JANUARY 2019 SE
Make 2019 great New year – new adventures! Where will you and your family go during the next 12 months?
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COMMENT EDITOR’S VIEW
TOURING: EAST ANGLIA CLUB SITES AND CLS
TOURING: YORKSHIRE CLUB SITES AND CLS
Look at the Stars Perfect products for the budding astronomer
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09/10/2018 17:04
PERFECTLY FORMED Club’s 2019 Caravan Design winners revealed
On Test Lunar, Peugeot and Rolling Homes models
Christmas Treats Great touring-themed festive gift ideas
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Cold Snaps! Expert tips for taking better winter photos
08/11/2018 15:48
2019 great New year – new adventures! Where will you and your family go during the next 12 months?
MEMBER OFFERS
Super savings on cars, guidebooks and much more
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Wartime Odyssey One family’s remarkable journey back to 1944
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On Test New Buccaneer Aruba put through its paces
Variety packed
Moors, beaches, steam trains and more… you can find it all in Yorkshire
TESTED: VOLVO XC60/ERIBA NOVA GL 470/BENIMAR PRIMERO 283
TESTED: PEUGEOT 5008/LUNAR CLUBMAN SB/ROLLING HOMES KINGSLEY
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Wonderful wildlife finds in the humble hedgerow
Get off the beaten track and discover some of Cumbria’s best-kept secrets
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CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB MAGAZINE JANUARY 2019
CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2018
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TOURING: LAKE DISTRICT CLUB SITES AND CLS
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CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018
Readers are asked to note that the Caravan and Motorhome Club cannot accept responsibility for the quality, safe delivery or operation of any products advertised or mentioned in this journal. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply any form of approval or recommendation. Advertisements or other inserted material are accepted subject to the approval of the publishers and their current terms and conditions. The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way infringe copyright or contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publisher, who reserves the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to it at its absolute discretion and without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. Mail order advertisers are required to state in advertisements addressed to the public, their true surname or full company name, together with the address from which the business is managed. Calls to phone numbers starting 084 and 087 cost up to 7p per minute plus your service provider’s charge.
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HEDGE OF HEAVEN
Lure of the Lakes
Editions of your Club magazine – with lots of extra content – are also available via an app on iPhone/iPad and Android tablets and phones.
On Test Volvo, Eriba and Benimar models rated
Nether Enough Join us on a family tour of the Netherlands
Leading Lights Lightweight Leisure Trailer Awards results
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This month’s cover: Credit: DGLimages
05/12/2018 11:58
Gary Martin says:
M
ost of the time in this magazine we talk about caravans and motorhomes, but there is a small but very important sector of the market that doesn’t always get the attention or recognition it deserves. Lightweight leisure trailers come in all shapes and sizes, from basic trailer tents without a kitchen to luxurious folding campers, from teardrop caravans to pop-tops. They even include traditional touring caravans weighing from less than 750kg to a maximum of 1,100kg. The common theme is that none of them requires a great big SUV or 4x4 to tow it – your average family hatchback or saloon will do the job, which opens up the touring lifestyle to younger folk who are restricted by their driving
“Lightweight leisure trailers offer more people the chance to experience the touring lifestyle”
licences with regard to what they can tow (see gov.uk/towing-with-car for detailed information). Lightweight leisure trailers also offer those who just don’t have the disposable income to buy the latest twin-axle caravan or top-of-the-range motorhome the chance to experience the touring lifestyle. Each year, at October’s NEC show, the Club gives the manufacturers and importers of these touring units a chance to shine, courtesy of our Lightweight Leisure Trailer Awards. For the full results, see pages 50-55. Enjoy the issue – and may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy new touring year.
Editorial Editor: Gary Martin
Advertising enquiries General number: 01342 779378
Deputy Editor: John Thynne
Commercial Manager Tolga Dervish 01342 779368 tolga.dervish@camc.com
Assistant Editors: Stuart Egan, Stephen Hollis Design: Michaela Easey
Postal address Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA
Commercial Executive – Regional Adam Johnson 01342 336742 adam.johnson@camc.com Commercial Executive Chloe Turnbull 01342 336817 chloe.turnbull@camc.com
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Production Controller Tara Erroll 01342 779371 tara.erroll@camc.com Digital advertising co-ordinator Vicky Powell 01342 779378 victoria.powell@camc.com
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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FOLLOW US Terms and Conditions: £6.25 Senior (60+), £7.25 Adult when booking before 23:59 on 18/02/2019 after which time prices revert to the on-the-door price of £9.00 Seniors (60+) and £10.00 Adult. A £1.25 transaction fee applies. Children 15 years and under go free when accompanied by a paying adult/senior. No dogs (except assistance dogs). Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Tickets are non-refundable. Free show guides, campervan test drive, motorhome manoeuvring and towing tuition are subject to availability. Details correct at time of going to print. The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 294344) and in Scotland (No. SCO38885)
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JANUARY CONTENTS
Contents
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Touring
20 30 32 36 71
UK SITES Elizabeth Fowler embarks on a seven-site tour taking in the best East Anglia has to offer DIRECTORY UPDATES Updates to your Sites Directory & Handbook ACTIVITY BREAKS Andrew Ditton tries Nordic walking in Clumber Park FOREIGN TOURING John Rawlings and family go exploring in Holland REGIONAL SITE SPOTLIGHT We focus on a site in your area (you can see five different site articles on the Magazine App each month)
Tests 74 76
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p74
CAR 2019 Towcar of the Year winner Volvo XC60 CARAVAN Eriba Nova GL 470 MOTORHOME Benimar Primero 283
PLEASE
RECYCLE RESPONSIBLY
Regulars 12 19 44 46 58 61 62 67
News 14 17 40 352,635
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Circulation: Jan-Dec 2017 Printing by Wyndeham Bicester
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p40
87 98
YOUR PHOTOS The best pictures from your touring adventures THE CAMPER VAN COOK Martin Dorey rustles up a creamy Italian dessert MEMBER OFFERS Exclusive deals and discounts for Club members COUNTRY MATTERS How a CL in Devon became home to a beaver colony LETTERS Your comments and views FAMILY MATTERS The Daveys enjoy an historic evening walk PRACTICAL We take a look at towing mirrors and reversing cameras EVENTS DIARY Pitching spots near public events CROSSWORD A chance to win Club gift tokens CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS To advertise, call 01342 336817 TAIL LIGHTS The weird, wacky and wonderful world of touring
p50
Specials 8 10 50 64
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HEADLINES Club and industry updates SITES Latest news from across the network OVERSEAS Ideas for foreign holidays and tours CENTRES Rallies and news from across the country
Our magazine and polythene wrapping are 100% recyclable
DIRECTOR GENERAL’S VIEW New series: Nick Lomas shares his opinions CLUB MATTERS The benefits of hiring a motorhome with the Club LIGHTWEIGHT LEISURE TRAILER AWARDS Results from our prestigious NEC show awards TICKET OFFERS Savings on Glasgow and Manchester shows entry
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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COMMENT DIRECTOR GENERAL’S VIEW
Opinion President: Thomas Coke, 8th Earl of Leicester Chairman: Grenville Chamberlain Director General: Nick Lomas
Club contact details For comprehensive contact details, see camc.com/contact Main switchboard 01342 326944 (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm) Membership services and magazine circulation 01342 318813 (calls may be recorded) Site booking (members only)/UK Club sites advance booking 01342 327490 Insurance Caravan 01342 336610 Car/motor caravan 0345 504 0334 Home/contents 0345 504 0335 Travel Service 01342 316101 Brochures on Club services 01342 327410 Technical advice 01342 336611 Club Magazine editorial 01342 336640 Legal helpline 01275 378728
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Nick Lomas says:
F
or many people, this time of year is a chance to look back at the previous 12 months and make plans for the coming new year. The Club is no different. Staff are well advanced in planning for a new season of touring, while members look forward to enjoying a variety of holidays and short breaks. Your Club has won a whole series of accolades in the past year. Our Contact Centre was highly commended as runner-up in the national UK Contact Centre Forum Awards, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has recognised our commitment to health and safety good practice (we picked up the Leisure Industry Sector award) and our recently-launched Caravan Cover was voted best in the Insurance Choice Awards. Our change to the way you can book your UK holidays has been a great success. The total number of advance bookings is already ahead of previous years and our biggest focus for 2019 will be to make further improvements and changes, taking into account the member feedback we’ve had about making the process easier and offering deals and discounts for those who plan early and make a firm booking. More details of these improvements will come in the months ahead, but the first stage of change will be to move our overseas sites booking onto our new common booking system, which is in development. The Club now has over 330 overseas sites across more than a dozen countries for you to choose from, and we want you to be able to do that more quickly and easily than ever before during 2019. In the UK, site investment has been at record levels, and the Club’s recent purchases of Cayton Village by the coast in North Yorkshire and Bingham Grange near Bridport and West Bay in Dorset are now
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
“The total number of advance bookings is already ahead of previous years”
settling into our network. All the signs are that these will become enduringly popular with members, being well located in attractive touring locations. Meanwhile, the rolling programme of site investment and improvements means that motorhome owners will see more of the easy-to-use service points across the network, and more pre-bookable serviced pitches throughout the UK will make for more convenient touring for everyone. As a true members’ club with no bank borrowings or dividends to pay to shareholders, we are able to continually reinvest in improvements in services and facilities for the benefit of Club members. This short column is the first of a regular series, so please get in touch by emailing magazine@camc.com if there is a topic you would like to see me or a member of the Club’s team cover in a future edition of the magazine. Enjoy making your 2019 touring plans!
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Driving down the cost of touring Guaranteed to SAVE on fuel at every Esso station across the UK
d leade n u r lo diese
Start saving! Visit us at camc.com/myessocard to register for your My Esso Card
* 8p per litre average saving when purchasing premium diesel or unleaded fuel (5p per litre average saving when purchasing standard diesel or unleaded fuel). Savings may vary but members are guaranteed to always pay less than the standard Esso pump price. Typical saving per 70 litre tank of premium fuel is £5.60 (£3.50 saving on standard fuel). Member offer available at all 1,300+ Esso fuel stations within the UK. Members can apply for one card which will require one vehicle registration number. Please note the card can be used January 2019 Caravan Club Magazine 3 for ALLwww.camc.com vehicles within the household. Members can only register for a My Esso Card with a Debit Card (Credit Cards are not currently accepted). T &and C’s Motorhome apply, see website for details.
SPECIAL CLUB MATTERS
Hire love
The Club’s Director of Marketing, Harvey Alexander, escapes for a weekend break with his brother and a pair of bikes courtesy of our new motorhome hire service Have you always dreamed of going on a motorhome holiday? Are you thinking of buying a motorhome but want to try using one before taking the plunge? Would you like non-touring friends and family to join you on your travels? Well, we have partnered with Swift to launch a new hire service. Available through Experience Freedom from the Caravan and Motorhome Club, it offers the perfect introduction to the adventurous world of motorhoming, and means non-members can experience the joys of a touring holiday and stay on the same Club sites and Certificated Locations as you.
The service, operated from Swift Go’s centrally located depot in Manchester, offers you the chance to use a variety of vehicles, from two-berth campervans (Swift Selects) to five-berth family coachbuilts (Swift Escapes). Each motorhome comes with a television and DVD player, sat-nav, 4G-enabled Wi-Fi, fully kitted out kitchen and washroom, bike rack – and much more. Hire prices start from £100 per day, depending on vehicle and time of year, plus collision damage waiver (CDW) of £15 a day. However, as a Club member, you can
take advantage of two fantastic offers – not only do you save 15% on the cost of the actual vehicle hire, you will receive free CDW as part of your package. This means, for example, for a week’s campervan hire at the starting rate of £100 a day, you will make a saving of £105 (paying £595 instead of £700), and save another £105 on CDW. That’s a total saving of £210 – giving you so much more money to spend on eating out, visiting local attractions and buying gifts for friends and family. Read on for Harvey’s recent experience...
HARVEY’S STORY
small caravan to our right and the biggest motorhome you could ever wish to see to our right – proving that it doesn’t matter what outfit you use, we all have a common goal to make the most of the outdoors.” After attending the meeting, Harvey and his brother got back into the saddle, riding the short distance to Knaresborough – with its wonderful castle, viaduct and river – before picking up Sustrans National Route 67 to Ripley, where a fantastic art gallery – Chantry House Gallery – captivated Harvey and his brother for a while. That evening was spent in the nearby beautiful spa town of Harrogate (no issues in terms of parking the campervan) . After a delicious cooked breakfast in the van on Sunday morning, the Alexanders moved onto Wharfedale Club site, 28 miles to the west. Once set up, Harvey and his brother took a ride out to Arncliffe, a tiny village set in beautiful countryside, tackling a challenging 15-minute hill climb before returning to site before dark. The day was completed with a lovely meal in The Gamekeeper’s Inn, just a five-minute walk away. Waking to yet another stunning sunrise, the brothers again tackled the hill climb behind
Arncliffe during a 30-mile ride, before happening upon a wonderful discovery in Halton Gill. Katie’s Cuppas is not your usual café – an old barn has been turned into a delightful honesty café (visitors help themselves to homemade cakes and hot and cold beverages before leaving payment in a box). What a surprise and a great initiative to refuel weary walkers and cyclists alike – and a great way to end a long weekend in this beautiful part of North Yorkshire.
Due to attend a Northern Region Council Meeting (see panel for details) in November, the Club’s Director of Marketing, Harvey Alexander, decided to put this hire service to the test. So, accompanied by his brother, Warren, and their mountain bikes, Harvey took the train from Watford Junction to Manchester. From there he rode to the depot (which offers parking at no extra charge) to collect his Select 184, a four-berth campervan, which would be his base for three nights – pitching up at both Knaresborough and Wharfedale Club sites in North Yorkshire. “Kevin and his team at Swift Go did a brilliant handover, answered all our questions and made us feel confident that we could take the campervan out and enjoy the weekend,” said Harvey. “Inside there was a welcome pack, which all hirers get. It includes milk and eggs, tea and coffee, a loaf of bread, some crisps and other snacks, which was a really lovely start to our trip.” From the depot, the Alexanders drove to Grassington, a lovely Yorkshire village, where they parked up and enjoyed a 20-mile bike ride through stunning hills and dales countryside, passing through the delightful villages of Kettlewell and Conistone. Arriving at Knaresborough Club site that evening, Harvey and his brother used the new shower facilities before dining in The Wanderer Bar and Kitchen. Olives and bread were followed by a seafood platter and vegetarian burger, all washed down by a beer each – all for just £38. A glorious sunrise provided the perfect start to Saturday. “As I glanced out of the Swift Select’s window, I noticed that we were pitched next to the polar opposite of outfits,” Harvey recalled. “A very
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
COST OF HARVEY’S TRIP Motorhome hire: £255 (with member saving) Site fees: £62.80 (standard pitch and two adults) Fuel: £50 TOTAL: £367.80
For more information please visit experience freedom.co.uk
NORTHERN REGION COUNCIL MEETING Harvey was invited to attend the 128th meeting of the Northern Region Council on 10 November. The Northern Region is run by a group of Club members who volunteer their time to promote all Club matters within the area. Highlights from the meeting included a discussion about the venue for the 2019 Regional Question Time which will be open to all Club members. Harvey was able to discuss with the Regional attendees his role at the Club and took questions from the meeting delegates. The Centre Festival Weekend 2019 was also discussed (see a future issue of this magazine for further details of this exciting event).
www.camc.com
“I drive a Ford Kuga and driving the campervan didn’t feel much different. You do have to be aware of the length, though. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve been given by one of our Club course instructors was, however long or wide you think your motorhome is, just give it another foot and you should be fine. That advice helped me on numerous occasions.” HARVEY ALEXANDER, CLUB DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
15%
80
543
Club members can take advantage of a 15% discount on our motorhome hire service
Hirers have stayed at more than 80 Caravan and Motorhome Club sites
The number of miles travelled by one hirer on a journey from Manchester to John o’ Groats
www.camc.com
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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SPECIAL MEMBER PICTURES
YOUR PHOTOS Your most memorable touring moments caught on camera STARRY NIGHT Cornwall
Rest stops do not come much better than this! This is me taking a breather during a walk on Trevalgan Hill on the North Cornish coast near St Ives. Could have looked at the stars all night. Nearest Club site: Godrevy Park. Maxwell Law
Want to see your photo in a future issue? Send your images to magazine@ camc.com or use #inspiring adventures
Hampshire
HELLO DEER! Visit the Club’s New Forest Centenary site in Bransgore and you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of animals. This doe fallow deer seemed to spot us at the same time we spotted her! Lynn and Kevin Defty
ire North Yorksh Central Scotland
FANTASTIC BEASTS THE WHEEL DEAL This impressive feat of engineering is the Falkirk Wheel, a rotating boat lift that connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. A fascinating visitor experience. Nearest Club site: Blair Drummond (20 miles north). David Bright
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
I took this photo near the end of Filey Brigg in North Yorkshire. A Site of Special Scientific Interest, Filey Brigg is home to a plethora of amazing wildlife, from grey seals and bottle-nosed dolphins to purple sandpipers and minke whale. Nearest Club site: Cayton Village. Deborah Barr
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Norfolk
HEAVEN IN DEVON Damage Barton Club site in Mortehoe, near Woolacombe, makes a great base for walkers. We strolled this beautiful coastal route near Lynton while on our Devon sojourn, drinking in stunning views at every turn. Sue and Neil James
COASTAL TREAT Enjoy a gentle 15- or 20-minute walk east from Seacroft Club site and you’ll reach the promenade in the traditional seaside resort of Cromer. Our efforts were richly rewarded by this fabulous sunset – what a lovely way to spend an evening. The stroll back to site was equally rewarding. Max Knowles
North Devon
Norway
NORTHERN LIGHTS While enjoying a fabulous stay at the quirkily-named 94 Laid Certificated Location on the banks of Loch Eriboll in the majestic Highlands, we were treated to this amazing light show. Just one of the many benefits of a touring holiday. Mike Pearson
Northern Scotland
ROOM FOR ONE MORE? Geiranger Camping enjoys such a spectacular location that even captains of huge cruise ferries appear interested in finding a pitch! A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Geirangerfjord is in the west of Norway. Unsurprisingly, it is very popular with tourists. Simply breathtaking! Phil Higgs
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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NEWS HEADLINES
Worcester CL takes Club title Avon Bank Meadow in Pershore, Worcestershire, has been voted Certificated Location (CL) of the Year 2018 by members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club. This idyllic five-pitch site borders a tranquil stretch of the River Avon. It’s popular with members who are seeking peace and quiet and who are also attracted by the opportunities for walking and cycling by the riverbank. Coarse fishing is also available. Members also routinely
praise owners Craig Brown and Sandra McAllister – who attended the Club’s annual Parliamentary Reception in November – for their hard work and describe them in reviews posted on the Club website as “helpful”, “friendly” and “welcoming” hosts. Craig said: “Maintaining the site is one of the things I most enjoy, and I have been labelled the ‘grass spanner’ – a nickname that was given to me and seems to have stuck.”
Poole Farm CL in Launceston, Cornwall, and Keal Lodge CL in Deeping St James, Lincolnshire, were both worthy runners-up, while Rodgebrook Farm on the Isle of Wight was the inaugural winner of our ‘Best Newcomer’ award. Last, but by no means least, Woody Kiln Farm – the CL of the Year winner in 2016 – picked up the ‘Most inspiring photograph’ award after members voted for their favourite CL photo appearing on the Club website.
Rally listings Members of centres and all Club members who are in their first year of membership will receive a Centre Rallies Supplement for 2019 with next month’s Club magazine. This is your essential guide to all the rallies in the UK and Ireland that are currently scheduled to take place during the year ahead. If you do not receive a copy with your magazine and would like one, you can order the supplement from the Club Shop free of charge (although post and packing fees will apply) – please contact us on 01342 327410.
Big Garden Birdwatch returns
Craig Brown and Sandra McAllister (centre) of Avon Bank Meadow CL (above) with Club Chairman Grenville Chamberlain (left) and Sir David Amess MP
DOMETIC SNAPS UP KAMPA Mobile appliance specialist Dometic has acquired Kampa, the Essex-based manufacturer of awnings, tents and outdoor furniture, for £50 million. The purchase strengthens Dometic’s position within the outdoor leisure industry, with new products added to its portfolio and a broader distribution network at its disposal. “I am pleased to welcome Kampa and its employees to Dometic,” said Dometic President and CEO Juan Vargues.
