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 Welcome
T
his year is going to be one of the best for
motorhome shows – there are two new
events to look forward to, the first of
which is just a couple of weeks away.
The all-new day visitor-only show will be
held from 24 to 26 January at the East of
England Arena in Peterborough – a venue that
is also home to the country’s largest
motorhome event – the National Motorhome
and Campervan Show, from 17 to 19 April.
This new January event is aimed at those
looking for a New Year deal on a new, or
newer, motorhome or campervan. There will
be dozens of dealers there displaying an array
of models with exclusive show-only offers to
suit all budgets.
The second new show sees Warners head
to Scotland to hold its first show in Edinburgh.
Taking place from 3 to 5 July, the new show
is expected to prove extremely popular with
buyers, as well as a starting point for those
touring Scotland and those looking to spend a
wonderful weekend in what has to be one of
Britain’s best cities to visit.
The Edinburgh event is just a short tram
ride from the city centre and, after you have
enjoyed a day visiting the city, you can enjoy
four nights of free entertainment, plus a
headline ticketed Saturday night performance
back at the show.
If you want to attend either of these shows
– or any (or all) of the nine other outdoor
motorhome events this year – just turn to
page 36/37 where you will find all the details.
Daniel Attwood
Managing Editor

We would love to hear from you

Share your motorhome adventures, your campsite reviews, your motorhoming DIY tips and advice
and even your gripes with MMM readers. Just email us at: mmm@warnersgroup.co.uk

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Financial Conduct Authority.

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 5

Contents
TRAVEL
40 COVER JERSEY Touring this
picture-perfect island
60 COVER SPAIN An enriching
adventure in this stunning
corner of Catalonia
70 COVER WALES Rain does not
stop play on this wonderful – and
wet – trip to south Snowdonia
78 COVER FRANCE Take a tour
into northern France to indulge
yourself in fine food and some
excellent wine
86 COVER WEEKEND TRAVEL
Historic Halifax and Saltaire
makes for a grand Yorkshire
short break
95 COVER SITES FOR The MMM
team’s favourite parks
103 YOUR SITE REVIEWS Readers
review the campsites they’ve
stayed at
6 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
50 COVER SCOTLAND Take in the top sights of Perthshire
on this fun family tour along the Heart 200
TESTED
115 COVER AUTO-TRAIL TRIBUTE
F60 Under six metres with an
end washroom, this entry-level
Ford-based coachbuilt ticks a lot
of boxes
123 COVER MORELO LOFT 79F
Luxury comes with a £250k
price tag with this German
company’s mid-range liner model
139 COVER OWNER’S REPORT The
washroom was a contentious
issue but it won these
Wellhouse owners over
Alamy.com
TECHNICAL
146 TECH HELP Readers’ technical
questions answered, from
dash warning light issues to
satellite dish upgrades
155 HOW TO Fit a device to monitor
your motorhome’s 230V mains
power consumption
157 COVER MY PROJECT Upgrading
a campervan cab sound system
with new speakers and more
162 COVER TECH ADVICE The 10
most common base vehicle
problems solved
131 COVER HYMER
GRAND CANYON S
This new campervan
comes with
Mercedes’ four-
wheel drive option
 GREAT
Subscrip tion
OFFER
PAGE 144

BUY & SELL 25 OUR MONTH What the MMM

167 BUYING ADVICE Top tips for
selling a motorhome
SA V E
£ £ £ s!
169 BARGAIN HUNTER
The latest great deals on new
and used motorhomes
173 SECONDHAND CHOICE Used
island bed motorhomes from
£32,000 to £60,000
178 SECONDHAND PRICES Dealer
forecourt prices for used
motorhomes with island beds
180 VINTAGE ’VANS Morris and
Mercedes-Benz models from the
past and present
183 ACCESSORIES Gadgets and
gifts reviewed
REGULARS
10 LETTERS Readers share their
motorhoming tales
team’s been up to this month GET YOUR FIRST
26 MOTOR MUSE What happens
behind those curtains on a long DIGITAL ISSUE FOR
dark evening?
30 NEWS All that’s happening in the
world of motorhoming, including
campsites, the latest new
JUST £1.99
models and 2020 show dates
68 ON THE ROAD Slow cooking fish
on the BBQ
92 MY TRAVELS Heading abroad
for the first time on a winter trip
186 RECIPE A heart-warming curry
for the winter months
210 MY VIEW Buying a motorhome
on a whim leads to a dramatic
first trip
COMPETITIONS & OFFERS
189 PUZZLES Solve this month’s
crossword or sudoku puzzles
190 COVER WIN Luxury
motorhome-friendly towel
sets and an Outwell
campervan awning PLUS GET ALL OF
THESE BENEFITS:
209 NEXT MONTH O Extra exclusive content
What’s in the March issue
O Even more pictures
to inspire and delight
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pocketmags.com/mmm-magazine
115

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 7

Your Invitation
TO ATTEND THE FIRST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF

ERWIN HYMER CENTRE

Travelworld

Celebrate the 1st Birthday of the

Erwin Hymer Centre, Travelworld
between 17th and 23rd February 2020
Starting at 1pm on Monday 17th we’ll host a champagne
reception with free refreshments. Our VIP guest will be
Celebrity TV Chef, Sally Bee, who will tell her amazing story
alongside a fabulous cookery demonstration (Monday only).
Sally is an Ambassador for Heart Research UK, our charity
partner for 2020. We will be fundraising
during the event and across the year
to support this very special charity.
 ERWIN
HYMER
CENTRE
Travelworld

Travelworld’s showroom, the Erwin Hymer Centre, is located off J14 of the M6 near
Stafford. Call in and view the latest industry-leading Hymer models fresh from the factory,
as well as the other major brands we have on display. We look forward to welcoming you!

To register your attendance call us today on 01785 87 87 87

email info@motorhomes.co.uk or visit www.motorhomes.co.uk

ERWIN HYMER CENTRE

Travelworld
Valley Drive,
M6 Junction 14,
Stafford, ST16 1NZ.
You r letters
Have your say by emailing or writing to us at:  mmm@warnersgroup.co.uk
Ireland: information and inspiration
This is a basic list of ‘useful stuff ’ worth
knowing if you’re planning a
motorhome trip to Ireland, based on
our recent experiences.
Our Holyhead to Dublin crossing
with Irish Ferries took three-and-a-half
hours, preferable to the somewhat
cheaper eight-hour Liverpool route.
Based on our 6.3m Swift Escape, it cost
£363. Arriving the night before, we
stayed overnight in the ferry port long
stay car park for £4.
A good northerly motorway and
tunnel gets you quickly out of Dublin,
where the choice of campsites and aires
is limited. We stayed at North Beach,
Rush, just 30 minutes north of Dublin,
which made a perfect springboard for
the holiday. Most pitches overlook the
vast sandy beach.
We then headed to Antrim’s north
coast in Northern Ireland for a visit to
the Giant’s Causeway.
Carrick Dhu campsite, near the
10 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
lovely towns of Portrush and
Portstewart, is a good base. Get a bus to
the causeway – easier and cheaper than
trying to park. The attraction is free, but
it costs to go around the great visitor
centre if you’re not an NT member.
We then proceeded in an anti-
clockwise direction around the coast.
The roads generally are excellent and
wide. Most major roads have a lane to
the left of a yellow line, and we found
traffic appreciated us moving into it to
let them pass more easily.
As sat-nav followers, we found
ourselves on many narrow roads or lanes
but we never had a problem as there’s so
little traffic compared to the UK.
It is worth following parts of the
Wild Atlantic Way down the west coast.
It is beautiful. Many of the beaches in
Ireland, both north and south, are
deservedly Blue Flag awarded, just
endless ribbons of clean yellow sand.
We stayed in a mix of campsites,
aires and wild camping spots. We used
the app, park4night, and it was
invaluable. We booked campsites a day
or so ahead, but most were fairly empty
in September. Average price is €30
(£26), and showers are usually extra.
Prices in the Republic are higher than
in the UK, except diesel, which averaged
€1.33 (£1.15), with petrol five cents
more. Eating out cost up to 15% more.
There are an increasing number of
aires and motorhome-only sites
Top
P i tch
appearing. Again, these are on the app,
with pictures and reviews from users.
€10 (£8.70) will get you an overnight
stop with limited facilities, usually a
water tap only. Mixing these in with
campsites worked well for us.
We skipped the potentially busier
Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry and
spent three nights at a lovely site in the
colourful village of Eyeries on the
beautiful Beara Peninsula.
We got in plenty of walking. There
are few signed public footpaths, but
trails are plentiful and generally easy to
follow. We finished the holiday with
another three nights at a site on a farm
in the Wicklow Mountains foothills.
Approximate costs for our three
weeks were:
Campsites, etc ...............................£408
Showers ............................................£20
Holiday insurance (motorhome-
specific) ..........................................£120
Fuel (1,490 miles) .........................£280
Ferry ................................................£363
Total .........................................£1,191
We haven’t included food and drink
which we would have had at home
anyway; however a sum could be added
for the higher cost of living there.
Bear in mind that the Emerald Isle
gets its green (colour) reputation
because of all the rain that falls! We
were very lucky for two of our three
weeks and had a holiday to remember.
Nigel & Sue Barker
 LETTERS

Join the debate twitter.com/MMM_Magazine

Join the community facebook.com/motorhomemags

Your Letters, MMM, Warners Group Publications, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH

Good Samaritan Saturday and the workshop side door began to fall off, again
We were heading to north was closed. Then he drove our the repair could not be done
Devon for a four-day break in ’van to a water point and filled under warranty as we’d had the
our beloved Auto-Sleeper it to the level required until our vehicle seven months and the
Nuevo and beginning to enjoy stopover that evening. Peugeot warranty only covered
the delights of this beautiful We would like to say once the seals for six months. All
coastline when disaster struck. again a very big thank you to further work was carried out by
The evening of day one Chris and West Country an independent garage.
found us parked at a BritStop Motorhomes for such So, when looking for a new
in Somerset and ready to courteous, efficient and vehicle, the first consideration
sample the delights of the pub. professional help. If you are in is the base vehicle; if it’s a
Attempting a wash and the area and have a problem, Peugeot, we walk away.
brush up beforehand made us West Country Motorhomes is Lyn & Geoff Holyoake
aware our previously full fresh there to help!
water tank was now very B Burdett
empty! In fact, minus around 80 Loved the licence
litres of fresh water. application process report for a Group 2 (lorry or
External inspection found What’s in a warranty? Thanks for a great magazine, bus) licence (Form D4) from
the culprit: narrow lanes and From our experience, the which I have enjoyed for many the DVLA website and filled
high soft verges had ripped off Peugeot warranty from new, years since we started in my personal details.
the tap fitting on the fresh seems to cover almost nothing. motorhoming in 2006. I have 3 I requested an application
water pipe draining system! On handover, we drew the recently renewed my driving for a lorry, bus or minibus
Spirits sank. Where to find supplier’s attention to the licence and would like to pass driving licence (Form D2)
an Auto-Sleeper dealer in the handbrake. The travel seemed on my experience and the from the DVLA website,
wilds of Somerset that may excessive, but we were assured process involved that I hope which was sent to me by
have a spare part? it was OK as the vehicle had a will make it easier for others. post and arrived three to
Our landlord was most Peugeot PDI. I have succeeded in four days later.
helpful and, the following When we got the vehicle renewing my driving licence at 4 I booked a medical with
morning, pointed us in the home, finding the handbrake age 70 whilst retaining my C1 D4Drivers and, after
direction of West Country ineffective, we contacted the category so I can continue to successfully passing the
Motorhomes a few miles away local Peugeot dealer, which drive vehicles up to 7,500kg. medical and the doctor
in Brent Knoll. rejected carrying out the work Here is what I did: completing the remaining
Here we found excellent under warranty as the vehicle 1 I waited until I received my sections of form D4, I filled
assistance in the form of Chris had done more than 100 miles driving licence renewal in all the details required on
Elland, who not only had the since we took delivery. We had application (Form D46P), Form D46P and D2, took
missing part in stock but, done 110 miles home from the which arrived by post just copies of all the forms, then
beyond the call of duty, wearing supplying dealer, so we over two months before my posted them all in the
his very smart sales executive contacted the company and it seventieth birthday. envelope provided, which
uniform, crawled around the agreed to pay. 2 I downloaded and printed required a first-class stamp.
tarmac to fit it for us! It was When the rubber seal on the the medical examination The cost of the medical was
£50, which was paid online
when I booked the
A wick-ed tip appointment and there is no
fee for the licence application.
I have a dip in the roof of the ’van, which retains a nice My new licence arrived in
pool of water after rain and collects a motley group of the post two weeks from
various algae, lichens, etc. Not being a fan of covers, I sending in the application and
thought of a simple solution, throw a rope across the has all the categories as
roof into the offending area (with the ends trailing on the required. The licence is for
ground ) and the water should ‘wick’ away. three years and starts from the
Having tried it I can report that it works very well, any date it was issued so I have lost
dampness left is soon dried out with the wind/sun. Brill! a couple of months but other
Gordon Walker Pixabay than that it was all very simple.
Trevor Hollingworth

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 11

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 LETTERS

Three is not the
magic number
I’ve just read Richard Parry’s
letter about insurance
(December 2019, p16), which
prompted me to write about
my own recent experience.
We’ve had our motorhome
for a year. It was our first ’van
and I insured it with a well-
known insurer at what seemed
a very reasonable £340.
In January 2019 we went on
a four-week trip to Greece. This
was our first major journey, a
baptism by fire and we ended
up losing a wing mirror near
the Mont Blanc Tunnel when a
van clipped us and didn’t stop.
We also sustained a couple
of cracked panels at the back
(turning out from toll booths)
and sustained a gouge to the
side panel over the habitation
door from an overhanging roof
eave (out of my eyeline) on a
Greek campsite.
When we returned I
reported these incidents to the
insurer. I was told I’d have to
put in three separate claims,
which I did (paying three
separate lots of excess) and the
work was carried out.
I assumed my premium
would increase because of
claiming but reckoned I’d shop
around when it came up for
renewal in December 2019.
I was shocked, therefore, to
receive a letter in November
saying it could no longer insure
me due to my rating having
changed because of the claims.
I wasn’t too perturbed at the
time as I thought I’d be looking
for a new insurer anyway, so I
started to ring around.
However, every insurer I
called told me the same story.
Their underwriters wouldn’t
insure me as I’d made three
claims in the first year of
insurance when I hadn’t built
up any no claims bonus.
I was upset, especially as
this possibility had never been
pointed out to me by my
insurer at the time of claiming.
Had I realised, I would have
just paid for the work and not
made the claims.
Faced with either selling the
’van as I couldn’t drive it or my
husband being the only driver
(which wasn’t practical), in
desperation I rang my car
insurer. It told me it could
insure motorhomes but would
have to check with the
underwriters about the claims.
I didn’t hold out much hope,
but, thank goodness, it came
back to say it could insure me
as the main driver, with my
husband as the policyholder.
I asked how this was
possible when so many others
had turned me down and was
told it was assessed on an
individual basis and, as I was a
loyal customer, it didn’t want to
lose my business.
I have nine years’ no claims
on my car and my husband has
11 on his, so this also helped.
So, I’d advise readers to
think very carefully before
making any claims. Ask how
many claims are allowed before
it affects your rating with the
underwriters, and whether this
may mean it won’t insure you,
especially if you have a new
’van and haven’t built up any no
claims years.
Mine was a happy ending,
although not a cheap one with
a premium two-and-a-half-
times what it was originally.
Carey Marsden
Breakdown
not covered
A word of warning if you rely
on the RAC for recovery of your
motorhome in the event of a
breakdown that cannot be
fixed at the roadside. The RAC
membership applies to the
driver and is not specific to the
vehicle being driven.
If, like me, you rely on your
RAC membership to cover
roadside assistance and
recovery whilst driving your
motorhome, be aware that the
maximum length of
motorhome that can be
recovered is 6.40m.
My motorhome is 6.60m
long and I had to use the RAC
commercial arm, which is
called RACCA, to recover my
motorhome a distance of 10
miles to a suitable garage for
repair at an exorbitant cost,
which the RAC said was
non-reimbursable.
Bill Parnell
ED There are often length and
weight restrictions on car
breakdown policies. This is
why we always recommend a
motorhome-specific
breakdown policy. Motorhome
insurance companies will
often offer breakdown cover as
an add-on, but please check
for any restrictions before
you buy.

Memories of a Trophy
The article by Andy Burdon on the
Trophy (September 2019, p153) was of
great interest to my wife and I.
We ordered L228 DOD from
Plymouth Motorcaravans on the day
Auto-Sleepers launched the Trophy.
We collected it on 5 February 1994
and had the alarm fitted by Eddie Jones
at Van Bitz, when the company was
based at Brixham.
The roof bed was fitted later by Vic
Vernell of Western Motorcaravans near
Bath on 14 December 1995. Great
workmanship, the kit was supplied by
Auto-Sleepers.
The wine bottle storage was fitted by
myself, the idea coming from another
Trophy owner. We stowed outside
folding chairs behind the passenger seat
whilst in transit.
Andy mentions the charger – it’s well
hidden and initially took me a while to
find it down at floor level. We used the
’van a lot and toured Germany and
found the heater very efficient when
down to low temperatures with snow.
The Trophy was great for
manoeuvring and parking. Its short
wheelbase and pod gives it more room
inside than the Topaz on the long
wheelbase, which I think is inferior to
the Trophy.
Auto-Sleepers told me that
customers wanted an opening rear door
(why, as they never had one before).
That was the demise of the Trophy, after
the great cost of developing and testing
the pod, only being around for about
two years.
In 1997 we needed more space for
growing grandchildren and so moved
onto the Auto-Sleeper Clubman, but we
still have lovely memories of times in
L228 DOD.
I hope this will be of some interest to
Andy and any other Trophy owners.
John Bradfield

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 13

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Pixabay
Humps and bumps
Regarding Stephen Rewse’s
letter (December 2019, p10)
about roundabouts and road
humps, on the four occasions
we have visited France we, too,
have taken non-toll roads and
encountered the road-hump
menace constantly. Perhaps
their raison d’être is that the
French are all boy-racers,
although they would probably
say it’s us.
My point is, check your gas
bottles and bike racks (our
cylinders were dislodged but
fortunately were prevented
from dropping onto the road by
their straps)!
John & Louise Griffiths
Beware of hired
motorhomes
I was very interested to read
the letter from Cathy Sims
(October 2019, p13).
We visited the Scottish
Highlands in June 2019 and had
similar problems with the
behaviour of many drivers of
hired motorhomes. I have
driven around Scotland many
times, and this year the driving
of motorhomes was the worst
I’ve ever witnessed. I agree
about many drivers being
unaware of how to use the
single-track roads. Some
drivers use the passing places
to sit and admire the view!
I was driving on the A896
from Kyle of Lochalsh going
north, coming to the two-lane
section approaching a left-hand
bend, a motorhome came
around and hit my offside
mirror with some force,
smashing the guard, mirror
casing and knocking out the
mirror glass. I stopped (in
shock), expecting the other
vehicle to have stopped.
My wife ran back up the road
to where the road went into
single track; no sign of the
other motorhome. My wife
picked up the broken pieces
from the road (she also saw the
tyre marks we had made on the
edge of the grass). I then spent
some time trying to put
together the pieces with duct
tape, so I could drive the
vehicle. I ended up with several
pieces that belonged to the
other motorhome.
Having been unable to get
the registration number, we
realised that we had seen a
large Scottish emblem on the
bonnet. We continued to
Ullapool and our site.
The next day we found
another motorhome with the
Scottish emblem on the bonnet
and the people confirmed it
was a hired vehicle.
So be aware of the large
number of hired motorhomes
in the Highlands of Scotland.
Maybe good for tourism, but
not for other drivers.
John Nixon
BBC iPlayer in Europe
I wonder how many readers
agree with me that the BBC is
wrong to stop transmissions of
the iPlayer to UK licence payers
who motorhome in Europe.
I’ve written to the BBC,
following a suggestion that the
reason it restricts viewing
outside of the UK is that it is
protecting licence payers’
interests. I took issue with this,
as a licence payer, and in my
letter asked why, with today’s
technology, it would not be
possible to make it available to
me with a passcode. The reply
suggested that the BBC was
working on that but it was
technically difficult.
Perhaps, if a number of us
UK motorhomers who visit the
EU wrote to the BBC outlining
that it was wrong to exclude
licence payers who travel
outside the UK, then things
may change, allowing us to use
the service. Well worth a try.
Norman Newbigging
Buying local can pay
The letter from K Wiggins
(November 2019, p20/21)
strikes a chord. Lured by an
excellent part-exchange
allowance for our old
Bessacarr and a free swap
over of satellite and scooter
rack, we took possession of
our new Swift 597 a little
more than 18 months ago.
The dealer was in Devon
and we live in Suffolk.
We knew that a return
visit to the dealer was
inevitable as there are
nearly always some things
needing warranty attention
but we thought a few days in
Devon – what’s not to like?
But the Swift had a
problem that wasn’t cured
on the first visit.
I asked Swift if it would
allow me to use my known
and trusted approved
workshop, but this was out
of the question.
So, I tried the nearest
Swift dealer but it wouldn’t
take warranty work for
vehicles it did not supply.
So, I have to choose
between paying for the
repairs myself locally or
taking the motorhome back
down to Devon.
This is over 300 miles
each way and, if you add
return rail fares and hotel
costs, this comes to over
£400. And, there’s the four
days of my life I could put to
better use.
The Devon dealer has
been very helpful and
understanding and we may
yet come to a solution that
mitigates at least part of the
transport costs.
John Dawson
I totally agree, if there is a
fault with a motorhome the
cost should be covered by
the selling dealer who can
then claim recompense from
the manufacturer if it’s
under warranty.
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk
LETTERS
Regarding paying the
dealer/workshop to take the
motorhome away for a
service or modification, this
depends on whether the
service is for the base
vehicle or the habitation.
Either way, if it’s a base
vehicle service, the dealer
should be grateful for the
business, because the
customer could easily
recommend additional
customers, so the dealer
would earn more money in
the long term.
It seems that the dealer is
not looking for the long-
term gain, it is only
interested in the short-term
profits, not a very good way
to conduct longevity in
business or build trust with
customes, especially for
repeat business.
If the dealer is charging
money to take the
motorhome away for a
habitation service then it
would be best to get a
qualified mobile service
engineer to come to where
the motorhome is kept, thus
no money to pay the dealer
or for fuel.
Mobile engineers can do
a habitation service at a
time and place that is
convenient to the customer;
this saves the customer
taking time off work, if they
are lucky enough to have a
job; and if they are not
working, it will still save
them time to enjoy whatever
they wanted to do.
It would also save fuel,
which also costs money and
you would get a personal
service and can meet the
person that will do the
actual work.
John Wickham
ED We always recommend
buying from a dealer close
to you to avoid costly
journeys for warranty work.
15
 Only the best for you
and your motorhome
Our Installation Services
With most of the products we sell, getting the installation right is critical. If it’s not done properly, the equipment won’t
work correctly: full-stop. At RoadPro, we also understand that, if you’ve spent thousands of ££s on your motorhome,
you don’t want it to be spoiled by a clumsy or incompetent fitter. When we fit something, we do it right.

Just a couple of comments.

“RoadPro’s service is second to none.” Rodney Lambert, Vice
Chairman, Caravan & Motorhome Club.
“I can't thank RoadPro enough for having done such a fantastic
job. I would recommend them to anyone contemplating ways to
improve their motorhome. 5 star rating.”
John Lawrence Bsc MPhil CChem MRSC CSci FCMI FISBL

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Despite what some people will tell you, it’s not just a matter of taking out your lead-acid
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new battery, anyway.
We have a range of batteries to suit all requirements with
capacities from 30Ah to 150Ah. Essential batteries are
made in Yorkshire and come with a 10-year warranty.
NDS 3Lion batteries come from Italy and are supplied
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battery’s behaving.
Whichever battery you choose, proper installation is
essential and we can arrange this for you.

Take a look at our guide.

You can find our guide to lithium batteries on our website, in the Product
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which battery and accessories you should get and why, if you don’t get it
right, you could be making a very expensive mistake!

Talk to Merve at the show.

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Tel: 01327 312233 E-mail: sales@roadpro.co.uk

www.roadpro.co.uk
Visit www.roadpro.co.uk
for details.

Calais aire beware!
In October we arrived at the Calais aire late-afternoon in our
Auto-Trail Comanche. In the early morning we were awoken
by noises, which we thought were caused by someone trying
to steal the cycle off the rack. We checked all around but
found nothing.
Next morning we completed our various tasks before
driving away bound for Spain. After passing the Eurotunnel
slip road off the A16 we heard two thumps at the back of the
vehicle. We thought something in the garage had fallen over.
The thumping became more urgent and we realised to our
horror that there was someone riding on our chassis. At this
time we were travelling at 50-60mph!
We pulled into the next services and watched as someone
slithered out from underneath. I knelt down to look
underneath and saw a second youth exiting from the other
side. They sauntered off carrying a mobile phone which we
guess they were using to check the route and realised that, in
spite of our English plates, we were going the wrong way. We
were enormously relieved that they hadn’t fallen off and been
run over by us.
Dave & Di Ringrose
We had just spent a most enjoyable holiday in the
Netherlands in our Auto-Trail Cheyenne, but forecast rain for
the next 10 days saw us heading home via Calais.
We spent a peaceful night in an aire in Calais and needed
to arrive at the port at noon. We wanted some supplies but
found out that Cite Europe’s very large car park had two-
metre height barriers. The next two ‘supermarkets near me’
on Google had no parking so we ended up about 15 minutes
away from the port. We were now tight for time so were
pleased when we got to the port with five minutes to spare.
In the queue for French customs we were sitting behind a
car of people who did not seem to understand the concept of
a passport. Changing lanes we were then pulled over for an
inspection, which included a look under the seat cushions, in
the shower and wardrobe as well as the outside ski locker and
underneath. British customs were quick and we breathed a
sigh of relief when the P&O lady let us through and we got
onto the boat without even having to stop our engine.
Arriving in Dover we decided to give the M20 and its
endless roadworks a miss and take the coast route on our way
to Devon. We stopped for diesel near Hythe and, a little later,
we pulled into a layby on the A27 for a break. We made tea
and found the last of the cake and, as there was a coat on the
seat I wanted to sit on, I went to put it away in the wardrobe.
In retrospect it is a bit of a blur after that, but I opened the
wardrobe and registered that half the clothes had come off
the hanging rail, immediately followed by the fact they were
replaced by a face! At the same time a foot appeared in the
door trying to block me from shutting the door.
I shouted to Barry to call the police. Having established
what had happened, the police dispatcher stayed on the line
and was very helpful. Despite having iPads and sat-nav we
were not thinking straight enough to use them to tell them
exactly where we were, but having not long passed Polegate
Services they were able to find us within about 10 minutes
although it seemed much longer.
LETTERS
The man continued to ask
us not to call the police and
tried to force his way out, but
luckily the design of our
wardrobe has a small door on
either side of the partition
between the rear washroom
and the kitchen so, with one
of us leaning against each
door, we were able to keep
him contained. My main
worry was if he had a
weapon and, as I am 73 and
Barry 81, we would not be
able to defend ourselves against a fit young man.
The police arrived and asked us to leave the vehicle whilst
they dealt with the man.
The police escorted the man away and asked us a few
questions, leaving us with a phone number to call if we found
anything on board that was not ours. They found very little in
his pockets and certainly not any breaking and entering tools.
We later found several Stanley knife blades with one end
wrapped in masking tape.
At this stage, a night at the nearest campsite was called for
and we were very happy to find the Brighton Caravan and
Motorhome club site open and with spaces. Thanks to the
staff there who were very kind and helpful and gave us a very
friendly welcome and nice pitch.
The obvious question is where and how did he get on
board? We had been broken into in Spain a couple of years
ago so were very careful to lock the ’van before we left her in
the supermarket car park. We also have a secondary lock on
the habitation door, which we used together with a Cobra
alarm. This was the only time we were not with the vehicle,
apart from on the ferry, since we left Belgium the previous
day. After that we had the inspection by customs in Calais.
When filling up with diesel, Barry was pumping on the
nearside, whilst I went into the shop. It would only have been
a matter of seconds, if I had left the driver’s door open, which
I do not remember, before I looked back to see when Barry
had completed the fill. Would that have been enough time for
him to get into the ’van and find somewhere to hide?
We also wonder what would have happened if we had not
stopped. When and how would he have made his presence
known and would we have been robbed as well?
It seems he was quite a young man and there were times
shortly afterwards when we felt sympathy for a young person
who would go through what he must have done to get across
the Channel but, at the time, we felt we did what was needed
to protect ourselves.
I guess next time we will stick to more westerly ports,
although recent events in Essex do make you realise that even
if the shorter crossings are better policed, we may need to be
more vigilant everywhere.
Will it stop us going again? No, I don’t think so, but as we
are thinking of downsizing our motorhome we will choose
one with a less than person-sized wardrobe.
Barry Mills & Rosemary Taylor
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 17
Ducato engine issues
We own a 2013 Auto-Trail
Delaware on a 3-litre Fiat
Ducato chassis. We have had it
four years and done 35,000-plus
miles with no mechanical
issues until last month. Since
then, we’ve learned a lot about
the Ducato.
Approximately two years
ago, the ‘check heater plugs’
warning flashed up on the dash
when starting. It stayed on for
approximately 30 seconds.
I spoke to my dealer who
informed me this was a
common issue with Ducatos,
especially if the vehicle battery
dropped below 12.2V. This
continued sporadically and,
when in for its annual service,
we specifically requested the
heater plugs be checked and
changed if necessary. It
reported back, nothing
untoward.
Again this year, the message
continued and the same
request and reply at service.
Then, when we were driving
home our ’van went into ‘limp
home mode’ and the EML
(engine management light) was
illuminated. The local garage
diagnosed four faults: pre
heater system, DPF filter, DPF
filter clogged and DPF sensor.
The cost was £2,400 minimum!
Initially, it was decided that
the garage would change the
heater plugs and progress from
there. Next day, the garage
informed me that the wiring to
the heater plugs was corroded
and broken. It had tried to
remove a plug but it was
broken. It did not have the
facilities or resources to carry
out further repairs.
I brought the vehicle home. I
ascertained there are
companies up and down the
country who specialise in only
the removal of injectors and
heater plugs.
I contacted Injector
Removal Scotland who came to
my home. I prepared the
And so to bed
Regarding the query from Jack Hemmings about a
McLouis 670 (December 2019, p15) and the single bed
set up, I may have the answer.
The single bed runs from the two-seater out to the
entrance door. It is made up of a cushion from the
single seat and a cushion with a hard base.
A support pulls out from under the two-seater. This
extends to the front edge of the single seat, and is
covered by a cushion from the single seat. The gap in
the door well is covered by the cushion with the hard
base, this rests on two pieces of wood fitted
horizontally in the door well.
Sé Fulham
vehicle by removing the front instructions. The result being
grille, radiator, intercooler and that the vehicle runs as normal
inlet manifold. Alan drilled out now and the cost was £770.
three of the heater plugs and My tip is to dry off the top of
managed to remove the fourth. the engine (where injectors sit
He fitted new heater plugs. – under the engine cover) and
I then replaced the parts I place 150ml to 200ml of ATF
had removed, cleared the code fluid. This will not smell if hot
using my newly acquired code or ignite. It will eventually soak
reader (MS309 OBD2 OBDII down past the bolts and
EOBD Car Fault Code Reader injectors, assisting removal. If
MaxiScan MS309 Diagnostic water falls on it, oil will be at
Tool UK) and started the the bottom as this is heavier.
vehicle. After a run (15 miles) Top up as and when.
the EML came on again and Mac & Sarah Mackenzie
the code reader detected: DPF
full and DPF sensor. ED Nick Fisher adds: The
I bought a new genuine Fiat ‘check heater plugs’ warning
sensor (£107) and used a can of comes on for a number of
DPF cleaner as per the reasons. One is certainly low

Greek gems
It was good to see the Greeced Lightning
article (December 2019, p38).
According to one of the UK’s leading
clubs, people rarely want to drive their
campers or caravans to Greece and
therefore they were not interested in
joining the list of the many European
camper and caravan clubs in order for
their members to obtain ferry discounts
for the routes from Italy to Greece. We
therefore joined the French FFCC
ffcc.fr to obtain a worthwhile
discount from the Attica Group
(Superfast) and Anek Lines, which runs
ferries from Venice, Ancona and Bari to
mainland Greece. We usually go for the
Ancona to Igoumenitsa route.
With the Attica Group you can camp
on board so there is no need for a cabin.
You plug into the ship’s electric on an
open deck. Access to the ship is allowed
and there are toilets and showers on deck.
We go to Greece twice a year and have
tried all routes and have settled on the
France, Belgium, Luxembourg,
Switzerland and Italy route, primarily
for filling up with the cheaper fuel in
Luxembourg. Our camper is under 3.5
tonnes and we buy the vignette for
Switzerland for the year online from
tolltickets.com
We usually use the Channel Tunnel
and buy 10 crossings (£460) that we can
share with a friend. There will be at least
£10 in extra costs for campers/caravans.
The cross-Channel ferry price quoted in
the article is cheaper for a return trip if
you want to be on a tub for 90 minutes.
The Greek ferries allow pets at no
extra charge and are pretty luxurious.
Our camper is just over 7m and, with
discounts, our return trip in September
cost us €444.50, so under £400.
We go there to attend to our holiday
villas, but touring Greece, as the article
indicates, is very special and, if you do
not wish to travel alone, there are
several organised tour companies. We
were on the return trip with a German
group seabridge-tours.de
Finally, be careful with dash cams as
the privacy laws in the UK differ from
many European countries. In Austria we
understand that it is illegal to even
possess one, let alone use it, with a
maximum €10,000 fine.
John Simmons

18 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020


battery voltage and this can
often be remedied by the
addition of a second engine
earth strap. A poor connection
onto one of the glow plugs or a
wiring fault somewhere in the
engine wiring loom. While the
glow plugs are indeed used for
more than just starting, the
presence of a fault does not
mean that they are not
working and, if the glow plug
light flashes for 30 seconds or
so after start-up, this is normal
in low temperature conditions
and will result in slightly
higher fuel consumption due
to the enrichment process
used after start up. It is not
normally considered a serious
problem and a lot of vehicles
suffer with this.
The main problem with
glow plugs is that they are
small and delicate. Made of
steel, they are inserted into an
aluminium cylinder head and
this combination results in
oxidisation and increase the
likelihood of them breaking
when being removed. This is a
problem suffered by most
modern engines. It is a
specialised job with specific
tools needed.
The issue with the DPF
being apparently clogged is
determined by a sensor at the
On the connecting ferry
from Lixouri to Argostoli
on Kefalonia
We spotted this train station at
Reggio Emilia. Beautiful!
Just into Switzerland from Italy
on the E35 heading home
LETTERS
front and another towards the
rear of the DPF that measure
pressure. The difference Underwritten by
between the two
measurements gives a
differential pressure and
indicates the amount of
clogging. When this suddenly
appears with no prior history,
it is prudent to remove the
sensor and check for the
presence of water. Despite the
huge temperatures that often
occur in the DPF, the pipes
attached to the sensor are
prone to condensation. In
many cases, using an air line to
blow moisture out of the pipes
Tried &
and a quick clean of the sensor
will cure the problem but often
the sensors need to be
replaced. Aftermarket sensors
are made by Bosch and are the
same as the OE items but are
around half of the price. The
vehicle will need to run a
Trusted
Specialist cover for your home from home.
process of ‘learn DPF sensor
parameters’ via the diagnostic
unit before it works correctly.
The final tip makes perfect
sense apart from the fact that
there is a drain hole at the Based on over 1000 reviews
gearbox end of the cylinder
head. I would not recommend
blocking this up but, if you Why choose Comfort?
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February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 19
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Full Vehicle roch re Find Watch The Read The Find Us On
Speciication Download Dealer Latest Videos Latest News Social Media

Our views on the block Pet peeves and more
I read with interest Sue Martin’s
article about showers
(November 2019, p242), and I
quite agree with the sentiments
expressed. I would also like to
point out that the French close
up for the winter, so they do
not think they need warm
showers and toilet blocks.
I do find that the mixed sex
blocks aren’t to my liking,
either, so we avoid France.
I take my own stool to sit
on, and I do think it should be
possible to have an area where
one’s clothes could be kept dry.
I always put my shoes
outside the door.
The Spanish, on the other
hand, provide a warm and cosy
environment for those
overwintering in the sun, and
we have found that any site
that has a winter rally or is
open all year, will try to provide
facilities that are usable.
They separate the sexes and
also, any site that has winter
sports – skiing, etc – usually
has a toilet block that is warm.
However, we have only
found one site that is really
good on the south coast of
Spain, But it is not ACSI.
We went to a site near
Alicante, called La Marina, that
has toilets and showers in the
same room, and they are tiled
much like our bathroom at
home and there is a seat to sit
on to dry one’s feet and a bidet.
It is also next to the sea,
with large plots. But again it is
not ACSI.
I do not really like showers
but I haven’t found a site with a
bath; not adult-sized anyway.
I like my husband to shave
in the shower block – our
campervan has a tip-up
washbasin and I think the
bristles can block the basin.
He thinks cleaning my teeth
also blocks it up.
The best thing about having
a motorhome is reading MMM
– it’s always informative and
interesting.
I have thought of changing
to Campervan but is it as good?
Sylvia Tatham
LETTERS
We usually take our
motorhome abroad in early
summer and camp in the UK at
other times but, in 2019, we
decided to do short trips in
England and Wales. We stayed
at many sites new to us and
enjoyed great camping at
mostly Caravan and
Motorhome Club and Camping
and Caravanning Club sites but
also a few independent ones.
Many thanks to the wardens
at Club sites who work so hard
to maintain such great places
to stay. However, we continue
to be shocked by what we see
other campers doing.
Campers continue to leave
excess electrical cable coiled in
a dangerous heap. Also cables
are not tidied around the
electrical points and are left as Open
trip ‘wires’.
7 days
Often abroad there are
hooks at the base of the
hook-up points for cables to be
linked around before trailing to Claim your £20 MMM subscriber
units. We have even seen live
cables left on the ground when or £10 reader discount* by calling
campers go out for the day.
Do wardens have the right
to disconnect such cables from
0800 612 3179
the point?
We know there will always
be dogs on campsites; however,
we still see dogs off leads and
Insurance not due yet?
dogs barking unnecessarily. We Bank your discount
even saw at a site a few weeks
ago campers sitting by their for later
unit and throwing a ball a fair
distance away for their dog to
retrieve. Occasionally, dogs are £20
left in ’vans while the owners MMM
subscriber
go out walking or cycling. Why
do some owners think the rules
do not apply to them and think
everyone likes their pooches?
We are all aware of the effect Register online at
vehicles are making upon
climate change yet we hear caravanguard.co.uk/mmm and
engines running while new we’ll call you nearer your renewal
arrivals book in and engines
left on while hitching or
unhitching caravans. Why *This is an introductory offer only and
would anyone want to bend not available on existing policies. The
£20 MMM subscriber discount only
down to do this near an available by calling. Minimum premiums
exhaust pipe? apply. We reserve the right to withdraw
Have any other campers offers at any time. Caravan Guard Limited
is authorised and regulated by the
experienced such things? Financial Conduct Authority.
John & Anne Maplesden
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 21
LETTERS

