Inhoudsopgave van May 2025 - Practical Caravan

Every year, this issue is always my favourite one to edit – not only is spring in the air, but we also get to create our annual Top 100 Sites Guide. It's a real labour of love for us: it's jam-packed with content, so there's a huge amount of work involved, but it gives us the chance to see exactly which sites have impressed our readers. I use it to plan my own trips – after all, each and every one of the sites featured comes recommended by you! This year we've also got another fantastic article to help you plan your 2025 – from p37 you'll find a comprehensive round-up of where to go and what to see this year. And that's not all – there's plenty to occupy…

Sarah Wakely Editor sarah@practicalcaravan.com Paul Critcher Deputy editor paul.critcher@futurenet.com Peter Baber Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com David Motton Tow car editor motty@practicalcaravan.com John Sootheran Consulting editor practical.caravan@futurenet.com Andrew Jenkinson Used-van contributor practical.caravan@futurenet.com Peter Byrne Content editor peter.byrne@futurenet.com Q ARE BPW AND AL-KO CHASSIS THE SAME? I've been thinking of replacing my ancient Bailey caravan with a secondhand Elddis. My budget is quite tight, but I have found models from 2012 and 2013 that I can afford. These tourers have a BPW chassis, but I have only ever towed caravans with an Al-Ko chassis. Will I notice much difference while towing? Keith Williamson David Motton replies… It has been many years since I towed a caravan with a BPW chassis, but I certainly wouldn't be put off. I remember that when I first…

5-27 April 2025 Bodnant Garden, Colwyn Bay Glorious Bodnant Garden, with its rare trees and great botanical collections, is a lovely setting for this Easter trail, where you can enjoy nature-inspired activities for the whole family. Prices are £3.50 per trail, which includes a trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From chocolate egg. nationaltrust.org.uk Stay at Cefn Cae Camping Site www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk 14-27 April 2025 Rowallane Garden, County Down Take a ramble around this beautiful garden, with its stunning rhododendron collection, and join the family Easter trail with puzzles and art. There will also be lawn games, dog events and crafts. Prices are £3.50 per trail, which includes a trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From chocolate egg. nationaltrust.org.uk Stay at Lakeside View…

If a trip to the Far East is beyond your means – or even your interest – then a visit to the far east of England might be more up your street; not least because, unlike its Asian equivalent, you can easily take a caravan there. You won't find many temples, stupas or rice fields on the east coast, but you will find the village of Kessingland, which makes a great base from which to explore a number of enagaging local attractions. Kessingland Camping and Caravanning Club Site, our base, is a charming campsite, right next to a zoo, a quiet beach and a nature reserve, and not far from Lowestoft, with easy access to the Norfolk Broads. It took us four hours to reach Kessingland from our home in…

DISCOVER THE VERY BEST THE UK HAS TO OFFER NORTHERN IRELAND CHECK OUT… The Causeway Coastal Route This beautiful part of Northern Ireland (right) has become hugely popular after featuring in Game of Thrones, but it's not just the World Heritage Site of the Giant's Causeway that is worth celebrating. There's also the wonderful birdlife of Rathlin Island, the endless white sands of Portstewart Strand, with its Blue Flag Beach, and the dramatic clifftop path at Fair Head near Ballycastle, with stunning views of Scotland in the distance. discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/10-reasons-to-visit-northern-ireland 3-5 May 2025 ■ Festival of Fools A celebration of all things circus, this free festival showcases outdoor performances across Belfast. Enjoy comedy, parkour, acrobatics and much more. foolsfestival.com 13-15 June 2025 ■ Garden Show Ireland Set in the splendid grounds…

Low-Emission Zones (LEZ) are now popping up all over Europe, and they apply to visitors, too. Drive through one without the correct sticker or paperwork, and you'll get a fine in the post faster than you can say: “I didn't see the sign!” France Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, Strasbourg Crit'Air sticker required Germany Berlin, Cologne, Stuttgart Umweltzone badge needed Italy Milan, Rome, Florence Zona a Traffico Limitato restrictions Belgium Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent Older vehicles restricted Netherlands Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht LEZ in place Denmark Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense Strict diesel rules Spain Madrid, Barcelona Emissions-based access Sweden Stockholm, Gothenburg LEZ enforced For more information, see urbanaccessregulations.eu…

