Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2021 från Practical Caravan

One of my very first caravan holidays was to Cornwall – I was seven years old, and we stayed in our tiny Sprite on a five-van site on the south coast. The sun shone constantly (or so it seemed), and since then I’ve loved that part of the world – as do many other caravanners, of course. With that in mind, in this issue, we’ve brought you Sam and Rosemary Johnson’s memorable account of a recent trip to this beautiful county – you’ll find it truly inspirational, and on p2o! No matter where you’re touring over the next few months, though, do take a look at the latest of our Know-how Guides, which this issue is dedicated to Summer Touring (p83). From the hottest UK campsites to essential apps, there’s…

Glorious summer touring ahead! There’s no need to cross the Channel when there is so much to see and do in Britain. Our nations have a rich cultural heritage, gardening supremacy, an innate sense of fun and an appreciation of the stunning landscapes that make up these beautiful islands. And of course, summer is the perfect time to explore it all. After a tough year, festivals are back and country shows are proudly displaying the best produce, crafts and traditions of their region. Vintage rallies and air shows appeal to our nostalgia, while country houses and gardens increase the pleasure. Add to that several thousand miles of gorgeous coast and you have the ultimate playground! claudia.dowell@futurenet.com Features editor CLAUDIA DOWELL is our touring expert – she’s been caravanning for years,…

Long-time caravanner Colin Burdett loves to explore in the UK and further afield FOR A LONG weekend away, we wanted to return to the New Forest in Hampshire, but stay somewhere we hadn’t been before. We finally settled on the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Centenary site near Bransgore, a small village four or five miles to the north-east of Christchurch. Amazingly for a British summer, the sun actually shone for the whole of our stay! Once we had set up (and dusted down the barbecue), we went off to explore the local area and stock up for the next few days. We discovered a large supermarket on the outskirts of Christchurch and made our purchases before heading back to the van to soak up the pleasant late-afternoon sunshine. This is…

FROM SOUTH TO north, the A2 starts at Newry, a vibrant city that was once a major port and is now a thriving retail centre. To the east are the Mourne Mountains to the south-west, the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From there, the A2 runs alongside the Newry River, then the east bank of Carlingford Lough – the west bank is in the Republic of Ireland – as far as Lisnacree, crossing to Kilkeel and turning north to hug the Co Down coastline, sandwiched between the sea and the Mourne Mountains, to the seaside town of Newcastle. The town sits at the foot of Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest mountain. Out in the harbour are seals and smugglers’ caves and along its shore, the UK’s only…

Going for gold The whole family can join in some friendly competition with the Decathlon soft archery set – a bow and two suction-cup arrows, with a target that doubles as a carry-case. Price £39.99 Web www.decathlon.co.uk Coming to a screen near you… Turn your pitch into an entertainment hub with Outwell’s new movie screen. Pair it with one of the low-cost projectors that are now readily available, and you’ll be all set to enjoy your favourite shows, sports events and films while you’re on tour. Price £55 Web www.outwell.com In the bag Keep your vehicle organised on even the longest road trips with this seatback organiser from Celsto Hypermart, available with and without the foldable tray and in a range of colours. Price From $20.96 Web www.celsto.com Scope out…

CITROËN Grand C4 Picasso (2014–18) The Citroën Grand C4 Picasso does a great deal of what the Ford S-Max manages, but it does so with a hint of Gallic flair. The interior looks like no other, with its oddly shaped wheel and centrally located instruments, and the Citroën is comfortable, economical and quiet to drive. The huge glass area makes seeing out of it very easy, and the seats fold smartly when needed. SEAT Alhambra (2011–20) ‘Big’ doesn’t begin to describe the Alhambra. ‘Enormous’ is getting closer. This is a large vehicle, which means it can easily carry seven adults with some space left over for their luggage. It also has clever touches that make life easier, such as sliding side doors. Better still, it’s really enjoyable to drive, although…

This kind of layout is clearly one for large families. You might think having four bunks at the back is a waste of space, but it does have its advantages. The kids get a room of their own, particularly if the nearside bunks fold to become a dinette. A door or, even better still, a sliding partition across the middle means they can go off to bed at night and you don’t need to worry about disturbing them. And everyone has equal access to the toilet! Pros Clear separation between adults’ and kids’ spaces Cons The bunks can feel a bit redundant if fewer than four childen are travelling A The front lounge should still be large enough for the whole family at dinnertime B If there is a partition,…