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Contact Centre: 2019 opening times The Contact Centre’s weekday opening hours during 2019 will remain the same as in 2018; this means we will be open between 8.45am and 5.30pm in January and February and from September to December, while from March to August we will be open until 6pm. In addition to our normal weekday opening hours, we are pleased to advise that during January the Contact Centre will be open every Saturday morning between 9am and 1pm to assist you on any of our main product lines. On Saturday mornings from 2 February to 26 October we will focus solely on 5Cs Caravan Cover for new business, renewals and amendments to cover (we'll also be delighted to set up new membership for anyone looking to take advantage of our award-winning caravan cover). Don’t forget that you can also email the Club, and chat with our experts online on weekdays. Full details of how to contact us can be found on the website at camc.com/contact. Any further changes to our opening hours will be communicated, in advance, through both the Club magazine and the website.
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
The RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch event – which asks volunteers to log the birds (and other creatures) that visit their gardens or local spaces will take place between 26 and 28 January 2019. It’s a great chance for you to help the RSPB with its research into wildlife in the UK, and we urge members to take part if they can – whether you’re at home, in a local park or public garden or staying at a Club site or Certificated Location. To find out more information, and to see the results from last year’s Big Garden Birdwatch, please visit rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. We would also love to see any photos of the visiting birds that you spot – please email them to magazine@camc.com.
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PRIMARY COLOURS Black Knowl and Englethwaite Hall Club sites are the latest winners of the Club’s annual Sites in Bloom competition, which recognises the horticultural skills of site staff and volunteers across the network. Black Knowl – situated in Brockenhurst, Hampshire – picked up first prize in the ‘multi-couple’ category (two site staff and two sets of assistant site staff), while Cumbria’s Englethwaite Hall won the ‘single couple’ category (one set of site staff). Scarborough West Ayton and Garlieston Club sites were the respective runners-up, with the judging committee commending the overall effort and stressing that it was difficult to judge, given an extremely high standard across the board. The winning couples from Black Knowl and Englethwaite Hall Club sites were invited to a lunch and an afternoon reception at the Houses of Parliament in November.
In brief The Dorset branch of Dolphin Motorhomes has recently been extended to incorporate a new service department and three-bay workshop. See dolphinmotorhomes.co.uk for more information.
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1 4 1. Black Knowl 2. Englethwaite Hall 3. Garlieston 4. Scarborough West Ayton
A dream of a drive
On the MAGAZINE APP this month: see our Towcar of the Year winner in action (tested on p74), David Chapman videos beavers at a Devon CL, and much more
The stretch of the A82 between Loch Lomond and the village of Glencoe – snaking through majestic Glen Coe – has been voted the best British road trip in a survey of 5,000 drivers. The route, which will be familiar to many Club members, picked up around one quarter of the votes in the survey, which was carried out by car sales website webuyanycar.com. Participants were also asked to name their favourite songs to listen to while driving. Perhaps The Proclaimers’ famous anthem I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) would be your ideal soundtrack – the song came fourth in a top-10 list of answers. If you have never experienced the delights of Glen Coe before, the Club sites at Bunree, Clachan and Maragowan are close by.
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Eight gardens are in the running to be named Historic Houses Garden of the Year 2019. The shortlist is made up of Belvoir Castle (Leicestershire), Cambo House (Fife), Cholmondeley Castle (Cheshire), Forde Abbey (Dorset), Great Dixter (East Sussex), Kiftsgate Court (Gloucestershire), Newby Hall (North Yorkshire) and Plas Cadnant (Anglesey). You can vote at historichouses.org – voting opens early in 2019 and the winner will be announced later in the year. Former Club magazine contributor Lindsay Porter has published the updated Classic Car Bodywork Manual – formerly the Haynes Car Bodywork Repair manual – on his own Porter Publishing imprint. The 306-page book has nearly 1,500 illustrations and can be purchased, price £17.95 (plus P&P, if relevant), from Amazon – see tinyurl.com/ bodymanual. The iconic VW California campervan is 30 years old, and to celebrate Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has released a free travel guide featuring 30 great places to visit in the UK. The guide can be downloaded from volkswagen-vans.co.uk/en/ models/california-30-years.html.
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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NEWS HEADLINES
SHOWTIME JANUARY 17-20 Manchester: The Caravan and Motorhome Show, EventCity, Manchester (Clarion Events, see caravanshows.com) 25-27 Devon: The Motorhome Show, Westpoint Arena, Exeter (Apple Tree Exhibitions, call 01805 603943 or see appletree-exhibitions.co.uk) FEBRUARY 7-10 Glasgow: Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show, SEC Centre, Glasgow (QD Events, call 0141 248 3000 or see caravanshowscotland.com) 19-24 Birmingham: Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham (NCC Events, call 01252 318251 or see ccmshow.co.uk) Note: details subject to change – please telephone event organisers in advance for up-to-date information.
A good Claus More than 300 ‘Santas’ descended on the Love2Stay Affiliated Site in December for a charity fun run organised by Shrewsbury-based dealership Salop Leisure. The event was held to raise funds for the Zac Oliver Appeal, which aims to secure enough money to enable four-year-old Zac Oliver to undergo treatment in America for a rare form of leukaemia – see justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ zac-oliver for details.
From The Archives: News from the Club’s Collection Members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club have always been an adventurous bunch! Today’s caravans and motorhomes are well equipped to cope with all weathers and climates, but memorabilia housed in the Club’s own historic collection, at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, shows that the weather didn’t stop past members either! In January 1938, Club members Chas H Nelson and his daughter Moya of Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland, took their Car Cruiser Double Saloon 4 caravan, named ‘Induskiari’, on a tour of the South of France. Towing with their Austin motor car, they are pictured here coping well in the snow in the French Alps. To find out more about the Club’s Collection, visit nationalmotormuseum. org.uk/category/caravan-and-motorhome-club-collection. Richard Noyce
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It is with regret that we report the passing of Catherine Cobb, a retired warden. Catherine, along with her husband Peter, worked for the Club from 1998 to 2012. They covered many sites in their career and ran Hawthorn Farm (Sutton-on-Sea Club site) in Lincolnshire for a number of years before joining the Flying Squad. Catherine is survived by her husband and two sons along with several grandchildren. She will be sadly missed by all and our thoughts are with family and friends at this sad time.
Life’s a journal You recommend…
Like many Club members, caravanner Carol Kaczor has long kept a journal detailing the sites and attractions she has visited while touring. However, having grown tired of using plain supermarket notepads to record the information, Carol decided to design her own bright, colourful journal (pictured). “It is totally different to anything that is out there... it’s bright and colourful and depicts the fun, social side of caravanning in a light-hearted way, with lots of space in which to record your travels and adventures,” she says. To find out more, please email leisure.logs@outlook.com
Club sites and CLs to use before/after trips abroad
Malcolm Brooks M6 Toll offer to end We are sorry to report that Malcolm Brooks – a former member of the Club who played in the Caravan Club Concert Band – passed away in November. Malcolm’s daughter, Suzanne, would like to pass on the message that he thought very fondly of his time with the band. Our thoughts and condolences are with family and friends at this time.
Catherine Cobb
An offer that allows Club members to take advantage of a discount on the M6 Toll motorway will end on 31 December 2018. Please note that after this date Caravan and Motorhome Club members will have to pay the normal toll fee when driving a vehicle that is towing a caravan, folding caravan or folding camping trailer, or when driving a motorhome. Regular M6 Toll users might consider using a tag that enables a saving of 5%
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
per trip for a monthly fee of £1 – more info can be found at m6toll.co.uk. We are constantly negotiating new special offers for members so you can make savings on a wide range of products and services. Popular, current on-the-road savings include a 20% discount at Roadchef motorway service areas and discounts on diesel and petrol at all Esso petrol stations. For the full list, please see camc.com/memberoffers.
“Ideally located for Hull, the ferry, Beverley and the surrounding areas.” (Tudor Springs CL for HullRotterdam/Zeebrugge, Sites Directory & Handbook 2017/18 p499) “Did not get into the site until 10.45pm but everything on the ferry pitches was set up and it was really easy.” (Rookesbury Park Club site for Portsmouthvarious destinations) “Its situation is great for an overnight stay to catch the Harwich ferry.” (Brookcroft CL for Harwich-Hook of Holland, SD&H 2017/18 p355) “We stayed for one night before getting ferry to Calais. Ringing ahead to pay and get barrier code meant we could arrive after 8pm. Literally able to pull in, shower, sleep and depart with ease.” (Black Horse Farm Club site for Dover-Calais/Dunkirk) “As a ‘no facilities’ site it was absolutely fine and just what was expected.” (Plymouth Sound Club site for Plymouth-Roscoff, St Malo and Santander)
www.camc.com
NEWS HEADLINES NEWS UK SITES
Rain or shine Don’t let the weather put you off exploring! We have some great ideas for things to do while you’re touring this winter Have you made any new year’s resolutions? Here at the Club magazine we’ve decided that one of our aims for 2019 is to keep getting out and about, whatever the weather. That means we’re not going to let a sudden shower stop us from going for that bike ride, while if there’s a touch of snow, we’ll look at it as a great chance to photograph the
landscape at its prettiest (see David Chapman’s Country Matters article in our last issue) as opposed to an inconvenience. A bit parky out there? Nothing that an extra layer, a brisk walk, a country pub and a roaring log fire can’t sort out. Some people find it easier to cope with cold and wet weather conditions than others, of
EXPLORE A NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTY While we’re on the subject of member offers, with the Club you can save 8% on National Trust gift cards – so why not stay at a Club site and visit a nearby property? If it is raining, a stately home or similar could be the perfect place to seek refuge (and there’s always the ubiquitous café or gift shop!). WATCH THE BIRDIES Every year the RSPB asks us to spend a weekend keeping a log of the birds that visit our parks and gardens as part of its Big Garden Birdwatch (see rspb.org.uk/birdwatch). Not only is this exercise restful and educational, it also helps the RSPB with its research and conservation. The 2019 Birdwatch takes place on the weekend of 26-28 January – you could even take part while staying on a Club site. SEE IN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR Stay at Abbey Wood or Crystal Palace Club sites and you can witness the fantastic Chinese New Year celebrations in London on 10 February, when the streets of Chinatown will become a riot of colour – a not-to-bemissed cultural extravaganza. ENJOY A WET WEATHER WALK Never underestimate the simple pleasure of putting on a pair of wellies and splashing through a puddle or 10! Don’t forget that some of our fantastic member offers allow you to save on outdoor gear with the likes of Cotswold Outdoor and Mountain Warehouse at camc.com/memberoffers, while there are deals on waterproofs, hats, gloves and walking boots to be had at the Club Shop (shop.camc.com).
www.camc.com
GO STARGAZING Turn the winter darkness to your advantage and play ‘I spy’ with the night sky – there’s a chance you’ll get a clear view even if it has been raining during the day. Melrose Gibson Park Club site and Lidalia AS are both close enough to Kielder Forest National Park – a hot spot for stargazers – or you could stay at Hunter’s Moon in Dorset, which is just over 30 minutes’ drive from the new Astronomy Centre at Durlston (see durlston.co.uk).
course, but hopefully there’s something that will inspire everyone in the following winter events and ideas... and staring out of the ‘van window at the drizzle will become a thing of the past. And don’t forget to visit camc.com/ greatsavingsguide for discounts at top attractions around the UK.
This winter prices start from wet to go out – but this is a great £8.75*. To check out all of our opportunity to enjoy the peace and ‘open all year’ sites and to book, quiet of a Club site and read. Maybe please visit camc.com/oay. you’ll plough through page-turners at *Price is based on one adult and a Poolsbrook Country Park, stay up late at standard pitch for midweek Search and Southport with (Mon-Thur) stays between some sci-fi ,or 7 Jan-14 Mar 2019 at book over 55 muse over a sites open during White Water Park murder mystery and Motorhome winter. Visit camc. Caravan in Minehead. Club Site.
com/oay or use the Sites Booking App
BLOW AWAY THE COBWEBS ON A BOAT Stay at Coniston Park Coppice Club site this winter and you could take a cruise on nearby Windermere – Windermere Lake Cruises (windermere-lakecruises.co.uk) sails every day except for Christmas Day and has trips of varying lengths. Great fun whatever the weather! Don’t forget that we have camping and glamping options here – see experiencefreedom.co.uk. CURL UP WITH A GOOD PAPERBACK Sometimes you have to admit defeat and accept that it’s just too cold and
December 2018 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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COLUMN MARTIN DOREY
Book now for The National 2019 Friday 24 - Tuesday 28 May
HTS 3 NIG M FRO
*
£102
Join us over the Spring Bank Holiday at Ragley Hall Park and Gardens, Alcester, Warwickshire Experience a fantastic long weekend of family fun, games and exciting evening entertainment – all in the beautiful surrounds of Shakespeare’s Country.
Book your pitch today
camc.com/national enquiries@ caravanclub.co.uk 01342 336 666 1
*Includes your pitch, one car, electric hook up and 2 adults. Free entry for under 17 year olds. January 2017 The Caravan Club Magazine
www.caravanclub.co.uk
Cook
COLUMN MARTIN DOREY
The Camper Van
Writer, cook and camper van owner Martin Dorey continues his gastronomic journey around the UK. This month: a jaunt by the River Shannon and an Italian favourite.... I’ve been visiting Ireland again, working on another book project, Take the Slow Road: Ireland, all about travelling around the Emerald Isle. Tourists often head for the Wild Atlantic Way, which is, of course, magnificent, but I wanted to do something different. In a new-model Benivan from Marquis I followed the River Shannon from its source at Shannon Pot in County Cavan to Limerick, where it meets the sea. As it was out of season there were fewer campsite options than usual, but it was good to know that the Club’s Glen of Aherlow Affiliated Site near Tipperary stays open all year. It’s a great place to rest up if you are heading back from the west to Rosslare’s ferry terminal and find that – ha ha! – ‘it’s a long way to go’. Anyway, following the Shannon takes you from the mountains near the border with Northern Ireland through the midlands and some
remarkable countryside, towns and villages. The Shannon runs through a number of loughs, including Allen, Ree and Derg, all of which are beautiful. There are so many amazing spots to park up for a cuppa! Some of the shallower sections of the Shannon are bypassed by canals, which make the river navigable up to Carrick-on-Shannon and beyond. These routes have recently undergone redevelopment by Waterways Ireland and now there’s a series of Green and Blue Ways that offer great cycling and kayaking for those with an
appetite for adventure. Motorhomers can buy smartcards to use shower and loo facilities at some marinas along the way, too. Very handy! I was thinking about food as much as adventure and, after exploring the magnificent ruins of a medieval village at Rinn Duin, hit the jackpot in Athlone. We ate out in the old quarter of town and enjoyed a couple of pints of the black stuff in Ireland’s oldest pub, Sean’s Bar, where there’s good craic and live music most nights. And for pudding back at the van? My Ooh Ooh Tiramisu went down a treat!
CUT OUT
!
AND KEEP
RECIPES
RECIPE No.12 The Cook recommends...
Kin Khao Thai in Athlone, a lovely restaurant behind the castle that enjoys a great location and serves up authentic, tasty Thai food (kinkhaothai.ie).
And as a main...
I love Thai food so I was in heaven and went for a Green Beef Curry; you can tell a lot by ordering the classics. This one was awesome!
u Ooh Ooh Tiramis For 4-6 people ast a late-night trea Ingredients
2 cups of coffee 1 tbsp brandy 75g caster sugar e 250g mascarpon ct tra ex la nil 1 tsp va powder Chocolate/cocoa (sponge fingers) ers ng yfi lad Enough es to line 4-6 glass 100g double cream erries 225g fresh raspb
Method
MEMBER SINCE...
Campervanner Martin Dorey joined the Club in 2016
www.camc.com
sugar e, double cream, Mix the mascarpon until wl bo together in a and vanilla extract d pe hip y-w htl lig cy of it has the consisten add the e, ffe co of ps cu cream. Make the , soak to cool. Meanwhile brandy and allow able be to e in the coffe enough ladyfingers and (st ss gla al du ivi ch ind to put a layer in ea ). ss gla the the inside of them upright along of m tto bo the on erries Layer some raspb
d the the glass, then ad e mixture and on arp sc creamy ma a sh raspberr y and garnish with a fre a powder. If you co co te/ ola oc ch sprinkle of dding coffee then this pu love a late-night make to sy ea peal; it’s recipe may well ap -dins din er aft lift le litt a and will give you ld co the g se, durin in the van. Of cour drop allow for an ex tra uld co u yo s ht nig ! ed. Enjoy of brandy, if desir July 2018 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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TOURING UK SITES
BROAD APPEAL Elizabeth Fowler takes in cathedrals, coast and remarkable countryside during a seven-stop tour of East Anglia
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
www.camc.com
sss
www.camc.com
Andrew Ray / Alamy
Mutton’s Mill, Halvergate Marshes
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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TOURING UK SITES
1 White House Beach Club Site Choose from a beachside pitching area and another area enclosed by willows and shrubs. Buses to Lowestoft or Southwold stop nearby. Pitches: 112 | Open: 15 Mar-4 Nov 2019
Member view “This is our second visit and we’ve got a pitch overlooking the beach with direct access for walking. It is a very nice site, lovely scenery, great fish and chip shop and nice small shops close by.” Richard Gillbey, motorhomer from Cambridgeshire
Site staff view “There are wonderful beach walks directly from the site; the shingle is a blaze of wild flowers from early summer. Southwold with the pier and Lowestoft with seafront cafés are both in easy reach.” Laura Price
“A stroll along the water’s edge at Kessingland will reward you with frequent bird sightings”
Food & drink The Waterfront Restaurant, 310 Church Road, Kessingland, Lowestoft NR33 7SB Contact: thewaterfrontkessingland.co.uk, 01502 741525
Culture Dunwich Greyfriars, Dunwich, Saxmundham IP17 3DR Contact: dunwichgreyfriars.org.uk
Outdoor fun East Anglia Transport Museum, Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft NR33 8BL Contact: eatransportmuseum.co.uk, 01502 518459
For the family Southwold Pier, North Parade, Southwold IP18 6BN Contact: southwoldpier.co.uk, 01502 7222105
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
T
he Broads are home to some of the rarest wildlife in the whole of the United Kingdom. The beautiful swallowtail butterfly, otters, marsh harriers and fen orchids, for example, are just some of the delights that can be witnessed in this magical part of the world. Ironically, the remarkable landscape of lakes and waterways enjoyed by countless tourists today is not natural at all. The Broads are in fact the result of peat excavation dating back to the 12th century, when the boggy turf had become a precious source of fuel. During the 14th century, the sea reclaimed the land and flooded the peat workings, leaving the unique network of rivers criss-crossing the marshland that we have and make use of today.
