UK staycation popularity continues to grow amid airport chaos and cancellations

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Award-winning Lake District holiday park Skelwith Fold has reported an increase in reservations amid the recent airport chaos and last-minute flight cancellations. 

It was already clear that the great British staycation was experiencing a renaissance in light of easing Covid-19 restrictions, with 70 per cent of British people agreeing they’d prefer regular UK breaks to an annual overseas holiday. 

Skelwith Fold says that their sudden uplift in bookings reflects a wider trend as Brits switch to UK getaways to escape the current drama involved in jet-setting overseas. 

Henry Wild, chairman of the park, explained that people were deciding to prioritise guaranteed happy holiday memories by staying at home rather than deal with the headaches of travelling overseas post-Covid.   

He commented: “Holiday parks are proving the perfect antidote to the hassle of travelling abroad.”

“Many families made this discovery during the pandemic, and are now re-booking stays because the experience is so much more relaxing and enjoyable for everyone,” he continued.

Mr Wild also reflected on the growing popularity of holiday caravans as people commit to exploring the UK. 

There’s plenty of evidence to corroborate this idea. For instance, in February 2022 the Camping and Caravanning Club reported bookings for its 100 sites were up by 33 per cent on Easter 2019 and in April the Guardian announced that one in five British adults went caravanning or camping during the pandemic. 

It’s no wonder that people are embracing the concept of domestic travel instead of overseas adventures. 

As Brits scramble to secure their summer breaks, airlines continue to cancel flights leaving travellers stranded across the continent and beyond. Regardless of flight cancellations, people are experiencing huge queues throughout the airport. 

The UK has plenty to offer for first time campers, touring enthusiasts, or those who prefer the creature comforts of a BnB. From the coast of Scotland to the Lake District, to the seven natural wonders of Britain – the UK’s diverse landscape has something for everyone. 

 

Image credit: Marco López / Unsplash

How to check your caravan or motorhome for damp

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Caravans and motorhomes are the perfect confined living spaces for trapping moist air and becoming damp, so it’s worth checking regularly for this issue.

The experts at WeBuyAnyMotorcaravan have put together their advice on how to spot telltale signs of damp and what to do if you find them.

Firstly, you should always check your leisure vehicle when taking it out of storage for the season, but also on a regular basis to ensure no new areas of damp have developed.

Areas to pay particular attention to include:

  • The seals and sealant around the windows and doors
  • Places where equipment or accessories meet the main body of the vehicle
  • Soft furnishing and fabrics that may smell musty
  • Wallboards, which can become uneven, spongy or wet
  • Discolouration or black spots on the walls
  • Unusual creaking on the floor
  • Internal screws that have become rusty

Shane Malpass, director at We Buy Any Motorcaravan, said: “Older motorhomes and caravans are more likely to suffer from severe damp, especially models that have wooden frames.

“And while many of the newer models have designs intended to prevent water ingress, they are not immune and water may still get inside.”

There is such a thing as a moisture meter, which may be worth investing in to test for damp throughout your caravan or motorhome.

If you do find areas of damp, you should deal with them straight away to contain the problem and prevent it from spreading to the rest of the vehicle.

Protect yourself with gloves, goggles and a face mask when tackling mould and mildew with a bucket of warm water and detergent.

A tablespoon of clove oil in a spray bottle filled with water can be applied to areas that have been cleaned to help prevent issues in the future.

Squirt the surface and leave it for 20 minutes before wiping away and drying carefully.

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Towfiqu barbhuiya

Adria launches new Supersonic motorhome

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Leisure vehicle manufacturer Adria has announced its new range of motorhomes, the Supersonic, which is powered by Mercedes Benz.

This exciting launch has been inspired by the latest in luxury yacht, home and automotive design to bring a new level of sophistication to the market.

There are four layouts to choose from within the new Supersonic range, with them all seating and sleeping four people.

Choose a 780 DC or 780 SL model for a total length of 7,800mm and width of 2,320mm, as well as 2,960 height.

The roomier 890 LL and 980 LC measure up at 8,900mm long, 2,320mm wide and 2,960mm tall.

Features include a Mercedes chassis, electric parking brake and leather steering wheel, with THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control for your comfort.

