nd85tphuhq2 magzus.org

After months of assessments, debates and let’s just call them heated discussions, the judges have named the winners of the Campervan Awards 2023, which are brought to you in association with leading consumer finance provider, Creation.

This is the Campervan Awards’ inaugural year and it really was a tough task for the judges to assess all the new campervans that have been launched for the 2023 season.

However, they did it, and those of you who were at the NEC show in October will have seen the winners but, in case you couldn’t make it to the show, we have dedicated

much of this issue to bringing you all the details of the winners. We hope you enjoy reading about the awards and do let us know if you agree (or do not agree) with the judges’ decisions.

Finally, Campervan’s Editor, Geneve Brand, has moved to pastures new. We wish Geneve the best of luck in the future and we will, of course, continue to create the best campervan magazine there is for you, our readers.

And do please keep sending in your campervanning stories as we love to read them – just message us on one of the social channels listed below or drop us an email.

Contributors

Nicola & Nigel Cooke

Hazel Hutchinson

Carol Kubicki

Ellen Manning

Barry Norris

Lois Parker

Sue & Tim Reed

Rachel Stothert

Claire Tupholme

Peter Vaughan

Mike Waterman

New campervan festival launches for 2023

Known for organising market-leading outdoor leisure events, Warners Shows has launched a new campervan festival to add to its portfolio for 2023.

Campervan Campout will take place at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex, from 5-7 May 2023.

The event will feature live music from 11am – 10pm every day, including a DJ set from

Trunk of Funk legend, Craig Charles, a campervan shopping village, farmers' market, Wellness Sanctuary, Vanlife theatre, street food area, gin festival and funfair.

A selection of bloggers, vloggers and podcasters will be sharing their experiences and advice in a packed seminar timetable across the three days; meanwhile, the Wellness Sanctuary will offer visitors yoga

New Ford Transit Custom makes its debut

sessions, breathing workshops and mental health talks as part of their entry fee.

Tickets are now on sale, with camping pitches for three nights costing £150, and day visitor tickets £15 per person. Day visitors are welcome to stay on site until the evening entertainment has finished. For more details, head to outandaboutlive.co.uk/shows/ information/campout

Hillside installs antitheft technology

Derby-based VW campervan converter, Hillside Leisure, is now installing VIN CHIP anti-theft technology in all of its campervans as standard.

Hillside is the first NCC-approved campervan converter to do so as part of its standard specification.

An all-new version of Europe’s best-selling van, the Ford Transit Custom, has been shown for the very first time.

The electric version of the new Transit Custom features next-generation battery technology to enable a targeted range of 236 miles and 125kW fast-charging ability for the fully electric model.

As part of the most comprehensive Transit Custom range ever, customers will also be able to choose an all-new plug-in hybrid version that offers petrol power for extended trips.

The new powertrain is similar to that used by the Ford Kuga Plug-In Hybrid – Europe’s top-selling PHEV in 2021 – and combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an 11.8kWh battery to deliver a targeted pure electric driving range of up to 35 miles.

But electric power won’t be the only option, as Ford will also offer the latest generation of its EcoBlue diesel engines in 108bhp (110PS), 134bhp (136PS), 148bhp (150PS) or 168bhp (170PS)

power outputs.

For the diesel models, the six-speed manual gearbox is available with an optional mechanical limited-slip differential for enhanced traction. Automatic derivatives, meanwhile, receive a new high-efficiency eight-speed gearbox, which offers a maximum towing capacity of 2,500kg, and is available in combination with a new all-wheel drive system – the first time a 4x4 Transit Custom has been available.

The new van has an all-new architecture with lower floor height, plus a sub-2m overall height and independent rear suspension.

Four sizes are available – L1 or L2 lengths, with H1 or H2 roof heights – as well as panel vans and Kombi versions.

Standard features include a 5G modem and a 13in SYNC 4 touchscreen. Base, Trend, Limited, Active, Trail and Sport spec will be available, with Kombi models going on sale in high-specification Limited and Trail form.

Using a combination of unique visible and invisible markings and identification technology, VIN CHIP also includes hidden RFID chips that are programmed with a 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), which is then integrated into the build of a campervan or motorhome, meaning the body and chassis will always be identifiable.

VIN CHIP scanners are used by the police to help identify stolen vehicles. VIN CHIP also provides highly visible and tamper-evident security labels displaying the VIN and a QR code to warn would-be criminals that the camper is protected.

Hillside owners, Adrian and David Cross, say, “Being the first campervan conversion manufacturer to install VIN CHIP in our range of Hillside models will give our customers extra peace of mind about the safety and security of their luxury campervan. We are always looking at new ways to expand and follow the latest technology available, ensuring that we continue to lead the way within our sector.”

Read all about what’s going on in the fascinating world of campervans...

2023 Premier Parks collection announced

Celebrating its fifteenth anniversary in 2023, the high-quality campsites group, Premier Parks, has just revealed which 100 campsites are featured in the collection for the coming season.

The group was created in 2008 by the editorial teams behind magazines including Campervan to provide readers with a choice of the best campsites and touring parks across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Personally visited and inspected by a member of the team, the Premier Parks group showcases the best in touring and camping luxury by only selecting campsites with top facilities, great pitches and in popular locations. From rural countryside retreats to full-on family fun holiday parks, the top-notch sites offer a first-class holiday experience.

This season sees the group welcoming 13 new sites in Cornwall, Devon, Sussex, Kent, Essex, Shropshire and Scotland, giving you even more choice for your next break away. Another campsite from north Wales also joins the group, plus one just south of the Peak District – the only Premier Parks site in Derbyshire – and a highly eco-conscious campsite near York (pictured).

The campsites with Premier Parks offer everything from large holiday parks with every facility, to quieter adults-only hideaways and coastal havens. During the selection process, the main factors taken into account include a great location, a neat and tidy site and facilities of a high standard. The overall ‘feel’ of the site and whether it would be recommended to friends and family is also considered.

The full list of the 100 Premier Parks for the 2023 season can be viewed now on the dedicated website premier-parks.co.uk and a printed brochure or downloadable digital version will be available from early January.

Vitrifrigo launches new Slim90 fridge

The all new Slim90 is the latest addition to Vitrifrigo’s fridge range. Equipped with a latest-generation compressor and multifunction thermostat, the Slim series models are extremely quick to get down to temperature and boast market-leading operating efficiency. Additional features on the new model include reversible doors available in two colours, which are lighter, thicker and stronger than previous doors and feature the latest Chromelock handles.

There is also a low-noise night mode level that reduces energy consumption at night-time and a new turbo mode for faster chilling down to a set temperature point.

Flaxton Meadows

Government ombudsman criticises DVLA over campervan confusion

Communication failures by the DVLA about what a campervan is are leaving people confused and is a failure of its role, according to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).

The PHSO investigated two cases brought by people who converted vans into campervans but had multiple applications to change their vehicle’s logbook rejected by the DVLA.

Having a vehicle registered as a van with windows rather than a motor caravan (the term ‘motor caravan’ is used by the DVLA for both campervans and motorhomes) means the owner can face a number of issues, including higher fees on toll roads, costlier MoTs, having to abide by different speed limits and finding insurance cover.

Ombudsman, Rob Behrens, said, “People expect and deserve clarity and openness from public bodies like the DVLA. When they don’t receive it, they feel let down and frustrated, especially in cases like these where they are likely to have spent a lot of time and money trying to meet requirements that remain unclear. We hope that these issues will now be rectified to improve the service for future users.”

David Hollingsworth and Maddy Muffett brought their complaints to the ombudsman separately. In both cases, they had built their campervans by following guidance on the DVLA website.

During the investigation, the DVLA admitted it knew at the time that this information was out of date. It has since been updated.

After being rejected, Mr Hollingsworth and Mrs Muffett asked the DVLA for advice on what to do to satisfy the requirements.

However, rather than being given specific instructions, they were only given suggestions that might make a difference, such as adding awning rails or stickers to the exterior.

After doing this, including, in Mr Hollingsworth’s case, adding a big sticker that said ‘campervan’ on all four sides of the vehicle, both his and Mrs Muffet’s applications were rejected by the DVLA again.

Mr and Mrs Hollingsworth spent £15,000 to convert their van into a campervan. He and his wife, a retired lawyer, are now considering taking the issue to judicial review.

Mr Hollingsworth said, “The DVLA seem to just have a blanket, knee-jerk reaction to anyone selfbuilding a campervan. We converted a van previously and had no problems, and we’ve done even more to this vehicle; we’ve added extra windows, skylights, an awning rail, an electric step.

“The DVLA just says ‘It doesn’t look like a campervan in traffic’. But they won’t tell us why not. If they would say ‘It needs x, y or z’ then we would do those things, but they won’t give us a reason beyond ‘because we say no’.

“It’s disingenuous and nonsense and feels like discrimination against self-build campervanners. “My wife is listed as a vulnerable person and going

away in our ’van is one of our biggest escapes, as it is for a lot of people, especially since the pandemic with the rise of staycations. Lots of people are building their own motorhomes, so this could affect many more people.”

Mrs Muffett and her husband’s applications to the DVLA were rejected four times.

Mrs Muffett said, “We spent a year building the campervan so that it complied exactly with the criteria on the DVLA website, and it still came back listed as a ‘van with windows’.

“At the time, that made it almost impossible to insure as that kind of vehicle doesn’t normally include a shower, kitchen, fridge, etc, which ours did. It was so frustrating and ground us down.

“They utterly refused to tell us what we could do to make our application succeed. There was a suggestion that adding an awning rail would help, so we did that, sent off the application again and it was still rejected.

“No one at the DVLA seems to be clear on what a campervan needs to look like. Their attitude was just ‘We make the rules, you abide by them’. One of the reasons we persevered with our complaint is because of that attitude and for all the other people building their own campervans who will be impacted by this.”

The number of successful applications to the DVLA for a change in body type to motor caravan dropped by 95% from 2,447 to 133 between January/ February 2019 and January/February 2020.

The DVLA said this was due to making changes to the way it processed applications after realising in June 2019 that it had not been applying its existing vehicle body type policy as originally intended.

The ombudsman found that not communicating about this significant change in a clear and timely way was maladministration on the part of the DVLA.

The DVLA was also found guilty of maladministration for not being transparent about what’s required to register a vehicle as a campervan

and its processes.

The PHSO recommended that the DVLA: Apologises to the complainants and gives them £100 in recognition of the distress, confusion and frustration caused

Creates an action plan about how it intends to ensure that applicants have sufficiently detailed information available to them, before undertaking a conversion, about what elements constitute a vehicle with a motor caravan body type

Provides the ombudsman with details of how it intends to make clear to customers the process involved in determining a body type and, in particular, making a decision on what body type to assign an application for a motor caravan body type.

Though these recommendations are not legally binding, it is unusual for the recommendations not to be actioned. In fact, we were told that letters of apologies and compensation had already been issued to the complainants in the cases above and it seems the guidance on the DVLA website has been altered.

These cases took over a year to be investigated and resolved; however, we are assured that future related cases would take much less time.

The PHSO will deal with any complaint about a government department or the health service. However, you need to follow the complaints procedure with the department or organisation first and, if you don’t get a satisfactory answer, you can address your complaint to the PHSO. There is an added complexity that the form is quite long and you will need the signature of your MP.

The law also says that people should complain to the PHSO within a year of becoming aware of the problem. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, the ombudsman can decide to still consider a complaint outside of this if it has good reasons to do so.

Find more information at ombudsman.org.uk

Premier Park gains eco awards

A Somerset campsite, part of the Premier Parks group of top-quality holiday parks, has been rewarded for its efforts to encourage wildlife and greener activity.

The campsite – Long Hazel Park, near Yeovil – was successful in four categories in the David Bellamy Blooming Marvellous Pledge for Nature.

The Pledge for Nature is set up to “give wildlife a break” on holiday and park home sites across the country – inspired by the work of the late television presenter and environmental campaigner, David Bellamy.

Long Hazel entered four categories: Tree-Mendous, Pollinator Patch, Home Sweet Home and Special Species.

As a result, the site has planted 40 new evergreen and heritage fruit trees, chosen for their pollinating flowers and autumnal berries for foraging animals, and several patches of locally sourced wildflower seeds to increase bumblebee population.

A tree audit earlier this year found there were 1,502 trees on the land, which goes a considerable way to offsetting the business’ carbon emissions.

For the Home Sweet Home challenge,

Vantage launches its first pop-tops

Vantage Motorhomes, which has previously specialised in Fiat Ducatobased panel van conversions, has launched its first pop-top campervans.

The two new campers, called Luna and Fuze, are both based on the Ford Transit Custom in short-wheelbase form. Each will be available with either a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic, and both have five belted seats and four berths.

There will be two woodwork colour options available and three fabric/ leather seating choices and Vantage will also be offering additional options.

Both of the new pop-top campers will offer swivel cab seats, a Reimo sliding seat system, an elevating roof with roof bed, sink and two-burner hob, a free-standing table, compressor fridge, privacy glass, mains hook-up, USB sockets, LED lighting and a solar panel.

The Fuze is the entry-level version, with the Luna having the same design

Long Hazel installed several new bumblebee hotels and six new bird boxes to sit alongside the 10 existing boxes.

Eight bat boxes were also installed to cater for 12 species of bat.

For the Special Species challenge, the focus was on providing help for three different types of endangered animals that

need a helping hand: hedgehogs, dormice and owls, including installing boxes and ‘hedgehog highways’.

Awards inspector, Steve Price, said of Long Hazel Park, “It is clear the campsite has its environment credentials to heart and, for its size of 3.6 acres, it's certainly punching above its weight.”

Leisuredrive presents loyal customer with free campervan

Bolton-based converter, Leisuredrive Campervans, has presented its most loyal customer with a brand-new campervan, completely free of charge. Over the last 30 years, the customer, who wished just to be referred to as ‘Maureen from Scotland’, has purchased nine new campervans from the converter, prompting staff to joke that if she buys a tenth, it’ll have to be free!

True to their word, in September 2022, Maureen was presented with her tenth Leisuredrive campervan — a brand-new Ford Transit Occasion Custom – completely free of charge to thank her for her repeat custom over the years.

inside but a higher standard spec. Additional features on this model include a Dometic mini grill, hot water, diesel heating, an underslung gas tank, underslung fresh water tank, portable toilet with dedicated storage and a TV cabinet and aerial.

Campervan Awards 2023

The judging has been completed, the scores tallied and we can now announce the results of this year’s inaugural Campervan Awards, in association with leading consumer finance provider, Creation.

It was a tricky task, defining the UK’s best campervans. We trawled shows (our own outdoor shows, the huge Caravan Salon, Düsseldorf and the NEC show in October), and invited a multitude of converters on a two-day campervan preview event.

Seats were swivelled, beds were tested, tape measures were deployed, options were totted

M t the Judges

up and prices were compared.

We applaud the efforts of many mainstream manufacturers and smaller converters. Creating a practical and comfortable campervan in the confines of the original base vehicle is not easy.

We also had to consider safety aspects – if Type Approval and NCC approval were present, the job was easier, but the importance of properly installed components and correct safety certificates was paramount.

Plus, we also invited readers to have your say in the Public Vote: Converter of the Year category, which had over 2,500 entries!

Now read on to discover the winners...

