Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2024 i Campervan

When we tour, we don’t usually plan anything. Jon and I pick a starting point for after LeShuttle, and from there we make the rest of it up as we go. The only time we book is if there's a specific destination or attraction we want to see. But even then, it’s rare we lock down a date too far in advance. We’ve found we discover more on our travels because we’re not rushing from place to place. We have time and flexibility to seek out the hidden gems and the nice surprises. But when we heard about a rally that some friends were going to in Germany, we thought about it and decided we’d like to try it. We had a new-found love affair with Germany after touring through…

Located above the coastal town of Bude, Wooda Farm is the perfect blend of countryside retreat coupled with activities and facilities on site. Wooda doesn’t have that crowded holiday park feel, though. Couples seeking a relaxing break will be just as at home here as families looking for an adventurous getaway. Originally a working farm, Wooda still has resident chickens, pygmy goats and alpacas that are waiting to say hello to guests. There’s also a fishing lake, woodland walks, a nature trail and wellness barn. If you want to get a little more active you might want to head to the games room, tennis and badminton court, or the woodland cycle track. Pitches are spread out over several areas, some with sea views. There’s a selection of pitch types –…

HI Winter is well under way but I’ve still been out and about in the camper. And thankfully it's been a cosy, off-grid affair, because my camper, nicknamed Fabio, has a solar panel and heating fitted at long last. It took a while because, after a busy summer of touring and delivering talks at the Warners Shows, we simply hadn’t had time to get it organised. With the heating, the trick was figuring out where to actually fit the diesel heater unit and vents. My Nu Venture Compact is very well put together and makes good use of the limited space. The flip side to that is, when it comes to adding a component in, you don’t have a lot of wiggle room. My husband, Jon, fitted both the diesel heater…

Essential equipment for driving Certain equipment is mandatory when driving in Europe. Be sure to pack the following items: Reflective jackets Keep one reflective jacket for each passenger within the cabin of the vehicle. These jackets enhance visibility in case of roadside emergencies Warning triangle At least one warning triangle is compulsory in most European countries. In the event of a breakdown or accident, place the triangle on the road to alert other drivers Headlamp beam deflectors Depending on your vehicle, you'll need either deflector stickers or manual adjustments to your headlamp beam. This is crucial for driving on the right-hand side of the road to prevent you from dazzling oncoming drivers First aid kit This is compulsory in Austria, France and Germany but it makes sense to pack one,…

DJ Chris Moyles will be spinning the tunes at the 2024 Campervan Campout, it has been announced. The Radio X broadcaster headlines Saturday night at the three-day festival at Ardingly on 3-5 May with a DJ set of nostalgic 90s bangers. The family-friendly event not only has a great music line-up, but also a shopping village, artisan food and drink hall, wellness sanctuary, the Campout Hub, street food area, gin festival and even a silent disco, all of which are free to ticket holders. Bookings have now opened for Warners Shows’ 2024 full season of events, including the Campervan Campout. It all kicks off with the January Motorhome & Campervan Sale on 19 January – which will take place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire this year. Every event welcomes day…

A US-based converter has launched an all-electric campervan that delivers a range of over 250 miles from a single charge. Grounded RV’s new G2 campervan comes with a price tag of $187,500 (around £170k). The G2 is built on the BrightDrop Zevo 600, an AWD delivery van, and customers can design their new campervan, choosing from a range of pre-designed modules, and placing them where they want them. The G2 is powered by a 165kWh battery, while there’s a 10kWh leisure battery, which can be charged from the vehicle battery or 640W of solar on the roof.…

Two Premier Parks have been awarded top accolades at the annual campsite AA awards ceremony. The awards celebrate the camping and caravan sites that offer the most luxurious, comfortable and welcoming stays in the UK. Back of Beyond Touring & Glamping Park, an adults-only site close to the New Forest, was awarded the title of AA Most Improved Campsite of the Year. The award comes off the back of the Premier Park recently having been upgraded from a five-pennant gold campsite to a five-pennant platinum site after an annual inspection earlier this year. Victoria Bowrey, owner of Back of Beyond, said: “We were absolutely over the moon to open our award. Ten years ago, when we purchased Back of Beyond, it was beautiful but it was tired and in desperate…

Dan Douglass’ story is a familiar one, having built campervans for his own use before setting out to create a business doing the same. Ultimately, though, it was the Covid pandemic that kickstarted this story as his previous skydiving enterprise was suddenly forced to close. Based in Sussex, the company only started converting customers’ vehicles in October 2020 but it is already building between four and eight ’vans a month. There’s a sense, too, that this is not just another firm jumping on an already overcrowded bandwagon. Although the conversions are not yet type approved, Dan describes that as his “next big project” and NCC (National Caravan Council) approval is very much on his radar, too. One of Out and About’s conversions has already impressed us so much it was…

