Caravan Guard Paperless Policies Raise Over £110K

Posted by

By William Coleman

A kind-hearted fundraising initiative by caravan and motorhome specialists Caravan Guard, and Leisuredays, has raised more than £110,000 for Heart Research UK.

Ten years ago, Caravan Guard launched its Paperless Policies initiative, which sees them donate £1 to the charity each time a new caravan, campervan or motorhome insurance customer opts for their policy documents to be emailed rather than posted out.

Throughout 2019, Caravan Guard’s Paperless Policies campaign and other fundraising efforts raised a hearty £17,645, pushing the total gifted in the last decade to an incredible £110,887!
The caring staff at Caravan Guard don’t just promote the paperless policies, they also go extra miles for the charity by taking on challenges such as the Great North Run half marathon and running healthy heart events.

A “love yourself” event saw the charity deliver health and lifestyle checks and staff were encouraged to make 2020 the year to care completely about their health, as well as others.
Many are already sharing healthy recipe ideas and signing up for a range of challenges, as well as inspiring each other to lead healthy lifestyles.

Associate Director Laura Wilby presented Heart Research UK with a cheque for £17,645 during the Halifax-based company’s healthy heart day.

“We’re delighted to have raised so much money for such a great cause in 2019 and absolutely thrilled to have smashed through the £100,000 mark in the last decade,” said Laura. “A big thank you to our customers too, who have chosen to go paperless so we can pass on all this money to help with the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.”

Caravan Guard cares passionately about many local and national charities to help them make a difference to the lives of others. Two runners also raised £2,283 for Heart Research UK last year after finishing the 2019 Great North Run half marathon in record times, and the company’s Great Yorkshire Bike Ride team added more donations into the fundraising pot.

The money raised in 2019 could potentially help pay for scientists to develop a new blood test to identify high-risk patients after treatment for a heart attack or contribute towards new MRI techniques to examine heart muscle structure.

Heart Research UK CEO, Kate Bratt-Farrar, said: “Over the last 10 years, we have been blown away time and again with the generosity of the Caravan Guard customers and staff. To have raised over £110,000 is a truly remarkable achievement, and we can’t thank them enough.

“The money that Caravan Guard has raised will be used to benefit patients as soon as possible, funding life-saving research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.”

Caravan Guard’s contact centre staff will continue to encourage more customers to receive paperless insurance policies so they can help even more hearts in the next decade!

Getting The Van Ready For The 2020 Season

Posted by

By William Coleman

The time of year is almost upon us, the 2020 caravanning season. As the days start to get longer the masses unwrap their vans from winter hibernation and begin to prep and clean the vans to get them holiday ready by mid March.

A lot of people have very different opinions on when the new touring season actually starts. Some go by the weather, some say the end of February or they stick to the Caravan Club darte of the 25th of March. Oh, and there are the 365 days a year group who do not believe in seasons.

For those who do believe that the caravan holiday is season this is the time of year where quite a few weekends and evenings are spent in the vans getting everything ready to face to open road and weekends on site relaxing in the sun.

So, for those who are about to embark on the journey of getting the van ready here are some hints and tips from us to you.

Get The Mop And Bucket

If you have done your mid winter checks on the van and gave it a little bit of love before the new season then you should not have much work on your hands leading into March. If you have not then you may want to start the spring clean sooner rather than later.

The spring clean is one of the first things you are going to want to do as it will, hopefully, help you go through each section of the van and see if there are any areas of concern that deserve immediate attention.

After the winter break pay particular attention to any fabric covered areas and esure yo both hoover and spray with some kind of air freshener to eradicate the musk that can occur when all the doors and windows have been closed for a few months.

Batteries and Electrics

During your winter storage the batteries will have been left idle and uncharged, something they really do not like at all. Hopefully they were disconnected when the van was stored away so as not to run completely dry to the point of no return.

When going through your spring clean pay some attention to the caravan leads and battery terming. Dust and clean are essential for a smooth running caravan.

Once the batteries are safely reconnected give a quick test by turning some lights on and off a few times and then test the water pump.

During the winter months, if you’re not using the van, it is always a good idea to keep the battery charged. If you are going to test the battery make sure you do it well ahead of the date you plan to go away as you are going to want a good few days of charging time before you set off.

Exterior Checks

We seemed to face some fairly harsh weather in the closing months of 2019 that brought in some quite high winds and a lot of property damage.

The harsh weather brought down trees and hurled debris through the air like it was popcorn so do not be surprised if your caravan or motorhome took a few knocks.