BEST VOLKSWAGEN

CAMPERVAN

As popular as ever, there’s no denying that, if you’re in the market for a T6.1 camper, nothing else will do

BEST POP-TOP CAMPERVAN

Sticking with VW Transporter-sized campers, the judges considered the excellent Renault, Ford and other base vehicle to pick the winner

BEST FIXED BED CAMPERVAN

Moving up into the full-sized campervan category, those prioritising a good night’s sleep will be most interested in the shortlist and winner of this award

BEST LARGE CAMPERVAN

End kitchen and washrooms, rear lounges; there’s a huge choice out there if you’re happy to make up a bed each night

COOLEST CAMPERVAN

Needing no explanation, this category was so hotly contested

BEST CAMPERVAN INNOVATION

They say the best things come in small packages, and that’s certainly true for campervans, so we looked for clever features that make the most of the limited space available

BEST CAMPERVAN OF 2023

This is the top award and goes to the campervan that impressed the most in every respect

“There’s been a huge amount of change in the last 40 years, and new technology means we are likely to see even more to come”

Peter Vaughan (Head judge)

“We love the outdoors, and owning a campervan allows us to immerse ourselves in the scenery, whether that’s from the pitch or on a day out among the hills”

Geneve Brand (Campervan Editor and co-judge)

“After many years of motorhome reviewing and adventures, I definitely prefer models with full facilities and more home comforts”

Rachel Stothert (Co-judge and MMM Deputy Editor)

Here’s one award for which the winner was almost a foregone conclusion. It’s hard to argue with the fact that the Road Test Editor went out and put his own hard-earned cash into one of these!

But why, with the hundreds of different side kitchen VW Transporter-based campers on the market, should you follow him and choose a CMC HemBil Urban?

Well, for a start, its maker – Concept Multi-Car, in Kent – has quite a pedigree. It has been building VW campers since 1988 and was the company that first brought campervan components from Reimo into the UK. It continues to use these highquality fittings in all of its conversions, which are all type approved and covered by a three-year warranty.

Then, there’s the Urban conversion, which is part of the HemBil range, rather than being a Reimo design. Its key feature is the extra-wide (1.35m) rear seat.

Not only does the Reimo bench in this camper genuinely cater for three people, unlike others that have three seatbelts but insufficient width, but it’s a fully crashtested unit that slides along rails to multiple positions. So, you can move the seat all the way forward to bring the kids close to the cab, or to create a van-like boot behind, massively adding to your ’van’s versatility. It can even accommodate three child seats.

So, with five proper travel seats, the cab can retain the convenience and comfort of two individual swivel seats with armrests. They retain the walk-through to the rear (unlike a cab bench), rotate easily (unlike a cab bench) and even the driver’s seat is comfortable to use when facing rearwards.

Of course, another benefit of a wider rear seat is that it converts into a wider bed. The Reimo system is a doddle to use and the bed measures 1.90m by 1.35m – that’s 25cm broader than in many rival VWs.

Of course, CMC is not alone in offering a camper with a wide seat/bed unit and the compromise here is always a slimmer kitchen alongside. But where some campers are just too compromised in the resulting galley (often with just a single ring on the hob), the Urban manages to incorporate both a standard-sized two-burner cooker and a decent amount of storage. All the cupboards remain accessible with the bed down and, as a further bonus, the cabinet containing the hob can be quickly removed – either for al fresco cooking or just to create more room inside.

The fridge might look small (at 20 litres), but, as it’s a top-loader, you can cram in a lot more than you’d think. The shelf above the kitchen is also more practical than you’d expect – ideal for small, lightweight items. But the stars of the storage department are the huge boot area and the vast drawer under the rear seat.

HIGHLY COMMENDED Ecowagon Expo+ LWB

If you’re more concerned with finding the best VW camper than looking at the price, you should take a very close look at Ecowagon’s Expo+. We think you’ll struggle to find a better-built campervan.

Unusually, it uses the VW California sliding seat system, adapted to fit a vehicle with the sliding door on the left but installed just as Volkswagen intended. Alongside, the galley is superbly finished and can offer gas or electric cooking. There’s generous storage, including top lockers over the galley and rear seat, while the table can be used inside or out. Only the best components are used, such as the Simarine control panel and Swell Shades blinds.

The standard spec is impressive, with beautiful bespoke leather, a Thule awning, 150W solar panel, underslung gas tank, dimmable lighting, diesel heating and an outside barbecue point all included, but the extensive options list can add a whole lot more.

HIGHLY COMMENDED VW California Ocean

Base vehicle VW Transporter

Travel seats 4

Berths 4

Gross weight 3,080kg

Payload 537kg

Length x width x height 4.90m x 1.90m x 1.99m

Price from £72,980

Base vehicle VW Transporter

Travel seats 4

Berths 4

Gross weight 3,500kg

Payload 625kg

Length x width x height 5.30m x 1.90m x 2.05m

Price from £82,078

The only campervan built entirely by an OEM motor manufacturer from top to toe, the VW California first arrived here in 2006 and it’s still the standard by which any and every camper in its class must be judged. It is also Europe’s best-selling leisure vehicle, bar none.

Some will point to the California’s price and think it expensive but add up all the spec (some of it not even available on rivals) and you’ll soon see that it’s not. Its electric elevating roof comes with a comfortable, sprung roof bed. It has two tables – one for dining inside, one for use outside (along with the camping chairs that are also provided, in their own neat tailgate pouch). Then, there’s the digital cockpit and the touchscreen control panel that operates everything from the diesel heating to the fridge. All the fittings are to automotive standards and the sliding rear seat is both versatile and comfortable, with a welcome reclined position.

The Monza packs a lot into a small body – it’s a multipurpose campervan that offers true style and practicality.

Based on the Ford Transit Custom, it has a 2-litre EcoBlue engine providing an ample 128bhp (130PS). The manual gearbox is standard, but you can upgrade to the auto' with either the same power or 168bhp (170PS). There are four exterior colours – Magnetic Grey, Diffused Silver, Chrome Blue and Orange Glow.

Inside, we prefer the lighter furniture scheme (Contempo), but there is a darker one (Techno Sport), too, which may show fewer scuffmarks and grubby prints. The curved furniture is super stylish, with underfloor and recessed LED lighting adding to the ambience.

The galley contains an all-in-one sink and cooker unit and the two-burner hob has push-button ignition. Storage here is good, too, with a drawer and large locker under

the sink and a smaller one adjacent.

Next to the 42-litre drawer-style fridge is the cupboard for a portable toilet; even more useful is the second sliding door that allows access to the loo from the outside, so you don’t have to extract it through the living area. There’s also an external shower point at the back of the galley.

Two top lockers, although small, provide useful extra storage and there’s a neatly concealed larder unit, perfect for small jars and more.

The rear bench – from Reimo – offers three seatbelts, along with two Isofix points for child seats. So, the Monza can easily double as your everyday car. It folds quickly to make the bed and has a large drawer below for more easy-to-access storage. The most important feature, however, is its multi-point rail that allows the seat to be set further forward for travelling, or to increase boot space.

The pop-top has a bed with two reading lights on stalks and, as is the norm, there are three windows – one with a flyscreen – all of which have zipped privacy covers. The bed raises and lowers with gas struts and it even has a strap to help pull it down. The mattress sits on Clima Plux springs, so adults can sleep here comfortably – not just kids.

The rearmost part of the furniture unit has tambour door access to more storage with a removable shelf and hanging rail, as well as a further shelved locker. Part of the bed base can be set horizontally, allowing for storage of bedding above and mucky stuff below, or raise it vertically for taller items. There is a mains socket back here too, which complements the 230V and USB outlets in the kitchen.

Eberspächer diesel-powered heating is standard, along with a 100W solar panel, 17in alloy wheels and a reversing camera, while a mini grill is optional in the kitchen.

HIGHLY COMMENDED Bürstner Playa C 500 Limited Edition

Bürstner enters the pop-top market this season with a high-spec conversion based on the short-wheelbase Renault Trafic, a vehicle that we admire for its comfortable ride and excellent driving dynamics. Here, it comes with 17in alloy wheels, an 8in touchscreen, reversing camera and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, while the smooth EDC automatic is available as an option.

The pop-top comes from SCA, so it’s one of the best, with a scenic opening canvas and a roof bed featuring Froli springs. Down below, there’s a Schnierle seat system on rails for extra versatility and a kitchen with sliding doors (so they can be opened wherever the bench seat is positioned). It includes Isofix for two child seats, too.

As you’d expect from a major German motorhome manufacturer, the Playa is wellfinished and stylishly appointed. The added bonus here is that it also looks good value for money.

Base vehicle Renault Trafic

Travel seats 4/5

Berths 4

Gross weight 3,010kg

Payload 610kg

Length x width x height 5.08m x 1.97m x 2.09m

Price from £59,990

HIGHLY COMMENDED Ford Nugget Plus

The first clue that the Nugget Plus isn’t quite like the rest of the growing ranks of Ford Transit Custom-based campervans is the fact that its pop-top hinges from the front, not the back. That’s to give maximum headroom (up to 2.40m!) in the rear galley area, where you’ll find an L-shaped kitchen quite separate from the seating area – where the cook can work undisturbed. There’s a toploading fridge and two-burner hob here, while the sink is fed with hot and cold water via a three-litre electric boiler.

All this applies to the short-wheelbase Nugget, too, but the longer Plus model has more space, more storage – and a built-in cassette toilet with a pull-out privacy screen.

Up front, the Nugget Plus makes a great daily driver as it has a comfortable, high-backed rear passenger seat with belts for three, while twin sliding doors make for super-easy access wherever you’re parked. Top quality is assured as Westfalia builds the Nugget.

Base vehicle Ford Transit Custom

Travel seats 5 Berths 4

Gross weight 3,400kg

Payload 920kg

Length x width x height 5.34m x 1.98m x 2.06m

Price from £79,617

This was, perhaps, the hardest category to judge. We looked at everything from Giotti Van models with super-keen sub-£60k price tags to the fabulous new RP Rebellion at close to £200k. In between there were plush, redesigned Hymers, as well the two highly commended models. So, it was hardly expected that a brand just launching in the UK would take the top spot.

Globe-Traveller is a maker of high-end campervans on Fiat Ducato and Peugeot Boxer vans, but that’s where the similarity with other fixed bed campervans ends.

The difference with the Voyager Z starts on the outside. This might be the longest, tallest Ducato (L4 H3), but it has a look of its own. A replacement overcab section with a smoother, more rounded shape allows more room for the roof bed inside. Then, at the rear, the van’s barn doors are binned in favour of a top-hinged tailgate for access

to the large garage. Crucially, its clever design adds around 12cm extra length inside without making the Fiat longer overall.

Framed habitation windows are another plus, but the big news is inside, starting with a flat double floor throughout that houses the fresh and waste water tanks and contributes to the camper's full winterisation.

The front lounge incorporates a pair of automotive-style rear travel seats with Isofix. Not only are these super-comfy, but they recline, and the centre seat slides out to create more elbow-room. Adjacent to the wall, there’s an armrest, twin cup holders and USB ports. A table is provided, which can be stowed away in an underfloor compartment, making for a more open feel.

Above, the roof bed hinges down from the wall and then slides out to occupy the full width of the ’van, but still leaving plenty of headroom for sitting below.

The upper bed measures a generous

1.87m by 1.48m.

The main beds are at the rear where twin singles measure 1.96m and 1.79m long (a French bed layout is also available). There’s the typical central cushion (1.30m long) between the beds, under which you’ll be surprised to find a hidden wardrobe.

The kitchen includes a 90-litre compressor fridge, a two-burner hob and plenty of drawer-based storage, as well as a neat locker that can be accessed from outside as well as in. The table can be repositioned al fresco, too.

Then, there’s the washroom – complete with a proper separate shower. There’s the usual Thetford cassette toilet, a fixed washbasin and a roof vent with fan, too.

The more you look at the Voyager Z, the more clever details you discover, while the finish seems exemplary – just look at how the woodgrain flows from one top cupboard to the next.

HIGHLY COMMENDED Knaus BoxDrive 600 XL

Base vehicle MAN TGE

Travel seats 4

Berths 4/5

Gross weight 3,500kg

Payload 485kg

Length x width x height 5.98m x 2.04m x 3.09m

Price from £73,480

While the big news from Knaus this year is its VW T6.1-based compact coachbuilts, this similarly sized campervan, based on the MAN TGE caught our attention, too.

From the outside, you can instantly spot the extra-high pod on the roof that increases interior headroom and allows room for a roof bed above the cab. At night, the EasySlide bed lives up to its name and simply pulls rearwards on tracks to create a lengthways double (one of the biggest of this type), utilising a fixed section above the cab. An option on the Continent, it has been confirmed this feature will be standard on UK models.

The standard-spec washroom in the BoxDrive is an all-in-one affair with a basin on a pivoting wall that swings across to create the shower area. It’s a practical design that makes good use of space.

The rear bed can be specified as an electric lifting one (£900) to create more versatile storage below, but some buyers will find the standard fixed bed is more suitable.

HIGHLY COMMENDED Westfalia Sven Hedin

Westfalia is the company that built the California for VW until the carmaker brought production in-house. It’s synonymous with quality and style, as shown by this Sven Hedin. The interior is a great mix of dark wood and white gloss furniture, complemented by automotive-quality rear travel seats.

This MAN-based camper has a classic fixed bed layout, with a side kitchen comprising of a twodrawer compressor fridge, a two-burner hob and sink. There is also excellent kitchen storage – all low-level.

The washroom also shines in terms of storage; a multitude of recesses in the wall have retaining straps so anything stored within should stay put.

The rear bed is very long, thanks to the pop-out section at the foot. Then, below, there's a large garage with a lift-up section at the rear.

Base vehicle MAN TGE

Travel seats 4 Berths 2

Gross weight 3,500kg

Payload 498kg

Length x width x height 5.99m x 2.04m x 2.67m

Price from £66,500

Murvi winning another award is a bit like Manchester United winning a trophy – a pretty regular occurrence.

While one plays football (and hasn’t branched out into skiing), the other simply builds front lounge campervans and does so better than just about anyone else (never venturing into coachbuilts and has long since moved away from VWs).

Its Pimento XL SB is available on a Fiat Ducato or Ford Transit, but we’d choose the latter every time because its cab has better ergonomics and it’s simply a nicer vehicle to drive. As an added benefit, it also has a better kitchen than the Fiat version.

That galley is at the rear and L-shaped, with a washroom adjacent – that’s the oh-so-successful Murvi formula. And the lounge has a lovely, long sofa facing the side door, through which you can enjoy views of the outside world on a warm day.

This is a sub-six-metre campervan, so it’s

a great size for manoeuvrability and saving you money on ferries, but you could easily be convinced that it’s a bigger ’van based on the amount of space inside.

Unusually for a layout like this, the Pimento also has plenty of room for your outdoor gear, so this won’t have to clutter up the interior. Open the offside rear door and you discover a floor-to-ceiling locker for all your bulky stuff. With two sturdy adjustable/removable shelves, grippy rubber flooring and even a hanging rail, you could use this space for everything from bodyboards and wetsuits to a barbecue and some super-luxury outdoor chairs.

On the outside, Murvi keeps things subtle in the extreme but it lets you choose the colour and spec. Limited or Trail derivatives of the Transit up the ante, and you can even have a four-wheel drive version.

If you intend to go off-grid, the standard 150Ah lithium battery bodes well and you

can add a 175W solar panel and a 350W inverter. Heating is diesel powered and there’s a 30-litre underslung LPG tank to supply all your cooking needs for ages.

While Murvi, like other campervan makers, offers a wide choice of interior décor (not just upholstery but also cupboard doors, worktops and carpets), here you can also select the culinary kit. A three-burner hob is standard, and (depending on the size of fridge) you can also have an oven and/or a microwave. The cooler can be a three-way or compressor type, with capacities from 60 to 115 litres.

Then, at night, the lounge can be made into single beds (2.10m and 1.83m long) or a double. There’s plenty of room for your duvet under the settee and converting the sofa into a bed or beds is a doddle.

Murvi’s attention to detail even means that a first aid kit, fire blanket and spare set of vehicle bulbs are all included.

