Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2017 i Practical Caravan

 Where are we? Touring the West Country – here calling in at our old Reader Rally venue of Stowford Farm Meadows, north Devon ‘We managed five cream teas in total, including our little effort in the caravan, and it was difficult to choose between them’Claudia Dowell page 24 What’s going on? This month we celebrate all that’s great about the ever-popular touring haven that is the West Country, from the age-old battle between the cream teas of Devon and Cornwall to some top-notch Somerset cider, and the best places across the region to get started in the surf! Which outfit? We hitched up our new long-term Coachman Vision 450 Plus to a Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi 180PS ST Line…

This pic was taken while we were relaxing on a lovely weekend at Sumners Ponds Fishery and Campsite, West Sussex, in the land yacht [a Lunar Delta RS, towed by an Isuzu Rodeo 3.0 TD]. Darren and Lisa Clark On the spur of the moment we managed to get into Cherry Hinton C&MC Site, and went into Cambridge on Saturday and visited Wimpole Hall on Sunday. Here’s a pic of punts on the Cam, taken while we were walking beside the river. Cliff Easton Our first caravanning trip in our Elddis after 10(ish) years of tenting. We decided to visit my parents in Darlington – a 360-mile round trip from North Wales – with our two daughters and Izzy the labrador. The van is 19 years old, so has a…

A true smart-nav Price £349.99 Web www.halfords.com This new sat-nav – the Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D – has brilliantly programmed databases of destinations, such as TripAdvisor lists, restaurants, caravan sites and more. You can even filter campsites by amenities, such as internet access and showers. You can also enter the measurements of your outfit, which can then be saved as a profile, and set preferences such as avoiding toll roads, unpaved roads, car-share lanes, motorways and ferries. There are live services such as weather and traffic information, and you can connect your phone to the unit via Bluetooth. It’s also possible to simulate the route that you will take when you’re planning your journey, so that you can check it for any tricky turns before you leave the house.…

We asked you on Facebook and our forum to recommend your favourite cream-tea spots. Here are just a few of them: 1 Badgers Holt at Dartmeet (www.badgersholtdartmoor.co.uk). Just the best. It’s in the middle of Dartmoor by the river. Justin Chunks Churchie 2 I don’t know the name of it, but there is a fantastic little tea shop on the seafront at Slapton Sands. The cream tea is to die for. Marilyn Edmeades 3 Minack Theatre. Amazing place and lovely warm scones. You sometimes see basking sharks overlooking Porthcurno. Marie Law 4 Southern Cross tearoom in Newton Poppleford (if it’s still there!). The jam/cream order depends on which county you’re in. Colin Graham 5 The cliff-top café overlooking Godrevy lighthouse at Gwithian in Cornwall. The best cream tea ever. Eileen…

Jam – one of the key ingredients in any cream tea – just happens to be a speciality of Waterhouse Fayre, which supplies more than 100 outlets across the West Country. Bryony visited Ann Stallard to discover the secret of making tasty jam, and was greeted by a glorious waft from the pots of strawberries bubbling away on the stove. “Strawberry jam is by far the most popular, and is often used in cream teas,” said Ann. “The secret to high-quality jam, in my opinion, is to make it in small batches. We tend to have 12 pans on the go, but cook six at a time to make sure we’re giving it our full attention. The quality of the strawberries is also important; we get through about five to…

Price ....................................£18,445 Berths ...............................................6 MiRO .....................................1399kg Payload................................. 243kg MTPLM..................................1624kg Awning size .....................1066cm BACK IN 2016, Swift introduced the Sterling Eccles 640 and twin Swift Challenger 640, both of which sported a double dinette. However, this layout – which was once a major hit with family buyers – has fallen out of favour as fixed bunk-bed caravans gain popularity, so those two twin-axle tourers were quietly dropped. But it now appears that Swift might have missed a trick, because the floorplan is still a popular one on used forecourts, particularly with larger families. So Swift’s thinking seems to be that if it moves this layout to the lower-priced, value-for-money Sprite, perhaps it could be just what the family man or woman is looking for, in a more affordable package. Hence the…

