The top five caravan sites in Cornwall

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by Adam Shaw

Since the Victorians first invented the concept of ‘the holiday’ people have been flocking to Cornwall for its mild climate, miles of Jurassic coastline, and cultural heritage. Yet Cornwall has seen a lot of changes since the Industrial Revolution first brought holidaymakers by steam train to its towns and beaches. The tin and copper mines have closed and many working farms now supplement their income by serving cream teas and Sunday dinner.

The Victorian image of Cornwall as England’s tropical seaside resort remains and attracts millions to the county every year and with the recent improvements to the A30, it has never been easier to hitch up your caravan, drive down and breathe in the sea air.

According to the South West Tourist Board Survey 2009, visitors to the South West said that the best place to visit was Cornwall (20%). Caravan Times has been visiting many Cornish touring parks in the past month and now we are ready to give you our guide to our top 5 sites in Cornwall.

It was a difficult task to choose from so many quality parks, but choose we did! As caravanners can now expect comparable basic facilities (clean toilets, showers, hook-ups) from most parks, we based our selection on parks that stand out for their unusual features, exude a particular character or charm, or can boast outstanding achievement. Here are the results in no particular order.


Trethem Mill Touring Park
St Just-in-Roseland, TR2 5JF
Tel: 01872 580504
Website: www.trethem.com

In a quiet, secluded area of the unspoilt Roseland Peninsula, Trethem Mill has been wooing caravanners and winning awards since the present owners, Ian and Jane acquired the site. Having scooped the prestigious Enjoy England 2010 ‘National Caravan Holiday Park of the Year’ award, they are now the pride of Cornwall. The pitches and flowerbeds are beautifully kept and although the grounds and facilities are pristinely maintained, the site never seems fussy.


Godrevey Caravan Club Site
Upton Towans, Hayle, TR27 5BL
Tel: 01736 753100
Website: Godrevey Caravan Club Site

Godrevey has the privilege of standing side by side with (in my opinion as a local) one of the top beaches in Cornwall. Stunning is a word that is over-used in travel writing and rarely justified, but in the case of Godrevey beach it is well deserved. Walk over the dunes and you are soon rewarded with thrilling views to St Ives or out to Godrevey lighthouse on its rocky island.
The lifeguarded beach is several miles long and popular with watersports enthusiasts and kite flyers. The sand is soft and the sea as clear as mineral water. The site is owned and run by the caravan club and meets the high standards that have come to be expected by all members, but it is the location that really sets this site apart.


Kenneggy Cove Holiday Park
Higher Kenneggy, Rosudgeon, Penzance, TR20 9AU
Tel: 01736 763453
Website: www.kenneggycove.co.uk

This site is loved and nurtured by the owners and has built up a tight group of loyal returning customers. The beach at Kenneggy Cove is a 10 minute hike down the coast path and is far enough off the beaten track to be relatively private and unpopulated, even during peak season. There is an unmistakeably Mediterranean feel to the site and it is very popular with discerning visitors from the continent. Hot croissants and coffee served on the breakfast patio completes the picture as you sit back and drink in the view.


Trewethett Farm Caravan Club Site
Trethevy, Tintagel, PL34 0BQ
Tel: 01840 770222
Website: Trewethett Farm Caravan Club Site

Watching over one of the most dramatic views of any site in Cornwall, Trewethett Farm is just short drive from Tintagel, the rumoured birthplace of the legendary King Arthur. The cliff top walks to Boscastle and Tintagel cannot be bettered and the view you can have from your caravan of the cliffs around Bossiney Cove and the wide expanse of the Atlantic ocean will stay with you well after your holiday has ended. Trewethett Farm is all about the view and it’s enough to make you go back time after time.


Trewan Hall
St Columb, TR9 6DB
Tel: 01627 880484
Website: www.trewan-hall.co.uk

Trewan Hall is an beautifully kept 17th century stone mansion and is a grand place to stay. There is plenty of space in the 36 acres of woodland to roam around or spread out in the well-kept grounds and the old buildings are a joy to explore. In addition to the standard facilities (which are outstanding), there is also a library and reading room, a theatre where local folk musicians and theatre companies entertain, games rooms and a beautiful outdoor heated pool. There is a sense of history and timelessness to this site that is unique in Cornwall and visitors I spoke to described a sense of nostalgia that spanned the years. Kids ride in the trailer at haymaking time and there is a feeling of community and safety in this idyllic rural retreat.