HIGHLY COMMENDED Consort Reef S2

Scot Naylor’s experience in living the campervan lifestyle really shows through in his campervan designs under the Consort Motorhomes brand. Exclusively rear lounge two-berths based on the Fiat Ducato, the recipe may be a bit ‘beans on toast’ but the delivery is far more haute cuisine.

Star feature is the rear boot, under the U-shaped lounge, for all your outdoor furniture and gear, but storage throughout is well-planned and shows real attention to detail (including a waist-height 90-litre fridge and plenty of kitchen drawers). The wall-hung worktop extension works better than one hinged from the end of the galley, while the sink gets a drainer tray and a wireware drainer. Converting the lounge to your bedroom is also oh-so-simple, too.

Standard spec includes a solar panel, twin leisure batteries, flush-fitting double-glazed windows and an underslung 25-litre gas tank, while all the usual options are available.

HIGHLY COMMENDED Vantage Rio

Whilst it’s easy to see the attraction of a rear lounge campervan, especially one as well finished as a Vantage, wouldn’t it be great to have rear travel seats, too – and a proper second seating area for when the back is a bedroom? Well, of course, the Rio isn’t unique – far from it – in having a half-dinette up front as well as the larger rear seating area, but it does it better than most.

Vantage has improved the front lounge since the model’s launch, while the U-shaped arrangement aft is inviting and incorporates a large boot area accessed via the back doors. It makes into twin single beds or, super easily, a huge double.

The kitchen includes a 77-litre compressor fridge at waist height, while the washroom has a fixed corner basin that’s infinitely superior to most flimsy flip-up units. Flush glazing, a 100W solar panel, twin leisure batteries and a choice of tables are included as standard, while everything feels practical and durable.

Base vehicle Fiat Ducato

Travel seats 4 Berths 3

Gross weight 3,500kg

Payload 380kg

Length x width x height 6.36m x 2.05m x 2.60m Price from £72,500

We’re pretty aware that the definition of cool can be very subjective, making this one of the hardest categories to judge. We were looking for something with an indescribable quality that makes it stand out from the crowd.

So, meet the Castello by Cargo Clips. This Austrian firm is only just starting to make inroads into the UK market but a UK base of operations has been set up to expedite this.

The exterior is fairly simple but it’s inside where the fun starts. Instead of your traditional boarded walls, there are beautifully made wooden panels with evenly spaced holes; these are CNC routed for precision. Behind this is Armaflex insulation or an eco-friendly sheep’s wool.

Then, the furniture of your choice is fixed into place with extremely strong bolt clips of different shapes and sizes – these simply twist to lock by hand, or you can use a TX30 tool. It’s all very clever – and TÜV approved.

You get to choose from various modules, including sleeping, kitchen, storage, fridges, showers, toilets and more. There are even sliding racks for bikes, or ski holders and kennel options. We love the fold-down cutlery holder and the array of brightly coloured felt-style fabric choices. Even the loo modules include unconventional options, including the Clesana C1 toilet, which offers chemical-free use and problem-free emptying off-grid.

One of the more notable options is a new pop-top roof, the Loft. Solid aluminium composite walls offer security and insulation and, as it’s not hinged but has hydraulic legs on the four corners, you can sleep at either end on a bed that measures 2m by 1.50m. The unit sits on top of the vehicle and all you need is a roof hatch to access it, via a ladder. So you can switch it to a different vehicle, at a later date.

All the wood is sourced from Swiss

forestry, while every component is made in-house if possible. Seat/bed foam and fabrics are sourced locally in Austria, while no MDF is used and synthetic materials are avoided wherever possible.

Some may say that the interior looks too utilitarian, but no one can argue that, if this turned up on a campsite and opened its doors for the world to see, everyone would try and get a sneaky (or not so sneaky) peek at the interior while walking past.

What’s truly great is that this is a campervan that can change with your needs, whether that’s a growing family, a work-related requirement or a desire to head off on longer tours. Plus, the components are expected to outlive the base vehicle, so you could just get them swapped to a new vehicle when the time comes to update.

And that’s even better than being the coolest campervan on the block…

HIGHLY COMMENDED 8 Ball XL

A surfboard strapped on the side, chunky all-terrain tyres on suitably butch wheels, raised suspension via a 60mm uplift kit, rear-mounted spare wheel… This camper out-posed and out-cooled every other that came to our special awards judging day for smaller converters.

But 8 Ball Camper Conversions’ XL is about more than just rugged looks. It’s also a practical camper that makes full use of the longwheelbase 4Motion Volkswagen Crafter panel van to create genuine four-berth

accommodation along with a garage large enough to take two full-suspension e-bikes with 29in wheels.

It’s also a completely gas-free conversion, with diesel heating and hob, a microwave, 3,000W inverter, three lithium leisure batteries (360Ah), and 350W of solar panels. Combined with the four-wheel drive, there’s no reason to stick to campsites with this ’van, nor even a need to stay on Tarmac roads. And that makes it really rather cool in our book.

Base vehicle VW Crafter

Travel seats 4

Berths 4

Gross weight 4,300kg

Payload 600kg

Length x width x height 6.84m x 2.04m x 2.59m

Price from £120,000

HIGHLY COMMENDED RP Rebellion 2

If you are after an off-grid camper, but want all the comforts of home then this über-cool model from RP should be on the list.

You’ll spot the luxury items – air fryer, dishwasher, induction hob, washing machine, microwave and two fridges, but the clever stuff here is hidden away to allow you to actually use your apppliances – a domestic-spec electrical system (with 75mm thick cables), additional alternator and 450W of solar panels, plus top-of-the-range lithium-ion batteries.

You get a compact lounge area at the front with swivel cab seats – no rear travel seats as this is purely a two-berth. The show model had an iMac mounted on a pivot bracket (so you can use it as a mobile office or as a smart TV).

In the washroom, the novelties don’t stop. The composting toilet looks like it's firmly fixed in situ, but a couple of clever pins allow you to remove it for cleaning or to increase room for showering. Specially designed side skirts encourage any niffs from the loo to be drawn away while driving, while the new fold-down basin has a waterfall-style tap built in.

Then, step up into a big U-shaped lounge at the rear, raised to enhance the garage storage below. It even has an opening tailgate for panoramic views out!

The quality here is simply staggering, while the luxury and on-board appliances give you liner-class facilities in a go-anywhere size. Just wow!

Base vehicle Mercedes Sprinter Travel seats 2 Berths 2

Gross weight 4,050kg

Payload 620kg

Length x width x height 6.98m x 2.02m x 3.10m

Price from £153,995 (demo model £195,748)

BOND®

The Bond is a lightweight multi-tool that packs 14 essential features into a compact design. At a mere 5.8 oz, this stainless-steel workhorse provides 14 hard-working tools, including a non-locking 2.6” 420HC knife blade, wood/metal file, pliers and moremaking it everyday UK legal carry.

Available online from: www.leatherman.co.uk

Best campervan innovation

WINNER Wheelhome Vikenze III-e

Electric campervans are still in their infancy but one small company has shown larger brands how it can be done. The Vikenze III-e might be by far the smallest ’van in our awards this year but its battery and solar capacities put larger models in the, err, shade.

The reasoning behind this electric tour de force is simple. If your camping is mostly fairly local, you don’t need to worry about en route charging – simply leave home fully charged (you don’t even need a wallbox) and recharge on your campsite pitch via the usual hook-up cable.

This is possible because Wheelhome makes its camper independent of the site electricity for cooking, lighting and even heating. Everything on the habitation side is powered by a huge bank of lithium batteries under the converter’s own cab centre console – the 640Ah capacity is six times that of a typical campervan! Then there’s

a 300W solar panel on the roof (three times the usual) and a 3,000W inverter to supply mains power to the appliances and three-pin sockets.

So, with the living area taking nothing from the site, the usual orange camping cable can top up your EV batteries. Wheelhome says that you’ll be drawing similar current to a motorhome using 230V for its fridge, heating, hot water, etc, and that you’ll usually add seven miles of range for every hour hooked up.

The Vikenze III-e is Wheelhome's first fully electric campervan but it hasn’t launched the little Vauxhall without some serious testing, having taken the first example on a 2,100-mile tour from Essex to Shetland (at a ‘fuel’ cost of just £125).

Based on the Vauxhall Combo-e Life, the Wheelhome starts life as a car, rather than a van, with a spec that includes a 50kWh battery and a claimed 174-mile range. It's a

delightfully easy vehicle to pilot, with no gears, of course, and decent performance from the 134bhp electric motor. Regenerative braking tops up the battery as you drive and we actually managed to exceed Vauxhall’s claimed range. Then, if you do plan longer trips, a 100W public charger can take your EV battery from 15% to 80% charge in around 30 minutes.

On site, there’s no getting away from the fact that the Vikenze III-e is a lot smaller than, say, a VW T6, but an electric elevating roof quickly adds standing room. The living area suits solo campervanners best but it is possible to add a second berth (in the pop-top) and two could sit around the dining table (which is also the cover for the sink). That’s typical of the clever design here, which also includes suitcase-style clothing storage in the roof, room for a Porta Potti (accessible at night), and even space for a dog bed!

HIGHLY COMMENDED Bürstner Eliseo Active C 644

Maybe you’re torn between choosing a rear lounge campervan (for plenty of comfy space to relax in on site when the weather isn’t being kind) and a continental-style fixed bed model, so that you can get your expensive e-bikes on board for security? Well, now you can have both in Bürstner’s latest campervan, the Eliseo Active C 644.

Open the back doors and there’s real garage space, so the U-shaped lounge moves forward of this, while still proving generous room for a

couple to unwind. Better still, you won’t have to convert the seats into a bed as a lengthways double lowers electrically from the roof.

The rear lounge even incorporates a pair of extra forward-facing travel seats, while the washroom has a swing-wall to give you a practical curtain-free shower.

Like Bürstner’s other campervans, the Fiat-based C 644 benefits from flush habitation windows, alloy wheels and a choice of six exterior paint finishes.

Base vehicle Fiat Ducato

Travel seats 4 Berths 4

Gross weight 3,500kg

Payload 531kg

Length x width x height 6.36m x 2.08m x 2.65m

Price from £62,795

HIGHLY COMMENDED Knights Custom Mountain Peak

Knights Custom Conversions has been building quite a name for itself, building some the bestlooking and highest-spec VW campervans on the market. Most of its designs feature the classic side kitchen but the Mountain Peak adopts a rear galley format, with single RIB rear travel seats that convert into single beds (or slide together for a double).

Where the recently redesigned camper comes into its own, however, is the inclusion of not only a bench-style cassette toilet but also a shower at the rear. Firstly, there’s a privacy screen that pulls down from the roof bed, then you uncover a Corian shower tray hidden in the kitchen floor. The shower curtain clips into place with metal rods (to prevent leakages) and hot water comes from a Webasto Thermo Top Evo RV diesel-fired boiler. Even the fresh water tank capacity is reasonable, at 70 litres.

Base vehicle VW Transporter

Travel seats 4

Berths 4/5

Gross weight 3,200kg

Payload 740kg

Length x width x height 5.30m x 1.90m x 2.01m

Price from £66,990

MOUNTAIN TOURER –INNOVATIVE CONVERSION AWARD WINNING PACKAGE

2 x RIB Neptune beds on sliders giving you two single beds or a double. Kitchen facility with bespoke wooden or Corian worktop finished to the highest standard. Underslung sink and built in Cassette WC. Privacy screen & fridge as standard with a host of upgrades available. Conversions from £22,990.

Brand new VW T6.1 110bhp SWB Highline 5 speed manual converted from £59,990.

Bespoke conversions are what we are known for and here at Knights we listen. Our customer had a dream and we made that a reality for them. It has since become one of most popular conversions. Alongside the Prestige Tourer Package. We bring you quality and versatility, every aspect finished with an eye for detail.

PRESTIGE TOURER – OUR BEST SELLING CONVERSION. VERSATILITY AS STANDARD

1205 or 1155mm Reimo Variotech 3000 sliding bed system makes this versatile beauty one of our best sellers. With a sleek longline kitchen featuring excellent design throughout. Wood or Corian worktop with double hob. Conversions from £23,990. Brand new VW T6.1 110bhp SWB Highline 5 speed manual converted from £60,990.

GRAND TOURER - THE ULTIMATE IN A DAY VAN

Offering a full width Reimo Variotech 3000 1380mm sliding bed and the option of our newly developed kitchen pod. Total versatility! The sliding seat will give you maximum sleeping width with the ability to use this fully as a van too. Conversions from £15,990. Brand new VW T6.1 110bhp SWB Highline 5 speed manual including 2x captain swivel seats, glazed tailgate from £52,990.00.

WINNER CamperKing Campervan converter of the year

The only campervan award not judged by our editorial experts, instead we asked you – readers and campervanners – to vote for your favourite converter.

The winner, CamperKing, is not a name you’ll have seen at the major motorhome shows and yet it claims to build more camper conversions on the Volkswagen Transporter than anyone else in the UK. That’s currently up to 35 vehicles per week.

Its premises, near Banbury in Oxfordshire,

were previously a prestige car sales site where CamperKing can display up to seven of its campervans indoors, as well as showing different flooring, worktops, wheels, etc, to potential customers in its ‘configuration lounge’.

It has also MoT facilities on site and an accessory shop selling everything from sleeping bags to awnings.

As well as selling campers direct, the company offers its VW-based range from 17 dealers around the UK. Its models –

Portofino, Monte Carlo, Le Mans, St Tropez and Santorini, are all usually based on pre-registered panel vans as none of its conversions yet have Type Approval. At the time of writing, its stock ranged in price from £35,000 (on a 2016 van) up to £62,500.

If you’re uncertain that the campervan life is for you, it can also offer hire of one of its VW conversions, starting at £500 for three nights.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Caledonian Campers

This Scotland-based business has been converting campervans for 12 years from its premises in Clydebank.

Hillside Leisure

One of a select few to be Volkswagen Qualified, as well as having Whole Vehicle Type Approval and NCC Approval.

Voted by you, the readers

WINNER Globe-Traveller Voyager Z Campervan of the Year

Making a decision between our six very different campervans for the overall winner was a tough job as each one of these winners appeals to very different markets. However, we managed to come to a consensus and we can reveal the Campervan of the Year for 2023 is the Globe-Traveller Voyager Z…

“I first saw Globe-Traveller at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf five or six years ago and was super-impressed then. It has so many excellent or unique features and isn’t just a copy of other rear bedroom campervans.”

Peter Vaughan – Head of the judging panel, Road Test Editor MMM

“The Voyager Z immediately impressed with its high-quality interior and neat little features like the cup holders and USBs next to the rear travel seats. Plus, it’s a versatile camper for couples or families alike.”

Geneve Brand – Awards judge, Campervan Editor

“It’s brilliant that GlobeTraveller is making inroads into the UK market as its campers have plenty of innovative features that will appeal to all, including that easy-to-make drop-down roof bed.”

Rachel Stothert – Awards judge, Deputy Editor MMM

“From when I first started discovering more about Globe-Traveller after it confirmed it was coming to the UK, right up to seeing its models in the metal, I knew its campervans were something really special, so it comes as little surprise that the Voyager Z has been named the best of the best.”

Daniel Attwood, Managing Editor MMM

Road trips | The magic of

Silverdale

The magic of in the snow

Warton Crag isn’t a big hill but has plenty of lovely corners to explore

Silverdale in the snow

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty arnside silverdaleaonb.org.uk

RSPB Leighton Moss rspb.org.uk

Morecambe Bay exploremorecambebay.org.uk

Arnside Village arnsidevillage.co.uk

For Cross Bay Walk events guideoversands.co.uk

WORDS & PHOTOS: Carol Kubicki

Does everyone have a local go-to campsite? One that is near to home, where you know what to expect when you roll up and there’s no need for time-consuming planning. We are lucky that only 30 minutes’ drive from our home and yet a world away is the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With distinctive limestone crags, pretty villages and natural woodland, this fantastic area ticks many boxes for a relaxing short break at any time of year.

