By Chris Littley

As we continue to contemplate summer caravan holidays post-lockdown, this edition of Dream Destinations is another staycation location – Snowdonia. It’s the perfect place to escape to the mountains and forget your troubles, letting nature revive you.

The national park in Wales’ northwest corner is home to spectacular peaks including Snowdon, Tryfan and Cader Idris. There are more than 100 lakes to discover and views out across the sea towards Ireland to enjoy. All of which represent the perfect antidote to lockdown once caravanners are offered more freedoms.

All you really need to enjoy a caravan holiday in Snowdonia is a pair of walking boots and some trusty waterproofs. Most first-time visitors like to tackle Wales’ highest peak, Snowdon, and there are no fewer than six routes to the top.

The Llanberis Path may be the longest, but it’s also the easiest, with the Ranger Path and Miners’ Track representing a little bit more of a challenge. The Watkin Path and Crib Goch should only be attempted by those with mountain experience as there is some exposed scrambling to do near the top.

If you don’t fancy the hike, the Snowdon Mountain Railway will take you all the way to the summit in relative comfort. Setting off from Llanberis, it has transported tourists the 4.7 miles to the highest point in Wales since 1896.

For those keen to explore Snowdonia on two wheels instead of two feet there’s plenty of options – from long-distance routes to steep challenges. The Ffordd Brailsford Way can be completed as either a 50-mile or 75-mile loop and takes in stunning scenery, as well as a number of historic castles.

Pen-y-Pass is the classic Welsh cycling climb out of Llanberis and will put you through your paces over 2.4 miles, but there’s a nice cafe at the top as a reward. Several routes to the summit of Snowdon start from there, so the climb could represent the start of your day’s activities.

It would be a shame not to take advantage of the coast during your caravan trip to Snowdonia, as there are 200 miles of it. This encompasses 35 beaches, representing plenty of opportunities to indulge in everything from sea swimming and surfing to sailing and sandcastle building.

Where are your post-lockdown dreams taking you? We’d love to know.

By Chris Littley

Looking back through the archives for the CaravanTimes’ Classic Gold series is always fun, especially when it gives you a snapshot of family life for one of our reviewers. That is exactly the case today with the Bailey Pageant Moselle, which Jan Rosier took on the road with her family in 2014.

Overall, Ms Rosier was pleased with her caravan, giving it a rating of five stars, but there is one comment that gives more away. She said: “The layout is good for young families, but don’t buy if your children are approaching teen years.”

We can picture the scene now; her children’s feet sticking out of the bunk beds, which she described as short and narrow compared to other motorhomes. This is something to consider when buying a caravan you’re hoping to last your family for holidays for years to come.

Another mental image to savour is that of her family, complete with teenagers, all trying to manoeuvre around the van. She noted the bathroom door opening up to block the main entrance, thus preventing anyone outside from getting into the caravan.

But apart from these aspects, Ms Rosier was impressed with the Bailey Pageant Moselle, stating that the quality inside was excellent. She liked the storage and the way that it towed, as well as the bathroom (if you discount the issue with the door).

In summation, Ms Rosier said: “Nothing ever broke and the beds were very comfy.” You can’t get fairer than that.

Did you buy a Bailey Pageant Moselle and if so, how did you find it? Let us know.

By Chris Littley

Caravan sites across the UK will not be able to reopen in June, it has been confirmed by the government.

July 4th had been set as the expected date for a long time, but a campaign led by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) had hoped it could be brought forward.

Sites are due to reopen in Northern Ireland on June 26th, which the association hoped would set a precedent for England to follow suit, but the transport secretary dashed those hopes.

Grant Shapps said: “The next review. or the next potential date for an unlock, if it’s possible, if the science allows, is July 4th onwards. So it won’t be weeks and weeks away.”

As well as confirming that caravan parks will not be permitted to reopen early, the statement also casts uncertainty over whether they will be allowed to welcome guests from July 4th.

Ros Pritchard, director-general of the BH&HPA, acknowledged that the date for England was still an ‘ambition’ and that an indicative date of July 15th has been set for Scotland.

She added: “Guidance on procedures is expected soon but we have no idea when opening dates will be confirmed to give us and our customers certainty.

“It’s worse in Wales where currently we have no prospect of opening at all. The Welsh First Minister has expressed his sympathy for our plight, but no more. Sympathy won’t keep the wolf from the door!”

