Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine – December 2022

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Editorial

Editors Gary Martin, John Thynne

Deputy Editor Stuart Egan

Assistant Editors Clare Disano, Stephen Hollis

Design Michaela Millar

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President: Thomas Coke, 8th Earl of Leicester

Chairman: Grenville Chamberlain OBE Director General: Nick Lomas

WELCOME

John Thynne says:

Awards season is here! No, I m not talking about the Golden Globes or the Oscars but the Club s own awards that recognise the huge efforts put in by Club site staff and Certificated Location (CL) owners, who make your stays so memorable. We used Club Day during the Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC in October to hold our own red carpet event. First up was the Sites in Bloom award, presented to the site teams that, in the view of the judges,

about the winners in our News section ”

put on the most impressive floral displays this summer.

The winners of our Sites to Inspire awards were up next – these reward campsites that provide extra-special ‘magic moments’. Meanwhile, our popular CL of the Year competition winners were announced – these highlight some of the most spectacular, privately owned, member-exclusive, five-pitch sites in locations across the UK. You can read

COVER IMAGE:

Traditional stone buildings on The Hill in the Cotswold town of Burford

We would like to thank image libraries Alamy, Getty Images/iStock and Shutterstock for supplying a number of images used in this magazine.

about all the winners in our News section starting on page 15.

Finally, Grenville Chamberlain OBE announced the winner of the Sustainability Chairman s Award – first held in 2021, it is presented to a Club campsite that has made a particularly impressive, sustainable environmental, social and economic effort. Turn to page 26 for the result.

Talking of awards, our Caravan Design and Lightweight Leisure Trailer Awards judges inspected dozens of vehicles at the NEC – we ll bring you the full run-down in our January and February issues.

Editions of your Club magazine – with lots of extra content – are also available via an app on iPhone/iPad and Android tablets and phones.

“Read

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This magazine is also available free of charge as a page turner on the Club website and as an app via Google Play or the App Store. For non-members who download the Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine app, each issue costs £3.49.

Readers are asked to note that the Caravan and Motorhome Club cannot accept responsibility for the quality, safe delivery or operation of any products advertised or mentioned in this journal. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply any form of approval or recommendation. Advertisements or other inserted material are accepted subject to the approval of the publishers and their current terms and conditions.

The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way infringe copyright or contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act.

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Calls to phone numbers starting 084 and 087 cost up to 7p per minute plus your service provider’s charge.

OPINION

Nick Lomas says:

One of our major priorities is to continually develop, improve and expand the UK Club campsite network. It’s one of the main topics members raise when responding to surveys. You want to see more pitches, more facilities such as serviced pitches, hardstandings for use in all weather conditions, more reliable Wi-Fi and so on.

I’m delighted that this season our development programme swiftly got back into full swing after the pandemic. I thought I’d mention just two redeveloped campsites you can visit over the next few months.

Circulation: Jan-Dec 2021

Printing by Mohn Media, Gütersloh, Germany

Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire is set in The Dukeries – a vast area of the county, neighbouring historic Sherwood Forest, which became the honeypot hunting estate location for the aristocracy. The Dukes of Newcastle, Portland, Kingston and Norfolk all had vast landholdings here. Clumber is now in the care of the National Trust, with much of the estate a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It covers some 3,800 acres and 677,000 people visited in 2018/19. The Club has operated a site here since 1981. It is approached by perhaps the grandest driveway to any Club campsite, a record breaking two-mile-long double avenue of lime trees, which is a sight to behold.

Coincidentally, there is a touring connection that goes right back to the dawn of our pastime. The seventh Duke of Newcastle, who rebuilt Clumber

House in the 1890s, had a passion for photography and travel. He was a friend of Dr William Gordon Stables, the Club’s first Vice-President. The Duke commissioned The Bohemian – a sister caravan to Stables’ The Wanderer. Sadly, its fate has been lost in time – but there is an interesting story associated with it. Injured following a fall in childhood, the Duke had walking difficulties throughout the rest of his life – Andrew Woodmansey, a keen historian and writer, suggests The Bohemian may have been the first leisure vehicle to feature adaptations for someone with a disability. I’m pleased to say that at Clumber Park, over a century later, our latest amenities include fully accessible facilities.

The same can be said for Winchester Morn Hill Club Campsite, which has also seen a top-to-toe makeover, with two new facility buildings, a newly relocated reception and a mix of grass, hardstanding and ferry stopover pitches – ideal for those heading to Portsmouth via the M3 for a continental trip.

“ Both campsites are open all year ”

YOUR PHOTOS

Your most memorable touring moments caught on camera

Italy

TAKE A PEAK

The church of St Magdalena in the Val di Funes, set against the Dolomites.

Jacqui and Mark Walton

SIMP-LY STUNNING

Taken while touring Switzerland and travelling along the Simplon Pass.

Danny Dale and Julie Penrose

Switzerland

HORSING AROUND

While in Scotland I visited The Kelpies , which are two giant horses’ heads made of steel. Magnificent. (Nearest Affiliated Campsite: The Woods) Mike Parry

UP, UP AND AWAY

My partner and stepdaughter flying a kite at Isle View Camping CL in Osmington. A beautiful evening and amazing views!

Shelley Knighton

AWE-RORA

We thought members might like to see the fabulous light display over Fidra Island from Yellowcraig Club Campsite.

PEACHY MORNING

Sunrise at Old Hartley Club Campsite (near Whitley Bay with St Mary’s Lighthouse in the distance).

John Nichol

Upload your images at camc.com/inspiring adventures or tag us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #inspiringadventures

GLORIOUS ISOLATION

Taken on the NC 500 route. Ceannabeinne Beach near Durness‘glorious isolation’. (Nearest Club Campsite: Altnaharra) Wendy and Mark Capelle

Highlands

YOUR CLUB... AND HOW IT WORKS

Did you know that every time you pay your membership fee, spend a night on one of our fantastic campsites or take out Caravan Cover or Motorhome Insurance, you are reinvesting in the Club, its facilities and its future?

The Caravan and Motorhome Club (formed back in 1907 as The Caravan Club) is a not-for-profit organisation – it has no shareholders and, hence, no dividends to pay,

so any surplus achieved is used to improve services for our members. We ensure we keep any surplus to a reasonable level, remaining mindful of unprecedented challenges that may lie ahead (the recent pandemic being an example).

The Club is currently facing challenges in terms of costs, particularly those related to electricity. Please be assured that we considered price increases very carefully and do our best to keep rises to a minimum across the network.

Here we take a quick look at how the Club is run –and how we reinvest Club funds to improve it...

GOVERNANCE

New members, especially, may be interested to know that the Club is run by an Executive Committee made up entirely of volunteer members who are dedicated to our pastime. In turn, there is a Club Council (again made up of volunteers) containing representatives from each of the Club’s 10 Divisions and Regions and up to 30 nominated members – its role is to act as an advisory body to the Executive. All of these Club volunteers are voted into office by your fellow members – so you can be sure that you and your views are well represented.

The Executive Committee manages the affairs of the Club and also delegates some responsibilities to separate Committees that cover, amongst other things, Finance and Management, Sites and Accommodation, Events, Strategy, Membership and Technical matters.

In addition to the Club ’s Annual General Meeting which usually takes place in October, the Divisions and Regions run a series of Question Time events across the country throughout the year to meet members, offer updates on what is happening at the Club and answer questions. The Club is always looking for members to put themselves forward as a volunteer to join Club Council - look out for an article in the January edition.

If you would like to read more, please visit camc.com/about-us.

SITE IMPROVEMENTS

This year we reinvested over £14 million in the site network. Here’s just a taste of the redevelopments we have carried out on Club campsites during 2022:

n Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire: new facilities blocks, new serviced and premium pitches, new play area, electric vehicle (EV) charging points in the car park.

n Scarborough West Ayton, Yorkshire: new facilities blocks, new serviced and premium pitches, improvements to the games room and play area, EV charging points in the car park.

n Winchester Morn Hill, Hampshire: two new facilities blocks as well as new hardstanding and designated ferry pitches.

n Lady Margaret’s Park, Wrexham: new toilet block, more touring pitches (including premium and serviced), new playground, EV charging points.

And we have exciting plans for 2023 at Bridport Bingham Grange (Dorset), Incleboro Fields (Norfolk), Coed-y-Llwyn (Gwynedd), Pandy (Monmouthshire). Durham Grange (County Durham) and Steamer Quay (Devon) Club campsites. Turn to pages 22-23 to find out more!

THE FUTURE

As well as continuing to upgrade sites, the Club is constantly on the lookout for new locations to give members even more holiday choice. For instance, in 2021 we purchased Carnon Downs near Truro in Cornwall Site improvements and acquisitions are only possible due to the continued support of members.

Caravan and Motorhome Club Director General Nick Lomas said, “The Club has already been operating for well over 100 years – with your continued support we can look forward to improving and growing our incredible site network and member services for the next 100.”

The Club’s AGM was held on Saturday 29 October – look out for a full report in the January magazine.

“ We look forward to improving and growing our incredible site network and member services ”

Nick Lomas, Director General

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Headlines

The latest stories from the touring world

Broadmarsh Farm is CL of the Year

Broadmarsh Farm Certificated Location (CL) in the village of Great Ellingham, Norfolk, has been named CL of the Year 2022. The runner-up was Hillcroft CL in Pembrokeshire, third place went to Corner Cottage CL in Nottinghamshire, while Garden House CL in Suffolk was named Best Newcomer.

The annual CL of the Year Awards celebrate privately-owned, five-pitch sites across the UK that are open exclusively to members. Often found in idyllic rural locations, they provide a valuable income stream for site owners and local communities. Club members nominate their favourite CLs for the awards, rewarding hard-working owners who go above and beyond for their guests.

Broadmarsh Farm CL was opened by David and Julia Matthews in July 2020. It offers a mix of hardstanding and grass pitches overlooking peaceful fields, with dedicated EHU and water points and an on-site honesty shop selling local produce. Upon receiving the award, David commented: “The best part of owning a CL is meeting all our lovely guests, many of whom book their next stay before they leave. Thank you to all our guests who have stayed with us over the years.”

Second-placed Hillcroft CL is set in an immaculately lawned field near Tenby. Its enduring popularity is testament to owners Ann and Bruce Regimbal, who

CLUBFEST 2023

At the time of going to press there are still tickets left for ClubFest 2023, our four-day outdoor festival from 26-29 May in the grounds of Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire... but please note that it is likely this event will sell out soon.

With our all-inclusive package, you’ll be able to enjoy fantastic live entertainment over the four days on the Arena stage, while the event boasts a variety of fun

activities and sports for all the family, a food court, bar and shopping village.

A four-night stay for two adults, including a pitch with electric hook-up, all-inclusive entertainment and activities cost £295 – plus children aged 17 and under go free! Please head to camc.com/clubfest2023 to book your ticket and to read more about the event.

take pride in the amenities on offer (including toilet and shower facilities, and level hardstandings with EHU). Ann said: “As Club members and caravanners ourselves, it is very rewarding to see our guests enjoy their holiday here and all the great places to explore nearby.”

Tranquil Corner Cottage CL offers easy access to both Newark-on-Trent and Lincoln, and boasts flat pitches with EHU on lawned grass, with plenty of space for awnings. The site is securely fenced in and there is plenty of wildlife to spot, from deer, rabbits and hares to a large variety of birds. Owners Andrew and Maggie Kitson (above right) said: “We’ve made some very good friends since we opened in 2020 who return regularly. It’s great to know

we are obviously doing something right, so a massive thank you for these nominations.”

Best newcomer Garden House CL is on the outskirts of Tattingstone, near Alton Water and Ipswich. An adult-only site, it has roomy, level grass pitches in a meadow, all with EHU. The site has mostly been kept wild for the benefit of nature – winged visitors include mistle thrush, green and spotted woodpeckers, gold finches and skylarks. Owners Mandy and Martin Ackers (below) commented: “Our first season has been truly amazing, meeting so many lovely people, and we are looking forward to welcoming guests in 2023.”

Congratulations to all the award winners! You can read more at camc.com/clnominate Hillcroft CL

THE REVEREND CANON STEPH ROBERTS

The Club was saddened to hear of the passing of The Reverend Canon Steph Roberts, a much-loved member who held the role of Club Chaplain for a quarter of a century.

Steph – along with his wife, Rhona, and their children –joined the Club in 1972 and became members of West Hampshire Centre (they attended their first rally at Locks Heath, where they picked strawberries). Across the next 50 years Steph made many friends while touring, and he became Club Chaplain in 1988, dedicating 25 years to the position before his retirement in 2013.

Steph’s ability to combine both solemn prayer and his own wonderful sense of humour led to unique and popular church services during National rallies. In some years it could be difficult to find a spot in the main marquee, which was capable of seating up to 1,800 people.

Club Chairman Grenville Chamberlain led the tributes to Steph, saying: “If all the churches in the land had benefitted from leaders with Steph’s abilities then there would today be standing room only, such was his ability to guide his congregation. Steph was a truly remarkable man, a great friend to us all, and the world is a much poorer place for his passing.”

Others were quick to share their fond memories of Steph. Former Executive Committee Member Walter Girven described an incident that occurred at the end of a National some years ago. “Steph had packed his van, said his goodbyes, and began reversing up to the caravan to connect his tow hitch. However, as he did so the caravan began reversing away from him. This continued for a few minutes with Steph

reversing further and further, and the caravan moving further and further back. Was this a signal from above? Sadly no. When Steph stopped the car and got out he discovered he had been sitting on the motor mover control unit. Problem solved!”

Rodney Lambert, Former Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee, added: “So sad to hear about the passing of Steph... I remember well being offered the estate church at Prestwold Hall, and explaining to the local vicar we needed 1,200 seats. Steph met up with the vicar and invited him to take part in the service. Steph supported the Club in so many ways, he had time for all. He attended Bucks [Centre’s] dinner dance standing proud with his pint and surprising many with his humour.”

Janet Moore, also a Former Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee, said, “He brought joy to the services with his own inimitable Irish humour. He would encourage the congregation not to put anything heavy in the collection... notes would be better! His service at the National started with a tongue-in-cheek explanation of the ‘goodie bag’ and thus the services started with laughter”, adding that, “Steph’s recollections of his time as a missionary were captivating and you never failed to be interested.”

The Club’s thoughts are with Steph’s family and friends at this sad time.

AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The Club announced the winners of the annual Sites in Bloom, Sites to Inspire and Sustainability Chairman’s awards during the NEC show in October. All three awards recognise the hard work and commitment of the Club’s site staff and volunteers.

Sites in Bloom awards

Created in 2003 by the late Alan Payne OBE (an Honorary Life Member), the Sites in Bloom awards are designed to recognise the creative skills of site staff and volunteers who work hard to add colourful floral displays to their campsites. There are awards for both single-couple and multi-couple sites and all entries are judged by the Club’s Sites and Accommodation Committee.

For 2022, the winners are Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire (multi-couple) and Borrowdale in Keswick (single couple). Director General Nick Lomas said: “Every year we receive so many incredible entries... I would like to thank everyone who entered and who worked so hard on their displays and, of course, our passionate site teams who work endlessly to make sure that every Club campsite is pleasing to the eye. Congratulations to this year’s winners.”

Sites to Inspire awards

The Sites to Inspire Awards celebrate campsite staff whose willingness to go ‘the extra mile’ makes for an exceptional stay at their sites. Using the post-stay survey, members and non-members were asked to nominate a campsite that inspired them or provided a ‘magic moment’.

Berwick Seaview in Northumberland (above) is the winner of the ‘large occupancy site‘ category in 2022. Comments from those who nominated

the campsite referred to the welcoming and helpful team, the bug hotel and the way that wild areas had been carefully managed to increase biodiversity.

Meanwhile, Exmoor House in Somerset won in the ‘small occupancy‘ category. Again, visitors mentioned the friendly nature of site staff, while comments praised the appearance of the site, which was described as “beautifully kept”.

Nick Lomas said: “I would like to send a special thanks to all those who were nominated for going above and beyond to make sure that our members and visitors enjoy their stay at our sites, and I would like to send my congratulations to the winners for 2022.”

Sustainability Chairman’s award

Turn to page 26, where the Club’s Sustainability Advisor, Mark Feast, takes a special look at this award and announces the winner for 2022.

NATIONAL TRUST REPRESENTATIVES VISIT CLUMBER PARK

We were pleased to welcome National Trust Assistant Director Louise Ransberry and Estate Manager Nick Brown to Clumber Park Club Campsite in Nottinghamshire at the beginning of October, following the completion of extensive redevelopment work. The campsite is located within parkland, heath and woods covering more than 3,800 acres, which is cared for by the Trust.

The representatives met with the Club’s Director General, Nick Lomas, along with Emma McQuillan (Head of Governance), Ian Spendlove (Regional Manager), Joe Sollner (Development Manager) and Emma Cox (Head of Site Operations). The campsite’s six Site Managers and Assistant Site Managers were

also on hand to discuss the recent changes, which include a new facilities block, interior designs featuring photography by Club members, secure bike storage, a bike maintenance station and a new play area for children.

BOOKING SYSTEM UPDATE

We would like to thank members for their patience with the new online booking system. We appreciate some have experienced initial issues when making a booking. e re constantly listening to your feedbac and are prioritising issues so we can improve your experience.

So far we have resolved the following: n Queueing system while trying to book n Initial card payment failures

n Visibility of campsite reviews

n Ability to search Certificated Location facilities

n Ability to log into new Club App n Visibility of digital membership card in new Club App n Search by location function improvements

n Problem where unavailable pitches appear in your search results

Next on the list of key fixes: n Simplify Google map functionality n New Club App to default to the search box rather than the map search n Make Affiliated Sites and CL contact details more visible in the booking system

So far 70,000 members have used the new system to book 300,000 nights away. Early signs are encouraging with cancellations reducing by 70%. You can find out more and view handy ‘how to’ videos and FAQs at camc.com/booking-experience

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Stories from the Club’s Collection

If you are searching for the perfect gift for any motoring or touring enthusiast, then consider two new publications showcasing historic collections hosted at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

Andrew Woodmansey’s Recreational Vehicles – A World History 1872-1939 details the origins of the very first caravan holiday in the Victorian era and traces the development of caravans and motorhomes across the globe up to the Second World War. Each page is packed with fascinating discoveries and stunning images entwined with social history, and the author worked closely with the Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection at the National Motor Museum to develop the British element of the story. Many of the beautifully reproduced photographs are from the Club’s own archives.

