VIDEO: Imagine a caravan that didn’t need a tow-car

Posted by

by Laura Hastings

This must have been exactly what the person who installed a Renault 1.4 turbo engine in this caravan was thinking

We write a good deal about finding the optimum tow-car for your vehicle on CaravanTimes, and not often do we stop to think what would happen if the tow-car became obsolete.

Yes, we hear you saying “You must be talking about a motorhome then.” But no, good readers, no. We have found for your viewing pleasure, an actual caravan with an engine installed in it.

Okay, admittedly, we have posted this before, but we wanted to put it up again for new readers and anyone who missed it the first time around. An oldie, but a goodie, here it is, the caravan/ Renault hybrid!

Anyone who can correctly guess what type of caravan has been turned into a Formula 1 wannabe will win… our admiration.

Prince George given his first campervan

Posted by

by Laura Hastings

Prince George will no doubt be on the receiving end of some of the most luxurious and expensive gifts there are for his first birthday, but we think his campervan toy chest is definitely the sweetest

The nation is sure to be watching on July 22 for the Prince’s first birthday, and the presents have already started rolling in – and we mean that quite literally.

HRH Prince Charles attended the opening of the Middleport Pottery Project in Stoke-on-Trent this week, where he met with those who have benefitted from the £9 million investment which The Prince’s Trust has made to the building and surrounding site since 2011. The project has also benefited from contributions from other donors and supporters.

The Prince of Wales also met with six local companies brought together to demonstrate the depth and range of export activity in the region and to learn more about how each company been helped to export overseas by UK Trade & Investment. One of these companies was the Fun Furniture Collection, who presented the heir apparent with a gift of a wooden camper van toy chest on behalf of his grandson, Prince George.

Mark Turner, of the Fun Funrniture Collection, said: “Meeting HRH The Prince of Wales was an overwhelmingly proud, privileged and honoured experience. He was so friendly, put us at ease and had interest in our products and was very grateful for the gift of our Camper Van Large Toy Chest we presented for Prince George’s 1st Birthday this month.”

Mark and Llinos Pritchard, of the Fun Furniture Collection, produce original beds, toy bikes and various types of storage for children’s rooms – all in the shape of vehicles and are proud motorhome owners themselves, currently using a 38ft Fleetwood Bounder.

It wasn’t the first time Prince Charles has expressed an interest in all things relating to caravans, with the Prince, himself, visiting Ballater Caravan Park in Scotland earlier this year. Charles’ trip to the Aberdeenshire park followed Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Bailey of Bristol’s headquarters in 2012.

Click here to see a slideshow of Prince Charles at the event, and some more examples of Fun Furniture Collection’s impressive items

A caravanning guide to the Tour de France 2014

Posted by

by Laura Hastings

The Tour takes place between 5 and 27 July, with stops at some of the most picturesque places in England, Belgium and France. Here is the CaravanTimes’ guide to ten of the best sites to pitch up at

The Tour de France is returning to the UK. Nine years since London last hosted the Tour, riders are set to cycle their way through Britain’s pastures green (and concrete) in what is undoubtedly one of those events that everyone should try to attend at least once in their lifetime. So what not take the caravan along and make a holiday out of it either here or abroad? The Tour passes through some of the most beautiful areas in the world, which are conveniently only a short drive or ferry trip away.

If you are thinking of checking it out, why not take a look below at our selection of top caravan parks that might actually help you catch some of the action.

1) Leeds, Saturday July 5 – Glenfield Caravan Park
A site with beautiful facilities, and great activities, such as horse riding, on the doorstep. Check out the Glenfield website

2) York, Sunday July 6 – The Alders Caravan Park
This serene, roomy park is situated on a working farm and has a quintessentially English feel to it. For booking and further details check out their site

3) Cambridge, Monday July 7 – The Cambridge Camping and Caravanning Park
Historic Cambridge should provide a stunning backdrop for this stage of the tour. This park is a great choice for exploring South Cambridgeshire. Have a look at the club website

