Sage scientist backs beach breaks

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By Emma Dodd

Going to the beach will be one of the safest activities to engage in once lockdown restrictions have eased, according to a government scientific adviser.

Professor Mark Woolhouse, an epidemiologist and Sage member, has reassured the public that there’s very little evidence of coronavirus transmission occurring outdoors.

Addressing a group of MPs yesterday (February 17th), he said trips to the beach should not be considered among the most risky types of mass gatherings.

Professor Woolhouse added: “There were no outbreaks linked to crowded beaches. There’s never been a Covid-19 outbreak linked to a beach ever anywhere in the world to the best of my knowledge.”

He went on to highlight the importance of identifying where the risks are and where they’re not, so as some activities can return to normal.

The news offers hope for anyone planning a beach staycation this summer, as hotspots like Cornwall, North Yorkshire and Gwynedd are expected to be in high demand.

Caravan holidays are considered among the safest ways to get away, as self-contained leisure vehicles cut down the need to use external or shared facilities.

Beaches have been the target for many police forces during the pandemic, as they’ve been concerned that people have not been able to maintain social distancing.

This was a particular problem during the good weather of the summer, when popular beaches like Bournemouth and Portobello were pictured bustling with visitors.

Professor Woolhouse said that beaches were safer than other outdoor locations, however, including horse racing events, where pinch points made it harder for people to keep apart.

So, are you planning a beach staycation for the summer? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter.

Selecting the right motorhome for you

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By Emma Dodd

It has been widely reported that the caravan and motorhome market is booming in the UK, as we all look towards staycations as a way to escape post-lockdown. This means many people who’ve never owned a leisure vehicle before will be looking to make an investment in a motorhome to secure future family holidays and romantic getaways.

With this in mind, there are a few things to consider before making a purchase to ensure you get the right motorhome for your needs:

Secondhand or brand new?

The decision to buy a brand new motorhome or go secondhand is likely to be a matter of budget. The newest models have the most up-to-date technology, offering everything from large charging capacities and music systems to solar panels, but secondhand can offer great value for money.

Many people like the idea of escaping the trappings of modern life in their motorhome and embracing the simple pleasures. An added benefit of purchasing a used model is that it’s likely to have had any teething problems sorted out, making it perfect for hitting the road straight away.

The main things to consider in a secondhand motorhome are the type, size, layout, price and number of miles completed. Ask yourself whether you’ll be comfortable driving a motorhome of this size and whether the layout will work well for your needs.

Different types of motorhome

Quite soon into your search for the perfect motorhome, you’ll likely start to narrow down exactly what it is you’re after. Instead of confining yourself to just one type, keep an open mind and be prepared to have preconceived ideas redefined once you’ve seen a few models in person.

So, what are the options?

Class A motorhome – a behemoth built on a large chassis, the class A motorhome is the ultimate in luxury and comfort. Typically sleeping up to eight, these vehicles are ideal for large families. A good choice if you like to stay on one site for a long period of time, but you may need a secondary vehicle for day trips in the local area.

Class B motorhome – commonly referred to as campervans, class B motorhomes tend to be little nippy numbers that are great for those looking to travel and get out and explore. They usually sleep two and have a small kitchen and space-saving multiple purpose furniture. If you like to travel light and don’t need too many creature comforts, this is the van for you.

Class C motorhome – sitting between class A and class B motorhomes, class C versions offer a good solution for anyone looking to enjoy self-contained holidays. Featuring a washroom and toilet, as well as kitchen facilities, you’ll be able to travel in relative comfort and easily sleep four people.

Nissan goes eco with an all-electric campervan

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By Emma Dodd

Nissan has revealed its vision for the future with a campervan that has a vast array of sustainable credentials.

The e-NV200 Winter Camper concept is an all-electric van with a rapid-charge battery that can be boosted to 80 per cent in 40 to 60 minutes.

Among the technologies designed to facilitate winter adventures and save energy are Nissan’s innovative powertrain system, B-mode for braking and Eco-mode for efficient power consumption.

