Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2015 i Practical Caravan

WHO WOULD HAVE thought that the antics of Dr Beeching, famed for destroying the British railway system, could have contributed to something so wonderful as the National Cycle Network. But the flat, smooth routes left behind by former railway lines proved perfect for cycling along, and formed the basis for the Sustrans National Cycle Network. This year, the Network celebrates its 20th anniversary, and to celebrate we bring you this month’s Cycling Special – after all, what better way is there to get out and enjoy beautiful Britain than astride your bicycle? Sustrans has been holding a national vote to find out the nation’s favourite rides, and the Trans Pennine Trail has come out on top among the longer routes; it’s just one of our top 10 great cycle rides…

STACIE PARDOE enjoys touring with her young family and loves to put all of the latest gadgets to the test Light Up Bunting This light-up bunting is perfect for those planning to decorate their vans over the festive season. In fact, it’ll look good all year round! The fun and ingenious LED bunting from online retailer Prezzy Box is battery powered. Price £11.95 Web www.prezzybox.com Year-round solar charging The solar charge controller range from Sun Works now features ‘winter mode’ to ensure that leisure batteries receive the optimum charge from solar panels in low sunlight conditions. The units are suitable for solar panels of up to 15amps. Features include a clear LCD display to indicate the solar current, and battery levels and cables enter from the back to avoid messy…

Read the quirky story of a lone van If you enjoyed the extract from Jonathan Tindale’s Squashed Possums: Off the beaten track in New Zealand that we featured in the October issue then we have some good news. Jonathan has kindly offered us two signed copies of the book so you can read his adventure in full. For readers that missed the extract, the book goes back a decade, when Jonathan lived in an abandoned tourer in New Zealand. However, the twist is that the story is written from the caravan’s point of view! The book tells the tale of the lone caravan and a young man’s misadventures in New Zealand’s most remote corner as he discovers what it’s like to live in a true wilderness, surviving in the most…

Make sure you get an electric hook-up or you’ll spend a fortune on gas. Amanda Leetham Open the red wine! Leonie Holzer Make sure you are as level as possible so that waste water drains properly. You don’t want frozen waste pipes! Denise Hughes Put an awning skirt all the way around the bottom of the caravan. If snow is expected, consider whether your flue pipe will be above it; if not, get an extension. Louise Edge Use an old Winter jacket and fit it round the Aquaroll; use a sleeve to lag the pump! Craig Peacock The Alde heating in our van is brilliant, we keep it on low while we are out and overnight. We take the slow cooker with us so when we arrive back there’s a…

This was purely a booking of convenience – we dropped a pin on the map near to where we needed to be for maximum race accessibility and La Paille Haute was the closest place. It’s a reasonably large site with layout and hedges that help with finding a quiet spot. On-site facilities are varied – from a fishing lake to a proper pizza oven in the pleasantly, if almost stereotypically, French-style bar and restaurant. A games room, swimming pool and play area kept the screaming and laughter contained, while facilities such as showers and toilets were perfectly adequate if a little tired in places. That patisserie truck was a nice touch, too, with service just as friendly and welcoming as the staff on site. Address 145 Rue de Sailly, 62156…

Hoburne Cotswold The site is a great base for families planning to visit Cotswold Water Park. There’s plenty of activities based at Hoburne to keep everyone busy, including an entertainment complex, children’s clubs, amusement arcades, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts and a soft play area. The site also benefits from a restaurant, bar, café, launderette and supermarket. All touring pitches are hardstanding, very generous in size and have 10A electric hook-up. A number of family attractions are on the doorstep, including Cotswold Country Park and Beach and Cotswold Farm Park. It is also central for visiting towns such as Cirencester, Cricklade and Ashton Keynes. Address Broadway Lane, South Cerney, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 5UQ Tel 01425 282 358 Web www.hoburne.com Pitches 185, hardstanding Open March-October Charges Pitch+2+hook-up £18-£48 (2015…

