Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2025 i Caravan

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer ”Jeppe Ringsted As this magazine goes on sale, we are right in the middle of the caravan industry’s autumn bonanza of the first public unveiling of the 2026 models – at the NEC show (14-19 October). It’s a fiesta of fierce competition as dealers and manufacturers jostle for buyers’ attention. There’s always a fantastic atmosphere at this show and, armed with The Out & About Live Essential Guide to Caravans 2026, our digital guide to all that’s on the British market, sponsored by the Insurance Emporium, you will have all of the information you need to choose the caravan that’s perfect for you. Follow the link bit.ly/caraessentialguide26 to fill in a short form. You will then receive an email…

Many people who enjoy caravanning wish they could escape more frequently or perhaps plan a longer trip without overspending. Organising extended vacations comes with financial hurdles, but as a family new to caravanning, we have discovered a way to travel continuously while just about breaking even – through volunteering. Our caravan is a Bailey Senator Indiana Series 5, which we acquired early in 2025 and collected in mid-February. Just a week later, we had quit our jobs, rented out our home, and caught the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry. Ignoring all the advice to ‘stick to a short trip nearby’ for our initial adventure, we instead travelled 2,350 miles over 10 weeks and planned to be on the road for about another four weeks. While my husband (Sasha) and I have managed some…

GLEN NEVIS CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK, HIGHLAND Glen Nevis, Fort William PH33 6SX T 01397 702191 W glen-nevis.co.uk OPEN 15 March – 5 November The stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands is already well known so it’s no surprise that it has been captured on screen in some top films. Glen Coe, a breathtaking mountainous landscape a few miles south of Fort William, and nearby Glen Etive have featured in Skyfall, Highlander, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Outlaw King, and the TV series Outlander. The scenery has featured in the Mel Gibson classic, Braveheart, part of which was also filmed a 30-minute drive further north in the dramatic valley of Glen Nevis. Glen Nevis Caravan and Camping Park, close to Fort William and with stunning views towards Ben…

Buccaneer | W buccaneer-rv.co.uk | £51,249 The designations Skyliner and Starliner have been added to the Buccaneer names to indicate a key difference. The three Starliner models have MTPLM figures of 2,250kg, compared with Skyliner’s 2,000kg, which gives Starliners enhanced payload. They have enhanced spec, too, including two televisions and an air-conditioning unit. New styling involves matt grey lower kitchen cabinets, upholstery that brings together fawn suede effect with pale ivory slub fabric, and seat backs with a stitching pattern that takes its inspiration from geometric shapes. Six cushions are in three colours and textures: dark green, plain fawn with a velvety feel, and bolster cushions in a tactile plush fabric. The whole look is elegant and, at the same time, cosy. The Starliner Barracuda – the first of the…

Touring holidays are great – but do you have a favourite place that you return to, many times in a year? Many people do. That’s why siting your caravan on one park for the whole season – or entire year – is a very attractive option. It means the caravan is set up and ready to step into every time you get chance to take a weekend – or longer – break. It also means that, instead of having to leave at the normal time of 11am to vacate your pitch on the day of departure, it’s your pitch – so you can stay as long as you wish. That means you can stay all day on a Sunday, then leave late in the evening when you need to go…

Vintage caravan on 4,000-mile coastal tour A 71-year-old agricultural contractor has raised over £15,000 for charity by towing a vintage caravan behind a 1956 Land Rover 4,000 miles around Britain’s coast. The caravan, just 2.74m long, was one of the first to be made by the Safari company, in 1946. Called a Safari Minor, it has a door at the front, over the drawbar, a two-burner hob, fittings made on solid oak frames, and cabinet doors of oak veneer. Derek Hernaman bought the tiny caravan from a friend a few months after he bought his Series 1 Land Rover, which has a 2.25-litre petrol engine and four-speed manual transmission with 4WD and overdrive. Derek says, “A few years ago, my son, Gareth, bought me First Overland and The Last Overland books…

