Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i Practical Motorhome

Touring to Continental Europe has changed following Brexit – here’s a round-up of what you need to know in the months ahead. ■ Passports Your passport must have at least six months of remaining validity and be less than 10 years old, even if it has six months left on ■ Global Health Insurance Card The free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaces the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), although the EHIC is still valid while it remains in date, and gives you access to emergency state-provided healthcare during a stay in EU countries at reduced cost or for free. The card doesn’t cover private care or replace travel insurance, and can’t be used in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. ■ Visas Visas are not necessary for short trips to…

WHERE WE STAYED ■ Blue Hills Touring Park Cross Coombe, Trevellas, St Agnes TR5 0XP (best approached via M5 and A30) Web bluehillscamping.co.uk Open Easter to October (lockdowns permitting) ■ Penmarlam Caravan & Camping Park Bodinnick, Fowey PL23 1LZ (best approached via A390 to avoid Fowey) Web www.penmarlampark.co.uk Open 1 March - 31 October (lockdowns permitting) ■ Wall Park Touring and Centry Road Camping Site Centry Road, Berry Head, Brixham TQ5 9ET (We arrived via A38 and A385; if travelling from the north, take A30 and A380 from Exeter) Web www.centrytouring.co.uk Open 1 April - 31 October (lockdowns permitting) FIND OUT MORE ■ South West Coast Path Web www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk ■ Healeys Cyder Farm Guided tours, or just wander around. Pull your own pint in the Rattler Bar, and visit the…

One of my abiding memories from a childhood that was full of brilliant outdoor adventures is weekends spent romping all over the Peak District National Park, often chasing after our energetic Jack Russell as she disappeared along trails and tracks leading over all manner of hills. Little did I know it at the time, but those escapades were the foundation for the life I have gone on to lead, with the outdoors very much at its heart. Not only that, but those trips were my first experiences of the pleasures of visiting a National Park – in fact, the first one to be designated in the UK. The Peak District was recognised as our first National Park 70 years ago, in 1951, and since then, 14 more of these wonderful…

AUTO CAMPERS The new Eco Line range from Auto Campers is designed to make the cost of owning a campervan more accessible. The line-up includes modular elements similar to the Berkshire company’s existing Day Van models, but it is designed to go on new or used Ford Transit Customs, which customers can supply themselves. BILBO’S Founded in 1977, Surrey-based Bilbo’s has gained a loyal fan base for Volkswagen conversions. Its most recent model, the Nexa+, features a layout that it has already tried and tested on its Lezan, with a fixed toilet at the rear, only this time with a roof that raises up at the back. CMC REIMO This spring, Kent-based CMC is bringing out a slimline version of its popular Escape campervan. The Escape SL (1, 2) provides…

Advertisement feature MARQUIS With 13 retail sites, Marquis offers a nationwide network and stocks a fantastic range of motorhomes from UK and European brands. Several are exclusive to Marquis, including Adria (Marquis Surrey), Elddis Majestic, Mobilvetta, Benimar and the Auto-Sleepers automatic van conversion line-up. Other ranges include McLouis Fusion, Auto-Trail, Benivan, Tribute and Elddis models, all at competitive prices. New models can be purchased through Marquis’s flexible funding options and come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Buyers looking for used ’vans can take advantage of online deals, such as a 2018 four-berth Lunar Roadstar EB at £46,995, a saving of £8000. Lockdown has closed all branches until further notice, but a sales email line is open via the website. ■ www.marquisleisure.co.uk GLOSSOPS The Derbyshire dealership is a one-stop shop for new…

Advertisement feature SHIELDING YOUR ’VAN No matter how much money you might have spent on your motorhome, having it stolen or damaged is likely to be one of your worst nightmares – particularly if you find out afterwards that you’re not fully covered by your insurance policy. Fortunately, Shield Total Insurance – a specialist motorhome insurer with 25 years’ experience in the leisure vehicle industry – offers everything you require to get the best policy for your needs, ensuring that you’re fully covered at a price that’s right for you. All of the fixtures and fittings in your motorhome are covered within a Shield Total Insurance policy, and you can insure any awning or other valuable kit. And with the firm’s 25 years of experience, you can rest assured that…