All-season tyres, airbags and the Mercedes Benz emergency call system will give you full peace of mind out on the road.

The kitchen is well-equipped and even boasts a coffee machine, as well as a three-flame cooker and electric oven and grill.

There’s a DAB radio for roadtrip tunes and loudspeakers in the dashboard so everyone can sing along.

Expect Adria styled upholstery and a separate shower cabin complete with a solid door. Beds have slatted frames and a spring mattress for a good night’s sleep.

Additional bells and whistles include a rain sensor, darker cabin windows and a heated luggage box.

The team at Adria say its decades of experience have informed the Supersonic range to ensure everything is in the right place in terms of layout and construction.

Adria was founded in 1965 and is responsible for the most leisure vehicle sales in west European markets.

Scotland’s best beaches for the summer touring season

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Summer is fast approaching and there’s no better time than the present to start planning a touring trip around Scotland’s top beach spots. With 70 per cent of Brits agreeing they’d prefer regular UK breaks over annual overseas trips, Scotland has plenty to offer.

Scotland boasts an array of pristine beaches, sandy coastlines and offshore islands waiting to be explored. To help you choose where to pitch up this season, the team at VisitScotland have compiled a list of the best seaside gems to visit this touring season. 

Home to some of the cheapest pitching spots in the UK, there are plenty of sites to park your leisure vehicle or pitch a tent around Scotland, so you can take in all that it has to offer. 

First on the list is Portobello Beach in Edinburgh, a great spot if you want to combine a city getaway with the best that nature has to offer. 

Waterfront Place in Dundee and Aberdeen Beach are two more urban seafronts to snag places on the list.

For those looking to take the kids on a family road trip, there are plenty of options to choose from. Nairn Beach in the Highlands is especially popular, attracting visitors all year round but particularly in the summer months. You might even catch sight of some dolphins among the waves. 

Another family-friendly seaside location is Lunderston Bay near Glasgow, which offers sandy shores and rocky enclaves ideal for building sandcastles and rock pooling. Or head further south to Brighouse Bay in Dumfries and Galloway on the South West Coastal 300 route. 

For those with an adventurous spirit, check out Loch Morlich in Aviemore which, although technically not a beach, has plenty to offer by the way of sandy beaches and forests. Here you can take part in a variety of lakeside activities or get your adrenaline pumping on a mountain bike trail. 

If you want to relax and take in breathtaking scenery, Calgary Beach on Mull is surrounded by cliffs and offers exceptional views of Coll and Tiree. Balephuil Bay on the Isle of Tiree is a favourite spot for surfers and its turquoise waters and white-shell shores are why it’s known as the “Hawaii of the North”.

 

 

Photo credit: Petia Koleva / Unsplash

National Camping and Caravanning Week to coincide with the Jubilee

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This year’s National Camping and Caravanning Week (NCCW) is set to coincide with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Organised annually by the Camping and Caravanning Club, NCCW is designed to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the great outdoors under canvas or in a leisure vehicle.

It has been running since 2001 and this year the events will centre around a royal theme as the nation is treated to an additional bank holiday to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

The Club’s expecting to welcome thousands of visitors to its sites now that the touring season has officially begun.

Tea parties are to be held at a number of Club sites, including Sandringham in Norfolk, which is situated within the grounds of the royal estate.

Campers can join in with a barbecue and street party at the Cambridge Club site, while there’ll be a complimentary cream tea for guests at the Bala Club site in north Wales.

Michelle Jewell, partnerships and events marketing manager at the Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “There’s still time to join in with our on-site Jubilee celebrations.

“Take a look at our website to find out what’s taking place at a campsite near you and to enter our fantastic competitions.

“We have exclusive National Camping and Caravanning Week competitions with prizes totalling over £1,400 up for grabs, plus there’s a chance to win a Swift Basecamp 6 and Vango RVA – two awnings worth £27,000.”

The Camping and Caravanning Club was founded in 1901 and has grown to encompass nearly 100 sites across the UK.

It has more than 700,000 members, who have access to exclusive campsites and other benefits, such as discounts, advice and support.

