Innehållsförteckning för January 2016 från Practical Caravan

1 Stay here Scone Camping and Caravanning Club Site is situated within the peaceful grounds of Scone Palace. Wildlife is abundant at this site with deer, owls and ospreys all spotted here. If you’re lucky you may find yourself pitched next to a family of resident black rabbits. 2 Eat here Anstruther Fish Bar serves some of the best fish-and-chips in all of Scotland and offers the chance to soak up the view of the picturesque fishing harbour. Jahingar’s in St Andrews is a favourite of many locals; friendly staff and fantastic Indian food ensure a return visit every time. 3 Walk here When the weather’s agreeable – or you’re hardy enough when it’s not – St Andrews’ sands are a great stroll that lets you sneak a peek at…

AS A CLASSIC car enthusiast, Jeremy Greenwood wanted a caravan that would look good behind his elderly Mini Van. Clearly, a modern caravan like those he had owned previously would not fit the bill. The Mini Van itself is quite special: Jeremy’s first car had been a Mini, and he had been interested in buying a panel van or estate version for a while. “It was a now or never; purchase prices were getting silly, but mine had been ‘customised’ and the gearchange needed work, so I managed to get it for sensible money,” says Jeremy. It was a bit of a project, but Jeremy enlisted Old Skool Minis of Birmingham to reinstate the rear van doors and fit a four-speed automatic gearbox. Once a towbar from Watling Engineers was…

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 with The Caravan Club? Tel 01342 488 201 Web www.caravanclub.co.uk/sitesjoin White House Beach With one area of the site lying adjacent to the beach, and the other enclosed by sheltering willow trees and shrubs, there’s a pitch to suit all tastes here. Tel 01502 740 278 Great Yarmouth Racecourse An open site in an excellent position next to the racecourse and golf course, and only 300 yards away from the seafront of this bustling seaside resort town. Tel 01493 855 223 Norfolk Broads This tranquil, open site is to be found in the midst of the Norfolk Broads, equidistant from the appealing…

THE SUN GENTLY peeped in through a small gap in the window blind as I lay in my comfortable bed and indulgently stretched the time frame between sleep and wakefulness. It didn’t last long because my slumberous state was alarmingly shattered when a cacophony of geese honked a warning, indicating an impending take-off. I scrambled out of bed and stumbled into the awning to witness the magnificent daily ritual. Thirty or more geese were readying themselves for a day’s foraging elsewhere. They routinely take off at dawn and head for the wheat and barley fields that stretch for miles and miles in northern Norfolk. They return at night with full bellies and spend their evening socialising at Gatton Waters. True to form, this morning’s departure was magnificent. A cloud of…

Things to do 1 Lincoln Castle 2 Holkham Beach 3 Suffolk Heritage Coast 4 Sandringham Estate 5 Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds 6 IWM Duxford 7 Houghton Hall 8 Horsey Windpump 9 Natureland Skegness 10 Colman’s Mustard Shop Sites featured 1 Run Cottage Touring Park 2 Fen Farm Caravan Site 3 Highfield Farm Touring Park 4 Walnut Lakes Caravan Park 5 Woodhall Country Park Campsite 6 Petwood Caravan Park 7 Eastview Camping and Touring Park 8 Cherry Tree Touring Park 9 Peewit Caravan Park 10 Delph Bank Touring Park FROM ITS LIVELY costal resort towns to its charming villages and stunning scenery, eastern England has a huge variety of attractions to visit. Wildlife lovers will really be in their element: there are numerous nature reserves, and the waters of the…

Local memorial for Don Amott One of the best-known figures in the leisure vehicle industry has been immortalised in bricks and mortar. The Don Amott Memorial Hall, Hilton, Derbyshire, commemorates the man who started a caravan business in the ’60s that grew to also encompass motorhomes and holiday parks. Following a refurbishment funded by the firm, the former Hilton Village Hall provides facilities to groups in the area local to the original dealership, started by Don Snr in 1963. “I wanted to create a lasting tribute to my father,” says current chairman Don Jnr. “I’m proud of my roots and Hilton, which is the home of the firm and many of our employees.” Leisure World enters the Elddis elite North-eastern dealership Catterick Caravans has been awarded ‘Super Site’ status by…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH CaSSOA Vauxhall Zafira Tourer SE 2.0 CDTI 170 S/S Tested by Alastair Clements Price £25,675 Kerbweight 1658kg Towing limit 1650kg Towball limit 75kg IN A NUTSHELL Flexible seven-seater arrives for family towing duties DON’T BE MISLED by the anonymous exterior – not aided by the Asteroid Grey paintwork – because our new Vauxhall is full of surprises. For a start, it’s entertaining to drive when not hitched up to a caravan – not something you expect from a seven-seater people carrier. A little more expected, but no less impressive, is the way the interior works: we’ve seen Vauxhall’s ‘Flex7’ system before, allowing all five rear seats to fold into the floor to liberate a whopping 1860 litres of space, but higher-spec versions of the Zafira Tourer such…