It was November and I had a birthday to celebrate and, at the last minute, we booked a couple of nights at a favourite Silverdale campsite. I never think one day is enough for a birthday and celebrations began on the eve of the big day, meeting friends for a walk on our way to Silverdale. Parking near Bolton-le-Sands, we picked up a stretch of canal where we often see kingfishers and I had promised our friends awesome panoramic views across Morecambe Bay to the Lake District fells. The canal was frozen and we were soon shrouded in thick soft snowflakes that landed on my nose before melting. The promised view across the bay was hidden and kingfishers were no doubt keeping warm somewhere but none of us cared as we wandered through this exciting and unexpected snowstorm.

Let it snow!

While this early snowfall was still a novelty and, before numbing cold had reached our extremities, we stumbled into the warmth of the Bay View Garden Centre café. With big windows overlooking Morecambe Bay, this smart café serves fantastic food and is unsurprisingly popular. As we ate our hearty lunch the snow gradually stopped and by the time we were back outside the sun was appearing through gaps in the clouds.

Our coastal route along the stony shore took us to somewhere magical. The light on Morecambe Bay is always remarkable, but for my birthday the ice crystals and blue 

Carol and Anthony were thrilled when it snowed on their latest visit to this quiet corner of the northwestof England

Arnside and Silverdale

Looking over the rooftops of Arnside and the River Kent

ABOVE CLOCKWISE

Walking between the reed beds at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve; The only sound was my boots creaking across the snow; It was a birthday weekend in the ‘van

BELOW A friendly robin at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve

sea sparkled in the sunshine. Blankets of snow enhance and define landscape features and here it highlighted the pebbles, tidal patterns of rippling sand and salt marsh hummocks. After an amateur snowball fight I stopped to pay my respects at the poignant praying shell sculpture that was erected to remember the 23 Chinese cockle pickers who tragically drowned here in 2004.

Back at our campervan we waved goodbye to our friends and set off for the Silverdale campsite in the twilight. We are old hands at winter camping, determined to use the Blue Bus all year round, and had no qualms about continuing with our plans but the roads were treacherous. In plummeting temperatures we drove cautiously on the snow-covered country lanes that were becoming icier by the minute and we were relieved to roll up to the bright and welcoming reception building. After booking in, we drove slowly through the gritted, cleared site roads to find a pitch.

One of the many things we like about Holgates campsite is that the pitches are not arranged in serried ranks but, in the dark and with everything covered in a thick layer of snow, this was a huge drawback. Although we know this site fairly well, it was surprisingly difficult to distinguish pitches from grassy spaces! After a couple of circuits we optimistically turned into a gap next to an electric hook-up and threw the switch for the heating. After a cosy night in the ’van, the first thing I did

when I woke the next morning was open the blinds. Not only was it my birthday but also the snow was still there, what a perfect day! The icing on the birthday cake was the rising sun turning the sky crimson. Anthony handed me presents and I opened them while I sipped my first mug of tea. The merino wool top Anthony had bought me was perfect for the chilly day of walking I had planned and we both laughed at the card from a friend who knows me well, ‘We cannot live on wine alone / ‘cos that would be a sin / And that is why the lord above / Also gave us gin.’

While eating breakfast crumpets, through the window we watched two red deer emerge from Eaves Wood, which surrounds the campsite, and stop just a few feet away. In the hushed wintry landscape the deer picked their way through the snow browsing on bushes, while we watched from our ’van hardly daring to breathe.

As it was my birthday (did I mention that?) I got to choose the day’s walk and, snug in my new top, I led us into the woodland. The snow had done its amazing thing of smothering all the mud and fallen leaves and gifting us a pristine landscape and I felt as if I was walking into Narnia. Reaching Arnside Tower, a free-standing ruined Cumbrian pele tower, we stopped to take in the wider views of the wooded steep slopes of Arnside Knott that now loomed in front of us. We skirted the hill, picking up a woodland path to Arnside where I knew we would find coffee and cake.

Road trips | The magic of Silverdale in the snow

Our 'van

WHAT I L♥VE ABOUT IT It’s great just being able to pull over, any place, any time, throw the side door open and enjoy the vistas with a cup of tea in hand. That’s the beauty of touring in a campervan, isn’t it?

Life is too short to say no to cake

Arnside is a handsome village of Victorian villas that is popular with day trippers in summer but the chilly weather meant we almost had it to ourselves and we got a window seat in the Posh Sardine tea room on Arnside’s prom.

Warming up with coffee, we looked over the River Kent that flows by Arnside into Morecambe Bay. Anthony enjoyed his big slab of coffee cake and I tucked into a slice of almond and orange cake that was deliciously fruity and tasted like southern Spain on a plate. Another customer and his dog came in from the cold, sitting at a nearby table. He was keen to chat and shared dog and life stories. Another customer in paint-splattered work clothes came in for takeaway coffee. “This is the best local plasterer,” our friend with the dog informed us, assuming it was a locals-only day and we would eventually need a plasterer. “I’m time served,” the plasterer proudly told us and the four of us put the world of construction training to rights.

After browsing the gift shops, we popped into The Old Bakehouse for some of its excellent vegetarian pies for later before heading out of the village.

We would normally have returned over Arnside Knott; although only 159m high, this hill is criss-crossed by meandering footpaths and is a great viewpoint. However, with the ground still covered in icy snow, we opted to stay low and walk around the coast.

Sky above, snowy snow below

In the winter there might be few visitors but in summer Arnside bustles, particularly when there is a Cross Bay Walk event. Morecambe Bay is renowned for its quick sands and fast-flowing tides and there has been a royal guide to the sands appointed for centuries to ensure travellers safely cross the bay. Today, Cross Bay Walks that ford the River Kent channel are fundraising events and we have made the unforgettable crossing of around 10 miles a couple of times. If you’ve never done this, add it to your list; you will finish wet and tired but chuffed at your achievement.

On this Arctic-like day, the tide was low but, respecting the sands, we hugged the coast, enjoying having the Kent estuary to ourselves. The only sounds were the snow squeaking under our boots, the honking of geese as a skein passed overhead and the occasional train rattling across the viaduct. I felt as if we had stepped out of the real world as I looked back along the sinuous River Kent to see mounds of white hills glistening on the horizon. Above was a vast grey sky that merged into the snow-covered sand that stretched to the skyline. Across Kent the houses of Grange-overSands were only just visible through the mist.

At White Creek Bay we picked up a path above the limestone cliffs into the woodland. The permanently bent trees are witness to the strong winds you can encounter here and garlands of red berries looked festive dusted with

MAIN The sun sparkled off the snow and the blue sea at Bolton-le-Sands

ABOVE TOP TO BOTTOM You are never too old for a snowball fight!; A chimney from a former copper smelting works still stands at Jenny Brown’s Point; The Blue Bus in the white snow

2015 Renault Master mediumwheelbase

CONVERSION TYPE Devon Tempest by devonconversions.co.uk

OWNED SINCE 2015

LAYOUT Rear kitchen/washroom with twin sofas

in the front lounge that convert to single beds TRAVEL SEATS/BERTHS 3/2

We stayed at

snow. I stopped to take photos as we followed the path around craggy bays back to the lanes near our campsite. Twilight comes early at this time of year and the sky was turning purple as we headed across the fields to our ’van.

A little pampering

After a warming brew, we were ready to make the most of the campsite’s facilities and walked to the reception for a birthday spa experience. Anthony relaxed in the bubbling pool while I swam some lengths. Later we both sweated in the steam room, enjoying feeling the warmth in every cell of our bodies. As we walked back through the foggy night glow, the snow was melting but I’d had a blissful birthday. The next morning all trace of the snow had disappeared and was replaced with sunshine! From the campsite we took a short walk to The Cove, a pretty bay enclosed by cliffs topped with wind-bent trees. A favourite walk from here is to Jenny Brown’s Point, an attractive coastal viewpoint surrounded by fascinating stories. Various legends relate why the point is named after Jenny Brown and visitors continue to be curious about the lone tall chimney that is all that remains of an eighteenth century iron and copper furnace. Today, we returned to our ’van via Eaves Wood, climbing up to the highest point for the panoramic views

BELOW LEFT TO RIGHT Enjoying the view from Arnside Knott on another winter trip; The salt marshes and sands of Morecambe Bay on an icy day

Feathered friends

Leaving the site, we drove the short distance to the RSPB’s Leighton Moss reserve. Here, we spotted an impressive marsh harrier hunting over the water and watched small birds enjoying the feeders before we retired to the excellent café for lunch. On winter afternoons you might be lucky enough to see the swirling patterns of a starling murmuration; a sight you’ll never forget.

I suggested we climb Warton Crag and packed a flask of hot chocolate and post-birthday cake in the rucksack. Warton Crag’s woodland is beautiful at any time of year, but in winter the ancient evergreen yews come into their own, adding splashes of colour among the bare trees.

Near the top the woodland gives way to grass and exposed scars of limestone, and a ledge with well-worn knobbles of rock just below the summit beacon is our favourite picnic spot. We sat with our gloved mitts around steaming mugs of chocolate, happily looking over Leighton Moss’ patchwork of pools and reed beds and the rocks at Jenny Brown’s Point.

I didn’t want my birthday holiday to end so, as twilight neared, we stopped in Carnforth for some leisurely bookshop browsing. Spread over three floors, this labyrinthine shop packed with secondhand and new books is always a treat to explore.

We drove the Blue Bus along Morecambe’s long promenade on our way home as another stunning sunset filled the sky. We hadn’t gone very far and had used just a few litres of diesel but distance isn’t everything and we returned with a campervan full of new unforgettable and happy memories.

at The Pepperpot, a stone pillar built to commemorate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

ABOVE Sunset over Morecambe Bay

HOLGATES SILVERDALE Middlebarrow Plain, Cove Road, Silverdale, Lancashire LA5 0SH holgates.co.uk

ALTERNATIVE CAMPSITE HAWES VILLA FARM AND CAMPERVAN SITE Hawes Villa, Moss Lane, Silverdale, Carnforth, Lancashire LA5 0SS hawesvilla.com

Road trips | The magic of Silverdale in the snow

“Simply the best way to spend a day”

Stephen Lunnon, Club member

Whatever you love about the great outdoors whether it’s a mountain hike, cycling a forest trail or a leisurely lakeland paddle, we have so many places for you to get away from it all. With over 2,700 campsites in stunning locations across the UK and Europe, you’ll be sure to find the perfect base for the activities you enjoy.

Ullswater, Lake District

near Troutbeck Head Club Campsite

Member photo by Stephen Lunnon

Ontario

yours to discover!

WORDS & PHOTOS: Mike

Yours to Discover’ is the motto on each Ontario vehicle registration plate and, during 26 days and 3,300 miles travelling in my own campervan, that’s what I attempted.

At the birth of Canada in 1867, Ontario was one of the four founding provinces and is now the most populous, with around 15 million people. While in the east the forty-ninth parallel is famous for marking the US-Canada border, Ontario has pushed well south of that line, seemingly encroaching on the USA. Point Pelee, the most southerly point in Canada, is further south than 12 entire US lower 48 states and, in fact, is a little south of Rome.

In terms of a road trip, the second-largest country in the world is not nearly as big as I expected and Ontario follows a similar pattern. Canada stretches a long way north, but its road network is concentrated in the south, running broadly side to side. Getting to the northern wilderness by two-wheel drive campervan is not often an option and when roads do head in that direction, they are often long-distance cul-de-sacs.

Borders became a theme for me in Ontario, as so much of what the province has to offer is close to a border. Ottawa, the national capital, is on the border with Frenchspeaking Quebec. Niagara Falls shares a border with the US, and similarly lakes Superior, Erie and Ontario are all part of the border between Ontario and America. The only great lake that Ontario misses out on is Michigan.

Ontario butts up against two other provinces, another country and a whole different language, which adds to its attraction. I entered Ontario from the province of Manitoba to the east.

With a shared border of nearly 1,000km (621 miles), there is only one through road, Highway 17, which in these parts is the Trans-Canada Highway.

One great thing about GPS is its bird’s-eye view of things hidden from view from the road. Coming from the farmland

LEFT TO RIGHT A visitor to my campground pitch; My private stretch of shoreline in the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

prairies of Manitoba, the approaching boundary with Ontario was marked on the screen and beyond that seemed to stretch a land of lakes.

The other scenic change is visible from the road and that’s the growing appearance of rock in the landscape. I’m crossing into the Canadian Shield, an area of exposed rock covering over half of Canada. What I had taken as separate lakes was just one, Lake of the Woods, the sixth-largest in North America after the five great lakes, but with a unique look from its over-14,000 rocky islands, a gift of the Canadian Shield.

I visited Kenora, the self-proclaimed capital of the lake. At the Discovery Centre they recommended a local campground with a nice walk back in to explore town. The park manager put me on a powered tent spot as they were more private than the big RV slots. It’s a nice lakeside town with lots of murals

Mike discovers that the vast wilderness of Canada is a campervanner’s dream

Waterman

BELOW

painted on the sides of buildings but, apart from the local craft brewery, little was open on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Driving through the Lake of the Woods area reinforced some lessons about Canadian camping. Provincial parks offer some of the nicest camping, although they aren’t cheap, as the fees also include entrance to the park. Private campgrounds and even some run by public bodies often cater for seasonal campers, which can give an air of being in a holiday resort. There is a big market for Canadians parking up their RV for the whole season and some campgrounds have gone 100% that way.

I did a big circuit south on Highway 71, east along the Rainy River overlooking Minnesota and back north on the deserted Highway 502 where I saw a mother moose with two calves standing on the road. As I slowed, they were off like a shot, no chance of a photo, but a great sight.

Despite being on the US border, according to the local radio I was deep in NW Ontario, which, at first, I found confusing, but then realised

ABOVE American Falls and the smaller Bridal Veil Falls on the right, both on the US side

BELOW First Nation Totem near the Lake of the Woods

that further east Ontario heads a long way south, seemingly taking a massive bite out of its southern neighbour.

I travelled east to Thunder Bay on the western shore of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. The area is not flat like the prairies to the east, but neither does its elevation vary a great deal. This is not an area of views. There is a sense of the vastness of the forest, but this is not an area of spectacular vista.

For the second day running I saw moose from the road. Wildlife spotting in Canada is a real highlight.

Ontario spans two time zones and west of Thunder Bay I jumped an hour by leaving the Central Time zone and entering the Eastern zone.

The Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is a peninsula jutting out into Lake Superior and became one of my favourite places in Ontario. When I mentioned I had a kayak, the ranger sold me two nights in a lakeside pitch with my own access to the lake. It was so good I went straight back to the office to double my stay.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park has a wonderful network of hikes and, having previously grumbled about the lack of expansive views in Ontario, two of those trails were up the Sleeping Giant for views. I picked the Head Trail, which, at 16.7km (10.3 miles), was shorter than the 21.8km (13.5 miles) Top of the Giant Trail, but the price was that it included the steepest climb in the park. The last mile or so was signposted as ‘extreme’. Brutal might have been an alternative description, but, boy, was it worth it for the view across Superior to the city of Thunder Bay. My 10-mile walk took me five hours plus an hour spent at the top enjoying the view. I saw hares, deer, chipmunks, hummingbirds, woodpeckers so large they sounded like pile drivers and a red fox chasing a bird. What I didn’t see on the way up was a single person, although the trail was getting busier as I hiked out at lunchtime. In the afternoon, two white-tailed deer visited my pitch.