Checks for any cracked panels as they can be a costly repair and potentially lead to a lot more internal damage. Also check all the windows for drinks, dents and cracks as this is a part of the van that can be a nightmare to repair or replace.

While outside it is always worth giving the wheels and tires a good once over. Nine times out of ten you would have checked and treated them when storing the van but it is better to check them at this point. You just know sods law will have something go wrong while driving or just before you set off to head home.

Water Ingress And Damp

This is enemy number one of the caravan, motorhome or camper. Whilst going through the van hoovering and polishing keep an eye out for any damp that could have occurred.

During storage periods water leaks can occur and cause a good amount of damage throughout the van. It’s always a good idea to pop into the van a few times over the storage period to check for leaks before they get out of hand.

There are a few locations that are always worth checking during storage. The main spots are the window edges, doors and skylights.

These are more common leak hotspots that sometimes show little to no sign of damage so a lot of people do not notice until it’s too late.

If you have not had a chance to check the van over whilst it has been in storage the damp should hit the senses like a ton of bricks once you open the door. The smell of damp interior is unmistakable and your sense of smell should be able to lead you to where the issues are stemming from.

If you do run into this get yourself a dehumidifier and wash all the removable covers as soon as possible and get rid of any mold that has grown.

Consumables

The lights on the caravan are an essential part of the safety of a van and other road users. It is vital that these checks are at the top of your check list.

Spend some time checking the plugs for potential cracks in the housing or blown bulbs. Once you have given them a go over connect the caravan to the car and get someone to help you check they are in full working order.

If the bulbs are in good condition but you’re still having issues you may want to check the electrical connections to your tow car. The 13 pin plug could be misbehaving which will need a lot more attention and testing.

Sit Back And Enjoy

A close friend of mine has just finished preparing the van for a the new season, he is going away a week or two before the season starts, and he came u with an idea that never occurred to me. Taking the van and a one day test run. By doing a test run you can get a real sense of how the caravan, or motorhome, will preform on a longer trip.

A real world test is a much better way of seeing if you have done enough for the van to be fully ready. Finding out before holiday is much better than getting hit with an issue when you’re on site with a beer and a burger.

Explore Scotland With The Caravan And Motorhome Club

Posted by

By William Coleman

From the stunning Scottish Borders to the wild beauty of the Highlands, Scotland’s diverse landscape lends itself to many exciting driving routes, and the Caravan and Motorhome Club has a range of Scottish campsites for every stop of the way.

With membership starting from just £54 per year for two people, why not take advantage of the year round benefits and set off on a Scottish road trip?

Here are five of the Club’s top Scottish driving routes, complete with nearby campsites to head to in 2020:

Scottish Classics: Glasgow to Fort William

The drive from Glasgow to Fort William is less than a three-hour journey, with the winding route passing through the stunning Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Tourers should stop at the beautiful Loch Lomond to stretch their legs near the banks of this famous stretch of water. The journey continues through the glen (renowned for being one of Scotland’s most scenic), where tourers find themselves surrounded by the magnificent munros and rolling hills of the Highlands.

The final destination, Fort William, is the perfect base for enjoying a walk through Glencoe or for exploring cultural sites including the West Highlands Museum. For those looking for a more adventurous trip, why not head to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak?

Tackling the Ben is high on many keen travellers’ bucket lists, but those who’d rather stay out of the clouds can enjoy the view from the bottom whilst they go on a tour of the Ben Nevis Distillery.

Stay at the Bunree Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite. Located just 10 miles from Fort William on the edge of the beautiful Loch Linnhe, guests at this campsite have been known to spot sea otters and cormorants. This tranquil site is the perfect spot for tourers to set up a base to enjoy all that Fort William and Glencoe have to offer.

Prices start from £24.60 per night for two adults sharing a standard pitch.

For History Lovers: Aberdeen to Inverness

This Highland adventure is a 116-mile journey through the breath-taking Cairngorms National Park into the ancient city of Inverness. The route is perfect for history buffs, who can explore The Highlands’ military history through the museums, forts and castles that dot the countryside.

Potential stops include the Gordon Highlanders Museum, 18th century Fort George and the Culloden Battlefield & Visitor Centre, the site of the famous final Jacobite battle, which has been restored to how it would have appeared in 1746. Tourers should also be sure to take a break in the expansive Cairngorms National Park so that they can take in this stunning part of Scotland.

Stay at the Culloden Moor Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite. Just one and a half miles from the Culloden Battlefield and a short drive to historic Inverness, this campsite is ideally located for bedding down after a long day exploring the region. The site is particularly good for dog owners, with a range of lovely forest walks nearby.

