Table of contents for May 2023 in Caravan (2024)

Home//Caravan/May 2023/In This Issue

Caravan|May 2023Where’s there’s aWainwrightMy husband, Anthony, launched his ambition to climb all 214 Wainwright Fells over 20 years ago as we ascended the Old Man of Coniston on his fortieth birthday. Back then 214 fells felt daunting. Fast-forward to a frosty January day and the snowy summit of Froswick – a hill that had previously thwarted us – and we realised that the end was in sight. Anthony had only five Wainwrights to complete his quest, just three days of walking. So, a Lake District holiday was planned for early March and we crossed our fingers for good weather… The big central fells had been ticked off in the early years, but progress was slow with the lesser-known and more remote Wainwrights – until three things came together. Our holidays in our ‘van…10 min

Caravan|May 2023SuperSuffolkMany years ago, I cycled the length of Britain, from John O’ Groats to Land’s End, and discovered one of the joys of living in a small country. Every 50 miles or so the landscape changes. I have been reminded of this as we travel around the coast of England. Each year we do another two counties and, as we go, the scenery gently evolves. Last year, in Norfolk, tidal creeks and million pound second homes gave way to caravan parks and then the Broads. In Suffolk, we are moving on to reedbeds, heathland, shingle beaches and elegant towns. We have opted for Covehithe as our first port of call. A few miles south of Lowestoft, it is a hamlet boasting little more than a few houses and a small…9 min

Caravan|May 2023Xplore554The transverse bed, rear shower room layout is a best-seller for several manufacturers. Chief among them is the Erwin Hymer Group, which makes the lightest caravan of this layout, the Xplore 554 – and offers a choice of six more caravans with this layout. These are in its Elddis Avanté, Affinity and Crusader ranges, and also in its Compass brand ranges, Casita, Capiro and Camino. Other single-axle, standard-width tourers of this layout include Bailey’s Unicorn Vigo and Phoenix+ 644; Coachman’s Acadia 575 and VIP 575, and three from the Swift Group, the Sprite Major 4 SB, Challenger 580 SE, and Conqueror 580. Each of the variants of this super-popular layout has its own character and, although the Xplore 554 is the lightest, at just 1,325kg MTPLM, many of the higher-spec…5 min

Caravan|May 2023COLEMAN EVENT SHELTER PERFORMANCE LThe Event Shelter Performance L is a complete shelter set, including one event shelter, three sunwalls and one sunwall with a door, all in one wheeled carry bag. A steel-poled event shelter with an aerodynamic and durable design, this is made to last. Protection against the elements is a priority, shown by the 3,000mm hydrostatic head and taped seams, the well-thought-out design of the roof ventilation which prevents the structure from lifting in gusts of wind and the use of storm straps and multiple guying points for securely pegging into the ground. The roof ventilation also includes clear windows, allowing light and slight airflow in even when all four sunwalls are attached and zipped up. A silver lining on the flysheet reduces the temperature under the shelter on a hot…1 min

Caravan|May 2023Swift stars in new TV campaignIn one of the biggest marketing investments Swift Group has ever made, the ‘Every Swift has a Story’ TV advertising campaign promotes the joy of adventure and how spending time together in a Swift leisure vehicle can create memorable experiences for the whole family. The TV campaign – which started on 6 March and runs until the end of April across Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky Media channels – features the award-winning Basecamp. Jo Mitchell, Swift Group’s Head of Marketing, says, “We are really excited about going on TV for the first time with our ‘Every Swift has a Story’ ad campaign. It is a fantastic opportunity to get in front of a new, wider audience with a creative idea that perfectly communicates the joy of owning a Swift…1 min

Caravan|May 2023brainteaserssudoku If you are looking for a way to exercise your mind, sudoku is great and will certainly get the cogs turning! just for fun Find the 19 makes of car crossword ACROSS 7 Wander and feed (6) 8 Football team suffix (6) 9 Annoy, irritate (4) 10 Trophy competed for by England and Australia at cricket (3,5) 11 Inhabited by, or as if by, apparitions (7) 13 Sudden outburst; volley (5) 15 Pallid-looking; savoury pastry (5) 17 Touch up; hand back (7) 20 Gangrene or localised death of living cells (8) 21 Retro hairdo (4) 23 Manly (6) 24 Kind of sauce; unwanted crusty build-up on teeth (6) DOWN 1 Fizzy drink (4) 2 One from SE Europe, hemmed by the Adriatic, Aegean and Black Seas (6) 3 Atmospheric…1 min

Caravan|May 2023Falling forthe FensI must admit that the Fens didn’t come immediately to mind when planning our next trip, but I was on a mission to understand this area better. I was brought up in Lincoln, less than a mile from the River Witham, one of the great Fen rivers. At the time I saw myself as a townie, not strongly associating with the Fens, which were ‘the sticks’ where my grandma and several cousins hailed from. In a sense, this was an exploration of my roots, inspired by the book, Imperial Mud, where Tasmanian historian James Boyce, outlines the history of drainage and enclosure of the wild Fenlands. We drive east from Cheshire with our Norfolk Terrier, Bosworth, passing Derby and crossing the rolling hills of the East Midlands. Picking up the…9 min

