Plans for new caravan pitch in Lincolnshire scrapped following residential concerns

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by Jo Subramaniam

Sports field deemed unfeasible for use as caravan site

Plans to use part of a playing field in Lincolnshire as a pitching site for caravans have been deemed unviable, after residents raised concerns about sharing the area.

Heckington sports field steward Dave Cousins had submitted an application to The Camping and Caravanning Club to certify the site, which would allow caravans to stay on the field for up to four nights at a time. However, a feasibility study has caused the Heckington Parish Council to scrap these plans.

Proposals to certify the site were made by the parish to raise revenue for the field, and for sports and recreation. The Camping and Caravanning Club cites mandatory regulations requiring the sports field to be fenced off as the reason for the rejecting the application, but we here at CaravanTimes can’t help but feel residents in the area were somewhat instrumental in determining the outcome as well.

It seems like caravanners in and around Heckington will have to look for another site this winter! What do you think? Did the residents’ outcry determine the decision made or is it all about a fence?

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Road Safety Week: Drink-drive limits set to be changed

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by Jo Subramaniam

Scottish Parliament to vote on reducing drink-driving limits

It’s officially Road Safety Week, and Scotland is all set to go that extra mile to make sure British roads are safer for everyone.

Members of Scottish Parliament are about to vote on an important piece of legislation that will reduce the drink-drive limits across the country from 5 December 2014 onwards. If new regulations come into place, the blood alcohol limit will be lowered from the current 80mg in every 100ml of blood to 50mg in every 100ml of blood. So you might want to be a bit more careful with your Christmas sherry this year.

Radio and TV campaigns publicising the change have been launched throughout Scotland, and certain regions south of the border. There will also be efforts to raise awareness on digital platforms and social media.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill shared his thoughts on the matter, commenting: “With the approval of Parliament, the new drink drive limit will come into force on December 5, making our roads safer and saving lives. We are doing everything we can to make sure everyone is informed about the new lower level.”

He added: “A persistent minority of people are still getting behind the wheel after drinking – that is unacceptable, it is putting lives at risk and it must stop. Our advice is simple; the best approach is to have no alcohol at all. Alcohol at any level impairs driving.”

An official decision is expected to be reached today, but you don’t have to wait to do your bit to make the roads safer. With just a little bit of consideration and awareness, you could make the roads safer for yourself and everyone else.

Caravan Larry: the next UK Masterchef has been found!

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by Dan Hughes

Do you have a recipe which makes you happy as Larry?

With nothing but a caravan, his beloved wife and three young children, foodie blogger ‘Caravan Larry’ is constantly cooking up a storm!

Caravan Larry and his Elddis Crusader Tempest have been roaming the countryside wheel and hand, knife and compact kitchen and custom designed chef’s apron cooking food for the whole family. The family are fanatical caravanning adventure enthusiasts who love nothing more than jumping in the car and hitting the country-side caravan in tow. Besides the bunk beds and the thrill of fresh air and open spaces, the kids are spoilt each mealtime with Dad’s exciting edible concoctions.

Elddis representatives have taken to the road with the happy Larry family to learn the most popular kid-friendly recipes which never fail to bring a smile to faces of those who eat them.

If you have picky mouths in your family there is nothing better than a recipe which both looks good and tastes good for all mouths concerned. You can find such recipes and much more at Caravan Larry’s twitter page.

We would love to hear what your favourite on-the-road recipe is, so show-and-tell us on our facebook and twitter pages!

Treat yourself to a sparkling white Christmas this year all from the view of your caravan window

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by Dan Hughes

With so many events available in Scotland this Christmas, why not travel north?

Undecided which corner of the UK to adventure to this Christmas? The National Trust for Scotland has the answer. Their program, Grab Christmas by the Antlers, has all the best events sorted for your Christmas fun!

There is nothing better than driving somewhere beautiful with the ones you love, finding a good spot amongst the snow and celebrating Yuletide joy whilst snuggled up with your partner, pet, kids or the whole gang! Now you can do exactly that, but with a little extra sparkle.

