Check out our special walking section filled with advice, routes, kit info and more...
DOUBLE VISION
Seven-site touring feature on Wiltshire and Somerset
FRENCH TOAST
Celebrate summer with an overseas getaway
GREAT LEVELLER
All you need to know about setting up on site
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Editorial Editors Gary Martin, John
Deputy Editor Stuart Egan
Thynne
Assistant Editors Clare Disano, Stephen Hollis
Design Michaela Millar
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We know that walking is a popular hobby among Club members. In fact our last sporting activity survey (we’re planning another soon) suggested 37% of you like to go on a ramble every time you stay with us. Well, whether you are an experienced hiker or new to the whole idea, I hope you enjoy the special walking section in this month’s magazine.
Former Country Walking magazine editor Mark Sutcliffe has put together a fantastic guide that answers some a product showcase dedicated to the latest walking gear, while you’ll find a selection of deals on everything from membership of The Ramblers to maps and clothing on our Member Offers pages. Turn to page 68 to get started! If you’re ready for a break from all that physical activity planning, take time for a relaxed browse of our latest caravan (Swift Basecamp 3), towcar (Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid) and motorhome (Benimar Tessoro 481) tests. Remember, you can access dozens of older reviews via the Digital Magazine (downloadable from the App Store or Google Play) and see video tests on our dedicated YouTube channel (youtube.com/caravan-andmotorhome-club).
basic questions – how do I prepare, how far should I go, what equipment shall I take, which shoe is best for me? – while including four exhilarating routes, each of which starts at the front door of a Club campsite. By scanning the QR code at the end of each walk description you can access a map and more via the Outdooractive website and app. (Outdooractive’s basic service is free to use – but we have a member offer on first-year subscriptions to the Pro and Pro+ versions). This issue also includes
President: Thomas Coke, 8th Earl of Leicester
Chairman: Grenville Chamberlain OBE
Director General: Nick Lomas
Enjoy the issue!
Editions of your Club magazine – with lots of extra content – are also available via an app on iPhone/iPad and Android tablets and phones.
“ How do I prepare and which shoe is best for me? ”
The Caravan Club Limited, which trades as Caravan and Motorhome Club, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for general insurance and credit activities.
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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The Club magazine has a rich and varied history. Publications in the early days mainly featured listings of members’ vans (they nearly all had names like boats), vans to hire and Club ‘pitches’ or sites on which to stay. From 1935 to 1962, Club members received a members’ supplement alongside the commercially published magazine, The Caravan.
But in 1963 the Club’s own exclusive journal, En Route, was born. In 1999, the name was changed to the Caravan Club Magazine, and it became full colour, rather than black and white.
I’m a lover of Club history, as many of you will know. There is all manner of
that the Club magazine archive is being digitised – and the first few years are already available for members to search and discover.
fascinating material contained in hundreds of issues spanning 60 years –tens of thousands of pages of touring tales and publishing history. With the passing of time, the magazine archive has become a trove of information about vehicles, popular manufacturers and layouts, camping locations, places to visit, the best accessories and equipment, and the people and personalities who made Britain’s biggest members’ Club.
What was the best ‘van in the year you were born? What were the topics of the day in our leisure pursuit? Which destinations were popular and what was the scenery like?
Finding the answers to these questions has been a rather tricky challenge –until now. We’re pleased to announce
We’ve partnered with an experienced archive provider that has carried out similar work for major motoring magazines. Huge thanks must go to our publishing team and the Club archive team at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, for supporting this venture and making it happen. Thanks also to the members who kindly helped with missing issues. What could previously only be searched for laboriously and manually in the museum’s paper copies is now available to all via a computerised search.
Is this the ultimate caravanning history resource? With interest in the pastime higher than ever, it’s sure to be popular and will no doubt stir many family memories. And it will continue to grow as more historical issues are digitised and new magazines are added. Full access at motoringmagazinearchive.com/CAMC is included with your membership subscription. Non-members will also be able to access this important archive but will have to pay a fee.
Happy browsing!
“ Is this the ultimate caravanning history resource? ”
Canada
Spirit Island on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park.
David Tonge
Lincolnshire
LET’S GO FLY A KITE
This picture was taken close to Holywell Farm CL site on the Lincoln Ridge near Sleaford. “I love this site for its fantastic views and wildlife, including one of my favourite raptors, the red kite, which I’ve seen every time I’ve visited the site.”
Andy Richmond
Cumbria
“Our seven-year-old cocker spaniel waiting before our journey to Lake Windermere in the Lake District.” (Nearest Club campsites: Coniston Park Coppice, Meathop Fell.)
Michael Timmins
“Thought you might like to see this pic after reading ‘Balancing Acts’ in the February magazine,” says June. “It was taken early morning at Kingston Lacy Estate CL, just a few feet from the front of the caravan window. Unfortunately the next day it had gone.”
June Essex
This image of Tenby, where pretty, colour-washed houses overlook the harbour, was taken during a stay at Woody Kiln Farm CL in south-west Wales.
Upload your images at camc.com/inspiring adventures or tag us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #inspiringadventures
Appearing as if from another world, ancient Bow Fiddle Rock near Portknockie on the north-east coast of Scotland is a natural sea arch that resembles the tip of a fiddle bow. (Nearest Club campsites: Culloden Moor, Huntly Castle AS.)
David Greer
“Beaulieu Motor Museum. Fun and reminiscence for a full day. Saved £20,” writes Christopher. The museum, in the heart of the New Forest, features hundreds of exhibits charting motoring’s humble beginnings to the present day. (Nearest Club campsites: Black Knowl, New Forest Centenary.)
Christopher Free
By popular demand, we will be running our 50% off midweek discount promotion at a selection of campsites during 2023 – and we re introducing a family saver deal too!
Midweek discounts are back for a limited time only – you can save an incredible 50% on midweek (MondayThursday) pitch fees when you book three nights or more at 23 UK Club campsites on selected dates. What’s more, we’re pleased to announce the launch of a 15% off ‘family saver’ offer – read on to find out more...
Book by 2 May 2023 (minimum 28 days advance purchase required) for nights from 27-30 March, 17-27 April, 2-4 May, 9-25 May and 25 September-14 December to take
advantage of this fantastic offer (the discount will be automatically applied at the time of booking).
You could choose to visit magnificent Ayr Craigie Gardens in Scotland – boasting wonderful floral displays in spring and summer, the site is just a 10-minute drive from the golden sands of Ayr Beach. Or what about a midweek jaunt to the spectacular Lake District and Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite? Located in National Trust woodland, this lovely site is just a short walk from Coniston Water. Or maybe consider Hunter’s Moon on the edge of Wareham Forest and within easy reach of the Dorset seaside towns of Swanage, Weymouth and Bournemouth.
Here's a full list of the campsites offering the 50% off midweek discount:
Ayr Craigie Gardens Balbirnie Park Brecon Beacons Camelford
Castleton Cirencester Park Coniston Park Coppice Edinburgh
Fairlight Wood Ferry Meadows Godrevy Park Grafham Water
Great Yarmouth Racecourse Hunter’s Moon Looe Malvern Hills
Meathop Fell Pembrey Country Park Silverbank Thetford Forest
Tredegar House Country Park White Water Park Yellowcraig
The following campsites are offering the 15% off family saver discount: Alderstead Heath Burford Chester Fairoaks Freshwater East Gowerton Hillhead Longleat New England Bay Sutton-on-Sea Troutbeck Head Willingcott
“We are planning on returning to one of our favourite Club Campsites this year – Longleat! We all, including my son, absolutely love staying here. There’s nothing quite like having a BBQ on your pitch while hearing the sea lions bark or the lions roar! It’s a great, family-friendly campsite and it’s wonderful having Longleat safari park right next door.“
You can save 15% off your entire stay when you book two nights for at least one adult and one paying child at a choice of 11 UK Club campsites Book by 30 April 2023 (minimum 28 days advance purchase required) for nights from 27-30 March, 17- 27 April, 2-4 May, 9-25 May, 5 June-20 July and 4 September- 21 December to take advantage of this deal. Fancy taking the youngsters into the capital to watch a show, enjoy a boat ride on the Thames or visit a museum? Alderstead Heath Club Campsite in Surrey is the perfect base! Or what about a stay at Longleat Club Campsite in Wiltshire – within walking distance of the famous estate and safari park? Meanwhile, beach lovers will be drawn to our Willingcott site in Devon – it's just a couple of miles from the wonderful Woolacombe Beach. For more information on these – and other –money-saving
Rowena, Club member and Club staff member
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range of guests including media representatives from both inside and outside the industry.
This will be the fourth longdistance journey by Bailey in recent years – following similar trips across the Australian Outback, to the Arctic Circle and to Asia via Istanbul.
The South East Region is inviting members to its latest ‘Question Time’ event at The Historic Dockyard Chatham on 13 May 2023.
This March, the Club is joining with Bailey of Bristol to take on the Sahara Challenge, a 19-day, 2,735-mile intercontinental road trip using two Bailey caravans and a motorhome.
The challenge aims to inspire caravan and motorhome owners to explore new countries, and to demonstrate the breadth of locations across the world you could visit with your tourer.
Beginning at the ‘World’s End’ near Sagres in south-west Portugal,
the travelling party will head across the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco, crossing the Atlas Mountains and driving to the edge of the Sahara Desert before returning home.
The Club will be represented by Director General Nick Lomas, while other drivers include Club magazine contributor Lee Davey, outdoor adventurers Marcus Leach and Andy Torbet, and Bailey’s Marketing Director Simon Howard. This core team will be joined along the way by a
Nick Lomas said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Sahara Challenge. Here at the Caravan and Motorhome Club we want to encourage as many people as possible to have leisure vehicle adventures – whether they are touring 2,750 miles or 27 miles – and we want to inspire future generations of new touring holidaymakers.”
As they travel towards the Sahara the team will post regular updates online via the Bailey and Caravan and Motorhome Club social media channels using ‘#SaharaChallenge’. You’ll also be able to read a full report by Lee Davey in an issue later this year.
A large number of our members use the Club’s network of Certificated Locations (CLs) – small, privatelyowned five-pitch sites that are situated across the UK. There are CLs on working farms, in fields that command spectacular views, next to beaches and rivers, at fisheries and more. Many of you also take part in our annual CL of the Year awards, which seek to recognise and reward the efforts put in by hard-working CL owners.
This year, in order to recognise and promote a greater variety of CLs, we have decided to make some changes to the categories. The ‘Best Newcomer’ award will remain (for CLs that
opened on or after 1 April 2021), but we are introducing new regional awards for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We are also launching a ‘Unique’ category and a ‘Sustainability’ category. Finally, we will have a category for ‘Overall winner’. Members can nominate CLs in all categories except for Sustainability (we are asking CL owners to nominate their own sites with a written entry detailing how they run them sustainably and encourage guests to follow their lead). This year, instead of allowing voting over several months, we are holding a CL of the Year month in July. All nominations will
need to be submitted between 1 July and midnight on 31 July 2023 to be eligible. We would appreciate it if you could nominate your favourite CLs online (the form will be available from 1 July at camc.com/clnominate), but there will also be a voting form in the July issue of the Club magazine.
One entrant will be picked at random and will win a free five-night
The event is an opportunity to meet representatives of the region and put any questions about the Club to a panel, which will include Mark Sinclair-Watson (Vice-Chairman of the Club), Ann Marie Ward (ViceChairman of the Club), Mark Pearson (Director of Finance, Insurance and Management Services), Toby Curthoys (Head of Publishing), Rebecca Newman (Governance Advisor) and a member of the Technical Committee (TBC).
The event will take place in the dockyard’s Old Chapel – refreshments will be served at 10am with questions starting at 11am. Free parking will be available and it is free to walk around the dockyard afterwards (however there will be a charge should you wish to visit the galleries). Places are limited to 100 members – please email Sandy (southeastregion sec@aol.com) if you would like to attend.
stay on their favourite CL (further details and terms and conditions will be available online in July). Owners of the winning CLs will be invited to a celebration meal on the eve of Club Day at the NEC show in October, with the awards being presented the following day. Nominating CLs is a great way of supporting the network, so please do get involved!
Campervan Campout, a new weekend-long celebration of all things campervanning, will be held at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex, from 5-7 May 2023. As well as a range of musical acts and speakers, the event will feature a wellness sanctuary, gin festival, silent disco and more. More information and tickets are available from Warners Shows at outandaboutlive.co.uk.
The National Caravan Council (NCC) has published a new guide on motorhomes. The guide will assist both beginner and experienced users in loading and driving their vehicles correctly and safely. The Motorcaravan Guide provides information on maximum loads, storage of heavy items, roof boxes, bike racks, road safety, speed limits, security device options and much more. Copies can be viewed online at paperturnview.com/ncc/ncc-motorcaravanguide?pid=MzA305376&p=7&v= 1.1. (A PDF version can also be downloaded from that page.)
The Cheltenham Owners Club will be celebrating its 73rd anniversary from 30 May-June 4 at Newark Rugby Club (following on from ClubFest 2023).
The club, which has around 100 members, is expanding its events programme this year with three smaller regional meets in addition to five traditional events.
As there are now very few ‘one-make’ clubs still operating, the Cheltenham Owners Club would like to invite members of all one-make clubs to one of their events (vans attending must be manufactured prior to 1980). The two events will be 12-16 July in Hertfordshire and mid-September around the Rutland area. Interested parties should telephone the Secretary on 01751 472007 or email cheltenhamowners club@outlook. com for more details.
Our First Time Abroad tours are great introductions to travelling on the Continent, helping you to discover the joys of foreign touring with your caravan or motorhome.
We have two First Time Abroad tours to choose from, both of which explore beautiful areas of northern France. Prior to sailing, participants are able to meet their tour hosts and fellow members, attend a presentation and practise driving on the right-hand side of the road.
The First Time Brittany tour costs from £2,549* and departs on 1 June 2023. It’s a fantastic
opportunity to explore the picturesque towns and long stretches of sandy beaches of this historic, culturally-rich region. Highlights include a boat trip along the River Rance, and excursions to Dinan with its half-timbered houses and the port town of Saint-Malo.
Our First Time Normandy tour is priced from £2,399* and departs on 12 June 2023. An equally beautiful, historic destination for your first overseas touring experience, highlights of this tour include excursions to stunning Mont-Saint-
Michel (pictured above) and the D-Day beaches of Utah and Omaha. You’ll also visit the Normandy American Cemetery and the Airborne Museum and Bayeux, famed for its medieval tapestry. To find out more about both of these tours please visit camc.com/ europeantours. You may also like to read this month’s foreign touring article (beginning on p52), which covers these two French regions.
*Prices based on an outfit plus two people. Single and extra person pricing also available.
A small number of spaces are still available on the Club’s Aveyron Discovery tour – a 17-night caravan or motorhome holiday in a stunning region in the South of France. Offering a blend of culture, great cuisine, fascinating history and gorgeous scenery, the tour departs
on 8 June 2023 and costs from £1,769*. Your base throughout will be Les Genêts, a lakeside campsite with friendly staff, a swimming pool, a games room and a bar. It also offers daytime and evening entertainment, mini-golf, bike hire and fishing.
Your stay will include excursions to the Millau Viaduct (the tallest bridge in the world) and a chance to admire the stained glass windows of Conques Abbey. You’ll also be able to enjoy a guided tour of the Roquefort Cheese Caves, a trip to the bustling market in Rodez and an afternoon of vélorail (cycling on old railway lines). There’s much more included in the itinerary – for a full list please visit camc.com/overseas-holidays/ tours/european-tours/france/ aveyron-discovery
*Price based on an outfit plus two people. Single and extra person pricing also available.
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Motoring heritage enthusiasts may be interested in the upcoming calendar of events at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire (nearest Club campsites: Black Knowl and New Forest Centenary).
The events programme will provide opportunities to learn more about the museum’s vast collections of motoring objects and to meet the team that cares for them, with a series of Collections Centre open days and ‘meet the curator’ sessions in the museum building.
On specific days during 2023, visitors will also be able to listen to talks about the vehicle collection during ‘Under the bonnet afternoons’, while owners of classic vehicles will be able to bring them along to ‘Classic Grille’ evenings during the summer and meet fellow enthusiasts.
There will also be several exhibitions this year, including a photographic display to mark
APRIL
21-23 Cambridgeshire: The National Motorhome & Campervan Show, East of England Showground, Peterborough (Warners Shows, see outandaboutlive. co.uk or call 01778 391123)
5-7 West Sussex: Campervan Campout, South of England Showground, Ardingly (Warners Shows, details as above)
19-21 Berkshire: The Southern Motorhome & Campervan Show, Newbury Showground, Chieveley (Warners Shows, details as above)
Note: details are subject to change and pre-registration or tickets may be required – please check websites or telephone event organisers in advance for up-to-date information.
the centenary of the famous Le Mans 24 hours sports car endurance race.
Other events for your diary include Motopia – Past Future Visions (20 May 2023-14 April 2024), which will “tell stories from the past to take visitors on a journey to the future of motoring”. It will include examples of innovative technology, art, films, vehicles and radical concepts.
A week of family activities and
pop-up events entitled ‘Motopia? – Are We Nearly There Yet?’ will run from 29 May-2 June 2023, and ‘Photopia: Framing the Past’ will run from 31 July-1 September 2023. The latter is a partnership project, for which the National Motor Museum has collaborated with the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Shell Heritage Art Collection. Further information on the events programme is available at national motormuseum.org.uk/events.
Your views on a Devon campsite with super sea views
“I had my first ever seasonal pitch this year... Pitching assistance and advice on the local and wider areas were readily given. The location was so good also, a super balance of individual and family activities nearby and plenty of coves and beaches to explore. The views from the site are simply stunning.”
(December 2022)
“The nearest beach, Bovisand Bay, is sheltered and sandy with cafés on the cliff above and in the nearby holiday park. The dog walk is among the best we have seen. The local pub, The Mussel Inn, serves good beer and food as does the Eddystone Inn down the hill in Heybrook Bay.”
(July 2022)
We would like to remind you that there are several convenient ways for you to get help from the Club with any queries.
The website’s Live Chat service (also known as ‘web chat’) lets you talk online with one of our experienced Contact Centre agents from 9am to 8pm, Monday-Friday. To get started, simply click on the box on the website that says ‘Live Chat & FAQs’ or visit camc.com/contact-us and select a category to find the top frequently asked questions, which may give you an answer to your query. If you still need help you’ll be given the option to call us, live chat with an agent or send a contact form.
Our Automated Chat facility is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When prompted, simply type in your question and our ‘AI chat bot’ will suggest an answer or the next course of action. Hundreds of thousands of queries have been answered in this way since we introduced the service, and it has increased in popularity each year!
Other web pages
“Totally recommend the Noss Mayo loop with a stop at The Ship! There are local National Trust places and plenty of Navy shipping action to watch, and a visiting owl display in the evenings. We will definitely be back.” (July 2022)
The answers to many queries can be found elsewhere on the Club website. For example, the Members Area features links to UK and overseas campsite bookings, an advice and training area and updated membership management pages, insurance/cover information and exclusive offers – see camc.com/ guidetotheclub
A My Profile page (camc.com/ login) allows you to view, amend and cancel bookings, renew membership, update your outfit details (please note you must be logged in).
Remember that you can also search, book, amend and cancel site bookings using the new Club App. Using these facilities helps us to manage queries during busier times. Thank you for your help.
Dometic has introduced two new awnings for campervans and other camping vehicles while also offering a new version of another piece of kit.
The new Club Deluxe Air Pro DA (pictured) is an inflatable awning with a mirrored front, and it can be connected to the left- or right-hand side of a vehicle with a fitting height of 180-225cm. It will be available from April 2023 with an expected/ recommended price of £1,900.
The Rarotonga DA FTT – also new – is a drive-away awning which can also be fitted to the left-hand or right-hand sides of vehicles. It is available in two materials (technical cotton or polyester) and includes an inner tent, front
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’.
