Property investor Rockspring has announced that it will be selling off eight of its caravan parks in central and northern England. The sites, which cover regions including Derbyshire, the Lake District and Northumberland, will be sold off by chartered surveyor Humberts Leisure, The Independent reported.
Rockspring bought the portfolio of parks in 2007 for £40 million, but believes that now is a good time to sell, due to a fragmented market.
The company is not alone, with Graphite Capital also due to sell off its 25-strong Park Holiday chain, which is believed to be worth £220 million, having almost doubled in value over the past five years.
“Caravan parks have boomed in the recession and its aftermath. More people are taking holidays in the UK, attracting investor interest in the sector,” the news provider added.
The eight parks being offered for sale by Rockspring comprise 2,119 pitches, valued at £24,500 each.
Once upon a time, the car shopper was faced with a simple enough set of choices designed for their needs. Starting out on the road? Buy a Mini. Got a small family? Plenty of saloons to choose from. Need more room? Get the estate version. Want something more prestige? Then buy a nicer saloon from the big German three. Fancy something racy to pick up your date in? A convertible should do the trick. And if you’re living in the countryside, then a good old agricultural 4×4 was all the car you’d ever need.
Yet in the last few decades major car manufacturers have set about expanding their ambitions beyond cars as simple “tools” that meet a basic need. And as such, the “lifestyle crossover” market came about as the answer to a previously unthought-of question. Namely, how do you combine the cool, chunky looks of a 4×4, but with the light weight and driving feel of a family car and the practicality of a MPV?
The Kia Sportage is one of the best-selling models in this new class of vehicle, a sector which has proved extremely popular with British buyers. Having first appeared in 1993 and resembling a Jeep Cherokee in size and style, this new third generation of Sportage is more car-like than ever.
Dressed to impress
Much of the buzz around the new Sportage emanates from the design which certainly turns heads. German designer Peter Schereyer is the man whose pen conceived the original Audi TT, and here he brings an equal dose of glamour to the “crossover” sector. The look challenges its nearest rival the Nissan Juke for sheer road presence, with swooping light clusters and a low rakish roofline.
If that all sounds a little bling for most tastes, then thankfully the interior is business as usual. A sensibly laid-out dashboard means all buttons are easily within reach, while quality has improved from previous Kia offerings. There’s less plastic on offer and more soft-touch elements to a dashboard which echoes the lines of the Sportage exterior. The level of standard kit is generous with all models feature air-conditioning, cruise control and a leather steering wheel. And buyers who order the “3” model will enjoy leather trim and individually heated leather seats.
On the road
Diesel engines are always popular for our purpose and caravanners have two to choose from in the Sportage. Serious towers may choose to avoid the 114bhp 1.7 diesel, which is front wheel drive only and offers little in the way of pulling power. The 134bhp 2.0 is quicker, offers more power across the range and comes with an electronically controlled four-wheel drive for greater traction. Petrolheads who like to work the gears should find the 1.6 a willing enough unit.
With 564 litres of carrying space the Sportage is a practical choice for families, and offers an impressive 1, 353 litres with the rear seats folded flat. Those in the rear get plenty of legroom and headroom, while generous door bins will happily swallow all oddments. The full spectrum of safety kit is included – while front, side and curtain airbags contribute to the maximum 5 star Euro NCAP crash test rating.
If you’re in the market for a lifestyle car which can perform both family duties and harder work, then the Kia rivals the Nissan Juke, Honda CRV and Hyundai IX35 for style and space. A further attraction for buyers is the class-leading seven year warranty offered across all Kia models. And with the latest style redesign already proving popular, perhaps it’s back to the drawing board for the Sportage’s rivals.
The Whitsun bank holiday and half term breaks are just around the corner, and caravan parks up and down the country are getting ready for one of the busiest camping weekends of the year. If you’re still thinking about a last minute holiday – the spectacular Jurassic coastline in Dorset is home to some great options for caravanners.
Within striking distance of the UK’s most populous south eastern region – Dorset provides a safe haven away from the hustle and bustle. The stunning Chesil beach features an 18 mile stretch of sandy coastline separated from the mainland by a strip of salt water known as Fleet Lagoon. And Weymouth’s blue flag beach status makes it a draw for many families during British summertime.
What to do?
As a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are several walks designed to take in some of the most spectacular views in the country. The Weymouth to Portland Railway Walk is a 6 mile hike beginning in Weymouth and ending along a disused section of railway line, and featured on BBC TV’s ‘Railway Walks’ with Julia Bradbury. You can download a leaflet with details of the route and historical features here.