Balancing the costs

In October 2019 (p242) Brenda
and Richard Diggens engage in
a familiar moan about UK
motorhome facilities. Lots of
people will agree with them
and I do myself in part, but a
bit of balance is needed. I’m
sure if I met the Diggens’ we’d
get on fine, so no offence
intended when I say ‘they’.
They complain about
expensive sites, but regard the
£18 ACSI fee as economical.
That doesn’t leave much room
for complaint when compared
with what my wife and I reckon
to pay for a night. Yes, we’d all
like to pay less, we’d like our
overnighting free, but is that
the complaint, we don’t get it
for nothing?
The argument is often raised
that motorhomers will spend
money in the local economy. If
a pub or farm shop, maybe in
the Brit Stops scheme or
similar, makes that choice,
great. But how much do
motorhomers spend between
9pm and 9am? During the day,
will a couple in a motorhome
spend that much more than car
visitors in the two car parking
spaces that the motorhome
occupies? Enough to justify the
cost of special facilities?
On a visit to Norway
recently, locals were saying
they are fed up with German
and other motorhomers
coming to Norway, fully loaded
up with provisions so they
spend very little money and do
nothing for the local economy.
We often visit Swanage in
Dorset. During the years we’ve
been doing so, the restrictions
on ‘vehicles with cooking and/
or sleeping facilities’ have
increased. That’s a pity, but
why? Is it lobbying from
campsite owners or has
previous hospitality been
abused? To be fair to Swanage,
motorhomes have been banned
from the seafront road but
there is a large car park where
motorhomes are welcome. It’s
not too expensive and is a few
hundred yards from the front.
Yes, we’d all like more and
cheaper facilities, but we need
to consider both sides of the
argument. It’s not ‘us’ of course,
but how much harm do
inconsiderate and irresponsible
wild campers do to our cause?
What can we do to make
ourselves more welcome?
Brenda and Richard cite
Canterbury, Fylde and Chester
as places where the council
makes motorhomes welcome.
It’d be interesting to hear the
views of those councils
compared with, say, Swanage,
which has increased restrictions.
Best wishes to all for happy,
peaceful and economical
overnighting.
Tom Bell-Richards
Time lost at renewal
Tom Calverley (December 2019,
p19) is wrong about passport
renewal starting from the
expiration date of the old
passport.
I’ve just renewed mine,
which was due to expire next
spring and now ends 10 years
to the day of renewal.
Sadly, thanks to Brexit,
previously extended passports
like my old one are now only
valid to 10 years post the
renewal date and, to travel in
Europe, you will need at least
six months before that expiry
date (as is currently the case
with US and Canada) on your
passport to enter a country.
To add to the problems of
touring, travellers in the event
of a no-deal Brexit will be
unable to export food so will
this mean no packed lunch,
filled fridge, snacks, etc, as you
cross the Channel?
Stephen Rewse (December
2019, p10) is right that
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne is
beautiful but please don’t let
everyone know! We’ve stayed
there two years running on our
travels and it is very lovely, as is
the surrounding countryside.
As aspiring motorhome
owners, we stay in a local hotel
just beside the market square. I
enjoy the local market as much
as walking by the river or
following the woodland trails.
Penelope Reid
Tom Calverley is wrong in his
assumption that a new
passport will run for 10 years
after the expiry date of the old
one. I have just renewed mine
(three months early to be safe
– the Passport Office does have
a reputation for being slow at
times) and was a bit miffed
when the new one arrived with
a straight 10-year validity.
My wife renewed her passport
in 2018 and was credited with
the time remaining on her old
document. There is no mention
of this change in policy that I
can find in the paper passport
renewal guidance pamphlet or
on the paper application form
but it is stated on the passport
office website that the passport
will be valid for 10 years.
The moral of this story is
not to apply too early!
I used the Post Office’s
digital check and send service
– it’s brilliant and takes five
minutes, no form to fill in, it
takes your photograph, checks
everything and sends it off.
Your old undamaged
passport, mobile phone
number and email address are
required. The service costs
about £15 but you save the cost
and hassle of getting
photographs and postage costs.
This service is not available at
all Post Offices.
My new passport arrived in
seven days.
One could be cynical and
surmise our civil service is
looking to boost income to pay
for all the promises that the
politicians – of whatever party
– made in an effort to get our
votes in the recent election.
Paul Evans

22 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

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Our month
MMM’s team share the ups and downs of their motorhoming month
BOUND TO HAPPEN
“I discovered the water system was
half-empty, finding an impact damage
hole in the radiator”
Andy Stothert Travel Writer
We’ve had our Ducato-based
campervan for over 12 years
and, after the initial teething
troubles, with the mileage now
at 90,000 it’s got be said that it
has been mostly reliable.
However, from the start I
didn’t like the look of the wide
gaps in the front grille; this
was a damaged radiator just waiting to happen.
But, complacency and prognostication gradually
set in and I never got around to fitting a finer mesh
behind the grille to protect that vulnerable-looking
radiator. As the years passed without incident, I
started to think I was worrying unnecessarily, and so
the incentive to do anything gradually disappeared.
Well, the inevitable happened and, the day before
we were due to go away for a weekend, I discovered
the water system was half-empty, finding an impact
damage hole in the radiator. After getting it repaired,
I finally got around to fitting a panel of finer mesh in
front of the radiator.
There are off-the-shelf solutions available but,
being an impecunious pensioner, I decided a £4.50
piece of galvanised mesh from a builder’s merchant
was a much more financially acceptable solution. It’s
a touch flimsy, but hopefully will be up to the job.
What surprises me is there’s no ‘low water level’
warning light, with the only sign of a serious water
loss issue being indicated by the activation of a high
temperature warning light and by the temperature
gauge rising beyond its normal reading.
THE DOG’S PYJAMAS
“Our latest trip with the temperature constantly
sub-zero was the ideal test of the ‘dog jumper’ I
bought online”
Felicity Martin Travel Writer
Our collie, Braan, knows her place – the
floor – and wouldn’t jump onto the
furniture even if you asked her.
Which is just as well as she’s an
intrepid outdoor dog and often returns to
the ’van with her white underparts
matching her brown back.
When we bought our front lounge
WildAx Constellation, we quickly figured
out that letting her sleep in the rear corridor created a trip
hazard on night-time visits to the washroom.
As the lounge makes up into our bed, she was relegated to
the only other available floor space, the passenger footwell.
Most of the time she’s quite content in her little den and
sometimes retires to bed there of her own accord if we’re
‘keeping her up’.
However, it’s the coldest part of the ’van and, in winter, the
heating we leave on low overnight doesn’t penetrate that far.
On cold nights she fidgets a lot and keeps me awake (nothing
much disturbs my partner Andrew’s sleep). We try putting a
blanket over her, but this soon falls off. So, I came up with a new
solution – pyjamas!
Our latest trip with the temperature constantly sub-zero was
the ideal test of the ‘dog jumper’ I bought online. It is quite tight
to pull on, not that Braan minds as treats are involved. Once on,
it fits well and stays in place. Wearing it has made all the
difference and even encouraged her to ‘lie in’ some mornings.
Now I just need to sort out the other noisy sleeper in our ’van!
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 25
 Motor muse monthly
The MMM Entertainments Officer is wondering what you
are all doing in your motorhomes during these long, dark evenings

J
ust imagine it is 4pm on a mid-December afternoon in the us. Books, backed up by the soothing sounds of my record
miserable Disunited Queendom and we are hibernating in collection figure quite high on our list of necessities.
our motorcaravans. But they do have to be real books, with pages we can rip out
I hate winter. And it’s not just us who are hiding – there’s a (after reading) to be hung in the washroom for recycling. And
field full of us and, like all the other animals, we are patiently please, no letters from incandescent nutters (or toilet
waiting for the welcome warmth of spring. manufacturers) arguing the wisdom of this, or pointing out the
Why are we doing this? For all we know inside our small technical unsuitability of the materials and the dire
metallic mobile capsule, the world could have ended and, consequences to bodily health and function. Ink transference
occasionally, I pull the blind down a little and peek out to see if issues don’t matter, as you can’t see them.
anything or anyone stirs, or for any other signs of life out there in Obviously, we don’t carry a traditional record player for the
the cold: a fox rifling through someone’s rubbish, a squirrel music, but apparently the current tech (nological) solution (an
nibbling the odd hook-up cable or a site warden surreptitiously iPod) is now old hat, and they tell me I need to rip out all my
measuring your distance from the dreaded peg... stuff and replace it with Bluetooth-enabled. Perhaps someone
Where was I in this depressing tale of a relentlessly white, can explain... preferably after a bit more Scotch, though.
retired motorhomer Other evening events
suffering from Seasonally include Scrabble but, in
Affected Disorder? Though it
may not be all that seasonal.
“ Once she has gazed into its hypnotic screen, she is truth, I like to relax in the
evenings, and not get
Hibernation. At one time, completely oblivious to anything or anyone else ” involved in an activity that
before camperhomes were requires total concentration
equipped with wall-to-wall (well, any really), and a fair
heating and hot water, the bit of bad-tempered
evening would’ve started at competitive cheating to
the washing-up sinks, and a achieve a result.
bit of bonhomie with fellow Without it I get
voyageurs. But not anymore. absolutely trounced every
Oh no, everyone is in time by the smiling assassin
lock-down mode inside their facing me across the table.
centrally heated gin palaces. How can someone be so
Or Scotch palace in our case. lucky so often?
What are they all doing? I have noticed that the
How is everyone whiling introduction of these
away the interminably long addictive ‘devices’
dark evenings? (appropriately called tablets)
Now perhaps it is just us has had quite an impact on
being bloody-minded, but the long, dark evenings for a
we don’t carry one of those lot of folk, and these include
television things in the motorcamperhome. Mainly because there my travelling companion. Once she has gazed into its hypnotic
isn’t sufficient wall space to accommodate the 60in flatscreen screen, she is completely oblivious to anything or anyone else
smart TV, which seems to be the smallest available nowadays. until the middle of the night. In some ways these things, along
Without paying through the nose that is, for a Gore-Tex one or with the endemic smartphone compulsion, are quite annoying
whatever they’re called. for the rest of us, but they do save on the need for small talk, or
And, anyway, unless you like reruns and reality rubbish, what having to face the intellectual gymnastics of Scrabble.
is there that is actually worth watching? A gibbering Tony Personally, I would rather go for a bracing evening stroll then,
Blackburn messing about in a field with a gang of other old when I get back, indulge in a bit of curtain twitching and whisky
has-beens in a caravan? No, perhaps not, but I do like his Sounds glass holding, whilst compiling the travel diary to remind me of
Of The 60s radio show at 6am on Saturday mornings, so the long, my pulsating existence on these long, dark winter evenings in
dark evenings in a field aren’t quite so long on Fridays, when I the cramperhome.
have to be tucked up in bed dreaming of the summer by 10pm. But what I really wonder is what are the rest of you up to
So no, the idiots’ lantern isn’t on the entertainment agenda for behind all those mysteriously pulled blinds?

26 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020


4 BERTH
LAYOUT
SOLARIS XL
With a very unique layout the Solaris XL offers 4 adult beds and
travelling seats in a standard panel van sized motorhome. With
long bunk beds (upto 6ft 8) and a large double bed (6ft2 by 4ft6)
the sleeping arrangements are spacious and flexible.
The front travel seats easily become a double bed or alternatively
can be set up as sofas for lounging or eating. The kitchen area is a
source of particular pride in the Solaris XL with a long 6ft worktop
including deep sink, full cooker and a generous prep area.
Storage is very positive with large drawers in the kitchen, under
bunk storage, rear dirty item storage and lots of high level
cupboards. All told the Solaris XL offers a very flexible, comfortable
motorhome for a family of 4 in a panel van only 6.36m long!
Unit G9, Lock View, Lowfields
Business Park, Elland. HX5 9HD
T: 01422 372111
E: enquiries@wildaxmotorhomes.com
W: www.wildaxmotorhomes.com
FROM £54,675 EX-WORKS*
All WildAx motorhomes have 2 main design features:
• to be fully winterised and as such are independently tested to ensure
that we offer the maximum protecion for usage in cold weather. The
standardised test we use involves temperatures down to minus 20 deg
C. This is achieved by ensuring the enire motorhome is fully insulated
including the water tanks that have a 12v frost protecion system
installed. Our motorhomes all have the Truma iNet installed as standard
enabling your Truma Combi to be controlled from an app on your phone!
• to be ‘wild camping’ ready. This is achieved in a number of ways. We
use low power consumpion parts where possible including LED lighing
and 3 way fridges. Our water tanks are custom made to our designs
giving a full 100 litre capacity for both fresh and waste water. Also as
standard there is an underslung refillable LPG tank (20/30 litres). All our
motorhomes use a 100 Ahr leisure batery to give an impressive 2-4
days off mains without engine start. We also pre-wire for solar panel
fitment as this is a very popular opional extra.
* Ex-works = price without road tax and first reg fee.
 FIND YOUR DEALER

WildAx
Motorhomes

E S Hartley Motorhomes
Cumbria
Maple Garage
Kelly Mobility Hornsea
E S Hartley WildAx
Dublin
Motorhomes Eiland
Ellesmere Port
Becks
Gt Yarmouth
Nick Whale
Evesham

Wiltshire Motorhomes Southern Motorhome Centre

Melksham Bracknell

Highbridge Caravan Centre

Newton Abbot

WildAx Motorhomes Head Office and Factory Elland HX5 9HD, UK

01422 372111 http://www.wildaxmotorhomes.com

E S Hartley Motorhomes (Cumbria) Ings, Kendal LA8 9PY

01539 822450 http://www.eshartleygroup.co.uk/motorhomes

4
E S Hartley Motorhomes (Ellesmere Port) Ellesmere Port CH65 3DD
0151 350 6870 http://www.eshartleygroup.co.uk/motorhomes

Berth Manufactured in UK
Kelly Mobility Ltd
(01) 862 3322
20&21 Viscount Ave, Airways Industrial Estate, Dublin, Ireland
http://www.kellymobility.ie

Maple Garage Main Road, Mappleton. Hornsea. HU18 1XT

01964 534144 http://www.maplegarage.co.uk

Nick Whale Motorhomes Evesham WR11 8SN, UK

01386 870852 http://www.nickwhalemotorhomes.co.uk

Southern Motorhome Centre Brickfields Industrial Estate, Kiln Ln, Bracknell RG12 1NA http://
0800 028 3417 www.southernmotorhomes.co.uk

Becks Motorhomes Martham Rd, Rollesby, Great Yarmouth NR29 5DR

01493 740274 https://www.becksmotorhomes.com

Full European 4 Wiltshire Motorhomes

01225 896699
Lancaster Rd, Bowerhill, Melksham SN12 6SS
http://www.wiltshiremotorhomes.co.uk

Type Approval
Berth
safe
GAS TM

REGISTER
Highbridge Caravan Centre Higher Brooks Plantation, Teigngrace, Newton Abbot TQ12 6QZ
Manufactured in UK 01626 832792 http://www.highbridgecaravans.co.uk
NEWS & EVENTS
TAX
Confusion over road
tax rates for new
motorhomes
Confusion over the new road tax rules,
which came into effect on new
motorhomes powered by the latest
(and cleanest) Euro 6d/2 diesel
engines in September 2019, is growing.
Several issues have come to light
since the rules – which mean buyers of
new motorhomes are now faced with a
£2,870 higher Vehicle Excise Duty
(VED) bill over a six-year period –
were introduced.
The industry trade body, the
National Caravan Council (NCC),
continues to lobby to have
motorhomes and campervans
excluded but, if successful, it is
unlikely the VED system will be
amended before the start of the new
tax year at the beginning of April or,
more likely, April 2021.
The new VED rules, which were
introduced as a result of a change in
EU regulations and a new emissions
testing regime, mean that new
motorhomes and campervans
powered by diesel engines meeting the
latest and most stringent emission
standards moved from the previous
commercial vehicle tax band into the
much higher car tax band.
This means the first VED for a new
motorhome increased from £265 to
£2,135 – a 705% increase – plus
owners are now liable for an annual
charge for the following five years of
£465 (up from £265).
Motorhomes powered by previous-
generation engines are not affected.
However, some new models,
including some powered by the
140bhp version of the Fiat Ducato’s
Euro 6d engine, can still be registered
on older NEDC (New European
Driving Cycle) tax regulations.
For example, the Roller Team
T-Line 743 – a rear fixed bed, front
lounge model – comes with Fiat’s new
30 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
120bhp engine as
standard but, if buyers
upgrade to the 140bhp
engine for £900 extra,
this £2,135 tax then
reduces by £575 under
NEDC rules.
To further complicate
matters, it is suggested that this
situation is only temporary and may
end in April, so buyers who get their
motorhome registered in March may
find they are not liable for the higher
VED rate but those who have bought
exactly the same model powered by
the same engine will pay the higher
rate if their new motorhome is
registered after 5 April.
Even more confusingly, it has also
come to light that some motorhomes
based on the rear-wheel drive
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis are
also not liable for the higher VED rate
but models based on the front-wheel
drive Sprinter and some others built
on the RWD chassis will be subject to
the higher VED rate.
This means buyers opting for some
rear-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz
Sprinter-based motorhome can save
thousands of pounds when compared
to a front-wheel drive model.
“The front-wheel drive Sprinter
does not yet have any heavy-duty
emissions certification, so all front-
wheel drive vehicles will currently be
light-duty [and therefore liable for the
higher VED rate],” explained a
Mercedes-Benz spokesman. “I believe
heavy-duty cycle testing is planned
during 2020 but couldn’t give a
specific date when this is expected.”
Much of the confusion is thanks to
the way the new Worldwide
Harmonised Light Vehicle Test
Procedure (WLTP) emissions testing
works. “Now, as WLTP applies only to
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light-duty vehicles and brings with it
many new considerations and
complexities, the two categories and
their differences have been
highlighted in a big way,” said the
Mercedes spokesman. “It is very much
an added confusion along with all the
intricacies of the WLTP regs.”
Finally, a further issue to cloud the
already confusing system is that some
motorhome manufacturers are still
building on run-out chassis with the
previous Euro 6 engine.
If the chassis is a Peugeot Boxer, it
takes skill and knowledge to
differentiate the new chassis from the
previous one. It is only by studying the
paperwork that a dealer and buyer
can be sure what chassis a model is
built on and therefore what VED level
the new owner will be liable to pay.
If it is a motorhome based on the
Fiat Ducato, there is an easier way to
ascertain whether it is the new Euro
6d/2 engine or the previous engine
and that is to open the fuel filler cap
and, if there is an AdBlue filler cap in
addition to the diesel filler cap, then it
is a new engine.
The advice is to discuss with the
dealer exactly what chassis your new
motorhome will be built on, when it
will be registered and what level of
VED it will be liable for. To help the
situation and try to remove confusion,
some manufacturers and dealers are
offering to cover the cost of the tax so,
again, check first what your liability as
a buyer is.

AWARDS
Caravan and Motorhome
Club names top campsites
The Caravan and Motorhome Club of CLs provide our members with
has announced the winners of its CL unique stays up and down the UK
of the Year and Sites in Bloom and, whilst each one is special, they
awards for 2019. unfortunately cannot all win! The
The winner of Certificated awards celebrate owners who truly
Location of the Year Award 2019 is go above and beyond to give visitors
Brunette Cottage, situated in the the very best experience.”
beautiful Welsh borders countryside. Meanwhile, the 2019 winners of
Cherry Cottage in Dorset took the C&MC’s Sites in Bloom Awards,
second place and Marylands in which were introduced in 2003 to
Pembrokeshire came third. reward the creative displays of site
Best Newcomer was awarded to wardens and volunteers, went to
Barn Owl Meadow in Suffolk. York Beechwood Grange (in the
Grenville Chamberlain OBE, the multi-couple category) and Ashridge
Club’s Chairman, said, “Our network Farm in Hertfordshire (with one set
of site wardens).
The displays were rated on their
layout and creative use of space,
variety, innovation, flair and colour
coordination. There were also points
for economy and low maintenance.
The judges also looked for plant
species that were chosen to suit the
local environment.
Runners-up this year were
Edinburgh (multi-couple) and
Minehead (single couple).
Harvey Alexander, the Club’s
Director of Marketing, said, “I’d like
to thank all our incredibly dedicated
site wardens who work hard to
ensure that every site in the network
has attractive grounds. Every year we
receive so many wonderful entries
for the Awards, so huge
The owners of first place CL – Brunette congratulations to the winners and
Cottage Caravan Park thank you to everyone who entered.”
GUIDEBOOK
CAMPSITE FINDER GUIDE
FOR MMM READERS
The fully updated 2020 edition of the Campsite Finder
guide will be included with the March issue of MMM.
Ideal for motorhomers and campervanners, the
full-colour, glovebox-sized guidebook offers comprehensive
details of a huge range of campsites across the UK,
Ireland and Europe. There are over 200 pages of listings
and information split regionally and colour-coded to make
searching for a campsite hassle-free.
Pictures of the sites are included and there are icons
showing the facilities available at each park.
If you’d prefer a copy of the magazine and guidebook on your laptop or tablet, then,
for a limited time, when you buy the March digital issue at pocketmags.com you
will also be able to get a digital copy of Campsite Finder 2020.
NEWS
MANUFACTURER
One-thousandth Grand
California campervan
The 1,000th Grand California
campervan has rolled off VW’s
assembly line at the company’s Polish
factory. Production of this Crafter-
based ’van only began in spring 2019.
This landmark campervan will be
delivered to a customer in Germany,
who specified the red/white exterior
paint scheme along with a panoramic
rooflight and extra bunk bed.
In the UK, orders only started to be
taken in October 2019, with first
customer deliveries this spring.
CLUB
C&CC past president dies
The Camping and Caravanning Club’s
past president, David Bellamy OBE, the
well-known TV presenter,
environmental campaigner and
botanist, passed away recently.
“David was our Club President from
2002 to 2013 and was an inspirational
and popular figure with our members
around the UK,” said Sabina Voysey, the
Club’s Director General. “His larger-
than-life personality shone through to
all who met him, while his passion for
nature and conservation never
dimmed. We are very proud to have
called him Mr President for more than
a decade. David will be greatly missed.”
The Camping and Caravanning
Club’s past presidents have included
Captain Robert Scott of the Antarctic
(1909-1911), and Lord Baden-Powell,
founder of the Scouts (1919-1940).
CAMPSITE
Premier Park site
restaurant wins award
A restaurant at a five-star Premier Park
campsite in Snowdonia has won
recognition at the Restaurant Awards.
Nineteen.57 Restaurant and Bar,
based at Islawrffordd Caravan Park,
Talybont, near Barmouth, was named
Best of North Wales in the Restaurant
Awards 2019 – Welsh Edition.
Located on the Cambrian Coast,
Islawrffordd Caravan Park has 75 fully
serviced, hardstanding pitches and is
one of 100 high-quality Premier Parks
that have been inspected and rated by
the editorial teams behind MMM,
Campervan and Caravan magazines.
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 31
 NEWS

MAGAZINE
WRITE FOR MMM
MMM, Britain’s best-selling motorhome
magazine, is starting the year with a call
to the nation’s motorhomers to put
finger to keyboard and write about their
adventures, projects and experiences.
MMM prides itself on being written by
motorhomers for motorhomers and on
providing a platform for the exchange of
both technical and travel ideas.
If you’re planning a project on your
motorhome in the coming months, do
get in touch first and MMM will guide
you on what is needed to create a
feature that could help other
motorhomers and earn you some money
in the process.
In addition, whether you’re planning a
motorhome tour of a lifetime or heading
to an area of the UK or Europe and want
to share your adventure with fellow
readers, then get in touch and the team
will guide you on what’s needed.
Your first step is to go here
outandaboutlive.co.uk/
motorhomes/information/write-for-
mmm and read the guidelines.
If you have any questions and/or
wish to submit a feature then, for
technical articles, email
mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk
and for travel features, email
mmmtravel@warnersgroup.co.uk
SURVEY
Half of Brits want
to quit rat race
A survey commissioned by insurer,
Lifesure, has found that many British
people dream of quitting the rat race and
heading out on the open road.
Just over half say they’re not wedded to
their jobs, while 36% say they dream of a
life on the open road. One-in-six even
claimed that they are about the quit the
daily grind and over 40% said they’d like
to full-time in a campervan, with 54%
saying they’d convert their own. Over half
said they would like to try living off-grid.
“This research shows that people still
have romantic dreams of life on the open
road and we are not surprised,” said Nick
Long, Commercial Director, Lifesure. “The
flexibility and fun offered by campervans
is second to none.”

NEW MODEL
Laika reveals latest models
Italian manufacturer, Laika, has revealed its latest
models, including its new M Edition low-profile based on
the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (pictured right).
It has also revealed the latest addition to its Kosmo
campervan range – the 6.3 – which has a rear double bed
and there is also now an option for a pop-up roof with
double bed.
Finally, it has also revealed the new Kosmo 909L,
which combines a front lounge with facing sofas and rear
twin beds.
The new M Edition low-profile sits on a Sprinter 311
CDI chassis and measures just 6.9m long yet has a large
(2.18m by 1.22m by 1.07m) garage that is also heated,
insulated and equipped with ‘Easy Lock’ locks for simple
opening and closing.
The interior features new furniture and interior walls
finished in Italian Walnut that, Laika says, recall the
tradition of the Tuscan artisan furniture factories.
Other features include anti-fingerprint and scratch-
resistant kitchen and tabletops; windows with silver
polyurethane frames, blinds and mosquito nets, and
walls, floor
and roof that
are insulated
with extruded
polystyrene
foam (XPS).
The roof is also
coated with hail-
proof glass-fibre as
well as the sub-floor of the living area.
The new Fiat Ducato-based Kosmo 6.3 campervan is
under 6m long (5.99m), and features a raised rear double
bed measuring 1.75m by 1.44m. The space underneath
the bed is equipped with storage cabinets. It is also
possible to use the cabinets as seats to create another
dinette in the rear.
As an option, buyers can add a second double bed
below the first. In addition to these, an extra bed in the
front dinette is also an option.
The Kosmo campervan range also gets a new pop-up
roof with a double bed that can be ordered as an option
across the range. The roof bed (1.98m by 1.29m) is
surrounded by three large windows (two side and one
front) with opening/closing zip and mosquito net.
There is an LED reading light with an adjustable stem
here, too. When the bed is not in use, the access hatch
can be closed off with a special covering fixed to the roof
by snap buttons.
Finally, the Kosmo motorhome range gets a new
layout: rear twin beds with front dinette. Based on a Fiat
Ducato chassis and with a length of 7.41m, the new
Kosmo 909L has four travel seats and four berths as
standard with a fifth bed as an option.
UK prices and availability have not yet been
confirmed.

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 33

NEWS

DEALER
ESSEX DEALER
EXPANDS
Pullingers Leisure Vehicles, based in
Halstead, Essex, for the last 21 years, is
moving to new premises.
It is hoped that the new site on the
A131 between Sudbury and Halstead and
around four miles from the dealer’s
current address, will be fully operational
by the end of January.
The new site, which is a former
coachyard and is next door to a classic
Porsche specialist, already has many
facilities in place and some motorhomes
are now in position.
When opened there will be 60 to 70
new and used motorhomes there,
including several in the glass-fronted
showrooms, which are currently being
developed with mezzanine offices above.
All the vehicles will be hooked up to
mains power so that they can be
demonstrated with lights on, etc, and, if
the company is able to buy adjoining
farmland it would allow Pullingers to
keep its entire stock of 80-plus vehicles
on one site for the first time.
There is also a two-bay workshop
adjacent to the showroom, while a third
building will accommodate a parts store
and small accessory shop.
Pullingers is a family-run dealership
with Dethleffs, Sunlight, Pilote and Le
Voyageur franchises. It has typically
specialised in larger, high-end vehicles
but has recently responded to the
growing campervan sector by taking on
the Danbury brand, including both the
UK-built VW T6s and French-made Avenir
models on Fiat Ducato.
AUCTION
Bespoke motorhome auctioned
A custom-built six-berth
motorhome, complete with a roof
terrace and a heated garage, has
gone to auction with an anticipated
price of £250,000. However, bidding
had only reached over £150,000 just
minutes before the auction ended.
Built in 2016 by Whittaker
Coachbuilders, The Nomad was
designed to be a versatile and luxury
vehicle for travel throughout Europe
during the ski season.
The motorhome, which is 12m
long and 2.5m wide, is based on a
26-tonne left-hand drive Mercedes-
Benz Actros with a fully automatic
transmission, road-friendly air
suspension and rear axle steering,
which increases manoeuvrability.
The living area, complete with
slide-out extension, has been
designed to be a comfortable and
relaxing space for six travellers.
Some of the features include:
 rear garage that can
A available than now, with the ski
accommodate a vehicle
 eated locker for wet items
H
 olar panels, central heating and
S
air-conditioning
 igh-spec kitchen, complete with
H
a dishwasher and wine cooler
 roof terrace
A
John Pye, the UK auction house
dealing with the sale, said The
Nomad represents one of the most
unique vehicles it has offered in its
50-year history, giving skiing fanatics
everything they could possibly need
to traverse the slopes in style.
Lee Mabbutt, Head of Vehicles at
John Pye, said: “This is one of the
finest bespoke motorhomes that I’ve
ever seen and I’m confident that it’s
the most exciting to have hit the
market in recent times.
“It is the absolute dream for those
who enjoy travelling independently
and it’s completely purpose-built for
fans of winter sports.
“What better time for this to be
season just beginning?”

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34 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

CREATING SMILES FOR LIFE

NEW FOR 2020

FOR LIFE’S
ADVENTURERS...
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conditions demand. Check www.swiftgroup.co.uk for current details.
SHOWS DIARY showgoer.co.uk
Grab your diaries! Warners Shows has
announced the 2020 event dates
24-26 JANUARY
East of England Arena, Peterborough 20-22 MARCH
Great Yorkshire
Showground, Harrogate
New for 2020, this multi-dealer showrooms in the UK, with
day-visitor only show in Peterborough local and national dealers showcasing There will be hundreds of new
will give you the chance to get the keys hundreds of new and used vehicles with and used motorhomes and campervans for
to your dream motorhome or campervan show exclusive offers. sale amongst this show’s indoor and outdoor
ready for an exciting year of adventures. Pop along (entry and parking is free) exhibition areas.
It will be one of the largest pop-up and find your perfect motorhome. If you are new to the hobby you can start
your search at one of the Buying a Motorhome
seminars presented by MMM Road Test Editor,
Peter Vaughan. Then, get inside and compare
over 250 models all in one place.
Visitors can also hone their driving skills at
one of the free manoeuvring courses hosted
each day by the Caravan and Motorhome Club.
If you already have a motorhome, then you
can grab all the kit you need for the season
ahead from one of the over 120 outdoor
leisure accessory exhibitors.
17-19 APRIL Tickets for this day-visitor only show (no
East of England Showground, Peterborough on-site camping), are £5 in advance and £7 per
adult on the gate. Subscribers will find a free
Thirty years in the making, the ‘Peterborough show’ is (still) the
pair of tickets in the April issue of MMM.
largest outdoor motorhome and campervan show in the UK.
2020 will be no different, with four nights of superb live entertainment including
a headline performance from rock ‘n’ roll superstar, Suzi Quatro, and seventies
glam rockers, The Sweet.
With over 600 new and used motorhomes for sale, it is the perfect place to
compare a large range of styles and layouts. Plus, there will be over 300
exhibitors selling a wide range of accessories from camping essentials, outdoor
clothing, electric bikes, electricals, awnings, gadgets and more.
MMM will be running a series of free daily seminars, while the Caravan and
Motorhome Club is offering free 20-minute motorhome manoeuvring courses.
There will be 200 electric hook-up camping pitches available for £95 for four
nights (Thursday to Monday); non electric pitches for the same period are £55.

15-17 MAY
Newbury Showground, 19-21 JUNE
Newbury Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth

Fast becoming one of the campers’

Calling all sixties lovers!
favourite shows of the year, join in
Take yourselves off for a fun-filled four
a weekend of jive, dance and rockabilly! Pick up
nights of camping with sixties-themed
some new dance moves in the day at one of the
entertainment! Headlining the weekend at
daily free dance classes, followed by a free hair and
the ticketed Saturday night show this year
make-up tuition from Boston Jive. Then you’ll be
will be The Trems, Dave Berry & The Cruisers
ready to dance each night of your stay to the 12
and Spencer James from The Searchers.
rock ‘n’ roll/jive bands (all included in your pitch).
Along with this, there will be a large
There will be fifties-themed entertainment
exhibition area with over 40 dealers
amongst an exhibition area with over 275 vehicles
showcasing over 420 new and used for sale and a large range of accessories.
motorhomes for sale and thousands of Pre-booked camping starts from £65 (for four
accessories from 200 exhibitors. Camping nights), while day-visitor tickets cost £5 for each
tickets cost from £55 (Thurs to Mon) in adult in advance or £7 on the door. Subscribers will
advance, while day-visitor tickets cost £5 get a free pair of day-visitor tickets in the July issue!
pre-booked and £8 per adult on the day.

36 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 NEWS

24-26 JULY
Norfolk Showground, Norwich

Famous for the man-made Broads, over 125 miles of navigable lock-free
waterways and set in beautiful countryside, join us in Norfolk and enjoy a
weekend away this summer. With four nights of campers’ favourite entertainment, including
‘back by popular demand’ Elvis Through the Years and The Kommitments.
Make the most of the weekend and join a
day trip to Great Yarmouth and the coast on the
Friday, or jump on the shuttle bus on Saturday
into Norwich city centre. Alternatively, stay on
site and browse over 130 exhibitors with over
3-5 JULY 225 new and used motorhomes and
Royal Highland campervans from local and national dealers.
Centre, Edinburgh Electric hook-up pitches cost £95 for four
nights (arriving Thursday), while standard
Warners will be holding
pitches are £55. Day-visitor tickets cost £5 per
its first ever show in Scotland! Bringing
adult pre-booked and £7 on the day.
together the biggest dealers in Scotland
and the north of England, the event will
showcase the largest collection of new 14-16 AUGUST
and used motorhomes and campervans Three Counties Showground, Malvern
Scotland has seen!
One of the most famous country and western festivals in the UK, this
Rally on site (just a short tram ride
will be the standout weekend in any country and western lovers’
from the city centre) for four nights of free
calendar! Known for its exciting atmosphere, join over 6,000 people camping against the
entertainment, plus a headline ticketed
backdrop of the beautiful Malvern Hills.
Saturday night performance from The Bag
Not only will there be over 20 great country and western bands taking to the stage,
Rockers, Rod n Faces and Shang a Lang.
there will be the chance to watch authentic
Why not tie a visit to the show into a
living history displays from the Lonestar Old
longer trip, or as a stop-off on the way up
West Re-enactment Group, an absolute
to do the famous North Coast 500 or the
must-see when visiting the show. See living
newer Heart 200 featured in this issue?
history displays, educational workshops and
Pre-booked camping tickets start from
live-action performances based around
£60 for Thursday arrivals, while day-visitor
nineteenth century Western America.
tickets cost £5 per adult (with parking on
On top of this, 50-plus local and national
site costing £5).
dealers will be bringing over 600 new and
Subscribers will get a free pair of
used motorhomes and campervans in a
day-visitor tickets with the Summer issue
range of styles and layouts.
(parking not included).

25-27 SEPTEMBER
11-13 SEPTEMBER Lincolnshire 2-4 OCTOBER
Bath & West Showground, Showground, Lincoln Three Counties
Shepton Mallet Showground,
Situated close to the Malvern
Head to Somerset for
historic city of Lincoln, many refer to this
Shepton Mallet’s huge motorhome and The Three Counties Showground
show as ‘the big end of season rally’. This is
campervan show with four nights of rock- presents a great-value autumn
the perfect event to meet up with friends
themed entertainment, including a headline break below the stunning Malvern
you’ve met over the year for one last
performance from Slade. With a dynamic and Hills. Stay on site and enjoy a
weekend of fun before heading off abroad
powerful stage performance it will be an weekend away with four nights of
for the winter. This year’s show will see the
exhilarating roller coaster ride of pure live entertainment or visit for the
return of much-loved Cornish comedian,
unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll. day and browse more than 220
Jethro, headlining Saturday night’s show,
Peruse over 300 motorhomes and new and used motorhomes,
supported by Mud II and The Moondogs.
campervans for sale from 25-plus local and campervans and caravans for sale
national dealers, as well as 120 exhibitors from over 15 national and local
with thousands of accessories on offer. dealers.
You can also attend free expert seminars There will also be daytime
from key industry speakers and take part in entertainment, including the
free manoeuvring sessions. charity coffee morning, bingo and
Camping costs from £50 when pre-booked the ever-popular fun dog show.
or you can book your day-visitor ticket in Pre-booked camping costs £37
advance for £5 (saving £2 per adult). while day-visitor tickets are £5.

HOW TO BOOK Booking for all shows is now open. Visit showgoer.co.uk today and reserve
your pitch. If you’re an MMM subscriber you will save £5 on a pitch when booking in advance

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 37

 Mont Orgueil Castle
and the harbour at Gorey

40 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 Jersey TRAVEL

The cream of
Jersey

This lovely little island is luscious in so many ways; read

our Travel Editor’s tales for a very tempting taste …
WORDS: Helen Werin PHOTOGRAPHY: Robin Weaver

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 41

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 Jersey TRAVEL

T
here was one thing that kept puzzling see some of the appealing coast of Herm
CYCLING me during our entire time on Jersey: and Guernsey and – slightly farther off –
Jersey is fantastic for cycling. why had we not been here before? We Sark along the way. We quickly slipped into
There are lots of well- had eight days to explore and, over the first Jersey’s easy pace of life. Since the island is
signposted bike routes and
day or two, I’d fretted that I hadn’t allowed just nine miles by five, we were never more
the reduced speed limits
make for greater enjoyment. nearly enough time for our visit. Jersey’s just than about a 10-minute drive from its
You are not allowed to ride on so gorgeous; I wanted to see everything! dazzling coastline.
pavements, unless otherwise From the moment I’d seen Jersey from the Our campsites, very quiet early in the
signed, and it’s the law to deck of the Commodore Clipper (Condor season, were top notch and well-placed for
have a bell. Pick up a Jersey
Cycle Guide from tourist
Ferries), my anticipation had mounted. I’d making the most of our time.
information leaned over the rail, pointing excitedly at an As it turned out, the lunch spot on the
To hire bikes eye-catching bay of golden sands with a red first day was at the very beach that I’d
jerseybikehire.co.uk or and white tower in the middle. “Wow, we’ve spotted from the ferry – Ouaisne Bay.
zebrahire.com just got to go there!” My thoughts then were “It doesn’t get better than this,” I
You can also arrange bike that my ‘must-see’ beach would be easy to mumbled through mouthfuls of our
hire at Beuvelande Campsite seek out because of its distinctive tower. I Mexican-style meal from Kismet Cabana
was soon to discover that it was to be the right on the sands.
first of many fabulous bays and many The locals take great pride in their island.
ABOVE Grève de Lecq similar towers. One after another they asked us, “It’s
BELOW Phone boxes are Our 10-hour crossing to Jersey had felt beautiful here, isn’t it?” with an ingenuous
yellow on Jersey like a mini-cruise, giving us the chance to expression, confident that we couldn’t
possibly disagree.
We thought ourselves very lucky;
294 sparkling sunshine every day enabled us to
THE JOURNEY miles see Jersey in its very best light. It’s so lush
We spent eight nights on Jersey in mid-May, having and colourful.
travelled from Staffordshire to Portsmouth for the ferry. We worked up appetites by stepping out
We left Jersey on Condor Ferries again for St-Malo, Brittany in landscapes varying from the dramatic
north coast cliffs to the sheltered bays of the
THE COSTS south and east and across to the seemingly
Ferry Condor Ferries: Portsmouth-St Helier ..........................£220
Fuel Average 28mpg....................................................................... £57.95 endless stretch of dune-backed beach that’s
Site fees ......................................................................................................£225 a surfer’s paradise in the west. We scouted
Attractions One adult, one senior: Jersey War Tunnels, around a couple of famous castles (I have a
Jersey Zoo, Samarès Manor gardens, Mont Orgueil Castle, thing about castles and Jersey’s are good
Elizabeth Castle and ferry ........................................................ £131.90 ’uns!) and learned about how the islanders
Total costs................................................................................... £634.85 coped with five years of German occupation
during WWII. ➤

