Innehållsförteckning för March 2024 från Practical Caravan

IT WAS THE caravanner's worst nightmare. Just one week to go before a long-planned late summer holiday on Anglesey, and our normally ultra-reliable Škoda Octavia Scout developed a gearbox fault, which meant we couldn't tow our Coachman 450. Annoying and disappointing in equal measure, this left us in something of a quandary over what to do next. Time to hire a tow car Cancel the whole trip, or track down a hire company able to supply us with a suitable vehicle to take its place? My husband Colin – who really does love a challenge – insisted on the latter and immediately got on the case. Most local and regional hire companies said they didn't hire vehicles with a towbar, because it was an insurance risk. Only one said we…

‘Once a successful Roman settlement, the market town now bustles with history buffs and holidaymakers’ STEEPED IN HISTORY and surrounded by verdant rolling countryside, Dorchester is Dorset's county town. Once a successful Roman settlement, the market town now bustles with history buffs and holidaymakers. It's also the perfect base for exploring south Dorset and is just eight miles from the sandy stretches of Weymouth's coast. HOUR BY HOUR Day 1 10am Roman rooms Kick off a day of discovering Dorchester's history with a trip to the Roman Town House. This ancient site was once part of the Roman settlement of Durnovaria and is still home to mosaics, hypocausts and excavated rooms. Then, if you wander across the road, you'll pass Hangman's Cottage, a 13th-century house that was formerly home to…

FIRST LOOK SHOWROOM Price £29,899 Berths 5 MiRO 1414kg MTPLM 1579kg WHEN IT WAS first introduced as a late addition to the Pegasus Grande range, the Ancona provided a novel layout with an L-shaped lounge at the rear for the kids. All that has changed for the new GT75, where the Ancona once again makes a late addition. This time, it comes with a pair of bunks towards the back on the offside, opposite a second dinette that makes up a wide single bed, and a rear washroom. We thought the previous Ancona was a flexible solution, particularly for families with older children who might want their own space. So how does the replacement stack up? Pitch and set-up The Ancona remains a single-axle. But if you find the prospect of…

USED TOW CAR Style. It's one of life's great unquantifiables. You simply can't measure style; all you can do is know if something has it or not. However, a car that places style ahead of everything else will only ever appeal to people who just have to look at it, not live with it on a daily basis. The Peugeot 508 SW definitely has style. It certainly stands out from the crowd, and exhibits a certain panache. But what's it like to drive, tow with, and live with? Interesting, as it turns out. What's it like inside? As with most Peugeots, the 508's dashboard is slightly unusual, and is called i-Cockpit. You sit facing a tiny steering wheel and view the digital instruments over the top of it, although this…

CARAVANS STAND on their wheels and jockey wheel, with four wind-down legs to keep them steady. As such, so long as your touring pitch is reasonably flat, or at least not on a steep incline, you will be able to adjust your van to make it completely flat. This will allow the drainage system and the fridge to work properly, and you won't be climbing into bed, only to discover your feet rather disconcertingly higher than your head! Levelling a caravan is a basic skill, but many people seem to be confused by the procedure. Here, I'll explain how you go about it, in a simple step-by-step way. Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Caravan, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as…

Includes new 2024 models on UK sale! FIND THE PERFECT FLOORPLAN FOR YOUR NEEDS Please check model details with the manufacturer or dealer before travelling to view or buy There are a wide range of caravan layouts to choose from (pictured below), all with their own pros and cons. When you're trying to settle on the arrangement that will suit you, there are some points to think about that can help you decide. Here, we take a look at a few of the most popular floorplans out there, and what they can offer you. B TRANSVERSE ISLAND BED, REAR WASHROOM Island beds are a surprisingly recent addition to caravans, and were really introduced from the world of motorhomes. Caravans are usually a bit wider than motorhomes, though, so it is…

Whether you're on tour or at home, relax with a cup of tea and some brain-teasers to ponder! SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9. No single digit can appear twice in any one row, column or 3x3 box WORDWISE You have 15 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the grid. Each word must contain four or more letters, one of which must be the central square. No proper nouns, plurals or foreign words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: Problem 6 = average More than 12 = well done HALF & HALF Hyetometer and ombrometer are terms for instruments that measure what? Cross…

‘There are some absolutely wonderful views across this ancient landscape’ “It's all about the light,” said Richard Barnes, of Tehidy Holiday Park, the base for our stay in Cornwall. “It's a very blue light reflected off the sea and the beach. The countryside and the light draw in the artists and what appeals to them, appeals to the people.” Richard was explaining why Cornwall has such enduring appeal. It had certainly appealed to me. Temperatures there seemed to be averaging 5-10 degrees cooler than the hot summer the capital was experiencing at the time of our visit, and any thoughts of getting away from it all by air had been thwarted by reports of cancelled flights to an even hotter mainland Europe. The sensible thing to do, I reasoned to…

