60 Camping SUPER SITES
Find the perfect pitch for your summer staycation
JUNE 2021
BRILLIANT BRITAIN Start planning your summer escapes now! WIN
COOKING SLEEPING AND GEAR WORTH £ 1 0 0 s FROM OUTDOOR REVOLUT ION AND CAD AC
INSPIRATION ● A week in the Lake District ● Explore pretty Perthshire ● On the Birmingham trail
SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND? Tents for short breaks reviewed
DREAM KITCHEN Create your ideal cooking set-up JUNE 2021 £4.99 06
TRAILER TENTS
BEGINNERS' GUIDE TO CHOOSING AND BUYING
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COLEMAN® WEATHERMASTER AIR TENT RANGE Available as: 4 Air, 4XL Air, 6XL Air, 8 XL Air BlackOut Bedroom® for a better night’s sleep: blocks up to 99%* of daylight from entering your bedroom! *based on Coleman® light measurement testing report #7489
For further details on Weathermaster Air and all our 2021 tents visit Coleman.eu/uk @Coleman.UK
FastPitch™ Air inflatable poles Enclosed, integrated front porch (XL Air) Up to 6000mm Hydrostatic Head
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WELCOME June 2021
W
e all have a different idea of what is ‘normal’ but, however you define it, I don’t think anyone would argue that the last year has been anything but. I’m pleased to say, though, at the time of writing, normality is slowly returning. Travel restrictions within the UK have been lifted, campsites have reopened and finally we are able to get out and about again. And thank goodness for that. I’ve just spent my lunch hour researching and booking a campsite for our first camping trip of the year. It’s only for a weekend away and the site is just up the road, but after over a year of being more or less stuck at home, I know it will feel like a massive adventure. Because I’m a bit wary about using the shared
facilities, I’ve also taken delivery of a portable electric shower, my first ever camping toilet and even some special loo roll. What a time to be alive! If you need some inspiration, have a look at our selection of 60 brilliant sites in this issue. But you’ll need to be quick – pitches are being snapped up fast, it seems. Of course, not everyone will be heading out at the first opportunity, I know that many people are still very uncertain about the idea. So, if you’ve already been on a post-lockdown camping trip, I’d be keen to hear how you got on. Was the site properly set up? Did your fellow campers follow the rules? Did you feel safe? Email us and let us know. Finally, I’ve been filming some new ‘how
CONTACTS ● PARKS ADVERTISING
HEAD OF CONTENT DANIEL ATTWOOD danielattwood@warnersgroup.co.uk EDITOR IAIN DUFF 01778 392442 | iaind@warnersgroup.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Iain Duff, Gary Cross, Carol Kubicki, Felicity Martin, Gillian Law, Liz Morrell, Claire Tupholme EDITORIAL DESIGN Lisa Watson-Bailey
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● AD DESIGN & PRODUCTION Viv Lane | 01778 392453 viv.lane@warnersgroup.co.uk Karen Wayman | 01778 395075 karen.wayman@warnersgroup.co.uk
Happy camping!
Iain Duff, Editor
COVER PICTURE: Courtesy of Outwell outwell.com
● EDITORIAL
● ADVERTISING
to’ camping videos recently, which will be appearing on our YouTube channel over the next few weeks. The first one – a guide to using gas on the campsite in association with Campingaz – is already on there and I’d love to know what you think, so please have a watch, leave comments (be kind!) and, if you like what you see, subscribe to the channel and tell all your friends.
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● MARKETING BRAND MANAGER Lucie Cox 01778 395016 | luciec@warnersgroup.co.uk
● PUBLISHED BY PUBLISHER John Greenwood Warners Group Publications plc The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH 01778 391000 | warnersgroup.co.uk
● NEWSTRADE DISTRIBUTION Warners Group Publications plc | 01778 391150
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The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every care is taken to ensure that the content of this magazine is accurate, but we assume no responsibility for any effect from errors or omissions. While every care is taken with unsolicited material submitted for publication, we cannot be responsible for loss or damage. While every care is taken when accepting advertisements, we are not responsible for the quality and/or the performance of goods and/or services advertised in this magazine. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) exists to regulate the content of advertisements. Tel: 020 7492 2222 | © Warners Group Publications plc 2021
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June 2021 Camping 3
CONTENTS
32
24 4 Camping June 2021
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60 63 INSPIRATION
14 CALL OF THE WILD Felicity Martin explores pretty Perthshire 24 A WEEK IN… THE LAKE DISTRICT Our guide to the perfect seven-day family camping holiday
48
42 MAGICAL MIDLANDS Carol Kubicki visits Birmingham and follows in Tolkien’s footsteps
SITES
20 CAMPSITE OF THE MONTH Back of Beyond, Dorset 32 SIXTY SENSATIONAL SITES Our selection of the best pitches for a summer staycation
THE KNOWLEDGE
47 CAMPSITE COOKING A tasty recipe with Outdoor Revolution
REGULARS
6 FIRST PITCH What’s new in the world of camping 10 AROUND THE CAMPFIRE Your camping pictures 12 ME & MY TENT Check out a reader’s tent set-up 21 LAW OF THE CAMPSITE Gillian Law’s camping thoughts 63 OUR SITE Liz Morrell meets campsite owners living the dream
COMPETITIONS 46 WIN AN OUTDOOR REVOLUTION SLEEPING BUNDLE Sleeping bags, mats and pillows worth up to £500 to be won
48 SKILLS: DREAM KITCHEN Create the ideal campsite kitchen 50 SKILLS: DO IT YOURSELF Make your own camping quilt 53 TRAILER TENTS/FOLDING CAMPERS Beginners’ guide to buying and using
56 WIN A CADAC BBQ Three barbecues and pizza stones up for grabs
57 SKILLS: CAMPING GURU Readers’ problems solved 58 GEAR: KITBAG Check out the latest outdoor gear 60 GEAR: TENT REVIEWS Five weekend tents reviewed
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June 2021 Camping 5
FIRST PITCH A week-long national celebration of camping will go ahead this year aimed at newcomers to tent life. The National Camping and Caravanning Week will run from 31 May to 6 June, and is led by the Camping and Caravanning Club. Encouraging people to get into and enjoy the great outdoors, the annual event celebrates everything to do with camping,
NATIONAL CAMPING WEEK DATES CONFIRMED caravans and motorhomes. The highlight of the week is a camping experience event in Staffordshire at the Club’s Drayton Manor campsite. There will also be a series of competitions in the run-up to the week where you could win camping kit and accessories from companies including Go Outdoors, Vango and Coleman. The Club’s Michelle Jewell said: “We’re
confident this year is going to be a great one for the camping and caravanning industry, as people look to enjoy some much-needed time away from home in the fresh air.” More information about the event and details of how to register for the camping experience event are available on the National Camping and Caravanning Week website (nccw.co.uk)
HOLIDAY PACKAGES FOR OFF-PEAK CAMPERS UK holiday park group, Bridge Leisure, has launched themed holiday packages to suit campers looking for off-peak breaks this year. The parks group – which offers touring and camping holidays at sites in Cornwall, Devon, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Moray and Ayrshire – has launched four off-peak packages: Great Outdoors, Houndtastic Holidays, Treat your Tots and the Recharge package. Bridge Leisure has seen a huge demand for peak-time holidays, with many of its parks sold out in high season. But these new, valueadded packages are aimed at those who are able to get away outside of the busier periods. The Great Outdoors package is aimed at those wanting to explore the countryside surrounding the parks — guests who book this package will be able to enjoy a freshly prepared packed lunch and a takeaway hot drink on each day of their break, plus a free guide to the best walks and outdoor pursuits in the local area. The Houndtastic Holidays package allows dogs to stay half price and also includes a
CLUB CONFIRMS SITE OPEN DATES The Camping and Caravanning Club is opening two new campsites in May. Braithwaite Village Club site in the Lake District National Park and Sherwood Pines Camping in the Forest site in Nottinghamshire are both due to open on 24 May. Bookings are already open for both sites, which feature high-spec facilities designed to cater for everyone from families with their four-legged friends to backpackers and cycling enthusiasts. “Even in a really difficult year, we are especially proud to be opening
6 Camping June 2021
two fantastic new campsites in tranquil locations that we know will be hugely popular for years to come,” said Sabina Voysey, Director General of the Camping and Caravanning Club. “Despite reports that accommodation is selling fast, I can reassure people that there is still plenty of availability so there’s no need to panic. However, campers do need to think of locations away from the tourist honeypots and perhaps explore locations that are much closer to home – it’s amazing what gems you can discover on
welcome card addressed to the dog, treats, poo bags, a ball, a bottle of 'Pupsecco', use of a large dog cushion and a guide to local dog walks, dog-friendly attractions and restaurants. The Treat your Tots break will suit families with pre-school children and will give guests access to a cot and highchair, a free teddy bear and a guide containing all the best things to see and do in and around the park with young children. Finally, the Recharge Break is aimed at those in need of rest and relaxation. Guests booking through this package will receive two bottles of wine, a pamper hamper which contains sheet face masks, foot masks, lip balm, eye gel pads, hand cream and a guide to the best local restaurants, cafés, pubs and places to go shopping. CEO of Bridge Leisure, Andrew Howe, said: “We are already seeing a huge demand for peak dates which is great news, but there are a huge amount of people out there that want to actively avoid going away during school holidays.”
Braithwaite Village Club site
your own doorstep.” Braithwaite Village Club site is set in the village of the same name and is a few minutes’ drive from the market town of Keswick. The campsite, which was previously called Scotgate, was acquired by the Club in 2018 and has undergone an extensive refurbishment since then. Meanwhile, Sherwood Pines is
Sherwood Forest camping
a brand-new campsite opened in partnership with Forestry England that joins 15 other sites in the Camping in the Forest network across England and Scotland. The campsite is located within a large forest and is close to Forestry England's visitor centre, has a mix of standard grass and all-weather pitches plus electric hook-ups and a large amenity block.
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A HOLIDAY WITHOUT WALLS? Feel Free.
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Had enough of the four walls this year? Then pick a holiday that doesn’t have any. Discover our fully managed Club Site network, find hidden gems off the beaten track and uncover the spectacular backdrop of Camping in the Forest. All with reduced pitch fees and the expert, friendly support of our team. Wherever you go, you’ll never feel more free.
campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk | 024 7798 0194
t
FIRST PITCH Whether you’re a newcomer to camping or a veteran of many years, when you’re looking for a new tent there’s nothing better than seeing all your options set up in front of you. And that’s exactly what you’ll find at the National Camping Show later this month. At least 25 camping brands will be displaying their 2021 products at the show, which takes place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, between 20 and 23 May. That means you’ll be able to view scores of tents the way they are meant to be seen – fully pitched in the outdoors. You’ll be able to step into every model, walk around inside and ask questions of the people who know all the answers. That way you can easily compare brands and models and decide which one suits you best for your upcoming camping getaways. And when you’ve decided which tent you want, you can buy at the show. As well as tents, there will be a selection of accessories on display and available to buy. We’re also delighted to announce that Camping magazine will have a stand at the show where you will be able to take advantage of a special show subscription offer as well as meet members of the team. Camping magazine Brand Manager, Lucie Cox, said: “We are delighted to support the National Camping Show in May and look forward to celebrating our 60th anniversary with our readers as well as meeting new camping enthusiasts to offer tips and advice on tents and accessory products as well as the top campsite locations.” A climbing wall will also be set up on the Saturday and Sunday, which visitors will be
JOIN US AT THE NATIONAL CAMPING SHOW Camping magazine will be there – make sure you are too!
able to try out. The National Camping Show was originally due to take place in March but had to be postponed due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions. A second date in early May was also cancelled but with the easing of restrictions the show will now go ahead at the end of this month. At the show, camping and outdoor leisure enthusiasts will be able to browse and buy a selection of the latest tents, awnings, camping furniture and accessories from a range of exhibitors. Admission is free but pre-registration on the website nationalcampingshow.co.uk is advised as numbers on site may have to be limited due to Covid restrictions. Show opening times are Thursday to Sunday, between 9am and 5pm. Covid guidelines will be emailed to pre-registered visitors and will be put on the show's website as well.
De Waard tents
Zempire
WHO WILL BE THERE? Tent and camping accessory brands confirmed to be taking part in the National Camping Show include: ● Biolite ● Bo-Camp ● Campingaz ● Camping Travel Store (De Waard, Karsten) ● Coleman ● Crespo ● Dometic ● Fabsil ● Goal Zero ● Grangers ● Isabella ● Kampa
● Lichfield ● Nagonic ● Narbonne ● Outwell ● Quest ● Regatta ● Snow Peak ● Summerline ● Terra Nova ● Vango ● Westfield ● Wild Country ● Zempire
Tents will be pitched and accessible
8 Camping June 2021
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Around the CAMPFIRE STAR PIC
Camping means so much to our family. I remember going camping when I was young and having lots of adventures and now I’m having so many more with my own family. We’ve camped in heatwaves and thunderstorms (gale force 9 winds in a tent without a sewn-in ground sheet a few years ago was pretty exciting!). We’ve camped at campsites, in the garden and even in the house.
We’ve made the best friends camping and have made the best memories. We’ve had threeday-long games of Monopoly and had very quick board flips. We’ve had endless barbecues, croissants for breakfast and had (too) many cheese and wine nights. We’ve camped for just one night and we’ve camped for the whole summer. We’ve laughed till our sides hurt and argued about who’s getting the comfiest chair.
Share your adventures Send us your favourite camping photographs along with a short caption. We’ll publish the best snaps in the magazine and on our website outandaboutlive.co.uk and the picture we like the most will win a great prize from Coleman! Send your pictures to editorial@campingmagazine.co.uk
10 Camping June 2021
It’s our way to truly relax (once the tent is up of course!) and has kept us healthy physically and mentally. We can’t wait to get back out there this season and hope to have many more seasons ahead. Thank you camping, we love you! ■ Emily Bredonchel
Join the Camping community @campingmagazine facebook.com/campingmagazine @campingmag
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Share your camping moments in association with
Follow Coleman on facebook.com/Coleman.UK or visit the website coleman.eu/uk We started camping in 2019, and we absolutely love every trip, even the excitement of packing the car up all adds to the fun. We take our lovely little dog, Scooby, and he enjoys the experience, he seems to relax even more! This picture was taken at a lov ely little campsite calle d Barn Owl Camping in Suffolk. It’s stunning, with basic facilities which we love. The tent we camped with on this occasion is a Eu rohike Hampton 4. We can’t wait until we can get ba ck out camping again.
■ Andrew Draper, via
Rainbows and unicorns. Happy days! This was my godson Kieron’s first camping trip at Town Farm in Ivinghoe. I think his face says it all. Nice and cosy with the wood burner on, it was the first time using the Robens Klondike and the burner. It made a massive difference to the camping experience, with everyone else shivering in their tents wearing full-on winter coats and hats, and me in my t-shirt! ■ Sarah Peaker, via email Birthday in a tent back in October.
■ Kenneth Price,
via email
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■ Angela Holman,
via email
WHAT YOU CAN WIN Emily’s pictures win her a Coleman Event Shelter L worth £200. This is the little brother of the extremely popular event shelter. The 12ft by 12ft version provides the same reliable features as the larger model and is perfect for use in the garden or on a camping trip. It has sturdy steel poles and features UV Guard™ protection that will safeguard you and your family from the UV rays. The Event Shelter L also has a WeatherTec flysheet that offers protection from light showers. Next issue: Send us your camping pictures for the chance to win a Coleman 50QT Xtreme Wheeled Cooler.