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 43

 Plemont
Devil’s Hole
Lewis’s Tower
Jersey War Tunnels
St Brelades Bay
Ouaisne Bay
TOP TIPS
Jersey has its own currency.
Ask for change in ‘English
money’. Barclays Bank in St
Helier issues English notes
(from a clearly marked ATM);
other ATMs give Jersey notes.
I suggest paying by card as
much as possible
Walk along clifftops and find
secret bays
jersey.com/self-guided-
walks-in-jersey
Pick up a ticket for a free
return visit to the botanic
gardens at Samarès Manor
samaresmanor.com
If you get a rainy day, visit the
Jersey War Tunnels (wear
something warm)
jerseywartunnels.com
A Jersey Heritage Pass gives
unlimited access to four sites
for the price of three
jerseyheritage.org/
heritage-pass
Take a culinary walking tour
jerseyfoodtours.co.uk
ABOVE LEFT Amphibious
vehicles take tourists to
Elizabeth Castle
ABOVE RIGHT The Kismet
Cabana Beach Club café at
Ouaisne Beach
44 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
Fliquet Bay
Jersey Zoo
Mont Orgueil Castle
St Helier
La Roque
Our arrival at our first campsite,
Beuvelande, was marked by the appearance
of a military jeep, men in military uniforms
and women in Land Girl garb. It was a
Liberation Day event ( for charity) and we
joined in the spirit with other campers in
Tilleys, the on-site bar and restaurant. The
wartime occupation of the Channel Islands
is a constant thread, woven among the
sensational scenery, a riveting and complex
history and the wonderful food.
Jersey marked my first time in an
amphibious vehicle. Charming Betty is one
of two such ferries transporting passengers
across St Aubin’s Bay at St Helier to
Elizabeth Castle. It was such a strange
feeling trundling across the sands like we
were on a slightly rocking bus. As Betty
drove deeper into the channel, the roar of
her engine kicked in and we sailed across to
the islet on which the castle was built at the
end of the sixteenth century.
For 200 years Elizabeth Castle was the
island’s principle stronghold. It’s a
compelling place, extended as events
unfolded from being the last castle to
surrender during the Civil War to a
punishment camp during WWII. It was so
hard to tear my eyes away from the
panoramic views from its stocky towers
over the wide sweep of St Aubin’s Bay but, in
doing so, I learned fascinating snippets of
castle life.
It’s actually another castle that takes
centre stage in that iconic view of Jersey;
Mont Orgueil Castle (aka Gorey Castle), on
the east coast.
A couple of miles after leaving
Beuvelande and we were on Gorey’s palm
tree-lined prom, with the landmark fortress
seen on all the ads and posters above the
harbour. All morning we trekked up and
down steep steps, under arches and along
stone pathways to the keep built on a rocky
outcrop, interspersed with lingering looks
across the Royal Bay of Grouville to the
south, north across St Catherine’s Bay and
to France, just 14 miles away.
I loved ducking through all the doors,
peering into dark recesses and investigating
down steps to dim passages and up towers.
Flanked by four-storey residential
apartments built in the mid-sixteenth
century and by huge walls, we experienced a
wind tunnel sensation at one stage – though
moments earlier I’d been sunning myself in
the tiny seventeenth century garden.
A long corridor leads to a medieval hall
with an impressive Tree of Succession steel
sculpture showing the intertwined royal
houses of France and England throughout
the middle ages.
Our afternoon walk south traced the
extent of those earlier enticing views from
the castle to La Rocque Point along what’s
known locally as Long Beach, popular with
kite surfers, then onto a public path edging
the Royal Jersey Golf Club and passing
another of the many towers at Fort Henry.
To cap another fulfilling day, our return

to Beuvelande endowed us with the very
special treat of seeing St Catherine’s Bay
sparkling prettily in the early evening light.
Jersey’s north coast beckoned, with its
mesmerising vision of Guernsey and Sark.
From our pitch at our second site, the
superb Rozel Camping Park, we could
clearly see the Cotentin Peninsula of
Normandy and, in between, the tiny
Écréhous islands. Their much sought-after
fishermen’s huts look like toy building
bricks on specks of rock almost swallowed
by the sea.
Driving slowly down leafy lanes, past doe-
eyed, caramel-skinned cows and fields of
Jersey potatoes, led us to the Priory Inn
where we parked ( free) for the Devil’s Hole.
Despite the name and the legends – that
had pulled us here – it’s paradisiacal, rather,
the sensational view across azure waters to
Sark and Guernsey is. I stood captivated by
the seascape for such a long time that I
almost forgot what I’d actually come here
for – at high tide, water is forced through a
tunnel and out of the hole, thus creating a
‘booming’ noise.
The Devil’s Hole is fenced off but, in
weathered monochrome pictures displayed
on the viewpoint, Victorian ladies in their
‘Sunday best’ long skirts and bonnets are
standing deep within the rock-strewn hole,
which became a particularly popular tourist
attraction in the late nineteenth century.
Jersey TRAVEL
I’m always amazed by such pictures; not ME AND MY ’VAN
least because I, in waterproof walking boots,
which look to be far more suited to rocky
terrain than those of the photographer’s
subjects, can only peer curiously and
enviously from above.
A particularly memorable afternoon was
spent walking from Grève de Lecq
westwards to Plemont Bay on a path that
dips up and down and around the
spectacular seaboard. I’d really begun to
take things for granted on Jersey, expecting
– and getting – fantastic scenery around
every corner. Very annoyingly, I’d forgotten Helen Werin...
to check the tide times so, when we arrived is MMM’s Travel Editor and
high above Plemont (there’s a long flight of loves nothing more than
steps to the beach), the water was up. I was following in the tracks of
disappointed, having wanted to visit the readers who’ve inspired her
caves here, especially as one of them has a with their motorhome
waterfall over it. travelling tales
My disappointment didn’t last long,
swiftly assuaged by the pastoral scenes from
Rozel to Fliquet Bay, dominated by another
of the towers built in the 1780s to guard the
east coast. Along the way we stopped to see
what’s left of the 5,000-year-old gallery
grave, Dolmen du Couperon, before eating
our picnic on the suntrap breakwater at St 2002 Roller Team Auto-Roller
Catherine’s. We looked across the bay that 41 on a 2.3-litre Fiat. ‘Roly’
we’d stopped to admire earlier in the trip has lots of storage, which soon
and to Mont Orgueil Castle – with yet fills up when travelling with a
another of those red towers in between. teenage daughter
We headed for the Driftwood Café near ➤
The Japanese garden at Samarès Manor
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 45
TRAVEL Jersey
the tower for a cuppa.
As seemed to be the pattern of our
explorations, there were even more
unexpected treats in store as we strolled
along one of the ‘green lanes’ back towards
Rozel to St Catherine’s Woods Nature
Reserve. What a place!
It’s like a fairy glen with stepping stones
over streams, the air filled with birdsong
and the hammer of a woodpecker among
the dense, tall trees through which the late
afternoon light filtered so exquisitely.
Welly-clad children squealed as they
splashed in the pond.
Back at Rozel, youngsters were splashing
in the heated swimming pool (Beuvelande
also has a pool). Encouraged by this tableau
of fun, my husband, Robin, finally agreed to
a ( free) round of crazy golf... I won!
Jersey Zoo, famously founded by Gerald
Durrell, was another highlight. Focused on
protecting and conserving endangered and
vulnerable species, it’s home to some
amazing creatures, many of which I’ve never
heard of. As a group of tamarins munched
hawthorn flowers inches from our heads
– dropping the petals all over us – the
keeper called out, “Daisy, Joe…” and off they
shot at lightning speed like a bunch of
mischievous kids.
In the reptile house I learned that the
tiniest brightly coloured frogs, like delicate
porcelain figurines, are poisonous.
Livingstone’s fruit bats with wing spans of
4½ft dangled from nets in a humid
enclosure and the butterfly house was a
kaleidoscope of flashing colours among the
46 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
The Archirondel Tower (or Red Tower)
and view across St Catherine’s Bay
INFORMATION
An island that’s small on size,
but big on personality
jersey.com
Daily sailings from
Portsmouth or Poole
condorferries.co.uk
View or download the latest
‘What’s on’ guide
jersey.com/events
Height restrictions for car
parks at
gov.je/parking
WE STAYED AT
Beuvelande Campsite,
Rue De Beuvelande,
St Martin JE3 6EZ
 01534 853575
campingjersey.com
ˆ 1 April – 30 September
£ Two adults, pitch and
electric: From £17.59
Rozel Camping Park,
La Grande Route de Rozel,
St Martin JE3 6AX
 01534 855200
rozelcamping.com
ˆ 11 May – 5 September
£ Two adults, pitch and
electric: From £29
TAKING YOUR
MOTORHOME TO JERSEY
Motorhomes up to 7m long, 3.1m high
and under 4.5 tonnes can book Condor
Ferries online. Otherwise you should
call 03456 091024.
Gas is limited to 47kg and each
bottle must be no heavier than 7kg
(excluding the weight of the bottles).
You need a motorhome permit prior
to arrival; they are supplied when you
book registered campsites or by email
edgroup@gov.je
You must stay on a registered
campsite (max 31 days), display the
permit and return to site each night.
Maximum speed is 40mph, with a
lot of 30mph and 20mph zones. We
advise not going down Green Lanes in
a motorhome (narrow 15mph lanes).
Our motorhome is 2.24m wide,
2.87m high and 5.8m long; we didn’t
have any problems driving around. You
have to drive slowly anyway and if
buses can do it, then so can we!
foliage; some Galapagos giant tortoises live
in here, too.
Wandering through the Jersey War
Tunnels, built by the Germans using slave
labour, the accounts and pictures of what
life was like between September 1941 and
June 1944 are astounding. Among the tales
of bravery and incredible escapes are stories
of defiance and espionage and the islanders’
agonies about whether to evacuate or stay.
What astonishes me is that Jersey continued
to advertise itself as a holiday resort: ‘the
perfect retreat for a wartime break’.
Our excursions around the south and
west take us from St Brelade’s Bay to Mont
du Grouet, culminating in a magnificent
outlook to Corbière Lighthouse.
Before we left for Brittany, we reflected
on the joys of our trip in the tranquil
gardens at Samarès Manor.
The Japanese garden, rockeries and water
features, great swathes of every colour
imaginable here and heady scents of exotic
plants there, left us in a blissful daze.
During the short onward journey to
St-Malo (on Condor’s Commodore Rapide), I
started fretting again. We should have
walked around far more of the coast and
gone back to pretty Plemont to investigate
Jersey’s largest caves. Oh, and we should
definitely have returned to Rozel’s scenic
harbour for a few more of the Hungry Man
kiosk’s massive breakfast buns and super-
creamy, Jersey whipped ice creams…
Never have I known so many wonderful
sights – and tastes – packed into such a
small area!
 Deacon Road, Lincoln, LN2 4JB
01522 411258
www.CamperUK.co.uk
enquiries@CamperUK.co.uk

2016 Carthago Chic S-Plus I 58 XL, Iveco chassis, Auto, Island bed, awning, tow bar ...£139,995
2017 Carthago E-Line I 51 QB, Auto, Island Bed, awning, sat dish, camera, silver ........£109,995
OVER 200 MOTORHOMES ON SITE
2018 Burstner Elegance I 910G, Auto, Single Beds, 450 miles, TV Aerial, Camera ........£104,995
2014 Carthago Chic S-Plus I 52, Island Bed, very high spec incl. full air suspension........£99,995
2017 Burstner Elegance I 695, Auto, Island Bed, reversing camera, alarm, Aerial ..........£74,995
2017 Burstner Elegance I 728 G, Single Beds, 3,850kg solar panel, camera, leather.......£73,995
2016 Carthago C-Tourer I 149 LE, Auto, Single Beds, tow bar, solar panel, awning ........£69,995
2018 Geist i655G, U-Shaped end lounge, 6.86m A-Class, awning, Aerial, bike rack .......£69,995
2018 Laika Kreos 4010, Auto, Transverse Bed, awning, TV aerial, reversing camera ......£67,995
2018 Geist Explorer Comfort I 615, Auto, French Bed, awning, bike rack, TV aerial .......£67,995
2018 Carthago C-Tourer T 145 H, Auto, Transverse Bed, awning, TV aerial, Sat Nav ......£65,995
201 Autotrail Fronier Commanche, Island Bed, awning, solar panel, tow bar ............£64,995
2012 Burstner Elegance I 821 G, Auto, Transverse Bed, awning, solar, BBQ pt...............£64,995 2018 Carthago E-Line
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2009 Carthago Chic S Plus, Auto, Single Beds, 3.0L Mercedes Chassis, high spec!..........£64,995
Auto, Island Bed, tow bar, I615, 6.2m, French Bed, Bike
2018 Geist I 585, 5.99m A-Class, Auto, End Bathroom, awning, bike rack, TV Aerial......£64,995
2014 Laika Kreos 7009, Auto, Single Beds, Solar Panel, Awning, Tow Bar, Leather.........£63,995 reversing camera £109,995 Rack, Awning, Sat Dish £63,995
2011 Burstner Elegance I 821G, Transverse Bed, awning, camera, TV Aerial..................£57,995
201 Swi Bessacarr 596, U-Shaped Rear Lounge, awning, solar panel, TV Aerial ........£57,995
2019 Swi Bessacarr 560 Lounge, Auto, French Bed, solar panel, TV aerial, camera .....£56,995
2016 Burstner Ixeo IT 680 G, End Bathroom, Auto, awning, solar panel, aerial .............£55,995
201 Swi Bolero 14, End Bathroom, Awning, BB Point, bike rack ...........................£52,995
2016 Burstner Nexxo T 690 G Sovereign, Auto, Single Beds, awning, solar, camera.......£51,995
201 Swi Bessacarr 494, Island Bed, awning, tow bar, solar panel, camera, ALDE ......£51,995
2015 Autosleeper Malvern AS, Merc Cab, Auto, French Bed, very high spec .................£50,995
2016 Autosleeper Corinium RB, Island Bed, solar, sat system, bike rack, awning ..........£49,995
2017 Burstner Lyseo IT 700, Island Bed, awning, solar panel, bike rack, camera............£49,995
2019 Carado A 461, Bunk Beds, 6 Berth, Sat Dish, awning, bike rack, TV, camera..........£49,995 2016 Autosleeper Corinium FB, 2013 Autosleeper Broadway EB,
2019 Carado A 464, Transverse Bed, 6 Berth, Sat Dish, awning, bike rack, TV, nav.........£49,995 End Bathroom, Sat Dome, Solar End Bathroom, TV Aerial, Solar
2014 Laika Kreos 5010, LHD, Transverse Bed, Bike Rack, awning, solar panel ...............£48,995 Panel, awning £52,995 Panel, Awning, Gas-It £42,995
2012 Swi Kon-Tiki 649, 3.0L, U-Shape Lounge, tow bar, solar panel, awning ...............£48,995
2019 Carado A 361, Bunk Beds, 6 Berth, Sat Dish, awning, bike rack, TV, camera..........£48,495
201 Carthago Malibu 600, Van conversion, Bike Rack, Awning, TV Aerial, Sat Nav ......£48,495
2016 Bessacarr 496, U-Shaped Rear Lounge, awning, bike rack, solar panel, aerial .......£47,995
2016 Hymer Exsis-T 578, Single Beds, awning, solar panel, alarm, camera ....................£47,995
2016 Swi Bessacarr 494, Island Bed, awning, solar panel, bike rack, TV Aerial ............£47,995
201 Carado A361, Bunk Beds, Sat Dish, Bike Rack, Awning, TV, Camera, Nav ..............£46,495
2016 Carado T 447, single beds over large rear garage, awning, TV Aerial, carpets .......£43,995
2014 Bavaria Arcic I 60, end bathroom, solar panel, tow bar, awning, TV aerial...........£41,995
2013 Geist Rotec Li 652, Auto, 3.0L, Transverse Bed, awning, bike rack, TV Aerial ......£41,995
2012 Burstner Ixeo IT 740, End Bathroom, awning, solar panel, TV aerial, bike rack .....£39,995
2009 Frankia Holiday Class I 6 00 SD, end bathroom, solar, awning, camera ................£39,995 2008 Burstner Solano T 725, Island 2010 Elddis Prestige 140, U-
U
2010 Burstner Ixeo IT 664, French bed, bike rack, reversing camera, TV aerial ..............£36,995 Bed, 3.0L, awning, solar panel, Shaped Rear Lounge, sat dome,
2009 Swi Kon-Tiki 665 S, French bed, solar panel, sat dome, awning, TV aerial ..........£36,995 bike rack, aerial £32,995 awning, bike rack £29,995

ALL ENQUIRIES:
2016 Rimor Seal 12 P, French Bed, awning, bike rack, solar panel, TV Aerial, alarm ......£35,995
200 Geist Ma erhorn, Mercedes Auto, Transverse Bed, awning, tow bar, solar..........£34,995
2013 Swi Lifestyle 664, French bed, awning, tow bar, TV aerial, reversing camera......£34,995

01522 411258
2008 Bessacarr E560 Lounge, French Bed, bike rack, awning, TV aerial, solar panel ......£31,995
2008 Burstner Solano T615, French Bed, awning, tow bar, solar panel, TV aerial ..........£29,995
2006 Hobby T 550 SE, End Bathroom, tow bar, TV aerial, radio unit, 28,700 miles ........£22,995
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 D EN
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2015 CARTHAGO CHIC E-LINE I50 YACHTING 2017-67 ADRIA SONIC SUPREME I810 SC 2018 CARTHAGO C-TOURER 149 2018-68 MOBILVETTA K-YACHT
3.0 MJTD 180 BHP AUTO LHD 4 BERTH 2.3 MJTD 150 BHP 6 SPEED 4 BERTH 2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 AUTOMATIC 4 BERTH TEKNO LINE 80 2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED
OVER CAB BED REAR SINGLE BEDS L-SHAPED REAR ISLAND ELECTRIC DROP DOWN BED REAR FIXED SINGLE BEDS L-SHAPED LOUNGE 4 BERTH REAR L-SHAPED LOUNGE WITH AN
LOUNGE LARGE GARAGE ALDE WET HEATING L-SHAPED LOUNGE 4 SEATBELTS OVER CAB BED FULL WIDTH GARAGE ELECTRIC DROP-DOWN DOUBLE BED

EVERY VEHICLE WITH FREE 3 YEARS WARRANTY, 12 MONTHS MOT, ROAD

£67,995 £67,995

£62,995 £61,995
2015 CARTHAGO C-TOURER I 50 QB 2017 HYMER ML-I 580 2018 AUTO-SLEEPER MALVERN 2015 AUTO-SLEEPER BURFORD DUO
2.3 MJTD 130 BHP AUTO 4 BERTH ISLAND BED 2.2 CDI AUTOMATIC LEFT HAND DRIVE REAR 2.2 CDI AUTO 4 BERTH FRENCH BED FRONT 2.2 CDI AUTOMATIC 4 BERTH SINGLE BEDS
FULL WIDTH GARAGE DROP-DOWN BED SINGLE BEDS OVER A GARAGE LARGE OVER LOUNGE OVEN & GRILL REV CAMERA SOLAR FRONT LOUNGE OVEN & GRILL GAS & MAINS HOB
L-SHAPED LOUNGE OVEN & GRILL CAB BED 4 SEATBELTS SEPARATE SHOWER PANEL REAR MAINS AIR CON ONE OWNER SEP SHOWER UNDER-SLUNG GAS TANK ALLOYS

£57,995 £51,995

£59,995
2016 HYMER B514
2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED 4 BERTH REAR
FIXED DOUBLE BED LARGE GARAGE OVER CAB
BED FRONT L-SHAPED LOUNGE 4 SEATBELTS
2011 BURSTNER ARGOS 747-2
3.0 MJTD 160 BHP 6 SPEED 6 BERTH LARGE
REAR DOUBLE BED OVER A FULL WIDTH
GARAGE OVER CAB DOUBLE BED
£52,995
2017 SWIFT FREESTYLE 694
2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED 2 BERTH ISLAND
BED OVER STORAGE SINGLE DINETTE 5
SEATBELTS MICROWAVE AIR CON CRUISE
2016-66 IH 630 RD
2.3 MJTD 150 BHP 6 SPEED 2 BERTH REAR
U-SHAPED LOUNGE CONVERTS TO MAKE A
DOUBLE BED OVEN & GRILL TRUMA HEATING

VIEW OVER 60 MOTORHOMES WITH INTERNAL PHOTO'S ETC. @

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2017 AUTO-TRAIL APACHE 700
2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED 6 BERTH REAR
U-SHAPED LOUNGE MAKES A DOUBLE BED
DOUBLE DINETTE OVEN & GRILL MICROWAVE
£51,995
2016-66 IH 630 RL
2.3 MJTD 150 BHP AUTO 2 BERTH REAR
U-SHAPED LOUNGE OVEN & GRILL GAS & MAINS
HOB 3-WAY FRIDGE SOG CHEMICAL FREE
2018 AUTO-TRAIL TRACKER RS 2011 HYMER B614 SL STAR LINE
3.0 MJTD 160 BHP 6 SPEED FRONT LOUNGE 2.3 MJTD 130 BHP LEFT HAND DRIVE 4 BERTH
MAKES A DOUBLE BED END WASHROOM DOUBLE BED OVER GARAGE DROP DOWN
SEPARATE SHOWER OVEN AND GRILL DOUBLE BED L-SHAPED LOUNGE 4 X SEATBELT

£47,995 £46,995 £45,995 £44,995

2016 SWIFT BOLERO 714 SB 2018 BENIMAR TESSORO 2016 AUTO-TRAIL TRACKER FB 2015 SWIFT BOLERO 684FB
2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED 4 BERTH REAR TWIN 486 2.0 TDCI 170 BHP 6 SPEED 4 BERTH 2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED 4 BERTH FRENCH 2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED 4 BERTH FRENCH
SINGLE BEDS SINGLE DINETTE 4 SEAT BELTS ELECTRIC DROP-DOWN DOUBLE BED ABOVE BED OVER STORAGE FRONT LOUNGE OVEN & BED OVER STORAGE SINGLE DINETTE OVEN &
OVEN & GRILL SEP SHOWER REV CAMERA THE LOUNGE L-SHAPED LOUNGE GRILL GAS & MAINS HOB SEPARATE SHOWER GRILL REV CAM ALLOY WHEELS SOLAR PANEL
 FINANCE
TEL: 0115 858 1145 UP TO
10 YEARS
GIN CLOSE WAY, AWSWORTH,
NOTTINGHAM NG16 2HH
2 MINS OFF JCT 26 M1, NR IKEA, NOTTINGHAM
£43,995 £41,995

£43,995
2016 AUTO-TRAIL APACHE 634
2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 4 BERTH REAR U-SHAPED
LOUNGE LARGE OVER CAB BED FULL OVEN &
GRILL SEP SHOWER AIR CON TV AERIAL
2011-61 SWIFT KON-TIKI 649
3.0 MJTD 160 BHP 6 SPEED 6 BERTH REAR
LOUNGE MAKES A BED DOUBLE DINETTE 4 X
SEAT BELTS SEP SHOWER REV CAM REAR
£42,995
2018 ROLLER TEAM ZEFIRO 690
2.2 TDCI 6 SPEED 6 BERTH REAR DOUBLE BED
OVER A FULL WIDTH GARAGE OVER THE CAB
BED DOUBLE DINETTE 6 SEATBELTS
2015-65 SWIFT ESPRIT 462
2.3 MJTD 130 BHP AUTO 2 BERTH REAR
U-SHAPED LOUNGE SEPARATE SHOWER OVEN
& GRILL GAS & MAINS HOB AIR CON

TAX, SERVICE & CAMBELT. ANY PX WELCOME - CAR, CARAVAN, MOTORHOME, ETC
£41,995 £39,995 £39,995

2016 BESSACARR 412
2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED 2 BERTH TWO
SIDE FACING SETTEES CONVERT TO MAKE A
DOUBLE BED END KITCHEN OVEN & GRILL
£39,995
2019 DANBURY ACTIVE
VOLKSWAGEN T6 2.0 TDCI 5 SPEED 2 BERTH
TWO REAR TRAVEL SEATS WHICH MAKE TWO
SINGLE BEDS SWIVEL SEATS
2017 AUTO-TRAIL IMALA 615 2017-67 ELDDIS MAJESTIC 155
2.3 MJTD 150 BHP 6 SPEED 2 BERTH FRONT 2.0 HDI 6 SPEED 4 BERTH FRENCH BED OVER
LOUNGE WITH TWO SIDE FACING SETTEES END STORAGE FRONT LOUNGE WITH 2X SETTEES
KITCHEN OVEN & GRILL SEPARATE SHOWER 2 X FOLDING TRAVEL SEATS OVEN & GRILL

£37,995 £34,995

£38,995
2016-66 RIMOR KATAMARANO 9
3.0 DCI 6 SPEED 6 BERTH OVER CAB DOUBLE
BED REAR SINGLE BED FRONT DINETTE 7 X
SEATBELTS OVEN & GRILL SEPARATE
£37,995
2015 AUTO-SLEEPERS STANWAY
2.2 HDI 6 SPEED 2 BERTH FRONT DOUBLE
DINETTE MAKES A BED 4 X 3-POINT SEATBELTS
REAR KITCHEN END WASHROOM
2010-60 SWIFT ESCAPE 686 2008 RAPIDO 7090+
DISABLED ACCESS 2.3 MJTD 3 BERTH 2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED 3 BERTH REAR
ELECTRIC HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE SINGLE BED FIXED ISLAND BED SINGLE DINETTE 4 SEATBELTS
WITH AN INFLATABLE SQUIRREL MATTRESS OVEN & GRILL REV CAMERA FULL CAB BLINDS

W W W. O M C M OTO R H O M E S . C O. U K
£33,995 £31,995 £29,995

2008-58 AUTO-SLEEPER BERKSHIRE
2.2 CDI 6 SPEED 4 BERTH REAR LOUNGE OVEN
& GRILL GAS/MAINS HOB MICROWAVE SEP
SHOWER CRUISE CONTROL SOLAR PANEL
2012 ELDDIS AUTOQUEST 115
SUSSEX LINGFIELD GTM 2.2 HDI 4 BERTH
FRONT LOUNGE WITH SIDE FACING SETTEE
MAKES A DOUBLE BED END KITCHEN
£30,995
2012 SWIFT ESCAPE 696
2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED REAR SINGLE
BUNKS OVER CAB DOUBLE BED DOUBLE
DINETTE 6 X SEATBELTS OVEN & GRILL
2012 SWIFT ESCAPE 624
2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED 4 BERTH OVER
CAB DOUBLE BED DOUBLE DINETTE 4
SEATBELTS OVEN & GRILL CYCLE RACK

£28,995

£28,995 £24,995 £22,995

2007 SWIFT BOLERO 630 EK 2008-58 HYMER ERIBA 653 2004 EURAMOBIL CONTURA 662 2009 BESSACARR E520
2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED 2 BERTH FRONT 2.2 TDCI 6 SPEED 3 BERTH REAR FIXED FRENCH 2.8 JTD 2 BERTH LARGE DOUBLE BED OVER A 2.3 MJTD 130 BHP 6 SPEED 2 BERTH END
LOUNGE WITH SIDE FACINGS SETTEES END BED SINGLE DINETTE 4 SEATBELTS OVEN & HUGE FULL WIDTH GARAGE FRONT L-SHAPED LOUNGE WITH TWO SIDE FACING SETTEES
KITCHEN FULL OVEN & GRILL GAS & MAINS HOB GRILL REV CAM CYCLE RACK GERMAN BUILT LOUNGE 3 X SEATBELTS OVEN/GRILL MAKES A DOUBLE BED GAS & MAINS HOB
 Dive in to
Scotland!
Take the Heart 200 driving route for
an adventurous, active and
adrenaline-pumping time
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: Robin McKelvie

ME AND MY ’VAN
Robin McKelvie...
is the author of the National
Geographic Scotland guide
and his family is one of
Scotland’s most travelled
2018 HymerCar Yellowstone.
We’re considering getting our
own ’van so hired this
campervan to see if the layout
suits our needs
MAIN Loch Tay and Kenmore
village, with Ben Lawers in
the distance*
RIGHT The Five Senses
survivial course
A
s the sun melts over the ancient forests
of Scotland’s Big Tree Country we toast
marshmallows and watch a wee boy
tackling the mountain bike skills track in his
pyjamas. Welcome to Perthshire – a glorious
region of Scotland – and the new Heart 200
driving route, which has really opened up its
wildly beautiful landscapes to motorhomers
in search of an active break.
Perthshire is ideal touring country, an
epic land of hulking mountain peaks,
brooding glens and shimmering lochs, not
to mention a gush of burns (the Scots word
for streams) and rivers. This new driving
route, launched in July 2019, cuts a swathe
through Perthshire and also dips into
Stirling and the Trossachs. It handily
connects Scotland’s brace of national parks
– the Cairngorms National Park with Loch
Lomond and The Trossachs.
We were tempted by the Heart 200 as it’s
no mere box-ticking exercise that you rush
around just to get it done. That is what
many people do on its more famous sibling, Loch Leven, which sports an island castle.
the North Coast 500. The Heart 200 is more Here, flanked by emerald green hills and the
about slow travel, enjoying the scenery and crystal-clear waters, Mary Queen of Scots
local activities and attractions as you go. We hid before her eventual capture and
were also drawn by the myriad wee execution in Fotheringhay Castle.
offshoots designed to encourage people to As we ramble around the ruined castle
head off the main circuit. my girls discover from the info boards that
On board are mum, Jenny, myself and wee Scottish heroes, William Wallace and
campervan veterans, Tara (11) and Emma Robert the Bruce, also sailed across to the
(eight), who’ve been promised “a holiday island to visit the castle.
with as much fun and adventure as you can Cutting northwest we leave the motorway
handle”. It doesn’t disappoint. behind and ease through the Ochil Hills and
Our adventure doesn’t disappoint in past Gleneagles. We eschew the cosseted
terms of history or natural drama, either. world of this famous luxury hotel in search
We join the Heart 200 at Kinross, right by of somewhere that will let us park up and

50 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020


light a fire. Comrie Croft fits the bill. It only
has four pitches and all have fire pits and
heart-warming views. It’s best to get here
early as you cannot reserve a specific spot.
Comrie Croft is one of our favourite
campsites and is so much more than a site.
It’s more a community where they grow
their own fruit and vegetables, which grace
the menu at the cosy Tea Garden café.
Comrie Croft also boasts superb
mountain biking with blue, red and black
trails that are a real test. Handily, you can
not only hire bikes, but also take lessons,
too. Tara spends a couple of hours honing
her off-road skills before we run a blue ➤
Scotland TRAVEL
312
THE JOURNEY miles
From Edinburgh we drove north via the M90 to
join the Heart 200 at Kinross. We spent seven
days touring, with six nights on sites and one night
wild camping in late June/early July
THE COSTS
Motorhome hire............................................................... £1,268
Fuel Average 28mpg..................................................... £60.71
Site fees ....................................................................................£140
Attractions Nae Limits, Splash, Five Senses,
Outdoor Explore, Comrie Croft, Highland Safaris,
Loch Tay Safaris, Doune Castle ...................................£985
Total costs.............................................................. £2,453.71
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 51
Welcome to Fuller Leisure

ONE OF THE MIDLANDS BIGGEST DISPLAYS OF APPROVED USED MOTORHOMES

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1867 Peugeot Bailey Advance 635 1515 Fiat Bessacarr Hi Style 424 1717 Fiat AutoTrail Tribute 669 4bth 1262 Peugeot Elddis Aspire 255 1666 Peugoet Elddis Autoquest Riva
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26,800 MILES 18,820 MILES 16,979 MILES 25,379 MILES 20,522 MILES
£36,999

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Automatic

0909 Fiat Burstner T718 3bth 1414 Peugeot Elddis Accordo 105 Fiat Swift Hi Style 2.3 Diesel 0707 Fiat Dethleffs Globebus T3 4bth 1111 Peugeot Elddis Autoquest
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47,659 MILES 30,292 MILES 25,336 MILES 35,382 MILES 18,357 MILES
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0757 Peugeot Autocruise Starseeker 0909 Peugeot Auto-Sleepers 1010 VW Auto-Sleepers Trooper 0808 Ford Burstner Nexxo T660 1010 Peugeot Elddis Autoquest
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32,631 MILES 38,189 MILES 43,920 MILES 29,450 MILES ONLY 17,515 MILES
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24,857 MILES 36,999 MILES ONLY 20,048 MILES 46,800 MILES 35,319 MILES
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 Scotland TRAVEL

INFORMATION
Explore the heart of Scotland
“We spot an osprey hunting for its prey, spectacular
against a backdrop of towering mountains”
heart200.scot
Sir Walter Scott called
Perthshire ‘the fairest portion
of the northern kingdom’
visitscotland.com/
trail together, then retreat for marshmallows then upgraded when tourism arrived in
perthshire
by the fire. I savour a dram from Edradour, earnest in the Victorian era.
Fun bike trails for everyone
one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland. At the heart of the Trossachs, Loch
comriecroftbikes.co.uk
Perthshire also hosts Scotland’s oldest Katrine is the ideal venue for getting a feel
Home to the steamship Sir working distillery at Glenturret. for a natural oasis that so entranced the
Walter Scott
After two days reclining at Comrie, we likes of Wordsworth, Ruskin and perhaps
lochkatrine.com
reluctantly (the other campers we talk to Scotland’s greatest-ever writer, Sir Walter
Mountain and lake safaris had all decided to extend their stays) head Scott. Here the SS Sir Walter Scott steamer
highlandsafaris.net off south on the Heart 200 into Stirlingshire eases across the national park’s waters
All about Scotland’s prehistory via Andy Murray’s hometown of Dunblane. offering a serene way to appreciate the
crannog.co.uk The main attraction in these parts is the rugged hills and thick forests of this
Make a Splash in Aberfeldy landmark Stirling Castle. protected wildscape.
rafting.co.uk Having been there dozens of times we Our long day in the west of the Heart 200
Over 14 water and land instead seek out Doune Castle. It needs no finishes at a relaxed campsite in Aberfeldy,
adventures near Ballinluig introduction to the fans of TV drama the ideal base if you want to do what
naelimits.co.uk Outlander as this is the fictional Castle Perthshire is famous for in Scotland –
Cultural walking tours and Leoch. It also starred in Monty Python. watersports. Aberfeldy is great for just
bushcraft skills in Alyth Doune proves a brilliant castle to wander wandering around, too, with its wee shops
allfivesenses.com around with lots of nooks and crannies to and pubs, with the mighty River Tay –
French food prepared with delve into in search of ghosts. Scotland’s longest river – snaking scenically
Scottish ingredients One of the most scenic stretches of the through town.
barleybree.com Heart 200 follows as we burrow deep into We are determined to get wet and wild
Come for the food but don’t the Trossachs across the legendary Duke’s and the next morning sees us don wetsuits
forget to visit the tree Pass road between Aberfoyle and Callander. and helmets to bash out on the Tay, white
fortingall.com It’s a spectacular tarmac ribbon laced water rafting with Splash.
Kayaking tours galore across a landscape that is much eulogised Our guide, Ben, quickly susses out the
outdoorexplore.co.uk as the ‘Foothills of the Highlands’. cheekiest, youngest member of our group.
The road was forged through the Indeed, Splash is spot on at gauging all ages
BELOW CLOCKWISE Stirling mountains and forests in the nineteenth and abilities, with our adventure from
Castle; Big Tree Country; century at the behest of the Duke of Aberfeldy down to Grandtully a relaxed and
Deer at Highland Safaris Montrose to access his country estate and relatively undemanding trip. ➤

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 53

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COLUMBUS 641E £22,000 CLUB JOKER £22,000 TRAMP CL 678 £23,000
£54,995 £57,995 £62,995
3 BERTH • DIESEL • AUTOMATIC • 30,000 MILES 3 BERTH • AUTOMATIC • 35,000 MILES 4 BERTH • AUTOMATIC • 25,000 MILES

FOR COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION

VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL
34 WHITECRAIG
ROAD, WHITECRAIG,
EDINBURGH
www.roseisle.com
0845 838 5415 EH21 8NE

We tackle rapids, but Ben also ensures
TOP TIPS there is plenty of jumping into safe pools
The maximum allowed length and game playing.
of ’vans at Comrie Croft is Our second overnight in Aberfeldy sees
19ft 8in (6m)
us leave our pitch in search of more
sedentary adventure – something Perthshire
sports lots of, too. We drive to Highland
Safaris. This tourism pioneer has an
impressive set-up. You can just pop in for a
deer experience that lets you feed red deer
stags, the UK’s largest land mammal.
Afterwards we head off on one of its Land
Rover mountain safaris into the natural
habitat of the deer. We spot hares and eagles
under the sort of big blue skies that
ABOVE LEFT Bridge across
Perthshire is renowned for.
the River Tay
At sister outfit, Loch Tay Safaris, a short
ABOVE RIGHT Mountain drive away, we embark for a fast RIB ride.
biking at Comrie Croft Loch Tay is not only one of Scotland’s
BELOW Relaxing in Dunkeld largest lochs, but also one of the deepest.
Our skipper stops at one point and peers
down through the aquarium-clear water
before revealing that the water we are
floating above is as deep as the Forth Bridge
is high. En route we spot an osprey hunting
for its prey, spectacular against a backdrop
of towering mountains.
The human landscape of Loch Tay
enthrals, too. On the south side of the loch
lies a reconstructed crannog we can see
from the boat. Precious little is known about
these mysterious island dwellings that you
can find dotted all over Scotland, but
research in summer 2019 revealed they have
a lineage stretching back further than
Stonehenge. A boat trip really lets you
Scotland TRAVEL
Ballinluig
Aberfeldy Den of Alyth
Loch Tay
Dunkeld
Comrie Croft
Duke’s Pass Loch Leven
Doune Castle
appreciate how the crannogs fit into the
landscape. We drive afterwards around to
that reconstructed version, the Scottish
Crannog Centre. Here you can learn about
some theories about how the Pictish tribes
eked out their life in Perthshire.
An even more adrenaline-pumping
adventure awaits the next day at Nae Limits,
further east on the Heart 200 by Ballinluig.
This company offer a dizzying array of
watersports. In the morning our gorge-
walking adventure has the whole family
flinging themselves off rocks and forging
through burns.
It’s one thing to admire the beauty of a
rushing river. It’s quite another to dive right
in for an immersive experience!
The afternoon brings river tubing with
Nae Limits. Again we’re kitted out in
wetsuits and safety gear. Then it’s off,
flashing downstream with only a rubber
ring for company. Tara takes a proactive
approach to racing downstream by paddling
furiously, while young Emma takes things
easier just admiring the trees and looking
out for red squirrels as she meanders
merrily along.
In Perthshire there always seems to be an
active and a relaxed way of doing things.
Wild camping is very much tolerated in
Scotland and ’vans are allowed at many
overnight spots. We spend a night in a little
car park at the Den of Alyth. It proves a wise
move as a walk through the woods reveals a
massive free play park that the girls have all
to themselves. There are myriad wild ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 55
TRAVEL Scotland

WE STAYED AT
Comrie Croft, Braincroft,
Crieff PH7 4JZ
 01764 670140
comriecroft.com
ˆ All year
£ Two adults and pitch: From
£10 (no electric available)

Aberfeldy Caravan Park,

Dunkeld Street, Aberfeldy
PH15 2AQ
 01887 822108
aberfeldycaravanpark.co.uk
ˆ 18 March – 30 October
£ Two adults and pitch: From
£22 (electricity £0.16 per
kWh)

Invermill Farm Caravan Park,

Inver, Dunkeld PH8 0JR
 01350 727477
invermillfarm.com
ˆ 19 March – 31 October
£ Two adults, pitch and
electric: From £22

camping delights to be found on and around
the Heart 200. Half the fun is striking out
and finding your own.
Our Alyth overnight stop is comparatively
rough and ready and we continue the theme
the next day ‘going all Bear Grylls’.
Malcolm Handoll runs Five Senses
nearby; it specialises in half-day trips that
teach seriously useful survival skills. And it’s
not just the kids who learn as I find out how
to conjure up fire just using two pieces of
wood. Malcolm stresses he is welcoming to
kids and big kids alike, a spirit we find
echoed right across Perthshire.
A hearty welcome awaits in Perthshire’s
restaurants, too. During our week we dine
like the kings and queens who used to be
crowned at Scone Palace.
The highlight is Barley Bree near Comrie,
a relaxed fine-dining oasis; the Perthshire
venison is delicious.
Another superb dinner sees us enjoy Tay
views in the conservatory restaurant at the
Dunkeld House Hotel.
Dinner in Dunkeld finishes with a local
whisky and chocolate pairing with the sweet
treats from Perthshire’s master chocolatier
Iain Burnett (also known as the Highland
Chocolatier). I lose the raspberry and
orange truffles to my girls but secure the
dark chocolate truffle, which has been
awarded the title of the world’s finest truffle.
I cannot disagree.
ABOVE Our campervan at A foodie highlight that also brings in
Comrie Croft history and nature comes in the romantic
BELOW The Scottish dining room at the Fortingall Hotel.
Crannog Centre The waitress asks us if we’d like to see
Europe’s oldest tree. My kids shoot straight
off. Right by where we are parked is a
sprawling yew in the churchyard. Or rather
a tree with a churchyard fashioned right
around it. Some experts reckon this iconic
yew has been here for over 9,000 years. The
Fortingall Yew has truly seen it all, from the
Romans to the Vikings. Indeed, Pontius
Pilate is said to have been born in sleepy
Fortingall right here in Big Tree Country.
These little quirks and slices of history
dot the Heart 200. You could easily spend a
week following a history theme, or even a
foodie route.
As we ease back down the Heart 200
south towards Edinburgh there is time for
one more adventure.
It’s a fitting one as we set off in kayaks
right under a bridge that carries the Heart
200 across the Tay.
Piotr from Outdoor Explore is on hand to
eke us upriver into a world alive with
herons, kingfishers and even beavers –
Scotland has plenty of those these days.
Relaxing in a striking wildscape surrounded
by wildlife, with the rumble of traffic in the
distance, is an apt end to our exploration of
Scotland’s welcome – and welcoming –
newest long-distance driving route.