Q5 2.0 TFSI Quattro S Tronic A superb, stable tow car, I’m delighted with the performance and ride with the caravan in tow. It pulls our Coachman like it wasn’t there, with pure ease. Fuel economy solo is 33-34mpg and with the van 26-27mpg. Dean Allen Q5 3.0 TDI 245 Quattro S Line Plus It’s a great car and does pretty much everything I want it to do. The engine is fantastic, especially in dynamic mode where it responds very quickly. I’ll never go back to a manual ’box now there is such a smooth auto ’box available in a 4x4. The sat-nav is in an awkward position and a little irritating to use. Jessica Bewick Q5 2.0 TDI 170 SE The boot is cavernous and I’ve had everything from…

CORNWALL Hendra Holiday Park Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4NY Tel. 01637 875778 www.hendra-holidays.com Ideal family site within easy reach of Newquay and beaches with entertainment for all including indoor and outdoor fun pools. A30 to Indian Queens, take A392 to Newquay, Hendra is 0.5 miles past Quintrell Downs roundabout. Gwithian Farm Campsite Gwithian, Cornwall, TR27 5BX. Tel: 01736 753127. Website: www.gwithianfarm.co.uk Friendly, family run site in beautiful village location, 10 mins walk from stunning Gwithian beach, St Ives Bay. Excellent facilities, family & disabled bathrooms. Ideally located for St Ives & Penzance. The Red River Inn is just across the road. 2 Miles from A30. Lovely coastal walks to Godrevy, popular area for fishing & bird watching. Dog friendly beaches. Nominated as one of top European campsites June 08 -Saturday Telegraph.…

A FEW YEARS ago, while staying on a site in the Lake District, we got talking to the owners about where they go on holiday. Surely they could never wish to leave such a stunning place? “On the contrary,” they told us, “we always go to East Anglia. It’s peaceful and easy to navigate, with wonderful nature reserves.” What higher praise can you get? Which is why this month we decided to find out what all the fuss is about, and bring you some of our favourite things to see and places to stay in the region, from north Norfolk to the Suffolk coast. I’ve been enjoying the sandy beach at Southwold while Bryony Symes struck inland to explore some of the county’s prettiest villages and Jeanette Musgrave headed north…

Start the New Year in Manchester We have 10 pairs of tickets to The Caravan and Motorhome Show at Event City to give away. Taking place from 21-24 January, the event will showcase more than 200 exhibitors and the latest models from leading manufacturers; it’s an opportunity to take advantage of show-only discounts. New to the show for 2016 is the ‘Get Back to Nature’ stage, where you can pick up touring inspiration and expert advice from celebrity speakers. The zone will also feature Forest Rangers who will be running various children’s activities. The show is free for under-16s and tickets include free parking and admission to the co-located event Destinations: The Holiday and Travel Show. For your chance to win a pair of tickets, enter online at www.practicalcaravan.com before…

The Caravan Site jigsaw puzzle Price £10 Web www.gibsonsgames.co.uk You will need to clear your tourer’s freestanding table to accommodate this sizeable jigsaw. Illustrated by Armand Foster, the jolly scene captures the fun and some of the misadventures that we hope to never witness on a real campsite – though the couple struggling with the awning seems very familiar. The 1000-piece jigsaw, which will provide hours of rainy-day entertainment (or frustration) for the family, measures 48cm x 68cm when complete. Reisenthel Carry Cruiser Trolley Price £99 Web www.happybags.co.uk This tough shopping trolley from online luggage specialist Happy Bags is just the thing for transporting kit or groceries to and from your van. With a capacity of up to 40 litres, the robust trolley should have room for a…