June 2021 Camping 11
READER'S SET-UP
Me and my tent Reader Lisa Gallacher shows us round her Outwell Vermont XLP family tent
WHO ARE YOU? We are a family of six who started camping eight years ago and have never looked back.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU GO CAMPING? We go camping every year to France and for the last six years we have gone to the same place as it’s amazing and loved by everyone. We have booked for this year… hope it goes ahead. We have long weekends in the UK but only take the main tent – still all my home comforts, though.
WHERE WERE YOU STAYING? These pictures were taken last year on a trip to Le Pin Parasol in Vendée, France. We take 12 Camping June 2021
holidays here for three weeks every year. We always travel the last Thursday in July on Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo, then it’s three-and-a-half hours to get to the site. We travel back overnight in a cabin via Caen to Portsmouth as the only ferry crossing from St Malo is an early crossing.
WHAT’S YOUR TENT? The tent is an Outwell Vermont XLP with an awning. This is our second Vermont XLP and we find it’s very spacious, even with six of us and all my extras! The current tent is now three years old – we had the last one for six years before it split after I hit a bee with a spatula! The day tent we set up alongside is an Outwell Oklahoma.
HOW MUCH HAS YOUR SET-UP COST IN TOTAL? We bought things along the way so I can’t really give a full price of this set-up.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET SET UP? It takes around four hours to get everything exactly how I like it set up. We do take a fridge/freezer to France but it has been so worth it!
HOW DO YOU TRANSPORT IT ALL TO THE SITE? We have a Ford Galaxy car, a roof box and a trailer. We do look like the Clampetts, but hey-ho it’s holiday time!
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Our camping kitchen... with everything including the kitchen sink!
Comfortable camping in our Vermont's living room
Colour co-ordinated tent living
SHARE YOUR TENT SET-UP! Everyone has their own way of setting up their tent – and we'd love to see yours! We’re looking for inspiration – show us your camping set-up, inside and outside.
The kitchen lit up at night
Kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms... the more imaginative the better! Do you mix and match or always stick to the same brand? Do you try to colour-coordinate everything or is it a case of anything goes? And what about using "noncamping" gear in your tent? We want to see how you go camping – and let you show off to your fellow readers. Send us pictures or even a video of your tent and the best set-ups will feature in the magazine. We'll also share them on social media and on our website outandaboutlive.co.uk. Send your pics to editorial@ campingmagazine.co.uk
All the comforts of home
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Our car with the fully packed trailer
June 2021 Camping 13
INSPIRATION Perthshire
Call of the wild Felicity Martin and her furry companion, Braan, follow in the footsteps of naturalist, John Muir, as they explore Perthshire Words & Pictures: Felicity Martin
14 Camping June 2021
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ABOVE Felicity on the summit of Ben Lawers ● INSET Bluebells in Craig Wood, Dunkeld
I
Wade’s Bridge in Aberfeldy
NOTE TO READERS For the latest advice on travel in the UK and abroad during the coronavirus pandemic, visit gov.uk/coronavirus Restrictions are constantly changing so readers must check with individual campsites, attractions and local government websites prior to making any travel arrangements.
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am on top of the world, looking down on a billowing surface of fluffy clouds that appear as white as cotton wool under a brilliant sun and deep blue sky. At 1,214m (3,983ft), the summit of Ben Lawers is the highest point in Scotland south of the Nevis range and Cairngorms. It is my first and highest destination on a tour of Highland Perthshire. I have been hoping to survey my route from these heights, but the cumulus layer is only allowing glimpses of neighbouring peaks. Over the next week, I plan to explore the parts of Perthshire that lie northwest of the Highland Boundary Fault, which divides Lowlands from Highlands. I’ll experience straths (wide, fertile flood plains) and glens (narrow, rugged valleys) of the rivers Tay, Tummel, Garry and Earn. This area contains several long, deep, glaciated lochs and many fine mountains, as well as some delightful villages and towns. This is my ‘home patch’, but I want to travel around it with a visitor’s eyes. I’ve left my partner, Andrew, at home but have our collie, Braan, for company and know she’ll expect at least two good walks a day. After lunch in a rocky hollow echoing with the resonant call of a ring ouzel, I head to the National Trust for Scotland car park. The clouds peel away as I drive the A827 along the north side of Loch Tay, giving me gorgeous views of 15 miles of water snaking between the hills. Kenmore lies at the eastern end, where the River Tay flows out of the loch under a fine stone bridge. Pretty whitewashed cottages and the Kenmore Hotel, reputedly Scotland’s oldest inn, line the main street. The estate village was built by the Earls of Breadalbane, whose last seat, the neo-Gothic style Taymouth Castle, stands in parkland beyond a gateway. It’s turned into a hot afternoon, so I head
to Taymouth Courtyard for refreshment. A cold beer in the bar restaurant is tempting, but I settle for an ice cream from the shop as I’m driving. Braan cools off with a paddle at Kenmore Beach, where the view stretches back up Loch Tay to Ben Lawers. A little way up the loch, a roundhouse with a conical thatched roof stands out from the shore on wooden stilts. This is the Scottish Crannog Centre’s replica of an Iron Age lake dwelling. It was built using materials and methods discovered through underwater archaeology that investigated the remains of one of Loch Tay’s many crannogs – an ancient artifical island. My guide has competition from a chattering swallow nesting in the rafters as she explains the construction of the crannog. Alder poles were ‘screwed’ into the loch bed from a boat and double walls made of hazel hurdles were packed with bracken and sheep’s wool to provide insulation. Nearby, I take a short walk around the Falls of Acharn, one of Perthshire’s spectacular waterfalls. This one has a surprise, because it can only be viewed by feeling one’s way through a dark ‘hermit’s cave’ to a balcony overlooking it. A few miles down the River Tay, I visit the lively market town of Aberfeldy, which has two of my favourite institutions: The Birks, a community-run cinema, and the Watermill, one of the best bookshops in Scotland. While here, I walk Braan in the Birks of Aberfeldy, where a path circuits the plummeting Falls of Moness, and in Weem Wood, where we climb past 5,000-year-old cup and ring-marked stones to a cave where a real hermit lived. At Highland Safaris, I enjoy coffee and the view from its dog-friendly café before joining the deer experience. Our guide tells us about the life history of red deer, then we hand-feed
June 2021 Camping 15
INSPIRATION Perthshire
the gentle resident herd. Apparently, it takes 110 days for stags to grow their antlers each year. Those on the stag at the centre are half grown and covered in soft velvet. Our experience finishes with Ossian, the barn owl, flying silently up and down the barn. She is actually remarkably small up close, her snow-white breast contrasting with the delicate fawn and grey patterning on her back. Leaving Strath Tay, I drive north, climbing past Schiehallion, the ‘Fairy Hill’ and down to Kinloch Rannoch. The countryside around lochs Rannoch and Tummel is more remote and rugged, as reflected in the rather tortuous roads. I stay on the back-to-nature Kilvrecht campsite, which occupies large grassy clearings in native birch and oak woodland. Here you choose your own spot to pitch and have a choice of waymarked walks, but there is no electric and only cold water in the washrooms. It’s silent apart from birdsong during the day and tawny owls hooting away in the night. In Kinloch Rannoch, I restock with groceries from the Country Store and cake from the Riverbank Café then head east to Queen’s View above Loch Tummel. This picture-postcard viewpoint was visited by Queen Victoria, but is actually named after an earlier Scottish queen. It lies at the heart of Tay Forest Park and interpretation in the visitor centre here explains how a combination of landowners planting trees and favourable climate led
Drummond Castle overlooks the gardens Feeding red deer at Highland Safaris
16 Camping June 2021
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Looking west over Strathearn
relic of Macbeth’s Birnam Wood and across Telford’s bridge over the Tay, which is wide and fast-flowing here. Dunkeld was rebuilt 300 years ago after being burned down in a Jacobite battle. Now attractive whitewashed ‘Little Houses’ line the lane to the cathedral, behind which we stroll through the Dunkeld Tree Trail. This includes the Parent Larch, the sole survivor of five trees brought from the Alps in 1738. The Dukes of Atholl had a second home here and, seeing the species’ economic potential, planted 14 million larch trees from this seed source. We can’t come here without visiting The Hermitage, a woodland walk laid out by the Dukes of Atholl with a folly overlooking the thundering Black Linn waterfall. In adjacent Craigvinean Forest, we climb a path to Pinecone Point for a panoramic view over the Tay and surrounding wooded hills. We also visit Craig Wood, an oak wood with a marvellous carpet of bluebells. At Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve, Braan stays sleeping while I go into the visitor centre and bird hides. Telescopes are trained on an osprey nest in the top of a pine tree, where I can clearly see the female watching the skies as she broods her three eggs. Closer views are provided by a CCTV camera, while red squirrels and woodland birds hop around feeders on the other side of a big glass window. Moving on, a scenic drive southwestwards takes me through the dramatic Sma’ Glen to upper Strathearn, where I spend a night at a Caravan and Motorhome Club certificated location at Lochlane Farm. It’s only a few miles from home but has incredible views to
Perthshire to be called ‘Big Tree Country’. The local aristocracy were among the first in Britain to introduce exotic conifers, such as giant redwood and Douglas fir, trees that soon soared above the native woodland. Further east, I park briefly at Garry Bridge for a view up the thickly wooded Pass of Killiecrankie, site of a battle during the first Jacobite uprising in 1689. Driving north through the pass, I enter Cairngorms National Park at Blair Atholl. This historic village is the hub of many walking and cycling trails and the centre of Atholl Estates, which covers 145,000 acres of glorious rolling farmland and wild open hills. While staying on the neat and spacious Blair Castle Caravan Park, I take advantage of a 25% discount on entry to Blair Castle and gardens. The castle is astounding inside, with innumerable lavishly furnished rooms. Outside, I am drawn to Diana’s Grove, where many of the conifers are species record holders for height or girth. The Dukes of Atholl were famed for their tree planting and, by 1830, had planted more than 27 million trees within the Atholl glens. The busy resort town of Pitlochry lies a few miles further south down the A9, the main road between Perth and Inverness. As with many other places on my trip, well-behaved dogs are allowed into the Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre, but Braan is growing very bored of it all now, so I walk her over the dam and past the fish ladder that allows salmon to return upstream to their spawning grounds.
Beyond Pitlochry Festival Theatre (currently closed at the time of writing), we recross the Tummel via the Port na Craig suspension bridge and stroll into the town. At the John Muir Trust’s Wild Space visitor centre and gallery, Braan snoozes on the floor while I am absorbed by information about the wild land the trust owns and manages – its ethos is inspired by John Muir, the Scottish-born founder of the modern conservation movement. The next day I head south to Birnam and Dunkeld, twin settlements either side of the River Tay. The Beatrix Potter Garden in Birnam commemorates the author’s childhood holidays in the area. An exhibition in the adjacent community-run Birnam Arts Centre explains how, while here, Beatrix Potter began writing The Tale of Peter Rabbit and gained inspiration for many of her characters. This is another great place for exploring on foot, with a large network of paths to wander. We walk upriver past the Birnam Oak, the last
Inside the Wild Space exhibition in Pitlochry
The White Church, Comrie’s Community Centre, on the River Earn ● INSET Piper at Blair Castle
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June 2021 Camping 17
INSPIRATION Perthshire 4 WHERE TO STAY KILVRECHT CAMPSITE Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire PH17 2QJ 03000 676380 (opt 1) forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/ tay-forest-park/kilvrecht-campsite OPEN April – October PRICE £10 (no electric) BLAIR CASTLE CARAVAN PARK Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH18 5SR 01796 481263 blaircastlecaravanpark.co.uk OPEN 1 March – 30 November PRICE From £24
Dunkeld from the Telford bridge
Cultybraggan Camp was built in WWII to house POWs ● INSET Felicity with Braan
NEED TO KNOW ● Located at the geographical heart of Scotland highlandperthshire.org ● Walk in the footsteps of the original Crannog dwellers crannog.co.uk ● Meet the red deer, or go on a land or sea safari highlandsafaris.net ● A dramatic 18th century castle with extensive grounds blair-castle.co.uk ● Showcasing the rich history of hydroelectricity in the north of Scotland pitlochrydam.com ● Wildlife and cake auchingarrich.co.uk
18 Camping June 2021
die for as well as a delightful walk alongside the River Earn. From here I visit the pretty villages of St Fillans – at the east end of Loch Earn – and Comrie, which has the nickname of the ‘Shaky Toun’, because it lies on the Highland Boundary Fault and, surprisingly, has a history of experiencing small earthquakes. My first stop in Comrie is the café at Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre, where I enjoy coffee and moreish cake with a panoramic mountain view. A mile below the centre lies Cultybraggan Camp, which is one of the best-preserved World War II prisoner of war camps in Britain. Now in community ownership, some of the land has been turned into allotments and an orchard and the Nissen huts house various local enterprises. I’ve missed
Sunday’s guided tours, so I follow the selfguided tour; it gives an excellent insight into the history of the camp. Later I call into Comrie Croft, a popular mountain bike centre, hostel and campsite. The Tea Garden here offers delicious food and coffee for my lunch. I spend the afternoon at Drummond Castle Gardens, a little to the south of Crieff, which is the main town in Strathearn. The first sight you get of the grand Renaissance-style gardens here is truly breathtaking. The formal terracing below the old castle keep gives an elevated view of intricate patterns of parterre and topiary. As it’s spring, the fresh young green of grass and trees contrasts beautifully with the purplish red of ornamental maples and copper beeches coming into leaf. The autumn colours must be superb, too. The last venue on my journey is nearby Crieff Visitor Centre. An exhibition here tells the story of how the town prospered for a couple of centuries as the meeting place for drovers, who brought cattle from the Highlands and Islands, and English buyers, who dared not venture further north into the Gaelic-speaking wilds. The annual market is celebrated each October with the Drovers’ Tryst Walking Festival. Over the past week I’ve almost walked the legs off Braan and my own muscles are crying out for a long, hot bath. The trip has reminded me why I’ve spent more than half my life in Perthshire, with its glorious combination of blue lochs, green valleys and heather-studded mountains. When I get back home that evening, I reflect on the John Muir quote I read in Pitlochry, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.”
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INSPIRATION for cycling INSPIRATION Sites Campsite Of The Month
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Campsite Of The Month
Back of Beyond
Touring & Camping Park Dorset
Choose back-to-basics wild camping or a full-on luxury glamping experience at this wonderful Dorset campsite
F
Peaceful countryside setting NOTE TO READERS: For the latest advice on travel in the UK and abroad during the coronavirus pandemic, visit gov.uk/coronavirus Restrictions are constantly changing so readers must check with individual campsites, attractions and local government websites before you go ahead with any travel arrangements.