56 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

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60 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

Catalan delights
Roman ramparts, stunning surrealists and natural parks make
for an enchanting tour in this glorious region of Spain
US AND OUR ’VAN
Maria O’Brien...
and Seán Conway have been
travelling around Europe in a
series of assorted camping
vehicles for over three
decades. Each trip is longer
than the previous one
2004 Trigano Tribute, based
on a Fiat Ducato 2.3JTD. Her
name is Cindy Campervan and
she has her own Facebook
page. Cindy is compact and
comfortable enough to allow
us to live in her for five months
of the year
LEFT Santa Helena de Roda
church, El Port de la Selva*
A cornucopia of
WORDS: Maria O’Brien PHOTOGRAPHY: Seán Conway
C
atalonia calls and, driving south
through France, we wrangle over
music as Seán turns Pink Floyd up
– and I turn it down.
The sun bursts through cloud as we cross
the Spanish border. Yellow flowering broom
and pink cherry tree blossoms mingle with
the olive’s silver leaves.
Our first destination, Roses, offers a
promenade, cycle tracks, walking routes
and proximity to Portlligat – Salvador Dalí’s
home. An ibis fishes in the lake by the dual
carriageway and curly-haired calves gambol
beside a garage. Following a cacophony of
sound coming from the town centre, we
watch carnival floats, the locals embracing a
bacchanal before Lent.
We slope off to explore the melancholy
ruins of the ancient citadel. Its walls
overlook the sparkling sea to the east and
the mysterious Pyrenees to the north. It has
been a Roman trading post, medieval walled
city and Renaissance town. Trinity Castle
guards the bay. We follow the footpath
above the sea, beneath its brooding
presence. When we reach the white
lighthouse, built in 1864, Seán tries to
photograph the beam as it turns on but it
teases him, turning off each time the
camera nears his eye. A startled local jumps
as he yells; “Got ya!” I walk on, pretending
he’s not with me …
From the mountain road to Cadaqués, we
gaze down at Port de la Selva, its white
houses glistening against the azure sea and
the green mountains. The acacia trees’
pendulous yellow blooms swing in the
breeze, the fields are a carpet of blue and
white flowers and the air is scented with
pungent juniper bushes.
Outside Dalí’s home there’s a lion’s head
Spain TRAVEL
fountain, a sundial on a lime-washed wall
and a cypress tree rising through the centre
of an oak boat. Fishing boats bob on the
surf. Islands rise up out of the bay.
We pass a bank dotted with purple
flowering succulents. The footpath to
Cadaqués is lined with dry stone walls, olive
trees, aloe vera and prickly pear. Two giant
silver heads inclining towards each other
perch on the roof of Dalí’s house, a black
gash slicing one in half.
Cadaqués is bustling. The view from
Santa Maria Church spans the pantile roofs
and white houses, with pink bougainvillea
scrambling up their green, ceramic
downpipes. Inside, we marvel at the gold
leaf and intricately carved altar. Artistic to
the town’s core, even the meter cupboards
are painted with landscapes. Reproductions
of Dalí’s paintings are positioned along the
quay at the exact point where he painted
them. I prefer his earlier, Impressionist
landscapes, but then I’m a simple soul.
What makes us go clambering over rocks
overhanging the sea, I don’t know. I’m
quickly reduced to clinging onto the fleshy
part of the aloe vera leaves, gingerly
avoiding its spikes. We’re attempting to
reach a bridge to an island, but there’s a sign
saying; ‘No Entry. Work in Progress.’ So,
shrugging, Seán hops over it. “No one else is
taking any notice,” he says.
Indeed, he’s right. Families picnic on the
forbidden island. As I climb over the barrier
I expect a reprimand, so scuttle to a white,
sun-drenched bench, from where I soak in
the coastline plunging into the sea.
The next morning finds us in Figueres.
On our way to the Dalí Theatre-Museum, we
pass through a square with a statue of
James I, a glistening fountain and people ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 61
62 outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020
 Spain TRAVEL

ABOVE Cadaqués sitting watching the world go by. So, it is a after the ravages of the Civil War?
BELOW Back street in shock to read that a hospital here was The coastal town of L’Estartit is our next
Cadaqués bombed in the Civil War before the patients stop. Taking off on one of the many cycle
could be evacuated. tracks from the campsite, we’re rewarded
The ninth century church of Sant Pere with a deserted beach at the end of the road.
stands beside the museum, in a square The Medes Islands are pink in the evening
dotted with the pink candyfloss of cherry light. Waves crash against the cliffs at the
trees. It was rebuilt between 1941 and 1948 end of the town’s promenade. Cormorants
by Republican prisoners. Inside, the Last dive for supper. A noticeboard describes the
Supper fresco presents Christ as wonderful marine life in this natural park,
prematurely aged, a haunting contrast to from vibrant sea sponges, to corals, to rare
the frothy square outside. sea meadows.
The façade of the Dalí Theatre-Museum Using our rule of thumb that the most
is creatively exuberant. On the roof, nymphs authentic bars are to be found around the
work out and knights wield golden church, we sip coffee and gaze at the
baguettes beside deep-sea divers. The quintessential Spanish blue and white tiles.
terracotta back walls, complete with tower, Later, from a bird hide, we watch the reeds
sport giant white eggs on the roof and bread turn gold in the setting sun, its orange globe
rolls on the walls, symbolic of new life and reflected in the lagoon as the bats swoop.
nourishment. Perhaps an act of bravura The evening ends in the campsite bar, ➤

777
THE JOURNEY miles
From home in West Sussex at the end of February we drove 694 miles (via the
Newhaven-Dieppe ferry) to Roses, stopping overnight on two sites (Domaine de Marcilly
in Marcilly-sur-Eure and Le Clos Auroy in Orcet) in France. We drove 83 miles around
Catalonia, staying nine nights on sites, as part of a seven-week 3,500-mile journey
THE COSTS
Fuel average 30mpg (€152) ................................................................................................................... £136.41
Ferry Newhaven-Dieppe return ................................................................................................................ £216.50
Site fees (€237.60) ....................................................................................................................................... £213.23
Road tolls (€86) ...................................................................................................................................................£77.18
Attractions Two adults: Empúries site, museum and Arab baths (€23) ...........................£20.64
Public transport Two adults: bus to Girona (€24.20) ..................................................................£21.72
Total costs (from home to the end of the Catalonia leg of our tour) ........................... £685.68

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 63


TOP TIPS
Book the Dalí Theatre-
Museum in advance as it’s
cheaper and reduces queuing
time. Opening hours vary
throughout the year
salvador-dali.org
Museums in Girona operate a
brochure system where you
pay full price for the first one
and half-price for any
subsequent museums
www2.girona.cat/ca
ABOVE LEFT Punta Montgó
seen from Punta Ventosa
ABOVE RIGHT The Dalí
Theatre-Museum in Figueres
“We watch the reeds turn gold in the setting sun, its orange
globe reflected in the lagoon as the bats swoop”
64 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
S PA I N
where Seán beats me at pool, evidence of a
misspent youth, I say!
A hike through the Montgrí Natural Park
starts with a steep climb. Seán laments the
fact that we could have driven to the top
and saved our lungs. I move swiftly uphill,
desperate to show that I’m not the slightest
bit puffed. However, the viewpoint near the
top is worth it – the port, the glistening
houses and the islands basking in the sea.
On the mountain plateau, there’s blue
flowering rosemary, white and purple
fringed hibiscus, neon pink cistus, orchids,
euphorbia’s acid green flowers, purple iris,
lilac hyacinths, the amber baubles of new
pine cones and flashes of pink from
swooping chaffinches. At Punta Ventosa, we
stare down at a postcard-perfect cove with
white villas tumbling down the
mountainside and a tower of honey stone
on the opposite headland.
The next day finds us in Baix Ter Natural
Park, a short cycle from the campsite,
surrounded by marshland, saltwater
lagoons, tamarisk trees and with the wind
whispering through the reeds. A
Cadaques
Figueres
Roses
Empúries
Punta Ventosa
Púbol L’Estartit
Girona Pals Begur
noticeboard tells us of its 80 visiting bird
species, ranging from European bee-eaters
to flamingos. We watch an eel wriggle as a
shag gulps it down on the River Ter. On the
beach, we examine the wooden teepees,
erected to protect turtle nests.
I’m partial to the glimpse of local life that
public transport provides so, next morning,
we take the bus to Girona. We pass apple
orchards and hilltop villages of creamy
stone huddling under romantic ruins or
church towers or castles.
In Girona’s old town, we’re treated to a
beautiful view of rainbow-coloured houses,
piled together beside the River Onyar,
topped with the majestic limestone
cathedral. We walk along the medieval and
Carolingian walls, with their Roman ruins.
The restored narrow walkways and round
towers have wonderful views of the snow-
capped Pyrenees, pantiles, cobble paths and
church spires.
Winding our way through alleyways
narrower than an arm-span under stuccoed
arches and down steep steps in the historic
Jewish Quarter, we breathe in the

atmosphere – and follow the scent of
cooking. In an unassuming bar, we feast on
salads, Spanish omelette, squid and
griddled hake.
We stroll from the bar’s pleasant fug to
the Museum of Jewish History, housed in the
old synagogue. The medieval Jewish
community thrived here; mapmakers,
clockmakers, money lenders, doctors and
craftsmen. But then we read of the
inquisition, the enforced christening of Jews
and, finally, their expulsion.
The shady courtyard contrasts with a
lemon tree’s cheerful fruits. Delicate, arched
windows overlook a sculpture by Frank
Meisler. On one side, he celebrates the
Jewish mapmakers who enabled Columbus
to discover America; on the other,
Columbus searches for shore. The Spanish
monarchs issued two edicts in March 1492.
One sanctioned his voyage; the other
expelled the Jews, including the map and
instrument makers who made it possible.
Subdued, we climb the steps to the
cathedral, diverting at a sign for the Arab
Baths. The blue sky shines through the petal
openings of the bath’s dome, which is
supported by slender columns.
Spain TRAVEL
Within a mile, we’ve soaked up the
atmosphere of three great traditions. Later,
we drink coffee in the colonnaded
Independence Square, built to celebrate
liberation from Napoleon’s troops.
Next on our agenda are the ruins of the
ancient Greek and Roman port of Empúries.
We wander through baths, mansions,
gardens, fish factories, market squares,
shopping streets, temples and the forum.
We stop by the Asclepion; a centre of
healing, the patients treated by the analysis
of their dreams while in a drug-induced
sleep. “Beats Paracetamol,” quips my
resident cynic.
Following a path over the dunes and the
many coves, there’s the medieval village of
St Martí d’Empúries, perched above the sea.
Tumbledown ruins butt up against ochre
stone houses, contrasting with giant cacti
and luxurious blooms.
Cheerful daisies greet us on our cycle to
ABOVE Statue of Asklepios Torroella de Montgrí. Its castle tops the
in Empúries mountain. Abandoning our bikes, we hike
BELOW CLOCKWISE
up the track, weaving through the heady
Oranges in Cadaqués; River scent of the garrigue. From the castle, we
Onyar in Girona; Boats at have a 360-degree view of beaches, towns
sunset in Cadaqués and mountains. King James II started ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 65
TRAVEL Spain
building it in 1294 but, after blasting away
half the mountain for the stone, abandoned
the project.
Santa Caterina’s hermitage nestles in the
neighbouring valley, where birdsong
accompanies a herd of deer chomping away
at the copious herbs. The monastery was
started by three monks in the eighteenth
century, but it is now a picnic spot. Soon
there’s the tantalising smell of meat grilling
on stone barbecues. The chapel is a feast for
the eyes; frescoes of the Madonna and saints
in aquamarine, red and green, with white
curling patterns adorning the grey and
russet of the nave. The altar is a riot of gilt.
In Torroella, we wander narrow streets,
gazing at the limestone arched doorways
and imagining owners riding their horses
through them into courtyards. Our
attention is attracted by the Mascort
Foundation, a museum ‘in the colonial
style’, dedicated to wildlife research and art.
The late nineteenth-twentieth century
photographic display is interesting, but the
house itself is the star of the show.
Geometric patterns adorn the wooden
ceilings and floor tiles. Columns, mini-
palms, red geraniums and colourful tiled
murals edge a central courtyard.
On our last day in Catalonia, Seán has to
be satisfied with snapping the exterior of
the house Dalí renovated from an eleventh
century castle for his wife. Alas, it doesn’t
reopen to the public for a few days yet.
But the peaceful hamlet of Púbol is a joy,
with sun-warmed stones, wrought-iron
66 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
ABOVE CLOCKWISE Remains
of hypocaust in Empúries;
Cistus flower; Green tiled
balcony in Cadaqués
WE STAYED AT
Camping Salatà, 44 Carrer del Port Reig,
17480 Roses, Spain
 0034 972 256086
campingsalata.com
ˆ 6 March – 14 November
£ Two adults, pitch and electric: From
€21 (£18.30) with ACSI or €22.48
(£19.60) without
grilles and Mediterranean alleyways.
Apparently, Dalí and Gala believed they had
to live separately to sustain her role as a
muse and to keep the magic alive.
“Don’t get any ideas,” I mutter. Prince
Charming grins, “Humdrum’s fine by me.”
Heading for Begur, merely because of the
squiggly green-edged roads on the map,
history’s footprint is everywhere. We climb
up to a castle, almost levelled by Napoleon’s
troops. St. Ramón is a big name here. His
tower protected the townsfolk from pirates
in the sixteenth century and his hermitage
was rebuilt after the Civil War.
Our final stop, Pals, is a perfectly
preserved, sand-hued, medieval village. The
church’s façade resembles a fortress, with
dark blue frescoes inside and a wood
carving of Peter. We pass the Torre de las
Horas (Tower of Hours), reminding all that it
has chimed the time for hundreds of years.
This fascinating corner of Catalonia
offers a cornucopia of delights; mountains,
sea, wildlife, vibrant flowers, art, history
and architecture.
Camping Les Medes, Paratge Camp de
l’Arbre, 17258 L’Estartit, Spain
 0034 972 751805
campinglesmedes.com
ˆ All year
£ Two adults, pitch and electric: From
€21 (£18.30) with ACSI or €27.25
(£23.75) without
Choose from 5 award Talk to us about
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Phone: 01342 892499
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 On the road...
The (mis)adventures of octogenarian motorhomer
Barrie James and his long-suffering wife Sylvia who have spent
more than 40 years exploring the byways of Europe

LATE BARBECUE AND THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR

We were at a campsite near L’Ampolla in
Spain and I was feeling expansive. I
reflected, during our 50 years of
marriage, my wife had always done the
cooking. It was time for me to shoulder
the burden of preparing a meal.
I cycled to the nearest supermarket and headed for the fish
counter. Boldly, I chose two large fish; I think they were bass. The
insides had been cleaned, but their heads remained, their
accusing eyes staring at me.
Not one to do things by halves, I purchased a steel barbecue
fish griddle then pedalled happily back, confident in my
achievements thus far.
Arriving at our motorhome, I took out a small disposable
portable barbecue, placed it onto a large rock, then lit it. Sylvia
regarded me from behind the book she was reading and I saw her
take a breath prior to speaking, so I said, “Please, let me do it... all
of it.” She nodded with understanding and returned to her book. I
removed the fishes’ heads, washed them and then placed them
with great reverence onto my little pyre.
As I entered the ’van to prepare the wine I noticed that the
other campers were also preparing their evening meals and I felt
that I was doing my bit. After my bicycle ride, I was hungry and
looking forward to the feast.
I laid the table, even placing a few wild flowers into a little
glass. Throughout, Sylvia concentrated on her book but I knew
she was watching... I was on trial!
Time passed slowly, very slowly, I thought that it was taking a
very long time for the fish to cook. I gently examined my fish,
noticing with concern that they were very much as I had left
them about an hour before. I whistled quietly and behaved as
though all was well. I gently shook the barbecue and, indeed, it
was starting to glow a little more.
The other campers had already finished their meals and were
carrying their washing up over to the bathhouse.
It was now getting dark and chilly. Casually I retrieved my
coat from the ’van and continued with my vigil by the fire as the
first shadows of doubt crept into my mind. Closing my eyes for a
moment, I silently asked for divine help.
At this point Sylvia asked if all was well. I had been kneeling
by the barbecue for a long time and was now having to use a
lamp to see what I was doing. I was cold, tired and disillusioned.
Damn the cooking, I should have chosen a simple ready meal
from the supermarket, but no, I had to choose a dish that I had
seen prepared on TV that they had made look so quick and easy!
I was quietly relieved when my wife placed a hand on my
shoulder and gently said, “Let me have a quick look to see how
they are doing.”
I moved aside and after a brief examination she declared,
“They are cooking... but very slowly, they are very large fish.”
We returned to the ’van and had a cup of tea, two hours had
now elapsed and my misery had increased.
Suddenly, we noticed a wonderful smell and, rushing to
examine our fish, we saw that indeed they were almost ready.
Like a surgeon with a scalpel, I gently probed them with a
knife, whereupon the flesh slid from the bone in a most satisfying
manner. My spirits soared.
Time to warm the plates again, the smell was amazing.
Like Joshua Slocum, the famous navigator of yesteryear, I
turned to the rising moon, saluted, smiled and said ‘goodnight’,
then carried my prize into our cosy ’van, where Sylvia had
prepared some salads and lemon and we ate probably one of the
tastiest fish suppers we have ever had.
The wine, the warmth and our beloved fish was well worth
the wait. Later I reflected how lucky I had been and, inwardly,
promised that henceforth I would stick to what I know.
About one month later and back in the UK, our friends joined
us for dinner one evening; the subject of cooking fish was
mentioned and with the typical duplicity of men and with all the
authority of a TV chef, I casually and confidently said, “I always
find it better to cook fish very slowly, it doesn’t matter if it takes
two hours… it is worth it.”
As we climbed into bed that evening my dear wife murmured,
with a sly smile, “It’s a wonder you are not struck down...”
Even tually supper
was ready

68 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 Wonderful
Wales
Luscious landscapes, majestic mountains,
beautiful beaches – and don’t forget
those great little trains…
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: Felicity Martin

US AND OUR ’VAN
Felicity Martin...
lives in Scotland with her
partner, Andrew, (who comes
from County Down, Ireland)
and their border collie, Braan
Our 2015 WildAx Constellation
(5.99m long) is a Citroën
Relay 2.2HDi panel van.
‘Stella’ is very manoeuvrable
and has a spacious front
lounge that quickly makes up
into a double bed
O
ur visit to mid Wales is the wettest trip
we have experienced in over four years
of motorhoming. Sounds like a
disaster? Not at all. With all the comforts of
a home on wheels, we can choose to bide
our time until the weather brightens.
The landscapes in the southern part of
Snowdonia National Park are bursting into
spring life during our week. Hedges are
frothy white with blooming blackthorn and
lined by nodding daffodils. Primroses,
celandine and gorse add more yellow.
Some campsites and attractions are not
yet open; however, we have a reasonable
choice. As usual, our aim is to stay in scenic
places and walk in beautiful scenery. I don’t
book anything ahead as I assume – correctly
– that the area will be quiet so early in the
season. As it turns out, that’s just as well as
the weather requires us to be flexible.
The first warning signs are evident on the
drive to Wales through Shropshire, where
the Severn has broken its banks and the
road is like a causeway through a sea of more southerly road via the attractive
floodwater. The rain grows more torrential market town of Machynlleth. We don’t get
as we climb through the mountains. far as the Afon Dyfi (River Dyfi) is lapping
Five miles short of Dolgellau we meet a the edge of town and the bridge over it is
tailback of traffic and Andrew pulls into a submerged. Resorting to a 12-mile detour,
layby before we are ensnared in the queue. we eventually pitch just as dusk is falling.
Cars are doing three-point turns. A driver Dawn reveals the dramatic location of
winds down his window to say there’s an Dol Einion, a rather basic, back-to-nature
impassable landslide ahead. We manage to certificated site. It lies under the towering
turn, using the extra width provided by the slopes of Cadair Idris beside the National
layby. I feel sorry for the A-class motorhome Nature Reserve car park where the popular
stuck ahead; a long reverse looks likely. Minffordd Path up the mountain begins.
We drive back down the valley and take a We are hoping to make a circuit of the

70 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020


spectacular peaks above us, but the snow
showing below the cloud cover doesn’t look
promising. With rain, snow and strong
winds forecast, we rule out the walk.
Instead we drive towards the coast,
leaving the rain behind us as we pass the
lake that gives the valley its name, Tal-y-llyn.
From Abergynolwyn an old railway line runs
above the B4405 down to the sea at Tywyn.
It was the first of many narrow gauge
railways in the area to be taken over and
preserved by volunteers. Its steam trains are
running this weekend – who could resist?
ABOVE Tal-y-llyn valley near
Abergynolwyn
Wales TRAVEL
The train is already chugging up the line
on its morning round trip from Tywyn, but
we can catch it here to Nant Gwernol, the
station by the slate quarries the railway was
built to serve. Then we can stay on it back
down to Tywyn and return on the afternoon
journey after an hour’s lunch break. After a
quick coffee in the café, we buy day rover
tickets for ourselves and our dog, Braan.
When the neat red engine appears with a
plume of white steam, I’m surprised by how
small it looks. The young driver is too tall to
stand in the cab without stooping and is ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 71
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 Wales TRAVEL

Nefyn A487
Porthmadog A494
Chwilog
SN OW DO N I A Bala
Tudweiliog N AT I O N A L PA RK
Pwllheli
Coed-y- A494

E S
Brenin

Abersoch
Rhiw Llanbedr

Cymer Abbey
Barmouth
A470

AL
A458
Foel

Llwyngwril Tal-y-llyn
IR

A487 Cemmaes
IS

H Dolgoch Falls
A489 Llanbrynmair

W
SE Twyn A489

A Aberdyfi
Carno

Dylife

Talybont

leaning out to judge his stopping point as he being shunted from one end of the carriages
INFORMATION glides into the station. We board a carriage, to the other, ready to pull them back down
Mid Wales has two national perhaps one of the original ones built in the line. Back on board we enjoy a serene
parks: Brecon Beacons 1865 when the railway started carrying and relaxing journey down to the coast. The
and Snowdonia
passengers. It is divided into several upper part of the valley is enclosed by hills
visitmidwales.co.uk
separate areas by red plush bench seats, and woods, but these give way to more
The adventure capital with sash windows on either side which we open, flat lands as we near the sea.
of Wales
can open to different levels. The station café at Tywyn is crowded
visitsnowdonia.info
With a blast of the guard’s whistle we are with visitors enjoying Sunday lunch. We
off. The elevated line gives us a splendid have soup and a roll, then look around the
view. Lambs rush to their mothers as we excellent railway museum next door.
clack past lush pastures. Above the fields, At Dolgoch we glimpsed an impressive
the steepest slopes are clad in oak woods. waterfall from the train. After our rail trip
Still in their winter bareness, they look like we drive there for a closer look. A circular
BELOW Andrew on a Coed y 10-day stubble on the face of the green hills. path leads up and around the vertical falls,
Brenin forest trail At Nant Gwernol we watch the engine which are surrounded by woodland with a
vivid green floor of moss and ferns. The
trees have a beautiful architecture, with
THE JOURNEY 688 branches zigzagging in all directions.
We travelled from England to Wales via the A458 and
miles To reach our next campsite we drive to
spent a week in mid-March exploring the southern part the coast and head north. As the sun sinks,
of Snowdonia National Park, driving about 300 miles wind tears the clouds apart, giving us
around the area, before returning home to Scotland via sensational views. At Llwyngwril, a rainbow
the M56. We stayed on campsites and Brit Stops towers above an expanse of static caravans.
Rounding the next headland, we are
THE COSTS spellbound by the stunning view over the
Fuel Average 32mpg...................................................................£127 Mawddach Estuary to Barmouth. Shining
Site fees ................................................................................................ £72
under wild cumulus, the sun’s rays gild the
Parking Machynlleth, Dolgoch, Dolgellau .................... £5.30
surf rolling onto a sandbar at the mouth of
Attractions Two adults and one dog Talyllyn Railway
day rover ................................................................................................ £43
the estuary. Fairbourne – sited on the bar
just beyond the high tide mark – looks very
Total costs........................................................................... £247.30
vulnerable to global warming. ➤

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 73

TRAVEL Wales
TOP TIPS
If you pay the donation fare
on the Talyllyn Railway, you
make an additional voluntary
donation of 10% and, in
return, receive a voucher
worth 15% of the total
amount paid to spend in the
cafés or gift shop. It helps the
railway and makes
lunch cheaper!
talyllyn.co.uk
You can join the Mawddach
Trail footpath walk and cycle
route in several places,
including Graig Wen. From
Dolgellau it winds for 9½
miles along the disused
railway track on the southern
edge of the spectacular
Mawddach Estuary and
finishes by crossing the iconic
railway bridge over the mouth
of the estuary into Barmouth.
The website also has links to
adjacent walks
mawddachtrail.co.uk
ABOVE CLOCKWISE Steam
train on the Talyllyn Railway
pulls into Abergynolwyn;
Terraced cottages in
Dolgellau; Old stone walls
near Llangelynin
74 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
Graig Wen is set high above the
Mawddach Estuary. Five miles west of
Dolgellau, it’s the site we were aiming for
until the landslip detour. We occupy one of
eight hardstandings on the same level as a
former slate-cutting mill that now houses
four self-catering properties. The view
would be outstanding on a clear day, but
cloud stubbornly hugs the hilltops.
A steep track leads down through native
woodland and 40 acres of meadows that are
camping fields. At the bottom, we join the
disused railway which hugs the estuary
shoreline. This is now the Mawddach Trail
for walkers and cyclists.
The level path is lined by hazels and
willows whose open catkins are shedding
bright yellow pollen. We see signs of the old
slate industry, including an ‘incline’ used to
carry slate in bogeys down to the railway.
We use another damp day to visit
Dolgellau, where Andrew lived when he was
a fresh-faced forester. He shows me the first
house he bought and we go for a drink in his
old local, the Royal Ship, which is
considerably smarter than in his day. The
slate buildings look grey under a dull sky,
but houses are decked with bright paint and
colourful flower tubs. There’s an interesting
selection of independent shops, many
eateries and almost more buses than cars.
On a brighter day we visit Aberdyfi,
where seafront hotels and houses gleam in a
dazzling array of pastel colours. We walk
through the dunes, then along the beach
into town for a pub lunch.
Afterwards, we drive up the peaceful
Dysynni Valley to see the romantic ruins of
Castell y Bere. We go slowly on the narrow
roads (designated a cycle route) hoping, as
it’s quiet, that we won’t need to find many
passing places. As we head inland, a fog
descends so that we can barely see the top
of Bird Rock – a striking half dome that
looms over the valley.
The remains of Castell y Bere cover the
summit of a rocky, wooded hillock
projecting into the valley. From the rather
rough parking area at its foot we follow a
path that spirals around the steep slopes,
then enters the fortifications by a wooden
staircase and bridge. At the top our heads
are nearly in the clouds. The castle was built
in the 1220s by Llywelyn the Great to
control land that provided rich grazing for
cattle. It is more extensive than I expected
and, with its elevated situation, looks to me
like a mini Machu Picchu.
Another day we head north up the Afon
Mawddach, stopping first at Cymer Abbey,
just outside Dolgellau. Built by Cistercian
monks in 1198, the ruins are free to visit and
situated beside a farmyard. Beds of dew-
decked daffodils line the stone walls, ➤
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TRAVEL Wales
whose gaping arches are open to the sky.
Further up the valley is Coed y Brenin
Forest Visitor Centre, which has changed
beyond all recognition since Andrew
worked here years ago. It is now a major
centre for mountain biking, trail running
and walking, with different sets of colour-
coded routes for various activities. The café
here is dog friendly, like most of the
establishments we visit.
Andrew tells me that two impressive
waterfalls lie deeper in the conifer forest,
but another waterfall has caught my eye at
Ganllwyd, a couple of miles back down the
road. An information board shows paths
that run uphill through natural oak
woodland and sheep pasture. Combining
the rough blue trail to Black Rock Falls and
the gentler red one through parkland takes
us through lovely and varied scenery. We
even manage to visit a disused goldmine.
Towards the end of the week we move to
Hendre Mynach on the outskirts of
Barmouth. The closest site to town, it sits
on flat ground between a steep wooded
slope and the coastal mainline railway.
While here we walk over the level
crossing at the north end of the site, then
along the promenade – part of the Wales
Coast Path – to the harbour and town
centre. The beach appears enormous, with
the tide way out. It’s a real seaside town, but
many of the shops, cafés and bars haven’t
yet opened for the season.
We climb uphill into the old part of town,
past stone cottages perched in precipitous
76 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
ABOVE LEFT Aberdyfi positions. Higher up, we walk across Dinas
(Aberdovey) from the beach Oleu, a gorse-clad rocky outcrop that was
and promenade
the first land gifted to the National Trust (by
ABOVE RIGHT Felicity Mrs Fanny Talbot in 1895).
admiring Dolgoch Falls Returning to the promenade, we find the
huge beach has disappeared. Waves are
crashing against the concrete, spurting jets
of foaming seawater high in the air. We have
to keep back to avoid a soaking.
The wet weather means we haven’t
managed to do everything, but it’s an
excellent introduction to a part of Wales I’d
never visited. There’s plenty more for a
return visit, not least Cadair Idris and more
of the steam railways that served the slate
quarries characteristic of this area.
WE STAYED AT
Dol Einion Certificated Site, Tal-y-Llyn, Graig Wen, Arthog, Near Dolgellau,
Tywyn, Meirionnydd, Gwynedd LL36 9AJ Gwynedd LL39 1YP
 01654 761312  01341 250482
campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk graigwen.co.uk
ˆ All year ˆ 1 March – 5 January
£ Two adults, pitch and electric: From £ Two adults, pitch and electric:
£21 (members only, but you may join From £19
on site)
ALTERNATIVE SITE
Hendre Mynach Touring Trawsdir Touring Caravans
Caravan and Camping Park & Camping, Llanaber,
Barmouth, Gwynedd LL42 1YR Barmouth, Gwynedd LL42 1RR
 01341 280262  01341 280999
hendremynach.co.uk trawsdir.co.uk
ˆ 1 March – 9 January ˆ 1 March – 4 January
£ Two adults, pitch and electric: £ Two adults, pitch and electric:
From £19 From £20
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TRAVEL France

Raise a glass to
France

Our seasoned Francophile motorhomer takes a luxury-loving

friend on a sparkling tour offering plenty of ‘gems’
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: Angela Chester

F
or years, I have been promising my
friend that I would take her on a
motorhome trip to discover the real
France. Caroline is used to five-star hotels,
with every meal and activity laid on for her. I
was sure that I could convince her that, with
a spirit of adventure, we would more than
compensate for any lack of luxury and she
would never look back.
Caroline had just one week spare, so the
weight of responsibility of giving her a real
flavour of the country – and getting us back
in one piece – weighed heavily on me. I
knew that we would not be able to travel
very far, so I focused on the best that
northern France has to offer.
Thankfully, despite having travelled
ABOVE CLOCKWISE through this amazing country for years,
Vineyards and town of Le even I was surprised by the real gems that
Mesnil-sur-Oger; Abbey at we discovered there.
Hautvillers and Dom
Pérignon’s tomb; Caroline
The first was a small and sleepy village
and Angela in the balloon called Bourguignon-sous-Montbavin, where
above Épernay Caroline could enjoy her first French picnic.
But this meant that, en route, she would
have to discover the joy of shopping,
French-style.
Caroline was impressed by the scale and
range of offerings in the Carrefour and
struggled to narrow down her selections to
match the size of my Bongo’s tiny fridge; in
such bijou accommodation you sometimes
have to take things one day at a time.
The village itself was the home of three
Le Nain brothers, known for their baroque

78 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020


TOP TIPS
Book the Dartford toll
crossing in advance online so
you don’t need to remember
to do it during the holiday and
to avoid a fine on your return
Set plenty of time aside to
visit the Château de Chantilly
and look on the website in
advance to check that you’ll
be able to see a 30-minute
dressage demonstration
(included in the ticket price)
while you’re there. Full
equestrian shows are extra.
The car park is well set out
for motorhomers
domainechantilly.com
France TRAVEL
1,300
THE JOURNEY miles
In July, we travelled from Dumfries to France and back via Eurotunnel,
staying six nights on campsites and one on a France Passion. We drove
a total of 800 miles in the UK and around 500 miles in France using some
toll roads to reduce time
THE COSTS
Fuel Average 22mpg................................................................................................................. £349
Eurotunnel....................................................................................................................................... £252
Tolls Dartford and autoroutes .........................................................................................£31.29
Site fees (€106.40) .............................................................................................................£92.73
Attractions Two adults: balloon ride, Château de Chantilly (€64)..........£55.78
Total costs....................................................................................................................... £780.80
paintings and miniatures. We drove to the In the morning I was itching to fulfil one
top of the hill to set up the picnic and be of my long-held ambitions while I had a
truly wowed by the view of what is known willing accomplice – to drink champagne
locally as the Tuscany of the north – on the tomb of Dom Pérignon (the
stunning, verdant countryside dotted with Benedictine monk famed for developing the
small hilltop towns and villages and production techniques that gave the drink
subterranean houses tucked into the its quality). Dom Pérignon is buried in the
hillside. It was difficult to believe we were abbey at Hautvillers but, before we got
only a two-hour drive from Calais. there, we had to stop at a vineyard to choose
Our route southwards from there allowed our tipple. It was the first time that Caroline
us to wander around the vibrant town of had bought wine in this way and she was
Fismes, where the municipal campsite I was pleased to find that it was so much cheaper
banking on was, unfortunately, full for the and more interesting than buying
night. Not to worry, I had brought my trusty something similar in a supermarket –
France Passion guide and we were soon especially because of the free tasters!
being welcomed at a jewel of a stopover in On entering the abbey we were greeted
the lovely village of Courville not far away. by beautiful music being played through ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 79
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EXCLUSIVE
RANGE

Éperlecques
Bourguignon
-sous-Montbavin
Fismes
Chantilly
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
ME AND MY ’VAN
Angela Chester...
divides her time between
teaching, writing, food, wine
and travel at home and abroad
2000 Mazda Bongo, 2.5L
engine. My bijou, gas-guzzling
’van doubles up as a work
vehicle and motorhome
ABOVE Bourguignon-sous-
Montbavin
“The château is the epitome of sublime elegance,
FRANCE
Ay
the sound system, only interrupted by the
popping of the cork as we paid our respects
to this famous friar. Being the designated
driver I could only take a few sips, but it
didn’t spoil the experience at all. A walk and
a coffee in the very pretty town of
Hautvillers and we were ready to move on.
Caroline has a taste for the finer things,
so I thought she might like to visit Ay, the
home of the gem creator, René Lalique. This
French glass designer is famed for his art
nouveau and art deco work of exquisite
perfume bottles, jewellery, ornaments and
chandeliers. He moved to Paris and
designed jewellery for some of the most
famous actresses and aristocrats, but stayed
faithful to his roots and often returned to
his home town for holidays.
A bronze statue of Lalique sits proudly on
a park bench in the main square and a
Parcours Lalique encourages visitors to
explore the three Fs that inspired him: flora,
fauna and the female form. Lalique believed
that ‘To seek beauty is more worthy an aim
than to display luxury’ and the unassuming
charm of Ay, with its homely timbered
buildings, shops, rustic bars and cafés,
reflects this ideal perfectly.
On the outskirts of the town is the Cité
du Champagne, a visitor centre and
vineyard, the slopes of which are featured
on the UNESCO World Heritage List, so
there was plenty there to keep us occupied
on a cloudy day. Taking the time to relax in
Ay, talking to the people, wandering and
magnitude, history and glamou r”
France TRAVEL
discovering its understated beauty and local
offerings, seemed like a fitting tribute to this
remarkable artist.
We had no plans for the following day
except to have a lazy meander down to our
next destination. That was until we spotted
a large blue hot air balloon hovering in front
of us at Épernay. After a quick diversion to
the tourist information office, we discovered
that it was a wonderful opportunity to
appreciate the region from above with a
glass of bubbly in our hands. We needed no
convincing to climb aboard.
I hadn’t known until that moment that
my companion was scared of heights, but
Caroline was quite relieved to find that it
was actually attached to a tether, meaning
that it couldn’t float off into the distance. It
did, however, give us a safe taster of a
balloon ride and a wonderful view of
Épernay town centre about 150 metres
(492ft) below us; another gem (and
unplanned) and something that I’ll
remember forever.
High on my list of French delights has
always been gastronomy. I had been told of
a place that was acclaimed for its real
French food of fine quality but without a
huge price tag – a restaurant called La Gare
situated in the idyllic grand cru village of Le
Mesnil-sur-Oger.
There are no campsites in the village, but
we were assured by a local farmer that we
would be welcome to stay in a small nature
reserve nearby (Pâtis d’Oger) so long as ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 81
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INFORMATION we didn’t leave the ’van there throughout
the day. It’s a stunning spot where locals
Visit the cellars of the oldest come to fish, sunbathe and enjoy the native
Champagne winegrowers’ trees, plants and birds.
cooperative
We felt we deserved a few hours of lazing
citeduchampagne
colletcogevi.com by the water before dinner. It was a mile
away from the restaurant – just enough to
Home of la Belle Bleue
work up an appetite – and it was certainly
champagne-bliard-
moriset.fr worth doing so.
It was very typical French fare: duck
A modern champagne
champagne-paul-
breast in dark cherry sauce and steak
launois.fr tartare, presented to the highest standard
A network of stopovers
and far exceeding our expectations. My
mostly located on farms and attention turned to a most striking blue
vineyards which welcome wine bottle at the next table – la Belle Bleue
motorhomers to overnight – so enchanting that it could have been
free. You have to be a designed by Lalique himself. We found that
member of France Passion
and it is regarded as polite to
it contained a champagne produced in the
buy some of your village so, the next morning, we made our
hosts’ produce way to the premises to try it for ourselves.
france-passion.com Yes! We had stumbled on another
unexpected and affordable gem. This
incredible blanc de blancs went straight to
the top of my favourites list and we indulged
in a couple of beautiful bottles to take home.
That wasn’t the only surprise in the
village. We discovered that Krug produces
one of its most exclusive offerings there, Le
Clos du Mesnil. At €500 (£435.80) a bottle we
were unlikely to ever sample it, though.
However, if you want to discover
BELOW LEFT View of something exquisite from the same terroir
Épernay from the balloon at a fraction of the price, head down the
BELOW RIGHT Statue of road to the vineyard of Julien Launois. He is
Lalique in Ay from a long line of producers who had
France TRAVEL
previously taken their wine from the local
cooperative, meaning that all the wines
were identical except for the final dosage
(addition of sugar) and the packaging.
Julien decided to break free from this
system and produce his own wine in a
unique and modern style, whilst staying
true to the tradition and heritage of Le
Mesnil-sur-Oger. The result is a small, but
remarkable, range of champagnes, so fine
that they could be served chilled at the start
of a meal and then allowed to warm a little
to complement the following courses. Julien
explained that this was the mark of a
high-quality product because, “at room
temperature, the wine can’t lie”. He wasn’t
wrong. Julien’s wine is a revelation of how
even the oldest and most guarded processes
could be enhanced with some free-thinking,
imagination and flair.
It would hardly be a holiday in France
without a trip to a château and the most
stunning example en route was the Château
de Chantilly. If you only ever visit one
French castle in your life, you wouldn’t go
far wrong with choosing this one.
The château is the epitome of sublime
elegance, magnitude, history and glamour,
but this fourteenth-nineteenth century
masterpiece was destroyed, rebuilt,
redesigned and extended throughout its
history, eventually being bequeathed to the
Institut de France in 1897. It has been used
in the shooting of a Bond film, the stage for
Pink Floyd concerts and the venue for ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 83
TRAVEL France
Cristiano Ronaldo’s engagement. It houses
the largest collection of antique paintings in
France outside the Louvre (with works by
Raphael, Poussin and Delaroche), the Living
Museum of the Horse and has extensive
gardens and the unique Condé Museum.
The museum displays many treasures,
including one of the purest and most
famous pink diamonds in the world – Le
Grand Condé. This iconic gem has a
fascinating backstory, from its origins in the
Indian Kollur diamond mine to its
presentation as a gift from Louis XIII to the
Prince of Condé and then, inevitably, to its
theft. It was eventually rediscovered by a
chambermaid who found it hidden inside
an apple she had stolen from a hotel room.
I was eager to see the diamond for myself,
so you can imagine my disappointment
when I realised that it was just a replica that
had been made so that the original could be
kept more securely in the vault! This didn’t
spoil the visit because there was so much to
see, both inside and out, with beautiful
ponds to dip your feet into and art,
atmosphere and architecture welcoming
visitors at every turn.
Both being horse lovers, Caroline and I
WE STAYED AT
Château du Gandspette, 133 Rue du
Ganspette, 62910 Éperlecques,
Pas de Calais
 0033 321 934393
chateau-gandspette.com
ˆ 30 March – 30 September
£ Two adults, pitch and electric: From €24
(£20.92)
84 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
ABOVE La Belle Bleue and
Launois champagne
BELOW Château de Chantilly
Camping d’Épernay, Allée de Cumières,
51200 Épernay, Marne
 0033 326 553214
epernay.fr/hotel-restaurant/camping-
municipal
ˆ 30 April – 1 October
£ Two adults, pitch and electric: From
€22.95 (£20)
were keen to visit the Living Museum of the
Horse, a fascinating exhibition examining
the role of the horse in our lives from
ancient times to the present day. The
eighteenth century stables are the largest in
Europe and are home to a troop of charming
donkeys and also to the great horses that
are the stars of equestrian displays there
throughout the year.
We had to leave the grandeur of Château
de Chantilly behind but took solace in
spending our last night at the Château du
Gandspette campsite in Éperlecques. There,
we could enjoy a swim and a fabulous meal
in the sunshine before heading home.
Caroline had not taken long to adjust to
the challenges and the joys of a motorhome
holiday. I practically had to drag her under
protest onto the crossing home. The
promises of further trips were just enough
to coax her aboard.
So I’ve converted another person to the
charms of France and of motorhoming and
I’ve gained another willing companion for
my future adventures. In tribute to Lalique,
we’ll continue to pursue beauty instead of
luxury, whether it’s meticulously planned or
just stumbled across by accident.
Camping le Mont Cesar, 10 Avenue de
Toutevoie, 60270 Gouvieux
 0033 344 570205
lemontcesar.com
ˆ 1 April – 31 October
£ Two adults, pitch and electric: From
€16.50 (£14.38)
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 Get away for...
THE WEEKEND!
When it’s cold outside, nothing beats the warmth of
West Yorkshire’s wonderful food and friendliness
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: Carol Kubicki