When caravan sites are given the green light to reopen to the public, they will do so with stricter cleaning regimes in place, the enforcement of social distancing rules and measures like contactless check-in to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

It is not yet known whether on-site facilities including toilets and shower blocks; restaurants and cafes; and entertainment venues will be able to open up at the same time as the caravan parks.

By Chris Littley

Following a temporary closure due to COVID-19 restrictions, Coachman Caravans has restarted production of its leisure vehicles.

The family-run business is based in Hull and closed its doors to workers for ten weeks due to government guidelines issued on March 24th.

Since it reopened earlier this month, we’re happy to report Coachman’s factory has managed to return to pre-lockdown levels of production, with measures in place to ensure the safety of all staff.

These have included thermal imaging cameras at all of the entrances, personal protective equipment for employees and the implementation of strict two-metre social distancing throughout the premises.

Caravan and motorhome dealers have seen a surge in demand, as Brits look towards staycations for their summer holidays.

With the prospect of caravan parks reopening in July with social distancing measures in place, many people will be thinking about investing in leisure vehicles for safe, self-contained trips away.

Coachman is optimistic about the future and ready to meet this new demand for caravans at the 35 dealerships it serves across the UK.

Elliot Hibbs, managing director of Coachman Caravans, said: “Whilst we expected our closure and the effects of COVID-19 to have detrimental effects on the business, we have not seen this. Our order book is full until the end of the year and we had less than two per cent of orders cancelled during lockdown, many of which have now been replaced.”

As some potential caravan owners may not be keen to visit dealerships in person, many are continuing to offer virtual tours online.

For those who want to look at motorhomes on site, dealers are encouraging them to book a time slot and follow the one-way systems put in place.

Many dealerships are open air, helping to reduce the possibility of spreading the virus.

By Chris Littley

The Camping and Caravanning Club has announced it plans to reopen the majority of its sites across the UK in a phased rollout from July 4th, with new social distancing rules in place.

At present, the club has not been able to confirm that toilet and shower facilities will open at the same time, because the government has not yet given the green light for such services to be used by the public once more.

The move is good news for caravan owners whose motorhomes are fitted with their own toilets and showers, however, representing the opportunity for a long-anticipated trip away from home.

A statement from the Camping and Caravanning Club said: “In order to operate our sites in a responsible manner we will be increasing our cleaning regimes; where facility blocks are open there will be two deep cleans a day and four supplementary cleans.

“This places extra demand on our staff so we have had to look at campsites which are better suited to self-sufficient campers where facility blocks will not be open this season.”

Visitors to the sites can expect to experience contactless check-in; six-metre spacing between pitches to aid with social distancing; and signs and markings to reinforce the importance of keeping two metres apart from others.

The current plan is for the first Camping and Caravanning sites to reopen in England on July 4th, with many in Scotland following on July 15th. Sites in Wales and Northern Ireland will start to welcome visitors later.

However, this plan has not yet been set in stone and dates may change, as it’s possible the government could implement new social distancing measures should a second spike in coronavirus infections be seen.

The club added in its statement: “Being in the fresh air, the physical space between pitches and with additional social distancing measures, we believe that we are well-placed to offer you a safe, enjoyable UK holiday, providing a much-needed break away from home.”

All of the club’s sites have been closed since March 22nd due to the coronavirus pandemic and the government’s decision to place the country in lockdown.

By Chris Littley

Throughout the CaravanTimes’ Classic Gold series, we’ve seen some much loved models come under scrutiny, but today we’re looking at a motorhome that failed to impress. In fact, back in 2014, our reviewer was driven to despair by the Sterling Eccles Jewel. So, was she just unlucky or did other owners of this caravan have similar experiences?

Barbara Feather gave the Sterling Eccles Jewel just one star out of five for an overall rating, but what could possibly warrant such a response? She said: “Whenever we arrived at our destination, I would open the door with trepidation, wondering which bit would have fallen off this time.” Oh dear!

First it was the shower, with the door falling off not once but twice, and then she was concerned for the microwave, which looked like it might fall out at any moment. And it seems like the plastic trim was not good at staying in place either, with pieces coming off with every trip.

If it sounds like things couldn’t get any worse, Ms Feather goes into more detail, with the oven door falling off and the toilet fill light not working reliably. She elaborates on this caravan farce, stating: “But the crowning disaster was when the hitch lost the two of the three bolts holding it onto the chassis at less than three years old.”

At this point we can see why our reviewer might have given the Sterling Eccles Jewel such a harsh rating. Did the model have any redeeming features? Ms Feather did like the layout and the locker space, but opted to trade the caravan in for something else, as it obviously failed to meet her needs.

