Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i Campervan

We’ve enjoyed some glorious late spring weather over the last couple of months and I hope the sunshine has inspired you to get out in your campervan. There’s really nothing quite like relaxing outside your ’van on a warm afternoon and enjoying a cold glass of whatever takes your fancy. Or maybe you prefer to take a wander to the nearest beer garden and relax in the evening sunshine. Either way, campervan adventures tend to be better when the weather is good, so hopefully the predictions of a long hot summer will come to pass! With the summer holidays just around the corner you’ll need to be quick if you want to get your perfect campsite and in this issue we’ve got some top tips to help you make the…

Location, location, location! Since 1945, campers have flocked to Pentewan Sands to enjoy the Cornish coast. The five-star site is right on the beach – with some pitches just a few steps from the sand. These get snapped up quickly, though, so make sure you book early! These days, Pentewan has everything you could need on a campsite – two indoor pools, a whirlpool bath, tennis courts, water sports, a supermarket and plenty of places to eat. To mark its 80th anniversary, a brand-new Asian fusion restaurant – Stingi’s – opened and there are competitions and giveaways all year for guests, from family passes at local attractions to free holidays. Long before the days of the five-star holiday park, the area on which Pentewan Sands sits was once farmland, with…

Would you rather be on a spot with a great view? Close to the toilet block? As far away as possible from the clubhouse? Under trees for shade? There are pros and cons to all of the options, so you need to weigh up what suits you best. Whatever you decide, if you are staying at a campsite for several days, it certainly pays dividends to stay have pitch that you enjoy rather than endure. Even if you are moving on each day, why put up with a pitch that is less than satisfactory? Unfortunately, on some campsites you’ll simply be told where to park up when you arrive depending on how busy it is and what’s available at the time. Happily, most site owners and managers are friendly, helpful…

The new EU digital border system is expected to go live in October 2025, having been postponed on multiple occasions prior. The EES (Entry/Exit System) for registering non-EU nationals for short stays, was originally planned for 2022; however, it was then delayed to May 2023 and then pushed to 2024. The latest indication is that the EES will be in operation in October 2025. The EES will impact travellers who are not from EU member states – including UK citizens – who will need to hold a valid ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) travel authorisation. The EES will collect the data listed on your travel documents such as your full name and date of birth, the date and place of each entry and exit, your biometric data and…

There’s nothing strange about dogs on campsites – in fact many people go camping because it means their four-legged friends can join them on holiday. But with the recent sunny weather inspiring a surge in campsite bookings it seems that many campers are bringing along some more unusual pets. According to the Caravan and Motorhome Club, all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures are turning up on its network of campsites, from feline friends to scaly sidekicks and cold-blooded companions. The Club says unusual pets that have been spotted enjoying the great outdoors include cats, bearded dragon reptiles, snakes, rabbits and, possibly most unlikely of all, fish. Meanwhile, another survey conducted by the Club has revealed that 86% of dog owners bring their dog along on their campervan, motorhome or…

The Volkswagen California has been around since 1988, originally built by Westfalia on the T3 and then T4 generations of the Transporter. VW took both its design and build in-house in 2004 with the launch of the T5 Cali, the first one to come here as an official right-hand drive import. Later T6 and T6.1 versions required only the most minor updates to the habitation aspects as sales soared – the Cali has been a huge success story, with 200,000 vehicles sold in less than 20 years, making it the best-selling campervan in Europe. With the end of T6.1 Transporter production, however, an all-new model was required. Rumours of an all-electric, retro-styled ID Buzz California have so far come to nought and, equally, VW shows no sign of converting the…

The rugged Cornish coastline is just one of the attractions of the idyllic fishing village of St Ives. Its charm and beauty also make it a favourite haunt of artists who draw inspiration from the sweeping sandy beaches and azure waters. We love sculptor Barbara Hepworth’s house and sculpture garden and the insights they give you into the artist’s life. But there’s so much more to enjoy. Outdoor enthusiasts can embark on coastal walks and there’s lots for wildlife lovers to see as well. Of course, you can just relax and enjoy the lovely beaches. VISIT ST MICHAEL’S MOUNT A 20-minute drive from St Ives, St Michael’s Mount is a tiny island packed with history, crowned with a medieval castle. Stroll across the granite causeway at low tide or take…

HI Remember my postponed trip from a little while ago? I managed to reschedule with my friend and headed off to… Tewkesbury! She has been going through some family-related circumstances and the advantage of being mobile means I was able to go to her. I packed up the Doblo, got a care package together and hit the road. She is also in a small campervan, but we didn’t book into a campsite. As we were only meeting up for one night, we opted to use the Gloucester Road Car Park on the outskirts of town. It was free after 6pm and only cost £4.50 for the day, so it was ideal. Plus, there are public toilets open during the day. We are both completely self-contained but it’s always great to…