Bookers beware! The month of August is notoriously busy as families head to the coast their summer vacation. But if you do manage to book a pitch, the Weymouth Carnival & Airshow is held on the 17th August which is a fun-packed day of aerial displays, live music and street parades.
Where to stay?
Bagwell Farm
Bagwell Farm is located 4.5 miles outside of Weymouth, but there’s an on-site shop and off-licence to pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten on the way in. This four star park is open year round, and frequently receives good reviews particularly for the well kept toilet and shower blocks. The park installed brand new super pitches last year, for caravanners but there are basic pitches available as we’ll. Prices range from £12 to £29.
Pebble Bank Caravan Park
Sited two miles from Weymouth town centre – guests at Pebble Bank have access to the Dorset Heritage Coastal Footpath in this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A small, friendly bar provides stunning views out across Chesil beach and the Isle of Portland. Dogs are welcome for a small fee and there’s an outdoor kid’s play area on site. Prices range from £15 to £27.50
East Fleet Farm Touring Park
East Fleet Farm Touring Park is a peaceful countryside park three miles west of Weymouth. Situated in the grounds of a two hundred acre organic farm, the park has an on-site bar and restaurant, play area, designated dog walking section and a large ball and kite games area. It recently received a 4 star grading for the fourth consecutive year, and many pitches have views out across Chesil beach. Prices range from £13 to £26.50.
Haven Littlesea Holiday Park
Haven Holidays has a strong presence in the region with two holiday parks within striking distance of Weymouth town centre, but Littlesea Holiday Park is the only site which accepts touring caravans, with 120 touring available. The park is geared towards families and features a large outdoor swimming pool with poolside sun terrace, not forgetting the nearby Chesil beach and Fleet Lagoon. There’s a jam-packed entertainment programme for the kids and an on-site bar and restaurant for the adults. Located 2.5 miles outside of Weymouth, pitches come with views looking out over Chesil beach.
Sited on a small working farm in the heart of the Dorset countryside – this is the furthest caravan park from Weymouth on our list, located 7.5 miles north west of the town centre. For those who like quiet sites with few caravans, this is a Camping and Caravanning Certificated Site which is only permitted to host a maximum of five tourers on site at any given time. The grounds are partially terraced, and there’s no shower block or restaurant, but the Kings Arms pub is located just a couple of hundred metres away in Portesham village.
A Lincolnshire caravan site has reported a record number of bookings for this summer, following a £750,000 investment to upgrade to a five-star holiday park.
Woodhall Country Park boasts 80 pitches for touring caravans and a further 20 for campers, as well as shower blocks and toilet facilities, Horncastle News reports.
The 80-acre site, located near the town of Woodhall Spa, was partly opened last August, but the owners have seen a massive uplift in interest for this summer.
Steven Schofield, director of Woodland Estates, said: “The response we’ve had from our visitors and the local community has been fantastic.”
He added that the site is expecting to receive five-star accreditation from Visit Britain very shortly.
The site is also home to great crested newts, badgers and bats, and a tree-planting project is aimed at attracting even more wildlife to the area.
Caravan owners staying in Woodhall Spa on their Lincolnshire touring holiday can explore the nearby seaside town of Skegness as well as the historic cathedral city of Lincoln.
Eco-campaigner and TV presenter Anna Ryder Richardson will visiting a Weymouth holiday park this weekend to pay tribute to Haven Holidays’ greenest ever caravan.
She will be arriving at Littlesea Holiday Park on Sunday (May 22nd), the Dorset Echo reports.
The five-star Weymouth holiday park will be unveiling The Vision, a specially-designed caravan, which aims to cut at least 45 per cent of electricity and gas costs, thanks to highly effective insulation and energy-efficient lighting.
Caravan manufacturer Willerby has also installed several water-saving devices and double-glazing to help keep more heat in.
Anna may be best known for her role on home makeover show Changing Rooms, but she has since become a passionate environmental campaigner after setting up her own conservation-led zoo.
“Eco-tourism is a major player in changing the way we live our lives and the more we adapt and change our own practices the better it is for the planet. Holidaying in the UK is not only fun but it’s also better for our carbon footprint,” she said.
A caravan park in the Vale of Glamorgan is due to get council approval to add 75 more pitches, it has been reported.