Sleeping Giant is all that’s good about Canada. Camping in what feels like the middle of nowhere, on a large secluded pitch unable to see any other camper, right on a lake shore with amazing paddling, fishing, cycling and hiking right on the doorstep. All around is wildlife, there just for the looking. It’s to find places like this that I travel. There are

We stayed at

BELOW CLOCKWISE

In Kenora, gateway to Lake of the Woods, you can even do the shopping by boat; At the top of the Sleeping Giant; The 1895 Canal in Sault Ste Marie; A groundhog

RIGHT My last campground, Wesley Clover Park just outside of Ottawa

locations I get an emotional reaction to and the place seems to ask, ‘why don’t you stay a while, just hang around’.

Two days later I did the longer hike up the Giant, which, just as the ranger had promised, was much easier and equally spectacular.

In the northeast corner of Superior is the Pukaskwa National Park, which has a nice campground and is known for its coastal hikes. Heading down to Saulte Ste Marie, the road goes through the Superior Coastal Highlands, which were invisible to me in the fog and the 5cm of rain that day.

Driving around Lake Superior, I spotted six European RVs heading west, including two German-registered Sprinters and a T5. In all the non-European countries I’ve visited, the ranking for who brings their own vehicle is always the same, with the Germans way out ahead, the Swiss next and then the French and the British roughly equal.

I then headed south for Manitoulin Island, which is reached by an old swing bridge in the town of Little Current. In the south I left on the ferry to Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. From there it’s an easy trip south through flat farmland with numerous wind turbines to southwest Ontario and Windsor, Canada’s most southerly city, which directly faces Detroit.

ANICINABE PARK CAMPGROUND 955 Golf Course Road, Kenora, ON anicinabepark.com

NATURE’S INN RV PARK & MARINA 80 Claybanks Rd, Dryden, ON, P8N 3H$ naturesinn.ca/dryden

THUNDER BAY KOA 162 spruce River Road, Shuniah, ON P7A 0N6 koa.com

MARIE LOUISE LAKE CAMPGROUND Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Pass Lake, ON, P0T 2M0 ontarioparks.com

HATTIE COVE CAMPGROUND Pukaskwa National Park, Heron Bay, ON, P0T 1R0 pc.gc.ca/pukaskwa

SAULT STE MARIE KOA 501 Fifth Line East, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 6J8 koassm.com

BATMAN’S COTTAGES & CAMPGROUND 11408 Highway 6, Sheguiandah, ON, P0P 1W0 batmanscamping.com

LANDS END PARK 59 Corey Cres, Tobermory, ON, N0H 2R0 landsendpark.com

ST CLAIR SHORES CAMPGROUND 2358 St Clair Road, Stoney Point, ON, N0R 1N0

NIAGARA FALLS KOA 8625 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls, ON, L2H 1H5 niagarakoa.net

SIBBALD POINT PROVINCIAL PARK 26071 Park Road 18, Sutton West, ON, L0E 1R0 ontarioparks.com

LAZY ROCK RV PARK & CAMPGROUND 28 Taggart Lake Road, Mattawa, ON, P0H 1V0 lazyrock.ca

CANISBAY LAKE CAMPGROUND, Algonquin Provincial Park Kilometre 23, Highway 60, ON algonquinpark.on.ca and ontarioparks.com

PRESQU’ILE PROVINCIAL PARK 328 Presqu’ile Parkway, Brighton, ON, K0K 1H0 ontarioparks.com

WESLEY CLOVER PARKS CAMPGROUND 411 Corkstown Road, Ottawa, ON, K2K 0J5 wesleycloverparks.com

Driving east with Lake Erie to the south, it’s like being back in southeast England judging by the place names, like Essex and Kent Counties, Tilbury, Chatham and even London is here. From just outside Hamilton the Niagara Peninsula breaks into vineyards, with a plethora of wineries offering tastings. I found cabernet merlots to be popular, together with chardonnays and a variety of white German grapes. Across to the northern side of Lake Ontario is the distant skyline of Toronto, made familiar by the CN Tower.

Niagara Falls is a very touristy place, with casinos, chain restaurants and duty-free shopping for American visitors. I stayed at a campground on the main bus route and was at the falls by 8am. The 24-hour pass for $9 was much better than trying to find parking at $6 for 30 minutes. Cars and pedestrians can cross the Peace Bridge into the US so the falls can be seen from both sides. I’d recommend Canada for the views and the US for the ability to get up close and personal with the falls. By lunchtime it was too crowded for me and I headed home.

My route took me clockwise around Lake Ontario to Toronto. So far driving in Canada had been on quiet roads with totally reliable journey times, so the traffic around Toronto was a shock to the system. The 403, which is a

My 'van

CONVERSION TYPE

Adventure Trek by Stratfordbased CamperKing camperking.co.uk

OWNED SINCE 2016

LAYOUT Side kitchen, rock ‘n’ roll-style bench/bed

TRAVEL SEATS/BERTHS 5/2

WHAT I L♥VE ABOUT IT It’s so flexible. Off-grid camping is aided by two 85Ah leisure batteries, a 65W solar panel on the roof and an Eberspächer diesel heater. I shipped it over from Antwerp in Belgium to Halifax, Nova Scotia, travelling on the same ship as a passenger, and spent a year in the US and Canada, before shipping it back to Europe to embark on the European leg of my road trip. It has been a great little campervan!

raised motorway, heads along the shore and right through the centre, so the views of the city are pretty good.

After busy Niagara and Toronto I craved countryside so headed to the Sibbald Provincial Park on Lake Simcoe. Like most of the parks I’d seen, it’s based around launching a boat, playing on a beach and having a picnic, but here there is also a small British settler museum in an 1830 house.

This area seemed a little different to the rest of Ontario and I think it’s the trees. To this point the forests had been mainly silver birch and pine, but here was a wider variety of broad-leafed tree, which made a nice difference.

Back south I visited Algonquin Provincial Park, which was Canada’s first provincial park, established in 1893. Its 3,000 square miles includes forests, spruce bogs, 2,456 lakes, 2,000 beaver ponds and six major rivers. Some 56km (35 miles) of Highway 60 gives access to numerous campgrounds, 16 maintained hiking trails, two cycle trails, plus an excellent logging museum.

On the shore of Lake Ontario is Brighton, motto ‘Where the past meets the future’ and the home of Presqu’ile Provincial Park with its 21m-high lighthouse built in 1840, 407-pitch campsite and 337 species of bird.

My final stop was Ottawa, the Canadian capital located on the Ottawa River, which forms the border with Quebec province, my next destination. I’d picked a campground only a mile or so from a park and ride into the city.

Ontario has much to offer and, for me, its biggest sales point is the great outdoors. It’s a place for doing as much as seeing. Locations for hiking, wildlife, birdwatching, kayaking, cycling and fishing abound and, if one or more of those activities is your passion, this place is superb at giving you opportunities to enjoy what you love. Would I recommend someone shipping over their own vehicle, or flying in to rent one, yes, absolutely. As they say, it’s yours to discover.

2016 VW Transporter T6 LWB Trendline

Somerset

Destination of the month

Adam Burton / Alamy

Stock Photo

Coast? Check. Countryside? Check. Walking? Check. Beautiful beaches, vast countryside and outdoor activities galore all combine in Somerset, to offer a county with plenty to explore.

Let’s start with the countryside bit, since the majority of west Somerset is composed of the Exmoor National Park. Here you can step out on two feet or hop on two wheels onto the many footpaths and rights of way that allow you to experience this rugged landscape at your leisure. You can also try wild swimming, coasteering, riding… The list is endless!

Now to the coastline. Long, sandy beaches and popular coastal resorts contrast with the dramatic rocky Exmoor coastline. Whether you want a beach for building sandcastles or a more secluded location for taking in the sound of the waves, you’ll find it here. Popular with families, Minehead Beach is a wide expanse of sand with a busy promenade, while the long pebble and rock beach at Porlock Weir is backed by marshland with an abundance of wildlife. The picturesque harbour and village, with its thatched-roofed buildings, offers a selection of cafés, restaurants and shops.

A historic castle, watermill, subtropical gardens and stunning views - what's not to like? Dunster Castle and Watermill are a great day out. nationaltrust.org.uk

Stay

Try

An adults-only campsite within the Exmoor National Park. Pitch up beside the River Exe or the gentle mill stream. exevalleycamping.co.uk

Watersports, archery, high ropes, walking, cycling, stargazing... you name it, Wimbleball Lake & Activity Centre offers it. swlakestrust.org.uk/wimbleball-lake

As one of England’s largest counties, Somerset has all bases covered for a fantastic holiday

marcntomsmum0 Pixabay

acceleratorhams stock.adobe.com

IN THE CITY Campervan escapades

For never a dull moment, head for the city…

With a regular bus service from the campsite into Edinburgh, Mortonhall is an ideal country estate location, within easy reach of the city. There are miles of walks around the estate, with Highland cattle in neighbouring fields. If you don’t mind a longer walk, it’s only four miles to the city centre, and the bus returns to the site until late. Pitches vary from basic grass to full service and there are toilets and

showers on site, along with a licensed shop, bar and restaurant.

As well as a capital city, Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town. Head to the castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Calton Hill with stunning city views. With culture, entertainment and shopping, there’s plenty to do here.

With a feeling more like you’re pitched within someone’s well-landscaped garden, this adults-only site is within 800 yards of a championship fishing lake and the surrounding country park is ideal for birdwatchers and walkers – there’s an accessible walkway/cycleway from the end of Ham Lane to pretty Chew Valley Lake. All pitches have electric hook-up and the toilets and showers are individual bathroom suites. There’s an on-site dog walking area and a local shop and pub in the village.

The bustling city of Bristol (with the must-see SS Great Britain) is just over 10 miles away and there is a park and ride at Long Ashton to easily access the city without parking worries. A little further afield is the historic city of Bath with its abbey, museums and Roman baths. There is a bus stop in the village, or you can hire a car from the campsite directly, too.

WORDS: Claire Tupholme

Mortonhall Caravan & Camping Park, Edinburgh

38 Mortonhall Gate, Frogston Road East EH16 6TJ ☎ 01316 641533 meadowhead.co.uk/parks/mortonhall All year

Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park, Somerset

Ham Lane, Bishop Sutton, Nr Bath BS39 5TZ ☎ 01275 332127 bathchewvalley.co.uk All year

Sergii Figurnyi stock.adobe.com

Caerfai Bay Caravan & Tent Park, Pembrokeshire

St Davids, Haverfordwest SA62 6QT ☎ 01437 720274

caerfaibay.co.uk 1 March – 5 November

As the smallest city in the UK, you’d be forgiven for thinking there’s not much at St Davids to keep you occupied. However, there’s a stunning cathedral, a Bishop’s Palace, craft and gift shops and a choice of cafés. You can even book a boat trip out to explore the range of birdlife on Ramsey Island.

Caerfai Bay Caravan and Tent Park is less than a mile from St Davids, so you can easily stroll from the site to explore the city. For those who would like to walk a little further, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path passes the site’s entrance. You can access the beach from the park via a concrete path and steps.

You can choose from grass or hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up. There are toilets and showers, family rooms, accessible facilities and a laundry room. Dogs are welcome on site and are accepted on Caerfai Beach all year round.

4Lincoln Farm Park, Oxfordshire

High Street, Standlake OX29 7RH ☎ 01865 300239

lincolnfarmpark.co.uk 31 January – 1 November

Known as the ‘city of dreaming spires’, the many university buildings of Oxford offer a feast for the eyes with their stunning architecture. One of the most recognisable is the Radcliffe Camera, a circular building in the heart of Oxford. The Bodleian Library in Oxford is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the second-largest in Britain, after the British Library. While in Oxford you can also visit the cathedral, castle and many museums, or take a boat trip down the river.

Lincoln Farm Park is 10 miles from Oxford, with a bus stop at the campsite entrance. There are standard electric pitches, or fully serviced pitches with the addition of fresh water, grey waste disposal and a picnic table. On site there is a leisure centre which includes two indoor pools. Facilities include toilets and showers, a family bathroom, accessible facilities and a shop. There are pubs within walking distance and you can walk to the River Thames.

Flaxton Meadows, North Yorkshire

The aim and policy of Flaxton Meadows eco campsite is to provide a low-carbon footprint environment for eco-conscious guests to stay and enjoy. The site is located in North Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside, bordered by rolling farmland and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Strensall Common Nature Reserve. For a break near the city but feeling miles away from anywhere, this is the ideal site as York is only 20 minutes away. For easy parking, the Grimston Bar Park and Ride (YO19 5LA) welcomes campervans.

The pitches at Flaxton Meadows are available on hardstanding and grass with electric. All guests can enjoy use of the state-of-theart washroom and toilets with thermostatically controlled hot water and underfloor heating utilising natural resources generated on site. Facilities are fully accessible, plus there is a launderette, a bar and nature trail.

For year-round visits to Northern Ireland’s capital city, this is the perfect campsite. It’s located just 30 minutes from Belfast city centre on public transport, with a bus stop a five-minute walk away. The campsite is fully open from mid-March to the end of October and then operates as an aire facility (the shower block is closed, but water, electric and waste water are available) from November to March. There are 22 fully serviced pitches in a tranquil corner of Dundonald Leisure Park, with toilets, showers, and a laundry room. There is a shop a few minutes’ walk away along with a cinema, adventure golf, ice rink, bowling and a choice of places to eat.

Belfast itself is home to the Titanic Quarter – a renovated dockyard area with the Titanic Belfast museum, the SS Nomadic (the only White Star Line ship left in the world) and the HMS Caroline

Alfonso

Cerezo Pixabay

Lee Osborne Pixabay

Highfield Farm Touring Park is set in countryside, just five miles west of the city of Cambridge. Trumpington Park and Ride is 10 minutes’ drive away and has larger parking spaces for campervans, or a short walk from the campsite there is a bus stop with services to the city. Cambridge is ideal for exploring all year round, with museums, galleries and shops for rainy days, and the historic university buildings and architecture, as well as punting down the River Cam to enjoy on warm summer days.

Feeling a world away from the bustling city, Highfield Farm is surrounded by conifers, hedges and trees. A pretty site to visit in spring, with over 20,000 daffodils around the site, pitches are arranged around the perimeter to keep a feeling of spaciousness. There are hardstanding or grass pitches with electric and a motorhome waste point. Facilities comprise toilet/ shower blocks, a laundry room and dog exercise area.

Farm Touring

Cambridgeshire

Strawberry Hill Farm Camping & Caravan Park, County Durham

Running Waters, Old Cassop, Durham DH6 4QA ☎ 01913 723457 strawberry-hill-farm.co.uk 1 March – 4 January

Inscribed by UNESCO in 1986 as a World Heritage Site, Durham Castle and cathedral stand proud over the city, in their scenic peninsula location, edged by the River Wear. In the compact, historic city of Durham you can explore winding cobbled streets filled with cafés, galleries, museums and independent shops, and walk along the riverside or take a river cruise.

Just a 20-minute bus journey from the city is Strawberry Hill Farm Camping and Caravan Park. A bus stop is a five-minute walk

Rhyd Y Galen Caravan Site & Camping Park, Gwynedd

Bethel, Caernarfon LL55 1UL ☎ 01248 671114 wales-camping.co.uk 1 March – 31 October

Set close to the northwest coast of Wales, a short drive from the Isle of Anglesey, Rhyd Y Galen is just over a mile from the Wales Coast Path and seven miles from the city of Bangor. There’s Snowdonia scenery surrounding the site, which has grass and hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up, plus service pitches with water and drainage. There are toilets and showers, a laundry area, accessible facilities, a motorhome waste point and dog walking area.