Price £24,770 Berths 4 MiRO 1476kg Payload 154kg MTPLM 1630kg Awning 1032cm Contact Coachman Caravan Co, Amsterdam Road, Sutton Fields Industrial Estate, Hull HU7 0XF Tel 01482 839 737 Web www.coachman.co.uk Measurements A Shipping length 7.40m B Internal length 5.74m C Overall width 2.32m D Front double bed 2.03m x 1.16m E Front single beds 1.52m x 0.72m F Fixed single beds Nearside 1.88m x 0.72m Offside 1.83m x 0.72m Or try these alternatives Sterling Elite 565 Price £25,725 The VIP’s closest rival costs a touch more and is a shade heavier. One fixed bed is 6ft 3in, the other just 5ft 8in. Bailey Unicorn Cadiz Price £22,499 Matches the VIP’s payload yet it’s the lightweight of this group at 1491kg. The cheapest here, too, but packed with spec. Adria…

THE STARCLASS RANGE from Knaus is the German manufacturer’s attempt to create something with the ‘right’ spec levels, furnishings and layouts for UK buyers. For example, the biggest van in the range, the StarClass 690, can be specially adapted for those who want to use it for seasonal touring only. The process involves fitting it with a slightly longer front panel to take its overall length just over seven metres, so VAT on it can be reduced from 20% to somewhere between 5% and 7.5%. To qualify fully, the dealer also needs to supply the caravan to the customer’s seasonal pitch with spare wheel, IDC, stabiliser and road lights removed. Our test model was more conventional, we hasten to add, but how does it stack up as a tourer? Pitch…

WHATEVER YOU THINK about inflatable awnings, they’re certainly helping to redefine a sector that was previously neatly divided between porch or full. While a unit such as this top-of-the-range Omega from Westfield is technically a porch awning, from almost any angle it looks like a traditional full design. And that’s exactly what it aims to be. Indeed, this awning is so big that it comes with its own wheelie bag. But that’s sensible thinking – the bag is really some 33% bigger than the awning could be, making it that much easier to pack away, especially when the weather conditions aren’t perfect. All of the main panels zip out, too, which can be a big help when making that initial attachment to the awning rail. The AAS (Advanced Air System),…

motor. Perhaps of more interest to caravanners are the diesels of 1.5-, 1.6- and 2.0-litre capacities. The best option for buyers on a budget is the 138bhp 2.0 TDCi engine, which blends decent strength with economy. It even sounds reasonable for a diesel. Model history ‘Move the game on’ was the somewhat tricky target for the designers of the Ford Focus Mk3. It was something the original Focus certainly managed, but that the Mk2 emphatically did not. Car buyers in 2011 were a discerning lot: they had become used to obvious luxuries to keep them comfortable, and also wanted plenty of invisible technology to keep them safe. Trouble is, all those desires tend to add weight, which slightly complicates their third desire –to have a car that drove with the…

Are we Britain’s youngest caravanners? I am only 19 years old, but I’m already the proud owner of a Swift Challenger 480SE and a Citroën C5 Estate. My girlfriend and I entered the caravanning world in the autumn of last year, and shortly after purchasing our tourer we enjoyed a short weekend break on the Isle of Wight. The inspiration for us to start caravanning came from my parents, because they have been touring for many years all around the UK. Seeing how much pleasure they got from it persuaded us to begin looking for our own home from home on two wheels, as well as starting our own caravanning story. Katherine and I both turn 20 this year, and to celebrate we plan to spend two weeks of our…

Putts Corner Caravan and Motorhome Club Site Follow the website’s directions for Putts Corner, because if you come at it from Ottery St Mary, you will have to climb Chineway Hill and that is likely to burn out your clutch; one visitor had to be towed up the hill by tractor! The site has a peaceful woodland setting in an Area of Outstanding Beauty, and has been divided into segments so that it doesn’t feel large. There’s all the usual excellent Club facilities and they even do cream teas, although they weren’t quite set up for them when we visited at the beginning of the season. The pleasant Hare and Hounds pub is very handy for an evening meal or drink. Sidmouth is a 20-minute drive, while Beer and Salcombe…

