Table of contents for May 2020 in Practical Caravan

It’s amazing how quickly our Top 100 Sites Guide issue seems to come around each year – it’s perhaps the issue we look forward to most, as for us it marks the true start of the season. This year is no exception, and our site guide is bigger and better than ever before! Regular readers will notice one major difference: not only do we include our fantastic 100 winners, we’ve also featured a directory of hundreds of other sites, listed by region. If you can’t book a pitch at one of our winners – and they’re always popular – you can quickly and easily find somewhere else to stay nearby. So, no matter where you’re planning to tour in the UK, take a look at your guide to discover brilliant…

1 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury Visit Dorset and you can stop to admire our cover star, and the place where that Hovis advert was filmed 2 The Shell Grotto, Margate The walls of this hidden passageway in Kent are just covered with millions of amazing shells, large and small 3 Din Lligwy, Anglesey Fascinating ancient hut circle on a settlement that is thought to date back to before the Iron Age 4 Lansallos, Cornwall Dodge the crowds on the beautiful beach of this Cornish fishing village 5 Secret Bunker, Troywood This two-floor bunker was built to provide a government safe-house in the event of nuclear war 6 Carrick-a-Rede, Co Antrim Visit the Giant’s Causeway and take a stroll over this spectacular bridge 7 St Govan’s Chapel, Pembrokeshire A tiny hermit’s cell…

Sarah Wakely Editor sarah@practicalcaravan.com Peter Baber Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com Claudia Dowell Features/Travel editor claudia.dowell@futurenet.com David Motton Tow car editor motty@practicalcaravan.com John Sootheran Consulting editor practical.caravan@futurenet.com Andy Jenkinson Used-van contributor practical.caravan@futurenet.com HOW CAN WE KEEP TEENS INTERESTED? Q Caravanning holidays are starting to lose their appeal for my teenage son, aged 14, who would rather sit in his room talking to his friends on the phone than go walking and cycling. Have you got any advice on how to make touring fun again for teens? Candi Barlow Claudia Dowell says… How about making the holiday about learning a new skill, such as paddleboarding, windsurfing, kayaking or sailing? Pentewan Sands campsite (pentewan.co.uk) in Cornwall offers all of these exciting activities on site. Whitecliff Bay (awayresorts.co.uk/whitecliff-bay) in the Isle of Wight provides a…

Marcus Leach is a writer and speaker with a passion for adventure and the outdoorsI It’s character-building,” I shouted through the roar of the wind as the rain continued to lash at our exposed faces. Kim’s expression told me that she didn’t entirely agree and, truth be told, I was beginning to think she might be right. Perhaps we should have stayed in the caravan after all. The weather hadn’t seemed too bad when we set out an hour before, but had gradually worsened to the extent that our toddler son, Harrison, now had to hold both of our hands just to stop himself being bowled over by the wind. Baby Dorothy, meanwhile, was blissfully asleep, cocooned in her all-in-one and safely tucked against my chest in her carry pouch.…

Regular contributor Nick Harding loves travelling to pet-friendly destinations ‘At low tide, the glorious sands of Amroth Beach are just perfect for dog-walking’ WINE-TASTING IS no bad way to begin a touring adventure – even if the theme of this particular holiday is dog-friendliness. So we’re pitched up at Cwm Deri Vineyard, where there also happens to be a Caravan and Motorhome Club CL. We’re set up on one of the slightly sloping – but spacious – grass pitches (as per the instructions on the noticeboard we studied when we arrived). We’ve given our lively sprocker spaniel, Bonnie (aged two and a half), a good run and are now getting down to, er, serious work – sampling nine or so of the 22 wines, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks produced on…

Who are you? Joe and Elaine Ormerod, freelance contributors to Practical Caravan. We love touring in our van. Why are you a local authority on Clitheroe? We’ve been visiting Clitheroe for many years; it’s not far from where we live now. Elaine and her late husband held their wedding reception here. Elaine’s fascination with the area began when her school teacher, Mr Nutter, declared he was related to Alice Nutter, one of the Lancashire Witches who lived in Roughlee, a village close to Pendle Hill. The witches were tried at the Lancaster Assizes, found guilty and hanged. We have our very own witch, bought from the Witches Galore shop at Newchurch in Pendle, who travels with us on all our tours as a reminder of home. What do you love…