With festivals and events such as the Festive Falkland from 29 September ’til 7 December, the Enchanted Castle from 19 tp 23 November and the spectacular Ayrshire Makers BIG Christmas Market taking place on 26 November you can now hop in your motorhome or tow the caravan to one of these spectacular sites, enjoy the scenes and stay with your loved ones for a Christmas you’re guaranteed never to forget.

We could sit here all day listing all the exciting events but that is for you to explore when you travel up north. Make sure you plan ahead though, as some of the spectacular events being brought to you require tickets. Be sure to visit here, to plan your Christmas festivities in one easy click.

The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show to host Approved Workshop Scheme

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by Dan Hughes

With 365 members and counting, the AWS will raise awareness at the show

The 2015 Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show has much more than just the latest and best brands of caravans and motorhomes. This year, the show will host the Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS) after numbers have seen a boost in recent times. The scheme, which involves giving caravan and motorhome owners access to quality services they may not have had access to in the past, has gained 44 new supporters this year, raising the total number of fixed and mobile Approved Workshops to a whopping 365 spread throughout the whole of the UK.

At the recent Motorhome & Caravan Show , the AWS received the attention it deserved, with a huge interest expressed by both caravans and motorhomes alike. During the show, the AWS added leading brands Ellis Caravan Services and Aynho Wharf Caravans Ltd to their growing roster.

Another one of its new supporting members, Oakleigh Wood of Bristol Caravans, couldn’t be more pleased about their recent movement to join the scheme. Wood said: “As a workshop striving to deliver outstanding customer experiences, we joined the national AWS to demonstrate our commitment to quality.”

“AWS membership means customers can be confident that the work we carry out is second to none and that it will comply with warranty conditions,” he added.

The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show will take place between 17 and 22 February 2015 and will be held at the NEC in Birmingham. Get your tickets here.

Video: stop sliding around in that motorhome!

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by Dan Hughes

Who would be crazy enough to drift a motorhome? This guy would!

There is only a handful of people who would dare to slide around on snow in a motorhome. We have seen people drift in cars and even on bikes – there has even been a movie devoted to drifting coming by way of the Fast and the Furious series – but in a motorhome… for real?

Why hasn’t someone thought of making a movie about drifting a motorhome? It could be because of the size of the machine – or then again because the whole idea is a little cuckoo. And CaravanTimes can’t think of a better reason other than it being crazy for someone to even contemplate. LA movie stars can thank us later for coming up with the box office hit. We expect some credit for the next Fast and the Furious: Runaway Motorhome movie.

In the meantime there is someone already defying logic in the snow! This man has turned an outdoor car park into his own personal winter playground; sliding, drifting here and there with even an impressive finish to boot. Don’t believe us, watch below to see for yourself, and folks, don’t try this at home!

Scottish campsites represented in Tourism Awards

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by Jo Subramaniam

Nominations for Best Holiday Accommodation category announced for 2015

Glamping, gourmet bacon rolls, freshly caught fish and campsites reminiscent of JRR Tolkien’s Shire. They sound too good to be true, don’t they? Well, they’re very much a reality, and the campsites featuring them have been shortlisted in the Best Holiday Accommodation category for the 2015 Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards (ACSTA).

One of the nominees, Ellon’s Ythan Valley Campsite, offers campers a traditional caravanning and camping experience with intense attention to detail. Impromptu barbeques with locally caught fresh fish are a hit with guests, as are the campsite’s gourmet bacon rolls and freshly baked bread which are delivered straight to guests’ tents.

High Seas Hobbits near Fraserburgh is another contender for the Awards, and is charming in its own unique way. The campsite consists of a series of cylindrical chalets which transport campers to JRR Tolkien’s Shire. High Seas Hobbits offers the adventurous at heart the perfect opportunity to connect with nature through a ‘glamping’ experience. In the past, the site has caught the attention of the BBC’s Go Explore and the Scottish Loo of the Year Awards for their top notch facilities and one of a kind whiskey – we certainly wouldn’t say no to a wee dram of the stuff.

The Awards, which are organised by Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association, will be announced at the end of the year and will celebrate the best tourism operators in north east Scotland.