Prices start from £19.30 per night for two adults sharing a standard pitch.

The Spine of Scotland: Inverness to Stirling

Those driving back south from Inverness should be sure to follow the A9, otherwise known as the ‘Spine of Scotland’. Scotland’s longest road is a full 273 miles long and takes drivers past ever-changing scenery, from the mist-shrouded hills of the Cairngorms to the stunning river gorge Killiecrankie.

Popular stops along the route include Blair Atholl, to explore the historic Blair Castle and the Blair Atholl Distillery and Dunkeld for its incredible cathedral. The final destination, Stirling, is a gorgeous historical city with plenty to do, with the magnificent Stirling Castle a must-visit.

Stay at the Blair Drummond Caravan Park (Affiliated Site), ideally situated within the old walled garden of Blair Drummond House. There is a range of lovely walks around the nearby woodland and the neighbouring Blair Drummond safari park is a wonderful day out for families.

Prices start from £26.00 per night for two adults sharing a standard pitch.

Scotland’s Borders: The Borders to Edinburgh

This two-hour journey is perfect for those driving into Scotland from England. Starting from the border town of Gretna Green (famous for historic runaway weddings!) the drive continues through the borders, with possible stops at the Borders Textile Towerhouse, where visitors can learn about Scotland’s famous fabrics, tartan and tweed.

This route continues through southern Scotland’s spectacular countryside, with possible stops at Abbotsford, the former home of legendary writer Sir Walter Scott, and also Scott’s View, one of his favourite viewpoints that has stunning views across the valley of the River Tweed.

Edinburgh has a huge range of things to see and do, with Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens and the Palace of Holyrood House all popular. Visitors can also enjoy a stroll down the famous Royal Mile, which is often home to many bagpipers – the true spirit of Scotland!

Stay at the Edinburgh Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite. Located on the Firth of Forth, the campsite has easy access to the beach as well as Scotland’s magnificent capital city, making it the perfect spot for those after a coastal break near the city.

Prices start from £18.45 per night for two adults sharing a standard pitch.

The Malt Whiskey Trail: Moray

The Speyside Malt Whisky Trail is the ultimate road trip for any whisky enthusiast. Home to the largest concentration of distilleries in the world, this 74-mile trail comprises nine sites that visitors can explore.

With both household names and smaller distilleries, including world famous Glenfiddich, there’s something to appeal to every whisky fan. Each location is able to provide guided tours and tastings with true whisky experts – those planning on enjoying a dram should ensure they have a designated driver!

Stay at Sunnybrae Certificated Location and enjoy all the Highlands have to offer. Well located in Moray for heading out on the Whisky Trail, visitors can also enjoy the wonderful local wildlife, including kestrels, pine martens and deer and dolphins that can be spotted in the Moray Firth.

There is a range of coastal walks that are also accessible from the campsite, and a number of other activities including pony trekking cycling or touring historical sites.

Prices start from £12.00 per night for all occupants sharing a standard pitch.

The SEC Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show

Posted by

By William Coleman

This week the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home is in full swing at the SEC in Glasgow. We were there on opening day to see everything the new season has to offer and to find out what the Scottish are bringing to the table of touring holidays.

Show season is both a hectic and happy time for myself and the team, so I can only imagine what it is like for the companies that do the Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham show all within the first 2 months of the new year.

One of the brighter sides of working at these shows is that once the grafting is done I get to free roam and spend as much time as I like seeing everything on display across the many halls, and the SEC was a great day out.

The SEC show is not the largest of the UK shows but this year’s event has actually been one of the largest they have had, and was also a record breaker. The show director, Darren Brechin, spoke at the Club Stand during the show’s official opening and explained that this show had a record amount of companies on display and they have more stands than ever before.

Another noteworthy point about this year’s SEC show was the addition of a hall specifically for campervans. Over the past few years I am sure you have noticed both the rise in popularity of the campervan and their much increased presence at the trade shows.

One company, who I had not heard of before, called Caledonian Campers were actually displaying a full build from the ground up of a luxury customer VW camper. I have a good idea of what goes into the build but I had never seen it live and in such detail. From the seat embroidery all the way to fitting the full interior and windows. It really was impressive to see how much work goes into putting these campers together.

Having been to several shows all over the UK and Europe I do always try to speak to at least one new person be show that is not directly linked to the caravan world. I always like to see everything at the show and this year I spoke to a chap from Caurnie Soaperie to find out how smaller companies enjoy the caravan shows. I find it interesting speaking to people who do the shows that are not linked to the caravan world, of which there are usually quite a lot. Oh and I got some free soap for the other half.