Shop around for dealer discounts It's been a cold, grey start to 2025, and the weather has no doubt helped to keep folk away from the forecourts. Some of the dealers I have been talking to report a quieter start to the year, which is usually busy with customers looking forward to the new season. The market for new tourers has been a bit slow, prompting welcome discounts. But pre-owned models are also seeing big price reductions. So if you're shopping for a used van, you could be in for a pleasant surprise, price-wise! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY'S PICKS OF THE MONTH 1 Valencia value 2014 Bailey Unicorn Valencia The Unicorn Series 2 is perhaps not the best-looking Bailey, but inside, they offer a great deal for the cash, including Alde heating. This…

EV charging must adapt for caravanners I've just been towing with an electric car, the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer (see p78). I must have towed with at least 20 different EVs now, but it's still rare to see one pulling a caravan. Towing with an electric car remains frustrating. The cars invariably tow well, up to a point. High kerbweights make for good matching ratios, and electric motors are usually punchy and strong. Range remains the issue. The problem is infrastructure that's designed for single vehicles, rather than cars with caravans. Driving an EV involves fewer compromises than ever, but caravanners are in danger of being left behind. motty@practicalcaravan.com FIRST LOOK MAZDA CX-80 DIESEL Price £52,205 Kerbweight 2136kg* 85% match 1816kg Max towing weight 2500kg *Including 75kg for driver not included…

Keep connected in your caravan Wi-Fi is one of those things you don't really miss until it's unavailable – often the case in a caravan. Fortunately, there is a solution, as former editor Nigel Donnelly reveals in the latest stage of work on his project van, Penny. This month, he's fitting Wi-Fi to his 1998 Bailey – find out more on p88. Also in this month's Technical section – have you ever wondered how a fridge service is carried out? Wonder no more, we have all the answers on p92! Plus, in Weekend Workshop, our expert Nigel Hutson shows you how to fit an Alde Discrete Temperature Sensor in your tourer (p94). practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, former PC editor Nigel Donnelly and Nigel Hutson…

THERE ARE PLENTY of things that any competent DIYer can deal with in their caravan – but servicing the fridge is definitely not one of them. Gas is potentially dangerous, so you should never do this work yourself – it is imperative that the job is carried out by a certified gas professional. Here, we'll outline what you might expect the engineer to do when you ask for your fridge to be serviced as part of the routine habitation service. The photographs charting the procedure in this case were taken in a leisure vehicle of mature years – where it became necessary to remove the fridge. Safety first Before commencing the work, the engineer will ensure the gas supply is turned off at the bottle, the mains electrical supply is…

Where are we? Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex Why tour here? The chalk downlands of the South Downs are such an important ecosystem that they are now protected as part of the South Downs National Park. England's newest national park was designated in 2010; its chalk grassland habitat has been described as Europe's “rainforest in miniature” and is home to 30 butterfly species. Visitors come for the stunning walks and iconic views of the Seven Sisters cliffs. Find out more on about super Sussex on p20. Don't miss… At the Seven Sisters Country Park, drop down to the beach at Cuckmere Haven to see where the Cuckmere River meets the English Channel. Photograph Matthew J Thomas, Getty ‘England's newest national park was designated in 2010; its chalk grassland habitat…

Stox socks Whether you're a runner, walker, skier or cyclist, Stox has a pair of socks for you. Each range is designed for the specific activity and can help reduce swelling, shin splints and muscle fatigue. Price From £29.99 Web stoxenergy.com Droplet Water-Resistant Stuff Sack Made from water-resistant nylon with sealed seams, this 2.5-litre stuff sack is perfect for wet clothes, swimsuits or shoes, and packs down into a dinky silicone keychain-case. Price £14.95 Web wildbounds.com Helinox Chair One With updated tension technology, enhanced comfort and a stronger frame, the revised Helinox One remains a superbly portable and robust chair, now offered in four colourways. Price £109.95 Web valleyandpeak.co.uk La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike GTX Gore-Tex Walking Boots With a lightweight, breathable design and a resoleable tread, these durable boots feature…

Fill your diary! I've had a great time this month putting together our events feature (p37), which details some of the many superb days out taking place across the UK in the coming months. The idea being, you pick an activity and then use the Top 100 Sites Guide, which accompanies this issue, to find a nearby caravan park. Having selected some of the cracking events, I can assure you there's no excuse for being bored this year. We've included everything from Tall Ships Races in Aberdeen to a blues festival in Derbyshire, from tram rides in Devon to a foodie event in Cheshire. Personally, I plan on visiting Northern Ireland's Gobbins Cliff Path, which looks an absolute blast! There's more touring inspiration among this month's travel features, which take…