JULY 2001 Bucket list A classic British beach scene clad this early 21st century cover, with kids playing on Welsh sands. We also offered the chance to win a £10k van and revealed the best awnings on the market Three by two This battle between the end-washroom two-berths saw us pit three contenders against each other. Up for the challenge were the Bailey Ranger 460/2, Abbey Aventura 315 and a Michael Jordan special based on the Aventura – game on! Wined and dined A journey to Alsace in north-eastern France saw Rosemary and George Boyce enjoying the very best of the country. Roman vineyards and ancient castles were among the wonders on view. Not to mention fantastic food and wine… X marks the spot Every now and then, an amazing…

Fjällräven Vidda Pro trousers Practical pockets and durable ventilated construction will help to make your outdoor adventures even more enjoyable. Price £165 Web www.fjallraven.com Sup insulated wine bottle Keep your favourite tipple cool for up to 24 hours with this stylish bottle. Available in six colours, it holds a full 750ml bottle of wine! Price £24.99 Web supdrinkwear.com OLPRO sun canopy Add vintage style to your set-up with this retro canopy. Available in a range of colours, it is easy to put up for welcome shade. Price £119 Web www.olproshop.com Pint2Go insulated glass Get ready for al fresco events and enjoy a fresh pint in this handy insulated, spill-proof glass. The sliding lid also keeps out unwelcome bugs! Price £9.99 Web www.firebox.com Kempii UnSponge This eco-friendly cotton dishwashing sponge is…

❱ M6 junction 10 Until 2022/2023. Lane closure, 60mph limit ❱ M6 junctions 13-15 Until 2021/2022. Smart motorway upgrade ❱ M6 junction 19 Until September 2021. Work on junction improvement ❱ M621 J7 Stourton Widening of junction ❱ A1(M) junctions 6-8 Until 2021/2022. Smart motorway upgrade ❱ M54 to M6 link road Until summer 2021. Survey work between junction 11 of M6 and junction 1 of M54 Sources: Highways England, Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales…

“FANCY A MINI-CRUISE this year?” enquired my husband as we strolled around a major UK camping and caravanning show on a dreary day in February. “Sounds great!” I enthused, a second before my brain registered there must surely be some kind of catch. “Good, because one of the ferry companies is offering a fantastic deal – return crossing and five nights’ accommodation on the Isle of Wight.” My face must have radiated disappointment, because he hurriedly added: “Five-star campsite, with indoor and outdoor swimming pools!” My personal vision of a mini-cruise amounts to rather more than the hour-long crossing from Southampton via the Solent to East Cowes, but I soon got used to the idea, and by the time we travelled, I was undeniably excited. I hadn’t stayed on the…

Caravan supply chains hit by delays Remember the container ship that became stuck in the Suez Canal earlier this year? That one incident is still having effects across the world. When Hobby recently unveiled its 2022 ranges, one of the directors claimed there were 1.9 million containers sitting dockside, waiting to be shipped, because of that blockage back in March. One of those containers might well be holding a vital part for your eagerly awaited new tourer. It’s a sign of our globalised world, where you might think a trip to the local caravan dealership is just a quick spin in the car, but anything you do there could have implications in far-away countries! peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER BABER is a hugely experienced caravanner who enjoys touring whenever he can…

OLPRO revamps website Camping brand OLPRO has revamped its www.olproshop.com website to ensure it is even more mobile-friendly, and to include a ‘quick add’ option, so customers can add items to their basket without having to go back to full product descriptions. You can customise purchases more easily and rank them according to reviews, and gift cards are now available. Struans takes over Adria franchise from Top Road Perth-based Struans Leisure has taken over the Adria caravan franchise for the area from Top Road Tourers near Dundee, which closed at the end of March after 37 years in the business.…