ACSTA chairman Iain Watson commended the efforts of both campsites, stating: “Aberdeen City and Shire has so much to offer visitors, including world-class golf, shopping and leisure attractions as well as accommodation and fantastic transport links.” He added: “We are delighted to be able to celebrate those who go the extra mile for their customers in the north east of Scotland.”

Watch the Leonids meteor shower from your caravan this weekend

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by Jo Subramaniam

Don’t miss out on a great caravanning trip with 600 year-old meteors

It is that time of the year again! No, we’re not talking about Christmas, although it is approaching at an unbelievably fast rate. We’re talking about something else that’s coming up really fast, at the rate of 45 miles per second, which is quite impressive considering that it’s around 600 years old. We’re talking about the spectacular Leonids meteor shower, which is set to peak this weekend. And with the right conditions and a little bit of patience, you can catch this spectacular celestial display from the comfort of your caravan. You don’t even need a telescope, just a cup of hot chocolate and perhaps a blanket. Sounds like the perfect weekend for caravanning, doesn’t it?

What are the Leonids?

For those who aren’t in the know, the Leonids meteor shower is an annual occurrence, originating from the rather delightful sounding Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Meteor showers occur when comets come fairly close to the Earth (and no, the world won’t come to an end), and our planet is engulfed in the comet’s dust cloud. Since these clouds are composed mainly of dust particles, bits of the comet itself that have broken off and space debris, they create a spectacular display upon coming into contact with the Earth’s atmosphere and burning through it. During peak hours, up to 15 meteors per hour are visible if you’re looking up at the sky in Britain.

Where should I look?

Where should you look? Near the constellation of Leo, for which the meteor shower is named, despite it not originating from there. Although the meteors are most radiant near Leo, they will appear in all parts of the sky so you don’t necessarily have to know your way around the various stars and constellations. However, if your brain is itching to know where to look, use the Big Dipper as your anchor and work your way to Leo from there. The two pointer stars, which are on the far side of the little bowl shape you can trace in the Big Dipper constellation, are the key to finding Leo. If you follow the pointer stars and look to their south, there’s your big cat.

Now that you can call yourself an expert on the Leonids meteor shower, let’s get to the fun bit: caravanning! Why camp out in a park that’s bang in the middle of the city and lower your chances of catching a glimpse of meteors when you can hop into your caravan and drive away to a surefire, magical display of lights?

When and where can I see them?
The meteors are due to peak around 10 pm GMT on 17 November, however they should be visible any time from 16-20 November. The moon will wane to a crescent shape, so it’s looking pretty good for now. But where should you go? Even though the Leonids have a reputation for being unusually bright, you should find areas with low levels of light pollution to get the best that the night sky can offer.

In the UK, areas with low levels of light pollution include North York, mid-Wales, the Lake District, north Norfolk, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and around Sussex. Don’t know any campsites to go to? Never fear, CaravanTimes are here! We recommend the following parks and campsites for the best view of the Leonids:

The Lake District
Grizedale Forest Park and the area around Derwentwater offer great views of the night sky, and the Lake District in general has extremely low levels of light pollution.

The Isle of Skye
Skye has some of the darkest campsites in Europe, with Waternish peninsula in particular touted as one of the best areas for stargazing. The Camping and Caravanning Club has a great campsite on Skye as well, so be sure to check it out if you plan to make a visit.

North York Moors
This area not only has amazing views of the night sky, but has quite a few historic towns for fun activities during the day. Scarborough, Dalby Forest and Helmsley would be your best bets if you want to catch the Leonids in their full glory.

Southern England
We can’t go any further without mentioning Dartmoor National Park and Cornwall, which are both excellent sites for dark skies. The National Trust recommends Bedruthan Steps in Cornwall which has Dark Sky Discovery Status; an official recognition of low levels of light pollution and good public access in an area. Exmoor has also been International Dark Sky Reserve Status, so this is a great place to camp out with the stars. Blackdown Hills and Lundy Island are arguably the best spots in Exmoor for the Leonids.

Sussex
In Sussex this weekend? Head on over to East Dean and Upwaltham, or Crowborough for a weekend you won’t forget. Idle Hours Owlsbury Park in Crowborough offers great deals for adults, and is has an adjacent field for those planning to wait the evening out looking for the Leonids.

