Tabla de contenidos para July 2024 en Campervan

On our first night, the setting sun was burnishing a wide path across the unusually calm Atlantic Ocean when suddenly people on the campsite began excitedly pointing out to sea. Two bottlenose dolphins were hunting for fish close to the shore with more further away. We watched them leap clear of the water, sending cascades of sparkling droplets flying. Each time they spouted, the sound of their exhalation reached us through the still air; I could even hear the water rippling as they breached. We already counted ourselves lucky to have seen porpoises and common dolphins on the five-hour ferry trip from Oban to Barra. Conditions were perfect as we sailed into Castlebay, passing Kisimul Castle on its little island, with Heaval, the highest hill on Barra, as a backdrop.…

Julie and Stephen Shepherd, with their family, run this campsite (with three self-catering cottages), set in 230 acres of farmland. Just a 15-minute walk from Shepherds Views you will find a sandy beach and a short stroll up the lane through the farmyard will take you to Hallsenna Moor, an area of conservation and natural beauty. A short drive away are attractions such as Muncaster Castle, and the Ravenglass & Eskdale narrow-guage railway. Slightly further afield are Grasmere, Ambleside, Coniston, Hawkshead and Windermere. There is a selection of fully serviced hardstanding or grass pitches for caravans and there are toilet and shower facilities. Set within a backdrop of the Wasdale hills, at dusk or dawn you may spot the site’s resident barn owl hunting for food, or bats, which are…

WILDAX TO LAUNCH UPGRADED WARRANTY Campervan converter, WildAx, has launched an upgrade to its three-year factory warranty. While the factory warranty is still supplied as standard on all new models, the new WildAx Habitation Warranty Plus allows customers who have purchased the cover and experience problems with the habitation area of the campervan to take it to any one of over 280 locations or access over 200 mobile technicians to get their campervan fixed. The upgraded warranty cover can be purchased from the supplying dealer or direct from WildAx. It is available not only to customers of all new WildAx models but also to owners of models up to 10 years old. The cost of the cover, which is supplied by a third-party company, is £220 for one year, £315…

The Norfolk Motorhome & Campervan Show, which takes place from 19 to 21 July, already has 28 dealers confirmed to exhibit, with more joining each week. This rock ’n’ roll-themed event promises to be the ultimate destination for campervan and motorhome enthusiasts. Whether you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle, looking to compare brands, layouts, base vehicles or budgets, this show has something for everyone. Visitors will find a diverse selection of motorhomes and campervans available for purchase, with many dealers offering exclusive show-only deals, making it the perfect opportunity to secure a great offer on your next adventure vehicle.…

Credit and debit card payments are becoming less important when reserving a pitch, according to Camigo, a European booking app. It said more campers are reserving pitches in advance and that more are using digital payment options, such as PayPal, over cards. Camigo said that, since it started offering PayPal as a digital payment method for reservations and on-site payment or check-in for the 2024 camping season, the response had been “enormous and has exceeded all expectations”. It said that just a few weeks after the launch, the proportion of PayPal payments is already more than 60%. “At motorhome pitches, payment machines are no longer the first choice when it comes to the flexibility of payment systems,” said Camigo CEO, Guido Rasch.…

It first appeared as a concept last summer – now the new-generation VW California campervan has made its debut in production form and the first deliveries are promised to arrive later this year. The new model introduces innovations such as sliding doors on both sides, an optional hybrid drivetrain and a touchscreen control panel in the living area. But the biggest news, perhaps, is that the new California is, for the very first time, in no way related to the Transporter van. Instead, the new campervan is based on the Multivan MPV – a passenger car. As previously, a range of California Beach, Coast and Ocean models will be available. Prices have not been announced but expect an increase over the outgoing T6.1 variants, which range from £61,642 to £81,208…

Continental campervans generally come in three flavours, all with fixed beds and all linked to the length of the base vehicle. Often you can tell the size by the model numbering system, with anything that has a ‘540’ after its name being the shortest, medium-wheelbase van now available in the Fiat Ducato line-up. Hymer doesn’t make things quite as easy to comprehend, preferring names to numbers, but marque devotees will know the Yellowstone as the biggest and this Ayers Rock as the smallest. In fact, if you really and truly believe that smaller is better in the world of leisure vehicles, you’ll not find anything more petite that offers full washroom facilities on board. Indeed, this is currently the most compact vehicle in the whole Hymer range, so we couldn’t…

With its cobbled streets, quaint art galleries and cosy cafés, St Ives has long captivated the hearts of holidaymakers. The rugged Cornish coastline is just one of the attractions of this idyllic fishing village. Its timeless charm and picturesque beauty also makes it a favourite haunt of artists who draw inspiration from the sweeping sandy beaches and azure waters. In fact, St Ives is an art lover’s dream, with streets filled with art galleries. We love sculptor Barbara Hepworth’s house and sculpture garden and the insights they give you into the artist’s life. Outdoor enthusiasts can embark on coastal walks, immersing themselves in the untamed seaside landscapes that have inspired countless masterpieces. TRY St Ives Surf School Cornwall is the surf capital of Britain, so why not unleash your inner…