Karen Binedell and family are spending a year volunteering in Europe AFTER A BUSY two and a half years of living in our caravan, 11 months of continued touring, 10,000+ miles and 17 volunteer projects, the time has come to say goodbye (temporarily) to Carolina, our Bailey Senator. So what’s next for the five of us? Well, late last year, we received a call from Rute, one of our previous hosts in Evora, in the heart of Portugal. Rute told us the exciting news that she had been offered a post with the UN in Colombia. She wanted to know if we would be available to look after her farm, her dog and her four horses (A) for much of 2020. As has happened so many times before on our…

Swift recalls Swift is recalling some of its 2017 caravans after noticing a potential defect in the way the front bulkhead has been installed in an “extremely low” number of models. The issue only relates to caravans that were not built using Swift’s Smart HT system. The company says that it has tried to contact all registered owners of caravans that could be affected, to arrange when a Swift-appointed engineer can inspect the vehicle. But anyone who thinks they might have been missed out should email fbe@swiftleisure.co.uk. The DVSA has already been informed. Police warn of van thefts Thames Valley Police are warning caravanners in the Aylesbury area to be extra vigilant after a spate of van thefts from farm storage areas. They also recommend following C&MC security advice (caravanclub.co.uk).…

THE RIGHT TOW car isn’t going to make your caravan holiday, but the wrong one could quite easily break it. A vehicle that’s stable, practical and reliable means every trip should start and finish without stress. But choose a car that’s sluggish, unstable or unreliable, and every towing journey will be something to grin and bear with. Making the right choice is important, whether you are shopping for a new or a used tow car. If you are looking at the secondhand market, though, there are extra pitfalls to be aware of. You’ll need a car that’s suitable for the task, and one that’s been well looked after by its previous owners. Older cars might not come with any warranty, so choosing a car that won’t let you down becomes…

Kerbweight As defined by EU Directive 95/48/EC, 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 caravan’s weight, with all factory-fitted equipment, when it leaves the factory. MiRO replaces the old…

TT This family layout is comparatively rare, but has cropped up in the mainstream entry-level segment, for example the six-berth Adria 552 DT Tamar. A midships kitchen opposite a dinette creates a sociable space, while at the back of the van, you’ll find a pair of fixed bunks on the other side from a long washroom. With all the berths for children on the same side of the van, rather than opposite, they may get to sleep quicker in the evenings. Pros Dinette frees up two seating spaces in the lounge. Wardrobe on rear wall is a handy storage solution for touring families Cons Night-time access to the washroom means walking past bunks J A large fixed end kitchen is not quite as common in caravan layouts as it used…

Where are we? Portsoy, Aberdeenshire Coordinates 57°40’57.4”N 2°41’06.2”W Why tour here? There are few places on these brilliant shores of ours that are as remote and wild as the Scottish Highlands – and they’re just perfect for exploring in your caravan. Stop off at a pretty harbour and take the air, then simply continue on your way – pure perfection. Don’t miss… There are a huge amount of film locations to visit in this area, not least those connected with the recent remake of Whisky Galore! Photographer Andy McCandlish ‘Portsoy is a beautiful little fishing town with a fine old harbour just ripe for exploring’…

PET SPECIAL! TOP PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS Hold the camera securely And not just because you don’t want to drop it! Holding your phone using both hands, elbows tucked in against your body, helps reduce camera shake. Alternatively, use a tripod. Avoid the flash Despite advances, the flash built into phones often produces unflattering results. More often, a ‘noisy’ picture is preferable in low light. Tap the lightning bolt symbol and set the flash to Off. Zoom with your feet You can zoom with an ‘unpinch’ gesture, but all that does is crop the photo that’s taken – which you can control better later, using the Photos app’s Crop tool. Instead, simply try to get closer if possible.…