While the Broads were the undoubted highlight of our summer East Anglian experience, our first stop was to the south at the excellent White House Beach Club site in Kessingland, Suffolk. We then planned to stick to the east coast and head towards Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, before bearing westwards to finish in Cambridgeshire. With luck you can get a spot almost right next to the sea at White House Beach and wake to the sound of birdsong as the sun rises over the waves. There’s a very nice little restaurant (The Waterfront) next door to the site, while small shops catering for most needs are within easy reach. Consider a day trip to Dunwich – once a thriving city and important port, a 13th-century storm surge saw it reduced to the size of the www.camc.com
2 Lower Wood Farm Certificated Location
parkerphotography / Alamy
There’s lots of space for each outfit and expansive views, while all the holiday cottage facilities are also available to caravanners. Open: 1 Mar-30 Nov 2019 Contact: 01493 722523 Sites Directory and Handbook 2017/18 p416
Member view “We’ve been visiting for six years – it is absolutely perfect, with wonderful on-site facilities including a games room and pool. Close to Great Yarmouth and Norwich.” Helen Rogers and Sue Hancox, caravanners from Essex
Clockwise from left: canoeing on the River Little Ouse, Santon Downham; rollercoaster fun in Great Yarmouth; and the seaside town’s Pirates Cove Adventure Golf course Below: Barn owl in flight at RSPB Minsmere
village we see today. The ruined Franciscan ‘friary’ of Greyfriars is virtually all that remains of ‘Britain’s Atlantis’, with most of the medieval fabric now under the North Sea. SHINGLE BELLES Keen ornithologists will also want to visit RSPB Minsmere, but a stroll along the water’s edge at Kessingland will reward you with frequent bird sightings, while the shingle is home to an amazing array of flowering plants, including the rare yellow horned-poppy. Wildlife of www.camc.com
a very different kind can be experienced at Africa Alive!, an animal park that is home to mice, lions and everything in between, just a five-minute drive from the Club site. Travelling up the coast, Pleasurewood Hills Family Theme Park just north of Lowestoft is home to rides and attractions for all ages, while, of course, the delights of Great Yarmouth are well documented. Talking of which, the excellent, adults only Certificated Location at Lower Wood Farm is perfectly placed for visits to Norfolk’s most famous seaside town, as well as Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden. If you don’t have time for extensive exploration of
smharperphotography / Alamy
Owner view “There is a network of footpaths from the site and a lot of places to visit. Great Yarmouth has beach attractions, horse racing and a dog track, Caister Castle and Caister Lifeboat Museum are close and many people hire day-boats on the Broads.” Jill Nicholls
Food & drink Humpty Dumpty Brewery, Church Road, Reedham, Norwich NR13 3TZ Contact: humptydumptybrewery.com, 01493 701818
Culture Caister Castle, Castle Lane, Caister-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth NR30 5SN Contact: caistercastle.co.uk, 01664 567707
Outdoor fun Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, School Road, South Walsham NR13 6DZ Contact: fairhavengarden.co.uk, 01603 270449
For the family Sea Life Great Yarmouth, Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth NR30 3AH Contact: visitsealife.com, 01493 330631
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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TOURING UK SITES
3 Norfolk Broads Club Site This tranquil site, close to all the boating activity at Ludham Bridge, boasts a smart new reception block and information room. Pitches: 111 | Open: 15 Mar-4 Nov 2019
Member view “This is a great site for dog walking and bird watching. We are keen bird watchers, so are going to RSPB Minsmere to see the avocets, and on a Broads cruise we watched great crested grebes.” Anne Moore, caravanner from Northumberland
Site staff view “We are in the middle of the Broads so plenty of boating activity. Ludham Bridge is just 200 yards and a perfect spot for gongoozling. There is a lovely, circular three-mile walk via St Benet’s Abbey that ends at the Dog Inn.” Lynn Robson and Dennis Martin
Clockwise from above: a swan examines the moorings in Wroxham; donkeys at Wroxham Barns; watching the boats on the River Ant at Ludham Bridge; the excellent Bread Source bakery in Aylsham
Food & drink The Dog Inn, Ludham NR29 5NY Contact: thedogpub.co.uk, 01692 630321
Culture RAF Air Defence Radar Museum, Near RRH Neatishead, Horning NR12 8YB Contact: radarmuseum.co.uk, 01692 631485
Outdoor fun Day boat hire from Broads Tours, The Bridge, Wroxham NR12 8RX Contact: broadstours.co.uk, 01603 782207
For the family Wroxham Miniature Worlds, Station Business Park, Horning Road West, Hoveton NR12 8QJ Contact: wroxhamminiatureworlds.co.uk, 01603 781728
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
the Broads, Fairhaven is the perfect place to get in touch with nature. It’s home to 130 acres of cultivated, wild and natural plantings and boasts four miles of wooded pathways, while boat trips on the private broad are also available. One of our favourite destinations in this area was Wroxham Miniature Worlds – room after room of wonderfully-detailed layouts featuring trains tootling around through tunnels and under bridges. Look out too for Lego designs, a fantastic slot car track, a vintage toy exhibition, 1980s video arcade games and an old penny arcade. Absolutely perfect for children from two to 100 years! Using nearby Norfolk Broads Club site as a base, we decided to spend the day in Norwich. We enjoyed a picnic lunch (comprising dressed crab, salad and some wonderful local bread) bought in
the excellent market, before enjoying a free guided walk at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. I would urge you to also visit the magnificent Norman cathedral, taking time to explore the monastic cloisters – and look out for the peregrine falcons who have made the cathedral spire their home during the summer months. SIMPLE PLEASURES Far closer to the site – in fact just a three-minute stroll away – simple pleasures are to be had at Ludham Bridge, where you can lean on the parapet and watch the boats below on the River Ant. The busy boatyard is just below the bridge and from here you can take in extensive views across the Broads, punctuated by the many windmills that once pumped water from the dykes. With luck you might even spot the high-peaked sail of www.camc.com
“You might even spot the high-peaked sail of a traditional Norfolk ‘wherry’ – distinctive vessels that once carried goods inland from larger ships”
4 The Station Certificated Location A level, grassy site with sheltering trees and an immaculate toilet, shepherd’s hut and cabin where friends can get together by a wood fire. Open: 1 Mar-30 Oct 2019 Contact: 01603 261510 Sites Directory and Handbook p428
Member view “This is a lovely place to relax – peaceful, beautiful country views and the best toilet on any site. We enjoy visiting Sandringham.” P and R Shoesmith, caravanners from Warwickshire
Owner view “You can cycle the Marriott’s Way into Norwich or get a bus in the village. Keith has built the shepherd’s hut, the railway crossing gate and fitted out ‘Billy’s hut’ for visitors.” Janet Ingram
Food & drink
DID YOU KNOW?
You can find the most Norfolk Broads) closed in 1959 a traditional Norfolk ‘wherry’ up-to-date details of the – little remains except for the – these distinctive vessels once featured sites on the Club station which is now a perfect carried goods inland from website. Alternatively, little CL. Its name? The larger ships off the coast at turn to the relevant pages Station, of course. Many Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft. in your Sites original features remain, and An alternative, yet similarly Directory. Keith has remade the crossing gates nostalgic mode of transport, is the and signal box for added authenticity. steam train, and there are a number of Cycling and walking are popular here thanks to superb heritage lines to enjoy in Norfolk. The the adjacent Marriott’s Way off-road trail which narrow-gauge Bure Valley Railway, for example, follows the course of old railway lines between runs for nine miles between Wroxham and the Aylsham and Norwich. market town of Aylsham to the north-west. A A further 30 minutes or so to the west lay our return ticket costs £13.50 and gives you the chance to see some beautiful countryside – why not enjoy next destination – the glorious Thetford Forest Club site, which is a paradise for walkers and a cup of tea and a slice of cake at Aylsham’s Whistlestop Café before your homeward journey? bird watchers. The variety of birdlife on view here is far too long to list; just make sure you Sadly, the train line that once ran through take your binoculars. One lovely attraction at Attlebridge (about half an hour’s drive west from www.camc.com
Bread Source Bakery, 13 Red Lion Street, Aylsham NR11 6ER Contact: bread-source.co.uk, 01603 611526
Culture Blickling Estate, Blickling, Aylsham NR11 6NF Contact: nationaltrust.org.uk, 01263 738030
Outdoor fun BeWILDerwood, Horning Road, Hoveton NR12 8JW Contact: bewilderwood.co.uk, 01692 633033
For the family Wroxham Barns, Tunstead Road, Hoveton NR12 8QU Contact: wroxhambarns.co.uk, 01603 783762
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Illustration: Louise Turpin
5 Thetford Forest Club Site This is a wonderful base for walking, with lots of wildlife interest. A memorial at the entrance celebrates the Desert Rats who were stationed here in the Second World War. Pitches: 80 | Open: 15 Mar-28 Oct 2019
Member view “We’ve been visiting for many years. It is such a wonderful place, great walks, nice local pubs and a really good, small military museum 200 yards up the road.” Lorraine Storrar and Karen Hawkin, caravanners from Norfolk
Site staff view “We are surrounded by amazing wildlife with muntjac deer on site, buzzards, goshawks, cuckoos and nightjars, and you can take a different walk or cycle every day of your visit.” Sarah Howell and Keith Fiddy
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
Food & drink St George’s Distillery, Harling Road, Roudham NR16 2QW Contact: englishwhisky.co.uk, 01953 717939
Culture Grime’s Graves, Lynford, Thetford IP26 5DE Contact: english-heritage.org.uk
Outdoor fun High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Brandon IP27 0AF Contact: forestryengland.uk/highlodge
For the family Dad’s Army Museum, The Old Fire Station, Cage Lane, Thetford IP24 2DS Contact: dadsarmythetford.org.uk, 07562 688641
this site is the splendid ‘bug house’ that provides a variety of holes and crevices designed to cater for as many different small creatures as possible – an excellent wildlife initiative. This area of the forest was home to the Desert Rats from May 1944 until the Normandy Landings, and a small museum just 100 yards from the site tells their story. Now the forest is home to both British and American troops, so you may occasionally see a tank rumbling by. The nearby Stanford Battle training area was the setting for many scenes from Dad’s Army, as was the town of Thetford itself, with the Guildhall becoming Walmington-on-Sea Town Hall. A small Dad’s Army Museum is the finishing point of a guided walk around key locations (see dadsarmythetford.org.uk), while a statue of Captain Mainwaring stands in the town centre. Just five miles to the south of the Club site is Grime’s Graves. Despite its name, the site has nothing to do with graves – it is, in fact, a Neolithic flint mine. A gently sloping, 35-acre open area is pockmarked with depressions marking the locations of pits from which precious flint was extracted. Prized in the making of axe-heads, in places the best flint was 40ft below www.camc.com
TOURING UK SITES
6 Heatherbield Certificated Location An open, quiet site with a splendid shower room, where even toiletries are provided! Perfectly situated for exploring the historic Fenlands and Ely. Open: 1 Mar-31 Oct 2019 Contact: 01353 698333 Sites Directory and Handbook p289
Clockwise from above: Ely Cathedral; the Desert Rats Memorial Museum in Thetford; relaxing by Great Yarmouth’s Row Houses; cycling in Thetford Forest
Member view “We come here every year as it is a really nice site, close to Ely and Cambridge in a wonderful area, and the owners are lovely and very welcoming. We are here now to visit a big ploughing match.” Geoffrey and Patricia Eames, caravanners from Leicestershire
Owner view
DID YOU KNOW? You can book Club site pitches via the UK Sites app, at camc. Toney, with its beautiful com/searchandbook or by stained glass windows, is calling our Advance Booking a typically fine example. Service on 01342 327490. Please call Affiliated Sites ELY GREAT (AS) directly
the surface, so deep shafts were dug by hand. Leaving the little visitor centre, you walk to a tiny hut, don a hard hat and disappear down the ladder. At the bottom the tunnels that head off into the seam are so low that you would have had to crawl to negotiate them. The original miners only had flickering torches to light their way – not a job for the claustrophobic! Another option from the Club site is High Lodge, an adventure centre set within the forest, offering plenty of parking. There is so much to do here – walk, cycle or explore among the tree tops on a high-ropes experience courtesy of Go Ape! We chose to do their Segway Adventure and, after the initial safety training, had a thrilling time weaving along the wooded tracks and trails. Norfolk is renowned for its variety of delightful little churches, and a small booklet entitled Exploring Norfolk Churches gives details of those that are open to the public on weekdays (it can be downloaded for free from shop.dioceseofnorwich. org/products/open-churches-booklet). The 15th-century church of St George’s in Saham www.camc.com
On a far grander scale, the cathedral city of Ely, about 45 minutes to the west across the county border in Cambridgeshire, is a must-visit. The city can be easily explored on foot, the most obvious attractions being the glorious cathedral with its central octagonal tower, Oliver Cromwell’s House and an excellent museum housed in the 13th-century gaol. A great base for visits to Ely is Heatherbield CL. Runner up in the regional section of the Club’s 2017 CL of the Year competition, this immaculate site is just a couple of miles out of town and a short walk from Little Downham village. Our final stop was at Grafham Water Club site, a further hour’s drive to the west. The staff were wonderfully helpful and we were introduced to the enormous resident American Owl, who makes an appearance most days. We had eaten far too much good food during our travels so decided to embark on a cycle ride around Grafham Water itself. We hired bikes from the very helpful people at Rutland
“This is a good site for bird watching, quiet and with lovely views. It is within a few minutes of Ely with its cathedral and Oliver Cromwell’s House, and there are four historic windmills close by.” Andrew and Sylvia Meek
Food & drink Peacocks Tearoom, 65 Waterside, Ely CB7 4AU Contact: peacockstearoom.co.uk, 01353 661100
Culture Ely Cathedral – see website for visiting information Contact: elycathedral.org, 01353 667735
Outdoor fun Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely CB7 5XP Contact: nationaltrust.org.uk
For the family Denny Abbey and The Farmland Museum, Ely Road, Waterbeach CB25 9PQ Contact: english-heritage.org.uk
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TOURING UK SITES
7 Grafham Water Club Site An attractive site with walking/cycling opportunities around Grafham Water; just three miles from the beautiful little town of Buckden. Pitches: 61 | Open: 15 Mar-4 Nov 2019
“We were in a magical world of Tudor buildings and a beautiful knot garden laid out by Catherine of Aragon”
Member view “A superb site: quiet, excellent facilities and very helpful, welcoming staff. There is a resident American Owl who is a real star and has been here for 18 years.” Julie Girling, caravanner from Norfolk
Site staff view “The site is on part of the Oliver Cromwell estate and some of the original moat is now a pretty pool with lots of water birds. For 2019 there will be a community pub within walking distance in the village.” D and C Kockelbergh
Food & drink The George, 39 High Street, Buckden PE19 5XA Contact: thegeorgebuckden. com, 01480 812300
Cycling and set off on 10 miles of waterside trails, passing such delights as Sanctuary Bay and Savages Creek before stopping at Meander Park for a snack. Our final day out was an unexpected delight. We had learned that you could walk around the grounds of Buckden Towers – a 12th-century fortified manor house in the small village of Buckden, about three miles from the Club site. On arrival we could see the castellated top of an interesting-looking brick tower, but we could not see the way in. I wandered through an archway into a wild bit of garden and spoke to a man up a ladder, who very kindly climbed down, took us into the grounds, and gave us a history lesson. Once through an ancient brick arch, we were in a magical world of Tudor buildings and a beautiful knot garden laid out by
Catherine of Aragon when she was banished there by Henry VIII. We were loathe to leave but sadly our East Anglian odyssey was at an end. It had been a wonderfully diverse tour, taking in the best of coast and city as well as the unforgettable landscape of the Broads. In fact, once could say it’s a region of very broad appeal indeed...
River Wensum in Norwich
Christophe Cappelli |dreamstime
Culture St Neots Museum, The Old Court, 8 New Street, St Neots PE19 1AE Contact: stneotsmuseum.org.uk, 01480 214163
Outdoor fun St Neots Golf Club, Crosshall Road, St Neots PE19 7GE Contact: sngc.co.uk, 01480 217955
For the family Rutland Cycling Grafham (bike hire), Marlow Car Park, Grafham PE28 0BH Contact: rutlandcycling.com/hire, 01480 812500
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
Cycling | The Marriott’s Way This gentle, 15-mile ride on the National Cycle Network follows the path of the old Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway, and as such is largely flat and traffic-free. Starting in Norwich, the route shadows the River Wensum, crossing it five times along the way to the pretty market town of Reepham. The lush surrounding terrain
of farmland, woodland and water meadows affords plenty of opportunities to spot local wildlife, while sculptures along the route commemorate the railway’s history. Information: sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/ route/the-marriotts-way
www.camc.com
www.camc.com
TOURING CERTIFICATED LOCATIONS
CL sites updates NEW CLS ENGLAND LINCOLNSHIRE GAINSBOROUGH (11m NNE) – Mr Robert Limb, Highfield House, Kirton Road, Scotter, Gainsborough, DN21 3JA. 01724 761086; 07906 143217; robertlimb@btinternet. com. 280:SE899008. Open 31 Mar-31 Oct; 0.5 acres; dogs; adv bkg req; grass; 16A; views; lawned; dog walk fr site; town, shop & pub within 1m; fr £15.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE CIRENCESTER (5m NE) – Julie Emery-Priest, Orchard Meadow (formerly Greenacres), Hay Lane, Bibury, Cirencester GL7 5LZ. 01285 740483; orchardmeadowcl@gmail. com. 163:SP100067. Open 1 Feb31 Oct; earliest arrival time 12pm; 1 acre; no dogs pls; adv bkg req; grass; 16A; Wi-Fi; ideal for families; information rm; daily public transport within 1m; town & pub within 1m; watersports within 5m; payment method: cash, cheque, bank transfer; fr £15.
CIRENCESTER (5m NE) – Mr Peter Gardner, Orchard Lodge (formerly Greenacres), Hay Lane, Bibury, Cirencester GL7 5LZ. 01285 740483; orchardlodgecl@ gmail.com. 163:SP100067. Open 1 Feb-31 Dec; earliest arrival time 12pm; 0.75 acre; no dogs pls; adv bkg req; hdstdg; grass; lawned; 16A; Wi-Fi; ideal for families; information rm; daily public transport within 1m; town & pub within 1m; watersports within 5m; payment method: cash, cheque, bank transfer; fr £15.
SCOTLAND ARGYLL & BUTE TAYNUILT (1m NW) – Mr Ian & Mrs Fiona Campbell, Airds Bay CL, Airds Bay, Taynuilt, Argyll & Bute PA35 1JR. 01866 822121; 07759 304705; baysandbensholidays.co.uk; fionacampbell456@gmail.com. 377:NM996323. Open all year; 1 acre; dogs; adv bkg req; only 1 hdstdg enhanced pitch; 16A; max o’fit length 8mtrs; peaceful; views; storage facs; s/c acc; Wi-Fi; dog walk fr site; town & shop within 1m; game & coarse fishing, golf & beach within 5m; fr £20.
Petr Švec /Dreamstime
Oban
CL SITES
CLOSURES
Also see the CL section of the Club website (camc.com) for the most up-to-date details on all CLs. Pitch fees may be subject to variation – check with the CL owner before booking. NOTE: CL entries are identified by a unique reference/map number in the 2017/18 Sites Directory & Handbook. They are listed here using the same number, unless otherwise shown.
The following CLs have closed since publication of the Sites Directory & Handbook 2017/18 and the December 2018 issue of the magazine unless otherwise stated. 906 LOUGHBOROUGH – Mrs Hibbins, Hall Farm 931 CAISTOR – Mrs N Kendall, Springfield 988 MABLETHORPE – Mr & Mrs P Grimshaw, The Stables 1096 DEREHAM – Mr & Mrs Mack, Bartles Lodge 1580 UCKFIELD – Mr J W Butler, Flitteridge Farm 2098 CARMARTHEN – Mr M & Mrs S Taylor, Laugharne View 2243 MILFORD HAVEN – Mr & Mrs S E Ford, Winterton Farm
UPDATES
IMPORTANT: Nightly fees may differ from those published in the Directory due to a change of facilities or ownership. It is therefore essential to confirm current fees when enquiring or making a booking. Not all CLs with a pub symbol are located on the site
Oak Tree Fishery CL of a public house – some have a pub located nearby (up to three miles away), so please check with the owner before visiting. CL reference number refers to the Directory. 939 EPWORTH – Oak Tree Fishery.
Please remember that CLs are privately-owned businesses. If you make a booking and subsequently don’t show up, a 20% loss will be incurred by the CL owner if that pitch cannot be resold. So, if you have to cancel your booking, please give the CL owner as much notice as possible. CL owners have individual cancellation policies so charges may be incurred if you cancel or don’t turn up. Routes – an important note. Routes provided by autoroutes or satellite navigation systems may include roads
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
New owners Gary and Linda Baker, tel: 07853 083083; 07854 670626. CL now open all year. 1959 OBAN – Dallachulish Farm. New email: ross.macpherson1@ outlook.com.
unsuitable for vehicles towing trailers or caravans. There may also be specific weight, width or height restrictions. For caravan-friendly local routes to Club sites, CLs and commercial sites, we would advise using the standard directions published in the Sites Directory & Handbook and on our website. The reference numbers on this page relate to the 2017/18 edition of the Sites Directory & Handbook.
www.camc.com
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39
ACTIVITY BREAKS WALKING
LET’S GO...
