By William Coleman
At this time of year you’ll find a lot of sites closed for the ‘off season’ and the winter sites full to the brim. What about those of us who feel the cold but still want a caravan break? Look no further than the inside caravan site in Bristol.
At first glance I can see a lot of readers thinking that this is some sort of joke and you cannot have a real caravan holiday inside a warehouse in Bristol, hard to disagree, but that being said, it is very much real and I think that it’s a great idea.
For those who may not know the joys of getting out in the van, no matter the outside temperature, this indoor site can be a great gateway into the life. And ultimately it is spreads the caravan awareness.
So where has the idea for such an out there concept come from? Emma Reynolds is the mastermind and new site warden of this ‘reasonably priced’ alternative to hotels and apartment rentals.
Emma created her indoor pitches, named Towed Town Camping, inside a warehouse in Bristol where guests can book a break with a difference. Personally I love the idea and think its quirky nature is a winner and will certainly attract a lot of younger people who grow bored of over spending on single room hotels.
For those of you who have visited the wonderful Bristol you probably wouldn’t imagine that there would be a caravan site behind closed doors that is fully booked almost every weekend.
Emma wanted to find a different form of accommodation to help bring more people to Bristol for short breaks. During her maternity leave the former social worker decided on a change of career and saw a gap in the market that only a caravan could fill.
Following Towed Town Camping’s launch two years ago Emma has said business it booming and has been a great success. It could be due to it’s very cool vans and the fact that a night’s stay starts at just £49.
Pitched up in Bristol are 5 vans, all of which are of a bygone era and look like a classic museum line up.
Emma says: ‘My partner Freddy Wyatt, 34, and I saw a warehouse to let and I thought it would be cool to try something new. Our goal is to take under-appreciated buildings in great destinations and infuse them with a little bit of soul, so you can have an alternative to the standard hotel experience at more affordable prices.
‘I am originally from Great Yarmouth and worked on a caravan park when I was a teenager, so I suggested a caravan park.
‘It brings a sense of nostalgia and I imagine it is the same for other people who used to visit caravan sites as a child.
‘It is different, and we are breaking the conventional camping trip rules – it doesn’t have to be outdoors and you can camp in the city.
‘After researching and asking friends what they think, we decided to go ahead as many thought it was a great idea – they have previously paid up to £150 for one night in a basic hotel that requires a taxi to the city centre.
‘We aren’t claiming to be a fancy five-star hotel, it is more like a private room stay in a hostel.
‘While on maternity leave, I was thinking about how I can work without physically having to leave my children for 40 plus hours per week.
‘This new business venture was perfect for me as my previous job in social work can be difficult due to the world we live in. After I had my children, my outlook changed and shifted.’
Two of the five caravans have a small double bed and cost no more than £49 per night and the others with a king-size bed are £57 per night.
Alongside the 5 caravans there is a communal area that comes complete with a pool table and film collection for guests who want to relax inside the van with their feet up and a DVD on.
Emma added: ‘Before we opened, I thought it would mainly be 18 to 21-year-old visitors but we have all ages.
‘There is something here for everyone, some guests are working in Bristol so opt for a cheaper stay whilst others are stag or hen parties.
‘I love meeting different people and making their time in Bristol the best it can be. I love the creativity of our caravan park. We are always evolving to make it better.
‘We are currently in the process of opening a bigger caravan park in Bristol due to popular demand.’
I think that more of these dotted around the country is a very good idea. It makes a nice change to using an AirBnb and it could possibly get a lot more people onto forecourts who want to try the real thing.
To see more of what Emma has done you can view a full gallery on our Facebook page.