Inside, the e-NV200 Winter Camper features luxury kit to make camping in the wild as comfortable and versatile as possible.

There’s an integrated kitchen, folding beds and the glass on the windows is well insulated to keep the winter chill out.

An onboard 220V power pack is recharged using the solar panel on the roof to ensure campervanners are making the most of their environment.

When it comes to tackling wintry weather, there’s premium off-road tyres and 5400-Lumens twin-spotlights on the front of the camper for improved visibility, as well as mudguards and rubber mats to keep mess to a minimum.

Dmitry Busurkin, corporate sales and LCV general manager of light commercial vehicles at Nissan Europe, said: “For Nissan, electric mobility is all about offering an exciting experience behind the wheel – while above all remaining conscious of our impact on the environment.

“Imbued with the essence of adventure and thrilling electrified power, the Nissan e-NV200 Winter Camper concept van is an expression of the future of zero-emissions mobility.

“This vision, and the innovative set of accessories available with the standard e-NV200 models, will get drivers and outdoor enthusiasts alike excited for the adventures we’re all craving in the future.”

While wild camping trips are off the table this winter, keen campervanners could be seeking out rugged terrain and natural beauty in the e-NV200 by this time next year.

Caravan transformation project is taking off

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By Emma Dodd

A former aircraft technician is giving a BMI Baby Boeing 737 a new lease of life as he transforms it into a caravan.

Steve Jones can see the potential in the 27-year-old aircraft as a quirky place to enjoy staycations once the work has been completed.

He managed to get hold of the front section of the plane through his contacts in the aviation industry, reports AirLive News.

It measures nine metres in length from the nose to where it’s cut off at the fuselage just before where you’d expect to see the wings.

When finished, the plane will be a four-berth caravan complete with a galley kitchen, walk-in shower and toilet.

Some of the more deluxe features will include patio doors and a glass balcony, making a stay in the transformed aircraft even more unusual.

Mr Jones intends to rent out the caravan to visitors when it’s installed at a caravan park near his home in Lancashire.

The first job in the transformation was to give the plane a good wash, with years of accumulated dirt cleaned off the fuselage with a pressure washer.

Then he could start to turn his attention to the finer points of the build and its interior, which is still ongoing.

Mr Jones’ transformation of the 737 is not the first project of this kind he has undertaken, as he previously took the 13-foot-long housing of a VC10 jet engine and made it into a camper trailer for touring trips with his family.

No doubt the skills he learned during the bespoke trailer conversion will help with the 737. We can’t help but wonder what sort of plane he might take on next.

Follow Mr Jones’ progress on the project via The Boeing 737 Static Caravan Build group on Facebook.

Image credit: Steve Jones via Facebook

When do caravan parks expect to reopen?

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By Emma Dodd

Despite the uncertainty surrounding holidays caused by the pandemic, caravan parks need to make some tentative plans in order to be ready to reopen when it’s allowed.

With this in mind, some of the UK’s biggest holiday park operators have announced preliminary dates to start welcoming back visitors.

Of course, these are subject to change, depending on government guidelines, but they represent a glimmer of hope for caravan lovers everywhere.

Haven closed its holiday parks before the end of the 2020 season as coronavirus cases started to rise and the government advised against any non-essential travel.

It’s hoping to see families and other holidaymakers back on its 40 sites around the British coastline in March.

Hoseasons, which operates more than 600 parks, is looking to reopen as soon as possible, which means different dates for England, Scotland and Wales.

In England, that won’t be before March 8th, whilst Scotland will remain closed until at least March 1st, but Wales could invite tourists back as early as February 19th.

Butlins has abandoned its intentions to invite guests back on February 28th, pushing the expected date to March 14th.

Away Resorts would like to see families at its seven parks during the February half term, but as this draws nearer and there’s no further information from the government, that looks unlikely.

Pontins has made a statement suggesting it’s expecting to reopen its six holiday parks at the end of March.

Parkdean Resorts has not announced a reopening date for its 67 parks, but is accepting bookings for the Easter holidays.