Whilst walking round the show you cannot help but notice the large Scottish presence, from local dealers and holiday companies all the way to Scottish farmers who are selling locally produced chases, meats and whiskeys. So make sure you take a shopping basket with you when you go.

If you are going to visit the show this weekend make sure that you take full advantage of all the offers and show exclusives that certain dealers have on.

Another thing I urge you to do, provided you have travelled to the location and are not a local, is head into Glasgow town and seek out all it’s hidden gems. As far as cities go it is pretty good and I find somewhere new to eat and drink every time I visit.

This time round me and the team were on the hunt for a steak dinner. Little did we know that we would find somewhere that we never knew existed that totally blew us away. Opposite a steak and grill place we saw something that stood out from every other eatery, a Bavarian Beer Hall.

Without a doubt this is the best I have visited in Scotland. From the authentic decor all the way to the “Top 6” beers from the Munich breweries on offer it was 10/10. Oh and the food is absolutely amazing. Next time you’re in Glasgow make sure you go to Bavaria Brauhaus on Bothwell Street, it is about a 45 second walk from Glasgow Central station.

Nick Lomas Shares His Love For Scotland at The SEC 2020 Caravan Show

Posted by

By William Coleman

The Caravan and Motorhome Club have a large presence in Scotland and always encourage tourers to visit this wonderful country to take in all the beauty and scenery it has to offer. At this week’s SEC caravan show the Club’s Director General shares his love for all things Scotland.

Over the past few years I have come to love trips to Scotland, and I wish I went on more. There are just so many amazing destinations to visit and you can learn about so much about the rich history of this amazing country.

As well as a rich history and amazing culture, Scotland offers a range of freedom unlike anywhere else in the UK. If you want to get active and keep fit or just take in the beautiful landscape then Scotland is a must visit location.

When visiting Scotland over and over you can have an entirely different trip each time. The range of activities on offer are mind blowing too. One day you can take part in mountain sports like running, biking and climbing and the next day you can take to the highlands on hikes and wild camping.

For those who do not mind getting their feet wet should take full advantage of the watersports on offer. All the lochs and rivers provide the perfect opportunity for canoeing, paddle boarding, windsurfing and even coastal surfing.

Over the past few years I have had the good fortune of travelling the globe with the Caravan and Motorhome Club. One member who I have spent a lot of time with towing caravans and driving motorhomes with is Nick Lomas, the Club’s Director General.

Over the thousands of miles travelled Nick has always told stories of Scotland and all the trips he has both taken and dreaming of taking. We spoke with him at the SEC this week to find out what his plans for Scotland in 2020 are.

To find out more about how the Club can help you plan your next trip to Scotland visit www.camc.co.uk

Double Gold For Salop Leisure At Owner Satisfaction Awards

Posted by

By William Coleman

Shropshire’s multi-award winning caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure is celebrating after striking gold twice in the Caravan Owner Satisfaction Awards for 2020.

The list of accolades keeps getting bigger and bigger over at Salop Leisure with each award season that passes and this award season has been no different as the Shrewsbury-based company add two Owner Satisfaction awards to the trophy cabinet.

The Shrewsbury-based company is the only dealership in the country to have won gold awards in both the new and pre-owned caravans categories. It’s the second year running that Salop Leisure has scored double gold awards, which require an average satisfaction score of 80% or over.

The awards are based on the response to a survey by readers of Practical Caravan magazine and members of The Camping and Caravanning Club which identified the dealers best to buy from in the view of touring caravan owners.

Nearly 3,000 caravanners responded to the in-depth questionnaire, which included questions covering caravan design and features, reliability, build quality and dealer service.

Mark Bebb, Salop Leisure’s managing director, revealed that the company had won gold awards in six of the last 10 years and he thanked customers for their loyal support.

“We are delighted that our customers have voted in our favour again,” he said. “However, I still believe that we have a huge amount of work to do as an industry to drive forward customer service improvements.

“It’s an honour for the company to win these awards, but we are just part of the caravan supply chain.”

An awards spokesman said: “Practical Caravan magazine readers and The Camping and Caravanning Club members can be sure our findings are based on the collective wisdom of many owners and give a firm indication of the typical experience of owning a particular brand of caravan.

“Brand new caravans with all the latest features and technology are great, but we want to be sure that anyone shopping for a pre-owned caravan gets the same enjoyment and an equally high level of customer service.

“The best caravans are only as good as the dealer network that stands behind them.
It’s easy to be ready with a smile and a cuppa when someone’s wallet is twitching. What’s more important is to be as helpful and willing when something goes wrong.