The National Motor Museum is also home to the Shell Heritage Art Collection, one of the most significant collections of 20th century British commercial art. Its vibrant new publication Shell Art

& Advertising is the first to present a comprehensive overview of Shell’s artistic heritage, highlighting works by major artists and designers including Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Ben Nicholson and Edward McKnight Kauffer. Written by Scott Anthony, Oliver Green and Margaret Timmers, with contributions by the former Shell Heritage Art Collection Manager, Nicky Balfour Penney, and a foreword by the artist, David Gentleman, the publication includes beautifully reproduced works from a wealth of original archive material.

Both titles are available from booksellers and the National Motor Museum gift shop. Recreational Vehicles – A World History 1872-1939 is published by Pen & Sword and available at pen-and-sword.co.uk. You can also read more at rvhistory.com. Shell Art & Advertising is published by Lund Humphries Publishers and available at lundhumphries.com.

CYCLISTS TAKE ON ‘ LEJOG ’ CHALLENGES

We recently heard from two members detailing their (separate) charity bike rides from Land’s End to John o’ Groats – aka ‘LEJOG’. Miranda Fowler completed the challenge in 14 days this summer, cycling 960 miles and enjoying the family adventure of a lifetime. As the parent of two young children, she initially felt that two weeks away from home was not an option. However, when her husband Tim suggested renting a campervan and following across the country with the little ones, they joined the Club and decided to go for it. “Joining... allowed us to book friendly, accessible and convenient campsites,” said Miranda, who stayed at Vennlake CL in Devon, Love2Stay AS in Shropshire and Meathop Fell Club Campsite in Cumbria, among others. “Without your Club I don’t think we would have managed the logistics! We raised a whopping £1,700 for Wellbeing of Women.”

Wendy Enticott also got in touch as her husband Paul took on the long-distance route with two friends (with Wendy and two other friends providing support). The group, who are raising money for the Spinal Injuries Association in memory of their friend Robert Taylor, also stayed at a number of campsites, including Bunree, Culloden Moor, Love2Stay and Troutbeck Head. It was an eventful journey, as one rider had to retire injured, while bikes and campervans required repairs. Wendy said: “We met some extremely kind and helpful people along the way that enabled us to overcome these issues and continue, so we would like to thank them along with the campsites... as well as thanking everyone who has donated so far.” The total at the time of going to press stands at more than £3,000 – if you would like to donate please visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ paul-gardner43.

Well done to all for such magnificent efforts.

NEWS IN BRIEF

NORFOLK CYCLING

Cycling UK has launched the Rebellion Way, a 232-mile cycling tour of Norfolk starting and ending in Norwich. The route passes through Diss, Thetford, King’s Lynn, Hunstanton and Sheringham, close to a number of Club campsites, and uses a mix of country lanes, bridleways, cycle paths, and forest tracks. See cyclinguk.org. n Remember, you can save 50% on a 12-month membership of Cycling UK – see camc.com/cyclinguk

INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Apologies if you have experienced any delays to the delivery of recent Club Magazines due to industrial action at Royal Mail. We hope that the situation has improved, but at the time of going to press the issues remain unresolved. Remember that the Club also publishes a digital version, which is available free of charge to members and includes added features such as video reviews, cycle routes and extra puzzles. To download the digital Club Magazine, visit Google Play or the App Store and search for CA C aga ine

GREEN PROJECTS

Staff at Black Horse Farm Club Campsite near Folkestone in Kent have been working hard to make a greener, more biodiverse site this year, building two bug hotels and planting a wildflower meadow that will hopefully attract more bees. The site team has also installed several bird boxes, while a redesigned information area encourages visitors to try more local walks, cycle routes etc.

ST AGNES BEACON

Please note that, contrary to information on p35 of our September issue, the maximum outfit length at this site is 8m. Apologies for the error.

FANTASTIC TOURS WITH THE CLUB

The Club is launching new European tours for 2023, as well as reintroducing a number of European and Worldwide holidays for members.

Departing from May 2023, the new, 13-night Basque Country tour offers a ‘foodie’ experience to savour, with regional specialities in Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and San Sebastián on the agenda.

Or you may like the idea of discovering the scenic, châteaux-laden Loire Valley during the Wines of the Loire tour, tasting world-renowned wines along the way. Guided by a wine expert, the tour visits domains such as Chinon, Saumur and Anjou and takes place over 16 nights, departing from September 2023. Finally, the 26-night France Grand Tour takes in Normandy (to visit Mont Saint-Michel), the Loire Valley, the Dordogne region (to explore the cliff-top village of Rocamadour), the Ardèche and Rhône-Alpes, with stays at six different campsites included. This tour departs from May 2023.

Club members can now choose from a total of 18 escorted European tours in nine different locations which

have been carefully curated to offer a balance of excursions and free time. To find out more, please visit camc.com/ overseas-holidays, where you can also download brochures, view sites on our European campsite network and more.

Members can also select from 32 Worldwide escorted and independent caravan and motorhome touring holidays in 2023, or you could devise your own tailor-made ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. Tours visit Canada, New Zealand, Southern Africa, Australia and the United States, and Club members can currently save £100 per booking. Visit camc.com/wwoffers for more information and terms and conditions.

MOTORHOME HELPS CLUB MEMBER’S VITAL SUPPORT

Club member Paula Massey is putting her first motorhome, ‘Nellina’, to excellent use.

Paula is an Army veteran who joined as a medic in 1980 before leaving on medical grounds in 1998. In 2017, following a period of significant change within both her personal and professional life, she set up a Community Interest Company (CIC) to provide support for veterans of the armed forces – and emergency services workers – who have mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Five years later, Guardians For Heroes, Veterans Supporting Veterans has a hub located in Treforest (RCT) where help and support is available and therapy is provided through art and craft activities such as woodwork.

Nellina (‘Little lady’ in Italian) is named after Paula’s late mum, who had asked her daughter to buy a motorhome and recreate a trip to Italy to see family. Paula made the purchase, and after a few interior changes the vehicle was ready for its first journey.

“It’s not your usual motorhome you would expect to see parked next to you,” Paula says. “Nellina is used as a mobile crisis vehicle for veterans and emergency services. It can be called out in times when individuals are at their lowest point, or simply need to go out for a few hours to help their mental health.”

SEND IN YOUR PHOTO AND YOU COULD WIN A THREE -NIGHT STAY

You may have noticed that the new bathroom blocks, dishwashing and laundry areas at recently refurbished UK Club campsites feature fantastic images taken by members on the walls (see page 21 of the October 2022 issue for examples from Winchester Morn Hill Club Campsite). As well as enhancing the on-site experience for guests, our aim is that these murals featuring local scenery and other sights of interest will inspire visitors during their stays.

We are currently looking for photos taken close to the following Club campsites, to be used as wall murals. n Coed-y-Llwyn, Snowdonia National Park, Gwynedd

She adds, “I’m looking forward to travelling in Nellina and meeting other members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club”, before explaining how touring in a motorhome has changed her life and helped to improve her own mental health. ”Being able to go away without thinking is so precious,” she adds.

If you would like to find out more about Guardians For Heroes, please see asdic.org.uk/members/guardians-forheroes (a website at guardiansforheroes.org.uk is in development). Any help, for example donations of mobility equipment, wood, clothing and furniture, would be gratefully received.

Pandy, Monmouthshire

The Sandringham Estate, Norfolk

Bridport Bingham Grange, Dorset

Steamer Quay, Devon

To ensure high quality, we are looking for pictures that have been taken with a camera, rather than a phone. All you need to do is upload your photo at camc.com/murals and tell us a little about the location – we ll be in touch if we d li e to use it hat s more, if your image is selected and used, you’ll get a free three-night stay at any of our UK Club campsites for two adults and two children under 17 (see website for terms and conditions)!

To read more about our upcoming development work, please turn to page 22.

CLUB REGIONS HOLD QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS

Some of the Club’s Regions have held ‘Question Time’ events in recent months, during which members have been able to put questions to representatives of the Region, the Club’s Executive Committee and the head office in East Grinstead. Here’s a brief round-up.

The South West Region held an event at the Steam museum in Swindon which was very well supported with around 90 members attending. The panel comprised Anthony Davies (Director of Sites and Accommodation) Martin Spencer (Technical Manager), Professor Adrian Hobbs CBE (Nominated Member and member of the Technical Committee), Rebecca Newman (Governance Coordinator) and Sue Southwell (Executive Committee member). Members were very interested to hear from Anthony and Martin on the Club’s

Extra content in the Digital Magazine

The digital version of the Club Magazine contains extra content each month – you can download it for free from the App Store or Google Play by searching for ‘CAMC Magazine’. The December Digital Magazine includes a cycle ride from Scarborough West Ayton Club Campsite in North Yorkshire and you can also test your brainpower with our challenging interactive puzzles. There’s also an extra page of Tail Lights. Remember that you can browse an archive and catch up on back issues, too!

SCREEN READER

We are in the process of updating our Digital Magazine – available via the App Store and Google Play – to make it more accessible for visually impaired members. We are looking for members with a visual impairment or experience of using a screen reader to test the new facility on the updated app and offer feedback on how it could be improved. If you would like to get involved please email clubmagapp@camc.com

efforts to find a suitable solution for charging electric vehicles on sites. Anthony also explained the criteria and procedures that needed to be undertaken when trying to expand the Club’s UK campsite network, while further questions covered subjects as diverse as pitch spacing and parking on Club campsites, vehicle licence laws, the future of Crystal Palace Club Campsite and concerns for the future of caravanning.

The Northern Region’s event at Cannon Hall near Barnsley in September was attended by 47 Club members. Nick Lomas, the Club’s Director General, answered many questions (particularly regarding Club campsites), with input also coming from panel members Edward Baxter (Executive Committee member and Chairman of the Grants Committee), Northern Region Chairlady Sandra Wright

and Northern Region Vice Chairman Andy Cross. Sandra said, “It was a successful Question Time and all who attended went home a lot wiser, and many now understand why the Club has changed arrival and departure times.” The event was also made possible by the dedicated work of Sylvia Moran,

former Secretary of the Northern Region, who unexpectedly passed away in July this year. We hope to include a fitting tribute to Sylvia in a future issue of the magazine.

“A small and peaceful site. Facilities are always clean. We liked that some areas had been left to grow wild and we could watch the butterflies. The [site staff] are to be highly praised. As we were leaving our caravan suddenly unhooked. They were with us in seconds, recognising the problem instantly and had it sorted out in within a few minutes.” (July 2022)

“Nice walk over the fields to the Kings Arms at Langton Matravers who provide pub grub and, from their oven installed in an out building in the garden… quality pizzas. Corfe village and castle is a mere 2.5 mile walk across the fields or alternatively can be reached via the Swanage steam railway which stops at Harman’s Cross just up the road from the site.” (May 2022)

“We

informative and helpful warden. There’s a lovely, quiet dog walk at the bottom of the site around the outside of the play area.” (April 2022)

UPGRADING CAMPSITES

Here we take a look at exciting plans as we invest in the UK sites network during 2023...

You may be aware that the Club has recently finished several large-scale redevelopment projects, with Clumber Park, Scarborough West Ayton and Winchester Morn Hill Club campsites

all reopening recently (Lady Margaret’s Park is due to reopen in December). But we're not finished there – check out these enhancements planned for six more campsites in 2023.

Bridport Bingham Grange

There will be a full redevelopment of this popular Dorset site. We will be adding a new cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Plans also include the addition of new hardstanding (including serviced and premium) pitches as well as small campervan and electric tent pitches. A new facility block with inclusive bathroom, accessible bathroom, new signage and new interior design will be added, as well as replacement service points, new motor van waste points, and electric vehicle charging points.

A new Experience Freedom village will be created, featuring glamping pods, glamping cabins (including an accessible option) and safari tents. New cottages will help to make this the perfect site if you want to bring non-touring family and friends along. The site will be closed during 2023; it is expected to reopen in early 2024*.

Incleboro Fields

A partial redevelopment of this site near Cromer and Sheringham on the north Norfolk coast will see the addition of more serviced and premium pitches, the relocation of the existing play area and the introduction of a new, multi-use games area. The campsite will be closed during redevelopment and is expected to reopen in April 2023*.

Near Coed-y-Llwyn

A partial redevelopment of this campsite in Gwynedd will see 16 new serviced pitches added; the total number of touring pitches at the site will be 88. In addition, a new facility block with inclusive bathroom, accessible bathroom, new signage and new interior design will be built, service points will be replaced and motor van waste points will be added. Coed-y-Llwyn will be closed while the work is carried out, and is expected to reopen in July 2023*.

Pandy

In Monmouthshire, to the east of the Black Mountains, Pandy Club Campsite will be undergoing a full redevelopment. Some grass pitches will be converted to hardstandings, and there will be nine new serviced pitches. The facility block will be refurbished – with the addition of a new inclusive bathroom, new signage and new interior design –as will the existing service point and motor van waste point. A new dog and bike wash will be added. The campsite will be closed during redevelopment and we plan to welcome members back at the end of July 2023*.

WE’RE OPEN ALL YEAR

There are many good reasons to continue to tour during the winter months. For example, 50 Club and Affiliated campsites are open all year. Heated washrooms, hot showers and electric hook-ups are available at most locations, so you’ll be able to stay warm and enjoy yourselves even in the chillier months.

In addition, many Certificated Locations (small, privately owned five-pitch sites) are open all year.

Don’t forget that children under five and dogs stay for free at all UK Club campsites, while awnings are included at no extra cost when staying on an appropriate pitch type.

You can find full details of campsites open all year at camc.com/oay

Biodiversity at redeveloped campsites

The Club’s commitment to sustainability has informed recent work on UK Club campsites.

At Lady Margaret’s Park (reopening in December 2022) and Clumber Park, Scarborough West Ayton and Winchester Morn Hill Club campsites (all now reopened), we have made some changes to improve biodiversity, adding a range of bird, bat and invertebrate boxes. We have

Durham Grange

Extra storage pitches will be added. We will also carry out improvement work to some of the touring pitches. The campsite will be partially closed during redevelopment, and is expected to fully reopen by Easter 2023*.

Steamer Quay

We will be undertaking a full redevelopment of Steamer Quay in Totnes, Devon. Here, grass economy pitches will be converted to 46 new non-awning serviced pitches, while the work will also see new motor van waste points, new service points, a new electric vehicle charging point and a refurbishment of the toilet block. The campsite will be closed during redevelopment and is expected to reopen during summer 2023*.

* Some redevelopments listed are still subject to planning approval. Additionally, delays faced by the construction industry means that all dates and details published are tentative and subject to change. We hope to reopen campsites sooner than stated and we are working closely with our partners to try and achieve this. For updates and suggestions of alternative campsites to visit during the closed periods please visit camc.com/redevelopments

also created habitat piles to provide new opportunities for wildlife to thrive.

Existing grassland has been managed to reduce nutrient input (this encourages greater botanical diversity), while trees have been planted to complement parkland settings. To read more about the Club and sustainability, see Mark Feast’s column on page 26.

Three-night glamping breaks from under

£250*

Why not enjoy a glamping break with friends and family in our fantastic Experience Freedom accommodation this festive season? Our glamping pods and cabins are heated and well equipped – so you’ll be able to enjoy cosy evenings in this winter. The glamping cabins – which sleep up to four adults and two children – are ideal for families, boasting an oven and plenty of space.

We now have glamping cabins at Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite in the Lake District – so what about some fell walking with loved ones before relaxing back on site? Our campsites at Brighton in Sussex and Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds are also open all year, offering a range of accommodation. There’s even a new fire pit (pictured) at Moreton-in-Marsh, so you can snuggle up and enjoy hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows! As a Club member, you, your family and your friends can save 10% all year round on glamping stays at UK Club campsites with Experience Freedom accommodation. Just remember to enter

your membership number at the time of booking to receive the discount. Find out more at camc.com/experiencefreedom

*Three nights from £240.30. Price based on a three-night stay, Mon-Thur, between 2 Jan and 9 Feb 2023 at Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite in a glamping cabin. Price quoted includes the exclusive members discount of £26.70. Subject to availability.

DAYS OUT FOR LESS

MEMBERS RECEIVE DISCOUNTS AT HUNDREDS OF ATTRACTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THANKS TO OUR GREAT SAVINGS GUIDE. HERE ARE FIVE FANTASTIC VENUES TO CONSIDER...

OLIVER CROMWELL S HOUSE

BANHAM ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS

There’s loads to see and do at this zoo in Norfolk, with Club members entitled to a 20% discount on all admission tickets. Meet tigers, leopards, sea lions, giraffes, monkeys and much more on a memorable day out – which animals will you head for first? Pre-booking required. Motorhome parking available. Nearest Club campsite: Thetford Forest

OXFORD CITY TOURS

This company offers a wide range of guided tours in Oxford (and to certain destinations beyond) – you could explore ‘the city of dreaming spires’ by bike, see filming locations from the Harry Potter series on a child-friendly tour, and there’s even an itinerary for Inspector Morse fans. Public tours (fixed schedule, Club members get 10% off) and private group tours (Club members get 20% off) are available. Pre-booking is required.

Nearest Club campsite: Burford

DELICIOUSLY GRACE CHOCOLATIERS

This family-run chocolate and confectionery shop in Leadenham (close to Newark, Lincoln, Sleaford and Grantham) is packed with treats and gifts, with hot and cold drinks also available for visitors. Club members can get a 10% discount on any purchases in the shop or online (deliciouslygrace.co.uk), as well as a 10% discount on chocolate workshops and parties (pre-booking required).

Nearest Affiliated campsites: Milestone Caravan Park, Wagtail Country Park

Please visit camc.com/greatsavingsguide for vouchers, discount codes and pre-booking where relevant, as well as terms and conditions for all offers. Check site and attraction opening dates and times before visiting.

Members benefit from a two-for-the-price-of-one (lower priced entry is free) offer at this fantastic attraction in Ely, Cambridgeshire. Visit the former Lord Protector’s family home, experience what domestic life would have been like in the 17th century in recreated period rooms and see Civil War exhibitions. Visit Mrs Cromwell’s kitchen, try dressing up, play with the toys of the time or venture into the haunted bedroom – if you dare!

Nearest Club campsite: Cambridge Cherry Hinton

AMBERLEY MUSEUM

This fascinating museum in a 36-acre former chalk quarry near Arundel focuses on the industrial history of the south of England. There are 20 different areas of interest to explore, while guests can also enjoy fun vintage bus and train rides. Members can get £1 off the price of a standard ticket per person or £5 off a family ticket (maximum four people). Prebooking required. Motorhome parking available.

Nearest Club campsites: Littlehampton, Northbrook Farm, Rowan Park

The extra mile

Mark Feast, the Club s Sustainability Advisor, shares news of a very special award

As 2022 draws to a close, we can look back with pride at our achievements. For instance, in May, the Club achieved Green Tourism accreditation and we have also played our part in the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative (our aim is to plant 2,022 trees across the network by the end of the year). I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to our dedicated sites teams for their support.

