12 minute read
MOTORING
A S E L E C TION OF O U R C O A C H T O U R S 2 0 2 3
MOTORING | 50 PLUS MAGAZINE Ellen Smith
Advertisement
Member 7049
Member 7049 Door to Door Coach Tours 2023
WHEN it comes to purchasing your first caravan, campervan or motorhome – especially if you are a first-time buyer of such a vehicle – the prospect may seem daunting, perhaps even a little overwhelming. How do you know where to WINDSOR CASTLE & CRUISE THE look, what features to consider THAMES and how to choose the right The Bull Hotel, Gerrardunit for your needs? ’s Cross
~ 4 Star
If you’re looking for specific tips on buying your first van, Rob Debenham, Show Manager of The Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Show, is here to give his advice on some of the most important things to look for as a first-time buyer to make sure that you and your vehicle have the best adventures possible. Before you part with any money, think about why you want this vehicle and what you will be using it for. Do you plan to embark on a new adventure, travelling across the country (or world) in your new home? Or will it be for long weekend excursions and summer staycations? What you want the van for and how you plan to use it, will play a big role in your final decision of vehicle choice. A good starting point is speaking to fellow caravan and motorhome owners. Use this as an opportunity to ask questions about the caravan, campervan or motorhome they own. Why do they like it? What would they recommend and why? What is something they wish they knew before they purchased it? These conversations will help you ensure you’ve made the right decision when it comes to choosing your van. Attending a show such as The Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Show, or similar is another great way of helping your decisionmaking. They are fantastic one-stop shops that allow you to see a wide variety of vehicles under one roof, get up loose, explore inside and familiarise yourself with them. You’ll also get to speak to expert dealers and manufacturers so you can ask all the questions you need about specific vehicles. Once you know what van you want and how you want to use it, regardless of whether you plan to live in your van or just want to use it for the occasional adventure, there are some necessities when it comes to what you will need to buy or install for your vehicle. You may want to make getting a fixed bed, for example, a priority. The alternative would be converting your table into a bed and vice versa or sleeping above the seats in the cab. Another handy feature your van may benefit from is a solar panel on the roof. By installing a solar panel, you can easily top up your leisure battery and lessen the worry that you will run it down, especially when you are going off-grid. A leisure battery is a power source that can fuel the 12V appliances and equipment in a caravan or motorhome. These batteries are designed to provide a steady level of power over a prolonged period of time and are used for the lights, television, kettle, oven and similar appliances in your van. Unless you plan to undergo your van adventures with no electric appliances, you will probably be picking up a leisure battery during the purchase process. When you do, you may feel as though there is so many choices that you feel overwhelmed. But as with everything in this process, try making sure you thoroughly research and choose a trusted and high-quality brand. Depending on your use, you may also want to think about having multiple leisure batteries. And finally, the last suggestion of what can be installed in your van to make life just that little bit easier is a refillable gas bottle – this will be sure to save you a lot of money in the long run. Many vans do come with the
A lovely tour as we discover the splendour of Royal Windsor and explore mighty Windsor Castle. Offering a welcome contrast, we also enjoy a relaxing cruise along the River Thames.
21st April | 5 Days | £489
SOUTHSEA & CHICHESTER HARBOUR CRUISE Best Western Royal Beach Hotel ~ 3 Star
A great tour for the summer – stroll along Southsea seafront, visit the historic cathedral city of Chichester and enjoy a relaxing harbour cruise and indulge with a gin tasting at Bombay Sapphire.
25th April | 5 Days | £459
capability already installed, so it’s worth looking into when browsing models.
Remember, getting any kind of van – a caravan, campervan or motorhome – should be an exciting prospect. This is the starting point of the many thrilling adventures still to come, and though it may initially feel daunting, these feelings of fear can always be quelled by extensive research on your behalf so you can be sure you are doing everything possible to make the best purchase for you.
Returning to Manchester Central from the 12th to the 15th of January 2023, the Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Show. To find out more – www.caravanshows.com
SPRING, SOUTH SHIELDS & THE DURHAM COAST The Little Haven Hotel ~ 3 Star
A great Spring tour based in South Shields overlooking the River Tyne and Little Haven Beach. We explore the scenic coastline before enjoying time in the historic city of Durham as well as a visit to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
25th April | 5 Days | £439
PICTURESQUE PEMBROKESHIRE & BEAUTIFUL GOWER
The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel,
Carmarthen ~ 3 Star
The natural beauty of the Pembrokeshire coast and the Gower Peninsula are famed all over the world. Glorious sandy beaches and rugged coastline give way to the Preseli Hills, historic towns, and little villages.
1st May | 5 Days | £419 THE HISTORIC CITY OF WORCESTER & STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Fownes Hotel ~ 3 Star
This is an area of literary greats, of culinary brilliance and iconic heritage. We enjoy the birthplace of William Shakespeare and a relaxing river cruise, the historic city of
Worcester, and the beautiful scenic Cotswolds.
8th May | 5 Days | £439
INTERESTED? 01706 648126 and request a copy of our 2023 brochure. You ’ll be surprised at the variations of tours we operate. Visit our website www.ellensmith.co.uk
KENT, THE BEAUTIFUL GARDEN OF ENGLAND Best Western Plus Burlington Hotel ~ 4 Star
Known as the Garden of England, Kent boasts beautiful beaches, stunning castles, exciting culture, and delicious food & drink. Our tour is ideally based in Folkestone, and we include visits to some lovely coastal and inland towns
2nd May | 5 Days | £399 BLACKPOOL The Doric Hotel ~ 3 Star
A holiday in Blackpool will leave you feeling refreshed, relaxed and recharged – even if you are on the go 25 hours a day! Perhaps it’ s the resort’s infectious zest for life, or maybe it’s just that, uniquely, whatever your routine, Blackpool can offer a perfect break from it.