20 Camping June 2021
or peaceful, adults-only breaks, Back of Beyond is a bit special. It offers an oasis within a 30-acre park of woodland, heathland and lakes. The site is a haven for wildlife and is located within a short drive of Dorset beaches and the New Forest. There are three main camping areas for tents, including Emma’s Glade, which offers around 20 non-electric, wild camping-style pitches for a real off-grid experience. For a more comfortable pitch, the Warren has 10A electric pitches on flat artificial grass and there are also traditional grass pitches with electric. The modern toilets and showers offer luxurious comforts such as power showers and there is a washingup area. There’s also a warm water dog wash, a reception shop and a fishing lake stocked with the likes of carp, chubb and tench. You can also pick up freshly baked croissants, pain au chocolat, pain au raisin and baguettes for breakfast if pre-ordered the day before. Recreation facilities include a pitch and putt course and also a boules pitch – clubs and balls are provided. For glampers, there are fully furnished shepherd huts with wood burners, as well as a luxurious yurt, lodges and pods. Dogs are welcome in some of the glamping accommodation units. Moors Valley Country Park and Hurn Forest are close
The outdoor seating area
to the site, with New Forest villages and Ringwood just a cycle ride or short drive away. Major coastal resorts such as Bournemouth and Poole are within 30 minutes’ drive.
y INFORMATION 4 STAY AT
BACK OF BEYOND TOURING & CAMPING PARK 234a Ringwood Road, St Leonards, East Moors Lane, Dorset BH24 2SB T 01202 876968 W backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk OPEN 1 March – 31 October PRICE From £15 FACILITIES ● Shop selling camping essentials and local produce ● Breakfast pick-up service ● Free WiFi at reception ● Seating area and outdoor pop-up bar ● Mobile takeaways ● Dog wash facility
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Law of the CAMPSITE
Gillian Law looks forward to chilling out on a favourite campsite this summer
“My goodness it’s lovely to have something to dream about and look forward to”
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I WAS CHATTING to my sister the other night, on a video call. She was sitting in her spare room, where she has been working from home, and she was pondering what colour to paint it as she has got bored with looking at plain white walls. “So, I was thinking of a colour called Raspberry Pink…” she said. “Just on one wall. Or maybe Valencia Orange? Marseille Blue?” It clearly wasn’t a calming, pale-and-interesting room she was after, but something to liven up a year of home, home and more home. Suddenly, I remembered that her partner is a dab hand with a paintbrush – and not just in the DIY sense, but he can actually paint pictures. Why not get him to paint a mural on one wall – a picture of a campsite, and then she could daydream her way through endless work video meetings? And she loved the idea! We decided that he could paint it as though you were looking out through the tent opening, with a view over rolling green grass, trees, some distant tents. The possibilities are endless. She might have to keep the camera turned round the other way, mind you, so that her colleagues don’t think she’s actually taken off and started working from a yurt in a field. Anyway, all this daftness is just a reflection of the slightly odd mental state that I think a lot of us find ourselves in these days. We’re in this state of limbo, wondering what we’ll be able to do, and when. You have the advantage on me here, in that you’ll read this knowing more than I do as I write it. But I suspect we’ll be tiptoeing through the summer, working out both what we can do and what we actually want to do. I have just last night booked a provisional spot
on a campsite for July. It’s a long way off, so I made sure every last bit was cancellable and refundable, but my goodness it’s lovely to have something to dream about and look forward to. It’s a place we’ve been before, because I’m not feeling terribly adventurous at the moment. So we’ll go back to this site because I know that it’s beautiful, friendly, easy to get to, and that pretty much everything you need is available on site. I’m hoping to just get there and chill out. Talking of chilling out, I was reading online reviews of the site this morning, just because I was bored (and had a Camping column to write and was procrastinating). Jings, but people really can be strange. Most of the reviews were very lovely – but then positive reviews are pretty dull and samey, and it’s the bad ones that make you laugh. One lady complained that you can’t smoke beside the pool, another said, “it would have been fine, but for the lady next door”, and a third declared that, “we turned up at our pitch to find three dogs running around – one of them with only three legs! We turned around and left immediately”. I can only imagine the campsite management reading these and scratching their heads – or just laughing! You can’t please everyone. And I’m sure the poor three-legged dog was lovely. Oh, and if you’re wondering, my sister went for Pepper Red paint. I can’t wait to see photos. I hope she likes it – that’ll take a few coats to cover up if she changes her mind! Anyway, I’m off to do some planning on my mural idea and decide if we want a morning photo, with coffee, or maybe an evening one with some wine? So many decisions, but see you next month.
June 2021 Camping 23
A WEEK IN The Lake District
Lovely Lakeland A WEEK IN North Norfolk
The Lake District is the outdoor capital of England, with millions of visitors every year. Here’s how to enjoy a wonderful week in the Lakes
24 Camping June 2021
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THINKING OF GOING? INSURE WITH SHIELD FOR TOTAL PEACE OF MIND NOTE TO READERS For the latest advice on travel in the UK and abroad during the coronavirus pandemic, visit gov.uk/coronavirus Restrictions are constantly changing so readers must check with individual campsites, attractions and local government websites prior to making any travel arrangements.
Ullswater
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of Skiddaw’s hills and the serene beauty of Derwentwater. Keswick has a wide range of shops, restaurants and even a Saturday market which began in 1276. It’s also a great place to explore the northern Lakes. The popular stone and slate-built town of Windermere, and its environs, has lots to offer the enthusiastic touring fan, including a wide range of shops, eateries and pubs. For a real Cumbrian experience, head down to the Hole in t’ Wall in Robinson Place,
Bowness, where many locals eat and drink. Afterwards take a walk down to the lake and hop on one of the tourist boats for a relaxing cruise. To get a real feel for the region, head north out of Windermere on the A592 Kirkstone Pass. It’s narrow in places, so cars or bikes (not motorhomes or caravans) are best. Stop for a breather/beer at the Kirkstone Pass Inn at the top, before heading on down to beautiful Ullswater.
June 2021 Camping 25
Pixabay
T
he Lake District is all things to all people – just as popular with outdoor adventure seekers as it is with those looking for peace and quiet. History and literature buffs rub shoulders with fell walkers, while groups of teenagers share campsites with young families enjoying a summer holiday. In the northern lakes is Keswick. This busy market town, whose fortunes were founded on graphite and slate mining, lies between the towering presence
A WEEK IN The Lake District Pixabay
Pixabay Take a boat trip on Windermere
Visit England Cumbria Tourism Honisiter Via Ferrata
WHERE TO EAT BABA GANOUSH FOOD SHOP AND CANTEEN Unit 4 Berrys Yard, 27 Finkle Street, Kendal LA9 4AB 01539 738210 Located in the town of Kendal, this is not your typical café. Bacon rolls, sandwiches and baked potatoes share the menu with risotto, cassoulets and vegetarian mezze boards. But it is also not a restaurant – no bookings are taken and there’s a no frills, no fuss approach which is reflected in the prices, too.
A view over Keswick
A WEEK IN North DAY 1 Norfolk KESWICK Keswick is the main town of the northern Lakes and a great place to explore from. Take a cruise across Derwentwater from the jetties beside Hope Park, or there are traditional wooden rowing boats if you want to explore at your own pace. The town has a couple of quirky museums – the Puzzling Place is great for all ages and is a fun foray into the world of optical illusion, while the Keswick Pencil Museum houses the world’s first pencil and the world’s largest one, too! There is lots of walking around here, and it’s easy choose the level of difficulty that suits. You can enjoy what they call “family walks” around Derwentwater, a total distance of eight miles, or face a more
challenging walk at nearby Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.
DAY 2 ADVENTURE TIME At the southern end of Derwentwater is the valley of Borrowdale, leading to the Honister Pass and the home of Honister Slate Mine. The mine has a visitor centre and guided tours, which vary depending on your level of adventure. They range from a flat walk underground, to venturing out onto the mountain and across the Infinity Bridge. For those with a huge sense of adventure (and a massive dose of bravery, too), Honister also offers Via Ferrata. Using a series of metal cables, rungs, ladders and bridges, those taking part ascend to unimaginable heights, all while attached by fixed safety cables.
xxx
26 Camping June 2021
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THINKING OF GOING? INSURE WITH SHIELD FOR TOTAL PEACE OF MIND Pixabay
ONE TO VISIT DAY 3 WINDERMERE
DAY 4 GO APE
Spanning 10 miles between Ambleside and Newby Bridge, Windermere is the largest lake in the Lake District and is one of the National Park’s busiest sights. You can take a scenic boat trip around the lake and its islands from Bowness-on-Windermere, which is a great little town to wander around to enjoy its scenic charms. Bowness is also home to the World of Beatrix Potter attraction and located near Lake Windermere is Hill Top, Beatrix’s former home. For time away from the tourist crowd, try the much quieter western shoreline of the lake in areas like the wooded trails of Claife Heights and the grounds of Wray Castle.
Head west to Whinlatter Forest Park, England’s only true mountain forest for a bit of mountain biking (three trails) or walking (nine trails) amid superb scenery and wildlife. Alternatively, save your energy and take an off-road Segway tour of the forest, or go one adrenalin step further with a couple of hours in the treetops on a Go Ape experience. The longest zip line measures 89 metres! It all makes for a great day out.
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SCAFELL PIKE is England’s highest mountain and war memorial. The climb is challenging, whichever route you take. It’s a tough, steep hike which involves scrambling over hard terrain so experience and fitness is key, it’s not for the faint-hearted. This is as tough as it gets, but hitting the summit of Scafell is very rewarding. A map and compass will be needed and check mountain weather conditions.
DAY 5 ON YOUR BIKE For a spot of exercise, hire bikes from Brockhole, a house and 30-acre gardens near Windermere and spend a day whizzing along the bike-friendly paths. Prices include
June 2021 Camping 27
A WEEK IN The Lake District Visit England Richard J Jones
Visit Britain Rod Edwards
9 WHERE TO VISIT WORLD OF BEATRIX POTTER Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3BX 01539 440872 hop-skip-jump.com BROCKHOLE BIKE HIRE Windermere LA23 1LJ 01539 440270 brockhole.co.uk
World of Beatrix Potter
Ullswater Steamer
helmets, locks and a lake crossing to the western shore, which is quieter with plenty of bridleways.
the pole to get their dinner.
DAY 6 MEET THE WILDLIFE A perfect family day out, the South Lakes Safari Zoo at Lindal-in-Furness offers a few unusual treats. Firstly, different species are allowed to roam together within their enclosures, which better reflects the mix of animals in the wild. Secondly, they also let humans inside, too! This means that emus, prairie dogs, lemurs and squirrel monkeys all interact with each other and with the visitors. There is a no-touch rule, but this doesn’t stop the experience being one not to miss. Another unusual feature is the fact that they feed the tigers and jaguars by pinning the food to the top of a telegraph pole, meaning the big cats have to run and climb
DAY 7 TAKE A STEAMER No visit to the Lakes is complete without a trip across the water on a famous Ullswater Steamer. These began sailing in 1849 and then in the 1930s the paddle steamers were converted to diesel as the paddles kept getting tangled in the weeds. Today five operate on the lake. You can board at Glenridding and enjoy the journey across the lake to the jetty at Howtown. While here you can follow a circular walking route over Hallin Fell and enjoy views back over Ullswater. Then follow the alternative route back down into Pooley Bridge which is another departure point for the steamers back to Glenridding. The village of Pooley Bridge offers a riverside walk, pubs, cafés and gift shops.
A WEEK IN North Norfolk
DERWENT PENCIL MUSEUM Southey Works, Keswick CA12 5NG 01768 773626 derwentart.com PUZZLING PLACE (WORLD OF ILLUSION) Museum Square, Keswick CA12 5DZ 01768 775102 puzzlingplace.co.uk GO APE (WHINLATTER) Whinlatter Forest Park, Braithwaite CA12 5TW goape.co.uk (select Whinlatter) HONISTER VIA FERRATA Honister Slate Mine, Honister Pass CA12 5XN 01768 777230 honister.com
Visit Britain Rod Edwards 28 Camping June 2021
Derwentwater
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June 2021 Camping 31
INSPIRATION 60 Great Sites
Perfect Pitches Don’t start planning this year’s summer camping trip until you’ve checked out these 60 great UK campsites that are guaranteed to give you and your family a staycation to remember
I
t doesn’t matter if you are an experienced camper or an eager first-timer – your time is precious. And, no one wants to waste it by pitching up at a campsite that promises more than it can deliver!
So, stop worrying and read on, because to mark our 60th birthday we’ve pulled together 60 great campsites from the four corners of Britain that will guarantee a fantastic camping experience, whatever your preferences. See what takes your
fancy. When you’ve found the site you like, get it booked up, because demand will be higher than ever this year. Have fun and get planning that next trip!
SOUTHWEST ENGLAND 1 DORNAFIELD CARAVAN PARK DEVON Two Mile Oak, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6DD 01803 812732 dornafield.com Dornafield is a beautiful site within a 14th century farmstead – surrounded by woodland and countryside and with pretty plantings and hedges. The awardwinning facilities include an on-site shop, games room, tennis court, adventure playgrounds and dog walking areas.
2 MINNOWS TOURING PARK DEVON Sampford Peverell, Tiverton, Devon EX16 7EN 01884 821770 minnowstouringpark.co.uk Minnows is an adults-only site (people over 14 years of age), situated alongside the Grand Western Canal in Devon. The site has its own landing stage on the canal for canoes and there is a nearby slipway for launching boats.
4 HARROW WOOD FARM CARAVAN PARK DORSET Poplar Lane, Bransgore, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 8JE 01425 672487 caravan-sites.co.uk Set in 80 acres of farmland on the edge of the New Forest National Park, Harrow Wood has an on-site fishing lake that makes for a nice spot to relax. A one-mile circular walk leads around the farm, meaning guests can enjoy the animals and surroundings.
NOTE TO READERS For the latest advice on travel in the UK and abroad during the coronavirus pandemic, visit gov.uk/coronavirus Restrictions are constantly changing so readers must check with individual campsites, attractions and local government websites prior to making any travel arrangements.
32 Camping June 2021
3 BURROWHAYES FARM CARAVAN & CAMPING SITE SOMERSET West Luccombe, Porlock, Minehead, Somerset TA24 8HT 01643 862463 burrowhayes.co.uk Situated beside Horner Water and with a view of Dunkery Beacon, this site is in the heart of the Exmoor National Park, which is ideal to explore with its wooded valleys, streams, hills and coastal scenery.
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60
SOUTHWEST ENGLAND CONTINUED
YEARS OF
6 POLMANTER TOURING PARK CORNWALL Halsetown, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 3LX 01736 795640 polmanter.co.uk Surrounded by farmland, Polmanter is a 30-minute walk to St Ives. Onsite, you can take a relaxing dip in the outdoor pool then book yourself a pamper session at the Escape Treatment Rooms before enjoying an evening meal or drink at the site’s Stable Bar, Restaurant and Takeaway.
8 COUNTRY VIEW HOLIDAY PARK SOMERSET 5 HARFORD BRIDGE HOLIDAY PARK DEVON Harford Bridge, Tavistock, Devon PL19 9LS 01822 810349 harfordbridge.co.uk
7 HENDRA HOLIDAY PARK CORNWALL
Set within the beauty of the Dartmoor National Park and adjacent to the River Tavy, this rural site offers relaxation and outdoor activities aplenty, just two miles from the lovely market town of Tavistock.
Sand Road, Sand Bay, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS22 9UJ 01934 627595 cvhp.co.uk Set just 200 yards from the beautiful Sand Bay beach near Weston-super-Mare, this is a quiet and peaceful site that caters for families, in picturesque surroundings. Facilities include a large heated outdoor swimming pool and a licensed bar with a sun patio.
Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4NY 01637 875778 hendra-holidays.com Hendra manages to pull off an impressive trick in that it is both extensively equipped and tranquil. On site there are several places to eat, evening entertainment and, best of all, the Oasis fun pool complex. The campsite is only a mile-and-a-half away from the bright lights of bustling Newquay.
9 MONKTON WYLD CARAVAN PARK DORSET Scott’s Lane, Charmouth, Dorset DT6 6DB 01297 631 131 monktonwyld.co.uk This beautiful dog-friendly site provides great facilities including a dog walk and a separate paddock where you can let your friend off the lead. For muddy paws there’s even a dog wash!
MORE SOUTHWEST ENGLAND SITES OVERLEAF
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June 2021 Camping 33
INSPIRATION 60 Great Sites SOUTHWEST ENGLAND CONTINUED
10 DURDLE DOOR HOLIDAY PARK DORSET Lulworth Cove, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5PU 01929 400200 durdledoor.co.uk The campsite, with its wooded and open camping areas, has direct access to the South West Coast Path with a short 800m walk downhill to the local beach.
11 ANDREWSHAYES HOLIDAY PARK DEVON Dalwood, Axminster, Devon EX13 7DY 01404 808523 andrewshayes.co.uk The site is just six miles to the fossil-rich coast at Seaton, and eight miles to Lyme Regis. As well as plenty of open space it has a heated indoor pool with retractable roof that can be opened in the warmer weather to create an outdoor pool.
12 TREVORNICK HOLIDAY PARK CORNWALL Holywell Bay, Cornwall TR8 5PW 01637 830531 trevornick.co.uk Just a few steps from the sandy dunes that lead to Holywell Bay and only a short distance from Newquay, this bustling site has all the facilities you could possibly need as a family, and more.
13 TREVALGAN TOURING PARK CORNWALL Trevalgan, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 3BJ 01736 791892 trevalgantouringpark.co.uk Trevalgan is two miles from St Ives town centre, surrounded by open farmland and set between the gorse, bracken and heather-covered hills of the Cornish coastline. The site is perfect for family seaside holidays
14 NORDEN FARM CARAVAN & CAMPING SITE DORSET Norden Farm, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5DS 01929 480098 nordenfarm.com Norden Farm is located on a working farm, close to Corfe Castle and the Jurassic Coast. Studland beach is nearby, as is Wareham Forest which offers plenty of opportunities for walking and exploring.
34 Camping June 2021
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SOUTH OF ENGLAND 16 CAKES & ALE HOLIDAY 15 CLIPPESBY HALL NORFOLK Clippesby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 3BL 01493 367800 clippesbyhall.com A 34-acre park set in extensive woodlands, with eight distinct areas to pitch up, each offering a different kind of camping experience. On site, there’s a variety of activities for the whole family as well as the excellent Basecamp bar, café and shop. complex.
PARK SUFFOLK
Abbey Lane, Theberton, Suffolk IP16 4TE 01728 831655 cakesandale.co.uk Cakes and ale are synonymous with the good life – and that’s what this site in the heart of the Suffolk Heritage Coast sets out to achieve. Hence the name! It’s familyfriendly but there’s a dedicated adults-only section, too.
17 APPULDURCOMBE GARDENS HOLIDAY PARK ISLE OF WIGHT Wroxall, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 3EP 01983 852597 appuldurcombegardens.co.uk Appuldurcombe Gardens is set in secluded grounds surrounded by countryside, with many walking and cycling routes on the doorstep and just a short drive to the resorts and beaches of Shanklin, Sandown and Ventnor.
18 HURLEY RIVERSIDE PARK BERKSHIRE Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 5NN 01628 824493 hurleyriversidepark.co.uk A great family-friendly site in the heart of the Home Counties. There’s a nature trail and children’s mini assault course and it’s close to Legoland Windsor.
19 SEARLES LEISURE RESORT NORFOLK South Beach Road, Hunstanton, Norfolk PE36 5BB 01485 534211 searles.co.uk Searles is a superbly appointed, awardwinning family site just a few minutes’ walk from the sea and has everything you could need for a great break, with landscaped grounds and gardens.
20 HOLLANDS WOOD CAMPSITE HAMPSHIRE Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7QH 01590 622967 campingintheforest.co.uk Hollands Wood is nestled in oak trees in the middle of the New Forest National Park. Dogs are well catered for with many routes and trails offered by the forest, while there is also direct access to an open common.
MORE SOUTH OF ENGLAND SITES OVERLEAF
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June 2021 Camping 35
INSPIRATION 60 Great Sites 21 HAWTHORN FARM KENT
SOUTH OF ENGLAND CONTINUED
Station Rd, Martin Mill, Dover, Kent CT15 5LA 01304 852658 keatfarm.co.uk It’s just five miles from the port of Dover so is a perfect stopover before heading to the cross-Channel ferry. But, set in the lovely Kent countryside and close to the coast, this superbly landscaped site is well worth a visit in its own right.
23 WHITEFIELD FOREST TOURING PARK ISLE OF WIGHT
22 ORCHARDS HOLIDAY PARK ISLE OF WIGHT Main Road, Newbridge, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight PO41 0TS 01983 531331 orchardsholidaypark.co.uk A friendly site that is well laid out and well maintained and offers multiple family-friendly amenities, including a pool, games room, coffee bar, reasonably priced takeaway and a good shop selling basics.
Brading Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 1QJ 01983 617069 whitefieldforest.co.uk A quality site set in woodland between Ryde and Sandown with well-drained, level pitches that are sheltered by trees and developed in sympathy with the surrounding woodland.
24 KELLING HEATH HOLIDAY PARK NORFOLK Sandy Hill Lane, Holt, Norfolk NR25 7HW 01263 588181 kellingheath.co.uk
A bustling holiday park, packed with quality facilities and activities where camping pitches are surrounded by natural countryside and there’s a real community feel.
25 DEEPDALE FARM NORFOLK Burnham Deepdale, Norfolk PE31 8DD 01485 210256 deepdalebackpackers.co.uk A short walk from the beach and harbour of Brancaster Staithe and Burnham Deepdale and an easy drive to the rest of north Norfolk’s wonderful coast, this is a lovely campsite that is almost exclusively for tents and very eco-friendly.
36 Camping June 2021
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CENTRAL ENGLAND 26 GREENHILLS HOLIDAY PARK DERBYSHIRE Crowhill Lane, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PX 01629 813052 greenhillsholidaypark.co.uk Located just one mile away from the historic town of Bakewell (home of the famous tarts), Greenhills boasts an excellent clubhouse, a recently renovated amenity building and a children’s play area.
27 RUTLAND CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK RUTLAND Greetham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7FN 01572 813520 rutlandcaravanandcamping.co.uk The site offers the opportunity to explore England’s smallest county, full of picturesque villages and towns and nearby Rutland Water.
28 MOUSLEY HOUSE FARM WARWICKSHIRE Case Lane, Hatton, Warwickshire CV35 7JG 07443 475434 mousleyhousefarmcampsite.co.uk A quiet, family-friendly campsite set in rural Warwickshire, ideally located to explore the heart of England. The four-acre site has lots of space for youngsters to ride bikes, fly kites and enjoy the fresh air. Give the outdoor shower block a try, too, if you can!
29 NEWHAVEN HOLIDAY PARK DERBYSHIRE Newhaven, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 0DT 01298 84300 newhavenholidaypark.co.uk Located between Buxton and Ashbourne, Newhaven Holiday Park makes an ideal base for exploring the Peak District. Sat in a quiet, secluded dip in the hills, the whole site is incredibly well-maintained On-site facilities include a shop, launderette and outdoor play area.
30 ASHBOURNE HEIGHTS DERBYSHIRE Fenny Bentley, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1LE 01335 350228 ashbourne-heights.co.uk This delightful park is in an ideal location for exploring the Peak District and has direct access to the Tissington Trail, as well as a heated indoor pool.
NORTH OF ENGLAND 31 YORK MEADOWS CARAVAN PARK YORKSHIRE Sheriff Hutton, York YO60 6QP 01347 878508 yorkmeadowscaravanpark.com Nestling in the stunning and tranquil splendour of the Howardian Hills and Vale of York, the campsite is set on the outskirts of Sheriff Hutton, with the castle ruins dominating the skyline. It’s perfect for exploring York’s historic attractions as well as Castle Howard just five miles away.
33 WALESWOOD CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK YORKSHIRE Delves Lane, Waleswood, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S26 5RN 07825 125328 waleswood.co.uk Lying to the east of the Derbyshire Peak District, this award-winning site just across the border in Yorkshire is ideal for active campers and dog owners, with the country park offering up a range of activities.
32 PARK FOOT CARAVAN AND CAMPING PARK CUMBRIA Howtown Road, Pooley Bridge, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2NA 01768 486309 parkfootullswater.co.uk Set on the banks of Ullswater, in the heart of the Lake District, Park Foot combines an idyllic setting with lots to see and do. Boats can be launched from the private beach by the lakeside; you can fish on the lake, too, and walk on the fells.
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MORE NORTH OF ENGLAND SITES OVERLEAF
June 2021 Camping 37
INSPIRATION 60 Great Sites NORTH OF ENGLAND CONTINUED
34 CASTLERIGG HALL CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK CUMBRIA Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4TE 01768 774499 castlerigg.co.uk It’s hard to imagine a site with more impressive views, the vistas are breathtaking. But there’s more to this site than its spectacular location, with outstanding facilities for campers.
35 HERDING HILL FARM NORTHUMBERLAND Shield Hill, Haltwhistle, Northumberland NE49 9NW 01434 320175 herdinghillfarm.co.uk A five-star site situated in Hadrian’s Wall country, featuring a sauna, a playground with a Roman fort and petting farm, and the option to have home-made pizzas delivered to your pitch!
36 GOLDEN SQUARE CARAVAN PARK YORKSHIRE Oswaldkirk, Nr Helmsley, York YO62 5YQ 01439 788269 goldensquarecaravanpark.com Golden Square is set within the North York National Park with Fountains Abbey, Scarborough and York all within one hour’s drive. Pitches enjoy views across the farm, forest and moorlands and facilities include two outdoor play areas, indoor play, crazy golf and a football field.
37 UPWOOD HOLIDAY PARK YORKSHIRE Blackmoor Road, Haworth, West Yorkshire BD22 9SS 01535 644242 upwoodpark.co.uk Set in the heart of Brontë country, Upwood Holiday Park has been lovingly upgraded using local materials. There’s plenty to do with a bar and restaurant and, at the weekends, there is entertainment – a guitarist or vocalist, perhaps.
38 HIGH THORN FARM CUMBRIA Selside, Nr Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9JX 01539 823295 highthorn-farm.com A secluded campsite where you can relax and unwind on the banks of a wild, natural pond, with stunning Lake District scenery all around.
39 CROWS NEST CARAVAN PARK YORKSHIRE Gristhorpe, Filey, North Yorkshire YO14 9PS 01723 582206 crowsnestcaravanpark.com This facility-laden coastal campsite for families is located between Scarborough and Filey and is in a great position to visit the two seaside towns with their lovely sandy beaches.
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40 PONT KEMYS CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK MONMOUTHSHIRE
WALES
Chainbridge, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 9DS 01873 880688 pontkemys.com Want a beautifully maintained site in a beautiful location with top-quality loos and free WiFi? Set in eight-acres, Pont Kemys includes a separate adults-only section and a camping field. Facilities include a laundry, camper’s kitchen, indoor washing-up room and a TV room.
43 HENDRE MYNACH CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK GWYNEDD
41 WHITE LODGE ANGLESEY Penlon, Newborough, Isle of Anglesey LL61 6RS 01248 440230 whitelodgecaravanpark.com Fine dining at the award-winning restaurant and fine views across the Menai Strait towards Snowdon combine to make this atmospheric site a must-visit.
Barmouth, Gwynedd, Wales LL42 1YR 01341 280262 hendremynach.co.uk The sandy beach is just 100m from Hendre Mynach, and dog-friendly Barmouth, with its shops, cafés and restaurants is a 20-minute walk along the promenade.
42 PANTGLAS FARM CARAVAN PARK PEMBROKESHIRE Tavernspite, Whitland, Pembrokeshire SA34 0NS 01834 831618 A quiet family-friendly campsite set within 14-acres in the Pembrokeshire hills, with great views of Carmarthen Bay and the Gower Peninsula. The park is within easy reach of the harbour town of Tenby and the resort of Saundersfoot.
44 COASTAL STAY CAMPSITE PEMBROKESHIRE Noddfa Farm, Llanrhian, Pembrokeshire SA62 6DP 01348 837822 coastalstay. co.uk Tucked away in the Pembrokeshire countryside, every pitch on this lovely little secluded site with top-notch facilities has views to the coast.
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45 TAN Y FRON HOLIDAY PARK GWYNEDD Arran Road, Dolgellau, Gwynedd LL40 2AA 01341 422638 tanyfronholidaypark. co.uk On the outskirts of the town of Dolgellau, this is an excellent site to explore the lesser visited, southern part of Snowdonia.
46 ABERERCH SANDS HOLIDAY CENTRE GWYNEDD Abererch, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 6PJ 01758 612327 abererch-sands.co.uk A popular destination for watersport enthusiasts and families alike, close to the sea – but sheltered by a large dune. The private sandy beach is four miles long and nearby is a marina and slipway, which allows you to check out all sorts of boats or launch your own. MORE WELSH SITES
OVERLEAF
June 2021 Camping 39
INSPIRATION 60 Great Sites WALES CONTINUED
SCOTLAND
47 FFOREST FIELDS CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK POWYS Fforest Farm, Hundred House, Builth Wells, Powys LD1 5RT 01982 570406 fforestfields.co.uk A beautiful site in a lovely part of Wales, with topnotch facilities, that consistently proves popular with Camping magazine readers.
50 SANDS CARAVAN AND CAMPING WESTER ROSS Gairloch, Wester Ross IV21 2DL 01445 712152 sandscaravanandcamping.co.uk In an idyllic setting on the West Highland coast of Scotland, Sands is the sort of destination that offers holidaymakers a little bit of everything. Superb facilities, a relaxed atmosphere and lots of opportunities for family fun by the sea.
48 PLAS UCHAF CARAVAN AND CAMPING PARK ANGLESEY Benllech Bay, Anglesey LL74 8NU 01407 763012 plasuchaf.co.uk A beautifully maintained, quiet campsite on the pretty isle of Anglesey with smart modern washrooms with power showers and underfloor heating.
51 INVER CARAVAN PARK CAITHNESS Houstry Road, Dunbeath, Caithness KW6 6EH 01593 731441 inver-caravan-park.co.uk A tiny, but very well-appointed site in the far north of Scotland just off the main road and close to the sea. It’s surrounded by beautiful countryside and has views to the sea.
52 GLENDARUEL CARAVAN AND CAMPING PARK ARGYLL Glendaruel, Argyll and Bute PA22 3AB 01369 820267 glendaruelcaravanpark.com An award-winning, family-run park set in 22-acres of woodland in a quiet glen, where children can explore to their heart’s content.
49 CAERFAI BAY PEMBROKESHIRE Ffordd Caerfai, St Davids, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 6QT 01437 720274 caerfaibay.co.uk The big appeal of Caerfai Bay is its incredible clifftop view of St Bride’s Bay and reaching as far as Ramsey Island. There’s a small sandy beach and St Davids is a 10-minute walk away.
