Start You Winter Prep Before The Big Freeze

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By William Coleman

It is almost that time of year again where we shed a tear as start to empty the caravan in preparation for it’s winter hibernation. Our checklist is ready and our cleaning bucket is full as we went the winter period once more and prepare the vans for winter storage.

If you’re anything like me then you really do despise doing the winter storage clean out of the caravan. One, because it means you won’t be using the van until it warms up again and two, because who wants to add extras cleaning to the schedule.

To help take the pain away from your winter prep follows these tips and then make a cuppa and be glad we did the planning for you.

Preventing Damp

With the rapid change in temperature from warm to cold condensation will soon start to form anywhere it can. Once the condensation drips down the interior windows and dries you will start to see and smell the effects of mould.

Something that has an awful lingering smell and will simply spread if not dealt with swiftly is mildew and mold caused by damp so you are going to want to prevent that at all costs.

Some heating with fresh dry air in and out is one way of dealing with it. Or an easier, but more costly way, is to use a dehumidifier. But to be cost effective means a lot more attention or a regular basis.

On this one I would strongly recommend spending out on the dehumidifier. It may cost more initially but in the long run you will save a lot of time and money.

Interior Preparation

Always remove as many unnecessary items as possible. Clothes, bedding, cushions or anything that might absorb moisture, aids the damp issue too.

Leave all the doors and cupboards open to keep them aired as you do not want a musky odor. This is good practice which will aid you in removing anything that does not need to be stored during winter.

A full clean will also help out a lot, nothing worse than finding old food come spring. Ensure that nothing that that can deteriorate over the winter is left inside. A full clean should include surfaces, floor vacuumed, cold storage empties/cleaned and removal of anything that will lead to damp or rot. Also ensure that you dry any wet areas thoroughly before finally locking up, paying special attention to the shower and general bathroom area.

Exterior Preparation

The weather is the enemy number one when storing your motorhome or caravan over the winter. Despite the typical grey winters we have in the UK we can get extended periods of sun, without the heat.

Although the heat may not be there the UV rays are still doing their job. Sun rays can fade the colour of any vehicle, especially when left idea for several months. So a good cover or even a basic tarp will provide sufficient cover. Just take it off now and then and air the van inside and out and maybe give the outside a once over with a cloth and spray.

When you are detailing the outside give all the locks a good clean and a spray with WD40 or a suitable lubricant oil to prevent them from rusting, seizing up or getting anything stuck in them.

I would recommend giving the caravan or motorhome a good clean with a wax to finish. This will give the home an extra layer of protection from the elements.

When cleaning the exterior check for any cracks or dents that may have occurred without your knowledge. If you do not spot a crack then you run a huge risk of leaks. And the best advice and the most simplest is to invest in a good cover. Keep the home nice and tucked up for winter.

Engine Care/Batteries

A battery can die a death if left unattended for an extended amount of time. So a regular engine turn of a motorhome or camper should do a world of good and ensure that the battery doesn’t seize up on you.

Plugging the home into store power once a month, for around 8-10 hours, will help keep coach batteries in good shape. If you are not planning to use the home after winter I would advise you to simply remove the battery.

You can charge it at home and if the temperature plummets you will not have a frozen battery. A discharged battery will freeze a lot quicker than a full battery.

These are just a select few of the checks that you can do. Most people have their own routine that they like to stick to but it is always good to check the basics listed above.

Once winter is over and you want to start using the leisure vehicle, provided you’re not a winter motorhomer, it is always advisable to get a service done to check everything is in full working order.

The Club Win Two Awards At Insurance Choice Awards

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By William Coleman

The Caravan and Motorhome Club have taken two top awards at the recent Insurance Choice Awards 2019 and again prove that they are a lot more than just a club for the touring folk.

CAMC have been named Best Caravan Cover Provider and Best Motorhome Insurance Provider at the Insurance Choice Awards 2019.

The Insurance Choice Awards, which are held by the financial services review platform Smart Money People, were set up to help increase trust and transparency in financial services.