Hunt around and you might bag a bargain I have been wearing out shoe leather, walking around dealers’ forecourts. From what the sales reps are saying, it seems that somehow and somewhere, stock is being found – but it is scant. However, one dealer told me that part-exchanges were good in June and that had enabled them at least to bring in some choices for buyers. Even older tourers from the late 1990s in good order were now fetching very firm prices. But a dealer in the Midlands only had models with ‘Sorry I’m Sold’ stickers on them, and one customer told me he was fed up with folk knocking on his door to ask: “Is your caravan for sale?” Er, no! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and…

The conundrum If you’ve decided that you prefer Continental to British design, your options are a little more limited with caravans than they would be if you were looking for a motorhome. There aren’t so many Continental caravans sold into the UK market, so you tend to find fewer of them on dealer forecourts. But they can make for a brilliant buy – here’s our pick of the best that we’ve reviewed in recent years, and a great used example that we’ve spotted. Hymer Nova 470GL (2019) Layout End washroom Berths 2 L/W 6.88m/2.30m MTPLM 1800kg Payload 335kg MiRO 1465kg Plus points Great build, excellent washroom Minus points No sunroof and no microwave Our review said… Hymer’s Nova range has never been a big seller in the UK, thanks to…

HUMMUS A dish so deliciously iconic, the whole world continues to debate about its origins A chickpea and tahini delight, hummus is so widely adored that everyone, from the Greeks to the Turks to the North Africans to the Arabs, claims it as their own. The argument over the origin of this humble staple has been raging since ancient times and will no doubt continue long into the future. A related gastronomic battle has also seen countries compete to make the largest bowl of hummus – a Guinness World Record that Lebanon has held since 2010, thanks to a rather staggering 10,452kg (11.5t) serving. The historic origins of the dish can be traced back through cookbooks to 13th-century Egypt, but the intriguing legend is that it was created by 12th-century…

WITH THE SUMMER here at last, many of us are planning at least a few weeks away. In years gone by this could, for some people, mean booking the Channel Tunnel crossing, loading up the van and setting off on a European adventure full of discoveries and activities. However, given the uncertainty about overseas travel, those long sultry summer days spent on foreign soil are going to have to wait for a while longer yet. Abundance of adventure That doesn’t, however, mean that there has to be any lack of adventure, or indeed any worry about what you’re going to do on your travels to keep everybody in the family entertained this summer. As many of us have been discovering in recent months, there’s an abundance of great places to…

Enjoy a proper holiday in the UK Being an easygoing sort of fellow, I’m not usually one to call for things I don’t like to be banned. But I could happily make an exception for the word ‘staycation’. When the term first became popular, it meant taking time off work but staying at home, making day trips rather than paying for somewhere to stay. Its meaning has now shifted to describe any UK holiday, as in: “We’re making do with a staycation this year…” Nonsense. Taking a break in Britain is not slumming it. I’m looking forward to my summer trip, and although I don’t need to remember my passport, it’s still going to be a proper holiday. motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON is a former PC editor, and…

Caravan cooking is a piece of cake! What dishes do you enjoy cooking in your caravan? Whether you use your hob to rustle up a quick stir-fry, or fire up the oven each weekend for a full roast dinner, it’s important to keep your tourer’s cooking facilities in good working order. That’s where our article on p114 comes in – here, Consulting Editor John Sootheran takes a look at everything you need to know about cookers and hobs, from how to get the best out of them, through to cleaning tips and safety advice. It’s a must-read – don’t miss it! practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth and Nigel Hutson *Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Caravan, provides the information in this article…

Choosing a layout People’s needs differ, and your layout choice will depend on your companions and how you want to use your caravan. To understand which layouts are available, spend a day at one of the big shows, where manufacturers and dealers will be showing their latest models. A dealership is also a good place to start, but can be affiliated with a limited number of manufacturers. A chat with a dealer, though, could raise issues or offer ideas you hadn’t considered. Think about your needs: will you want to carry bikes, sports kit, barbecues or outdoor furniture? Perhaps creature comforts are a bit higher on your list; you might want a separate sleeping area, a lounge with parallel sofas and TV points, and an oven. If you plan to…

A large end kitchen is not quite as common in caravan layouts as it used to be, but there are some manufacturers who will provide such a floorplan for keen caravan chefs to enjoy. End kitchens do usually leave you with more space to cook, especially if they have L-shaped workspaces that turn back towards the door. In addition to this, there’s usually good food and kitchenware storage space. Pros Great for anyone who likes to whip up a meal, even in a caravan Cons The chef is usually facing away from the lounge, which isn’t very sociable A The settees should be long enough to become single beds if you prefer B A sideboard on the nearside should provide a handy space for a TV C The corner washroom…