Hurrah for spring! It showcases Britain at its best, and with Easter, the early May bank holiday, then half-term (if you have children) and the late May bank holiday (if you don’t), you have plenty of opportunities for a touring break. Our accompanying Top 100 Sites Guide will help you choose a campsite, and you can pick up some inspiration from our various travel features. It’s also the season for festivals celebrating local heritage, culture, food and drink. The countryside is springing to life, so dust off bikes and walking boots, check tyres, batteries and hook-up gear, pack your waterproofs and let the wagons roll! claudia.dowell@futurenet.com Features editor CLAUDIA DOWELL is our touring expert – she’s been caravanning for years, and loves to explore both far and wide! ROUTE MASTER…

Photographer Andy McCandlish specialises in outdoor adventure shots SITTING ON THE balcony of Loch Morlich Boathouse café beside my wife, Sarah, with the faint shriek of kids enjoying themselves on the sand below, I could feel the stress of the day drain through my shoes. I hugged a coffee and idly flicked a pastry crumb off the wooden bar we were leaning against. A glance up revealed the glass-calm loch before us, and the glorious autumn colours of the Cairngorms in the near distance. Staff gathered the hire boats below, framed by the sunset over the water. Just glorious. Peace and quiet Such tranquillity was almost a shock, like an astronaut released into weightlessness following lift-off – coming as it did after the inevitably noisy hustle of starting a trip.…

1 A Welsh wonder Cross the vast 18-arched viaduct that is Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the longest aqueduct in Britain, and you’ll be walking (or floating, if you cross in a canal boat) on one of the most remarkable achievements of the Industrial Revolution. Stay just a few miles down the Dee Valley at Wern Isaf Farm, a peaceful site only half a mile from Llangollen. › www.wernisaf.co.uk 2 Birthplace of the revolution Acknowledged as the place where the manufacturing system that kickstarted the Industrial Revolution in the UK began, Derbyshire’s beautiful Derwent Valley is steeped in history. Stay at Broadholme Lane Caravan Park for a great base from which to visit Derwent Valley Mills. › www.broadholme-caravanpark.co.uk 3 In the giant’s footsteps Just a few miles from Ballyness Caravan Park is the…

A82 We look at major UK driving routes and reveal everything you need to know THE A82 CONNECTS Glasgow to Inverness via Fort William, and provides a vital link for the West Highlands and the Western Isles to Glasgow and Scotland’s Central Belt. At 175 miles, it is Scotland’s second longest road, and is one of the UK’s most scenic routes, passing lochs, moors and mountains. It is a stunner and, for tourists, very rewarding. You pass through Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park alongside the loch, following the Luss Road on the west shore. You will cross Rannoch Moor, pass through Glencoe, cross the Ballachulish Bridge, pass Fort William and Ben Nevis, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. Some of the time you will be sandwiched between loch and…

Visitor numbers are now in for February’s Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, and over the course of the event just short of 90,000 people came through the NEC’s doors. That’s more or less the same as February 2019, which surprised me because the first day certainly felt much busier than similar first days over the past few years. But it was brilliant to see so many people head through the doors during the event, and I think that it’s a very good sign that three manufacturers showed three new caravans there. There’s plenty of life in the industry yet! peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER BABER is a hugely experienced caravanner who enjoys touring whenever he can HOW WE TEST VANS Our review types explained In-depth test In our most detailed test,…

Bradford-based dealer Dickinson Caravans has been placed in administration after more than 40 years of trading. The company, owned by the same family for that time, had a site on Canal Road in the city. It traded in new and used caravans and had most recently been a Swift dealer. Administrator Sarah Long, of DL Partnership, said, “The family have worked tirelessly to stave off this day, but trading became unsustainable. To protect customers and suppliers, the firm had ceased trading prior to our appointment.” An online auction, managed by local firm Walker Singleton, has since sold off most of the dealership’s remaining stock.…

Expert advice on towbars If there’s one thing that’s crucially important to caravanners, it’s making sure that you get the right towbar for your needs – and that it’s fitted safely and securely to avoid any unwanted mishaps. That’s why this month, John Sootheran was tasked with taking a look at the options available to caravanners – from p94 you’ll be able to read his comprehensive round-up of everything you need to know to make you a towbar expert! Plus, we’ve articles on how to upgrade your caravan’s upholstery, and a look behind the scenes at one of the big names of the awning world – Isabella. practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth, Nigel Hutson and Tony Brown HOW TO… FIX TELEVISION AERIAL PROBLEMS…