53 CASHEL CAMPING IN THE FOREST STIRLINGSHIRE Loch Lomond, Cashel, Rowardennan G63 0AW 01360 870234 campingintheforest. co.uk This campsite, on the shores of Loch Lomond, is perfect for the active family, with direct access to the water and the West Highland Way passing the entrance to the site.
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SCOTTISH SITES CONTINUED
54 LOCH KEN HOLIDAY PARK SOUTHWEST SCOTLAND Parton, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway DG7 3NE 01644 470282 lochkenholidaypark.co.uk Ideally set in the beautiful Galloway Hills, Loch Ken Holiday Park is a fantastic caravan and camping destination with modern facilities and wonderful views over the water.
55 SPEYSIDE GARDENS MORAY Aberlour, Moray AB38 9LD 01340 871586 speysidegardens.com A five-acre campsite set within a Victorian walled garden. Also on site is a shop, laundry and disabled-friendly toilet block. There are plenty of walks in the surrounding woods and will be a dream for wildlife lovers. Deer, red squirrels, tree creepers, buzzards and merlins are all a relatively common sight amid the trees.
58 SILVER SANDS HOLIDAY PARK MORAY Covesea West Beach, Lossiemouth, Moray IV31 6SP 01343 813262 silver-sands.co.uk As well as a stunning beachside location, the park also boasts a wide variety of first-class facilities including an indoor pool, sauna and fitness suite, live entertainment, a restaurant and bar, shop and play area.
56 TROSSACHS HOLIDAY PARK STIRLINGSHIRE By Aberfoyle, Stirlingshire FK8 3SA 01877 382614 trossachsholidays.co.uk Situated on the edge of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, and close to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, this 40-acre landscaped park is the perfect site to explore and enjoy the great outdoors.
57 MOFFAT CAMPING AND CARAVANNING CLUB SITE SOUTHWEST SCOTLAND Hammerlands, Moffat DG10 9QL 01683 220436 campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk A 180-pitch site surrounded by magnificent scenery but just a few minutes’ walk from the pretty town of Moffat. The site is flat with typically good Club facilities.
59 CASTLE CARY HOLIDAY PARK SOUTHWEST SCOTLAND Castle Cary Holiday Park, Creetown DG8 7DQ 01671 820264 castlecary-caravans.com A scenic family campsite, 10-minutes’ drive from Newton Stewart and the Galloway Forest Park. Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, crazy golf, café, a games room and playground, as well as its own pub.
NORTHERN IRELAND 60 WATERTOP FARM COUNTY ANTRIM Cushendall Road, Ballycastle, County Antrim BT54 6RN 028 2076 2576 watertopfarm.co.uk Watertop Farm is six miles from Ballycastle in the Glens of Antrim and offers a range of activities as well as scenic walks around the farm and the surrounding area.
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June 2021 Camping 41
INSPIRATION Birmingham
Finding magic in Middle Earth Carol Kubicki follows Tolkien’s trail through Birmingham and encounters many more famous faces along the way Words & Pictures: Carol Kubicki
I
The Tolkienesque Perrott’s Folly
42 Camping June 2021
t might surprise you to hear that JRR Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings, has its roots in Birmingham. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s childhood years were spent in its green suburbs around the turn of the 20th century. In interviews, Tolkien referred to himself as a Birmingham man, revealing that the city’s landscapes inspired him. The four members of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath also called this metropolis home, spending their formative years playing among the 1960s terraced streets and bomb sites of industrial working-class Aston, northeast of Birmingham’s city centre. And those experiences echo in the sound of their early music. There has been a Tolkien Trail for some time and, more recently, Birmingham has celebrated its heavy metal heritage by renaming a bridge and erecting a bench; I could feel a pilgrimage coming together. My partner, Anthony, needed some persuading,
having worked in the area in the 1980s and recalled a dreary city. I reeled him in with tales of futuristic buildings, Middle Earth and of course, Black Sabbath. Having played heavy rock down the M6, we arrived at Winterbourne House in leafy Edgbaston. Neither drab nor futuristic, this 1903 Arts and Crafts house is elegant and stylish, with attention paid to craftsmanship and traditional materials. Inspired by William Morris, the house was designed by town planning pioneer, John Nettlefold, who was involved in clearing up the city's many slum areas. It is worth looking closely at the plasterwork: I found charming squirrels, rabbits and birds among the fruit and large windows bring in light, connecting the house and garden. In the hall, you will see a link to Tolkien; the Nettlefold family bought a piano from Tolkien’s grandfather. The garden was the work of John’s wife, Margaret, and is packed with colour and
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THINKING OF GOING? INSURE WITH SHIELD FOR TOTAL PEACE OF MIND The walled garden at Winterbourne House feels a million miles away from the city
NOTE TO READERS For the latest advice on travel in the UK and abroad during the coronavirus pandemic, visit gov.uk/coronavirus Restrictions are changing on a regular basis, so readers must check with the individual campsites, attractions and local government websites before making any travel arrangements.
interest, featuring a pergola walk, woodland corners, pools and expansive lawns. The scents in the walled garden were heady; we could have been in a Cotswold village, not a busy city. Our campsite, near the village of Wythall, was also peacefully rural. A 30-minute walk took us to the railway station, with regular trains to Birmingham and Stratford-uponAvon. Next door to the campsite is the Transport Museum and I wandered over in the evening to peek at some of the old buses and sweet miniature railway. From Snow Hill Station, we set off to explore the vibrant city, walking through the Victorian splendour of Great Western Arcade to New Street Station. I had recently worked near here and watched the classy transformation of this station, but the airy and gleaming building was almost unrecognisable to Anthony. On the walkway alongside the vertical gardens we played with our reflections in the
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huge polished steel band that wraps around the structure. My top tip is to look for a spot where you can see two of yourself! John Bright Street retains an off-thebeaten-track vibe and I was pleased to see that my favourite café, Cherry Reds, is still here. Cherry Reds is a gem, with mismatched tables, home-made food, a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and good coffee. A music venue in the evenings, I smiled upon noticing that the café had a ‘Black Sabbath Special’ on the blackboard menu. Victoria Square was built to impress; Queen Victoria’s statue and the monumental Town Hall, surrounded by columns, are here. Up the sweep of steps sits the 19th century museum and art gallery where we explored some of the galleries, finding the captivating Pre-Raphaelite collection. Central to the square is a statue of a reclining woman that used to sit above an impressive water feature. Known locally as ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’, she now lounges among flowers.
The stunning new library building
June 2021 Camping 43
INSPIRATION Birmingham
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Surely Tolkien stopped to look at this tree ● The pretty Trittiford Mill Pond at Yardley Wood ● The floating market is an unusual Birmingham attraction
We moved on to Centenary Square, a large modern piazza with fountains and a shallow pool that beautifully reflects the surrounding buildings. Here is the stunning library, a
L NEED TO KNOW ● Check the website for current opening times and restrictions to this Edwardian house and garden winterbourne.org.uk ● Forward-thinking architecture, majestic waterways and more visitbirmingham.com ● A collection of organisations concerned with collections, historic sites, museums, galleries, churches, gardens and visitor services within the Birmingham area birminghamheritage.org.uk ● nformation about Sarehole Mill birminghammuseums.org.uk ● Be transported back in time wythall.org.uk
44 Camping June 2021
golden and clear-glass building covered with delicate rings, referencing the metropolis’ jewellery industries. Three other iconic buildings flank the library: the Symphony Hall – with its acoustically amazing concert hall – the unusual Hall of Memory and Baskerville House, a 1930s Art Deco building. With a vast network of canals, Birmingham does like to compare itself to Venice. Gas Street Basin certainly has a relaxed atmosphere – friends sat outside canalside pubs, families were visiting Legoland Discovery Centre and even a water taxi chugged by. We sought out the Black Sabbath Bridge and steel bench with images of the four band members and the inscription, ‘Made in Birmingham’. Later we found the city's floating market: lines of barges where roving traders sell handmade arts and crafts and quirky curiosities. Rock music memories made me long for beer and chips and a nearby pub delivered both, with a canal view. Re-energised, we set off in search of Tolkien’s two towers and, a mile away, we reached the 29m-tall, crenellated Perrott’s Folly. Built in 1758,
when the city sprawled less, this unusual hunting lodge was used as a weather station by the time Tolkien moved to the area in 1904. This – and the nearby Edgbaston Waterworks Tower – would have been part of his local landscape. Tolkien fans think that these towers influenced the title of the second volume of The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers. We walked back by the Plough and Harrow Hotel, where Tolkien stayed with his wife, Edith, before he left to fight in WWI. Tolkien and Edith met as Birmingham teenagers and their romantic story is as good as any fairytale. Their love was forbidden by Tolkien’s guardian and they were apart until the writer’s 21st birthday when he contacted Edith, who broke off her engagement to another man and they married. Her beauty was the inspiration for Lúthien, a finelooking elf in The Lord of the Rings. As the sun started to sink, we rested in the churchyard around the elegant, 18th century cathedral, now a green and leafy square. Like a village green, this is another popular outdoor space for relaxing in. For a big city, Birmingham had felt manageable and exploring had been pleasurable, with plenty
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THINKING OF GOING? INSURE WITH SHIELD FOR TOTAL PEACE OF MIND
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Colourful barges lined up in Birmingham’s Gas Street Basin ● Sarehole Mill is a working mill with Tolkien connections ● Birmingham’s ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’ used to be surrounded by water
of opportunities to put our feet up and take in the cityscape. In truth, there is so much to see that we could have spent another day in this remarkable, rejuvenated city’s centre. We would have to save the National Trust’s Back to Backs houses, the Coffin Works, the Jewellery Quarter, the vibrant creative spaces in the former Bird’s Custard Factory and even the Pen Museum for another visit. Meanwhile, we had a pilgrimage to ‘Middle Earth’ to complete. Hobbits like to eat six meals a day and say that, ‘If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world’. In this spirit we had a substantial breakfast at Becketts Farm Shop, a family business near the campsite and a great place to eat and buy local food. Tolkien’s happiest days in Birmingham were spent with his mother and brother in the hamlet of Sarehole south of the city centre, nowadays an area surrounded by suburbia. Taking the train a short hop to Yardley Wood, we set off in search of Tolkien’s inspiration. We followed the leafy River Cole, looking at the landscape through a child’s eyes,
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imagining how thrilling the shallow river, the stepping stones, the ford and the lush woodland would be. Black Sabbath’s ‘Wheels of Confusion’ lyrics came back to me then. They could have been singing about the young Tolkien, ‘... In the land of fairytales and stories, lost in happiness I knew no fears, innocence and love was all I knew’. Perhaps? Here was Tolkien’s model of The Shire, the home of the hobbits in a corner of Middle Earth. Tolkien and his brother played around Sarehole Mill and this still-working red-brick mill retains an old-world charm, the millpond ringed with willow trees muffling the traffic. We found Tolkien’s home and followed the River Cole beyond the mill to nearby Moseley Bog, spurned by urban sprawl. These dark woods with a trickling stream inspired the forest in The Lord of the Rings and I was pleased to see children still play here and exercise their imagination. The traffic noise had gone and we were in Tolkien’s world with a buzzard overhead, squirrels and birds singing. We gazed up at an old tree, wondering if Tolkien stood in the same place as a boy, ‘The quiet was so deep that their feet seemed to thump along
while all the trees leaned over them and listened.’ Back at Yardley Wood we were flung back into the 21st century and Black Sabbath, ‘They say that life’s a carousel, spinning fast, you’ve got to ride it well’. A fair was in town, high-energy pop music filled the air and we bought soft ice cream and ate them overlooking the Trittiford Mill Park that Tolkien would have known. I’m glad that I persuaded Anthony to return to Birmingham and update his memories of the city. There is, without doubt, far more to this bold and evolving metropolis than heavy metal or The Lord of the Rings. Plan your own trip to Birmingham and surprise yourself.
4 WHERE TO STAY CHAPEL LANE CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB SITE Wythall, Birmingham B47 6JX 01564 826483 camc.com OPEN All year PRICE From £22
June 2021 Camping 45
COMPETITION
WIN
A £500 OUTDOOR REVOLUTION FAMILY SLEEPING BUNDLE
One lucky family could be sleeping easy with the chance to win a selection of Camp Star sleeping bags, mats and pillows Camping heaven can be found with a good night's sleep, and having the right gear can make the difference between a dream holiday and a camping nightmare. The new Camp Star range from Outdoor Revolution provides excellent entry-level sleeping kit that is superb value for money without compromising on quality. And it complements the new Camp Star family tent range perfectly. The range includes single, midi and double sleeping bags. All have cowl hoods and give you plenty of extra room
at the foot area for a more comfortable night’s sleep without the restrictions of a mummy-style bag. The bags come in both left and right-hand-side zip models and the double zipper at the base offers extra airflow during warmer nights. The lining is warm to touch thanks to the brushed embossed 190T polyester. The new self-inflating sleeping mats come in the same sizes and are made from a robust ‘peach’ polyester fabric top and polyester pongee base and have a unique embossed design.
We’ve teamed up with Outdoor Revolution for a great competition that will let one lucky winner make up their own prize bundle to a value of up to £500 from the Camp Star range below: ● Camp Star Single 75mm self-inflating mat (£44.99) ● Camp Star Midi 75mm self-inflating mat (£64.99) ● Camp Star Double 75mm self-inflating mat (£99.99) ● Camp Star Pillow (£7.99)
To enter, visit outandaboutlive.co.uk/ camping/competitions and click on the Outdoor Revolution competition. Then just answer this simple question and leave your details.
What other Outdoor Revolution product carries the Camp Star name? A: Driveaway awning B: Family tent C: Caravan awning The closing date is 30 June 2021. Terms and conditions apply, please see the website for full details. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value
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● Camp Star Single 300 sleeping bag (£39.99) ● Camp Star Midi 400 sleeping bag (£49.99) ● Camp Star Double 300 sleeping bag (£69.99)
HOW TO ENTER
Summer is round the corner, the perfect time to book your 2021 touring holiday with Campsite Finder
Search on
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CAMPSITE COOKERY
THE KNOWLEDGE
SKILLS
In association with
Top tips and expert advice from the Camping team
CORNED BEEF HASH
This classic British dish is quick and simple to cook on a double-burner stove at the campsite. It’s cheap to put together and wonderfully versatile – you could cook it for lunch, dinner or even a hearty breakfast Ingredients (for 4)
Method
340g tin of corned beef 4 large potatoes 1 large red pepper 1 large onion 1 clove of garlic Half tsp of smoked paprika Half tsp of hot paprika Salt and white pepper Splash of dry sherry (optional) 2 spring onions
Peel and cube potatoes and boil in lightly salted water until just cooked. Meanwhile, cut up the peppers and onions and fry in a pan until soft. Crush the garlic and add to the pan, before sprinkling the paprika in and throughly mixing it all together. Cut the corned beef into large chunks and add it to the frying pan along with the potatoes. Season to taste and add a splash of sherry, if you fancy, then leave over a medium
heat for 3-5 minutes until it develops a nice crust. Be careful not to let it burn. Gently turn the mixture over and repeat on the other side. Dish it up with crusty bread and sprinkle chopped spring onion on top to garnish. A fried or poached egg could be served up on top to add a tasty accompaniment. To give the dish an extra kick you could stir some chopped chillis through with the peppers and onion or serve it with your favourite hot sauce.
