Visitor rise at Camping and Caravanning sites

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by Ed Davies

The Camping and Caravanning Club enjoyed a growth of 5% on last year in the number of campers on its network

The club has capitalised on good weather throughout summer in particular and benefited from a wider trend towards staycations within the UK.

Traditionally seen as a low-cost holiday option, more and more people are turning to the pastime as a leisure activity that offers an increasingly high standard and wide choice of accommodation.

Regionally, the areas with biggest year-on-year growth are Wales, where the Club’s five sites saw an 18% increase in pitch night sales, Scotland which increased by 8% and the South West of England, which also grew by 8%.

Bob Hill, Club Sites director, said: “We’re thrilled with the Club’s success in 2016. Enjoying our highest ever membership has clearly extended to more bookings made on our network of campsites.

“We have helped hundreds of thousands of campers enjoy a break away this year, with well over one million pitch nights on Club Sites.

“The Club is committed to improving the provision of hardstanding pitches across each of our sites to make it easier for members and non-members alike to explore the best Britain has to offer throughout autumn and into the winter.”

At individual site level, Cambridge, Crowden in the Peak District and California Cross in Devon have all experienced increases in the numbers of campers, with each running unique offers on pitches.

The discounts, redeemable only when booking online, have made pitching up on more than 30 Club Sites more cost-effective for families and midweek arrivals throughout the year, including the peak camping season of June-September.

The Caravan Club adds 40 new sites in Europe

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by Ed Davies

Champions of the great outdoors, The Caravan Club, has added 39 new sites to its European network, across 16 countries for 2017 getaways

Club members can also choose from a host of offers including free night stays, ferry deals and free Wi-Fi included.

Campers, caravanners and motorhome owners can make the most of the expanding network by exploring the club’s 300 sites in Europe including 39 brand new locations.

Highlights include:

  • Indigo Noirmoutier on the small Island of Noirmoutier, just off the Vendée coast
  • Pivka Jama set in a tranquil pine forest located in beautiful Notranjska, south west Slovenia
  • Vitznau in Switzerland with pitches overlooking the idyllic Lake Lucerne
  • Park Albatros in Tuscany, an outstanding holiday resort with every amenity for the ideal family holiday
  • Ferienpark Wulfener Hals, which is considered one of the most beautiful campsites in Germany, and set on Fehmarn Island in the Baltic Sea

All of the new sites have been inspected and handpicked by The Caravan Club from thousands of sites across Europe and have been chosen for their facilities and services, excellent location and value for money.

Harvey Alexander, director of marketing, The Caravan Club said: “With many of our members looking ahead to their 2017 summer getaways already, we’re really pleased to be able to announce a whole range of new sites for the year ahead.

“We’ve spent a lot of time making sure these new additions match the high standards of our members and are confident that there are many new sites that will pique their interest.”

Largest ever UK leisure vehicle survey finalised

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by Ed Davies

Compiled from over 40,000 different responses from caravan and motorhome owners, the UK’s largest ever survey of leisure vehicles has been finalised

Having been commissioned by The Caravan Club, the survey takes an in-depth look at vehicles, the manufacturers that dominate the market, satisfaction levels and future innovations.

There are a total of more than one million leisure vehicles owned in the UK, many leisure vehicle owners regularly stay on Caravan Club sites.

The survey shows the bulk of caravan market ownership is dominated by manufacturers such as Adria, Bailey, Coachman, Elddis, Lunar, Sterling and Swift.

While there are more players in motorhome manufacture (15 brands from 10 manufacturers represent 75% of the market), the top five are Auto-Sleepers, Auto-Trail, Autocruise, Elddis and Swift.

A staggering 89% of caravan owners and 91% of motorhome owners are happy with their vehicles – excellent news and something manufacturers and retailers should be proud of.

“There is an undeniably high level of satisfaction among caravanners and motorhomers,” said The Caravan Club’s director general, Nick Lomas.

“We are confident the findings of the Leisure Vehicle Survey, which collected over 7.5m pieces of information, will help members and consumers to make informed choices on their leisure vehicle purchases.

“Caravanners and motorhomers enjoy exploring, both here and abroad, and The Club is committed to raising standards to ensure their continued satisfaction with this pastime.

“We would like to thank everyone who took the trouble to take part in the survey.”

According to the survey, once bitten by the leisure vehicle bug, fans are in for the long-term and keen to keep up with the latest models and trends.