This month, Jonathan Manning sets off on a cycle ride from Hebden Bridge Club Campsite and there are videos to accompany our Porsche Cayenne and Benimar Tessoro 481 tests. Fans of puzzles will find interactive brainteasers to solve, while the answer for the mystery picture in this month’s Country Matters article is also revealed.
canopy groundsheet, storm straps, hand pump, pegs and a carry bag. Available from April 2023, it is expected to cost between £1,500 and £1,950, depending on options chosen.
Meanwhile, Kampa – which is owned by Dometic – has
announced a technical cotton version of its popular Cross AIR drive-away awning, with an expected price of £1,000.
More information about these products and more can be found online at dometic.com and kampaoutdoors.com.
The Club was saddened to hear of the passing of Gordon Taylor, a Life Member and former Chairman of Buckinghamshire Centre.
Gordon and his wife, Ruth, joined the Caravan Club in 1971, and Bucks Centre soon after. They instantly established friendships with other members which, in many cases, would prove to be lifelong.
Gordon was elected to the Centre Committee in 1975, became Vice-Chairman in 1979 and then Chairman in 1982. The couple were prolific rally organisers and ran very well-supported continental holiday rallies between 1982 and 2008. Gordon was also Booking Officer for popular Oktoberfest rallies, which at one point saw over 700 members and their family members attending. He became the founding Treasurer of the successful Home Counties Invitation Rally, which brought together members from several centres, and also established with Ruth the Royal Windsor Horse Show temporary site.
National assistance dog charity Support Dogs is appealing for members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club to volunteer as puppy socialisers – caring for pups at the start of journeys that will see them become life-changing companions.
Support Dogs trains assistance dogs for children and adults affected by autism, epilepsy and disabilities, enabling them to lead safer, more independent lives. A number of the charity’s puppy socialisers – who look after pups from the age of eight weeks – are caravan or motorhome owners, such as Paul and Julie Helliwell, who have looked after a total of 14 puppies during the past four years.
“We go away a lot in our motorhome, and all the pups have been away with us,” says Julie. “It’s very social being puppy socialisers – we have met some lovely people and made really good friends.
“We love it. What we are doing is so worthwhile – we are helping to
give a puppy who will go on to be a an assistance dog the very best start in life.”
If you would like to help Support Dogs, more information can be found at supportdogs.org.uk. Please contact the charity directly.
Club Chairman Grenville Chamberlain OBE paid tribute to Gordon: “During their caravanning days this family has raised countless thousands for many charities and has given so much enjoyment to very many people of all ages and from all walks of life. We all owe an enormous debt of gratitude to both Ruth and Gordon.
“I will always remember Gordon as a man of great dedication to the Caravan and Motorhome Club and to the Buckinghamshire Centre in particular. He was a man of tremendous humour with laughs aplenty, he was man of great integrity and full of desire to make other peoples’ lives better... There is no doubt that our Club and the wider world is much poorer for his passing.”
Former Club Vice-Chairman and Honorary Life Member Rodney Lambert, who met Gordon at Club Council and enjoyed his company and good humour for many years, added: “Today is a very sad day as we bid farewell to a long-standing, deeply loved and much trusted friend. We should, however, reflect upon the wonderful memories we all have of Gordon and Ruth during their lifetime as caravanners.”
Our condolences go to Ruth and all of Gordon’s family and friends.
We’re delighted to introduce three new UK tours – exclusive to Club members – that have been carefully created by our trusted travel team. The tours represents excellent value for money and give you the chance to experience the very best of each region while enjoying a fantastic, hassle-free holiday.
The three itineraries make the most of in-depth local knowledge. You can choose from a short city break taking in the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a scenic tour of Yorkshire packed
Like many organisations, the Club is looking at technology that can enhance efficiency, improve our campsites and, importantly, provide a better experience for members
As reported in our September 2022 issue, a trial is currently in place at Clachan Club Campsite in Killin using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology during check-in. The barrier at Clachan will automatically open based on your vehicle registration and payment status, streamlining the arrival procedure.
The trial will be extended during 2023 to up to four more campsites. Southland Club Campsite will be the first, at the start of the main touring season. Lady Margaret’s Park and Bourton-on-the-Water will follow during April and May, with plans to bring one further site into the trial by the end of summer. Anyone staying at these campsites during the trial period will be given more information by email and SMS in advance.
In order for the trial to be a success you need to pay for your stay in advance and provide a correct vehicle registration number. You will be prompted to do both before your arrival. For further information please visit camc.com/fastcheckin
with brilliant attractions, and a chance to explore Royal palaces and other historic buildings in London, Windsor and Oxford.
These tours have been thoughtfully designed to give you the perfect balance between excursions and free time, meaning that you will have plenty of opportunity to discover your own
Number of nights: 3
Start date: 8 August 2023
With its pageantry, dancers and musicians (including the distinctive sound of the massed pipes and drums), the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an awe-inspiring event that delights attendees annually. Tickets for this world-renowned display at the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade are included in the price of this tour, as are three nights at Edinburgh Club Campsite.
highlights. You’ll also have the chance to meet other members and enjoy these magnificent experiences together! We’ve set out brief details of the three tours on these pages, but you can read more about each one and find prices at camc.com/uktours, and you can book by calling us on 01342 488711.
Having settled on your pitch, take a walking tour of Edinburgh with an expert Blue Badge Guide, visiting the likes of the Royal Mile and the vibrant Grassmarket area. There’s a chance to take stock over lunch in a restaurant before you visit majestic Edinburgh Castle. The following day you’ll have plenty of opportunity to carry on exploring, and there will be time for a pre-show dinner before you are driven to the main event!
Included in the tour: 3 nights at Edinburgh Club Campsite; tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo; Blue Badge Guide for Edinburgh tour; private coach transport for all excursions; excursions and meals as detailed; knowledgeable, friendly tour host to accompany the group.
Number of nights: 9
Start date: 1 June 2023
Using Abbey Wood and Henley Four Oaks Club campsites as bases, this tour includes excursions to magnificent royal palaces, castles and other historic buildings in London, Windsor and Oxfordshire. You begin with some free time in the capital, before visiting The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, a working stable where you can see the 260-year-old Gold State Coach. Your time in London will also include an afternoon at Kensington Palace (the birthplace of Queen
Victoria) as well a tour of the iconic Tower of London, along with a group lunch.
Moving on to Henley-on-Thames, you’ll have the chance to relax by the river and enjoy the delights of the town centre before a day trip to Oxford. After a fascinating guided tour of a university college, you’ll marvel at Blenheim Palace, with its wonderful park and gardens. There’s still time for another great day out, this time in Windsor, with an illuminating tour of Windsor Castle and a river cruise on the agenda.
Included in the tour: 9 nights at Club campsites; private coach transport for all excursions; excursions and meals as detailed; knowledgeable, friendly tour hosts to accompany the group.
Our safari tents – which sleep up to five people –offer everything you need for a classic glamping stay. These cosy units have separated bedroom areas and are kitted out with a comfortable double bed, two single beds and one overhead bed. Each also includes a kitchenette and dining table, plus there’s ample outdoor space to enjoy. Just fire up the barbecue station, relax and enjoy warm summer nights on the verandah!
Safari tents can be found at Southland Club Campsite on the Isle of Wight (top) and at Moreton -in-Marsh Club Campsite in the Cotswolds (above). In both cases there’s stunning scenery nearby as well as a number of attractions to suit all ages.
Number of nights: 8
Start dates: 12 August 2023, 2 September 2023
Combining history, architecture and majestic scenery, this tour across Yorkshire and County Durham begins with York Beechwood Grange Club Campsite as your base. First you’ll take a ride on the North York Moors Railway, followed by lunch, and then it’s off to Castle Howard, a majestic stately home with gardens to match. The next day, having enjoyed a guided tour of historic York, you’ll be able to visit York Minster and the ever-popular Jorvik Centre to learn about the city during the age of the Vikings, before relaxing with some free time.
On day five you’ll travel to Teesdale Barnard Castle Club Campsite, a well-manicured spot
just a mile from the market town of the same name. The next day features a trip across the Yorkshire Dales to the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes – perhaps you could pick up some of the delicious crumbly cheese to enjoy back in your tourer – before the chance to look around Barnard Castle and the countryside that surrounds the River Tees.
The final evening will be one to remember!
The outdoor show, Kynren, is a theatrical extravaganza that covers 2,000 years of English history, myth and legend, from Boudicca’s battles with the Romans to the two World Wars, via Vikings, Tudors and more. It will be a spectacular end to a brilliant holiday!
Included in the tour: 8 nights at Club campsites; tickets to Kynren; Blue Badge Guide for York tour; private coach transport for all excursions; excursions and meals as detailed; knowledgeable, friendly tour hosts to accompany the group.
If you and your friends and family members haven’t tried it before, we’d love you to experience a glamping stay on one of our campsites. As a Club member you can get a 10% discount on bookings, exclusive member offers, and friends and family discounts. You can stay in a safari tent from only £70.20* for 2 nights (including member discount; price is valid for Mon-Thu stays between 2-12 Oct 2023 at Southland Club Campsite). To find out more, and to see a range of other glamping options, please see experiencefreedom.co.uk
ClubFest 2023 takes place from 26-29 May in the beautiful grounds of Kelmarsh Hall in the heart of Northamptonshire. With our allinclusive package you’ll be able to enjoy some fantastic live entertainment each day at the Arena, as well as a variety of free fun activities and sports for all the family. Visit camc.com/ clubfest2023 to get the best possible outdoor festival experience!
MEMBERS RECEIVE DISCOUNTS AT HUNDREDS OF ATTRACTIONS USING OUR GREAT SAVINGS GUIDE. THESE FIVE OFFERS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Paradise Park in Newhaven is home to The Planet Earth Museum where you can view remarkable fossils, minerals and crystals and learn about everything from single-celled creatures to Neanderthals. Other attractions include exotic plant houses, themed gardens, indoor and outdoor play areas and a history trail. Club members get two for the price of one on entry (lowest price ticket is free). Prebooking required. Offer is not valid on special events or with any other discounts, offers or Tesco vouchers. Motorhome parking available, contact venue directly for more details.
Info: paradisepark.co.uk
Club campsite: Brighton
Not only is Highland Safaris the home of a fascinating red deer centre, it’s also the starting point for exhilarating 4x4 off-road experiences, inspiring walks, biking activities and boat trips on Loch Tay. Don’t miss the Highland Safaris Café, as well as the shop filled with unusual and exciting gifts. As a Club member, you get a 10% discount on any one activity, excluding café and shop. Pre-booking required.
Motorhome parking available – contact venue directly for more details.
Info: highlandsafaris.net
Club campsites: Clachan, Maragowan
Discover the history and geography of the picturesque inland port of Arundel on one of three tours run by local guides. Members can claim a 20% discount off adult tickets (children under 14 are free).
Dog friendly. Pre-booking required. Motorhome parking available – contact Destination Arundel directly for more details. Info: destinationarundel.com
Club campsite: Littlehampton
Mountain Journeys offers rock climbing, rock scrambling, gorge scrambling, guided walking, navigation workshops, abseiling, canyoning and adventure days – all in the beautiful Lake District. Some activities are dog-friendly –contact venue for more details. Club members get a 10% discount. Pre-booking required.
Info: mountain-journeys.co.uk
Club campsites: Coniston Park Coppice, Meathop Fell
10% 10% 5% 20%
Please visit camc.com/greatsavingsguide for vouchers, discount codes and pre-booking where relevant, as well as terms and conditions for all offers. Please check site and attraction opening dates and times before visiting/travelling.
Enjoy walks with animals and engaging trainers through beautiful scenery in the Brecon Beacons. Experiences include ‘Mini Donkey’ and ‘Piggy’ walks. Groups and individuals welcome, while private sessions are also available. Club members enjoy a 5% discount off all experiences and activities. Offer is not valid with any other offer. Pre-book in advance required (phone or online).
Info: gooddayout.co.uk
Club campsites: Brecon Beacons
As spring dawns on the horizon, you too may want to turn a new leaf and try something, or somewhere, unexpected. Here’s a few ideas for your next journey in your caravan, motorhome, or campervan.
Hidden gems.
1. Sta ordshire Moorlands. If you love the Peak District, just south lies scenic landscapes (with smaller crowds blocking the view). Sites such as Blackshaw Moor and Buxton are well placed for exploring this beautiful region.
2. St Davids. If you’re looking for a restorative sea breeze and inspiring architecture, the UK’s smallest city on the Pembrokeshire Coast is perfect with a Club site just two miles out of town.
3. Thirlmere Infinity Pool. While exploring the Lake District, more adventurous types might like to try this incredible hike. The Club’s Borrowdale and Troutbeck Head campsites are within easy driving distance of the car park at the start of the walk.
4. Kynance Cove. If you’re into the Cornwall classics, try Kynance Cove for a unique view of the turquoise waters. The Club’s Carnon Downs campsite is less than an hour’s drive away.
5. Yellowcraig Club Campsite. This coastal Scottish Club campsite is a short walk from the golden sands of Yellowcraig Beach. It’s great for visiting attractions including the National Museum of Flight and the Scottish Seabird Centre.
A twist on the classics.
1. Steam train, fish and chips. If local fish and chips by the sea is up your alley, mix it up with a locomotive. Stay at our Seacroft Club Site and head to the North Norfolk steam railway and enjoy fresh food and excellent views.
2. Vineyard tour. Awaken your inner sommelier in Buckinghamshire at Daws Hill Vineyard. You’ll enjoy 50% o tours with your Club membership and can stay at our Henley Four Oaks site.
3. Fishing, from bait to plate. Visit Brighton and the beautiful South Downs and prepare for a private dining experience like no other. Head to Fins & Forks in Sussex to try a masterclass in fish preparation (after catching your own dinner).
4. National treasure hunt. If you love exploring, try out geocaching. Small trinkets are hidden everywhere in the UK. Use your app to find, ‘collect’, and return them for whoever’s next.
5. Treat yourself to a spa day. Beach trips are fun, but spa days are truly relaxing. Carden Park, just south of the Chester Fairoaks site, provides saunas, thermal pods, and a champagne bar – perfect for a restorative trip.
Whatever the adventure, make sure a breakdown doesn’t ruin the trip. With dual recovery, if you break down en route to your campsite, MAYDAY UK Breakdown Cover will get you there and back home again if your vehicle isn’t fixed before your trip ends.
upon
Quick advice from our amazing technicians. Wherever you are, it’s important to look after your car and/or leisure vehicle. Breakdowns can happen to anyone, but we’ve put together some handy advice to hopefully help you avoid being stuck by the roadside.
Checks inside your leisure vehicle. Shut windows and rooflights, and store items securely. Ideally put anything heavy low down and in the centre of the vehicle. Check smoke and CO alarm batteries.
And checks for your motor vehicles, too. Always check your fuel, oil and washer fluid levels, battery, and tyre pressure (including your spare) on vehicles and your caravan, too. For your home-on-wheels, switch o your gas tanks.
Hitching up? More checks for you. Make sure caravan lights are working, corner steadies are raised, breakaway cables attached, and most importantly that the hitch is properly engaged on the tow ball. Check and check again.
And just in case, let us have your back. Even with checks and plenty of preparation, breakdowns can still happen. So, relax and get yourself some extra peace of mind with MAYDAY UK Breakdown Cover.
See camc.com for the latest site information. We also recommend that you check with businesses and attractions that are featured regarding opening dates and times.
Nick Harding takes two short breaks in the beautiful counties of Somerset and Wiltshire – and wishes that he could stay for longer…
Peaceful site near the charming town of Dulverton and the fabulous Exmoor National Park.
Pitches: 66
Max outfit length: 9m
Member view
“It’s one of our favourite sites. We walk the dog, drive to Exmoor, Lynton and Lynmouth. We’re retired and we just relax here. We always try to get a pitch by the river.”
Raymond, Linda and Bracken
Site view
“There’s a good atmosphere on site. We’ve always seen interaction with the members as a huge part of the job. But we don’t pester or hassle.”
Debbie and Keith
Food & drink
The Bridge Inn, 20 Bridge St, Dulverton TA22 9HJ
Contact: thebridgeinndulverton. com, 01398324130
Culture
Knightshayes Court, Bolham EX16 7RQ
Contact: nationaltrust.org.uk, 01884 254665
Outdoor fun
Exmoor Dark Skies Festival (October 23-29, 2023)
Contact: exmoor-national park.gov.uk
For the family
Quince Honey Farm, Aller Cross, South Molton EX36 3RD
Contact: quincehoney farm.co.uk, 01769 572401
25%
Member saving available: see camc.com/greatsavingsguide for details, terms and conditions
Scan here to book a pitch at Exmoor House Club Campsite
Go west... but not too far west! There’s a stretch of Somerset and Wiltshire that covers lots of tourism hotspots as well as a wealth of lesserknown attractions. Both counties surely merit extensive articles in their own right. In fact, as if to prove the point, we – me, my partner Lin and our dog, Bonnie – ended up splitting our tour into two parts. The first few days were tentatively designated ‘Mainly Somerset’; then, a few weeks later, we enjoyed ‘Mainly Wiltshire’. Was there a warm welcome for us? You bet there was. The Club network serves this area of England well. There are also plenty of Certificated Locations (CLs) – with some
really interesting and unusual options available, but more on that later. We began our adventure at Mudgley in Somerset, around 12 miles south-east of Weston-super-Mare.
“What do you want?” That’s what you’ll most likely be (politely) asked when you turn up at the Wilkins Cider farm, which sits at the top of Mudgley Hill (not a venture you should be taking with your caravan hitched up). To explain the question: you’re expected to try before you buy, which means making a choice between dry and sweet cider, drawn direct from the barrel, although a lot of folk find a mix (‘half ’n’ half’ in local lingo) more to their taste.
These are ciders at their very purest – made right here, using only cider apples. We ordered
“ The Club network serves this area of England well ”
a four-litre mix of two-thirds dry and one-third sweet – at a cost of just £8. It’s even cheaper if you bring your own containers. (And no, we weren’t tempted to fill up our fresh water tank.)
Also available are some of the best Cheddar and Stilton cheeses you’ll ever taste, plus seasonal fruit and veg, as well as an extensive choice of locally produced pickles and jams. We bought cheese, plus a small jar of pink pickled eggs to enjoy in the ’van later on, along with some of our own, home-made chutney that I’d thoughtfully packed!
If Roger Wilkins is cider-making royalty, the West Country’s king of cars is John Haynes OBE. His eponymous Motor Museum, in the village of Sparkford, was founded on a publishing empire known worldwide for its Haynes Manuals, which offered step-by-step
Within easy reach of the A303, this peaceful site is a great base for exploring Devon, Dorset and Somerset.
Pitches: 68
Max outfit length: 9m
A Tasquinha da Maria (Portuguese food), 27 Holyrood St, Chard TA20 2DN
Contact: 07990 659264
Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster TA19 0AN
Contact: ilminsterartscentre. com, 01460 54973
Longrun Meadow and French Weir Park, Taunton
Contact: longrunmeadow.co.uk
Axe Valley Wildlife Park, Summerleaze Farm, Axminster EX13 7RA
Contact: axevalleypark.co.uk, 01297 34472
Very popular for the local beaches of Weston-super-Mare, Brean, Burnham-on-Sea and Berrow.
Pitches: 138
Max outfit length: 9m
“We’re a very busy site. Lots of people return year after year –some even come three or four times a season. It’s flat and it’s also quiet here because we’re away from any main roads. Even in the hot summer, our grass was green. Anyone staying here can also use the bar and restaurant at the local independent site.”
Mick and ToniThe Railway, College Street, Burnham-on-Sea TA8 1AS
Contact: greeneking-pubs.co.uk, 01278 784782
Coates English Willow, Meare Green Court, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton TA3 6HY
Contact: coatesenglishwillow. co.uk, 01823 490249
Outdoor fun
Cheddar Gorge and Caves, The Cliffs, Cheddar BS27 3QF
Contact: cheddargorge.co.uk, 01934 742343
advice on car maintenance. The first such manual came about when John put together his own Austin ‘750 Special’ while still at boarding school.