Isle of Man
The Isle of Man is reported to have the largest concentration of Dark Sky Discovery Sites in all of Britain; around 26 as of this year. Don’t miss out on the great stargazing spots in this area, including Fort Island and Smeale Beach.

North Norfolk
Kelling Heath
is one of the most popular stargazing spots in Norfolk, so don’t forget to check if the campsite is hosting one of its famous star parties if you’re planning to head over there. In fact, Kelling Heath is so dedicated to astronomy that it restricts lighting to main areas, and low lying vegetation is maintained around the area. Campers are advised to take their own torches, both for their own convenience and to avoid ruining the landscape of the area.

However, if coastal views of the sky are more up your alley, you could camp out at Cley Beach.

Northumberland
According to the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), Kielder Water and Forest Park, and Northumberland National Park are the darkest in England. In fact, the International Dark Skies Association has named Kielder Park the largest Dark Sky Park in Europe. Skies here are so clear that on a good day, you can even see Andromeda, the closest galaxy to the Milky Way.

Scotland
Galloway Forest Park is arguably one of the best areas in Scotland if you’re looking for a great campsite with an uninterrupted view of the Leonids. Be sure to visit Loch Trool or The Machars if you’re in the Park’s vicinity. The Milky Way has been seen from these sites quite a few times, so you could be in for a double bonanza this weekend.

Wales
Brecon Beacons and Powys boast some of the best views of the night sky in Wales, and the RSPB bird reserve near Powys also promises some fun times during daylight hours. These sites are also great for spotting the constellation of Orion, and Mars (above the constellation of Sagittarius) if you’re lucky.

Check out the British Astronomical Association’s map of areas with the darkest skies here

In the past, the Leonids have often set off meteor storms, which result in thousands of meteors streaking across the sky. The most recent of these took place in 2001, so who knows if you’ll catch one this year? Head on down to one of these great campsites with a friend or two and your trusty caravan, and have a great weekend! We hope you enjoy the Leonids meteor shower, and we at CaravanTimes would love to hear from you if you have any cool pictures or great stories!

Out In the Open campsite honoured in Dog Friendly Awards

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by Jo Subramaniam

Cornwall campsite wins national award from Kennel Club

Here at CaravanTimes, we’re fools for anything that amps up the fun on caravan trips. Undiscovered campsites, good deals on new caravans and, of course, our furry little canine friends. That’s why we love it when two of those things come together, in the shape of a great campsite that is unbelievably dedicated to dogs. There are a whole lot of great places like this out there, but one campsite in Cornwall recently beat the competition by winning a national award from the Kennel Club, all thanks to its unbelievable dedication to dogs.

Out In the Open in Porkellis, Cornwall, recently won the camping/caravanning category in the Kennel Club’s Be Dog Friendly Awards. The campsite was voted the best out of 10,000 businesses, towns and public places that adopt dog friendly policies, officially making Out In the Open the best place to be if you’re man’s best friend.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, commended the campsite’s efforts, stating: “We are so pleased for the Out in The Open. It is great that popular places to camp are being so proactive in helping us break down barriers for our four-legged friends.” She added: “Out In The Open is a wonderful example of the many businesses and public places that have already adopted a dog-friendly policy and are reaping the benefits of welcoming dogs.”

With more than 9 million dogs in the UK, it’s no wonder that dog friendly places and businesses are doing well. One-in-four British households currently own a dog and with businesses like Out In the Open going that extra mile for our favourite four-legged friends, it seems like the best time to take your dog out for a trip to the countryside.

Dee Breen and Cath Sears, owners of Out In The Open, were slightly take aback, but extremely pleased with the results, commenting: “We are still very much in shock. We can hardly believe that our small-scale campsite could win such a big competition. We would like to thank each and every one of our campers for taking the time to vote for us.”

Dee and Cath added: “We’ve both always been animal lovers and the campsite has been dog-friendly since it first began. We personally, couldn’t bear to go on holiday without our dogs and we aim to make it as easy as possible for our campers to bring their canine companions with them.”

Thanks to Out In the Open, we have a great place to take our canine companions on caravanning trips! Join in the discussion and tell us what your thoughts on taking dogs caravanning.