If you have enjoyed any of these sites or are a regular visitor, we can only apologise for sharing your secret! For more information (or if you agree or disagree with the top five chosen) you can click here to visit the group pages in our Caravan Times community or use our forums

TALKBACK: Swift Caravans answers your questions on 2011 models

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by Marcus Dubois

In this edition of TalkBack we focus on the new 2011 models from Swift Caravans. We put your questions to Richard White of the Swift Group at the manufacturer’s official launch in Willerby, Hull. Four of the firm’s most popular ranges have been completely redesigned: the Swift Challenger and Conqueror and Sterling Eccles and Elite. Standout features include a panoramic front sunroof to allow extra light into the cabin, and a new revised interior look featuring wipe-clean “Impala” fabric.

The questions in this episode include thoughts from readers about quality control in the caravan industry, as well as whether GRP sides will return to Swift models. In addition we passed on queries from readers about future models from Swift, including whether the firm would bring back the Bessacarr range or create a six-berth Sterling Elite model.

Click here to send us your questions for the next episode of Talkback

August Bank Holiday traffic advice and alternative routes

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by Holly Tribe

It’s summertime and it’s the bank holiday, yet for many around Britain there has been a distinct lack of sunshine after a week of heavy rainfall. No matter – this just gives the British caravan contingent a chance to prove their mettle and not let a bit of drizzle dampen any spirits.

Despite a dubious forecast from the weathermen, the AA have predicted that a massive 16 million vehicles will be on the road this weekend as holiday makers look set to make the most of the last Bank Holiday of the summer.

But for most, the huge number of extra vehicles usually means staring at brake lights for at least couple of hours at some point in their journey.

David Hawes, patrol manager for RAC told online travel experts Expedia: “Getting stuck on the motorway is irritating at the best of times, and can make a disastrous start to a bank-holiday break. With so many great roads and picturesque drives to choose from in Britain our advice is to enjoy the drive.”

We couldn’t agree more, getting snarled up in traffic isn’t anybody’s idea of fun. Which is why we’ve compiled this list of traffic black spots and alternative routes to help you along your way.

The road less travelled


Bristol to Cornwall

Avoid the M5 corridor between Exeter and Bristol, and take the scenic route through Shepton Mallet and Honiton, via the A37 and A303 then continue along the A30 which winds around Dartmoor National Park and into the heart of the Cornish countryside.

London to Brighton

If you find yourself en route to the beaches of Brighton this weekend, you can avoid the notorious M23 bottlenecks by taking the road between Godstone and Lewes on the A22 – entering Brighton from the West.

Manchester to Blackpool

Blackpool has for years been a hugely popular destination for holidaymakers. If you’re approaching this seaside city from Manchester, avoid the M6 and M55, and take a route from Burscough and Kirkham, via the A5209, A59, A5072 and then the A583 which leads you into Blackpool.

Yorkshire Dales

Be warned, caravans are prohibited on the road up to Sutton Bank in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park due to a very steep 1 in 4 gradient. There’s an alternative recommended route for caravans via Coxwold, Wass and Ampleforth, which meets up with the B1257, but some streets through these villages can be narrow so do take care.

Traffic Black Spots

Some of the areas you may want to avoid this weekend include the M4 Junctions 10 -12 around Reading and the A1(M) Junctions 44 and 45 around Wetherby in Yorkshire which are likely to suffer heavy congestion due to the Reading and Leeds music festivals.

The M56 junctions 11 and 12 around Runcorn in Cheshire are also likely to be busy due to the Creamfields music festival which will attract around 40,000 visitors. The M25 London Orbital is also likely to be particularly bad from Friday afternoon onwards as hordes of city folk make a break for the country for the weekend.

Get up to date traffic news from the AA’s Roadwatch service.

Cheap petrol and good weather?

Well, one out of two isn’t bad! Asda have dropped their forecourt petrol prices for the weekend, a litre of unleaded will cost no more than 110.9p and 113.9p for diesel. The supermarket chain has 180 forecourts across the country, and you can click here to find your nearest outlet.