Petit Tour de Manche The Petit Tour de Manche is one of three cross-border cycle routes under the Cycle West banner. This one includes routes in Britain (Weymouth and Poole); France (Cherbourg, Mont Saint Michel and St Malo); and even a little bit in between with a tour around Jersey. Ireland Having produced some legendary bike racers, it’s no surprise to find that Ireland offers superb cycling country. The whole island has its attractions, but to get a real taste of rural Ireland head to Cork, Galway or enjoy a spin up the west coast of County Mayo. The Alps A favourite for seasoned riders, the Alps offer all the sights and cycling sensations that any cyclist could dream of. It doesn’t have to be all uphill either — there…

Morn Hill is ideal for exploring Winchester and the surrounding countryside, and is only two miles from the National Cycle Network’s Route 23. It is beautifully maintained and has many pitches in secluded areas. When you arrive at reception, you’ll find a clearly marked arrivals area and a friendly welcome in the reception/shop. There is a washblock on each level and, although they aren’t particularly modern, they are spotless and the showers are powerful and hot. The site has handy dinner deals with the Cricketers Inn in Easton for when you don’t fancy cooking in the van. Address Alresford Road, Winchester SO21 1HL Tel 01962 869 877 Web www.caravanclub.co.uk Open 20 March-2 November Pitches 106 Charges Pitch+2+hook-up £19.30 (£10 non-member supplement)…

New season starts on an upward swing IT WAS GOOD to see a real spring in the step at the NEC autumn show in October. The UK caravan market went into its biggest buying bonanza on the back of some astonishingly good early-season figures. Lunar, for example, reported a 75% increase in sales at September’s Caravan Extravaganza (the Lawns show), while rival maker Coachman posted a 34% upsurge. Swift Group’s PR machine was in full flow just before the NEC, reporting that its order book for tourers and holiday homes was already 50% full. The Hull-based behemoth also enjoyed a successful Düsseldorf show, where tourer sales rose by 8%. Proof positive, then, that the UK caravan industry is in rude health, with customers showing plenty of interest in 2016’s improved…

THE SUN ON your skin, the wind in your hair, the flies in your teeth – is there anything better than taking to your bike to enjoy the countryside? Wherever you’re travelling with your van, a bicycle offers the perfect opportunity to explore the area. You sit high enough to get a good view, travel at a perfect pace to witness an evolving landscape, and can even enjoy a little bit of exercise at the same time. Here we’ve brought together eight bikes, all of which can be broadly categorised as hybrids; that is to say, they feature unthreatening flat handlebars, and an upright position in the saddle rather like a mountain bike. But they roll on 29in or 700c wheels – effectively road or ‘racing’ bike wheels – so…

Truma highlights gas filter fault A LEADING MANUFACTURER of caravan gas systems is asking owners to replace a part that may prove faulty. The company, Truma, has announced that a few gas filter cups had defects, which has prompted it to replace all those introduced to the caravan and motorhome markets since January 2012. The part covers the filter itself and is fitted between the regulator and the cylinders in the gas locker (as shown above). Truma stresses that the risk of any vehicle having unreliable filter cups is very low. How has this happened? Truma explains that faulty processing in the supply chain by a sub-supplier may have led to a material fault in the windows of the filter cup. This could permit gas to escape via the gas…

These tourers make few compromises to provide the ultimate in caravan comfort Twin-axle Practical Caravan top pick Layout finder R With a parallel lounge, dinette and end washroom, this is usually a family-friendly four-berth layout. The dinette normally converts into two bunks and there is a privacy curtain to separate the areas at night. The dinette can be used in a few ways: as extra space for preparing meals, for kids' quiet play or by couples who use it for dining, so they do not have to pack away the double bed. Pros The side dinette is a handy eating and break-out area and the end washroom offers comfort and privacy. Cons The layout works best with 5.5m bodyshells or longer. Older children may find the bunks uncomfortable. A The…

20 Nov-4 Jan Choices, choices The beautiful city of Edinburgh has a huge Christmas celebration involving several thriving markets; there’s even one that’s specifically for children. Stay at Edinburgh Caravan Club Site Web www.caravanclub.co.uk 19-22 November Crafts galore at Blenheim Blenheim Living Crafts for Christmas fair brings together craftspeople and designers to give you a huge array of choice for your Christmas shopping. Stay at Greenhill Leisure Park Web www. greenhill-leisurepark.co.uk 19 Nov-22 Dec Holy grounds Get into the festive mood in Winchester Cathedral’s grounds, which are transformed for five weeks every year with stalls, music, food and drink and ice skating. Stay at Two Hoots Campsite Web www.twohoots campsite.co.uk 19 Nov-23 Dec Jolly St Nick The St Nicholas Fayre in York, which encompasses several markets, offering…