4) Ypres, Wednesday July 9 – Jeugdstadion Ieper
This site in Belgium has been open since 1993, attracting visitors from all over Europe. To see photos and get some additional details, visit the website5) Arras, Thursday July 10 – La Paille Haute
The Tour will be in full swing by the time it reaches France, and Arras is a beautiful town to see it in. La Paille Haute offers good facilities for all your caravanning or camping needs, take a look at their website

6) Saint-Etienne, Friday, July 18 – Camping les Ormes
Camping les Ormes offers the chance to discover the ambience of the French countryside, and what could be lovelier than the French countryside in July? Check out their website for details

7) Grenoble, Saturday July 19 – A la Rencontre du Soleil
This award-winning campsite is a perfect base for some Tour de France action, and checking out nearby Grenoble and Annecy. To see photos of the swimming pool that will have yo booking straight away, go to the website

8) Carcassonne, Tuesday July 22 – Camping de la Cite
The city of Carcassonne is home to two UNESCO world heritage sites, if the Tour action is not enough of a draw for you. See what a park in this area can offer you by going to the Camping de la Cite website

9) Bergerac, Saturday July 26 – Parc Servois
Located just 200 metres from a town with a wide variety of restaurants and amenities, this site has 33 pitches and is in a fantastic part of rural France. Check out the website here

10) Paris, Sunday July 27 – La Bien Assise
The end of the Tour needn’t mean the end of the fun, why not extend your holiday and enjoy the Parisian sights? If you’re looking for a base of operations, check out the Camping and caravanning Club recommended La Bien Assise

If anyone does go on a caravanning holiday during the Tour de France, we would love to hear from you! Post up videos and stories on our forum

Elddis loan motorhome to two travelling food bloggers

Posted by

by Laura Hastings

Dedicated food bloggers, Georgia and Melodie, dreamt of going to Italy to film a web series of cooking shows and Elddis have loaned the duo a motorhome to help them achieve their goal

Hoping to join the ranks of TV chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Nigella Lawson (but without the tabloid drama, presumably) are food bloggers Georgia and Melodie.

These two dedicated young chefs set up a Kickstarter crowd funding campaign in April to raise £8,000, in order to realise their dream of expanding upon their (delectable) food blog and filming a series of cooking shows.

They have reached their goal, and Elddis have helped out further by loaning the duo a motorhome, to be their transport and base of operations for their journey from the UK. The motorhome chosen was the Autoquest 155

Their plan is to travel the length of Italy; cooking, exploring, and taking advantage of all the country has to offer. They will visit regional suppliers, specialist producers and farms, local restaurants, cooking up great tasting dishes in the motorhome as they go.

Rachel Moncrieff, marketing manager at Elddis, explains why the company were so happy to support the girls: “The loan of the motorhome enabled the girls’ long-held dream to become reality, but by travelling in our motorhome we also feel they’re able to add an even greater dimension to their journey.

“The Autoquest will allow the girls to get a more in-depth affiliation with the areas they visit and spend more time amongst those they’re working with and filming,” she continued. “Being in our motorhome is a great way to immerse themselves in the culture and overall experience.”

Georgia and Melodie are extremely excited to be setting off on the adventure: “We want to inspire our viewers to engage not only with the local food in Italy but ultimately with what’s on their doorstep in their own countries and start a new generation of young, inspired, socially aware cooks that realise at the very core of things that life is for living . and that everything can be made better with a little love or nonsense and that there are adventures to be had everywhere.

“We’re both real adventurers at heart, so travelling Italy in the Elddis motorhome just makes the whole trip so much more exciting!”

CaravanTimes wish Georgia and Melodie the very best with their endeavours, if you would like to drool over some of their recips, accompanied by beautiful photographs of the dishes, check out their blog – “farm to face”

Meerkat winners revealed!

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

The results are in! Find out if you’re one of our winners here…

A few weeks ago, to celebrate Sergei Vladamanov’s arrival in the UK, we ran a competition for our CaravanTimes members, courtesy of Compare the Market.

Up for grabs were three amazing Sergei meerkat plush toys, plus two runners up prizes of Meerkat Tales, a box set of six books chronicling the adventures of the meerkats themselves.

Well folks, the results are in! So cross your fingers and look below to find out if you’re a winner!