“The best dealers are there for their customers in bad times as well as good, and attentive customer service and a willingness to listen go a long way. A friendly and efficient dealer can make a huge difference to the ownership experience.”

Ladram Bay £300k green Energy Drive

Posted by

By William Coleman

Ladram Bay Holiday Park is set to sink around £300,000 into an ambitious new green energy project – with the benefits being felt by both guests and the environment.

The family-owned park in will install a state-of-the-art solar energy system across various buildings in its grounds this winter.

Energy experts forecast that after the work is completed, Ladram Bay will be preventing a massive 171 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually from entering the atmosphere.

The super-efficient solar panels will work even on overcast days, providing energy and hot water which will see a huge reduction in the park’s carbon footprint.

This latest move joins a raft of other recent eco-friendly measures taken by Ladram Bay, and which are already benefiting the environment.

They include a solar-powered litter bin which crushes waste by up to 90%, new energy-efficient boilers, and an extension of the park’s ban on single-use plastics.

New plantings of native trees and shrubs have also taken place, and the park’s brochure size has been halved to A5 in order to minimise paper waste.

Director Zoe House, who is a member of the park-owning Carter family, said that caring for the natural world has long been a key element of the park’s philosophy:

“We first started welcoming holiday guests to Ladram Bay Holiday Park more than seventy years ago when it was a farm owned by my parents,” she said.

“Our agricultural roots have remained very important to us, and which is why our family tries to make sustainability a key factor in all of our business decisions.

“Helping us achieve this is our amazing ground team who work year-round on our various projects, and who often contribute great ideas of their own,” added Zoe.

News of the new green energy investment came as the park was named this autumn as a winner of the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.

A long-time holder of the annually presented accolade, it was given following an in-depth survey of the park and its policies by Professor Bellamy’s assessment team.

They praised the park’s large areas of wild flower plantings which provide vital foraging for honey bees and butterflies, and the many wildlife habitats created in the grounds.

Ladram Bay offers holiday caravans and lodges to rent or to own, plus glamping pods, and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

There is more about the park, and its many family-friendly attractions and entertainment facilities, at www.ladrambay.co.uk

New 3D Simulator To Help With Caravan Maneuvering

Posted by

By William Coleman

From time to time we all need to brush up on our towing skills, but is there a better and more visual way to brush up or learn new skills? This new bit of tech my just be a new way of learning.

As an industry we are getting younger which means there is going to be a whole new generation of potential caravan owners who are going to need to learn how to tow a caravan.

And as we move forward in how people digest training it seems that learning some basic tips via computer programme is very much the way forward. Someone who has seen the need for this is Jim Bedigan, the creator of Reverse My Trailer.

Reverse My Trailer is a new trailer reversing 3D simulator that will give users a 360 perspective on how to safely reverse a caravan, something that is vital to getting in and out of spaces as well of maneuvering/adjusting on pitch.

Being able to sit comfortably and have all the key principles involved in reversing explained to you can be a much better way of gaining the knowledge, plus you can pause and rewind should you need to go over some points.

As well as being 3D the simulator provides a birds-eye view, along with multiple rear mirror views of the reversing operation. It has an ‘autopilot mode’ that demonstrates how to reverse into areas such as gateways and parking spaces and a ‘guidance mode’ to help you try it for yourself.

Speaking with Jim he explained where the idea came from: A few years ago, I found myself watching Caravanner of the Year on BBC2. I don’t own a caravan myself but nevertheless found it surprisingly good viewing.

One test given to the participants involved the main driver giving reversing instructions to their partner to help them negotiate several obstacles.

Despite the pressure they were under due to the presence of TV cameras, shouted instructions and rapidly worsening tempers, most of them ended up doing a pretty good job. However, I thought the test illustrated very clearly just how difficult reversing a caravan can be for the inexperienced.

Despite not actually owning an actual caravan Jim does attach a trailer to his car and drive with that attached so he is more than aware of what the towing behaviour is like and the issues it can produce.

Having extensive knowledge in the 3D graphics world, Jim previously worked in the flight simulation industry, he decided that he could use his skills to help the towing community with a similar simulation.

Jim’s two main goals in creating this were to create a set of simulator models that would represent a range of real-world vehicles and trailers as accurately as possible and to workout a what steering should be applied at any point in time to keep the trailer on an ‘optimum’ approach route during manoeuvres, such as reversing into a gateway or a parallel parking space.

I think that this method of learning is extremely effective and will give a clear breakdown, for those who need it, of what you need to do to ensure that you safely reverse and maneuver your set up.

