Table of contents for March 2024 in Caravan

"Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures"Lewis Carroll LOUISE COTTRILL EDITOR A lthough we have been somewhat battered by a few storms in recent weeks, it is good to see the social media channels alive with people asking questions about touring. There seem to be more caravanners coming into the fold to enjoy staycations! I am really looking forward to seeing everyone at the NEC show in a February and enjoying all that is new and exciting. Talking of new, there are some great dealer specials around at this time of year, so if you’re on the lookout for a new caravan, keep your eyes peeled. Oh, and Bailey has just launched two new layouts, that are perfect for families. There will be…

Little blue, red and white labels often spotted stuck on lampposts and the backs of road signs have become a familiar sight all over the country in recent years. They’ve been put there by the National Cycle Network (NCN) organisation. It’s thanks to these that I enjoyed several pleasant days cycling Wiltshire’s lanes to see close up something of a county I previously knew little of. I joined NCN’s route 24 virtually right from Longleat campsite’s entrance, at which I had arrived the evening before. Leaving the exotic roars of Longleat’s safari park’s inmates behind, I headed up hill and down dale firstly to the pleasant market town of Frome. Then, following the NCN’s signs through an edge-of town shopping centre, I reached a disused railway line to take me…

Nestled in the heart of England, York is a city that seamlessly combines a rich history with modern comforts. Steeped in medieval charm, it boasts iconic landmarks like York Minster, a stunning Gothic cathedral, and the York City Walls, offering leisurely walks with panoramic views. For those seeking history, the Jorvik Viking Centre and York Castle Museum provide immersive glimpses into the city’s past. The Shambles, a narrow, cobbled street lined with timber-framed buildings, invites strolls through independent shops and tearooms. The tranquillity of the York Museum Gardens offers a peaceful escape. Meanwhile, river cruises along the Ouse provide a relaxing way to absorb the city’s beauty. With accessible transport options, including the York Park & Ride, the city ensures convenience for exploration. York is a truly enchanting destination. Stay…

Bailey of Bristol | W baileyofbristol.co.uk | £21,499 including delivery Sitting firmly in the adventure caravanning market, Bailey’s trio of compact tourers are all comfortably under 1,300kg MTPLM – and also under £22,000. There’s a little two-berth, plus two four-berths, of which the D4-4L is the newest in the range. And, while the D4-2 is most definitely a couples’ caravan, and the fixed-bed D4-4, although a four-berth, also chiefly appeals to couples, the D4-4L is a caravan designed for a young family. That’s because it has bunk beds that convert from a dining area. Its MPTLM is just 1,083kg. And, along with its siblings, its distinctive looks – with a rounded rear bodyline and deep, single front window – put it in an eye-catching class of its own. The D4-4L…

Tishoo It’s hard to get very excited by tissues… but, what if they came in a box that fits perfectly in your car’s cup holder? Now we might have your attention. The fact that they come in a range of box designs might swing the decision, but we have to admit some of those designs might clash with your current colour scheme. We were initially a bit shocked about the £10 price tag, but then we had a coffee and realised that the pack included four tubes. We like the Blue/Wave design, but there are floral ones, animal print, geometric design, as well as plainer colours. As well as being handily within reach when on the road, these four-ply tissues are infused with hyaluronic acid, which is said to stop…

sudoku If you are looking for a way to exercise your mind, sudoku is great and will certainly get the cogs turning! just for fun Find the 23 monsters crossword ACROSS 1/4 State of the art (4,2,2,4) 8 Implied (5) 9 Dislodge a rider (7) 10 Obstinately resistant to change (3-4) 11 Flavoured iced water (5) 12 River rose (anag) (9) 17 Settle a score (5) 19 Many as one (2,5) 21 Amusement park (7) 22 Champagne capital (variant spelling) (5) 23/24 Relieves early reticence among strangers (6,3,3) DOWN 1 ‘Woe ------’: beware misfortune (6) 2 In sociology, of a family of parents and offspring only (7) 3 Over the top (5) 5 Shakespeare tragedy from c 1604 (7) 6 Pertaining to the ear (5) 7 ------Waugh, author of Decline…

In the 1940s it was apparently ok for travel writers to be tactless and even rude. A friend had gifted me a pile of shabby Penguin guidebooks, whose yellowing pages were peppered with ticks and stars made by her relatives. These books revealed a different England, when driving tours were a novel idea. Browsing the two guides for East Anglia to plan our own trip, I squirmed as I read the writer’s forthright introduction, “Suffolk folk will be found to be slow but extremely thorough, very hospitable and in the rural parts more ready to accept the stranger than their Norfolk neighbours.” Driving into Bury St Edmunds, I read aloud from our 1949 companion that this was “undoubtedly one of the most historic places in East Anglia.” I was keen…