Llandow Caravan Park, which is based on a former Welsh airfield, is due to be allowed 35 seasonal pitches and 40 short-stay pitches, Wales Online reports.
Local councillors and marketing groups have backed the plans, calling them a boost to tourism in the region.
Claire Evans, the Vale council’s tourism and marketing manager, said: “There is a shortage of touring caravan pitches in the Vale and there is an increased demand from visitors looking for this type of holiday accommodation.”
Tourism is seen as “vital” in promoting a revival in the Welsh region, a local business group added.
The new pitches will be built on part of the Llandow Industrial Estate, which was highlighted earlier this year as the site of a controversial new application for oil and gas drilling.
Caravan owners have been urged to double check their insurance policies after a caravan was wrecked in a fire in the Yorkshire town of Doncaster.
Local emergency services were called to the scene at around 11:30 pm on Sunday (May 15th), and the incident was logged as “deliberate”, the Sheffield Star reports.
The caravan blaze also did significant damage to a nearby business premises. John Hudson, owner of John Hudson Trailers, said that the damage will run into the thousands of pounds.
Firefighters said they were uncertain of the exact cause of the fire, but added that some of the vehicles involved were so badly damaged that they were unidentifiable.
A police spokeswoman was quoted by the local paper as saying: “It is believed the fire started in a container that held a number of tyres. Nobody was injured. At this stage it is not known how the fire started.”
Thank you for your entries, this competition is now closed
Caravan safety should be top of the agenda for a safe and trouble free holiday. To help you get to your caravan site safely and enjoy your holiday to the full, we’ve teamed up with Milenco, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of caravan protection devices, to give away a precision Noseweight Gauge (RRP £24.95).
It is essential to measure the load applied on your car’s towball to make sure your caravan doesn’t exceed the maximum weight set out in the car manufacturer’s handbook and to ensure optimum caravan stability when towing. For more information about noseweights click here.
Milenco produces the only noseweight gauge in the UK approved and regulated to the British Standard BS 7691. The gauge provides an accurate reading within 2kg even after 1,000 uses, and helps caravanners with precise and safe loading for this safety critical area.
For a chance to win the Milenco noseweight gauge, just follow the simple instructions below. Good luck!
The Dusseldorf Caravan Salon will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, with a ten-day show at the German city’s Exhibition Centre starting on August 27th. Billed as one of the most anticipated outdoor leisure events, the show’s organisers claim that it will feature the world’s biggest line-up of motorhomes and caravans.
Over 550 exhibitors are due to attend, showcasing everything from the latest RVs and campervans to the most innovative accessories, tents and travel destination ideas.
To mark the show’s 50th year, there will be two nights of 1960s music, as well as food and drink, on August 27th and September 3rd.
Caravan owners looking to take a holiday to Germany this summer can book into a choice of six certified Caravan Club sites, including the four-star Rudesheim am Rhein, which is situated just under 150 miles south east of Dusseldorf.
One-day tickets to the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon are on sale now for ?9 (£8), while a two-day pass costs just ?15. To more information about the event visit the show website here.
A humble blue sticker has resulted in a 43 per cent decline in motorhome and caravan insurance claims over the past two years, it has been claimed. Caravan Guard launched the sticker scheme in 2009, which encourages motorhome owners to record the dimensions of their vehicle in a prominent place, such as on the sun visor, so they can decide whether or not to choose roads with low bridges.
The stickers are being relaunched for 2011 as the insurance company believes they are responsible for the massive drop-off in claims.
Sally Wilby, director at Caravan Guard, said: “Accidents are still happening and we’d like to help all motorhome owners avoid such damage.”
Furthermore, the stickers come with the measurements in both metric and imperial forms, so motorists won’t be caught out when travelling through Europe.
Caravan owners looking to obtain one of these useful dimension reminders can fill in their vehicle’s details on the Caravan Guard website and they will be sent a completed sticker in the post free of charge.
It’s official – the popularity of camping and caravanning is on the up. Earlier today Jon Dale of the Camping & Caravanning Club revealed to Caravan Times that so far, 2011 has been a bumper year for club site bookings. “It was a fantastic Easter, with occupancy up 43% on the same period last year and 2011 looks set to be as good, if not better than last year” he explained.
With those impressive figures in mind, we wondered how many camping fans have made the natural transition to caravanning – and where did they start?
Once a camper, always a camper?