TOP EVENTS... Ways With Words Head to the 10-day-long Ways With Words festival to explore the written and spoken word, with some of the UK’s most renowned thinkers, in beautiful Dartington Hall, near Totnes. Date 7-17 July Web www.wayswithwords.co.uk Dartmouth Shakespeare Week Make the most of summer with open-air theatre at the spectacular Dartmouth Castle. This five-night run of Othello, one of the Bard’s masterpieces, is an absolute must-see. Date 25-29 July Web www.theinntheatre company.co.uk Nourish Festival Indulge yourself with more than 50 of Devon’s finest food producers in Bovey Tracey. As well as the gastronomic feast, there will be street-food awards, a craft fair and even live music. Date 2 September Web www.nourishfestival.org Woofstock Festival Treat your four-legged sidekick to a day out that is all…

Price £18,445 Berths 6 MIRO 1399kg Payload 243kg MTPLM 1624kg Awning size 1066cm Contact Swift Group, Dunswell Road, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 4JX Tel 01482 847332 Web www.swiftgroup.co.uk Measurements A Shipping length 7.92m B Interior length 6.27m C Overall width 2.24m D Front double bed 2.02m x 1.80m E Front single beds Offside 1.80m x 0.72m Nearside 1.90m x 0.72m F Rear double bed 2.02m x 1.33m G Rear offside bunks Lower 1.86m x 0.64m Upper 1.73m x 0.59m H Rear nearside bunks Lower 1.76 m x 0.64m Upper 1.63m x 0.59m Or try these alternatives Adria Altea 472 DS Eden Price £15,390 On a single axle and with only five berths, the Altea is lighter than the DD, but you end up sacrificing a lot of space. Elddis Avanté…

Price ..................................£20,899 Berths ............................................. 4 MiRO .....................................1314kg Payload ................................. 153kg MTPLM ................................1467kg Awning size ....................1030cm THE EXPLORER GROUP reintroduced the Compass brand in 2012, and for this season it’s had a complete revamp: gone are the Corona and Rallye ranges, and in their place three new lines cover the entry-level (Casita), mid-market (Capiro) and upmarket (Camino) price points. All four models in the Capiro range weigh in at less than 1500kg, so can be towed by a wide range of family cars, and all four have luxury-spec items such as the Alde central heating system and the long ‘Stargazer’ rooflight. Exterior graphics feature a ‘C’ in shades of blue/grey, with subtle patterning that gives a smart, cohesive look. The four-berth 550 has the retractable island-bed layout, with the washroom split…

Price £29,999 (delivery included) Berths 4 MiRO 1610kg Payload 390kg MTPLM 2000kg Awning size 1058cm Contact Knaus Tabbert, Helmut Knaus Straße 1, Jandelsbrunn, Germany D-92418 Web www.knaus-uk.co.uk Measurements A Shipping length 8.10m B Interior length 6.30m C Overall width 2.50m D Front double bed 1.98m x 1.45m E Rear island bed 2.02m x 1.38m Or try these alternatives Hymer Nova GL 590 Price £32,490 The other German take on this layout is lighter, with a much smaller payload, and pricier – but you do get Alde heating. Alaria TI Price £32,499 Lunar’s luxury tourer brand is narrower, but there’s Alde heating and a more domestic-style front lounge. Buccaneer Cruiser Price £31,699 Wider than the Alaria, the Cruiser also comes with Alde, self-levelling, and a seriously domestic-looking kitchen.…

Model tested 2.0 TDCi 180PS AWD ST Line PowerShift Price £31,795 Kerbweight 1716kg What’s new? FORD FACELIFTED ITS Kuga SUV last year, with new looks, a new 1.5-litre diesel engine, and an updated infotainment system. The new unit may be suitable for lightweight vans, but the 180PS engine in our test car can handle heavier tourers. The range includes both front- and four-wheel-drive models – ours is a 4x4. There’s a choice of manual or PowerShift automatic ’boxes, and we’re testing an auto. What are we looking for? The Kuga was a decent mid-size SUV before the revisions, but there are many fine rivals. Does the new Kuga stand out? And is ST Line, with its sports suspension, the best choice for an entertaining drive without sacrificing ride comfort? Most…