In 2021, we introduced the Sustainability Chairman’s Award to celebrate the environmental, social and economic commitment of sites on our network. Such was the strength of entries this year that selecting a winner was incredibly difficult. However, the recipient of the award for the second year in succession is Cirencester Park Caravan and

Motorhome Club Campsite in Gloucestershire. Club Chairman Grenville Chamberlain OBE praised Cirencester Park as a campsite that supports local businesses and charities. Furthermore, it also ranked highly as a site that has taken action to reduce waste and upcycle unwanted or waste objects.

For example, site staff have created a new dog agility area that features an old site entrance barrier (that had been hit and damaged) as well as wood chips for the floor surface from trees removed along the site entrance road. Elsewhere, a new wildlife zone includes a bug hotel made entirely by repurposing materials no longer in use.

Grenville presented staff with their award on Club Day at the NEC Show on 18 October. Cirencester Park Site Manager Gemma Walters said, “We feel that even our small attempt is enough to help the Club s ethos of trying to be more sustainable.”

From top: a bee visits Cirencester Park; the site’s new dog agility area; a bug house provides shelter for insects, helping populations to thrive

Window on the ’wolds

Taking a short break in the Cotswolds, Jane McGowan discovers a picturesque landscape rich with pretty, historic towns and villages

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

See camc.com for the latest site information and follow official guidelines at all times. We also recommend that you check with businesses/attractions that are listed regarding opening dates/ restrictions.

1

Burford Club Campsite

Spacious,landscaped pitches and a playground and dog walk on site. There is a golf club nearby. Pitches: 121 (inc tent camping) Max outfit length: 9m

Member view

“Wonderful dog-friendly walks nearby that can take up to a day to complete. There are riverside strolls at Lechlade which take you to the River Thames.”

Tracey

Site view

“Buscot Park is a beautiful National Trust property with some spectacular gardens to explore... Tolsey Museum in Burford is full of artefacts and tells the history of the village.”

Anne & Martyn

Food & drink

The Cotswold Outpost, 1 Windrush Heights (off A40), Upper Windrush, Burford OX14 8BF

Contact: thecotswoldoutpost. co.uk, 01993 225046

Culture

Minster Lovell Hall and Dovecote, Minster Lovell OX29 0RR

Contact: english-heritage.org.uk

Outdoor fun

Cotswold Water Park, Rigsby’s Lane, Cirencester GL7 6FJ Contact: waterpark.org

For the family

Crocodiles of the World, Burford Rd, Brize Norton, Carterton OX18 3NX

Contact: crocodilesofthe world.co.uk, 01993 846353

Taking in five Club campsites and two Certificated Locations (CLs), this mini tour only covers 82 miles. Yet it still allows the visitor to experience the Cotswolds in all their majesty, offering the perfect mix of town and country, on a limited fuel budget.

The first stop on my getaway is Burford – known as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’. And, within easy reach of the A40, the tree-lined Burford Club Campsite is a fine base for days out, offering access to a variety of attractions. There is really no excuse (especially where families are concerned) for not visiting Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens –the attraction is directly opposite the entrance to the site!

The opportunity to get close to animals including giraffes, lions – and even a wolverine – will obviously prove a hit with youngsters, but the beautiful gardens that surround the 19th-century manor house are also worth experiencing. They boast a colourful array of mature trees and plants, as well as an impressive glasshouse filled to the brim with exotic flora and fauna.

While we are on the subject of gardens, there can’t be many better in the whole country than those at Blenheim Palace – the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough, forebears of Sir Winston Churchill – which is a mere 30 minutes’ drive away.

THE PERFECT BLEN-D

The birthplace of our wartime Prime Minister is a must-see if you are staying in the area – and Club members enjoy a 30%

BOOKING INFO

discount on entry (see camc.com/ greatsavingsguide for terms and conditions and date restrictions). In spring and summer, the 150 acres of formal gardens burst into life; these include Water Terraces, the Duke’s Private Italian Garden, the magical Secret Garden (packed with surprises that will fill little ones with wonder), the Churchill Memorial Garden and the exquisite Rose

Garden. A recently developed accessible path offers splendid views of all that is on offer. It is also worth noting that golf-style buggies are available, if required, to take you from the car park to the entrance.

Over the Christmas period this year, the estate offers a plethora of treats, from an illuminated trail to a traditional market and a sparkling Snow Queen-themed walk around the palace (see blenheimpalace.com for details and tickets).

The palace itself is, of course, just as splendid as the grounds – the architecture is an exquisite example of 18th-century English Baroque. Inside, visitors can experience a true taste of history with an amble around the state rooms. A variety of tour options is also available, including a traditional audio version, or, for the tech-savvy, a comprehensive recreation of the lives of the

2

Bourton-onthe-Water Club Campsite

A terrifically tidy and tranquil site that offers visitors the chance to really get away from it all.

Pitches: 58 Max outfit length: 8m

Member view

“We enjoy visiting National Trust properties – Snowshill is nearby and Chedworth Roman Villa is a lovely place to go and see. Very peaceful and lovely gardens.”

Mr & Mrs Burroghes

Site view

“There is a great circular walk in Bourton-in-the-Water... There are so many villages to see –Lower Slaughter and Bilbury should not be missed.”

Robin & Anette

The Mousetrap Inn, Lansdowne, Lansdown, Bourton-on-theWater GL54 2AR

Contact: themousetrapinn.co.uk; 01451 820579

Culture

Batsford Arboretum & Garden Centre, Batsford GL56 9AT Contact: batsarb.co.uk; 01386 701441

Food & drink GREAT

Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

Outdoor fun

The Model Village, Bourton-onthe-Water GL54 2AF Contact: theoldnewinn.co.uk; 01451 820467

For the family

Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection, The Old Mill, Sherborne St, Bourton-on-theWater GL54 2BY

Contact: cotswoldmotoring museum.co.uk, 01451 821255

Scan

”

various Dukes of Marlborough as you encounter their many portraits and personal items; information is accessed by scanning a QR code with your phone.

There is a specific section dedicated to Churchill, detailing his political career from ambitious young MP to his position as Britain’s most revered statesman. A couple of miles away you can see his grave at the Parish Church of St Martin in Bladon, where he lies alongside his beloved wife, Clementine.

It is just a few minutes’ drive (or 30-minute walk) from the church to the village of Woodstock, where you will find a lovely mix of independent retailers, cafes and pubs – try Alfonso Gelateria for excellent ice cream.

BURFORD BUZZ

In fact high-street vibrancy seemed to be a feature of many of the spots I visited during this tour, and it was much in evidence in the town of Burford (about five minutes’ drive from the Club campsite).

Here, you can while away a good few hours among the many gift and clothes shops, as well as at an impressive selection of delis, cafes and pubs, most of which are dogfriendly and sell a fine range of fantastic locally grown or farm-produced goods.

There is a large, free car park behind the church, which is accessible for campervans and motorhomes (a 12-hour time limit applies).

Burford’s Church of St John the Baptist is a beautiful example of 12th and 15th-century ecclesiastical architecture, but it also boasts some important political history.

During the English Civil War, a group of radical thinkers known as the Levellers (who demanded equality and a more ‘level society’) were joined near Banbury by a group of disgruntled soldiers who had mutinied owing to their lack of pay.

A number were caught by troops near Burford and imprisoned in the church. The men, many of whom were later shot, left evidence of their time there, and it is worth examining a carving by one of the prisoners, Anthony Sedley, in the lead on the font, which is dated 1649. The parishioners mark the anniversary of the men’s execution every year, on ‘Levellers Day’.

Cheltenham Racecourse Club

Campsite

3 Fabulous views of the countryside beyond, and next to an impressive park. Pitches: 78 (except on race days) Max outfit length: 12m

Member view

“We enjoy doing the walk around the edge of the racecourse and there is often something on here too – lots of exhibitions and so on.” Arthur

Site view

“You are spoiled for choice... There’s great theatre, restaurants and shopping in the town but you are also within easy reach of lovely green spaces.”

Phillip

Food & drink

Mowgli Street Food, Unit 5B, The Brewery Quarter, St Margaret s Rd, Cheltenham GL50 4FA

Contact: mowglistreetfood.com; 01242 350320

Culture

The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, Clarence St, Cheltenham GL50 3JT Contact:cheltenhammuseum. org.uk, 01242 528764

Outdoor fun

Birdland Park & Gardens, Rissington Road GL54 2BN

GREAT SAVINGS GUIDE

Contact: birdland.co.uk; 01451 820480

Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

For the family

Escape Hunt, The Brewery Quarter, Henrietta St, Cheltenham GL50 4FA Contact: escapehunt.com

Scan here to book a pitch Cheltenham Racecourse

“ While away the hours in the gift and clothes shops

Right: Pittville Park, Cheltenham

Below: spectacular Cotswolds scenery

Tewkesbury Abbey Club Campsite

A beautifully landscaped site offering easy access to a vibrant town with a rich mix of retailers, restaurants and entertainments.

Pitches:138 Max outfit length: 10m

Member view

“We love having a look around the town. We come here regularly and the first thing we do is head to the Abbey Fryer for our fish and chips.”

Phyllis & Robert

Site view

“There is a great walk around the town which talks you through the area’s role in the War of the Roses and there really is so much to see and do in the area. The Abbey is a must and the winter lights trails are wonderful.”

Tewkesbury site team

Food & drink

Tilly’s of Tewkesbury, 83 Barton Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5PY Contact: tillysoftewkesbury. co.uk, 01684 275068

Culture

Croome, High Green, Worcester

WR8 9DW

Contact: nationaltrust.org.uk, 01905 371006

Outdoor fun

Tewkesbury Park, Lincoln Green Ln, Tewkesbury GL20 7DN Contact: tewkesburypark.co.uk, 01684 272300

am enson s Cotswold Farm Park

Severn Leisure Cruises, Back Of Avon, Tewkesbury GL20 5AQ

Contact: severnleisurecruises. co.uk

Scan here to book a pitch at Tewkesbury Abbey

VENICE OF THE COTSWOLDS

To the north-west of Burford is Bourton-onthe-Water, another pretty village, easily accessed from the Club campsite of the same name – stop number two of this tour.

The River Windrush flows through the village under a series of honey-coloured stone bridges, leading to the moniker ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’. For walkers, at least nine waymarked routes are on offer, including Monarch’s Way and the Heart of England Way.

of attractions nearby should you want to go exploring.

One of the most popular local places to visit – which also offers a discount courtesy of the Great Savings Guide – is Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park. Founded by the Countryfile presenter’s father, Joe, the land has been worked by his family since the early 1960s. Today, it offers a fabulous mix of education and entertainment as children can learn all about the animals and life on the farm through a series of fun walks, fruit- and veg-picking and attractions to climb, bounce and ride on. Once again, this is an attraction for all seasons, with great Halloween, Easter,

www.camc.com December 2022 34

Christmas and summer events carefully designed to get little ones involved in some fresh-air fun.

For the more mature visitor, there is another celebrity farmer in the area: Jeremy Clarkson. Just south of Chipping Norton, his Diddly Squat Farm Shop is a popular tourist attraction (open Wednesday-Sunday), selling a wide range of products.

AT THE RACES

My third stay was at the Cheltenham Racecourse Club Campsite, which, as you may have guessed, sits beside the famous track. The friendly welcome and views of the course

and glorious countryside beyond are worth the pitch price alone. From here, it is just a one-mile walk into Cheltenham, a Georgian spa town that offers a cosmopolitan mix of shops and fine dining in the sophisticated Montpellier district – Le Champignon Sauvage, Lumiere and Purslane are just three of the many excellent restaurants here.

En route you could pop into Pittville Park, which is a Grade II-listed green space complete with lakes and a magnificent Grade I-listed Pump Room if you are looking for that extra historical fix.

Aside from the racing, including the world-famous Gold Cup, Cheltenham draws

5

Pardon Hill Farm Certificated Location

A spacious site on a working beef and arable farm, with hardstanding pitches, wonderful views and plenty of wildlife to be spotted.

Site view

“You can get anywhere from here – go for a spa in Cheltenham or visit the steam railway at Gotherington. We are also under half-an-hour from Cleeve Hill – which is the highest point in the Cotswolds.”

Jo

Food & drink

The Shutters Inn, Shutter Ln, Gotherington, Cheltenham GL52 9EZ

Contact: theshutterinngother ington.co.uk, 01242 300100

Culture

The Bugatti Trust, Prescott Hill, Cheltenham GL52 9RD

Contact: bugatti-trust.co.uk, 01242 677201

Outdoor fun

Sandford Park, Cheltenham GL53 7PU

Contact: cheltenham.gov.uk

For the family

Sudeley Castle & Gardens, Winchcombe GL54 5JD

Contact: sudeleycastle.co.uk, 01242 604244

Broadway Club Campsite

On two levels, with plenty of trees to provide some welcome shade – a quintessential rural idyll.

Pitches: 117 Max outfit length: 9m

Member view

“In the village there is Broadway Tower which provides some marvellous views. Minster Lovell is lovely too – there are the ruins to look at and also the river where you can walk or just sit and relax. It’s a fabulous area to visit.”

Site view

“The steam train and river are very popular and great to see at any time of year. There are great, dog-friendly walks on the Honeybourne Line too if you want to go further afield.”

Food & drink

The Swan Inn, 2 The Green, Broadway WR12 7AA

Contact: theswanbroad way.co.uk, 01386 852278

Culture

Gordon Russell Design Museum, 15 Russell Square, Broadway WR12 7AP

Contact: gordonrussell designmuseum.org, 01386 854695

Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide

Outdoor fun

My Broadway Tours, various starting points

Contact: mybroadwaytours.co. uk, 07803 595353

For the family

Broadway Activity Park, 69 High St, Broadway WR12 7DP

Scan here to book a pitch at Broadway

Tewkesbury itself offers a whole host of attractions ”

crowds for its celebrated festivals throughout the year: Jazz (April/May), Science (June), Music (July) and Literature (October).

Heading north, my next stop was Tewkesbury Abbey Club Campsite. Once again, the name of the site gives away the location, the magnificent 12th-century abbey towering over this immensely popular spot.

As one of the few abbeys left standing following Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, the historical significance of Tewkesbury Abbey cannot be overstated. What’s more, it is free to enter (though a donation is requested).

The town itself offers a whole host of attractions, from browsing for antiques to watching shows in the pretty theatre, to boat trips and battle walks that mark the area’s pivotal role in the Wars of the Roses (the Battle of Tewkesbury, in 1471, was one of the decisive skirmishes in a series of civil wars).

The busy campsite offers lovely grass pitches and the surroundings are awash with flowers – just what you would expect from a winner in this year's Club Sites in Bloom competition (turn to page 16 for more details).

“

BROAD APPEAL

All too soon it is time to leave Tewkesbury Abbey and head towards my final Club campsite stop – Broadway. On the way, I stopped at Pardon Hill Farm CL, a beautifully managed five-pitch site situated on a working farm. With a bus stop just outside, it connects public transport users to Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and beyond. There are also plenty of walks in the area, but, as site owner Jo Marsh points out, these are quite challenging and hilly routes for the more serious hiker; it is advisable to wear suitable footwear no matter what the season.

And so to Broadway, now notable for not only being home to The Wanderer, the world’s first caravan built for leisure travel, but also for housing HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s former tourer. Both are proudly displayed in a restored goods shed next to the site.

For rail enthusiasts, the lovingly restored Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway runs close to the site and has a station just up the road, with services running to Cheltenham Racecourse. The 55-minute trip features stops at Toddington, Gotherington and Winchcombe, the latter being most definitely worth a closer look for its ancient streets and

7

Pyrton House Certificated Location

Fantastic views at a grassy, well-spaced site amid farmland and wildflower meadows. There is a mowed dog walk around the perimeter of the field.

Food & drink

The Old Mill Coffee House & Bistro, 7 West St, Chipping Norton OX7 5LH

Contact: theoldmillcoffeehouse. co.uk, 01608 646005

Culture

Chipping Norton Farm, High St, Westgate, Chipping Norton OX7 5AD

Contact: chippingnortonmuseum.co.uk, 01608 641712

Outdoor fun

Heythrop Zoological Gardens, Heythrop, Chipping Norton OX7 5TU

Contact: heythropzoological gardens.org, 01608 683389

For the family

Fairytale Farm, Southcombe OX7 5QH

Contact: fairytalefarm.co.uk, 01608 238014

Walking App

You can use the Outdooractive app to enjoy a variety of walking routes in the region. The basic app is free to use, but Club members benefit from a €10 discount on Pro or Pro+ first-year subscriptions. With the Pro version you receive features such as access to topographical maps and special activity networks, while Pro+ gives you 3D maps and more. To find out more and to see a collection of routes near Club sites, see camc.com/ outdooractive

Tudor architecture. It is also home to a fascinating church – St Peter’s – which features an impressive array of grotesques and an altar piece that is thought to have been stitched by Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, while she lived at nearby Sudeley Castle.

Walkers are spoilt for choice here, most notably by the Wychavon Way, which ends (or starts) in Broadway. Created to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, the 40-mile route was revised in 2012 to mark the Diamond Jubilee. It offers wonderful views of the Vale of Evesham as well as canals, fields, rivers and meadows before reaching the spa town of Droitwich in Worcestershire.

Back in Broadway, there is plenty to keep the shopper – or refreshment seeker –entertained. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’, the town is another honeycoloured heaven, housing tea shops, confectioners, country clothing stores and gift emporiums.

The main high street is a 20-minute walk from the Club campsite but, should you need to drive, there are three small car parks. Following a recommendation from a fellow member, I popped into Tisane’s Tea Rooms –here you will find a great selection of lunch

and drink options (there are more than 35 teas and infusions from which to choose), as well as some delicious cakes and pies.

Broadway Club Campsite marked my final stop, but should you fancy a few more days basking in the beauty of the Cotswolds, then Pyrton House CL should not be missed. Situated in Shipton-underWychwood towards the eastern edge of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this peaceful site offers members a wonderful view of field after rolling field of Oxfordshire splendour.

Like the Club campsites mentioned earlier, this CL offers access to the many villages and attractions that set this area apart – and it is also just a 16-minute drive from Burford, should you be tempted to start the whole trip again. Quite frankly, I wouldn’t blame you!

n Fancy extending your exploration of the area? Check out a selection of Centre rallies on our ‘Rally Roster’ on page 82.

“

Broadway is a honey-coloured heaven ”

CL SITES UPDATES

CL SITES

Also see the CL section of the Club website (camc.com) for the most up-to-date details on all CLs. Pitch fees may be subject to variation –please check with the CL owner before booking. New CLs are also listed at camc.com/newcls.