Our first volunteering experience in Portugal came through a Facebook connection rather than Workaway. After watching the television programme Help! We Bought a Village, I reached out to British couple, Steve and Sarah, about volunteering at their quinta (farm) with our toddler. They were happy to receive us and, captivated by the charm of Quinta da Chumbaria, we couldn’t wait to get started. Steve and Sarah have renovated some buildings into stylish holiday accommodation and established a thriving permaculture garden. Our tasks included gardening—strimming, weeding, planting, and feeding chickens—along with cleaning guest accommodation on rainy days. We also shared evening cooking duties. We spent two and a half weeks at the farm – our first experience volunteering as a family. We quickly discovered that Eliza wasn’t as enthusiastic about gardening…

Our third volunteering place in Portugal was, unfortunately, not what we were hoping for. It’s a pity because there were a lot of positives. For example, Eliza adored the two kids who lived on the farm, and they played together most days, particularly in the garden on the trampoline. There were donkeys and chickens which we could help look after, a lovely vegetable garden with surrounding forests, and the whole place was set in a beautiful, remote area about a 20-minute drive from Pedrógão Grande. However, on the day we arrived, we had a gut feeling that this place wouldn’t work out. Number one is always the safety and happiness of our daughter, and the situation at this place made us a little uncomfortable. When we arrived, the new playmates…

Our holiday started with a rush of hot air, and I’m not talking about the often-promised Indian summer. To start our trip to the Mendips we had booked a flight in a hot air balloon; what better way to plan a holiday than to see the whole area from the sky before you start! Our flight took off from Churchill, a few miles inland from Weston-super-Mare, and flew over Dolebury Camp hill fort, Cheddar Gorge and Rodney Stoke before landing in fields just west of Wells. In all truth the starting point was planned by the pilot, the route was determined by the wind direction and, luckily, we had a light northwesterly and a beautiful sunny start to the day. Sarah was concerned that she might be frightened by being…

Adria | W adria.co.uk | £43,645 Most caravan layouts broadly conform to patterns – lounge at the front, kitchen amidships, bed or bunks at the rear. There is one, though, that is totally different. Its kitchen is at the front and its lounge is in the centre. It comes from Slovenia. It’s one of the longest, widest caravans you can buy. And it takes its name from the mighty North American river Rio Grande. This is the flagship of the Adria range that comes into Britain. The one that grabs attention – with good reason – for its extraordinary layout. In spec terms, it is parallel with its Alpina siblings, the Colorado and the Mississippi. But these two models have what might be termed conventional layouts, with lounges at the…

Elddis | W elddis.co.uk | £32,515 Not only has Elddis reintroduced Whirlwind, a name from the distant past, for the range that takes over from Avante, another name from the Elddis heritage comes back for 2026. That’s Shamal, for a model with Alde heating – and great value at £32,515. This is a twin-bed layout with the shower and toilet rooms centrally located. The instant impression as you step inside is of an exceptionally light and airy caravan. That’s down to delightfully pale cabinetry and equally pale grey, almost white, upholstery. Seat back top sections are clothed in grey velvet. The pale grey cushions are edged in the darker grey of the backrest tops. Four armrests ensure comfort. The Alde-heated Shamal’s kitchen has a hinged area to augment surface space.…

How best to check tyre pressures Q What’s the best way to check the caravan’s tyre pressures before a trip? A Tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are cold, using a good-quality gauge rather than relying on garage forecourt machines. If using a forecourt machine, it’s worth also checking the pressure with a gauge. The recommended tyre pressures can usually be found in your caravan’s handbook or on a sticker attached to the caravan. With pressures set, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) gives extra peace of mind while you’re on the move. Knowing your weight! Q How can I avoid overloading my caravan? A The easiest way to avoid overloading is to know your caravan’s payload figure. This can be calculated by subtracting the mass in running…

Every year, as November approaches, the air fills with the crackle of sparklers, the smell of wood and the anticipation of fireworks lighting up the sky. At the heart of it all lies the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, an explosive attempt at change that has echoed down the centuries. In a quirky way, there’s a parallel for caravanners: fireworks season often marks the final spark of the touring year, as many owners hitch up for one last adventure before their caravans are tucked away for winter. Enjoy the warmth of your caravan and pick a site close to the country’s best displays. Whether it’s a peaceful park near a seaside bonfire or a lively event beside a nearby town, caravanning adds a level of comfort and…