BAILEY’S OLYMPUS WAS launched in 2010, shortly after the first Pegasus introduced us to the Bristol manufacturer’s brave new world of Alu-Tech construction. The Mk1 Olympus was a rather lacklustre affair; stark and very plain, it was soon replaced by the much-improved Mk2, which was a far better tourer. Here we focus on the end-washroom 460-2, a couple’s tourer that continues to sell well as a used buy. This model came with a front lounge featuring wraparound seating; for an additional fee you could order it with a chest of drawers. The side kitchen is opposite the dresser unit, while the full-width end washroom boasts Bailey’s usual spacious shower cubicle and plenty of room for changing. The Olympus wasn’t badly specified, with Status TV aerial, an Al-Ko chassis with ATC…

THE SEARCH FOR BRITAIN’S BEST TOW CAR After a week of the UK’s most intensive tow car testing, more than 40 new cars have gone under the microscope and we have class winners for every budget and to suit every tourer, plus a brilliant overall victor. Don’t miss our definitive verdict! OUR NIALL’S ARCTIC ADVENTURE Practical Caravan gets an exclusive invitation to join Bailey’s epic tour to the Arctic Circle NEW LUNAR TESTED The Lexon 590 makes the fashionable centre-washroom layout more affordable DON’T SUFFER COLD SHOWERS! Our experts show you how to upgrade your caravan’s hot-water supply DIGITAL MAG bit.ly/pcaravan  & bit.ly/practicalcaravanapp TV Sky 212 and Freesat 161 youtube.com/  practicalcaravan…

BLOOD, SWEAT AND tears went into the renovation of this rare Castleton Rowena, thought to be one of only 14 ever built. As for when it was made, its owners, the Wickens family, aren’t entirely sure: it was advertised as being a 1959 model, but early Castletons are notoriously difficult to date and they have since been told that it may well be a 1967! Either way, it has some unusual features such as not one but two entrance doors, one to the rear on the UK nearside and one to the front on the offside. Inside, by the back door there’s a washroom – whose renovation was in progress when we saw the van – with the small kitchen alongside. There’s a simple gas burner/grill that is hidden beneath…

‘On behalf of Britain’s caravanners, and with no thought to the expansion of our individual midriffs, Bryony and I gamely headed west’ Gentle discord has been rumbling along in the deep south-west for generations, and I’m not talking politics – Cornwall was finally recognised as a national minority in 2014 – or family feuds, but the touchy subject of cream teas. A cream tea – as any tourist will tell you – comprises a scone (pronounce it how you will), cream (there are strong views on its density) and jam (does it have to be strawberry?). But the conflict arises in its assembly. Is the better way scone, cream, jam (Devon) or scone, jam, cream (Cornwall)? Clearly, the issue needed some investigation so, on behalf of Britain’s caravanners – and…

When to go A trip to Devon and Cornwall is wonderful at any time of year, but April to July are the driest months according to the Met Office. Dartmoor gets more rain than the coast. Way to go Devon is well served by the M5 from the north and the A303 then the A30 from the east. Both routes connect with the A38 past Plymouth and across the Tamar Bridge into Cornwall. Food and drink • Tickety-Boo Café 12 Mill Street, Ottery St Mary, Devon EX11 1AD Tel 01404 812 559 Web www.ticketyboocafe.co.uk • The Hare and Hounds Putts Corner, Sidbury EX10 0QQ Tel 01404 41760 Web www.hareandhounds-devon.co.uk • Home Farm Café Parke, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9JQ Tel 01626 830 016 Web www.homefarmcafe.co.uk • Bistro 35 35 Church Street,…