At the end of a pretty perfect day, some 400ft up, looking out over Brighton and the romance of its bright lights, I turned to my partner Lin, looked her in the eye and… no, I didn't. Propose, I mean. In fact, I wasn't even there. Lin, being more intrepid than me (and far more romantic) had leapt at the chance to go on Brighton's i360 – a self-powered transparent pod that slowly rises and lowers again, providing you with unprecedented views of the surrounding area. Not just Brighton and Hove but also the South Downs – even the Isle of Wight on a good day. Me? With little in the way of a head for heights – and a dog to look after – I'd gone all terra firma,…

Kessingland Camping and Caravanning Club Site Africa Alive, Whites Lane, Kessingland, Suffolk NR33 7TF 01502 742 040 www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk Open April - September Pitches 85 Charges From £29.35 per night for two, with electric on grass (members’ rate). If you dislike wind turbines, this campsite probably isn't for you (they make a gentle noise, nothing that's likely to disturb sleep). But for everyone else, it's very tidy, with good facilities and helpful staff. It has tree-lined borders, a small shop, waste disposal, washrooms with free hot showers, a laundry room and dishwashing. It's easy to find if you get lost – just head towards the wind turbines!…

WHAT'S ON 1 June 2025 Dundee WestFest A vibrant community festival hosted on the riverfront at Magdalen Green, with plenty of food and drink, live music and family fun to enjoy. dundeewestfest.org 16 August 2025 Sausage and Cider Festival This action-packed music and food festival takes over Camperdown Park with live music, workshops and activities for the children, and a veritable smorgasbord of ciders and sausages. sausageandciderfest.co.uk/dundee 29-31 August 2025 Balloons and Tunes An exciting family festival at Errol Airfield, with live music, hot air balloon displays, stunt shows, fun activities for the kids, and a great selection of food and drink stalls. balloonsandtunesuk.com PLACES TO STAY Riverview Caravan Park Large, family-friendly touring campsite overlooking the beautiful Monifieth Beach. riverview.co.uk Tayview Caravan Park Beachfront holiday park close to the shops…

MRS S REALLY likes her holiday sunshine guaranteed, making summer UK touring a hard sell. In a spirit of harmony and diplomacy, I've always agreed to take the tourer to somewhere in Europe, those places where opening the curtains in the morning is almost certain to leave you temporarily blinded, so bright is the sunlight. In truth, I love Euro touring. The towing is easy, the sunshine incessant, the beaches sensational and the cultures fascinating. There's a real spirit of adventure as you board the ferry or Chunnel train, and once you're at your location, the standard of the campsites is excellent, too. All that said, Euro-freedom does have its price, and that comes in the form of some additional planning and admin. Over the next few pages, I'll be…

Outlook is brighter for the industry I don't know if it's just the fact that the daffodils are out and the sun is shining, but I think things are looking quite positive for caravanning right now. The NEC show in February felt busier than it did in October 2024, and although visitor numbers are down, they haven't dropped as much as they did back then. Another positive sign is that on a recent weekend tour, I found the caravan park virtually fully booked – in mid-February. I'd be inclined to say this was the effect of half-term, were it not for the fact that at least half of my site neighbours were adult couples. Things are definitely looking up! peter.baber@futurenet.com HOW WE TEST VANS Our review types explained In-depth test…

JUST UNDER 90,000 people (well, 89,207, to be precise) came through the doors of the NEC between 18 and 23 February for the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show. They weren't there only for the caravans. In fact, there was little in the way of all-new tourers on the stands. But that didn't stop the likes of Adria, Bailey, Coachman and Erwin Hymer UK all having a substantial presence at the event. The February show is always a brilliant place for dealers to show off their wares, including their dealer specials. Among many major caravan dealers exhibiting this time were Raymond James, Glossop Caravans and Couplands. Visitors could also be guaranteed a good round of live events, including talks from the likes of our sister magazine Practical Motorhome‘s regular writer Marcus…