Locally, the Menai Bridge to Anglesey is only 10 minutes’ drive – at the time it was completed it was the largest suspension bridge in the world. There is a local bus service at the campsite entrance, giving access to Bangor in under an hour. The coastal city is small but bustling, and has a former Bishop’s Palace that is now a museum and gallery, plus a Grade II listed pier, the second-longest in Wales.

from the site, or campervans are welcome at both Howlands and Sniperley park and ride locations. The campsite has grass and hardstanding pitches with 16A electric hook-up. There are toilets and showers, a fully accessible bathroom and a laundry room. Other amenities on site include a shop with basic supplies, a play area, dog walking area, and a tea room open Friday, Saturday and Sunday serving breakfasts, light bites and home-made cakes, plus hot and cold drinks.

Haldon Forest Holiday Park, Devon

Clapham, Exeter EX6 7YG ☎ 01392 832312

devoncaravanpark.co.uk 28 March – 20 September

Set among mature trees and landscaped ponds, this campsite offers electric grass pitches with three toilet and shower blocks, laundry facilities and a café/bar in high season. The perfect blend of being close to the city, yet in the countryside, Haldon Forest Holiday Park is just five miles from Exeter and under two miles from Haldon Forest. The forest park offers walking and cycling routes through 3,500 acres of woodland and, when you fancy a day in the vibrant city of Exeter, Matford park and ride, with no height barrier, is only a 10-minute drive away.

Historic Exeter offers plenty to see, including a 600-year-old cathedral, ancient city walls and a medieval guildhall with ornate exterior. You can also head to Quayside to browse the independent shops, walk and cycle by the waterside or enjoy some al fresco dining. Should you get a rainy day there’s also the Royal Albert Memorial Museum detailing the city’s 2,000-year history.

Emphyrio Pixabay

Upgrading

WORDS & PHOTOS: Ellen Manning

vehicle Fiat Ducato

Conversion Auto-Trail V-Line 635 Sport

Owned since May 2022

Drive Front-wheel drive

Engine 2.3-litre 140bhp diesel Economy 32/33mpg

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Travel seats 2

Berths 2

Equipment Smart TV, reversing camera, three-burner hob, oven, 800W microwave, three-way fridge/freezer, electric flush cassette toilet, LED lighting, 25-litre underslung gas tank, Whale heating and water heater, TV aerial, 230V sockets, 12V LED reading lights, external gas barbecue point, external cold shower, wind-out awning, solar panel, LED exterior awning light

For many, getting a campervan is about downsizing. Stripping out the unnecessary stuff from your life and realising that you can live in a far smaller space than you’re used to. But for some of us, the journey of campervan ownership also involves a period of upsizing. That moment when you realise you love the lifestyle but may just need a bit more space than the camper you’ve currently got.

Before we took the plunge into campervan ownership, we were tenters, moving from a tiny two-man tent to a bigger canvas home, then a bigger one, until we rattled around in a huge house-sized tent complete with bedroom, enough space for a wardrobe, a camping kitchen and even a blow-up sofa.

Such extravagance meant our ‘upgrade’ to a VW T5 was in fact a downgrade when it came to space. But it didn’t matter as we had our 'van. For six years we relished the joy of having our second home on wheels, complete with fridge, cooker, bed and enough storage to get us and our dogs around Europe for three weeks at a time.

It had everything we needed for what was a huge chapter in our life. But, over time, what was once perfect for us started to feel like it was lacking in a few ways.

Space is at a premium

While there was plenty of storage space for weekends or short breaks, we found that we were lacking for longer trips. Eventually a solution was found by buying a storage box that could sit on the towbar – along with the inevitable moments of needing something from said box in the middle of the night or during torrential rain.

The lack of room extended to general living space. When we first got our ’van we had one dog. But the addition of another and his (seemingly unstoppable) growth soon meant that our living space felt much smaller than it once had.

Summer was fine, with the great outdoors acting as one big extension and, on the occasions we were prepared to tackle the task of adding sides to a wind-out awning or erecting the driveaway awning, they helped.

But simple one-nighters in winter could be a struggle, with two humans and two dogs making the small space too crowded to do anything other than sit very, very still. The easiest solution in winter evenings when we couldn’t sit outside was to retire to our bed in the pop-top – even if it was only 7pm.

The lack of washroom also started to wear a bit thin. Like many VW owners, we had a Porta Potti that slid into one of the cupboards. But there are only so many times you can drop down from a pop-top in the middle of the night and fend off the loving licks of two large dogs whilst trying to have a wee before you start to yearn for a loo with a door.

Other things that we previously had never thought of also started to creep in, like the desire for an underslung grey water tank so we could empty a sink without causing dirty looks from nearby campers. The dream of a bigger fridge and cooking facilities that extended beyond two gas burners and a grill. Even the way things were powered – with long, technical conversations about what would help us get off-grid more easily. The potential for a ’van that’s not quite so conspicuous when parked up also became appealing, prompting us to think it was time to move away from a pop-top.

Time for an upgrade

The time had come, as it does for many of us, to upgrade. While the T5 had once had everything we needed, we wanted something that filled the holes we had started to notice in our facilities. We researched for months, visiting shows, spending hours online and trying to figure out what would work best.

A fixed bed or something we’d have to put away each morning? What kind of layout? What kind of chassis? So many decisions and the endless reminder that you’re highly unlikely to get every single element you want unless you do your own bespoke conversion.

Round and round in circles we went, analysing the pros and cons of each and every ’van we came across that we thought could be the upgrade we craved. Finally we found it – an Auto-Trail V-Line 635 Sport, which is a bigger campervan based on a Fiat Ducato

Base

Ellen Manning

We started exploring various awnings to add that much-needed extra space

Space in the VW could be cramped at times with two large dogs and two humans squeezed inside

chassis but aimed at two people.

This meant no space-sucking extra travel seats at the front but, instead, the luxury of two seating areas if we needed. A rear U-shaped lounge that would become our bed, but also a small workspace area at the front, as well as an optional extra small table for the two captain's seats, creating somewhere for me to work while my husband is enjoying a lazy morning, or somewhere for us to have a drink or bite to eat if we decide to leave the bed out.

Almost more importantly, the V-Line has enough floor space for our two big dogs, including a little hidey hole under the bed that has rapidly become the den of choice for one of them.

A key feature is the all-important washroom. Somewhere for a dog-free wee in the night, but also the added facility of our own shower for when we’re off-grid – now we have the luxury of a proper shower cubicle and somewhere for me to wash my hair in privacy no matter where we are.

Add to that the multiple power options that we never had before. As well as the two 110Ah leisure batteries that we had fitted when we purchased it and the solar panel it came with, plus the obvious EHU option, it

also has an underslung LPG tank.

If that wasn’t quite enough, we took the decision to fit a pure sine wave inverter. In techno-speak that means we now have 1,500W of power to play with. In practical terms, it means there is no longer the very real fear of my laptop dying and having no way to charge it – a genuine concern for someone who often works while on the r oad or parked up in the middle of nowhere.

But possibly even more importantly, the new 'van allows me to use both hair dryer and straighteners wherever we are. Not everyone’s priority, and something I’ve done without for years, but a lovely luxury to enjoy.

Masses of space

Storage and space are much improved. At 1.3m longer than the T5, the V-Line feels like it’s got endless cupboards that give us the chance to go away for longer and to leave more in the ’van so it’s easier than ever to leave for a break at the drop of a hat.

It has a rear boot rather than barn doors, which allows easy access in and out without affecting the lounge or bedroom set-up inside. It also allows an easy place to store wet, muddy gear in winter.

Speaking of winter, I’m already excited for

camping in the new camper. Central heating that isn’t pumped from a diesel heater out of one single vent. Hot water that’s not reliant on electric hook-up, and far superior cooking facilities – a three-burner hob, oven and microwave that will all make cooking proper meals even easier – along with the additional worktop space we have gained. The fridge, too, is much more conducive to van living, with its 140-litre capacity allowing us to take plenty of provisions.

At the time of writing, we’re only a couple of months into the next chapter of our campervan journey and it’s already proven to be a great decision. More space, more freedom, more comfort.

That’s not to say we don’t miss the T5. It was our first ’van and the creator of more memories than we can count. But while it was perfect for that period of time, and is undoubtedly perfect for thousands of people, our needs have changed and our new set-up suits what we need right now and probably will for a good few years to come. As with anything, as your situation and needs change, you need your home – even if it’s a home on wheels – to change with you. Which is exactly why upgrading your ’van is sometimes the perfect move.

The washroom gives us added freedom to go off-grid

The

Le Grand Éléphant

Nicola and Nigel enjoy a ride on the wild side in Nantes…

WORDS: Nicola Cooke PHOTOS: Nigel Cooke

Having just finished touring the coast of Brittany, we were about to head back across France to the east when our attention was caught by a strange spectacle that can be found in the city of Nantes. We decided it would be worth a detour and so headed that way, not really knowing what options for parking there might be.

Finding somewhere to park in a city can sometimes be difficult, but we found a great set-up at the Nantes campsite where you can choose to pay extra for camping facilities (showers, picnic tables, sunbeds, etc) or stay at Nantes camping-car Petit Port, which is literally attached to the main campsite, and includes the usual emptying facilities, water and electric, but at a reduced rate compared to the campsite section.

We arrived early on a Sunday morning, as we discovered that every weekend all travel by tram and buses is free. This makes getting into the centre of Nantes extremely easy, as the tram takes around 20 minutes rather than the hour it would take on foot, with a station right outside the site.

On arrival in the centre, we enjoyed a coffee in one of the pedestrian areas. There are numerous restaurants, cafés and bakeries to choose from, so, whichever part you choose to explore, you will be spoilt for choice. Our mission this day, however, was to get to Les Machines De L’île where we had booked to take a ride on Le Grand Éléphant.

Found within Les Machines De L’île, which also houses the Galerie des Machines and Carrousel, Le Grand Éléphant is like nothing you have seen before. Able to carry up to 50 passengers, with around four trips per day, if you are only in Nantes for a brief time, then you need to make sure you plan ahead to get one of those elusive spaces. It is possible

MAIN The Grand Éléphant is huge!

RIGHT Best view in the house or rather Elephant; Exploring the streets of Nantes

BELOW Walking along the River Loire

Nigel and Nicola Cooke purchased their VW T6 high-top in 2018, and set about exploring the UK and Ireland, from St Ives to Shetland, Malin Head to Mizen. Post-Covid, they spread their wings further with trips to northern Spain and France and, in 2023, they have their sights set on Scandinavia and beyond. The 'van allows them to pursue both business (photography and travel writing) and pleasure (running, hiking, wildlife watching and cake)

Nicola & Nigel Cooke Campervan fans

to book a limited number of tickets online, otherwise you will need to get there early enough to make sure you are first in the queue when the ticket sales open. We visited in April and, even then, all the tours were pretty much full, with long queues forming to try and grab the last remaining spots.

The 12m-high mechanical elephant is made from steel and wood and travels at a speed of between one and three kilometres an hour, making a circuit between the Galerie des Machines and the Carrousel, so you get to see the entire site from up high, as well as getting nice views of the Loire River and the city of Nantes.

As it walks, it sporadically sprays water from its trunk, trumpeting as it does so, to the joy and squeals of the spectators, both young and old, below. If you are not a fan of heights, or can’t get a ticket, then you will get as much pleasure from watching it on firm ground, so don’t be too disappointed if you are unable to take a ride.

Once aboard the elephant, you are free to move between the levels, enabling you to get a great perspective from all parts. If you can, aim for the very top at the front. With the ride lasting around 20 minutes, you will have plenty of time to check out all the views.

If you enjoy the mechanical magnificence of the elephant, then you may also want to consider the other two attractions at Les Machines De L’île. The first is the marine carousel, a 25m-high collection of sea creatures, set on three levels, that you can become part of, whether it’s riding a sea monster, or as part of a giant squid. Unfortunately, this was undergoing renovation at the time of our visit, but is definitely something worth returning for.

The second is an amazing collection of mechanical creatures that sweep above you and scurry around, hosting passengers who appear to be both enamoured and bewildered by their modes of transport. All the work involved in creating these spectacles are also on display within the workshops.

Tickets for each of the three attractions are sold separately, so you can choose to do as much or as little as you want. One thing is certain, though, whatever you choose, you will not be disappointed.

We spent most of the day just in this one area, after which we walked along the river towards the city where our free tram ride brought us back to the campsite just in time for a cold refreshment in the last of the evening sun.

An island

odyssey

We set off on a cloudy morning in our two-week-old Auto-Sleeper Symbol Plus, named Sybil, to explore the Western Isles, or Outer Hebrides, as they are also known, on a journey that would be over 2,000 miles, and in a brand-new campervan.

Our first stop was at the Cumbria Centre Celebration Rally at Lowther Castle, Penrith, where the Caravan and Motorhome Club (C&MC) Concert Band, of which we are members, were to play. We had a very pleasant weekend there with our friends and moved on three days later to one of our favourite sites, at Englethwaite Hall (C&MC). This was mainly to charge our batteries – our own and Sybil’s!

Next day saw us driving up past Carlisle and Glasgow, over the Clyde and up to Loch Lomond, where we stayed on a beautiful CL, Gartfairn Farm, with views right over the loch. It was very peaceful and we enjoyed just lazing about

ABOVE View from Eriskay across the sound

BELOW LEFT TO RIGHT Oban from the harbour wall; Barra's runway is the beach!

and enjoying our new campervan. In fact, while we were there, we proudly showed two other couples around Sybil – they were surprised at the comfortable layout and the amazing amount of storage space.

From Loch Lomond we headed straight up to Oban to North Ledaig Caravan Park and were able to pitch right on the front row looking out to sea. We spent a day looking around Oban, an interesting little town, and collecting our Hopscotch tickets for the Caledonian MacBrayne ferries we would be using over the next two weeks.

We were in the ferry queue early the next afternoon for the four-and-a-half-hour journey across to Barra, arriving at the small village of Castlebay in the evening. Our first site was Borve Camping and Caravan Site just a few miles out from Castlebay and we were given a very warm welcome and shown to a pitch just set back from the rocks overlooking the bay. Absolutely beautiful!

Next morning, we got on our bikes to explore. We had underestimated the steep hills and our low fitness levels, but we managed to get a fair distance.

Castlebay itself is small, with a bank, shop and café, but its claim to fame is Kisimul Castle, which sits just out in the bay.

Later, we drove down over a causeway to Vatersay, another small island, where we saw the ruins of a Catalina flying boat from 1944, and a memorial to the crew who died in the crash. Barra has a tiny

Lois and Alan go island-hopping around the Outer Hebrides…

WORDS & PHOTOS: Lois Parker

Alan and Lois have had several different campervans and enjoy touring around UK, Europe and Norway; and band weekends with the Caravan and Motorhome Club Concert Band

RIGHT

BELOW Moorcroft Camping from the beach, North Uist

airport where the planes from Glasgow land on the beach.

From Barra we took the ferry to Eriskay and then drove up to South Uist and Kilbride Campsite, which was very well appointed and even had a café. We headed to the community shop the next day – an amazing place, which sold everything from wheelbarrows to cream cakes!

Most of the islands seem to have one big shop like this, so no problems stocking up while you’re away, and it’s great fun, too. We tried to visit the museum at Kildonan but it was closed at the time. The coffee shop there was good, though, and we got some lovely woolly hats at the craft shop to keep out the wind... and the midges in that area – the only place we were really troubled by them.

Our next stop was at Moorcroft Holidays on North Uist, near Carinish. Again, we had a wonderful pitch overlooking the sea, and the site was very well equipped.

We explored Benbecula at one end of North Uist and Berneray at the other end, finding lovely places to eat and enjoying exhilarating walks along the beaches.