Meerkat Plush Toy Winners: Douglas A Brown, Barry Williamson and Rachel Bonness

Meerkat Tales Box Set Winners: Mary Bush and Stuart Hargreaves

Congratulations to those named above – we’ll be contacting you shortly to arrange for delivery of your prize. And for those that entered and didn’t win this time, commiserations. Make sure you’re on the look out for more competitions coming soon!

No Comments

filed under: News

New study on outdoor activity, including camping and caravanning, shows the benefits on health and economy

Posted by

by Laura Hastings

Study carried out by Sport and Recreation Alliance, with participation of The Camping and Caravanning Club, shows the benefits of “reconomics”

Britain has become something of a sedentary nation, but organisations like the Sport and Recreation Alliance and The Camping and Caravanning Club are seeking to combat this.

A report, titled Reconomics, was published by the Alliance and reveals much about the British psyche. It reveals that three in four adults regularly get active outdoors. It shows that people who enjoy outdoor recreation spent £21 billion in 2012/13, and walking tourism alone supports up to 246,000 full time equivalent jobs.

The report draws on The Camping and Caravanning Club Real Richness study from 2011, in which academics from Liverpool John Moores University found that 85% of adult campers think camping can make you healthier, 84% say it improves mental health, 78% say it makes you fitter and nearly half think it should be prescribed on the NHS.

The Reconomics report calls for government to give outdoor recreation more support, and for a minister for the countryside to be appointed. It is backed by Chief Scout Bear Grylls, who is an honorary Vice President of The Camping and Caravanning Club.

Grylls said: “This report lays out the wide range of benefits of getting active outdoors both for the individual and for society. But if we are to maximise these benefits we need politicians to get on board too.

“Let’s have a long-term plan for how we get more people active outside and, if we have a minister for cities, why can’t we have one for the countryside and all the activities that take place there too? That can only be a positive step for our nation.”

The Camping and Caravanning Club added its voice to the call for Government to take action.
Director General, Robert Louden MBE, said: “For so many of our members, camping, caravanning and outdoor recreation is a not just a hobby, it’s a way of life. We would wholly support a long term strategy for outdoor recreation, with a Minister responsible for delivering this.”

The benefits of outdoor activity such as camping and caravanning are overwhelming, for mental and physical wellbeing, and for the economy. After all, how can the government ignore calls for its support for outdoor recreation when the estimated cost of physical inactivity is £10 billion per year.

Award winning mummy blogger takes on motorhome challenge

Posted by

by Laura Hastings

Jo Middleton created a list of 40 things to do before she turned 40, and Bailey of Bristol have joined in to help her complete one of the tasks

Blogger extraordinaire Jo Middleton garners a huge audience with her blog which documents her life as a single mum. She has been writing the blog for over four years now, and has won many awards due to her honest and insightful content.

Jo set herself a list of things to do before she turned 40, something many of us do but rarely stick to. One of these goals was to visit every county in England; which is where Bailey comes in.

They have loaned the blogger (plus daughter Belle, aged 11) an Autograph Compact 540 motorhome. This was a good choice for a first time motorhomer such as Jo, as it is a similar size to a large family estate car. It still has all the home comforts one would expect from a quality motorhome such as a fully equipped kitchen and spacious washroom.

Jo has completed a Caravan Club course in motorhome manoeuvring in preparation for a trip which will take her to seven counties in seven days. The counties on the agenda include Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, and Derbyshire, which are sure to provide a fantastic experience to Jo and Belle. The duo will stay at Caravan Club sites for six nights, plus a night at one of the Club’s certified locations.

Jo was based in Bristol for several years, so it makes sense that she would choose a motorhome from Bailey, who have been producing leisure vehicles in the city since 1948.

Commenting on her first motorhome road trip, Jo said: “Touring seven counties with all my own stuff, and my daughter Belle, in a motorhome will be a fantastic adventure and I look forward to sharing my experiences in the usual way via my blog, Twitter and Facebook.”

“I have to admit I was nervous about driving a motorhome but, thankfully, the Bailey Approach Compact is a really cute, manageable size, and the Caravan Club training course was extremely useful, so I now feel confident and really excited about the whole trip,” she added.

Simon Howard, Marketing Director of Bailey of Bristol commented: “We’re delighted to introduce Jo to the freedom of a touring holiday in a motorhome, and to support such a creative talent from Bristol.”