Above: St Nicholas Church, Uphill, above Brean Down Left: magnificent views from the top of Cheddar Gorge
For the latest details and opening information for all our sites, please see camc.com
Today, the museum features hundreds of cars bought, owned and used by John Haynes. Each is in beautiful condition and still gets some drive time outdoors. Our highlights included a Ford Anglia 105 (my first car, although it was a 123E in Harry Potter green with white trim), Minis (we’ve both owned these in the past), a Mercedes 280SL (my dream) and a Land Rover Series 2 Pick-up (Lin’s).
Wookey Hole Caves, The Mill, High Street, Wookey Hole, Wells BA5 1BB (use BA5 1BA for sat navs)
Contact: wookey.co.uk
Scan here to book a pitch at Hurn Lane Club Campsite
Our base for the next two nights was Exmoor House Club Campsite in Dulverton, winner of a coveted Sites to Inspire award in 2022, as voted for by members. You could hear the rushing, busy River Barle from our pitch – all very relaxing, to the point of being soporific.
One of the highlights of our stay here was a trip to the National Trust’s Montacute House
(nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/ somerset/montacute-house), an Elizabethan mansion just over an hour’s drive from Dulverton, with lots of lovely scenery en route. There’s free parking at the house and our visit coincided with the Elizabethan Tour of the exterior, which informs about the architecture, window designs, how guests would arrive, the gardens and their layouts, and more. Inside the house, one of the guides
“ You could hear the busy River Barle from our pitch ”
Certificated Location
This CL boasts the most amazing countryside views to enjoy as you sit in your caravan/motorhome.
Site owner Shelley sells a small amount of local produce and keeps the whole site immaculate.
Sites Directory & Handbook p440
Site view
“We get lots of repeat business because people come back to see what progress I’ve made with all my projects.”
BrianFood & drink
The Drayton Crown, Church Street, Drayton, Langport TA10 0JY
Contact: thedraytoncrown.co.uk, 01458 250712
The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens, Wells BA5 2PD
Contact: bishopspalace.org.uk, 01749 988111
Outdoor fun
Cary Alpacas (walking trips –book in advance), Rag Barn, Rag Lane, Cary Fitzpaine BA22 8JB
Contact: caryalpacas.co.uk, 01458 224611
highlighted details on some of the paintings using an LED torch – rooms are kept deliberately dark to prevent damage caused by sunlight.
We headed back to the site ready for dinner – we had spotted a few eateries at the start of the day that merited some attention. We hadn’t thought to reserve at Woods Restaurant in Dulverton, but we struck lucky as when we turned up there was a spare table for 45 minutes, and it was dog-friendly. Owner Paddy explained how he farms during the day, and that the results are served in his award-winning restaurant at night. There’s a cosy, friendly atmosphere here, and it’s obviously well-loved by locals, who are happy to come in just for a drink.
Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS
Yeovilton, Ilchester BA22 8HT
Contact: nmrn.org.uk/visit-us/ fleet-air-arm-museum, 023 9283 9766
Dulverton is large enough to be home to a number of independent shops – butcher, bookseller, delicatessen, hardware store – as well as its own Heritage Centre, each adding to the atmosphere of the town.
As with so many of the Club’s site managers, you’ll find it easy to fall into conversation with Debbie and Keith, now in their seventh year at Exmoor House. Debbie
filled us in with some local details: “We’re 45 minutes to the north and south coasts. There’s also Wimbleball Lake, for kayaking, sailboarding, canoeing – nine miles away. You can walk around it, and fish in it. Quite a few visitors go fishing on the River Barle right here, too. A permit’s only £35 for the year. The walk to Tarr Steps on Exmoor is a particular favourite. There’s a farmers’ market the last Saturday of the month and the cinema in the town hall shows films on Fridays.” Phew!
About an hour’s drive to the south-east, Ilminster Club Campsite sits on the edge of
“ Stourhead’s extensive gardens are impressive ”
You can hear occasional calls from some of your more unusual neighbours in the safari park when you stay here – and it all adds to the enjoyment!
Pitches: 161
Max outfit length: 9m
Tent camping also available here.
“We’re from nearby Frome but, with half a dozen grandchildren to cater for, we come to Longleat six to eight times a year. My wife has an annual pass and all the grandchildren have passes, too, which helps keep the costs down. Even at the height of the season, it’s not often busy here.”
DavidFood & drink
Cross Keys Inn, Lye’s Green, Corsley, Warminster BA12 7PB
Contact: crosskeyscorsley.co.uk, 01373 832406
Cley Hill, Corsley, Warminster BA12 7QU
Contact: nationaltrust.org.uk, 01672 539920
Bratton Camp and White Horse, Port Way, Bratton, Westbury BA13 4TA
Contact: english-heritage.org.uk
Avon Valley Railway, Bitton Railway Station, Bath Road, Bristol BS30 6HD
50% For the family
Contact:
avonvalleyrailway.org, 0117 932 5538
Member saving available: see camc.com/greatsavingsguide for details, terms and conditions
Scan here to book a pitch at Longleat Club Campsite
the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You could use it as a base to explore the likes of Chard, Taunton and Ilminster itself, while the seaside delights of Lyme Regis are fewer than 40 minutes away if you want to drive. Our priority, though, was to visit John Leach’s Muchelney Pottery.
Bernard Leach is known as “the father of British studio pottery”, but it was his grandson John who founded the business here in Muchelney, on the Somerset Levels. Fired in batches, the hand-thrown, robust-looking pieces come out lighter or darker in finish depending on where in the kiln they’ve been placed. Featuring distinctive ‘fire-licked’ decoration, no two pieces are the same.
Our stay coincided with Somerset Art Weeks. That’s right... weeks . In 2023, the event will run from 16 September to 1 October. Traditionally, hundreds of artists host exhibitions and events in more than 100
venues such as loft spaces, stables, churches, farms and libraries.
An alternative Club campsite to consider for a Somerset holiday is Hurn Lane. Close to the Bristol Channel, it’s very popular with beach-lovers, especially during the summer. As well as the sands of Weston-super-Mare, Brean (where you can park on the beach), Burnham-on-Sea and nearby Berrow, other key attractions in this area include Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole, the latter for its caves (a great place to visit when the weather gets too hot). Glastonbury Tor is also well worth a visit. A walk to the top of the hill and the roofless St Michael’s Tower rewards with far-reaching views of the surrounding Summerland Meadows (part of the Somerset Levels), as well as Glastonbury itself.
The final stopover on our ‘Mainly Somerset’ leg was Hilltops CL , near Langport to the south-west of Glastonbury. We couldn’t have
“ Our stay coincided with Somerset Art Weeks ”Lily and Andrew IN-STORE EXPERTS Member Offer
15% discount in-store and online for Caravan and Motorhome Club members. Code: AF-CAMC-M1 Expires 31.12.2023. T&Cs online.
We’ve partnered with The Caravan and Motorhome Club to help members get the most from the great outdoors. From camping and hiking to walking and climbing, we’ve got the kit and expertise to make the most of your next adventure.
Our in-store experts help you find the right kit and perfect fit with our custom boot fitting service. Plus, give well-loved kit a new home using our Recycle My Gear scheme.
Make the right choice with our in-store experts.
Well placed for visiting historic Bath, this site is great for wildlife lovers. A loo is an addition for this season.
Sites Directory & Handbook p471
Site view
“Our sunsets are always stunning [and] there’s very little light pollution here. We re-opened after lockdown in 2020. With Castle Combe Race Circuit along the road, we often get very interesting cars (and motorhomes) here.”
Sara
Food & drink
The White Hart, Ford, Nr Chippenham SN14 8RP
Contact: whitehart-ford.com, 01249 782213
Culture
Bowood House and Gardens (reopens for 2023 season on 1 April), Old Road, Derry Hill, Calne SN11 0LZ
Contact: bowood.org, 01249 812102
Outdoor fun
Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham SN14 7EY
Contact: castlecombecircuit. co.uk, 01249 479220
For the family
Steam – Museum of the Great Western Railway, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon SN2 2EY
Contact: steam-museum.org.uk, 01793 466646
picked a better time to visit, arriving late afternoon as glorious sunshine illuminated views across this wonderful county, and at least two others.
Although I’ve visited possibly hundreds of CLs during my time touring, we’ve never had a welcome quite like that from Hilltops owner Shelley: “Would you like to try some turmeric latte?” Homemade, using oat milk and local honey, with a final flourish of black pepper, it was absolutely delicious – we have since made attempts to replicate Shelley’s recipe at home.
If you’re at Hilltops in July, you’ll have a direct view down onto the Somerset Steam and Country Show, at Low Ham. And if this sort of engineering interests you, you really are in for a massive treat. Shelley’s husband, Brian, doesn’t need too much encouragement to show you some of his current restoration works –including a 1925 Bull Nose Morris, a Paxman steam engine and a David Brown tractor.
Basing ourselves at Longleat Club Campsite for the Wiltshire section of our tour made perfect sense. We couldn’t resist the safari park – the first such venue outside South Africa when it opened in 1966 – but first we wanted to visit another nearby attraction, the National Trust house and gardens at Stourhead.
Home to furniture designed by Chippendale the Younger as well as the famous Library lunette window (created by painting two panes of thin glass on both sides), the villa at the heart of the Stourhead estate is a sight to behold. But perhaps more impressive are the extensive gardens, where you will find architectural features such as ‘The Grotto’, ‘The Temple of Apollo’ and ‘The Pantheon’, which was inspired by Rome’s ancient classical original.
Back at Longleat, the wildlife rightly steals the show. You could embark on the famed drive-through safari – which takes you
“
Glorious sunshine illuminated views across this wonderful county ”You can see hippos at Longleat
Lookers, in partnership with Ford, are delighted to provide members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club exclusive o ers and benefits on the latest range of Ford cars, each one designed to help you drive to your next adventure.
Current benefits include:
• A percentage discount o the RRP of a new Ford, including factory fitted options.**
• Finance - Our team of trained experts can help with the many car finance options available. They will also provide a quote that is easy to understand and free from jargon.
• Up to 20% discount on all Ford accessories and exclusive accessory packs.
• Choose to have your car delivered with our nationwide home delivery service.*
• Get a Free Car Valuation with Lookers. Our accurate vehicle valuations let you know exactly what you can save on a new Ford when you part exchange your current model with us.
Call today on 0333 207 4144 or email CaravanandMotorhomeClub@lookers.co.uk for further details.
Terms and conditions
**Terms and conditions and exclusions apply. Discounts are off RRP, on eligible Ford models purchased from Lookers Ford Sheffield. Caravan and Motorhome Club Membership details required at time of order to qualify and full purchase process to be followed. Offer ends 31st December 2023. For full details, contact CaravanandMotorhomeClub@ lookers.co.uk or call 0333 207 4144. Only available at time of purchase and cannot be claimed retrospectively or combined with any other incentive or promotion. Lookers Ford Sheffield reserves the right to revise or withdraw the above offer without notice. *Delivery charges and geographical exclusions apply. Lookers Ford is a trading name of Lookers Motor Group Limited, 3 Etchells Road, West Timperley, Altrincham, WA14 5XS, registered in England & Wales Reg. No. 143470. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker, not a lender and can introduce you to a number of lenders. Introducing you to a number of lenders means we receive a commission. Lenders pay commission at different rates either as a fixed fee or as a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow. The commission that we receive does not affect the amount that you pay to the lender under the credit agreement.
through zones such as ‘Tiger Territory’, ‘Lion Country’ and ‘Wolf Wood’ – or consider a walking experience that gives you the opportunity to encounter smaller animals such as meerkats and koalas or even hand-feed beautiful rainbow-coloured lorikeets. Afterwards a visit to the House is a must – tours of the ground and first floors include the Elizabethan Great Hall, State Rooms and take in an incredible collection of paintings, furniture, silverware and tapestries. As if that isn’t enough, there’s still a hedge maze to escape, a miniature railway to ride on and an Adventure Castle playground for younger visitors to enjoy.
All this exploring can be hard work – we discovered the Cross Keys Inn in the hamlet of Lyes Green was the perfect place to relax; it’s only a 10-minute drive from the Longleat campsite.
Heading northwards, another CL to consider in this area is Toplands Farm in Chippenham. Based on a stud farm, the site
Just three miles from the city of Winchester (there’s a bus stop near the entrance) on the fringes of the South Downs National Park, this site has benefitted from extensive redevelopments. Pitches: 110 Max outfit length: 10m Tent camping also available here.
Pulpo Negro, 28 Broad Street, Alresford SO24 9AQ
Contact: pulponegro.co.uk, 01962 732262
Jane Austen’s House, Chawton GU34 1SD
Contact: janeaustens.house, 01420 83262
Outdoor fun
Abbotsbury
Swannery, New Barn Road, Abbotsbury, Nr Weymouth DT3 4JG
Contact: abbotsbury-tourism. co.uk/swannery, 01305 871858
Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway, Lakeside Country Park, Wide Lane, Eastleigh SO50 5PE
Contact: steamtrain.co.uk, 023 8061 2020
Member saving available: see camc.com/greatsavingsguide for details, terms and conditions
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
gives visitors the opportunity to witness more marvellous wildlife in the form of resident ponies and sheep as well as red kites, buzzards, hares and badgers.
If you can tear yourself away from all the peace and quiet, Toplands Farm is well placed for visiting Bath (11 miles), which could easily fill two or three days of a holiday. Granted it may not be in Wiltshire, but with its Roman Baths, abbey and Georgian buildings, the attractive, compact city centre is not to be missed. Try and set some time aside for the impressive array of shops and restaurants, too.
Then there’s Avebury (19 miles from the CL), home to the largest neolithic stone circle in Britain. Originally, there were 100 stones here, and part of the village can even be found within the circle!
Another must-visit attraction, just 12 miles to the west (and actually in Gloucestershire) is the Avon Valley Railway. We nearly missed our train (!), arriving with a minute to spare at Bitton Station, and having been ushered by volunteers into one of the
few remaining spaces in the car park. There are only three miles of track to navigate but the steam-powered experience was highly evocative and will live long in the memory.
We intended to finish our trip by dipping our toe into Hampshire at Winchester (formerly Winchester Morn Hill) Club Campsite, but sadly ran out of time. About an hour and a quarter’s drive east of Longleat, this recently renovated site features a new facilities block, more pitches and a dedicated electric vehicle charging station in the car park. What’s more, it’s just a seven-minute drive from the centre of Winchester, and is even closer to Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium – the perfect venue for inquiring minds.
Talking of which, I might just enquire when the magazine next needs a journalist to explore this beautiful part of the world further…
“
Also see the CL section of the Club website (camc.com) for the most up-to-date information on 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 2023/24 Sites Directory & Handbook. They are listed here using the same number, unless otherwise specified.
NEW CLS
TAVISTOCK (6.1m NW) – Meadwell Farm, Mrs Eleanor Brown, Kelly, Lifton PL16 0HJ. 07796 313639; 07814 226923; clbooking.co.uk/ property/1496; eleanor_smale@ yahoo.co.uk. 201:SX409815; 50.6117, -4.2487. OAY; 1 acre; dogs; hdstdng; max o’fit length: 9mtrs; peaceful; ideal for families; views; price fr £15 (pitch + 2 ad).
NEW OLLERTON (2.8m S) –Sawmills Farm, Mr David and Mrs Deborah Bower, Rufford Lane, Rufford, Newark NG22 9DG. 07946 487892; 01623 888998; sawmillsfarmcamping@hotmail. com. 120:SK648656; 53.183714, -1.030789. Open 15 Feb-31 Oct; 1 acre; dogs; grass; 16A; ideal for families; lawned; dog walk fr site; price fr £25 (pitch + 2 ad).
SHIFNAL (4.8m E) – Homecharm, Mr Paul Blackweir, Offoxey Farm, Offoxey Road, Tong TF11 8QA. 07514 887007; homecharmcampsite@outlook. com. 127:SJ813086; 52.6754, -2.2780. Open 1 Mar-30 Oct; 1 acre; dogs; adv bkg req; unfenced water; grass; max o’fit length: 9mtrs; peaceful; ideal for families; views; lawned; wkg fm; wc (exc); price fr £20 (pitch + 2 ad).
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.
27 BUCKINGHAM – Barton Hill Farm. Additional mobile number: 07849 492123
295 ASHBOURNE – Woodside Farm. New email: woodsidefarmcl@ gmail.com
355 BIDEFORD – Pyewell Farm. New phone number: 07859 924002. 666 HEREFORD – Ashley Farm. New email: 69lindawatkins@ gmail.com.
695 TRING – Gregorys Field. New phone number: 07842 273904.
703 SANDOWN – Borthwood Caravans. New email: queenbowerfarm@gmail.com.
811 ORMSKIRK – Hey By Bonds. New phone number: 07918 024726.
1113 WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA
– Nutwood Farm. New phone number: 01328 820719.
1150 ALNWICK – Link House Farm. Additional phone number: 07710 805806.
1259 MUCH WENLOCK –The Fegg Farm. New phone number: 07815 605820.
1327 MINEHEAD – Steadway Farm. New phone numbers: 01643 841531; 07855 932491.
1357 BURTON UPON TRENT
– Rolleston Scouts HQ. New email: rsgcaravans@gmail.com
1576 MARLBOROUGH – Bayardo
Farm. New owner: Mr T King. Tel: 07753 340921; 01672 513249
1670 POCKLINGTON – Egremont
Pines Farm. New manager: Jeremy Pickup. Contact: 07946 238848; egremontpines@mail.com
1776 SETTLE – The Rowe House. Correct OS reference: 98:SD804728.
1862 ANNAN – Moss-side Farm. New email: bc.cliffe@gmail.com. New mobile replacing landline: 07931 744413.
2027 ABERYSTWYTH –
Cae Ceiro. Email correction: fflurfychan@aol.co.uk
2047 COLWYN BAY – Plas Carw.
Additional mobile number: 07990 511252.
2207 WELSHPOOL – Glandir. New phone number: 07508 894454.
March 2022 magazine KESWICK
– Stybeck Farm. Site reinstated with new owner, Joyce Louise Hodgson. 01768 773232; 07799 403764; stybeckfarm@btconnect.com
March 2023 magazine
LOWESTOFT – Ivy House Farm and Stables. Phone number: 07429 412368.
March 2023 magazine
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
– Whitchurch Farm. New phone number: 01789 450359.
The following five-pitch CLs are closed and no longer certified by the Club. This does not affect any other business that a landowner may be operating.
118 BUDE – Trekennard House.
263 PENRITH – Grove Foot Farm.
369 COMBE MARTIN –Wigmore Farm.
448 TOTNES – Glendale Farm.
618 HAYLING ISLAND – Stoke Farm.
815 POULTON-LE-FYLDE – Pointer Farm.
840 MELTON MOWBRAY –The Grange.
979 AYLSHAM – Heath Farm.
1168 MANSFIELD – Tall Trees Touring Park.
1427 LEISTON – The Eel’s Foot. 1465 FARNHAM –Coxbridge Farm.
1875 LOCKERBIE – Highfield.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
See camc.com for the latest site and CL information. 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.
Beaulieu, New Forest
4 - 31 July
Stay at our pop-up campsite and enjoy a 25% discount and FREE re-entry to the Beaulieu estate, and 30% discount to Buckler’s Hard Museum
Holkham Hall, Norfolk 11 July - 17 September
Camp a mile from the stunning Norfolk beach, with a 30% discount on admission to the Hall, walled gardens and Holkham stories.
ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, Lee Valley 19- 24 September
Pitch up in the heart of the action at this new venue for 2023, and also save 10% o event tickets.
Prices from £39 per night
e all love to head off on our holidays, but obviously the costs associated with touring and travelling have increased in recent years. Here are a few tweaks you could make to your journeys and other touring-related considerations that could bring you savings.