Caravan|May 2023OxfordshireWhen someone mentions Oxfordshire, one of the first attractions that springs to mind in this central England county will probably be the city of Oxford itself. Full of the stunning architecture of many historic buildings and famous the world over for its university, the city certainly is somewhere you should spend a lot of your time. But did you also know that Oxfordshire includes parts of three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty? First is the Cotswolds, noted for its chocolate-box villages with buildings of honey-coloured stone. Then there are the open chalk hills of the North Wessex Downs, along with the wooded hills of the Chilterns. And don’t forget, the River Thames makes its way through the county, hosting beautiful waterside paths. So, whether you prefer the hustle and bustle…2 min

Caravan|May 2023SOUTH WALES TOURING PARK – LLWYNIFAN FARM CarmarthenshireSouth Wales Touring Park – Llwynifan Farm is an adults-only touring park, situated in Llangennech near Llanelli. The site is one mile from junction 48 of the M4, centrally located to visit any attraction in south and west Wales. And close to Cardiff and the valleys to the east, all parts of Pembrokeshire to the west, the Brecon Beacons to the north and the Gower Peninsula to the south. All pitches are hardstanding, and all have a view. There are spacious heated shower rooms, toilets, dishwashing and laundry facilities. The site also has 10 fully serviced pitches. Standard and seasonal pitches remain open all year – perfect for all seasons. Q How long have you been running your campsite? A We first opened our doors back in 2011. Q How…4 min

Caravan|May 2023Amazing awningsAwnings are a valuable addition to any caravan, offering an extension to living space, and can be used for a variety of purposes – it is essentially a tentlike structure that is attached to the side of your caravan, providing extra relaxing or dining space when you’re away. In fact, some awnings can more than double your undercover space so they really are worth considering, especially if you tour as a family and/or have kit such as bikes, watersports gear or even just want somewhere undercover for your wet dog and walking gear to dry out. Indeed, the extra space awnings provide can offer an extra sleeping area, a dining area, a food preparation zone and a relaxation area or a combination of all of these things. Whether you are…9 min

Caravan|May 2023OUTDOOR REVOLUTION SPORTLITE AIR 400This is a lightweight inflatable awning that can be erected in minutes thanks to its single inflation point. Made from sturdy 280HDE polyester fabric, it’s perfectly manageable to pack and transport so no need to spend hours wrestling it back into its bag. There’s an option to purchase an annexe, too, that can be zipped onto either side of the awning, providing a further bedroom – perfect if you’ve got older children who require their own space. PRICE £949 W outdoor-revolution.com…1 min

Caravan|May 2023NEW STUFFHJ Hall ProTrek Adventure Trek socks When it comes to trekking, the power of a good walking sock should never be underestimated. Featuring high-density cushioning, ventilated mesh zones, arch support and ankle bracing, reinforced heel and toe areas, plus a smooth toe seam, the new ProTrek Adventure Trek Socks from sock specialist, HJ Hall, is a middleweight walking sock designed for all-season trekking. Made using super-clever WoolTech ultra-durable fabric that provides moisture wicking and breathability, the socks have even benefited from a treatment that inhibits the growth of bacteria to reduce odours, keeping you fresh as a daisy even after a day in the hills. The socks are available in five colours, in sizes 4-11, and even include a six-month guarantee. PRICE £15 W hj.co.uk Feuerhand Tamber Table Top Grill…4 min

Caravan|May 2023Club launches new UK escorted toursThe Caravan and Motorhome Club has added three new escorted tours across the UK. Exclusive to Club members, prices start from £849 for an outfit and two people, including campsite pitch fees, Blue Badge guided tours, and entrance and transport to and from excursions. The three new tours for 2023 include: Edinburgh Military Tattoo Escorted Tour – a three-night break starting on 8 August (priced from £849), taking in all that this historic city has to offer. The tour is based at Edinburgh Club Site and includes a walking tour of the city and a pre-show dinner ahead of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Note, this tour is now sold out – email the club to join the wait list. Royal Palaces and Historic Buildings Escorted Tour – a nine-night…1 min

Caravan|May 2023Calor scraps 4.5kgbutane cylindersCalor has announced it is scrapping a range of small gas bottles popular with caravanners. The 4.5kg butane bottles were discontinued on 1 February, along with the Cube, 3.9kg propane, 6kg Lite propane and 12kg butane cylinders. Customers won’t be able to buy new cylinders or exchange existing cylinders of these sizes for a refill. Calor said it had taken the decision to streamline its cylinder range to “improve overall reliability and availability to our customers”. For those who are unable to increase the size of their on-board gas storage, Calor suggests they should switch to rival company, Campingaz, whose 907 cylinder holds 2.72kg.…1 min