C
urling up and watching BBC One’s
Countryfile often sparks ideas for ’van
trips and the story of a Yorkshire
cheese maker had me pricking up my ears.
Using milk from local farmers, Syrian-born
Razan makes Yorkshire halloumi, calling her
fresh-tasting cheese ‘Squeaky Cheese’ after
the noise made when you bite a piece.
“Let’s go and find this Yorkshire cheese,” I
urged Anthony, my campervan sidekick, as
I began listing other Yorkshire culinary
contributions to the world: Yorkshire tea,
puddings, great beers, chocolates, parkin,
Wensleydale cheese and so much more.
Appetites whetted, our plans for a trip to
West Yorkshire and the South Pennines began.
The cold of January doesn’t curb my
enthusiasm for getting out in our ’van and
we rolled into Saltaire, north of Bradford,
under a wintry sky, eagerly grabbing the
opportunity to revisit this model industrial
village. Named after its founder, Titus Salt
and the adjacent River Aire, Saltaire’s neat
rows of terraced workers’ houses are
dominated by a colossal and elegant former
textile mill built in 1853.
We headed straight for Salts Diner, inside
the refurbished Italianate-design mill.
Production continued in the mill until 1986,
although the adjacent houses were sold in
the 1930s. The building was rescued by a
local entrepreneur, who transformed the
focus of the historic mill from industrial to
retail, successfully combining high-class
shops, a gallery and places to eat.
In Salts Diner, lined with colourful David
Hockney paintings, the tableware and
napkins feature a distinctive Hockney
sketch, helping make even our coffee and
cake a special treat. A family friend of the ➤

86 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 Weekend Break TRAVEL

Why?... To eat (and take home) lots of great tasting

food from Yorkshire's culinary hotspots

MAIN The Italianate design and

Venetian tower of Salts Mill
BELOW LEFT The marina
in Sowerby Bridge
BELOW RIGHT Rainbow-coloured
sweet jars at Joseph Dobson &
Sons shop in Elland
FAR LEFT Enjoying the view
on the top of Norland Moor

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 87

 US AND OUR ’VAN
Carol Kubicki...
and her husband, Anthony, use
their Devon Tempest to pursue
their hobbies of walking,
cycling and exploring historical
and natural environments
2015 Devon Tempest on a
Renault Master. At 5.3m we
think it’s enormous and, with a
washroom, also luxurious
88 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
current owner, Yorkshireman and artist,
David Hockney, has played a part in its
success and Salts Mill has the world’s largest
collection of his work.
Part of the pleasure of visiting Saltaire is
that the mill retains both purpose and
beauty. Wandering through the warm and
spacious industrial-chic shops my eye was
drawn to original features: old metal pillars
with decorated capitals runnig along the
airy rooms lined with large windows and a
metal pulley hangs over a display of books.
Saltaire is a World Heritage Site and, to
really appreciate the scale of Sit Titus Salt’s
vision for a perfect industrial community, it
is worth strolling among the terraced
streets. Construction of other public
buildings such as a church, Victoria Hall
and almshouses followed the mill, all in the
same warm sandstone. The classically
designed church is remarkable and the story
goes that the four lion statues outside
Victoria Hall were originally intended for
Trafalgar Square.
We crossed the canal and the River Aire
and joined families enjoying Roberts Park.
Here we found Titus Salt’s statue, the
charming alpaca sculpture – recognising
the contribution of alpaca fleece to Salt’s
wealth – and the colourful bandstand.
We headed up the wooded hillside
Must do... Join one of the guided tours of the
Piece Hall in Halifax to learn more about its history.
But wrap up warm in winter!
following the Shipley Glen funicular
tramway, the only remnant of the Victorian
fairground that once extended across this
moorland edge and, on holidays, thronged
with mill workers. Returning to the canal we
passed Mill Dam, built to supply clean water
to the Salts Mill dye works.
At Keelham Farm Shop, just north of
Halifax, we stopped to buy some ‘Squeaky
Cheese.’ This well-stocked foodie emporium
sells everything from fresh vegetables to
take-home Bradford curries. We left with
armfuls of goodies, including bottles of
Yorkshire ale and Yorkshire crisps as well as
blocks of Yorkshire halloumi.
Arriving at Elland Hall Farm Caravan
Park, the owner brimmed with enthusiasm
for Halifax’s refurbished Piece Hall. We
promised we wouldn’t miss it and shared
our plans for a local walk the next day.
The River Calder and canal flow along a
narrow valley below the campsite and
steeply wooded hillsides and take you to
open moorland, making this varied walking
country. Wandering on a towpath is always
pleasant. The section between Elland and
Sowerby Bridge is no exception, with barges
to admire, locks (including the unusual
Salterhebble Guillotine Lock), a horse
tunnel that Anthony had to stoop to walk
through and plenty of wildlife. There wasn’t
 Weekend Break TRAVEL

a breath of wind and the canal was millpond
still, creating reflections that had a stunning
and otherworldly colour and depth.
In Sowerby Bridge (the location for the
BBC One drama, Happy Valley), I wandered
off to take photographs of the neat rows of
barges overwintering in the marina while
Anthony investigated options for lunch. The
window cleaner outside one canalside pub
confirmed the establishment stocked a
decent pint of local Timothy Taylor’s beer
and Anthony ventured to ask how Sowerby
Bridge is pronounced. “It’s saw-bi, not
sour-bee, but there are some sour folk living
here,” the chap responded with a grin.
Timothy Taylor’s has been brewing for
around 150 years in nearby Keighley and a
half of Landlord perfectly complemented
our pub lunch. We tackled the steep hike
out of the valley to Norland Moor and, from
the heather and gritstone-edged moorland,
I enjoyed the views over Sowerby Bridge and
Halifax, with Wainhouse Tower a distinctive
landmark. This 253ft nineteenth century
folly was commissioned as a dye works
chimney but never used.
Norland Moor is criss-crossed with sandy
paths that make navigation tricky, but there
were plenty of walkers around who knew
every inch and we were soon on the right
path down to Elland, following the
woodland edge and picking up walled lanes INFORMATION
into the town. Elland is the home of the
mint imperial, thanks to Joseph Dobson and In the heart of Yorkshire
Sons sweet factory which has operated from visitcalderdale.com
the same building since 1850. A village that has World
The factory continues to produce a Heritage Site status
cornucopia of confectionery, including saltairevillage.info
providing favours for royal weddings. The Art, shopping and dining
shop has a dazzling display of colourful saltsmill.org.uk
sweets. Sucking mints, we returned to the The Thornton branch of
campsite in the early-evening dusk, weary Keelham’s is now trading as
after over 10 miles of walking. robertshawsfarm
Halifax is a handsome town with grand shop.co.uk
sandstone buildings that glowed in the low Buy Squeaky Cheese from
winter sunshine. Each building contributes yorkshiredama
to the story of Halifax’s successful industrial cheese.co.uk
and banking history; this, after all, is the Making sweets since 1850
town that gave us Quality Street. dobsons.co.uk
Mackintosh began making chocolates in An amazing piece of local
the late nineteenth century and, in the 1930s, history restored
began making affordable boxed chocolates thepiecehall.co.uk
and Quality Street was born – the chocolates
are still made in the same factory.
Before chocolates and banks, it was wool
that drove the economy of Halifax. The
Piece Hall was built in 1779 as the cloth hall,
where pieces of cloth from cottage weavers,
each 30 yards long, were sold.
This unique Georgian building is
architecturally superb, historically
interesting and has found a modern use. ➤

ESSENTIALS
HOW LONG
Two nights
WHEN
January
HOW MUCH
Fuel (105 miles) ........... £18
Site fees ......................... £30
Parking Halifax ................ £3
TOTAL ............................£51

LEFT CLOCKWISE The

interior of Salts Mill; Halifax
Minster; The classically
styled church in Saltaire
RIGHT CLOCKWISE Halifax
Borough Market is an
exquisite example of a
Victorian market; The Piece
Hall has an exhibition telling
the story of this impressive
building; The sandstone of
the Piece Hall glows in the
winter sun

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 89

TRAVEL Weekend Break
Reminiscent of a Spanish square, stand in
the centre and you are in a flagged area
larger than a football pitch, surrounded by
graceful colonnaded walkways.
Today, the listed Piece Hall is a successful
combination of contemporary amenities
and heritage. The 315 cloth sale rooms have
been sympathetically redesigned for use by
high-end independent shops and cafés and
regular events are held in the central square.
Keen to know more about the building,
we joined a free guided tour. Our guide
didn’t appear to feel the cold but, although
the tour was fascinating, after an hour of
standing outdoors I was chilled to the bone.
In need of warmth, the Babushka Russian
Café in Halifax’s ornate market was an
unusual and perfect remedy. Run by Olga
from Siberia, warming Russian stews,
pancakes and pierogi (dumplings) are
served and cosy blankets to huddle under
provided. Olga understands the cold and
says a Halifax winter is colder than Siberia!
With my hands wrapped around a
Russian hot chocolate and my knees under a
blanket, I started to thaw out.
Olga makes her own excellent Russian
goodies using ingredients from Halifax’s
varied market and we came away with a bag
full of delicious biscuits.
Before heading home we popped into
90 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
Must see... The colourful and distinctive
David Hockney paintings in the restored
industrial interior of Salts Mill at Saltaire
Halifax’s minster. Much older than the Piece
TOP TIPS
Hall, this is Yorkshire’s largest medieval
church and it is still sooty-black from The pay and display Eureka!
industrial grime. car park in Halifax has plenty
of room for campervans and
In the porch is a twelfth century is the nearest parking for the
gravestone that depicts cropper’s shears, Piece Hall. Motorhomes over
used for finishing woollen cloth and early 23ft (7m) may not fit within
evidence of the wool trade. We were one space (call Eureka! on
welcomed by volunteers and, as I admired a  01422 330069 to
discuss options)
colourful stained glass window, one
explained that, as it isn’t perfectly round,
they call it a marigold window.
Below are two of the minster’s
Commonwealth windows, donated by a
local Puritan in the seventeenth century to
replace the stained glass. At the time, the
colour and images of stained-glass windows
were not appreciated by extreme
Protestants and were often removed. At first ABOVE The uniformity of the
stone houses of Saltaire
glance these replacements look clear but,
creates harmony
encouraged to look closer, I could make out
blues and greens among the intricate
patterning of the glass that give them a THE CAMPSITE
simple, even puritanical, beauty. Elland Hall Farm Caravan
We had packed so much into a few days Park, Exley Lane, Elland
in this wonderful part of West Yorkshire and HX5 0SL
our ’van was packed with excellent local  01422 372325
ellandhallfarm.co.uk
fare, some long-established and others from
new Yorkshire residents who are inspired to ˆ All year
continue the local tradition for what they £ Two adults, pitch and
electric: From £16
might call ‘reet good food’.
 Travelling is about

the exception that leaving reality behind in

order to experience your
dreams. A dream of
escaping to exotic

proves the rule destinations

where the landscapes
challenge the imagination,
day after day.

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 My travels...
Trish Formoy decides winter
is the time to tour Europe
Most motorhomers travel
between March and October,
when campsites are open. What
happens if you don’t? We set off in
Harvey the RV, our Swift Kon-tiki 635, to
find out.
In our first year of retirement, my
husband and I wanted distraction from
a dull bit of the year in January and February. So, in blissful
ignorance, we set off with our two dogs to France and Spain.
In just over three weeks, we visited Ypres in Belgium, Le
Mans, Périgueux, Bordeaux, the Dune du Pilat, St-Jean-de-Luz
(almost), the Costa Brava, Châteauroux, Chartres and Le
Touquet. We saw the coasts of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean
and the Channel, the inside of one A&E department and five
golf courses.
Travel is about discovery. Seasoned travellers will roll their
eyes at what follows, but I am sharing my experience for the
benefit of next year’s crop of innocents considering such a trip.
Lesson 1: Staying in a low-cost or free camping area (an ‘aire
de camping’ often run by the local town council) is easy and
feasible if you have your own toilet and washing facilities. The
Michelin France Camping Car road atlas or an online search
helps to locate these aires. However, we found that water had
been switched off to avoid freezing in most places. At least we
could empty our chemical toilet.
Lesson 2: There is no need to book ahead. A phone call to an
open site on the day was enough to establish what time we had
to arrive by before reception closed. There was always space.
Open campsites are few and far between at this time of year and
when you do get there, there may only be one running tap, with
the other points all drained for the winter. For €15 to €20 (£12.50
to £16.70), we had our pitch, electricity, access to showers
(always clean and never a queue), laundry and, occasionally,
WiFi. A commendable exception was Camping Beausoleil, 10km
south of Bordeaux on a public transport route and cycle routes,
where everything was working. Its 31 spaces were full for two of
the four nights we stayed there.
Lesson 3: We did need to be flexible about routes, depending
on weather conditions. We had intended to visit Reims and
Épernay, but instead stayed to the west when snow affected
HOLIDAY DISASTER OR HOLIDAY DREAM? Tell other readers about your motorhome
adventures, good or bad, in 700 words motorhome.ma/myviews
92 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
these areas. Likewise, we cut our losses and left St-Jean-de-Luz
without stepping outside, after driving up on to the corniche
road and being blasted by gales blowing straight in off a
churning Bay of Biscay.
Lesson 4: France is streets (or cycle lanes) ahead of us when
it comes to providing for, and respecting, cyclists. Google Maps
shows all routes. We used our own electric bikes, though bike
rental schemes are common. Drivers watched out for us and we
watched out for pedestrians. Down near L’Estartit and Pals on
the Costa Brava, the cycle routes were through the fields and off
the main roads, something that added to our enjoyment. Note,
the hospital visit came about when I took a pavement at the
wrong angle and went head first into a wall. I had my helmet on
and came away with nothing worse than a superficial cut to my
nose, expertly glued back together. Thank you, EHIC card and
the efficient and expert staff at Hôpital Robert Picqué.
Lesson 5: You can see how much gas is left in your cylinder
by how far up it the frost comes in the morning. In four weeks
we did not even finish one 13kg cylinder, cooking, boiling a kettle
and running the heating a couple of nights.
Lesson 6: If shopping near the Channel ports, check for
stowaways. About 20km after the Dunkirk hypermarket, two
men got out of our garage, on a motorway sliproad. They meant
no harm and did no damage but we were heading the wrong way
for them.
Lesson 7: Book a flexible return ticket on the ferry. We
cancelled the £184 return portion of ours with three days to go
and bought a £104 fixed ticket to return a day earlier.
Lesson 8: Take spare bedlinen and bath towels rather than
pay €12 to get them clean and dry. It is not warm enough to dry
stuff outside quickly at this time of year and laundry tokens cost
more than some of the clothing we were washing.
Will we do it again? We may take the long crossing to
northern Spain and head south but there is no need to
decide just yet.
2013

2014
 TRAVEL

OUR FAVOURITE SITES

The top campsites that our team would stay at again and again…

10

6 5 8 1
9

11
3

THE CAMPSITES
1 Kelling Heath Holiday Park
2 Stonehenge Campsite
3 Pentewan Sands Holiday Park
4 Loch Ness Shores Camping and
Caravanning Club Site
5 Longnor Wood Holiday Park
6 Llanberis Touring Park
7 Gibraltar Farm
8 Tattershall Lakes Country
Park
9 Tyddyn Llwyn Park
10 Burravoe Pier Trust Caravan
and Campsite
11 Tollgate Farm
12 Au Coin Tranquille, France
 The natural surroundings of Kelling Heath

11 12
Kelling Heath Holiday Park, Norfolk Stonehenge Campsite,
Wiltshire
 Sandy Lane, Holt NR25 7HW  01263 588181
kellingheath.co.uk ˆ 10 February – 2 January  Berwick Road, Salisbury SP3 4TQ
Kelling is a thriving holiday park, site is the village square and this is  07786 734732
packed with quality facilities and where you’ll find the main facilities, stonehengecampsite.co.uk
activities. Pitches here are surrounded including the well-stocked shop, café, ˆ All year
by natural countryside and you can pub and leisure centre. Various This site advertises itself as
walk for what seems like miles membership options allow guests to dog-friendly, group-friendly,
through woodland without actually take advantage of a 19-metre indoor child-friendly, campfire-friendly...
leaving the site. Although the site is a pool and an outdoor pool in summer In fact, it is pretty much everyone-
couple of miles inland, you’re only a plus a spa, sauna and steam friendly and that is what makes it a
short drive from the beaches. room as well as a gym. If you special site.
The amenities on site are of a high want to head off site then When we visited there were
standard and there are plenty of them, bike hire is available. signs posted offering free
all within easy walking distance of the Clare Kelly, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo,
various touring areas. The hub of the Content Editor, Caravan body lotion and soap. The wardens
will even supply you with a
13 toothbrush if you forget your own.
Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, Cornwall The shower blocks are
 Pentewan, St Austell PL26 6BT  01726 843485
spotlessly clean, too. The site is
relatively small and has been
pentewan.co.uk ˆ 27 March – 31 October
extensively landscaped, ensuring it
As the rhyme goes, ‘I do like to be and there are four toilet blocks, with blends in with the countryside.
beside the seaside’ and for beachside disabled facilities and a laundry. There are various walks in the area
campsites you can’t get much closer This is also a great site for any and you can reach at least five
than Pentewan Sands. The front row season. In summer there’s pubs on foot. You can also walk to
pitches are a few steps from the watersports and a beach snack bar, a farm shop at Berwick.
golden sands, but they are popular! and for less sunny days there are There’s no doubt it is
Cornwall’s beaches are stunning, two indoor pools. There is also a Stonehenge that is the big draw.
and this site’s location between bar, restaurant, fish and It’s just 10 minutes away
Pentewan and Mevagissey is no chips and a supermarket by car – or an hour’s
exception. An extra bonus is that – everything really is walk if you’re feeling
the famous Lost Gardens of Heligan covered here. more energetic.
is just a short drive away. Claire Tupholme, Iain Duff,
Pitches are grass with electric Content Editor, Campsites Content Editor, Camping

96 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020


14
Loch Ness Shores Camping & Caravanning Club Site, Inverness
 Monument Park IV2 6YH  01456 486333
The Loch Ness Shores Club site has
a wonderful location on the
southeast shore of Loch Ness, with
direct access to the loch and
adjacent River Foyers. It is an
extremely peaceful spot. There are
superb walks from the doorstep,
including around the gorge above
the site to the Falls of Foyers.
Foyers itself is an attractive
village with two tea rooms and the
Craigdarroch Inn, which is within
walking distance. There are many
15
Longnor Wood Holiday Park, Derbyshire
 Longnor, Buxton SK17 0NG  01298 83648
longnorwood.co.uk ˆ 1 March – 10 January
If you’re looking for an adults-only
retreat for a relaxing break then
Longnor Wood comes highly
recommended. Set within the Peak
District National Park, in a secluded
position and surrounded by woodland
means this is a nature-lover’s paradise
and the perfect place for just chilling
out. However, if you like being active
then there’s plenty of walking and
cycling routes to enjoy locally along
with other outdoor activities in the
national park.
Pitches are all-weather
hardstandings with electric hook-up.
There are also 27 fully serviced
Sites TRAVEL
campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk ˆ All year
other nearby places to walk in the
vicinity, such as Farigaig Forest.
The site’s washrooms are well-
equipped and use green technologies.
The motorhome pitches are generous
in size, well spaced out and have lovely
views. There is a shop on site and an
Airstream diner. The staff are
welcoming and friendly and,
in summer, you can hire
boats at the site.
Felicity Martin,
MMM Travel Writer
16
Llanberis Touring Park,
Gwynedd
 Glyn Rhonwy, Llanberis LL55 4EL
pitches. The excellent amenities
 01286 870700
morris-leisure.co.uk
include toilet cubicles with their own
ˆ 1 March – 11 January
individual basins, showers and a
laundry room. Other amenities
include a dog wash, boules court and
putting green. Dog owners will
appreciate the massive meadow that
adjoins the tent field where dogs can
run free while the humans take in the
stunning views across the valley. And,
if you fancy tasty hot food
one day, I can recommend
the fish and chip shop in Driving through the Llanberis Pass
Longnor village. to get to the ‘gateway to Snowdon’
Will Hawkins, is such a thrill! The main path up
Online Content Editor Snowdon (and the railway) is a
20-minute walk from the site and
Llyn Padarn – for swimming,
boating and a railway – is almost
on the doorstep.
Everything about this top-notch
site is pristine. Wardens are
knowledgeable about the area, the
shop sells groceries and camping
stuff, dogs are welcome and WiFi is
available at a charge. The 35
hardstanding and 19 super pitches
are well-spaced. It’s only a five-
minute flat walk into Llanberis
itself, with a Spar and good choice
of places to eat (we favour the
Padarn Hotel’s bistro).
Oh, and my favourite
castle ever, Caernarfon,
is six miles up the road!
Helen Werin,
MMM Travel Editor
Walks aplenty from Longnor Wood
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 97
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98 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020


17
Gibraltar Farm, Lancashire
 Jenny Brown’s Point,
Silverdale LA5 0UA
 01524 701736
gibfarm.weebly.com
ˆ All year
Gibraltar Farm sits on
Morecambe Bay in the far
northwest corner of Lancashire,
close to the border with Cumbria.
It’s a fairly long drive through the
countryside to reach it, but it’s
well worth it when you do.
As you drive through the farm
entrance, past old equipment and
outbuildings, you might not think
so, but then you turn a corner and
the campsite suddenly appears
before you, stretching down a
steep hill and running off towards
the coast.
From the top of the hill the
views over the bay and the
surrounding countryside are
simply breathtaking and, if you’re
lucky, you get to enjoy some of the
most fabulous sunsets you’ll find
anywhere in Britain, too.
There are hardstanding and
grass pitches, with
electric. The site feels
very back to nature
and this is its appeal.
Rachel Stothert,
Content Editor, MMM
The vast beach at Harlech with the castle in the background
Sites TRAVEL
18
Tattershall Lakes Country Park, Lincolnshire
 Sleaford Road, Tattershall LN4 4LR  01442 508850
awayresorts.co.uk/tattershall-lakes ˆ All year
If it’s an all-action holiday you’re Away from the water there is
after, then you’ll be really hard crazy golf, a gym, bars and family
pushed to beat this site in the heart restaurants. There are hardstanding
of the Lincolnshire countryside. and grass pitches with electric, and
As the name suggests, the site is the facilities include toilets, showers,
based around lakes, where you can a laundry, shop and chemical
take part in all manner of water- disposal. The site’s countryside
based activities, from the thrills of location is a world away
jetskiing to the rather more genteel from the hustle and bustle
pedalos and fishing. There’s also an of everyday life and offers
indoor pool with a sun deck and hot lakeside serenity.
tub, where you can relax and watch Kevin Hughes, Commercial
the waterskiers do their thing. Supplements Editor
19
Tyddyn Llwyn Park, Gwynedd
 Morfa Bychan Road, Porthmadog LL49 9UR  01766 512205
tyddynllwyn.com ˆ 1 March – 31 October
This site is in a great location in hills wherever you pitch, and should
Snowdonia, close to places like also get the morning sun. The way it’s
Porthmadog, so it’s within easy reach laid out with plenty of hedges and
of both mountains and the stunning trees makes it feel rural and rustic.
Irish Sea coast. During our stay we Facilities are excellent. Not just the
hiked up Snowdon on one day, and loos, and shop, but how often do you
then went out to the beach on the get an on-site pub that serves proper
next. We also spotted the stunning beer? It also has its own
beach and castle at Criccieth, and had American-style smokehouse
to stop! There is excellent seafront and a meal there is not to be
parking suitable for motorhomes here. missed.
The site itself is perfect. It’s tiered Geneve Brand,
so that you have great views of the Content Editor, Campervan
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 99
 TRAVEL Sites
110
Burravoe Pier Trust Caravan & Campsite, Shetland
 Burravoe, Yell ZE2 9AY  01957 722315 ˆ All year
The northern island of Yell is a short
ferry ride from Shetland’s mainland.
This is my favourite site because it is
small (just eight motorhome pitches),
peaceful and run by volunteers with
the proceeds ploughed back into the
community. There is a small sanitary
facilities block with a good shower,
toilets and a kitchen. The roof of the
sanitary block is made from one of the
lifeboats from the SS Canberra.
You can sit in your campervan and
watch the fishing boats come and go
112
Le Coin Tranquille, France
 6 Chemin des Vignes, 38490 Les Abrets
Le Coin Tranquille (translation: the
quiet corner) at Les Abrets is one of
those rare destinations where the
on-site restaurant is good enough to
attract locals, not just campers.
Perhaps it’s the huge choice of menus,
but more likely it’s the size of the
sundaes. Well, at least you can work
off the calories in the pool.
Or, maybe, you could take a swim
in the nearby Lac d’Aiguebelette,
said to boast the warmest and
cleanest waters of any lake in Europe.
100 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
111
The coast at Burravoe on Yell
and a lorry collect the catch. You can
also chat to the local volunteers.
From the site there is a splendid
walk to the cliffs to watch puffins and
other seabirds, and around the ness
(headland), where you might see
otters and seals. The nearby
community-run Burravoe
Old Haa houses a local
museum that serves tea
and fantastic cake.
Carol Kubicki,
MMM Travel Writer
 0033 476 321348 coin-tranquille.com ˆ 1 April – 4 November
Its colouring looks like a bad case of
over-photoshopping but it really is
that turquoise.
This site’s remote location and
friendly staff make for a holiday
feeling as soon as you arrive. Hedges
between pitches provide privacy and
kids’ activities and pools
keep little ones amused.
One of the best sites we’ve
ever visited.
Peter Vaughan,
MMM Road Test Editor
Tollgate Farm, Cornwall
 Budnick Hill, Perranporth TR6 0AD
 01872 572130
tollgatefarm.co.uk
ˆ 25 March – 30 September
You can’t visit Cornwall without
hitting the beach and it’s a five-
minute drive or a 20-minute walk
across the dunes from this
superbly appointed site to the
glorious sands at the resort of
Perranporth, with its shops and
seaside attractions – including the
famous pub on the beach.
The site itself boasts very good,
clean facilities, including two
toilet/shower blocks, a laundry,
pot washing area and a useful little
shop, coupled with a flat touring
area, with the option of grass or
hardstanding pitches with electric
hook-up. A takeaway pizza shop
operates in peak season.
There is also an excellent
playground and huge playing field,
where some chickens were
roaming freely. In fact, the site has
a collection of all sorts of animals,
including miniature pigs, pygmy
goats, rabbits and guinea pigs,
which visitors can feed and pet.
The owners have planted more
than 500 trees and shrubs in the
last few years and they encourage
the growth of wild
flowers on site.
This approach means
wildlife abounds.
Peter Rosenthal,
MMM Technical Editor
 Parks TRAVEL
BERKSHIRE CORNWALL

Heatedare
All pitches shower
now blocks and•family
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shower • Launderette • Shopshower
blocks • Family • Free WiFi • Slipway
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• Slipway car charging
Children’s point••Nature
Playground Caravan Holiday
Trail HomesPicnic
• Riverside available to rent •and
Grounds purchase
Disabled facilities

www.hurleyriversidepark.co.uk
www.hurleyriversidepark.co.uk Ideal

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CORNWALL
How about
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heligancampsite.com 01726 842 714
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February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 101

TRAVEL Parks
CORNWALL CUMBRIA
Exclusively Adults Only Touring Site in Cornwall
019467 26286 | 07968 425 604
Open from 1st April—31st October 2020
enquiries@theoldpostofficecampsite.co.uk
Prices held throughout the season
Special Rates For The Over 40’S Please book directly through our website or give us a call
£108.00 Per Week Standard Pitch
£123.00 Per Week Fully Serviced Pitch Small family run campsite ideally situated on the western edge of the
www.chacewaterpark.co.uk Lake District national park.
Tel 01209 820762
Booking form required
Providing pitches suitable for camping, motorhomes and touring caravans.

Many pitches are situated

Hard standing fully serviced pitches overlooking the very pretty River Irt
and tent pitches with EHU.

DERBYSHIRE DEVON
Longnorwood.co.uk Caravans, Pods, Tents, Motorhomes,
01298 83648
En-suite pitches, Lodges.
The Peak District’s premier park “just for grown ups”

All hardstanding pitches with first class

centrally heated facilities

AA Five Pennant Gold

4 acre dog walk with Pets are welcome at Symtham. A rural retreat ideal as a base to enjoy all that
great views, on site North Devon has to offer. Walks and dog friendly beaches are nearby.
dog wash Direct access to Tarka Trail. Dog exercise field.
www.smytham.co.uk | info@smytham.co.uk
Little Torrington, EX38 8PU | 01805622110

DEVON DORSET
THE FINEST
WOODVILLE PARK CAMPSITES IN THE
UK & IRELAND
For the ultimate touring
experience with 100 2019

26 all weather pitches in beautiful 3.5 acre site. Easy

access from main road. Great location for exploring campsites in the UK
South Devon. Cafe & shop 5 minute walk, bus stop in
driveway, excellent toilet & shower facilities.
Free Wi-Fi. No chemicals containing formaldehyde
please. Over 18’s only. Well behaved pets welcome.
Summer/Winter seasonal pitches available.
Annual storage facilities available
OPEN 1st MARCH TO 10th NOVEMBER
01803 812240
www.woodvillepark.co.uk
email jo@woodvillepark.co.uk
Totnes Road, Ipplepen, Newton Abbot,
South Devon TQ12 5TN
DORSET
St Leonards Farm
Caravan and Camping Park
and Ireland visit
Ringwood Rd, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 0AQ
premier-parks.co.uk
Peaceful, level well drained site near Bournemouth, Poole, Cross-Channel Ferries and New Forest.
Easy access off A31. Electric hook-ups, modern shower and toilet block, hard standing
pitches available, launderette, washing up area and play area with picnic tables.
Permanent Holiday Static Caravans for Sale fully sited.
Storage spaces & seasonal pitches.
01202 872637 • enquiries_stleonards@yahoo.co.uk
www.stleonardsfarmpark.com
DORSET

Discover
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North Trigon, Wareham, Dorset. BH20 7NZ

www.warehamforest.co.uk
01929 551393
OPEN ALL YEAR

102 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 You r campsite reviews
Readers share their honest opinion to help you choose the perfect campsite
ENGLAND
Dobrudden Caravan Park, West Yorkshire
Adobestock
Salts Mill, Saltaire
Dobrudden Caravan Park is reached
via a bumpy track. From the road, it’s
two-thirds of a mile of rough going
across the moorland, but the views
from the site high up on Baildon Moor
are well worth the slight discomfort.
It’s a great place to wake up to on a
sunny spring morning! And you could
well be waking up early if the noisy
peacocks are as lively as they were
when I visited.
Dobrudden’s a fairly simple site.
The facilities seem a bit dated, but I
had (nearly) everything I needed for
an overnight stay – showers, toilets,
washing-up facilities and chemical
disposal point. There’s also a children’s
playground. The electricity supply is
limited, and I had been warned about
this when booking, but I hadn’t
anticipated the sudden demise of the
regulator on my gas supply. So, not
only could I not use the gas rings on
my stove, I couldn’t use its single
electric ring, either.
Baildon’s situated just north of
Shipley, in West Yorkshire – not far
from Bradford. The National Science
and Media Museum (free entry), in
Bradford city centre, has eight floors
of galleries, interactive displays and a
60ft IMAX screen.
On Dobrudden Caravan Park
A peacock blocks the campsite exit!
Haworth, a half-hour drive away,
was home in the nineteenth century to
PLAN YOUR STAY
the Brontë family. The village’s cobbled
Main Street leads steeply up to the
Brontë Parsonage Museum where the
literary siblings lived. The ruined
farmhouse of Top Withens, said to be
the inspiration for Emily Brontë’s
Wuthering Heights, is “out on the wiley,
windy moors” above Haworth.
Closer to Dobrudden is the Saltaire
UNESCO World Heritage Site, an
Italianate village built by Bradford ©Crown copyright 2020 Ordnance Survey. Media 004/20
textile manufacturer and The licence is valid until 31 December 2020.
philanthropist, Titus Salt, in the 1850s.  Baildon Moor, Shipley, West
Salts Mill, once the largest industrial Yorkshire BD17 5EE
building in the world, now houses
shops, galleries, restaurants and other
 07391 047575
dobrudden.co.uk
businesses. See the weekend feature ˆ 1 March – 31 January
(p86) for more information on this
intriguing town. £ Two adults, pitch, electric: From £15
If walking is your thing, a Nearest public transport: 1½ miles
10-minute stroll from Dobrudden Nearest pub/restaurant: 1½ miles
Caravan Park will take Directions: Take A6038 (Otley Road)
you to the 282m northeast from Shipley and turn left along
(925ft) top of B6151 – signed Baildon. Continue for 1½
Baildon Hill. Ilkley miles, then take unfenced moorland road
Moor, famous for on left, immediately after 50mph sign.
its gritstone rock After ¾ mile, just before car park, turn left
formations, is along a rough track to site
also within
walking distance. Vivienne Crow
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 103
TRAVEL Parks
DORSET DORSET

01929 422 823

DORSET

THE INSIDE PARK

Touring Park
xing eave !
Blandford ela
R To L
www.ulwellcottagepark.co.uk
S o
Dorset W ant
W on’t
You

Extra Large Pitches Children’s Play Area

Ideal Family Site Country Walks & Wildlife
Quiet & Secluded Caravan Storage
www.theinsidepark.co.uk
01258 453719
DORSET ESSEX

01305 782575 FEN FARM CARAVAN SITE

OPEN
■ Friendly welcome for Caravans, Tents ALL YEAR
& Motor Vans
■ Tranquil location near Dorset’s Jurassic Coastline
■ 5 miles from Weymouth and its sandy beaches
■ Bar/restaurant/takeaway (mid & high season)
■Access to coastal path
■Well stocked shop open all year
■Rally field
■Storage & seasonal pitches • CLOSE TO BEACH • RURAL LOCATION
Chickerell, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4EA • AWARD-WINNING FACILITIES
Tel: 01305 782575 Email: mmm@bagwellfarm.co.uk A rural campsite, set in 20 acres,
www.bagwellfarm.co.uk protected by well-established
trees and hedges. On site there
is a superb large, very modern
toilet block (winner of Platinum
Loo of the Year Award for the
last five years), plus excellent
laundry, dishwashing, disabled
facilities and shop. There are 90
pitches in total, 60 with 10-amp
electric hook-up, plus seasonal
@PrmParks @PremierParks @premier_parks
pitches. A short walk from
the campsite takes you to the
beach, which is dog friendly
all season, plus a local pub is
within walking distance. Fen
Farm has also held the David
Bellamy Gold Conservation
Award since 1999.

For the ultimate holiday ex�erience… Address Moore Lane, East Mersea, Essex. CO5 8FE
go to premier-parks.co.uk to Open 13 March - 31 October
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104 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 Sites TRAVEL

ENGLAND
Sysonby Acres Touring Caravan Park, Leicestershire PLAN YOUR STAY

This site caters for up to 50 units and
half have access to electric hook-up.
Situated on Sysonby Acres Leisure
Park, the site is in beautiful
countryside overlooking a golf course.
The facilities are close to the
reception area and include showers,
WCs, a laundry, dishwashing and
chemical disposal.
The site has a full licence and there
is a small selection of wine, spirits and
Melton Mowbray is within easy
reach and can be accessed via a local
bus service. Renowned for its pork
pies and Stilton cheese (we highly
recommend both), Melton is an
interesting town to explore via a
heritage trail.
We found National Trust Belton
Estate near Grantham a great place to
while away a few hours and also ©Crown copyright 2020 Ordnance Survey. Media 004/20
visited nearby NT Woolsthorpe Manor The licence is valid until 31 December 2020.

beer, plus snacks in the on-site shop.
Children will enjoy the play area
and, as well as the 18-hole golf course,
footgolf can also be played.
Melton’s Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe
ENGLAND
Stonehenge Touring Park, Wiltshire
– birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton.  Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray,
Rutland Water has the chance to Leicestershire LE13 0HW
see ospreys during the breeding
season, as well as many varieties of
 01664 567846
sysonbyacres.co.uk
wildfowl and birds. Boat trips and boat ˆ All year
hire are available; there’s an excellent
track around the lake
£ Two adults, pitch, electric: From £14
we cycled around. Nearest public transport: 200 yards
It was the first Nearest pub/restaurant: One mile
time we had visited Directions: Exit M1 at J21a then follow
this area and we A46. From there take A6006 towards
found Sysonby Acres a Melton. Site on right and well signposted
pleasant site as a
base from which
to explore. Anne Dean
PLAN YOUR STAY

Third time lucky for this trip as we had
to cancel either for illness or for snow
and ice warnings previously. Now the
weather was glorious for a trip to
explore the sacred sites of Wiltshire
(the Stonehenge Cursus and Windmill
Hill near Avebury) as well as Salisbury
Cathedral and café for lunch.
The reception was not manned as it
was off-season but the owner soon
appeared when we rang the handbell.
laundry and washing-up bays was
immaculate. There is a fresh water tap
near the gnomes opposite the
reception and waste water and toilet
disposal are by the facilities block.
The shed where information
leaflets are kept was very untidy and
we understood that this was due to be
updated. Likewise, the site’s small
shop was not really functional ©Crown
© 2011copyright 2020 Ordnance
Freytag-Berndt u. ArtariaSurvey. Media
KG, 1230 004/20
Vienna
off-season. The licence is valid until 31 December 2020.

This small site has around 15
hardstanding bays with electric,
organised in a semicircle with grass
pitches within. Pets are welcome.
The heated facilities block with
The iconic Stonehenge
During the first day and night there
was quite a lot of artillery fire as the
site is only about half-a-mile from the
army camp at Larkshill.
Next day all was peaceful again. We
noticed bus shelters near the
crossroads about a quarter-of-a-mile
from the site but guessed
the rural service was not
very frequent.
This all-year
campsite is so
conveniently
situated for
exploring, we
will visit again. Jo & Rod Romero
 Orcheston, Salisbury,
Wiltshire SP3 4SH
 01980 620304
stonehengetouringpark.com
ˆ All year
£ Two adults, pitch, electric: From £17
Nearest public transport: 500 metres
Nearest pub/restaurant: Three miles
Directions: From M3 take J8 on A303
towards Andover, then A360 through
Shrewton. Just beyond take minor road to
Orcheston and at crossroads turn left
through village. Campsite is on right

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 105

TRAVEL Parks
NATIONWIDE NORFOLK

The natural escape

IN NORTH NORFOLK

Enjoy beautiful Kelling Heath

from your touring pitch set
amongst rare open heathland
with backdrops of pine and native
woodland. Magnificent facilities
and environmental activities.
Lodges and holiday homes for hire.

To book call 01263 588181

Near Weybourne, Holt NR25 7HW
www.kellingheath.co.uk

THREE NIGHTS NORFOLK

FOR THE PRICE OF TWO
NORTH NORFOLK…
QUOTE DISCOUNT CODE: JNA32
Enter code when booking online or quote code via telephone/
on check-in. Valid for stays until 02.04.20
naturally Relax in your touring caravan
or tent enjoying peace and
tranquillity with magnificent
views of the sea and North
Norfolk countryside. Multi-
Tel: 01690 710310 Tel: 01286 870700 service, electric pitches and
amenity buildings. Luxurious
holiday homes for hire.
Tel: 01584 878788 Tel: 01746 761761 Tel: 01743 340868
www.morris-leisure.co.uk
Discount codes can only be used once per transaction/ stay (maximum of one free night per stay).
For bookings 01263 512242
Extras are excluded. Code MUST be presented. Refunds or free nights cannot be redeemed once receipt or www.woodhill-park.com
has been processed. Further Terms and Conditions apply: www.morris-leisure.co.uk/offers
East Runton, Cromer NR27 9PX

NORFOLK

BEESTON REGIS Holiday Park

Beeston Regis Holiday Park, situated in one of the finest locations in North
Norfolk, it sits perfectly between the beautiful heritage towns of Cromer and Sheringham
The sea views are second to none, the walks are stunning across the locally famous ‘Beeston
Bump’ and the nearest towns offer excellent facilities for shopping, sight-seeing and entertainment.