NOTE: CL entries are identified by a reference/map number in the 2021/22 Sites Directory & Handbook They are listed here using the same number, unless otherwise specified.

NEW CLS

ENGLAND

CORNWALL

ST AUSTELL (5.8m NW) –Goonmarris Farm, Mr Rex Congrave, St Stephen PL26 7QX. 07976 313139; rexcongrave@ icloud.com. 200:SW954549; 50.3592, -4.8772. Open 1 Apr-31 Oct; 0.5 acre; dogs; MH drive over waste disp; enhanced grass pitches

(EHU with drinking water); 16A; max o’fit length: 7.5mtrs; dog walk fr site; price fr £15 (pitch + 2 ad).

EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE

BRIDLINGTON (2.7m S) – North Mount Farm, Mr Ian Wade and Miss Julie Marley, Bempton Lane, Bridlington YO16 6XA. 07771 591188; 07779 052748; c.i.wade@ hotmail.com. 101:TA178705; 54.11716, -0.198515. OAY; 0.5 acre; dogs; sl pitches; levelling blocks req; grass; 16A (metered); peaceful; views; lawned; sandy beach in 2.5m; fr £20 (pitch + 2 ad).

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

LYDNEY (6m WNW) – Bearse Farm, Mr Richard Sharp and Mrs Emily Matthews, Bearse Common, St Briavels, Lydney GL15 6QU. 07967 146315; bearsefarmcl@gmail. com; bearsefarm.co.uk. 162:SO572052; 51.744007, -2.62096.

OAY; 1 acre; dogs; adv bkg req; sl pitches; levelling blocks req; MH drive over waste disp; enhanced grass pitches (EHU with water and grey waste disp); 16A; price fr £20 (pitch + 2 ad).

UPDATES

IMPORTANT: Nightly fees may differ from those published in the Directory due to a change in ownership or business costs. It is therefore essential to confirm current fees when enquiring or making a booking. Not all CLs accompanied by a pub symbol in the Directory are located on the site of a public house – some are near to a pub (up to three miles away), so please check with the owner before visiting.

1738 RIPON – West Leas Farm. Coordinates corrected; 54.155134, -1.632239. The shower is permanently closed.

1856 CASTLE DOUGLAS – Mossend. Telephone number changed Sept 2022. New no: 07729 742172.

1966 MENAI BRIDGE – Giddyaunts. Landline changed to 07557 655058.

1993 ABERAERON – Tyr-Wennol Rhydroser. Additional tel number: 07989 320157.

September 2022 magazine

STOWMARKET – Garnham’s Field. Name updated to Garnhams Field.

CLOSURES

37 CHATTERIS – Fields End Water Caravan Park and Fishery 137 HELSTON – Gear Farm 176 REDRUTH – Forge Manor Farm 203 CONSETT – Whickham Grange Farm 234 CONISTON – Beckthwaite 665 HEREFORD – Brampton Golf Course

731 HYTHE – Bellfield Farm

780 CHORLEY – Allanson Hall Farm

850 BOSTON – Willow Farm

876 LINCOLN – Carriers Farm

931 SPALDING – Blue Bell

1228 LUDLOW – Burnt House Farm

1275 CONGRESBURY – Mead Farm

1352 LEEK – Paddock Farm

1373 STONE – Woodview CL

1458 GUILDFORD – Stream Farm Kennels

1493 BILLINGSHURST –Chephurst Farm

1548 CALNE – The Duke Hotel

1700 LEYBURN – Ellengarth

1768 THIRSK – Primrose Hill

2036 ABERDARON – Bodffordd

2070 PWLLHELI – Coed Y Llan

October 2021 magazine MARKET DRAYTON – Longslow Caravan Site October 2022 magazine SPILSBY – The George and Dragon

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

See camc.com for the latest site and CL information and follow official guidelines at all times. Please note: routes provided by autoroutes or satellite navigation systems may include roads unsuitable for vehicles towing trailers or caravans. For caravan-friendly local routes to sites we advise using directions published in the Sites Directory & Handbook and on our website.

Please remember that CLs are privately-owned businesses. If you make a booking and subsequently don’t show up, a 20% loss will be incurred by the CL owner if that pitch cannot be resold. So, if you have to cancel a booking, please give the CL owner as much notice as possible. CL owners have individual cancellation policies so charges may be incurred if you cancel or don’t turn up.

Your chance to have your say. The writer of our Star Letter will receive a £30 National Trust Gift Card

STAR LETTER

REVIEWS PLEA

We are new to caravanning, having bought our first caravan in April this year. We recently went away with much more experienced caravanning friends. They chose one of their favourite Club sites, and assured us that we would love it. We were dubious, because the site had a relatively low star rating. We wouldn’t have chosen it ourselves on that basis. However, we trusted our friends’ judgement and were so glad we did! The site was well organised, clean, quiet and in a great location. It was close to being ‘five stars’ for us.

When we got home I looked again at the reviews of the site, and saw exactly why the star rating was relatively low. A few visitors had rated the facilities ‘one star’ overall due to issues that were absolutely unrelated to the

quality of those facilities.

I’d like to make a plea to everyone reviewing caravan sites not to use the rating system as retaliation for a perceived injustice. If the facilities were dirty, say so, but don’t rate perfectly clean showers as one-star because you were annoyed that the warden was unavailable when you arrived half an hour early. Review with a cool head, preferably at the end of your stay when you have really experienced all the site has to offer, rather than in the heat of the moment. Reviews are often all we have to go on when we’re choosing a site. Help your fellow members to decide which sites to visit by reviewing every aspect of the site fairly, honestly and objectively.

Kay Stead, Yorkshire

An event to remember

A big ‘thank you’ for the September ‘Events Diary’, which made us aware of something we had never heard of. We had planned to stay at a Certificated Location near Durham, and your article about ‘Kynren’ at Bishop Auckland enticed us to book there and then for the final performance. To say it was 2,000 years of British history in a spectacular outdoor performance is putting it mildly.

GOT IT COVERED

We have had cover through the Club for our caravan in excess of 20 years. In that time we have had two claims, one (16 years ago) for a dent in the van due to kids kicking a football against it. The other was this week, for storm damage to our awning. Both claims were dealt with courteously and promptly.

We advised the Club about the damage to the awning on the day it happened and a claim form was sent to us on the same day. We returned the claim form with all supporting documents on Wednesday this week

The whole, wonderfully organised event was quite incredible. There was a cast of over 1,000 (not to mention all the horses, sheep, geese etc) and the costumes, effects, sound, lighting, fountains, fireworks and much more was an amazing, unforgettable experience. Thanks again. Trevor and Maureen Gate, Lancashire

(5 October) and received a cheque for full settlement this morning (8 October).

In this day and age when the customer seems to be low in the priorities of many companies and many hours are spent on phone calls and months of waiting are needed to get a resolution, the Club stands head and shoulders above any other.

Dennis Blackburn, via email

Editor’s note: Thanks Dennis. You can find out more about the Club’s Caravan Cover at camc.com/caravancover. For our Motorhome Insurance service, see camc.com/motorhomeinsurance.

Send your letters to: magazine@camc.com

Members can save 8% on National Trust Gift Cards, which can be redeemed in National Trust cafés and shops, in the Trust’s online shop and towards gift membership packs. See camc.com/nationaltrust for more information.

CARE AT KENDAL

We booked on to the Kendal Club Campsite in the Lake District for a week in September – a site we have used before, easy to access from the M6 and on the route into the South Lakes.

We were warmly greeted on to the site by Lisa, one of the site staff, and got pitched up to enjoy our stay. The site is ideal for areas such as Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere. So over the first few days we enjoyed Sizergh Castle and the amazing gardens, Buttermere and the Honister Pass.

Then on the Friday I became ill. We had a nice breakfast and, while clearing up, I developed a nasty pain in my chest. I told my partner to get help.

His first action was to run to reception where he asked Graham to ring 999; Graham’s wife, Lisa, rushed up to our caravan.

It turned out that Lisa was well equipped to help out. She took over the situation and sat with me while on the phone to emergency services. Without her professional manner on the telephone the outcome may well have been fatal. They quickly established I was in the middle of a heart attack and got me blue-lighted to Blackpool Hospital.

My partner came in the ambulance with me and Lisa gave him her mobile number, saying she would come the 55 miles to pick him up. True to her word, once I had been treated and was comfortable on the ward, she drove in the worst weather possible to pick him up and return to the caravan park.

The care and compassion of Graham and Lisa deserves recognition of the finest order. We send them our very grateful thanks.

Linda Mynett and Clifford Owen, Shropshire

Super savers

We were persuaded by your Value Breaks column (‘Sail and save’, September magazine) to take up one of your lowest price offers for European travel, and it was an excellent holiday in all respects. We opted for a two-centre break with ferry crossings, combining a week in Penboch, near Arradon in Brittany, with another at Risle-Seine Les Etangs campsite in Normandy. Both sites were well equipped and welcoming, offering delightful attractions in terms of local scenery and culture.

Arradon is an ideal centre for exploring the Gulf of Morbihan with its islands, estuaries and fascinating archaeology. Oysters, mussels and razor clams were much enjoyed, served by a waiter who was still wearing his Wellingtons –literally!

The lakes at Risle-Seine are equally attractive and the adjoining town of Pont-Audemer is a picturesque, historic centre known as ‘Norman

Venice’, where half-timbered houses stand alongside its network of small canals. I enjoyed sketching and painting in both locations while my husband enjoyed the challenge of photographing the local wildlife. The package deal did indeed save us over £150 on anything we could arrange and we shall certainly use the Club offers again in the future. Maggy Roberts, via email

Editor’s note: Glad you had such a good time Maggy. To obtain the best savings online, look out for ferry crossings flagged ‘Combine Deal’. Add your campsites and the saving is usually better than booking each element separately. If you book a Combined Deal you will also benefit from protection under the Package Travel Regulations. For more information and terms and conditions visit camc.com/overseasholidays/overseas-package-holidays.

CANADA ROCKS

I’m writing to say how much we enjoyed the Club-organised tour (The Canadian Rockies) of parts of western Canada. For my wife Julie and I, it was a very special holiday to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and sample motorhome (RV) life. The latter was in preparation for a possible change from caravanning to motorhoming.

For us, the whole trip – flights, hotel, campsites, the RV and the road trips were excellent. Then of course there were the Canadian Rockies, valleys, rivers and waterfalls, not to mention the glaciers and individual mountains. We visited my daughter in North Vancouver as we temporarily left the group and rejoined later.

Courtesy of the campfire provisions on most sites, our group of 11 couples soon became a very social group – nightly reviews of the day’s events, breakfast bacon rolls, wine and cheese in the evening, and group meals organised by our hosts/tour guides.

We should say a very special thank you to our tour guides Kevin and Leslie, who were knowledgeable, sociable and helpful with solving little glitches as we travelled.

We would recommend this to everyone. John and Julie Bottomley, via email

Editor’s note: it sounds like a wonderful trip John and Julie. You can find out more about our worldwide tours at camc.com/worldwide.

TIME FLIES

I have just finished fettling the caravan for the winter, having recently finished our third trip away this year. While doing so, I realised that this is the 40th year of caravan holidays – my, how time flies! This caused me to reflect on so many memories.

We started off in experimental mode, not being sure if caravanning holidays would suit us, by buying a rather well used Thomson Glenelg. It was equipped with a foot-operated water pump, gas lighting and glass (!) windows – that was it. We went to Burnt House caravan site in Ugthorpe, just north of Whitby, and had a fabulous time, crowned by the sight of our youngest standing up and toddling unaided taking us all by surprise.

We decided caravan holidays were the way to go for us, and have done so ever since.

We have moved from that Glenelg through several Coachmans and others to our current Acadia which we acquired during the first Covid lockdown. We have visited every county in England and Scotland but have yet to complete all the Welsh regions.

We joined the Club about 16 years ago, and use Club campsites or CLs or Affiliateds almost exclusively –rarely are we in an area that there is not a handy site to settle into.

So, there are now just the two of us in a two-berth caravan, but still with a lot of ambition to continue roaming this wonderful country of ours.

Let me just end by saying I still think the Club is a superb thing to be a member of, and hope to be able to continue making use of it for several years yet.

Colin Jamieson, via email

Your mag needs you!

We would love to hear about your previous adventures and plans for the future! Please email us at magazine@camc.com

Happy campers

DETAILS

Busfest, billed as ‘The World’s Largest VW Transporter Show’, takes place every year at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, and in 2022 celebrated its 10th anniversary. The next Busfest takes place from 8-10 September 2023.

Contact: busfest.org

Worcestershire's annual ‘Busfest’ is a kind of ‘all hail to the VW Transporter’ event with a weekend’s camping thrown

in. Even dogs are allowed – well-behaved ones, of course. There’s a funfair, various displays, live music, food and drink stands, plus every kind of autojumble imaginable in a ‘trade village’ that boasts some 350 individual stands. Seemingly anything you can fit the letters ‘V’ and ‘W’ onto is here.

Busfest is a fantastic opportunity to experience the vehicles of yesteryear. There were plenty of Karmann Coachbuilts and Westfalia models around, but I also noticed a lot of touring caravans and more recent non-Volkswagen motorhomes.

I spotted many Auto-Sleepers (Tridents, Troopers, and the always-classy Clubman coachbuilts), Autohomes and Holdsworths – and of course plenty of Californias from across the generations.

However, the main attractions were the thousands of bespoke vehicles, many of them DIY projects.

Celebrating all things Volkswagen Transporter, Busfest claims to be the biggest such event in the world. Nick Harding pays a visit

I was taken by the side canopy and trailer combination on this ‘splittie’

The camping arrangements were more akin to rallying, but the stewards ensured good distances between units in the camping areas, and they let our small party (three campervans) park up together. Our weekend away cost us a grand total of £127 – that’s for the two of us, plus dog, plus camping.

MEMBER

Motorhomer,

Below: after spare parts for your campervan restoration project? Or do you just want some memorabilia from yesteryear? Busfest really is the place to go. It’s an autojumbler’s heaven!

SINCE. ..

Left: typical of so many Busfest attendees, Lee Ashman has long been a hands-on VW enthusiast. He built a Volkswagen Beetle Wizard before he was 20, and this is his latest work, based on a Volkswagen LT Syncro. Lee picked up two prizes at Busfest’s Show and Shine side event

Above: in the Vehicle Sales area of the festival, I spotted this Dehler Profi, based on a Volkswagen T4 Transporter, which I remember from when they first launched in Germany some 30 years ago. The styling still looks modern and the build quality is outstanding.

Left: there were some great individually styled vehicles on show

The

most wonderful time of the year

Having safely negotiated Paris’ ring road in early morning rush hour traffic, it was a relief to get out on the open road to Reims. This lovely city is the unofficial capital of the Champagne wine-growing region in northeastern France, so we couldn’t resist stopping off to visit one of the celebrated champagne houses with their mushroom-scented crayères (chalk pits dug by the Romans) where the world’s best bubbly is stored.

Weighed down with bottles of Ruinart champagne, we paid a visit to Reims’ magnificent Gothic cathedral, with its windows designed by the artist Marc Chagall. From here it was an easy stroll to the Boulingrin market, housed in a glorious

vaulted building, where we bought rillettes d’oie – tender goose pate – as well as meltingly soft cow’s milk Chaource cheese and a crusty baguette. Leaving Reims behind, we stopped off at Der-Chantecoq, France’s largest artificial lake, to enjoy our picnic.

This area is renowned for its magnificent wood-built 15th-century chapels so, after our sandwiches, we drove a few miles along the well-signposted Champagne Half-Timbered Church Trail to see some of these architectural gems, before heading for our first campsite.

JUST GRAND

It was dusk by the time we pulled into Camping de Strasbourg; the sun was already low on the horizon, setting a chilly lemoncoloured glow over the river that runs alongside this well-situated site. It is only a

30-minute walk – or a five-minute bus ride –from the centre of Strasbourg. The city is capital of both Alsace and Grand Est, the new French region created in 1996 that comprises Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine.

Alsace is famed for its Christmas markets and most of the area’s main towns and villages have their own bazaars in December, but Strasbourg is home to France’s oldest winter market. Dating back to 1570, this month-long event (it runs between 24 November and 24 December) has earned Strasbourg the title ‘Capital of Christmas’ and draws around two million visitors a year.

The following evening we took a bus into town. It was dark by the time we arrived and the air was crisp and cold. Crossing the canal, we headed for Grande-Île, Strasbourg’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town,

where streets lined with tiny wooden chalets thronged with life.

The air was full of festive odours – pine trees, gingerbread and spicy local cake (pain d’épices) – and all around us the shop windows, church steeples and house balconies were strung with lights. It was magical, but it was also a little confusing. Luckily we’d come prepared with a small map of Strasbourg’s 15 different Christmas markets.

One of the largest is the Christkindelsmärik near the Hotel de Ville. Buying plastic beakers of mulled wine to warm our hands, we strolled through the narrow streets, browsing stands piled high with small painted statues of Jesus, Mary and other biblical figures that would soon belong to the crèches – the nativity scenes that are found beneath every French Christmas tree.

Left: Strasbourg is known as the a ital of hristmas

1

Camping de Strasbourg

(Club ref: J10)

Perfectly situated for visiting Strasbourg’s cobbled streets and Christmas markets, this lively campsite has excellent facilities including a heated pool and a small restaurant.

Touring pitches: 195 Open: all year

Site view

“We are located in the Montagne Verte district, on the banks of the river, so Strasbourg campsite is ideal for recharging your batteries in a natural environment. It is also an ideal location for visiting Strasbourg: a cycle path runs past the campsite, public transport is just a few metres away and there’s a train station close by.”

Food & drink

Le Troquet des Kneckes, 112 Grand Rue, Strasbourg

Contact: troquet-kneckes.alsace, 0033 3 88 22 57 45

Culture

Palais Rohan, 2 Pl du Château, 67000 Strasbourg

Contact: visitstrasbourg.fr, 0033 3 88 52 28 28

Outdoor fun

ar e ra ger e, Strasbourg

Contact: visitstrasbourg.fr, 0033 3 88 52 28 28

For the family

Parc Animalier Friedel (animal park), Rue Girlenhirsch, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden

Contact: illkirch.eu, 0033 3 88 66 80 80

Scan here to book a pitch at Camping de Strasbourg

Three more festive market destinations

Colmar, France

Nine separate markets mean you are sure to find the perfect gift in Colmar while strolling through the quaint streets. The majority of the markets run from 24 November to 29 December.