Nordic Walking Andrew Ditton enjoys a sport that offers health benefits and camaraderie in equal measure
M
any of us will have first seen someone practising the art of ‘Nordic walking’ while overseas – it’s far more popular with our European neighbours than it is with us here in the UK. What’s it all about, though? After all, it looks like little more than striding purposefully with a pole in each hand. Nordic walking originated in the 1930s in Finland. The strenuous activity of cross-country skiing was an important way of getting about in the winter, but people used to lose their high level of fitness during the snow-free summer months. Nordic walking – a more dynamic form of walking using special poles – came about to help people maintain their fitness and flexibility when there was no snow around. According to the British Nordic Walking organisation, the exercise burns up to 46% more calories than ordinary walking. Even better, it’s a sport that is accessible to most able-bodied people regardless of their fitness level. And the cherry on the icing on the cake is that there are many groups up and down the country meeting on a regular basis for Nordic walks, adding a social element for those who prefer to exercise their jaws as well as their legs, tums, core and shoulders. One such group meets at the National Trust’s Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire every week. If the name ‘Clumber Park’ sounds familiar, that’s because the Club has a popular site here, which is open throughout the year. So you could get involved right now without waiting for the warmer weather to arrive – what a great idea for a winter foray with the motorhome or caravan! Itt was through the National Trust website that I found out about Nordic walking at Clumber Park (you can access a nationwide directory of groups and instructors at britishnordicwalking. org.uk). A session would cost a mere £6, including pole hire and induction. I emailed the contact mentioned, Bryan, and that evening his lovely wife Christine called me to introduce herself, to tell me what to expect and to give me instructions so that I could locate the group. “If it’s your first
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
time, you have to book in with us to make sure we are here in time to give a thorough induction,” she later explained. “Otherwise, if you have been Nordic walking before, you can just turn up at the allocated time – there is no need to book if you don’t want to.” The rendezvous took place in the main Clumber Park car park a couple of miles from the Club site. If you’re not a member of the National Trust you will need to pay a parking fee if you drive (there is space to park a motorhome if you need to). Otherwise, if you’re as active (and as careful with money) as me, you can take advantage of the Clumber Park Cycle Network, and ride the off-road bridleways all the way from the site to the car park. It was an enjoyable 10-to-15-minute cycle through the trees and I would estimate it would probably take about 45 minutes to comfortably walk the route. POLE TO POLE After locking up my bike, I found Bryan and Christine, and was measured up for my poles. I noticed that the straps attached to them are designed for either your left or right hand – a ‘quick release’ system allows them to be detached if need be. “Some people bring trekking poles, thinking that they are suitable,” explained Christine, “but they really are very different from Nordic walking poles.” It is also worth pointing out that dogs and children under the age of 10 are not permitted at the Clumber Park sessions. When I saw the spikes in the poles, I could understand why. My induction started with how to maintain the correct posture, and learning about a whole new kind of ‘A-frame’. Nothing to do with the drawbar on the front of your caravan and everything to do with using your body to mimic a capital ‘A’ as opposite pole and leg work together. www.camc.com
33
TOURING ACTIVITY BREAKS CLUB SITES WALKING
Clockwise from far left: Bryan and Christine with their walking kit; Clumber Park; Andrew is given an introduction to Nordic walking
“Nordic walking burns up to 46% more calories than ordinary walking”
As we tried a few exercises, it felt at times as if I was trying to pat my head and rub my stomach: knuckles pointing down, arms fairly straight, poles behind you, left arm to right leg… yet as soon as I stopped over-thinking it and relaxed, the whole technique became quite intuitive. In a nutshell, you use the poles to propel you forward and assist with core stability. It’s a bit like being on a cross-trainer, only this ‘gym’ is the glorious outdoors and your soundtrack is birdsong. Soon it was time for the walk to start – a two-mile circuit taking in Clumber Park’s beautiful lake. There were 17 of us altogether and, after a warm-up led by Christine, we set off. As I relaxed into the Nordic walking technique, I enjoyed chatting with other people in the group, some of whom were Club members. The next hour was spent exercising, enjoying the fresh air, drinking in the views, absorbing the woodland sounds and smells and swapping caravanning stories with new-found friends. Before I knew it, an hour had passed and we were back at the car park. Before dispersing, Christine made sure we all did some stretches to stave off any potential stiffness the next day. I had built up an appetite after all that exercise, so I was delighted to discover that the session 34
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
ended with (an optional) visit to the lovely on-site café. I might not have lost any weight that morning, but I certainly felt relaxed and invigorated at the same time. I would recommend anyone who enjoys walking to give the Nordic version a go. For the Clumber Park walking sessions, see nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park and search the ‘What’s on’ section. To find walking groups and instructors near other Club sites, visit britishnordicwalking. org.uk and search ‘Find a Group’.
MEMBER SINCE... Caravanner Andrew Ditton joined the Club in 1987
WHERE TO STAY Clumber Park Club site. See camc.com for details. To book call 01342 327490.
BOOK
ON THE
APP
Also consider... 1. Bristol Nordic Walking offers a variety of walks and training opportunities in the Bristol and Bath areas (bristolnordicwalking.co.uk). Stay at: Baltic Wharf Club site 2. Step Forth arranges walks and training across Scotland’s central belt (falkirkcommunitytrust.org). Stay at: Edinburgh Club site 3. Charnleys Outdoors is based in Greater Manchester and provides a varied package of Nordic walking training and sessions (g1wob.net). Stay at: Burrs Country Park Club site
www.camc.com
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5
TOURING NETHERLANDS
1
Koningshof (site ref: H03)
A friendly site with a swimming pool and a smart new reception building with restaurant, bar and shop. Close to Leiden and the bulb fields. Touring pitches: 140 | Open: 22 Mar-3 Nov 2019
Visitor view “We spent five relaxing nights at Koningshof and found all the staff to be friendly and helpful, even when we turned up later than expected. We also found the on-site shop useful for essential items.” David Bird
Site view “This site has been family-owned for 60 years and we are very proud of our new reception building which opened in July [2018]. We have visitors from all over as we are such a convenient place to stay for so many things, such as the beautiful city of Leiden, the flowers in spring and beaches in summer.” Corlieke Groen (above)
SURPRISE
PACKAGE
Food & drink Surf en Beach, Boulevard Zeezijde 9, 2225 BB Katwijk aan Zee Contact: surfenbeach.nl, 0031 71 4016 563
John Rawlings is taken aback by a variety of attractions –and landscapes – during his two-stop Dutch break
B Culture Dutch National Museum of Antiquities, Rapenburg 28, 2311 EW Leiden Contact: rmo.nl, 0031 71 5163 163
Outdoor fun Duinrell amusement park, Duinrell 1, 2242 JP Wassenaar Contact: duinrell.com, 0031 70 5155 255
For the family Corpus Museum (‘journey through the human body’), Willem Einthovenstraat 1, 2342 BH Oegstgeest Contact: corpusexperience.nl, 0031 71 751 0200
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
eaches don’t immediately spring to mind when thinking of the Netherlands, but we were delighted to discover superb, long sandy stretches during a short break in this fascinating, friendly country this autumn. Following an overnight ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland, it was less than an hour’s drive to our first campsite – Vakantiepark Koningshof, near Leiden. We had paid a small supplement to arrive early, so we quickly pitched the caravan, unloaded the bikes and set off exploring. Immediately it struck us that two-wheeled transport is the norm for young and old in this part of the world, and it was fun to act like the locals while benefitting from some gentle exercise (and, in the children’s cases, spend some time away from the gadgets). It was less than three miles from the campsite to Katwijk aan Zee, where we were greeted by a sea-facing boulevard of restaurants, bars, hotels and shops. There were also monuments to action that took place here during the Second World War, but, thankfully, these days, the beach is the
scene for relaxation and activities such as kite surfing and horse riding. Even in October, there were plenty of families out strolling and, like us, enjoying lunch in trendy eateries. The next day, half an hour’s cycle to the south-east of the campsite took us to Leiden, described as a smaller, quieter version of Amsterdam, due to the proliferation of canals, bridges and historic buildings, many dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Take a relaxing boat trip from the market square or embark on a self-guided walk using a map available from the campsite reception (it can also be ordered from freebeemap.nl). Highlights include the Leidse Schouwburg (dating from 1705, it is the oldest working theatre in the country), the medieval Pieterskerk, the 1,000-year old citadel of Burcht van Leiden and the peaceful Hortus Botanicus – the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands and home to more than 10,000 plants from all over the world. For a great view of the city, try the restaurant at the top of the Hudson’s Bay department store. www.camc.com
DID YOU KNOW?
SteveAllenPhoto
Kisa_Markiza
To book these sites, please call 01342 316101 or go to camc.com/overseas. For further information, see p200-201 of the Venture Abroad 2019 brochure
It’s right next to Leiden’s large Saturday market, where you can feast on traditional Dutch herring, local cheese and waffles. The Hague and Delft are also easily accessible by train, while Amsterdam, to the north, is just 30 minutes away. Having school-age children, visiting the Anne Frank House in the capital was a must, as was a trip to the Van Gogh museum where we viewed the largest collection of works by the Dutch genius in the world. We spent the second part of our break in Valkenburg in the country’s southern extremity, and were surprised by the contrasting scenery. Yes, there are hills in Holland! Our base, the Den Driesch campsite, is an easy walk from the town centre, with its shops, supermarket and restaurants – as long as you don’t mind a bit of a hill on the way back. Finding a hammock on our ‘comfort’ pitch was quite a novelty, and the children were equally impressed with the free tickets provided for the local swimming pool, which we took advantage of on more than one occasion. The kids also soon www.camc.com
Top: the pretty town of Leiden Above: the ruins of Valkenburg Castle are a must-see Below: toboggan fun near Den Driesch campsite
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
37
TOURING NETHERLANDS
2
Den Driesch (site ref: H10)
Situated on a hill overlooking Valkenburg, it’s just a short walk into the town centre. Friendly staff, small shop and laundry facilities. Touring pitches: 90 Open: 22 March 2019 to 31 December 2019
Visitor view “We have enjoyed a stop-over here for a couple of nights and can recommend the Thermae 2000 spa. The approach to the site is quite steep, but manageable, and the views are worth it.” Liz Hall
Site view “Many people come here for the hills, the Christmas markets and André Rieu concerts. The Caravan and Motorhome Club does a trip here and organises a shuttle to take people to Maastricht and the Christmas markets.” Bas Halmans
Food & drink Brasserie de Stationnerie, Stationsstraat 10, 6301 EZ Valkenburg Contact: stationnerie.nl, 0031 43 6013 580
Culture Roman Catacomb Museum, Plenkertstraat 55, 6301 GL Valkenburg Contact: katakomben.nl, 0031 43 6012 554
Outdoor fun A GoGo Valkenburg (tobogganing and crazy golf), Neerhem 44, 6301 CJ Valkenburg Contact: agogovalkenburg.nl, 0031 43 6090 609
For the family Mystery House Escape Rooms, De Guascostraat 6, 6301 CT Valkenburg Contact: mysterhouse.nl, 0031 43 737 0189
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
Illustration: Louise Turpin
DID YOU KNOW?
The Club offers overseas each for half a day, it might not spotted the crazy golf course holiday insurance be for all budgets. and toboggan run higher on specially designed As previously mentioned, the hill above the campsite. for caravanners and Maastricht is great for a day trip Judging by the number motorhomers – call and easy to reach by bus or train. of restaurants in Valkenburg 01342 336633 for As capital of the Limburg region, offering huge (heated) a quote there is a certain grandeur about the outdoor seating areas, it is a very city, the tree-lined market square and popular place to visit. Many come caf and restaurants, town hall, surrounded by cafés here for the town’s celebrated Christmas being a particular highlight . markets as well as those in nearby Maastricht Fascinating cities, underground cycling tours, and Aachen (Germany). Maastricht is also the beautiful beaches and hilltop castles – just a few of venue for a series of summer concerts starring the discoveries we made on our surprising tour of famous violinist and local resident André Rieu. the Netherlands. I would urge you to give it a try! Make time to see Valkenburg Castle – the country’s only hill fortress – as well as the marl caves (excavated by the Romans for marl about MEMBER SINCE... 2,000 years ago). The latter can be explored by Motorhomer John Rawlings joined foot or tourist train, but the most exciting the Club in 2009 option (we thought) is the bike tour which took us 40m underground. There are good biking (and hiking) routes to enjoy above ground in the area too (maps are available from the tourist information office in the town centre), but remember – they won’t be flat! After a day in the countryside, you might want to relax at Valkenburg’s Thermae 2000 spa, which boasts a 40,000-year-old thermal water source. Check before you go as there are certain swimwear restrictions and naturist days, while, at €21.50 www.camc.com
www.caravanclub.co.uk
January 2017 The Caravan Club Magazine
4
TOURING OVERSEAS TRAVEL
WHERE WILL Explore the world with the help of our experienced guides – or go it alone on an independent tour. You’re spoiled for choice... Make 2019 the year you book your adventure of a lifetime! Did you know that we now offer 20 escorted and independent tours on our worldwide
programme, taking in countries and regions as diverse as Canada, the United States, New Zealand and – new for this year – Australia and Southern
Niagara Falls
Africa? What’s more, all of our worldwide tours are led by professional, local, experienced guides, who will help you make the
most of your once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here are highlights of just six of our holidays – you can find out more at camc.com/worldwide...
Canada THE BEST OF EASTERN CANADA Duration/type: 22-day independent motorhome tour Departs: daily May to Oct 2019/20 Price: from £2,899pp based on two sharing Price includes: outfit hire, return flights from the UK to Toronto, two nights in a four-star hotel in Toronto including breakfast, 18 nights at
pre-booked campsites, all transfers, personalised record book containing travel tips, local information and day-to-day driving routes HIGHLIGHTS Toronto, Lake Ontario, Thousand Islands, Montreal, Quebec, Algonquin Provincial Park, Muskoka, Niagara Falls
Southern Africa ROADS OF THE RAINBOW NATION
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Duration/type: 38-day escorted motorhome tour Departs: 29 Sep 2019, 9 Feb 2020, 9 Jun 2020 Price: from £3,999pp, based on two sharing Price includes: outfit hire, return flights from the UK, two nights in a four-star hotel in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, 31 nights at pre-booked campsites, all transfers, local tour leaders HIGHLIGHTS Panorama Route scenic drive, guided game drive in Kruger National Park, hippopotamus and crocodile cruise on Lake St Lucia, battlefields of KwaZulu Natal, game drive in Addo Elephant Park, drive the Garden Route, Cape Winelands, Cape Town and Table Mountain, spectacular farewell dinner
A TALE OF THREE COUNTRIES
Experience a game drive
Duration/type: 33-day escorted motorhome tour Departs: 7 Nov 2019, 7 Jan 2020, 2 May 2020 Price: from £4,999pp, based on two sharing Price includes: outfit hire, return flights from the UK, two nights in a four-star Windhoek hotel, two nights in the four-star David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa, 27 nights at
pre-booked campsites, all transfers, local tour leaders HIGHLIGHTS The deserts of Sossusvlei, Walvis Bay including a seal and dolphin cruise, guided game drives in Etosha National Park (Namibia) and Chobe National Park (Botswana), Victoria Falls, the Makgadikgadi Pan, the Okavango Delta
For information on all these tours and to order a free copy of our 2019 Worldwide holidays brochure, visit camc.com/worldwide or call 01342 779349 40
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
www.camc.com
2019 TAKE YOU? Australia
New Zealand
OUTBACK AUSTRALIA Duration/type: 36-day escorted motorhome tour Departs: 7 Apr 2020 (Adelaide to Darwin), 8 May 2020 (Darwin to Adelaide) Price: from £5,399pp, based on two sharing Price includes: outfit hire, return flights from the UK, five nights’ hotel accommodation including breakfast,
Kaikoura
27 nights at pre-booked campsites, all transfers, local tour leaders HIGHLIGHTS Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy (famed for its opals), Uluru (Ayers Rock) including a Sounds of Silence Dinner, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Katherine Gorge, Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
GRAND NEW ZEALAND CARAVAN TOUR Duration/type: 36-day independent caravan tour Departs: travel all year 2019/20 Price: from £7,699pp based on two sharing Price includes: outfit hire, return flights from UK to Christchurch, 31 days car hire (Nissan X-Trail or similar), two nights’ hotel accommodation in Christchurch,
30 nights at pre-booked campsite, Interislander ferry crossings, all transfers HIGHLIGHTS Mount Cook and the Southern Alps, Queenstown, Wanaka, Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, Abel Tasman National Park, Kaikoura, Queen Charlotte Sound, Wellington, Auckland, Rotorua
United States AMERICA’S CANYONLANDS Duration/type: 20-day independent motorhome tour Departs: daily from April to October Price: from £2,995pp based on two sharing Price includes: outfit hire, return flights from the UK, two nights in a four-star hotel in Las Vegas, 16 nights at pre-booked campsites, transfers to and from motorhome depot, personalised record book containing travel tips, local information and day-to-day driving routes HIGHLIGHTS Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Arches National Parks
Our team can create a bespoke experience for you, whether you want flight upgrades, help selecting your perfect outfit, excursion bookings etc. Call 01342 779349 today! www.camc.com
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
41
TOURING OVERSEAS TRAVEL
SITES FOR ALL Planning a holiday in Europe during 2019? You can choose from hundreds of sites in 16 countries on our overseas sites network!
Did you know that the Club’s overseas network boasts more than 330 handpicked, regularly-inspected
sites across an incredible 16 European countries (more than any other UK touring club)? Whether you
Spain
are looking for a warming break in sunny Spain, a winter sports escape in Switzerland or a scenic, cultural
adventure in Slovenia, we have the site for you. Here is a small selection to whet your appetite!
LA TORRE DEL SOL (booking reference E14) Situated in southern Catalonia, this large site features palm tree-lined avenues that lead down to a beautiful 800m stretch of sandy beach. Excellent facilities include a pool complex with spacious sunbathing area, bar, restaurant and fitness room. Families will love the PortAventura theme park (just a 20-minute drive away), while Barcelona – home to the staggeringly-beautiful Basilica de la Sagrada Família church, Picasso museum and Nou Camp stadium – is perfect for a day trip.
Netherlands
Belgium
RESORT DE ARENDSHORST (H02) Located beside the River Vecht and surrounded by a 500-acre nature reserve in the Overijssel region, this is the perfect spot if you are looking to get away from it all. Popular with anglers, this friendly site will also appeal to younger visitors courtesy of its large paddling pool and small petting farm. The pretty town of Ommen – home to the National Tin Figure Museum – is less than 10 minutes’ drive away.
Switzerland JUNGFRAU (S15) This family-run site sits within the ‘valley of the 72 waterfalls’, in the shade of the magnificent Jungfrau mountain. Visitors can take advantage of excellent facilities including a restaurant and small terrace bar. A short distance away is the picturesque village of Lauterbrunnen, where the ‘Gästekarte’ (‘guest card’ – available from the campsite) gives you discounts to attractions including a swimming pool and mini golf.
PARC LA CLUSURE (H09) Perfect for active types, Parc La Clusure offers two floodlit artificial grass tennis courts, a sports field, a beach volleyball court, three boules courts, numerous table tennis tables and playgrounds for children of all ages. After a hard day’s work, enjoy a dip in the pool and then unwind in the restaurant or diner. Situated on the banks of the River L’Homme in the Belgian Ardennes, this is also a great site for mountain biking and canoeing enthusiasts.
To book sites and make ferry or Eurotunnel reservations, visit camc.com/overseas or call 01342 316101 42
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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Germany
EIFEL-CAMP (G21) New to the overseas sites network in 2019, this superbly-maintained site sits within a forested region beside the tranquil Lake Freilingen. Excellent for those keen on fishing or cycling, Eifel-Camp is also within half an hour’s drive of the famous Nürburgring racing circuit, where young and old can explore a fantastic indoor, interactive museum devoted to all things ‘speed’.
Croatia ZATON HOLIDAY RESORT (X14)
Perched on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, the Zaton Resort offers guests easy access to a lovely sandy beach. Perfect for active holidaymakers, a wide range of sports are available from windsurfing and water skiing to parasailing and mountain biking. Eating options on site include a traditional tavern, à la carte restaurant and pizzeria. Close to the town of Nin and a short drive from the popular tourist destination of Zadar, there are plenty of opportunities for exploration.
Luxembourg
GRITT (H07) This peaceful site sits on the banks of the River Sûre opposite the village of Ingeldorf. Visitors can walk or cycle by the waterside to the nearby towns of Ettelbruck and Diekirch, the latter of which is home to the National Museum of Military History. After a day’s exploration, why not relax in the on-site bar-restaurant? Luxembourg City and its attractions, such as the Grand Ducal Palace and National Museum of History and Art, can be easily accessed by public transport.
France
L’ISLE VERTE (L34) L’Isle Verte is the perfect base for visiting the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Just minutes away from the site, a fantastic example can be
found at Saumur. Here, the 10th-century fortress is home to a vast collection of art and artefacts. The town is also the home to the National Riding School and the
Cadre Noir – a group of fabled riding masters. From the site you can enjoy a boat ride along the river or cycle along its banks to the village of Montsoreau.