Beeston Regis Holiday Park, Cromer Road, West Runton, NR27 9QZ
Tel: 01263 823614 Email: info@beestonregis.co.uk Web: www.beestonregis.co.uk

106 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 Sites TRAVEL

SCOTLAND
Sands Caravan & Camping, Highlands

The Barn Café

The Sands site Inside the Barn Café

If you’re going to drive hundreds of than adequate with three heated

miles to reach a campsite you need to toilet/shower blocks, a games and TV
PLAN YOUR STAY
know it’s going to be worth the room and an indoor cooking and
journey to get there. And, thankfully, eating area.
in the case of Sands Caravan and The site shop was great, with loads
Camping, it really is. of local produce for the BBQ, and the
Set in a beautiful spot on the West excellent Barn Café was open all day,
Highland coast, a one-and-a-half-hour serving a wide range of tasty snacks
drive from Inverness, this is about as and meals, including takeaway pizzas.
remote as it gets. Our trek north from You could quite happily spend a
Lincolnshire took 12 week relaxing here
hours, split over a
couple of days but,
“ Set in a beautiful without ever leaving
the site, but we ©Crown copyright 2020 Ordnance Survey. Media 004/20
when we arrived, we spot on the West found time to do a The licence is valid until 31 December 2020.

were blown away by bit of exploring.

what we found. Highland coast
Some campsites
are worth visiting for their spectacular
location, some for their excellent
facilities and others for their relaxed
atmosphere. Sands has all three.
In an idyllic setting just minutes
from a wonderful beach, the 55-acre
site is the sort of destination that
offers a bit of everything – superb
facilities, a relaxed atmosphere and
wonderful views across the water to
the Isle of Skye.
You can hire kayaks from the site
shop – or a bike if you prefer.
Facilities on the site were more
” On a memorable


Gairloch, Wester Ross IV21 2DL
01445 712152
boat trip out on
sandscaravanandcamping.co.uk
Gairloch Harbour, we spotted sea ˆ 31 March – 30 October
eagles, puffins and black-throated
divers, as well as otters and seals. And, £ Two adults, pitch, electric: From £23
a few miles further north, we visited Nearest public transport: Three miles
the pretty village of Poolewe. Loch Nearest pub/restaurant: On site
Ewe was a significant Directions: On A835 towards Ullapool,
naval port during turn left at Braemore Junction onto A832
World War II and has and follow the road through Aultbea and
a fascinating history. Poolewe to Gairloch. After entering
The National Gairloch turn right onto B8021 and follow
Trust’s Inverewe to site three miles on right
Garden was also
spectacular to
visit. Iain Duff

THE FINEST CAMPSITES For the ultimate touring experience with 100
campsites in the UK and Ireland visit premier-parks.co.uk

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 107

TRAVEL Parks
NORFOLK SCOTLAND
Silvercraigs Caravan Park

ee ea n
W r&
Fr ll Y pe

i
iF
Overlooking the harbour town of Kirkcudbright, Silvercraigs is

a O
only yards from many Shops, Cafes, Pubs and Tourist attractions.

Brick Kiln Road, Hevingham, Norfolk, NR10 5NL

A family run park in the Broadland area

 Touring Park  Holiday Homes
 Day Ticket Fishery  Book Online

Visit cobbleacre.co.uk or call

01603 754305 for more details
silvercraigscaravanpark.co.uk • 01557 332050
SCOTLAND

Situated on the beautiful West coast of the

Highlands of Scotland with unsurpassed views
Our 50th year! Come and experience
of the Isle of Skye and Outer Hebrides. The ideal the Highlands of Scotland with us.
location for the holiday of your choice.
Bring your own caravan, motor-caravan or tent
and set up wherever you wish in the designated
areas, whether you choose a sheltered spot
among the sand dunes or a raised pitch with
unrivalled views, our large spacious site has
something for everyone. CARAVAN & CAMPING
For something a bit different why not try our
wigwam cabins, a fun alternative and unique
holiday experience, camping outdoors with all
the comfort of your heated, wooden wigwam.
Alternatively you can spend your holiday in one
of the Park’s five star static caravans.
On site facilities:
• Licensed shop • Café on site
• Dog walking area • Play area
• Launching slip • Laundrette
• Picnic tables • Games/TV room
• Nearby walks • Picturesque beach
• Highland WiFi • Bikes and Kayaks for
hire
• Covered indoor cooking and eating area
• Loch and River fishing on the Estate

www.sandscaravanandcamping.co.uk
Sands Caravan & Camping, Gairloch, Wester Ross. IV21 2DL
Tel: 01445 712152 Email: info@sandscaravanandcamping.co.uk
SOMERSET SOMERSET
In the heart of Exmoor Country
Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park
Burrowhayes Farm
Caravan & Camping Site & Riding Stables Jan
midweek
3 fteoMr3422J
quo
ly
*t&c’s app
A select family site and a walkers paradise in a delightful National
Trust setting. Sites for touring caravans, tents and motorhomes.
Caravan holiday homes for hire.
Open all year • Booking essenial
www.burrowhayes.co.uk Pets welcome • Exclusively for adults

info@burrowhayes.co.uk 01275 332 127 • bathchewvalley.co.uk

108 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
 Sites TRAVEL

ITALY
Camping Village San Francesco, Lake Garda

Pitched righ t by the lake

Colourful lakeside buildings Sunset over Lake Garda

Camping Village San Francesco is set
on the southern shore of Lake Garda,
with Sirmione to the west and
Rivoltella to the east and just minutes
from the A4 autoroute crossing Italy.
This makes it a perfect stop off for a
night or so, although many people
were obviously there for longer.
The site is split in two by a quiet
road: the big
swimming pool is
the other side
“ Set on a peninsula
together with play with fabulou s
area and self-
catering chalets. The lake views ”
camping area is on
the lake side of the road with 348
pitches, but split into smaller areas, so
it didn’t feel overwhelmingly large.
There are wash blocks for each
area, all spotlessly clean and spacious,
with plenty of showers and toilets,
plus washing up and laundry areas.
There is a well-stocked shop,
restaurant and welcoming bar with a
spacious terrace.
We were there in high season so the
site was busy but the grass area on the
lake shore is a nice, large open space
with access to the water for swimming
or boating activities.
Bike hire is available on site and it’s
PLAN YOUR STAY
an easy flat ride into Sirmione.
Alternatively, it’s an hour’s walk or the
number LN026 bus from the bottom of
the road takes you right to the town
entrance in 15 minutes.
Set on a peninsula with fabulous
lake views, beautiful buildings, Roman
remains, a castle and piazza packed
with restaurants, it
was easy to see why
the town is a tourist
hotspot. © 2011 Freytag-Berndt u. Artaria KG, 1230 Vienna
We indulged in a
day ‘rover’ ticket,  Strada Vicinale San Francesco,
25015 Desenzano del Garda
which allowed us to
hop on and off the many boats that  0039 309 110245
travelled up and down and across the bookings@campingsanfrancesco.com
lake. It was a treat at £30-ish each but campingsanfrancesco.com
was certainly a fabulous way to enjoy ˆ 9 April – 30 September
the lake and admire the still snow- £ Two adults, pitch, electric:
topped mountains and picture-perfect From €20 (£17.43) ACSI
towns hugging the
shores. We made the Nearest public transport: Five-minute
most of it by catching walk
the first boat out of Nearest pub/restaurant: On site
Sirmione in the Directions: Exit A4 Milan-Venice at sign
morning and not for Sirmione. Campsite is signposted
Lat/long: N45° 27’ 56” E10° 35’ 40”
returning until
the last one back
in the evening. Janet Ban ks

FIND THE PERFECT TOURING PARK with over 3,500 campsites in the
UK and Europe. Visit outandaboutlive.co.uk/campsites

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 109

TRAVEL Sites
The popular harbour area
FRANCE
Saint-Valery-en-Caux aire, Normandy
Saint-Valery-en-Caux is situated on
the Normandy coast, just 28km (17
miles) south of Dieppe. We stayed at
the aire on the seafront beneath
impressive limestone cliffs for two
nights on our way back to Calais. It is
a popular aire, with up to 50 ’vans
parked to enjoy the sea views so our
advice would be to arrive early in the
day to get a spot.
The bustling, charming town is set
around a popular harbour area with a
promenade and café looking onto a
clean pebble beach. There is a busy
marina and a lighthouse. Around the
town are many bakeries and
restaurants while fresh fish is sold on
the harbour. It is enjoyable just to
stroll around looking at the boats or
having an ice cream or drink by the
promenade. The town also has a
museum, cinema and casino. On a
Friday there is a local market in the
town which sells everything from
strawberries to mattresses!
The Catholic church, which was
rebuilt in 1963, is highly recommended
to visit. Outside the chapel is a
silhouette of a sailing ship indicating
the close links the community has
FOUND YOUR PERFECT PITCH? Tell other readers about your opinions on the campsites
you’ve stayed at recently in the UK and abroad motorhome.ma/campsitereview
110 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
Looking down over the site
The striking interior
of the Catholic church
PLAN YOUR STAY
with the sea. Outside the building
looks stark and modern, so you do
need to go inside the church to be
astonished by the mass of striking
green and blue stained glass in the
light. It is truly unlike any church I
have been in before.
The local indoor pool was visited
by my partner and daughter. Whilst it
was undergoing refurbishment this ©©2011
2011Freytag-Berndt
Freytag-Berndtu.u.Artaria
ArtariaKG,
KG,1230
1230Vienna
Vienna
summer they enjoyed their visit and  Le Port, 76460 Saint-Valery-en-
reported that the slide was excellent. Caux, Normandy
We saw some swimmers in the sea ˆ All year
during our stay, too.
£ Two adults, pitch: €6 (£5.23). Water
A short walk up steep steps from
€3.50 (£3.05)
the town takes you to a World War II
memorial on the hillside dedicated to Nearest public transport: One kilometre
the 51st Highland Division by the Nearest pub/restaurant: Five minutes’
locals. The 51st were the only British walk
division to be left fighting in France Directions: Approach from the south via
after Dunkirk. There is also another D20 following signs for Centre Ville. Turn
memorial to the first left over river bridge following the
pilots to fly from Paris Camping Car signs
to New York. Lat/long: N49° 52’ 20” E0° 42’ 32”
There are good
views to be had
from the hillside
across the
Channel and up
the coastline. All ison Campbell
 Parks TRAVEL
SOMERSET SOUTHPORT
Holiday Lodge Investment Opportunities Available

Wells Touring Park is a long established family Escape to Willowbank .....

owned restful touring park, in the heart of the
beautiful Somerset countryside. Our tranquil
parks, adults only touring Caravan Park offers
a relaxed atmosphere and a warm friendly
welcome. Perfect for those wishing to get
away from their normal busy life, chilling out
and relaxing in peace and tranquillity.

Your ideal home in the

heart of the West Country
New lodge development coming soon! 10 new holiday lodges!
Oak Tree Paddock development now complete! 5 lodge plots available in phase two!
Wells Touring Park is a five star, award-winning touring park set in idyllic Somerset countryside
Call 01749 676869 or visit: www.wellstouringpark.co.uk Now, with our 50 week season and modern, award winning facilities,
SPAIN is the time to treat yourself to a luxury Holiday Home or just enjoy
your touring caravan for longer in our beautiful surroundings.
www.campinglasdunas.com
COSTA BRAVA

Escape to
Willowbank ...
A family friendly caravan
holiday park located within
walking distance of a coastal
Holiday paradise for the whole family! 40kms from the Spanish border on an nature reserve. The Park is secluded,
endless sandy beach on Mediterranean coast in the Bay of Roses. 100m2 pitches surrounded by woodlands and entirely
all on level ground and 4/6 berth Bungalows to rent. Excellent facilities for all
ages, with own Aqua Park, Shopping Centre, Bars, Restaurants and organised
Camping Las Dunas
17130 L’Escala (Girona)
fenced, and yet the attractions WILLOWBANK
Tel. +34 972 521 717 of Southport and Liverpool are HOLIDAY HOME & TOURING PARK
entertainment during the season. info@campinglasdunas.com
all easily accessible by Willowbank Holiday Home & Touring Park
Your UK Agent: Derek & Jessica Callaway car or public Coastal Road, Ainsdale, Southport, PR8 3ST
Tel: 07918 077696 - callaway@campinglasdunas.com transport. Tel: 01704 571 566 www.willowbankcp.co.uk

SUFFOLK
TS K
D UL PAR Run Cottage Touring Park, Alderton Road,
A LY Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3RQ
ON Run Cottage Tel: 01394 411 309
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Hendre Mynach Caravan & Camping Park
TYDDYN LLWYN: PORTHMADOG
Llanaber Rd, Barmouth, Gwynedd LL42 1YR OPEN 1ST MAR— 31ST OCT

www.hendremynach.co.uk CARAVAN, MOTORHOME, CAMPER VAN,

info@hendremynach.co.uk TRAILER TENT & TENT PITCHES

We are a 5 star family and couples site; the nearest site ALL WEATHER, SERVICED, 10 & 16AMP PITCHES
to Barmouth, surrounded by Snowdonia National Park
3 SHOWER/TOILET BLOCKS, SHOP, LAUNDRETTE,
& on cycle route 8. Only 100 metres from a beautiful,
safe and sandy blue flag beach and a 20 minute walk PLAY PARK, GAMES ROOM
along the promenade to the town. Hard-standing and
BAR / RESTAURANT SITE
grass pitches both with water and electricity, TV and grey
waste drain available on selected H/S pitches. 5 MINS DRIVE TO BLACK ROCK & PORTMEIRION
WiFi available. Well maintained facilities. Staff available
24h. Disabled facilities & baby room. Launderette, Elsan
waste disposal and Motorhome grey waste service point.
Excellent base for walking and cycling. Public transport
nearby. Dogs welcome. Open Mar 1st – Jan 9th. 01766 512205 www.tyddynllwyn.com

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 111

TRAVEL Parks
The Best of British Touring & Holiday Parks Group is
an elite group of prestigious privately owned parks
throughout the UK, providing you with a variety of holiday
options - touring pitches for caravans, motorhomes and
tents, self-catering camping pods or lodges and caravan
holiday homes to hire or own - all with the reassurance of
the Best of British brand and exceptional customer service.
Enjoy your holiday - choose a Best of British park!

CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK Little Barney Lane, Barney, Fakenham Norfolk, NR21 0NL
A quiet, friendly award-winning park covering 13 acres with 60 spacious
all weather, semi-hard standing pitches, just 8 miles from the North
Norfolk coast. It has a tranquil, rural atmosphere, shop, restaurant/bar,
fishing & children’s play area. One of 2 “Best of British Parks” in Norfolk.
T: 01328 878305
E: enquiries@old-brick-kilns.co.uk
www.old-brick-kilns.co.uk
Ctakesraigtoun Meadows Holiday Park is just 1.5 miles from
the centre of St Andrews. A short drive or a nice walk
guests into the centre of St Andrews, where they
will find everything from quirky shops, tea rooms, and
restaurants to museums and other cultural attractions.
The town is famous for golf and the Old Course, but
offers much more including the 2 mile long beach at the
West Sands, Craigtoun Country Park and Castle. It is a
wonderful holiday resort for tent, motorhome and caravan
holidays in Scotland, ideal for exploring the east coast and
enjoying a relaxing escape with the whole family.

Mount Melville, St Andrews KY16 8PQ +44 (0) 1334 475959  info@craigtounmeadows.co.uk

Award winning ‘Platinum’

SO G FR
DO

UT IEN

family site in an area of

H DLY

outstanding natural beauty

W PA
ES RK

just 2 miles from St Ives

T

Open May to September

Lovingly developed over 40 years by the Franks family
Situated on the Jurassic Coast near to Sidmouth
Touring pitches divided into private ‘groves’
Holiday caravans & leisure lodges for purchase/hire
Camping Pods Premier Pods & e erd s
Deluxe centrally heated, spotlessly clean amenities
Well-stocked shop and café www.trevalgantouringpark.co.uk
Popular 9-hole par 3 golf HOLIDAY AND
TOURING PARK 01736 791892
St Ives, Cornwall TR26 3BJ 2019
Platinum Award

Call 01297 680387 enquiries@oakdown.co.uk www.oakdown.co.uk

WEBBERS PARK

Award winning family run touring park located in the tranquil setting of Whitefield Forest,
a short distance from the coastal town of Ryde on the Isle of Wight on a good bus route.
A family run park with breathtaking countryside views in the heart of Devon
Contact us for details of special offers on ferry travel and special rates for over 50s.
Castle Lane, Woodbury, EX5 1EA www.whitefieldforest.co.uk • pat&louise@whitefieldforest.co.uk
01395 232276 • www.webberspark.co.uk 01983 617069

112 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 Parks TRAVEL

www.blair-castle.co.uk Tel: 01796 481207 Email: office@blair-castle.co.uk

5 Star Holiday Park
Atholl
Estates

Creating holiday
memories since 1975

Bude, Cornwall
wooda.co.uk

Blair Castle Caravan Park

Visit Blair Castle and stay for the weekend.
Caravan holiday homes and woodland lodges available
for short and long stays. Touring and Camping pitches
available for single or mulitiple nights. Glamping pods
available for all the family to enjoy.

Games room, shower blocks, washing facilities and

wifi throughout. Pony trekking, tractor tours, landrover
safaris and segway tours available throughout the
summer - booking essential.
Opens 1st March

www.blaircastlecaravanpark.co.uk Tel: 01796 481263 mail@blaircastlecaravanpark.co.uk

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 113

 TESTED

Tribute nights
The name suggests a copy, but this new budget-priced
two-berth Auto-Trail is the real deal

AUTO-TRAIL TRIBUTE F60

Price from: £46,860
Berths: 2 Travel seats: 2
Base vehicle: Ford Transit
Length: 5.99m
Peter Vaughan Gross weight: 3,500kg

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 115

The standard layout has side settees and a free-standing table. A half-dinette option is available if you need rear travel seats
T
he poster that caught my eye was
emblazoned ‘Whitney’ but the
venue was Cromer Pier, not
Wembley, and this was seven years
after the passing of Ms Houston.
However, a couple of hours later, it
was obvious that the ‘Queen of the
night’ was a superb performer– and
the evening seemed good value, too,
much like the Tribute act you see
before you in these pages.
The name has been used by
Auto-Trail for well over a decade,
firstly as a sub-brand (and only on
campervans), later as an entry-level
range but, perhaps, as in that Cromer
concert, it undersells the experience.
It was hard to get excited by those
early Tribute campervans (except on
price), but this new range of
coachbuilts for 2020 looks ready to
take on the established players from
Elddis (Autoquest) and Swift (Escape)
– and win.
116 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
ALL THE ’VAN THAT I NEED
The first Tribute models to be built in
the UK (circa 2010) were also the first
coachbuilts to wear the title and they
gave the brand the USP of a Ford
Transit cab. Now, after several years of
Fiat-based Tributes, the blue oval
badge is back. This season’s all-new
range of four low-profile coachbuilts is
based on the latest, mildly facelifted,
Transit with 2.2-litre Euro 6d power
units and a redesigned dashboard.
You’ll not miss them, especially
with a Kapoor Red cab (as here) – a
metallic shade that’s an option (or
part of the Drivers Pack). There are
six other colours to choose from
(Chrome Blue, Agate Black, Magnetic
Grey, Moondust and Diffused Silver,
with non-metallic Blazer Blue being
the standard paint scheme). Indeed,
the new Tribute shows a younger,
more confident style than previous
Auto-Trails with nothing here to
suggest that keeping the price down
was a top priority.
Standard spec includes cruise
control, reach and rake adjustment for
the steering wheel, remote central
locking (including the habitation
door), driver and passenger airbags, a
trip computer and a spare wheel.
However, there are, of course, the
usual packs to give you the spec you
really want. The £1,499 Drivers Pack
adds not only the metallic paint but
also the electric mirrors, automatic
headlights, front foglamps with
cornering function (incredibly useful
when pitching up on a dark campsite),
heated windscreen, Trend dashboard,
colour-coded bumpers and side
mouldings, and cab air-conditioning.
Then the £1,399 Lux Pack gives you
the impressive-looking Zenec Xzent
9.5in touchscreen display, which is
such a focal point of the fascia and
includes motorhome-specific sat-nav.

Despite the price tag, external
storage space hasn’t been forgotten
The drop-down bed is a must-have option and you can make
double bunks (as here) or lower the bed almost to seat height
The three-way fridge (opposite the
galley) boasts a 142-litre capacity
The reversing camera uses a separate
screen (looking rather like a standard
centre mirror) and the Lux spec also
includes habitation kit such as a TV
aerial, barbecue point, solar panel,
Omnivent (with suck/blow fan over
the galley area), carpets and an
upgraded door with flyscreen. I’d say
the Drivers Pack is essential and the
Lux Pack highly desirable. It’s
impressive that you can add both and
still keep the list price under £50k.
DIDN’T WE ALMOST HAVE IT ALL
Our test ’van broke through that price
point, though, with even more
desirable gear – alloy wheels,
automatic gearbox and a drop-down
bed. There are further options
available, too: a half-dinette in place of
the offside sofa (to provide two rear
travel seats) at £825, an additional
leisure battery at £120, and a doubling
Auto-Trail Tribute F60 TESTED
SECOND OPINION
“The Ford cab is a big part of the appeal here, especially with
the six-speed automatic gearbox option.”
of the standard five-year body
integrity warranty to a decade’s cover
for £699. A 19.5in Avtex TV/DVD is
offered for £325 and the telly’s bracket
is a standard fitting – on the side of
the fridge where it can be viewed
equally well from the lounge or bed.
However you spec this F60 model, it
will retain one very important feature
– an overall length of just 5.99m. It is
one of a pair of sub-6m layouts, with
two longer layouts (each measuring
7.34m) completing the line-up. Not
only is this Tribute usefully compact,
look at its stance – with Ford’s
wide-rear-track motorhome-specific
chassis and an ultra-short tail-end
overhang – you just know that it will
drive well.
And, despite biblical rain, flooded
roads and howling gales, the Tribute
was a pleasure to pilot as we headed
north from Auto-Trail’s Grimsby
factory and over the Humber Bridge,
RACHEL STOTHERT DEPUTY EDITOR
the Ford always feeling stable and
surefooted. The six-speed torque
converter automatic gearbox is
super-smooth, too, and makes driving
relaxing, while the standard 128bhp
(130PS) engine is more than adequate
for a motorhome of this size.
Just as impressive (especially for an
entry-level ’van) was the relative lack
of conversion noise (chattering net
curtains aside) – I’ve recently tested
motorhomes that cost a lot more with
many more rattles.
Of course, the Transit’s more
cosseting ride (compared with a Fiat/
Peugeot) helps with that and the Ford
also betters the Boxer/Ducato with its
cab design and quality. The new-look
dash has much more convenient
controls for the air-con, plus a neat
phone holder, while the small-
diameter leather-bound steering
wheel and low-set driving position are
more Mondeo than Routemaster. ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 117
 TESTED Auto-Trail Tribute F60
LIKED
Likes/Dislikes
Ford cab and automatic gearbox
Compact size but spacious inside
DISLIKED
Handleless and rough hatches to
under-seat spaces
Tap too close to washbasin
WANTED
Mini ladder or step for drop-down bed
Reading lights for cab seats
MIRACLE
OK, ‘miracle’ is overstating it a bit but
this six-metre motorhome certainly
packs a lot in and I was relieved to pull
up and relax at the Caravan and
Motorhome Club’s excellent
Bridlington site for the night after a
day on the road. The Tribute’s floor is
over 600mm above the Tarmac, so
you’ll need to deploy the electric step
to climb aboard, but the step does
auto-retract (accompanied by an
ear-splitting screech) when you forget
it and drive off. There’s a noisy
handbrake-on warning, too. Once
inside, there’s a flat floor right through
the whole living area, with just a tiny
(70mm) step up into the cab.
And what a spacious living area this
is. With no rear travel seats as
standard, the F60 has a pair of
side-facing sofas and a really wide
aisle between them, leading to cab
chairs that swivel easily – right round
118 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
There’s more worktop here than in many larger models, plus an oven as standard
so you can put your socks on the
settees, if you wish. With pale-
coloured woodwork, plenty of artificial
light and a big overcab sunroof, it’s a
bright and open living area.
Also assisting the spacious feel,
there’s over 2m of headroom in the
kitchen and entrance areas, although
this reduces to 1.80m in the lounge if
you have the drop-down bed. That
figure drops again, to about 1.72m,
with bedding stowed in situ.
The electric bed is an option that I
wouldn’t hesitate to tick, even though
the bed that you can make from the
sofas is larger. The convenience of
simply turning a key and pressing a
button and watching your sleeping
quarters glide down from the ceiling is
easily worth the £800 extra cost. The
bed is a touch narrow compared with
some but I slept well on its firm,
comfortable, one-piece mattress on a
slatted base. Unlike the made-up bed,
it is a pure rectangle in shape.
I also liked the fact that the bed can
be lowered right down as far as the
seats below and cupboards attached
to it will allow. That’s just over a metre
off the floor, though, which is still a
stretch without a step or ladder. A
ladder was provided in our test vehicle
but it required the bed to be in a
higher position (leaving room for the
second bed below).
In this two-travel-seat version,
though, we can’t see many owners
ever making up the lounge bed. It’s a
very good size and mostly flat but it
narrows considerably towards the
nearside (where the settee is shorter)
and is slightly convoluted in its
creation. We also found a slight gap
between cushions and wall, which
would need to be filled if the mattress
sections are not to move around under
you as you sleep.
Of course, if you specify the rear

travel seats, then the F60 could act as
an occasional four-berth but the bed
make-up would be different. What
won’t change are the concertina blinds
(which rise from the bottom, so you
can’t allow daylight in and retain
privacy) and the silvered screens for
the cab windows (which need to be
coaxed around the reversing camera
screen) – perhaps your dealer could
retrofit cab blinds instead?
As I investigated the lounge berth
here, though, I was very impressed by
the amount of under-seat locker
space, although not so much by the
access hatches cut into the plywood
seat bases.
Auto-Trail uses Whale’s new
underfloor gas/electric heating and
hot water system here, which, along
with an underfloor fresh water tank,
means a lot of extra space is freed up
inside. The nearside seat base is also
accessible via an exterior hatch for
It’s an especially roomy feel for a 6m motorhome
versatility (somewhere for wellies, etc).
Regarding the tanks, I would like to
see a winter pack of heaters and
insulation for all-season camping,
especially as the Whale system
provided plenty of warmth and piping
hot water on a chilly November night
just using 230V power.
HOW WILL I KNOW?
I was pretty sure that Auto-Trail was
onto a winner as soon as I clapped
eyes on its new Tribute range at the
summer preview but you can only be
sure when you’ve actually lived in a
’van. In the case of the F60, I liked it
more the longer I spent with it.
The kitchen is a case in point. With
a three-burner hob and combined
oven/grill, it has all the kit you need,
while the really important aspects are
the generous amount of worktop, the
huge (142-litre) fridge that requires no
kneeling down and the large cutlery/
implements drawer.
There’s good high and low-level
storage, too, but just one mains socket
(in the corner, behind the sink). And
– while we’re on the subject of power
– some USBs around the interior
would be a good addition for the 2021
model update…
Next to the tall, slim fridge (not a
self-selecting power source model at
this price point) is storage for the
table, then another slightly lower but
equally narrow locker for... well,
something slim and quite tall.
The layout is completed by an
across-the-rear washroom that also
doubles up as a changing area as it
includes a large double-door wardrobe
(under which is another external
storage locker that has a folding shelf
and measures 600mm by 780mm by
860mm tall).
To find such a well-equipped ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 119
 TESTED Auto-Trail Tribute F60
No hooks but there’s plenty of
headroom in the separate shower
THE VERDICT
No longer just a tribute act to fully fledged Auto-Trails, the new 2020 Ford-based
range is a star performer in its own right. Its appeal starts with the excellent (newly
facelifted) Transit cab and runs through a layout that makes for a very comfortable,
compact two-berth. If you’re looking for a £50k British coachbuilt, start your search
with the class-leading Tribute.
washroom in a ’van of this size seems
remarkable and I could only nitpick
here, pointing out that the heating
seems to put the washroom last on its
list (I left the door open overnight to
compensate) and that the tap seems
to be rather close to the basin, leaving
little room for hand-washing (unless
you fill the attractive square bowl,
with its push-to-close plug).
Much more importantly, the
washroom has a good-sized separate
shower that’s fully plastic-lined and
has headroom for the tallest
occupants. There are robe hooks and a
towel ring, plus plenty of storage for
your toiletries and a well-lit mirror.
I’d have liked to be able to hang my
sopping wet raincoat in the shower
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT MOTORHOME? Our buyers’ guide has
over 15,000 makes and models motorhome.ma/buyersguide
120 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
A double-doored wardrobe
sits behind the cassette loo
but do remember that this is a
budget-priced motorhome and you
can always add such details yourself.
The important thing is that
Auto-Trail seems to have got the key
bits right – space, storage, sleeping,
relaxing and driving are all well
catered for by this latest Tribute.
MOTORHOME SUPPLIED BY
Auto-Trail
 01472 571000
auto-trail.co.uk
INSURANCE
 0800 975 1307
shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk
Find quote details on Secondhand Choice
FACTS AND FIGURES
PRICE
From: £46,860
As tested: £52,958
BASICS
Berths: 2 (optional 4)
Travel seats: 2 (optional 4)
Warranty: Base vehicle three years,
conversion five years, water ingress five
years (extendable to 10 years at extra cost)
Type approval: European Whole Vehicle
DIMENSIONS
Length: 5.99m (19ft 8in)
Width: 2.35m (7ft 8½in)
Height: 2.88m (9ft 5in)
Gross vehicle weight: 3,500kg
Payload: 640kg
BASE VEHICLE
Type: Ford Transit chassis-cab with
wide-track rear axle
Engine: 2-litre, Euro 6d, 128bhp, front-
wheel drive, six-speed automatic gearbox
(as tested)
KITCHEN
Cooker: Thetford three-burner hob
and Duplex oven/grill
Fridge: Thetford 142-litre slimline,
three-way fridge
BEDS
Drop-down (optional): 1.93m x
1.20m (6ft 4in x 3ft 11in)
Front lounge bed: 2.12m x 1.47m
narrowing to 1.11m (6ft 11½in x 4ft
10in/3ft 7½in)
ESSENTIALS
Fresh water: 100 litres (underfloor)
Waste water: 80 litres (underfloor)
Space/water heating: Whale 4.7kW
underslung blown-air heating and 2.85kW
hot water system
Gas: 1 x 6kg and 1 x 13kg
Leisure battery: 75Ah
OPTIONS
Fitted to test vehicle: Automatic gearbox
(£1,740), alloy wheels (£660), drop-down
bed (£800), Drivers Pack (£1,499), Lux
Pack (£1,399)
THE ALTERNATIVES
Benimar Tessoro 481 £56,995
Chausson 520 £51,415
£ 542.40
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email: sales@heartofenglandmotorhomes.co.uk | see website for opening times
 TESTED

Lofty living
It might be the price of a house, but it
could be the ultimate vehicle to take
on an extended tour around Europe

MORELO LOFT 79F TREND

Price from: £172,000
Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4
Base vehicle: Iveco Daily
Length: 8.31m
Peter Rosenthal Gross weight: 7,490kg

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 123

The lounge is a real treat and great for both socialising or just chilling out with your feet up
S
o, you’ve got a holiday home in
Biarritz, a yacht in Poole harbour
and a Ferrari for the weeekend.
But what motorhome should you
buy that’s in keeping with the
premium feel you’re used to?
Something that offers the ultimate
in tailored luxury without
compromise. Well, you’d best visit
Morelo dealer, Premium Motorhomes,
and get shopping...
Morelo was formed nine years ago
with a state-of-the-art factory in
Schlüsselfeld, Germany (a small town
that is also home to its key rivals,
Concorde and Phoenix). I’ve been
fortunate enough to have a tour of its
facility and was impressed by how
obsessive the company is about
engineering. It could be used as a
masterclass in how to do it for MMM’s
Tech Help pages. Its wiring is
perfection and the plumbing is better
than you get in most houses. This is
124 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
about as good as it gets in terms of
motorhome build quality and it kicks
sand in the face of most US-made RVs.
Here we’re testing the new-for-2020
Loft 79F Trend, which has been
redesigned to look more like the
Palace range (with a larger kitchen,
wider entrance door, curved
cupboards and the awning mounted
on top for a flush look).
This is the mid-range offering with
Loft prices starting at around £170k.
Of course, no one ever pays the base
price as the options list is irresistible…
it’s best to budget a quarter-of-a-
million for your own Loft.
ON A HIGH
Usually, when it comes to liner-class
motorhomes, the larger they are the
more truck-like they become.
Your ‘man’ probably won’t care,
but what if you prefer to actually
drive the thing yourself ?
Well, the height deceives you into
thinking the Morelo is a lot bulkier
than it really is – at 2.40m wide it’s just
5cm wider than a typical A-class, while
its 8.3m length is less than some
tag-axle coachbuilts (a Swift Kon-Tiki
is 9.01m). It’s the 3.41m height that is
significant here.
The driving position has an upright
and bulky steering column and it takes
a while to settle into the best position.
Right-hand drive is available but the
test ’van was a left-hooker – though
you’re so high up and have excellent
mirrors, so it doesn’t really matter. It is
worth noting, though, that the only
entry door is on the UK offside,
although you’re hardly likely to park
anywhere other than a dedicated
parking area or campsite.
The Iveco Daily base has been
chosen for its weight capacity and in
70C18 guise it’s rated at 7,200kg

Optional levelling air jacks will also
prove handy if you have a flat tyre!
The service hatch is a
masterclass of engineering
A mineral worktop offers ample worktop space and is finished to perfection
The optional electric overcab bed is a
good size if you need the extra berths
maximum. The test ’van, however,
featured the £11,820 Chassis Package,
which upgrades this to 7,490kg and
boosts the payload to 2,470kg. But
that’s before adding any options –
which weigh around 900kg here (and
cost over £85k).
Thanks to another option (lots of
extra soundproofing around the
engine and wheelarches) the 3-litre
turbo-diesel engine sounds relatively
muted. The Chassis Pack also uprates
power to 210bhp ( from 180bhp as
standard) and adds the eight-speed ZF
automatic gearbox, which shifts
smoothly as it’s a proper torque
converter unit. A big surprise was the
economy of around 23mpg during the
test – I’ve had similar figures from
3.5-tonne coachbuilts…
Those who bemoan the dimly lit
instrument cluster in the Ducato will
love the Iveco as the dials are a model
of clarity, with a crisp full-colour
Morelo Loft 79F Trend TESTED
SECOND OPINION
“In a decade Morelo has come from start-up business to
building some of Europe’s finest motorhomes.”
display taking centre stage between
the rev- counter and km/h speedo.
You can set the central display to a
clear and large digital mph readout.
This particular Morelo also sported
a large-screen Alpine sat-nav that
could also be linked to the twin rear
view camera system. While this is
undoubtedly useful, I’m not sure it’s
worth the £3,355 cost.
On the road, the Morelo is
surprisingly civilised and it made me
relax and drive at the vehicle’s pace
– there’s no point rushing it. With
excellent visibility through the
panoramic windscreen and the
habitation door’s glazed panel, it’s
easy to pilot and doesn’t feel unwieldy
on the road. Pleasingly it didn’t feel as
truck-like as other large motorhomes
I’ve driven.
The test vehicle also sported the
optional Driving Safety Package
(which includes lane assistance and
PETER VAUGHAN ROAD TEST EDITOR
various stability control systems) and
a self-levelling VB air suspension
system. Neither are cheap, but they’re
well worth having.
LEVEL BEST
Once at the campsite, it was time to
swivel the two superbly comfortable
air-suspended captain’s seats and
relax in the lounge. A removable
steering wheel stops the driver’s seat
swivel being impeded.
The 79F layout features an
L-shaped settee and a side settee
nestled around an extending-leaf fixed
dining table. It’s here that the extra
height and width really impress –
there’s so much room that it’s difficult
to believe you’re in a vehicle that’s just
8.3m long. The lack of protruding
bonnet also helps maximise the
internal space.
Before you get settled down, it’s ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 125
 TESTED Morelo Loft 79F Trend
LIKED
Likes/Dislikes
Iveco Daily is a much-improved drive
Feeling like a Bond villain…
DISLIKED
Oven set too high for some
Hefty prices of the options
WANTED
More time with it somewhere warm
Lottery numbers to come up…
best to level the vehicle and, for the
Morelo owner, there’s no need to get
your hands dirty with levelling blocks
– simply press a button by the
habitation door and the E&P hydraulic
system does the rest. It’s a £7,720
option, but you are going to need it.
With the vehicle level, you can
really appreciate the flat floor
throughout. The Morelo uses a
galvanised ladder chassis – with a
lowered section around the rear
garage to increase space – and this
means that the interior sits above the
heated double floor that houses all the
services and electrical systems.
Alde heating is fitted as standard
and worked a treat, keeping the
vehicle toasty in frosty weather. It
should retain the heat well, too,
thanks to the XPS insulation used in
the floor, walls and roof. Morelo goes
to great lengths to ensure there are no
thermal bridges at the corner joints
126 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
The rear bedroom – with semi-island bed – is a soothing
place to be and screens slide across for privacy
and it’s also designed to be a Faraday
cage, hail-proof and uses an
aluminium floor to protect it from
lightning strikes. These Germans think
of everything…
A handy service hatch in the offside
flank reveals a superb electrical centre
that houses three 230V consumer
units, a 12V fus box, as well as a
battery-to-battery charger (linked to a
220A alternator). The electric hook-up
cable simply pushes through an
insulated hole in the floor, so there are
no cables dangling out of the side of
the vehicle.
With the heat and electrics sorted,
it’s time to savour the interior. The
lounge was trimmed in two-colour
leather in Off-White and Stone
Outside, which mated well with the
pale oak-style flooring and the gloss
cream and walnut furniture.
The settees are contoured with a
multi-layer foam system and easily
allow four people to rest.
Lots of ambient LED lights and
ceiling spotlights can be adjusted to
suit and the forward section of the
L-shaped settee also doubles as a pair
of travel seats.
The dining table can be moved fore
and aft and side to side, as well as
having a neat extending mechanism
that automatically raises an extra leaf
into the centre section when a lever is
released and the edges are pulled out.
The test vehicle also sported a
satellite TV upgrade that included two
TVs – 32-inch in the lounge and
24-inch in the bedroom – linked to a
twin LNB 85cm automatic satellite
dish. This allows you to watch
different programmes in the lounge
and the bedroom (or record one
channel while you watch another).
And the TV is hidden from view – you
simply press a button on the wall and
it glides down from a roof locker!
 The living area floor level extends right into the cab where Morelo fits its own design of dashboard
CAFFEINE MACHINE
When you’re relaxed to the max and
your stomach starts to rumble, head
rearwards and you’ll find a spacious
L-shaped kitchen with built-in sinks in
a matt-finish mineral worktop.
An optional Nespresso machine,
with a wall-mounted pod holder, sits
on its own dedicated shelf. The
worktop is impressively vast and
there’s a three-burner gas hob, as well
as a high-mounted oven/grill over a
177-litre AES fridge. This is one of
Dometic’s latest RMD models that has
a clever hinge that allows it to be
opened from either side.
Storage is equally vast, with a trio of
massive drawers under the hob,
another three under the sink, slide-out
recycling bins, a slide-out larder, roof
lockers and a drawer under the fridge.
The sink, sorry sinks, are hidden
under a pair of flush-fit covers that sit
either side of a metal mixer tap. If
washing up manually doesn’t appeal
to you, don’t fear, there is also a
dishwasher option!
Further to the rear, this vehicle
certainly doesn’t have a mere
washroom, it has an en suite. You can
make this room entirely private by
sliding across doors to the bedroom
and to the kitchen.
Forget your normal benchmarks for
things like the water tank capacity,
too. Thanks to a 300-litre fresh water
tank and an on-demand Alde boiler,
there are no restrictions on your
shower time. Morelo showers are like
domestic ones.
The shower itself sits in a pleasingly
huge cubicle with glass doors and a
storage rail for your shower gel and
shampoo. It’s such a good shower, that
we can forgive it only having a single
drain point.
It’s a similar story with the separate
loo, which is set next to a heated towel
rail and has a proper ceramic bowl,
linked to a 200-litre ‘black’ waste tank.
This is in addition to the 200-litre
regular ‘grey’ tank (taking water from
the shower and kitchen sink).
The basin and vanity unit is
opposite the shower and uses a stout
resin-type material in a triangular
shape. There’s not that much worktop
space and twin mug holders and a
fixed liquid soap dispenser rob a little
space. However, there’s a triple
mirror-doored storage cabinet above,
which will easily swallow all your
toiletries. The lighting is excellent, too.
The en suite also benefits from a
large wardrobe – it’s full height and
has shelves at the top and a hanging
rail below.
ALMOST AN ISLAND
At night you’ve got a choice of either
the fixed rear bed, or the (£2,265) ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 127
 TESTED Morelo Loft 79F Trend
A washbasin and wardrobe
make this a great changing area
THE VERDICT
Morelo’s build quality can’t be faulted and, while the price of the options is terrifying,
if you can afford one of these it seems daft to skimp on kit. If you’re in the market
for a mobile five-star hotel to keep you in the lap of luxury on an extended tour of
Europe, you can do no better. We love the shower, supremely comfortable beds and
the sumptuous lounge. It’s just fabulous!
cab drop-down bed.
An electric shutter system seals off
the windscreen and the front bed
drops down electrically to provide a
1.93m by 1.59m double. It’s very
comfortable and there’s a privacy
curtain, but you don’t need a ladder as
the settee forms a natural step.
The rear bed sits transversely (other
bedroom layouts, including twin beds
and island doubles are available in the
range) and it has room to shuffle
around the foot, on the nearside,
between mattress and wall. The bed is
mounted on a sprung base and also
sported the (£450) multi-zone
mattress and water gel topping. You
won’t be able to resist this option – it’s
incredibly comfortable.
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128 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
The shower cubicle has a proper
glass door and a central drain point
Mood lighting glows from behind a
padded panel on the wall and there
are reading lights and various other
LED options to tweak to your heart’s
desire. A large (optional) Heki
rooflight can be wound up for some
cooling air in hot climates and air-con
is an option if desired.
MOTORHOME SUPPLIED BY
Premium Motorhomes
 01302 710543
premiummotorhomes.com
£ N/A
INSURANCE
 0800 975 1307
shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk
Find quote details on Secondhand Choice
FACTS AND FIGURES
PRICE
From: £172,000
As tested: £257,040
BASICS
Berths: 4
Travel seats: 4
Warranty: Two years on base vehicle and
conversion, 10 years water ingress
Type Approval: European Whole Vehicle
DIMENSIONS
Length: 8.31m (27ft 3in)
Width: 2.40m (7ft 10½in)
Height: 3.41m (11ft 2in)
Gross vehicle weight: 7,490kg (as tested)
Payload: 2,180kg (standard model),
around 1,570kg (as tested)
BASE VEHICLE
Type: Iveco Daily 70C18
Engine: 3-litre, 180bhp (210bhp as
tested), Euro 6d, eight-speed auto, RWD
KITCHEN
Cooker: Three-burner gas hob,
Dometic oven/grill
Fridge: Dometic 177-litre with AES
BEDS
Rear double: 2.00m x 1.26m
(6ft 7in x 4ft 1½in)
Drop-down cab double: 1.93m x 1.59m
(6ft 4in x 5ft 2½in)
ESSENTIALS
Fresh water: 300 litres
(in double floor)
Waste water: 200 litres (in double floor),
plus optional 200-litre marine toilet tank
Space/water heating: Alde 5.5kW gas/
electric wet radiator heating
Leisure battery: 140Ah (420Ah as tested)
Gas: 120-litre underslung tank (option)
OPTIONS
Just some of the items fitted: Chassis
Package (£11,820), air suspension
(£9,085), alloys (£3,630), levelling jacks
(£7,720), Driving Safety Package (£7,185),
electric awning (£2,720), Carbon look
exterior trim (£1,355), mineral kitchen
worktop (£1,355), Tec-Tower oven
(£1,085), marine toilet (£2,720),
drop-down bed (£2,265), Electrical
Package (£4,810), sat-nav, DAB, extra
speakers and reversing cameras (£3,355),
two TVs and sat dish (£5,720)
THE ALTERNATIVES
Concorde Carver 840L €191,350
Niesmann Flair 880 EK £155,560
 EXCLUSIVE SERIES 2020