WHY NO BUILT-IN GROUNDSHEETS? Q We have recently changed from motorcaravanning to a caravan. Looking for an awning, we were surprised to discover none has a built-in groundsheet. Awnings we used with our motorhome had a built-in groundsheet, and it seems a hassle not to have one. Do you know why this is? David Sykes Peter Baber replies… It is generally down to caravan park owners’ desire to keep the grass on their site in as good a condition as possible. Fitted groundsheets tend to starve the grass underneath, leaving an unsightly mark after you depart, which the next caravanner might not be so keen to pitch up on. With motorhomes, the (not always accurate) thinking is that you are likely only to be staying for a night or two…

PLEASE NOTE All event details were correct as we went to press, but you should double-check the information before making any journey JULY ❱ 9-11 July Fancy a fun weekend in Kent? Pub in the Park is a music-packed event that’s touring the UK this summer, and in July it hits Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells. Acts set to take to the stage include James Blunt, Lightning Seeds, Craig David, Beverley Knight, Toploader and more. There’ll also be pop-up stands from top chefs and restaurants, with a range of tasty dishes for you to try. Tickets are available for the day or evenings; to buy tickets or find out more about the other UK Pub in the Park events, see www.pubintheparkuk.com. ❱ 17 and 19 July 29 and 30 August…

TARR STEPS Situated just 2.5 miles south-east of Withypool, this ancient Grade I-listed clapper bridge and woodland leave no doubts about why so many people flock to Tarr Steps (pictured above). Clapper bridges are constructed using unmortared slabs of rock resting on each other – this splendid 17-span specimen crossing the River Barle is reputedly the longest such bridge in Britain. According to legend, the bridge was built by the devil, who threatened to kill anyone using it. Matters were only resolved when a local parson confronted the prince of darkness! The surrounding woodland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and home to a host of wildlife, including bats, deer, dormice and otters. Designated a National Nature Reserve in 2004, the woods are of international importance because of the…

Who are you? Rachel Ellis-Lomas, keen caravanner, blogger and lover of the great outdoors. I have long experience of touring in the UK and Europe, along with my husband and our four-pawed fluffball, Cherry. Why are you a local authority on this place? J ust under half an hour from our house, this coastal resort has been our mainstay for the past 20 years. What do you love about it? It’s our default option for fresh sea air and blowing those cobwebs away! As for Cherry, she just loves gallivanting along the beach or in Southport’s parks. She’s even joined us for a few parkruns in Hesketh Park, one of the largest in the town. The historic, Grade II-listed Southport Pier, built in 1860, is the oldest iron pier in…

Live-in test In our most detailed test, we spend at least one day (usually more) in the van, to bring you our verdict. The score is based on the opinions of the PC team. First look Each month, we test new models of all sizes and report back to you in our regular review pages. This is the place for the quick low-down on a model! Our vans, our month Our long-term-test tourers are loaned to PC by the manufacturers, allowing us to give you warts-and-all reports over the months.…

FreeCross, the Spanish-built range of tourers imported into this country by Freedom Caravans, Staffordshire, is bringing in a new four-berth model for the 2022 season. The latest launch, the FreeCross Luxor 330DD, features a similar layout to that of the existing 330DL, but instead of having a pair of bunks in the rear offside corner, the four-berth now has a single dinette with a fold-down bunk above. The 4.88m-long caravan still comes with a MiRO of just 735kg and an MTPLM of 900kg. Prices are yet to be announced. Calor flags up cylinder shortage Calor Gas has revealed that it is currently experiencing problems in making available certain sizes of gas cylinders. This is because of higher demand and a restricted supply, caused in the main by the continuing impact…

84 On the beach You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to great seaside trips – here are seven of our favourites 86 Dining outdoors One of the many great pleasures of touring is enjoying a meal in the open air. We select three classic dishes perfect for caravan cookery 89 Caravan kit and apps From the vast array of gear and numerous apps now available, these are our top picks 92 Summer adventures Getting back on the road means now is the time to try something new. Zorbing, anyone? 95 Boost your budget Our expert caravanners share some of their top tips to cut costs while you’re out on tour 96 Beat the crowds If you’re looking for less well known, yet still spectacular, spots to explore, look no…