First, make sure that the pressure of your tyres is correct. This can vary depending on the weight of your vehicle/outfit, so small adjustments before travelling may be beneficial – and it’s safer! Talking of safety (and also reliability and efficiency), don’t skimp on your outfit’s servicing. It really is a false economy.
It’s also worth paying attention to your speed, which could help to make the most of your fuel. Try reducing your speed on motorways and dual carriageways by just 5-10mph and you might see a surprising improvement in fuel economy. Smoothness of driving really helps too; sensible – rather than frantic – acceleration and good anticipation (to avoid the need to brake too often) is the key. Other tricks can help a little: turn the air-con off unless you need it; open windows for ventilation at low speed but close them at higher speed. Try to avoid peak travel periods if possible, as heavy traffic makes it hard to drive smoothly. If you do want to make a stop en route, consider taking a longer break if it will
Whelp you to avoid those busy roads. There are currently 160 Club campsites and 35 Affiliated sites on the network, so there’s a good chance there will be some near your home. Consider travelling shorter distances to campsites or staying longer on sites so the cost of travel is more proportionate.
Some protection services are compulsory, like car and motorhome insurance, while some aren’t, like home and caravan cover. But when it comes to expensive items you own, making sure you have the right protection can be invaluable, and sometimes that does come at a cost. Here are some considerations to take into account when choosing protection for you, your loved ones and your beloved items. It may save you money in the long-term.
Excesses nearly always apply to the common forms of protection products (eg vehicle, home, travel). Often there is both a compulsory excess and a voluntary excess on top. The voluntary excess may be defaulted to quite a high rate – do check that you can afford this as well as the compulsory excess. You could end up having to pay out quite a lot towards a claim or discovering the claim cost is below the overall excess amount. The flip side is by opting for a higher voluntary excess you can reduce the amount you pay for the cover. Alter the voluntary excess amount to see what saving you make on the policy price and, if comparing, ensure you compare like for like.
Talking of comparing, all cover is not created equal. The price you pay takes into
account not just the amount and extent of cover, but also the ability to speak to someone within a reasonable time frame both for servicing and claims handling. Remember, you’re paying for something you hope you’ll never use, but if you do, you want to know you’ll get the support you need.
It goes without saying that answering honestly is essential. Even if you make a misrepresentation that is only careless (eg you guessed rather than checked) it could impact whether a claim is paid, or the amount of payment. Do take the time to make sure you’ve answered all questions correctly.
It may be tempting to cut back on extras such as legal expenses cover, or think that you’ve got that on another policy. Generally, each product has unique legal expenses cover relevant to the product it is sold with, and on some, such as the legal protection sold with the Club’s Caravan Cover, if a third party has caused damage to your vehicle it will act to recover costs from a third party’s insurer (likely a costly affair if you were to directly employ a lawyer to do this!).
It may seem like there is no end to the options available to keep your vehicle more safe and secure. But making decisions such as storing your outfit in Club or CaSSOA-rated storage sites and using wheel locks can make a real difference.
These are just a few ideas. Don’t forget we have a huge amount of support, technical information and advice at camc.com/ advice-and-training... and you can get more help via the website or the app.
Many people are feeling the impact of the current cost of living crisis. Here we take a look at a few tips and financial considerations that may help in the short- and long-termConsider avoiding busier periods on roads, if possible
We recently got married in our Tessoro 483 motorhome at Ayr Beach; we had a celebrant who married us on 23 January 2023, exactly one year after we met after joining a dating site. We married at exactly the same time we met, which was 4pm.
We bought our motorhome last August and after lots of conversations about where we should marry we came up with this idea. Stuart’s mum came along with two of our friends, Craig and Una, who were our witnesses. Stuart’s mum plays the piano and we recorded her playing around 25 songs – we put them on a USB stick and played these through the radio in the motorhome throughout the ceremony.
We decorated our motorhome, named ‘Harmony’, with lovely fairy lights and some ‘Just Married’ signs were duly hung up. We also had our wedding cake made in the shape of a
motorhome – it had us sitting outside the motorhome with our dog, Rusty.
Una made up a poem about us and she read this out during the ceremony. We had a ‘quaich’, which is a two-handled loving cup – [drinking from it is] it is an ancient Scottish tradition which seals the bond of two people and marks the blending of two families. At the end of our ceremony, Stuart and I recited a poem which we had made especially for the service.
We had the most amazing day – one which we will remember forever.
Helen Black, via email
After 40 years of exploring the UK, my parents have decided to retire from caravanning. It's not a decision taken lightly but at the ages of 83 and 73, they've both realised their limitations. They have been members for over 35 years and have loved every single minute of it. Would it be possible to acknowledge this achievement in a future publication of the magazine?
Stephen Mills, via emailEditor’s note: We’re so glad your parents have enjoyed their 35 years of membership Stephen – please pass on our warmest regards!
It was in the midst of Covid that I really started exploring the idea of purchasing a camper. I’d thought about it for years but had always been put off for one reason or another. It was only when lockdown occurred, and I found myself going stir crazy inside, that I wholeheartedly started looking for a vehicle. I’ve always liked working with my hands, but I’m definitely not much more than an amateur DIY-er! For this reason I was looking for a reasonably priced, partially converted, four-berth van to take on as a project.
Luck favoured me and I stumbled on my Ducato panel van, converted well by its previous owner, but ready for a whole set of new adventures. We purchased it in the spring of 2021, renamed her ‘Big Alice’, and began tailoring her to suit our needs.
She is now a completely off-gridcapable van. Being the father of two young boys, entertainment is key (for those really wet days) so a satellite dish and TV have gone in too. A completely re-upholstered interior just tops it off.
In the past 18 months we have been on numerous adventures with Big Alice, from short trips in the Scottish Highlands (where we live), to city breaks in London. The escapism a camper-van offers is unparalleled, not only the freedom to up sticks and move to a new place whenever you want, but also to modify the vehicle itself to suit your needs down to a tee.
Here’s to more adventures in 2023!
Josh Brown, via email
I have just read Philip Moon’s article (Tales from the riverbank, February 2023), and feel compelled to feedback what an inspiring read it has been. As an overweight cyclist with a phobia of asking taxi drivers to convey me and my bike anywhere, Philip’s story has encouraged me to look at such matters differently. For me this has opened up new opportunities which circular routes deny. How Mr Moon juggled his boots, boat and bike still fills me with admiration and envy. I look forward to reading about his next adventure whilst I plan some more modest accomplishments.
Neil Costello, CambridgeshireI enjoyed Philip Moon’s account of his Wye expedition in your February magazine, the more so for many happy days paddling kayaks there in my teens, as well as on some rather wilder waters too. So of course I was especially interested in his canoe trips there.
Please will you publish a serious safety warning about this – Philip tells how he gained confidence on the river in the Hay to Hereford section, before battle with overhanging tree branches led to a short but refreshing swim. I’m very glad he was okay.
All my canoeing instructors were very clear: low-hanging trees are potentially lethal, especially where they are on the outside of bends where the current is stronger [and] tries to carry you into them, as presumably happened to Philip. You can’t see how many fallen branches or dangling branch ends are under the water. Look ahead, and always avoid!
Philip wisely includes a necessary warning about the care needed at Symonds Yat, so I’d like to add this tree branch warning on top of that.
Richard York, via email
Editor’s note: Thank you for your message Richard. We would encourage anyone considering canoeing/kayaking and stand up paddleboarding to make safety their number one priority. There is some great safety information available at gopaddling.info/tag/paddling-safely.
The Wanderer (From the Archives, February edition) is an interesting reflection of the changes in society. Among the many features that could be seen when it was displayed in the Bristol Industrial Museum were a very small compartment at one end for the valet to sleep in and a revolver for security. The Wanderer was used in a very different world but it was built only a few years before my grandfather was born.
Robert Heath, via emailWhen we got our first motorhome six years ago, we decided to challenge ourselves to go to places we had not been to before and are on a mission to camp in every county on mainland Britain.
So far we’ve stayed in about half of Wales’ counties, all but seven in England but, living near Oxford, we’ve not done much of Scotland yet. We’re saving that for longer trips when we’ve fully retired.
This is us on a weekend last year in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is just a short drive from home. There’s a few more local counties to do as we’ve driven through them but not stayed in them yet!
Mark Watson, via email
We thought members may like to see what our eldest daughter, Michelle, made for our Diamond Wedding Anniversary and brought to us from her home in Thailand.
We think it is very lovely and have a picture of it in our caravan as well as displayed at home. It also displays our love of caravanning.
Sylvia & Malc, via email
In 2019 we used our Bailey as a base to do [the] ‘Camino de Santiago’. We pitched up in Ferrol in Galicia, Spain, where we started our ‘camino’ and became ‘peregrinos’ (pilgrims). We would leave each day either by bus or train and do a walk on the ‘Camino Ingles’. We would then use public transport to get back to the van.
We then had to relocate to La Coruña. Things became easier as we were on a straight route to [the Cathedral of] Santiago de Compostela. We would use the car to get to the point where we had finished our walk the day before. Then get the bus back to the car. We usually parked in the car park of a cafe or bar so we could have a drink before returning to the van. We didn’t walk every day, and did our camino in 20 days and walked 93 miles. Without a single blister.
So that is the story of how we used our van as a base for an adventure. Bruce and Margaret Jones, via email
In the 1970s, as a family of six we spent our summer holidays camping in a large frame tent all over the UK.
With four children and two adults it was always a challenge getting all the kit into our family car – a two-tone, black and tan Austin Maxi. My father, who was a small business entrepreneur, came up with the idea of cutting a Mini Traveller in half, making it into a trailer and colour co-ordinating the trailer to match the two tone car – it looked amazing.
Its first outing was to France in 1975 and, as a 13-year-old boy, I was really proud of how it looked, always drawing attention from fellow campers and a great ice breaker to start chatting and meet new friends.
Forty-seven years later, I had the idea to do the same with the purple Fiat 500 that we had towed for a number of years behind our two previous motorhomes. After a number of hours sketching out a
design to match our most recent an – arrer an – o e to a local company who turned my vision into reality – the result is shown in the pictures.
Every time I drive the new set up it takes me back to that summer in 1975, driving around with my family in Paris, and although my own family can enjoy it today, my only regret is that I left it too long and, sadly, my father did not have a chance to see it. He would have loved it!
Peter Farrer, via Club TogetherMy husband and I often go to the Lake District which is beautiful in all of the seasons. We walked from the back of the campsite in Patterdale towards Helvellyn via Grisedale Common and on to the Red Tarn through ‘The Hole in the Wall’. We couldn’t believe the beautiful skies for February.
Susan Parsons, online
We started 2022 at Chatsworth Club Campsite (right) and enjoyed the site, being a door’s thickness from the gorgeous Chatsworth Estate plus the usual benefits of our Caravan and Motorhome Club –cleanliness ie toilet blocks and site areas, excellent site staff, plus the on-site dog walking area.
A little later in 2022 we ventured down to Hunter’s Moon in Wareham, Dorset. Again the benefits of the Club’s cleanliness etc, welcoming [site staff] with excellent facilities ie the dog walking area, plus the surrounding forestry all in walking distance. The following week we ventured onto Carnon Downs in Truro with excellent Club facilities, cleanliness and hard working [site staff], on-site bar and cafe area which was most enjoyable, plus again the vast off-lead dog walking area and the neighbouring forestry to explore. What more could we ask for?
So here is the reason for this email... to write our heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the Club, for its sites plus the hardworking [site staff] we sometimes take for granted. Our completion to 2022 was a few days taken during the Christmas holidays at Burrs Country Park (right) just north of Bury, Lancashire.
On arrival we were greeted by Phillip who was very polite and advised me where to park up safely. After finding [our pitch we] went back to collect the barrier card, although the office was shut with a note on the door advising to ring a number which I did.
Phillip explained he would deliver the barrier card in a minute or so. Well he did, plus offered us a bottle of bubbly and a box of mince pies. I was so taken aback by this kind gesture and commented that in 21 years or so we have never received such a kind offering.
Anyway, again the site cleanliness, very polite [site staff] and all the offerings from such a wonderful Club... what more could we as members ask for? We are returning to Dorset and southern regions in 2023 sometime, reassured of the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s [ability] to aid us towards a well earned holiday without issues, which is very difficult these days with the ongoing trudge through life’s anomalies.
Dave and Jacqueline Pointon, via email
A peaceful, family-friendly campsite with grass pitches and a heated pool. There are plenty of restaurants in the nearby village of Les Loges.
Touring pitches: 88
Open: 31 Mar-17 Sep 2023
Price: from £19.83 per night (based on outfit, electric pitch and two adults 10-27 April/1-4 May/8-11 May/10-16 Sep 2023). Correct as of 9 Feb 2023 – check camc.com for latest prices.
Site view
“The site is very close to the unique and stunning Étretat cliff, which is a huge asset.”
Karine
Food & drink
Le Kitsch, 10 Rue du Tambour, 76000 Rouen
Contact: kitsch-rouen.com, 0033 2 35 70 70 10
Culture
Musée Maison de l’Armateur (shipowner’s house), 3 Quai de l’Île, 76600 Le Havre
Contact: lehavre.fr/annuaire/ maison-de-larmateur
Outdoor fun
La Falaise d’Amont (striking chalk cliff with a meadow on top), 76790 Étretat
Tourist Train Etretat Caux (velorail trolley cycling), 56 Rue de la Gare, 76790 Les Loges
Contact: velo-rails-etretat.fr, 0033 2 35 29 49 61
Scan here to book a pitch at L’Aiguille Creuse
From spectacular sandy beaches and sumptuous foodie delights to glorious castles and historic war museums, northern France is littered with fun and interesting things to see and do. Even though
I’ve travelled here in the van many times, I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of this lovely region.
As a big fan of the Impressionists, that groundbreaking group of 19th-century artists who were inspired by the momentary effects of light on colours and forms, I decided to plan an itinerary across Normandy and Brittany that would take in many of the places that they loved.
Heading westwards out of Paris one blue-skied autumn day, our first stop was the house of Claude Monet at Giverny in Normandy, where the great artist lived from 1890 until his death in 1926. It was fascinating to see the house with its studio and blue sitting room, but the best part was wandering in the gardens that
inspired so much of his work, including those iconic water lilies.
We arrived at our first site as the sun set in a red mist, a backdrop that reminded me of one of Monet’s paintings. To the north of Le Havre and close to Étretat’s striking chalk cliffs, L’Aiguille Creuse was the perfect base for exploring Normandy and the numerous loops of the River Seine between Rouen and Le Havre – another location where the Impressionists loved to paint.
Hopping on the winding D982 the following day we played tag with the Seine as we headed for Rouen. With its half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and Gothic churches, the capital of Normandy bustles with life. Described by The Hunchback of Notre-Dame author Victor Hugo as “the city of a hundred spires”, this lively port on the banks of France’s most famous river is packed with fascinating museums, including one dedicated to the life of Joan of Arc (the Maid of
Heidi Fuller-Love hits the road for a cultural tour of northern France, beginning with Monet’s house at Giverny...
Orléans was burnt at the stake here in 1431). Rouen is also home to the Museum of Fine Arts, and we spent an absorbing morning enjoying its permanent collection, which includes work by Caravaggio, Van Dyck, Degas and Renoir.
After treating ourselves to a platter of ‘Crêpes Mylene’ – pancakes stuffed with poached pears and plum brandy – we visited the tomb of Richard the Lionheart in the city’s striking cathedral, which is still being restored following damage sustained during the Second World War.
From here we strolled through the Rue de l’Épicerie, a winding street lined with narrow medieval buildings which looks almost exactly the same as it did when Camille Pissarro painted it in 1898. Our next stop was to admire the town’s gloriously ornate Gros-Horloge, an astronomical clock slotted into a Renaissance arch.
Of course another major reason to visit Normandy is food: from crisp apple cider to its famously creamy butter, this French department is famed for its gastronomy. We headed for La Couronne – dating back to 1345, this is France’s oldest auberge (inn), sitting in a line of halftimbered buildings on Rouen’s main square. Once we were seated in this wonderfully cosy spot, with its walls lined with photos of celebrity patrons ranging from Salvador Dalí to John Wayne, we opted for brine-fresh oysters and a deliciously tender side of beef.
The next day we packed a picnic lunch – a bottle of cider, a crusty baguette and a creamy local Camembert – and set off to follow La Route des Chaumières. This tiny country road winds its way through the Boucles de La Seine regional natural park, revealing the scenes that the Impressionists loved to paint, and it was like stepping back a century or two.
We drove through tiny thatched-roof hamlets surrounded by vast marshes, lush pastures and endless orchards, stopping to admire breathtaking views to Le Havre and Honfleur from the clifftop Saint-Samson-de-la-Roque lighthouse or watch storks, peregrine falcons and even the occasional osprey soaring over the Vernier marshes.
We’d planned to take a boat trip from Fécamp the following day to see those celebrated white
Lively, family-run site with excellent facilities, surrounded by a web of coastal paths and close to some of the region’s most fascinating towns.
Touring pitches: 287
Open: 15 Apr-1 Oct 2023
Price: from £22.50 per night (based on outfit, electric pitch and two adults 15 Apr-11 Jul/26 Aug-30 Sep 2023. Correct as of 9 Feb 2023 – check camc.com for latest prices.
Site view
“The site boasts a beautiful fine-sand beachside location and there are two very picturesque towns nearby: Pont-Aven and Concarneau. The site is also situated alongside the famous ‘G34’ trek pathway (‘le sentier des douaniers’) which is a unique path along the coastline with its beautiful landscapes.”
Elise
Le Tire Bouchon, 2 Rue Duguay
Trouin, 29900 Concarneau
Contact: 0033 2 98 92 56 84
Musée de Pont-Aven, Place Julia, 29930 Pont-Aven
Contact: museepontaven.fr, 0033 2 98 06 14 43
Tahiti Beach, Kerstalen, 29920 Névez
Les Terres de Nataé (animal park), LDT Kerruisseau, 56620 Pont-Scorff
Contact: lesterresdenatae. fr, 0033 2 97 59 54 33
Scan here to book a pitch at Le RaguénèsPlage
cliffs from the water, but the weather was wild and windy, so we went to Le Havre instead. From the lively Quai Notre-Dame harbour to the Museum of Modern Art André Malraux with its rich collection of Impressionist paintings, this lovely coastal city where Monet grew up kept us enthralled all morning.
Hopping across the estuary on the impressive 215m-high Normandie bridge, we headed for Honfleur, a smaller neighbouring port, in the early afternoon. First stop was Naturospace, a sprawling greenhouse-like attraction which is home to a stunning collection of tropical flora and fauna. Afterwards, we flagged down Honfleur’s little white train to take a tour of the main sights, including St Catherine’s (a 15th-century church built to resemble the hull of a boat) and the Vieux Bassin (the old port ringed with 17th-century houses that inspired the work of numerous artists).
Although our time was limited, we’d planned to visit Saint-Malo. After a quick stop for breakfast –café au lait and brasillé, the buttery puff pastry treat that was invented in Caen – we spent several hours in this charming walled city, walking the ramparts to admire spectacular views over the seafront before visiting the Maison du Québec to find out more about famed mariner Jacques
Cartier. (A good base for exploration would be Le Domaine de la Ville Huchet, a campsite that’s just a 10-minute drive from the centre of Saint-Malo.) We later followed winding country roads via the pretty little fishing port of Saint-Brieuc to Le Raguénès-Plage, our final campsite, situated on an idyllic strip of coastline between Concarneau and Lorient in southern Brittany. Over the following days we visited Concarneau’s ‘Ville Close’, a medieval settlement set on a rock in the harbour, and hiked along coastal paths that led to a string of pretty hamlets. We even took at boat trip to visit the wild and lovely, uninhabited Glénan islands. Our trip ended at Pont-Aven, where we admired paintings by 19th century Post-Impressionists, including Paul Gauguin, in the town’s museum. It was the perfect finale to a five-day, art-filled jaunt from Normandy to Brittany.
n If Heidi has inspired you to visit Normandy and Brittany, please visit camc.com/overseas to book the featured campsites (and others). Remember, if you book an overseas site, Eurotunnel or ferry crossing through the Club, you’ll get the lowest price – guaranteed. To find out more see camc.com/lowestprice. And if you book a package holiday with us you benefit from ABTA protection. See camc.com/ confidence for more information.