From Bernaray, we went by ferry across to Harris, about an hour’s journey, negotiating a route around all the little islands, and landing in Leverburgh. We stayed at Pairc Niseaboist, a campsite run by the West Harris Trust, which is only small but very well run, and near to a small complex of art shops and a café. It was very windy while we were there

and we had spectacular surf rolling up the beach in front of us. Tarbert is the only real town on Harris, boasting a supermarket, a gin distillery, a Harris tweed shop, a great café and a shop that sold absolutely everything!

The weather was wet and cloudy on Harris but, despite that, we continued to explore, finding the Golden Road, which runs down the east side of the island. The road was very narrow in places. It ran from the southern end of Harris over the mountainous east side and there was a definite spooky atmosphere created by the swirling fog that enveloped us.

We had a little sunshine the next morning as we drove up through North Harris to Stornaway on Lewis, where we stayed at Laxdale Holiday Park, about a mile out of town.

We walked into town and wandered along the harbour and checked out the shops. We found a most interesting collection of offcuts of Harris Tweed in a former 260-yearold stable block! Lewes Castle in Stornaway has an exceptionally good museum and café, and woodland walks in good weather. The cliffs at the Butt of Lewis are spectacular with a lighthouse close by.

We then caught the ferry to Ullapool and continued on the NC500 route up to the north coast, across the top and back down through the Highlands to Glasgow, Cumbria, and our home in Leicestershire – but that’s another story!

We stayed at

BORVE CAMPING AND CARAVAN SITE 104 Borve, Isle of Barra HS9 5XR isleofbarra.com/ borvecampsite.htm

KILBRIDE CAMPSITE 9 West Kilbride, Isle of South Uist HS8 5TT kilbride-campsite.business.site

MOORCROFT HOLIDAYS 17 Carinish, Isle of North Uist HS6 5HN moorcroftholidays.com

PAIRC NISEABOIST Isle of Harris HS3 3AE westharristrust.org/camping

LAXDALE HOLIDAY PARK 6 Laxdale Lane, Laxdale, Isle of Lewis HS2 0DR laxdaleholidaypark.com

ABOVE LEFT TO

Sculpture of otters with a salmon at Barra ferry terminal; Eriskay Harbour

Lois & Alan Campervan fans

East coast

adventure

WORDS & PHOTOS: Hazel Hutchinson

There is no better way to blow away the cobwebs than to visit the east coast, especially after the holiday hordes have left. With this in mind, we drove to Flamborough, situated between the Yorkshire seaside resorts of Bridlington and Filey.

Flamborough Head is about two miles from the village. We cycled there along the road, which mainly reminded me that I don’t really like cycling, except when it consists of freewheeling downhill. A better idea is to walk to South Landing and then follow the coastal path along the headland. The Headland Way is a spectacular clifftop path from Bridlington to Filey and is by far the best way of seeing this stretch of coastline, classified since 1979 as a Heritage coast. South Landing also has a car park, a Living Seas centre and a nature trail.

Alternatively, you can drive to Flamborough Head. There is plenty of parking space and it is even possible to park overnight, if being blown about by strong winds is your thing. On the other hand, there are a number of campsites in the area, mainly small certificated ones, but some larger ones. We chose Grange Farm for its proximity to the village (by which of course I mean the Royal Dog and Duck), and Wold Farm for its proximity to the clifftop.

A coastal paradise

The appeal of Flamborough Head is its sheer chalk cliffs jutting out into the sea, which can be seen from miles away. Erosion has created all manner of stacks, caves and arches. In fact, it is a geography teacher’s paradise. It is also popular with birdwatchers, as the ledges on the vertical cliffs provide nesting sites for gannets, kittiwakes and puffins. When we arrived, there were three birdwatchers who had positioned their chairs on the clifftop, training their telescopes on the horizon. Why? A ship was passing by in the distance. Were they on the lookout for invasion? In 1779, the Battle of Flamborough Head was a major naval battle in the American War of Independence (I didn’t just happen to know this – there are information boards dotted

ABOVE The iconic chalk tower BELOW LEFT TO RIGHT Everything for the beach; The only puffin we saw

around the headland). Anyway, I couldn’t see what the birdwatchers were looking at, but we did see a seal swimming around the rocks close to the shore.

There is a café and a shop selling everything necessary (and unnecessary) for the seaside. The beach is called Selwicks Bay and is a tiny cove reached by steps. It has the advantage of providing shelter from the winds that buffet the headland, but the disadvantage of a long climb back up!

The other less accessible coves are best reached by sea. Kayaks can be launched from North or South Landing, either side of the headland, although both involve a steep descent. For a moment, looking at the turquoise sea lapping against the dramatic rock stacks, I imagined we were in the Algarve. Then I pulled my woolly hat further over my ears and got real.

Flamborough Head has not one but two lighthouses. The older one, known as the Chalk Tower for obvious reasons, was designed for use as a beacon, with a brush fire lit on its roof. Passing ships were supposed to pay a tax to support

An end-of-season trip to the dramatic Yorkshire coastline becomes a geography teacher’s paradise

Campervanning nut, Hazel, lives in Yorkshire with her husband, Chris, and Tommy the Sheltie. From going to festivals and campervan meet-ups to enjoying trail running, fishing and chilling in the pub, they love camping all year round in their Auto-Sleeper Duetto campervan

the lighting of the fire, but failed to do so, meaning that semaphore was used for signalling from the tower, using flags instead (at least, I think that’s what the interpretation board was telling me). The current lighthouse is open to visitors at weekends after the end of the summer season.

We contented ourselves with exploring the many grassy paths which criss-cross the headland and run along the clifftop, before cycling back and recuperating at the Royal Dog and Duck.

A walk on the wild side

The next day we followed the coastal path between North Landing and RSPB Bempton Cliffs. North Landing is a magnet for artists, with its chalk cliffs, grassy hills, boats, rock pools and sandy beach. It also has a café bar and a seafood stall, selling fresh crabs.

The clifftop path can get very muddy, but after our hot summer it was still completely dry underfoot. A short distance along the cliff took us to the rocky Thornwick Bay, overlooked by a café that seems to live in a time warp from the 1950s. It’s probably best to focus on the view from the windows. I noted how popular it was with dog owners, bearing in mind that we are planning

ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT Chalk cliffs; The funfair was quiet

BELOW Sculpture on Bridlington pier

to get our own dog soon. The name of the bay is derived from Thor, the god of thunder, and it is easy to imagine how the waves must thunder against the rocks in a storm. We, however, were enjoying pleasant early autumn sunshine, although there is always a fairly fresh breeze up here.

Our walk culminated at Bempton Cliffs. In the early summer this is the best spot to see puffins, but we had to content ourselves with a large statue of a puffin on the clifftop. What we did see were hundreds of gannets, perched on the cliff face and wheeling around above the sea. This is one of only two mainland breeding colonies of gannets in the UK and by far the biggest, the other being in Scotland. I said ‘hundreds’ but actually around half-a-million seabirds gather here every year. An RSPB visitor centre gives further information and there are viewing balconies with strategically placed telescopes right along the clifftop.

From gannets to ganseys

On the Monday we drove the short distance to Bridlington and parked in the North Bay. This traditional seaside resort has two bays, a harbour and an old town that lies some distance inland. One of the red brick villas that line the streets near the sea was for some years the

Hazel Hutchinson Campervan fan

home and studio of the famous artist, David Hockney. He took a break from California to paint the suburban streets of Bridlington and the rolling hills and valleys of the nearby Yorkshire Wolds.

We followed the promenade as far as the funfair. Little was moving on this October Monday morning. However, the Land Train was still running between the funfair, the leisure centre and Sewerby Hall, a Georgian country house set in parkland on the clifftop.

Bridlington attracts thousands of visitors in the summer, particularly from the West Riding of Yorkshire. Locally they are known as ‘comforts’ – visitors who have ‘come for t’day’. Today the funfair was silent, although 30 miles away one of the biggest travelling fairs in Europe, Hull Fair, would soon be up and running.

A more recent attraction for cyclists is the Way of the Roses, a coast-to-coast cycle route between Bridlington and Morecambe. Bridlington has also twice been the starting point for the Tour de Yorkshire.

We walked along the pier and alongside the harbour. On the pier is a bronze sculpture of a woman knitting a gansey, the thick sweater traditionally worn by local fishermen.

A pirate ship sails from the harbour in the summer and there are rows of pleasure boats, but mainly it is a working fishing harbour. The stacks of lobster pots are a reminder that this is the biggest shellfish port in England, and there are plenty of stalls selling prawns, cockles, whelks, mussels and crabs.

We visited the Harbour Heritage Museum, which tells the story of the Great Gale of 1871 in which 30 ships were

We stayed at

BELOW CLOCKWISE Iconic Flanborough Lighthouse; Gannet colony at Bempton Cliffs; The fish dock

wrecked in the bay. In 1893 another storm struck Bridlington. Kit Brown was a local hero who went out in his fishing cobble, the Swiftsure, to rescue the crew of a ship in distress. Five years later he lost his life taking part in another rescue. These events are also commemorated on the promenade that runs along the South Bay, along with lines of poetry inscribed on the paving.

Our walk to the South Bay took us past the Spa, an entertainment, arts centre and café giving panoramic views over the bay. We stopped for a coffee before continuing our seaside stroll.

We followed the nautical mile that is measured out along the South Bay in words and numbers. This bay has awardwinning sands, but the bucket and spade brigade had long departed by the time we visited, leaving the beach for dog walkers and detectorists.

At the end of the promenade, the beach still stretched for miles towards Fraisthorpe, but we turned around and walked all the way back to the 'van at North Bay, the white cliffs of Flamborough Head always in view on the horizon.

THE GRANGE HOLIDAYS CAMPSITE Bempton Lane, Flamborough YO15 1AS thegrangeholidays.co.uk

WOLD FARM CAMPSITE Bempton Lane, Flamborough YO15 1AT woldfarmcampsite.com

ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT Bridlington Spa; Beach huts

Exploring the Machars

In the race to go north to the Highlands and Islands, this corner of southwest Scotland can sometimes be overlooked. Travelling north, turn left from the motorway just past Gretna, head west along the A75 and you have the beautiful lands of Dumfries and Galloway to explore, with their rolling green hills and stunning coastline.

For this trip, we’ve homed in on the Machars, a peninsula in the southwest, signposted as Scotland’s Historic Treasure House. We plan some wild camping, a spot of foraging, to soak up the history, walk, cycle and recharge our

batteries in this gentle landscape of pretty villages, harbours, beaches and views.

Scotland’s National Book Town

Turning off from the main road, we headed down the A714 to Wigtown. As a writer, I’m pulled with a magnetic force towards bookshops and Wigtown’s title of being Scotland’s National Book Town lives up to its name. A guide to the many bookshops can be picked up, along with a whole host of other leaflets, at the town’s tourist information shop.

Wigtown hosts a book festival and there are many bookshops to explore, selling both new and secondhand books, but I’d heard that ReadingLasses does magnificent cake, so it seemed logical to start there.

The selection of cakes and reading material was fantastic, and I was only disappointed we hadn’t arrived there earlier in the day. I could happily spend a whole day, cosseted in comfy leather settees, being fed salted caramel and chocolate Battenberg, and reading the many volumes of

Discover this delightful lesser-visited peninsula in the southwest of Scotland

WORDS & PHOTOS: Sue & Tim Reed

ABOVE Touring the quiet lanes

BELOW LEFT TO RIGHT ReadingLasses Book Corner; Cows and the Galloway Hills

work by women: ReadingLasses is the UK’s only bookshop dedicated solely to women. A leaflet can be obtained from the shop showing a walking trail of Wigtown’s historic women, of whom there are many.

The Martyr’s Stake

Two women whose martyrdom is commemorated at Wigtown, at the Martyr’s Stake, are Margaret McLachlan (age 63) and Margaret Wilson (age 18) who, on 11 May in 1685, were tied to stakes and drowned in the harbour as the tide came in. They were Covenanters, having refused to accept the divine right of the king and had continued to worship in fields rather than the kirk. By sheer coincidence we were there on 11 May and, as we walked down gorse-lined footpaths then out along a boardwalk to the stone memorial and site of the execution, I was moved to tears as I felt the wind whip across the marsh and thought of those two women, walking to their death.

Back in town, on a happier note, the chip van had arrived; I noted that this called at three places in the Machars and made a note of the times.

We then headed down to Wigtown Harbour, a favourite park-up of ours. On the approach, the sign warns of high tides and the possible risk of flooding. We’d been before

ABOVE TOP TO BOTTOM Walking gorse-lined paths; Bookshops in every nook and cranny; Leave nothing but your footprint

and had remained high and dry, but it is worth checking tide times and heights online just in case there is an exceptionally high tide. There is a rubbish bin and tap on the harbour but, other than that, no other facilities. What there is, though, is a fabulous view back over to the Galloway Hills, and out across the nature reserve.

A short walk from the car park brings you to a bird hide, where oystercatchers, lapwings, redshanks and pintail ducks can be spotted. I sat on the ’van step in the evening sunshine, watching a swan on her nest walk down to the water and glide along the incoming tide.

There were a few cars coming down to eat their fish and chips and watch the sun go down, and a few evening dog walkers, but we had a peaceful night there and woke refreshed to continue our trip.

Beware of adders and flying balls!

We made the car park at the bottom of a steep hill at Monreith our next base. If you prefer to have more facilities and a campsite, there looked to be an excellent small site, Knock School Caravan Park, at the top of the hill. We, however, carried on down the steep track, past the golf course, taking note of the warning signs of flying golf balls and adders. There are several beautiful bays here, with

When not away in her campervan, Sue, an ex-teacher, works from her home in rural Northumberland as a freelance writer, novelist and blogger on sustainability at The Bridge Cottage Way

Sue & Tim Campervan fans

amazing cliff formations from tectonic plates. Over the water, the Isle of Man could be seen. It is a quiet place, and we spent a couple of days here, enjoying walks along the beaches and exploring the countryside around us.

Both Tim and I love to get the bikes out and explore an area on two wheels as well as four. We cycled up the hill from our base, pausing to admire the bronze otter that overlooks Luce Bay, and commemorates the life and work of Gavin Maxwell, author of Ring of Bright Water, whose family lived in the area. From there we cycled bluebellstrewn lanes, with glorious wildflowers and the coconutty scent of gorse in the air. We passed green fields, full of lush grass, home to Galloway’s many cows, and Scotland’s cheese-making industry.

The Machars has three distinct cycle routes, and these are well signposted. A leaflet can be obtained from the tourist information in Wigtown, or pdfs of the routes downloaded online info.dumgal.gov.uk/CorePathMaps/Cycling/ Machars-Green-Route.pdf

True to nature, though, we went off-piste and devised our own route from Monreith, to Whithorn, the Isle of Whithorn, then back. We passed St Ninian’s Cave and, although we didn’t stop this time, if you are in the area, it is worth a visit. This is the alleged site of the hermitage of an early saint. Ten crosses can be seen carved into the cave walls, and 18 early Christian carved stones were found there, which can be viewed at Whithorn Priory Museum.

Steeped in history

You’ll find plenty of historic interest in Whithorn, with a full-scale Iron Age roundhouse where life in the fifth century BC is recreated, with tours from expert guides. It is said that Whithorn is the site where the earliest evidence of Christian belief and practice has been found. The Latinus Stone in the museum dates to approximately AD450.

The Whithorn Way is a newly mapped 146-mile walking and cycle trail from Glasgow to Whithorn. Thirteen free OS maps of the trail can be picked up from the Whithorn Museum or downloaded from the Walk the Whithorn Way app. Tickets for the Whithorn experience can be bought online or in person, and a nice touch is that they will last for a year. We will certainly be back again, as we feel we have only just scratched the surface of the area’s history.