Park Holidays closed its 33 sites in November and December, but is taking bookings for March 5th and beyond.

It has held off releasing a formal date to welcome back caravanners, but is readying its parks for visitors.

Park Leisure closed its doors to holidaymakers in Wales on December 19th and in England on January 5th and will reopen as soon as it’s allowed to do so.

Image credit: iStock/katrin888

Will pop-up campsites solve the staycation capacity problem?

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By Emma Dodd

Despite the country still being in lockdown and no news of when travel restrictions may be lifted, staycation bookings have surged recently.

Fuelled by the idea that a trip abroad will be out of the question, Brits are booking holidays in the UK for the spring and summer hoping they will get some sort of escape.

This has led to concerns that demand for staycations will be so high there won’t be enough to go around.

Dan Yates, the founder of Pitchup.com, offered some reassurance in The Express recently.

He said: “Figures from VisitBritain show that of the 3.2 million bed-spaces in the UK, 1.4 million are non-serviced.

“Of those, outdoor accommodation accounts for some 65 per cent of bed spaces – three times more than ‘holiday dwellings’, such as cottages, bungalows, apartments, and more domestic holiday bed-nights than any other type of accommodation including hotels.”

Therefore, the trend for purchasing motorhomes and caravans that has been seen during lockdown will offer many people the freedom to get away and enjoy a holiday.

On top of this, the government has amended laws around pop-up campsites for 2021, which will increase the capacity for holidaymakers.

Such temporary campsites used to be restricted to operating for 28 days a year, but the government has doubled this to 56 days.

This means farmers’ fields and private land in stunning surroundings could be welcoming more caravan owners throughout the season, taking pressure off other areas.

While anyone who has their heart set on a specific site at the height of the school holidays would be advised to book sooner rather than later, there are wider options for those who simply want to get away.

As things are still uncertain, it’s important to check individual sites’ policies around cancellation, but most are offering reassurance that caravanners will not be out of pocket should their stay not take place due to Covid.

Delays to new caravan deliveries as demand outstrips supply

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By Emma Dodd

Anyone purchasing a new caravan or motorhome in anticipation of travel rules being loosened may find they have to wait longer for delivery than they’d expect.

Caravanning is expected to continue to be a major trend as the ability to take trips abroad is restricted and manufacturers are struggling to keep up.

One leisure vehicle retailer has highlighted the delay in new caravans being delivered after its sales rose by 32 per cent year-on-year in the second half of 2020.

Robinsons Caravans told BusinessLive that the usual waiting time of eight weeks has now been doubled to 16 weeks.

It’s fully expecting that to increase further to 24 weeks, as the general population looks to join the motorhome community.

Paul Seabridge, chief executive at Robinsons Caravans, told the news provider: “The coronavirus crisis has resulted in a surge in demand for caravans as people are restricted from travelling overseas and can only holiday in the UK.

“Even after we are through the worst of the crisis, many people – especially those aged over 50 – will be nervous about travelling abroad so we expect demand for caravans to remain high.”

The fact that demand is outstripping supply for leisure vehicles has led to a number of companies branching out into the used motorhome market, including Robinsons Caravans.

Its new platform is uniting potential caravanners with their dream vehicles, as many Brits look towards staycations this summer for a change of scenery post-lockdown.

According to Robinsons Caravans, the industry is worth more than £6 billion in the UK, with as many as 50 million nights spent in a caravan annually.

Currently, there are around a million leisure vehicles in the UK split between those that are privately-owned and others that are rented to holidaymakers.

That number is likely to increase exponentially as budgets that would usually be spent on foreign travel are channelled into the purchase of a caravan or motorhome.

Image credit: iStock/welcomia

New Club members vow to continue touring post-Covid

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By William Coleman

There has been a large influx of new members to the Caravan and Motorhome Club, many of whom say they’re keen to continue the staycationing lifestyle once things get back to normal.

The leisure industry has seen an unexpected rise in popularity during the pandemic, something nobody anticipated when the first lockdown was put in place.

