Where to pitch up at Britain’s best seaside resort

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Bamburgh in Northumberland has been named the best seaside resort in Britain by consumer group Which? for the second year in a row.

The coastal village, which is dominated by its iconic castle, boasts a sweeping beach and attractions such as the Grace Darling Museum.

Rory Boland, editor of the Which? travel magazine, said: “The British seaside hasn’t boomed like this since the 1960s.

“Holidaymakers had such a fantastic time in their caravans, tents and beach lodges over the past two years that a coastal break on home shores is on the cards for many, even with restrictions on overseas travel lifted.”

From Bamburgh, you’ll also be well placed to explore other popular parts of Northumberland, like Seahouses, Alnwick and Lindisfarne.

So, if you’re thinking of taking your caravan or motorhome to Bamburgh this summer, what are the options in terms of pitching up?

Glororum Holiday Park

Boasting views of the castle, Glororum Holiday Park is just a mile outside of the village and is family owned.

Touring caravans and motorhomes can take advantage of hard standing pitches and electrical hook up, as well as toilet and shower facilities.

Bamburgh Touring Caravans

Located between Bamburgh and Seahouses, but still within sight of the castle, is Fowberry Farm, which operates as Bamburgh Touring Caravans.

This small site has just nine pitches, but is dog friendly and offers all the basic facilities you might need like electrical hook up and hot and cold water.

Waren Caravan and Camping Park

Overlooking Budle Bay and just a five-minute drive from Bamburgh is Waren Caravan and Camping Park.

Complete with a plethora of amenities, including a shop, pub and splash pool, there’s all types of camping available here from wigwams to holiday homes, with touring somewhere in the middle.

Budle Hall Field Camping

At the other end of the spectrum is the pretty exclusive Budle Hall Field Camping, which has just two pitches.

Each of them has its own private shower and toilet, however, and since the car parking is separate from the pitches, you’ll be offered a wheelbarrow to transport your luggage!

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Bruce Edwards

What’s the difference between Eurostar and Eurotunnel? You can’t take your caravan on Eurostar

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If you’re planning a trip to the continent with your caravan, you may well be weighing up the ways to cross the Channel.

While there are ferry options, an alternative is to use Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, a train service that accommodates leisure vehicles.

Not to be confused with Eurostar, which is solely for foot and bicycle passengers, Eurotunnel enables you to take your trusty caravan with you.

It’s a simple way to get to France and departs from Folkestone in Kent, depositing passengers and their vehicles in Calais.

The Channel Tunnel is the world’s longest undersea tunnel, totalling 38km in length, but it takes just 35 minutes to travel between the two destinations.

Eurotunnel operates two or three departures an hour, but ups the number to four at the height of the summer.

You can also bring your dog on board, as Eurotunnel allows pets at a cost of £22 each way, although assistance dogs travel for free.

It’s important to have all the right paperwork for taking your pet to France, as well as being aware of any regulations relating to driving or towing.

In France you must carry the following:

  • Warning triangle
  • First aid kit
  • High-visibility vests for each passenger
  • UK sticker for the car and the caravan
  • Spare bulbs
  • Headlight beam benders
  • Spare glasses, if you wear them to drive
  • Driving licence
  • Insurance paperwork

From March 31st 2022, all visitors to France from the UK over the age of 12 must provide proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

If nine months has elapsed since your initial dose and you haven’t received a booster, France requires you to produce a negative PCR test result.

This must have been taken within 72 hours or an antigen test result taken within 48 hours of departure.

 

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Aleks Marinkovic

Swift Group builds nesting boxes for its namesake bird

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Apprentices of the caravan and motorhome manufacturer Swift Group have built 25 nesting boxes to help out its namesake bird.

Swifts are an endangered species and have been negatively impacted by a loss of habitat and especially nesting sites.

The purpose-built nesting boxes will be installed at a number of Parkdean resorts to provide shelter for swifts during the breeding season.

Advice has been provided by the RSPB to ensure the ‘holiday homes’ for the birds meet the requirements of the species.

Swifts spend the winter in Africa, but return to the UK at this time of year to find cosy nooks and crannies, often in old buildings, to establish their nests.