Did you ever own a Sterling Eccles Jewel? And if so, did you experience the same litany of disasters as our reviewer? We’d love to know your thoughts.

By Chris Littley

Caravan and motorhome dealers are experiencing a surge in demand for leisure vehicles, as the British public looks towards staycations for post-lockdown holidays.

Interest in caravans and campervans has skyrocketed in the wake of the coronavirus, which has put the idea of foreign travel well out of reach for many.

Dealerships, manufacturers and even classified listings websites have all seen a big increase in activity, reports Car Dealer Magazine.

Many people have started planning trips within the UK in anticipation of the government lifting the ban on overnight stays, which is expected to be sometime in July.

Potential caravan owners are therefore trying to secure themselves a motorhome in a climate where stock is short and demand is high, resulting in prices starting to increase.

Peter Vaughan, editor of Which Motorhome Magazine, told the news provider: “It’s a combination of people not wanting to holiday abroad, get on a plane or a cruise and looking for a safe and enjoyable holiday at home.

“Pricing earlier this year was strong as dealers could not get hold of quality used stock and that was even before coronavirus. A number of factors combined then which saw stock dry up and that has got worse now.”

Caravan dealerships only reopened to the public at the beginning of June and many are reporting an unprecedented first week in which they sold as many motorhomes as they’d expect to in an entire month.

Greentrees Caravan Store in Norfolk has had its best sales figures for a May in 15 years and has hired new staff, as well as taking all its employees off furlough.

Meanwhile, the Don Amott Group in Derbyshire has taken nearly a million pounds in deposits for leisure vehicles in just three weeks.

It had been getting round the problem of prospective customers not being able to visit the caravans to make a decision during lockdown by offering virtual tours instead.

The situation is similar online, with British Caravan Auctions (BCA) having sold all 800 lots in its first online caravan and motorhome sale since lockdown, and many of them going for well above their anticipated values.

By Chris Littley

Caravan owners have been issued with fines and reminded of the ban on overnight stays away from home, after some have flouted the rules.

Police in Cornwall have seen an increase in the number of caravans and campervans being parked up overnight in recent days.

They have so far issued 14 fines for such behaviour and told the occupants of the leisure vehicles to return home, as current government restrictions make staycations in a motorhome illegal.

Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police issued a joint message in response to holidaymakers trying to camp in beauty spots including Porthcurno and Bodmin Moor.

Of the 14 penalty charges issued so far by officers to mobile home owners, 13 were in Newquay and one was in Bude.

Authorities in Cornwall have had a particularly tough time trying to prevent people flocking to the county since lockdown measures were amended on May 13th.

They have issued 92 fines in reference to breaches of the COVID-19 legislation and 63 per cent of them have been in relation to overnight stays in either caravans or second homes.

It’s not just individuals that the authorities are monitoring either, as Cornwall Council has been forced to investigate a number of campsites that have tried to reopen for business before the government has given the green light to do so.

Rob Nolan, Cornwall’s portfolio holder for the environment and public protection, told CornwallLive: “With the recent spell of sunny weather we’re seeing more people camping in the countryside but we’re reminding everyone that under the COVID-19 laws overnight stays outside your home are illegal and you can face a fine or prosecution.

“These rules were introduced to prevent the spread of this virus, protect our communities and relieve pressure on our NHS services, so please, enjoy our beaches and coastal paths but go home at the end of the day and if you’re a potential visitor planning a camping trip here please come back later.”

By Chris Littley

Martin Lewis of Money Saving Expert has updated his advice for caravan owners who have leisure vehicles at caravan parks during lockdown.

Previously, the official line had been that no refunds would be given, as fees ensured caravans would be kept safe in well-maintained parks and this view was upheld by the British Holiday and Home Parks Association (BHHPA).

As sites have now been closed since March and look unlikely to reopen again before July, it is a substantial amount of time that owners have not been able to benefit from using their motorhomes.

In light of this, Mr Lewis has spoken to a lawyer who agrees that partial refunds should now be pursued by caravan enthusiasts affected by the situation.

Adam Swirsky, the lawyer in question, has gone over a model contract and licence agreement supplied by the BHHPA and concluded a case could be made for breaches of service that parks have not been able to provide.

Mr Swirsky said: “I do now think that there is a potential claim for breach of contracting giving rise to an entitlement of damages.