Whitstable has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years. Like many English seaside resorts, the Kent town has its share of run-down bits but there are some lovely parts, too. On our way to the seafront we pass through street after street of terraced houses, tidily painted in pastel colours. The high street, busy with independent shops and cafés, leads us down to the picture-book harbour. Well, almost picture-book – a few brightly painted working boats are moored up against the harbour walls but the East Quay is dominated by a not-so-beautiful cement works. Behind this, the Lobster Shack restaurant is tucked away, and we enjoy a plate of the famous Whitstable oysters, sweet and delicious, whilst gazing out across a shingle beach. At the eastern end of this…

Regular readers will no doubt be aware that my colleague, Peter Vaughan, has been to some exciting destinations with Bailey ’vans over the last year. First, he tested the Endeavour B62 in exotic Morocco and the Sahara Desert. This was closely followed by a trip to the snowy Italian Dolomites where he put the Alora through its paces. So, you can imagine my excitement when I got the chance to review the Bristol manufacturer’s highly anticipated new four-berth Endeavour B64 campervan. And where do I find myself? Lincolnshire. Yes, Lincolnshire. Now, I’ve got nothing against the place, but it’s where I live and work. Possibly the flattest place in the UK and home of the cultural hotspot, Skegness. Ever feel like you’ve been cheated? I jest, of course. Jealousy is…

ECOJIKO PLASTIC-FREE SCOURERS Currently, our reviewer’s cat has an obsession with scourer sponges – no, we can’t really explain it either – which means unless they are locked away, they end up mauled on the floor and have to be chucked away prematurely. In an effort to find a more environmentally friendly option, we came across these Ecojiko scourers. They’re made from cellulose and sisal. Like a conventional washing-up sponge, they have a soft side for general cleaning and an abrasive side for more stubborn dirt. Katy, the owner of Ecojiko, actually tests all the products – the brand offers a range of eco-friendly cleaning and kitchen products – out in her campervan. According to the blurb, because of the natural components, the sponges are less likely to smell and…

Sometimes there are places that you just fall in love with instantly. The pull is so strong that it draws you back month after month, year after year. And with a ’van on standby it’s so easy to head off when you need a fix of that special place. Such locations provide the sense of escape we all need sometimes. They’re somewhere that you turn up, breathe, and instantly relax. You can’t necessarily explain it. You just feel like you’re home. Their draw is irresistible. For me, that place is Newgale in Pembrokeshire. Pembrokeshire is a county of beautiful villages, towns and beaches and is part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. There are some incredible sights to see in the area, some stunning coastline and bays to explore and…

HI You hear it all the time when people talk about what campervan travel and vanlife means to them – “freedom”. And I agree! This lifestyle, whether it’s holidays, long-term travel or full-time living, like myself, does bring a wonderful sense of freedom. But, do you know when you hear a word over and over and it starts to lose meaning? That’s what I had recently when I was sat on an aeroplane thinking about travelling. For context, I recently got to go on an exciting trip to a well-known accessory manufacturer’s factory in Milan (which I will be sharing the details of in my next column!). As I sat on the flight with the rear end of a man doing aisle stretches in my face, I was thinking about how…

CAMPSITE LAMB CURRY There’s nothing better than the delicious aroma of a freshly cooked curry wafting over the campsite. Everybody should have one in their campervan cooking armoury and you simply can’t go wrong with this foolproof recipe. And because you’re creating it from scratch you can make it as hot as you like and if you don’t fancy lamb, this dish works just as well with chicken or beef. 30 MINS INGREDIENTS (SERVES 4) 1kg diced lamb1 tin chopped tomatoes2 green chillies4 garlic cloves1 large onion1½ tsp salt1½ tsp ground black pepper1 tsp cumin seeds1 tsp paprika1 tsp turmeric1 tbsp vegetable oil1½ tsp ground coriander¾ tsp garam masala½ tsp chilli powderThumb-sized chunk of gingerBunch of fresh coriander METHOD 1 Chop the onions and gently fry them in a saucepan…

Volkswagen has confirmed the final 1,500 California campervans produced on the 6.1 Transporter will feature a "Last Edition" sticker on the D-pillar. The California is the most popular campervan in its class with three variants: the Beach, Coast and Ocean. This latest generation based on the sixth generation of the Transporter was launched in 2015 and, in 2017, the T6 California broke the record of the model series with 15,155 new registrations in just one year. But later this year, production of the California will switch to the Multivan chassis and production of the VW campervans built on the T6.1 will cease. • See the new California on page 58…

For most campervan conversion companies, small means a Ford Transit Custom or VW Transporter, maybe a Renault Trafic. But, if you’ve never driven anything bigger than a Fiesta or Clio, even these might seem anything but small. It’s not so much about the size, perhaps, as the height of the driving position and the lack of much reassuring bonnet in front of you. There are, of course, a number of conversion pods on the market that can slide into the boot of something like a Citroën Berlingo – or even an ID Buzz if you want an EV with street cred – and turn it into a makeshift camper. But, if you want a proper conversion with a pop-top for standing room, then your options are much more limited. It’s…