 

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Hello I’m Nik

Hybrid working boosts demand for caravans and motorhomes

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New trends within the world of working have caused a huge shift in how and where people can work from, according to the Swift Group.

The caravan and motorhome manufacturer found ‘workation’ and ‘bleisure’ options are more widely taken up in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Its consumer trends research noticed that demand for leisure vehicles is increasing as the hybrid working model allows employees to do their job from anywhere.

Touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans have been proven to be useful working from home spaces throughout the pandemic, but they also represent the chance to embrace blended travel.

While many leisure vehicles became makeshift offices parked up on people’s drives in recent years, now that restrictions have been lifted, some owners are enjoying working holidays in their vans.

If you don’t have to go into an office, then you can work from a more picturesque location in your caravan or motorhome, as long as you have an electricity supply and secure Wi-Fi connection.

Amy Archer, deputy managing director of the Swift Group, said: commented: “Lockdown gave many people the opportunity to experience a dramatically different way of life and a new work-life balance.

“As a result, people are finding new ways to work, including creating mobile office spaces in leisure vehicles that can function as both holiday vehicles and mobile workspaces with the comforts of Wi-Fi, a washroom, cooking facilities and heating.

“The joys of remote working means work can be done where and when you choose it to be.”

This has resulted in unprecedented demand for all types of leisure vehicle, with both new and used models being snapped up as soon as they become available.

John Lally, director general of the National Caravan Council, highlighted that at the end of 2021, sales of new touring caravans were up 23.5 per cent on 2020.

Most romantic honeymoon road trips revealed

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Road trips make a great honeymoon option, especially if you have access to a caravan or motorhome, but where to explore on your post-wedding holiday can be a hotly contested topic between couples.

New research from Confused.com has revealed that the German Alpine Road, which stretches for 326 miles, is the most romantic route to take.

With a romance score of 9.56 out of ten, the German itinerary takes lovers past the Linderhof Palace and the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle.

Coming in second place was Puglia in Italy, which received a score of 9.13, but came up short in terms of length at just 112 miles.

Two other Italian road trips were featured on the list, with the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany both featuring in the top five.

At just 38 miles, the former can be explored in a single day, while 193 miles of roads through the Tuscan hills could be enjoyed at leisure in your caravan or motorhome.

Closer to home, Scotland’s North Coast 500 made the list at number four and Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way was voted in sixth position.

Other slightly less expected road trip destinations that secured a place in the top ten included Icefields Parkway in Canada and Norway’s Lofoten.

Aptly named Romantic Road in Germany came in at number ten, although by rights it probably should have bagged a higher spot.

Alex Kindred, car insurance expert at Confused.com, said: “Taking a road trip, at home or abroad, can make for an unforgettable experience.

“And if you’re travelling along some of the most romantic or idyllic routes the world has to offer, take turns behind the wheel. This offers you both the chance to enjoy the scenery while avoiding tiredness.”

Long distance driving routes are becoming more popular, with everywhere from Iceland’s Ring Road to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula attracting newlyweds.

The cheapest pitching spots around the UK

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Planning a summer getaway but don’t want to break the bank? 

There are few spots across the UK where you can enjoy wild camping without spending a penny, while most places require a nightly fee to put your tent up or park your vehicle and use their facilities. 

The experts at Pitchup have you covered with their latest report identifying the cheapest spots in the UK to camp, glamp, tour or caravan at as the weather improves. 

Over 60 per cent of Brits are looking forward to travelling again after years of lockdowns and restrictions due to the pandemic. 

People are also more inclined to travel locally and reconnect with nature on their home ground rather than go overseas. 

The report compared average nightly prices for camping, glamping, touring, and caravan pitch prices in 20 regions throughout the UK. Some of the results might surprise you.

According to their findings, the cheapest spot to pitch up was Northern Ireland, with an average price per night of £15.69. 

If you’re looking for an affordable destination to take the family during the summer holidays – Northern Ireland’s rugged coastline and rolling, green countryside could be the perfect getaway location. 

Plus, at 23 per cent cheaper than the average price per night across the UK – it’s a bargain!

Coming in second place is the East Midlands, which costs, on average,  £15.73 per person per night. Home to numerous spots to pitch up your leisure vehicle or tent, there’s plenty on offer in this verdant region including the cities of Nottingham, Leicester and Lincoln. 