“Those parks that are not providing refunds are opening themselves up to the risk of litigation; they may also be damaging their relationships with their caravan owners and may be subject to public criticism.

“In these circumstances, offering a refund would not only seem to be sensible but, in the long run, might save the parks the times and cost of dealing with numerous small claims”

For caravan owners wondering how to proceed, Mr Lewis has now made a template letter available to be modified and sent to individual sites depending on the exact words of individual contracts.

It is still recommended that owners systematically work through five distinct stages in trying to resolve the matter.

This means they should start by working out exactly which services they have not been able to access and then talk to the management at the caravan park.

If a mutually agreed resolution cannot be found, then a formal letter should be sent. This can be followed up with a Section 75 claim or a Chargeback for a partial refund.

Should this not yield results, caravan owners can turn to the Financial Ombudsman Service and then eventually take the park to court, but the majority of cases will not come to that.

According to the BHHPA, caravan park fees range from £1,500 to £5,000 per year, meaning even a partial refund could amount to a significant amount of money.

By Chris Littley

In this latest edition of our Dream Destinations series, we’re discovering the beautiful Isle of Skye.

Famously, the location Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped to after the Battle of Culloden, it’s become popular with caravanners escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

While the romance of the Skye Boat Song still rings in our ears, “Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing. Over the sea to Skye,” there’s now a convenient bridge to take holidaymakers and their caravans from the mainland to the island. Once you arrive on Skye at the village of Kyleakin, you can explore the Misty Isle’s many attractions.

Skye is heaven for outdoor lovers, with both the Black Cuillin and Red Cuillin mountains to explore. All bar one of the island’s Munros – peaks in Scotland over 3,000 feet – are found within the Black range. Beginners should start with Sgurr na Banachdich or Bruach na Frithe and work their way up to the likes of Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir.

With a backdrop of the Cuillins, the Fairy Pools at Glenbrittle are a magical place to indulge in a spot of wild swimming. The beautifully clear water in these natural rock pools comes right off the mountains via a series of waterfalls. It’s a special place to visit even if you don’t fancy a dip.

Be sure to stop by Dunvegan Castle, which is the ancestral seat of Clan McLeod, members of which have lived at the castle for 30 generations across 700 years. It occupies an idyllic spot on the shores of Loch Dunvegan and is crammed full of fascinating artefacts including a lock of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hair, the Fairy Flag and innumerable oil paintings.

Once the caravan has been parked up for the night, it’s time to enjoy a true taste of the island with a dram of Talisker whisky. This peaty single malt is distilled on the shores of Loch Harport in five copper pot stills just like it has been since 1830. A distillery tour is a good wet weather day activity and gives great insight into how the tipple is made.

Where will be the first place you take your caravan after lockdown? Get in touch to let us know.

By Chris Littley

Caravan dealerships in England have now reopened to the public, after the government made the decision that it was a safe move to make as it eases the country out of coronavirus lockdown.

The National Caravan Council (NCC) had lobbied politicians to ensure caravan and motorhome showrooms were opened at the same time as their counterparts for cars.

As the majority of the dealerships are open air, they are easier to manage in terms of social distancing than traditional shops.

There is certainly demand for leisure vehicles, with Swift Group seeing a 40 per cent increase in web traffic after the prime minister’s statement of May 10th.

Interestingly, much of this growth is represented by the 18 to 44-year-old age group, showing that a younger audience is being drawn to the idea of caravan ownership.

Caravan holidays are looking like a reality for many this summer, as the prospect of going abroad seems less attractive and tied up with bureaucracy, including 14 days of quarantine upon returning to the UK.

Despite this, caravan parks have not yet been given the go ahead to open before July, even though they are seen by many as a good social distancing option.

When they do allow guests, there will be a number of measures in place to protect visitors’ safety and restaurants and entertainment venues within sites are likely to remain closed.

Nick Page, group commercial director at Swift Group told Out&AboutLive: “We are seeing a really promising trend emerging, which after a hard few months for the industry, is welcome news to UK caravan and motorhome manufacturers.

“Holiday parks are a brilliant option to enable social distancing, and as caravans and motorhomes are self-contained, will be one of the safest holiday options for those looking to get out around the UK this year.”

When visiting a caravan dealership, prospective buyers can expect to follow certain rules, such as a limit of two people entering at a time, keeping to a one-way system and using sanitiser points.

Many showrooms are encouraging customers to book an appointment before they arrive to prevent waiting or coming into contact with other caravan shoppers.