12 minute read
Winter touring: Now is the
Wrap up warmly and mull some red wine, now is the time to go winter cruising. By Frances & Michael HoworthWinter warmers
There are those who tuck their motorcaravans away, settling them up snug and tightly over the winter months, and there are even some campsites and CLs who choose to do the same. Fortunately for those of us who keep our vehicles in commission the year round, there are many who do not, and that offers us the world of opportunity. An increasing number of Club members are reporting that rather than decommissioning over winter, many are finding new and exciting ways to use their motorcaravans when the leaves begin to fall and the evenings draw in. Making sure you can do the same is just a matter of proper preparation.
For many, the winter season offers a chance to visit and stay in places where, because of summertime crowds, parking is usually not possible. Take the simple pleasure of sitting in your motorcaravan beside the sea as an example. If ever we want to park on the sea front promenade in the height of summer we need to be on the road before dawn and parking up just as the sun pops up over the eastern horizon! Fast forward three or four months and it is easy to find a great spot on the sea front in the middle of the morning. What makes that even more enjoyable is there are no queues at the fish and chip shop and surely there is no more simple a pleasure than eating a good takeaway lunch in the comfort of your own van with a cup of home brewed tea. Once fortified, you are ready for a bracing and sometimes blustery walk along the beach, secure in the knowledge that if it all gets a little chilly home is just around the corner.
Yes, we do change our seasonal inventory of carried stores. Off goes the shorts, T shirts and sandals and in their place, we load wet weather gear and a woolly jumper or two. We change our lightweight bedding for something warmer but we also change other less obvious things before we hit the road in winter. An electric fan heater is a must for when we are lucky enough to camp on a winter site that offers EHU, but the real luxury comes from the 13 amp timer plug which we set for 30 minutes before the wake up alarm. That ensures we wake up to a toasty warm space. We always insulate the windscreen using a padded exterior
T HMidWales Guide TMidWales Guide EH G F E A T E W A F O R E S T G A T E W A F F O R E S T Y F Y F T O W A I E L D S T O W A L I E L D S L E ES S
Wake up to this unique rural area in the Heart of Wales. Our awardwinning site is perfectly situated as a base for adventures with Wake up to this unique rural area in the Heart of Wales. Our awardwinning site is perfectly situated as a base for adventures with fantastic access roads through the breathtaking scenery. For those who like to pitch up and stay put you'll be in the middle of our 500acre farm; with woodland, waterfalls, open moorland, lakes and fantastic access roads through the breathtaking scenery. For those who like to pitch up and stay put you'll be in the middle of our 500acre farm; with woodland, waterfalls, open moorland, lakes and walks to local pubs to explore straight from your pitch. Dogs very welcome. Open all year. walks to local pubs to explore straight from your pitch. Dogs very welcome. Open all year. www.fforestfields.co.uk www.fforestfields.co.uk
www.shutterstock.com/RogerMechan
cover because that huge expanse of glass certainly knows how to wick away the onboard heat. Wearing a fleece jacket or jumper in the cooler evenings is a no brainer but remembering to take some warm slipper socks is one of the lessons experience has taught us. The floor of a motorcaravan loses its heat a lot quicker than the living room at home! Because it gets darker earlier, we always make sure we have extra flashlights and head torches on board during winter and because those same darker evenings mean we are not walking, hiking or biking quite so much, we make sure there are books to read and packs of cards to spread across the table before it's time to resort to the TV for entertainment.
Food glorious food
Winter means our onboard menu changes slightly. Out go our perineal favourites of salad, cheese, and cold meats and instead, we opt for bowls of pre-made goulash and stew. Heating them up onboard raises the ambient temperature in the van and once eaten, provides the fuel to keep our bodies warm (see our winter recipes on p61). Always partial to a glass of wine or two, we find that on occasions the opportunity to mull some red will present itself and, secure in the knowledge that we are parked up for the night and won’t be driving, we enjoy that as a seasonal variation. Throw in a mince pie or two and suddenly, your van takes on a winter character all of its own and helps dull the sound of the wind or rain that sometimes blights dear old blighty during the midwinter solstice.