Four Parkdean locations have been selected as a trial to house the bird boxes this year in what is hoped will be a successful and long-term arrangement.

Steve Richards, CEO at Parkdean Resorts, said: “We provide cosy holiday homes in attractive holiday parks for everyone – and this summer, that includes swifts.

“It may take a little time, as swifts mate for life and every year return to the same nesting places,
but in consultation with the RSPB, we think the homes built by Swift and the carefully selected sites will help to meet the needs of these birds on our parks, by providing them with a sustainable alternative summer home for many years.”

Swifts look black in the sky, but their sooty brown plumage can be better seen when they land. Their most distinctive feature is their short, forked tail.

Young swifts start to move around the nesting chamber at around two or three weeks old. They exercise by a move that resembles a press-up on their wings.

Swift Group is based in Cottingham in East Yorkshire and has become the biggest manufacturer of caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes in the UK, having been established in 1964.

Caravan and Motorhome Club cements relationship with surfing

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Owning a leisure vehicle goes hand-in-hand with the outdoor lifestyle and many caravan and motorhome fans enjoy activities from cycling to surfing as they travel around in their vans.

Reflecting this connection, the Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC) is continuing to support the world of surfing.

Not only is the CAMC the official accommodation partner of Surfing England, but it’s also the headline sponsor of the English National Surfing Championships.

The event will run at Cornwall’s world-renowned Watergate Bay from May 6th to 8th and will see elite surfers pitted against each other to be named the champion.

Even if you’re not quite at that level, you can still enjoy 30 of the Club’s sites that feature a surfing beach nearby.

As well as enjoying all the facilities associated with a CAMC park, surfers can take advantage of special areas dedicated to drying wetsuits.

Brian Morgan, head of communications and events at the CAMC said: “The Caravan and Motorhome Club’s members are a community of intrepid adventurers who embrace the outdoor lifestyle and all the benefits it brings and we are proud to support Surfing England.

“We are the number one rated touring club in the UK and operate the largest number of top-quality campsites set in beautiful and scenic locations in the UK and work with over 340 campsites in Europe – many close by to some of the best surfing venues.”

This was backed up by Hannah Brand, operations manager at Surfing England, who said that surfers are intuitively explorers by nature, underlining the good fit between the two organisations.

She added that surfing is enjoying more interest than ever after it made its debut as an event in the 2020 Olympics.

Surfing could be the perfect activity to try on your next caravan or motorhome getaway and staying on a CAMC site can help with the logistics.

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/John Oswald

Just Kampers marks 75 years of the iconic VW campervan

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On April 23rd 2022, it will be 75 years since the iconic VW campervan was first imagined. Dutchman Ben Pon made his primary sketch of what would become the symbol of freedom and laidback cool after observing motorised trolleys being used to move parts around a VW factory in Wolfsburg in 1947.

That initial sketch, which somewhat resembled a box on wheels, would evolve into the brightly coloured campers adorned with the VW silver badge that have become synonymous with nostalgia in the leisure vehicle world. To mark the anniversary, Just Kampers has created a timeline of key events in the development of the VW campervan.

Timeline representing 75 years of the VW campervan

Two years after Mr Pon put pen to paper, the first VW van was premiered at the Geneva Motor Show in November 1949. This first generation was known as ‘Splitties’ due to their split-screen windscreen and these models are incredibly collectible today. By 1950, VW was producing the vans at a rate of ten vehicles a day, with everything from fire engines to beer wagons being created, as well as the trusty campers.

After 1,477,330 Splitties had been built and sold, VW retired the model in 1967. This would make way for the Early Bay, which entered the market a year later. It marked a radical rethink in the VW camper’s design and included features like wind down windows and engines with a stabilising back bar.

When the Late Bay was introduced in 1973, it was more reliable than its predecessor and came with additional safety measures built in. Not only did the brakes perform much better, but the passenger cell was reinforced and the van featured a crumple zone to absorb impact in the event of a collision.

VW ceased production on the T2 Bay in 1979, with the T25 quickly coming in to fill its shoes. This model has not yet gained the iconic status of the VW campers that went before, but has proven to be very popular and is still rolling off production lines in South America. It’s bringing the camper to a whole new generation of leisure vehicle enthusiasts.