For information on all these sites and to order a free copy of our Venture Abroad brochure, visit camc.com/overseas or call 01342 316101 www.camc.com
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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MEMBER OFFERS SPECIAL DEALS
SAVE WITH THE CLUB SAVE 16% ON SELECTED NISSAN MODELS We’ve teamed up with Nissan to give members offers on a range of vehicles that are perfect for the touring lifestyle. As well as a discount of 16%, deposit contributions of up to £1,500 and free tow bars are available on X-Trail, Qashqai and Navara models. You can also carry more and make the most of the great outdoors by customising your vehicle with a Nissan load carrier, roof box or bike carrier. X-Trail – 16% off, up to £1,500 deposit contribution and a free tow bar. With 565 litres of luggage space, optional seven seats and up to 2,000kg braked towing capacity, the X-Trail is well suited for action-packed family adventures. The X-Trail’s Intelligent 4x4 system contributes further to a controlled and confident driving experience. Qashqai – 16% off, up to £500 deposit contribution and a free tow bar. The Qashqai combines a 1,800kg braked towing capacity with a range of Intelligent Mobility Technologies to make towing your caravan easy. Intelligent Cruise Control for example helps monitor your car’s positioning, taking the strain out of long journeys. Navara – 16% off, up to £1,000 deposit contribution and
SAVE 15% AT RUNNERS NEED Runners Need offers a wide range of products from world-leading brands, as well as friendly, expert advice and personal service. Sourcing the latest innovations in performance fabrics and footwear, high-tech gadgets and sports nutrition, Runners Need aims to help you get the most out of every run. See camc.com/ runnersneed for details.
a free tow bar. Offering 3,500kg braked towing capacity, the Navara is the perfect pick-up and an outstanding towing vehicle. Features such as Forward Emergency Braking and Hill Start Assist allow for safer day-to-day adventures. Visit camc.com/nissan for exclusive member offer pricing on Qashqai, X-Trail, Navara and Micra. Simply visit your local Nissan dealership to redeem the offer, taking your Caravan and Motorhome Club Membership card with you. Find out more by visiting camc.com/nissan.
VISIT RSPB SITES FOR FREE RSPB manages 203 nature reserves (of which 174 are publicly accessible), many of which are close to Caravan and Motorhome Club sites. As a member, you can claim free entry for two adults and two children when you visit. See camc.com/rspb for more information.
Information correct at time of publication. Terms and conditions apply to all member offers – see camc.com/memberoffers for details
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35% DISCOUNT ON INTERNET SECURITY Protect your personal information – such as banking information and email content – when connecting to public Wi-Fi on the go with GOOSE VPN. Set up a subscription and download the app to shield your internet activity on phones, tablets and laptops while you are away from home. Our offer gives you 35% off annual and monthly subscriptions. Visit camc.com/goose for more information.
SAVE 35% ON MAPS,
GUIDEBOOKS AND ACCESSORIES Leading online map superstore Dash4it is offering members an exclusive 35%off the RRP for selected brands. There are great savings to be had on everything from maps, atlases and travel guides to outdoor accessories. Save and stock up on products from Ordnance Survey, AA, Collins, Bridgedale and more by visiting camc.com/dash4it.
SAVE €10 ON EMOVIS TAG Worried about having to stop to pay tolls in France, Spain and Portugal? Emovis tag (formerly Sanef) can provide UK customers with a tag that automatically raises the barrier at motorway toll stations. Club members save one €10 application fee when applying for either a Liber-t tag for use in France or a VIA-T tag for use in Spain and Portugal (actual toll fees are collected in pounds sterling by direct debit from your UK bank account). Order a VIA-T tag today and you will receive a free Galp fuel discount card (usable in Spain and Portugal)! For information on how the tags work and terms and conditions, see camc.com/emovis.
50% OFF TYRE PRESSURE MONITORS Replace your regular tyre valve caps with Flashcaps. These clever devices check pressures every second – if your tyre deflates, the bright LED on the Flashcap flashes to alert you. So, for peace of mind, you can check with a quick glance before every journey. See camc.com/boo9 for details.
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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COUNTRY MATTERS BEAVERS
GOOD
Main image: building a dam Clockwise from far left: beavers were here!; one of Venn Farm CL’s residents; nature lover Andy Hillsdon
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December 2018 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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FELLERS David Chapman is privileged to be able to photograph beavers during a stay on a Certificated Location in Devon
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COUNTRY MATTERS BEAVERS
BONUS TIME ALSO SEEN AT VENN FARM I photographed this kingfisher (below) while waiting for the beavers Marbled white butterflies (bottom left) have benefitted from conservation work on the farm Emperor dragonflies (left) egg-laying in the pools created by beavers
I
n 1998, when Andy and Tina Hillsdon bought 54 acres of Devon land, they knew exactly what they wanted to do with it: establish a space for nature. But they could never have foreseen the wildlife that would be taking advantage of their hospitality 20 years down the line. Their plan to convert intensive farmland into wildlife habitat started immediately and dramatically with the planting of 20,000 native, deciduous trees over 30 acres of their new plot. The trees grew quickly, attracting an amazing array of wildlife. Roe deer are frequent visitors, for example, while a range of wildflowers support many butterflies including common blue, marbled white and silver-washed fritillaries in summer. A pond was added to increase the diversity of habitat. Sheltered by the trees but with enough sun to support basking insects, it has proven to be a haven for dragonflies and damselflies.
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Eight years ago, Andy and Tina decided to open a Club Certificated Location – Venn Farm – on their land. Being motorhomers themselves, they knew exactly what they would want from a site and the finished result is fantastic, offering five hardstanding pitches (each with electric hook-up, fresh water, waste point and picnic table), a drive-over motorhome drain and free Wi-Fi. Two years ago, they made an unusual discovery. In the stream they found a dam constructed from branches and twigs, and a small pool was forming. Over time trees were mysteriously felled and the dam became bigger (extending to 20 yards long and three feet high). They came to an obvious conclusion – beavers were in residence!
that conservationists make for reintroducing beavers to the wild. What is more, the small pools that sit behind their dams encourage other, diverse wildlife to flourish. I sat by the water for three evenings and saw kingfishers, common blue butterflies drinking from the mud at the edge of the pool, dragonflies scanning for insects, mallards swimming through, bats hunting low over the water and even a family of tawny owls above the clearing. Other species that have been seen here include water shrew, common frog, toad, palmate newt and moorhen. One complaint is that beavers fell a lot of trees; while this is true, it isn’t necessarily a problem. The richest parts of woodland for wildlife are the clearings and rides, and beavers create this environment by chopping down groups of trees. It’s also important to point out that many beaver-felled trees regrow from their base, creating fresh foliage. We mustn’t forget that we used to manage woodlands in just such a way, to the benefit of species such as dormice and fritillary butterflies. I must thank Andy and Tina for allowing us all to share in their good fortune. How lucky we all are to be able to stay on their site and watch beavers in the wild; I genuinely thought that would never happen so close to home in my lifetime.
THE GREAT ESCAPE It was well known that there was a population of beavers on the River Otter in East Devon, but Venn Farm is in West Devon, near the border with Cornwall. So these beavers had come from somewhere else. It turns out that about a mile from Venn Farm is a place where beavers, among other native mammals, are bred for reintroduction around the UK. The holding pen for some of the beavers was upstream from Venn Farm and a number had staged an escape. The small population expanded until it reached To book your stay at Venn Farm CL, please visit Venn Farm and it is fortunate that everyone along camc.com/cls or see p336 of the Sites Directory the valley so far has been welcoming to the beavers. & Handbook 2017/18 When I visited last summer, the water level was very low and the dams stood high and dry above MEMBER SINCE... the pools. It was obvious to me that under such Motorhomer David Chapman joined circumstances these dams would prevent flash the Club in 2000 floods further downstream. This is one argument
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5
SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS
WEIGHT
Andrew Ditton and Martin Dorey reveal the winning lightweight leisure trailers and dealer special caravans from the Club’s 2019 awards October’s Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham played host to the Club’s Lightweight Leisure Trailer Awards 2019 and the Caravan Design Awards 2019. Every year, the average age of drivers requiring category B+E licence training and a test increases (see camc.com/advice-and-training), which
in turn highlights the importance of the Lightweight Leisure Trailer Awards. This sector includes a variety of touring units – trailer tents, folding campers and caravans, pop-tops and compact conventional caravans – and there were 32 different entrants to the competition this year. All caravans and trailer tents submitted must have an MTPLM of
1,100kg or lower, and are split into categories to make the scrupulous judging process as fair as possible. We reported on the majority of category winners from the Caravan Design Awards in last month’s magazine, and this month we bring you the results of the Dealer Special categories. To be classed as a ‘Dealer
Special’ a caravan must only be available from one dealer (or dealer network) and must be based on an existing manufacturer’s model. As well as added value, the clarity of information on the dealer’s website and the payload of the enhanced vehicle are taken into account. Let’s take a look at the winners…
CLASS ONE TRAILER TENTS WITHOUT KITCHEN WINNER
TRIGANO CAMPLAIR S
Price: £4,384
When it comes to trailer tents, ease of set up is an incredibly important factor. The Camplair S impresses in this regard: a simple operation turns a relatively small and light trailer into an impressive two-bedroomed touring unit. Storage space is excellent, and a pair of lockers will hold all the bits and pieces of camping gear you’ll need to turn this tough little Trigano into a home from home on wheels. “Nothing particularly new but a practical, simple and rufty-tufty trailer tent nonetheless – a classic!” said one judge.
RUNNER-UP
CAMPMASTER AIR 1000 LX
Price: £5,250
Last year’s winner was nudged into second place this time around. The Air 1000 LX is a lovely little trailer tent that’s easy to put up, with just four AirBeams making up the awning; once that is set-up you just peg it out and wheel in the flipped-open trailer. On hot summer nights you can even roll back out into the open and sleep under the stars on a comfy memory foam mattress. The 120kg payload means you can carry a good deal of kit and it’s easy to pack away.
THIRD PLACE
CAMPMASTER AIR 600 LX
Price: £4,850
It might play second fiddle to its bigger sibling, but that doesn’t mean Campmaster’s 600 model should be ignored. It’s easier to store and easier to manoeuvre when you’re on site,
and it’s also just as easy to construct as the 1000. You might have to take slightly less with you on your trip but that’s not such a bad thing – it will suit campers looking to travel light just fine. As one judge said: “Fab! Love it packed up!”
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WATCHERS CLASS TWO TRAILER TENTS WITH KITCHEN WINNER
ISABELLA CAMP-LET PREMIUM
Price: £11,144
Trailer tents need to be easy to convert, neat when folded and more comfortable – much more comfortable – than your average tent. The Camp-let Premium ticks all these boxes and is very stylish to boot. It looks as good folded as it does erected, while the two luxurious double beds with sprung bases are perfect for weary campers. The orderly kitchen scored well; it is set-up within the huge awning (included in the price) but can just as easily be used in a lay-by while you’re en route.
RUNNER-UP
TRIGANO ALPHA COMPACT
Price:£9,025
This trailer tent has a side opening, and the roof rack and trailer top make up the hard floor of the constructed tent. That floor gives it an ‘off the ground’ feel, which sets it apart from some of the smaller trailer tents – it’s a really practical option if you’re camping in places where the weather may not be so clement. Judges were also impressed by the ease of set-up.
THIRD PLACE
ISABELLA CAMP-LET 2-GO
Price:£7,254
The Camp-let 2-Go might be pitched as entry level but experienced trailer tent-dwelling campers should also take note. Judges commented on the quality of the canvas and the “faff-free” pitching, as well as the good amount of storage available.
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Also praised were the big beds, mattresses and the “great little kitchen”.
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SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS
CLASS THREE FOLDING CAMPERS WINNER
PENNINE PATHFINDER
Price: £14,895
Once again the Pathfinder – “a huge trailer tent with three huge doubles and a great kitchen” – emerged victorious in this category. Judges liked its seating space, the quality of its canvas and mattresses, the built-in battery with TV and charging points, the washroom and the well-equipped kitchen. It offers similar levels of convenience, luxury and equipment as a much larger caravan in a compact, easy-to-store trailer. With an MTPLM of 1,000kg, there’s a wide choice of potential towcars available.
THIRD PLACE
CONWAY COUNTRYMAN
Price: £11,595
Easier to construct and take down than the two Pennines, partly because there’s no washroom, the Conway Countryman scored well on day- and night-time comfort, space and practicality. Parallel sofas create a sociable space and blown-air heating ensures it’s warm, too. The included awning means room is more or less doubled for
RUNNER-UP
PENNINE FIESTA
Price: £11,895
no extra cost, which is a bonus if you’re setting up for a long stay on site. “It’s the neatest and smallest of this family… simplicity is key,” noted one judge.
to those who need to watch the pennies but who don’t want to miss out on quality.
Although it might be tempting to describe this runner-up as the perennial bridesmaid to the Pathfinder’s bride, the smaller Fiesta still offers much of the same great quality, comfort and ease of set-up in a trailer with an MTPLM of just 750kg. It’s also £3k cheaper, which is going to make it more attractive
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CLASS FOUR POP-TOPS WITHOUT WASHROOM
CLASS FIVE POP-TOPS WITH WASHROOM
WINNER
WINNER
FREEDOM MICROLITE SPORT FLARE
Price: £9,995
The Freedom Microlite Sport Flare is light, with an MTPLM of 750kg, and yet it’s perfectly formed, boasting a surprising amount of interior space. The central pop-top makes cooking a breeze, offering ample
SILVER TREND 380TDE
headroom, while the living area – two bench seats and a tiny, two-person dinette – is a sociable, comfortable space. Add in some sensitive lighting and you’ve got a neat, good-looking unit that’s as practical to live in as it is to tow. Judges gave it top marks for storage space and warranty.
Price: £19,910
The Silver 380 was pipped at the post last year but claimed first prize in 2019. It’s a pop-top with rigid sides and full-height sides to the washroom, while the model judged had a fixed bed, which is unusual in a caravan of this size. Despite the
room taken up by the bed, the caravan didn’t feel small, which is testament to the spaceconscious design. Unlike other caravans in this class, the judges noted good lighting and all-round headroom once popped.
RUNNER-UP
SILVER TREND 420
Price: £20,672
The 420 came third in this class last year, but the judges were even more impressed this time round. Praise was forthcoming for the layout,
“the two big beds” and the “good, full-length headroom” when popped, while the panel also liked the fact that a spare wheel and TV socket were included as standard equipment. The electric roof was awarded marks for innovation.
THIRD PLACE
SILVER TREND 310
RUNNER-UP
Price: £18,696
GO-POD PLATINUM
As with the other Silver caravans, this unit has a hard-sided pop-top, with a full-height washroom. Points were given for lighting, good-size
Price: £14,495
We could imagine this tiny caravan being towed by something just as small and quirky – and that is part of the appeal. It’s fun and funky and something entirely different but, with a payload of 510kg and an MTPLM of 1,000kg, you can carry
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a lot of stuff. One judge described it as “a lovely little caravan… and a true micro”.
lockers and all-round headroom once popped. Also noted was the space when in day mode, with ample seating making it a cosy, relaxing place to spend time.
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS
CLASS SIX CARAVANS 750KG AND UNDER WITHOUT WASHROOM WINNER
FREEDOM SUNSEEKER CLASSIC
Price: £10,795
This long-standing entrant makes another welcome appearance on the podium. A compact caravan with a pleasingly light interior, the Sunseeker Classic has two seating areas and a well-equipped kitchen, with the panel noting the easy conversion to night mode, the spacious front locker and the blown-air heating. The technical judge was impressed by the warranty and the vehicle’s compatibility with a large number of towcars due to the MTPLM of 750kg. However the payload, at just 100kg, could leave you looking for a little more boot space.
CLASS EIGHT CARAVANS 750KG-1,100KG
RUNNER-UP
T@B 320
Price: £11,030 With subtle, small changes made since last year, such as the addition of a fridge and 12V sockets, this popular teardrop caravan is making a splash while benefitting from ongoing development. The look created by the ‘Mexican Sunset’ body styling and alloy wheels is striking and this T@B would stand out at any campsite. Judges
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criticised the absence of an oven/ grill and the lack of a heater and hot water – perhaps we’ll see these next year.
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
WINNER
SWIFT BASECAMP PLUS
Price: £16,910
A regular winner of this class, the Basecamp offers an alternative to the traditional, standard caravan; it has the colours, the space and the style to make it stand out. The emphasis is on adventure but it’s also practical, with a good work surface, oven and ingenious clothes bags that make last-minute packing a doddle. With
an MTPLM of 1,027kg and a payload of just 111kg, you might not be taking all the toys and gadgets with you, but that doesn’t really matter – the rear door makes it easy to wheel the bikes in; add a couple of sleeping bags and some walking boots and you’re set for a perfect, active weekend away. The ”lovely“ washroom is also worthy of note.
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CLASS SEVEN CARAVANS 750KG AND UNDER WITH WASHROOM
RUNNER-UP
FREEDOM JETSTREAM FIRST CLASS
Price: £13,295
WINNER
FREEDOM JETSTREAM TWIN SPORT
Price: £13,295
Last year the Jetstream Twin Phoenix took the top spot, and this year it’s the turn of the Sport, a caravan with good interior space
A classic layout with “a nice finish” makes this Freedom a great choice for those looking for something small and traditional. Judges noted a big wardrobe, an easy-toconstruct bed and the iNet heating as plus points. The kitchen – by the door – has all the right equipment, with a fridge, three-burner hob and sink. that offers owners plenty of comfort. Judges liked the Truma heating, the three-burner hob and the washroom (“Everything is the right place,” enthused one expert). They also noted the large storage spaces under the bench seats. Another judge was more
impressed by the exterior, noting “This is a great-looking van outside – wish the interior was more like it with less wood and more oomph!”
RUNNER-UP
THIRD PLACE
Price: £17,199
Price: £17,775
No stranger to these awards, Lunar’s Ariva has a kitchen fitted with a good selection of kit, a washroom that is “spacious enough”, a light and airy sitting area and a heating system – with Truma iNet – that will keep you toasty when it’s cold outside. Judges noted “very comfy sprung seats”, “plenty of
The Action has had a facelift – and it works. The huge, panoramic skylight was a hit, as were the pull-out slats for making the bed, pull-up back rests and Truma heating. It scored well on safety, comfort and storage, while the interesting exterior design – which features more curves than your
LUNAR ARIVA
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ADRIA ACTION 361T
room” and enthused about the fully-fitted wet room, with one reviewer claiming the latter is “the best thing about it”.
average tourer – would certainly turn heads. But while it looks great, and gives the Basecamp a run for its money, it’d be a struggle to wheel the bikes in there.
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SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS
CARAVAN DESIGN AWARDS: DEALER SPECIAL CATEGORIES CATEGORY ONE TWO-BERTH CARAVAN WINNER
GLOSSOP CARAVANS CHATSWORTH 462
Price: £19,990
Built by Elddis to Glossop’s own generous specification, the Chatsworth delighted judges before they had even set foot inside. Praise was lavished upon the website, which included a 360˚ tour. Judges were also united in their appreciation of the payload allowance of 189kg, which is calculated after allowing for goodies such as an external socket and barbecue point and an Omnivent extractor. However, it was the added bonus of terrific security add-ons such as Al-Ko Secure wheel locks, an alarm system and a tracker that sealed the win.
CATEGORY TWO THREE/FOURBERTH CARAVAN
CATEGORY THREE OVER FOUR-BERTH CARAVAN
WINNER
WINNER
BROAD LANE LEISURE SWIFT FAIRWAY PLATINUM 580
Price: £24,790
How lovely to see Broad Lane Leisure get the recognition it deserves. The winning model, based on the Swift Challenger 580, is fitted with a host of extras. Enhanced safety and security
measures helped to rack up the points. Judges praised the new ‘Swift Command’ system, the Al-Ko Secure wheel locks, and the ATC stability system. Aesthetically, it was noted that “subtle use of gold [colour] lifts the caravan, making it look luxurious”.
GLOSSOP CARAVANS SWIFT CELEBRATION 590 Price: £24,090
One judge concluded that this family-friendly tourer has “…an adults’ end and an end for children”, which sums the layout up perfectly. However, all judges noted that space in the middle, where you find
the kitchen and washroom, may be slightly compromised. Glossop won points for the weight upgrade, allowing for a payload of 176kg. The extensive list of upgrades includes a 100W solar panel, an external entertainment pod, heavy-duty lockable corner steadies, an alarm and an Al-Ko side lift jack. All very useful additions.