Nestled on Scotland's picturesque east coast, the East Neuk of Fife beckons with its timeless charm and coastal allure. This quaint region, dotted with idyllic fishing villages like Anstruther, Crail and Elie, invites visitors to stroll along cobbled streets and explore harbours steeped in maritime history. You can indulge in freshly caught seafood at local eateries or unwind on beaches overlooking the North Sea. Rich in culture and natural beauty, the East Neuk encapsulates the essence of Scottish coastal living, offering a tranquil escape for those seeking a respite from the bustling pace of modern life. DISCOVER SCOTLAND’S SECRET BUNKER Scotland's Secret Bunker unveils the Cold War's covert operations. This subterranean marvel offers a journey back in time, exploring hidden chambers and strategic command posts, immersing you in our secret…

One of the main reasons to invest in a campervan is the freedom it gives you to head off for a few days whenever the mood takes you. That usually means a short break in the UK. But there’s actually no reason why you can’t take a short hop across the Channel instead. A campervan trip to Europe might seem like the sort of thing that needs a lot of time and money and a great deal of planning. But that’s because we’re used to seeing people taking great long jaunts around the Continent that can last for weeks – even months. It really doesn’t have to be like that. And so, with a few days off work and some unspent ferry vouchers burning a hole in my pocket, I…

As soon as the cheery “Bon Voyage!” sign was passed and we boarded the packed LeShuttle we knew we were on holiday, leaving cold, rainy England behind for a few weeks and exploring the beauty of a few European countries. We started our journey at the Folkestone Camping and Caravanning Club site, our two-day stop after the hours-long drive from the northwest. Folkestone never fails to give us our first glimpse of summer, as you can hear the waves crashing onto the beach from the campsite and see the sun setting over the beautiful chalk cliffs. Folkestone is not only ideal as a pit stop before crossing the channel, but it is vital to enable us to bring our dog, Minnie, on her holidays with us. On the morning before…

Embarking on a road trip across Europe is an exciting adventure that promises picturesque landscapes, diverse cultures and memorable experiences. Whether you're planning a leisurely drive through the French countryside or navigating bustling city streets in Italy, it's essential to be well-prepared. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know for a smooth and enjoyable journey, from essential documents and required equipment to driving tips and general travel advice. GETTING READY TO GO Before hitting the road, conduct a thorough check of your vehicle's roadworthiness. Ensure scheduled vehicle and habitation services are up to date. Remember that being UK road legal is crucial for European travel. If your MoT is due, get it done before your trip. Most motor insurance policies will automatically cover you for European travel. However,…

In addition to driving-specific advice, here are some general travel tips to enhance your overall European experience: • Check your roaming charges Contact your service provider to ensure your phone works seamlessly abroad. Since Brexit, most mobile companies have scrapped free roaming in the EU for UK customers, so it's essential to be informed • Know your limit Before attempting to bring back food and plants to the UK, check local import regulations. Ignoring these regulations can lead to complications at customs • Wear sun cream Make sure you keep protected from the sun in the summer. Stay hydrated in hot weather, as well • Copy that… Make photocopies of essential documents, such as your passport and driving licence, and keep them separate from the originals • Pack your budgie…

A guidebook detailing the 100 best campsites in the UK and Ireland for 2024 has been published – and you can get a copy for free. The all-new Premier Parks brochure lists all of the 100 campsites within the group, sponsored by UK-based insurance company, Lifesure, for the 2024 season. Each campsite has been personally visited and inspected by a member of our experienced editorial team. The brochure is available to view as a digital page turner from the Premier Parks website premier-parks.co.uk/brochure, or you can request a free printed copy to be sent through the post. The guide is split into colour-coded regions, so you can easily find the perfect pitch in the area you want to visit. Full facilities icons show you at a glance what is available…

A campervan hire firm has won a tourism award for the best self-catering accommodation. Grampian Campervan Hire, based in Kennethmont near Huntly, landed the prize at the 2023 Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards. It not only offers a fleet of nine campervans but has also recently established a CAMpRA (the Campaign for Real Aires) accredited stopover. The stopover has five gravel pitches with electric hook-up, suitable for vehicles up to 8m long. There are currently no toilets or showers, but there are plans to offer more facilities. Prices are £10 per night, with £4 for electric hook-up, £5 for toilet emptying (eco fluids only), £2 for draining grey waste water and £2 for a water fill.…