AFTER AN EMOTIONAL FAREWELL to our Eriba, we regrouped and prepared to welcome TinTin2 to our Lyon family voyage of discovery. A dream in the making for more than 20 years, it was highly appropriate that the arrival of our Airstream 534 coincided with our 25th wedding anniversary: something very silver indeed – lucky us! After a break from European travel, we were keen to cross the Channel again, opting this year to limit the mileage and number of campsites, but still meeting key family holiday criteria – Action, Adventure and Angling. We spent a few nights away navigating TinTin2 and familiarising ourselves with what seemed complicated processes initially, turning on taps and heating. Then we started our journey preparations in earnest. Travelling the first time with depleted cupboards and…

Electronics multinational unveils new concept caravan A SOUTH KOREAN technology giant best known for its televisions has launched its first-ever concept caravan. The LG Bon Voyage from LG Labs is an upgraded version of the “customised living space” LG's experimental marketing platform has produced before, but the first to resemble a conventional caravan, coming in at 3.8m long, 2m wide and 2.2m high. Launched at CES, one of the world's biggest electronics shows, in Las Vegas, the LG Bon Voyage can be furnished according to a potential customer's wishes with a bed, a fridge, an electric stove, a water purifier and (not something high on the agenda of UK manufacturers) shoe care products. There are seemingly no plans to launch the vehicle on the commercial market yet. SWIFT OFFERS DISCOUNTS…

YES, IT SEEMS like only yesterday that the October Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at the NEC was wrapping up after attracting a record number of visitors. Now its February sibling, the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, is just around the corner, running at the NEC from 13 to 18 February 2024 and including its own fair share of debuts. You can find out more at www.ccmshow.co.uk. In the meantime, here is our round-up of brilliant brands you can expect to see. Caravans Whatever you're looking for – from family-friendly six-berth to innovative tourer for two – you'll find manufacturers big and small at the show Adria Stand 3060 No new launches from the Slovenian manufacturer, but you can expect to see a model from each of the company's four…

USED VANS SHOWROOM USED VAN BUYER BUY A USED Coachman and you're buying quality, style and brilliant design. It's no surprise that these upmarket tourers do well in reliability surveys and retain their pre-owned prices. Coachman began in 1986 and launched at the 1987 NEC show. They sold 40 units there, but caravanners quickly became aware of the quality of these tourers, so sales grew rapidly. This 2017 VIP 545 was also a special edition, badged Vogue, so it had some valuable extras. Model history Coachman's VIP range was first introduced in 1988 and over the years, various layouts were added to the line-up. The 545, with its rear island bed, central washroom and front lounge, has long been a favourite. The original layout had the central toilet room to one…

TOW CARS QUICK TEST *Listed as mass in running order by Volvo QUICK TEST What's new? The second-generation XC60 has been around for a while, but Volvo has facelifted its five-seat SUV since we last towed with one. As well as subtle design changes, Volvo has fitted its Google-based infotainment system, with built-in Google apps. The T6 plug-in hybrid that we're driving has a bigger battery than before, for an all-electric range of up to 49 miles. What are we looking for? We want to find out if the updates have been effective and if the big Volvo is still one of the best five-seat premium SUVs. Towing ability Heft on its own doesn't make a good tow car, but it's not a bad place to start. With a kerbweight…

Star letter Jacking points Our dealer was keen to point out that our new caravan came with a spare wheel and a wheel brace. Great, now we were covered in the event of a tyre change. Wrong. He failed to point out that the van does not come with the means to jack it up – not just the absence of a jack, but also jacking points. I have since learned that the Al-Ko chassis has no jacking points fitted (although it does have two holes for them on each side). They sell a kit for this (at cost) as an aftermarket fit. This is an omission that, in my opinion, could be put right in one of three ways. First, the chassis manufacturer could fit jacking brackets. Second, if…

10 February 2024 Lantern Walk, Worcester Take a stroll in a good cause on this 1.5-mile walk in aid of St Richard's Hospice, through the parkland of Croome Court, near the Malvern Hills. The route will be illuminated, and you'll be accompanied by the calming glow of lanterns. Singer Hannah Mac will be providing entertainment, and tickets for the event cost £15. strichards.org.uk/event/lantern-walk Stay at Blackmore Camping and Caravanning Club Site www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk 10-18 February 2024 South Downs Dark Skies Festival, West Sussex As we recently reported in Practical Caravan, North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks will be taking part in the Dark Skies Festival on 9-25 February 2024. On 10-18 February, they will be joined by the South Downs Dark Skies Festival, which will feature nocturnal wildlife walks…

Way to go From Surrey, we took the M3, A303 and A30. Tehidy Holiday Park is off the latter. When to go School holiday time is very busy. Although you should aim for a break in the spring or autumn if you prefer to have a less crowded stay, this part of the country is beautiful at any time of year. Where we stayed Tehidy Holiday Park (pictured below) Address Harris Mill, Illogan, Redruth TR16 4JQ tehidy.co.uk Open 31 March - 28 October Pitches 28 Charges From £24 Find out more Visit Cornwall visitcornwall.com Museum of Global Communications pkporthcurno.com The Minack Theatre minack.com Chysauster Ancient Village www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/chysauster-ancient-village/ Tate St Ives tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives/barbara-hepworth-museum-and-sculpture-garden Land's End landsend-landmark.co.uk St Michael's Mount stmichaelsmount.co.uk…