Cook it on... Outdoor Revolution Double Induction Hob The Outdoor Revolution Double Induction Hob is the perfect safer cooking alternative to gas cookers. It features a temperature-controllable 800W double induction hob with overheat protection, a timer and six functions for versatile cooking. The top is easy to keep clean, and the non-slip feet add extra support at the base. The unit comes with a UK plug to EU converter so the unit can be used on the Continent.
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Expect to pay £109
outdoor-revolution.com June 2021 Camping 47
THE KNOWLEDGE
SKILLS
KITCHEN SET-UP
Top tips and expert advice from the Camping team
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS • Stove • Cool box • A decent non-stick frying pan • Two saucepans with lids • A large stock pot • Chopping board, spoons and spatulas • A set of sharp knives (big, medium and small) • A grater • Pestle and mortar (for grinding seeds and spices) • A camping kettle (water boils quicker in a kettle – saves gas!) • A set of plastic boxes (handy for storing chopped and grated ingredients) • Kitchen roll
ooking outdoors is a major part of family camping holidays. Instead of the usual hectic supermarket sweep and microwave meals, the slower pace of life on holiday encourages us to seek out real food and cook it with care. With the right set-up, a few essential items packed into the camping box and a basic array of condiments, herbs and spices, you really can escape the horrors of ‘traditional’ camping fare like fry-ups and tinned meat. The key to eating well under canvas is to leave the tins and packets at home and use what’s in season locally. Locally grown veg and produce from the village shop all helps support the local economy.
IN THE KITCHEN Camp kitchens don’t have acres of cupboards
and shelves and the camping larder needs to be wildlife-proof but handy to access. Plastic or metal food storage boxes are practical and durable whilst cardboard boxes and loose food attract unwelcome visitors. Worktop space is at a premium when camping so press gang your spare hands and dining table into service and make sure everybody pulls their weight as galley slaves and waiting crew having fun together rather than getting through a chore. Probably the most important items (apart from a corkscrew) are a decent-sized chopping board and a sharp knife – it’s so easy to overlook them as are so many items that are always to hand at home so a checklist is useful. For convenience, you cannot beat cooking on gas – butane, propane or a mix of the two – but if you have hook-up, an electric stove is a clean and safe alternative. A double burner stove is best as it allows you to have two pans on the go at once – and in the morning means you can boil the kettle for a brew as you fry the bacon. Cooking inside the tent is not recommended – not only is there the risk of fire but carbon monoxide poisoning is also a real danger. If weather allows it, cook outdoors or in the front porch area of your tent. If you really need to cook in the tent, make sure it’s as well ventilated as possible and that children are kept out of the way. The novelty of crouching on the ground to cook a meal for four people soon wears off for most camping chefs and a stove stand, possibly with some shelves and
Kitchen storage in the tent
Cupboards for dining sets and glasses
A kitchen unit with storage underneath
Dream kitchen Life under canvas doesn’t have to mean a diet of greasy fry-ups, tinned stews and packet curries. Here’s how to set up your dream camping kitchen
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48 Camping June 2021
At the seaside, look out for fresh mackerel and sardines – which are just divine cooked simply on the barbecue or over the campfire’s dying embers. Inland, try to find authentic local sausages and pork chops from happy outdoor-reared pigs. Traditional family butchers are usually the best places to visit and while you’re at it, why not splash out on a couple of pieces of steak, but don’t break the bank with fillet or ribeye, go for the cheaper cuts like sirloin or rump, they’ll taste just as good – if not better – cooked on the barbie.
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A single-burner stove for easy cooking
A single-burner and griddle has flexibility
An electric cooker is an alternative to gas
Washing up at the tent
An Outwell water carrier
Keep your kitchen area tidy
worktop space, transforms the camp cooking experience. A windshield is also a very useful addition to the set-up. Though pots and pans from home will do for your first camping trips, pulling together a dedicated camp kitchen kit makes packing and travelling much easier. There are dozens of options in lightweight folding tables and chairs for camping so try a variety out for size and convenience before buying. If you’ve ever seen four adults trying to eat a meal off a small table then you’ll appreciate the value of a larger table or perhaps two smaller ones. Consider lightweight unbreakable crockery and tableware rather than packing the family china and silverware. Again, the options seem infinite and it’s really a matter of budget and personal preference. Water is a key element in cooking but a huge jerrycan is heavy to lug about when full so smaller water carriers with a tap are handier; it also means that youngsters can take on the responsibility of keeping the water on tap.
to do and how much cooking it will involve. If you are hiking or cycling, for example, you’ll be carrying your stove – and fuel – on your back, so it will need to be lightweight and compact. If you’re travelling by vehicle you will obviously be able to take a bigger cooker and a heavier gas bottle.
right pots, you can tackle almost any meal that you would cook at home. Some double-ring cookers sit on a tabletop or a specialist kitchen unit. You’ll find more information about buying camping furniture at outandaboutlive.co.uk. More advanced camping cookers come with their own foldable legs and built-in windshields. A grill option means you don’t need to fry everything and makes toasting bread much easier than relying on burner-top camp toasters. Double-burner cookers use the larger gas bottles and you will need a suitable hose and regulator to control the gas pressure.
CHOOSING A COOKER When you are choosing a stove, the biggest factor you need to consider when making your decision is the type of camping you plan
Single-burner cookers Simple, compact and relatively lightweight, single burner camping cookers are inexpensive, costing as little as £10, and can be found in all camping shops and many supermarkets. They come in their own carry case and run on gas cartridges, which easily clip into place and can be replaced in seconds. For one-pot cooking and brews, they are absolutely fine. They’re rather limiting for anything too ambitious, but for frying bacon or sausages or heating up a tin of beans they are really all you need. If buying one of these gas cookers online, make sure it is from a trustworthy source, as there have been examples of cheap, substandard models bought from overseas that have exploded, causing serious injuries. Double-burner cookers With a double-burner gas cooker and the
LARDER STAPLES • Olive oil and sunflower oil • Box of flaked sea salt • Black pepper mill (and plenty of peppercorns) • Cumin, coriander and fennel seeds (whole is best, but ground is fine) • Paprika • Dried chillies • Fresh herbs: garlic, rosemary, thyme, coriander, basil, bay leaves
Lightweight camping cookers For solo campers, lightweight stoves are the way to go. These are light and compact and basically screw directly into the gas bottle. They can be quite unstable on rugged ground but are ideal for adventure camping. Cooking ‘systems’ where the pot is integrated with the cooker, have become really popular in recent years. Electric cookers As mentioned previously, cooking inside your tent on a gas stove is not recommended. due to the double risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Unfortunately, the great British weather means cooking outdoors is not always desirable or even possible – so an electric stove could be the answer. Electric camping cookers are less common than gas and obviously it relies on you having access to an electric hook-up on the campsite. But they are safer than gas, especially if you have young children in the tent. Remember that induction hobs require pans that contain iron to work so make sure your cook set is compatible if that’s what you go for.
A double-burner stove
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June 2021 Camping 49
THE KNOWLEDGE
SKILLS
DIY
Making a camping quilt
Top tips and expert advice from the Camping team
H
aving finished making my zipped-in groundsheet and adding flaps to my Outwell tent (see last month’s issue of Camping), I decided my next project would be a lovely camping quilt. These are really popular in the States, but not so common here in the UK, but you can buy them if you search. They are very expensive, though so I decided to make one. I used Skylon fabric for the shell, a breathable showerproof fabric with a very nice soft feel to it. The down is held in place
with 2in baffles made using mosquito netting. Overall it’s just over 7ft long and 5ft wide with a loft (thickness) of about 3in, using very high quality 800-fill down. The finished quilt is ultralight and packs very small, but it is good for very cold/minus temperature camping. It’s hugely thermally efficient due to the slanted box baffles and just very snuggly. They are great because you don’t have that squashed-in feeling you get from sleeping bags and you can cuddle up in it on chilly evenings.
“These are really popular in the States, but not so common here in the UK, but you can buy them if you search. They are very expensive, though, so I decided to make one” 50 Camping June 2021
nne Perk Reader Yvo create to reveals how uilt for q y r u x lu n your ow ips camping tr
1 This is the mosquito netting you need to make the internal baffles - you have to put in baffles or sew in pockets, otherwise your down will naturally migrate to the base and you’ll end up with a big fat quilt at the bottom and no more than two pieces of fabric at the top. The fabric is cut in 3 inch wide strips so you have 1in for each seam and 2ins for the baffle (wall) height.
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3
2
This is the skylon fabric the shell of the quilt is made from. Your baffles should be equal size so it’s best to chalk line where the baffles should be sewn to. Here I’ve drawn chalk lines every three inches. This is where I will sew my netting to the quilt. I’ve designed this so that the baffles run horizontally rather than from top to bottom. My skylon fabric was one continual length and I didn’t want to cut it unnecessarily so I just marked where the middle was (hence the centre arrow) to save cutting it and having to sew a seam.
Sewing the strips of netting to the quilt along the chalk lines that I had made earlier.
5
4
Sew a net strip to every chalk line on one side of your quilt and you end up with this. Next you sew the netting to the other side and eventually you end up with little boxes which keep your down in place. There are 20 baffles in this quilt.
6
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Here I’ve sewn the top of the netting to the top of the fabric and then I’ve sewn the bottom of the netting to the bottom fabric. This makes a little wall which stops the down moving about and keeps it in its own little chamber.
You end up with nice little channels for your down to rest in. Here you can see that because I’ve sewn my net to the chalk lines on my skylon fabric I know that they are precisely three inches apart. My netting strips are 2ins high.
I didn’t get a photo of me stuffing the quilt as I locked myself in the bathroom to do it (don’t even think about trying to do this in anything but a small sealed location - it gets everywhere!). So we jump to this photo of the finished quilt… here it is all stuffed and fluffed. The sew lines you can see are where I’ve sewn the baffles inside - it makes a lovely pattern when you’ve finished.
7
June 2021 Camping 51
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Gorrick, Luckley Road (Off A321 south of ) Wokingham, Berks. Off junction 10 M4 or Junction 4 M3 Tel: 0118 978 4982 (Operative during exhibition dates)
26th June - 25th July *TRAILER TENT & CAMPING EXHIBITION EVERY DAY 10am - 8pm Free entry Free parking
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Email: hello@wokinghamotorhomes.com www.campingcentreexhibitions.co.uk Sorry no dogs allowed on exhibition field
Pop-up caravans
TRAILER TENTS AND FOLDING CAMPERS
THE KNOWLEDGE
SKILLS Top tips and expert advice from the Camping team
Tow’s company What’s the difference between trailer tents, folding campers and lightweight caravans and which should you go for?
Camp-let Passion trailer tent INSET Trailer tent kitchen
W
hat is a trailer tent and what is a folding camper? Packed away in their trailers, they look almost identical, but a simple way of explaining which is which is that if it looks like a tent when it is pitched then it is a trailer tent and if it looks more like a caravan with a canvas top, then it’s a folding camper.
TRAILER TENTS A trailer tent is a unit where the roof and all of the walls are made out of canvas or another type of heavy duty fabric. The fabric is folded out from the trailer and pegged out in much the same way as an old-style frame tent. In fact a frame tent is exactly what a
INSURANCE Most car insurance policies will cover the trailer for third party claims as long as it’s attached to the car identified in the policy. There are exceptions to this, however, so check the small print in your policy before hitching up. Your insurance policy is unlikely to cover the trailer for damage or theft suffered on the road, on the pitch or in storage, so it is worth considering taking out additional insurance cover to protect your investment.
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trailer tent looks like when it is fully erected. Inside, trailer tents have off-the-ground beds with mattresses that usually fold out from the trailer and can be used as a seating area during the day. In larger units you’ll find further inner tents in the awning for more sleeping space and some trailer tents allow you to increase the sleeping accommodation by fitting underbed compartments. The living area is usually in an integral awning, which offers plenty of space for tables and chairs and other camping furniture. Some models have their own built-in groundsheets, while others are open to the ground. Higher-spec trailer tents have their own kitchen units while with more basic models you’ll have to bring your own camping stove and other gear. Storage compartments can often be found in the main trailer unit. Some of the brands to look out for when searching for a trailer tent are Camplair, Isabella Camp-let, Raclet and Trigano.
caravans, which means you don’t have to invest in a new car to pull your mobile home. They are built on a trailer unit that looks like the bottom half of a caravan. In storage and when it’s being towed, a heavy duty tarpaulin covers the inner workings of the camper and on site the bedroom units fold out at each end and overhang the front and rear of the base. Many modern folding campers, such as the Pennine, have hydraulic struts that make opening it out much easier, while the self-inflating Opus Air can be put up at the touch of a button. Inside you’ll find what looks like a compact caravan, with a cooker, sink, fridge and sometimes even a toilet. Most campers have bench seats with a table at one end that can be converted to a double bed. Some folding campers, like the Opus, are as luxurious as a caravan, the only difference being that they have fabric walls and roof. With the addition of an optional awning the living area can be vastly increased.
FOLDING CAMPERS Folding campers are a bridge between traditional tents and caravans and provide comfortable accommodation for campers who want a bit more luxury but aren’t quite ready to go the whole hog and buy a ’van. They are also lighter and easier to tow than
LIGHTWEIGHT CARAVANS These are becoming increasingly popular, especially for couples. They range from cute little ‘teardrop style’ pod trailers that basically give you enough room for two people to sleep, through larger micro-caravans to even bigger, but still relatively light, ’vans.
June 2021 Camping 53
Camp-let the comfortable alternative to a tent
The Camp-let trailer tent gives you total freedom on your holidays and at weekends. A Camp-let is easy to put up and pack away again. You don’t have to assemble poles and slide on the canvas. The comfortable living space and sleeping compartments are put up in a single action.
CAMP LET PASSION
More info www.isabella.net
Camp-let
TRAILER TENTS AND FOLDING CAMPERS
THE KNOWLEDGE
SKILLS Top tips and expert advice from the Camping team
Towing a trailer tent
NEW OR USED? The decision to buy new or used usually comes down to price and budget. Most trailer tent specialists will carry an extensive range of new stock and some sell a good selection of used tents as well. Buying from a dealer costs more than a private sale but it gives you more protection if something goes wrong. Buying new Buying new can be a more convenient option than going second-hand and takes a lot of the uncertainty out of the process. Even if you do decide that trailer tenting isn’t for you, you should still get a significant proportion of your money back when you come to sell. When buying new, on some budget models, items like the corner steadies, spare wheel and kitchen unit are extras – so do check with the dealer rather than assuming that they are included. Some dealers will include a full gas bottle to clinch the deal and you might want to haggle to get a camping grade extension lead to provide power if your trailer doesn’t have a hook-up point.