Other affordable locations on the list include West Wales and Yorkshire and the Humber, which cost 15.87 and £16.27 respectively. 

Although most of the destinations surveyed in the study were some of the UK’s top holiday destinations, the majority of locations cost, on average, less than £20 per night per person. 

So if you’re looking for a bargain holiday in the glorious outdoors, why not take advantage of the breathtaking and affordable British countryside that’s right on your doorstep? 

Take a look at the results of the full study in the infographic below and start thinking about which part of the UK you’d like to explore next.

 

cheapest pitching sites UK

 

 

Photo credit: Mac DeStroir/Unsplash 

DVSA launches new trailer accreditation scheme

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The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has launched a new scheme to help anyone who tows stay safe on the roads.

Aimed at both first-time towers and those who use trailers regularly, the new accreditation will be relevant for anyone who owns or rents a touring caravan.

From today (May 18th), drivers with plans to tow a caravan are urged to take a training course before their next trip.

Mark Winn, chief driving examiner at the DVSA, said: “With the summer holidays fast approaching, we know many families will be looking to tow a trailer or caravan so it’s vital you have the skills to do this safely.”

Trainers have been accredited under the new scheme in the last few months and are offering a selection of options for motorists to sign up to:

  • Towing for beginners
  • Returning to towing after a break
  • Towing larger trailers
  • Refreshing and formalising the skills of regular towers

All of the courses will follow the learning to drive a car and trailer syllabus, which has been developed by the DVSA with experts in the industry.

When seeking an accredited trainer, choose one that specialises in caravan towing and ask for a price upfront, as the course leaders will be setting their own prices.

To find a course, you can email the Safe Towing Scheme at info@safetowingscheme.co.uk.

Baroness Vere, minister for roads, buses and places, said: “Towing safely is an important issue and I urge drivers to access the training to help keep Britain’s roads safe.”

Towing a caravan incorrectly can lead to fines of up to £1,000, so make sure you’re up to speed on safety rules and best practices.

 

Photo credit: Pexels/JESHOOTS

Travelworld celebrates 10 years of Hymer franchise

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The Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld is celebrating a decade of being an official franchise of Hymer motorhomes.

To mark the occasion, it caught up with Alan and Gillian Cunnington, who were the first customers to purchase a vehicle from the dealership after it was accredited ten years ago.

Mr and Mrs Cunnington selected a luxury Hymer Exsis-i 674 to drive off the forecourt back in 2012 and have been creating memories in it ever since.

In fact, they’ve been so pleased with their purchase that they’ve opted to upgrade it over the years as opposed to trading it in for a newer model.

Mr Cunnigton said: “We had hired motorhomes in the past while in New Zealand and Canada and decided to take the leap and buy one.

“We looked at dozens at various shows before we went to Travelworld and met Ross Edwards [the managing director].

“We saw the Exsis-i and it was the exact spec we wanted and could be replated to 3500kg. The next day we bought it.”

Since then, the Cunningtons have toured all over the UK and parts of Spain in their beloved motorhome.

When they’ve looked at newer leisure vehicles, the couple have decided they don’t compare favourably to what they’ve already got.

So, when visiting a show and seeing an updated kitchen that suited their needs, they decided to have it fitted in their trusty Hymer instead of replacing the entire vehicle.

The Cunningtons have updated the motorhome’s technology features too, with 5G Wi-Fi, a reverse camera and an Oyster satellite system all fitted in the intervening years by Travelworld.

Now that travelling is opening up again in the wake of the pandemic, Mr and Mrs Cunnington are looking forward to holidays away in their motorhome, with members of the family joining in the fun in their own leisure vehicles.

Hymer credits itself as the inventor of the motorhome and has been producing such vehicles since 1957. Travelworld has the largest number of Hymer models on display in the UK.

Wild camping laws across Europe

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With 62 per cent of Brits feeling confident about traveling again after the pandemic, it’s time to start planning your next camping adventure. 

You might not be aware, but there are lots of rules and regulations about wild camping around Europe. 