SIGN

ARD
STAND TIC
A
AUTOM BOX
GEAR

An advance journey

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£2,590 £2,735 £3,255 £3,004

PRICE INCLUDES ROAD PRICE INCLUDES ROAD PRICE INCLUDES ROAD PRICE INCLUDES ROAD
TAX AT £165.00 TAX AT £165.00 TAX AT £265.00 TAX AT £265.00

2019 BURSTNER LYSEO TD744 LIMITED 2019 HYMER BMC-T 690 2019 HYMER BMC-T 550 2019 BAILEY ALLIANCE 59-2
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TAX AT £265.00 TAX AT £265.00 TAX AT £165.00 TAX AT £265.00

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For Full Motorhome Lis ngs and Further Details Visit

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OR Call us: 01493 740 274
 TESTED

Four wheels
on my wagon

This is not just any campervan...it’s a Mercedes-

based four-wheel drive Hymer campervan

HYMER GRAND CANYON S

Price from: £56,210 (RWD model)
Berths: 2/4 Travel seats: 4
Base vehicle: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Length: 5.93m
The Bromleys Gross weight: 3,500kg

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 131

The Grand Canyon S is a slimmer, smaller campervan than you think with all the usual Hymer quality
H
ymer and Mercedes – two iconic
Teutonic names partnered like
horse and carriage/love and
marriage, according to that old song.
Though a lot of Hymers are still built
on the Fiat Ducato, the company’s
newest and most prestigious models
bear the three-pointed star.
Think Hymer and A-class models
spring to mind, though for at least half
a dozen years a selection of high-
specification panel van conversions
have borne the HymerCar moniker.
For 2020 that name disappears and
now there’s the entry-level Free range,
followed by the Hymer Camper Vans
comprising five Fiats and two
Mercedes models.
Here we test the Merc-based Grand
Canyon S (that’s ‘S’ for Sprinter) – and
it’s the 4x4 version.
Mercedes’ four-wheel drive is the
well-proven Oberaigner system, based
on the rear-wheel drive version of the
132 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
Sprinter. A dashboard switch engages
the front wheels, turning the vehicle
into a 4x4. At the same time, gear
ratios are reduced by 42%, removing
the need for a low-ratio box or crawler
gears. There’s no diff lock, as an
Electronic Traction System brakes
individual wheels when required.
The base van is also 120mm higher
than normal on the front axle, and
80mm at the rear, giving the 4x4
Sprinter an unmistakable, pugnacious
stance. Four-wheel drive costs a hefty
£10,580 extra but, if you regularly
explore off-piste, it will be worth it.
The macho stance of the Sprinter
4x4 is accentuated by its relatively
modest length and width (just under
6m, by a slim 2.06m wide), compared
with a height approaching 3m.
Equally, in plain white, with few
decals, unembellished steel wheels
and a large black front bumper and
grille, it clearly means business.
FOUR BY FOUR-BERTH
The Grand Canyon S has the usual
continental configuration of a
nearside dinette comprising of two
swivelling cab seats facing a pair of
rear forward-facing travel seats,
around a wall-mounted table.
Behind the offside sliding door is a
compact kitchen, with the washroom
opposite and to the rear is a transverse
double bed.
The Sprinter is quite narrow for
crossways sleeping, so Hymer has
raised the bed to window height, and
added discreet, streamlined pods at
each side (unmodified Sprinters are
4cm narrower), which contribute
hugely to sleeping comfort.
For another £3,520 there’s a rising
roof option with double bed, making
the Grand Canyon into a real four-
berth, four-seater – though bear in
mind this adds another 120kg to the
vehicle’s weight. If your licence allows,

The window is optional on the
sleek, aerodynamic side pod
With no overcab shelf or cupboard, you can walk into the cab without stooping
There’s good storage in the
kitchen, but no oven or grill
therefore, it might well be worth
buying an uprated 3,880kg or 4,100kg
version, as the payload would then
cope easily with the extra weight of
the 4x4 system (a hefty 146kg) and
rising roof; although, even plated at
3,500kg, the payload is still reasonable,
at around 450kg (including a number
of options but allowing for just 20
litres of water).
An interesting point is that the new
increased VED rates for the latest Euro
6d motorhomes registered after 1
September 2019, don’t apply to the
rear-wheel drive (or 4x4) Sprinter.
STAND TALL
Very noticeable, whether entering the
Grand Canyon S 4x4 through the back,
side or cab doors, is its height. There’s
an electric step at the sliding door
(shame it doesn’t auto-retract), but the
cab is a real stretch up – nearly 2ft to
Hymer Grand Canyon S 4x4 TESTED
SECOND OPINION
“With a lot more space than a T6 4Motion or a Land Rover
camper, this 4x4 Sprinter has few real rivals for adventurers”
the internal step, so low-set grab
handles would be useful.
The cab, though austere-looking, is
comfortable and practical (when
you’ve worked out the controls).
The gearbox (a seven-speed, torque
converter automatic) has paddles for
manual changing situated on the back
of the leather-bound steering wheel,
which also carries radio, information
and cruise control buttons.
There’s no key, just a starter button,
and the ‘handbrake’ is another button
on the fascia. This is undoubtedly
useful when swivelling the cab seats,
as there is no lever to get in the way.
The cab is dominated by an
(optional) MBUX 10.25in touchscreen,
controlling the multimedia and a very
clear reversing camera (useful, with no
interior mirror).
Leather seats (a £1,580 option) are
multi-adjustable, firm and very
comfortable, with twin armrests
PETER VAUGHAN ROAD TEST EDITOR
apiece, and the driving position and
visibility are excellent.
Driving the Grand Canyon S, we felt
on top of the world, looking down on
everything other than HGVs! One
might expect the handling to be
top-heavy and unwieldy, but not so.
The steering is direct and quite meaty,
and the suspension is superb, coping
easily with potholes and rough
surfaces, with none of the wallowing
experienced in earlier Sprinters.
Gearchanging in automatic is quite
smooth and using the paddles
manually was fun, though seven
speeds felt a bit much to cope with.
The 163bhp engine feels powerful
(143bhp is standard, 190bhp also
offered), though a little ponderous on
take-off, as if the ’van is heavier than it
actually is. It’s quite noisy, too, with a
constant drone from the rear axle
reminding us of airport buses! But the
interior fittings were utterly quiet. ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 133
 TESTED Hymer Grand Canyon S 4x4
LIKED
Likes/Dislikes
Good-to-drive Mercedes (and 4x4 option)
Usual Hymer internal build quality
DISLIKED
Washbasin design
Lack of spare wheel
WANTED
Reading lights throughout
Mud and snow tyres
GOING NOWHERE
Where to try the four-wheel drive?
Much of the area was soggy or flooded
due to heavy rain and we found no
inviting rough tracks. An uphill
roadside verge would have to do, but
upon attempting to set off again the
Sprinter promptly dug itself in.
Switching to 4x4, the ETC juddered
away ineffectually with no forward
progress possible, so, somewhat
ignominiously, we were reduced to
reversing off downhill.
The lesson? Always fit the correct
tyres. The test ’van was shod with
standard summer rubber and,
however sophisticated the 4x4 system,
without appropriate tyres you’re going
nowhere. Speaking of which, there’s no
spare wheel and, if going on an
expedition, we’d recommend one.
After outdoor fun and games, it’s
time to investigate indoors.
Ensconsced on the swivelled cab seats,
134 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
The leather upholstery is optional and the folding table is a Marmite piece of design
the cab is rather drab, with the
charcoal headlining matching the
fascia, leather seats and floor
covering. Oddly, given that Hymer’s
Mercedes-based coachbuilts inside
Travelworld’s showroom had them,
there are no cab reading lights. There
is also no overcab storage locker,
which makes for a much easier
walk-through to and from the cab.
Décor in the habitation area is
pleasant, with walls and ceiling in
cream, smooth off-white for table and
kitchen worktops and light, warm
woodwork harmonising with pale
wood plank-effect vinyl flooring.
Overall, a smart, modern design.
There are high-level LED strips
throughout, plus three ceiling clusters
in the central area but, again, no
reading lights in the lounge or
bedroom. For daytime illumination
there’s a rooflight over the lounge, one
in the washroom and one over the bed.
Returning to the lounge, the rear
travel seats are well-shaped and have
adjustable headrests.
We found the table splits opinion
– it’s wall-hung, with a diagonal
supporting strut to keep it firm
without interfering with passengers’
legs. The tabletop folds out to double
its size, but we thought it still modest
in area and too far from the driver’s
seat, but our Road Test Editor loves it
because it folds away so neatly.
There’s no TV point, and just one
mains socket and one for 12V.
Externally, the Grand Canyon S is
(in 4x4 guise) such an imposing beast
it’s easy to forget it’s a sub-six-metre,
narrow ’van and interior
arrangements have to reflect this.
The kitchen has no oven or grill and
the linear unit, whilst beautifully
crafted, is quite bijou, with a very
small sink combined with the two-
burner hob under glass lids.
 Considerable storage is available with the bed raised. The folding outdoor chairs fitted here are one of many options
Minimal worktop has been greatly
improved by the provision of a small
worktop, which clips firmly into slots
at the front end of the kitchen unit or
above the sink.
Removable hooks share these slots,
so, for once, there’s somewhere for tea
towels, etc. There are three large
soft-closing drawers, one with a large
slide-out cutlery tray and two
overhead cupboards, plus another
below the fridge (a 90-litre compressor
type with freezer compartment). If
exploring the wildernesses, a second
(optional) 95Ah battery would be a
sensible addition.
KINDLES AT THE READY
The washroom is necessarily quite
compact. The toilet – Thetford’s latest
bench model – looks as svelte as any.
Over it is Hymer’s elegant version of
the tip-up/drop-down washbasin.
Though very neat-looking, it isn’t a
basin for holding water whilst you
wash; it’s more of a sluice, down which
your aqua disappears into the 85-litre
waste tank.
The tap (which sensibly swivels)
doubles as the showerhead, so the
basin must be lowered whilst
showering and there’s no wall-
mounted showerhead bracket – so,
hold it or put it into the basin.
A shower curtain protects the
woodwork, but we’d have hoped for a
swing-wall, or similar, of which
examples abound in the wider Erwin
Hymer Group. A curtain seems a little
old-fashioned for a ’van of this calibre
and price. However, the shower tray
has two drain holes and, here, an
optional duckboard. Storage is
reasonable, in a mirror-doored
cupboard, plus a couple of small
shelves, and there’s another mirror on
the door, four towel/robe hooks, a loo
roll holder and a drop-down towel rail
under the skylight.
Behind kitchen and washroom,
with a curtain for privacy, is the bed.
As mentioned, this is adequately long
because of the side pods; if you don’t
specify the optional window in the
nearside pod, you’d even have a
further couple of inches. It’s wide, too,
being 1.90m by 1.30m.
Froli springs underpin the thick,
three-section, cold foam mattress, the
middle section of which straps up
vertically to the nearside overhead
cupboards, allowing access to
generous storage in the central aisle
– or just a through walkway.
The small Heki and high-level LED
strips are adequate. There are no
reading lights but there are two useful
USB sockets.
The bed is quite high off the floor,
so there’s a folding plastic step. Below
the bed, at floor level on the ➤
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 135
 TESTED Hymer Grand Canyon S 4x4
The rear bed is a good size, thanks to
side pods that extend the Sprinter’s width
THE VERDICT
A rugged 4x4 campervan, the Grand Canyon S 4x4 is well finished and well specified,
but being compact brings compromises in the living accommodation, though Hymer
has overcome the problem of bed length admirably. There is no doubt this 4x4
version is expensive, but it’s worth it if you really want to get off the beaten track
– just get the right tyres, too.
nearside, and not that easy to access
even with the bed raised, are a modest
wardrobe and two cupboards. On the
offside, under the foot of the mattress,
are two top-accessed shallow cubbies.
Above the bed, the run of
cupboards starting above the kitchen
continues around the rear, and there’s
vast space below the bed in the aisle.
In the test ’van, at the very rear, a
folding outdoor table was strapped to
the offside, and two camp chairs stood
in the aisle behind the gas locker on
the nearside, all being optional extras.
Whilst many desirable features are
optional, there are some welcome
standard ones, too, including the
sliding door’s mosquito blind and
Remis blinds for the cab, while the
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT MOTORHOME? Our buyers’ guide has
over 15,000 makes and models motorhome.ma/buyersguide
136 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
base vehicle is highly specified with
safety features like Crosswind Assist,
ESP, etc. A 4kW Truma Combi,
situated under the travel seat bench,
provides heating and hot water,
although this test model had the
optional 6kW dual-fuel version.
MOTORHOME SUPPLIED BY
Travelworld Erwin Hymer Centre,
Stafford
 01785 878787
motorhomes.co.uk
INSURANCE
 0800 975 1307
shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk
Find quote details on Secondhand Choice
FACTS AND FIGURES
PRICE
From: £56,210 (rear-wheel drive)
As tested: £78,240
BASICS
Berths: 2
Travel seats: 4
Warranty: Two years base vehicle,
conversion and water ingress
Type approval: European Whole Vehicle
DIMENSIONS
Length: 5.93m (19ft 5½in)
Width: 2.06m (6ft 9in)
Height: 2.88m (9ft 5½in)
Gross vehicle weight: 3,500kg
Payload: 705kg (standard RWD model),
450kg as tested
BASE VEHICLE
Type: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MWB
panel van
Engine: 2.1-litre, 163bhp, Euro 6d,
seven-speed automatic gearbox, Oberaigner
4x4 system (as tested)
KITCHEN
Cooker: Dometic two-burner hob
Fridge: Thetford 90-litre compressor
BEDS
Rear transverse bed: 1.90m x 1.30m
(6ft 3in x 4ft 3in)
ESSENTIALS
Fresh water: 100 litres (inboard)
Waste water: 85 litres (underslung)
Space/water heating: Truma Combi 4
blown-air as standard, upgraded to
dual-fuel 6 E as tested
Leisure battery: 95Ah
Gas: 1 x 11kg, 1 x 5kg
OPTIONS
Fitted to test vehicle: 163bhp engine
(£875), 7G automatic gearbox (£2,375),
electric parking brake (£280), leather
steering wheel (£220), rear view camera
(£440), MBUX multimedia system
(£2,285), towbar (£1,490), four-wheel
drive (£10,580), foglights (£255), export/
GB specification (£300), Grigio leather
upholstery (£1,580), window in bedroom
(£350), carbon graphics (£320), luggage
compartment restrainer (£80), shower
duckboard (£85), heater upgrade to
Combi 6 E (£260), two folding chairs and
table (£255)
£ 752.32
THE ALTERNATIVES
Westfalia James Cook £73,300
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 Fiat Rhythm 2014 Peugeot Warwick XL Peugeot Sunseeker 155 Peugeot Gleneagle
2.3 JTD 2 berth 16,500 2019 2.0 HDi 2 berth 2010 2.2 HDi 2 berth 2008 3.0 HDi 2 berth
miles £36,995 1,000 miles £56,995 27,900 miles £28,995 24,900 miles £31,695

Fiat Bolero 630EW 2012 Fiat Coral 670 SLT 2012 Fiat Navajo 2013 2.3 Fiat Apache 634 2013
2.3 JTD 2 berth 12,200 2.3 JTD 3 berth 35,300 JTD 2 berth 16,300 miles 2.3 JTD 4 berth 17,100
miles £36,995 miles £36,995 £37,995 miles £37,995

Fiat Europeo 69P Plus Fiat Rapido 676 FF 2015 Peugeot Autograph 79-6 Fiat Commanche 2006
2014 3.0 JTD 4 berth 2.3 JTD 4 berth 9,300 2018 2.0 HDi 6 berth 2,500 3.0 JTD 4 berth 3,000
9,700 miles £39,995 miles £43,995 miles £49,995 miles £64,995
 TESTED

Our motorhome
Linda and Geoff Field needed a very specific
campervan for their energetic adventures

2017 WELLHOUSE LUX XL

I
t was a sad day when we decided our
little Danbury Space Cruise on the
SWB Fiat Ducato needed to be
rehomed, after 100,000 miles and 11
years of happy camping. It was time to
get a new ’van for the next 10 years of
cycling, walking and sea kayak trips.
It had to be small enough to drive
and park in most places. We wanted a
spacious layout with a bed that didn’t
encroach on the kitchen, tough plain
upholstery, fridge, hob and grill but no
oven, a heater but no hot water system
and definitely no shower. In other
words, exactly the same again.
Before contemplating shiny new
’vans that would probably be outside
our budget we needed to know the
secondhand value of ours.
Bored while waiting for a dealer to
value it we broke the rules and had a
look at a new ’van.
It was obviously what we didn’t
want, but we had a nose around,
making criticisms. On the way home
we discussed the ‘why nots’ of this ’van
and surprised ourselves. A detailed
analysis proved that it was just what
we needed!
It ticked all the important boxes
and the tweaks were simple DIY jobs
or something that the converter
offered as an option. That was it, big
decision made, our next ’van was to be
a Wellhouse Lux XL on the high-top
Ford Transit Custom Kombi.
We were moving to a narrower ’van,
lower but longer than our old one with
a completely opposite layout! From
sleeping across the ’van with side
kitchen and Porta Potti in a cupboard
to sleeping down the ’van with side
sofa, rear kitchen and a toilet in its
own little room!
SMALL ROOM – BIG CHANGE
The biggest change was the ‘privacy’
room in the back corner. The first time
we saw the Lux we thought it was a
very bad idea in such a small ’van. ➤

Price from: £46,000 Berths: 2 Travel seats: 2

Base vehicle: Ford Transit Custom
Length: 5.34m Gross weight: 3,140kg

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 139

 TESTED 2017 Wellhouse Lux XL
The cab can be closed off with the short bed option
We’d never wanted a space-wasting,
claustrophobic, plastic-lined shower
room which then needed a hot water
system. Having just a toilet, locker and
shelf is unusual and very useful.
It’s light and airy with a half-height
back wall and the window in the back
door. As well as using the toilet or
having a wash (we use a pop-up
folding bowl as a washbasin), it gives
us somewhere to hang up towels and
jackets, dry washing or waterproofs
and is easily vented by opening the
back door. Packing in all our outdoor
kit or our shopping when travelling
keeps everything contained and out of
the way, leaving the floor clear.
We chose not to have the ceramic
bowl electric-flush cassette toilet that
Wellhouse usually fits and bought a
Porta Potti ‘Excellence’ which clips to
its own fixed floor plate. This saves
weight and space and gives us more
control over water and power usage.
LOUNGE WITH A VIEW
The big side sofa is a big improvement
over the previous small rear travel seat
‘sofa’. It gives us a good view out
through the big unobstructed
doorway and large windows.
The front seats swivel to give even
more lounge seating and legs-up
lounging space for both of us. The
140 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
tough plain Ford fabric option is
perfect, as is the wipe-clean vinyl
flooring. We put down a thick carpet
for winter camping.
We knew the upright sofa back
wouldn’t be comfortable and
immediately removed and refitted the
back support panel to give it a slightly
better angle. This moved the base of
the sofa out into the living space by
just 6cm and robbed the same amount
from the width of the bed.
Standing height in the ’van is only
5ft 10in, but perfect for us, giving
Geoff an inch to spare. Wellhouse can
now offer a higher version for
customers up to 6ft 4in.
We like the simple bed with just two
flat mattress sections rather than a
jigsaw of seats and infill cushions. At
1.6m the bed isn’t very long but
neither are we, so we don’t always use
the option of turning both front seats
to face each other and sliding them
together to make a longer 2m bed.
For the double the base slides out
across the ’van but still leaves floor
space at the side of the bed, doesn’t
steal any floor space from the kitchen
and leaves access to the toilet.
Due to the way the bed base is
designed, both cushions have boards
built in, which makes them heavy.
Making the bed or accessing the
underbed storage is a two-person job.
Why we bought it
For the layout, base vehicle size, build
quality and price
What we love
The modern interior, a privacy room, the
big sofa that makes a comfy bed and
the unobstructed doorway
How we would change it
The external water tank and also the
Heki rooflight
When we buy our next ’van
That’s anybody’s guess given our track
record of knowing what we want next!
We knew up front that this needed
work and planned to modify the bed
base. Wellhouse has been working on
a lift-up slatted bed base that we hope
to retro-fit.
PLENTY OF STORAGE
The cupboard space is generous, with
five upper lockers, a big overcab locker
and three good-sized kitchen
cupboards. We fitted extra shelves in
the biggest cupboard to store all our
food supplies together.
The under-bed area is two huge
storage lockers and just one easily
swallows all the bedding. We made an
organiser to take magazines and
another by a power socket to keep our
phones and charger handy.
Accessed through the back doors is
the gas locker for a 6kg cylinder. We
use a 3.5kg one and get the levelling
blocks and hook-up lead in, too.
A smaller space above the gas
locker takes toilet chemicals, tool kit,
etc. The narrow space inside the back
doors has straps to hold the rolled-up
window screens, walking poles, boots
and outdoor chairs.
The leisure battery and diesel
heating unit are both under the
passenger seat. It’s great that not every
cupboard is half filled with batteries
and electrical units. ➤
 - Création - contact@comwell.fr
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There is good worktop
space in such a small ’van
DINING AND DRINKING
The L-shaped kitchen has a glass-
topped sink and separate two-burner
hob, extractor unit with lights, mini
grill and a 40-litre compressor fridge.
The fridge is a big change from our
previous top-loading model.
Adding a deep organiser box at the
bottom and a shallow one on the shelf
has improved the new fridge in terms
of better use of the space and less
waste of cold air. One plus point is
that it’s fitted above a bottom
cupboard, so we don’t have to grovel
around at floor level to see inside.
There’s good worktop space in such
a small ’van and well-placed power
sockets. We love the table which stores
in the privacy room and can be used
inside or out on a tripod base. We
bought an extra leg and cut it down to
give us a coffee table option as well.
Another change is the fresh water
tank, which we don’t drink from. We
prefer removable tanks for ease of
filling and cleaning, plus there’s no
danger of freezing when camping in
winter. We carry a water container
(with a tap) in the privacy room.
DARKNESS AND LIGHT
The ’van comes with insulated screens
for the cab and back doors and fitted
thermal blackout curtains for the side
2017 Wellhouse Lux XL TESTED
There is also a small but very useful
‘privacy’ room in the rear corner
windows. I planned to replace the
curtains with something more ‘stylish’,
but realised how good they were. I
bought black and grey patterned
fabric to make curtains for the back
windows and one to close off the cab
as we don’t use the thermal screens
when wild camping in summer.
We’re not fans of plastic windows
and the big glass windows let in plenty
of daylight. The tint on the glass is
barely noticeable inside but very
effective from the outside.
The other source of light, the Midi
Heki rooflight, is a real pain. It flies
open with the slightest puff of wind so
it can’t be used for ventilation at night
or when parked on campsites. Heki
assures us we haven’t got a faulty one!
We don’t need a speedo, we can
judge our speed by the volume and
tone of the ‘Heki howl’. We would give
anything to go back to the quiet,
secure Remis rooflight on our old ’van.
The other appendage on the roof is an
excellent slimline 100W solar panel;
plenty of power for long off-grid trips.
AFFORDABLE FORD
We love everything about the base. It’s
comfortable, car-like to drive and
park, and a perfect size for us, inside
and out. The 2.0-litre 128bhp engine is
powerful but economical and the
FACTS AND FIGURES
PRICE
Price new today: From £46,000
(our model cost £40,000 in 2017)
Price of similar aged ’van today: £38,500
BASICS
Berths: 2
Travel seats: 2
Length of owership: 2 years
Annual mileage: 6,500
DIMENSIONS
Length: 5.34m (17ft 4½in)
Width: 1.99m (6ft 6in)
Height: 2.30m (7ft 6½in)
Gross vehicle weight: 3,140kg
Payload: About 520kg
BASE VEHICLE
Type: Ford Transit Custom Kombi
high-top, Trend spec
Engine: 2-litre 128bhp Euro 6
Fuel economy: 39mpg (approx)
BEDS
Double: 1.60m or 2.01m x 1.26m
(5ft 3in or 6ft 7in x 4ft 1½in)
RUNNING COSTS
Base vehicle service cost: £180
Insurance: £283 (Lifesure Group fully
comprehensive)
Habitation service: £150
Road tax: £140
OPTIONS
Towbar, reversing camera, grill, Porta Potti
Excellence toilet on floor fitting plate (the
campervan was bought without a ceramic
electric-flush cassette toilet fitted as
standard in the Lux verison)
WHAT WENT WRONG
Fault with fridge wiring and problem with
heater fuel pipe
Trend specification gives added spec.
Wellhouse has come up with a
conversion that’s clever and different;
its latest model, the Tellaro Lux XL,
also has options of more internal
height and three rear travel seats
instead of the side sofa. The build
quality is excellent, the aftersales
service has been outstanding and, in
our opinion, the whole package
represents good value.
FURTHER READING
Our sister magazine, What Motorhome,
reviewed a 2016 Terrier Lux XL in the June
2016 issue. You can find this and 10 other
Wellhouse model reviews at
motorhome.ma/reviews
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 143
 Discover a world of
INSPIRATIONAL TRAVEL
T
here is an incredible world to be
discovered in your motorhome. From
the drama of the Cornish coast to
the stunning Austrian Alps and from the
sublime appeal of the Scottish Highlands
to the idyllic isolation of the Canadian
wilderness, MMM’s contributors will take
you throughout the UK, Europe and the
world in their unrivalled travel features
complemented by amazing photography.
MMM’s tours not only inspire, they
also inform by providing all the details
you need to plan your own adventures. All
the information is included – route maps,
costs, campsite details, etc – and remember all MMM travel writers are
motorhomers who have done, and paid for, the tours they write about.
It’s all about trust and being genuine to MMM’s founding principle that
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February outandaboutlive.co.uk 145

Tech help!
Our panel of motorhome-owning experts
are here to help you solve your
motorhoming problems, however small
Q Why does my Fiat Ducato-based campervan have
a yellow warning light on the dashboard?
I have a Fiat Ducato-based 2017 Westfalia Columbus campervan.
Recently, the yellow warning light on the dash has occasionally
stayed on when the ’van is started. The local Fiat agent (in
northeast Scotland) has replaced the oil level sensor. The ’van was
serviced yesterday and I was advised that the fault log showed the
sensor to be faulty again and that the number three injector may
have an issue. The ’van runs perfectly.
I have noticed that the yellow warning triangle light may stay
on if the ’van has been sitting for a period of time at home and if
the weather is particularly damp on the days prior to me starting
the ’van. I recollect that there was an article, either in Letters or in
Tech Help on this very issue, highlighting a problem with poor
earthing strap connections. The remedy that was used was to fit a
secondary earthing strap. I have searched my back copies of MMM
but have been unable to find the article.
I would appreciate if you can locate the article and send it to
me or send any other information on the topic.
Ian Bertram
A The earth strap between the chassis and gearbox on Ducatos
built since 2006 is very poor, it is a braided steel strap and is
prone to oxidisation, which increases the resistance and
NEED AN ANSWER TO YOUR TECHNICAL QUESTION? Just email MMM’s team of experts
who are here waiting to help you mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk
146 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk February 2020
TECHNICAL EDITOR
No matter what the issue
is with your motorhome,
get in touch and Peter or
one of his team of experts
will try to help. And, if you
have any motorhome DIY
top tips, then please share
them with your fellow
MMM readers and you
Peter Rosenthal could win a prize bundle
therefore restricts the flow of power.
It has been responsible for vehicles failing to start (in the
worst cases), preventing effective charging of the battery or, at
least, causing the ECU to assume that there is a charging
problem. It can also cause many minor issues with devices
around the engine bay that are starved of sufficient power while
the engine is being started. These then report their difficulties to
the ECU, which, in turn, illuminates warning lights.
While there may be issues with individual devices, this is
unlikely and in every case that I have seen or heard of replacing
the earth strap or, better still, adding a second one has alleviated
these small issues. I have come to the conclusion that it is never a
bad idea to add an earth strap!
The existing strap is located behind and to the right of the
bottom of the air filter housing where it is bolted to the chassis
leg. The other end is bolted to the gearbox mount.
On earlier vehicles (Euro 4) from 2006 to 2012/13, the
replacement strap needs to be fixed to the same chassis mount
and has been proven to be best attached to the end cover of the
gearbox by removing one of the screws. This is better than the
gearbox mount.
This method can be used on later Euro 5 vehicles, but there is
a better location for the end that would normally go to the
gearbox. There is an extended piece of studding on the EGR valve
mounting that is reasonably accessible.
It is an 8mm stud and the crimp for the cable can be put over
this and secured with an M8 nut. It is a very good location but
requires a cable of about 24in instead of the 12 to 14 inches that
is required for the gearbox method.
I have not replaced any earth cables on Euro 6 vehicles, but I
have no reason to suspect that they will be any less prone to the
problem and that relatively simple, similar locations for fixing
the cable would be obvious. You need the best possible, ideally
ferrous metal fixing to the engine or gearbox, and the chassis
connector is always perfectly good.
This type of modification that can do no harm at all has to be
a good thing to do at any time.
Nick Fisher
 MMM recommends Approved Workshops
TECH HELP EDITOR MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Terry Acreman Clive Mott
Ex-Peugeot technician Electrical expert
Q Does LPG mean that your
appliances need to be
cleaned more than annually?
This is my first year in motorhoming
and I plan to go to Norway for about
five weeks. I have a generator, but am
expecting to either wild camp or use
campsites that may not have hook-up,
so will be using gas for the fridge,
cooking and shower.
I believe that two Calor gas bottles
would not be enough for this. I was
almost sold on the idea of having two
lightweight refillable gas bottles installed
with the fill-up point put either in the
cabinet or outside bodywork.
I have since read the Dometic
instruction book, which states the gas
burner must be cleaned once a year or, if
using LPG from refillable cylinders, then
the burner should be cleaned twice a year,
if not quarterly.
I have a 2012 Auto-Trail Apache and
have a feeling that the burner has never be
cleaned. With what Dometic has written I
assume the LPG from refill points must be
dirty and, in that case, it will cause a
problem to the cooker and hot water
system as well.
Can I have your opinion, please? If your
advice is that the 2012 instruction book is
out of date and that LPG is alright to use,
do you know if there has been any
reduction in the number of places where I
could refill in Norway?
Tony Cutt
TECHNICAL
Mike Hill Barry Norris Nick Fisher Andy Harris
Bodywork expert Technical & legal advice Base vehicle expert TV & 12V expert
Hanger holder hose Top Tip
Our coat hangers have a round profile, so I bought some plastic
tubing from our local independent hardware store, which was sized
to just fit over the hook. With some elementary measuring, I cut 8cm
lengths of tube and, at 2cm from one end, I made a hole through the wall of the
tube that would just fit over the hook.
For this I used a pencil with its eraser removed. This gave me a sharp-edged
circular cutting tool which, with some persuasion, cut through the wall of the
plastic tube reasonably neatly. I was then able to thread the tubing over the hook,
hole first, and in the 2cm direction until the entire tube came to rest on the neck of
the hook.
This exercise was made easier by the application of soapy water. The pipe needs
to be sufficiently flexible to be bent up and the open end fitted snugly around the
end of the hook.
We have used these on our washing line in
quite windy situations and they have been
perfectly secure, but don’t forget to button up
your shirts! The total cost of the project was
90p for 60cm of plastic pipe. I have since been
told that this type of tube is regularly sold by
brewing shops.
Alan Carn
Seems fiddly but much cheaper than similar
hangers that are available commercially.
Terry Acreman
WIN £150 OF
including standard p&p (UK mainland only)
Send us your top tip  MMM Motorhome Advice,
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Qualkem.com leisure products
A Dometic’s technical team is of the
opinion that, although LPG can be
dirty compared to Calor, the current
your planned trip.
As for LPG availability in Norway, you
can find information, listings and a map
guidance is that all fuel should require the to assist your planning from mylpg.eu
burner to be checked/cleaned annually. or input ‘LPG in Norway’ into your
As you may not know if, or when, your internet search engine.
Apache had its last habitation check, it For refillable LPG tank/bottle info see
would be wise have both the mechanical autogas.co.uk or gaslowdirect.com
and habitation equipment serviced before Terry Acreman
February 2020 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk 147
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 MMM recommends Approved Workshops
Q Why is my Peugeot-based ’van
juddering and smoking?
When manoeuvring away from junctions
and roundabouts, the whole vehicle
judders and the engine misfires until
normal service is returned at about 1,800
to 2,000rpm. There is a surge of power with
black smoke momentarily expelled from
the exhaust.
Following this the engine performs
normally, only to reoccur at the above
locations but not on every occasion. Fuel
consumption is normal 29 to 32mpg and
power is also normal.
A main dealer has checked out this
fault, but it is confounded as no fault is
recorded in engine management memory.
The throttle head has been replaced
with a genuine Peugeot part and the turbo
is functioning as it should but the fault
remains unchanged.
Please can you assist?
George Evens
A My experience is only with Fiat
vehicles but, when equipped with the
3-litre engine, the Peugeot installation,
electrics and sensor layout is identical.
This being said, I have not experienced
this exact fault. The symptoms that you
describe would normally indicate a
problem with the throttle body and, while
you said that this had been changed, you
did not say when or if it was as an attempt
to solve the problem described.
If it was changed some time ago, it is
possible it is faulty. There have been a few
faulty units in circulation, but their fault is
electrical and would normally put the
engine management light on.
This lack of an engine management
light suggests that there is a fault with the
exhaust gas recirculation solenoid (EGR
SV). The fault may be the wiring to it or
the device itself. It is quite common to
have an over-stressed solenoid valve when
the throttle body has been
malfunctioning since the
valve is called upon to
work much harder
than normal. The
device is located
above the
engine to the
rear, just
underneath the windscreen scuttle.
A test for a malfunctioning SV is to
remove the left-hand pipe (as this is a
3-litre; the right-hand pipe would be
removed if it were a 2.3-litre engine). The
small rubber pipe is located at the rear of
the valve. If it is already detached, or has a
hole or blockage, that may be the problem.
If it seems to be OK, gently twist it back
and forth while pushing it away from the
valve. Once it is removed, start the engine
and go for a short drive and see if the
hesitation and smoke have disappeared.
When the throttle body was replaced,
did the new unit require a cable to adapt
the harness to the new plug layout? The
later Fiat and aftermarket units need this
cable and I have no idea if Peugeot uses
the old-type units or has adopted the
modified ones that Fiat and Iveco use. I
mention this because the modified units
normally make the engine more
responsive and improve fuel economy.
If this is not the case and the throttle
body was changed at an earlier time for
another reason, it is possible you have an
injector problem, but this is unlikely.
I have run 3-litre Fiat engines to over
250,000 miles many times and have never
had to replace an injector.
But the next step would be to get an
injector leak-off test carried out. This is
the least invasive test and is carried out in
situ. All other tests require removal, which
could become very expensive.
If the injectors pass the leak-off test,
there is a small chance they have other
issues, but my attention would switch to
the electrical wiring. I would check that
the main engine earth strap has been
upgraded with an additional cable.
This earth is renowned for being poor
and could be under stress when moving
away in low gear. It is located behind the
air filter and joins the chassis to the
gearbox mounting. A poor earth can cause
the engine ECU to get concerned and back
off the power until it figures out what is
wrong. The first signs of a poor earth are
often problems with starting or a battery
warning light suggesting a charging issue
but it may be fine when stationary.
Next look at the wiring loom near the
engine fuse box for corrosion in the
connectors under the fuses and worn/
chafed cables within the bundles of wires,
particularly under the nearside headlamp.
Nick Fisher
February 2020 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk 149
TECHNICAL
Q Why is my Comfort-Matic
gearbox not reacting
correctly to the accelerator?
In July 2019 we took delivery of a new
Chausson Welcome 768 with a Fiat cab
and 2.3-litre 150bhp engine with the
Comfort-Matic automatic gearbox. In
nearly three months, we have done
about 1,900 miles.
Generally, the engine pulls like a
train, but there have been some
instances, usually on A or B roads,
when approaching a hazard, where we
slow down using the brakes but when I
put my foot on the accelerator again,
nothing happens. It is still in auto gear.
I usually have to stop, then the traction
picks up again. I wondered if anyone
else has experienced it and what
causes the problem?
Michael Ogden
A I have not experienced this, but it
would seem that there is a
hydraulic issue, possibly just a low
fluid level. It needs to be investigated
by a Fiat Professional dealer as this
fault could leave you in a potentially
dangerous situation. I would expect
that the system has recorded fault
codes that should provide clues.
If not, and a visit to the dealer
reveals nothing, then you should be
expressing your concerns to the dealer
from whom you bought the vehicle
with haste, because the sooner that
persistent or difficult-to-simulate
problems are reported, the more likely
it is that a fair resolution can be
arrived at. I have read many accounts
of owners persevering with issues for
months or even years and getting too
close to the end of the warranty period
to be certain that problems are
actually resolved.
Nick Fisher
TECHNICAL MMM recommends Approved Workshops
Q Does my satellite dish need its out-of-
date control box retuning or replacing?
My wife and I had a weekend away in
the ’van and could not get the satellite
dish to pick up Astra 28, but could get
Astra 19 in German, not good for
madam’s Strictly Come Dancing fix.
I checked with the Teleco satellite
dealer and it informed me Astra 28 has
had its frequencies changed, so my box
is out of date.
Have you any knowledge of this? If
true it’s £100 to fix and there’s a lot of
boxes out there that will need doing, or
maybe you know something different
Ian Swain
A The company, SES, that operates
the Astra 2 satellite (among others)
Q My oil level is correct, but I still get an ‘oil’
message on the dashboard – what’s wrong?
I get a message on the dashboard screen
just after turning the ignition key; it says
‘oil’ and is only on for about 10 seconds.
The red oil can symbol did not stay on
while the engine was running. With the
engine stopped, I checked the oil level
using the dipstick and it showed full. I
continued my 200-mile journey home and
the message only showed after starting the
engine as before.
I spoke with a local garage and it
checked the diagnostics report, which
didn’t mention the oil message or anything
related to oil.
The garage said it could be a failed oil
level sensor and ordered one to fit.
However, when I returned for the fitting
it couldn’t find anywhere to fit it or the
location of the failed one. It suggested that
the message could have originated from an
electronic source and suggested I get a Fiat
garage to check it out, as it doesn’t have
the equipment to carry out the check.
I was assured that, as I had the correct
amount of oil in the engine and the oil can
light hadn’t come on, I could continue to
drive the ’van. What should I do next?
Peter Wilkins
A The oil level sensor is located just
above the sump to the rear of the
engine at the cambelt end, while the oil
pressure sensor is at the front of the
engine and is partially obscured by the
starter motor.
150 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk February 2020
has been making a number of changes
in the past few weeks. These changes
mean that a lot of automatic satellite
systems are not able to work as they
should. For some people, that may
simply mean updating their control
boxes but, for others with systems that
cannot be updated, it could be a matter
of replacing the control box altogether.
SES and the other satellite operators
are under no obligation to make public
announcements about the changes
they make or when they make them.
The only way we find out is when
satellite TV systems such as yours stop
working.
The good news (or not) is that there
The warning indicators are the same
for all versions, but the messages that are
displayed vary depending on the
equipment level of the vehicle and
between different versions of body
computer software.
I have not seen the message of just ‘oil’,
but this may be to do with the instrument
panels that we opted for on our fleet.
If you had a low oil level you would
have had an oil can symbol that would
have stayed on. If you had an actual oil
pressure problem you would see the same
oil can symbol and, if your vehicle could
display scrolling messages, it would say
‘low oil pressure’ or ‘insufficient oil
pressure’.
If the vehicle suspected that the oil
pressure sensor was faulty, it would
display an exclamation mark, which
denotes a ‘general failure’ of either the oil
pressure sensor, the fuel cut-off device,
rain sensors or parking sensors.
The fact that you have a good oil level
and that the oil can does not stay
is a German version of Strictly, Let’s
Dance. Take a look at Astra 19 and see if
you can find it!
Andy Harris
illuminated suggests that you either have
a faulty oil level sensor, or that the wiring
to it is compromised.
This is a fairly common problem when
the vehicle has had a failure of the
alternator belt because this often flaps
around at the back of the engine and
breaks wires. What is more likely, though,
is that the vehicle ECU is getting
erroneous readings from the sensor on
start-up, probably because of low voltages,
and this is often an early sign that the
engine earth strap at the gearbox end of
the engine is weak.
The best way to prove this is to attach
one-half of a pair of jump leads to the
earth point under the bonnet and the
lifting eye on top of the engine before
starting the engine. If the message is not
displayed when this extra earth is in place
you should proceed with getting an
improved or additional earth strap fitted.
If this is not the case, you should get
the garage to look more carefully for the
sensor and replace it.
Nick Fisher
I have tested the suggestion of substituting
another earth strap using a jump lead and
the message on the dash remained the
same. I am now in contact with my local
garage that services the ’van and will ask it
to have another look for the oil level sensor
fitting point.
Peter Wilkins
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TECHNICAL MMM recommends Approved Workshops