The Camping and Caravanning Club is one of the UK’s leading outdoor lifestyle organisations with over half a million members. This roughly breaks down to 48% caravanners, 25% tenters, with the remaining proportion made up of trailer tent, folding camper and motorhome owners.
But it’s not a simple case of ‘once a camper, always a camper’; there is a certain degree of movement between the tenting and touring fraternities. As families grow, so too does the need for more space and improved facilities: “There tends to be a natural progression from tent to caravan and then on to a motorhome later in life,” added the Club’s Jon Dale.
Introducing the trailer tent: a “half-way house”
For some, making the leap from canvas to caravan is a big decision. Whether you’ve outgrown the tent and need a bit more space for the family, or if you’re seeking a bit more comfort later in life – the decision to upgrade to a touring rig is not one to be taken lightly.
So then, where to start? How do you know if you’ll enjoy holidaying in a rolling home-from-home? A new entry level caravan, after all, is a much bigger investment than even the most sophisticated of tents. Then, there are storage issues and the small matter of a compatible towcar to think about.
Trailer tents make an excellent half-way house, bridging the gap between a ground-anchored tent and a mobile caravan unit. They offer the flexibility of lightweight touring, whilst still providing the all-important space and comfort factors. Three of the best
If form is just as important as function – a new import from Dutch camping trailer manufacturers Holtkamper may be just the ticket. Extremely lightweight, the Cocoon model (pictured above) weighs just 220kg including the tent, tent frame and awning, and the front section can be pitched without the use of tent pegs. Once packed down into the trailer, this model is light enough to be towed behind most small family cars with a standard driving license.
Those with a small budget, and a big sense of humour might like to try out this full-sized, officially licensed, replica of a 1965 VW campervan. The tent (pictured right) may not be as transportable as the real thing, but at £300 it’s a snip for any big pretenders out there! And at 100 paces on a still day, who’s to know the difference?
Another alternative is to turn your car into a caravan with the SwissRoomBox. This Swiss Army knife-inspired box of tricks has four modular units which can be converted into kitchen, washing, dining or reclining formations.
It claims to be ‘the world’s smallest motorhome set up’ capable of fitting into most cars, and provides an alternative method of testing out the facilities found in a caravan at a fraction of the cost. But be warned, this is one for good weather only! Watch the SwissRoomBox in action.
Over the last few years we’ve often heard from readers of Caravan Times concerned about the increasing kerbweights of modern touring vehicles. Many feel that the price paid for today’s more luxurious and durable caravans is the weight increase. Yet our latest Used Caravan of the Week proves that one need not sacrifice space and interior appointments for lighter weight.
This week’s offering is a 5-berth model, yet weighs in at a sprightly 1150kg towing weight suitable for most cars. It comes from a venerable and sadly discontinued British brand which was once known for exceptional build quality and damp resistance. Founded in 1972 as a merger between tourer manufacturer ACE International and leisure home maker Belmont Caravans, ABI Caravans were renowned for making spacious and solid family tourers. Many have been looked after by careful owners, and you can still find a number of original ABI models on the road today.
Venerable Viceroy
The word “Viceroy” refers to a royal official who runs a country – and our ABI Jubilee model from 1993 certainly has a rather stately, old-fashioned presence to it. You’ll find lashings of pine wood throughout the caravan, with plenty of cupboard space and storage for all the family.
Often you’ll hear caravanners bemoan the lack of a closed-off bedroom area, and the Viceroy stands out for having a separate bedroom with its own door. Contained within is a double bed, while a single bunk can also be used above it where needed.
Meanwhile the front offers usefully versatile bedding: you can have two single beds or a kingsize double depending on guests.
History
The current owners have been in possession for four years “and enjoyed every moment of it”. It’s believed to be 1993 registered, and as mentioned earlier boasts an impressively light 1150kg towing weight. The owner reveals “there are the normal little marks expected on a caravan of this age, but it still looks great” and that “everything works great”.
Kit and caboodle
The Ace Jubilee Viceroy comes with a well appointed kitchen complete with gas oven, four burner hob and grill. The fridge freezer can operate three ways on gas, battery or electric power. A separate bathroom carries a Thetford cassette toilet, basin and shower, while hot and cold water is on tap. With a gas heater and double glazing the Viceroy is certainly aiming for the “home from home” feel.
And there are plenty of extras thrown in by the owner including a gas bottle, waste tank, aqua roll, mains hook up cable, a hitch lock, and a TV aerial. A well kept Dorema awning is a useful bonus.