Buying used By far the widest selection of used trailer tents is to be found online, where selling sites like eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace do a roaring trade. You’ll find dozens on offer – from barely serviceable scrappers for less than £100, right up to nearly new ex-demonstrator models. The same rules apply to them all. Know what you’re looking for and never bid without seeing the tent erected and the electrics working. Don’t bid on anything you aren’t 100% certain about. Make sure the vendor still has the manual and instructions and, if possible, ask them to connect it to the car to check the lights. Whether you buy privately or from a dealer, check the wheels, tyres and hitch for any signs of damage or excessive wear. On older models, look for cracks in the tyres’ sidewalls, as these will often degrade before the tread wears out. Check the poles are straight and any mechanisms operate smoothly without the need for excessive force. Check all the seams for unravelling threads or other signs of
Q A
Luxury interior of the Opus
Can I tow a trailer without having to take a special towing test? The vast majority of motorists holding a full Category B driving licence are entitled to tow a trailer tent without taking an additional test. The only exception to this rule relates to people who passed their test after 1997 who want to tow an unusually large trailer tent with an especially heavy towcar. If the combined weight of both car and trailer exceeds 3,500kg, a special towing test needs to be taken, but in practice, few trailer tent/ car combinations are likely to weigh more than this limit.
Q A
What are the speed limits in force while towing a trailer tent or folding camper? On dual carriageways and motorways, trailers are restricted to 60mph, while on single carriageways, the limit is 50mph or as indicated by speed limit signs. Trailers are not allowed in the fast lane of motorways.
Q A
Does my trailer tent need its own independent braking system? If the trailer together with any payload being carried weighs less than 750kg, then it doesn’t
Trailer tent kitchen set-up
stress and also inspect any stains or fading. If you find any signs of damp, walk away. Be wary of any electrical or gas items and get them checked over by an accredited fitter. Second-hand trailer tents from major manufacturers like Isabella Camp-let, Raclet or Combi-Camp still command hefty premiums on the used market and tend to be harder to find. With some searching, a good-quality, vintage folding camper from a brand like Pennine or Conway can be picked up for less than £1,000 second-hand, but they will hold their value so there’s a good chance you’ll get your money back if you decide to sell.
TOWING AND THE LAW need to have an independent braking system. Anything over 750kg must have its own braking system. Additionally, trailers weighing less than 750kg must have a robust backup coupling (usually a chain) to keep them attached to the towcar if the hitch fails. Trailers over 750kg must be fitted with a breakaway cable which, in the event of a hitch failure, applies the trailer brakes before swerving.
Q A
I’ve only got a small car – can I still tow a trailer tent or folding camper? Check your car’s manual and consult the section dealing with payload capacities and towing. Some car manufacturers expressly state that their small cars aren’t designed for towing and to do so would invalidate the warranty. If this is the case, it’s inadvisable to tow anything, but the majority of cars should be capable of towing a trailer tent of up to 750kg. As a rule of thumb, as long as when fully laden, your trailer weighs no more than 85% of the car’s kerbweight, you should be able to tow it safely. The trailer’s noseweight is the force exerted by the hitch on the tow hook and again, the noseweight limit stated by the manufacturer should not be exceeded.
A folding camper
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June 2021 Camping 55
COMPETITION
WIN
ONE OF THREE CADAC BUNDLES WORTH £155 EACH!
We’ve teamed up with Cadac to give you the chance to win a Safari Chef 30 LP barbecue plus the Pizza Stone Pro 30 Considered by many as the UK’s number one camping essential, the Safari Chef 30 LP barbecue from Cadac packs a powerful punch. Offering multiple interchangeable cooking surfaces, the unit comes with a ceramic coated BBQ Grill Plate, ceramic coated Flat Plate, enamelled Dome Lid which doubles as a pot for cooking and a removable pot stand for use with your own kettle and pans. The prize also includes the new Pizza Stone Pro 30. A 25cm pizza stone with heat deflector tray, it is ideal for home-made pizzas, pastries and pittas. Weighing less than 4kg, the complete unit packs away neatly into a durable storage bag with mesh side pocket for gas cartridge storage. The Safari Chef 30 LP operates from any regulated butane/propane supply.
KEY FEATURES ● Enamelled pot/lid ● Ceramic BBQ Grill Plate and Flat Plate ● Enamelled fat pan with flame peep holes ● Push button piezo ignition ● Foldable legs ● Convenient storage bag ● Removable pot stand ● Regulated butane/ propane compatible ● Handwheel tailpiece included
HOW TO ENTER We’ve got three barbecue and pizza stone packages to give away. To enter, visit outandaboutlive. co.uk/camping/competitions and click on the Cadac competition. Then just answer this simple question and leave your details. What size is the Cadac Pizza Stone Pro 30? A – 10cm B – 15cm C – 25cm The closing date is 30 June 2021. Terms and conditions apply, please see the website for full details. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value
INSIDE THE JULY ISSUE OF Camping MAGAZINE
Escape to the coast this summer
S PLU VIEWS
NEWS, REVIEWS AND MUCH MORE
ALSO IN THE NEXT ISSUE ● 10 top campsites by the sea ● Luxury glamping tents reviewed ● Discover the timeless Isle of Wight ● Get organised: how to kick out the clutter
Pick up your copy from 17 June, subscribe today or pre-order at outandaboutlive.co.uk Sign up to our FREE NEWSLETTER at outandaboutlive.co.uk 56 Camping June 2021
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Pixabay
SEASIDE SPECIAL
THE KNOWLEDGE
SKILLS
CAMPING GURU in association with
Q& A Q A
What’s the best cheap alternative to a bespoke tent carpet?
I’m not so sure there is and I say that because of safety reasons – most family tents are now made from fireresistant materials and that includes the fitted carpets that brands make available for their tent ranges. You could look for a discontinued tent that has a similar sized living area as your tent, then search out the carpet for that tent as it may be reduced to clear.
Q
We’ve got a tunnel tent… which way should we sleep? Head at the door end or the back wall?
Q
Q
In a tent fabric, what do they mean by the denier and the hydrostatic head? And what is more important for keeping the tent dry?
A
It’s easy to get confused with all the numbers that are advertised to make one tent sound better than another, so let’s try and make this simple. Denier is a way of describing the thickness of a fabric, hydrostatic head (HH) is a measurement of water resistance. The higher the better generally for family-sized tents. Which is more important for keeping a tent dry? I’d have to say HH but as with most things there are other issues to consider, such as the design and the overall quality of the manufacturing.
Q
What pressure should I inflate my tent to, and does the temperature make any difference?
A
Firstly, inflate the tent to the recommended pressure that
Top tips and expert advice from the Camping team
Got a camping problem you need to fix? Camping expert Gary Cross is here to answer your questions
My five-year-old son was told off by another camper for blowing bubbles on the campsite – they said that the mixture could stop the tent fabric being waterproof. Is this true or was he just a grumpy old killjoy?
A
Yes and no, he may well be a grumpy old killjoy… the older I get the more I can see myself falling into that category! He did have a point, though. The solution in the bubbles can settle on the tent and affect the surface tension, allowing the outer layer of the fabric to “wet out”. If the internal factory-applied waterproofing is still working, I doubt the tent would actually leak but it’s still not something I would want landing on my tent. All this can be made even worse if you have a polycotton tent as they rely mostly on the natural way fibres swell when wet to keep the water out, and soaps can definitely affect natural fibres.
the brand suggests. Temperatures can affect the pressure in the beams, but you need a huge swing in temperature and most beams are tested to a far higher pressure than the suggested range. If you
A
I am going to assume we are talking about a flat pitch first of all. Recently I took a poll on this very subject on my Camping Guru UK Facebook group and the outcome surprised me. It found that about 70% of campers sleep with their feet closest to the inner tent door and their head at the back wall. The reason this surprised me is that most inner tents have a sloping wall towards the back of the tent and a vertical wall for the inner tent door area. So, controversially it seems, I’m going to go for the head at the inner tent door end and feet at the back of the tent.
Q
Should the mud flaps round the bottom of my tent be in or out? I always thought they were meant to be out, but a fellow camper suggested they should be tucked in. What does the guru think?
A
This all depends on the tent. Many years ago it was nearly always out, to aid water run off, then frame tents started having the flaps inside so you could lay a heavy PVC groundsheet on top of the flaps to make a seal. These days mud flaps are not really needed… the reason for this is the majority of family tents have a sewn-in groundsheet in the main living and sleeping area. Where they are still used is in the front enclosed porch areas of modern tents. Some brands have designed their tents so the flaps peg down on the outside and some so they lay in the inside similar to the old frame tents. I personally would do away with them fully in these front porch areas of modern tents as I like to have good ventilation around the base of these porch areas where I would keep my fridge or cooking equipment.
pitch up and it’s 30°C then inflate the tent to the recommended pressure but, if in a day or two, the temperature drops to, say, 15°C, you will see the beams start to soften so a little adjustment
Whatever the weather, WE HAVE BRANDS YOU CAN RELY ON De Waard and Karsten Tents on display at the National Camping Show 2021
may be required. The same may happen the other way, so if the temperature increases greatly since you pitched up, the beams may feel a bit too hard, so letting a little air out would be a good idea.
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THE KNOWLEDGE
GEAR
KITBAG Camping Accessories
A round-up of the latest camping and outdoor accessories OUTWELL MARGATE ● outwell.com ● £43.99 If you were one of the many campers who loved Outwell’s Kitchen Storer then this will be right up your street. The Storer was one of the most popular and sought-after camping products of recent years. It was a simple concept – a rugged, fabric bag, with numerous pockets and dividers, designed to carry and store kitchen gear. But it struck a chord with campers and when it was discontinued after a short period of time, it gained almost mythical status among Outwell aficionados. Now it’s back… sort of. The new Margate Kitchen is a similar idea, with a few design tweaks. It doesn’t have the removable waterproof section for carrying dishes to the washing-up sink, for example. But there’s plenty more to make organising your kitchen kit easier – four external fabric pockets, another three made out of mesh, a large zipped pocket on the outside, a zip-top lid and two removable internal dividing walls. There’s enough space in here to hold a dining set for four, cups and tumblers, cutlery, a couple of collapsible pans and a kettle. And the storage pockets are ideal for cooking utensils and other kitchen accoutrements. The lining is easy to wipe clean and it all folds flat for easy storage when not in use.
SPIRIT OF ALOHA 65
GEOCACHING APP
● aloha65.com ● Spirit of Aloha drink £22.50, Detonators £4.50, Sun on a Beach hot sauce £3.50
● geocaching.com ● £4.99 per month
Sunshine always makes a camping trip a little more special, but unfortunately you can’t always rely on the great British summer to deliver the goods. But never fear, you can always bring the spirit of the tropics to the campsite. Aloha 65 is a refreshing new pineapple and scotch bonnet-infused alcoholic drink and, with a bit of imagination, you could just about picture yourself chilling out in a beach bar sipping it from a glass with one of those little umbrellas sticking out. The tipple was created for surfers by British expat barman, Stephen Thorp, at a beach bar in Florida and add some Detonators (fresh pineapple chunks pickled and infused with chilli) and you’ll be transported straight to the Sunshine State. There’s also a tasty hot sauce to give your campsite cooking creations a bit of kick. You can buy them individually, or as part of a BBQ gift box that also includes mixers and barbecue essentials, including wooden tongs, citrus reamer and basting brush.
This month we wanted to bring you an app that you could enjoy, whether at home in this frustrating pandemic or when we can get out on the road again. And who doesn’t love a little bit of a treasure hunt? This app is free to use initially and shows the rough location of hidden geocache logs. It’s just down to you to unearth them, add your name and place the item back in its location. A few near Camping HQ required tweezers to extract the log, so check the description before you set off. You can upgrade to the premium package for £4.99 per month or £24.99 for the year, which allows you to access more geocache types, search and sort using filters and create lists and download maps for offline use. Find out more at the website, or just download the Apple or Android app to get started.
OUTDOOR REVOLUTION CAMP STAR SLEEPING BAG RANGE ● outdoor-revolution.com ● Single £39.99, Midi £49.99, Double £69.99 and Pillow £7.99 Despite their apparent simplicity, it’s surprising how easy it is to get sleeping bags wrong. Zips on the wrong side, uncomfortable materials, and limited room to move around, are just some of the common issues on bags, especially those at the lower end of the price scale. The new Outdoor Revolution Camp Star is an entry-level sleeping bag that doesn’t compromise on quality or comfort. The bags come in three sizes: single, midi and double. The Double 300 is a standard-width, square bag with a cowl hood. This bag comes with both a left and a right-hand side zip, which lets you get in and out without disturbing your fellow camper. The lining is warm and soft to touch thanks to the brushed embossed polyester and the three-way zippers allow you to unzip and create extra ventilation around the feet when the weather is hot.
58 Camping June 2021
outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping
MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE GENEVA ULTRA ● mountainwarehouse.com ● £149.99 Mountain Warehouse used to cater more towards the budget end of the market, producing good quality but affordable hiking gear designed for the everyday walker and camper rather than Ranulph Fiennes. But, more recently, the brand has branched out into more technical clothing and has just launched an ‘Ultra’ waterproof range. Here, these boots are made waterproof through an IsoDry waterproof and breathable membrane, while the outside of the boot is water-resistant, too. They also feature Vibram soles, which are used on many technical boots and are renowned for providing good grip and traction.
GIANT PASS THE PIGS ● board-game.co.uk ● £13.79 If lockdown taught us one thing, it was how to keep ourselves amused with very little – from frying pan and tangerine indoor tennis to hosting your own series of Taskmaster, it was all fun and games, wasn’t it? So make sure this summer is as fun-filled as last year by investing in some really silly outdoor games for all the family to enjoy. Giant Pass the Pigs is about as silly as it gets and, as the tagline explains, “We’re the ultimate party animals!” Make sure you’re in a wide-open space free from obstacles (like electric fences, cows with spiky horns or trains, for example) and off you go. Simply inflate your pigs, then throw them up in the air and see where they land… Life doesn’t get more exciting than that, does it?
CEL-FI GO M ● signalboosters.co.uk/search ● £849.99 If you still have a phone with the Snake game on it, stop reading now… for anyone else who likes to use the internet to research days out or stream TV while away in their tent, then there’s a new product to the UK. Cel-Fi GO M is a signal booster that enhances 3G and 4G mobile phone reception, plus it’s 5G ready, too, for when the next phase of mobile internet starts to widen out. The system is controlled by an app (Cel-Fi Wave) and the manufacturer, Nextivity, tells us that it should be fairly easy to install or you could get a professional to do it for you. It’s IP65 rated (that basically means its weather resistant and you can change between mobile networks using the app.
EASY CAMP COMFY LOUNGE SET ● easycamp.com ● £31.99 There’s something about this inflatable chair and footstool set that reminds us of 1970s sci-fi shows like Space 1999 and Logan’s Run – and if those references mean anything to you, congratulations on being among the first people in the UK to have received a covid jab! Whether it’s the shape or the colour scheme, it somehow manages to look retro and futuristic at the same time, which is no mean feat. But as well as conjuring up images of polyester-clad, interstellar space travellers, this is actually a really comfortable and convenient set-up. You just inflate and literally put your feet up. The flocked surface is soft against the skin, too. It’s perfect for the campsite, of course, but also for festivals, on picnics, or in the back garden. And maybe even aboard Moonbase Alpha (Google it, millennials!).
outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping
SNUGPAK 2ND SKINZ COOLMAX BASE LAYERS ● snugpak.com ● From £19.95 You’ve probably noticed when you’ve been out for a walk or a cycle in an ordinary cotton t-shirt how soon this becomes damp from perspiration, and how long it takes to dry again, too. Well, when was the last time you saw a pro athlete wearing cotton? Go figure. Even if you haven’t signed up for the next Olympics, it’s still nice to be comfortable when you’re out and about, and that’s where breathable base layers come in. Those made from Coolmax are perfect for warmer times of the year, too. Yorkshire-based Snugpak offers a Long Sleeve Top and matching Long Johns. Each is priced from £19.95 to £23.94, depending on which size you buy. These are available in small up to XXL unisex sizes and colour choice is black only, so you’ll have to embroider your names on the hems if you want a his ‘n’ hers set.