We’d planned a weekend in Salisbury. However, we diverted from our plan and took a trip into the Hampshire town of Stockbridge for lunch on the first day. This introduced us to a delightful little town we might otherwise never had discovered. We parked near Meadow, a well-reviewed café and art gallery. Our lunch certainly didn’t disappoint – Paul’s chicken Caesar salad was delicious, as was my coconut cauliflower curry with naan. And, as Stockbridge clearly had more to offer, we spent a leisurely afternoon exploring. The town is laid out along both sides of its long, wide High Street. Consequently, our walk wasn’t so much ‘around’ as ‘along’ it, and back again. Pausing where the River Test flows through a pond alongside the High Street before disappearing into a…

A mid rolling Leicestershire countryside, with far-reaching farmland views and nine fishing lakes, Eye Kettleby Lakes is a family-run site situated on a working farm. It’s run by the Lomas family. That’s Joe and Lizzy – with a little help from their sons, Arthur and Ted. The site has a clubhouse and bar, which hosts a programme of live entertainment. Breakfast, lunch and Sunday lunch is served at the clubhouse. Dogs are welcome, in the clubhouse’s pet-friendly lounge. It’s open every day and locally made ales are on the menu, together with a range of gins, plus coffee. Pitches are large and many are hedged. Eye Kettleby Lakes has been running alongside the farm for over 30 years and is open all year. It’s located on the outskirts of Melton Mowbray,…

Swift | W swiftgroup.co.uk | £33,945 A twin-axle tourer with two dining/lounging areas and a double bedroom at the rear – family caravan layouts don’t come much better than this… This layout first appeared as the Sprite Quattro MB. It was unveiled last summer and went on to win Caravan magazine’s Best Family Caravan Award for its versatility. For 2026, it has grown in size and status. It now joins the ever-growing rank of eight-foot wide caravans – and it’s elevated from the Sprite range to Challenger. And, in common with all Challenger models for 2026, it has Truma’s new CombiNeo heating system. While we were extremely impressed by this layout in Sprite Quattro MB form, we have to say the extra width of this layout in its Challenger Grande 630…

For many caravanners, the end of summer doesn’t mean the end of touring. In fact, winter can bring a different kind of vibe: quiet campsites, pretty frosted mornings and the cosy warmth of heating systems. But the colder months also bring certain risks, from frozen pipes to mould, flat tyres and even security. So you need a different routine in between trips away. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know, from draining the water system to covers – and we recommend some year-round sites. THE WATER SYSTEM To put it simply, water and frost don’t mix. Even the smallest drop left in your pipes can expand as it freezes, splitting pipework and causing major damage – both expensive and extremely inconvenient. Begin by draining down your hot…

Caravan and Motorhome Club names 2026 Towcar of the Year The Volkswagen Passat R-Line 2.0 TSI 204PS DSG has been named the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Towcar of the Year 2026 The Passat took home several awards, also winning the awards for the best 2026 Family Towcar and the 1,300kg – 1,500kg caravan weight class. There is more good news for Volkswagen, as it took away another title with the Multivan Style 2.0 TSI 204PS, which won the Large Family Towcar category. The 2026 awards put 37 vehicles through track-based towing tests, where entries were grouped by caravan weight bands – as opposed to price – alongside special categories like electric, hybrid, pick-up, family, large family and luxury towcars. KEY WINNERS ■ Under 1,300kg: Skoda Enyaq SportLine 85x (82kWh, 4x4)…

sudoku If you are looking for a way to exercise your mind, sudoku is great and will certainly get the cogs turning! just for fun Find the 19 games and hobbies crossword ACROSS 7 Government department or office furniture (6) 8 Hostility between enemies (6) 9 Feverish illness with chills (4) 10 Prevent from happening (8) 11 Personal or business matters (7) 13 Of lesser importance or under age (5) 15 Drench thoroughly or pickled dish (5) 16 From the Nordic country of lakes (7) 18 Making appear tiny by comparison (8) 19 Similar in nature (4) 21 Financial intermediary (6) 22 Gentle or formal offer (6) DOWN 1 Cork for wine cask (4) 2 Widespread industrial action (7,6) 3 Hold up or assist (7) 4 Drive back or disgust…