The eHybrid version of the new VW California has gone on sale. Prices start at £71,295 for the California Beach Camper eHybrid, £78,495 for the California Coast trim, and £85,395 for the top-spec California Ocean. Finance packages start from £739 per month on 0% APR with hire purchase. The new eHybrid versions, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ first-ever plug-in hybrid campervan, come with 4Motion all-wheel drive. Featuring a combined output of 245hp (more than the diesel or pure petrol versions), the new powertrain option combines an electric motor with a high-tech 1.5 TSI petrol engine. For everyday motoring, the 19.7kWh lithium-ion battery delivers a WLTP range of 54 miles of pure electric range, while it has a towing capacity of up to 1,600kg. The new eHybrid models are available in a choice…

A new 30-pitch campsite has opened on the popular North Coast 500 (NC500) route in the Scottish Highlands. Melvich Bay Caravan Park sits near the village of Melvich, just above the beach, offering panoramic views across the North Atlantic Ocean and towards Orkney. The 25-acre site features hardstanding pitches for campervans and motorhomes, along with electricity, water, waste water disposal, family bathrooms and strong mobile coverage. The park is located between Thurso and Bettyhill, with shops and a café within walking distance. Pitches measure 12 square metres and overnight stays can be booked for £35 through the park’s website. Director, Angus Forbes, a local farmer and contractor, said the site aims to improve facilities along the busy NC500 and support the local economy. “We recognised that logistical and hospitality support…

Adria is celebrating its sixtieth anniversary this year and, to mark this milestone, it has launched three special edition models – one campervan and two coachbuilt motorhomes. Here we focus on the only campervan in this anniversary range – the Adia Twin 60 Years Selection. This unique campervan is based on the best-selling two-berth Twin Supreme 640 SGX. The layout is already familiar to many Adria fans and has proved to be popular throughout Europe with couples looking for a well-equipped two-berth campervan that is just 6.36m long, meaning it is easy to manoeuvre in tight spots and compact enough (it’s just 2.05m wide) to negotiate narrow country lanes. As it is based on the 3,500kg Fiat Ducato, it can be driven by anyone with a standard car driving licence…

LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN CORNWALL While technically not a hidden gem as the gardens are quite well known, this attraction is included in our feature because they were hidden through time since the First World War, until they were discovered and restored in 1990. Today they are 200 acres of paradise for those who love to explore and those who love plants. Another reason to include these gardens is for the proximity of a campsite to stay on and access them with ease. There’s one just across the lane from the gardens and there’s also a discounted Lost Gardens entry offer to anyone staying on the campsite. The campsite at Heligan is nestled in the countryside with a selection of pitches and facilities, including toilets and showers, private bathrooms, accessible…

Don't risk missing out on the campsite you want for your campervan adventures – follow our advice to find the perfect pitch for your needs. Here are our 12 top tips for picking the right campsite, whether you're a couple looking for a remote vanlife experience or a family seeking a bustling site with plenty of activities. 1 USE CAMPSITE FINDER TO EXPLORE THE UK This is your starting point. Featuring hundreds of high-quality destinations, Campsite Finder is our directory of the best campsites in the UK, stretching from Cornwall to the Cairngorms and everywhere in between. Use filters to explore sites according to your personal criteria, including dog friendly, adults only, family friendly and more! W outandaboutlive.co.uk/campsites/campsite-finder 2 LOOK FOR A SITE NEAR WATER THE BEST CAMPSITES ALL seem to…

Honda has revealed a unique car camping concept inspired by Japan’s capsule hotels. The Dream Pod was designed to celebrate 30 years of its CR-V compact SUV. Based on the manufacturer’s first plug-in hybrid model for Europe, it has been created to deliver off-grid adventures. Designed as a campervan alternative, it features cooking facilities, a washbasin and additional home comforts. The Dream Pod also provides sleeping space for two people, and was built using specialist camping equipment, genuine Honda accessories and some bespoke features, bringing home comfort to the great outdoors. It is based on the CR-V e:PHEV, which offers 49 miles EV range and is fitted with SENSING 360 – Honda’s omnidirectional safety and driver-assist system. Although the Dream Pod is a concept, you can buy individual components to…

East Midlands campervan dealer, Grantham’s, has officially opened a new 12-bay workshop to boost the company’s service and repair capacity. The new workshop will also serve as the primary training centre for aspiring NCC-certified technicians in the Midlands. Paul Connolly, Director at Grantham’s, said: "This expansion represents a major step forward for us as a business and as a team. It’s about more than just increasing our capacity—it’s about investing in the future of the leisure industry and our community. We’re proud to be creating new jobs locally while continuing to raise the standard of service for our customers. This is just the first phase of what’s to come, and we’re excited about the journey ahead." Grantham’s says the new workshop is part of a wider development strategy. The long-term…

Mobilvetta is an Italian brand best known in this country for its luxury motorhomes (both A-classes and low-profiles) inspired by nautical design. But 2025 sees a campervan join its UK line-up for the first time – the Admiral K6.3. The marine influence is obvious in the name; I’ve seen it described as a luxury yacht on wheels, and I get that. Not surprisingly, this campervan exudes Italian style. But there are clever design touches in there as well to add some practicality, so it’s in no way style over substance. First impressions are that this is a striking looking ’van on the outside – black with silver trim and graphics and a set of 16in alloys. It certainly has a touch of bling about it and it’s perhaps not to…