Light my fire
Camping during the off season means we look for sites with different attributes. Those that allow campfires get our attention and those that provide firepits around which we can sit become firm favourites. Wrapping up warmly, sitting by the fire watching the sparks and hearing the crackle of logs burning while telling stories to campfire friends as cheeks glow with the heat of the blaze is a great way to spend an evening. Add in marshmallows for toasting or a dram of the Scottish spirit and you have almost certainly got the makings of a party. And if the conversation dies for any reason, you are in the perfect place and frame of mind to practice some stargazing.
Open the year round, Rural Relaxing is a Leicestershire campsite
Rutland Water Nature Reserve
Fully serviced pitches Holiday home hire Lakeside Glamping Licensed café Call us on 01491 573419 swissfarmhenley.co.uk Enjoy a relaxing holiday in the Oxfordshire countryside
office@riversidecaravanpark.com www.riversidecaravanpark.com
Level pitches • Electric hook ups • Premier pitches • Toilet blocks • Free showers • Laundry and ironing room • Dish washing room • Seasonal bar, restaurant and takeaway • Seasonal heated outdoor swimming pool & children’s pool • Games and TV room • Outdoor childrens’ play area • Calor gas sales • Reception with shop area • Motorhome service point
Leigham Manor Drive, Marsh Mills, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 8LL
MID WEEK SPECIAL (mid & low season) - 4 nights for the price of 3
Winter Driving
Be prepared
3 Expert advice 3 Huge choice 3 Fast UK delivery
Give your vehicles instant grip on snow and ice
We stock innovative chains – some are good on grass and mud as well as snow!
Spikes-Spider ALPINE Pro – turn your tyres into tracks! • Rallies welcome • Award-winning amenities block • Disabled facilities • Wi-Fi • Shop • Elec hook-up • Hardstanding & grass • Nearby attractions • Close to pubs and walks • Motorhome service point • Children’s park • Self-catered chalet • Barn to hire 01829 760544 • booking@elmcottage.co.uk www.elmcottage.co.uk Little Budworth, Cheshire CW7 2QJ
SOUTH WALES TOURING PARK
Llangennech, Llanelli, SA14 8AX Tel 01554 820420 www.touringpark.wales
OPEN ALL YEAR
South Wales Touring Park /Llwynifan Farm is an adults only, 25 pitch touring park. We are one mile from junction 48 of the M4, centrally located to visit any attraction in South and West Wales. All our pitches are hardstanding with a view. There are spacious heated shower rooms, toilets, dish washing and laundry facilities.
that facilitates such activities. A rural, grassy, family-run campsite located opposite the local village cricket ground in Medbourne it certainly lives up to its name. With less than 20 pitches, the 2 acre site is rather quaint with some lovely touches. There is an honesty box system so guests can enjoy small items to buy such as soft drinks, ice cream etc., and there are fire pits to borrow and bring back – they even stock logs should you not bring or collect your own. Campfires are also welcome at Brigs Farm, an open all year site near Charmouth, close by Lyme Regis in Dorset. On Friday nights the brick-built wood-fired pizza oven is fired up for homemade pizza night. Further north, located within 10 minutes of Rutland Water Nature Reserve on a slightly sloping meadow, Cuckoo Farm Campsite welcomes smaller campervans, while offering a laid back, pitch-whereyou-like attitude. Campfires are permitted in the firepits provided year round and farm-owners Roland and Rebecca are thoroughly encouraging of campfire cooking. A well stocked on-site farm shop means you can buy their own fresh organic produce and keep it both wholesome and local.