As we all know there is no better practice than getting in the car and actually trying it out but this programme is a great way to have some fun while learning. This is not a replacement for a qualified instructor, the same way the theory test will not prepare you for the open road, but it is fun and does give a little extra help to get your head round the intricacies of towing.

This programme is free to use so why not give it a watch and see what you could take away from the demo. You can download a free copy <here.
.

Romantic Breaks And February Fun With A Difference With The CAMC

Posted by

By William Coleman

Love is in the air as the Caravan and Motorhome Club embrace both Valentine’s Day and the February half term break and roll out some tempting offers. There are also some killer deals to be had with their Experience Freedom holidays.

As the Club’s site network and holiday type offering grows they look to get more of out all year round and to also introduce non leisure vehicle owners to come to site and stay in their glamping accommodation via the Experience Freedom brand. One great way to get more vans on site is to hand out offers you’ll find hard to say no to.

To help ease the ever mounting half term holiday pressure The Club are rolling out discounts for trips while the kids are off as well as helping you whisp off your favourite person on a romantic getaway for a Valentine’s Day.

Here are the Club’s top picks for families and couples this February:

Great For Families

Brighton

Bustling Brighton has the best of both worlds – an exciting city and luscious countryside. The spectacular countryside of the South Downs provides visitors to the area with a huge number of walking and cycling trails. A stroll across the pebbly shores of Brighton Beach is great for blowing out the cobwebs. Above the beach, Brighton Palace Pier brings hours of fun to both big and little kids, and kids will love a visit to SEA LIFE Brighton, where they can spot over 3500 creatures. In the city centre, the twisting alleys of the Lanes make for a shoppers’ paradise, with a range of independent boutiques, vintage shops and high-street staples.

Treat the kids to an exciting stay in an Airstream at the Brighton Club Site. Iconic Airstreams are a fun glamping option for families looking to head out on a trip but don’t have their own ‘van. Airstreams comfortably sleep up to four people, and come equipped with cooking and entertainment facilities, as well as an en-suite. What’s more, families don’t need to be members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club to book their Airstream stay!

Prices start from £178 for a family of four for two nights during half term.

Kent

Kent’s miles of coastline, countryside and delightful towns make it the perfect fit for a family break this half term. In good weather, kids will love racing along the shore at one of the many gorgeous beaches Kent has to offer, including Whitstable and Broadstairs. Kent’s coast also boasts a number of impressive restaurants, where families can relax by the sea with a delicious meal. Inland, the 900 year old Leeds Castle old Caerphilly County Borough Council makes for a thrilling day out. During half term, it will be running a Half Term Explorers event with special puzzles, challenges and plenty of prizes to be won!

Stay at the Bearsted Caravan Club Campsite in Hollingbourne, Kent, which offers visitors a tranquil inland location that’s great for exploring the varied Kentish coast. The charming seaside towns of Margate, Whitstable and Broadstairs are a drive away. Miles of beautiful Kent countryside surround the campsite, giving families the chance to also enjoy the beautiful nature that gives the county its nickname, the Garden of England.

Prices start from £26.80 per night for a family of four sharing a standard pitch.

Buckinghamshire

Leafy Buckinghamshire is bursting with attractions to keep little ones busy during the February break. The Roald Dahl Museum is an excellent family attraction that holds regular events based around story-telling, theatre and creativity. Bekonscot Model Village in Beaconsfield reopens at the beginning of half-term. Comprising seven miniature towns, miles of model railways and little gardens, this charming model village is great for families. If the weather is good, a boat trip down the Thames or a visit to West Wycombe House are great ways to make the most of a sunny February day. Buckinghamshire is also close enough to London so that if a dreaded rainy day hits, families can explore the capital’s ever impressive museums.

Stay at Wyatts Covert Club Site. The site is perfectly located for families, due to its proximity to Legoland Windsor which is celebrating ‘Brick Week’ during half term, with plenty of fun family activities to enjoy.

Prices start from £26.60 per night for a family of four sharing a standard pitch.

Perfect For Couples

Newport & The Wye Valley

Weather in the UK in February can definitely be somewhat changeable, which is why Newport is a great break for this time of year. On bright, chilly days, there are a number of great little market towns in the surrounding Wye Valley waiting to be explored. Abergavenny, known as the food capital of Wales due to its world-class lamb, beef, cheese, fruit, veg and beer and cider, is a marvellous stop for foodies looking to pick up delicious produce for a romantic meal in their ‘van. There are also plenty of great walking routes through the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. On rainy days, visitors can explore the mansion at Tredegar House, or drive to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, to visit the National Museum.