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF ENTRIES IN ALL CLASSES AND CATEGORIES, PLEASE VISIT CAMC.COM AND CLICK ‘WHAT’S ON’
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SPECIAL CLUB AWARDS
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January 2017 The Caravan Club Magazine
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LETTERS YOUR VIEWS
Letters
Your chance to have your say. The writer of our star letter will receive copies of our three-edition overseas touring guides One big family I would like to thank those individuals who helped when my husband was admitted to hospital suffering a stroke. We were staying at Incleboro Fields recently and the site staff, Perry and Marie, were extremely kind and helpful. Members really come into
London calling
Send your letters to Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA. Alternatively, email us at enquiries@camc.com or magazine@camc.com. Apologies, but due to the quantity of post we receive, we are no longer able to send acknowledgements on receipt of letters. If your letter is not intended for publication, please email or write to the appropriate department (eg Emergency Services, Finance, Insurance, Technical, Travel Services, Sites Operations etc) – see camc.com/contact for further details.
enquiries@ camc.com
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Having stayed a few times at Crystal Palace Club site (above) over the last two years, we were disappointed to learn it was closing at the end of 2018. We were thrilled, therefore, when we read that it is staying open until at least December 2019. Having a granddaughter who works in London and now a grandson who started at Imperial College in October, it means that we will be able to visit during the next year. Crystal Palace is so convenient, and although it takes about an hour to reach the centre of London on the bus, it is an interesting journey, particularly from the top deck! Sheila and Derrick Sanders, via email
their own in these circumstances and help came from complete strangers. I would like to thank personally, Caroline and John, Philip and Chris and Robert and Chris, who saw I was supplied with water, emptied waste and collected rubbish. It is times like
these in emergencies that members come together as a family and help each other. Luckily, my husband has pulled through this stroke and I am eternally grateful to everyone who helped us during this traumatic time. Patricia Stimson, via email
in 1978 for £1,590, which we kept for 11 years, and our present van – a demonstration model Monza 380/2 which cost us £1,995. Caravanning needn’t be an expensive hobby! In 1970 we paid our first visit to Ivy Cottage Farm on glorious Gower with our three children, Ian (9), Lynn (7) and Neil (3). Having said we would never visit the same site twice we have now returned to it for 48 consecutive years. We say we now have more friends down there than we do at home and can’t praise enough all of the Williams family who own it. We have so many stories that I sometimes think I should write a book about all the wonderful people we have met, of our times spent walking, surfing and eating, especially at the King Arthur Hotel, where we have celebrated our Golden and Diamond wedding anniversaries with many of our friends. On one of the early visits to Ivy Cottage I took a photo of the children on the farm gate. This later became a must during every subsequent holiday, sometimes with just the family but often being joined by our friends. The photo I have attached(below) is of our whole, now very much
grown-up family, at the gate on the day we celebrated our Diamond Wedding on 25 July 2013. Denis and Sylvia Pitcher, via email
Points of hygiene At several of the Certificated Locations and Affiliated Sites that I visited this year, I noticed that the motorhome service points had antiseptic hand-cleaning dispensers next to the chemical toilet emptying point. I thought that this was a brilliant idea as the service points are often a long way from a toilet block (or on sites with no toilet block). I have usually packed away the washing facilities and turned the water pump off before I drive to the service point and don’t always remember to keep a pack of antiseptic wipes handy. I would prefer to wash properly with soap and water, but am left with the decision whether to leave the next motorhome waiting while I wash my hands, or drive my van with less than perfect cleanliness. As a footnote, I am not sure whether the antiseptic
Gower trips On 9 September 1966, with no previous experience of camping or caravanning, my wife and I purchased a 14ft Sprite Musketeer for £252. We sold it 12 years later for £240. Since then we have had a second-hand Monza 1200S bought
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hand-cleaning gels are still regarded as effective, as I noticed our local farm park has gone back to providing soap and water. Nikki Bosworth, via email
A touring life It was our caravanning neighbours who got us interested in the touring life some 20 years ago. We’d had two static caravan holidays that year and wondered if we should get a caravan of our own. Our neighbour convinced us a tourer was the way to go. So the search began and we found an Avondale Perle Argus we could afford. It had five berths, a dinette front and rear and a toilet/shower with a flip-up sink in the back corner. It was ideal for two adults and our girls who were aged six and four. It was small, but to us it was a palace. While we waited for it to be prepared, we joined the Club. We picked it up on 1 December 1998 and dreamed of our first outing. We thumbed through the Club magazine in wonder at the possibilities. Our neighbour, who was a member of the West Hampshire Centre, suggested we go on a rally at the Sandy Balls commercial site in February 1999. The day came and we collected two excited girls from school and off we went. When we arrived we were made very welcome and shown to a pitch next to our neighbour. With help we set up and had a great weekend. A month later we went to Scotland for Easter. Our mighty Astra 1.7 diesel got us to Ayr, where we had a great week at the Club site. Several rallies and use of sites followed that year and our girls started to make ’caravan friends‘, and we got to know their parents and made friends of our own. There was a great sense of community and a safe environment for the girls to play and learn. The centre had a youth section of older children who looked out for the younger ones. They organised games, had a tuckshop and even ran discos. The younger children had role models to follow and look up to. On-field events drew the girls in. They loved scavenger hunts and making things like kites or guys for bonfire night. In the summer there were beach games and sandcastle competitions. We made memories and enjoyed a wonderful social life.
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Our girls became youth section members and turned into the children the younger ones looked up to. They enjoyed organising events. Now our girls have grown up and have aspirations to get caravans of their own. They still join us occasionally. We have a granddaughter who loves our motorhome (we changed vehicles over the years). So we’d like to thank the Club for an amazing 20 years. We’ve seen a lot of changes, but it’s still about people of all ages using their outfit to have fun in this fabulous country of ours – and beyond. What a wonderful life! Here’s to the next 20 years... Gary Walton, via email
Advance warning In response to John Denton’s letter entitled ‘Bare facts’ in the December 2018 issue, he has obviously visited Incleboro Fields Club site on a number of occasions, enough I’m sure to be aware of how busy and popular it is. So, I wonder why he travelled to the site without making a firm booking beforehand or at least making a phone call en route to see the chances of a pitch being available? When he arrived at the site and was told it by the site staff that it was fully booked for whatever reason, that should have been the end of it. Mr Denton should have thanked them very much, turned his unit around and moved on, not gone walk about looking for an opportunity to undermine their informed decision for the pitch closures as that is not in anyone’s best interest. I can’t imagine for a moment that the Club wants to take pitches out of commission and it would only be done as a very last resort as it is both lost revenue and inconvenience for its members. In my opinion, the Club does a superb job of trying to please everyone but, on this occasion, a minority has spoilt it for the majority by not using the groundsheet in the correct manner, leading to the decision by the staff to close a few pitches until they are back up to standard – which obviously doesn’t please anyone. As for the suggestion of ‘staggering’ pitch markers on site, I can only begin to imagine the nightmares that would cause with the Health and Safety people with regards to the distance between outfits for fire and trip hazards etc.
It’s got to be easier on this occasion to just let the grass grow. My point is that Mr Denton’s hassle and disappointment could have been easily avoided by just booking the pitch in advance. Paul Brown,via email
Welsh wonder
and it is not quite as scary as making your way across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct less than five miles away. What a great way to end our short stay at Lady Margaret’s Park. David Klyne, via Club Together
Design faults?
Looking to upgrade our existing If heading back from Hebden Bridge caravan, my wife and I went to the Club site to Milton Keynes not many October show at the NEC. people, I expect, would deviate via As the sites we visit regularly are North Wales! While a bit odd it did mainly in France, our requirements work fairly well for us as, once we for a replacement caravan were: had made it past Manchester, it was No carpets – the sites we go to pretty plain sailing. are mainly sandy Lady Margaret’s Park at Chirk is No shower – we use the not far over the border into Wales excellent facilities provided on – it’s a site we last visited in 2005. site and regard on-board We arrived early afternoon and showers as a waste of space found the site pretty full – it was the A sensible wardrobe to first weekend of the school holidays accommodate my wife’s although, interestingly, there were full-length dresses very few children. I neither want nor need a mover – On the Saturday, we walked I have held an HGV licence for down to the Chirk Castle gates. nearly 50 years. I hadn’t realised previously that you Despite numerous can get inside the grounds of the manufacturers and dealers castle – there is a small access road exhibiting at the NEC, not a single before you get to the gates. It gave caravan came close to meeting our me the opportunity to take some requirements. Every manufacturer photographs. seems to be treading the same The following day we went for ever-increasing high-tech, another walk, this time down to the got-to-have-a-shower, all-theLlangollen Canal at Chirk Aqueduct gadgets path. and Tunnel. As well as narrow boats, Are we alone in our wants and we saw a lot of canoeists going needs or do other Club members about their business on the water. feel neglected by the latest designs? Conveniently moored near the Parry Davis, Shropshire aqueduct was the ’Sweetie Boat‘, which sells ice cream, drinks and other refreshments. Apparently, this boat can be seen on different canals across the UK – it stays in one place for a few weeks, then moves on. Do walk across Chirk Aqueduct. The Park Lady Margaret’s views are fabulous
We would love to hear more about your touring adventures! Please email us at
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FAMILIES TOURING TIPS
“We were regaled with stories of unfortunate vessels lured towards the rocks”
Family matters Lee Davey, wife Helen, daughter Poppy (16) and son Charlie (10) love the great outdoors and the touring lifestyle. This month – spooky tales of a Cornish evening... It can be difficult to keep younger caravanners entertained as the nights draw in but, during a recent trip to Cornwall, we stumbled across the perfect way to spend a dark, eerie winter’s evening. Walking through the picturesque town of St Ives, we saw an advertisement for a walk (just £5 per person) that promised to unearth the darker side of this Cornish town with historical tales from its murky past. As the sun set and spooky banks of cloud began to roll in off the sea, we gathered at the meeting point, where we were joined by a lantern-carrying fellow who appeared from the shadows. As Charlie is just 10 years old, we had chosen a child-friendly tour, yet the introduction gripped both adults and children alike. If you’ve watched kid’s TV favourite Horrible Histories, the tales were of a similar nature – gruesome enough to get younger members of the audience hooked, but not
nightmare-inducing. St Ives’ history is full of pirates and shipwrecks and we were regaled with stories of unfortunate vessels lured towards the rocks, their crews fighting for their lives while townsfolk plundered the cargo. Some sailors made it through the carnage only to find they’d carried an unexpected passenger with them on their travels – the Black Death. Like rodents in the thrall of the Pied Piper, we followed our tour guide, Shanty Baba, from location to location – the site of what was thought to be a ‘plague pit’ will live long in the memory. Charlie was agog in the front row with the rest of the children, and it seemed to me as though history was coming alive for the school-age audience. It all got me thinking about the unseen history all around us. Who knows what dark deeds were carried out in the ancient past at a Club site near you? Something to ponder while you’re washing up!
SPOOKY STORIES HISTORY WALKS AT SITES NEAR YOU 1 London Ghost Walks. See: londonghost-tour.com. Stay at: Abbey Wood 2 ‘Original’ Manchester Ghost Walk. See manchesterghostwalk.co.uk. Stay at: Burrs Country Park 3 Chester Ghost Tours. See: ghostcity. co.uk. Stay at: Chester Fairoaks
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4 Mercat Tours – History Walks and Ghost Tours in Edinburgh. See mercattours.com. Stay at: Edinburgh 5 Llandaff Premium Ghost Walk. See cardiffhistory.co.uk. Stay at Tredegar House Country Park
Helen’s view Want to know one of the best ways to see a town, go for a vigorous walk and inspire a 10-year-old? A ‘ghost’ walk in St Ives on a dark, cold and windy night. Best evening ever! We followed our spooky storyteller up and down the steep, narrow, winding back lanes and alleys of the town, wandered through the cemetery and ended up on the beach listening to tales of smugglers, fog and mysterious lights. I was terrified, but Charlie was unfazed and is looking forward to going on another atmospheric walk in the near future.
Charlie’s view When we did the ghost walk it was amazing – we got a true insight of what had happened in St Ives. There were stories about the plague and how, if you were weak after having the plague, you would still be put into the death pit with other dead bodies. Then we walked to the cemetery and we heard a story about a young girl who died after having a heart attack from being so scared. There were also stories about theft and paranormal sightings – it was astounding!
MEMBERS SINCE... Caravanners the Daveys joined the Club in 2006
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PRACTICAL TOWING MIRRORS Larger mirrors like this Milenco Grand Aero offer good views of the top and bottom of the caravan
Good looking
DID YOU KNOW
Sammy Faircloth discusses the importance of being able to see what’s behind you – and the tools that will help
W
hether you tow a caravan or drive a motorhome, it is vitally important that you can clearly see what’s behind you. Anyone towing a caravan must be able to see along both its sides and four metres on either side at a distance of 20 metres behind the driver. Also, the law states that mirrors should not project too far beyond the overall width of the caravan – 20cm or 25cm, depending on when they (the mirrors) were designed. Nearly all towcars, including big 4x4s, will legally require special towing mirrors to meet these requirements when hooked up to almost any conventional caravan. Motorhomes already come with a good set of side mirrors; however, reversing can be quite a challenge. Interior rear-view mirrors on many motorhomes are redundant and on some models they are not supplied at all. Many manufacturers now fit cameras to their vehicles to help with manoeuvring, while aftermarket systems are also available. Let’s look at caravans and motorhomes separately and find out what will help us to get a good view of the rear.
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vice’ The ‘Practical Ad Cl e section of th ub a wealth website contains ion. See at rm fo in of expert camc.com/advice
Caravans TOWING MIRRORS
Look for the latest 04 Series mark
Clamp-style mirrors are easy to attach and very stable
There are various options available. Clamp-style mirrors: these are the most popular choice of towing mirror, as they offer exceptional stability and are simple to attach. The mirrors themselves come in different shapes, such as the teardrop or the larger Milenco Grand Aero. Strap mirrors: strap mirrors are still a popular choice with many caravanners and are quick and easy to fit. Suction mirrors: these are designed to attach to the car mirrors using suction and can be adjusted using the car’s own electrics. They do block out sections of the vehicle’s mirrors, reducing overall visibility, and stability can be an issue; personally, I would be a little concerned that they might lose suction and fall off! Electric mirrors: Reich offers a clip-on mirror that can be adjusted from inside the vehicle using an infrared remote control. They are ideal for the solo traveller... the downside is that they are quite costly at £200 each.
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CONVEX OR FLAT? Since all modern car mirrors are convex, it makes sense to use compatible convex towing mirrors. Although the view offered by these mirrors is slightly distorted, making any following vehicles appear to be farther away than they actually are, you do benefit from a wide-angle image. Flat mirrors offer a smaller field of view, but without distortion. Towing mirrors of both types are available, and the decision between the two is a personal choice. However, the extra field of view offered by convex mirrors is useful – and probably the better option.
Teardrop mirrors are ideal for smaller towcars
This clip-on electric mirror can be adjusted from inside the vehicle using an infrared remote control
international requirements. The number after the ‘e’ (eg ‘e11‘) indicates the country where the mirror was certified (e11 is the UK) – mirrors with any number can be used in the UK, however.
If you are buying new towing mirrors, you should look for those that are manufactured to the very latest requirement – 04. This will be clearly marked, probably on the mirror cowling.
This single camera comes with LEDs that cast some light at night when reversing
On this system, in forward gear the image displayed is similar to a rear-view mirror’s
The Camos Jewel offers a twin view using a single motorised lens
In reverse gear, this camera switches to a 160° viewing angle focusing on what is directly behind the vehicle
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS Towing mirrors must display the ‘e-mark’ to prove that they have legal approval. This can be a lower-case ‘e’ or an upper-case ‘E’, depending on whether they’re approved to European or wider
Motorhomes The conventional mirrors on a motorhome must meet the minimum legal vision requirements (driver’s side external plus either an effective interior mirror and/or a passenger side external mirror). Camera systems can be used in addition to these, but we’ve not yet seen any which meet the requirements to replace glass mirrors.
REAR-VIEW SYSTEMS Single camera: ideal for seeing what is behind you when performing a reversing manoeuvre. Twin camera: there are two cameras in one bracket, allowing the driver to not only see directly behind the motorhome when reversing, but also to observe farther behind the motorhome. The twin camera from Dometic (formerly Waeco) has a shield that covers the lens, based on whether you are in forward gear or reverse gear. Tilt or motorised camera: this offers the same views as a twin camera except it tends to feature one motorised lens. When in forward gear, the image portrayed on the monitor is of the traffic behind the motorhome, similar to the rear-view mirror. Then, on selecting reverse gear, the camera switches to a 160° viewing angle focusing on what is directly behind the vehicle. 360° camera system: a bird’s-eye view using four cameras that gives you all-round vision. It makes manoeuvring a motorhome much easier. Bullet camera: the bullet camera is installed in discreet places, such as just above the number plate or in the rear light cluster. Such systems tend to make use of a ‘fish-eye’ lens, which offers a distorted view.
MONITOR Monitors vary in size from 5in to 9in (the inches are measured using the diagonal across the screen). A larger screen is likely to produce an image that is easier to see. Monitors can be positioned on the dashboard or be attached to the rear-view mirror. On some
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modern vehicles, it is possible to connect the camera to an existing display screen. Dashboard monitors can be mounted directly onto the dash using either suckers or adhesive strips, or they can be clipped onto the grills. Occasionally, these fail and the monitor ends up on the floor – not ideal. Rear-view mirror-attached monitors are very popular and in a more convenient location for driving, particularly when observing traffic to the rear when performing an overtaking manoeuvre. They are sit neatly out of the way of any internal blinds.
A bird’s-eye view using four cameras (photo courtesy of Dometic)
FINAL THOUGHTS
– they are failing ers driving without towing mirrors It saddens me whenever I see caravann law. the king brea inly certa st almo to use a vital piece of equipment and ly, but also r for motorhome users to reverse safe Reversing cameras have made it easie res. oeuv man out ing carry n whe to get a good view of the road behind pes and traffic eras will help to minimise bumps, scra Together, mirrors and reversing cam accidents.
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EXCLUSIVE SHOW TICKETS
Caravan & Motorhome Show savings Take advantage of our special offer on Club Day at the Manchester show Club members can use the voucher on this page to save £2.95 on the standard on-the-door price on ‘Club Day’ (Thursday 17 January) at the Caravan and Motorhome Show! The show, which runs from 17-20 January at Manchester’s
EventCity, offers visitors the opportunity to see the latest caravans and motorhomes from manufacturers such as Swift, Elddis, Lunar, Coachman, Bailey, Airstream and Hymer, as well as a host of awnings and accessories.
There’s plenty to entertain the whole family, from My First Towing Experience (which give little ones the chance to tow a mini caravan) to talks from the likes of campervan cooking expert Monica Rivron on the Food and Travel Stage.
CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB DAY VOUCHER Special ticket offer. Valid on Thursday 17 January 2019 only. Admission £7 – simply bring the completed voucher(s) with you. Alternatively, beat the queues by visiting caravanshows.com and quoting code ‘CCD2’. Title .................. Initial ..................... Surname ........................................................... Address ............................................................................................................................ ...........................................................................................................................................
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Postcode ........................................... Tel......................................................................
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Membership No................................ Email ................................................................. One voucher to be completed for each Club member. This special price is exclusive to Caravan and Motorhome Club Day (Thursday 17 January 2019) and is not valid on any other days of the show. No cash alternative. No photocopies. The voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. The Caravan & Motorhome Show will not supply your information to third parties. If you want to hear from the Caravan & Motorhome Show about upcoming shows, please tick here
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
Remember to bring your driving licence so you can take advantage of free motorhome manoeuvring and towcar taster sessions with the Caravan and Motorhome Club. MEMBER TICKET OFFERS* You can use the voucher on this page to pay just £7 on Club Day (Thursday 17 January) or visit caravanshows.com and use code CCD2 to claim the same ticket price in advance, with no booking fee. In addition, Club members can use the online code TCC1 to purchase tickets for any other day of the show in advance for just £7.50, with no booking fee. *Advance booking online closes 16 January 2019 (9pm). Standard advance ticket: £8.50; on-the-door ticket: £9.95. Carers accompanying a blue badge holder qualify for free entry. Information correct at time of going to press.
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Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show offer Club members can benefit from a discount at the Glasgow show this February
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TICKET OFFERS Advance tickets are on sale now from caravanshowscotland.com, and Club members can get a £1 discount on the advance ticket price of £11 (adults) and £10 (seniors) by entering the code
‘CMCMEMBER’ at the checkout, meaning you pay just £10 and £9 respectively. A 10% booking fee applies; under-16s go free. Tickets on the door will cost £13 for adults and £12 for seniors, but Club members
attending on 7 February 2019 can cut out and present the voucher below for a two-for-one entry price of £13 for two adults. Terms and conditions apply – see the voucher for details.
CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB VOUCHER Cut out and present this voucher and your Caravan and Motorhome Club membership card on arrival at the SEC on Thursday 7 February 2019 to gain two-for-one entry of £13 for two adults at the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show 2019
Title .................. Initial ..................... Surname ........................................................... Address ............................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................Postcode............................................... Membership No................................ Email ................................................................. This voucher is only valid on Thursday 7 February 2019 and admits two adults for £13 (normal adult on the door price is £13 each). This offer is valid for one day’s admission only and only valid on full price on-the-door adult tickets. The voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount, offer or promotion. The voucher has no cash value. Vouchers are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash. Only one voucher may be used per person. Travel and parking is not included. If you would like to receive information from the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show please tick the I would like to receive information by post If you would prefer relevant box to indicate your consent: I would like to receive information by e-mail not to hear from us at any time you can contact us by email at info@qdevents.co.uk or by post to QD Events, SEC, Glasgow, G3 8YW. Data is held in accordance with our privacy policy which can be viewed at: caravanshowscotland.com/privacy-policy.