Over half (52%) of existing leisure vehicle owners predict they will be upgrading their caravans and motorhomes within 2-3 years, with 51% anticipating spending between £10-20,000.

What is more, the quality of caravans and motorhomes is improving and the survey shows satisfaction with vehicles has increased.

Since 2011 there has been a noticeable uplift across industry standards with new construction methods having a positive impact on customer satisfaction.

Leisure vehicle manufacturing and holiday spend is worth in excess of £6bn to the UK economy, the sector employs over 130,000 people and is currently going from strength to strength with no sign of slowing down.

Holy moly here comes the Flying Scotsman! New heritage station opens

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by Ed Davies

Following a huge campaign to get it constructed, the Burrs Country Park train station has been officially opened by the Flying Scotsman

The station, in East Lancashire, is the seventh stop along the popular heritage railway line and will enable visitors to board both steam and diesel train services.

To celebrate the opening of the station The Caravan Club hosted special guests including the great Flying Scotsman steam train.

Located within The Caravan Club’s own Burrs Country Park site, the station platform can be accessed from a new footpath, which has been built to circumnavigate the site.

The Caravan Club also donated £80,000 towards the new platform, which was opened last Thursday, October 13 during the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2016.

Harvey Alexander, director of marketing, The Caravan Club commented: “This is a special day for our members and visitors.

“The East Lancashire Steam railway has been a popular attraction for a number of years.

“We are delighted to be able to support the opening of the new station and welcome such distinguished guests, including the Mayor of Bury and the Flying Scotsman, on this historic day.”

The Caravan Club will extend a warm welcome to a host of special guests the mayor of Bury and local councillor Mike Connolly.

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Training courses to brush up on caravan skills

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by Ed Davies

The Caravan Club are throwing several motorhome and caravan training courses throughout 2017 for those who feel the need to brush up on their caravanning skills

The courses will be available at 15 venues across the UK and are open to both beginners and experienced caravanners keen to refresh their skills.

The courses are designed to help drivers to feel secure in their abilities and include manoeuvring practice as well as advice on how to maintain and check their motorhome and caravan.

All courses are led by friendly professional instructors at locations approved by The Caravan Club.

Harvey Alexander, Caravan Club marketing director, said: “Providing training courses for new and experienced members is key to us ensuring that British holidaymakers are well-equipped with safety tips and manoeuvring advice to ensure that they feel confident and prepared ahead of UK and European getaways.

“We continue to offer courses at locations across the UK and are particularly pleased to be able to offer even more course for motorhome owners as the interest in these self-drive getaways shows no sign of slowing down.”

Course types available include:

  • Practical Caravanning Course – available for beginners from £170
  • Caravanning Manoeuvring Course – full day courses available from £145
  • Motorhome Manoeuvring Course – full day courses available from £170

New finance deal could boost leisure vehicle industry

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by Ed Davies

Those looking to holiday in the UK in the future could see themselves joined by ever swelling numbers as companies begin to offer personal contract purchase for caravans and motorhomes

Vehicle data expert, Glass’s, believes PCP – which is an increasingly popular way of financing new cars – could revolutionise the leisure vehicle market.

The introduction of PCP for motorhomes could make leisure vehicles much more affordable and potentially bring a wave of new buyers.

Recent industry figures and reports have shown a boom in the motorhome industry this year.

Rupert Pontin, Glass’s director, said: “Touring caravans and motorhomes are not cheap vehicles and you can easily spend £40,000 on the latter.

“However, the use of finance products in the market has tended to be quite limited, meaning that the typical buyer is an older person with savings.

“That has changed in recent months, with the arrival of a handful of finance companies entering the market. Now, the situation could change quite quickly.

“The touring caravan and motorhome market has been quite buoyant in recent years but we believe that this development could provide a further boost.”

A PCP is a form of finance similar to a hire purchase agreement but instead of paying off the entire value of the vehicle in equal monthly installments like an HP, you are effectively only paying off the depreciation via your monthly installments on a PCP.

“The key advantages of PCPs are that they make vehicles much more affordable and accessible,” he added.

“Crucially, they will allow younger buyers with families who would like a caravan or motorhome for stay-at-home holidays to seriously consider taking out a PCP, typically over five to seven years.”

Mr Pontin said that the availability of PCPs could make leisure vehicles of this kind as accessible to the average family as buying a second car.

“Some of the headline figures that are being seen in the market are very attractive and, as competition grows across the sector for PCPs, we would expect them to become even more viable as a monthly expenditure for more and more people,” he said.