Choosing a layout People’s needs differ, and your 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, where manufacturers and dealers will be showing 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 you hadn’t considered. Think about your needs: will you want to carry bikes, sports kit, barbecues or outdoor lounging furniture? Perhaps creature comforts are higher on your list; you might want a separate sleeping area, a lounge with parallel sofas and TV points, and an oven. If you plan to tour…

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

Caravanner Charlotte Smith is passionate about the outdoors and the English countryside WHEN A FRIEND invited us to camp on his nature reserve last year, it sounded like fun, so husband Al and I set off for the glorious Lincolnshire countryside. Our first port of call after pitching the van (A) was Gibraltar Point, a fantastic nature reserve with a new visitor centre, café and shop. You can enjoy views across wetlands and walks to the beach, and see plenty of wading birds, butterflies and other wildlife, and in season, gorgeous wildflowers. We saw a fox chomping on something in the reed beds. Al surmised they were snails, because we could hear they were crunchy! After lunch we continued on to Skegness, to see its long sandy beaches and fun-packed…

John Sootheran is Practical Caravan’s Consulting Editor and an experienced caravanner HAVING TRAVELLED FAR and wide, I have to say, I think Cathedral Square, at the heart of Peterborough city centre, is as beautiful as any square in Britain… even the world! Before you send the men in white coats, let me explain. Stand at the back of the square and your view is filled with glorious architecture. Nearest is the imposing St John the Baptist church, built in the 1400s. It has a fascinating history and stained-glass window from 1962, celebrating the lives of Peterborough’s great and good over the centuries. Beyond the church is the Guildhall, an unusual ‘stilted’ structure built in 1671. Originally, it was used as a market building and later as the Town Hall. Today,…

Snap up a bargain in pre-owned vans It seems the market is a bit of a mixture this month, with some dealers finding new models selling very well, and used tourers no more than steady. Family-size models look to be in short supply, and one dealer told me his used stock was at a price that meant buying new would not cost buyers much more. But good-quality pre-owned tourers are being snapped up, with six-berths moving particularly quickly. One dealer told me that Sprites, just a couple of years old, stayed barely a week on his forecourt before being sold. So buy a well-known brand and look after your tourer, and when you upgrade, you’ll get a quick sale! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and historian – he…

Classic tow cars to make you smile The best modern tow cars are quite something. Vehicles such as the BMW 5 Series Touring combine performance, stability and economy. Hugely able? Yes. Characterful? No. It’s been years since I last toured with anything other than a modern car. That was in 2014, when I towed an ageing Elddis with an even older Vauxhall Cavalier. The Vauxhall took an age to get up to speed and felt happier towing at 55mph, rather than 60mph. But I’ve never seen so many people look at a car and caravan combination with a smile. I really must try classic towing again soon. motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON is a former PC editor, and has towed with more than 500 cars over the years VOLVO…

JOHN SOOTHERAN is PC’s expert Consulting Editor and a long-time caravanner THINK OF YOUR towbar not as a pricey lump of pig-iron, but as the cost-effective gateway to touring freedom. Choosing and fitting the right one is really important, so here’s everything you need to know before you make your decision. Towbar types The standard towball measures 50mm in diameter and was invented by Franz Knöbel of Westfalia Automotive in 1932. This is now the standard around the world. The ball-and-cup design allows a high degree of swivelling and articulation, combined with a very secure connection. This makes it ideal for pulling trailers, including caravans. Although the towball itself is a standard design, there are a variety of ways in which it can be attached to the tow vehicle. Flange…

JULY 1984 Swings and roundabouts A classic kids-at-play shot graced the cover and highlighted our survey of caravan sites. We also picked out that the Poulard and Salou porch awnings were on test. Remember them? Our survey said… More than 1000 readers completed our caravan site survey, covering everything from the availability of parking to the relative cleanliness of toilets on British and Continental sites Go west Bob Musker headed for Cornwall on a trip that took him to Land’s End and beyond, as he enjoyed a day trip to the Isles of Scilly by helicopter. “A wonderful day out, if not exactly a cheap one,” wrote Bob of his £25 day return with British Airways! Awe inspiring In advertising land, NR Awnings’ choice of a scantily clad model accompanied…