I had a two-night…

There’s nothing more delightful on a cold, damp wintry day than to hitch up the caravan and head off to sunnier climes. And, that is exactly what we planned and did. We booked a lovely week exploring Spain and, after 24 hours on the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander we set off on the drive down through Spain to the south coast of Andalusia. We stopped in the beautiful town of Salamanca to break up the nine-hour drive and enjoy a little brunch. The roads are much cleaner and clearer - that is one thing that struck me on our first drive through Spain. Roads can be empty and that is mainly if you choose to use the toll roads; the Spanish rarely use them, so you can get a…

Selsey, where the dramatic dance of sea and stone unfolds. This coastal haven is renowned for its treacherous underwater rock formations, named Owers Rocks and Mixon Rocks, shrouded in maritime legend and intrigue. As the waves sing their lullaby, the Lifeboat Station watches over the shore, a guardian of safety and hope. Dive into the rich maritime history at the RNLI Lifeboat Museum, where tales of courage and rescue come to life. Selsey’s culinary heritage is equally captivating. Delight in the bounty of the sea with the freshest catches of fish and local crab, a true gastronomic treasure. Indulge in the delectable flavors that define our coastal cuisine, making every visit a savory adventure. Come, explore Selsey, where history, seafood, and the ever-present sea breeze combine to create an unforgettable…

John ‘Rhino’ Edwards, bassist of legendary rock band Status Quo has penned a song titled Caravan Man based on his love of the caravan lifestyle. We had a quick chat about it. When did you start caravanning? My first caravan experiences were as a child. We used to go to Lancing in West Sussex and really loved everything about being on site. I guess my love started back then and grew with me. It has been the same for my family, too; they loved caravanning. This lifestyle makes for an idyllic childhood. Now when I am not touring, I enjoy relaxing in the caravan with my wife, Kathy, and dog, Walter. What inspired you to write the song? Funnily enough I was sitting in the caravan and started to write.…

THE CHEQUERS CARAVAN SITE Canterbury Road, Selsted, Dover, Kent CT15 7HJ T 07785 782474 W chequerscaravan.site OPEN All year Built on the orders of Henry VIII, Kent’s Walmer Castle was originally designed to be a defensive fortress. From 1 December this year until 1 January, Christmas at the castle will see a seasonal light trail brought to the now country house retreat, on the coast just outside of Deal. Immerse yourself in a trail of spectacular illuminations and installations, transforming the grounds into a winter wonderland. Adding to the festivities will be a choice of food and warm beverages. A 30-minute drive away is The Chequers. Situated on the main road between Folkestone and Canterbury, access for exploring is easy. There are grass and hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up. While…

The super-luxury Buccaneer range of five twin-axle caravans includes two with L-shaped lounges; these are the Bermuda and the Barracuda. They are the same price, and the MTPLM figures are very similar. And they both have bedrooms at the rear. The differences between the two are the orientation of the bed and the lounge. The Bermuda’s bed is aligned across the caravan; the Barracuda’s bedhead is against the rear wall. And, in the Bermuda, the television wall is on the nearside, with the sofas on the offside and across the front. In the Barracuda, the lounge is reversed, with the television wall on the offside. Which to choose? It’s a close call, as we discovered at Preston Caravans and Motorhomes. Buccaneers are generally regarded as trendsetters. The brand was among…

It is possible to pay for a caravan on a credit card (provided your credit limit is appropriate to cover the cost), although it’s only sensible to do this if you are taking advantage of interest-free periods. These can range from between 18 and 36 months. Be aware that some caravan retailers may charge a fee for using a credit card to purchase a caravan. Buying this way can provide added protection that buying with cash does not give you so check what these added protections provide. This could be especially useful if the dealer you’re buying from goes out of business after you’ve paid a deposit but before you take delivery. The key if buying on a credit card is to ensure that you repay the full amount before…

The Caravan and Motorhome Club announced the winner of its Towcar of the Year earlier this month. With a panel of judges raring to go over the two days, there were 28 entrants spread across the different weight categories and the overall winner was also the winner of the Caravan Weight over 1700kg category. The plug-in hybrid Porsche Cayenne triumphed as it impressed the judges with its performance, stability, load capacity and pure driving pleasure. Nick Lomas, Director General of the C&MC said, “The Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2024 competition saw nine of the 28 vehicles tested purely powered by electricity and three were hybrids. It demonstrates just how seriously car makers are taking the world of towing with an electric vehicle. As well as seeing…

Have you ever dreamed of cruising across Canada, taking in breathtaking scenery whilst exploring the great outdoors and experiencing amazing wildlife in their natural habitats? For tourers looking to explore Canada, the Caravan and Motorhome Club is offering up the chance to win the trip of a lifetime worth £12,998. From ice-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies and blue alpine lakes to the hot springs of Radium, there is much to discover on the wanderlust tour. The adventure begins on 3 September, 2024, as the lucky winners embark on a remarkable 26-day journey. Their voyage commences in Calgary, leading them through the awe-inspiring alpine landscapes of Banff and onwards through national parks. The road unfolds toward the famed ski resort of Whistler, then meanders to explore Vancouver and far beyond,…