All this cycling and history makes for hungry work, and the reputation of the Steam Packet Inn at the Isle of Whithorn had gone before us. We noted that there was free wild camping at the harbour, as well as in a field behind the pub. Several folk were settled in there when we arrived. The views out to sea from the Isle of Whithorn are stunning and, on the day we were there, despite a vicious easterly breeze, we were treated to blue seas and skies.

The biggest treat of the day, however, was what must be the best fish and chips I have ever had at The Steam Packet Inn. It was a toss-up between the crab risotto and fish and chips but, after looking at the whale-sized portions coming

wildflowers and the coconutty scent of gorse in the air

We cycled bluebell strewn lanes, with glorious

out of the kitchen, we plumped for the fish and chips and certainly weren’t disappointed. I do think that, if finances allow, it is important to eat and shop locally as much as possible to support the local economy. Well, that’s my excuse for a plate of fish and chips.

Talking of food, we love to forage wild produce when on the road and were delighted to find both sea beet and sea kale on the beach. We picked florets of sea kale, which, although, as they were cooking, did remind me of the all-pervading smell of bubble and squeak in my Nan’s kitchen, were delicious used like broccoli in a stir fry. Risotto was the dish of choice for the sea beet leaves, which, picked young, hardly needed any cooking at all. Of course, wash well, and never eat anything unless you are sure it is what you think it is. There is an excellent book in the River Cottage series, called Edible Seashore, which gives good descriptions of the possibilities for foraging along the coast.

Romance at sundown

We gathered driftwood on our return and, while it is never a good idea to light a fire anywhere that might destroy the precious ecosystem of the dunes, a fire down on the stones of the beach as we watched the sun go down made the perfect ending to our stay on the beach here. Who says romance is dead?

Moving on, we headed back along the west coast, pausing to check out another couple of wild camping spots along

ABOVE CLOCKWISE West coast of the Machars; Carpets of bluebells; Sea kale; The favourire place of Bill and Helen Hyslop

LEFT TOP TO BOTTOM Cycling to Isle of Whithorn; Plenty of pull-ins along the coast

the way, and bookmarking them for another time. Again, if you prefer a campsite, then the Kings Green Caravan Park, run by the local community, may well be an option. It is on the shores of Luce Bay, with spectacular views over to the Mull and Rhins of Galloway. On a clear day, the Mountains of Mourne in Ireland can be seen.

There is plenty of room to pull in along the A747, and we stopped for lunch on a grassy patch here. We made a discovery at one of the picnic tables: a plastic box containing a notebook. On the table itself was a plaque to Bill and Helen Hyslop, and the family invited folk to record their observations of the couple’s favourite place. A poignant gesture and we added our two penn’orth.

Along the grass parking spots, as with many of the pull-ins we found, there are signs asking you to respect the area and leave nothing but your footprint behind. That, of course, goes without saying when wild camping. We left the Machars and headed onto the Mull and Rhins of Galloway, but that is a story for another time.

The Machars is a gentle place, steeped in the history of time, with friendly faces and welcoming communities. This afternoon I’ll be heading out into the garden to plant up the Jerusalem artichoke that was being offered for free outside a Wigtown shop, remembering the few days we spent here with great affection. It is only a couple of hours from our home, and I feel sure this won’t be the last time we pop along to the Machars for some bracing sea air.

READ MORE FROM US

Britain’s best-selling motorhome magazine for over 55 years, every issue is packed with the best motorhome travel, sites, reviews, technical, buying advice and more!

Find your perfect motorhome with expert buying advice and more new motorhome reviews than any other magazine, plus advice on insurance & accessories

60 years of expert advice with the top sites to stay on, inspirational travel, camping gear reviews, new tents tested, camping skills, news, readers’ letters, what’s on and more

A guide to finding, buying and living in your perfect park or holiday home. Each issue is packed with top park and holiday homes and the best locations across the country

Into the bleach dear friends

WORDS: Barry

Obviously, during and after winter, the need for a major clean is clear. However, throughout the year you’re up against acidic rainfall, dust, grit particles and road grime, not forgetting trees exuding resins and those pesky bird droppings.

Chemical romance

Domestic cleaning products (acids and bleach, etc,) can clean really well. Unfortunately, they’re not great for plastic covers/windows and rubber seals.

Stock up on the full gamut of specialist products, one for each type of material or location, and it could cost a pretty penny. But many products are rated as safe on multiple surfaces and materials so sensible purchases can minimise the cost.

Choose your weapon (applicator for cleaning products) carefully, too, especially for bodywork. A brush with a soft head on a long extending handle will safely reach the upper parts of your campervan.

Alternatively, use an open-textured sponge or a microfibre wash pad or mitt. These allow dust and grit to work into the applicator fabric rather than remain on the surface and grind into the paintwork.

Fit a grille at the bottom of your wash bucket to allow detritus washed off the bodywork to fall through the grille and avoid it being picked up again by a brush or sponge.

We advise against the use of a pressure washer. They are effective in shifting dirt, but can be too powerful for sealants around windows and vents, etc.

Be careful using ladders for the upper levels. It’s easy to lose your footing on a wet step ladder, and a ladder on uneven ground will easily move when you are reaching out to the far side of a roof.

Full-wash cycle

Before washing, rinse off surface dust and grit, while more stubborn deposits will come off better when softened with water. Apply the cleaning solution and leave for 30 seconds or so before agitating the surface with gentle movement. Rinse your sponge or brush regularly.

There are two schools of thought about washing from the bottom up or working from top to bottom.

Bottom up: although dirty water will stream down over the cleaned areas, these areas will remain wet

Top to bottom: water flowing from the top of the 'van will help soften or swill away heavier deposits of road grime along the lower body

Either way, when you rinse off the washing solution, the surface must still be wet; otherwise some of the dirt you’ve loosened will have dried back on the bodywork. So, avoid washing on a hot, breezy day; the dirty washing solution will soon dry, leaving streaks behind. Alternatively, wash relatively small sections at a time.

Always start with the roof, where the most dirt is to be found and which will flow off the roof down the sides in a random way.

Complete the full cycle wash and rinse on the roof before commencing on the walls. Don’t

forget to clean roof-mounted solar panels and also remember to clean any retractable steps – grime can clog the mechanism.

Steamy windows

Acrylic windows can craze after exposure to various chemicals and they are easily scratched. Some manufacturers warn that normal cleaners should not be used on the windows, but you can buy specialist acrylic glass cleaner.

Rinse before washing and immediately after cleaning to ensure there is no cleaning product left on the surface.

Light scratches can be polished – use a soft cloth to apply a specialist product. This might take several goes.

For deeper scratches, fine abrasive paper (grade P2000 – P3000) may be needed. It’s not for the faint hearted. Finish off the job with a proprietary scratch remover and polish to a clear finish, ideally with the aid of a buffing wheel. A similar process could be used to polish up dull light lenses.

Perfectly polished

It’s best to dry off washed surfaces to avoid salts in the rinse water leaving a patchy appearance. Use a rubber squeegee blade to remove the bulk of the water and finish with

We’re talking about easy cleaning tips for your campervan, most of which don’t involve bleach…

Norris

A specialist brush makes alloy wheel cleaning less tedious

Applying a protective spray after cleaning can make alloy wheel cleaning easier

Regular vacuum cleaning is the best way to maintain upholstery

a microfibre cloth.

Wax can provide extra protection and shine, but it’s a faff.

An alternative for achieving a glossy and protective coating is the use of Fenwicks Bobby Dazzler Afterwash, which is easily applied with the rinse water.

Wheely good tips

Steel wheels are easily dealt with, but I sometimes wonder whether the extra work and care needed to keep alloys looking good is worthwhile.

A specialist brush makes cleaning between the spokes of an alloy less of a chore. You can buy alloy wheel cleaners that contain weak acid, but these could attack the lacquer coating on the wheel and encourage future surface deterioration. Hence, wheel cleaning is probably best done regularly to avoid this build-up of road grime and brake dust.

Insider tips

Vacuum the seats as well as floors to remove dust and grit

Please note

Any advice given by consultants and contributors within Campervan is designed to be by way of suggestion only and does not negate a reader’s responsibility to obtain professional advice before acting upon it. Any such advice is not a recommendation on behalf of the Editor or publishers and is followed entirely at the reader’s own risk. Consequently, the Editor, consultants and publishers shall not be responsible for any loss or damage incurred by a reader acting upon such advice.

Use fabric cleaners to tackle more ingrained stains, but test in an inconspicuous area first

Thetford’s Bathroom Cleaner is great for tougher stains on interior surfaces as well as the plastics found in washrooms

Use silicone spray on door and locker hinges, toilet cassette seals and locker doors, but keep silicone spray away from window seals because of the sensitivity of the acrylic glazing Mix a solution of one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to one litre of warm water to clean fridge and freezer interiors – leave doors ajar when not in use

Don’t forget about the waste water tanks and toilet cassette. There are specialist cleaners; simply fill the tanks with cleaner and lukewarm water mix (using the sink and shower drain holes if you have them) and leave overnight. Give the toilet cassette a gentle shake and then take the campervan for a drive to agitate the dirt in the grey water container

Water tanks need cleaning more regularly.

This is where removable water containers make it easier. If you have a fitted tank, then you’ll need to use a suitable cleaner and make sure you reach all corners. The Floë system effectively sucks excess water out of a system, reducing the chance of contamination between uses.

Will a cover reduce the effort of cleaning?

You can use a cover during a winter lay-up to keep your exterior cleaning to an absolute minimum. However, before fitting a cover, give the bodywork a good clean; if the bodywork is dirty, movement of the cover may grind some of the dirt particles into the bodywork

Using a cover throughout the camping season will lessen the life of it due to UV exposure. But, if your ’van is stored in an exposed location, it’s better that the cover takes the UV hammering than the ’van.

These products usually require two people to fit and, if you need to park tight to a wall or fence, this may be impractical.

Fine scratches on acrylic windows are easily removed with a specialist polish

Fenwicks

Campervan accessories

We’ve come up with some fantastic ideas for camping and outdoor gifts, whatever your budget, or whoever you are buying for. Our Christmas gift ideas have something for everyone – as long as they’re not on the naughty list!

We’ve even managed to arrange some exclusive discount offers, so you’ll have a few pounds left over to treat yourself as well.

Leatherman Bond EDC

The Leatherman Bond is a lightweight, UK ‘everyday carry’ multi-tool that packs 14 essential features into a compact design.

Weighing just 176g and featuring tools such as pliers, a set of standard screwdrivers, heavy duty file and a durable, non-locking 420HC knife blade, the Leatherman Bond will be a handy gift to find under the tree this Christmas.

Complete with a nylon sheath, the Leatherman Bond is backed by Leatherman’s 25-year warranty, so you can be confident your multi-tool will last for a lifetime of use, and is priced £69.95. whitbyandco.co.uk

Jackery Solar Generator 1000

Jackery, an American brand that has been recommended by 150 media organisations worldwide, is now in its tenth year. The Jackery Solar Generator combines a portable power station with solar panels, converting the sun’s energy into electricity that is stored in the station for later use. It is green, quiet and fuel-free.

With multiple sockets, it can charge a wide range of devices up to 1,000Wh, and it takes literally three seconds to set up – just connect the solar panel to the power station and you’re done! The carry handle and the foldable solar panel design make it easy to carry around.

As Christmas comes around, Jackery offers the perfect opportunity to give the gift of power to your family and loved ones. Whether you need portable power for a motorhome holiday or for emergency use during power outages, the Jackery Solar Generator is the perfect companion. Currently priced at £1,637.99, watch out for the Black Friday deals available at amazon.co.uk/jackery uk.jackery.com

RidgeMonkey Connect Compact Toaster

The RidgeMonkey Connect Compact is the ultimate in lightweight camping cookware. Not just for cheese toasties – although they make amazing ones – the Connect does so much more. It’s a lidded frying pan to stop your sausages spitting, perfectly reheats pasties and pizza, cooks frozen chips, splits into two frying pans, does incredible omelettes, toasts a cracking teacake, pops popcorn, and can even bake a scone.

And when you’re done, the brilliant non-stick surface just needs a quick wipe before packing it all down neatly into its travel pouch. Perfect for campervans, motorhomes, tents and caravans!

The price is £22.99 but you can also get 10% off at the website below, using the code LVB10MMM.

lvboverland.com

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and if you’re stuck for present ideas for the campervanner in your life then look no further

BioLite BaseCharge 1500

Access home-grade power away from home with these BioLite BaseCharge high-capacity power stations. They include all of the essential output ports including AC plug points as well as USB and USB C. You’ll always know exactly how much power you’re using and the time you have left thanks to the easy-read smart dashboard with built-in message centre, providing real-time feedback on your system.

It will allow you to charge your phone in an instant with the wireless charging top deck, then power refrigerators, power tools, laptops, and more with this quiet and fume-free solution. The BaseCharge 1500, priced £1,799, can be recharged directly from the wall, car, or through solar.

uk.bioliteenergy.com

Duvalay Compact Sleeping Bag

Not sure what to buy your loved one for Christmas? Why not buy them the luxury of a great night’s sleep?

The award-winning, patented Duvalay Sleeping Bag combines a premium mattress topper base and duvet. Compact and easy to use, simply unroll and it will transform any poor sleeping area into five-star comfort in seconds.

It is available in a wide range of options with prices starting from £119.95.

duvalay.co.uk

The perfect Christmas Gift

A subscription to Campervan magazine makes the ideal Christmas present for a friend or relative – or even yourself!

Every issue of Campervan will inspire you, with top travel ideas, the best campsites, plus campervan tests, real-life campervanning experiences and so much more!

Your lucky gift recipient will also enjoy a wide range of subscriber-only benefits, including savings on Warners Shows when you visit for the day or on your rally pitch. Plus, you will save on the cover price, get free delivery direct to your door, receive each issue before it goes on sale in the shops and protect yourself against cover price increases.  Subscribe today for just £10.99 a quarter by direct debit  Six issues for only £20 or 12 issues for £49.99 Offer is open to UK residents and closes on 24 December, 2022. Just note that gift subscriptions will begin with the first issue published after Christmas. motorhome.ma/cpvngift22 ☎ 01778 392019 quoting CPVN/GIFTGUIDE22

Valiant Portable Folding BBQ

From a picnic in the park to an al fresco afternoon at the beach, enjoy an authentic barbecue experience wherever you are. The Portable Folding BBQ folds up like a suitcase, and is lightweight, making it really easy to carry. With cooking space to cater for four or more people, it is perfect for days out and use on the go. If you want to find out more, just watch the YouTube video to see the barbecue in action at: youtu.be/ lBMBrhibnlI

The BBQ is £49.99; you can also get a 15% discount at the website below if you enter the code XMAS15 until 31 December, 2022. simplyvaliant.co.uk

Zippo HeatBank 6 Hand Warmer

Perfect for long Boxing Day walks in the country, the Zippo HeatBank 6 will provide heat on the go at the touch of a button for up to six hours, before needing a top-up. And, as well as providing hours of warmth, it also doubles up as a power bank while you’re on the move.

Available in vibrant green, blue or orange, it’s designed to fit comfortably in your hand or pocket, and features three heat settings, with indicator lights to show the different levels, as well as letting you know how the battery is doing.

The lithium-ion battery can be recharged using a USB cable and the HeatBank 6 will also recharge other USB-compatible devices, making it ideal for work, travel or time outdoors. zippo.co.uk

Hazel goes in search of serenity as she wanders along the Cleveland Way

Fen Farm, Essex

Long Acres Touring Park, Lincolnshire

Coombe Caravan Park, Wiltshire

Pixabay

Sands Caravan & Camping, Scotland