For many seasons, Adria has offered two similar low-profile ranges. The main difference between the two is that while the Matrix includes a drop-down bed, the Coral dispenses with that and has a larger rooflight. For 2021 both have had a revamp, at least in Plus and Supreme spec. While there are no new layouts, we wanted to see what this refresh means for the four-berth Matrix Supreme 670 SL. Most changes are on the outside; notably, the new front profile includes a sunroof that is 15% wider. The rear panel is sleeker, and has a three-piece bumper (easier to repair) and an LED light cluster designed exclusively for Adria by Hella. The height of the whole motorhome has been raised by 7cm, so you need to use the roll-out…

Sales still on for Stowford Following the sale in late 2020 of Stowford Farm Meadows, the extensive campsite based in Combe Martin, North Devon, I can confirm that the two leisure vehicle retail outlets – Stowford Caravan Centre (same location as the site) and Stowford (South Wales), at Llantrisant, Monmouthshire, will continue as a business in its own right. Both of the dealerships will be operating under the Stowford Leisure banner and will be run by husband-and-wife team Andrew and Debbie Noall (pictured above). Andrew tells me: “For the next two years, Stowford Caravan Centre will continue to operate as before at Stowford Farm Meadows, in Devon. However, we are hoping to move off site to a permanent home by October 2022, if we can find a suitable location.” He…

If you’re reading this holding a cup of instant coffee, this article probably isn’t for you. Skip the page. Save your time. But if cafetières don’t really float your boat, and you know that there’s no ‘x’ in espresso, read on. I’m an unashamed coffee snob, and a really good coffee is one of my motorhome essentials. There is no better way to start the day. But just how do you get a decent coffee in your motorhome or camper, without having to resort to spending £8 at a hipster coffee store – and having to queue? On an electric hook-up, it’s easy – plug in and use your domestic coffee machine. Either a pod machine or, if you have a larger motorhome, perhaps even a bean-to-cup machine. But what…

Charlestown, Cornwall Coordinates 50.3329° N, 4.7592° W Why tour here? The Georgian port of Charlestown, on Cornwall’s south coast, has remained largely unchanged since the original tiny fishing hamlet was expanded to serve the mining industry and export copper and then china clay. The Georgian architecture and authentic harbour make it popular with film-makers as well as visitors. Don’t miss… The harbour is home to an impressive fleet of rigged tall sailing ships. practicalmotorhomeuk…

STAR PICTURE Email your pictures and their stories (40 words, plus name, address and contacts) to hotshots@practicalmotorhome.com. The best photo will win these guides: All the Aires Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; Go Motorhoming and Campervanning; Seaview Camping Wales; Seaview Camping West Country; Road Trip Europe – The Great War and More; Road Trip Europe – Go Dutch. All are from Vicarious Books, www.vicarious-shop.co.uk, 0131 208 3333.…

The past year really has been extraordinarily eventful for the motorhome industry: dealerships and campsites have been forced to temporarily close their doors, and we’ve all had to stay at home during the various lockdowns. It was with this in mind that we launched our first Van Live! Practical Caravan & Motorhome Virtual Show, back in October – our online event brought you all of the latest news and round-ups from across the motorhome world, to keep you up to date with everything that was going on, after other physical shows had been cancelled. Join us online Such was the huge success of that event, we’ve decided to do it again – the Van Live! Practical Caravan & Motorhome Virtual Show 2021 will feature on our website from 22-28 February.…

ADRIA Advertisement feature Adria’s two low-profile ranges, the Matrix, which has a drop-down bed, and the Coral, with a large rooflight, together make up 65% of its total motorhome sales in the UK. This season, despite the lockdowns, both of these line-ups have been given a complete revamp – at least in Plus and Supreme spec. While there are no new layouts in either range, the exterior profiles of both models have been reworked, so the sunroof at the front is 15% larger than it was for the previous season. The whole motorhome has also been raised by 7cm, but without reducing headroom. This means that there can be a completely uninterrupted flat floor inside, and a technical double floor stretching from the cab more or less to the back…

SHOW HIGHLIGHT Located just off the A28 near Chartham in Canterbury and open seven days a week, Choose Leisure offers the complete motorhome package for those looking to buy a new or used vehicle. Its philosophy is to offer a professional service while making the buying, selling or servicing of your motorhome a leisurely and enjoyable experience that sets you up for the next part of your adventure. Paul and Jenny Santos will be familiar to Choose Leisure’s many longstanding customers, as founders and owners of Kent’s largest motorhome dealership. Paul says: “Jenny and I are extremely proud of the team we’ve built here. Not only is everyone talented at what they do, but they all play a vital role in ensuring our customers have the type of experience we…