“ The medieval Ville Close is set on a rock in 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.
Enjoy
Exclusive offer for Club members – save £100 per booking on Worldwide holidays. Available on a wide range of caravan and motorhome tours or you can create a bespoke holiday. Please visit camc.com/ wwoffers for more information and full terms and conditions.
Renowned for its lush vegetation, lakes, estuaries and astonishing coastal views, a drive along South Africa’s Garden Route is high on the wishlist of many adventurers. As is a visit to Cape Town, which sits in the shadow of majestic Table Mountain. Well, why not tick both boxes on a 21-day motorhome tour, safe in the knowledge that experienced guides will be with you every step of the way?
Following a couple of nights in a comfortable hotel, your South African odyssey gets off to the perfect start with a cable car ride to the top of the aforementioned flat-topped mountain, from which magical views of the vibrant, historic city unfold. A welcome dinner at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a chance to whet your appetite for the journey ahead.
Having picked up your motorhome from the depot, you head for the spectacular West Coast National Park, a region of secret beaches and beautiful wildflowers. You’ll then travel via the pretty town of Touws River towards the Cango Caves, where you can see chambers that have been cut through the limestone over the course of 20 million
years. Next up is Oudtshoorn and a visit to an ostrich farm, followed by the opportunity to meet orphaned elephants ‘Jabari’, ‘Bulelo’ and ‘Malaika’ at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. As you head eastwards, more natural wonders unfold at Meiringspoort Waterfall, Camdeboo National Park (home to 43 species of mammal and 225 different types of birds) and the Valley of Desolation. Then, on day 12, you will be treated to a half-day guided Addo Elephant National Park safari. This is the perfect opportunity to spot these magnificent beasts (as well as leopards, lions, buffalos and rhinoceroses) and learn about the region’s flora and fauna.
Heading for the south coast, you pick up the fabled Garden Route at Sedgefield. Explore the likes of Port Elizabeth, Jeffreys Bay, Storms River and Knysna (a trip to the Featherbed Nature Reserve is included in your itinerary) and discover sun-drenched beaches, exotic lagoons and soaring mountain ranges during a remarkable and unforgettable driving experience.
As you make your way westwards once again towards Cape Town, even
more cultural and natural wonders await on the Whale Coast. Here you will have the opportunity to go on a wine tour, play a spot of golf or set sail on a whale watching cruise from the stylish town of Hermanus (depending on the season).
Stellenbosch is your penultimate destination (make sure you stop at Stony Point on the way to see the colony of 3,600 African penguins). Here you will enjoy a tasting at the Lanzerac Wine Estate, one of the oldest heritage farms in the Western Cape. The grape theme continues on your final evening with a chocolate and wine-pairing experience and farewell dinner at Spier Wine Estate. Here you can raise a glass to newfound friends and reminisce on the experience of a lifetime.
For more information on this tour please visit camc.com/worldwide or call 01342 488059
£100
Duration/type: 21 days/escorted motorhome tour
Departs: 3 Nov 2023
Price: from £4,549pp* for 3 Nov 2023 departure based on two people travelling together; price includes a member discount of £100. A single supplement applies for solo travellers.
Price includes: outfit hire for 17 days, return flights, transfers, two nights in Cape Town hotel including breakfast, Bo Kaap and Table Mountain Tour, welcome and farewell dinners, 16 nights pre-booked campsites, Cango Caves, Safari Ostrich guided tour, Buffelsdrift Elephant Interaction, half day guided game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, Knysna Featherbed Eco Experience, wine tasting in the Cape Winelands.
Experienced tour hosts will guide you every step of the way on an incredible journey from the Namibian capital of Windhoek to Cape Town in South Africa.
Following your flight you have the chance to relax for a couple of days in Windhoek and enjoy a fabulous welcome dinner at the famous Joe’s Beerhouse.
You then collect your motorhome and head for Okaukuejo Campsite within Etosha National Park, where a guided morning game drive in an open safari vehicle is included in your stay. It’s then on to Erindi Game Reserve for more wildlife experiences and the chance to enjoy a meal combining regional African cuisine with cooking styles from the days of the early explorers at Old Traders Lodge.
By day eight you will be on your way to Swakopmund – a coastal city known for its wide-open avenues and colonial architecture. Included in this section of your adventure is a Dolphin and Sea Cruise, where a glass of bubbly and fresh oysters are on the menu!
Your next destination is the remarkable Sossusvlei – a salt and clay
pan surrounded by red sand dunes that presents memorable photo opportunities. Another fascinating attraction during this section of your tour is the Sesriem Canyon, where the Tsauchab River has carved a gorge up to 30m deep.
The sea beckons once again as you head for Lüderitz – a colourful town that developed during an early 20th century diamond rush. Renowned for its seafood, you will have the chance to dine on fresh rock lobster, oysters and mussels.
Experience the dramatic rock formations of the Giants Playground to the east before making your way to Fish River Canyon – measuring 161km long, up to 27km wide and up to 550m deep, it is the second largest canyon in the world.
On day 18 the party crosses the border into South Africa’s Northern Cape Province for Augrabies Falls National Park. Here you can see waters cascading 60m into the river below and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the park from Moon Rock – a vast ‘whaleback’ dome.
After a night in the Hantam Karoo region, you make your way to the Cederberg Wilderness Area, which is famed for its
spectacular rock formations. The more adventurous might like to embark on a two-and-a-half-hour donkey cart trail to the village of Heuningvlai, whose small community is known for its production of traditional dried fruit and roobois tea.
Langebaan is your next destination on the glorious west coast (a beguiling region where whale watching, hiking, mountain biking and birdwatching are popular activities) before you make your way to Cape Town. Having dropped off your motorhome you will be transferred to your hotel in the city centre for a two-night stay. Here, highlights will inevitably include a visit to iconic Table Mountain, where you can enjoy a cable car ride and sip on a glass of sparking wine while enjoying one of the most beautiful views in the world. Be sure to visit the V&A Waterfront, renowned for its restaurants, shopping and live entertainment, as well as the colourful Bo-Kapp area.
Finally, enjoy a 14-dish tasting menu which combines African culinary traditions with modern flavours – a fitting way to say farewell to this exhilarating part of the world.
For more information on this tour please visit camc.com/worldwide or call 01342 488059
You can read about Worldwide experiences with the Club in our brochure. Visit camc. com/brochures to view online or order your free copy
Duration/type:
28 day escorted motorhome tour Departs: 23 Aug 2023
Price: from £5,949pp* for 23 Aug 2023 departure based on two people travelling together; price includes a member discount of £100. A single supplement applies for solo travellers.
Price includes: outfit hire for 22 days, return flights, transfers, two nights at a hotel in Windhoek including breakfast, welcome and farewell dinners, guided game drive in Etosha National Park, afternoon game drive in Erindi Game Reserve, dolphin and seal cruise in Walvis Bay, Sossusvlei and the red dunes, Fish River Canyon, two nights at a hotel in Cape Town including breakfast, experienced South African tour hosts.
n If you book an overseas site, Eurotunnel or ferry crossing through the Club you’ll get the lowest price –guaranteed! To find out more see camc. com/lowestprice
Plus you can save up to 10% on ferry and Eurotunnel crossings – see camc.com/ overseas. And if you combine your crossing with a campsite stay you benefit from package travel protection – see camc.com/ overseaspackages
n Red Pennant European breakdown and travel insurance will give you peace of mind on your touring holiday. See camc. com/redpennant
n Visit camc.com/ overseas to book your site today.
The Club works with more than 300 fantastic campsites in 14 countries – many of them set in beautiful landscapes. This summer, why not escape the hustle and bustle, bring your family closer to nature and enjoy mountains, lakes, beaches and more? Take a look at this selection...
Le Fayolan (Club ref: J11), Jura
Set beside the Grand Lac de Clairvaux, this spacious site is the perfect base for enjoying the beautiful Jura region. The area is renowned for its lakes, spectacular waterfalls – including the fan-shaped Cascade de l’Éventail and Hérisson Waterfalls – and forests. Close to the Swiss border, Lausanne and Geneva are both within two hours' drive. On-site attractions include a playground, pool complex with slides and organised entertainment during the summer months.
Price*: from £20.69* per night ( based on a serviced pitch and two adults for travel dates 5-16 May, 22-25 May, and 2-3 September 2023).
Offer*: no charge for dogs 5 May7 July 2023.
La Samaritaine (Club ref: L30), Ardennes
This peaceful lakeside site is situated in the south of the relaxing Ardennes – an area of forests, rolling hills and ridges. Make sure you bring your boots as this is prime walking (and cycling) country. On-site
attractions include a snack bar and high-season entertainment, while the likes of Reims and Verdun are within an hour-and-a-half's drive.
Price*: from £17.28 per night (based on electric pitch and two adults for travel dates 26 August-17 September 2023
Offer*: free Wi-Fi all season.
Il Collaccio (Club ref: Y21), Perugia
Soak up classic Umbrian scenery at this charming campsite run by the Baldoni family. After relaxing in one of the on-site pools, head for the nearby hilltop villages or take part in local outdoor activities such as rafting, trekking, or even hang-gliding. At the end of a busy day, unwind at Al Porcello Felice, the site’s traditional restaurant. Price*: from £20.47 per night based on electric pitch and two adults for travel dates 1 April-23 June, 26 August29 September 2023.
Offer *: book seven nights or more, get one free (stays between 1 April7 July/19 August-29 September 2023). Dogs go free all season.
El Molino de Cabuérniga (Club ref: E28), Cantabria
Boasting a wonderfully rustic ambience, this site in the Cabuérniga Valley is set within an open grassy meadow. The adjacent Saja river offers fantastic
walking and fishing opportunities in the summer, while the beach of Playa de Oyambre (within the Oyambre National Park) is a 40-minute drive away.
Price*: from £29.66 per night based on electric pitch and two adults for travel dates 1 April31 December 2023.
Offer*: book seven nights or more and get a free bottle of wine or pack of local cakes for stays all season. No charge for dogs and free Wi-Fi all season.
El Mirador de Cabañeros (Club ref: E38), Cáceres
If you're a fan of mountain views, this small site in the Cabañeros National Park fits the bill. Wildlife lovers will be in their element and there are plenty of hiking and cycling opportunities directly from the campsite. The cathedral city of Toledo is about an hour-and-a-half's drive away.
Price*: from £20.51 per night based on electric pitch and two adults for travel dates 11 April-30 June/1 September1 November 2023.
Offer *: book between seven and 13 nights, get one night free; book 14 nights or more, get three nights free (10 February-30
March/11 April-9
December 2023). Dogs go free, free Wi-Fi all season.
*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. Prices and offers can be withdrawn at any time.
Cuckoos come down to ground when looking for their favourite food: hairy caterpillars
Of all the sights and sounds of nature that we associate with the changing of the seasons, the call of the cuckoo stands out from the crowd.
Cuckoos can be found throughout Britain from the second half of April onwards as they return from their wintering grounds in Africa. They are most numerous around reedbeds (particularly near woodland), and on moorland and heath. The familiar ‘cuck-ooo’ or ‘cuck-cuck-ooo’ sound is made only by the male bird – the female replies with a delightful bubbling sound.
Despite their very different calls, the male and female cuckoo look similar (the female is browner). When in flight the cuckoo can resemble a hawk, its long, pointed tail and swept back wings giving it a remarkably streamlined shape. On closer inspection the cuckoo’s barred breast is similar to that of the sparrowhawk, and even its yellow eye and grey-brown back can mislead. In common with a bird of prey, the cuckoo is often mobbed by small birds when it flies –whether they think they are surrounding a predator or whether they are aware of the indirect threat posed is unclear.
Aside from its song, the cuckoo is renowned for its habit of laying eggs in the nests of other birds – indeed, a female cuckoo can lay one egg per day for 25 consecutive days in the nests of host species which, in Britain, include the reed warbler, sedge warbler, dunnock, robin, meadow pipit and pied wagtail. Individual cuckoos tend to choose nests of just one species and their eggs evolve to resemble those of their hosts.
It is this behaviour in the main that has seen the word ‘cuckoo’ being adopted into the English language. Indeed, the
Inset left: cuckoo spit is formed by the nymph of the froghopper as a defence against predators; look out for it on vegetation during the spring
Below: a male cuckoo
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term ‘cuckold’ was historically used as a term of derision to describe a man whose wife was having an affair with another man. Even as far back as 50AD the cuckoo’s scientific name, cuculus, was used as a term of reproach, particularly aimed at men. Its full scientific name, cuculus canorus, literally means ‘a living thing producing sound’.
According to tradition the luckiest date on which you can hear your first cuckoo of the year is 28 April. There is a variety of superstitions about what you should do when you hear it.
It was once thought to be unlucky to see the first cuckoo before the first swallow, while ill fortune was said to befall the person who heard a cuckoo calling from their left (whereas a year of good luck could be expected if the call was from your right!) Some people even thought that turning over the coins in your pocket while listening to the cuckoo’s call would bring prosperity, while others believed that the calling of a cuckoo was a warning of worsening weather.
With the first sight and sound of the cuckoo announcing the beginning of spring, it is little surprise that the bird lends its name to other natural subjects – for example, the ‘lords-andladies’ plant is known as ‘cuckoo pint’, ‘lady’s smock’ is referred to as the ‘cuckoo flower’ and froghopper larvae produce ‘cuckoo spit’.
The froghopper is a tiny insect that resembles a miniature grasshopper – as well as jumping like a frog, it has large bulging eyes.
The young froghopper has developed an unusual form of defence to repel a variety of predators. It drinks sap, or honey dew, from a plant by inserting its syringe-shaped mouthparts into its stem. Then, through its breathing tubes, it sucks in air, which it mixes with the excess sap to create a kind of froth, which envelopes the bug and creates a protective shield. As well as preventing attack from predators, this froth, or ‘cuckoo spit’, prevents the young nymph from drying out.
Despite the fact their calls are loud, repetitive and so recognisable, cuckoos are surprisingly elusive – they don’t stay in Britain for long. Once they have mated and laid their eggs, they head off in July, leaving their offspring to be raised by their foster parents.
Above: cuckoo pint, also known as lords and ladies, grows in woodland and hedgerows
Left from top: cuckoo flower, also known as lady’s smock, is a flower of damp grassland; this is a double variety of cuckoo flower
Every issue I will show you a photo of something from the natural world. All you have to do is figure out what it is! No clues, no prizes – it’s just for fun. (I will give you the answer next month, but if you want to know sooner download the Digital Magazine app) March’s mystery photo answer: the water vole
“ It was once thought to be unlucky to see the first cuckoo before the first swallow ”
Grab life by the bars and go by bike. Take advantage of some extra juice in the tank with the Raleigh electric range, and go further and faster than ever before.
Club members tell us that walking is one of their favourite activities – once you have pitched up on site, it’s a wonderful way to explore your surroundings, leaving the car or motorhome behind. Members often find they see a lot more and discover hidden gems when they slow down and take the time to explore their surroundings on foot.
At many Club campsites and Certificated Locations (CLs) you can start your walk right from the gate. We all have our favourite
sites, and many of us discover pleasant circular walks which can be followed time and time again – but there’s nothing quite like exploring new places for the first time on foot.
Across the following pages you’ll find a selection of new routes to try from some of the most scenic spots on the Club network. If these inspire you to venture farther afield, you’ll find dozens more walking routes near Club campsites thanks to our friends at Outdooractive. There is an alphabetical list available via a link at camc.com/ outdooractive.
You can also download the Outdooractive app from the App Store or Google Play. Using an app like Outdooractive takes much of the hard work out of navigation – you can pinpoint your exact location and simply follow a clearly marked route. The basic Outdooractive app is free to use but Club members benefit from a €10 discount on Pro or Pro+ first-year subscriptions (again, see camc.com/outdooractive to find out more)
Getting active in the great outdoors and tuning into the slower rhythms of the natural
world is good for body and soul – and it’s completely and utterly free! You don’t need a pricey gym subscription – a robust pair of shoes or trainers with a good grip, comfortable clothes and a decent waterproof will suffice to get you started. Of course, outfitting yourself with the very
A sylvan riverside ramble to the historic ruins of a medieval priory 8.5km (5.3 miles) | 2 hours |
Grade: moderate
Walk direct from the Club’s Bolton Abbey Estate campsite in Yorkshire on a gentle ramble along the River Wharfe. This gorgeous walk is wonderful at any time of year, but the dense riverside woodlands are at their best in autumn or spring, when drifts of bluebells carpet the floor with a lilac haze.
From the site, head along the footpath through Strid Wood, following the river downstream for around two miles to the remains of the Augustinian priory. Along the way, you’ll pass the narrow, fast-flowing torrent at ‘The Strid’ where the river has carved a 25ft deep channel through the sandstone. This notorious stretch of water has claimed several lives over the years, so take extra care.
Stop off for coffee and cake at the café downstream of the Strid, then cross the bridge at the priory and head back upstream along the Dales Way, meandering through the quieter woodlands on the eastern riverbank. This stretch is quite undulating with some short but steep climbs and some stunning viewpoints. Continue upstream past the Club campsite on the far bank, recrossing the river 400 yards ahead, before heading back downstream to the site.
latest walking gear will make your experience more comfortable – especially when the weather is less than cooperative. We have some expert advice from Cotswold Outdoor on the following pages for those who want to invest in some specialised walking kit.
Whether it’s a simple ramble through woodland, a walk to the local shops or an evening stroll ending up at the pub, walking is a great way to stay fit and see the world from a different perspective.
The health benefits of walking are becoming ever more clearly defined. Simply setting foot in a green, natural environment has been proven to lower blood pressure, while taking just five brisk 30-minute walks a week will help to keep your cardiovascular system in good shape.
Walking also keeps the weight off, if that is an aim, or concern. Walking one mile in 15 minutes burns about the same number of calories as running a mile in eight-and-a-half minutes. You don’t need to walk really quickly – it’s the distance covered that matters, so take your time and enjoy the experience.
Regular, gentle exercise also helps protect against a raft of other health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, depression, anxiety and osteoporosis. In fact, if you could
distil all the benefits of recreational walking into a pill or potion, it would fly off the shelves! After getting into your stride, you may want to take on more demanding challenges. Many initially hesitant walkers soon graduate to more adventurous walks in hillier terrain. Tackling your first proper mountain (commonly defined as a hill with a peak more than 2,000ft above sea level) is an exhilarating experience and the sense of achievement that comes from standing at the summit and
The recently revised Countryside Code offers a comprehensive checklist of things to consider before heading out, including advice for anyone bringing a dog along. You can read or print a copy of the code by visiting gov.uk/countryside-code.
For longer walks (anything over five or six miles), familiarise yourself with the route and stick to it –although in mountainous areas, it’s a good idea to have a ‘Plan B’ to fall back on if the weather takes a sudden turn for the worse.
Proper footwear, extra layers, food and drink, decent waterproofs and a map and compass are essential for longer walks, and if you haven’t ventured into the area before it’s probably a good idea to go with a group.
Membership of The Ramblers is worth considering if you prefer to walk in company. A modest annual membership fee opens up access to a nationwide network of walking groups, with many offering a comprehensive programme of guided weekday and weekend group walks. Members of The Ramblers are entitled to join any walk anywhere in the country – ideal for tapping into local knowledge when you’re staying in unfamiliar areas. (See camc. com/ramblers for details of a 10% discount on the membership fee, which you are entitled
to as a Caravan and Motorhome Club member.)
If you do choose to venture out on your own, remember to take a fully charged mobile phone with you. If you plan to be out for more than a couple of hours in more isolated spots, take spare clothing, while it s also a good idea to o a whistle and a torch (to attract attention in case of emergencies) in your backpack. And when walking solo, always tell someone where you’re headed and when you will be back, so they can raise the alarm if you don’t return on time.