Star of BBC One’s Homes under the Hammer ‘NO GROUPS,’ DECLARED the booking page of our favourite and otherwise very friendly touring caravan park. I quizzed Tony, the owner, on our next visit. “That’s a bit antisocial isn’t it?” I suggested. “Not to mention financially damaging, I would have thought.” “Actually, quite the opposite,” he explained. “When we allowed multiple numbers of friends or extended families to come to the site, we found that they kept themselves to themselves. The children didn’t mix with those from other families and the adults kept to their little niche. So the site became strangely disjointed. “With these new rules, kids make new friends, adults barbecue with their neighbours and the whole place feels a lot friendlier.” He was clearly missing his calling as…

1967 ADRIA 305 SLB Hitched to a fabulous Auto Union 1000S, this 1967 305 SLB was built two years after the original 375. It represents Adria’s first generation of caravans with its oval, asymmetrical shape, contour lines and white finish. 1980 ADRIA 450 Q The second-generation 450 Q boasts a more conventional shape, with similar front and rear panels. Inside it features a double-dinette layout. It was towed by an IMV minibus, built by Adria’s parent firm. 1997 ADRIA UNICA B 562 UL Part of the fifth generation launched in 1995, the Unica (towed here by an aged Renault 18TL) has natty graphics and greater standardisation of parts. It also boasts a contemporary layout. 2005 ADRIA ACTION This decade-old model – developed to mark Adria’s 40th anniversary – is still…

LEARNING TO RIDE a bike is among the many milestones that we pass during childhood. Despite my daughter Isabelle being an independent Miss, who insists on doing everything for herself and does not give up until whatever it might be is achieved (deep breaths from parents often required), she had yet to master riding a bike. Isabelle had been getting increasingly frustrated watching her older brother Liam race off on his bike, while she was confined to her Micro Scooter, and having recently turned five and being about to start ‘big girl’s’ school, she was as keen as ever to cycle. The date for Isabelle to start reception class was delayed until late September, which gave us some extra time to try to get her in the saddle, so she…

Malvern Hills This historic area is an ideal spot for touring. Renowned for its pure water, Malvern also hosts a festival each May and its priory is described as England’s finest parish church, all within easy reach of the park. Burford Attractive and spacious, with landscaped pitches, this site is opposite the beautiful Cotswold Wildlife Park, a popular family attraction, and nearby Burford is a lovely unspoilt Cotswold village. Cirencester Park Set in beautiful parkland, this peaceful oasis forms part of the Bathurst Estate. Great for walks in the surrounding landscape, the site is close to the thriving market town of Cirencester. Join The Club! From just £46 per year, you’ll have access to the best caravan and camping sites in Europe. So why not make the most of touring…

IT MAY FEEL as if the world has gone cycling-mad, but it’s been a huge part of British life for generations. As if to prove that, the National Cycle Network turned 20 this year. That’s two decades of guiding us through the countryside and encouraging people to get on their bikes. Such a major milestone can’t be pedalled past unnoticed, so I dusted off the bike that had lain idle in the Practical Caravan shed and began exploring. I was keen to tackle the Hampshire hills around Winchester, where I’d been a student. I wanted to reacquaint myself with familiar beauty spots and discover places I hadn’t come across during my time there. Winchester is on the Reading-to-Southampton stretch of the NCN’s 80-mile Route 23, which passes through the town.…

The most popular short route is the 8.5-mile Monsal Trail. It’s traffic-free route and goes through the heart of the Peak District. Other short routes are Camel Trail in Cornwall, the circular Bath Two Tunnels route in Somerset, the Cuckoo Trail in East Sussex, and Edinburgh’s Union Canal. The most popular long route is the Trans Pennine Trail. It extends for 215 miles along quiet roads and cycle paths between the Irish Sea and the North Sea. Other long routes include the Way of the Roses through Lancashire and Yorkshire, Hadrian’s Cycleway, the Celtic Trail and the Cornish Way. The network passes 79 National Trust properties, 28 Woodland Trust sites, 22 RSPB reserves, 47 National Nature reserves, 40 Areas of Natural Beauty and 15 National Parks. They link every major…