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The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show returns to Glasgow’s SEC in February. Visitors will be able to see hundreds of vehicles, including the latest models from all the major caravan and motorhome manufacturers. The show’s Accessory Superstore is the perfect place to buy gadgets, awnings and other touring essentials, while the Camping Village will return, showcasing the latest family tents. Meanwhile, markets stalls in the Farmer’s Fair will sell a selection of tasty products. Experts from the Caravan and Motorhome Club will be on hand to offer free towing and manoeuvring sessions (subject to availability), so whether you’re an experienced tourer looking for a refresher or someone who is new to the pastime, simply bring along your driving licence and sign up on the day at the Club’s stand.
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CALENDAR GREAT DAYS OUT
Treat your friends to the perfect gift With a year’s Club membership
Let your friends discover the joys of touring with the Club and all the fantastic benefits included, when you buy them a Gift Membership. Plus you’ll receive a £10 Club voucher, so it’s a present guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face. Find out more at: www.camc.com/gift
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Terms and conditions apply, see website for details June 2018 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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CALENDAR GREAT DAYS OUT
Events diary Need inspiration for a fantastic day out while staying on a Caravan and Motorhome Club site? Then look no further than this selection of events taking place near our sites in March 2019 18 MARCH An Evening With Brian Blessed One of our most iconic actors will be appearing at the Theatre Royal in Norwich to discuss his career on stage and screen, sharing anecdotes from the sets of Flash Gordon, Blackadder, I, Claudius and Z-Cars, among others. An avid climber, Brian Blessed has conquered Everest and Kilimanjaro, and will also be discussing his mountaineering exploits. Web: theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Club site: Great Yarmouth Racecourse
GillianDownes/Alamy
“An avid climber, Brian Blessed has conquered Everest and Kilimanjaro”
IonutDavid/Dreamstime
12-15 MARCH
3 MARCH
PaulMount/Dreamstime
MartinApplegate/Dreamstime
Anglesey Half Marathon A terrific route offers participants the unique chance to cross a traffic-free Menai Bridge, before following the coastal path with gorgeous Snowdonia as a backdrop. Runners also pass Beaumaris Castle before returning to the bridge. It’s a great warm up for those planning full marathons later in the year and one of the most enjoyable long-distance events in the UK. Web: alwaysaimhighevents.com Club site: Riverside Touring Park AS
Cheltenham Festival This is a celebration of everything that’s great about jump racing as the finest horses, jockeys, owners and trainers battle it out in one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events. The highlight is the famed Cheltenham Gold Cup, won in 2018 by Native River. Live music, great food and shopping opportunities galore all add to the festival experience. Web: thefestival.co.uk Club site: Tewkesbury Abbey
14-31 MARCH Glasgow International Comedy Festival Europe’s largest comedy festival is back for a 17th year, and once again will be held at a range of venues across the city. The varied line-up of comics mixes up-and-coming,
home-grown Scottish talent with mirthmakers of international renown, such as Reginald D Hunter, Julian Clary and Russell Kane. Web: glasgowcomedyfestival.com Club site: Strathclyde Country Park
15-30 MARCH (TBC) York Literature Festival A celebration of the written and spoken word in one of the UK’s most beautiful cities – what’s not to like? This festival offers workshops and open-mic events as well as the chance to see famous writers discuss their work. Various venues across the city will host storytelling sessions and theatrical performances, while there will also be guided tours of York’s literary sites. Web: yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk Club site: York Rowntree Park
For further details of events near Club sites, see camc.com
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CALENDAR GREAT DAYS OUT
Events diary ...Alternatively, why not pitch up on a temporary site? These enable you to attend a wide variety of exciting events and meet up with likeminded members. Please book in advance where possible
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23-24 MARCH
5-6 MAY
Thriplow Daffodil Weekend Head to the pretty Cambridgeshire village of Thriplow for a charity event that is a mix of traditional village fête and flower festival. As well as looking at the amazing daffodil displays, you can visit open gardens, potter around stalls and enjoy a variety of food and drink – homemade cakes, sandwiches and delicious hot food in the ‘Taste of Thriplow’ – while listening to live music. The temporary site in the neighbouring village of Fowlmere has fresh water and chemical disposal facilities. Temporary site open: 22-24 March Contact: Sandie and Alan Evans on 01767 640263/07887 541762 or email sandiejevans@gmail.com
Truckfest Peterborough’s East of England Showground welcomes more than 2,000 trucks of all shapes and sizes, including the truck from the classic 1970s film, Smokey and the Bandit. Watch monster truck and motorcycle stunt displays, enjoy fireworks and seek thrills on a variety of extreme rides or at the fun fair. Paw Patrol,Trolls, princess and Star Wars characters will keep young visitors entertained, while music lovers are sure to enjoy Madness and Oasis tribute acts.Two nights’ entertainment, including a truck light parade, are included in your rally fee.The temporary site on the showground has hook-ups, toilets, basic washrooms, fresh water and chemical disposal.
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
Temporary site open: 3-7 May Contact: Sandie and Alan Evans on 01767 640263/07887 541762 or email sandiejevans@gmail.com
8-12 MAY Royal Windsor Horse Show Held in the spectacular grounds of Windsor Castle, this event is a celebration of all things equestrian. Watch the world’s best horses and riders take part in carriage driving, show jumping, dressage, polo and endurance competitions.You will also enjoy the Shetland Pony Grand National and displays from the King’sTroop and the Household Cavalry.The temporary site on Windsor Racecourse has hook-ups, fresh water and chemical waste disposal, but no toilets or washrooms.
From your pitch, you could walk the one mile to the show, travel by riverboat or take advantage of a private hire service. As a change from the horse action, there will be a variety of optional outings from the temporary site, including a walking tour of Windsor, a boat trip on theThames and exploration of Windsor Great Park’s Valley Gardens. Temporary site open: 8-12 May Contact: RuthTaylor on 01753 545142 or emailTaylorg13@sky.com
See camc.com/centres and p85 of this issue for more centre information and coverage
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Member Offers Club members save on a host of offers and discounts, chec them out today Canon
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Club Shop
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Save up to 10% on Club Shop The Caravan and Motorhome Club has joined forces with Prima Leisure to bring you the Club Shop. The Club Shop now has over 2,500 products from leisure essentials to outdoor living. What’s more, members receive up to 10% discount on all products! Browse the full range today and start saving now.
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May 2017 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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TOURING UK SITES
SPOTLIGHT ON:
Crystal Palace There’s plenty to see on your doorstep at this Club site, while the sights of London are just a bus or train ride away o, this isn’t about the ‘Eagles’ (sorry to disappoint any Palace fans)… Rather, this month we’re shining our spotlight on Crystal Palace Caravan and Motorhome Club Site – which happens to sit next to the location of the original Crystal Palace that gave the football club its name. Happily, an agreement to lease the site for another year has recently been reached with the local council, after it looked as though it might be leaving the network. This is great news, as Crystal Palace is something of a hidden gem, offering an unexpected pocket of parkland peace amid the urban hustle and bustle of London. It’s a well laid out site, equipped with all the facilities you would expect. It has the boon of being open all year too – with 60 of its 71 pitches being hardstandings. One benefit of Crystal Palace being an all-year site is that you can avoid the peak season when London is at its busiest. Naturally, the extremely busy roads around the city can be www.camc.com
challenging to negotiate, so do check your Handbook for instructions on the best way to approach the site. It’s also important to note that this area is part of a Low Emission Zone, so determine whether your vehicle is affected before travelling if you want to avoid a fine. Don’t be alarmed if you spot a dinosaur on the horizon as you wander around Crystal Palace Park… the famed ‘Dinosaur Court’ is within easy strolling distance of the Club site. The giant reptile sculptures found here were created in the late 19th century – they were considered important enough back then to receive a royal visit from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. You can follow a path that leads you past the beasts. If the little ones aren’t enthralled enough with the dinos, then you can entertain them with an adventure within one of the UK’s largest hedgerow mazes. There’s also a skate park, boating lake, and the impressive National Sports Centre (NSC). An interesting fact for footie fans
Mavermick
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Above: iconic Tower Bridge Below: the famous Crystal Palace Park dinosaurs
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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TOURING UK SITES
Crystal Palace Club Site This surprisingly peaceful site is in a fantastic location for exploring the capital. Make sure you don’t miss the dinosaurs! Pitches: 71 | Open: all year Share your love of the great outdoors with friends and family – tent camping available here.
“The Tower is also notorious for grisly tales of prisoners incarcerated and executed within its walls” photomaru
Right: a famous Tower of London raven Below: view from Westminster Bridge
Member view “Facilities clean and warm; pitch hardstanding with ample space and pleasant outlook. Lovely situation surrounded by trees and surprisingly quiet, lacking traffic noise, at night.” SnB Everett, motorhomer
“The main reason for our visit was to see more of the sights of London. We were very pleased to see that the envelopes of public transport details were still in the information room and we took full advantage of them, travelling out each day using our bus passes.” Odette2000, caravanner
Food & drink Cafe St Germain, 16-17 Crystal Palace Parade, Crystal Palace SE19 1UA Contact: cafestgermain.com, 020 8670 3670
Culture Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ Contact: horniman.ac.uk, 020 8699 1872
Outdoor fun Herne Hill Velodrome (for coached cycling sessions), 104 Burbage Road, London SE24 9HE Contact: hernehillvelodrome.com
For the family Dulwich Park, College Road, London SE21 Contact: southwark.gov.uk
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
DID YOU KNOW? You can book Club site pitches via the UK Sites app, at camc. com/searchandbook or by high-level walkways. calling our Advance Booking You can also sample the Service on 01342 327490. sounds and smells of the Please call Affiliated Sites coal-driven engine rooms (AS) directly
– the NSC’s athletics stadium is built on the same site as the football ground that hosted the FA Cup Final from 1894 to 1914. It was also the original home of Crystal Palace FC. The beauty, of course, of a London-based site is that the capital city’s plethora of attractions is right on your doorstep. In fact, hop on a bus just outside the site and you’ll be whisked to Trafalgar Square faster than you can say “jellied eels”. Alternatively, the nearest train station is only a 20-minute walk away. London’s attractions need little introduction, but some of the essentials to check off your list include the iconic monuments clustered around the Thames. Westminster-way, you can drink in some breathtaking vistas of the city and its skyline from your glass bubble on the London Eye. There are more jaw-dropping views on offer from the capital’s celebrated landmark, Tower Bridge, which is best accessed from London Bridge train station or Tower Hill tube stop. If you have a head for heights, you can gaze in fascination at buzzing city life below from the
that once powered the bridge lifts. Just a short walk from Tower Bridge is another legendary tourist attraction, the Tower of London. This centuries-old fortress, officially a Royal Palace, is best known for housing the Crown Jewels – the British Monarchy’s beguiling collection of ceremonial objects, including the crown worn by the Queen for her 1953 coronation. The Tower is also notorious for grisly tales of prisoners incarcerated and executed within its walls, which you can hear all about on a Yeoman Warder tour. Book a Twilight Tour for exclusive after-hours access and added spookiness. Stay at Crystal Palace and the very best of London is just a short bus or train ride away. But – surrounded by trees and greenery, with a lush expanse of parkland just a stone’s throw away, this Club site is also an oasis amid the urban sprawl. The many reasons to choose to stay here are crystal clear. www.camc.com
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Member view
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March 2017 The Caravan and Motorhome Club
4
TEST VOLVO XC60 INSCRIPTION PRO D5 POWERPULSE AWD
A class apart Lesley Harris tests our Towcar of the Year 2019 winner and discovers why it’s a worthy champion
N
ot only did the Volvo XC60 drive away with ‘Class’ and ‘Category’ wins in the Club’s Towcar of the Year 2019 competition, but it claimed the overall winner’s prize, drawing high praise from the judging panel. It’s some achievement: as one of the judges I can confirm that there was stiff opposition from the 34 other vehicles that were rigorously tested at the Millbrook Proving Ground near Bedford. So let’s see why the XC60 impressed so much... COMFORT The beautiful simplicity of the minimalist interior just screams luxury and quality, but there’s also a sturdy, robust feel; the inside of this car will endure everything that a family can throw at it. Chrome detailing gives the dash a lovely streamlined look, while the use of high-grade materials like plush Nappa leather
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
enhances the ambience still further. The front seats are comfortable and highly adjustable; while there are the usual buttons altering height, legroom and backrest, it’s also possible to change the settings for lumbar, side bolsters and underthigh comfort via the infotainment screen, though some may find this a rather long-winded process. All XC60 models come with this large, upright tablet-style touchscreen, with which you can access sat-nav, climate control, DAB radio and phone. You can also swipe for driving aids, internet and apps. Smartphone integration will set you back £300 but includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Inscription Pro model tested here also had a heated steering wheel – very handy at this time of the year! In terms of rear space, provision of both leg and headroom is excellent. Even with the
optional panoramic sunroof – usually something that eats into the available space – there will be no complaints from your passengers. Like the front, the rear seats are well-sculpted and very comfortable – even the middle seat is soft and squidgy. At 635l in five-seat mode, the boot is a decent size, but pop the seats down and this rises to 1,395l. This test car was fitted with the optional electric folding seats (a £375 cost option), but it’s just as easy to put them down manually. The boot is a good square shape and has a flat lip for easy loading. However, the quality of the load cover doesn’t quite match the rest of the car, and there’s nowhere to store it when the rear seats are folded. An inflation kit comes as standard, with a space saver a £150 option; all XC60s come with a powered tailgate as standard. www.camc.com
TECHNICAL RATINGS
94%
93%
94%
94%
COMFORT
DRIVING
TOWING
VERDICT
Price as tested
Engine
Kerbweight
Fuel/tank/econ
£61,335 Insurance
4 cylinder in-line, 1,969cc
1,873kg (85% = 1,592kg)
Group 36
Power
Gross vehicle weight
Diesel/15.6gal (71 litres)/ 31.2mpg solo/26.2mpg towing
Club insurance
Clockwise from above (this page): elegant interior; robust exterior; plenty of boot space; plush seating; all passengers catered for
DID YOU KNOW?
We guarantee to beat your insurance renewal premium by £25*. See camc.com/ insurance or call 0345 504 0334 to get your quote
DRIVING The XC60 tested here is the 2.0-litre D5 PowerPulse AWD. The engine puts out 235bhp at 4,000rpm and it has a maximum torque of 354lb ft at 1,750rpm. There are five driving modes – ‘Eco’, ‘Comfort’, ‘Dynamic’, ‘Individual’ and ‘Off-road’ (all accessed through the drive mode toggle), and generally, the ride was really comfortable. This XC60 has air suspension as standard, and it soaked up most of the lumps and bumps quite nicely, with only the occasional intrusion being felt inside the cabin. The steering is lighter than on some of its rivals and that means the car comes into its own when you head into town. It’s easy to navigate through crowded town centres, and the plethora of cameras and sensors as well as great visibility also help in this regard. Then there’s Volvo’s semi-autonomous Pilot www.camc.com
The Club’s Car Insurance is tailored to the needs of members using our 25 plus years of know-how. We guarantee to beat your renewal premium by at least £25*.
235bhp (175kW) 1,904kg @ 4,000rpm Torque
Gross train weight
354lb ft (480Nm) 2,470kg Noseweight limit @ 1,750rpm Transmission 110kg Towing equipment 8-speed automatic Electric Spare wheel retractable towbar (£1,070) Inflation kit
CO2
158g/km
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ON THE
APP
*Premium Saving Guarantee. Subject to proof of existing renewal, including cover and price (eg a copy of your renewal notice), when cover is on a like-forlike basis. Please note, terms and conditions, eg excess(es), may vary from your current insurer. Courtesy car is subject to availability. Subject to terms and conditions and the Insurer’s acceptance of the Risk. The Club’s Car Insurance is arranged for the Club by Devitt Insurance Services Limited, Insurance Brokers. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited. The Caravan Club Limited and Devitt Insurance Services Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Assist – it works in conjunction with the Adaptive Cruise Control – which combines automatic acceleration, braking and steering. It feels very weird at first, but it does work really well, especially in those tedious traffic jams. TOWING The ‘Comfort’ driving mode is perfect for towing. When the caravan’s hitched, the XC60 delivers outstanding performance, with a 0-60mph sprint of just 14.0sec and a 40-60mph dash of 7.15sec. Stability was excellent, the steadiness inspiring confidence, as it did in Towcar of the Year testing conditions. (It’s worth stating that high marks were given back then for the way the XC60 handled while towing a large caravan. It was deemed one of the most comfortable rides of the competition.)
The car also has an amazing 360° reversing camera, giving a bird’s-eye view of your surrounds, which makes hitching up a breeze. However, an electric retractable towbar will cost you £1,070. VERDICT The XC60 is worthy of its Towcar of the Year 2019 title. Its has class and elegance in abundance, as well as pace and poise, and there’s not much that can touch it in terms of comfort.
With thanks to Chichester Caravans, Uckfield, for the loan of Towcar Test caravans. See chichester-caravans. co.uk, call 01825 764151 or email: uckfield@ chicester-caravans.co.uk.
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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TEST ERIBA NOVA GL 470
SUPER NOVA Rob McCabe checks out a German tourer that oozes star quality
T
o the uninitiated, the Eriba Nova GL 470 looks like ‘just’ a caravan. Handsome, sure – but there are no outwardly obvious signs that this model from German giant Hymer is one of the most expensive touring caravans you can buy. The 470 is a traditional two-berth end-washroom ’van – but to describe its interior in these simple terms is to do it an injustice. As with all Novas imported to the UK, our test vehicle is equipped with a long list of extras from the bewildering range of options, the price we’ve listed taking that fully into account. BUILD QUALITY This caravan can be compared to a lighthouse – built to withstand whatever might be thrown at it over years and decades. Constructed using the so-called PUAL (polyurethane foam and aluminium) design system, it consists of an aluminium outer shell and an interior plywood panel, separated by a layer of polyurethane foam. It’s all bonded together with high-tech adhesives, and the entire structure sits on a quartet of massive corner steadies. The interior is a delight to examine – softclose drawers on sturdy runners, obsessively neat joinery, and not an unsightly clump of wiring or pipework to be seen inside a locker or cupboard. The one disappointment on our test example was the pull-out slatted bed base, which was tediously stubborn when being put away. TOWING Think big in terms of towcars. Even when empty, the 470 – the shortest of the three Nova
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
www.camc.com
TECHNICAL RATINGS
94%
85%
94%
88%
BUILD QUALITY
TOWING
DAYTIME
NIGHT-TIME
71%
97%
90%
88%
KITCHEN
WASHROOM
LIGHTING
VERDICT
Price as tested
Beds
MRO
£38,480 OTR
Two 6ft 6in x 2ft 2in singles/ one large double
1,465kg (28.84cwt)
Heating
1,800kg (35.43cwt)
Alde wet central heating Fridge/freezer
Dometic fridge-freezer Toilet
Thetford
MTPLM
User payload
Caravan and Motorhome Club Cover
Please see quote provided in the ’Did you know?’ roundel on this page*
335kg (6.59cwt) Overall length
22ft 9in (6.93m) Overall width
7ft 7in (2.31m) Overall height
8ft 7in (2.62m) Opposite: the washroom exudes practicality and style This page: the lounge/bedroom area is roomy and comfortable
Max internal height
6ft 6in (1.98m)
Figures from manufacturer’s literature
*Based on standard new-for-old cover, cover limit of £38,500 (caravan and equipment), £500 contents cover and £100 voluntary excess. Includes 4 + years no claims discount (not protected). This includes security discounts of 15% for Al-Ko ATC, 15% for Al-Ko Diamond Standard wheel lock(s) and 10% for alarm with tilt sensor. Legal protection is an optional extra charged at £8.75 for the year. Subject to underwriting – a copy of the policy cover wording, including benefits, limitations and exclusions that apply, is available on request. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for general insurance and credit activities. The Caravan Club Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
GL models – weighs 1,465kg. Clearly, then, you’re firmly into big SUV territory by the time you start loading stuff into it. And load stuff into it you most certainly can – with the upgraded chassis option of our test vehicle, the MTPLM is increased by 200kg to a mighty 1,800kg, which gives a phenomenal payload for two people. The Al-Ko ATC electronic trailer control system is, as you’d expect, present and correct.