TECH SPEC Model tested Pro S Match 86kWh Price £56,170 Kerbweight 2172kg What Car? Target Price £56,170 Retained value after three years N/A Kerbweight 2172kg 85% of kerbweight Above max tow Gross vehicle weight 2630kg Max towing limit 1000kg Gross train weight 3630kg Towball limit 75kg Price of towball £1050 Boot size 605-1948 litres Payload 458kg Test conditions Damp Battery capacity 86kWh Power 286hp Torque 402lb ft Official combined range 424 miles Towing range 163 miles CO2 emissions 0g/km First year car tax £10 Second year car tax £605 Insurance group 38E Euro NCAP rating What's new? There's now another addition to Volkswagen's growing family of electric cars. The ID.7 Tourer is the estate version of the ID.7, with lots of luggage space and an impressive range when fitted with…

CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS fit control panels in locations chosen for ease of use, which is quite sensible. After all, if you want to turn something on or off, or alter a setting, you want the controls to be close to hand rather than tucked into a hidden corner. However, there are times when the siting of a control panel might not be in the best place for the efficient functioning of other things, such as the inbuilt temperature sensor of an Alde heating system. When an Alde system is installed, the control panel contains the sensor that measures the internal temperature of the caravan, but if the panel is sited over the kitchen unit, or in a place where there might be temperature variations, then this will have an effect on…

◆ Kerbweight As defined by EU Directive 95/48/EC (which still applies), the car or other vehicle's weight with a 90% full fuel tank, all necessary fluids, 68kg for the driver and 7kg of luggage. This is the figure that is used to calculate a tow car match ◆ GTW (Gross train weight) The maximum allowable combined weight of the towing vehicle and the caravan, as specified by the maker of the towing vehicle ◆ Hook-up Cable connection to the mains electrical supply at a campsite. Provides power to mains sockets and appliances ◆ Maximum towing limit The greatest weight that a car can legally tow, as specified by the manufacturer of the towing vehicle ◆ MiRO (Mass in running order) The van's weight, with all factory-fitted equipment, when it leaves…

Choosing a layout People's needs differ, and your van layout choice will depend on your companions and how you want to use your caravan. To understand which layouts are available, spend a day at one of the big shows in Birmingham or Glasgow, where dealerships and manufacturers show their latest models. A dealership is also a good place to start, but can be affiliated with a limited number of manufacturers. A chat with a dealer, though, could raise issues or offer ideas that you had not considered. Think about your needs: will you want to carry bikes, sports kit, barbecues or outdoor furniture? Perhaps creature comforts are a bit higher on your list. You might want a separate sleeping area, a lounge with parallel sofas and TV points, and an…

Caravan and Motorhome Club 01342 326 944 caravanclub.co.uk Camping and Caravanning Club 024 7647 5448 campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk CRiS 020 3282 1000 www.cris.co.uk Approved Workshop Scheme www.approvedworkshops.co.uk NCC (National Caravan Council) thencc.org.uk Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA) 0843 216 5802 www.cassoa.co.uk Towsafe towsafe.co.uk DVLA 0300 790 6801 www.gov.uk/dvla Mobile Caravan Engineers Association (MCEA) 01249 651 036 mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk For the very latest reviews and brilliant buying guides, visit Practical Caravan at www.practicalcaravan.com…

22-27 April 2025 Chepstow Walking Festival This popular event showcasing the best of Chepstow and the Lower Wye Valley returns for another splendid outing. Local guides will be on hand to share their expertise and the walks have been designed to suit a wide range of abilities, providing everything from gentle strolls to long-distance challenges, including options for younger walkers and hikers with dogs. Walks cost £5. walksinchepstow.co.uk Stay at Hawthorne Cottage Caravan Site hawthornecottage caravansite.co.uk 30 April - 5 May 2025 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Bring your nominated driver and you can enjoy some of the world's best whisky and a jaunt around Speyside's world-famous distilleries. Activities are taking place from Elgin in the north to Kingussie in the south, along the length of the River Spey. There's…

WHEN TO GO We went in May and enjoyed some of the beaches as we had good weather. Any time in the spring or summer would be good for this location. WAY TO GO We followed the M25 east to Junction 28, and then the A12 north, past Colchester to Washbrook on the Ipswich ring road. We then took the A14 east, followed by the A12 north all the way to Kessingland, where we took a right turn at a roundabout and followed signs to Africa Alive and the campsite. FOOD AND DRINK Livingstone's livingstones-freehouse.co.uk Pub/restaurant in Kessingland, with a traditional British menu and a friendly atmosphere. FIND OUT MORE Visit Suffolk visitsuffolk.com The Suffolk Coast thesuffolkcoast.co.uk Visit Norfolk visitnorfolk.co.uk Africa Alive zsea.org/reserve Oulton Broad Power Boat Racing lobmbc.online Look…