Stay at the Tredegar House Country Park Club site. Nestled in the heart of this country park with an ornamental lake on site, this romantic spot is perfect for couples looking for a romantic Valentine’s stay.

Prices start from £19.10 per night for a couple sharing a standard pitch.

Cambridgeshire

Picturesque Cambridge, known for its superb historical buildings, quaint backstreets and the leafy green banks of the gorgeous River Cam, is the perfect couples escape this February. The city’s rich history comes alive on a walking tour walking tour of its world famous university, and there is nothing more romantic than a chauffeured punting trip for two down the Cam. Beyond the city, the pretty Cambridgeshire countryside has plenty to offer visitors. There is a range of walking routes through the beautiful marshy fens of rural Cambridgeshire, and cycles. The Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits are also a popular spot for exploring due to the many birds who nest there.

Stay at the Cambridge Cherry Hinton Caravan Club Site. With easy access to the nearby chalk pits, and a bus or car journey away from the bustling city centre of Cambridge, there is plenty to keep couples busy on a Valentine’s break. Charming local spots including Audley End House and the Cambridge University Botanic Garden are also perfect for a romantic visit.

Prices start from £22.00 per night for a couple sharing a standard pitch.

The Cotswolds

For something a bit different, why not book a glamping break in the Cotswolds for two? With miles of lush countryside broken up by honey-coloured villages and country-homes, there’s plenty to explore. Visit some of the best pubs in the UK, wander through ‘wolds’ or enjoy pottering through lively market towns. Those looking for a romantic evening of dinner and dancing could attend the Valentine’s Evening Cocktails, Champagne and Dancing at Blenheim Palace, or for an intimate affair cosy-up at AA Rosette The Mulberry Restaurant.

Cosy up in a glamping pod at the Moreton-in-Marsh Club Site. A stay in a glamping pod is the perfect way to get back to nature without the need for your own unit. Well-insulated and equipped with everything couples need for a romantic weekend away, including cosy bedding, en-suite facilities and appliances and utensils for simple meals (hello breakfast in bed!)

Prices start from £59 per night for two staying for two nights.

Garmin Launch New Dual Lense Dash Cam

Posted by

By William Coleman

The driving camera specialists have designed a brand new gadget that will help you see clearly and could just be a game changer for caravan and motorhome owners as they clock up the miles on tour come 2020.

Driving with a large caravan attached to the back of you can sometimes present some tricky situations. In most of these situations it is actually non carvan users who are to blame as they simply do not know how to drive with caravans near them. So, having a camera that can capture a wider view in the event of an incident is worth its weight in gold.

On the 6th of January Garmin announced their Dash Cam Tandem which is their first ever dual lense dash cam that offers drivers complete video coverage of their surroundings thanks to two 180-degree field of view lenses that record in tandem day and night.

The dash cam’s high-definition 1440p front-facing camera lens with Garmin Clarity HDR can capture crisp footage showing critical vehicle details, while the interior lens with night vision introduces Garmin’s exclusive NightGlo technology to record all driver and passenger interaction, even in the dark.

“The Dash Cam Tandem offers remarkably clear nighttime recordings inside the car unlike any other dash camera on the market today,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales.

“With rideshare services like Uber and Kapten on the rise as well as unforeseen altercations happening inside vehicles, it makes great sense for these drivers to depend on a high-quality dash camera that records not only what’s happening on the road, but also what’s going on inside their vehicles at all times.”

Some caravan users I have spoken two have often asked about dash cams, referencing cameras and other tech, and the main question has been do we have too much tech on board to make driving easy?

Making driving easy can be both good and bad. Good because making life easy is, well, easy. But on the flip side to that we are starting to lean a lot of technology which could land us in hot water when these gadgets stop working.

Thanks to the new lenses on each side of the device, the Dash Cam Tandem can record a driver’s overall surroundings – whether it’s traffic on the road or activity inside the cabin – for complete dash cam coverage. What’s more, the interior lens features Garmin’s all-new NightGloÔ technology to record high-quality night vision footage that goes as far as identifying facial details from backseat passengers. For added convenience, the Dash Cam Tandem includes a charger with an extra USB port to ensure drivers stay connected throughout their ride.

Helen Mirren and other great campervan names

Posted by

By Emma Dodd

After comedian Susan Calman took to the open road in her campervan affectionately known as ‘Helen Mirren’ for a new Channel 5 programme, it got us thinking about the topic of naming leisure vehicles.

Viewers of Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out discovered the presenter had given her campervan the moniker for the simple reason that the dame is her favourite person.

Giving your caravan, motorhome or campervan a name is not that unusual and there’s been all sorts of wonderful ways to decide on fitting aliases over the years.