Stay: a g e ar e u t a

Valkenberg, Netherlands

The marlstone corridors of the Gemeentegrot (caves) are transformed into Europe’s largest underground Christmas market between 18 November and 30 December (tickets must be bought online in advance), while above ground Valkenburg has Christmas events and stalls running from 18 November to 8 January.

Stay: Camping ValkenbergMaastricht (Club ref: H24, open until 31 December 2022)

Potsdam, Germany

The markets here celebrate the city’s diverse heritage, with themes including Bohemian, Polish and Dutch. They are held during November and December with the main Blauer Lichterglanz (blue light shine) market in the Old Town from 21 November to 29 December.

Stay: Sanssouci zu Potsdam (Club ref: G16, open all year)

TOWERING TREE

The second largest market clusters around a giant Christmas tree in Place Kléber – it has a minimum height of 30m and weighs between seven and nine tonnes! We browsed stalls selling tinsel, tree decorations, handcrafted wooden goods and beeswax candles.

Wandering over to the 15th-century sandstone cathedral, we bought mugs of hot chocolate and hunks of baguette flambée – bacon, cream and onions spread on a baguette and topped with Gruyère cheese –and enjoyed this tasty local treat while watching children whiz round and round on an old-fashioned carousel.

The following day we returned to Strasbourg in daylight, where we once again headed for the cathedral. We’d timed our visit for noon when miniature figures of Christ and his Apostles pop out of the cathedral’s gloriously gilded astronomical clock.

Beneath louring, snow-filled clouds we climbed to the top of the cathedral’s 468ft spire (this was the world’s tallest building from 1647 to 1874 and it remains the sixth-tallest church in the world) to marvel at spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. Chilled to the bone, we hurried down again and then passed the stone arches and timbered facade of the 13th-century Cerf pharmacy en route to the Petite France district.

Here, among cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and criss-crossed with glittering canals, we found a winstub, one of the region’s pub-like bars where they serve decent wine along with hearty, good-value food.

Sat at a table overlooking the canal we enjoyed choucroute garnie (sauerkraut and sausages) and thick slices of bacon and onion pie (flammekueche), before staggering back to our van to sip a glass of bubbly as the sun set.

FESTIVE WONDERLAND

An hour-and-a-half’s drive west of Strasbourg, Nancy is a fascinating city that is renowned for its UNESCO-listed 18thcentury architecture and Art Nouveau treasures like the Villa Majorelle, a houseturned-museum dedicated to the life and times of furniture designer Louis Majorelle.

Nancy is also famed for its Christmas market, which runs from mid-November to early January, and it was in full swing when we arrived, with the big wheel spinning on Place Stanislas, a children’s funfair livening up Place de la Carrière and ice skating on Place Simone Veil. Snacking on local specialities, including Stanislas’ Baba, a traditional Polish sponge cake drenched in sweet Tokaji wine, we lingered until evening to watch the city’s mesmerising Christmas sound and light show. It was the perfect end to a trip full of festive magic.

n There are still spaces available on the Club’s four-night Christmas Markets tour in Germany and the Netherlands this December. For details visit camc.com/europeantours.

Our independent motorhome tours Down Under are hard to beat...

AUSSIE

You can read more about this holiday and our other worldwide experiences in our brochure. Visit camc.com/ brochures to view online or order your free copy NEW

Duration/type: 23 days/independent motorhome tour Departs: year-round Price: from £4,199pp based on two sharing (*£100 member discount applied – see box opposite)

Price includes: return flights, all transfers, three nights in centrally located hotels in Cairns and Brisbane including breakfast, 14 days’ Maui Ultima two-berth motorhome rental, 13 nights’ pre-booked campsites, Frankland Island reef tour, Fraser Island tour

QUINTESSENTIAL QUEENSLAND

Experience the diversity of north-eastern Australia, taking in the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, incredible beaches and unforgettable wildlife-spotting opportunities between the cities of Cairns and Brisbane.

Your 23-day adventure starts in earnest with an excursion to the Frankland Islands, where you will enjoy a guided snorkelling tour. You will have the chance to see colourful corals, fish, turtles, giant clams, anemones and other exotic marine life, while a tour in a semi-submersible or glass-bottomed boat is also included.

Having had a chance to unwind, you pick up your motorhome on the sixth day and start your journey south towards Mission Beach – a 14km stretch of palm-fringed sands. Then drive on

through the heart of Queensland’s sugar cane industry towards Townsville, perhaps stopping to admire the landscapes around Ingham and the TYTO Wetlands, home to more than 240 species of bird.

By the 10th day you will arrive at Airlie Beach, which sits on a striking peninsula. From here you can enjoy a variety of trips taking in the Whitsunday Islands – maybe visit magnificent Whitehaven Beach or embark on a crocodile-watching tour!

Farther south along the coast lies Rockhampton in the heart of the Fitzroy Basin – Australia’s second-largest river system – and bordered by the mountainous Berserker Range. It’s then on to Hervey Bay where you could head off on a whale watching tour to see humpbacks (left) as

they nurse their young. Included in your holiday is a visit to Fraser Island – the only place on earth where rainforest grows on sand dunes, and the home of a community of dingoes that can be seen as you travel around the rainwater lake.

Just over two hours’ drive farther south is the stylish town of Noosa – why not enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants on Hastings Street, or enjoy a takeaway with your toes in the sand?

Your final destination of Brisbane is drawing near, but you’ll have plenty of time to explore the state capital. What about a visit to the Queensland Museum or Gallery of Modern Art before picking up some last-minute souvenirs of an unforgettable trip?

RULES

THE PACIFIC COAST DRIVE

Rugged national parks, awe-inspiring wildlife and the chance to ‘sandboard’ on giant dunes – our Pacific Coast Drive tour in eastern Australia has something for all kinds of adventurers!

Following your flight you will have plenty of time to unwind and explore Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Once you have picked up your motorhome, your journey proper kicks off with a drive to Byron Bay – Australia’s most easterly point and the home of the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse. As well as its spectacular beaches, the area is known for its shopping and dining experiences as well as its vibrant community spirit.

Next on your itinerary is the city of Coffs Harbour, where you will find a marine

sanctuary and have the chance to go on a whale watching tour. It’s also the home of the Big Banana Fun Park! Farther south is Port Macquarie – why not take the coastal walk to the lighthouse where you might spot whales and dolphins, or take a trip to Billabong Zoo?

Continuing to trace the coast southwards you arrive at Lake Macquarie (below). This laidback city is home to Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake – it’s more than twice the size of Sydney Harbour.

Katoomba in the Blue Mountains National Park is your next destination. From your base, you are close to the famous Three Sisters rock formation, as well as Katoomba Falls and Scenic World, where you can enjoy a cablecar ride above the rainforest canopy. You could take one of the bushwalks that lead to spectacular viewpoints and hidden waterfalls, before relaxing in the cafes, restaurants and friendly pubs of the town centre.

Your last day of driving takes you to Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, where you can take in fabled sights such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. A final treat before you head home is a fabulous Sunset Dinner Cruise around the harbour.

Wherever you want to visit we’ll support you every mile of the way. We offer free cancellations* if the FCDO advises against travel to your destination and have ABTA and ATOL bonded financial protection. Find out more at camc.com/ wwconfidence

* Covers holiday cancellations in line with FCDO advice. T&Cs apply.

Duration/type: 21 days/independent motorhome tour Departs: year-round Price: from £3,649pp based on two sharing (*£100 member discount applied –see box above)

Price includes: return flights, all transfers, three nights in centrally located hotels in Brisbane and Sydney including breakfast, 12 days’ Maui Ultima two-berth motorhome rental, 11 nights’ pre-booked campsites, Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise

BEST CAMPSITES FOR WINTER SUNSHINE

The Region of Murcia is a perfect place to enjoy and connect with nature in the best way with 14 campsites open all year round. Those who love life on four wheels and want to enjoy the sun in winter will fnd an average annual temperature of 19ºC, 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and the unique possibility of enjoying two seas: Mediterranean and Mar Menor. Sightseeing while delighting your palate because the Region of Murcia not only has monuments in its streets, but also in its cuisine. It is also a perfect setting for health and relaxation due to the mud baths and medicinal waters, as well as being an ideal place to get active with a multitude of greenways and trails for hiking and cycling, including the Eurovelo route -8.

CAMPSITES ON THE COAST:

Ideal for lovers of the sea, the beach and the sun. Stay near the sea and stroll along the sand at sunset to admire the beauty of the coast:

1 2 3 4

1. ÁGUILAS - A paradise in a natural spot of extraordinary beauty, famous for its unspoilt beaches, seafaring tradition and Mediterranean charm. It has been inhabited since Palaeolithic times by many ancient cultures (Argaric, Phoenicians, Romans and Muslims) who have left their traces here.

2. MAR MENOR - The largest saltwater lagoon in Europe. Separated from the Mediterranean by La Manga, 22 kilometres long, a natural environment with a paradisiacal microclimate, with unbeatable conditions for water sport. It is the ideal place to spend a holiday with your family. Beaches of fne golden sand are waiting for you to enjoy one of the best sunsets in the Region of Murcia.

INLAND CAMPSITES:

If you are more inclined to explore inland and let yourself be carried away by mountain nature, you can wake up every day with amazing views surrounded by nature:

3. MAZARRÓN - Set in a wide bay open to the Mediterranean, it has been linked since its origins to the mining wealth of its mountain ranges. As in a science fction flm, the Bolnuevo Erosions appear, rock formations carved and shaped by water and wind, forming a fantasy landscape that is well worth a visit.

4. CARTAGENA - With more than 3,000 years of history, this Punic, Roman, military and modernist city is one of the most seductive destinations in the Mediterranean, being the Roman Theatre, built in the time of Emperor Augustus, its greatest exponent. It is an absolute privilege to be able to visit this place that remained hidden underground for more than twenty centuries.

1 2 3

1. SIERRA ESPUÑA NATURAL PARK - Protected natural area endorsed by the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, ideal for a trekking or cycling surrounded by nature, archaeological routes or discover its secrets with family routes. You will fnd from forest areas classifed as Site of Geological Interest, to badlands in Gebas, where you can see what the landscape of the moon is like without leaving the earth, a protected natural space that surprises with its colours, shapes and contrasts.

2. CULTURAL DESTINATIONS - Murcia, on the banks of the Segura, Lorca, the town of a Hundred Coats of Arms, and Caravaca de la Cruz, the Holy City, will furnish all the reasons a visitor needs to choose them any time of the year.

3. 3 WINE ROUTES - Designated origin wine-producing areas are waiting with open arms to introduce you to the wines that are increasingly gaining in prestige around the world. The wineries are set in exceptional surroundings: A must see to discover the Region of Murcia though its wines which is an experience for the senses.

Do you dare to spend a few days in the Region of Murcia and discover all it has to offer?

For more information please visit: www.campingsdemurcia.com | info@campingsdemurcia.com | www.murciaturistica.es/en

DREAM DESTINATIONS

Book early and you could save on a European holiday

Thought about taking an overseas break in 2023? If so, now is the time to book. The Club has negotiated a number of fantastic discounts with our European partner campsites. These vary depending on location and the time of year (see camc.com/ overseas for details) – but remember you can often save by booking early. Check out the following examples...

FRANCE

Normandy

La Côte de Nacre (Club ref: N11)

A large, family-orientated campsite with a huge pool complex. History enthusiasts may want to visit Bayeux, Caen and the famous Sword and Juno D-Day landing beaches.

Offer*: 20% off bookings made before 31 December 2022 (reducing to 15% off bookings made from 1-31 January 2023) for stays all season.

Nouvelle Aquitaine

Beau Rivage (Club ref: D26)

Set amid lush countryside close to the Atlantic Coast, this peaceful site has a pool and offers freshly-made takeaway pizzas during high season.

Offer*: 10% off bookings made before 31 January 2023 for stays between 7 April and 29 September 2023.

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Huttopia La Plage Blanche (Club ref: J02)

On the banks of the pretty River Loue, this campsite offers the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant, family-focused stay in a relatively

quiet part of France, where the even landscape makes for easy cycling.

Offer*: book seven nights or more by 31 January 2023 and save up to 10% off stays between 11 May and 15 September 2023

Occitanie

Le Haras (Club ref: C26)

This peaceful site south of Perpignan is close to France’s Mediterranean coast, and a short walk from the pretty village of Palau-del-Vidre. Facilities include a pool, bar, games room and playground.

Offer*: book before 15 January 2023 and get 10% off stays between 8 July and 26 August 2023.

ITALY

South Tyrol

Caravan Park Sexten (Club ref: Y03)

Located in the spectacular Dolomites of north-east Italy, this luxurious site offers breathtaking views and excellent facilities. Open all year.

Offer*: book by 28 February 2023 and get 10% off stays between 8 January and 24 June 2023/10 September and 22 December 2023

PORTUGAL

Braga

Parque Cerdeira (Club ref: E37)

This site in the Peneda-Gerês National Park is perfect for walking or cycling enthusiasts – or those simply wanting to take in the views.

Offer*: book before 31 January 2023 to save 20% on stays

between 1 January and 20 June 2023/ 20 September and 31 December 2023.

*All offers subject to availability and can be withdrawn at any time. Check specific campsite page at camc.com for more details.

Above: Huttopia La Plage

Blanche,France (Club ref: J02)

n Red Pennant emergency assistance protects you and your vehicle while touring Europe. See camc.com/redpennant n More countries now have low emission zones. Check your route before you go at urbanaccessregulations.eu

Crossing discounts and package deals

Members get the lowest prices guaranteed** when booking Eurotunnel and ferry crossings between Britain and Ireland/Europe with the Club.

In addition we have access to tour operator package rates when you book a ferry/Eurotunnel crossing and campsite stay in the same transaction. These usually work out cheaper than if you were to book each element separately and offer the benefit of protection under the Package Travel Regulations.

Here are some examples of the deals available on a family holiday (two adults and two children (6-10 years), in a motorhome (7m x 2.6m)). Offers subject to availability and correct at time of going to press.

n Five nights from £243 at Le Haras (26-31 August 2023) + return P&O Dover-Calais ferry. En route stopovers not included in price.

n Five nights from £278 at Beau Rivage (26-31 August 2023) + return P&O Dover-Calais ferry. Ferry details: Dover-Calais 24 August 2023 at 3.10pm and CalaisDover 3 September 2023 at 9.50am. En route stopovers not included in price.

n Seven nights from £551 at La Côte de Nacre (27 August-3 September 2023) + Brittany Ferries Portsmouth-Caen ferry on 27 August 2023 at 2.45pm and Caen-Portsmouth on 3 September 2023 at 8.30am.

**Terms and conditions apply – see camc.com/pricematch

FOR MORE ON OUR OVERSEAS SITES PLEASE SEE

Club ref: N11

Club ref: D26

Club ref: C26

Club ref: Y03

Club ref: E37

HIGH PRAISE

Jonathan Manning expounds the virtues of

wr g t s ege ary wa g gu e s

Happy with the familiar – or seeking fresh horizons? For every Club member who has a favourite pitch on a favourite site and always goes on a favourite walk, there’s another on a constant quest for new adventures.

For these restless souls (soles?) there are plenty of options – whether you want to ‘bag’ Scotland’s 282 Munros (mountains taller than 3,000 feet), summit the 222 Corbetts (Scottish mountains between 2,500 and 3,000 feet high, with at least 500 feet of descent on all sides) or scale the 1,542 Marilyns (hills of England, Scotland, and Wales that are at least 150m higher than the surrounding land), there is an altitudeinfused ‘tick list’ available

Such challenges can involve days of planning and countless miles of driving. But what if there were a walking tick list containing 214 classic entries, tightly packed enough to avoid the need for cross-country driving odysseys? Of course, there is – the Wainwrights, the hills and mountains documented in Alfred Wainwright’s sevenvolume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells

Each guidebook is more like a love letter to the Lake District; Wainwright wrote poetically and sketched beautifully as he celebrated the fells. Famously flat-capped and curmudgeonly, the treasurer of Kendal Town Hall never intended to create a tick list. He said his books were simply “one man’s way of expressing his devotion to Lakeland’s friendly hills... after many years of inarticulate worshipping at their shrines”.

Wainwright’s eureka moment occurred when he visited the Lake District in 1930 for the first time. Walking from Windermere train station he headed up the nearest hill, Orrest Head, from where the view “cast a spell that changed my life”.

The path to the top – 784ft – has undoubtedly improved since then and there’s a wheelchair accessible trail. The summit benches and topograph that details every peak on the horizon reflect the popularity that Wainwright’s endorsement has bestowed on this spot, but the breathtaking panorama of more than 25 fells remains the same as on his original visit, stretching from Coniston Old Man in the south, via Scafell Pike and Great Gable, to Fairfield and Red Screes in the north, with Windermere in the foreground.

a

L B LL

Two more hillwalking tick lists to consider B

Reach the tops of all 282 mountains in Scotland taller than 3,000ft using a tick list named after Sir Hugh Munro. Most are accessible to hill walkers, but you’ll need mountaineering skills to complete them all. walkhighlands.co.uk

L

A total of 1,542 hills with a drop of 150 metres (nearly 500 ft) or more on all sides make up the Marilyns of England, Scotland and Wales. Anyone who has climbed 600 British Marilyns or more is eligible r e try t t e Mar y a a e Info: rhsoc.uk

SAFETY TIPS

A few things to consider before setting off on a walk

n Plan your route carefully in advance – and have alternatives in mind should conditions change

n Check the weather (metoffice.gov.uk is a good resource)

n Take a paper map and compass (make sure you know how to use it), a torch and headtorch, food and water, a whistle, first aid kit

n Dress appropriately for the weather conditions – take extra layers as conditions could change suddenly n Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged

n Tell someone else where you are going and at what time you expect to return n Check out further safety advice at mountain.rescue. org.uk

“ It was a moment of magic, a revelation so unexpected that I stood transfixed, unable to believe my eyes. I saw mountain ranges, one after another, the nearer starkly etched, those beyond fading into the blue distance. Rich woodlands, emerald pastures and the shimmering waters of the lake below added to a pageant of loveliness,” Wainwright wrote later.

Almost a century on, the view packs the same punch, the hilltop rewarding the effort of a 30-minute climb a hundred times over, from the pathside prettiness of its daffodils, bluebells and foxgloves to the excitement of seeing a red squirrel scuttle up a giant oak tree.