GETAWAY TRAVEL SOMERSET FOODIE TOUR ‘There's more to Somerset than cider and cheese. There's also beer… And wine!’ FIRST, I SHOULD declare a personal interest. I'm not Somerset born (Aberdeen, Scotland, actually). And I'm not quite Somerset bred (we came south when I was six and our village moved overnight into the then-new county of Avon when I was still at primary school, the victim of boundary changes). But I'm definitely here now, having made the cathedral city of Wells my home some four years ago. Food and drink research And what better place than Wells to start my food and drink research/tour? A small, particularly welcoming restaurant, Root (it even caters for well-behaved dogs), in the city is spearheading something of a dining revolution here, with its mantra of ‘veg-led,…

SEVEN SISTERS & BIRLING GAP Distance 5.5 miles // Difficulty Moderate There are few more iconic Sussex sights than the towering chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters. Start and end this scenic stroll in the sleepy village of East Dean, a short walk from Beachy Head. Take the footpath south over Went Hill towards Birling Gap, and then wind across the sweeping Sussex Downs to the sea. Follow the coastal path past Belle Tout Lighthouse, before circling inland back to East Dean. On arrival, settle in for a well-earned tipple at the Tiger Inn (beachyhead.org.uk/the-tiger-inn), a fine 16th-century pub, with oak beams, local ales and – should you be with non-caravanning friends – five comfortable bedrooms. Stay at Buckle Holiday Park buckleholidaypark.co.uk THE LIZARD PENINSULA, CORNWALL Daily distance 6-9 miles //…

Way to go We booked our ferries with Stena Line, via the Caravan and Motorhome Club, on the Harwich to Hook of Holland crossing, using the daytime sailing, which was cheaper. When to go Travelling during the school holidays, we booked ferries and campsites in advance to avoid disappointment. The weather at this time of year should have been more predictable, particularly in the Mosel region – known for its warm and pleasant temperatures for growing grapes. Sadly, Holland saw an exceptionally high level of rainfall during August. Our outfit (pictured below) We towed our Airstream 534 (TinTin2) with our VW California (Snowy). Where we stayed Boerderijcamping Demmerik Demmeriksekade 25, 3645 AZ Vinkeveen www.boerderijcampingdemmerik.nl Aquacamping De Rakken (pictured bottom) Lynbaen 10, 8551 NW Woudsend, De Rakken derakken.nl Mosel Camping Rissbacherstrasse…

FIRST LOOK SHOWROOM Price £30,595 Berths 4 MiRO 1530kg MTPLM 1690kg IN 2019, WHEN Swift's 8ft-wide twin-axle range had the slightly tongue-twisting title of Sprite Super, the Hull firm brought out the first such model that was a four-berth, rather than a six-berth – the Quattro EB. Four years on, Sprite Super is now called Sprite Grande, and, after a pause of a year or so, the EB model has returned. Only this time, it has an inline island bed, rather than a transverse example. We headed to Grantham's to take a look at the new model. Pitch and set-up This is an 8ft-wide caravan, but it's towards the budget end of the market, so you don't get heavy-duty corner steadies or external locker doors. The old EB did have a…

OUR VANS, OUR MONTH SHOWROOM FINAL REP ORT Price £65,105 Kerbweight 2310kg 85% match Above max tow (1800kg) Towball limit 180kg WHEN THE GENESIS first arrived on test a few months ago, I wondered if it would convince me that electric vehicles really can make compelling tow cars. Well, the Electrified GV70 is about to return to Genesis. So along with giving it a final clean and making sure the battery is charged, I need to come off the fence. I'm certainly going to miss the GV70. For everything other than towing, I would take the Genesis over any other car that I've tested in the past 12 months. Ridiculously quick It has a pleasing dual personality. Thanks to the twin electric motors with just short of 500hp between them, it…

USED VANS SHOWROOM PERSONAL SHOPPER Choosing the right caravan is never an easy job. It's not just selecting the best layout, it's making sure the weight of your van is ideally no more than 85% of the kerbweight of your car. And of course, there is your budget to consider, too. But we are here to help. Here are three more scenarios from readers who contacted us with their requirements. If you'd like us to sort out your conundrum and help you track down the used caravan of your dreams, get in touch and our team will get to work! WANT OUR EXPERTS TO HELP YOU FIND THE PERFECT USED CARAVAN? Let us know by emailing letters@practicalcaravan.com and we'll do the legwork for you! Key facts Tow car kerbweight 1956kg Budget £9000…

TOW CAR ADVICE There's nothing more frustrating than a fault coming out of nowhere within days of a car's warranty expiring. Three years and 60,000 miles of cover is typical, although many car manufacturers offer more. Some stick with a three-year warranty but with no mileage limit, others up the time period as well as the miles. Five- and seven-year warranties from new are available from the likes of Hyundai and Kia, while Toyota offers up to 10 years, so long as you use a franchised dealer for your servicing. A long warranty won't compensate for a car that's unstable or sluggish while towing. All the vehicles listed here are worthy of recommendation in their own right, not just because they should protect against any unexpected repair bills. So if…