CUT OUT AND KEEP GUIDE what3words Trying to meet up with friends on-site can be complicated, but this app makes it much easier. It divides the whole world into a 3 x 3m grid, so you can simply share your location using a unique three-word address. Price Free ❱ www.what3words.com Waze A community of users, all working together to improve and update Waze’s maps. The aim is to provide up-to-date traffic reports and help you reach your destination quickly and with the minimum hassle. Price Free ❱ www.waze.com Camping App Eu More than 20,000 European locations are listed on this useful – and free – app, including full-service campsites. Don’t plan your next tour on the Continent without it! Price Free ❱ Google Play, iTunes Spotify The beauty of this…

Editor-in-chief Sarah says… The ACSI card touts itself as ‘your off-season discount card’, but it’s also great during the summer months. It offers discounts of up to 60% on campsite fees at more than 3000 sites across the UK and the rest of Europe, reducing them to €12-€20. At some sites, that discount is applied during parts of June, July and even August – just search on the CampingCard ACSI website (www.campingcard.co.uk) using the dates when you plan to visit, and relevant sites will be revealed. Art editor Simon says… Avoid pricey motorway fuel stations if you can. Make sure you brim your vehicle before leaving home (and before hooking up the van, to make life easier). Then, while en route to your destination, if you see that your gauge…

WITH FOREIGN TRAVEL being difficult at the moment, it’s no surprise that UK touring is growing in popularity. That has led to a massive boom in caravan sales; indeed, many dealers are struggling for stock. New caravans are all but sold out, and almost as soon as a good used model reaches the forecourt, it’s viewed, sold and off to a new home. With so many newbies taking to our favourite pastime, I see plenty of basic questions being asked. I think we all understand that what is standard practice and seems so simple to many of us can be quite daunting for someone new to caravanning. We all had to start somewhere! Some of the most common questions relate to the van’s fresh-water system. Sometimes, there’s no water coming…

› Kerbweight As defined by EU Directive 95/48/EC, the car or other vehicle's weight with a 90% full fuel tank, all necessary fluids, 68kg for the driver and 7kg of luggage. This is the figure that is used to calculate a tow car match › GTW (Gross train weight) The maximum allowable combined weight of the towing vehicle and the caravan, as specified by the maker of the towing vehicle › Hook-up Cable connection to the mains electrical supply at a campsite Provides power to mains sockets and appliances › Maximum towing limit The greatest weight that a car can legally tow, as specified by the manufacturer of the towing vehicle › MiRO (Mass in running order) The caravan’s weight, with all factory-fitted equipment, when it leaves the factory MiRO.…

Caravan and Motorhome Club > 01342 326 944 > thecaravan club.co.uk Camping and Caravanning Club > 024 7647 5448 > thefriendly club.co.uk CRiS > 020 3282 1000 > www.cris.co.uk Approved Workshop Scheme > www.approvedworkshops.co.uk NCC (National Caravan Council) > www.thencc.org.uk Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA) > 0843 216 5802 > www.cassoa.co.uk Towsafe > www.towsafe.co.uk DVLA > 0300 790 6801 > www.dft.gov.uk/dvla Mobile Caravan Engineers Association (MCEA) > 01249 651 036 > www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk > For the very latest reviews and brilliant buying guides, visit the Practical Caravan website – you’ll find us at www.practicalcaravan.com…

This family layout is comparatively rare, but has cropped up in the mainstream entry-level segment, for example the six-berth Adria 552 DT Tamar. A midships kitchen opposite a dinette creates a sociable space, while at the back of the van, you’ll find a pair of fixed bunks on the other side from a long washroom. With all the berths for children on the same side of the van, rather than opposite, they may get to sleep quicker in the evenings. Pros Dinette frees up two seating spaces in the lounge. Wardrobe on rear wall is a handy storage solution for touring families Cons Night-time access to the washroom means walking past bunks A Lounge can be short but converts into a large double bed B Expect to see good storage…