The vans of the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s produced in Europe take a departure from the recognisable design elements that came before. They have many benefits, however, including a new rust treatment, which was developed and rolled out from 1986. The all-electric VW ID Buzz is expected to hit the market late in 2022 and is a welcome return to the iconic T2 model’s stylings.

Steve Gosling, marketing director at Just Kampers, told CaravanTimes: “The VW campervan is one of the most recognisable silhouettes in modern culture. It began as an impressive concept in vehicle manufacturing that evolved into a social symbol of the 1960s and ensuing counterculture.

“VW campervans are iconic and have also been the key to people discovering a whole new way of life. The #VanLife trend has boomed since the COVID-19 pandemic and provided people with a sense of freedom in a lockdown world. It is undisputedly one of the most culturally important vehicles of all time.”

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Christoph Peich

Timeline courtesy of Just Kampers and Just Kampers Insurance

Jerba Campervans to rollout exclusive touchscreen technology

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Customers collecting vans from Jerba Campervans from the end of this year can expect their new leisure vehicles to come complete with an exclusive new piece of technology.

The Scottish VW Transporter van converter has developed the control panel to operate everything from the lights to the locks.

Simon Poole, co-founder of Jerba Campervans, said: “We are continuously working behind the scenes at Jerba to better our products to improve them for customers.

“We believe this addition will make for huge improvement to our campervans, giving the customer full control of so many important features – literally at their fingertips.”

He added that the onscreen design will be in line with VW’s infotainment system dashboard to provide continuity throughout.

The engineers at Jerba have developed the device to connect fuses, lights and a selection of controls to allow everything to be operated from the same place.

It will have the ability to incorporate new features and for the software to be updated over time.

Van owners will also be able to use the touchscreen to see data on electrical usage and solar panel output to help manage power during their trips.

The touchscreen has already been designed and tested, with the prototype ready to be put into production ahead of the rollout towards the end of 2022.

Mr Poole said: “Our team at Jerba are all campervan fanatics so we imagined the benefits something like this could have to the day-to-day life of a campervan traveller.

“The incredible team quickly got to work, creating this excellent addition.”

He founded Jerba Campervans with his wife Cath in 2006, but in 2018 they made the decision to move the business into the ownership of its employees.

Now, every member of staff receives an equal profit share each year, irrespective of their position at the company.

Tranquil Parks reduces emissions with new ground care kit

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Caravan site operator Tranquil Parks has made a significant move to reduce emissions at a number of its locations.

All of the maintenance kit and personal vehicles used at the Briarfields Motel and Touring Park in Gloucestershire are now fully electric.

That means mowers, strimmers, leaf blowers and chainsaws are no longer powered by petrol or other emissions-producing fuels.

Instead, the equipment is charged through the night using electricity produced by wind turbines or nuclear sources.

Scott Sanderson, owner of Briarfields, said: “This has huge benefits for our guests and the environment. For our guests there is a huge reduction in noise levels around the park and no emissions whatsoever.”

Instead, he said, you’ll just hear the noise of the blades and the smell of freshly cut grass.

Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park, which is also within the Tranquil Parks network, has also invested in the latest generation of rechargeable electric ground care tools.

They will be powered using off-peak green energy and boost the site’s eco credentials, which already includes a solar array.

These panels are responsible for generating up to 25 per cent of the energy used by the park during the summer months.

Despite this, park owner Keith Betton said they’d like to go further in making improvements to minimise the impact on the environment.

Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park has earned and retained its David Bellamy Gold conservation award for more than a decade.

Situated in the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, visitors can help to protect the countryside as well as enjoying everything it has to offer.

Tranquil Parks is a membership organisation with 43 independently-owned caravan parks within its network. All of the sites are child-free and located in peaceful areas.

Four new sites have been added to the Tranquil Parks offering this year:

  • Wilson House Holiday Park in Lancashire
  • Keal Lodge Caravan Park in Lincolnshire
  • Trethem Mill Touring Park in Cornwall
  • York Naburn Lock Caravan Park in Yorkshire

Top tips for camping during the mini heatwave

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There’s a mini heatwave on the way and it’s just in time to coincide with Easter camping trips. While warm temperatures sound more appealing than torrential downpours, it’s just as important to be prepared for the weather.