The awards were set up in 2016 and have quickly become the largest consumer-voted awards within the sector, with well over 26,000 consumers taking part this year. The awards find the best possible cover and insurance products and providers on the market.

Winning an Insurance Choice Award is a mark of excellence, and the fact that the Club has won again this year demonstrates how its members continue to appreciate both the expertise and service that its hard working teams offer.

Harvey Alexander, Director of Marketing for the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “We are delighted to have been recognised again by the Insurance Choice Awards – not only have we been awarded for our excellent Caravan Cover scheme for the second year in a row, but we also won in the Motorhome Insurance category.

We design our cover and insurance products to reflect our members’ ever-changing needs, so it’s really rewarding to receive these awards that were voted for by them.

“Our experience in the industry means that our members can relax knowing they have the cover they need whether their caravan or motorhome is in use or in storage.

Our Caravan Cover is the most popular financial services product taken out by our members and it offers a wide range of features and benefits with more than eight out of ten members choosing to renew their cover with us Our motorhome and campervan insurance is an excellent product that nine out of ten members choose to renew.”

The Caravan and Motorhome Club only offers its caravan cover and insurance products to its own members – annual membership is £52. Non-members can still be given a quote, which they can take up when they join. The Club’s Caravan Cover starts from just £59 per year. For those looking to purchase motorhome or campervan insurance, the Club offers an exclusive Premium Saving Guarantee, meaning it will beat any existing motorhome or campervan insurance renewal from another provider by at least £25.

For more information call the Club or go directly to their website.

Protect Your Caravan Against Extreme Weather

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By William Coleman

The met office has issued a yellow weather warnings and warned of harsh winds with some areas experiencing extreme flooding. Make sure you do not let this incoming weather damage your home away from home both onsite and in storage.

With the winter months approaching the weather will turn wet, windy and cold, thus keeping a lot of caravans off of sites and on driveways. As the winter weather increasingly worsens, and becomes unpredictable, our caravan and motorhomes face a lot more potential damage.

Some people pack things up around the end of August and do not open the van back up until March or April, it is here where the van can face some real trouble. On the other side of the coin you have some people who make the most of their van during winter who also face some winter related damage.

If you are going to use your van and you do face adverse conditions we should be able to give you some tips that will stop you from running into situations that lead to you calling your insurance provider.

Get A Good Cover

Some people have a good amount of storage on their front garden or down the side of the house to store the van, it is here where the van is open to the elements for prolonged amounts of time.

My uncle keeps his van down the side of his house, in a sort of alleyway, and that alleyway created a tunnel where the wind gathers and hurls rubbel down it like a funnel.

After some horrid weather a year or two ago his van was covered in leaves and debris. Once he cleaned off all the muck he realised his front window had been cracked quite badly in several places.

If you are towing or storing your caravan a cover can be worth its weight in gold, who wants to get on site and clear off a thousand bugs..?

So as this wind builds up and the rains become extremely heavy you can really protect your van by covering up. So simple and maybe the most effecting.

Remove Extras

If you have some added extras fitted to the van like satellite dishes or other antenna it is a good idea to remove them when you store the van or if ugly weather is on the way.

Now depending on the fitting you may want to have a look at your paperwork and make sure that you removing the item will not void any warranty or damage it. If you are not sure how to go about removing things always call who fitted it or your local dealer for any assistance and advice.

Find A Storage Provider.

Despite having space at home it can sometimes cost a lot more in the long run by keeping the van there during the off season. You may be saving by not paying for storage but if some nasty weather appears your van can face some seriously expensive damage.

There are a lot of places that specialise in vehicle storage and others that are solely for caravans and motorhomes. If you choose a location that is for caravans, or motorhomes always pick a covered one

The more you caravan is hidden from the elements the less likely you are to face any unwanted weather related damage.

It is also worth doing some research and ask the site you’re thinking of what they do to prevent or minimize weather damage. If they come up short with good answers then move on to the next.

Keep The Van Weighted

The wind is one of the caravan’s arch enemies, especially when towing at speed. One thing that I can suggest is to overload the van when stored out in the open.