All at CaravanTimes wish Jo, Belle, and their Bailey motorhome the very best in their endeavours.

Check out Jo’s blog – Slummy Single Mummy

Coachman Caravan and The Explorer Group announce staff changes

Posted by

by Laura Hastings

Martin Henderson moves to Coachman, as promotion comes for Spencer Davies at Explorer Group

It has been announced that Martin Henderson is to move from The Explorer Group to Coachman, and will be officially taking up the role of managing director on 18 August.

Also announced was the promotion of Spencer Davies at The Explorer Group, to the position of national sales manager.

In a joint statement released by both companies, Explorer Group expressed their best wishes for Martin, saying that they had not hesitated to support his decision to accept the new position. Managing director of The Explorer Group, Rob Quine, thanked Martin for his contribution to the company. Jim Hibbs, executive chairman of Coachman, expressed that he is looking forward to having Martin join the team in August.

In another press release from the Explorer Group, Rob Quine spoke about the appointment of Spencer Davies to the role of national sales manager, noting that he is highly respected within the industry, and that his promotion to the senior role will be key to their improving success.

Spencer said: “I am overjoyed to have been offered this senior sales role, especially when Elddis, Compass, Xplore and Buccaneer touring caravans and motorhomes are being seen as so forward thinking and innovative.

“This is great to be working with all our touring caravan and motorhome retailers when they are so enthusiastic about our products. Our radical product development together with our unique SoLiD Construction has given us huge momentum and sales growth. We are making our competitors sit up and take notice of us!

“My target is to deliver further sales growth long into the future. I look forward to working with the entire team at The Explorer Group Limited to ensure we continue to improve our products and achieve further growth for the company.”

Both companies will continue to cooperate on industry matters in the future and we, at CaravanTimes, wish both Martin and Spencer all the best.

Caravan Guard release results of caravan prices poll

Posted by

by Laura Hastings

The insurance company conducted a poll to find out what customers think the maximum cost of a caravan should be, and the results are in

Caravan Guard has released the results from a poll conducted last month, when they asked their customers what is the maximum they feel the cost should be for a touring caravan, the results can be seen on the pie chart.

The most popular answer, with 48 per cent of people agreeing, was £15,001-£20,000. 29 per cent answered £10,001-£15,000. Only 3 per cent would pay under £5,000.

Many participants also got in touch with Caravan Guard to explain their choices. One Caravan Guard customer, Stuart, explained that he is happy to pay for quality: “As the owner of a 2011 Buccaneer Clipper I run a caravan that cost in the high 20ks. I believe that if you want luxury and quality you have to pay for it. However I do think that the overall manufacturing quality of UK caravans is not keeping up with the increasing prices.”

Another, David, agreed with Stuart in part, telling the insurance providers: “I don’t think you can put a maximum price on a caravan. Caravans are improving all the time with more and more extra luxuries available; but there will always be somebody who wants that something else that makes their caravan more to their liking, so are prepared to pay the extra cost, and as long as the manufacturers keep adding these things to the basic vans the cost will continue to increase because nothing comes free.”

He continued: “My only real wish is that manufacturers would do more to ensure that new vans leave their site in a more perfect state.”

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Jon who simply says: “For me, £18,000 max.”

Meanwhile Rob says that: “Whilst I agree that if you want quality you have to pay for it, I am finding that the vast majority of vans now have what used to be extras fitted as standard. I don’t require a microwave, as we don’t usually have hook up, or a state of the art music system, or TV. Comfort without the add ons doesn’t seem to be available.”

The results provide some interesting food for thought on the current pricing of caravans.

Caravan Holiday Checklist

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Think you’ve packed everything except the kitchen sink? Think again and take a peek at our guide to ensuring your holiday runs smoothly

Holiday season has certainly arrived and many of us are preparing to pack our bags, hit the open road and enjoy everything which driving off with our caravan following along behind can offer us – well as much as the temperamental British weather will allow.

It is in the above regard that CaravanTimes presents to you the ultimate caravanning checklist. That’s right; we’ve essentially done all of the hard work for you, so you don’t have to – after all, that’s what holidays are all about, right? So, without further ado, read on caravanners, read on.