One year, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a storytelling show was performed to a small audience inside a campervan, which had been named ‘Jauney’ due to its bright yellow paint job.

Other leisure vehicles named for their distinctive colours have included ‘Daisy’, with its yellow and white finish, and the ‘Big Green Bus’ for obvious reasons.

And there’s also ‘Bleu’, which roams around Europe, giving its owners a glimpse of vanlife from inside its shiny blue walls.

Number plates can be a great way to come up with a quirky name for a motorhome, with just the need to fill in a couple of blanks and you’ve got a name that sticks.

Names based on the particular model of a caravan can be quite fun too, with an Adria Adora Isonzo named ‘Adora the Explorer’ and a Hymer Nova dubbed ‘Champagne Supernova’ in reference to the 90s hit.

We’ve lost count of the number of ‘Eddie the Eldis’ vans we’ve seen, which are surely cousins of ‘Elvis the Eldis’.

Slightly old-fashioned names, including Mavis, Rita and Sybil are popular, with vans being referred to as if they’re just another member of the family, which in many ways they are.

It could be argued that the best caravan names come out of family stories, like ‘Nannavan’, which stuck after Linzy Hannigan’s grandson was so excited after seeing her new purchase he ran out of the house shouting an amalgamation of the words ‘Nanna’ and ‘van’.

The jury’s still out on pun names for caravans like ‘Stalker’, because a touring van follows the family car all the time, but like dad jokes, there’s a certain amount of affection behind the groan.

County Line Gangs Use TV Touring Van Influence

Posted by

By William Coleman

The world of crime and leisure vehicles has always seemed to interweave, for reasons that are far beyond me, but now it seems as though drug gangs have found them to be a go to method for cargo transport across the country as well as making their products.

When it comes to getting creative with your caravan or motorhome turning it into a drug mulling tourer does not exactly come to the forefront of the imagination, well, unless you are a drug dealer.

Some of you may have seen an American TV show called Breaking Bad where a teacher and student decide to use a 1986 Fleetwood Bounder RV to build a drug empire across America. So you could be forgiven for not thinking a scheme as wild as this would actually influence drug gangs here in the UK.

Now it seems as though county line crossing drug gangs are using motorhome and caravans, as depicted in Breaking Bad, in efforts to avoid being found out by the police.

You may be asking yourself, “is this not an expensive way to transport things”, well not if you use sites such as Gumtree to rent from. These sites are not exactly known for their paper trails and above board dealings.

Dealers are either buying very cheap second hand vans or paying a small fee to “rent” them for a few days to do their dodgy dealings, often leaving the renter unaware their vehicle was used to run and make drugs across the UK.

As well as using these caravans and motorhomes to move their products around they are also using these inconspicuous portable dwellings to chop up and make the drugs ready for distribution. Scarily similar to the scenes shown on TV. Would you find it suspicious to see a parked caravan or motorhome with people sitting in there?

It has been reported that one dealer from Liverpool hired a touring caravan and was actually driving around serving addicts in Welsh seaside resorts. A far cry from your touring ice cream van of years gone by.

Another horrific method these gangs are employing, which police have publicly said they are aware of and are struggling to combat against, is using youngsters to distribute drugs. This is, for me, the absolute worst part of this story.

Using rented motorhome and caravans with zero traceability and then youngsters as their street dealers is a method which makes it extremely hard to capture and convict. The children are too young to convict, and are usually forced into this role against their wills making them another victim of drug crime.

One brasen dealer actually spoke to the Daily Star about the new methods they are using to avoid detection, “‘The good thing about caravans is that you can come and go when you like, you don’t look out of place,’.

The drug dealer also went on to mention how the constant movement of the operation makes it a lot harder for police to monitor activities as he is constantly on the move.

The dealer said: ‘There’s big money to be made. We’ll bag up the bobby [heroin] and put it out on the streets at £10 a bag.’

Another dealer, who is thankfully no longer on the streets saw that caravan sites are also a great place to ply his trade as they are well hidden, usually in quite secluded areas, where there is not much police presence or activity.

The dealer mentioned above, Gerard Derby, actually hired a caravan for a fortnight at the Golden Sands Caravan Park, Kinmel Bay. It was here where he set up a base for dealing. He was captured by authorities and was sent to prison, along with an associate, just before Christmas 2019.

It really is a shame that the scourge of drug dealing is now bleeding over into the caravan world, albeit by non caravan lovers. It is just one more thing that tarnished the industry that we all work too hard to keep clean and safe.

Is it a case of film and TV influencing the public or are things like this inevitable?