Once the wind picks up the van become a large canopy that can tip over and cause a shed load of damage.

When doing your winter prep and unloading the van you may want to consider leaving some larger objects, or even create some ballast weights.

When driving you want to take extra special care as you need to ensure the van is weighted correctly to ensure the towing behaviour stays safe, but at the same time avoiding any cross winds.

Check your MTPLM and have a play with the weight to see what feels good. Also add some weight over the axle to make sure you don’t overload the front or back end.

Towing In High Winds

The number one thing to do is just slow down and stay safe. Even when loaded the caravan is relatively light and very susceptible to high winds.

No, your speed will not actually affect the wind speed but you can certainly affect how that wind impacts your set up.

The slower you are towing the more time you will have to react to high winds, less panic means a lot more control. If the wind does hit you while towing at speed you will find it quite hard to stop the caravan from snaking and leading to a serious road incidents.

So as the old tea coster says. “Keep Calm And Carry On”.

Check The Weather

If you are planning a trip with the knowledge that the weather may be a tad poor it would be a good idea to match the campsite to the weather conditions.

If there will be high winds then a bare open space may not be the best choice as your wind will act as a windbreaker that can be blown on its side without much warning.

Remove Awning ASAP

When the wind picks up an awning can cause quite a few issues, none of which have a nice outcome.

The wind can go through an awning and cause a lot of damage no matter how well made it is or how well you put it together, to the wind it is just another big canopy to be blown away.

If the wind rips off of the van you will be down an awning and up on external damages to the caravan. A very costly bit of damage that you really do not want.

Will The Thomas Cook Downfall Impact The Caravan World?

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By William Coleman

Unless you have been off grid in your caravan with no access to current affairs I am sure you’ve heard the sad news that the former holiday giant Thomas Cook are no more. Will the world of caravans, motorhomes and staycations benefit now that the holiday titan is no more?

It is never nice when a large company with thousands of employees goes under, especially one that has been in operation since 1841. Over the last 178 years this UK brand has been jetting people off on their holidays all over the world. Now that this has gone I foresee these lost holiday makers make the jump to caravan and motorhome holidays.

Following this collapse there were 150,000 UK residents stuck abroad without a way of getting and and tens of thousands and customers who now do not have anywhere to go on their holidays, not to mention possibly losing some cash they may struggle to recover. So what do they do now? They turn to an alternative holiday solution that will provide just as much fun with a lot more freedom.

With so many travellers being left out of pocket, and scorned, there will be a group who will sour towards the idea of using a travel agents and airlines for their leisure time. Not to mention the huge price difference between a caravan break and an overseas family trip.

Now that there are tens of thousands of people with holiday time booked and paid for with no destination the caravan world is one step that all these holiday makers can take.

This could potentially introduce a lot of new people to the industry who will see just how much fun you can have by staying home for your holidays. With this comes new leisure vehicles buyers and repeat customers year in year out.

With the influx of all these new UK based tourists the economy of local holidays towns, campsite and other popular getaway locations should see a real boost.

I do not believe that overnight we are going to see thousands of families flock to dealerships and start investing heavily in a new motorhome, caravan or campers. But what I do think will happen slowly is a lot of people renting motorhomes and caravans for a weekend or extended stay.

The price for a 4 person family holiday, without spending money, can cost anywhere from £3-5k for just flights and hotel. Now imagine using a glamping yurt from the Caravan and Motorhome Club or Camplify and you will, without much effort, save a ton on your family trip.

From this I do think that eventually we will see families making the decision to buy a caravan of their own so they can take holidays more than just once or twice a year. With a leisure vehicle of your own every weekend can become a holiday.

We are already seeing the leisure industry is already reacting, charitably, to the news of Thomas Cook’s collapse by offering free stays to those who have been negatively.

One such company offering this is Filey Bay Caravans, whose owner has also been left at a loose end by this recent Thomas Cook closure.

Richard Brown, who owns Filey Bay Caravans, had a family trip to Florida which is now not worth the paper it was printed on.

Knowing how so many other people feel he put his heart on his sleeve and decided to help out those who are in the same boat as him.