It’s not legal to simply find a spot and pitch your tent in many places, and doing so can result in hefty fines that’ll put a damper on your holiday.

What’s more, many people don’t realise that wild camping usually refers to arriving on foot, so doesn’t tend to be compatible with caravans, motorhomes and campervans.

When you don’t incur a huge fee at the end, wild camping can be an incredibly liberating and memorable experience. 

Making sure you do it safely and legally will ensure your holiday isn’t ruined before it even begins.

Here’s what the law has to say about wild camping in some key European holiday destinations, as explained by the experts at Pitchup.

United Kingdom

As travel resumes, 70 per cent of Brits agree they’d prefer to take regular UK breaks over an annual overseas holiday. For any avid campers out there, it’s important to know the UK’s stance on wild camping. 

In England and Wales, wild camping is only legal with the land owner’s permission. Dartmoor National Park is one exception where the activity is permitted, but there are still restrictions in place as to where. However, there are plenty of nearly wild campsites to pitch up at. 

Further north in Scotland, right-to-roam laws are still in place. This means it’s legal to set up camp as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. 

Italy

Free camping is not legal in Italy. You could face a fine of €100 (£85) to €500 if someone catches you. 

The local authorities regularly patrol key tourist areas, particularly along the coast, to enforce this rule. 

If you do want to camp in Italy, you’ll need to stay in a campsite, of which there are plenty. Checking out the listings of Italian sites on the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s website is a good place to start.

France

In France, wild camping is generally well-tolerated as long as you have the landowner’s permission. 

Be sure to stay away from tourist sites and don’t light fires, the locals won’t like that! 

Germany

Wild camping is prohibited in Germany, and authorities can slap a fine of €500 on you if you’re caught. 

This fine can be even greater if you’re found wild camping with a leisure vehicle. 

However, there are plenty of ‘nearly wild’ camping sites that offer the best of both worlds.

Portugal

A new law was put into effect in 2021 making wild camping (under certain conditions) legal in Portugal, establishing that overnight stays are allowed for no longer than 48 hours. 

The law states that outside protected areas, overnight stays are allowed “for a maximum period of 48 hours in the same municipality,” so moving just down the road won’t necessarily protect you.

Spain

Generally, wild camping isn’t allowed in Spain. 

It’s also important to know that it’s illegal to park in any wild place that isn’t an established campsite and take out a table, chairs, or an awning – as this counts as camping. 

If you do want to try your hand at wild camping this summer, be sure to choose somewhere that it’s legal or where there are plenty of ‘nearly wild’ campsite alternatives available.

 

 

 

Photo credit: Kevin Ianeselli / Unsplash

Best spots for pitching up on the Yorkshire coast

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The recently launched tourism initiative Route YC has put together a selection of spots it recommends for pitching up in your touring caravan or motorhome along the Yorkshire coast.

Choose the level of facilities you need, from sites featuring restaurants and swimming pools to car parks for self-contained motorhomes.

Fully-equipped holiday parks

Setting up camp at a holiday park is the most obvious option and Route YC has singled out Barmston Beach Holiday Park and Skipsea Sands Holiday Park.

Both of these sites have a wide selection of amenities including bars, restaurants and swimming pools, as well as sandy beaches close by.

Nature-focused sites

For those keen to get back to nature, but still want to have all the basic facilities they need, there’s Jacobs Mount Camping and Caravan Park, which is in the woods not far from Scarborough and Forge Valley.

Alternatively, head to Humble Bee Farm if you’re taking the southerly version of Route YC to enjoy open countryside and local produce stocked in the on-site cafe and shop.

Car parks for overnight stays

If your leisure vehicle has everything you need inside, including a toilet and a shower, then consider parking up at a pub for an overnight stay.

Both the Ship Inn at Sewerby and Filey’s Royal Oak allow caravans and motorhomes to pitch up in their car parks for the night.

Route YC is designed to help visitors make the most of Yorkshire’s coastline and exploring by caravan or motorhome is a great way to do it.

It suggests breaks of three to seven days and has recommended itineraries based around six locations. They are Bridlington, Filey, Hornsea, Scarborough, Whitby and Withernsea.

You can also ‘collect the six’ by planning return trips and really get to know the area covered by Route YC.