Whether you’re going to be spending nights under canvas or bedding down in your caravan or motorhome, Pitchup has some advice for prepping for the upcoming warm weather. As some parts of the UK will reach 20°C, here’s how to cope:

Don’t set up camp during the hottest part of the day

Plan your arrival on site to coincide with a cooler part of the day. Even if you’re not putting up a tent, setting up camp can be a hot and laborious job. If you’ve set off in the morning and it looks like you’re going to arrive around midday, consider stopping off for a long lunch on the way and arriving later in the afternoon.

Choose a shady spot

Take stock of your pitch and decide how to park your van in the shadiest place before putting your wheel chocks in place. This could mean taking advantage of any trees, walls or fences, as well as thinking about the direction of the sun at different times of the day.

Keep hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is a given during hot weather, but you can also boost your hydration with water-rich fruit and vegetables. If you’re camping in a tent, then cucumber, melon and strawberries are great ways to take in more liquid when you haven’t got a fridge at your disposal.

Pack summertime bedding

One of the most frustrating things to do during a heatwave is trying to sleep and there’s a good chance your van is still kitted out with your winter duvets. Replace them with cotton bedding for a comfortable night’s sleep.

Chill the eggs

And finally, be sure to put the Easter eggs somewhere cool. Nobody wants a pile of melted chocolate instead of beautiful oval eggs for the kids to find!

Is it time to take the bikes on the NC500?

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The North Coast 500 (NC500), which is the most famous long-distance road trip in Scotland, has announced a new initiative to encourage visitors to explore the route by bike.

It has long been popular with caravanners and motorhomers, but has now been fitted out with extra facilities for those wishing to complete it on two wheels.

As well as a selection of new itineraries designed around cycling, the initiative is drawing attention to cyclist-friendly cafes and bike storage facilities.

Should your trusty bike need some TLC on the route, there’s also maintenance areas and cleaning points to ensure you can get back on your way.

Markus Stitz, founder of Bikepacking Scotland, has come on board to help publicise the NC500’s suitability for cyclists and how exploring the route by bike is both sustainable and responsible.

He said: “The NC500 takes people through stunning landscapes, and I hope that through travelling this way people can have a positive impact on the communities along the way.”

Cycling and the motorhome lifestyle can easily go hand-in-hand, with many leisure vehicles well equipped to carry bikes.

You could use your motorhome as a support vehicle while riding the NC500 or combine your trip with some days cycling and others driving.

Craig Mills, head of operations from North Coast 500 Ltd, said: “As we cautiously open up to visitors again, it’s more important than ever that we promote the unique wide-open green spaces, coast, countryside and natural beauty of the NC500 to be enjoyed by everyone for the benefit of positive mental and overall wellbeing.”

The NC500 starts and ends at Inverness Castle and follows the main roads of North Highlands, taking in the stunning coastal scenery of Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and Inverness-shire.

The CAMC announces brand new pop-up site at Holkham Hall

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The Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC) has announced Holkham Hall in Norfolk as the location of a brand new pop-up campsite for the summer of 2022.

It comes after the success of such pop-up destinations last year, which included one on the Beaulieu Estate in Hampshire.

Those who missed out on experiencing the site in the New Forest will be pleased to hear that it’s returning as a pop-up this year too.

Holkham Hall can be found just half a mile from the coast, making it a great place to pitch up for a caravan or motorhome holiday with the family.

Experience Holkham National Nature Reserve during your stay, which is home to barn owls, grey plovers and hawkmoths.

Pack your bikes into the caravan or motorhome to enjoy scenic coastal rides or strap on your walking boots to discover the natural beauty closeby on foot.

Of course, the major draw of staying at Holkham Hall is the 18th-century manor house itself, which was built in the impressive Palladian style.

You’ll receive 30 per cent off the price of admission to the hall, its walled garden and the interactive Holkham Stories experience when you stay at the CAMC pop-up site.

Standard touring pitches will be complete with electric hook-ups, while toilet, shower, fresh water and waste disposal facilities will be available for all campsite visitors.