Get your skates on tour THANKS TO THE UK’s indoor rinks, ice-skating is hugely popular year-round, but there are few things that feel more festive than slipping and sliding around one that’s outdoors! Many cities across the land set up temporary examples. To find one, look at the new online ‘Winter Warmers’ guide from Visit England, which details eight of the best. On the list, you’ll find Winchester’s lovely rink in the heart of the city’s Christmas market, open from 19 November-3 January. England’s largest outdoor rink is at York Designer Outlet’s Winter Wonderland from 21 November-3 January; after your visit, enjoy a hot drink at the Alpine Café. If you’re touring in eastern England – the focus of this month’s travel section – take a spin on the decorated…

When to go If you want to make the most of the beach, the summer is best – but be aware that the nearer you get to high season, the bigger the crowds at the larger resorts. Early autumn, particularly if we have another Indian summer, or late spring are also good bets – we went for the latter, and the site’s hard ground and good drainage kept the grass pitches intact. Way to go Access to the Kessingland site couldn’t be easier, because it’s located just off the main A12 roundabout (albeit at the end of a rather bumpy road). That means a very pleasant, if relatively long, drive from the M25 if you’re approaching from the south. If coming from the north, take the A14 exit from the…

1 Cornwall Kick off the 2016 show season on 2-3 April at Boconnoc House for the best in Cornish horticulture and a gardening masterclass. Stay at Eden Valley Holiday Park Web www.edenvalley holidaypark.co.uk 2 Harrogate The outstanding Harrogate Spring Flower Show in Yorkshire, on 21-24 April, features the largest UK exhibition of floral displays, a plant pavilion, show gardens and more. Stay at Harrogate Caravan Park Web www.harrogate caravanpark.co.uk 3 Blenheim Palace The Capability Brown landscape in Oxfordshire’s stately home is a spectacular setting for this early summer flower show, 17-19 June. Stay at Bladon Chains Caravan Club Site Web http://bit.ly/1Mt2g7O 4 Shrewsbury It isn’t just flowers on show at the Shrewsbury Flower Show, 12-13 August. Cookery and gardening Q&As are on the bill. Stay at Beaconsfield…

ONE OF OUR MOST beautiful cities, York, needs no introduction, because it is well and truly on the tourist’s map. Contained within the old city walls are magnificent York Minster, Clifford’s Tower (English Heritage), Fairfax House, the Treasurer’s House and the Mansion House. They are all well worth a visit, to say nothing of the quaint, ‘olde worlde’ streets. Then there are the various museums. The list goes on and on. A few days in December in the caravan might not be at the top of most people’s to-do lists, but an annual trip to York at that time is pretty high on mine, because I combine sightseeing (usually less crowded than at the height of summer) with Christmas shopping. It must be on my parents’ list, too, because they…

First drive Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi 136 Price From £18,180 Kerbweight 1350kg 85% match 1148kg Towing limit 1500kg Towball limit 75kg THE VAUXHALL ASTRA has long been a model synonymous with dependable, affordable family transport. With the arrival of this seventh-generation model there’s more of the same. There are five petrol versions and three diesels to choose from. Petrol options vary from 99bhp to 197bhp, with diesels offering 108bhp to 158bhp, and there are five- or six-speed manual and six-speed automatic gearbox options, depending on engine. The new Astra is smaller on the outside than its predecessor (now 4.37 metres long), but offers more room inside. Extra cabin space on tour is always very welcome, but it is also up to 200kg lighter than before so may be less useful…

TOWING TECHNOLOGY SOME OF US enjoy towing; others find it the most stressful part of caravanning. Whichever camp you fall into, there’s a wide range of gadgets and devices to make towing safer and easier. Whether you are looking for a new car or caravan with all the latest developments, or would like to upgrade your current outfit, here’s our guide to the technology that will improve your experience of towing. More stable caravans Perhaps the most significant caravan safety innovation of recent years has been the introduction of trailer stability systems to caravans. Al-Ko, which manufactures the chassis for the majority of UK-made caravans (including Swifts and Baileys, and most current Elddis tourers), has the ATC Trailer Control System. BPW, which supplies the chassis for the Elddis Buccaneer (and,…

Layout finder S With a nearside-rear dinette as well as rear corner bunks, this layout has lots of space for the kids, while mum and dad relax in the lounge. The amidships kitchen is short on work surface, but the side dinette provides extra food-preparation space. The washroom, opposite the kitchen, is useful for nighttime visits, but there is not as much elbow room in the shower. Pros Children can take over the rear while their parents relax up front. The rear dinette offers a separate play space, and can usually be shut off from the rest of the van. Cons The washroom has limited space, and the kitchen is squeezed between the lounge and the main door. A This area might house a wardrobe or dresser unit B Fixed…