Almost a year on, the world of caravan and motorhome holidays is the go-to option and the trend is likely to continue well beyond the shadow of coronavirus.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club said that over 70 per cent of new members have explained that it was the pandemic that encouraged them to look into joining the Club.

Now that these newcomers have had a taste of touring they say that the impact of Covid-19 will keep them taking touring trips in the future.

Last year the Club saw a record number of new recruits, with membership rising by 14 per cent.

Book with confidence

There is still some uncertainty regarding the timeframe for when sites can reopen, which is leading to people booking dates well in advance to ensure they have a space reserved.

Bookings with the Club from now until April 2022 will incur zero deposits and no cancellation or amendment fees.

The Club is accepting bookings for future stays throughout this year and until the end of April 2022. Each site has the Club’s Covid Secure guidelines in place to ensure that all distancing and cleaning measures are followed to keep staff and guests safe.

Nick Lomas, the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s director general, said: “We’re delighted to have welcomed so many new members, and it’s great that there is such an appetite for touring holidays from them and our longstanding members as soon as travel is allowed again.

“Campsite holidays make it easy to maintain social distancing, and you can book our Covid-secure sites with real confidence as we don’t require deposits and amendments are free.”

More demand for caravanning with four-legged friends

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By William Coleman

The boom in staycations continues and now our four-legged friends are jumping in on the action. Caravan Sitefinder is experiencing a huge rise in demand for pet-friendly camping and caravan parks.

There are thousands of pet owners in the UK who love to take their pet with them when they go away. Despite the huge demand for dog-friendly sites, there are still many that don’t welcome four-legged friends.

Now, Caravan Sitefinder is seeing a large spike in search requests for this specific requirement. The figures suggest that 2021 will be Fido’s finest year, as more families opt for a UK holiday with their canine companions.

With over 4,800 pet-friendly sites in its listings, holidaymakers and their dogs can find the right location for their next staycation on the website.

Some sites have facilities in place just for furry friends, such as special exercise areas, dog-sitting services and guides to local dog-friendly attractions, restaurants and beaches.

On top of that, many sites even have separate washing machines and dryers just for pets’ bedding and accessories.

Michael Paul, owner of Caravan Sitefinder, said: “Many families hate being separated from their pets when they go away, but the staycation trend will mean far fewer sad farewells next year.

“Our website receives almost one million visitors a year, and in the past few months, the number of people searching for pet-friendly parks has more than doubled from last winter.

“We have thousands of parks which can solve their dog dilemma at a stroke, and parks and campsites are ideal places to stay as most are virtually traffic-free.”

Last year saw a rise in sales of dogs, as many households sought a lockdown companion. Following these pet purchases, Michael feels we are now seeing pet holiday searches as a direct result.

South-west holiday park shares its success with local school

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William Coleman

A holiday company in Dartmoor has shared in its recent success, donating sports equipment to a local school.

Now, with some help from South West Holiday Parks, the rugby team at Stover School can practice their skills on a brand new scrum machine.

South West Holiday Parks is a family-run company that wanted to ensure that the children at Stover School could continue training without the risk of injury to its young players.

The holiday parks’ managing director, Josh Donald, made a special appearance at the school to personally hand over the donation.

Mr Donald said that he and the team at South West Holiday Parks were delighted to donate something that will help the youngsters and their sporting dreams.

The donation also marked the tenth year since the holiday company was founded.

“It’s been a challenging year for all businesses, especially those in the hospitality industry,” said Mr Donald, who was brought up in a park-owning family on the Isle of Wight.

Despite the impact of the lockdowns, the company had a great 2020.

He added: “However, this tenth year has been our busiest ever with a record number of enquiries from people seeking safe, comfortable and well-managed surroundings to enjoy holidays year-round.”

The company wanted to share this success with the local community and decided that gifting sporting equipment to the school was a good way to do so.

“We’re delighted that rugby players at Stover now have a safe tool to improve their strength and skills, and we’ll be cheering them on next year!” said Mr Donald, who lives near Exeter.

Usually open year-round so that owners can enjoy stays throughout the four seasons, South West Holiday Parks provides caravans and lodges in landscaped grounds with facilities such as pools.

They are currently closed due to coronavirus restrictions, but will be opening up once again when it is safe to do so.

Forget WFH, these people are WFC – working from campervan

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By Emma Dodd

When the first lockdown struck nearly a year ago, a large proportion of the country found themselves working from home (WFH) overnight.

Now that we’re in lockdown three, there’s a different trend that’s sweeping the nation and doesn’t break any of the rules.

Working from campervan (WFC) has become a reality for some people, as they look for office space on their doorstep, but without the distractions posed by being inside the house.

And it’s not just those who already owned a campervan that have seen the potential, as there’s a growing number of individuals who have rented one solely for the purpose of getting work done undisturbed.

Sara Tasker, a business coach with a seven-year-old child, told the Metro that she hired a campervan to work in when the January lockdown was announced.

She had explored the idea of renting office space, but it didn’t suit her needs during the pandemic and she was feeling desperate for a way to be able to concentrate fully on her work.

Ms Tasker told the news provider: “There’s nothing else to do in there. I can’t do any housework, all I can do is focus.”

She has justified the expense of hiring a campervan to work from by totting up the amount of money she’s saved on not going on holiday or out for meals since the pandemic began.

Ms Tasker is not the only person taking advantage of the WFC trend, with rental company Quirky Campers having noticed people hiring their vans as offices recently.

Among such customers, there have been plenty of creatives – and especially writers – who require time away from homeschooling and other responsibilities to think clearly and produce results.

Since campervans tend to have a kitchen and a toilet, there’s no need to head back into the house and get embroiled in what’s going on in there during your working time.

Leisure vehicle bookings are currently not permitted for holidays as everyone is being asked to stay at home, but hiring them for work is allowed.

Saving energy and cash with your caravan

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By William Coleman

Last week was Big Energy Saving Week 2021 (18th-22nd of January), and experts from different sectors have been sharing their top tips on how caravanners can save cash on their energy bills.

If there’s one thing to be said about the touring community, it’s that we are a mindful bunch who care about the environment and the areas we choose to travel to.

Saving energy is about more than just keeping the bank balance healthy, it’s also about conservation and keeping our planet healthy for future generations.

As conscious caravanners, you may want to invest in some new additions to the van that can help save you money and the planet at the same time.

These small changes, suggested by UKCaravans4Hire.com, could see you saving a few hundred pounds a year in energy costs.

Solar Power

Solar power is one of the best, and most popular, sources of renewable energy for homes across the globe. Why not add this method to your caravan?

In today’s world, there are downscaled solar panels that can be added to the van without adding too much extra weight – something we should all be mindful of when adding aftermarket fittings.

There are even certain leisure vehicle manufacturers that add solar panels to vans during production, so this is an accessible option – and one that the leisure industry is already very much onboard with.

Portable solar panels specifically designed for caravans usually generate around 60 W, 80 W or 120 W, depending on their size. If you are interested in adding solar power or buying a new van with it already equipped, speak to your local dealership – they should also have access to aftermarket panels.

Water saving gadgets

Wasted water is one thing that can happen easily – most of the time it goes unnoticed when touring. By installing water-saving devices, you can go about your business without having to pay too much attention to your water consumption.

Adding water-saving measures means you can reduce wastewater and disposal fees. Low-flow water devices can be attached to taps and showerheads to reduce the amount used. Shower timers can also be installed directly into shower pipes, if compatible with your current setup.

Making these changes to your leisure vehicles or homes can also allow park-home owners (static parks in particular) become eligible for the government’s £5,000 Green Homes Grant voucher to pay for the installation of energy-saving home improvements.

Gareth Irving, director of UKCaravans4Hire.com commented: “Making small changes throughout your property can create big savings on your energy bills. As many caravan owners use their caravans as second homes or purely as holiday properties, they mustn’t forget about the ongoing bills, such as those for energy, and consider how these can be brought down.”