Charmouth beach, Dorset
Indoor Pursuits
Campfires are not the only attraction of wintertime touring. The opportunity to visit tourist >>
Broadhembury Caravan & Camping Park Broadhembury Caravan & Camping Park Broadhembury Caravan & Camping Park Broadhembury Caravan & Camping ParkBroadhembury Caravan & Camping Park
5 star family park and adults meadows T: 01233 620859 | www.broadhembury.co.uk Email: holidaypark@broadhembury.co.uk Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NQ 5 star graded separate family park and adults meadows • Generous hardstandings • Fully serviced pitches • Warm, spacious showers & toilets • Family bathroom • Babies room • Fully accessible facilities • Campers Kitchen • Laundry room • Park security • Excellent location for exploring Kent T: 01233 620859 | www.broadhembury.co.uk Email: holidaypark@broadhembury.co.uk Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NQ 5 star graded separate family park and adults meadows • Generous hardstandings • Fully serviced pitches • Warm, spacious showers & toilets • Family bathroom • Babies room • Fully accessible facilities • Campers Kitchen • Laundry room • Park security • Excellent location for exploring Kent T: 01233 620859 | www.broadhembury.co.uk Email: holidaypark@broadhembury.co.uk Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NQ 5 star graded separate family park and adults meadows • Generous hardstandings • Fully serviced pitches • Warm, spacious showers & toilets • Family bathroom • Babies room • Fully accessible facilities • Campers Kitchen • Laundry room • Park security • Excellent location for exploring Kent T: 01233 620859 | www.broadhembury.co.uk Email: holidaypark@broadhembury.co.uk Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NQ 5 star graded separate family park and adults meadows • Generous hardstandings • Fully serviced pitches • Warm, spacious showers & toilets • Family bathroom • Babies room • Fully accessible facilities • Campers Kitchen • Laundry room • Park security • Excellent location for exploring Kent • Generous hardstandings • Fully serviced pitches • Warm, spacious fully accessible facilities • Family & Babies’ bathroom • Park security • Dog friendly • Many local foopaths • Excellent location for exploring Kent • Very convenient campervan & motorhome parking in Ashford for shops, fast trains to London, Canterbury and elsewhere in Kent. T: 01233 620859 | www.broadhembury.co.uk Email: holidaypark@broadhembury.co.uk Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NQ 5 star graded separate family park and adults meadows • Generous hardstandings • Fully serviced • Warm, spacious showers & toilets • Family bathroom • Babies room • Fully accessible facilities Campers Kitchen • Laundry room • Park security Excellent location for exploring Kent Ulwell, Swanage, Dorset BH19 3DG
Ulwell Cottage Caravan Park is situated in the lovely “Isle of Purbeck” and nestles under the Purbeck Hills. The beautiful coastline is easily accessible, and the park is on the main bus route from Swanage to Bournemouth via the Sandbanks Chain Ferry. Corfe Castle and village are just some 5 miles by road Poole is an easy drive away. The park has a friendly Village Inn serving excellent meals, an indoor heated swimming pool and a general shop, open in main season. There are hard standings with electric, water and drainage hook-ups. Booking for these pitches is essential at all school holiday periods. There is a modern toilet and shower block and disabled facilities. There are wash-up areas, chemical toilet disposal and launderettes.
t: 01929 422823 w: www.ulwellcottagepark.co.uk e: enq@ulwellcottagepark.co.uk
towns when traffic volumes are lower is another. We find that during the winter months there are more motorhome friendly spaces available in cark parks attached to tourist attractions such as stately homes, museums, and art galleries.
We have also noticed that during the winter when visitor levels are lower, the guides and hosts at such locations have more time to share with us. It’s a win win! We get to see more at our own pace and never feel as if we are being rushed from room to room. We enjoyed our tour of Hampton Court while pitched up at a site in Walton on Thames site. Located inside London’s orbital M25 motorway and only 15 miles from the capital, it is so peaceful you would never know you were so close to urbanisation – there is even a resident flock of parakeets. The area is great for outdoor pursuits, offering opportunities for hiking or biking along the riverbank watching the boats or as a gentle stroll, and it is close enough to London to enjoy seasonal shopping or theatre going.
So, forget the snow chains, there is no need of them to enjoy winter camping in the UK. All you have to do, is; remember to pack the spices for mulling red wine!
Hampton Court
Freelance travel journalists Frances and Michael Howorth have been Club members since 2020. They tour in their own custom built campervan. Converted from a LWB Fiat Ducato Maxi, Voyager is their pride and joy, come mobile office and home from home.