Brian Morgan, head of communications and events at the CAMC, said: “The Club’s pop-up campsites are always located in green fields at top UK locations, and they offer a unique touring experience. Our in-house team of experts take great care to ensure all pitches are suitable for both caravans and motorhomes.

“Plus, we partner with local attractions to offer members top discounts and exclusive experiences along with working with local activity centres, food vendors and businesses to create a truly special holiday destination. Our team is on hand to help anyone new to touring or new to pop-up campsites.”

The Holkham Hall pop-up will be open between July 8th and August 4th.

Channel ferries thrown into chaos this Easter

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It may be just a 90-minute trip across the Channel to France with your caravan, but ferry services are set to be thrown into chaos after the P&O Ferries redundancy debacle.

In recent weeks, P&O ticketholders have been able to travel with DFDS, but this arrangement is set to come to an end just in time to impact Easter breaks.

DFDS can’t honour its rival’s bookings as many of its services are already full for the busy holiday period.

Now, anyone with a ticket to travel with P&O from Friday (April 8th) is advised to pursue a refund and try to secure a spot on one of DFDS’ sailings.

A tweet from P&O read: “All P&O Ferries passenger services are suspended this weekend. For travel 8/9/10th April please re-book directly with another operator before arriving at the port. DFDS will not be able to transfer P&O customers onto their services.”

As demand outstrips supply, there’s likely to be many people who were expecting to enjoy a caravan holiday in France this Easter needing to make alternative arrangements for a staycation instead.

DFDS operates up to 30 daily sailings from Dover to Calais, with Irish Ferries offering ten services a day on the route.

This will not be enough to take the strain from the cancelled P&O services, which amount to as many as 15 a day during peak times.

Taking the ferry across to France is a popular option for caravan and motorhome owners, as it opens up the whole of the continent.

Flying or taking the Eurostar means travelling without your leisure vehicle and therefore not having the flexibility of your home on wheels once you arrive.

Anyone without a ticket to sail with DFDS or Irish Ferries should not turn up at the port, as it has already experienced traffic chaos in recent weeks, which is likely to be worse during the Easter holidays.

 

Photo credit: Pixabay/ThMilherou

How to prepare for your Easter caravan trip

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After the Camping and Caravan Club announced Easter bookings were up by a third this year compared to 2019, there’s a good chance many of you will be preparing to get away.

While the traditional start of the touring season will be a return to the caravan lifestyle for some, it may be the beginning of a new type of adventure for others.

If you fall into the latter category, then here are a few pointers to ensure your Easter caravan trip runs as smoothly as possible.

Driving

Read up on rules of the road for towing a caravan, including speed limits, as many people don’t realise these apply.

Plan your route, taking into consideration the types of road you’ll be driving on and leave enough time to arrive while it’s still light.

Complete a test run in your car with your caravan attached, as this will help you to better understand handling, the size of your van and even things like hitching the two vehicles together.

Understand your caravan

If you’ve got an awning, make sure the pitch you’ve booked will accommodate it.

Get to know how your toilet facilities work, which chemicals are required and how to empty them at your chosen site.

Carry out safety checks on your caravan to ensure everything is in working order before you set off.

Packing

Divide up the storage spaces within your caravan and let each member of the family know which is theirs, so they can pack accordingly.

Equip your caravan with a fire blanket, fire extinguisher and first aid box to ensure you’re ready for any emergencies.

Kit your caravan out with the essentials, such as its own condiments, toilet paper and cleaning products, which can stay in the handy storage areas for the whole season, saving the need to repack for each trip.

Don’t forget the Easter eggs! Caravan parks can be great places to hold egg hunts for kids, letting them explore their surroundings and make friends with other children.

Wet weather preparation

Pack wet weather activities, such as board games and books, because forecasts can change and staying cosy in your van can still be fun, even if it’s raining outside.

Think about how wet kit will be dealt with inside your caravan. It can be a good idea to pack a plastic box or two to put wellies and coats in so they don’t soak the whole van.

Get yourself a step and a doormat to make getting in and out as easy as possible, as well as helping to limit damage from muddy feet or paws.

 

 

Photo credit: Pexels/Kampus Production