June 2021 Camping 59
THE KNOWLEDGE
GEAR
REVIEWS Weekend Family tents Tents
The Camping team’s verdict on the latest models
Outwell Oakdale 5PA Foreign travel is off the agenda for now, so 2021 is definitely going to be the year of the staycation, and that doesn’t just affect big summer holidays. For those who normally enjoy European city breaks, it’s going to mean more weekend getaways in this country, and, inevitably, more short camping trips. But what kind of tent do you need for weekend camping? That massive tent you have for your two-week holiday really isn’t ideal. When time is limited, you really want something quick and easy to pitch and there’s no need for the added space that’s essential on longer trips. The luxury Oakdale 5PA, winner of the 2021 Camping weekend tent of the year, ticks all the boxes for weekends away – but can also work as a tent for longer holidays. It’s a little bigger than some weekenders, but compact enough be pitched quickly. It’s also inflatable so is simple to put up, letting you get on with the important stuff. The Oakdale is designed for five, but has a comfort rating of four, and the three-zone design means there’s plenty of space should you want to spend more time in the tent. The unique wing lounge provides even more bright living space without adding hugely to the footprint. And the front porch area is ideal to use as a kitchen/diner or as storage room for gear. Perfect if you plan to spend your weekends cycling or paddleboarding. This tent comes with Outwell innovations like the magnetic Quick & Quiet Access doors and the built-in hanging system. Other features include two external cable-entry ports and one leading into the sleeping area, mesh storage pockets and tinted windows.
׀KEY INFORMATION PRICE £1,049.99 WEBSITE outwell.com KEY FEATURES ղ ղ ղ ղ ղ
Large front porch Silent access doors Unique wing lounge HookTrack hanging system Darkened Premier bedrooms
WHO’S IT FOR? Families who plan to take plenty of weekend camping breaks
WHAT’S GOOD? Easy to pitch; Flexible living options; Spacious interior and good-sized bedrooms. Excellent ventilation
SPECIFICATIONS Berths 5 Packed weight 28.9kg Packed size 90 x 43 x 43cm Pitching time 20 mins Style Tunnel Materials Outer Polyester Poles Air Waterproof (hydrostatic head) 4,000mm Height 210cm Width 350cm Length 640cm ALL DIMENSIONS IN CM | NOT TO SCALE
140
350
180
215 640
60 Camping June 2021
Quick & Quiet access door
LAYOUT GUIDE
OUR VERDICT With the useful front porch area and the versatile side lounge, the Oakdale 5PA provides smaller families with just the right amount of flexible living space they need for a weekend camping break or longer holiday.
Darkened bedrooms
Pump is included
Rear ventilation panel
outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping
Family tents REVIEWS
Vango Joro Air 450 The awful images of dumped rubbish and abandoned tents and camping equipment strewn across UK beauty spots after the first lockdown in 2020 brought undeserved criticism of campers. Even though it was nothing to do with responsible campers like us, it’s a reminder that we can always do more Front porch area for the environment. And, as individuals, one way of doing that is considering the impact products we use have on the planet. Unfortunately, as Kermit the Frog once sang, it’s not easy being green. But it helps when manufacturers like Vango take the issue seriously. The new Vango Joro Air 450 is an inflatable AirBeam tent within the new Earth Collection, which uses Sentinel Eco fabric, made from recycled plastics. Single-use plastic is collected, sorted, washed and crushed before being turned into pellets and spun into thread. Leaving its eco-friendly credentials to one side, the Joro is actually a very good weekend tent in its own right. The integrated front awning, which can be left open or fully enclosed, makes an ideal kitchen area and Villa Construction maximises the height and usable floorspace within the living area. The Nightfall bedrooms have darkened material designed to reduce early morning light. The Earth Collection also includes sleeping bags, chairs and rucksacks, all made using the eco-friendly fabric.
׀KEY INFORMATION
Robens Double Dreamer 5 Robens has its roots in technical tents, but it has taken the expertise it has gained in that field and applied it to family camping to great effect. The Double Dreamer 5, a five-berth poled tent that’s perfect for weekend trips, is an excellent example. Three-way window It’s compact enough to sling in the back of the car, but offers decent weekend living space, especially for couples or small families. But what makes the Double Dreamer 5 stand out from the crowd is its spec. This tent is packed with innovative features you’d expect to pay far more for. They range from small things like handles to make increasing the tension on pegging points easier, to more significant features such as double rear ventilation panels and three-way windows (curtain/PVC/mesh). A canopy above the side door protects you from the elements as you get in and out, while the main mesh-backed front door can be converted to a canopy using optional extra poles. Inside, the Adaptive Bedroom system allows you to easily drop one of the sleeping areas to create more living space and the main inner has a mesh panel on the roof, with a removable cover, to provide more ventilation and light if required. There are mesh storage pockets to keep small items safe and handy.
׀KEY INFORMATION SPECIFICATIONS
PRICE £614.99
ղ
Berths 4 Packed weight 19.6kg Packed size 80 x 43 x 43cm Pitching time 15 mins Style Tunnel Materials Outer Recycled polyester Poles Air Waterproof (hydrostatic head) 3,000mm Height 600cm Width 300cm Length 205cm
WHO’S IT FOR?
LAYOUT GUIDE
WHO’S IT FOR?
LAYOUT GUIDE
Families and couples who care strongly about the environment
ALL DIMENSIONS IN CM | NOT TO SCALE
Couples and smaller families for weekend trips and touring
ALL DIMENSIONS IN CM | NOT TO SCALE
Made from recycled plastic King-sized bedrooms with Nightfall dark fabric ղ Villa Construction-style increases floorspace ղ Large front awning ղ Quick-to-pitch inflatable poles ղ
Adaptive bedroom to create more living space ղ Mesh-backed external doors for good ventilation ղ Three-way side window ղ Rain canopy over side door ղ Double rear ventilation panels ղ
110
300
WHAT’S GOOD? 210 600
Flexible set-up; Loads of ventilation throughout; Highquality materials and spec; Good value for money
150
140
SPECIFICATIONS
KEY FEATURES
140
WHAT’S GOOD? The eco-friendly material; Spacious living area; Useful front porch; Large bedrooms
Berths 5 Packed weight 13.3kg Packed size 79 x 30cm Pitching time 20 mins Style Tunnel Materials Outer Polyester Poles Alloy Waterproof (hydrostatic head) 5,000mm Height 180cm Width 280cm Length 475cm
WEBSITE robens.de
280
PRICE £650 WEBSITE vango.co.uk KEY FEATURES
215 475
OUR VERDICT
OUR VERDICT
As campers, we welcome Vango’s new Earth collection of ecofriendly tents. Not only is it doing good for the planet, but this is a fab little touring tent, too.
Typically of Robens, the Double Dreamer looks and feels good and is packed with high-spec features and materials that you’d expect to pay far more for.
outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping
June 2021 Camping 61
THE KNOWLEDGE
GEAR
REVIEWS Weekend Tents
The Camping team’s verdict on the latest models
Coleman Weathermaster 4 Air BlackOut The new Weathermaster 4 Air BlackOut retains all the features campers loved in last year’s models, but in a smaller size. This makes it perfect for couples or smaller families who want a high-spec inflatable with a smaller pack size. The living space inside the tent is compact, but is Storage pockets still roomy enough for some furniture and the XXL bedrooms are very spacious. Possibly the biggest attraction here is the award-winning BlackOut Bedroom technology, which blocks up to 99% of daylight and keeps temperatures inside the bedroom 50C cooler during the day and 10C warmer at night. One person can pitch this four-person tent alone, while the stable structure will withstand high winds. Storm straps help to further secure the tent in blustery weather. An impressive hydrostatic head of 6,000mm on the fully taped flysheet will keep the weather at bay. The sewn-in PE groundsheet keeps water and bugs out, while high and low ventilation (including a full-width back vent that can be accessed from inside the bedrooms) helps prevent condensation. A drop-down groundsheet at the internal front door provides a barrier-free access in and out of the living area.
׀KEY INFORMATION
WHO’S IT FOR? Couples or smaller families who want a high-spec, inflatable with a smaller pack size for weekend breaks
LAYOUT GUIDE
KEY FEATURES Darkened bedroom material Large tinted windows ղ Ripstop polyester flysheet ղ Oversized carry bag ղ Narrow air poles mean a more compact packed size ղ ղ
WHO’S IT FOR?
SPECIFICATIONS Berths 4 Packed weight 28.7kg Packed size 80 x 60 x 40cm Pitching time 15 mins Style Tunnel Materials Outer Polyester Poles Air Waterproof (hydrostatic head) 6,000mm Height 210cm Width 310cm Length 640cm
LAYOUT GUIDE ALL DIMENSIONS IN CM | NOT TO SCALE
140
WHAT’S GOOD?
OUR VERDICT This compact version of last year’s 4XL is perfect for campers who want a quick-to-pitch, high-spec inflatable tent with a smaller pack size, making it easier to transport.
Quick and easy to pitch; Spacious living area; Good ventgilation; Ten-year guarantee on Air Flex poles
140
210 470
62 Camping June 2021
WEBSITE terra-nova.co.uk
Couples, young families and single parents for weekend camping trips
ALL DIMENSIONS IN CM | NOT TO SCALE
140
BlackOut Bedrooms; Easy to pitch; Compact and relatively light pack; Stable construction
Berths 4 Packed weight 19.2kg Packed size 78 x 53 x 38cm Pitching time 15 mins Style Tunnel Materials Outer Polyester Poles Air Waterproof (hydrostatic head) 6,000mm Height 210cm Width 310cm Length 470cm
140
WHAT’S GOOD?
PRICE £879
SPECIFICATIONS
310
XXL BlackOut Bedrooms ղ FastPitch air technology for quick pitching ղ 6,000mm hydrostatic head ղ Front and side doors ղ Rear ventilation ղ
Launched in 2020, the Zonda 4EP has already become popular with couples, young families and single parents, and we can see why. The pack size and weight makes it more manageable for one adult, with a little help, to lift The side door and pitch on their own and the smaller dimensions make it ideal for weekend getaways. The 4EP was part of a completely new family collection launched by Derbyshire-based Wild Country for 2020, but the heritage of the brand – also responsible for the award-winning Terra Nova adventure brand – meant it was no surprise it hit the ground running. Pitching is swift and simple, and the innovative oversize tarp-style tent bag makes packing away a breeze. The main groundsheet is fully sewn in to keep draughts and bugs out and adjustable air vents with mesh panels are provided for comfort in warmer weather. The large tinted windows have adjustable privacy curtains and the bedroom, made from a black fabric, is divided into two compartments with removable partitions. The flysheet is made of a robust 150 denier ripstop polyester fabric which is factory seam taped and waterproof tested. A carpet and footprint are also available to buy separately.
׀KEY INFORMATION
310
PRICE £749.99 WEBSITE coleman.eu/uk KEY FEATURES
Wild Country Zonda 4EP
215 640
OUR VERDICT Perfect for smaller families, the Zonda 4EP provides you with plenty of living space in a compact and easy-to-pitch tunnel tent that is ideal for weekend breaks.
outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping
Dolbryn Caravan & Campsite Carmarthenshire Liz Morrell speaks to a couple who have turned their love of camping into a thriving business
S
ioned and Matthew Bannister had long had a pipe dream of running a campsite, perhaps as a retirement project. They both love the outdoors and worked in the camping industry; Sioned as a writer (and former Camping contributor!) and Matthew as a merchandiser at Millets. But when Sioned’s parents, Paul and Maggie Edwards, surprised them with the news that they wanted to share in the dream, they were able to make it a reality much sooner than planned. Today the family-run Dolbryn Caravan and Campsite, a 55-pitch site in west Wales. “My dad is one of those people who can’t sit still,” laughs Sioned. “They have always been keen campers and run their own businesses, so they were looking for their next project. The suggestion that we did it together was a really nice surprise.” By 2011, and with a wishlist of must-haves compiled, the search began. A year later they found Dolbryn. “I fell in love with it at first sight,” says Sioned. “It was perfect.” But sadly, their timing wasn’t. Instead, it would take another two-and-a-half years for her parents to sell their house, by which time they’d assumed Dolbryn had long since sold. The site hunt began again in 2014, with the family looking everywhere from Devon and
NOTE TO READERS: For the latest advice on travel in the UK and abroad during the coronavirus pandemic, visit the government website at gov.uk/coronavirus Restrictions are constantly changing so check with individual campsites and attractions prior to making any travel arrangements.
outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping
Cornwall to the Lake District. “We were getting disheartened. One day we were driving back from seeing a site in Yorkshire and one of the agents rang and said ‘we’ve got this new one on the market which I think you will love. I will forward you all the details.’” Fate had played its hand. “I opened up the email and it was Dolbryn,” says Sioned. “It was still on the market, but they had gone with a different agent.” In September 2015 the family moved in, launching straight into the final weeks of the season. “It was literally a case of the removal van arrived in the drive, the owners left and we had someone checking in that afternoon,” says Sioned. By her own admission it was a crazy first year for the family, especially since she was also pregnant with her second child. “We revamped some of the fields, created a small shop and bar, redesigned the website and added online booking. It was wet and we were swimming around in mud, but we all loved it.” She describes the first year as a “baptism of fire” since there was so much to do and learn. “The hardest thing was realising there was so much we wanted to do but that we had underestimated dayto-day how hard it was to manage the site and do all the jobs. It was the reality of having all these big
dreams but having to scale back,” she says. Developments have included new water connections, a new children’s play area and a Ready Tent glamping option which complements three wooden pods. In 2020 the family added a beer garden, since the bar wasn’t usable during the pandemic. “That was the biggest hit of last summer and we had to keep expanding it,” she says. Now Matthew is also planning an on-site microbrewery, as well as events such as beer and music festivals once restrictions lift. Despite it being harder than imagined, Sioned says the family love the change of life. “The best thing was just the realisation of living the dream. I don’t even mind unblocking the toilets.” She says they are constantly learning – especially since all the family still camp themselves; with the grandparents heading off in their campervan and Sioned, Matthew and their children, Isla and Joey, in their caravan. “I love going to other sites to see what other site owners are up to and what we can learn from them.”
y INFORMATION DOLBRYN CARAVAN & CAMPSITE Capel Iwan Road, Newcastle Emlyn SA38 9LP dolbryn.co.uk
"The best thing was just the realisation of living the dream" June 2021 Camping 63
Where are we cooking today? Versatile outdoor cooking Introducing the new range of light and portable Campingaz® double burner stoves, powered by CV470 Plus cartridges. • Easy Clic® Plus regulator included, delivering consistent power, even as the cartridge empties • Removable enamelled steel pan supports • Slimline steel body with recessed side grips • 3 models available
NEW
NEW
Camping Cook CV
Camping Kitchen 2 CV
Camping Kitchen 2 CV PZ
Campingaz.com/UK