8-9 January A bygone era The International Mummers Festival in Stroud brings together larger-than-life characters, myth, legend and traditional folk drama, and this year is combined with Stroud Wassail. Stay at Tobacconist Farm Web www.tobacconistfarm.co.uk 14-31 January Folk in Glasgow The Celtic Connections festival explores folk, roots and world music, with more than 300 events and a show for every taste from 2100 artists. Stay at Red Deer Village Holiday Park Web www.craigendmuir.co.uk 1 December-17 January With a twist For an alternative to the usual panto, leave the children at home and go to see Goldilock, Stock and Three Smoking Bears at The Wardrobe Theatre in Bristol. Stay at Baltic Wharf Caravan Club Site Web www.caravan club.co.uk 30 Dec-1 Jan New Year antics Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival is…

HERE’S YOUR STARTER for ten: what is it that us caravanning types and farmers have in common? “We both spend a great deal of time outdoors?” Yes, but there’s something else. “We plough on regardless, in all weather conditions?” True, but it’s not that either. “We have a closer-than-average association with sewage?” Getting there… but no. The answer is that we are both almost universally despised when we travel on the roads of the United Kingdom. Take a straw poll of any group of people and ask them to name something they don’t like about either of us, and I can guarantee that they’ll answer: “Being stuck behind a caravan/tractor [delete as appropriate] on a busy road.” I guess there’s not much else to dislike. After all, the answer isn’t…

Simply enjoy it and do the same as you would at home! Phil Q The priority is safe sleeping. When a baby is very young, this isn’t a problem, because you can put a Moses basket well back on a double bed. If your child is a bit bigger, put them to sleep somewhere they can’t climb out. Mel Put the steriliser in the awning to reduce steam in the van. We used the side of a cot on the side dinette as a bed and prepared all foods at home, froze them and took them out each night for the next day. If baby is an early riser or doesn’t sleep well, ask for a quiet corner on site. Martin 24 I bought a rectangular piece of tent window…

Non-members are welcome at this attractively landscaped site, with spacious grass pitches in the shadow of two large wind turbines – whose rhythmic sound is never unpleasant. It’s not the only unusual noise at Kessingland: from your pitch you can here the lions roar and the birds squawk in the adjacent Africa Alive! wildlife park. The pitches have hook-up and, like the rest of the site, are beautifully maintained; the single large toilet block isn’t the most modern we’ve seen, but it’s very clean and there are separate rooms for disabled visitors and families. A small shop on-site sells camping essentials, along with some local produce, and there are security barriers, plus a laundry. TV signal is poor, but there is club Wi-Fi (at extra cost). Families will appreciate the…

There are three main areas to the site: the hardstandings, the grass pitches and the tent field. The facilities block is fairly central, with everything you could need, including details of local walks. Kids will enjoy the adventure play area, which is in the grass pitch field, and there is a secure storage area. It is a 45-minute walk through woodland to Polstead village, where there is a country pub serving food (Tuesday-Sunday). Just a five-minute walk from the site is The Brewers Arms, which serves food daily, including a carvery. Address Holt Road, Polstead, Suffolk CO6 5BZ Tel 01787 211 969 Web www.campingand caravanningclub.co.uk Pitches 60 Charges Pitch+2+hook-up £18.85-£25.45…

1 Winchester From 19 November-22 December, stalls will fill the High Street and the beautiful cathedral grounds, where you’ll also find an ice-skating rink. Stay at Folly Farm Caravan Park Web www.follyfarm caravanpark.com 2 Lincoln More than 200 stalls stocked with all manner of gift-worthy goods will be set up in and around the medieval square near the city’s cathedral from 3-6 December. Stay at Orchard Park Touring Caravan & Camping Park Web www.orchard caravanpark.co.uk 3 Edinburgh Go to the Scott Monument at Mound Precinct and East Princes Street in the Scottish capital for this varied market from 20 November-4 January. Stay at Drummohr Holiday Park Web www.drummohr.org 4 Rochester Around 70 stalls are set up in marquees in the castle gardens, at weekends from 28 November-13…