Speaking with www.scarsboroughnews.co.uk Richard said: “We’re in the same boat – we were due to fly out to Florida in a week’s time – holiday of a lifetime sort of thing.

“It’s just a sad, sad situation.

“I was on a bit of a downer after the news broke and I thought if I could offer a few families a holiday it might cheer a few people up.”

Taking a family on a trip like this is not a small endeavour and Richard had spent £8,000 on the planned trip to Florida. This is not a small amount of money and he could be waiting for a very long time to get that back so he felt compelled to help.

So not only is the leisure industry reacting it is actually reaching out to help those in need. Have you or anyone else you know lost a holiday due to this collapse?

Dorset Park Star Studded Summer

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By William Coleman

There was a triple taste of stardom this summer for a Poole holiday park which found itself to be glittering with its guests in three very different ways.

Family-owned South Lytchett Manor began by being showered in stardust by VisitEngland when the national tourist board announced its 2020 awards.

It scooped a maximum five stars as a touring and camping park, plus a special gold award for the exceptional quality of its accommodation and customer service.

VisitEngland also gave the park a top-level grading for the welcome it provides to older and less mobile guests – whilst the AA chipped in with its ultimate platinum award.

The next star shining at South Lytchett Manor was funny-man John Challis who plays Boycie in BBC TV’s much-loved sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

Boycie was at the park to film an advertisement for caravan distributors Automotive Leisure, and proved a big hit among guests during his stay.

The third star this summer at South Lytchett Manor was entirely home-grown after the park’s marketing manager, Emily Freeman, triumphed in the Ironman Triathlon.

Emily’s performance in the tough qualification event has won her a place in the Ironman World Championships which will be taking place this October in Hawaii.

She recorded the second overall best women’s time after completing a 2.4-mile swim followed by a 112-mile bicycle ride, topped off by a 26.2 mile marathon.

Joanne Bridgen, who with her husband David has owned South Lytchett Manor for the past 14 years, said everyone was delighted with the park’s star-studded summer: “Our VisitEngland and AA awards were fantastic news, not least because both put a big emphasis on the high standards of hospitality and welcome given to guests,” she said.

“Delivering this is very much in the hands of our loyal and hardworking staff, so they deserve a big share of the credit for these accolades.

“The icing on the cake was, of course, Emily’s Ironman success – and we’re all very proud of her achievement, and are crossing our fingers for October!” added Joanne.

Emily’s success came despite her relying in the cycling stage on a budget-priced bike – and now she has launched a crowdfunding campaign to buy a model more suited to the national finals.

New Storage Facility Welcomes 400th Customer

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By William Coleman

One of the UK’s most popular caravan, motorhome dealership and accessory shop have recently opened up their very own leisure vehicle storage facility and they have quickly seen swift success.

Finding a good and trustworthy storage facility for your caravan or motorhome can be a bit of a pain, especially if you don’t want to spend a fortune. A company that has a very strong reputation who you can trust is Salop Leisure.

Salop have invested £750,000 to expand the storage facility at its Emstrey headquarters last year because the existing space, which had a capacity of 250 touring caravans and motorhomes, was full

Now customers have filled up more than half of the expanded storage space in 10 months, as strong demand for motorhomes and touring caravans continues.

The 400th customer was Claire James from Stafford who has decided to store their touring caravan in Salop Leisure, Shrewsbury. She and her husband, Stuart, have used it four times this summer by using the Tow On Tow Off scheme run by the adjoining Love2Stay resort ready for their stay.

“The storage facility is so convenient for the family and us to use the caravan,” said Claire. “We wanted somewhere where we could keep our caravan and have it towed to a campsite for us to use. I can’t tow the caravan on my driving licence, so this is a marvellous solution and Love2Stay is a great place to stay.”

Salop Leisure attributes the popularity of the storage facilities to the growth in staycationing, as many British people no longer holiday overseas.

The facilities, which have achieved a gold award from the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA), are covered by monitored circuit television, have alarmed fence line security beams and are governed by an electronic entry system.