Forecasters have predicted wet weather over the weekend, but given the infamously fickle nature of the UK’s meteorological system, you’d be advised to keep a weather eye on the horizon and pack for rain or shine wherever your intended destination may be.

Click here to get up to date weather reports from BBC Weather.

Have you got any alternative route suggestions? Let us know in our forum topic here.

2011 Sterling Eccles and Elite caravans: pictures, layouts and specs

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by Holly Tribe

Swift Caravans have launched their new Sterling Eccles and Elite models which have undergone a total redesign for the 2011 season. The models will be on show at the Lawns Extravaganza near Hull on the 4th and 5th September and will be arriving at retailer sites later in the year.

The Sterling brand models have a light Oregon pine finish, which is lighter than the Mali Acacia woodgrain offered in the Swift Conqueror and Challenger equivalents. Both come with th cost option of a new ‘Impala’ stain resistant, easy clean upholstery alternative in a tactile nubuck texture.

All the new models sport a new exterior shape. A glossy GRP front panel curves up to meet the roof rails, and a flat roof ensures 1.95 meters of headroom down the length of the cabin. Thicker sidewalls and a strong bonded roof help with thermal efficiency and a panoramic sunroof make the interior bright and airy.


2011 Sterling Elite

There are five layouts to choose from in the Elite series, ranging from the entry level Elite Diamond to the twin axle four berth Elite Searcher.

These caravans retain their metallic silver side walls in 2011 and also gain a new panoramic, wrap-around sunroof which comes as standard, pictured in the Elite Emerald opposite. The sunroof is accented either side in black for continuity with the front window set.

    Elite Diamond

  • MTPLM 1,470kg
  • 2 Berths
  • Single axle
  • Price £17,285

    Elite Emerald

  • MTPLM 1,650kg
  • 4 Berths
  • Single axle
  • Price £18,485

    Elite Amber – improved layout for 2011

  • MTPLM 1,855kg
  • 4 Berths
  • Single axle
  • Price £18,675

    Elite Searcher – open plan with dresser/TV unit near door and tower fridge freezer adjoining the kitchen area

  • MTPLM 1,855kg
  • 4 Berths
  • Twin axle
  • Price £20,665

    Elite Explorer – front parallel lounge, tower fridge freezer, transverse ‘island’ fixed bed and rear washroom

  • MTPLM 1,825kg
  • 4 Berths
  • Twin axle
  • Price £20,865


2011 Sterling Eccles

Eight flexible floorplans make up the 2011 Sterling Eccles range. All models have new granite effect kitchen sinks, and the Topaz and Moonstone models also have them in the end washrooms. Both the twin axle models have on-board 30 litre water tanks. The upholstery is finished with a neutral textured plain chenille fabric with contemporary accent swatches, or the stain resistant Impala comes as a cost option, as pictured in the Eccles Topaz opposite. The panoramic sunroof may also be added as a factory fitted cost option, with prices expected to come in at under £500.

    Eccles Topaz

  • MTPLM 1,420kg
  • 2 Berths
  • Single axle
  • Price £15,685

    Eccles Moonstone

  • MTPLM 1,615kg
  • 4 Berths
  • Single axle
  • Price £16,785

    Eccles Jewel

  • MTPLM 1,545kg
  • 4 Berths
  • Single axle
  • Price £16,635

    Eccles Ruby

  • MTPLM 1,620kg
  • 4 Berths
  • Single axle
  • Price £16,975

    Eccles Quartz

  • MTPLM 1,620 kg
  • 4 Berths
  • Single axle
  • Price £16,975

    Eccles Amethyst

  • MTPLM 1,825kg
  • 6 Berths
  • Twin axle
  • Price £18,675

    Eccles Coral Improved layout with larger kitchen

  • MTPLM 1,775kg
  • 4 Berths
  • Twin axle
  • Price £18,165

    Eccles Solitaire New layout with front parallel lounge, two fixed single rear beds, and rear washroom.

  • MTPLM 1,605kg
  • 4 Berths
  • Single axle
  • Price £16,975

VIDEO: 2011 Swift and Sterling Caravans Review

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by Marcus Dubois

Swift Caravans has completed a striking redesign of four of its existing ranges. The Swift Challenger and Conqueror have been updated for 2011 alongside their Sterling counterparts the Eccles and Elite.