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Get your tickets for the 2015 Caravan & Motorhome Show

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by Dan Hughes

Not long now until the jaw-dropping show in Manchester

Mark your calendars, because The Caravan & Motorhome Show will be held from 15 – 18 January early next year. There are no excuses for missing the biggest and best choices from the top dealerships, expert advice on towing caravans and manoeuvring motorhomes with The Caravan Club, and much more at Manchester’s EventCity. If you have kids, don’t let them prevent you from getting to the show, bring them along!

CaravanTimes cannot wait to see all the top 2015 models from leading brands such as Swift, Bailey, Elddis, Lunar, Coachman, Adria, Compass, Auto-Sleepers and many more which are sure to steal the show!

This year’s show will be bigger and better than ever before, and with special offers on the table, your excuses should be flying out the window already. Find out how you can get tickets for the unbelievable price of £8, free parking and lots of goodies for kids here

Just enter the code RMA12, and watch the magic happen!

Famous pop stars and trendy caravans at The Caravan Lounge Company

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by Jo Subramaniam

Pop stars hire caravans from mother-daughter business

How often do you walk into a caravan and expect to see your favourite pop star smashing out a hit tune? How about the chances of finding a trendy, refurbished caravan at a live concert at the O2 centre? It might sound ridiculously impossible, but it’s all in a day’s work for The Caravan Lounge Company. The mother-daughter business set up by Annie and Clementine Pellew-Harvey has reached new heights of fame with their redecorated caravans, which they hire out for corporate events, video shoots, festivals and weddings.

The idea visited 56 year-old interior designer Annie last summer, when she bought an old caravan from her neighbour for just £50. After decorating it and hosting drink receptions in the old caravan, which was parked in her garden for a while, Annie decided to establish a proper business. She then partnered up with daughter, Clementine, for some professional caravanning fun.

The pair bought two more caravans from eBay at £500 each, and played around with the interiors quite a bit. One of their creations even has artificial grass on the inside, so prepare to be amazed if you ever pop down to The Caravan Lounge Company.

Annie and Clementine’s caravans have so far been rented by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Union J, Five Seconds of Summer, Abbey Road Studios, The Feeling, and even music promoter Popshack. The Rewind festival in Henley has also used these tricked out caravans, with Bob Geldof even stepping inside one for an interview.

Although they’re taking the worlds of music and caravanning by storm in a somewhat hybrid fashion, the mother-daughter duo weren’t always confident that their efforts would pay off. Annie told the Henley Standard that she was uncertain about the entire venture, commenting: “It was quite a risk initially because nobody had done anything like it before. It was hard to even explain the idea.”

She added: “However, we’ve had an overwhelming response because they’re such quirky spaces and they’re portable. We’re getting a lot of different requests and it’s been fun doing them.”

The Caravan Lounge Company plans to redesign their caravans every year, and we at CaravanTimes cannot wait to see what they do next. To take a peek at their current ventures, and to get more details on their funky caravans, contact The Caravan Lounge Company here.

Wide Path Campers towed by bicycles

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by Dan Hughes

Wide Path Campers produce foldable caravans

If you enjoy compact, affordable and breath-taking caravan adventuring, you are in the right place. For just an estimated £1,500, you can be the owner of a brand new, light-weight, easy tow caravan. The new Wide Path Camper is light enough to be towed by a bicycle, meaning a whole new way of caravanning is going to take the roads by storm!

Although this mini camper appears small at first glance, look again. The camper offers enough room for two adults and even a child to sleep inside, not to mention over 300 litres of storage space for food and baggage. The lightweight shell requires low maintenance and can fold away with ease for storage or transport, only weighing an unbelievable 40kgs.

The interior is fitted with a foldable table and two benches which can be folded into a bed. The mini camper also comes with solar panels to recharge your electronics throughout your adventures. Although the camper does not come equipped with a toilet or a shower, you could make use of these facilities at campsites. All in all, this is a pretty neat package wouldn’t you say?

The mini camper is still in its prototype phase with no release date set as of yet, but with the vision of such portable camping, we here at CaravanTimes can’t wait!