Salop Leisure offers dedicated pitches and improved services for existing customers, daylight hours access, on-site servicing of touring caravans, power washing facilities including a high level platform, waste disposal point services and, new this season, a tyre pressure station.

“The expanded storage area is helping to cater for strong demand from customers, particularly from the increased numbers who have purchased motorhomes this year,” said Mike Harris, Salop Leisure’s operations director.

“Many people tolerate having a touring caravan on their drive, but motorhomes are bigger and owners often opt to keep them in a clean, secure storage facility which is easily accessible.

“It’s one of the UK’s most modern, secure storage facilities for touring caravans and motorhomes and we provide a one stop shop for owners. By storing their touring caravans and motorhomes at Salop Leisure, owners can have them serviced on-site and use the award-winning facilities at our Love2Stay resort.

“Increasingly popular is ‘store and tow’ whereby we are able to tow a touring caravan to the neighbouring Love2Stay resort when the owners wish to stay there overnight.

“Owners can come and go as they wish knowing that their caravan or motorhome is safe and secure when not in use. The storage facility is conveniently located alongside Shrewsbury bypass and there is an accessory shop onsite just in case owners need anything.”

Do you use caravan storage, or do you have the space to leave it at home?

Anyone requiring more information about the secure storage facility should contact Sian Rees at Salop Leisure on Tel: 01743 282400 or sian.rees@salopleisure.co.uk

Caravan Guard And Partner Swoop Award

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By William Coleman

In a recent award show one of the top caravan and motorhome insurance companies and their touring holiday partner have taken home the gold for their customer-focused claims handling service.

The Halifax-based company collected the Claims Team Award at the 2019 UK Broker Awards – the leading platform for national recognition within the insurance broker market.

Judges said Caravan Guard really outlined its high pedigree in its entry this year. Managing Director, Ryan Wilby, said he was delighted the company had been recognised in the industry for delivering an excellent claims handling service to its customers.

“Strong teamwork between our internal and underwriter claims teams has helped to simplify the customer claims journey and lead to quicker settlements,” he said.

“Customers often say that a test of a good insurance company is the way they handle their claim. So to have the work of our Claims Team recognised with this award is fantastic and a testament to our passion to deliver brilliant customer experiences.

Caravan Guard claimants are extremely satisfied, on average rating their overall claim experience nine out of 10, when responding to their customer satisfaction survey.

The Claims Team also has strong links with specialist repairers, manufacturers, dealerships and holiday parks. Their specialist product knowledge allows them to deliver a tailored claims service to customers.

The Caravan Guard team also made the shortlist for the Customer Service Award and Personal Lines Broker of the Year. Whilst they didn’t win in these categories it was a fantastic achievement for their team of positive people to be recognised.

To find out more about Caravan Guard and their great value, highly rated caravan or motorhome insurance visit www.caravanguard.co.uk and for static caravan or holiday lodge insurance visit www.leisuredays.co.uk

Holiday Park Raise Funds For Air Ambulance

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By William Coleman

A family run Teeside holiday park has pulled off an amazing charity windfall to help support the ever important Air Ambulance with the support of local residents.

Did you know that there are only two Air Ambulances for the entire city of London and the surrounding areas, both of which are totally funded by charitable donations. It is mad to think that such a life saving scheme it totally dependant on the good will of the public.

Generous visitors to a fundraising party at Drovers Way Holiday Park in Elton, Stockton-on-Tees, have provided a £2,200 lift for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Almost 200 guests, including local residents and holiday caravan owners, packed the park for an evening of fun and entertainment which included live music.

The event was the inspiration of park owners Helen and Chris Brown who wanted to celebrate the recent move of the Air Ambulance headquarters to nearby Eaglescliffe.

Drovers Way’s new neighbours now have a sizeable boost to their life-saving work, thanks to donations from party guests and a charity auction on the night.

Top of the lots were a number of impressive statues donated by local wood sculptor Lukas Beben which he creates using a skilfully-wielded chainsaw.

Timber for Lukas’s statues is sourced by Helen and Chris’s son Steven from local sustainable woodlands which also provide fuel for the biomass boiler on the couple’s farm.