Vango has been really focusing on developing its driveaway campervan awning range for the 2021 season. Its Sport range – made of lightweight Sentinel Sport fabric with enhanced UV resistance – has been expanded, with the introduction of the Agora Air VW, designed for VW vans and conversions. This comes with a flat entranceway, mesh windows, and doors on either side of its connecting tunnel, which can be rolled away to make it freestanding. The popular Galli awning, made of lightweight Sentinel Active fabric, can hold two bedroom inners, has a front canopy, and is now available in a poled version, Galli Low. Galli is also available in polycotton – perfect for Continental use – as is the small Kela, both known respectively as the Galli Air TC Low and…

Cooking in the confines of your motorhome can be both a joy and a challenge – fortunately, at Van Live! we’ve got some fantastic inspiration and advice from Mark and Sophie at Vanlife Eats (vanlifeeats.com). You’ll be able to read their 10 top tips on motorhome cooking in Hall 6, and watch a brilliant video for even more inspiration. For now, though, here’s a tasty recipe that you can cook up on your next tour! Hearty vegetarian curry with chickpeas, aubergines and halloumi Ingredients - Serves 1 ■ 1 tbsp olive oil ■ ½ yellow onion ■ 1 tsp fresh ginger, chopped ■ 2 garlic cloves, chopped ■ 1 tsp garam masala ■ 1 tsp light brown sugar ■ Salt and pepper ■ 1 bay leaf ■ 1½ tbsp tomato…

Autoquests simply fly out of the showrooms because they are very good lightweight ’vans. All feature appealing, practical and easy-to-live-in layouts – as well as a travel seat for each sleeping berth. Add to the Autoquest ‘mix’ a raft of useful and popular extras and a more powerful engine, at only a fraction of their cost if you specified each item individually, and you have the essence of Majestic’s remarkable reign. This generation of Majestics kicked off in 2010 with eight models: three Luton high-line overcabs and five low-profile overcabs. The Majestic 100 didn’t last long and was replaced by the 165. The remainder continued to 2006, with the majority still in production today. The front-lounge 5.7m/18’9” 115 two-berth is the baby of the range. Next are the rear-lounge, two-berth…

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT magazinesdirect.com/PM21APR Or call 0330 333 1113 and quote 83AC ■ 6 issues of Practical Motorhome delivered directly to your door ■ Exclusive subscriber-only covers ■ Save up to 51% on the cover price Offer close 5 March 2021. Offer open to new subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. Advertised rates payable by 6 monthly Direct Debit. These prices are guaranteed for the first 12 months and we will notify you in advance of any price changes. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of your first subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). The full subscription rate is for 12 months (13 issues) and includes postage and packaging. If the magazine ordered changes frequency per annum, we will honour the number…

letter of the month Recently, I nearly ended up in a bit of a pickle! I keep my motorhome in the garage, connected to a power supply to maintain the battery and power the alarm. The battery will go flat in a matter of weeks if it is not hooked up, so I make sure to check the system regularly. Something unexplained tripped the internal power supply unit, so the battery did go flat, down to about 1.5V. When I discovered the problem and reset the ‘trip’, the onboard charger would not charge the battery – the voltage was too low. The same was true for my external CTEK charger, so I had to resort to removing the battery and charging it with an ‘old fashioned’ charger, which will not…

Weber Summit Kamado Outdoor chefs will love this smart barbecue, designed to reach high temperatures quickly and use less fuel than conventional units. Price £899 Web www.weber.com Scottish scratch map Planning a tour in Scotland? Record your adventures with this fantastic scratch map from artist and designer Gillian Kyle. Price £20 Web www.gilliankyle.com Luminoodle LED light rope This clever light rope comes with a USB cable: it can be used as a string, or hung up in its nylon bag as a lantern. Price £38.99 Web www.amazon.co.uk E-Trends Fly e-bike This electric bike folds up for easy storage, has a range of 15-19 miles, and weighs in at just 23.5kg. For riders up to 120kg. Price £699.99 Web e-trends.co.uk Tanki toilet paper This eco-friendly, plastic-free, two-ply tissue won’t clog your…

WHERE WE STAYED ■ Corfe Castle Camping and Caravanning Club Site Bucknowle, Dorset BH20 5PQ Web www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk Open 1 March - 31 October (lockdowns permitting) The campsite, at the foot of the Purbeck Hills in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is an excellent base for exploring the many beautiful beaches in the locality, including Studland Beach. This family-friendly site offers hardstanding and grass pitches, and there’s an on-site shop with fresh bread and newspapers delivered daily. FIND OUT MORE ■ Visit Dorset Web www.visit-dorset.com ■ Isle of Purbeck Web dorsettravelguide.com ■ National Motor Museum, Beaulieu New Forest, Hampshire SO42 7ZN Web www.beaulieu.co.uk ■ Corfe Castle Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5EZ Web www.nationaltrust.org.uk ■ Brownsea Island Accessible (lockdowns permitting) by car via the Sandbanks Ferry, or foot ferry from…