Map-reading is a skill that’s well worth acquiring. While navigation apps simplify route-finding, the ability to read a map properly will make it easier to use the technology confidently and offer a back-up in the event that your battery expires or you drop your phone in a mountain stream!
There are plenty of free online courses and tutorials to get you started but there’s no substitute for taking a practical navigation course in the field. The basic skills are easily acquired in a day or two and then it’s really just a matter of practice makes perfect. Day courses start at around £30 and you’re more likely to find a provider in the National Parks and popular walking destinations like the Peak District, Dales or Lakes – offering the perfect excuse to book a weekend away somewhere beautiful!
A rugged coastal adventure with amazing wildlife
7.7km (5 miles) | 2 hours |
Grade: moderate
Explore the rugged promontory of St David’s Head directly from the Club’s beautiful coastal campsite in Pembrokeshire. Leave the site on the footpath heading towards the coast then fork right to join the quiet lane that leads onto a path north through the fields and climbs between the gnarly outcrops of Carn Llidi and Carnedd Lleithr. This prominent coastal headland is littered with Iron Age and Neolithic sites and burial chambers, and the bluestones from Stonehenge were quarried from the Preseli Hills, clearly visible to the east. Look out for rare Dartford warblers singing from the gorse bushes in late spring and noisy families of inquisitive choughs on the clifftops. You might also catch a glimpse of dolphins or seals frolicking among the coves and inlets that punctuate the rocky coastline.
Continue north to meet the coast path, turning left to follow the path west along the clifftops to St David’s Head. From here, spectacular views extend south across Whitesands Bay and Ramsey Island and west to the perilous Bishops and Clerks Skerries five miles offshore. Follow the coast path around the headland and fork left along the path back inland, passing underneath the 594ft summit of Carn Llidi. Continue south to join the beach road leading to Whitesands Bay and continue left and left again to return to the campsite.
“
Take your time and enjoy the experience ”
A walk through history on the trail of the Desert Rats
5.5km (3.4 miles) | 90 minutes | Grade: easy
Enjoy this expanse of heath and woodland on the Suffolk/Norfolk border, taking a moment to pay your respects to the heroic British Army’s Desert Rats.
Head right out of the site gate, and right again, then left at the pumping station, following the woodland rides through High Ash Forest. After 500 yards, at the edge of the woodland, turn right and follow the ride for another 500 yards or so, taking the left at the crossroads. After another 500 yards, turn right, then right again after 300 yards. Follow this long ride to the edge of the woods and then head right towards the waterworks and Highash Hill.
Look out for the interpretation boards among the woodland that explain the history of the 7th Armoured Division – ‘The Desert Rats’ – who were stationed here during the Second World War. Remains of the barracks and admin buildings are still dotted among the woods. Also look out for deer and woodland birds – and on warm summer evenings, listen carefully for the ‘chirring’ call of the elusive nightjar – one of Britain’s rarest birds.
At Highash Hill, head left along another long ride, then right at the edge of the wood, following the path alongside the road to the Desert Rats Memorial, featuring a Cromwell tank. Turn right along the access lane to return to the Club site.
admiring the expansive views really takes the walking experience to the next level.
According to experts, good walking technique is about posture and minimising the impact on joints and bones. People who have worked in a sedentary job for many years may have developed poor posture which could affect their gait – putting strain on some joints.
The secret is to keep upright without stretching or straining and try to roll into and out of every stride with smooth pelvic rotation rather than stomping along like a soldier on a 20-mile route march.
Stand up straight without stretching, shrug your shoulders, and then let them rest naturally by your side. Focus straight ahead – not on the ground directly in front of you – and set off nice and gently. If you’re just starting out, aim to walk at around three miles per hour, stepping this up to four miles per hour once you get into the swing of things. Initially, you might only feel comfortable walking for 20 minutes or so. This is fine – you’ll almost certainly want to build up to longer walks as your fitness and stamina improve.
As with any fitness regime, the benefits are cumulative, and ideally you should commit to a daily programme which builds up to longer distances over time. Many experts recommend a 12-week programme, which will bring noticeable health benefits within a couple of weeks.
A comfortable pair of properly fitted walking boots or shoes is vital, so it’s worth shopping around to find the footwear that’s right for you. Skimp on this purchase and you could end up with cold, damp feet and blisters at the end of a long day on the trail.
First, work out what sort of walking you’re most likely to be doing – there’s probably no need to spend hundreds of pounds on the latest three-season continental boots designed for trekking in the Alps.
If you’re hoping to do some serious hiking in places like the Lake District, Highlands or Snowdonia, then you will need some rugged, durable boots with tough, grippy soles and robust ankle support. But if you’re planning to stay at low level, sticking to well-established footpaths, bridleways and tracks, consider lighter and more agile footwear which may not even come up beyond the ankle.
Mel Hampson, manager of Cotswold Outdoor’s Skipton store, says choosing a pair of boots is a very personal choice. “It isn’t just about the type of walking you’re going to be doing, it’s about how much support you need. If you have a history of ankle injuries, you may feel you want the extra support and a lighter, higher cut boot may actually be more suitable than a lower cut but heavier boot.”
Mel advises that the first step to choosing well is to get an accurate foot measurement. “Customers are often surprised when we recommend trying something that sounds two sizes too big, but mainstream shoe sizing isn’t always accurate.
“I’d advise keeping an open mind about what sort of boot will fit best and try on lots of different sizes and styles. Take as long as you need and don’t feel obliged to make a choice the first time you visit a retailer.”
Once you’ve made a decision, don’t be tempted to head out on a 15-mile hike up the nearest hill.
“Modern walking boots are available in a wide range of width fittings and tend to be softer, so they don’t
need as much ‘wearing in’, but your feet are still likely to need a bit of acclimatisation to your new boots.
“I also advise customers to buy a decent pair of socks to complement their new boots, as spending well over £100 on boots and then wearing some worn-out old socks increases the chance of developing blisters first time out. In terms of comfort, warmth and moisture management, the difference between a cheap cotton sock and a modern wool-acrylic mix is huge.”
After boot-fitting, the other most frequently asked question Mel is asked relates to walking poles. “We’re finding more and more people are using poles to relieve pressure on their joints, boost confidence – especially when descending steeper slopes – and improve their speed on the flat.
“But be wary of using just a single pole as this can actually make matters worse as the slight twisting motion a single pole will induce can lead to back or hip problems on longer walks.”
A quality pair of boots should last several years, as long as you look after them. This means regular cleaning and – in the case of leather boots – regular treatment with leather conditioner to keep them supple and comfortable.
Cotswold Outdoor offers a nationwide boot-fitting booking service. Visit cotswoldoutdoor.com, select your local store and book your specialist fitting. Remember –Club members get 15% off Cotswold Outdoor products online and in-store. See camc. com/cotswoldoutdoor.
Site
A literary ramble through beautiful Dorset countryside
7km (4.4 miles) | 1 hour 40 minutes | Grade: easy
The rolling countryside and spectacular coastal landscapes of Dorset are forever associated with the poignant, poetic literature of Thomas Hardy, but this easy walk also takes a deep dive into the nefarious activities of the pirates and brigands who prowled this fascinating coastline in the 18th century.
Leave the site and head south-east along the Hardy Way before taking a sharp right after 500 yards to descend to the South West Coast Path at Chickerell Hive Point – site of one of the many landing stages that allow boats to cross the fleet lagoon which separates Chesil Beach from the hinterland. This brackish lagoon is a unique environment and home to a host of rare wildlife such as exotic pipefish, cattle egrets, avocets and the famous swans of Abbotsbury at the western limit of Chesil Beach. Head right along the coast path for just over a mile, then fork right, climbing steadily up the valley to Moonfleet Manor, associated with Moonfleet, the swashbuckling tale of piracy and smuggling by J Meade Falkner. Continue past the hotel, veering right along the path leading onto the quiet lane of Fleet Road. Continue through the woods and past the churchyard –reputedly haunted by the ghost of Colonel John ‘Blackbeard’ Mohune in the novel – leaving the lane after another 500 yards at East Fleet to take the footpath on the right back to East Fleet Farm.
Establishing a regular walking habit will give you confidence in your ability to take on longer routes, which is great when you head off to explore new horizons in your caravan or motorhome.
Using a leisure vehicle as a base is the ideal way to explore some of Britain’s most scenic spots... places like the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Brecon Beacons, Cotswolds and Cornwall. Caravanners and motorhomers have a distinct advantage here, as many of the sites they find themselves on will be wellserved by a network of footpaths offering direct access to beautiful countryside.
Woodland, parkland, rolling countryside – the choice is yours, and let’s not forget the delights of coastal walking from the Club’s network of outstanding seaside sites.
For more adventurous souls, walking is often associated with mountainous areas such as the Peak District, Highlands or Snowdonia, and the lure of fantastic panoramic views stretching for miles in every direction from a hard-earned summit is hard to resist.
Tackling a steep 2,500-footer might be a step too far for some newcomers, but as long
as you have a reasonable level of general fitness and choose a well-trodden path up one of the more accessible peaks like Catbells in the Lake District (nearest Club campsite: Borrowdale), Mam Tor in the Peak District (Castleton) or Pen-y-Gent in the Yorkshire Dales (Wharfedale), it’s an achievable goal for many.
Every journey starts with a single step. Where will your path take you?
“ For more adventurous souls walking is often associated with mountainous areas ”Map-reading is a skill well worth acquiring Near East Fleet Farm Photo by member Stephen Grayson Walking in the Yorkshire Dales Photo by Vicky Hampton Scan here to view this route on the Outdooractive app or website.
There may be an abundance of mobile phone navigation apps available nowadays, but it’s sensible to also pack a map and decent compass before you set off on your walk. The Silva Expedition 4 is an advanced-level product which features a magnifier, dual scale (showing both millimetre and inch measurements) and sapphire jewel bearing for frictionfree needle movement. There are also silicon feet which help with precision map reading and luminous markings should you venture out after dark.
RRP: £34.99 – although available from Dash4It for £27.99 at the time of writing. Club members receive a further discount of 8% at Dash4It – see camc.com/dash4it for information, terms and conditions)
Weight: 40g
Contact: silvasweden.uk
The Arrow 30 is great for anyone looking to spend a reasonable amount of time out on the trail. Capacity is generous – it’s big enough to hold spare clothes and a plentiful packed lunch without the bag feeling bulky. The rucksack is made from durable polyester material and is also lightweight, coming in at 760g. It also features a ‘flow back system’ for added comfort, and a range of extras including multiple pockets, attachments to hold walking poles and even a packable rain cover to keep everything dry.
RRP: £65
Colour: dark green; black/red
Contact: berghaus.com
8%
Enjoy an illuminating evening stroll with this handy torch that has a 100 lumens beam capable of stretching 64m and a run time of more than seven hours. It features a solid carabiner loop at one end that can be attached to a day pack, or other kit, and there is also a bottle opener should you feel like a well-earned tipple on your return home. The torch is waterproof up to a depth of 100m and comes complete with two AAA batteries.
RRP: £22.95
Weight: 57g (including batteries)
Colours: neon yellow; black
Contact: princetontec.co.uk
This men’s sock uses the latest in fabric technology and is designed to deliver maximum comfort. ‘Crew’ length, the double-layer Approach features an inner section that stays close to the foot to ‘wick away’ moisture, while a second, outer layer moves with the shoe. According to the makers, this will reduce friction and wear, and – perhaps most importantly –help to prevent blisters. Made from 71% recycled material, the sock is ideal for the warmer months and a more lightweight boot, walking shoe or sandal.
RRP: £15.50
Size: M, L, XL
Colour: charcoal marl/orange; navy marl/kingfisher
Contact: 1000mile.co.uk
10%
Sportswear as everyday fashion has become, well, very fashionable of late – and what would once have been reserved for serious gym-goers is now available for a whole host of outdoor pursuits. The Kalpana Tight is one such product, and great for walking. It features a wide waistband (which as well as adding to the comfort, also includes a concealed key pocket) and zippered panel pockets and is made from a ‘four-way’ stretch nylon that is both durable and breathable.
RRP: £65
Size: XXS-XXL
Contact: sherpaadventuregear.com
Walking poles can relieve pressure on joints and aid balance and stability on uneven trails. The Regatta Ultralite is a great value option. Made from lightweight aluminium tubing in a three-section, twist-lock design, each pole features a tungsten tip, soft-grip handle and adjustable wrist support.
RRP: £20 per pole (available for £13.95 through Prima Leisure; further discount of 10% for members using Club Shop; see shop.camc.com for details, terms and conditions).
Weight: 269g
Contact: regatta.com
We have more than 50 Member Offers to choose from – here’s a small selection to inspire you to get outdoors this Easter! Find out more at camc.com/memberoffers...
10% You can save on Ramblers membership
Discover new walking opportunities and boost your wellbeing by joining The Ramblers – as a member of the Club you can save 10% on Individual or Joint Membership!
You’ll receive a welcome pack that includes loads of information and a quarterly magazine. Membership also includes access to a library of thousands of tried-and-tested routes, unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks, and savings on walking gear, gadgets and more. Find out more by visiting camc.com/ramblers
8%
You can claim a 15% discount online and in store with Mountain Warehouse, which offers a range of jackets, trousers, fleeces, footwear and more. The discount applies to sale items as well. See camc.com/ mountainwarehouse for details.
Outdooractive is a walking and hiking app that helps you to plan, track, and share your activities. 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. Find out more at camc.com/outdooractive
€10
15%
After a walk with your four-legged friend, the Doggy Bag can peel off mud, sand and dirt, trapping it in the bag and containing the mess, which you can then shake out between uses. The material dries out much faster than regular cotton towels and doesn’t smell of damp dog, so there’s no need to machine-wash it every time it is used. Club members can save 15% off the price of all Doggy Bag products –read more at camc.com/doggybag
15%
15%
Members can take advantage of a 15% discount in-store and online with Cotswold Outdoor. If you’re passionate about walking or hiking, check out the range of walking boots, jackets, trousers, rucksacks and much more. Visit a store to make the most of staff expertise and find everything you need for your next adventure. See camc.com/cotswoldoutdoor for details.
“We are delighted with our Doggy Bag purchase! It is helping to keep our vehicle and home clean and our spaniel loves it too! Plus saving over £10 was the cherry on the cake... thank you Caravan and Motorhome Club!” Hayley Randoll, Club member
If you have saved via our offers we would love to hear from you! Please send us your story and/or image to memberoffers@camc.com
Terms and conditions apply to Member Offers – see camc.com/memberoffers for details
Thee Swift Basecamp can surely lay claim to being the most instantly recognisable British-built caravan.
I’ve started to see more and more of them on sites and out on the road, which isn’t a coincidence – Basecamps have proved to be a sales success story for Swift, even though the short-lived Basecamp 6 has been dropped for 2023. Its place in the three-model line-up has been taken by the new Basecamp 3, which joins the 4 (with which it shares a bodyshell) and the smaller 2.
All Basecamps have interesting layouts, but this new three-berther has a particularly eye-catching surprise in store.
One word you’d use to describe the Basecamp’s unique design is ‘chunky’ – and it’s a good word to use to describe the caravan more generally.
The smooth, impact-resistant GRP body panels feel thumpingly hefty and, inside, there’s a pleasing robustness to all the fixtures and fittings, exemplified by the metal frames and sprung-slat bases on the furniture.
The removable table that slots into place in the side seating area keeps up the over-engineered theme.
All this is all the more admirable considering the 3’s relative lack of weight.
The piano black alloy wheels are new this year – and they’re absolutely stunning.
Let’s stay with weight, then. The MTPLM figure of 1,146kg is considerably less than that of even the lightest Sprite, and the ability to be towed easily by a vast variety of vehicles undoubtedly plays a part in attracting caravanning newcomers.
For 2023, the Al-Ko chassis has been adorned with shock absorbers to give a more settled ride. The same company’s celebrated ATC trailer control system is available as a £475 factory-fit option.
So, now we come to that eye-opening surprise. Walk in through the extra-wide rear door and look to the very front.
Here, you’ll find what Swift modestly describes as a ‘folding Duvalay mattress’. Oddly, there’s no mention I can find in any brochure of its daytime use as an exceptionally comfortable and huge sofa. All it needs is a big, woolly throw to chuck over it, plus a couple of fat cushions to lean into, and two of you can wallow in luxury with your feet up.
Price: from £25,495
Bed sizes:
Front double: 6ft 6in x 4ft 3in; side single: 5ft 10in x 2ft
Heating: Whale dual-fuel
Fridge:
Dometic fridge/ freezer
Toilet: Thetford
MRO: 1,020kg
MTPLM: 1,146kg
User payload: 126kg
Overall length: 18ft 4in (5.59m)
Overall width: 7ft 6in (2.28m)
Overall height): 8ft 7in (2.61m)
Max headroom: 6ft 5in (1.95m)
Figures taken from anu acturer literature
It’s ideally located for watching telly too – all the TV connections are on the shelf directly facing it. The enormous panoramic window floods the entire area with light, and opens so wide that you can almost think of it as a sunroof.
At night-time the sofa becomes a bed (more on that later…) and, being a Basecamp, the whole structure also folds flat and secures against the front wall so you can accommodate your bikes, etc.
What gives the 3 its third berth are the two facing single seats along the nearside wall. With the floor-mounted table in place, this area is perfect as a breakfast bar or lunch station. Stow the table top/leg away and, as with the bed/seating at the front, everything folds up out of the way, giving you somewhere else to secure unwieldy kit in transit (or, indeed, you could bring it all in for secure, weatherproofed overnight storage). Most caravans offer the capacity to take stuff with you that would be difficult to accommodate otherwise – but the Basecamp takes that to extremes.
A signature feature that continues into 2023 is the bank of removable soft storage bags along the nearside, where you’d usually expect to find ‘normal’ overhead lockers. This year, these are the only orange fitments on display – a nod to what has been something of a trademark Basecamp colour since its
inception. Are they a bit gimmicky? I don’t think so. You can take them all home with you at the end of your trip, and then load them up when you’re packing for the next one – this cuts down on the number of bags you need to take, and saves on unpacking time when you arrive. They have zipped fronts, so they’re just as easily accessed on site as lockers – and, of course, they’re a very obvious design feature.
The overall décor could almost be described as ‘industrial chic’. It’s coolly attractive, and a couple of fluffy rugs and the aforementioned throw for the sofa would instantly make it more homely.
Equipment is decent, headed up by a standard 100W solar panel on the roof. In addition, the Basecamp features plenty of mains and USB sockets, dual-fuel heating (courtesy of a Whale heater that delivers its blown air from a spacesaving underfloor mounting) and posh pleated blinds. Outside you’ ll find a gas barbecue and mains sockets, and a shower attachment – perfect for attending to mucky pups, sandy feet or filthy mountain bikes.
NIGHT-TIME
This may well turn out to be the 3’s biggest selling point: the permanent double bed that’s only ‘permanent’ some of the time (if you see what I
From brand new models to used caravans and motorhomes, we display thousands of vehicles at camc. com/classifieds
It’s free to post an ad and Club members can receive a 30% discount on a premium ad. See website above for more info and terms and conditions.
The exciting, sporty, fun and stylish compact crossover camping vehicle created for life’s adventurers.
SCAN FOR MORE
WWW.SWIFTBASECAMP.CO.UK
From far left: a sleek kitchen; furniture can be folded away in order to stow bikes etc; restrained elegance in the washroom
mean). Just lift up and pull out the sofa base, then pull on the mattress to extend it – and there’s your tremendous proper, Duvalay-mattress-topped double bed. Okay, so you need to slip on a bedsheet and fetch the duvet from the bottom of the wardrobe – but it’s a brilliantly conceived compromise.
Some users may choose to leave the bed set up all or some of the time, using the single seats during the day. These transform quickly into a good single bed, with the tightly packed cushions making a good, firm mattress. It’s officially 5ft 10in long, although I’m 5ft 11in and I’d be perfectly happy overnighting here. There’s no privacy curtain, so all three occupants would effectively be in one big bedroom.