Yet while Orrest Head feels like an appropriate tick-off starting point, it isn’t actually a ‘ Wainwright’. The guide writer set an entry criterion that summits had to be more than 1,000ft above sea level (171 of them rise above 2,000ft), and broke his rule only once to include 951ft Castle Crag in Borrowdale, which was “so magnificently independent, so ruggedly individual, so aggressively unashamed of its lack of inches,” that it deserved the full fell treatment in the Pictorial Guide

MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

The guidebooks divide the Lake District into seven geographical areas, which makes it easier to ‘complete’ one book before progressing to the next. Troutbeck Head Club Campsite is an ideal basecamp for ticking off summits in Books One and Five; Meathop Fell or Kendal Club campsites for Book Two; Borrowdale Club Campsite for Book Three; Coniston Park Coppice for Book Four; and Dockray Meadow for Six and Seven.

For years I have treated the Pictorial Guide volumes like diaries, noting the date when I climbed each fell, who I was with, and any other notable memories, although it’s impossible to surpass Wainwright’s neat, hand-written descriptions and the forensic detail of his sketches.

With astute planning and reasonable fitness it’s possible to tick off two, three or four fells in a single walk, although to race to complete a circuit of all 214 peaks would be contrary to the spirit of Wainwright’s desire to savour each summit – it took him 13 years to walk and produce his books.

Nor is the point of a tick list simply to cherry pick the finest walks, although Wainwright did name his six best fells as Scafell Pike, Bowfell, Pillar, Great Gable, Blencathra and Crinkle Crags, all of which had, “the attributes of mountains, ie height, a commanding appearance, a good view, steepness and ruggedness”. However, he also wrote, “For beauty, variety and interesting detail, for sheer fascination and unique individuality, the summit area of Haystacks is supreme”, requesting that his ashes should be scattered by the side of Innominate Tarn close to the top.

“And if you, dear reader, should get a bit of grit in your boot as you are crossing Haystacks in the years to come, please treat it with respect. It might be me,” he wrote in Memoirs of a Fellwalker

It’s a line that sticks with me as I revisit Haystacks with my son on a humdinger of a blue-sky day, when the tarn mirrors the candyfloss clouds and gnarled fells beyond. It feels like an appropriate place to finish.

YOUR CLUB SAVINGS

Collectively, members saved over £1.4m between January and September 2022

hether you re into electric bi es, nature conservation or i i on the move, there is a fantastic offer waiting for you at camc.com/memberoffers...

BRILLIANT GIN

Members save up to 20% with Brilliant Gin. Treat yourself or your friends and family to the delights of award-winning gins distilled in London, offering exciting bursts of juniper, sage, coriander, angelica, lemon peel, bitter orange, cloves and cinnamon. Save 15% on a single bottle and 20% on two or more bottles purchased via the Brilliant Gin website. Find out more at camc.com/brilliantgin

UP TO 20%

10%

HAIBIKE

Whether your idea of fun and freedom is an epic all-day ride in the Cairngorms on an electric mountain bike (eMTB) or a laidback, leisurely ride into town on an eTrekking bike, Haibike has the model for you.

Members save 10% when purchasing a Trekking, HardSeven, or HardNine bike. Find out more at camc.com/haibike

YOUR MEMBER OFFER STORY...

“I saved over £120 and I couldn't be happier, I will now be looking at what other offers are available at the Club. Many thanks.”

Jane Stronge

If you have saved via our offers we would love to hear from you! lease send us your story and or image to memberoffers@camc.com.

EE

Members can save £10 on the 4GEE WiFi Mini 2020 from EE, which is designed to provide easy access to the internet on the go. It allows passengers to check their news feeds, stream music, play online games and watch films or TV programmes – making car journeys much more fun for everyone. Each device comes with 30GB of data which lasts up to two months from activation – further data can be purchased separately. For more information visit camc.com/ee

£10

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Members can save 50% on their first year’s membership of Butterfly Conservation – join for as little as £1.58 per month and find out more about the butterflies and moths in your back garden and beyond. You will receive colourful information about butterflies and moths, three copies of Butterfly magazine over the course of the year and a booklet written by garden writer Kate Bradbury containing top tips, plants lists and design inspiration. Find out more at camc.com/butterflyconservation

DASH4IT

Online map superstore Dash4it offers a wide range of maps, atlases, travel guides and accessories. As a Club member you can apply an 8% saving to your basket – see camc.com/dash4it for details.

MAGAZINES DIRECT

Save 29% on a subscription with Magazines Direct. Why not inspire the caravanners and motorhomers among your family and friends and give the gift of a subscription to either Practical Caravan or Practical Motorhome for just £11.50 (print) every three months. Offer closes 31 January 2023 – open to new subscribers only. Find out more at camc.com/ magazinesdirect

Members can save 8% on National Trust Gift Cards, purchases of which help the organisation look after muchloved places, and fund the likes of cleaning a beach or restoring a footpath. Gift cards can be redeemed at National Trust cafés and shops, in the online shop and even used towards membership. To find out more, visit camc.com/nationaltrust

Terms and conditions apply to all Member Offers –see camc.com/memberoffers for details

Quick tips when taking landscape photographs

n Landscape photography is usually best early or late in the day when the sun is low in the sky.

n Look for lead-in lines, such as paths or walls, from the bottom corner of the frame; good light will accentuate these.

n Alternating light and shade in the frame will reveal the interlocking features of the landscape and give the photo more depth.

n The lightest parts of the photo will draw the eye, so position these away from the edges of the frame.

n Giving the photo a dark bottom will give the image a ‘solid’ foundation.

Stand and stare

Iam often asked what is the longest I have waited to take a photograph of a wild animal, but I have never been asked the same question in relation to a landscape photograph. The two might seem incomparable – animals move, but landscapes don’t – so what is there to wait for, other than, maybe, the walkers to move farther along the path or the big white motorhome to roll out of the scene?

It should just be a matter of strolling up, finding the best composition and pressing the shutter. However, we all know that it isn’t quite so simple. So what is it that makes one photo of a particular view so much better than another?

The answer to this question revolves around one main variable: light. Composition is

important in photography, but understanding light and how it plays on the landscape is critical to creating a great picture.

Imagine a high vantage point looking out over a series of rolling hills. The hills will be clearly distinguishable to the eye, but in camera the top of one might merge into the next, especially when the sun is high overhead or if there isn’t any sun at all. There are times when scattered clouds cast shadows, which help to separate the various parts of the landscape, providing a more three-dimensional appearance, but these moments are ephemeral and unpredictable.

We can be sure that as the sun sinks lower in the sky it will cast longer shadows. The sunny peak of one hill might be set against the shadowy

STAY AT

n The Yorkshire Dales, with its rolling valleys dotted with barns, makes a great destination for landscape photographers. I recommend a stay at Hawes Club Campsite.

n If mounds of thrift are your thing, head to West Cornwall (for example, Godrevy Park Club Campsite) or Pembrokeshire (for example, Lleithyr Meadow Club Campsite, below) in May.

n For mountains you can’t beat the Lake District; Borrowdale Club Campsite is a fantastic base.

LOOK OUT FOR

n The December moth secretes chemicals into its bloodstream which act as a type of anti-freeze so it can fly in icy conditions.

n The string-of-sausages lichen grows on the trees of western moors and mountains; it is a wonderful long lichen which, on close inspection, does indeed resemble (in form, not colour) strings of sausages!

n Long-eared owls are not common, but in cold winters we get an influx from eastern countries; large groups can sometimes be found roosting in trees.

depths of the slope behind, creating a glorious pattern of light and shade.

n The charismatic, fast-moving sanderling can be spotted on sandy beaches, running back and forth among breaking waves in search of food.

The stones in stone circles, the bank at the edge of a path, the lone tree on the hillside, the mounds of thrift on the cliff top, the boulders on the beach, even snow on the ground – they all have their time to shine, their shadows to cast and a texture to reveal. Every view is affected by the angle and nature of the light. As photographers we either ‘snap’ the view as we are passing by or we wait and watch.

The same people who ask me how long I wait for photos often go on to tell me that I must be very patient. I would argue that, in a world where we have fast food, take away coffee, drive-throughs, same-day deliveries and the immediacy of social media, it is vital that we find opportunities to slow things down.

Yes, landscape photography can be timeconsuming but, rather than demanding

patience, it should be regarded as an opportunity to relax. What could be better for our mindfulness and well-being than to sit and watch the rapturous light playing on a landscape, and the sense of fulfilment of capturing the defining moment? We are lucky that, as caravanners and motorhomers, we are often ideally placed to do just that.

Answers to the questions: the longest I have waited for a photograph of a wild animal is about 12 hours (often waiting overnight or all day in a hide); the longest I have ever stood in one place to wait for the light to change for a landscape photo is about two hours – but I have often returned later!

MEMBER SINCE...

Here are a few things to look out for while waiting for the light on your landscape to change!

“ These moments are ephemeral and unpredictable ”

Easy does it

Electric vehicles (EVs) can offer huge benefits to caravan owners, not least the impressive performance and refinement of their electric motors. Although the selection of EVs able to tow a caravan has been slim until recently, the Škoda Enyaq iV SUV is one of a growing number that could tempt tourers to make the switch.

The Enyaq iV 80 has been on the Club’s radar for some time now. The iV 80 Lounge picked up two wins at the Towcar of the Year 2022 competition – in the Caravan Weight Under 1,100kg class and the overall Electric Vehicles category – and in four-wheel-drive 80x form, the Enyaq took the Caravan Weight 1,200-1,300kg class win in the 2023 competition. With that in

mind, we wanted to take a closer look at one of the standout electric cars we’ve tested and spend more time with it.

Škoda has launched a couple of models wearing the iV badge, but the Enyaq is the Czech brand’s first model to be pure-electric. In recent months, Škoda has followed up the Enyaq with a more daring looking Coupe model and performance-minded Coupe vRS version. But the standard, more practical, original Enyaq is the car we’re interested in for this test.

There are three flavours of Enyaq – 60, 80 and 80x. These numbers roughly denote the size of the car’s battery (62kWh total/58kWh useable in the 60 and 82kWh total/77kWh useable in the 80), while the ‘x’ indicates four-wheel drive.

With Škoda being part of the Volkswagen Group, the Enyaq uses the same platform and

hardware as its sister car, the Volkswagen ID.4, which means power is predominantly sent to the rear wheels and the battery sits beneath the floor between the car’s axles. In the case of the 60, there’s a 177bhp electric motor on the back axle, the 80 delivers 201bhp – again to the rear wheels – while the 80x, tested here, adds an extra 60bhp motor on the front axle, giving 261bhp.

While the underlying componentry might be the same as the ID.4’s, Škoda has taken a different approach with the styling. Volkswagen favours a more swoopy design for its range of ID. electric cars, which very much follows an industry trend of giving EVs a more futuristic look.

The Enyaq, though, is far more in keeping with Škoda’s petrol- and diesel-powered Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiaq models; there’s even a blanked

off grille, aping its Škoda sister SUVs (which can be specced to be illuminated by 130 LEDs at night if you choose the £2,030 ‘Advanced Package’ or the £3,980 ‘Maxx Package’). It's a relatively goodlooking SUV with its short bonnet, slim front and rear tail lights and sharp creases, particularly so if you opt for the SportLine Plus model, driven here, with its deeper bumpers and black exterior trim.

The same is true inside. Apart from the extra room that comes from a dedicated electric car platform, the result of which is extra storage in the centre console and a flat floor beneath the back seats, the Enyaq’s interior offers few surprises. It’s as logically laid out and as comfortable as all other Škoda SUVs. Interestingly, the cabin is also better built than an ID.4’s, with quality plastics used throughout. The massive 13in screen is easier to use than the ID.4’s, too, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also thrown in as standard.

The Enyaq shuns traditional trim levels and instead plumps for ‘designs’, so there’s the choice of ‘Loft’, ‘Suite’, ‘Eco Suite’, and ‘Lounge’ and, for the SportLine Plus model, ‘Sports’. Our car’s Sports design, with its black, body-hugging seats, was smart but rather sombre, however most of the other options (available for other models, not the SportLine Plus) feature tasteful textiles and non-leather alternatives.

Space in the back is excellent, with plenty of knee and headroom for taller passengers. Boot space is similarly enormous and a low lip makes loading larger items easy. The £320 optional ‘Transport’ package is worth ticking, though, as it adds a variable height floor, luggage nets and the ability to lower the back seats with a lever in the boot.

loc ise from ottom left: charging the Enyaq; 13in touchscreen; interior is as comfortable as other o a s simple switchgear; and dash display

To see a video of this test download the Digital Magazine from the App Store or Google Play. Remember to search for Magazine’.

ECHNICAL

Price as tested: £49,720 Insurance 33E

Engine: Twin electric motors

Power: 261bhp (195kW) Torque: 425Nm (313Ib ft)

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Spare Wheel: Tyre inflation kit Kerbweight: 2,299kg

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2,750kg

Gross Train Weight: 3,950kg

Towing Limit: 1,200kg Noseweight Limit: 75kg

Towing Equipment: Electrically deployable towbar (£815) Range: 318 miles (solo) CO2 : 0g/km

Figures from anufacturer s literature

DRIVING

The Enyaq doesn’t deliver its thrills like some of its rivals. Rather than pinning the driver in their seat, the Škoda smartly moves off with speed building in a measured, relaxed kind of way. The 80x’s twin electric motors pack an extra 60bhp, so it’s a good deal quicker than the two-wheel drive models.

The steering is accurate enough and brakes are nicely judged – it's a great car that’s dialled in perfectly to family and touring life. The suspension errs on the comfortable side, and even choosing the elegant 21in wheels (like on our car) doesn’t ruin the ride. Being larger than the 19in wheels that are standard on other trim levels, though, they do have a slight negative impact on the electric range.

quieter too, and, once up to speed, refinement levels are excellent with only a small whine from the electric motor disrupting the near-silence.

The Enyaq also feels very tied down, having excellent stability at motorway speeds, and the outfit never feels wayward; the car almost feels the same as it does when driving solo.

Our car adds an extra motor on the front axle to give four-wheel drive which will give useful extra traction on slippery pitches and perhaps in adverse weather. We’ve also tested a non-fourwheel-drive ‘80’ in Lounge spec (the car that scooped the ‘Electric Car’ category in last year’s Towcar of the Year awards), and in normal driving the two cars drive identically. Plus, by not being four-wheel drive, the latter’s driving range is a little better.

Speaking of the range, Škoda claims up to 246 miles for the 60, 338 for the 80 and 318 miles for the four-wheel drive 80x. Remember, though, that electric cars are even more susceptible to driving style, outside temperature, and weight than their traditional counterparts.

Škoda recently upgraded the Enyaq’s DC charging capabilities for both 60 and 80 models meaning if you plug into a 150kW rapid charger at a roadside service station, an 80% charge will take around 30 minutes.

A home charge from a 7kW wallbox should be completed in 13 hours for 80 models and 9 hours 30 minutes for the 60. A handy smartphone app also allows the driver to remotely charge the Enyaq and switch on the air conditioning.

TOWING

Electric cars have one huge advantage over combustion-engined cars, and that’s torque. An electric motor delivers its maximum torque instantly, which for caravanners is good news as acceleration and traction tend to be better.

When hitched up to a 1,200kg caravan, the Enyaq moves off from a standstill in a far more relaxed and quicker fashion than a Škoda Kodiaq diesel does, for example. Needless to say, it’s a good deal

VERDICT

The Škoda Enyaq iV is a great electric SUV offering a combination of refinement and good towing ability.

Send us proof of a current renewal invitation from your existing car insurer and we’ll beat it by at least £25*. Visit camc.com/insurance for more information and full terms and conditions.

If your vehicle has won any Towcar of the Year class or category get a 10% discount on new or renewing car insurance through the Club. Visit camc.com/towcar and camc.com/ insurance/car-insurance for more information and terms and conditions.

When unhitched we achieved about 287 miles on a full charge in the '80' - but we think you’d struggle to better 130 miles using either the two- or four-wheel drive Enyaq with caravan in tow. Considering the Enyaq 80x’s 2,750kg gross weight that’s not too bad, but it means a long touring holiday would involve plenty of charging stops. * Offer only applies when switching to the Club, is subject to insurers’ acceptance of the risk, terms and conditions and cover being arranged on a like-for-like basis. Future renewal prices will always be less or the same as an equivalent new business price. Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Car Insurance is arranged for the Club by Devitt Insurance Services Limited. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited. The Caravan Club Limited and Devitt Insurance Services Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

“An 80% charge at a 150kW rapid charger will take around 30mins ”

Rated Excellent

With our award-winning Caravan Cover, our members come back to us year after year. Nearly 90% of all cover holders renewed with us.* Plus, we have been voted by our members 5 out of 5 stars Excellent on Trustpilot. See what our award-winning cover can do. Visit camc.com/caravancover or call 01342 649 894 for a quote today. *Nearly 90% of all cover holders renewed is based on renewals data 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 (89%) **Trustpilot rating correct as of 1 September 2022, but is subject to change Caravan Cover is provided directly by the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

FANCY SECONDS?

Why not dodge the waiting lists by investing in a pre-loved ’van? Rob McCabe reviews a trio of appealing caravans for varied budgets on a local dealer forecourt

2012 Bailey Pegasus Ancona

£12,995

Let’s start with a throwback: a six-berth layout with wraparound front lounge, centre kitchen with side dinette opposite, rear corner washroom and three fixed bunks along the offside wall. Caravans with this layout were only manufactured for a brief spell, so it’s rare to encounter one on a forecourt. This 2012 Ancona may be one of the last produced.

It’s a fantastic option for four-children families: there are three permanent beds and the side dinette can be left in single-bed mode, meaning it’s only the double bed at the front that needs to be configured every day – a small price to pay! All three bunk mattresses are in excellent condition, and each occupant benefits from their own window/blind, plus a wall-mounted reading light. A full-height concertina blind provides privacy at night-time.

Of course, rapidly growing kids will eventually outgrow the two weightrestricted bunks – although the limit for these upper two bunks is a generous 75kg (nearly 12 stone in old money). The floor-level one will accommodate an adult, although a video of a grown-up attempting to get

out of it in the morning would be guaranteed to go viral.

This example is in fine overall condition, showing some signs of use. The most obvious is a blemish on the kitchen worktop – a shame, but it is at least purely cosmetic. The appliances show some signs of tarnishing, but they’re all perfectly clean. Outside, there’s not a mark on it, and the alloy wheels look exceedingly smart.

As well as the spark-ignited cooker with separate grill and oven, you get a fitted microwave – a near-essential in a busy family caravan. Somehow, they managed to fit in a separate shower cubicle in the washroom, which has a bright, fresh ambience. Plenty of cupboard space too.

Al-Ko ATC electronic trailer control is a welcome addition to the equipment roster, although there’s no motorised mover fitted – something with which to practise your bartering skills when closing the deal, maybe?