The farm has been in Chris Brown’s family since 1952, and the park’s name remembers the original drovers road to Yarm which was the only place farmers could cross the Tees.

Drovers Way provides 68 luxury holiday homes for private owners, and is a long-time winner of the annual David Bellamy Conservation Award for its many wildlife initiatives.

The park and the farm are run by Helen and Chris with the help of Steven and their other son Richard who featured among the musicians performing at the fundraising party.

They were joined by some of the music pupils Helen teaches in her spare time, helping to make the evening a “fantastic success”:

“Holiday home owners at Drovers Way are very much a community, and a lot made special efforts to attend and bring along their friends and family,” said Helen.

“Many enjoy walking in the surrounding countryside, and we are always conscious of that fact that if any got into difficulties, the air-ambulance would be a potential life-saver.

“Our guests also appreciate this, and their support of our evening was magnificent,” added Helen.

The cheque for £2,200 was officially handed over to Debbie Gibbs of the Great North Air Ambulance Service at a special ceremony held in the park.

It also coincided with the unveiling of an 8-foot timber statue created by Lukas Beben as a “thank you” to the park for the timber it provides for his work.

The statue depicts a drover who is modelled on a photograph of Chris’s father who originally bought the farm over 60 years ago.

drovesway.com.

Reasons To Carry On Touring Through Autumn

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By William Coleman

You know the time is coming to start the winter prep when the leaves start to turn brown and the sun starts to become a bit shy. As the years go on the numbers of holiday makers who tour all through the colder months keep. It seems that the turn in weather is not deterring holiday makers.

There are so many reasons to never put the caravan away when the winter months approach, and yes avoiding winter storage prep is one of the biggest there is.

As the numbers of winter holiday makers grow the industry are meeting the demand by extending their opening hours to winter and even hosting special events for occasions like Halloween, Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Years Eve.

If you want to get extended usage out of the van and tour all year round then have a read of these positive excuses as to why you should holiday more.

Autumn Sun Lasts Longer

Not sure if this is a good or bad thing, environmentally speaking, but our summers are lasting longer and are a lot hotter. As of writing this now we face a late September weekend with temperatures set to hit 26 degrees centigrade.

With the weather improving so much during the autumn months you really can get away for that last minute sun. On top of this you get amazing sunsets which are perfect to just sit and watch with a nice mug of tea and a pack of chocolate digestives.

Not sure I would suggest swimming though, unless you have quite a good wetsuit.

The Quiet Season

As popular as it is spending weekends in the van during winter really is not for everyone. This leads to some sites being a tad more quiet coem this time of year.

This will lead as a shorter wait time at the wash block, which we all know can be a nightmare and a much larger choice of pitches on site.

If you favour a particular holidaying hotspot which usually has busy surrounding bars and restaurants then you should be able to walk in without having to make a reservation or being turned away.

Make The Most Out Of Your Investment

Whether you have a caravan, motorhome or campervan, I’m sure you’ve made quite a financial investment. So why not make the most of it and get your monies worth.

I have known quite a few people who will only use the van in absolute peak weather, despite having a grade 3 tested model. It is almost unfair on the van to leave it alone for 75% of the year. Not to mention it does the van no good either, both inside and mechanically.

The Modern Technology Makes It Easier

The modern leisure vehicle manufacturer put their vans through some quite rigorous cold weather testing, most use the cold weather chamber at Truma HQ.

Bailey have so much faith in their weather resistant vans they took two of their Pursuit caravans and an Autograph motorhome to the Arctic on an adventure to test how well they hold up in the extreme temperatures the world can come up with.

It would seem that every single caravan and motorhome is very well equipped to deal with the cold weather we face here in the UK, so make the most of it.

Winter Attractions

Come winter time there are so many things to do and see. I for one love going to a rural area and seeing the autumnal woodlands and just taking a relaxing walk with the camera catching some snaps.

During November and December there are a lot of Christmas markets all over the UK. Some of the best ones are Bath Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland in London. You can also see some great fireworks displays and Halloween events that are hosted on Caravan and Motorhome Club sites as well as many other sites and parks.