American travel trailers are coming! REGULAR READERS MAY recall our trip to the Louisville RV show last winter, where we got up close and personal with a bewildering selection of American recreational vehicles. As our March 2015 report confirmed, the American take on caravans, or ‘travel trailers’, is very different to ours. The biggest contrast can be seen in the popularity of ‘toy haulers’, towed by hulking pick-up trucks with engine sizes that are mind-boggling to us Brits. But we’re not talking children’s scooters and board games; ‘toys’ to these users mean things such as quad bikes, jetskis and other kinds of outdoor paraphernalia. At the more restrained end of the market we found a wide variety of travel trailers that look more familiar to European eyes. And one of…

ON THE LOOKOUT for a new tourer? If so, we can help! Just like our travel stories, expert reviews and advice, we think that our new classifieds are the best in the business! So now you can read our review of your chosen caravan, watch the video, then find it online, making www.practical caravan.com the one-stop shop for all your touring needs. We know that 50% of you access our website via mobile devices, so our classifieds are fully responsive – they will work just as well on your tablet or smartphone as they do on your computer at home, making it simple to search on the move. We’ve worked hard to make these new classifieds as easy to use as possible, with categories to help you to narrow your search…

ALTHOUGH SOME BEMOAN the increased popularity of dashcams as surveillance culture gone mad, there are many very good reasons why having Big Brother – or, more accurately, tiny little brother – monitoring your driving is well worth considering. The simple fact is that many knock-for-knock insurance settlements are classed as ‘both drivers at fault’ because there are no witnesses and therefore there is no evidence to suggest whose version of events is correct. Obviously video footage of what happened can often clarify matters. This is just one of many reasons why a growing number of insurance companies offer substantial discounts to drivers willing to buy and use a dashcam at all times. In fact, the saving made in the first year can often fund the purchase of the unit outright,…

POP-UP ROOFLIGHTS have been fitted in caravans for a long time. Years ago they were often made from transparent orange plastic, which gave a really nice light inside the caravan; but for a number of years now they’ve been made from a white translucent plastic, and are usually double-skinned. While the double skin is better for ventilation — it means that you won’t get a cold shower from dripping condensation first thing in the morning — the skins aren’t sealed, and the area between the layers can become very dirty. It’s not only unsightly, but it significantly alters the amount of light in the van, too. My parents’ caravan is a classic example. It’s of an age before large Heki rooflights or sunroofs were fitted, and both pop-ups (one over…

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 either side of the bed C Kitchen space can be compromised to allow for the bed D The lounge…

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 lounge should allow room for four to eat in comfort B You'll usually find plenty of workspace…

Focus on… Pennine Is it a caravan? Is it a tent? Actually, Pennine Outdoor Leisure’s range of folding campers is a bit of both, and the company has more than 30 years’ experience of building these lightweight and easily manoeuvrable alternatives to a full-blown caravan. But it wasn’t until 2008 that Pennine really broke the mould. Working in conjunction with awning manufacturer Isabella, and using the ‘Conway’ brand name, Pennine launched the first ever folding campers (Cruiser and Crusader) to use acrylic, rather than cotton fabrics. Two years later, the Countryman was an all-new layout that won a host of awards — including from Practical Caravan — and the company hasn’t looked back. The big attractions remain unchanged, however: they’re a doddle to tow and store when folded, take very…

Awnings Porch Isabella Minor Type IMM004, carbon frame, lightweight, draught skirt, zip-out front panel, mosquito nets, breathable acrylic. £375. Mr Thompson, Worcs. (01299 250 643) 2014 Ventura Cadet 8ft x 6ft, blue/ grey, glassfibre poles. As new. £250. Mr Radcliffe, Halifax. (01274 674 758) Outdoor Revolution 235-250cm x 275cm (w) x 205cm (d), £75. Kampa Rally 235-250cm x 390cm (w) x 250cm (d), 21.8kg, £100. Each used 3 times. Mrs Mullis, Doncaster. (01302 851 901) Isabella Minor Moonlight Bolon groundsheet, pegs, rock pegs. VGC. £300. Mr Crehan, Rorkshire. (01709 546 704) Dorema Omega XL 340cm x 240cm, glassfibre poles, charcoal/grey. Used twice. £325. Mrs White, Herts. (01438 715 819) Ventura Marlin IXL poles, green/grey, curtains, draught skirt, wheelarch cover. £250. Mr Freeman, Preston. (07816 266 918) 2015 Vango Varkala 420…