It may lack work surface, an electric hot plate and a microwave, but, featuring classy shades of black and slate, it’s so handsome you can forgive some of its equipment shortcomings.
The three-burner gas hob looks like it belongs in a style magazine, and even the fitted basin has a neat built-in recess so you can lift it out of the cylindrical sink more easily. Genius!
A flip-up extension does address the work surface issue in a modest kind of way, and you could easily accommodate a compact microwave on a shelf where one of the soft zippy bags currently lives; there’s even a convenient mains socket right underneath. The combined oven and grill is good to see, as is the generous storage that includes slide-out drawers.
Restrained elegance is the order of the day in here; the marble-look wall covering is a particularly effective style touch, and when I first opened the sturdy, domestic-style door to go in, I was struck by how much more spacious it felt than I imagined it would be – certainly there is plenty of room to take a shower.
The mirror is usefully big and square and, commendably, there’s another longer, slimmer one outside the washroom.
There are only two directional reading lights at the front, so somebody will have to do without one when the bed’s made up – but the glow from the lights serving the kitchen and TV shelf opposite help illuminate the lounge/bedroom too.
There’s a nice ambience in the evening when all the blinds are in place, with mood lighting peering out from above the kitchen lockers and wardrobe. A long under-locker strip bathes the kitchen in brightness – helpful when cooking. The side seating has its own push-button light, and there’s a floorlevel mains socket back here too, should you want to bring a little table lamp from home.
The washroom is very smartly illuminated, thanks to a little LED strip on the wall above the big square mirror, and another on the wall opposite.
‘Different’ is sometimes a polite way of describing something that doesn’t quite do it for you. This is quite the opposite. It’s a great vehicle to look at, and some of the design touches indoors are outstanding too. Add in its light weight and versatility, and it equates to what looks like a winning combination to me.
You can cover this caravan with the Club for £509.21* per year. See camc.com/caravancover or call 01342 336610 for further details.
* Correct as of 2 March 2023. Based on Standard cover on a new-for-old cover basis, with a cover limit of £25,500 (caravan and equipment), £500 contents cover and £200 voluntary excess. Includes 4+ years no claims discount (not protected). Subject to underwriting – a copy of the cover wording is available on request. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for general insurance and credit activities.
To read previous tests and see video reviews, download the Digital Magazine via the App Store or Google Play
With thanks to:
Swift Group (swiftbasecamp.co.uk, 01482 847332)
To see car test videos download the Digital Magazine from the App Store or Google Play. Remember to search or CA C Magazine’.
Few towcars have impressed our Towcar of the Year judges as convincingly as the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid in recent years – and it picked up the Caravan Weight over 1,700kg Class win in the most recent edition. So we thought it was about time we put the car through a longer test away from the gruelling Millbrook Proving Ground – the home of the Towcar awards – and out on public roads.
Porsche caused a stir when it launched the Cayenne two decades ago, but the car is now a household name. Once-awkward looks have softened over time, the current version featuring enough distinctive Porsche styling cues while still very obviously having a practical, estate-car-like SUV body shape. But, more than that, the Cayenne has adapted to stay relevant. We’ve seen fuel-sipping diesels, powerful V8 petrols, stylish coupe variants and efficient plug-in hybrids. It’s the latter we’re focusing on here.
When this current generation of Cayenne launched in 2018, the E-Hybrid was designed to appeal to
customers looking for a sporty driving experience but also cheaper running costs. And with Porsche no longer offering diesel power, petrol-electric power could be the caravanner’s best option.
The E-Hybrid features the same 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine found in the entry-level Cayenne, but adds a 100kW electric motor. Recently, Porsche has upgraded the battery that powers the electric motor from 14kWh to 17.9kWh, meaning a claimed 25 miles of pure electric driving, with CO2 emissions coming to just 75g/km. Combined power output is a stonking 456bhp with 700Nm of torque; there’s even a Turbo S E-Hybrid with a stomach-churning 542bhp.
The battery is charged via a Type 2 connection and the Cayenne has a maximum charging speed of 3.6kW, which equates to around four hours for a full charge when plugged into a charger of the same kW. Pay £732 and Porsche will increase the maximum charging speed to 7.2kW, dropping the fastest full charge time to less than three hours, which is useful if you have a 7kW home wallbox or want to use the public charging network. However, while other carmakers throw in the
James Batchelor puts the class-winning Porsche Cayenne hybrid through its paces... and is impressed by the performancePhotography by Nathan Morgan. With thanks to the Glanusk Estate, Crickhowell Electric towball (below); classy cabin (right); ‘Crayon’ grey is a paint option (far right)
charging cables for free, Porsche will relieve you of £210 for a Type 2 cable.
The tastiest extras have been reserved for the very extensive optional equipment list. A surround view camera costs a hefty £522; soft-close doors are £497; adaptive air suspension is £1,511 while two-tone leather upholstery is £2,753 (only white and black are the free colour options). It makes the electronically extending and retracting towbar seem comparatively cheap at £858. Our car had all of these options fitted – including the ‘Crayon’ grey paint colour at £1,683 – which bumped the price up considerably.
You don’t have to raid the options list, though, as the Cayenne E-Hybrid is well specified as standard. LED headlights, cruise control, two-zone climate control, leather upholstery, and front and rear parking sensors come for free. Porsche doesn’t even charge if you want the model badges and brake callipers painted from the E-Hybrid’s trademark lime green to black. Our special Platinum Edition throws in black exterior trim, 21in alloys, quad exhaust pipes, a panoramic roof, keyless entry, a heated steering wheel and driver’s memory package.
Aside from the fixtures and fittings, the basics are well considered with exquisite build quality, fantastic technology and a driver-focused interior. The analogue rev counter that’s flanked by digital screens is a lovely touch, while the driving position is pure Porsche – hugely adjustable and gives a sporty feeling. Back seat passengers are very well catered for with loads of head- and knee-room, while the seats themselves can slide backwards and forwards. Boot space is excellent at 645 litres; if you want to carry the charging cables around with you, Porsche provides two bags that attach to the floor.
No other SUV goes, stops or handles quite like the Cayenne; there’s a poise and precision that other SUVs lack, and yet the Cayenne can deliver a
relaxing driving experience that’s as good as any other premium-badged off-roader. The steering is weighty and accurate, and the ride, even on 21in wheels, is smooth – the standard steel springs and adaptive dampers do an excellent job, but we recommend the optional air suspension as it works better when towing – and compliant.
The performance from the combined petrolelectric motor set-up is astonishing, with 0-62mph coming up in five seconds. A number of driving modes feature, with all modes getting an overboost function that unleashes the car’s full performance for 20 seconds.
The only real criticism of the driving experience is the brakes. Being regenerative, they have a slightly artificial feeling, meaning it can be difficult to modulate pressure.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is how well the Cayenne tows; all of the car’s outstanding characteristics when driving solo remain present when hitched. Aside from the very occasional pull or slight moment of porpoising on our test route, the Cayenne really took control of the caravan, almost giving the impression of it not towing anything at all.
Power is delivered smoothly, and the petrolelectric set-up also means progress is swift even up steep inclines. When towing, that 25-mile electric range disappears fast, but even with a depleted battery and the car’s considerable weight, the V6 copes extremely well – it sounds great too. Easy access to the car’s electrical sockets and mirrors that allow for easy attachment of towing mirrors are just the icing on the cake.
The Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid ticks virtually every single box. It comes with few compromises and could be the perfect car for those after a sporty drive and excellent towing abilities. Arguably, it’s in a league of its own
Price as tested: £86,765
Insurance
50 Engine: 2,995cc, V6 turbocharged petrol with electric motor
Power: 456bhp (340kW)
Torque: 700Nm (516Ib ft)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic Spare Wheel: Tyre inflation kit
Kerbweight: 2,370kg (with driver)
Gross Vehicle Weight: 3,030kg
Gross Train Weight: 6,530kg
Noseweight Limit: 140kg
Towing Equipment: Electrically extending towbar system
Fuel/tank/test econ: Petrol/16.4 gals (75 litres)/33mpg (solo)/24mpg towing 1,679kg
CO2 : 75g/km
Figures from manufacturer s literature
RATINGS
79% COMFORT TOWING
DRIVING 92% 87% 86%
OVERALL
With five exceptional caravan ranges and a brand new motorhome range exclusively for 2023, the Coachman collection just got better. Each Coachman caravan and motorhome is finished with the highest levels of specification and features.
CARAVANS 2-5 berth | From £30,850*
MOTORHOMES 4 berth | £127,500 OTR**
Don’t let the sub-6m overall length of this compact coachbuilt put you off – it’s jam-packed with kit and there’s plenty of living space for couples who want to tour with a bit of swagger. It can even cope with four, if required.
Benimars are built in Spain and imported by the Marquis Leisure dealer group. The Tessoro has emerged as a real favourite on these shores – it is fully configured for the UK market, with the habitation door on the nearside and the interiors switched to suit.
Prices for the Tessoro 481 start at £74,495, but the addition of automatic transmission adds £2,500 while swiping some 50kg from the payload – but don’t worry, you still have a healthy 511kg to play with. The maximum weight is 3,500kg.
A towbar and electrics, at £1,400, are the only other factory-fitted options on offer, but that doesn’t mean you won’t want to top up with
dealer-fitted accessories such as a TV, lithium leisure battery or on-board Wi-Fi.
Let’s take a closer look...
It may look a bit ‘stubby’, but the minimal rear overhang bodes well for driving. The coachbuilt bodywork is 99% wood-free and boasts tough GRP outer walls, with fittings to add a bike rack on the rear panel. It is claimed that XPS insulation is slightly less permeable to water than standard polystyrene.
The windows are flush-fitting, with a Skyview sunroof in the overcab section and a window in the habitation door. All this should help to let in light during the day – often a challenge for any shorter motorhome with a drop-down bed.
Standard fittings such as the alloy wheels and external gas and shower points add to an upmarket feel. Warranties are five years for the coachbuilt bodywork, two for the conversion/habitation and three for the base vehicle.
Nick Harding checks out a compact coachbuilt that offers a high spec and a surprising amount of living space
Cloc ise from top left: a well-equipped itchen lent of storage o tions lounge could cater or si smart, wellappointed cab
Price (as tested)
£76,995 OTR
Engine
2.0-litre turbodiesel Euro 6D
Power
168bhp (125kW) @ 3,500rpm
Torque
299 lb ft (405Nm) @ 1,500-2,500rpm
Transmission
Six-speed automatic, FWD
MRO
2,989kg
MTPLM
3,500kg
User payload
511kg
Overall length
19ft 7in (5.98m)
Overall width
7ft 7in (2.30m)
Overall height
9ft 6in (2.89m)
Max internal height
6ft 8in (2.03m)
Fuel/tank/econ
Diesel/15.4gals (70 litres)/28-32mpg Figures from manufacturer s literature
I didn’t get to drive this Tessoro as far as I wanted, but I’ve certainly done the miles with this Ford Transit engine and transmission combination, and it’s an absolute peach. The 168bhp motor means there’s plenty of power as well as torque when you need it, while the smooth auto gearbox keeps everything relaxed. Most folk would be disappointed if they couldn’t beat 30mpg.
A well-appointed cab features a multi-function steering wheel, while the infotainment system takes centre stage with its 9in touchscreen, rear-view camera and sat-nav, as well as the usual DAB radio and MP3/Bluetooth connectivity. The location of the handbrake – to the driver’s right – and its drop-down operation makes it all the easier to swivel the cab seats, which have adjustable armrests.
A handy upgrade for 2023 is FordPass, an app that warns you if you’ve left your vehicle unlocked, keeps an eye on fluid levels/servicing etc, can locate your vehicle for you if you’ve lost it and will also warn you of any attempted break-in.
You can thank that drop-down bed for what really is a magnificent use of space in the daytime quarters. The lounge is far roomier than it has any right to be in such a diminutive vehicle. There’s a large fixed pedestal leg table that adjusts for height (electrically) and fore-and-aft (manually), around which are an L-shaped settee (offside) and a double settee with generously high backrest (nearside). It takes a matter of moments to swivel the cab seats, which sit at the same height as the settees. You’ll be able to cater for six in comfort here.
The side windows come with cassette blinds and flyscreens, while the large sunroof over the cab has a concertina blind and flyscreen. The rest of the overcab pod offers open storage that’s easy to get at from the bed.
At the flick of a switch the bed glides down (you'll still need a ladder for access) – its one-piece mattress rests on sprung slats for ventilation and extra support.
To see test videos, download the Digital Magazine via the App Store or Google Play. Remember to search or CA C Magazine’.
“ The lounge is far roomier than it is entitled to be in such a diminutive vehicle ”
The only negative is that the bed does cut across the habitation doorway to a degree.
You can also make a double from the lounge seating. It’s a bit of a jigsaw but, handily, there’s a diagram on the inside of the wardrobe door.
The electric roof vent, cooker extractor unit and medium rooflight (even the larger than average window) mean there is masses of ventilation and light in the kitchen. And I’m definitely more than happy with the rest of this area, not least for the relatively large expanse of permanent worktop to the left of the circular sink. That’s supplemented by a slot-in extension at the opposite end.
The cooker is a Thetford Triplex model with two gas burners and an electric hotplate. The grill and oven are combined, which helps save space. The kitchen extends across the back, where you’ll find the Thetford 145-litre fridge/freezer and a turntable microwave oven above it at a convenient height.
There’s a step up to negotiate after opening the solid door to the washroom. It’s all very well appointed inside: a separate, lined shower cubicle has twin drainage holes over wooden duckboard and a drop-down rail for hanging wet clothes. Could you want for more? A riser bar for the shower, maybe?
There’s a swivel-bowl toilet on a pedestal, plus a fixed basin. An upper locker with double mirrored doors and another locker under the basin ensures
that storage space is good. Fittings include a towel rail, toothbrush mug and soap dispenser. There’s an opaque window to help with ventilation.
The central locking now extends to the habitation door, which is an upgrade for 2023. There are quite a few other nice touches: an illuminated wardrobe; burgundy-coloured cushions (scatter and bolster); solar panel; mains and double USB sockets in the lounge; external fitting thermal insulation screen; and Trackstar tracking system, with your first year’s subscription paid for.
Storage all round is excellent, bearing in mind that this is a 6m-long vehicle. That includes exterior access to the nearside settee base and locker space behind the wardrobe.
An excellent blend of practicality, UK-friendly specification levels, a bit of continental flair and razor-sharp pricing. Ford’s Transit base and the highly usable 6m overall length ices this particularly tempting cake.
You can insure this motorhome with the Club for £489.37 per year. Please see camc.com/ insurance or call 0345 504 0334 for further details.
*Quote (correct as of 24 February 2023) is for the model tested worth £76,995 OTR with a working tracker fitted. Based on a 57-yearold male living in Kent, with a maximum no claims bonus (unprotected) coming from a vehicle of similar value/experience, who has no accidents, claims or convictions and keeps the vehicle on a drive, driving 3,000 miles a year, with a £650 damage, fire and theft excess. Subject to underwriting. The Club’s Motorhome Insurance is arranged for the Club by Devitt Insurance Services Limited, Insurance Brokers. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited. The Caravan Club Limited and Devitt Insurance Services Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
From brand new models to used caravans and motorhomes, we display thousands of vehicles at camc.com/ classifieds It’s free to post an ad and Club members can receive a 30% discount on a premium ad. See website above for more info and terms and conditions.
Nobody likes a wonky holiday home! While most Club campsites have fairly even pitches, we do sometimes have to deal with undulating ground – and with that comes the risk of rolling out of bed, fridges not cooling and sinks not draining. I remember a particular occasion (see main photo above) when my pitch was so uneven that my caravan looked like a rocket ship about to take off when I first pitched up. However, with a bit of tweaking here and there, and some trusty blocks, I was able to make it comfortably level – even though it looked quite dramatic on the outside.
Needless to say, I recommend that you always pack ramps, chocks and slip mats when setting off on a trip. Let’s take a closer look at what equipment will assist in maintaining that optimum level.
You can’t level an outfit by eye or feel, so a spirit level is a vital piece of kit. The best place for both lateral (side-to-side) and longitudinal (front-to-back) checks is over the axle –position the spirit level on the caravan floor, but not on carpet, for the most accurate reading.
(Some people like to take their measurements from the A-frame or place the
spirit level in a sink to ensure the angle is perfect for allowing water to drain away. The choice is yours.)
Mobile phone spirit level apps are now available, and can be used in the same way.
A more sophisticated tool is the Smart Trailer E-Level system – a software
extension for the E-Connect, a small box that is mounted inside your caravan. The box connects to an app on your phone, providing both lateral and front-to-back readings. Once calibrated, you can check your levels on your mobile device wherever you are and use it to guide you into the best pitching position.
Adjusting your caravan laterally is slightly more complicated than longitudinal levelling and requires a bit of thought. Here are some suggestions:
n Ramps – there are many styles of ramps available on the market, including multi-level models and products featuring locking chocks. A simpler and more cost-effective solution is to use wooden blocks, which can be crafted at home (note that proper ramps are easier and much safer to use).
n LocknLevel – this is a super bit of kit that helps achieve lateral levelling with ease. It consists of a cushion that sits under the caravan wheel and is inflated to the required height. To use it, position the LocknLevel directly behind the wheel. Then move the caravan backwards, ensuring that the tyre sits comfortably between the yellow lines marked on the cushion. Finally, connect a standard tyre pump to the inlet valve and inflate the
Don’t let a sloping pitch spoil your holiday. Sammy Faircloth helps you stay on an even keel
cushion until the lateral reading on the spirit level is central. Hey presto – the lateral level is resolved. A twin-axle version is also available, which additionally makes it much easier to fit the second wheel lock to such caravans. LocknLevel is not recommended for motorhome use by its manufacturer.
n Automatic levelling – perhaps the ultimate levelling option, the automatic leveller positions your caravan or motorhome at the push of a button. Adjustments are made by
Club members choosing E&P Hydraulics receive £50-worth of Marks & Spencer vouchers with a new installation. Please visit camc.com/ep-hydraulics for more information, terms and conditions.
powerful hydraulic jacks that sit under the ’van and are operated via a fixed control or wireless remote control. Al-Ko, E&P Hydraulics (also owned by Al-Ko) and MA-VE (Aphiam) are just a few of the companies that can fit them retrospectively. The powerful jacks also make it much easier to change a wheel.
Once your lateral levelling is sorted, simply lift or lower the front of the ’van using the jockey wheel. Once you have an optimum spirit level reading, lower your steadies on to some pads or wooden blocks.
Levelling a motorhome is usually done using drive-on ramps; these are often wider and stronger than the caravan versions. A track mat can prove helpful if the ground is damp – take extra care in the wet as the driving wheels can eject a wedge at frightening speed (that’s why some have anchoring points for pegs).
n Portable jacks that are approved for lifting a punctured wheel clear of the ground are not normally suitable for providing support when
you live in your ’van. However, they can be useful for raising a wheel in order to put blocks of wood underneath when levelling.
n Corner steadies are solely designed to keep a caravan level; never use them as lifting devices. Pads or wooden blocks should be used in conjunction with corner steadies to help to spread the load and prevent the steadies sinking in soft ground.
n Check the bubble on the spirit level by leaning through the door rather than entering the ’van and skewing the reading.
n Large, laden motorhomes can be heavier than caravans, and will start to sink if left for long periods on soft ground. Parking with your wheels on a grip mat will help you have a trouble-free departure.
It pays to be prepared for bumpy ground, especially if visiting Certificated Locations in hilly locations. Always check before leaving home as to what equipment you might need. If you’re unprepared, some sites offer bricks or blocks of wood that you can borrow to achieve a flatter pitch.
n For great savings on levelling-related items head to shop.camc.com.
“ Check the bubble on the spirit level by leaning through the door ”
Please send Centre news and rally reports to magazine@camc.com
Each month we highlight rallies taking place within or near the region covered by our main touring feature (p26-36 this issue). See centre websites for more information.