Caravan|May 2023Beauty of thebordersThe Wye Valley – straddling the border between England and Wales – has a strong claim to be the birthplace of British tourism. In 1770, a certain Reverend William Gilpin took a two-day boat trip down the Wye from Ross to Chepstow. His subsequent guidebook, Observations on the River Wye, was the first tour guide to be published in Britain, leading to the ‘discovery’ of the Wye Valley as a holiday destination. My husband, Paul, and I were staying at the Forest and Wye Valley Camping Site, on the outskirts of St Briavels in Gloucestershire. We were to spend the next few days crisscrossing the border, occasionally finding ourselves with one foot in England and the other in Wales! More on that later…. We headed for Monmouth shortly after arriving…7 min

Caravan|May 2023pitchsideVIEWSAfter more than two weeks away, our last site was one where we aimed for convenience as our top priority ready to catch our Eurotunnel train home after an amazing summer break and super-hot temperatures. We travelled under the shadow of the Alps and in a few hours we reached Guignicourt, heading for the touring caravan site of Au Bord De L’Aisne. Stopping at a site like this is a good option as anyone who has ever taken their caravan or motorhome to France via Calais will know – most laybys and aires (service or picnic areas) without fuel are closed and blocked for about 30 miles out. They have been like this for several years. Therefore it’s important to plan a stop in your journey which takes this into…3 min

Caravan|May 2023SwiftBasecamp 3Created to be your base for adventure-oriented holidays, Basecamp entered the caravan market in 2016 and instantly turned heads. This is a caravan range that’s totally unlike any other, not just in shape and styling, but in its cleverly designed interior storage capability. Basecamps are specifically designed to accommodate bikes. They have a wide rear door through which it’s easy to roll in cycles. They have securing points – and the bed and seats fold away to create space for cycles. Swift calls the Basecamp a ‘crossover camping vehicle created for life’s adventures’. And it has been steadily proving its popularity ever since the first, two-berth, Basecamp appeared. When the four-berth was launched, Basecamp entered the family holiday arena. Now, with the arrival of the Basecamp 3, there’s more choice…5 min

Caravan|May 2023VANGO BALLETTO AIRThe Balletto Air range suits the needs of any caravanner. It’s spacious, while still being lightweight, thanks to the new Elements 150 fabric. This makes the Balletto Air ideal for family holidays. The large Diamond Clear windows keep the living area bright and airy while an oversized carry bag makes packing away easy. Additional space can be created for storage or guests with the addition of an annex. These awnings also include a draught skirt, wheelarch covers and the Vango Draught Seal System. PRICE From £900 W vango.co.uk…1 min

Caravan|May 2023ISABELLA AIR CIRRUS NORTHIf you’re looking for an awning that’s easy to erect, Isabella’s air awning – the Air Cirrus North 300 (300cm width) and 400 (400cm width) are great options for both weekend breaks and long tours. Developed by the experts, this awning can be put up without any fuss, instantly maximising your living space and giving a homely, domesticated feel to your trips. If you want a quick way to create extra room then the Air Cirrus North is ideal and, once it’s inflated, you’ll have more time to do the things you enjoy doing while on holiday, like getting out and exploring. PRICE £2,449 W isabella.net/uk…1 min

Caravan|May 2023NEC February show attracts record attendanceA record of over 108,000 visitors attended the 2023 Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC in Birmingham in February. The show attracted many leading manufacturers, dealers and retailers who were spread across the five halls (almost 20 acres) at the NEC. Many of the exhibitors praised the success of the show, particularly due to the record number of visitors and volume of sales. “We are ecstatic with the outcome of the show. It’s been a record-breaking event in terms of visitor numbers, and we are pleased that this wave of new visitors resulted in a high level of sales for so many of our exhibitors,” said Terry Dullaghan, Managing Director of the show organiser, NCC Events. “It’s great to see that, despite the challenging economic times, the appetite…1 min

Caravan|May 2023Join the fun at the new Campervan CampoutLovers of the great outdoors and live music are all set to flock to the South of England Showground in West Sussex from 5-7 May as Campervan Campout takes place. There will be a shopping village; children’s zone run by the Camping and Caravanning Club; outdoor activities, including axe throwing and a bird of prey experience; plus, a superb selection of guest speakers discussing European travel ideas, solo female travelling and more. And there will be multiple dealers and converters showcasing new and used campervans for sale. The main stage will come alive from 11am each morning with live music from various bands and solo artists throughout the weekend, including Chasing Mumford, Stereosonics, and Onside BritPop. Saturday night will see Trunk of Funk legend, Craig Charles, headline with a DJ…1 min

Caravan|May 2023New entertainment venues confirmed at Warners ShowsVisitors to the Norfolk Motorhome & Campervan Show (21-23 July) will be able to enjoy the Boston Jive Big Top in addition to the main hall at this year’s Norwich-based rock ’n’ roll event. Resident DJ, Mark Bale, will be playing throughout the weekend, with live bands starting at 11.30am daily. Free jive lessons will be available for both beginners and experienced dancers;