Before you go

As with most things, preparation is key. Treat it like a military operation. Well, maybe not – we’d rather you take it less seriously, so do try to enjoy it. But, prior to even stepping foot in your tow vehicle and putting your foot on the pedal, it’s best to make sure your house is in order – literally.

Passports
Obviously an irrelevant item if touring within the UK. However, if you have decided to visit a little further afield, passports are, funnily enough, somewhat imperative. As is next on the list.

Travel Insurance
Again, traveling abroad with no travel insurance is akin to towing your trusty caravan with a car that’s not up to the job – it’s bound to fail. Miserably. It certainly is sod’s law that, when on holiday, if something is to happen to our detriment it usually does when we’ve decided to opt for inadequate insurance – or none! So alleviate any stress and ensure you’re covered for any eventuality.

Pets
It goes without saying that we here at CaravanTimes are obsessed with our pets. If you’re thinking about leaving yours behind, ensure to allow for plenty of time to organise care and company for them prior to departing for the great unknown. Also, remember to leave your contact details with someone responsible for your pets while you’re away as well as your vet’s details.

Home Security
Before leaving, avoid the headache of lying awake at night wondering whether you locked the back door by actually making locking the windows and doors an almost ritualistic experience. Double check all security measures are in place in order to enjoy the most of your time away. Also, as a safety precaution, remember to ensure that all electrical appliances are disconnected from their power source. No one wants to return to a burglarised or burnt down abode – other wise you might just find yourselves spending a lot more time in that caravan of yours than you’d bargained for.

Almost Ready

So that’s indoors sorted. Now how about the car? The car obviously plays an integral part in enabling us to get from A to Z – even more so when relying on it to pull along a valuable chunk of metal as well.

Spare Keys
You know what it’s like. You arrive at your destination to find a pitch, spend a few days enjoying the environment you could easily get used to, leaving your worries behind for the duration. Then it’s time to head back home. If you lose your only set of car keys that’s going to prove somewhat problematic though. Make sure you take a spare set of keys just in case. And, more importantly, make sure you remember where you put them and that they’re stored nice and securely for the duration.

Extending Mirrors et al
Okay, we know it’s second nature and pretty much a given, but we felt we had to mention this. We know you’re obviously going to attach your extending mirrors, but also make sure you remember to take your warning triangle, reflective jackets and your usual lot of accessories, including spare wheel, spare bulbs, torch and first aid kit.

Sat Nav
Remember to take your sat nav. Yes, it does sometimes lead us to a long string of traffic and dead-end country lanes, but it also enables us to do the exact opposite on more occasions than not. Make sure you’ve updated the latest firmware for it and be off with you.

The Caravan

You didn’t think we’d forget your pride and joy did you? It goes without saying that whether you have everything in place as far as your caravan is concerned can either make or break a relaxing trip away.

The Essentials
Make sure your battery is fully functional before setting off. However, if money allows, always take a spare one with you. You never know when it could come in handy. Also, make sure you’ve got spare a spare gas cylinder or gas bottles. Oh, another thing too. We hate to raise the subject, but remember to ensure you have your waste containers, a hose and paper good to go.

Inside the Caravan

So you’ve got everything ready for your trip, and the caravan is securely behind your trusty car. You hit the gas and you’re on the motorway, halfway en-route to your holiday destination, when disaster strikes. You’ve forgotten the carrot peeler. Well, don’t despair – it needn’t happen. Take a look below to see what other essentials are a must.

In the Bedroom

It goes without saying that you need to remember so many items you’re bound to forget something on the odd occasion. However, bed sheets? No. A definite no-no. As are clean bed linen, blankets for those chilly nights, as well as an alarm clock in order to wake up from them.

To the Kitchen
Carrot peeler excluded, the following items will certainly be useful should you wish to survive on your own culinary cuisine for the duration of your break:

  • Kettle
  • Pots and pans
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula
  • Crockery
  • Glasses/tumblers
  • Cutlery
  • Bottle opener
  • Scissors
  • Kitchen roll
  • Secure containers for food items
  • Bin bags
  • Washing up liquid
  • Cleaning products
  • Brush, scourer, Washing up bowl
  • Anti-bacterial surface wipes

The above may seem rather obvious, but we at CaravanTimes always head off without at least one of these items.