21-23 April
Skittles, Kington Langley (Wiltshire Centre – wiltshirecentre.co.uk)
Midland Centre members didn’t let the cost of living crisis dampen their spirits during their Dinner Dance Rally. Opting to abandon their regular venue to save cash, they descended on Astley Village Hall in Shropshire and prepared the food themselves rather than hire caterers. A five-course meal with a main of beef with red wine sauce, seasoned new potatoes and seasonal vegetables was cooked and served by the stewards. Fantastic entertainment from Just Manda, who performed Dame Shirley Bassey and soul and Motown classics, was followed by dancing until late.
East Yorkshire Centre held a successful rally at Killerby Old Hall near Scarborough in December. One of the advantages of the site is the on-site Barn bar – perfect for socialising (members pictured above enjoying a drink). On this occasion the event was extended to a week so it could link up with another rally in the Vale of Pickering.
The previous month, ralliers enjoyed a magnificent firework
display at Driffield Showground. Highlights included a children’s disco and games, a cooked breakfast and fantastic food stalls, lights and music.
27 April-2 May
Abbey Hill Steam Rally, Yeovil (Somerset Centre –somersetcentrecamc.org)
28 April-1 May
Scarecrow Festival, Urchfont (Wiltshire Centre – wiltshirecentre. co.uk)
5-8 May
Observation and photographic competitions, Bibury (Wiltshire Centre – wiltshirecentre.co.uk)
26 May-4 June ewton ot ewton ot (Wiltshire Centre – wiltshirecentre. co.uk)
drive from an excellent sandy beach and the fishing port of Saint-GillesCroix-de-Vie. Optional overnight stops are included in the package.
25 July-7 August
Location: Camping L’Océano d’Or
Host Centre: West Wales
13 June-4 July
Location: Camping Baie d’Aunis
Host Centre: Dyfed
The popular campsite of Baie d’Aunis is located just 300m from the seaside town of La Tranche-surMer and offers access to a very inviting beach. Optional overnight stops are also included within the package.
12-24 June
Camping L’Océano d’Or is a well-run and attractive campsite close to the popular seaside resort of Jard-surMer in the Vendée. Optional overnight stops are included in the package.
19 August-2 September
Location: Camping La Yole
Host Centre: Bedfordshire
Camping La Yole has everything you need for a perfect summer holiday near the white sandy beaches of the Vendée.
GERMANY
4-19 August
Location: Eifel-Camp
Suffolk Centre raised the magnificent sum of £1,998.35 for East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) over the course of 2022.
EAAA is the chosen charity once again for 2023 and a great start was made when over £300 was contributed at the recent Valentines Rally at Hallowtree Scout Camp.
Other highlights from the February event included a beetle
drive, bingo and a wonderful three-course meal cooked by the marshals. A massive thank you is due to Graham and Melody for all their hard work on the Valentines Rally over the past few years.
uring unda atter and atter u o c air an on ing presented a cheque to EAAA representative Kevin Sullivan (pictured).
Location: Camping La Yole
Host Centre: Suffolk Centre
La Yole is located close to the sandy beaches of the Vendée. A little farther along the coast is the lively and chic seaside resort of Saint-Jean-de-Monts where you will find bars, restaurants and a daily market.
22 July-5 August
Location: Le Domaine de Beaulieu
Host Centre: South Wales
Domaine de Beaulieu is just a short
Host Centre: Worcestershire
This campsite is located in the icture ue region o ort Rhine-Westphalia close to Lake Freilinger. An overnight stop in Belgium is included in the package.
Rallies can be booked through Alan Rogers, part of The Caravan Club Ltd. For more information see rallies.alanrogers.com, email rallies@alanrogers.com or call 01580 214070.
be on Windsor Racecourse and is hosted by Buckinghamshire Centre. Electric hook-ups, fresh water and a chemical waste disposal point will be available (please note you will need to use your on-board washroom and toilet facilities).
Members booked to stay on site will be offered discounts on tickets for both the Horse Show and the expected evening pageant. Contact Pat on 07950 841702 for further information or email buckscentreevents@gmail.com. For more information on the show, see rwhs.co.uk.
City – as well as the adjacent Stotfold Nature Reserve. It is a popular event that makes for a great day out or weekend away, and camping pitches are available (including pitches for motorhomes and caravans). Visit stotfoldmill.com for a booking form and full details.
Stay at: Cheshire Centre temporary site opposite the showground (18-23 June)
This annual show in Tabley near Knutsfordoffers attractions for all the family including livestock displays, a vintage machinery exhibition, dog shows and plenty of entertainment in the main arena. The temporary site opposite the show ground has fresh water and chemical waste disposal – and offers opportunities to visit local stately homes and market towns. Advance tickets at a discounted price granting admission to the show for both days are available from the site organisers. Contact Paul and Sandra Bowler on 01782 513276/07974 107078 or email bowler. rallies@btinternet.com
Ongoing until end of year
Stay at: Hebden Bridge, Knaresborough, Bolton Abbey Club campsites
An opening extravaganza at Headingley stadium in January served as the amuse-bouche to this year-long feast of cultural festivals, performances, exhibitions and more in Leeds. Examples include Sinfonia (27 April-6 May), a mixture of music, dance and storytelling at the Playhouse that “combines moments of joy, humour and true stories from the people of Leeds”. Or there’s ‘All That Lives’ (27 October-4 November), a colourful nine-day celebration of those we’ve loved and lost inspired by the Day of the Dead. More information can be found at leeds2023.co.uk, although please note that the full programme is being revealed gradually.
11-14 May
Stay at: Bucks Centre temporary site at Windsor Racecourse (10-14 May)
Held in the grounds of Windsor Castle, this event sees some of the world’s best horses and riders competing in carriage driving, show jumping, dressage, polo and more. You may also like to explore Windsor and Eton or visit St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and pay your respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II. The temporary site will
Stay at: Ferry Meadows and Stamford Club campsites; Rutland Affiliated Site
This is the first time that this famous event has been held for 10 years, and the town of Spalding will be awash with colour as a result. A parade will feature decorated floats and trailers, marching bands and dancers, while there will also be vintage vehicles, family-friendly activities, a craft fair, shop window display competition and more. To plan your great day out visit spaldingflowerparade.org.uk.
Stay at: camping available at Stotfold Mill (12-13 May)
This annual steam fair and country show helps to raise funds to preserve, develop and maintain Stotfold Mill – a building of special architectural and historical interest near Letchworth Garden
n Events listed may be subject to change – please check with organisers prior to travel.
Note re temporary sites: please book in advance where possible. If you would like to promote a temporary site set up around a major event, please contact magazine@camc.com.
QIn the May 2022 magazine we answered the question: ‘I saw caravans being checked by the police at a motorway services recently. Is this a national campaign?’ We can now update you with further advice.
ATheDriver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has responsibility for ensuring vehicles on our roads are safe, both through MOT testing and roadside checks.
The latter normally focuses on heavy goods vehicles, but the Department for Transport’s 2019 Trailer Safety Report tasked DVSA with looking at ‘light’ trailers (up to 3,500kg, including caravans). In the Club’s submission to that report, we argued (successfully) that experience showed basic caravan roadworthiness was good enough to not require mandatory testing, but hard evidence to compare caravans with other trailer types was lacking.
We called for more focus on light trailer roadside checks to provide that evidence and the full report on that programme is now available (gov.uk/ government/publications/ light-trailer-compliance-report).
Between 2019 and 2021, DVSA checked 3,813 trailers, including 730 caravans. Key findings were:
n 50% of non-caravan trailers had serious faults, with 41% issued immediate prohibition notices as faults were so dangerous. Most common defects were roadlights (36%),
running gear including tyres (21%) and brakes (20%). Trailer types included construction trailers, agricultural trailers, livestock and vehicle transporters.
n Only 12% of caravans had serious faults, with 7% issued immediate prohibitions. Most common faults were roadlights (57%), chassis which includes breakaway cables (22%) and running gear including tyres (11%).
These results support the Club’s view that most caravans are fundamentally roadworthy – they compare well to other vehicles, such as cars and vans (around 30% failure rate at MOT) or heavy commercial trailers (15% failure rate at roadside checks despite rigorous mandatory testing).
However, results could be significantly better with a little more focus on issues which owners really should identify and rectify – ie lights, breakaway cable and tyres.
A functional check of roadlights should be in your pre-journey routine, with most issues an easy DIY fix (replacement bulb, cleaned connections etc.)
Breakaway cables in poor condition or not used at all was another issue. If your cable is damaged, a new one typically costs £10-15. UK law doesn’t specify how breakaway cables should be attached to the towbar. Hence, where no better connection point exists, looping the cable around the towball meets the legal requirement, but
not attaching it at all does not. More recent towbars have a ‘designated cable attachment point’ which is more secure – if you don’t know where this is, check the vehicle handbook or towbar fitting instructions, or contact your towbar supplier.
Caravan tyres rarely wear out in terms of tread depth, but damage and age-related deterioration should be looked for (along with correct inflation pressure, of course). Remember the Club’s longstanding advice to ideally change caravan tyres at five years old and never use them beyond seven years old. There’s lots of advice on caravan (and other) tyres on the TyreSafe website (tyresafe.org/caravantyre-safety).
We’re pleased DVSA will continue to check light trailers and caravans in the future. It also plans to support non-mandatory servicing schemes (such as the Approved Workshop Scheme)
with official recommendation on what roadworthiness checks should be included.
Remember, roadworthiness is only one aspect of safe towing. Excessive caravan weight, poor payload distribution and excessive speed also jeopardise towing safety. There’s advice on these and more in your Sites Directory & Handbook, while for those just starting out or anyone needing a refresher, our training courses cover these issues too.
Please address your questions to:
Technical Information, Email: technical@camc.com
Tel: 01342 336611
...and quote your membership number
The Club’s technical team answers your pressing questions
Make
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from £120 RRP £108 for Club Members
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£3.49 full price £3.14 for members
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Concentrated 750ml formula equal to 2 litres, so as well as being eco-friendly it lasts as long as up to 40 days.
£3.49 full price £3.14 for members
Since its launch in 2006 the Aero Towing Mirror has ofered class leading quality, versatility, ease of use and unrivalled anti vibration performance, making it the worlds best selling towing mirror.
Building on continuous improvements since its introduction, we are pleased to announce the launch of the all new Aero Platinum Mirror.
The Aero Platinum Mirror is a radical new design, every component has been specifcally developed to securely ft the extremely tapered mirror bezels now found on increasing numbers of modern vehicles.
One of the key developments is the new fexible, rubber faced, sprung loaded gripper plates and being 50% larger than the standard Aero 3 pads, enables the pad to ‘form’ to the shape of the vehicle mirror, this signifcantly increases the contact surface area dramatically improving grip and stability.
• Highest quality automotive chrome glass
• Aerodynamic balanced head to minimise vibration
• 50% larger mirror pads compared to Aero 3 pads
• Sprung loaded, stainless steel gripper plate that forms to shape of vehicle mirror
• Larger clamp body with increased depth for more versatile and secure ftment
• Enhanced rubberised surfaces on clamp and pad
• Fits all vehicles including Range / Land Rovers and BMW X series models
For full details see www.milenco.com
The most advanced delsulfating chargers/ maintainers available on the market for 12v leisure batteries.
When a battery is left uncharged sulfates build on the led plates this process dramatically shortens the battery life. The only solution is to use a desulfating deep pulse charger/ maintainer.
All you have to do is place a number from 1-9 in each empty cell so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the numbers from 1-9.
All you have to do is place a number from 1-9 in each empty cell so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the numbers from 1-9.
in Club gi t ouchers will be won by the sender of the first correct solution selected on Friday 21 April 2023. Four runners-up will each receive Club gi t ouchers
Please clearl hotogra h scan our ans er grid and email to cross ord camc com
Please do not include any other correspondence with your entry.
ACROSS
1 Married man (7)
5 Long piece of cloth wrapped round body (6)
8 Aircraft pilot (7)
10 Scorch (4)
11 Leave (6)
12 Ghost (5)
14 Convent member (3)
15 Stew cooked in oven (9)
16 Way out (4)
17 Horse breeding farm (4)
19 Policeman (7)
22 Thaws (5)
24 Rotted (7)
26 A small cut (4)
28 Sudden anxiety (5)
29 Chewy sweet (6)
31 Looking glass (6)
33 Pot belly (6)
35 Chess piece (6)
38 Not asleep (5)
39 Mid-leg joint (4)
40 Peculiar (7)
43 Sediment at the bottom of a drink (5)
45 An observer (7)
47 Beach covering (4)
49 Nipple (4)
50 Post midday (9)
53 Sewer animal (3)
54 Sales chart (5)
55 Cuban cigar (6)
Our Digital Magazine features a variety of interactive puzzles! Download it from the App Store or Google Play. Remember to search for CA C aga ine
DOWN
1 Beef and potato stew (6)
2 Support with bets (4)
3 Arrows (5)
4 Daddy longlegs (8)
5 Australian city (6)
6 Alligator or snake (7)
7 To be dismissed from a job (3,3,4)
9 Set of three (4)
13 Tynesider (7)
15 Small restaurant (4)
17 Backbone (5)
18 Deduct from wages (4)
20 Shirt wristband (4)
21 A swindle (4)
23 Lamp on a pole (7)
25 Soil in the ground (5)
27 Savoy or kale (7)
28 Pole used for support (4)
29 Video record (4)
30 Lemon or lime ( 5)
32 Packed lunch staple (10)
34 Round of applause (4)
35 Ale factory (7)
36 Pimple (4)
37 Lukewarm (5)
39 Act of affection (4)
41 Family member (8)
42 Broad, haricot or adzuki (4)
44 Hand-thrown bomb (7)
46 Drinking tubes (6)
48 Brother’s son (6)
NAME:
MEMBERSHIP NUMBER:
56 Source of power (4)
57 Not within (7)
58 Bed linen (6)
51 Sharp tasting (4)
52 Put forward a bid ( 5)
54 Scottish valley (4)
The Caravan and Motorhome Club is processing your personal data for the purpose of administering your competition entry. If you would like to know more about how we process personal data, please visit our Privacy Policy at camc.com/privacy-policy.
59 Arch of colours (7) Ma
For full terms and conditions of entry, please visit our website at camc com com etitions
FEBRUARY WINNERS
£50 first prize: Edwina Rhodes
£10 runners-up: Bob Cave; Sara h Knox; Barr y Blemings; Ian Underwood lease note ri es ill be osted as soon as ossible
any other correspondence with your entry
Your observations on the fun and unusual world of touring
Alan Pinnock’s favourite Club campsite is Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire – a short walk to the local pubs and a great place to fly a kite (but please watch out for the resident sharks).
Faith Cooper and family went on a half-term road trip around Loch Lomond, Stirling, Edinburgh and Berwickupon-Tweed, but not before a brief and very special stop at Gretna Green to say, “I do”. Congratulations... what a fantastic way to kick-off a trip!
Scott Mackie visited Moreton-in-Marsh Club Campsite on his first motorhome holiday, and it sounds like the choice went down well.
“A lovely clean, friendly site with walks through the fields to the town and falconry centre,” says Scott, but it seems that a 1990s TV favourite at The Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection in nearby Bourton-on-the-Water left a bigger impression. “To my amazement and inner-child joy it’s the home of Brum! I managed to relive my childhood memories and educate my two children into proper kids’ TV. Came back to site and over dinner watched episodes of Brum on YouTube.”
To see an additional Tail Lights page, download the Digital Magazine via the App Store or Google Play. Remember to search for aga ine
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.
An amazing image by Simon Torr recently appeared on our cover, but even the most talented photographers have to be prepared for the unexpected, such as the sudden appearance of a passer-by who wants to check out your camera s ma e and model ature is calling the shots’, jokes Simon.
The beautiful West Yorkshire countryside around Hebden Bridge has been back in the spotlight recently, thanks to its role as the backdrop to the wildly successful Happy Valley drama series. In real-life this is the Calder Valley (or ‘Upper Calder Valley’, centred on the River Calder and also incorporating the towns of Todmorden, Mytholmroyd, Luddendenfoot and Sowerby Bridge. (Despite its name, the Club site is actually nearer to Mytholmroyd, although Hebden Bridge itself is just over two miles away.)
Fans of the BBC show will spot familiar landscapes along this ride, as well as buildings that share the same strong stone architecture. Happily, there’s no sign of villainous Tommy Lee Royce on the route, but there are several ‘murderous’ ascents. The reward for these lung-busting or battery-
draining climbs is a series of spectacular views, starting with the steep-sided, wooded valley of Cragg Brook, and opening across moorland to Stoodley Pike Monument.
The lovely Craggies Farm Shop and café appears early in the ride – too early for you to be genuinely hungry or thirsty, but a wonderful place to stop, with dreamy views over the moors and a fine full English breakfast that would make any further uphill pedalling very difficult indeed.
The highest points of the route offer stupendous panoramas, with a mix of drystone walls, crashing streams, and grazing pasture. The notion that Halifax, Huddersfield and Rochdale sit just over the horizon seems preposterous – this feels like wild, remote countryside.
It’s a popular area with cyclists, but not for the faint-hearted given the challenge of the climbs – check your legs, your brakes and your e-bike’s batteries before attempting this ride.
There are fabulous cycling opportunities in the landscape of the BBC’s hit crime drama. Jonathan Manning sets out on this countryside ride from Hebden Bridge Club Campsite
1From the Hebden Bridge Club Campsite turn right and head uphill along the B6138 for 4km.
2
4km – turn left along Sykes Gate, signposted to Sowerby and Little Valley Brewery. Keep going for another 4km. About 1km after passing Aarons Campsite on the left, look out for a turn on the right (watch your speed – it is easy to whizz past).
the Alma Inn, before climbing out of the village. Near the top of the climb, turn left at the bus stop along Cross Wells Road and continue into Soyland.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine recommends the use of Ordnance Survey maps – your ideal passport to navigating Britain
6
14.3km – in Soyland, turn left along Foxen Lane and descend sharply, crossing a stream, before climbing a monstrous ascent into Mill Bank. Reach a T-junction at the top of the climb.
© Crown copyright 2023 Ordnance Survey Media 022/23
3
8.3km – turn right along Mirey Lane, and when the road forks by a stone wall, take the right fork towards a short terrace of houses and continue to reach a T-junction.
4
9.2km – turn right at the T-junction along Red Brink Lane, and continue climbing for 1km, to reach a sharp turn on the left, by a WYCR cycling sign and opposite Sunny View Farm. Turn left here, along Toot Hill Lane, and stick to the right-hand lane, descending until you reach a T-junction opposite Ogden Farm.
5
10.9km – turn right at the T-junction and continue into Cotton Stones, passing the church on your left, then
7
15.5km – turn left at the T-junction and in 50m turn right along Birks Lane. Follow this road all the way to Sowerby to reach a T-junction opposite St Peter’s Church.
8
17.7km – turn left here to reach another T-junction almost immediately. Turn right and, in 100m, turn left by the Church Stile Inn along Pinfold Lane. Stay on this road for almost 5km, where it eventually becomes a steep descent into Mytholmroyd, to reach a T-junction.
22.3km – turn left at the T-junction onto the B6138. Cycle for just over 1km to return to the Club campsite on the right-hand-side of the road.
9
DOWNLOAD THIS ROUTE AND OTHERS TO YOUR GPS DEVICE FROM OUR STRAVA PAGE: STRAVA.COM/ATHLETES/ 27202656
ABOUT THE ROUTE
Start/finish: Hebden Bridge Club
Campsite, Cragg Road, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge HX7 5RU
Distance: 23.5km /14.6 miles
Time: 2½ hours
Suitable for: Fit cyclists and e-bike riders. This is an exceptionally hilly ride with some steep ascents
Terrain: Asphalt all the way
Landscape: Deep-sided woodland valleys, moorland, drystone walls and rough grazing
Refreshments: Craggies Farm Shop & Café; Alma Inn, Cotton Stone; Church Stile Inn, Sowerby