Coachman adds four to dealer network Hull-based Coachman has appointed four new retailers to its network: GT Towing in Hatfield, Hertfordshire; Marquis Motorhomes in Ipswich, Suffolk; North East Caravans in Ashington, Northumberland; and Dyce Caravans in Aberdeen. “It’s great news for our customers,” said managing director Martin Henderson (pictured). “Everyone at the company would like to welcome the new dealers. We look forward to a prosperous season together.” Bailey vans put to the test in Australia Bailey’s UK models have featured the company’s Alu-Tech construction system for six years now, but there can have been few sterner tests of its durability than a recent road trip across Australia. The first two Bailey Rangefinder vans to be built in Australia were towed around 3700 miles across the Outback; on the fortnight-long…

First drive Hyundai Tucson 1.7 CRDi Price From £20,195 Kerbweight 1580kg Towing limit 1400kg 85% match 1343kg Towball limit 100kg WELCOME BACK TO the Hyundai Tucson name after five years. Priced from £18,695 in petrol form and from £20,195 as a diesel, the Tucson replaces the ix35 as Hyundai’s rival for the likes of the Nissan Qashqai. There’s a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines, and two- or four-wheel drive. The entry-level diesel is powered by Hyundai’s 1.7-litre 114bhp/206lb ft engine, with a manual gearbox and two-wheel drive. We preferred the 1.7 to the 134bhp 2.0-litre. Yes, you lose on outright performance, but most drivers won’t feel the difference. With a kerbweight of 1580kg, the 1.7-litre 2WD has an 85% match figure of 1343kg. The legal towing limit…

THERE ARE BASICALLY two types of caravan fresh-water system: first, there’s the pressurised type that works as follows. When a tap is turned on, the pressure in the water system drops; this triggers a switch in a sensor that turns the pump on, thereby building up the pressure up again. The other type includes a microswitch that’s located inside the tap unit and which turns the water pump on. It’s not uncommon for these switches to fail, so it’s worth keeping a spare or two in the caravan. Here we look at how to change a microswitch, and also clean out the tap spout aerator — it’s amazing the amount of grit/debris that can collect in there, which can reduce the flow of water. Tools required for this job are:…

New to caravanning? On a tight budget? These ranges of tourers are for you Twin-axle Practical Caravan top pick Layout finder B Transverse-island-bed tourers are the height of luxurious touring, given their large end washrooms, and his-and-hers wardrobes. However, the double beds are not necessarily 'fixed'. They must often be retracted during the day to permit unhindered access to the washroom and extended at night. Some caravanners consider this too much trouble. These can sometimes be twin-axle tourers. Pros This layout is close to that you'd find in a domestic bedroom. It's now available at a variety of prices. Cons The lounge may be smaller. The island bed sometimes requires setting up. A Washroom is spacious with features and storage you need B It should be relatively easy to access…

Caravans up to £3000 2001 Lunar Stellar 400 2-berth, 19ft long, mover, awning, cooker, extras. £2000. Mrs Hayes, Manchester. (01942 884 079) 1996 Bailey Pageant Magenta 2-berth, Truma mover, extras. Good cond. £1250. Mr Janes, Middlesex. (020 8429 4558) 1972 Carlight Cassetta New carpet, fridge. Exc cond, resealed. Offers. Mrs Hume, Durham City. (07905 418 959) Awnings Porch 2012 Isabella Magnum Concept Carbon frame, charcoal, carpet, extras. £400. Mr Pearson, Notts. (01636 671 824) 2015 Isabella Magnum 250cm, CarbonX poles, coal. As new, unused. Cost over £900, offers. Mr Watts, Wilts. (01672 564 914) Ventura Marlin CarbonX poles, groundsheet. Used 4 times. £400. Mr Marshall, Salisbury. (01725 512 622) 2014 SunnCamp Air Volution 390 Used 8 weeks. £300, buyer collects. Mr Foreman, Essex. (01702 232 091) Bradcot Portico Plus Burgundy/grey.…