Getting Personal

We won’t spend too much time on this, but remember to take along all of your toiletries and bankcards. If you forget your bankcard and toilet paper after all, you’d better make sure you pitch up by some friendly caravanners.

Oh, and finally, it goes without saying to always remember to take your brolly. With the type of weather the UK decides to throw at us, we’d say it’s perhaps the most important must have on the list.

Wherever you decide to go this year, if you are at all, we at CaravanTimes wish you a safe journey and a great time. And if you’ve got anything extra to add to the list, feel free to insert your comments below. Now where is that carrot peeler?

Caravan summer escapes and activities

Posted by

by Laura Hastings and Laura Diaz

Summer is the ideal season for discovering all that the great British outdoors has to offer, and CaravanTimes has handpicked some examples of activities available on and around caravan sites across the land

Beach days

A visit to the beach tops our list because this is something we only get a handful of days to do in the UK; well, if you want to sit out and sunbathe anyway. There are far too many beautiful beaches across the UK to list here, so we’ve chosen just two, adjacent to great caravan parks, to get you started:

Visit – Sennen Cove Beach, stay at – Sennen Cove Club Campsite
This beach is Cornwall’s most westerly surfing hotspot, and one of the most picturesque you could possibly find. The campsite is within easy reach of both the north and the south Cornish coasts, and boasts some fantastic facilities such as a childrens play area.

Visit – Cardigan Bay, stay at – Cardigan Bay Campsite
West Wales is renowned for its beautiful coastline, and is a nature lover’s paradise. Who doesn’t want to see dolphins while they’re out for a swim? Cardigan Bay Campsite is a perfect base for your adventures, complete with excellent shower and toilet facilities, and surrounded by lush countryside.

Stargazing

Take advantage of balmy summer nights and develop an interest in astronomy. It’s an ideal romantic activity in which to partake with your loved one. For this activity, you’ll need to be in a reasonably remote spot to avoid pesky light pollution. Here are some location ideas:

Visit – North York Moors National Park, stay at – Scarborough Club Site
There are a couple of ideal stargazing spots in this national park, at Dalby and Sutton bank. The former is an official Dark Sky Discovery Site and the latter has Dark Sky status. Scarborough Club Site is quite large, with 300 pitches, and is extremely family friendly with modern facility blocks.

Visit – Brecon Beacons, stay at – Rhandirmwyn

Brecon Beacons is a holder of International Dark Sky Reserve status, the fifth location in the world to receive such status. Its location, 1,100ft above sea level means stargazers can enjoy some of the most uninterrupted dark skies in the UK. Rhandirmwyn Campsite is situated in the beautiful Welsh hills, and is ideal for those looking to get back to nature.

Kids activities

The kids are off school for six weeks, and the big question is – how are you going to keep them entertained? Many caravanning parks can help you out with this, and offer a range of activities for all weathers.

Activity – Den building, stay at – Graffham, West Sussex
For this activity you’ll need somewhere surrounded by magical forests, with plenty of natural materials lying around so you don’t have to start tearing down trees. Graffham is a site within the South Downs National Park, and is a tranquil location ideal for kids.

Activity – Bike rides, stay at – Delamere Forest, Cheshire
This site is rated as a top site for cycling by the Camping and Caravanning Club, due to the network of paths and trails that wind out of the site and into Delamere Forest itself. Cycling with kids is a great way to stay active, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and have fun. The site is also a great choice for any budding photographers out there, due to the abundance of natural beauty.

Watersports

Many may not associate watersports with the UK; however, we have our fair share of locations to practice these invigorating activities. How nice it is to whisk away in your caravan knowing your destination will include watersports fit for both adrenaline junkies and for those who just want to bask under the sun in refreshing waters. Here are our humble suggestions for your watersports itineraries:

Visit – Hove Lagoon Watersports Centre, stay at – Brighton Caravan Club Site
Deemed one of the best watersports venues in the country, Hove Lagoon has activities appropriate for beginners, intermediates and experts. You and your family could spend the days windsurfing, wakeboarding and stand-up paddleboarding. The Brighton Club Site is less than five miles away, making it a perfect location for your thrill-filled holiday.