VERDICT

A rare find. It’s in very good nick overall and feels like a nice place to be – probably nicer still when you can pack the kids off to bed without having to lift a finger.

mover. In other words, its next owner isn’t going to want for much.

impressive. This smartly turned-out 565 features Alde central heating, Al-Ko ATC, exterior gas and electric sockets, solar panel, fitted stereo and ceiling-mounted extractor, and also benefits from a motorised

The presentation is typical Swift –take that as a good thing. Upholstery looks and feels plush and plump, and every single blind on board is posh and pleated for a refined evening ambience. Aside from the rug in the lounge area, the loose-lay carpeting was rolled up in the wardrobe, and looked to be in perfect condition. All the lockers and doors open and close with a pleasing tightness

TECHNICAL

MRO

1,360kg

MTPLM

1,513kg

Internal length

18ft 4in (5.60m)

Overall length 23ft 9in (7.25m)

Mover fitted?

Yes Warranty

Six months’ parts and labour

and precision, and every surface is unblemished.

In the bedroom, which shuts off from the front of the caravan by way of a perfectly functioning concertina blind, the excellent Duvalay mattresses on the fixed single beds still have their factory freshness.

The bedroom has a television viewing point (there’s another in the lounge) with a chunky wall bracket already fitted; this has a built-in spirit level, which is a clever little idea. There’s also a wide-opening sunroof in here to complement the one that serves the lounge. For overnighting guests, the parallel sofas make up into a double bed via sliding slats that are delightfully effortless in their operation.

The end washroom is in lovely condition, with a roomy shower cubicle that may or may not have ever been

used – hard to tell. The heated radiator/ towel rail and big, backlit mirror add a dose of refinement.

All the kitchen appliances, which include a low-level fitted microwave, are super-clean – and it’s always good to see pull-out wire racking storage, which adds to overall user-friendliness. The overhead extractor on this one is missing its fan, although a brand-new replacement will be fitted when the caravan gets its pre-delivery inspection. As with all three tourers we’re looking at today, a six-month warranty is included in the price.

VERDICT

An obviously well-cared-for caravan, with a pretty much full equipment roster. This is a smart, practical and keenly priced tourer.

TECHNICAL

MRO

1,203kg

MTPLM

1,326kg

Internal length

15ft 3in (4.65m)

Overall length 20ft 4in (6.19m)

Mover fitted?

Yes Warranty

Si onths parts and labour

2018 Bailey Unicorn Seville IV

£20,995

Looking for a new caravan but don’t want to take your place on a lengthy waiting list or pay 30 grand or more for the privilege?

Well, something like this Unicorn may be just what you’re looking for. The documentation says it was built in 2018; the naked eye says it could easily have been yesterday. As such, my condition report on this end-kitchen two-berth is simple: immaculate, in every respect.

It also prompted a ‘never-seen-thatbefore’ moment. I’ve looked at hundreds of pre-owned caravans over the years, but this was the first in which the loosefit carpet sections were still wearing the protective cellophane covers fitted at the factory. That suggests they’ve never been used – I can’t imagine that a fastidious former owner would lay them out with the covering still in place.

used as two proper single beds at night – they’re just a quarter-inch off 6ft 3in long – which calls for minimum bed-making and putting away. Otherwise, you’ll find that easily operated slats pull out to make a terrific double bed.

Being a relatively recent offering, the Seville has USB slots built into the reading lights in the lounge, and the good-quality stereo includes a DAB radio tuner and Bluetooth. Like the Challenger, this one also comes with the desirable duo of Alde heating and Al-Ko ATC. The elongated front panoramic window is another latterday design feature.

With thanks to:

Featured caravans were on sale

at John Wicks

Caravans, Lynn Road, Grimston, in s ynn, Norfolk PE32 1AG (johnwickscaravans. co.uk, 01485 601212)

The lounge is a peach, with four great corners to fall back into – and Bailey pulled off a neat trick by using individual backrest cushions instead of one big slab. This improves the look no end, and they’re obviously much easier to manhandle.

As well as offering stacks of lounging room, the sofas can also be

The kitchen appliances look like they’ve been professionally cleaned after every use – it’s almost a surprise to see that the grill pan isn’t also still in its protective packaging. The whole area looks very smart in all its L-shapeness; and if you take into account that vast swathe of nearside dresser, it’s awash with serving and prep space too.

The previous owner has made a (predictably neat) nice little DIY upgrade: a coaxial cable has been trunked unobtrusively from the dresser along the wall and behind the sofa to emerge on the front window shelf, giving a second TV viewing location.

VERDICT

I’d almost be frightened to take it anywhere in case it should start to look in any way used. Amazing.

means you can wear one, while the other is in the wash – no tricky dry cleaning here!

All this makes these puffer jackets ideal for winter and right through to spring. And, to top it all off, they’re yours for just £29.99. Order today quoting the promo code below and, to combat the cold, add the microfleece jumper for just £5.99, plus the matching hat and gloves set for even less.

ENJOY THE SILENCE

Meet the very first ‘all-electric’ campervan to come out of the Wellhouse manufacturing and retail site on the edge of Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

It’s based on the electrically-powered Vauxhall Vivaro-e (you can still have a standard diesel vehicle should you wish).

You’ll pay from £76,000 – that might sound expensive but currently you won’t have to pay any Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) or charges for clean air zones in the UK (check details with specific scheme operators prior to travel). Maintenance should be cheaper than a traditional vehicle, too, as there are simply fewer engine elements to wear and tear in an electric vehicle.

BUILD QUALITY

We tested the medium-wheelbase Vauxhall but Wellhouse also offers a long-wheelbase version (a Toyota Proace-based option is also available in

medium-wheelbase form only). Conversion extras fitted here are: roof bed (£600); safe (£200); external shower (£200), exterior 230V socket (£150); two floor lashing points (£35); towbar and electrics (£650); roof rails and crossbars (£425); Thule awning (£850); Autowatch tracker (£150); and Diamondbrite paintwork protection (£300).

DRIVING

It’s super smooth and super quiet. Even the location of the batteries (under the floor) seems to help with the roadholding. Featuring Normal/Power and Eco modes, power is delivered differently than in a diesel-engined machine – it’s all instant, thanks to the single speed/gearless automatic transmission. Best figure of the lot is, of course, the 0g/km emissions number.

There’s a bit of wind/tyre noise but otherwise your progress is almost eerily quiet. It certainly allows you to enjoy the decent stereo system, part of what is a very well-equipped cab. You’ll notice you have a power meter in lieu of a rev counter and

Classic

floorplan with a

Above: a look under the bonnet

Left: comfortable cab featuring a power meter rather than a fuel gauge

Price (as tested) £79,560 OTR Engine 450V electric, 75kW battery Power 134bhp (99.92kW) Torque 192lb ft (260Nm) Transmission Automatic, FWD MRO

2,550kg MTPLM 3,100kg User payload 550kg Overall length 16ft 3in (4.96m) Overall width 6ft 4in (1.92m) Overall height 6ft 6in (1.98m) Fuel/econ Electric/typical range 180 miles Figures from manufacturer s literature

a battery charge level indicator rather than a fuel gauge. You also get front-wheel drive, all-round independent suspension, disc brakes to each wheel, hydraulic power-assisted steering, 17in alloy wheels etc.

In terms of recharging, you’ll get back up to 80% in 30-45 mins if you have access to a 100kW charger. Vauxhall offers a choice of three wall-mounted, 7.4kW home charging systems for the Vivaro-e. Prices start at £589 for the most basic version. If you’re using standard mains, you’ll need to plug in overnight, at the very least.

It’s not the biggest of cockpits, but there is rear seat travel for two.

DAYTIME

It might be all excitingly electric, but the interior of the Blighty E is pure camper, albeit with modern styling and equipment.

There is a classic floorplan of furniture unit along the offside and a rear bench seat that converts into a decent sized double bed (although floor space is a little limited when it’s all in place). Wellhouse offers a choice of six furniture finishes, two worktops and three floors – all at no additional cost – while the base vehicle comes in four different metallic paint jobs.

The seat unit is on rails and can be pushed far forward to optimise luggage space at the back, or right back to make the most of floor space when on-site.

Both cab seats swivel easily enough. The only slight hassle is having to access the pedestal leg dining table via the tailgate – it stows on the back of the rear seat for safe travel.

LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL YOUR VEHICLE?

here s a gas hob, a standardissue portable toilet and a decent size lower bed

NIGHT-TIME

That lower bed is a decent size, at 6ft 2in x 3ft 10in. A roof bed (with ladder) is an option and, while you’re unlikely to want to use the Blighty E as a four-berth, a double bed up top gives you flexibility – and the extra daytime standing room it affords makes it worth considering. You could leave everything set up how you like it downstairs, and there’s floor space to use at night, for example. The roof itself is made to Wellhouse’s specification. Long straps plus a buckle travel catch help keep everything in place, and it’s all relatively easy to push up and pull back down again. The canvas includes side vents/mesh screens as well as an acrylic front window.

KITCHEN

Actually, this Blighty isn’t all-electric. There’s still a typical campervan two-burner hob and sink combination (on future models the hob will be supplied via a Gaslow refillable system). The compressor fridge has a 25-litre capacity.

Storage is at a bit of a premium, but there’s a good sized drawer over the fridge as well as a larger locker adjacent, although most of the space here is taken by the portable toilet.

WASHROOM

That portable toilet in the main locker is standard-issue. You might want to consider the outdoor shower attachment option, too. Other than that, your best bet is to take advantage of the excellent washroom facilities offered at most Club sites.

DETAILS

As you’d expect from a business of Wellhouse’s pedigree, there are lots of neat touches –everything from the insulated floor to the lockers over the kitchen to reading lamps with USB charging ports. As standard you also get an external gas point, solar panel, fresh and waste water tanks and more.

VERDICT

The future really is here, even if it is a rather expensive investment initially. And, of course, you’ll also be doing your bit to save the planet.

With thanks to:

Wellhouse Leisure Unit 1, Cannon Way, Claycliffe Road Industrial Estate, Barugh Green, Barnsley S75 1JU Contact: wellhouseleisure. com, 01226 668800

TAKE CONTROL

The thought of having to reverse my caravan into my driveway at the end of a holiday used to fill me with dread. The sweatinducing car and tourer manoeuvre could potentially cause traffic chaos – and was inevitably a most unrelaxing end to a nice break. If this sounds familiar, it might be worth investing in a motor mover.

HOW A MOTOR MOVER WORKS

A motor mover is an electronic device that fixes to the caravan’s chassis and features a roller that manipulates the caravan tyres, giving you manoeuvrability via a remote control. Rollers tend to be either grooved or ‘gritted’ so they can grip the tyre, particularly in wet conditions.

size leisure battery is required for a particular mover before you purchase it.

On a ‘manually engaged’ mover a telescopic wheel wrench and a certain amount of strength are required. Automatic engagement systems are more expensive, but may be simpler and more appealing for many.

If you store your caravan close to a wall or fence, you’ll need to be able to move the wheels on both sides of the caravan simultaneously. To do this, your mover will need a ‘crossactuation bar’, which is standard on some models, but an option on others – so do some research before you place an order.

REASONS TO BUY

Motor movers are great if you want to reverse your caravan into a tight spot. When positioning my tourer on my driveway, I have to allow for a wall, a lamp post, a high kerb, pedestrians on the pavement and a T-junction right next to my house – so things can be a little fraught. The motor mover takes away a lot of this pressure as it allows me to steer with precision and control. The added bonus is that I can do it on my own – reversing with a caravan under tow can be easier if someone outside the vehicle offers assistance.

It can sometimes be tricky to pitch up on site too, particularly if the spot opposite is

1. Walls can be challenging when parking a caravan

Motor movers are perfect for crowded spaces, such as storage facilities

Rollers are grooved or gritted so they can grip the caravan tyre

Motor movers are operated by remote control

occupied Some sites allow you to pitch front-forward in order to enjoy the views, and a motor mover really comes into its own here.

A motor mover is also extremely useful if your caravan is stored at a dedicated site, where vehicles are often tightly packed together. To avoid difficulties when returning to your van after a long period of time, make sure your leisure battery is fully charged so the motor mover works when you need it most!

Hitching up can be particularly difficult for solo travellers, who may need to repeatedly get in and out of the car to line up the towball with the tow hitch. Again, a motor mover allows for fine adjustments.

Finally, levelling up and aligning the wheel lock with the receiver has always been a headache for me, involving lots of reversing with the aid of the towcar, pushing the caravan by hand etc. However, with the touch of a button on the remote control, this job is taken care of.

CONSIDERATIONS

Motor movers can weigh between 20kg and 70kg – the heavier versions generally feature two rollers and are intended for twin-axle caravans. This eats into your payload allowance (personal belongings) so, after fitting and before departing on a trip, it is

advisable to check the overall weight of your caravan, fully loaded, on a public weighbridge. Generally, a motor mover is fitted forward of the axle to avoid interfering with spare wheel carriers and jacking brackets. It’s placement may affect your caravan’s noseweight (noseweight is the load on the towball – the Club recommends this should be between 5% and 7% of the caravan’s MTPLM), so always check this.

As a side note, remember that your caravan’s jockey wheel needs to be sufficiently robust to deal with rough ground and slippery grass – so invest in a good quality rubber or grooved wheel.

DON T FORGET!

n Release the handbrake before using the motor mover and re-engage it when you’ve finished manoeuvring.

n Disengage the roller before driving away – the damage to tyres can be catastrophic if you forget.

n Release the roller when your caravan is in storage – long-term pressure could damage the tyre.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I have found that fitting a motor mover has taken away a lot of the stress of manoeuvring – and quite possibly saved my marriage!

5.

6.

7.

Quattro Caravan Movers

Members can save up to £139.90 on fully-fitted movers from Quattro. Visit camc.com/ motormover for details and terms and conditions. Saving correct at time of publication and subject to change.

Hitching up solo is a breeze with a motor mover

A motor mover allows you to manoeuvre past obstacles more easily

Levelling up and connecting the wheel lock is made easier with a motor mover

8. Don’t forget to release the roller before driving off as the consequences can be disastrous

(Photo courtesy of M Lewendon)

“ I have to allow for a wall, a lamp post, a high kerb, pedestrians on the pavement and a T-junction right next to my house – so it can be a little fraught ”

All I want for Christmas…

Jane McGowan has some ideas to help kick-start your Christmas shopping

UP TO 20%

Brilliant Gin

Members can save 15% on one bottle or 20% on two with Brilliant Gin. There are three gins to choose from: London Dry; Raspberry; and the Distillers Cut, which carries a higher ABV rating of 57%.

According to the makers, the gin features a “unique blend of individually selected botanicals... from the woody aroma of sage, to the warmth of West African Grains of Paradise” peppered with “delightful bursts of juniper, sage, coriander, angelica, lemon peel, bitter orange, cloves and cinnamon”.

RRP: £39-£50 (70cl). (Club members can claim a discount of 15%-20%.

Christmas Caravan and Tree Decoration

Treat yourself or a fellow caravanner to this cute bauble that can be hung on the Christmas tree each year to remind you of your happy holidays.

Made by Red Berry Apple, it features three vintage vans painted red, blue and green, parked up amid a festive snow scene. Made from wood, metal and jute, it could bring character to any tree or festive tourer interior.

Size: 13cm x 20cm x 1.5cm

RRP: £9.75

Contact: notonthehighstreet.com

See camc.com/brilliantgin for details, terms and conditions).

Contact: brilliantgin.co.uk

Caravan Personalised Tote Bag

Tote bags have been the must-have accessory this year – so why not tap into the trend with this light and bright one from The T Bird? The 100% polyester carry-all features a vintage tourer design and can be personalised with a name, a special message or memorable date. The bags are machine washable and are ideal for shopping, beach trips or for visits to the shower block. A range of matching items is also available, including cushions, cups and travel mugs.

RRP: £13.74

Contact: amazon.co.uk

FatFace Five Pack Camper Print Socks

There is an unwritten rule somewhere that says all dads, grandads and uncles must receive socks at Christmas. So what could be better than this bumper pack featuring a mix of quirky campervan designs? Made from a breathable, comfortable polyester mix, the socks are available in two size options: 6.5-9 and 9.5-11. And should you really want to push the boat out, there are boxer shorts to match!

RRP: £20

Contact: fatface.com

Campervan Enamel Camp Mug/Coffee-Maker Set

This set by PomchickGift (top) would make a wonderful Christmas present, being both attractive and practical. It features two enamel mugs, two matching coasters and a stove-top coffee pot, as well as a greetings card. The camper motif comes in a range of six colour options, and there is room for a name and personal message within the design. A set for one (bottom) is also available.

RRP: £39.90 (set for one: £29.90)

Contact: etsy.com

Cadac’s Camping Cook Book

This handy book will have you longing to be back cooking up a storm on site. It features a range of delicious, quick and easy barbecue recipes, including meat and fish dishes as well as vegetarian options. There’s even a selection of mouthwatering desserts.

RRP: £9; (available for £8.10 through Club Shop; see shop.camc.com for details, terms and conditions). Contact: cadacuk.com

Centre Lines

The latest news from across the country

GOLDEN COUPLES

Many congratulations to Joy and Geoff Malins and Thelma and Mike Barrier who celebrated their golden wedding anniversaries during East ent s European Holiday Rally!

The group members enjoyed a variety of activities from their base at Au Clos de la Chaume campsite in Vosges, highlights of which included a coach trip, French meal, fun and games evening, cream tea and wine and cheese tasting.

GRAND EVENING

West Warwickshire Centre members presented their local air ambulance service with a cheque for £1,000 at the recent AGM. Fundraising activities have included card sales, cream teas, bacon butty cook-ups and bingo. The centre has chosen to raise cash for the organisation again over the coming season – congratulations on such a fantastic total!

AIR WE GO

Wiltshire Chairman Steve Berridge presented Wiltshire Air Ambulance representative Roger with a cheque for over £1,700 during the centre's AGM at Lyneham School. Generous members helped raise the magnificent total through raffles, CD and DVD sales and donations. The centre has decided that ne t year s charity will be acmillan Cancer Support.

Yorkshire Pennine

David Neve took up the role of Chairman at a well-attended Yorkshire Pennine Centre AGM in September. Meanwhile, the John Hall Trophy was presented to Keith and Liz Fannan, while David and Hazel Ferdinand were congratulated on reaching 1,700 rallies by outgoing Chairlady Stephanie Goddard.

CHILLED OUT AT CLARE

South Esse Centre en oyed a Chill ut rally over the border at Clare in Suffolk. On Saturday morning members took part in a treasure hunt around town that finished with well-earned refreshment at he Swan he evening s entertainment in the marquee included a 1960s-themed quiz from Carol, during which spot prizes were awarded to participants who could sing the next line of a popular tune.