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Every now and then you pitch up at a campsite so perfect, you never want to leave! Even those with wanderlust crave the peace of knowing they could go back and enjoy a campsite where they have made fond memories. Most campsites have a number of seasonal caravan pitches, where a touring caravan can be left in the same spot all season or all year long. Imagine the convenience of not having to book a campsite – it’s 4pm on Friday and you can just jump in the car and go to your pre-pitched caravan on a site you love. These are just some of the benefits of seasonal caravan pitches. WHAT ARE SEASONAL CARAVAN PITCHES? Seasonal caravan pitches on sites where you can lock up and leave your caravan…

Coachman | W coachman.co.uk | £41,365 + £650 delivery Laser has always been synonymous with luxury caravanning. Now, the marque that was first introduced in 2000 has grown in width – as well as, of course, specification. The three Laser models are now eight feet wide – hence the name Xtra, a designation introduced in 2022. Two have island beds and one, the 665, has twin beds. Although the island bed Lasers are also four-berths, it’s the 665 that offers flexibility in terms of family use. The bedroom area can be the domain of young caravanners, with parents converting the lounge into a double bed. And the central position of the shower and toilet area means that people sleeping at either end can get to it without walking through a…

Driving past a wheelbarrow filled with ‘help yourself’ windfall apples and pears in the village of Benson, I couldn’t resist the urge to pull over. The owner of the Old Vicarage (and the wheelbarrow) appeared while we were making our selection, and we discussed our favourite recipes. He pointed out that the pears were more suited to cooking than eating, and suggested pear chutney. Depositing our harvest into the car we continued on to our destination. I’d been invited, at short notice, to a work conference in Wantage. Given the venue was a five-hour round trip from our home in East Sussex, we’d decided to make a weekend of it. A quick Google search for the nearest campsite came up with the delightfully named Crowmarsh Gifford. The Bridge Villa Camping…

TY COCH CAMPSITE B4239, Saint Brides, Newport NP10 8SR T 07983 615984 W tycochleisure.com OPEN All year Exclusively for adults, Ty Coch campsite is situated close to the south Wales coast, within 15 minutes’ drive of both the cities of Cardiff and Newport. There are grass and hardstanding pitches, some set around an ornamental lake area, and there is an enclosed dog walk area, too. Facilities include toilets, showers and a campers’ kitchen. There is a golf course right next to the site and the coastal path is only a short walk away. As the capital city of Wales, Cardiff is bustling with a variety of attractions. There are museums, a lavishly decorated castle, and the green open spaces of Bute Park. The waterfront Cardiff Bay area offers restaurants, bars…

BAILEY PEGASUS GRANDE GT75 PORTOFINO The Portofino is part of the GT75 range launched to mark Bailey’s seventy-fifth anniversary in 2023. It is an 8ft-wide, single-axle model with four berths. It features an end bedroom layout with a large fixed island bed that can be pushed in towards the wall when not in use. There are wardrobes either side of the bed and TV point in here too – making it ideal as a second lounging area for the youngster during the day. As you exit the bedroom, the washroom and toilet are amidships and can be separated… a great feature for family touring. In the Portofino the shower feels very spacious. There’s a fully equipped kitchen with plenty of space for pots and pans. In this area you’ll find…

Exploring beautiful surroundings while on a caravan trip is undeniably one of the greatest joys of the adventure. While there are options such as using a car or taking a stroll, many caravanners prefer exploring on their bicycles, and it’s important to get the right rack. TYPES OF BIKE RACKS There are a few different type of bike racks to choose from: ● A-frames: a rack on the A-frame of the caravan’s chassis is the ideal solution. However, the caravan does need a relatively long frame to accommodate a reasonable number of bikes – generally, four is the maximum Locating the bikes here will keep the weight within the rear axle of the tow vehicle and the caravan’s axles and many racks tilt to allow access to the front locker…

Tune in Q We’ve just purchased our first caravan, and we’re looking to buy a television. Is a 12V TV, or will a 230V TV more suitable? A The type of TV required depends on the type of pitches you intend to book. If you only book pitches with an electric hook-up (often called an EHU), a 230v TV will fit the bill. However, if you intend to stay at sites that don’t offer electricity, you’ll need a 12V TV, as it will draw power from your leisure battery. As for brands, I have used 12V TVs from Cello and Avtex, with both performing well. Travelling to Italy Q We’re hoping to take our caravan to Lake Garda later this year, and I wondered if there are any ‘dos or…