By William Coleman
The CaravanTimes team are a very mixed bunch of people all doing very different things within the publication. What seems to be even more varied are our tastes in what we look for in a caravan holiday.
We get to visit sites and locations all across the UK and Europe all in the name of caravan journalism. From Caravan and Motorhome Club sites in a Bailey Pegasus to Loch Lomond in an Auto-Trail Tribute, we really do get to see it all. But what does we like individually in our own leisure time? I pulled them all together to find out what makes the perfect getaway for them.
I will start off by going through what I look for in a site/location/holiday. Over the years my needs have changed somewhat. As I child it was all about the big bold sites like Haven Holidays with a funfair, arcades and a pool. As I get a little bit older I seek to find locations that are secluded but not too far away from good walking trails, activity days, a good pud and oddly enough some kind of zoo.
What is most important to me, in regards to a site, is that there a good washing facilities and enough space so you are not invading your neighbours when you open your door. I have been to sites where they have made the pitches so small so they can cram in as many holiday makers as possible. Suffice to say many of them have either been taken over or turned into housing or retails parks etc.
So what do look for in a caravan holiday?
Tom Evans- Managing Director
For me it is all about location. Depending on the reason I have been drawn to an area I sometimes really do not mind what type of site I stay on. I look at the caravan as accommodation I use when I am not out and about seeing what the world has to offer. I make sure that I pack everything I need just incase the site is not the best, but I have never really found a site I would not revisit. But I have heard some horror stories so I am always prepared.
As I get a little bit older I have become a bit of a creature of habit, or stuck in my ways if you ask my partner, but I know what I like and where it is. So I do tend to revisit the same locations from time to time. Scotland holds a special place in my heart. There is such a wide choice of sites to stay on that have views that we just do not get where I live in London.
My most recent trip I spent a few days on the shores of Loch Lomond. The weather was not the best but I had enough creature comforts onboard that I was able to stay very comfortably and sit and watch the world go by.
I am partial to a Caravan and Motorhome Club. They put a lot of time, money and effort into their sites so you know what you are getting when you turn up. Clean site, great facilities and a good onsite atmosphere. The onsite WiFi helps too as I am never too far away from an email that needs replying to.
So to round it up, it’s all about how comfortable you make your caravan and the activities you want to do. Oh, and always make sure you have a big box of tea bags and some chocolate digestive biscuits.
Daniel Cartwright- Director
I have been on more caravan and motorhome holidays than I can remember. It feels like I was raised in a caravan we were away so much. What I love about caravanning is just how easy it is to get away. Leave work on Friday jump in the van and come back Sunday night. A weekend away that can cost less than a meal in a restaurant. What’s not to love about that.
I have 2 small children now so the types of caravan holidays we take is very different. For me it’s all about my son and daughter. Both are under 3 years old so you have to make sure that where you go has enough to keep them entertained, otherwise you are in for a bit of a battle.
When picking a site we look at what the on site facilities are that will keep us entertained, as well as the little ones. Indoor swimming pools, or outside if the sun is out, are always a good one, teach the kids to swim all while ensuring they are worn out enough to go to bed early. Haven holiday parks are fantastic for a week away with the kids.
When it comes to the needs of the wife and I all we want is a well kept site where we can relax with the kids. We also want to make sure that the time we spend as a family is fun so when we are older we can have memories to look back on and cherish.
James Lee Warner- Video and Content Editor
I like to be near the sea. Being based in East London it can sometimes feel like you are landlocked in a concrete jungle. I do live very close to the Thames, I can see it from the front of my house, but it’s not the same as being by the sea.
When ever I book a site it’s either next to the sea or a very short drive away. Even in winter I love being on the coast. There is just something about the air by the sea. Also it seems every single site by a coastline in 5 star.
I do tend to use a motorhome more so than a caravan due to the storage and I sometimes find it a bit quicker to get out and about. Once you’ve been in the sea surfing, or flopping around as I tend to do, being able to jump aboard and have a shower followed by a cup of tea and a bacon roll is what it’s all about. And it is a lot cheaper than going to a cafe or pub for lunch everyday. The price really does start to rack up if you are away for a week.
Tomas Diaz Velasco- Production Manager
Variety! I have a son and daughter who are almost teenagers so we have to make sure they are entertained. It’s not like when they were smaller and we could go to the beach every day or play outside on the site. The older they get the lower their amusement threshold gets.
And to be honest I quite enjoy doing different things each time. It has certainly opened my eyes to how much is out there for people to do. Sometime we do not even take the van, what with the new glamping craze. This year we have stayed in a static American Airstream caravan and a 5 person yurt. Both were so different and great. We were able to take our dog Chewie with us to the yurt and spend a few days out in the woods. We had everything we needed inside the yurt and it was extremely comfortable for start to finish. I used to joke about glamping but having tried it I would recommend everyone gives it a try at least once.
Once location the kids love is Devon, there is just so much to do and see. You can spend a whole week down there and never do the same thing twice. Crealy Adventure Park is one place that really does have it all so make sure you visit there, especially if you have children.
Rob Key- Production and Video Editor
Me and the better half are quite active and love the outdoors. On weekends we tend to not sit still for a second. We like to get out on our bikes or go canoeing down a river to find somewhere nice to stop off for lunch. So for us caravan holidays are all about the activities. The Lake District is great for that sort of thing. The walking trails are particularly good, especially as they allow bikes on most of them now.
Once thing that a caravan holiday provides, site specifics dependant, is peace and quiet. There really is nothing better than waking up to the sound of the countryside and being surrounded by really friendly people who want the same thing as you.
Once we pack up the car and van we just set off and relax the whole time we are away. We get to see the country from a unique perspective all while staying fit and healthy. What more can you want out of a holiday.
So there you have it, we all love caranning but for very different reasons. The great thing about caravan or motorhome holidays is they offer such freedom and variety. You could go away every weekend of the year and never stay in the same place twice. One thing we can all truly say is “variety is the spice of life”.
What makes your ideal holiday? Caravan? Motorhome? Tent? Static? Whatever it is let us know as we may just go and do it!.