KEY TO SYMBOLS Pitches for static holiday caravans Holiday caravans for hire Chalets for hire Pitches for touring caravans Electric hook-up points for tourers Water hook-up point for tourers Drainage hook-up point for tourers Gas cylinders available Car parking beside caravans Motor caravans accepted Pitches for tents Shower facilities available Food shop on park Launderette on park Telephone(s) on park Licensed club or bar on park Restaurant/cafe on park Games room on park Children’s play area on park Tennis courts on park Outdoor swimming pool Indoor swimming pool Park suitable for wheelchairs Dogs welcome No dogs allowed Cycles for hire Fishing available Sailing facilities Golf course nearby Pony trekking/horse riding nearby Open all year CORNWALL Gwithian Farm Campsite Gwithian, Cornwall, TR27 5BX. Tel: 01736 75312. Website: www.gwithianfarm.co.uk Friendly, family run…

Practical Caravan’s Kate Hannam grew up on the island. Her family moved there when she was a baby, and Kate says she has the most amazing childhood memories to look back on. 1 Stay here Pitch up at Adgestone Camping & Caravanning Club site; it’s close to sandy beaches and set in peaceful countryside on the island’s east side. 2 Eat here There are some fantastic places to eat across the island. If you are looking for somewhere to take the kids, try the Red Lion in Freshwater or the White Mouse near Blackgang Chine, which has a great play area in the garden. For finer dining, The Taverners in Godshill is lovely, as is The George in Yarmouth. 3 Walk here With so many coastal walks to choose…

with Sarah Wakely In this month’s travel section, we’ve brought you some fantastic cycling features, but there’s plenty more to inspire you if you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground! France bans Bluetooth I RECEIVED WORD from reader Michael Hafferty this month; he’s a former police officer who travels regularly in France, so is well up-to-date with the road laws there. This month he’s sent me the following news, which should prove useful if you plan to go touring in the country: “Drivers now may not use ‘hands-free’ kits, nor any form of earpiece/headphone/ Bluetooth earphone or any device that transmits sound (including music or radio) to one or both ears. They may not, of course, hold the phone when driving.” Michael notes that the ban, which took…

1 Giro D’Italia The event in 2016 is the 99th in a long history of the road cycle race in Italy. It’s a key part of the calendar of the Grand Tour races – like the Tour de France – and just as they do on the Tour, the stages kick off elsewhere in Europe. Next year this will be with a time trial in Apeldoorn on 6 May, followed by two more stages in The Netherlands, before lapping Italy to reach the finish on the 29th. 2 Vuelta a España The ‘Tour of Spain’ first took place in 1935 and like many of these big European events often makes its way beyond the home country borders. In 2016 it starts in the province of Ourense, subsequently visiting all three…

WAY TO GO A number of ‘A’ roads lead into Cotswold Water Park so the area is easily accessible for towing. The Hoburne site is just off the A419, which was a very direct route for us on the M4 from London with no narrow lanes or villages to negotiate. Cirencester is one of the busiest towns in the area so towing in its centre is best avoided if possible. FOOD AND DRINK The Bakers Arms Main Street, Somerford Keynes Tel 01285 861 298 Web www.thebakersarms somerford.co.uk Waterside Cafe Wickwater Lane, South Cerney Tel 01285 860 412 Web www.lakepochard.co.uk FIND OUT MORE www.waterpark.org www.cotswoldcountry park.co.uk www.cirenparish.co.uk www.cotswolds.com www.go-by-cycle.co.uk OUR OUTFIT We towed a Weinsberg CaraOne 400 LK with our Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 150 ECOnetic Titanium. The tiny four-berth Weinsburg…

1 Gaga over Bala Snowdonia isn’t short on great cycling and Bala Caravan Park is right at the heart of it. If you head south you can even attempt the Bwlch y Groes, the highest road in Wales. Although cycling it is a great achievement, it’s far from easy and probably best left to ultra-keen cyclists. Riders looking for a more leisurely spin may prefer the smooth road around nearby Lake Vyrnwy or the excellent off-road facilities at Coed-y-Brenin. Stay at Bala Caravan Park Web www.balacaravanpark.com 2 Reservoir cogs As well as being the largest reservoir in England, Rutland Water offers a simple but superb 25-mile loop around its shore. The majority of the trail is off the road and it’s impossible to get lost — simply keep the…