Adria’s Twin can be regarded as royalty amongst fixed bed campervans; the origin of the species, it has evolved consistently to remain a market leader. And now it has a bigger brother, the Twin Max, which was first shown as a design study at last September’s Caravan Salon Düsseldorf. The Max is Adria’s first-ever conversion on a MAN base vehicle (so the 2024 range includes Fiat, Mercedes, MAN and Renault chassis) and arrives with a choice of two layouts in the Long (6.84m) panel van, with a Standard wheelbase (5.99m) model expected to follow. At launch, the 680 SLB and 680 SGX differ only in their rear bedroom/garage arrangements. They went on sale here at the NEC show back in October, but we were able to road test the left-hand…

FEUERHAND BABY SPECIAL 276 HURRICANE LAMP LED This lantern is a great example of old tech meeting new and it will add some old school glamour to your campervan or awning. The modern LED lights are dimmable, thanks to a traditional dial, much like the oil-powered lanterns of days gone by. On its lowest setting, the battery can offer light for up to 18 days, but if you want to bathe more of the campsite, you should get 14 hours out of it. You can use standard AA batteries (it needs three), or you can fit two lithium-ion batteries instead, which can be recharged using a USB-C charging point. It’s made from galvanised powder coated stainless steel, and comes in an imporessive 10 different colours. PRICE £59.95 W berryuseful.co.uk SEASALT…

It is time for another European trip. We had been to Italy in our pre-vanlife but never to the north. After an evening of intensive research at home – open bottle of wine, browse our Lonely Planet guidebook, read some magazine articles, Google several lists of best places to visit in northern Italy – we sketch out a rough circuit, anticlockwise, taking in the Italian Riviera, the Cinque Terre, Venice, the Dolomites, Milan and the Lakes; a month in total sandwiched between a week to get there and a week to get back. Here we focus on the section that lasted up until Venice. More by good luck than good judgment, we had come up with the most stunning of itineraries but, on the trip itself, we spent an inordinate…

Full driving licence Ensure that your driving licence is not only valid in your home country but also accepted in the European country you plan to visit. Additionally, carry your national insurance number for identification purposes Proof of vehicle insurance It's essential to carry documents proving that your vehicle is insured. Familiarise yourself with the specific insurance requirements of the country you're visiting, as they may vary Proof of ID Your passport is a fundamental document for international travel. Ensure it's valid, has sufficient validity for your entire trip, and keep it easily accessible UK sticker If your number plates don't have a UK identifier with the Union Flag, you will need a UK sticker displayed on your ’van V5C certificate The V5C certificate (log book) provides crucial details about…

It promises to be a month-long festival of football. Euro 2024 kicks off in Munich on 14 June and comes to a conclusion with the final on 14 July at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. Both Scotland and England – and possibly Wales, too – will be there. But with tens of thousands of fans heading to Germany from these shores, flights and hotel rooms will be almost impossible to find – and what’s still available would cost a small fortune. Campervanners have got an advantage over everyone else, though – we can easily travel from city to city and take our accommodation with us. Germany has a brilliant football culture and some of the best stadiums in the world, so even if you can’t get tickets for one of the home…

Strictly Come Dancing champion and broadcaster, Hamza Yassin, has been named the new President of the Camping and Caravanning Club. The wildlife cameraman and author, who won the Glitterball in 2022, takes over from TV presenter, Julia Bradbury. Campervan owner, Hamza, said it was a privilege to take on the role. “Camping puts us right on the doorstep of the countryside and gives us a unique gateway to exploring our incredible outdoor spaces,” he said. “It’s a real privilege to take over from Julia who has championed the many benefits that spending time in nature brings us all, and I hope I can follow in her footsteps to build upon her work with the Club.” Julia was the Club’s first female president when she was appointed to the position in…

A leisure vehicle survey shows owners’ satisfaction with their vehicles and build quality, together with their purchasing experience, has dramatically improved. The survey, by the Caravan and Motorhome Club, contains over 200,000 hours of feedback and shows that satisfaction is high when purchasing new and secondhand vehicles from a dealership. It found that 93% of campervanners and motorhomers are happy with their new vehicle and 95% are happy with their secondhand purchase. Build quality has improved, with over 30% fewer faults being detected in vehicles. The report also shows that not only are people more satisfied with their campervans, motorhomes, and caravans, but that they are also spending more time in them in the UK and overseas. According to the latest report, leisure vehicle owners enjoy spending longer periods away…

The huge spike in the popularity of campervans over the past few years has brought about some new ways of thinking. One change is in the way many of the newcomers view their vehicle. Instead of having a ’van that sits idle on the driveway five days a week, 50 weeks of the year, they want something that gives them a better return for their investment. And that’s understandable – if you are spending i excess of £50,000 on something, you want to get the most out of it. CamperKing reckons its new Pursuit ’van fills a gap in the market by catering to those who want a vehicle that provides for their everyday needs during the week in addition to the quest for weekend adventures. This is designed for…