Vauxhall teams up with Wellhouse Vauxhall has entered the campervan market with a new vehicle designed by Wellhouse Leisure. The Bedfordshire car brand is following in the footsteps of VW, Mercedes and Ford by launching a campervan, in this case based on the Vivaro Elite. A fully electric version, based on the Vivaro-e, is also in the pipeline. With a starting price of £46,000, the raising-roof campervan includes a 25-litre compressor fridge, a gas hob, both 12V and 240V power, and a 100W solar panel. It comes with four travel seats fitted as standard, with the option to add a fifth seat. Vanworx relaunches Danbury Vanworx is planning three models under the Danbury name this season. The Dorset-based van converter acquired Danbury at the end of last year and moved…

Advertisement feature AUTO-SLEEPERS The Broadway EL – which you can read more about on p82 of this issue – is the major news this season, as Auto-Sleepers celebrates its 60th anniversary. The 6.6m-long vehicle is based on the Peugeot Boxer, but has been made some 3in wider than standard to enhance the functionality of the spacious interior and showcase the indulgently comfortable rear lounge. This features extra corner headrests, a choice of two tables and a huge variety of lighting. There’s also a central washroom, which has a partition that swings over to create a large shower, while also retaining excellent storage. Better still, the cab features a swivelling passenger seat, perfect for early risers, and comes fitted with a practical extension that you can fold down to create a…

BACK OF BEYOND TOURING PARK Dorset This adults-only site is a haven for guests and wildlife alike. Leave your daily stress behind with walks in its 18 acres of woods or around the two fishing lakes. Last year, owners Martin and Victoria Bowrey were clearing streams, improving showerblocks, building 19 hardstandings, and creating an external pop-up bar and a communal barbecue and seating area. New measures have been employed to create a safe environment for guests. ■ 234a Ringwood Road, East Moors Lane, St Leonards, East Dorset BH24 2SB ■ backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk BALLYNESS CARAVAN PARK Northern Ireland Visits to two top attractions, the Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, are well served with a base at this award-winning park at Bushmills, where the Causeway Rambler bus stops to pick up…

This gem of a special edition, offering generous levels of comfort, celebrates the manufacturer’s diamond jubilee. Peter Baber steps inside This year, Auto-Sleepers, one of Britain’s best-known motorhome brands, marks its 60th anniversary. To celebrate, the Cotswold company has brought out a special edition low-profile, the Broadway EL. The new vehicle has an anniversary badge on the front grille in place of the Peugeot lion, but this is not an existing ’van that has been rebadged. You can tell that by the dimensions. It is 6.63m long, with a lounge that provides sizeable single beds. Yet the rear overhang is still easy to deal with. The Broadway EL is 7.6cm wider than the standard Peugeot Boxer, at 2.32m. That change is designed to open out the lounge and entrance. You…

We all clearly remember how the decade ended – with the coronavirus being reported in news programmes. Although undeniably extremely serious, Covid-19 is having the effect of lessening public sympathy for other tragedies of the ‘twenty-tens’, including Zika virus, with its devastating impact on unborn children, and the deaths of so many in terrorist attacks, ethnic cleansing, and among those seeking a better life by crossing the Channel in overloaded crafts. Previously, ‘natural disasters’ was the catch-all phrase used to describe floods and wildfires, although after wake-up calls from scientists, conservationists and activists, including Extinction Rebellion and Greta Thunberg, people increasingly saw these disasters less as natural, more as human-made. Social media developed rapidly and was a major catalyst in the growing support for emerging social and political movements, such…

For many motorcaravanners, time on tour is a time to escape the TV, but an equal number love evenings in the ’van with their favourite shows. Many people like to watch DVDs while they’re away – perfect after a day spent outdoors. But there are lots of ways to watch TV in your ’van. Here’s what you need to know… TVs and other kit ■ Choosing your TV Buying a TV is easy. They’ve never been cheaper and you can pick one up from the supermarket, the internet or wherever you like. But what do you need to consider? There are three main things – size, power and portability. Size really matters here. Even a big motorhome isn’t large enough to give up too much space for a TV, so…