WHEN TO GO Winchester is great all year, with parks, woodlands, walks and cycle routes for sunny days, and museums and shopping for when it rains. If you visit in late November and December, visit the Christmas market and ice rink in the Cathedral grounds. GETTING THERE Morn Hill Caravan Club Site has great links to the M3, and is just off the A31. The surrounding lanes can be a little tight. Winchester is a two-mile walk, cycle ride or bus trip away. The city’s many car parks can be busy. FOOD AND DRINK Easton, a few miles from the site, has two great pubs and a shop stocking local produce. Winchester has many pubs, bistros, restaurants and cafés. The Cricketers Inn Pitched up at Morn Hill club site? You…

Things to do 1 Fovant Badges 2 Wilton House 3 Bath Christmas Market 4 Stourhead Estate 5 Glastonbury Tor 6 Burrow Hill Cider 7 Avebury Stone Circle 8 Cheddar Gorge and Caves 9 Fisherton Mill Gallery 10 Caen Hill Locks Sites featured 1 Bath Chew Valley 2 Bowdens Crest Caravan Park 3 Green Hill Farm Caravan Park 4 Old Oaks Touring Park 5 Plough Lane Caravan Site 6 Stonehenge Campsite 7 Stonehenge Touring Park 8 Waterrow Touring Park 9 Alderbury Caravan and Camping Park 10 Thorney Lakes Caravan Park TOURING IN SOMERSET, Avon and Wiltshire is popular for so many reasons. The counties’ market towns and cities – such as Bath, Chippenham, Salisbury and Devizes – have good independent shopping and fantastic eateries, and there’s plenty to do between meals,…

Where tested Broadhembury Caravan & Camping Park, Kingsnorth, Kent When tested Throughout 2015 the Cadiz has been a popular van among testers with young families WE SUSPECT THAT few caravanners are aware of this, but many touring caravan layouts are often pioneered by their motorhome counterparts, long before they make the transition over to ‘the other side’. Furthermore, these motorhomes are often of mainland European persuasion. Fixed double beds (island or French) with full-width end washrooms were motorhome staples for some time before they began to appear in British caravans, and so, come to that, were fixed twin single beds, with or without end washrooms. This layout may have been superseded in the novelty/ popularity stakes of late by the likes of the transverse fixed double bed, but it remains…

Rodeo Denver 3.0TD Double-Cab We spent last summer in the Mull of Kintyre. We live in South Wales and had a fuel return of just over 27mpg, and the outfit was fully laden. We had no trouble keeping up with other traffic. I’m very pleased overall, but the seats are a bit uncomfortable for longer drives. David Thomas Rodeo Denver 2.5TD Double-Cab This has towed my van over the Pyrenees many times and averaged over 28mpg. I changed the first set of tyres after nine years, at 48,000 miles, and have never had to put a spanner to it other than for normal wear and tear. The ride isn’t great when empty, but the car can tug up to three tons. I hope to keep it another nine years. Brian…

The place there's most competition, which means more choice for buyers Twin-axle Practical Caravan top pick Layout finder K Accounting for around 10% of caravans supplied to the British volume tourer market, the parallel-lounge, end-washroom floorplan is popular with those who go to rallies. There’s room to socialise, and the end washroom will compensate for a lack of site facilities. This floorplan also appeals to those who are happy to make up the lounge bed. The seats are usually long enough to work as single beds, too. Pros Tidy layout within a small footprint. Spacious washroom with dressing area. Cons Making up the double bed, and breaking it down, can be a chore. The kitchen can be squeezed for space. A Choose a U-shaped lounge over a centre chest for…

ON THE LOOKOUT for a new tourer? If so, we reckon that we can help! Just like our inspiring travel stories, expert reviews and advice, we’re confident that our new online classifieds are the best in the business! So now you can pick your destination, read our review of your chosen caravan or watch the video, then find it online with a click of the mouse – making www.practicalcaravan.com the one-stop shop for all your touring needs. We know that 50% of you access our website via mobile and tablet devices so we have also made our classifieds fully responsive – so they will work just as well on your laptop, desktop, tablet or mobile phone, making it simple to look for alternative choices when you’re out on the road.…