9th May | 5 Days | £299 TIPS FROM GLOSSOP CARAVANS
DEVONSHIRE & ILFRACOMBE Before you start looking for your perfect The Royal & Fortescue Hotel ~ holiday home on wheels, there’s quite a lot to 3 Star consider. Glossop Caravans have been in the A short break with excursions to interest business for over 45 years and have helped everyone. We take in North Devon throughoutthousands of people find their dream holiday with visits to interesting attractions which, when combined with our excellent hotel, home on wheels—and we can help you too! makes this an enjoyable break. We’re here to tell you that there’s nothing more freeing than spending time in your own little slice of paradise—and we can help 8th May | 5 Days | £479 you make that happen; whatever your needs, we’ve got the right caravan to suit them. And if you don’t know what those needs are yet? That’s fine too! Our knowledgeable team have created some handy tips to help you figure out where to start. BEAUTIFUL CORNWALL It’s time for the big question. What type of Rosemundy House Hotel AA ~ 4 Star caravan do you need? You might be asking yourself: what does it matter? Isn’t a caravan a Cornwall is in the far west of Great Britain on caravan? Well, not quite. There are all sorts of a peninsula tumbling into the vast Atlantic caravans to choose from, from the small and Ocean, almost completely surrounded by lightweight to the large and luxurious. You’ll the sea. Cornwall is loved for its dramatic need to consider what car you will be towing course, its pasties and cream teas! with, how you plan to use your caravan, and whether you have family or friends coming 13th May | 6 Days | £519 along on the trip? If so, how many people will be in your party? What kind of space will they need to sleep and relax? In addition to that, what kind of experience do you want to have? Do you want quiet, quality time as a
couple? Or would you like to take advantage of all the space available so you can entertain others while travelling?
Here are a few examples of our current stock to show you some variations in sizes and prices.
Elddis Avante 462 2012 A 2 berth caravan selling RRP £12066
This 2-berth caravan is ideal for solo travellers or couples looking to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life. It has an end washroom with a shower, cassette toilet and sink. There’s also a fully equipped kitchen with a hob oven and fridge/freezer, so you never have to worry about cooking! The lounge area converts into a comfortable double bed that will keep you cosy at night.
Coachman VIP 520 2014 4 Berth RRP £18766
The double bed in the lounge area will make sure you get a good night’s sleep, while the bunk beds can be set up over the side dinette area for extra sleeping space for your kids. The full kitchen and shower room are ideal for cooking up delicious meals and taking showers after a long day exploring. With blown air heating to keep you warm you’ll be nice and toasty in the evenings. And if you want to unwind with some music, there’s an external BBQ and stereo system so you can entertain the family.
Swift Challenger 625 SE 2015 6 Berth Twin Axle RRP £22566
Looking for a little extra space? This 6-berth caravan with twin-axle suspension is perfect for the whole family, grandparents, and kids. You can hit the road in comfort and safety. It has a fixed bed in the rear and a double bed in the living area. Plus, there are two side bunks above the dinette, so everyone can get their own space—even when they’re all together! It has central heating, and solar panels to keep you warm in winter and powered up. Plus, you’ll have continuous hot water with an Alde Flow system. The fully equipped kitchen has everything you need to cook up a storm (or just heat up some soup). And finally, it has a rear-end bathroom—with everything you need. All used caravans from Glossop Caravans come with a 15-month exclusive Platinum warranty. So, you can rest easy knowing that your caravan will be in tip-top shape!
A few things to think about
Awnings are the perfect way to double your living space while you’re on holiday. So, whether it’s that family holiday or romantic getaway with your other half, an awning will give you the extra space you need. Sometimes you just want to see something in person before making a decision. That’s why we’ve created a showroom where you can do just that! We’ve set our awnings up so you can see them in action and get a feel for how they look. It’s a unique experience that will help you feel confident in your purchase! and we’ve got the broadest range of awnings in the country! Once you’ve picked out your perfect awning, you can even outfit it with groundsheets to make your caravan lifestyle more comfortable!
You’ll be spending a lot of time in your caravan, so it’s important to make sure it’s equipped with everything you need. But with all the gear you need to take, it’s easy to forget about one thing: weight. The more you pack into your caravan, the heavier it becomes. This can be a problem when towing. And every extra pound adds up, so it’s worth looking at specially-made, lightweight interior accessories - everything ranging from cutlery and kitchen accessories to tableware and tumblers. Towing mirrors are a must! If you don’t already have them fitted, investing in a set of towing mirrors will extend your field of vision on either side of your caravan. We stock a huge range of essentials at our on-site shop and can make your caravan comfortable and safe during your holiday. And if you’re looking for more than just essentials, then our shop assistants will be more than happy to help you pick everything else you need for life in your home-from-home.
One of the most important things you’ll have to consider when buying a caravan is where you’re going to store it. After all, your caravan is a large, expensive item that you’ll want to keep safe when it’s not being used. You’ll need a safe place where your caravan will be protected from thieves and other hazards. If you don’t have the space to store your caravan at home and are struggling to find a secure site yourself, we recommend a website called Cassoa where you can find secure storage sites across the UK by putting in your location.
We’re launching our Autumn sale, with hundreds of great bargains and special deals all designed for those looking for their first caravan. Don’t miss out on this great range of products at great prices! You can view our range at www.glossopcaravans.co.uk, please don’t hesitate to contact us for advice on what best suits you & we can provide you even more tips!