“Certainly, if you were planning to use a motorhome for two or three family holidays a year, then the maths stacks up pretty well against other holiday choices.”

Caravan insurance company hands over thousands to ambulance charity

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by Ed Davies

Insurance company, Caravan Guard, has seen its amazing support for Yorkshire Air Ambulance soar well above its initial target

The Halifax-based company handed over a huge cheque for £6,000 to their “angels in the sky” – three months earlier than expected.

Caravan Guard and Leisuredays donate £2 to the charity for every new Gadget and Leisure and Home Emergency policy they sell to their customers.

The firm set a target to raise £5,000 by the end of the year for the air ambulance service, but other fundraising activities have meant the charity has got the money sooner.

A team of 10 runners from Caravan Guard and Leisuredays took part in the Leeds 10K this summer and employees dressed up in yellow for Yellow Yorkshire Day – seeing their fundraising fly further.

“We’re very proud to support this life-saving charity, which relies on the generosity of people and companies like ours to continue its vital work,” said Caravan Guard director, Louise Menzies.

“Now that Yorkshire Air Ambulance has its new state-of-the-art H145 Airbus, we’re hoping our donation will help fund night vision goggles so they can become truly night capable and be able to fly in the skies for longer.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep its helicopters flying. The charity serves five million people across Yorkshire, attending on average, more than 1,000 incidents a year.

Kerry Garner, regional fundraising manager for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the continued support we have received from Caravan Guard, it is support like this which enables us to save lives across Yorkshire.

“To keep both of Yorkshire’s Air Ambulances maintained and in the air we need to raise £4.4M every single year and the vital funds raised by Caravan Guard and their staff will contribute to our life-saving service.”

To donate to Yorkshire Air Ambulance visit www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk/donate/

Win more than £500 in caravan accessories

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by Ed Davies

Having recently launched their new online store Cheshire dealership, Leisure Sales, are now giving away more than £500 in caravan and barbecue accessories

This includes a £139.99 Weber charcoal barbecue and an outdoor Weber fireplace worth £100, which are all available in their online store.

Leisure Sales is located in Sandbach, east cheshire, on a 17 acre site and sells new Lunar, Bailey and Swift models as well as top quality used caravans.

As part of their online store launch, the dealership is putting on a special offer, whereby, clients’ first online purchases receive a 10% discount up until December 30.

Those who wish to apply need only fill in the form below and the winner will be announced in our newsletter on October 28.

Products included in prize:

  • Weber One Touch 57cm Charcoal BBQ
  • Weber Charcoal
  • Weber Firelighters
  • Weber Fire pit
  • Weber Fire pit logs
  • Pack of bamboo skewers
  • Weber fire pit cover
  • Via mondo Aluminium High back chairs x4
  • Kampa awning table

Competition rules:

The lucky winners will be picked at random at midday on October 28 and will be notified via the email address supplied in the entry form
Only one entry per person
No purchase necessary
No cash or alternative will be offered
This competition is open to new or existing CaravanTimes members only
No employees of CaravanTimes or StantonPace Ltd may enter
The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over

Holy Moly here comes the Flying Scotsman!! New station to open

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by Ed Davies

Following a huge campaign to get it constructed, the Burrs Country Park train station will officially open this week

The station, in East Lancashire, will become the seventh stop along the popular heritage railway line and will enable visitors to board both steam and diesel train services.

To celebrate the opening of the station The Caravan Club is to host several special guests including the great Flying Scotsman steam train.

Located within The Caravan Club’s own Burrs Country Park site, the station platform can be accessed from a new footpath, which has been built to circumnavigate the site.

This is in addition to The Caravan Club’s £80,000 investment towards the new platform, which is to be opened tomorrow (October 13) in the middle of the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2016.

Harvey Alexander, Caravan Club marketing director, said: “This is a special day for our members and visitors.

“The East Lancashire Steam railway has been a popular attraction for a number of years.

“We are delighted to be able to support the opening of the new station and welcome such distinguished guests, including the Mayor of Bury and the Flying Scotsman, on this historic day.”

The Caravan Club will extend a warm welcome to a host of special guests the mayor of Bury and local councillor Mike Connolly.