Eight former chairmen and women of the centre pitched up at Avon’s Cheese, Cider and Fun Quiz Rally in Draycott. It was quite a surprise, as none of them was aware the others had booked in! A great weekend was had by all. Pictured from left to right are: Geoff Wood, Norman Williams, Jan Trott, Dave Woodington, Lesley Fear, Dave Provis, Jackie Butterworth, Paul Lines and resent Chairman eb rien

RALLY ROSTER

Each month we highlight a few rallies taking place within or near the region covered by our main touring feature (p28-38 this month). See centre websites for more information (camc.com/centres).

2-4 December East Warwickshire Centre, Christmas Shopping, Chapel Lane Club Campsite, Wythall, West Midlands 2-4 December Midland Centre, Oompah Night, Yew Tree Farm, Pound Bank, Worcestershire

9-11 December Worcestershire Centre, Family Christmas Party, Astley and Dunley Village Hall, Astley, Worcestershire

EVENTS DIARY

Are you looking for some holiday inspiration? Why not take in an event while staying at a nearby Club campsite or CL?

The North Lakes New Year Half Marathon, Lake District 2 Jan 2023

Stay at: Troutbeck Head Club Campsite (please note the site closes for the season on 3 Jan 2023), Kiln Hill Barn CL, Ellerbeck Farm and Fishery CL, Greenacre CL Though surrounded by lakeland fells, this half marathon – taking place on quiet roads in the Lorton valley, situated between Keswick and Cockermouth – is described as ‘quite gentle’. The race begins at 10am and is open to runners of all abilities. Entries costs £20 for unaffiliated runners, and all competitors receive a hot roll, hot drink, medal and chip-timed results. Please note that places are limited to 400 (plenty of spots were available at the time of going to press). Register at thenorthlakeshalfmarathon.co.uk.

Canaletto: A Venetian’s View, Worcester

Until 7 Jan 2023

Stay at: Chapel Lane Club Campsite, Stanmore Hall AS, Ludlow Touring Park AS Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum celebrates the revered Italian painter, bringing together artworks from Woburn Abbey, Tate, Compton Verney, Birmingham Museums Trust and Worcester’s own Fine Art Collection. Commissioned in the 1730s by the fourth Duke of Bedford, some consider them to be the best of Canaletto’s paintings of Venice. Entry costs £8 for adults, while there’s no charge for children under 16 and other concessions are available. Should you wish to visit on a preferred date, please book in advance at museumsworcestershire. org.uk to guarantee a timed slot.

Chinese New Year, Manchester 21-22 Jan 2023

Stay at: Burrs Country Park Club Campsite Chinese New Year falls on 21 January in 2023, although the main celebrations for the Year of the Rabbit will take place on the following day in Manchester. As well as red lanterns and modern art to welcome in the new year, city centre streets will also host a traditional dragon parade, lion dancing, a funfair and food stalls – see visitmanchester.com for more information.

The History of Rock, Falmouth 26 Jan 2023

Stay at: Carnon Downs Club Campsite Break out the leather trousers and denim jackets before heading for Falmouth’s Princess Pavilion... it’s time to relive the golden age of rock! This crowd-pleasing live show will cover the birth of rock n’ roll in the 1950s to the classic rock of the 1970s and 1980s, featuring an eight-piece live band as well as videos of original artists. Expect to hear hits by Led Zeppelin, Queen, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and more. See soulstreetproductions.com for tickets, as well as details of other dates for this tour.

Retro Games: A Gaming Journey, Great Yarmouth Until 20 Mar 2023

Stay at: Seacroft Club Campsite (please note the site closes for the season on 3 Jan 2023), Deodara CL, Bremar Pony Stud CL This exhibition at Time and Tide – The Museum of Great Yarmouth Life charts the development of computer gaming, from the arcades that became popular during the 1970s to the consoles found in many homes today. Displays of vintage

technology, gaming magazines and more will bring back memories for older enthusiasts, while there are opportunities for kids to play classic games like Pong. See museums.norfolk.

ASK YOUR CLUB

Campervan conundrum

QDoes the recent Parliamentary Ombudsman ruling mean the previous problems with getting self-conversion campervans correctly registered are over?

AThis is an important development in a very long-running issue.

Registration documents for motorhomes and campervans should specify their body type as motor caravan

This helps to ensure they are correctly considered for matters such as MOTs or road tolls and may enable exemption from some planned clean air zones.

There have been problems for many years relating to vehicles that are initially registered as commercial vehicles and are then subsequently converted for leisure use.

This includes many selfconverted campervans but also professional conversions on second-hand base vehicles or new base vehicles which are already registered as vans.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has applied a range of criteria over the years to determine whether a vehicle is acceptable to it for motor caravan designation.

In 2019, its approach changed again, resulting in a 95% reduction in the vehicles being accepted, making it almost impossible for owners or converters to get a

commercial vehicle registration changed.

The Club has had contact with the DVLA for many years over this issue, both directly and through representative bodies such as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

We have highlighted the difficulties the policy has caused to Club members and others, as well as the inconsistencies in its approach, which results in effectively identical vehicles receiving different body type designations. We have never received an entirely satisfactory explanation for its policy.

BREAKTHROUGH

Recently, a number of owners of self-converted campervans have achieved a breakthrough by taking their cases to the Parliamentary Ombudsman, the independent complaints handling service for government bodies and other public organisations.

The Ombudsman issued findings in October 2022 which concluded the DVLA was guilty of maladministration in its communication and transparency over what is required to register a vehicle as a motor caravan. The DVLA is required to improve its process and report back to the Ombudsman.

So does that mean that problems have been solved? Well, not yet. At the time of writing, no revised guidance had been issued. Members are

advised to check the following internet page for updates in due course: gov.uk/ government/publications/ converting-a-vehicle-into-amotor-caravan.

Clearly the Club will be monitoring this situation and the experiences of members going forward, but this is the most positive news on this topic for some years.

The Club’s technical team answers your pressing questions

Please address your questions to: Technical Information, Email: technical@camc.com Tel: 01342 336611

...and quote your membership number camc.com/advice

“ We have highlighted the difficulties the policy has caused to Club members and others ”

Now’s the time to tackle your Smartphone

At last, using your smartphone can be easy, simple and stress-free. Find out how...

Modern mobile phones, or smartphones as they’re called, can do so much more than just make phone calls.

From browsing the web wherever you are, checking train times, acting as a sat-nav... And best of all they can make it so easy to keep in touch with family and friends – in so many ways, from sharing photos to making video calls.

But using them isn’t always as easy as you’d want – and that’s putting it mildly!

Do the manufacturers do it on purpose?

Sometimes it can seem like the manufacturers deliberately make them complicated – and how you do things is o en hidden away. It might be easy once you know, but until you’ve been shown the easy way, it can drive you mad.

In fact only yesterday I was talking to someone whose Mum had got a new allsinging-all-dancing phone – but she couldn’t work out how to answer a phone call on it! She’s not da – it’s just that it’s di erent from what she’d used before and the phone didn’t come with a manual telling her what to do.

Whether you have similar problems or you’re trying to do something slightly more advanced, the thing is, it can be easy to use them... once you know how. But until you’ve been shown, it can be like talking a di erent language.

at’s why we’ve published these books: iPhones One Step at a Time, Android Phones One Step at a Time and Doro Smartphones One Step at a Time.

Plain English... and that’s not all ey explain how to use the phone, in plain simple language with pictures of the screen showing you exactly where to tap or slide your ngers. No jargon!

What’s covered?

I can’t list it all here. But amongst other things, you’ll discover:

• e basics of controlling it – swiping, tapping, opening apps & so on.

• Send emails from your phone.

• Video phone calls – a great way to keep up with family who live a long way away.

• How to use it as a sat-nav.

• Most phones have a good camera so you can take photos: here’s how to use it properly (and for videos).

• Share photos with friends around the world – quickly and easily.

• See updates, photos and video clips from friends and family – as soon as they “post” them.

• Make it easier to read the screen.

• Browse the web at home or out and about.

• Choosing and downloading apps.

• And obviously, you can make phone calls and send and receive text messages. (“Voicemail” is covered, too)

All explained nice and simply. (Find out more in the free infopack – read on...)

What one reader had to say:

“ anks for a fantastic smart phone book. Very pleasant sta as usual.

I think this book should be sold with every smart phone. I have learnt so much from it, the info you get with the phone is non-existent.

Smart phones are quite complex, and your books speak in plain English.”

Only half the story at’s only half the story but I don’t have room to explain here. I’ve put together full

Suitable for iPhones, Android phones like Samsungs and so on, and Doros.

(Not sure what phone you have? Best send of for the free info pack)

information on the books – who they’re for, what they cover and so on. What’s more the books also come with a free gi – no room to explain that here either.

Don’t buy now, do this instead

e books aren’t available in the shops or on Amazon – only direct from the publisher. Send o now to get a completely free, noobligation information pack. It’ll explain what the books cover, who they’re suitable for and so on – showing you just how it could help you.

Just call 01229 777606 and talk to Jade, Alicia, Karen, Steph or Shanice. You can call us weekdays between 8am 5.30pm or Saturdays between 9am 3pm. Send your name and address to CV1122@helpfulbooks.co.uk or post the coupon to e Helpful Book Company, 13B Devonshire Road Estate, Millom, Cumbria LA18 4JS today to get your full information pack – we’ll put it in the post to you straight away (and we’ll keep your details private –we won’t share them).

Even if you don’t know what type of smartphone you have, the information pack will show you how to tell.

Best order your info pack now and soon you could be getting so much more from your phone – with much less hassle.

Simply tear out this coupon and send it to the address below for full information on the smartphone books.

Name

Address

Or call 01229 777606

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Call 01229 777606 or email your address to CV1122@helpfulbooks.co.uk Or send this coupon to: The Helpful Book Company, 13B Devonshire Road Estate, Millom, Cumbria LA18 4JS. We use the details you give us to send you information on the products mentioned. We store the details securely and only share them with the Royal Mail for posting the information. Full privacy notice at www.helpfulbooks.co.uk/privacynotice

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ACROSS 1 Stinging insect (4)

Rabbit cage (5)

Rodeo noose (5)

Back part (4)

Long-eared animal (6) 14 Mistake (5) 15 Dilemma (7) 16 Messy punch-up (5)

Azure coloured (4) 19 Football side (4) 21 Wimbledon fruit (10) 24 Bombard with stones (4) 27 Tube leading from mouth to stomach (6) 28 Gin and whisky (7)

Tree-lined road (5)

Wound mark (4)

Precipitation (4)

One of five born together (4)

Newborn (4)

Fruit for unzipping (6)

Popeye greens (7)

Orange vegetable (6)

Beer-flavouring plant (4)

English county (10)

Raised area of land (4)

Front of lower leg (4)

Youngster (5)

Prickly plant and Scottish emblem (7)

Sheepdog competition (5)

Segmented fruit (6)

Eaten with curry (4)

Type of canoe (5)

Third month (5)

Friend (4)

Our Digital Magazine features a variety of interactive puzzles! Download it from the App Store or Google Play. Remember to search r M Maga e

DOWN

1 Pleasantly hot (4) 2 Not drunk (5) 3 Inn providing accommodation (5) 4 Small tenacious dog (7) 5 Blood pumping organ (5) 6 An incline (5) 7 Red-berried tree (5) 8 Rhubard topping (7) 9 Pause in hostilities (5) 11 Brief downpour (6) 18 Adult male deer (4) 20 Grinding tooth (5) 21 Weekend day (8) 22 Beat with a whisk (4) 23 Wicked (4) 25 Shortest hand digit (5) 26 Rock clinging crustacean (8) 28 Large boats (5) 29 Melting snow (5) 32 Sports tutor (5) 35 Thin-leaved tree (5) 36 Spinal plate (4) 37 Bulk (4) 41 Vocalise words (4) 43 Knickers (7) 45 Couldn’t-care-less approach (6) 46 Cutting tooth (7) 48 Sabre or rapier (5) 49 Seaside golf course (5) 50 Tropical lizard (5) 51 Water vapour (5)

Textile material (5)

Midday meal (5) 56 Wavy hairdo (4)

Dealer Marketplace

TAIL LIGHTS

Your observations on the fun and unusual world of touring

PAGE TURNER

“Upcycling the monthly magazine,” says Karl Gilder, who has fashioned a rather impressive pinwheel fan out of our October issue cover. “Bit of fun for the kids on a windy day.”

Palatial surrounds

Last month we had Bridlington Club a s te s Bug gt Ma r t s t t s t e tur e Sandringham Estate, where talented site staff have made a pair of royal-themed ecological abodes: one a replica of Sandringham House, the other wittily-titled Bug g a a a e a s t

M rr s w e ye t e stu g w a s r wa s a ru s r t e tures

FAB HERGÉ

Carol Barstow came across this classic car and caravan near Stonehaven Club Campsite on Scotland’s east coast. Apparently the owners – fans of the Tintin cartoons, judging by the window – were travelling around the UK to raise money for an air ambulance charity. What a lovely combo!

Swifts

on a Swift?

“We recently had a wonderful cycling holiday in Lincolnshire, courtesy of our beloved Swift caravan,” says Susan Carson. “As a y us , we ee t e ara a stored in the open air, so firstly we headed off to the storage site for the van. When my husband uncovered the towing area he was met with a totally unexpected surprise (which prompted a gasp of w er a e g t t ere e re his eyes was a beautifully formed bird’s nest! We observed it to be a very small nest and fortunately there was no sign of [any] inhabitants. It was, needless to say, a lovely start to our holiday, a connection with nature we didn’t anticipate.” Susan wonders whether any other e ers g t w w s a r e e t a e a e er aptly named Swift Sprite.

see a a t a a g ts age, download the Digital Maga e a t e Store or Google Play. Remember to search r M Maga e

If you see something fun or unusual on a Club site, CL or while you’re out and about, please send a picture to magazine@camc.com or tag @candmclub on Instagram and we’ll print the best.

TAIL LIGHTS

SHALL WE DO A EWE TURN?

“Are we on the right road, mum?” jokes Brian Parker, who spotted this intrepid duo in Glen Tarbert (just over the water from Bunree Club Campsite in the Highlands).

Brilliant Bedford

“ What a way to convert a Bedford!” exclaims Mark Goulden, who reports that the owners were not fazed by the modern motorhomes that were also present. “Good on them. This is what motorhoming is all about,” says Mark.

If you see something fun or unusual on a Club site, CL or while you’re out and about, please send a picture to magazine@camc.com or tag @candmclub on Instagram and we’ll print the best.

Bird’s eye view

Jim and Maggie Urwin were parked next to Loch Lomond on their latest trip through Scotland when a gull decided it would enjoy the view from their sunroof. (“Who can blame it?” they say.) A nice bird’s eye view of the interior, too! Have you managed to photograph anything interesting or unusual through your sunroof? Let us know...

GREEN WITH ENVY

What a super combination... spotted by Mick Pollard in the New Forest this summer. According to Mick, the paintwork on the camper is original, though some of the colour may have been polished away over the years. No doubt the whole outfit drew plenty of admiring glances from fellow visitors. Thanks Mick!

Tour de Gloucs

Tom Dobson’s son, Thomas, clocked up an impressive 20 miles while cycling around Tewkesbury Abbey Club Campsite. No mean feat for a weekend stay! Well done Thomas... next stop Tour de France?

Your observations on the fun and unusual world of touring

A river runs through it

Jonathan Manning explores a beautiful corner of the North York Moors on this stunning woodland ride

The newly reopened and redeveloped Scarborough West Ayton Club C ampsite requires cyclists to make a choice. Are you the type of rider who likes to pedal from the door of the caravan or motorhome; or are you happy to put the bike on the car and drive to a local cycling hotspot?

For the latter, the world class mountain biking trails just 14 miles away at Dalby Forest are an irresistible attraction, with family-friendly tracks, skills areas and, for the most talented and committed mountain bikers, the steep climbs and challenging technical obstacles of the World Cup MTB trail.

Personally, once I’ve pitched, I don’t want to drive again, so this route starts at the gates to the Club site and pieces together some amazing local roads for an extraordinary ride that dips in and out of the south east corner of the North York Moors National Park.

The ride starts by following the River Derwent upstream and gently uphill into the Forge Valley Woods National Nature Reserve. The valley dates back 10,000 years to a time when a large lake

formed during the last Ice Age in the Hackness Valley, just to the north. When the waters overflowed, they cut out this steep-sided valley. Several picnic areas offer opportunities to pull off the road and sit by the river in the shade of alder and willow, gazing up to the ash and wych elm on the higher slopes. The kaleidoscope of colours in autumn is stunning, and all year round the nature reserve teems with wildlife – keep your eyes peeled for kingfisher, heron and, if you’re exceptionally lucky, otter.

From the dappled light of the river valley, the route opens up into a wide agricultural plain, with densely wooded hillsides on the horizon, before it reaches Hackness and starts to climb up and over the ridge. This is a tough ascent, the gradient averaging 7% (and steeper in places) for 2.5km, so make sure there’s charge left in your e-bike batteries. Next, the road plateaus and then starts a gleeful descent for almost 6km, with a fabulous panorama opening to the south.

The final stretch follows the relatively busy A170 back to West Ayton but for riders who prefer to avoid the traffic there is the option of a brief diversion into Ruston and Hutton Buscel, before finishing with a short climb back to the Club site.

DIRECTIONS

From the gates of the Club site turn left, heading downhill to reach the A170.

0.66km – Turn left, signposted to Scarborough, cross the river, then take the first left along Castlegate, signposted to Forge Valley, Hackness and Monastery. Continue for almost 6.5km, following the River Derwent on your left, to enter Hackness and reach a T-junction.

7.2km – Turn left at the T-junction, signposted to Bickley, Monastery and Troutsdale. Pass Hackness Grange on the left and continue for about 1km, looking out for a turn on the left.

8.2km – Turn left, signposted to Troutsdale and Snainton. Brace yourself for a long climb followed by a lengthy descent. Continue on this road all the way into Snainton and a T-junction with the A170, with The Peacock pub on the left.

19.9km – Turn left along the A170 and continue for about 7km to reach West Ayton. You can take a short diversion on the left through Ruston, then through Hutton Buscel if you want to avoid riding in traffic.

27.2km – Take the first left in West Ayton and cycle uphill on Cockrah Road to reach the Club site on the right.

ABOUT THE ROUTE

Start/finish: Scarborough West Ayton Club site, Cockrah Road, Scarborough YO13 9JD Distance: 27.2km/17 miles.

Time: 2 hours.

Level: Suitable for fitter road cyclists and e-bikers. The final stretch along the A170 can be busy with traffic.

Terrain: Asphalt all the way.

Landscape: River valley, woodland and far-reaching views.

Refreshments: The Coachman Inn in Snainton.