Using the latest 3D automotive technology Swift has shaped the new caravans for greater aerodynamics, and all four models now use a similar and striking design language. On the Swift Conqueror and Sterling Elite the standout feature is a panoramic front sunroof which brings a greater amount of light into the caravan, while inside roof lockers are to be found on either side.

In this video our editor was present at the first viewing of the new models and takes you through the standout features of the 2011 ranges. In addition we hear from Richard White of the Swift Group about the development of the new caravans, and get a first opinion from esteemed caravan journalist Andrew Jenkinson who casts his eye over the tourers.

Click the image below to be taken to the video feature.

Caravan advert star searches for on-screen wife

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A 77-year-old former scooter engineer is searching for the woman who once played his wife in a 1959 caravan advert.

According to the Berwick Advertiser, Ken Strugnell is hoping to find his on-screen partner to tell her that the BBC is remaking the TV ad as part of a programme to be released later this year.

The original saw a then 26-year-old Mr Strugnell towing a fold-away caravan in his Lambretta scooter with sidecar from Emsworth to Bosham Quay.

On arrival, his character and his wife and daughter get to work setting up the 6ft 6in mobile home right on the beach.

The star admitted that the caravan was probably too small to catch on, but suggested that it might be nice for his co-star to see the remake.

He has already been in touch with the 54-year-old woman who played his daughter to let her know, but Mr Strugnell’s real wife had her own theory on why the idea did not last long.

“There’s a moment when the wind catches the caravan as he’s putting it up and it looks like it might fall off the quay into the sea. It doesn’t, but it’s very funny,” she told the newspaper.

Meanwhile, the newspaper recently revealed that a local campsite has applied for permission to add a further 51 caravan pitches to its site.

Pickering residents object to plans for new caravan site

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Homeowners in Pickering have protested at the Caravan and Camping Club’s plans to build a campsite close to their properties.

According to the Gazette & Herald, almost 50 households in the Outgang Road area signed a petition against the proposal.

The club wishes to erect five caravan and ten tent pitches on low-lying wetland, but residents fear that their privacy will be breached and that the site could cause traffic problems on the narrow Outgang Road, which joins up with the A170.

Noting that opening a certificated site in a residential area could create excessive noise, they told the newspaper that the idea was “most unacceptable”.

The Caravan and Camping Club has reportedly said that it will take the residents’ concerns on board before pursuing its plans.

According to the petition, locals had no problem with the initial plans for five caravan pitches, but were worried by the prospect of the site holding ten tents.

Meanwhile, the Clitheroe Advertiser recently reported that a residents at a local caravan site had raised £350 for charity.

Preview video: new 2011 Swift Caravans models – Challenger, Conqueror, Sterling Eccles and Elite

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by Marcus Dubois

The full-length video review of the 2011 Swift Caravans is now available – click here to view.

Swift Caravans has launched its 2011 model line-up with a radical redesign of four of its popular ranges. Using 3D automotive technology Swift has created a new look for the Challenger and Conqueror which continues through the Sterling Eccles and Elite.

In our video feature we’ll take a closer look at the new design features of these four models, including a panoramic front sunroof on the exterior and new “wipe-clean” fabrics and wood finishes on the interior. In addition we’ll catch up with industry figures to hear more about the new 2011 Swift ranges.

2011 Swift Caravans review: new models and layouts

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by Holly Tribe and Marcus Dubois

Click here to watch the full-length video review of the 2011 Swift Caravans

Swift Caravans has announced details of their highly anticipated 2011 range of updated tourers. Dealers and journalists got a closer look at four redesigned models from Swift’s most popular ranges at an event in Cottingham, Hull held yesterday. Caravan Times was there to witness the grand unveiling and can report that the new season caravans are the Swift Challenger and Conqueror, alongside the Sterling Eccles and Elite ranges. All models now sport dramatically altered silhouettes and striking interior designs.

Click here for our photo gallery from the launch of the new Swift Caravans

The new Swift and Sterling caravans share a similar design language with a new and unique profile for the vehicle. The redesigned front panel sports corner buttresses which sweep up to link with the roof rails, which in turn continue the line across the sides until it meets the full height rear panel. This creates a look very much akin to the strong lines of the motorhomes offered by the Swift Group.