Visit – Discovery Surf School, stay at – Modbury Caravan Club Site
Surf’s up, caravanners! Ever dreamt of surfing some of the UK’s best waves, but can’t hold your ground on a board to save your life? Well, fear not, surf hopefuls! The Bigbury-on-Sea location of Discovery Surf School is just a short five-mile drive away from the Modbury Caravan Club Site. This summer, maybe you could learn to surf the waves while on a caravanning holiday?

Picnics

Strawberries, Pimm’s, fresh salads. there are so many ingredients to choose from for a summer picnic. The weather is expected to stay pretty dry for July and August, so why not pull out the check blanket and hamper. There are endless fantastic, picturesque locations to choose from for your picnic, here are just a couple located near some great sites.

Visit – Lake District National Park, stay at – Braithwaite Fold
This site’s location on the Eastern shore of Lake Windermere means it is ideally located as a base for walks, fishing, and picnics. It is also a great place to visit for any Beatrix Potter fans, as The World of Beatrix Potter attraction – which brings her classic tales to life – is located in Bowness-on-Windermere.

Visit – The Cotswolds, stay at – Walton on Thames
The Cotswolds is an area known internationally for its beauty and visiting there is almost like stepping back in time, as you’re surrounded by cottages and greenery. It is however, conveniently located within the M25, and is very easy to reach. Squires Garden Centre, located near to the Walton on Thames site, sells all the fresh fruit and veg you will need for your picnic feast.

Sightseeing

We are fortunate to live in one of the richest sightseeing countries in the world. What better way to explore the scenic sights the UK has to offer than by caravanning through the country? Here are a couple of suggestions of caravan parks closely located to some of the UK’s most prominent sights:

Visit – Stonehenge, stay at – Salisbury Hillside Caravan Club Site
One of the world’s most iconic prehistoric monuments is right at our fingertips. If you desire to visit one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, then we cannot think of more conveniently located lodging than Salisbury Hillside. Its convenient location makes it perfect for those wishing to visit the prehistoric monument. Also, there are countless other sights in the area for you to explore.

Visit – Eilean Donan Castle, stay at – Morvich Caravan Club Site
Scotland’s picturesque castles have the magical ability to transport visitors hundreds of years into the past. The most spectacular of them is Eilean Donan Castle. Nestled at the point where three sea lochs meet, Eilean Donan is surrounded by amazingly scenic views. The Morvich Caravan Club Site is nearest to not only this great castle, but also to other Scottish architectural jewels.

Well, caravanners, we hope you keep our wonderful suggestions in mind. Just remember, UK summers can be much more enjoyable when you travel aboard your trusty caravans. If you find yourself in need of more convincing, take a glance at the pictures below, and imagine yourself caravanning through these magnificent sites.


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Simpsons Motor Group annual open day this Saturday

Posted by

by Laura Diaz

The Simpsons Motor Group Annual Open Day is this Saturday, 28 June, and will be held at the Simpsons Skoda Great Yarmouth

If you find yourself looking for something to do this weekend, fear not. We have the perfect event for you. The Simpsons Motor Group Annual Open Day is this Saturday, 28 June.

The event will be held at the Simpsons Skoda Great Yarmouth from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Join the fun to celebrate the continued success of the company’s motor caravan and Skoda dealerships. The activities at the event are sure to keep you entertained!

Visitors will be able to enjoy the large display of 2014 Auto-Trail and V line motorhomes. Also, pre-owned caravans will be available for viewing, including Auto-Trail, Swift, Elddis, Compass, Autocruise, Bessacarr, Lunar and many others.

For entertainment, local radio station, The Beach, will be present around lunchtime. You will be able to meet the Beach Bunny and enter their competition to win a BBQ, patio table, chairs, cutlery and more. Furthermore, local singer Leon will be performing between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. It looks set to be quite the musical event!

The event will have countless other giveaways and opportunities to win prizes. Also, complimentary BBQ and refreshments will be on offer all day.

Make sure you don’t miss this amazing event, caravanners – It’s bound to be a great one!