The best thing about owning a leisure vehicle is that you do not have to choose between one location or another. You can drive from spot to spot and see them all.

Taking In The Skies

During the autumn and winter months the skies can become extremely clear giving you an amazing view of the stars.

In October last year I went to Loch Lomond for a weekend and can safely say I have never ever seen the stars co clearly, genuinely breathtaking.

So if you into stargazing find yourself a very remote location with no light pollution and just enjoy the view.

I can personally voucher for the Scottish Highlands but also check out Exmoor National Park, Somerset and Devon, Brecon Beacons National Park, south Wales and Snowdonia national park, Gwynedd and Conwy

Cost Effective Touring

A lot of sites reduce their pitch rates and even do deals on week long stays. So when you think of it you can actually save money on taking holidays. Another solid reason to get out more come winter. You can get some down time before the big freeze on a budget.

Seeing A Different Side Of A Location

Once the weather turns the views can change accordingly. There are so many locations across England, Scotland and Wales that look totally different once the leaves have fallen. Same location two different holidays.

If you want some stunning autumn and winter views I would again recommend the Scottish Highlands, Peak District, and the Lake District.

Campingaz Celebrates 70 Year Of Fuelling The Caravan World

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By William Coleman

The gas cylinder really is the backbone of outdoor living, especially when it comes to caravans and motorhomes. From portable gas barbecues to running your onboard fridge, Campingaz has been helping us enjoy touring for 70 years.

Outdoor living seems like it would be impossible without a good gas bottle. If you have a small Cadac that can take a small screw in gas bottle of if you have space on board the caravan for 2 full has cylinders then I am sure you have used a Campingaz product.

In 1949, Gabriel Corlet, André Colomb and René Sillon, three engineers from Lyon, France, invented a portable, refillable gas cylinder, called the “bidon bleu”. This was launched across Europe under the brand “Camping Gaz” and revolutionised the way we enjoy the great outdoors, making cooking easier for campers.

An innovative success across Europe, Campingaz became instantly recognisable by its distinctive blue gas cylinders and gas cartridges that quickly followed, these are now readily available in 14,000 outlets across 22 European countries. Last year, Campingaz manufactured and refilled over 20 million cartridges and cylinders and the extensive availability makes Campingaz a great option for travelling across the Channel and beyond.

The initial purchase includes the cost of the cylinder, which encourages people to refill cylinders rather than discard them. When cylinders are no longer needed, Campingaz’s network collects the cylinders from waste centres, petrol stations and camping and caravanning stores where they are sent on for refurbishment reducing the requirement to manufacture new cylinders.

Andrew Noble, Commercial Director, UK, BNL and Nordics at Coleman EMEA comments on the lifetime exchange scheme, “Campingaz cylinders, when empty, are refurbished at our factory in France, refilled with gas and then will be back on the shop shelves, so wastage is kept to an absolute minimum. A Campingaz cylinder can be used, refurbished and refilled with gas for many decades. It’s an important environmental consideration.”

All this is done from the Campingaz site in Saint Genis Laval, Lyon, which has been the company’s headquarters since 1952. This is also where product development, testing and certification is carried out. From the first Campingaz two-burner stove which was developed the year the factory opened, to the introduction of Bleuet Stove pocket stove in 1955 and the hard coolers which expanded the range in 1975, Campingaz’s innovative products are designed to provide maximum convenience and safety to allow people to cook and eat outdoors anywhere and at any time.

In the 1990s, Campingaz invested in outdoor cooking closer to home by developing a range of gas barbecues and planchas, and in 1997 following the company’s acquisition by the global leader in camping equipment, Coleman, Campingaz Italia opened its factory doors, producing gas barbecues.

“We’re proud to say that over the last 70 years we have brought products to the market which have transformed our experience of cooking in the great outdoors,” Noble adds, “Our in-house development team continues to push the boundaries of innovation, with exciting new products due to launch in 2020, and we look forward to continuing to live up to the title of the Outdoor Cooking Expert for many years to come.”