The sunroof opens up but that’s very much down to DID YOU KNOW? without tilting, so you can personal taste, of course. You can cover this leave it open during a rain That humongous lounge caravan with the Club is your reward for not going shower. The winding handle for £413.07* per year. down the full-time bedroom is a throwback – think Please see camc.com/ route. Indeed, stand by the 1990s Vauxhall Vectra insurance or call entrance door/kitchen area and sunroof and you’re there! 01342 336610 for the entire space feels more like This Nova comes with the further details Smart-Multimedia package, a compact studio apartment than which includes a built-in stereo a two-berth tourer. If you’re going to with DAB radio and a 22in LED spend a lot of time enjoying being in your DAYTIME caravan – and hosting soirées with friends – this television with DVD player. There are mains sockets everywhere you look – even in the I know – I’ve never seen sofas this long either! could well be the model for you. washroom, tucked away out of sight in a locker. They measure more than six and a half feet from The voile (okay, net) curtains quickly began Storage provision is outstanding. The Nova one end to the other, so four people can really to irritate. They do glide along on their rails but follows the noble Eriba tradition of making use spread out and put their feet up. they don’t move completely out of the way, of every available bit of space, so there are cubby It’s a pleasingly comfortable arrangement, so they end up giving an over-fussy, cluttered holes, shelves and drawers in all areas of the boosted by the narrower-than-usual front chest, appearance to the windows. At least you can caravan, supporting the vast open spaces under which allows you to lounge right into the front simply unclip them, which would be my first the sofas and the commendably deep wardrobe. corners. A very clever design touch. move as a new owner. Note too that all the Even the freestanding table’s locker includes I must admit to finding the general brownness window blinds are the plastic type, not the two loose shelves that can be brought into of the colour scheme just a bit too, well… brown, grander-looking fabric variety. www.camc.com
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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TEST ERIBA NOVA GL 470
Clockwise from left: kitchen area is compact; storage throughout the caravan is plentiful; the GL 470’s unassuming exterior
play when the table’s not in there. A hatch in the middle of the floor opens to reveal the built-in fresh water tank, a boon for winter caravanners (as is the reliably excellent Alde central heating system). NIGHT-TIME The sheer length of the sofas gives you two very clear choices; a pair of single beds or a massive double. Either way, of course, you need to make up and put away the bed(s) each day – which is the compromise involved in having such an amazing amount of living space during the day. This is nobody’s idea of a fun task, but in fairness it takes just a few minutes. It’s helped by the fact that the seat bases spring open and self-support, making it super-easy to retrieve bedding from the big, uncluttered spaces underneath. The aforementioned sticky slats on our example do need sorting out. KITCHEN The lounge is huge, the washroom is huge. Something has to give – and it’s the kitchen, which is decidedly compact. There’s an almost total lack of dedicated work surface, so the 78
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
dresser top immediately opposite will certainly have to be signed up to the kitchen team. There’s a dual-fuel hob with a separate oven and grill – but no microwave, which is a surprising cost option. The sink features a welcome, practical touch – a second drainer near its edge, so you can still use it with the cover in place. WASHROOM Wow! So much space, so much light, so much storage – and as well as the big mirror over the wash basin, there’s an even longer one on the inside of the door. This exudes practicality and style in equal measure, and it’s possibly the best caravan washroom I’ve seen this year. LIGHTING Let’s deal first with what isn’t included. Two of the longest sofas in caravanning history have to get by with just one reading light each – fine in single-bed mode, but a shortcoming otherwise. In other regards, the Nova excels. Ambient lighting runs above and below the overhead lockers (independently switchable), and also along the underside of the kitchen worktop overhang, casting an attractive, sparkly glow on
to the chrome drawer handles below. Four lamps that sit flush on the sunroof surround flood the front part of the caravan with all the light you could ever need, while more flush-fitters deal with the kitchen very effectively. The washroom gets the stellar illumination it deserves, including dedicated shower lighting that incorporates an unashamed outbreak of bling – the lower stowage tray boasts electric blue lighting that serves no purpose other than to look cool. Which it does. The big mirror over the vanity unit is illuminated – always good to see. VERDICT Expensive, certainly – but there’s a lot of quality here. The lounge and washroom are reasons to buy alone, assuming you don’t mind a ‘bijou’ kitchen.
With thanks to Vehicle supplied for testing by Lowdham Leisureworld, Lowdham Road, Gunthorpe, Nottingham NG14 7ES. Contact: lowdhams.com, 0115 966 3838
www.camc.com
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TEST: JAGUAR F-PACE PORTFOLIO 2.0D AWD
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January 2017 The Caravan Club Magazine
5
TEST BENIMAR PRIMERO 283
PRIME MOVER Nick Harding checks out a competitively-priced option from Spanish brand Benimar
I
f a brand new Benimar Mileo is a bit out of your budget then how about compromising on specification and taking a look at its lower-cost sibling, the Benimar Primero? Models in the new-for-2019 Primero line-up – four coachbuilts that class themselves as compacts (they’re just shy of 6m in length) – come with more affordable price tags and it’s the 283 that steals the spotlight with its UK-friendly, rear lounge layout. BUILD QUALITY The bodywork is produced in an identical way to more expensive models on the same production line. It’s GRP-clad, 99% wood-free and has a five-year warranty against water ingress. Fittings like the opening sunroof over the cab suggest anything but a low-cost motorhome. Importantly the habitation door is on the UK nearside, something which is unusual for an imported motorhome. It
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
includes a window and a waste bin but only has a single locking point. Standard steel wheels with plastic trims are indicators of this vehicles ‘budget’ credentials, as is a front bumper in black (rather than being colour-coded). What you wouldn’t expect to find in a lower-cost motorhome are flush-fit windows in the coachbuilt bodywork. It’s all on the camper variant of Fiat’s Ducato chassis-cab with wider rear track and lower centre of gravity making it just that bit more suitable as a motorhome base. DRIVING There must have been a temptation to drop down to the 115bhp engine from Fiat, but Benimar has gone for the proven 130bhp unit with six-speed manual transmission as standard. It’s a regular Ducato cab, with cupholder central console, although there are a few notable upgrades. Air conditioning is standard, as are cruise control,
steering wheel controls and a touchscreen stereo offering AM/FM radio, CD player and MP3 connectivity, phone connection, trip computing and more. There’s also a Traction+ setting for when things get a bit slippery underfoot… it might just save a few blushes. Steadier drivers than me should achieve economy the right side of 30mpg. The only option is a £2,100 premium for upgrading to the 150bhp engine and Comfort-matic automatic transmission. DAYTIME It might be made in Spain but the Primero 283’s floorplan is fully conversant with the preferences of UK motorhomers. The rear lounge comprises two short, inward-facing settees surrounded by opening windows with cassette blinds and flyscreens, with a small rooflight overhead. There are seven overhead lockers around the lounge (plus open corner shelving), each with soft-close, curved www.camc.com
TECHNICAL RATINGS
Clockwise from left: rear lounge; useful rear storage; cab; front dinette
72%
74%
68%
56%
BUILD QUALITY
DRIVING
DAYTIME
NIGHT-TIME
59%
76%
61%
67%
KITCHEN
WASHROOM
DETAILS
VERDICT
Price/as tested
Base vehicle
MRO
Overall length
£45,995/ £45,995 OTR
Fiat Ducato
19ft 8in (5.99m)
Engine
2,630kg (51.77cwt)
2.3-litre Euro 6
MTPLM
7ft 7in (2.30m)
Power Caravan and Motorhome Club Insurance
Please see quote provided in the ’Did you know?’ roundel on this page*
130bhp (96kW) @ 3,600rpm Torque
236lb ft (320Nm) @ 1,8003,000rpm Transmission
Six-speed manual, FWD
3,500kg (68.89cwt) User payload
Overall width Overall height
9ft 6in (2.89m) Max internal height
870kg (17.13cwt) 7ft 1in (2.15m)
Fuel/tank/econ
Diesel/19.8 gals (90 litres)/2630mpg
Figures from manufacturer’s literature. *Quote is for the model as tested worth £45,995OTR. Based on 50-year-old banker living in Sheffield, who has no accidents, claims or convictions and keeps vehicle on drive, 3,000 miles per year, excess of £100 with 5 years NCD unprotected. Due to the value of the vehicle a tracker device must be fitted. Subject to underwriting. The Club’s Motorhome Insurance is arranged for the Club by Devitt Insurance Services Limited, Insurance Brokers. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited. The Caravan Club Limited and Devitt Insurance Services Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can insure this doors and an easy, positive NIGHT-TIME motorhome with the Club catch action. This is where things start to get for £525* per year. An over-sized table – a little bit tricky. Making the Please see camc.com/ which is great at rear settees into a transverse insurance or call mealtimes but can be a bit 6ft 8in x 4ft 1in double bed 0345 504 0334 for cumbersome otherwise – involves pulling out the bases further details clips to a rail on the back wall (the nearside is slatted, the offside and slots in adjacent to the – under which you’ll find the Truma offside settee for travel. There’s also Combi boiler, water pump and exterior-access on-site seating at the front, around a small gas locker – a solid ply). One of the settee circular table on a dog leg. backrests is needed in the subsequent At the back there’s an extra surprise – a large re-arranging of cushions, but it’s angled so hatch across the rear wall means the area can be you’ll need to put the small bolster cushions accessed for storage. For this, the nearside settee underneath to create a flat sleeping surface. base folds up against the side wall – it’s a slightly If you’re a night-time reader you’ll be tricky operation, but an adjustable strap adds disappointed as the only illumination, apart from further assurance. the LED strips, comes from the stemmed units The lack of carpet overlays is an obvious over each swivelled cab chair. cost-saving , while there’s also a lighter woodgrain There’s actually a third sleeping berth in the finish to the furniture compared to that of the lounge – a solid section slides out from the bench more upmarket Mileos. base – but it’s strictly for small children. www.camc.com
KITCHEN Cooking facilities comprise a three-ring hob and a combined oven and grill. There’s a circular sink to the immediate left of the hob, while a flip-up extension to the right provides much needed worktop space (served by two mains sockets). Storage is pretty good – a deep, double-doored overhead locker and three decent capacity drawers (one including a cutlery tray). There are issues, however. The oven is set just off the floor – not the easiest to access – while you might feel a little short-changed by a fridge capacity of 81 litres, and there’s no direct lighting in the kitchen, either. WASHROOM I couldn’t find any difference between the Primero washroom and its equivalent in a Mileo. There’s quite a step to negotiate to get up into the washroom after sliding back the tambour entrance door. Once inside there’s not much sign of scrimping with lots of plastic mouldings, January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
81
TEST BENIMAR PRIMERO 283
Clockwise from above: kitchen is on the basic side; rear seating converts into a double bed at night, but it isn’t the most straightforward of mattresses to make up; modern-looking washroom; coachbuilt body is almost wood-free
“There’s not much sign of scrimping in the washroom. I couldn’t find any difference to its equivalent in a Mileo” screens for a part-circular shower, twin plugholes, and a mixer tap for the fixed basin (small, but deep) that extends for use as the showerhead. A Thetford swivel-bowl toilet is in the right place and allows plenty of legroom. There’s also a window, a couple of clothes hooks, deep mirrors, matching soap dispenser and cup, and a low-level towel rail – but the only storage is a shelved locker over the window. DETAILS Limited lighting apart, there’s plenty in the Primero’s plus column. Of course, there are signs where costs have been saved. Loose covers for the cab seats are an obvious one but the seats themselves come with double armrests and height adjustment. On a personal note, the 82
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
triangular nature of the three-ring hob isn’t ideal – just try using three pans at the same time on such an arrangement. VERDICT A compact low-profile coachbuilt that puts value for money to the fore. And with a UK-friendly layout, I’d suggest this Spanish model is definitely worthy of consideration.
With thanks to Vehicle supplied for testing by: Marquis Leisure, Orchard Works, Willersey, Near Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7QF. Contact: marquisleisure.co.uk, 01386 853338.
www.camc.com
TEST: JAGUAR F-PACE PORTFOLIO 2.0D AWD
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*Premium Saving Guarantee. Subject to proof of an existing renewal, including cover and price (e.g. a copy of your renewal notice) and when cover is on a li e for li e basis. ffer applies to new customers only. ub ect to terms and conditions and the underwriter’s acceptance of the risk. Please note, terms, conditions and excess(es) may vary from your current insurer and excludes Breakdown and Legal cover, which needs to be purchased separately. A sample policy, including the terms and conditions that may apply, is available upon request. The Club’s Motorhome nsurance is arranged by Devitt nsurance ervices Limited, nsurance ro ers. The Caravan Club Limited and Devitt nsurance ervices Limited are authorised and regulated by The inancial Conduct Authority.
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January 2017 The Caravan Club Magazine
5
NEWS HEADLINES
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January 2017 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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CENTRES LOCAL GROUPS
Centre lines Welcome to our section dedicated to the Club’s centres. To search for a Centre event or find your local group’s details, see camc.com/centres
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Pam Bailey We regret to announce that East Kent Centre member Pam Bailey passed away in September. Pam and Mike (Centre Chairman in 1990/91) were the first East Kent members to reach the 1,000 rallies milestone. Many centre members joined the family at a memorial service and contributed to a floral tribute that was later taken to the Wisdom Hospice. The thoughts of all at the Club are with Mike, family and friends at this sad time.
Three cheers for Upper Thames The Upper Thames Centre’s AGM weekend turned into a major celebration as two couples marked landmark anniversaries and a giant cheque was presented to charity. Pauline and Stewart Mitchell celebrated 50 years of marriage, while Sheila and Peter Robbins chalked up 40 over the course of the weekend. The couples laid on a fine buffet with drinks to mark the occasion. On Sunday morning, retiring Chairman Derek Ludlow presented a cheque for £6,000 to the SNAP (Special Needs and Parents) charity. Centre members had also knitted small hats and other items for premature babies.
Special 5k
Two’s company
Former Avon Chairman Jackie Butterworth (left) presented a magnificent cheque for £5,103 to Alzheimer’s Society representative Jane McGoldrick recently. The money was raised through raffles, cake sales and numerous other events held during 2018. The centre’s charity for the forthcoming year is Great Western Air Ambulance.
Durham and North Yorkshire Centre members had a flaming good time at their first joint Bonfire Rally in early November. Based at the Croft Working Men’s Club & Institute in Darlington, the well-attended event featured hearty food and a spectacular firework display. Everyone had a great time and it’s hoped that regular collaborations will ensue in the future!
Devon cream
We will remember Rally officers Graham and Tish Guppy, Pete Hurley and Keith Taylor laid on a superb continental breakfast and a Devon cream tea during a highly-enjoyable East Hampshire event at Parkers Farm near Ashburton in September. In addition they could be found most afternoons supplying tea, coffee and cake to happy campers. After such a hot summer, the weather was ‘changeable’ but this did not prevent members from having a great holiday.
The Wiltshire Centre held a special Remembrance Rally in Corsham. On the Saturday members enjoyed a three-course meal with a wartime theme (bully beef pie) and singalong. On the Sunday morning, following the Last Post, poppy petals were released from an RAF-issue parachute suspended from the ceiling, in what was an emotional tribute to the fallen. A special ‘Lest We Forget’ rally plaque was also created for the occasion.
January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
85
PUZZLE CROSSWORD
Crossword
£90
In Club gift tokens to be won 1
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£50 in Club gift tokens will be won by the sender of the first correct solution opened on Friday 18 January 2019. Four runners-up will each receive £10 Club gift tokens.
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NAME: ADDRESS:
DOWN 1 Riding without a saddle (8) 2 Violent crashing noise in the sky (11) 3 Sly grin (4) 4 Eternally, incessantly (9) 5 Small falcon (7) 6 Variety of dog (5) 7 Doorway (5) 8 Lacking profundity (9) 9 Part of a plant (4) 10 Pram (4,8) 13 Bed attire (7) 15 A long time since (3) 19 Closing time limit (8) 20 Heath (4) 24 Region (4) 27 Highland dance (5) 29 Most apt (5) 30 Wheel furrow (3) 31 Happily married elderly couple (5,3,4) 32 Exotic dancer (8) 34 Conger (3) 36 An order to obey (11) 37 Small bay (4) 39 Cut short or limit (7) 40 Unfancied runners (9) 42 Perfume of flowers (9) 43 Take it easy (4) 44 Power and stamina (8) 47 Having a chat (7) 51 Source of light (3) 52 Drink of tea (5) 53 Opened a package (5) 56 Italian money (4) 58 Squabble (4)
POSTCODE: MEMBERSHIP NUMBER:
For full terms and conditions of entry, please visit our website at camc.com/ competitions
ACROSS 1 Traffic jam (10) 6 Fragment of loaf (10) 11 Red cheek cosmetic (5) 12 Pudding utensil (7-5) 14 Horizontal bar (4) 16 Very small (4) 17 Naughty (3) 18 Reddish complexion (5)
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Dessert or hair cream (6) Luxuriant (4) Interesting artefact (5) Pasta meal (7) Rocky hill (3) Worship and praise (7) In good health (4) Jewish national (7) To increase in value (10)
35 38 41 42 45 46 48 49 50
Disquieting (10) Pile of work (7) Clothes presser (4) Flower seller (7) The atmosphere (3) One of three alike (7) Diagonal support (5) Lob (4) Month (6)
December solution: Across: 1 Paste 4 Acrobat 9 Slab 10 Rower 11 Expert 12 Train 14 Pleat 15 Feud 16 Massacre 17 Renown 19 Pair 22 Dessert 24 Tub 26 Porch 27 Hedge 29 Foodstuff 32 Dolphin 35 Handout 37 Crow’s-foot 39 Torso 41 Cadet 43 Bar 44 Furnace 47 Kink 48 One-off 51 Detached 52 Toby 54 Snort 55 Heron 56 Echoes 57 State 58 Date 59 Rewards 60 Typed Down: 1 Pixie 2 Slender 3 Estimate 4 Abrasive 5 Reticent 6 Tinker 7 Drop in 8 Detain 13 Aperitif 18 War 20 Axe 21 Shine 22 Defrost 23 Sad 25 Bud 26 Palette 28 Down 30 Tor 31 Few 33 Hour 34 Chick 36 Tab 37 Corridor 38 Fin 40 Son 42 Den 44 Fastener 45 Rip-cords 46 Cold feet 47 Ketchup 48 Ornate 49 Outset 50 Father 53 Bread
NOVEMBER WINNERS £50 first prize: Monica Adlem, Suffolk £10 runners-up: Dr J Ruegg, Cornwall; Phil Applewhite, Lincolnshire; Jessica Hartley, South Yorkshire; Clive Bagshaw, Lincolnshire
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
52 Causing suffering (5)
Stage prompt (3) grid D 5455 Prison (4) 57 59 60 61
Uncle’s wife (4) Native of Liverpool (12) Top layer of cake (5) Unoccupied area between opposing armies (2-4-4) 62 Colourful songbird (10)
Send to: ‘January Crossword’, Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA. Please do not include any other correspondence with your entry
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GRID D
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May 2017 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
113
Tail lights
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Your observations on the unusual world of touring Neutral territory Ah, a sign that may well be familiar if you have ever stayed at Looe Caravan and Motorhome Club Site in Cornwall – this unusuallynamed village is just down the road. Many thanks to John White for sending in the picture he took while cycling – we presume – from the hamlet of Nowhere In Particular to the seaside town of If you’ve seen Weston Isn’t There. something unusual
on a Club site, CL or while you’ve been out and about, send your picture to magazine@ camc.com and we’ll print the best. Bale-face cheek Doug and Tian Davidson saw these unusual hay bales near Bunree Club site. “I suspect that they were looking rather ‘baleful’ because they were not seeing the magnificent view of the loch from the site including a spectacular sunset over the water and mountains,” they joke. Right... no more terrible puns from Tail Lights this month, that’s the final straw.
Put out to grass For sale: one vintage caravan, well-used, slight issue regarding water ingress, exterior panels sport trendy ‘distressed’ look combined with ‘algae’ effect. Pick up: Hawes, Yorkshire. Price: nowt... or nearest offer. (With thanks to Steve Pritchard for the picture. Can anyone identify the make?)
Horn of plenty It’s two-for-one on rusty vehicles this month, though of course the Vee Dub in this photo is still very much in operation. Club member John Marsh says: “Saw this little beauty in a car park close to the Ashby Canal in Leicestershire, a short walk from the Bosworth Battlefield, where King Richard III lost his life in 1485... The sticker on the back stated ‘In rust we trust.’”
Pheasant day Gordon Buchanan spotted this magnificent golden pheasant wandering around next to his outfit while staying at the “lovely” New England Bay Club site in Dumfries & Galloway. What a beautiful, striking bird – and few could trump that wonderful golden hairdo.
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January 2019 Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine
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November 2016 The Caravan Club Magazine
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