The high gloss GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) front panel adjoins roof buttresses which run along the length of the caravan and are designed to stop water dripping down the walls. New skirts made from tough self coloured UPVC meet the rear end which is also made from tough reinforced GRP, and there’s an awning channel subtly integrated into the side panel.


Front sunroof

The key talking point among visitors yesterday was the addition of an impressive panoramic sunroof at the front. It starts at the window level and curves into the roofline to create a seamless black appearance which contrasts with the white of the front panel. Standard on the Conqueror and Elite models, it can be factory fitted as a cost option on Challenger and Eccles models. Prices are expected to come in under £500 for this optional extra, which was so well received by visitors to the launch in Hull that is likely to be fitted by dealers for their Challenger and Elite ranges.

Thicker 32mm walls and a fully bonded roof sit atop the thermally insulated wheel boxes. This gives the new season models far greater thermal efficiency and they now easily match up to…

First pictures of the new 2011 Swift Caravans

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by Marcus Dubois

Click here to watch the full-length video review of the 2011 Swift Caravans

Caravan Times brings you the first pictures from the launch of the new-look Swift Caravans. The popular Swift Challenger and Conqueror ranges have received a full redesign alongside the Sterling Eccles and Elite. Using the latest in automotive 3D design software Swift has created a totally new exterior shape with striking interior styling.

What we found to be the standout feature of the Swift Conqueror and Sterling Elite models is the new front sunroof which curves upward into the roof to provide a great deal of interior light. Accented either side in black, the dark sweep at the front is a new visual statement from Swift. Inside this is complimented by roof lockers either side, and both the sunroof and lockers are optional extras on the Challenger and Eccles ranges.

We’ll be bringing you a video review of the new Swift range alongside full details and pictures of all the new models. In the meantime you can click below to browse a gallery of the first pictures from the Swift launch.

Click here for our photo gallery from the launch of the new Swift Caravans


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Shrouded in secrecy: Swift Caravans 2011 model launch

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by Holly Tribe

Click here to watch the full-length video review of the 2011 Swift Caravans

The wait is nearly over. Today, Swift Caravans officially unveil their brand new 2011 season updates to the press.

Not a peep has been heard from the Hull based manufacturer in the lead up to the launch which has resulted in much speculation within the industry. CaravanTimes editor, Marcus Dubois, is in Hull with our camera crew getting the real lowdown on all the new models. The new models were still literally ‘under wraps’ this morning as the press launch got under-way.

However, rumour has it that the new models are a total departure from any of Swift’s previous offerings and are built to groundbreaking new specifications. A new construction method is expected to combat the threat of water ingress head on. With a completely new profile, the Swift 2011 season updates promise to present some exceptional alternatives to the caravan market.

Photos captured by hawk-eyed Caravan Times Community member Ian Gilmore have already provided a sneak preview of the dramatically altered nose on the Sterling Eccles, and we look forward to bringing you news on all the 2011 Challenger, Conqueror, Eccles and Elite models in the coming days.

Click here for a gallery of spy shots of the new Swift Caravans

Stay tuned for forthcoming interviews and video reviews, coming soon!

Caravan Times member captures photos of 2011 Swift Caravans models

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by Marcus Dubois

Click here to watch the full-length video review of the 2011 Swift Caravans

It has been this year’s most closely guarded secret in the caravan industry. With no information available to the press before the official media day on Thursday 19th August, Swift Caravans has kept the details of their newest tourers under its hat. The firm promised “a shape that will change the look of the modern tourer”, and eager Swift fans can now learn more of what to expect thanks to photos from a Caravan Times member.

Click here for a gallery of spy shots of the new Swift Caravans

Keen-eyed caravanner Ian Gilmore works near the studio where they were being photographed in Manchester, and he noticed a convoy of Swifts entering the building three weeks ago. He tells us “there were lots of different models, all looking really good” and from his vantage point managed to take a few quick photos of the new caravans as they were being transported. Clearly visible in the photos is the new look for the Sterling Eccles, while the aerodynamic lines of the future Swift models are also hinted at.

Caravan Times will be in Hull this week to take a closer look at the new Swift Caravans at the official launch. Look out for forthcoming interviews and video reviews.