Motorhome & Caravan Show kicks-off without a hitch

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by Ed Davies

The largest show in the nation’s caravan calendar has opened its doors to the public and BBC presenter Matt Allwright has been telling us at the show why he has joined The Caravan Club

Kicking-off today, the Motorhome & Caravan Show will host the industry’s top leisure vehicle manufacturers, such as, Elddis, Swift, Auto-Sleepers, Coachman and Bailey of Bristol amongst many others.

As a lifelong caravanner, Allwright was invited by The Caravan Club to come along and present forums at the show running between October 11-16.

At the event in the NEC in Birmingham he said he was a recent sign-up to The Caravan Club and was keenly awaiting the chance to see all the sights in his new motorhome.

The Rogue Traders frontman said: “At about the age of 14 or 15 I think it was, my mum and dad bought a Volkswagen T2, a transporter, with a pop-up roof, which slept six and it was like we were being introduced to the art of compact living.

“We could do everything in this van. We went everywhere in it. All over the country. It was great for work.

“It was our family vehicle and I ended up knowing that at some point in my life, when I had kids, I would have to have something similar.

“I would have to have a camper van and I use it for everything. I use it for work as well and for travel. Go and see my mum and dad. It’s brilliant.

“Very kindly The Caravan Club have asked me to come and present a couple of things, a couple of forums but actually it is an excuse to go and have a poke around.

“I am here to learn as much as anything so I am going to be finding out about overseas travel and about certificated locations.

“I cannot wait to go and see a couple of the sights and see the world with the caravan.”

Luxury motorhome worth £380,000 to be unveiled at Motorhome & Caravan Show

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by Ed Davies

A luxury motorhome worth more than the average house price is to be unveiled at the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2016

Coming with underfloor heating, a rain shower and a spacious double bed, manufacturers Morelo are billing their new Empire Liner model as the height of luxury.

On top of all that, the 35ft long motorhome boasts a well-equipped kitchen, perfect for whipping up a feast.

The motorhome is powered by a 7.7-litre engine which develops 300bhp, twice as much torque as a Lamborghini Aventador.

There is a bedroom skylight meaning the owner can enjoy evenings looking up at the stars while drifting off to sleep.

But this level of comfort comes at a price. The motorhome, known as a ‘super-liner’, costs £378,000 – almost twice the price of the average English home.

The Morelo Empire Liner will be unveiled at the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2016 which is taking place at the Birmingham NEC this week.

Expert advice on caravan insurance pollicies

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by Ed Davies

Once you have decided to insure your caravan, as we discussed in our previous feature, choosing a particular policy should be considered and thought through

Although, possibly obvious for some, a first-time buyer could be lost at sea when looking for a new policy but heaven forfend lest you feel anxious as CaravanTimes is here to light the way.

We have chatted to the well-meaning insurance director of Caravan Guard, Neil Menzies, about the best policies to go for and those sneaky little conditions you need to look out for.

His in-depth advice

First of all, comparing policies, he says, to make sure you are getting the right level of cover is always worthwhile.

Mr Menzies said: “A Defaqto star rating is an indication of the level of cover offered by different policies, with a 5 star rating being the most comprehensive.

“Look out for “new for old” cover for your caravan. At Caravan Guard we will pay for a new caravan and equipment if your unit is stolen or written off as long as a customer has taken out this level of cover.

“This is available for caravans that are up to 15 years old. It is worth bearing in mind that you will be insuring at the cost of a brand new caravan and equipment, so you can expect to pay a higher premium.”

If this is not done and you insure your caravan at market value your policy will obviously be cheaper but will pay out the current value of the caravan in the event of a total loss claim.

“One of our most common claims is storm damage to awnings,” added Mr Menzies. “It is worth checking to see if your awning would be covered if bad weather strikes.

“Look for the ability to be able to pick and choose from various cover options to suit your needs. For example, with Caravan Guard you can choose from different levels of European cover and emergency accommodation and can choose to add on legal expenses and protect your no claims discount.

“The level of the excess you pay can also be increased to reduce your premium.”

Another suggestion by our insurance guru was to do some research into the insurance underwriter, checking they are well-known and solvent.

There are also feedback sites like reviewcentre.com to see what kind of service existing customers have received.

Mr Menzies added: “You can’t put a price on excellent service especially in the event of a claim.

“The opening hours of the insurance broker and a 24 hour claims helpline will also help you to sort out any problems or make necessary changes quickly and smoothly.

“At Caravan Guard, we’re open seven-days a week and from 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday, with friendly insurance advisers on hand to deal with any queries or provide a quote.

“We have a 24 hour claims line. Customers can also get a quote online 24-7.”