Dorset Thomas Hardy country, ruined castles and a Jurassic coastline await you here THERE IS A tearoom in Moreton, near Dorchester, that might just set you off on a fact-finding tour of the later life of TE Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia. There are pictures and information about Lawrence in one of its rooms, and its cake trolley is the bier that bore his coffin. Dorset was his sanctuary and you can visit his rather Spartan house, Cloud Hills, to discover how much he retreated from the limelight of his time in the Middle East. There are two other trails to follow that will take in much of the best of Dorset. One is that of author Thomas Hardy, who used Dorset as a backdrop for his novels. The county…

If you’re looking for something new then Hallsdown Farm Touring Park is now open. It’s a 20-pitch, adults-only site only a mile from Exmoor National Park. Andrew Mather Site essentials This new touring site is in a great location in rural north Devon. The newly laid hardstandings will make for a comfortable stay, even in wet weather, and there are pristine amenities such as individual shower rooms, plus laundry and dishwashing facilities. Electric hook-up is available via a pay-as-you-go meter. The site is ideally located, with the shops of Barnstaple nine miles away and plenty of pretty villages with great pubs along the way. It is only a 12-minute walk from Besshill Farm Shop, where you can get fresh, local produce, and nearby Exmoor Zoo is a great day out.…

COACHMAN MADE BIG changes for the 2016 season, in a drive to cut weights across the board, so as a result tweaks to the VIP range for 2017 have been fairly minimal. There are no new layouts, and in the majority of models it’s simply a case of freshened-up interiors and some smart new graphics. Certainly the traditional looks remain – although that’s no bad thing: it may be getting long in the tooth, but the VIP still looks elegant and upmarket, set off by its graphite roof rails and sills. It’s not all business as usual, though: the four-berth VIP 565 has had an internal rethink in response to customer feedback, in particular in the rear bedroom. The fixed twin beds make this an ideal layout for couples who…

Price £20,899 Berths 4 MiRO 1314kg Payload 153kg MTPLM 1467kg Awning size 1030cm Contact The Explorer Group, Delves Lane, Consett, Co Durham DH8 7PE Web www.elddis.co.uk/compass Tel 03719 642 113 Measurements A Shipping length 7.40m B Interior length 5.78m C Overall width 2.26m D Interior width 2.12m E Front double bed 1.13m x 1.99m F Rear island bed 1.35m x 1.90m Or try these alternatives Coachman Pastiche 545 Price £22,040 Heavier and costlier than the Capiro, but with the popular transverse central washroom and two bedroom doors. Lunar Lexon 590 Price £20,699 The same MiRO as the Compass, but with a larger payload. The Lexon also has a transverse washroom and a large skylight. Sterling Eccles 560 Price £20,220 A similar MTPLM, with modern styling. You might prefer the more traditional…

Model tested 1.6 diesel ELX 4x4 Price £20,450 Kerbweight 1505kg What’s new? THE TIVOLI COMPACT crossover has been a big success for SsangYong. The Tivoli XLV is a very similar car, but with an additional 24cm behind the rear axle to create a much bigger boot. It makes the XLV a more practical prospect – SsangYong calls it an ‘SUV-estate’. What are we looking for? Does SsangYong’s trademark low price-tag, together with improved practicality, turn the XLV into a compelling choice for caravanners? Towing ability Not only is the XLV longer than the Tivoli on which it is based, but it’s also heavier. Our manual 4x4 has a kerbweight of 1505kg, compared with 1430kg for the smaller Tivoli with the same engine and ’box. That gives an 85% match figure…

FIXED-BED TOURERS are a popular choice with couples, but the latter may also want the option of occasionally taking grandkids on holiday. The two vans being scrutinised here offer similar layouts, but differ slightly in their weights and the spec they offer. It’s their price that holds the appeal for couples taking up our hobby, or those looking to downsize or seeking a little more space. For less than £10,500, the choice here is between the higher-specced and weightier Abbey GTS 418 (with a 1500kg MTPLM) and the lighter (1320kg MTPLM), younger and cheaper Lunar Quasar 534. We found our two contenders on the forecourt of Golden Castle Caravans, a dealership that can trace its history to the 1950s and which used to manufacture coachbuilt motorhomes. It recently moved its…