Welsh Parks Toats Double Win And Two Decades Of Business

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By William Coleman

Running a holiday park is not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. Running a successful award winning one for 2 decades even harder. It seems the staff at this Pembrokeshire site are not afraid to put the work in.

Staff and the family owners of a Pembrokeshire holiday parks group are celebrating after scooping two top honours in two prestigious award schemes.

Celtic Holiday Parks, which this year is marking the business’s 20th anniversary, was the choice of judges in the annual Welsh Enterprise Awards.

Against a strong field of contenders, the group’s three Pembrokeshire parks took the overall top spot in the “best camping and caravan park” category.

The group then found itself under the spotlights again at the Pembrokeshire Business Awards where it was named as outright winner of the best local independent business trophy.

Huw Pendleton, who owns Celtic Holiday Parks along with his parents Vic and Ann, said the two awards were “the icing on the cake” of a hugely successful year:

“We are absolutely over the moon with these honours which have come as we mark two decades of welcoming visitors and holiday home buyers to Pembrokeshire,”,/i> he said.

“Both awards are particularly significant to us as a major part of the judging criteria was the quality of the hospitality which we provide to holiday guests.

“Maintaining a friendly and welcoming atmosphere at our parks has always been an important priority, and so we owe a big debt of gratitude to our staff for helping us deliver this,” added Huw.

Celtic Holiday Parks comprises Croft Country Park and Noble Court Park, both in Narberth, and Meadow House Park overlooking Amroth Bay.

The family’s parks variously provide caravan holiday homes and lodges to own and rent, and pitch facilities for guests bringing their own touring caravan or motorhome.

The group is also a major provider of glamping facilities, and last year saw the launch of a new £1 million super-luxury glamping and lodge development at Noble Court called “Celtic Escapes”.

Not that Celtic Parks is any stranger to being in the limelight, for it was last year crowned the best holiday park business in Wales at the National Tourism Awards.

All three of its parks are also holders of the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level, recognising their vital work to help protect wildlife and the natural world.

There is more information about Celtic Holiday Parks, and the accommodation and holiday home ownership opportunities provided, at www.celticholidayparks.com

Park £150,000 Bear Grylls Challenge Gamble

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By William Coleman

There is something to be said about sites that have great facilities to keep the kids happy. Knowing they are safe and having fun while you relax is worth its weight in gold. Well, now at this Ambleside park they can take fun a step further.

Guests, both young and old, have given two thumbs up tp the Skelwith Fold in Ambleside following a £150,000 gamble on crafting a series of adrenaline pumping experiences for children.

The park made the investment earlier this year when it commissioned a new play zone designed to bring out the inner Bear Grylls of younger guests.

The brand new action adventure area features a whole raft of challenges such a zip wires, climbing nets and towers. For the more adventurous youngsters there are multi level structures where kids can climb, crawl and balance.

The park’s action agenda also features a newly-created geocaching trail, an all-weather games pitch, and exploration paths laid out around the park’s 130 acres of woodland.

Skelwith Fold director Henry Wild said the idea of investing a six-figure sum on do-it-yourself outdoor fun was largely in response to comments made by visiting families:

“Mums and dads often say how much their children enjoy tiring themselves out in the fresh air, and that their staycation holiday was so unlike the experience of going abroad,” he said.

“I think many now realise that that youngsters like to get their thrills from being active, and not sitting under sunshades in the sweltering heat with nothing to do.

“That’s why we decided to create a raft of different active play opportunities, many of which involve problem-solving and decision-making skills, and encourage socialising.

“So many recent studies show that health and well being are massively improved from being out in nature, so it’s grown-ups as well as youngsters who benefit from this type of holiday.

“I think that staycations are providing a wake-up call for many parents who now recognise what their kids have been missing from overseas holidays,” added Henry.

All of the activities are provided at no cost to holiday guests, and staff can also advise about nearby off-park adventures such as wild swimming, ghyll scrambling, and sail boarding.

Skelwith Fold offers luxury glamping pods, safari tents, holiday homes to own, and touring pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes.