By Emma Dodd

A new blue plaque has been unveiled in Somerset, which commemorates a time when Dwight D Eisenhower stayed in a caravan on the outskirts of Weston-super-Mare.

The year was 1944 and Eisenhower was not yet president of the United States, but he did have a very important role and one that led him to visit the seaside town.

It was towards the end of World War Two and he was the supreme allied commander for Europe, en route to the D-Day landings in Normandy.

Weston-super-Mare was filled with American servicemen, but instead of pulling rank and demanding to stay in a hotel, Eisenhower spent the night in a caravan in Weston Woods.

His pitch was near the woods’ Water Tower, but he was not alone, as other military personnel occupied vehicles under the cover of the trees and along the Toll Road.
A socially-distanced audience gathered at the spot where Eisenhower’s caravan was pitched back in 1944 on August 20th to see the plaque unveiled to the public.

Under his name and rank, the plaque reads: “Camped here with American troops preparing for D-Day 1944.”

It will now stay in place for visitors to Weston Woods to discover as they take a stroll and come across a little piece of world history.

Anyone taking a caravan holiday in Weston-super-Mare this summer will now be able to claim they’re following in the footsteps of a man who would become US president.

Holidaymakers wishing to find out more about the blue plaques scattered around the resort can now take an audio tour of all the locations.

A spokesman for Weston Town Council told the Bristol Post: “The idea is that as you arrive at a plaque you can use your phone to access a page on our website and play the film that gives you the history of the plaque.

“This is the first stage in what we hope will become a digital walking audio guided map app.”

By Emma Dodd

Many of us feel like the decision to holiday at home or abroad has been taken out of our hands this year, but there’s still options when it comes to your annual summer trip away.

Caravan owners have the whole of the UK at their disposal, but it can be difficult to narrow down which area you wish to visit.

A new analysis of data has been produced byIsland Cottage Holidays to help inform your choice, ranking destinations throughout the UK for the amount of sunshine you get in relation to the cost of the holiday.

It found the south-east of England represented the best sun per spend, with an average 1,880 hours of sunshine a year and an average holiday cost of £167, putting the likes of Brighton and Margate at the top of the list when it comes to value for money.

While the north-east is a relatively cheap place to go on a caravan holiday, the hours of sunshine came in at 1,498 and the temperature at just 13.3 degrees C.

When you compare this to the south-east at 14.5 degrees C, you’re more likely to want to spend time on Brighton Beach or Margate Main Sands than Tynemouth Beach or Bamburgh.

Using Met Office data and Tourism Office costings, Scotland came out as one of the most expensive places to visit at £252, as well as the destination with the fewest hours of sunlight.

Caravan enthusiasts heading north of the border are therefore likely to be travelling to the region for its rich culture and dramatic scenery.

Last weekend was what would traditionally have been the start of the school holidays in England, and roads and caravan parks filled up with holidaymakers.

While some people are starting to travel abroad, others are remaining cautious, and local lockdowns like the one currently facing Barcelona add an extra question mark to foreign travel.

By Emma Dodd

Days and weeks may have blended into each other for many over the past few months, but for families, the start of the summer getaway has been eagerly anticipated.

This weekend marked the date when schools in England would have broken up for the summer had they been open, and therefore saw the end of homeschooling instead.

On Friday, roads across the country became congested, as the start of the traditional holiday combined with more relaxed rules on trips away and overnight stays.

Mike Newton, Devon and Cornwall police control room supervisor, commented on the situation on Twitter: “The M5 south currently looks like a cross between a caravan and boat show between [junctions] 30 and 31.”

Caravan holidays have been widely accepted as the best option for a safe break this summer, stretching the UK’s staycation infrastructure in a way that would usually be mitigated by families travelling abroad.

This year, the usual scenes will not be played out at airports but on roads and in caravan parks instead.

While many have set off for seaside destinations in the south, including Cornwall and Devon, the situation is similar elsewhere.

Caravan parks in Scotland have reported being full to capacity, which is not surprising when guidance dictates they must keep numbers lower to ensure social distancing.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Culloden Moor at Newlands near Inverness and Queen Elizabeth Park in Stonehaven have both been inundated with bookings since they confirmed they were reopening.

Keith and Lisa Jeffs, site managers at Culloden Moor, told The Press and Journal: “For the club that we work for it’s been challenging times for all of us and it’s just good people are coming out.

“We could tell from our bookings it was going to be healthy, numbers wise, but I think people are just glad to be back out.”

It’s a timely reminder that caravan enthusiasts who are used to being able to turn up at sites without a booking will not be able to do that this year and can expect the experience to feature some significant differences.

By Emma Dodd

Caravan holidays and Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast are the perfect match, so in this edition of Dream Destinations we’re taking you to Sibenik. This often overlooked city has plenty of history to offer, as well as easy access to the Kornati Islands and Krka National Park.

Sibenik’s cathedral occupies an enviable position right next to the sea and is dripping in history. Its construction was funded by local people in the 15th century, who wanted a monument to their faith, and subsequently took 100 years to build.

You can still see the faces of some of the donors, as 74 of them were immortalised in stone on the cathedral’s exterior. Its outer walls also bear the scars of shells used by the Serbs on an attack of the city in the 1990s. Step inside and the sarcophagus of St James rests inside this impressive gothic and renaissance monument.

Just off the coast lies the Kornati Islands, an archipelago of some 140 islands, many of which fall inside the national park. While uninhabited for most of the year, some small cottages are used by farmers from Murter Island to tend to the olive groves, vineyards and orchards during the growing and harvesting seasons.

A boat trip to this stunning island group will show you the very best of the Adriatic, with clear waters in every shade of blue you can imagine and hidden coves contrasting brightly with the sea. The sixth-century Tureta Fort dates back to the Byzantine era and its remains can be seen on Kornat Island.

Just ten kilometres inland from Sibenik is the captivating Krka National Park, which is home to a network of hiking trails, a number of monasteries and a series of seven waterfalls. The most southern of these falls is Skradinski Buk, where you can go for a dip.

Sibenik lies within a wine-growing region, so it’s worth taking a trip to one of the nearby vineyards for a tour and a tasting if you’re a wine aficionado. At the very least, ordering a glass of wine that was made in the local area to go with a meal is a must during your stay.

Where are your post-lockdown caravan holiday plans going to take you? Get in touch to let us know.

By Emma Dodd

In this edition of CaravanTimes Classic Gold, we are once again heading back in time to 2012. The Sterling Elite Amber was new on the market and our reviewer, Martin Ackers, had great expectations for its performance.

It started off very promisingly, when Mr Ackers commented that the “level of equipment is very high and it has all that is needed”. He added that it tows well, looks excellent and is very good in terms of day-to-day use.

Things started to go downhill after that, with our reviewer noting that the quality seems to have dropped a little since he purchased his last Swift caravan. His concerns started with the lights, as the LED awning light stopped working after just two uses and he noticed moisture inside the rear light clusters.

And it didn’t get much better after that. Chief among Mr Ackers’ complaints was that the shower door hinge broke, making it impossible to close the door or use the shower without making the carpet wet. The issues with water did not end there, as the onboard water tank gauge didn’t work from day one.

The construction of the drawers were not up to the expected standard either, as our reviewer pointed out that anything more than a newspaper would make the bottoms fall out. Retrieving said newspaper was further hampered by the seat cushions moving forward, meaning everyone would have to stand up to gain access to the drawers.

Mr Ackers ended on a high, stating that there was an “excellent amount of space for the two of us and two dogs,” but it appears his overall rating of four out of five may have been somewhat generous when you consider his comments.

Did you have a Sterling Elite Amber back in 2012 or in subsequent years? If so, let us know whether you agree with our reviewer’s comments.

By Emma Dodd

Wild camping has long been legal in Scotland, but under COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the government has told caravan owners not to indulge in the practice.

As of July 15th, Holyrood makes it permitted again, but one council has spoken out urging caravan owners to stick to official sites to begin with.

Argyll and Bute County Council has asked visitors to use official caravan parks as a way to help the local economy and prevent a second wave of the coronavirus taking hold.

Councillor Alastair Redman, policy lead for economic growth, said: “Use official campsites so that numbers can be properly managed and so that your waste can be disposed of safely.

“It will not only keep you safe: it will help keep our businesses going at this crucial time so that people can enjoy coming here for years to come.”

He highlighted the fact that the people of the region, like others across the country, have made sacrifices to suppress the virus and that everyone must continue to act responsibly now that restrictions are being lifted.

Tourism is a key industry in Argyll and Bute, which has been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, making it all the more important to welcome visitors back in a safe manner.

Argyll and Bute is a tempting place to visit with a caravan as it has many attractive landmarks to explore, such as the Inveraray and Carnasserie castles and Iona Abbey.

It is also home to 23 inhabited islands, including Bute, Mull and Tiree, where an outbreak of coronavirus could be devastating for the small populations.

While national guidance must be followed, it’s also important to think about local sensitivities and how appropriate it is to travel to specific destinations at certain times.

The Scottish government is only encouraging caravan owners whose leisure vehicles are self-contained and do not rely on shared facilities to undertake overnight stays at present.

By Emma Dodd

The increased demand for caravans and motorhomes across the UK is here to stay, the boss of Mercedes-Benz Vans believes.

Steve Bridge, managing director of the manufacturer, spoke about the way in which the public has been becoming more enamoured with leisure vehicles in recent years, when he was interviewed for Car Dealer Live.

He was asked by interviewer James Batchelor if Mercedes would be allocating a larger number of its Marco Polo motorhomes to the UK market as a result of fewer people being able to travel abroad for their summer holidays.

Mr Bridge said: “It’s a black art ensuring you’ve got the volume to suit any market. So the answer is yes, as people are on staycation now, of course. Some of it might be novelty, some of it might be something they’d well researched.”

He went on to say that while travel restrictions could be partly responsible for the current demand, it’s not the only reason that people are buying motorhomes.

Mr Bridge added: “If you look over the last ten years, the leisure market has been on the increase irrespective. So yes, you’ll get the odd blip – like around 9/11 when people didn’t want to fly – but there are many people that like to stay in the UK, and certainly travel to Europe as well.”

Addressing the difference between purchasing a car and a motorhome, the Mercedes boss said caravan buyers are more likely to spend three or four hours looking at the details inside.

He said they’ll be interested in everything from the colour of the taps to whether it has a microwave, as leisure vehicles perform a wider role than cars.

Mercedes is currently ensuring it has a network of salespeople who understand the complex nature of motorhomes to be able to answer all the questions posed by prospective buyers.

Mr Bridge also said that the company understands the importance of establishing good aftersales facilities for Marco Polo owners.

By Emma Dodd

Business travellers who cannot stay at home to do their jobs would be more comfortable buying a caravan than staying in other forms of accommodation, it has emerged.

Research carried out by AutoTrader found that 32 per cent of those who need to travel for work would rather get their own caravan than turn to hotels or serviced apartments.

It comes in the wake of adverts for motorhomes seeing a 51 per cent increase in views and 80 per cent more ads being posted in the last two weeks of June than at the same time in 2019.

When it comes to the purchase of a caravan for business travel, 18 per cent of those surveyed thought employers should foot the bill.

A further 16 per cent believed their companies should at least provide some financial assistance in buying a motorhome for work trips away.

Interestingly, 50 per cent of those who would consider asking their boss for a caravan for work use are more likely to do so because of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting the idea had already occurred to the other 50 per cent.

Rory Reid, former Top Gear host and now of AutoTrader, said: “Businesses need to adapt to a greater need for safety when sending employees to travel and stay overnight for work.

“Using caravans and motorhomes can facilitate this, as well as providing a quiet space to help optimise working. It may well be in a business’ best interest to start looking into caravans and motorhomes!”

Business travellers are being attracted to caravans for the same reason they represent a good option for a staycation as the world slowly recovers from the coronavirus and it’s that individuals can be more self-contained than in other forms of accommodation.

Taking your own space with you means you don’t have to worry about who was staying there before you or how well it has been cleaned between visitors.

By Emma Dodd

As lockdown starts to ease and caravan sites begin to reopen, we’re dusting off our motorhomes and preparing for the first post-lockdown trips away from home. Dream Destinations is here to offer inspiration on where to take your trusty caravan and this time the focus is on the Lake District.

This land of rugged mountains, tranquil lakes and characterful market towns is the perfect place to escape in a motorhome. Hiking has always been one of the biggest attractions about the Lake District, with the likes of Scafell Pike and Helvellyn tempting walkers to tackle their peaks.

If you prefer your walking routes flatter, then you can do a circular route around one of the lakes and still get world-class views. The likes of Windermere and Derwentwater are serviced by boats travelling to different jetties throughout the day, so you could end your walk on a lake cruise.

Anyone who would be happier in the water than on top of it will be pleased to know there’s plenty of opportunities for wild swimming in the Lake District. As well as the larger lakes, where you need to be particularly careful about boats, there’s smaller lakes, including Rydal Water, which was much loved by the Romantic poet William Wordsworth.

For something a little different and an activity that will appeal to the whole family, check out the Derwent Pencil Museum. You can find out about the history of the pencil, complete a quiz around the museum and even discover how they hid a map and compass in a pencil during World War II.

A true taste of the Lake District comes in the form of Grasmere gingerbread, which is still sold from a quaint shop in the corner of the churchyard of St Oswald’s Church. Victorian cook Sarah Nicholson’s recipe has only grown in popularity since she first baked it in 1854 and buying slabs of the spicy treat wrapped in paper is a quintessential Lake District activity.

Where are you dreaming of taking your caravan now lockdown restrictions are starting to ease? Get in touch to let us know.

By Emma Dodd

Despite many caravan parks reopening this month, there’s a chance holidaymakers could be turned away, depending on where they live.

Caravan sites are implementing postcode checks on all guests as the government enforces local lockdowns to control outbreaks of coronavirus.

For example, the people of Leicester have been advised against all but essential travel after a spike in confirmed cases in the city.

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, noted that Leicester had “ten per cent of all positive cases in the country over the past week”.

This has seen it go back into lockdown just as many parts of England are starting to reopen, but it is considered the most appropriate way to prevent a second wave of the virus.

Ros Pritchard, director general of the British Holiday and Home Parks Association (BH&HPA), has urged Leicester residents to “do the right thing”.

This advice will be extended to anyone who finds themselves living inside a locked down area moving forward.

When local lockdowns are announced, staff at caravan parks will cancel reservations for anyone booked to visit from those postcodes, reports The Mirror.

Holidaymakers can expect to get their money back, as the tourism industry has been forced to implement much more lenient cancellation policies to bolster a tentative return to travel.

Keeping visitors from locked down areas away is just one of the measures being taken by caravan sites to minimise the risk of spreading the virus.

Site capacities have been reduced, remote check-ins implemented and much stricter cleaning regimes have come into force.

Dan Yates, founder and managing director of camping site PitchUp, told The Express: “Given the fast-moving nature of COVID-19 news, [checking postcodes] does seem a reasonable step as long as postcodes can be accurately correlated with restricted areas.

“Site owners have been implementing COVID-19 Secure guidance to give customers the confidence to visit, and it is important to remain vigilant on this.”

To avoid the disappointment of being turned away from a caravan site, it’s important to follow any government advice about local lockdowns and rebook time away for later in the season.

By Emma Dodd

Organisers of the National Motorhome and Caravan Show have decided to shelve the event for 2020, hoping to return in 2021.

Usually held in October at the NEC in Birmingham, the highlight of the British caravanning year has been cancelled due to uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

It is not yet known when the ban on mass gatherings could be lifted and as the show attracts in the region of 100,000 people, it would be difficult to practice social distancing.

NCC Events, which runs the event, has said it made the decision to cancel the show after extensive consultation.

Among the information it took into consideration was a visitor survey that suggested members of the caravanning community would stay away.

John Lally, chief executive officer of NCC Events, said: “NCC Events faced a very difficult decision. The postponement at this stage maximises the chances to both protect the health and wellbeing of attendees (exhibitor staff and visitors) and also the financial viability of our exhibitors and the show itself.”

He reassured visitors and exhibitors that full refunds for tickets and stand costs would be issued to all those who had already paid for their involvement in the show.

Among the attractions caravan fans can usually look forward to at the show are live product launches, caravan test drives and special guests.

Mr Lally added: “We know the Motorhome & Caravan show plays a critically important role in the achievement of retail sales each season. To this end we are working on initiatives to help and support the showcasing of the 2021 new-season products.”

It is hoped that the team will be able to go ahead with the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, which is due to take place from February 23rd to 28th next year.

Then, the autumn event would be reinstated between October 12th and 17th 2021.