Q Does my fan not cut in because there’s

a fault with the cooling system?
My vehicle is a 68-plate Rimor Super Brig based on a 2.3-litre Fiat
Ducato. This year we drove around the south of France in 30-plus
degree temperatures without the electric fan ever coming on to
cool the radiator.
Yesterday I drove for 30 minutes in typical English 19 degrees,
and the electric fan kicked in. That is the first time, as far as I am
aware, that it has come on.
Is there a problem brewing here with my cooling system?
Pete Williams
and potentially save some money in the long-term.
The first fan to operate is the right-hand one, looking from the
front of the vehicle. It has six blades and will only come on if the
engine becomes very hot, unless you have air-con. If you switch
on the air-con with the engine running, the fan should start to
run for a short time within a few seconds, then run intermittently
all the time that the air-con is activated. Fan one is not very noisy
and some people are not always aware that it is operating. You
might only be able to hear it from outside the vehicle.
Fan two is to the left of this and has 10 blades. It runs at the

A The 2.3-litre engine is extremely thermally efficient. We first

discovered this after replacing a radiator and leaving the
engine idling to get it up to temperature before topping up the
coolant. It took 45 minutes to get the thermostat to open!
For this reason, if you are just driving normally and do not
labour the vehicle up hills or sit in traffic queues, even on a fairly
hot day, you might not need the cooling fan at all. It is highly
likely that you do not have a problem but, so that you can keep
an eye on it, here are a few pointers.
You have two cooling fans. They can be tested using a
diagnostic tool by selecting the fans individually and running
them for a few seconds. I learned that this was a good thing to do
when resetting the service lights after completing a service. Since
you are plugged in, you might as well make the most of your time
same speed, but the extra blades make it appear to be much
louder and faster. If this fan is running, you will definitely be
aware of it, especially if it is cycling on and off. This fan would
only normally operate in extreme conditions and, generally
speaking, the only conditions that would be that extreme would
be if fan one was unable to do its job and that would most likely
be because it has failed.
If you do have air-con and can check the operation of fan one
yourself, that should be reassuring enough. If you do not have
air-con, you might want to take the vehicle to a dealer and get it
checked. Bear in mind that, if there is nothing wrong with it, you
may be charged for the test and the journey to the dealer may be
long enough to make you consider paying a local diagnostician to
carry out a test instead. In the event that you do this, there is just
one more complication.
On almost all diagnostic devices that can carry out this test
there will be three fan tests. ‘Fan 1’ will test fan one, the ‘Fan 2’
setting may not work but, as long as the ‘Fan 3’ test does run the
louder left-hand fan, all is well. On some units ‘Fan 2’ works and
not ‘Fan 3’. It is just one of those quirks of diagnostic machines,
but since there are only two fans, it does not matter.
If one of the fans fails to run, it is probably the fan’s motor.
Relays can fail but, in reality, on these vehicles they don’t. There is
a large fuse in the engine bay that may have blown; it will blow
again immediately if the fan has had it. This should not be your
problem because having discovered that one fan is not working,
you will already be on your way to get it fixed under warranty.
Nick Fisher

Q How do I stop my CBE’s control

panel backlight from staying on?
I have a Knaus Sky Ti motorhome fitted
with CBE electrics and the control
panel is the PC220. My problem is that
the backlight on the control panel now
stays on all the time (this problem has
only just started).
The rest of the panel is working
correctly, along with all other
electrical items. I have twin batteries
along with a 120W solar panel – these
were fitted before the problem started.
Eric Grainger
A The backlight should automatically
switch off a short time after the last
button touch.
First disconnect the negative cable
from the leisure battery for a few
minutes, then reconnect it. This is to Failing this, you may require a
see if rebooting the panel will clear the replacement control panel. Or leave
problem. If this doesn’t work, then also things as they are as the panel cost is
disconnect the plug to the control expensive (about £350). Can you get
panel, then reconnect the plug and your dealer to try a swap to prove it’s
then the battery negative to see if this the panel? Is it under warranty?
clears the fault. Clive Mott

152 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk February 2020

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154 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

How to...
...FIT A MAINS POWER MONITOR
If you’ve ever had to go out into the
snow in your underpants and boots
to reset the tripped MCB on the
bollard ( for the third time), then this
little gizmo may be of interest to you!
I was sat with a cup of tea one day
(clothed), contemplating my next
job when my phone pinged. It was
my friends at eBay asking if I might
be interested in a special offer it had
found especially for me (it’s all to do
with algorithms).
Intrigued, I had a look and
instantly thought of an application
for the little item peeping out from
the website. Its attractive price tag
also helped.
The item was a power monitor
and it comprised of a display and a
small field coil that fits around the
main live cable (brown) of the
incoming electric hook-up cable.
The coil senses the magnetic field
created around all power wires and
1 This is the meter with a fixed coil
ring. You can also get a version
with a split coil to clip around the
wire. Before you start, isolate the
mains supply (and check it’s off!)
4 While the live wire’s
pin was removed, the
coil was slipped over the
wire and the wires fed
back to the terminals on
the new gauge. I made
a little surface-mounting
box for the unit on my
3D printer
TECHNICAL
One
hou r
the display circuitry converts it into
figures we can understand on the þ Power meter
(<£10 eBay)
display. It works similarly to an
electrician’s tong tester/clamp meter.
þ Suitable
surface-
The display can be mounted in a mounted
convenient location anywhere in the box (if not
motorhome. It is all based around the flush-mounting the monitor)
well-known electrical formula: power and screws
in watts (W) = voltage (V) x amps (A). þ Multimeter/clamp meter
So, from any given two known values, þ Electrical screwdriver
the third can be calculated. To run a þ Cordless drill and 10mm
diameter bit
1kW electric fan heater the running
current (amps) would be 1,000W/240V þ Cordless screwdriver
= 4.17A. This knowledge can be þ Wire strippers
þ Soldering iron and solder
particularly handy when the French þ Heat-shrink tubing
campsite owner is telling you that you þ Twin-core cable (small diameter
are exceeding your 10A allocation to suit mounting location, power
(that you paid extra for) and that is meter terminals and coil wiring)
why your bollard keeps tripping. þ In-line fuse and holder (3A)
The installation of this device
involves tapping into your on-board experienced enough to carry out this
240V system (which must be work safely, a qualified electrician
unplugged and fully isolated before should be used.
any work is done). If you are not IAN PEDLEY
2 The circuit diagram supplied with
the gauge makes it easy to fit –
you just need to connect to the live
and neutral wires and attach the coil
around the live wire
3 I removed the live wire plug from the
control panel and carefully removed
the pins (you may need a special tool
or small screwdriver to poke the tabs
back), and then soldered on the thin
black and red wires from the gauge
5 With it in place, the plugs
were refitted and the 240V
power switched back on. A load
was switched on and the gauge
immediately displayed the power
draw. The gauge now needs to be
fitted in a panel recess – simply
cut out a rectangular hole for the
bezel to do this
February 2020 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk 155
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The original Renault speakers
needed to be upgraded
The clips for the outer bezel
are strong so give it a firm pull
My project
Peter Rosenthal upgrades the sound system
in his Renault Trafic campervan
M
ost modern base vehicles come
with a pretty reasonable stereo.
Except on my Renault Trafic-
based campervan.
Despite being Renault’s flagship
Sport model, which meant it came
supplied with the upgraded LG sat-nav
head unit, it only came with two door
speakers. And these are pretty poorly
placed in the door cards.
They were mounted too low down
and, with no separate tweeter, the
sound was either muffled at low
volume or distorted and tinny at
higher volume.
Clearly there was room for some
significant improvement.
On my previous vehicles I have
generally upgraded them by fitting
DAB radios and better speakers and
also some amplifiers but, on the
Renault, I didn’t want to intrude into
the space in the conversion by adding
speakers and amps, so wanted an
This tweeter needed to be
mounted high in the doorcard
Don’t use tools to remove the bezel
as you’ll risk scratching the trim
easy-to-fit and compact set-up.
As I’ve had great success by using
all-in-one subwoofer and amp boxes
(also called active underseat amplified
subs), I wanted to go down that route
again. But, prior to sorting that, the
first items to go had to be the standard
door speakers.
FITTING DOOR SPEAKERS
I’d already decided which speakers to
use and had settled on some by French
firm, Focal, which offers upgraded
items for several Renault models.
Its PS 165F units comprise of a bass
and mid-range driver that replaces the
OE Renault speaker in the door and a
separate tweeter together with a
crossover unit and all the wiring
needed. The crossover unit simply
splits the high-frequency notes and
the mid-range and bass notes, sending
the former to the tweeter and the
February 2020 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk 157
TECHNICAL
Removing the original unit is easy.
First, pull off the outer bezel…
With the bezel off, the four Torx screws
securing the radio can be removed
latter to the mid-range/bass unit.
Bass speakers are not placement
critical as low frequency notes can
travel through objects, while the
position of the tweeters is all-
important. Ideally, these want to be as
close to your eye level as possible. This
is why automotive manufacturers
mount them high up on the dashboard
or A-pillar.
On the Renault, fitting the tweeters
on the dash or A-pillars would mean
running extra cables through the
doors up to the dash and, as it’s a lot
easier to fit these in the top of the door
cards, that was where I chose to site
them. It still gets the tweeter far closer
to your ear.
At this point I made an error. The
local car stereo shop had warned me
that updating the door speakers in a
Trafic is a complete pain and quoted
me £150 to fit them.
I should have listened. They were ➤
TECHNICAL My Project

With the screws removed the stereo simply You can get wiring diagrams online for most
pulls out to reveal the wiring behind it stereos to help you identify which wire is which

Before you finally fit the stereo into Reattach the screws and refit
place, check it all works correctly the trim bezel to finish off

absolutely correct.
It took the best part of a day to
remove the door cards (you remove a
screw behind the door release handle,
as well as the plastic trim on the door
grab handle to access the fixing
screws) and most of the plastic trim
clips also snapped and so needed to
be replaced.
To access the door speaker, the
whole door card must be removed as
the speaker grille is moulded into it
and can’t be removed separately.
The stock original door speaker is
riveted in place and had to be drilled
out and unclipped from the wiring
loom. It’s a particularly miserable
cardboard item so it was little wonder
it sounded awful and I was very happy
to bin it.
The next issue was that the Focal
mid-range door speakers are much
deeper that the original ones and their
magnets hit the outer door skin before
the mounting flange sat flush with the
inner metalwork of the door. To get
around this you need to use a spacer
(Renault has allowed room for this
behind the speaker grilles so the door
cards don’t need alteration).
Again, I made another mistake here
and decided to make my own, despite
the fact that the correct spacers were
only around £20 online.
These were made by simply cutting
some ring shapes out of MDF, with
two thicknesses of material used to
create the prefect spacing. I even
sprayed them black so they blend in.
These spacers were then screwed to
the door skin and the speakers
screwed into the MDF.
While you can upgrade the wiring
from the head unit to the new
speakers, as they weren’t carrying any
extra load, I stuck with the original
Renault speaker wire and just spliced
the Focal wiring loom into that.
You need to take care not to mix up
the positive and negative speaker
wires. Getting them the wrong way
around won’t blow the speakers up
but it will make the speaker run out of
phase and degrade the sound.
The crossover unit was simply
stuck to the inner door skin using the
supplied double-sided tape, while the
tweeter was fitted in the top of the
door panel after drilling a suitable-
sized hole with a hole cutter bit.
The tweeters came supplied with
free-standing mounts and flush-fit
mounts, with the flush ones being the
only ones suitable. They simply clip
into the hole and the tweeter unit then
pushes in place.
With the door cards refitted, it was
time to check out the sound and the
results were dramatic.
They make the radio sound fuller
and gave an impressive improvement
to the bass drums of rock tracks, while
the tweeters made high notes – like
cymbals, etc – sound so much clearer.
Even the voices of the news
presenters were clearer and richer on
the radio, too.
Upgrading the speakers on a Trafic
really is an essential first step.
I just wish I’d spent the £150 and
got the stereo shop to fit them –
there’s a day I’ll never get back!
FITTING AND WIRING IN
A NEW SUBWOOFER
While the stereo now sounded much
better, I still wanted to increase the
bass to suit my love of rock music.
Black Sabbath and Dio just don’t
sound at their very best unless you
can really feel the bass drums and
the visceral twang of those jangly
guitar notes!
As I’d been so impressed with the
Focal speakers, I decided to opt for the
matching active subwoofer, the Ibus
20 model.
This unit features a built-in
amplifier that’s attached to an 8in
subwoofer in smart aluminium casing.
As it’s only 34cm long, 25cm wide
and 7cm tall, it’s compact enough to
be mounted under a seat or on the
edge of a furniture board. ➤

158 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk February 2020

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TECHNICAL My Project

What I spent
The Focal PS 165F flax speakers were £220
from Amazon, while the Focal Ibus 20 8in
active sub was £190 from eBay. £410 in total

How long it took

It took a couple of hours to wire in the
The Focal active subwoofer was simply Velcro’d to the floor subwoofer and the rest of the day to fit the
under the Renault’s driver’s seat and the wiring loom plugs into it speakers as I made my own spacers

Project summary
While the stock Renault head unit is a
reasonable LG-made sat-nav unit, the speakers
are cardboard nasties that distort and are
mounted so low down in the doors that they
make all the treble notes sound muffled. The
upgraded speakers transformed the stock
head unit, while the subwoofer adds bass
richness/proper thump, depending on how it’s
The volume control for the sub was Velcro’d to the base of the adjusted. Both are very worthwhile upgrades
driver’s seat for convenience and can be tweaked while you’re driving

In a campervan, where space is at a
premium, its size and ease of wiring
are two major pluses.
Focal also does another similar
looking version of the Ibus, the 2.1
model, which contains outputs to
allow you to drive the front speakers
from the sub for a further sound
improvement. As this means you have
to run extra wiring from the sub to
each door speaker, I opted for the
basic 20 model.
The entire wiring loom is supplied
with the Focal unit and simply needs
to be fed up to the head unit and
connected to the speaker output
wires. The wiring loom is fused at the
head unit end, while the subwoofer
itself has fuses built into it, so it’s easy
to wire.
On a Renault Trafic, the space
under the driver’s seat usually houses
the spare wheel tool kit, so this was
removed and secured in a rear locker.
The subwoofer neatly fits in this
void and was secured in place with the
supplied double-sided Velcro strips.
The hardest bit is then feeding the
wiring loom, under the rubber
flooring, up behind the dash (taking
care to cable tie it away from moving
items like the steering column and
pedals) to the head unit.
The head unit itself is removed by
pulling off the plastic bezel around the
stereo and heater controls and
unscrewing four Torx T20 screws.
Once the speaker wires and a
positive wire were identified, it was a
simple matter to solder them in place
and cover with insulation tape or,
better still, heat shrink, which would
have been neater.
The negative earth wire was then
simply attached to the metalwork of
the seat frame.
After refitting all the trim the only
other issue was where to site the
volume knob for the subwoofer.
This is supplied with a length of
cable that simply plugs into the
subwoofer box.
Ideally, you want to mount it on the
dashboard so that it’s easily accessible
for adjustments. However, I didn’t
want the hassle of feeding another
wire under the dash and drilling a
hole. In the end I chose to attach it to
the seat base where it falls easily to
hand for the driver.
Self-adhesive Velcro was used for
this – so no holes needed to be drilled
– and the wire was simply cable tied to
the seat base and fed to the sub.
The subwoofer proved far easier to
fit than the speakers – no more than a
two-hour job – and it worked
faultlessly straight away.
There are adjustment knobs on the
subwoofer casing for gain, subsonic,
bass-boost, low-pass and phase, so
you have lots of audio controls to
fiddle with and tweak the sound to
your taste. It also comes with a button
for ‘auto power on’ and this was
selected to ‘on’, so that the subwoofer
powers up as soon as it detects an
audio signal in the speaker wires.
It was very worthwhile having the
sub volume control mounted close to
hand as it is something that you do
adjust a lot.
You don’t always want the extra
bass on when people are reading the
news or talking about the weather.
As for my rock tracks, they now
sound far meatier and help me relive
my youth getting deafened at the
Monsters of Rock events at Donington
Park. Brilliant!

HAVE YOUR PROJECT FEATURED Submit your DIY project to help other readers improve
their ’van and earn some extra money motorhome.ma/diyproject

160 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk February 2020

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 Nick Fisher...
...established a new van rental
firm in 1997 and realised that
Fiat had great products but
some pretty awful dealers;
quickly Nick had to become an
expert on the Ducato and has
not looked back since
Top 10 problems solved
Motorhome base vehicle specialist, Nick Fisher, discusses
your top 10 most common Fiat Ducato problems
1 ENGINE MANAGEMENT LIGHT
The EML (engine management
light) is misunderstood. By definition
it indicates that there is something
connected with the engine that is not
functioning as it should and could
affect the emissions of the vehicle.
This means that for MoT purposes,
and for anyone concerned with
enforcement, the vehicle currently
may not comply with emissions
regulations and, until the problem is
resolved, would potentially fail an
MoT test. Therefore, it cannot be used
on the road. In reality, there are many
things that can happen that may only
be temporary or instantaneous in
nature and that do so very
infrequently. It may be that next time
the engine is switched off and on
again the problem will not be present
and the EML is reset. If it doesn’t,
though, you need to get this checked
without delay and, at the very least,
you need to get fault codes read to
find clues as to what is wrong.
162 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk February 2020
2 BLOCKED EGR PIPE
On some vehicles the EGR (exhaust
gas recirculation) valve and associated
pipework becomes clogged with oil
and residues. To remove an EML
warning, pipework can be blocked off
with metal plates or replacement
pipes. This is cheating and will affect
the running of the engine and its
emissions but, as a temporary remedy,
it can be effective on some engines,
most notably Ford/PSA engines.
If you have an EGR-related fault on
a Fiat engine, the chances of it actually
being the EGR or pipes nearby is
almost nil as these engines remain
exceptionally clean and modifying the
pipework will have a drastic effect on
efficiency and emissions.
It is much more likely that a throttle
body or EGR solenoid valve is at fault
and replacing them with updated
items will often dramatically improve
driveability and even fuel economy,
while also ensuring that emissions are
as intended.
3 FUEL IN A TANK OVER WINTER
Yes, you can leave diesel in a tank
over winter; it will not deteriorate, but
it can take on moisture. This is
normally caused by temperature
changes forming condensation on the
inside of the tank. The best way to
avoid this is to have the tank full.
Your fuel filter should remove the
moisture from the fuel but it is not
totally effective and it is not desirable
to shorten the life of the filter for no
good reason.
Be aware that, if you fill the tank in
October, it probably will not be ‘winter
diesel’ and, should you wish to move
the vehicle during a very cold spell, it
might be waxy or even frozen (winter
diesel is usually distributed from
November to March in the UK).
If you leave it alone until warmer
weather the chance of any problems is
considerably reduced. So, fill with
winter diesel before parking up or buy
a container of anti-waxing solution
and add a little to the tank as advised.

1 3
4 CHANGE THE WATER PUMP
WITH THE CAMBELT
This depends very much on the vehicle.
On some engines, the water pump is
highly accessible and is a small and
inexpensive item. Not changing it is
false economy. On other vehicles –
notably Fiat 2.3-litre engines – the
pump is part of a large (and relatively
expensive) casting and is not much
more accessible even when the timing
belt is being replaced. It is designed to
last the lifetime of the vehicle and, only
if there are signs of leaking or damage,
should it be replaced.
5 FIAT FUEL FILTERS
Between 2005 and 2013, the fuel
filter fitted to Fiat Ducatos comprised
of a black plastic housing with a green
lid. Inside, there is a paper element. In
theory the lid can be removed and the
element can be replaced but, in
practice, these elements are not cheap
and require the whole assembly to be
removed from the vehicle.
The canister needs to be placed in a
specific tool, in a bench vice and the
lid removed with another special tool.
The lid has to be replaced very
carefully and, even with the correct
tools and procedures, the risk of fuel
leaks after reassembly is still high.
For this reason, I recommend
replacing the whole assembly with a
new one with the pre-installed
element that you do not have to touch.
These are expensive from Fiat but you
can get them for around twice the cost
of the filter element online.
Earlier and later Fiat vehicles have
metal canister filters that are simple
to replace and should not have any
leaks afterwards.
6 MOTORHOME-SPECIFIC TYRES
Tyres are a matter of choice. When
replacing tyres, I advise using what the
motorhome was fitted with originally.
But I personally feel that, for most
owners, camper tyres are not worth
paying extra for. They are made with
enhanced materials that principally
prevent damage by UV rays and, as a
consequence, last longer and remain
more compliant than standard tyres.
Good-quality commercial vehicle tyres
can withstand the rigours of a hard life
and are unlikely to deteriorate any
faster than camper-specific tyres.
Current advice is to change tyres
every six years or so and I feel the
benefits of motorhome-specific tyres
will be negligible if this is adhered to.
But you must never exceed a tyre’s
load rating, you must ensure the tyres
are inflated to the correct pressures
and you must regularly check for
damage to the tyres and ensure there
is adequate tread depth.
February 2020 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk 163
TECHNICAL
4
7 GET A SPARE WHEEL FITTED
Many motorhome converters alter
the chassis so that normal spare wheel
carriers have to be removed. They also
remove spare wheels to save weight.
I suggest that, if a spare wheel
carrier can be fitted, you could do so
but remember this deducts weight
from your allowable payload.
You could buy a spare wheel and
tyre and secure this inside, perhaps in
a garage, but this will also add weight.
In these situations, and to limit the
weight gain to about 20kg, I suggest
taking just a spare tyre. A wheel and
tyre combined will be about 85kg and
the same mounted under the vehicle
in a carrier will be about 120kg.
The tyre on its own will help you
out of most predicaments because the
supplied jacking equipment is unlikely
to be able to lift a loaded motorhome.
The likelihood of a wheel being
damaged is pretty low so, in most
cases, you will call someone out to
replace a tyre for you where you are. If
you have a replacement tyre with you,
this is half the problem solved.
8 ELECTRICAL FAULTS
Do you have all sorts of electrical
faults, or have a battery symbol on the
dashboard? Well, this one is Fiat-
specific, or at least the answer is...
Since 2006 the Fiat Ducato has ➤
 6 7
9 10
suffered with many minor electrical
faults and some less minor ones so, to
keep this short, before you buy a new
alternator, battery or start pulling
your wiring looms apart, check the
earth strap between the gearbox and
the chassis under (just behind) the air
filter. The earth straps fitted by Fiat
are poor and do deteriorate.
This leads to many faults, mainly
due to the voltage available to the ECU
during start-up being too low to
ensure that pre-starting checks can be
completed properly. This can also lead
to the ECU thinking that the
alternator is not providing enough
power, which is sometimes
demonstrated by the engine idle speed
increasing to compensate.
This problem has been covered in
MMM many times so I will just say
check it, replace it or add a second
earth strap.
9 COOLANT LEVELS AND LEAKS
Most Fiat Ducatos since 2006 are
prone to radiator leaks. This is almost
always found at the lower nearside
corner of the coolant radiator and is
best looked at from underneath. There
is obviously a weakness in the design
here because it is almost always seen
as staining on the fins in this area; it
will deteriorate over time.
You should always keep the coolant
164 Need technical advice?  mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk February 2020
level in the header tank at around
halfway between the maximum and
minimum marks. If it goes lower,
check the radiator.
If it is not showing signs of leaking
from there it is probably the heater
unit inside the dashboard that is
leaking. This is much less common
and is a huge job to fix.
If you fill the header tank by any
more than described it will become
over-pressurised and blow some
coolant out anyway, so don’t!
10 MAIN DEALER SERVICING
On one hand, you can take your
vehicle to any competent VAT-
registered garage to have it serviced as
long as it performs the service to the
correct schedule and uses parts and
oils that meet the quality and
specifications stipulated by the
manufacturer. By doing this you can
save money. This will not (in most
cases) affect your ability to claim for
any warranty repairs if needed.
Or you can look at it this way –
there is a franchised workshop not too
far from you that has been trained,
equipped and supported by the
manufacturer and has, so far, probably
received no funds from the sale and
conversion of your vehicle, but it has
technicians and the lights on ready for
you if you need it. You will pay more to
8
use it for a service and that is because
its overheads are large.
If, after your warranty has expired,
you have a problem that needs sorting,
you may be given more assistance – be
it technical or financial – if you have
used the dealer network previously.
If you have a history of goodwill,
you may find that the goodwill you
need back will be greater. I have found
this to be the case and, while the
dealer may not be able to help much
with costs, manufacturers regard
loyalty and goodwill highly and will
often extend assistance that you have
no contractual right to because of
your loyalty. It works both ways.
My advice is to get at least one
service done by the franchised dealer
during the warranty period. This may
cost you more than the garage down
the street, but it could be worth it in
the long run – if only so that it
survives until you need it next.
PLEASE NOTE
Any advice given by consultants and contributors
within MMM is designed to be by way of
suggestion only and does not negate a reader’s
responsibility to obtain professional advice
before acting upon it. Any such advice is not a
recommendation on behalf of the Editor or
publishers and is followed entirely at the
reader’s own risk. Consequently, the Editor,
consultants and publishers shall not be
responsible for any loss or damage incurred by a
reader acting upon such advice.
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 DIGITAL EDITION
EXCLUSIVE
BUYERS’ GUIDE
SEARCH THE BUYERS’ GUIDE NOW!
 DIGITAL EDITION
EXCLUSIVE
MOTORHOMES FOR SALE
FIND YOUR PERFECT MOTORHOME NOW!

Buyingadvice
A guide to the various ways to sell your motorhome
T
here are three main ways to sell a
motorhome: through a dealer,
through an agent or DIY.
PRIVATELY
Selling it yourself can reap the largest
monetary rewards but the process has
potential downsides, so be prepared.
Place an advert in magazines like
MMM so your advert will be seen by
people with a genuine interest in
motorhomes. Also advertise on websites
such as outandaboutlive.co.uk
Most buyers now research online and
the number of potential buyers your
advert will reach will be much greater. As
MMM and outandaboutlive.co.uk are
linked, taking an advert in MMM means
it is also placed in the Motorhomes for
Sale section of the website and in What
Motorhome magazine, too.
You will need to provide pictures, a
description, a price and, of course,
handle all the enquiries. Be honest and
provide as much detail as possible – also
take good quality pictures of the inside
and exterior and highlight any damage.
Remember your ’van may not sell as
quickly as you hope and you may need to
negotiate on the price.
If you are not comfortable dealing with
potential buyers then this may not be the
route for you.
Also be careful when selling privately
and don’t hand over the keys until the
money is in your account and, if the
buyer wants a test drive, make sure
insurance is in place and the driver has
the correct licence categories.
Scammers use selling websites to
identify potential leads, so research on
current scams and stay vigilant. Also, if
you get calls from non-buyers offering to
advertise your motorhome elsewhere,
we’d suggest a polite ‘no thank you.’
NEED ADVICE ON BUYING A MOTORHOME? Send your questions to MMM’s experts
and we will provide you with all the relevant information mmm@warnersgroup.co.uk
AT A DEALER
Selling through a dealer is one of the
easiest and safest routes. You can trade
in for your next model, ask the dealer to
sell your ’van on your behalf for a fixed
value or get the dealer to buy it.
Trading in and asking the dealer to
buy it outright will give you a rapid and
secure return, but it may not be for as
much as you’d like.
Currently there is a shortage of quality
secondhand motorhomes, so try to
negotiate a better price if your
motorhome is a popular model.
Look at what similar models are
advertised for and compare this to what
the dealer is offering. Take a look at the
feature in the January issue (p147) for
guidelines on valuing your ’van.
But remember, the dealer has
overheads and will need to make a profit
on the eventual sale.
Also, look at the adverts in the back of
MMM from dealers looking for used
motorhomes to buy. Some dealers may
already have potential customers waiting
and so may offer more money as they
know they can sell it on quickly.
Another option is a sale or return
where you still own the motorhome but a
dealer will display it on its forecourt for a
pre-agreed fee and time.
Obviously, you may have to wait for
the right buyer and may need to adjust
the price accordingly.
Check things like security, insurance,
etc, while the ’van is on the dealer’s
premises and be prepared to pay to have
the motorhome prepared for sale.
Have guarantees in writing for issues
such as how long the dealer can hold
your money once the motorhome is sold,
how much negotiating room there is on
the price, what the dealer’s commission
is, etc, and ensure ownership remains
with you, not the dealer.
BUYING
THROUGH AN AGENT
Like an estate agent, there are companies
who will market and handle the sale of
your motorhome for an agreed fee but
the motorhome remains with you.
The agent should arrange photos,
create the motorhome description,
market it, handle the enquiries and
confirm finances before you hand over
the keys. There is a contract, so, if you
plan to also market it yourself and end
up selling it, a penalty might be payable.
AT AUCTION AND MORE
Auctions are used by many traders to
both sell and acquire secondhand stock.
If you enter a motorhome into an
auction, do not expect it to sell for its
market value. You can set a minimum
price, below which the auctioneer will
not sell. Bear in mind, the auction house
will take a percentage of the sale price
and, of course, your motorhome may not
sell at all.
A few companies hold auctions
specifically for motorhomes, so it may be
worth investigating these.
Wherever you choose to sell your
motorhome, make sure you are honest
about the vehicle’s condition, including
any known faults.
To get the best possible price, it’s good
to invest (time and money) in a
professional clean and, if you do sell
privately, make sure the motorhome is
clean and fresh when being viewed.
If it’s winter, then put the heating on
or if it’s a hot summer day, open the roof
vents and windows.
Have a file with all paperwork
including service records and
registration documents.
Make sure you keep any instruction
manuals for equipment fitted with the
vehicle and remove your clutter.
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 167
 BUYING

Bargainhunter
The best discounts on new and used motorhomes that the MMM team
could find this month at dealers’ forecourts across the UK

USED ROLLER TEAM AUTO-ROLLER 694 RRP £46,995 NOW £42,995

This 2018 used Auto-Roller has a stylish interior
SA V E
with a good-sized seating area and well- £4,000 Berths: 4
Travel seats: 4
equipped kitchen. It has four berths including a
French bed which lifts up to allow access to the Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
storage space underneath. This motorhome has 2.3-litre (130bhp) auto
an automatic gearbox and comes with the Length: 6.76m (22ft 2in)
Drivers Pack upgrade Width: 2.31m (7ft 7in)
built in, which includes
Height: 2.90m (9ft 6in)
cab air-conditioning,
electrically operated Gross weight: 3,500kg
heated mirrors, Payload: n/a
cruise control and
much more.
Just Go, Bedfordshire  01525 878009 approvedrv.co.uk

USED IH RIO 630 FL RRP £56,995 NOW £46,995

In this 2015 IH, there are two travel seats and
SA V E
berths to match with a seating area which £10,000 Berths: 2
Travel seats: 2
makes into a double bed. It has a spacious feel
with an end washroom and a compact kitchen Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
to the side which has a grill, hob and fridge/ 2.3TD (150bhp) auto
freezer. There is also a rear boot-style Length: 6.36m (20ft 10in)
compartment offering storage space. You get an Width: 2.20m (7ft 2½in)
awning, as well as the Height: 2.62m (8ft 7in)
150bhp engine
coupled to Fiat’s
Gross weight: 3,500kg
Comfort-Matic Payload: 1,000kg
auto gearbox.
Premier Motorhomes and Leisure, West Sussex  01243 511189 premiermotorhomes.uk

NEW CARADO T447 RRP £54,730 NOW £49,995

SA V E
This champagne-coloured vehicle has two fixed
single beds in the back, raised to provide £4,735 Berths: 4
Travel seats: 4
storage below. Above the L-shaped lounge at
the front of the ’van is a double bed that drops Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
down to provide two more berths. This means 2.3TD (130bhp)
there is space for four people to travel and Length: 7.43m (24ft 4½in)
sleep, making it ideal for a family Width: 2.33m (7ft 8in)
with children or a couple with Height: 2.91m (9ft 6½in)
guests. Also included in this
2018 model is the
Gross weight: 3,500kg
Chassis Comfort Pack Payload: 500kg
including cab air-con
and electric mirrors.
Emm-Bee Motorhomes, Greater Manchester  01617 972988 emm-bee.co.uk

FIND YOUR PERFECT MOTORHOME Over 4,800 new and used for sale, Motorhomes
visit outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/for-sale FOR SALE

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 169

BUYING Bargain Hunter

NEW AUTO-TRAIL TRACKER EB RRP £62,746 NOW £56,995

SA V E
This 2019 Auto-Trail has a French bed with a
washroom behind it. The seating area in the £5,751 Berths: 4
Travel seats: 2
front can also be converted into a double,
creating a second double bed option, although Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
there are only two travel seats. As well as 2.3TD (130bhp)
having the Media Pack included, this ’van Length: 7.37m (24ft 2in)
comes with an external barbecue point, sky view Width: 2.36m (7ft 9in)
rooflight, an Height: 3.02m (9ft 11in)
awning, LED
lighting and
Gross weight: 4,250kg
blown-air Payload: 880kg
heating
system.
Dolphin Motorhomes, Hampshire  02380 406777 dolphinmotorhomes.co.uk

USED DETHLEFFS 4-TRAVEL 7156-4 RRP £67,995 NOW £59,995

SA V E
Another four-berth, this 2017 motorhome has a
rear island bed and a lengthways drop-down £8,000 Berths: 4
Travel seats: 4
double above the seating area if more berths
are required. The kitchen sits behind the Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
spacious lounge and comes with an oven, hob, 2.3TD (150bhp) auto
fridge/freezer and microwave. The washroom Length: 7.49m (24ft 7in)
has a separate shower. Within Width: 2.35m (7ft 8½in)
this reduced price there is Height: 2.98m (9ft 9in)
also a reversing camera,
solar panel, electric
Gross weight: 3,499kg
heating and an Payload: 329kg
awning included.
Premier Motorhomes and Leisure, West Sussex  01243 511189 premiermotorhomes.uk

NEW HYMER T-CL 698 RRP £73,570 NOW £64,990

SA V E
Built on the popular Fiat Ducato, this 2018
Hymer has a popular layout with a fixed island £8,580 Berths: 3
Travel seats: 4
double bed in the back and an L-shaped seating
area up front. The spacious washroom has a Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
separate shower and the kitchen area has 2.3TD (130bhp)
everything you need including a large fridge/ Length: 7.35m (24ft 1in)
freezer. An Omnistor Width: 2.35m (7ft 8½in)
awning is included in Height: 2.90m (9ft 6in)
this discounted price as
well as night lighting, a
Gross weight: 3,500kg
sprung mattress and a Payload: tbc
flyscreen for the
habitation door.
Kimberley Caravans, County Durham  01325 383333 kimberleycaravans.co.uk

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OM
,790moving to a new premises
in spring 2020!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Pullingers Leisure Vehicles Limited
11 First Avenue, Halstead, Essex CO9 2EX

Tel: 01787 47 27 47 www.pullingers.co.uk

 CONTACT US:

Motorhome Servicing available

WEBSITE: www.yorkshirerosemotorhomes.co.uk
E-MAIL: Sales@yorkshirerosemotorhomes.co.uk

CALL NOW to book for 2020

TEL: 01302 439360
Unit 3C, Aviator Court, First Avenue, Auckley, Doncaster, DN9 3QZ

OFFERS
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(excludes VW Campervan range)
Get a 3 Year FREE Servicing with ANY Volkswagen Campervan
purchased before January 31st.

2010 AutoTrail Mohawk 2007 La Strada Pronto 2008 Autocruise Stardream 2018 VW T6 Camper

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172 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020


Secondhandchoice
Island bed motorhomes
If you’re after the ultimate in sleeping comfort,
these motorhomes are for you
LAYOUT VARIATIONS
Island bed motorhomes are perfect
for those looking for a luxury
bedroom in a new ’van.
Padded headboards, reading
lights and domestic-style mattresses
provide practicality and comfort,
while twin wardrobes, as well as
more storage above and below the
bed, equal plenty of space for clothes
and belongings.
The higher the bed the taller the
garage, but usually, if the mattress is
elevated above normal height, there
are steps to ease access at night.
Most island beds run lengthways
along the motorhome, but there are
a few with transverse beds.
The only disadvantage of this
layout, particularly in smaller
models, is that there isn’t much
room to move around the end of the
bed so check you’re comfortable with
this aspect.
In larger motorhomes the
washroom will be split into two with
the shower cubicle on one side of the
bed end and the toilet area against
the opposite wall in a separate
WANT TO KNOW MORE? Find 152 reviews of island bed motorhomes
online, go to outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/reviews
compartment. Often one of their doors
will open 180° to separate the bedroom
from the motorhome’s living area to
provide privacy, although check if
there’s also a separation door between
the washroom and bed.
Plenty of British and European
examples are available on the
secondhand market. Being the
ultimate in two-person luxury, looks,
comfort and build quality aren’t
normally an issue, but check they have
the kitchen facilities you require.
Many island bed models are A-class
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Relaxing space
Many have large front lounges that will
seat you and your friends in comfort
Cooking
You may have to do without an oven in
some continental models
Washing
All have excellent shower and toilet
cubicles, but check legroom in some
smaller models
BUYING
Overall lengths: From 6.50m
(21ft 4in) to over 8.5m (27ft 10in)
motorhomes, which offer some
advantages over their low-profile
counterparts, such as a drop-down
double bed above the cab, and a
much better vista from the cab
when travelling.
Always check the payload figures
as, with a garage, it’s easy to go above
the legal weight allowance, especially
if the previous owner has added lots
of extra kit, such as bike racks and an
air-con system. A visit to a local
weighbridge before you buy will sort
this out.
Sleeping
You’ll sleep like a baby on their
domestic-style mattresses
Stowage
How large the underbed garage is
dependent on how high the mattress
has been raised
Shape and chassis
Many A-class motorhomes offer this
layout, along with larger low-profiles
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 173
On the market
2009 RAPIDO 7090F £31,995 £ 298.28

MMM says... Mileage: 36,906 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.3TD Berths: 4
This luxurious French-built low-profile has a split CHECKLIST
mattress on the bed as well as a padded headboard þ MoT
and twin swivel reading lights. There’s front access to þ Dampcheck certificate
the storage area below, and a rooflight above. Leather þ Warranty: 3 months
upholstery adorns the lounge, there’s a large AES
fridge/freezer in the galley, and the washroom has a
þ Weighbridge certificate
plush feel and a separate shower. Lots of extras are
þ HPI checked
included such as a bike rack, solar panel, TV aerial,
þ Finance available
oven and dual-fuel
heating and hot
water. It’s not
overly long,
either, at
7.39m.
Highbridge Caravan Centre, Somerset  01278 782725 highbridgecaravans.co.uk

2014 SUNLIGHT T69 £34,995 £ 347.80

MMM says... Mileage: 24,320 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.3TD Berths: 3 (4 seatbelts)
German-built, this T69 has a large lounge, L-shaped CHECKLIST
kitchen and separate shower/toilet cubicles. The fixed þ MoT
bed has twin doors beneath its foot end, giving access þ Dampcheck certificate
to the garage without having to lift the mattress. The
þ Warranty: 6 months
kitchen lacks an oven, and the cab seats have covers
Weighbridge certificate
rather than being reupholstered, but we’ll forgive these
things for this vehicle’s value-for-money price point.
þ HPI checked
After all, the other vehicles in the £30k bracket are þ Finance available
much older,
and this
motorhome
has done
remarkably
little
mileage.
Dolphin Motorhomes, Dorset  01202 479444 dolphinmotorhomes.co.uk

2011 RAPIDO 690 £34,995 £ 338.90

MMM says... Mileage: 23,080 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.3TD Berths: 3
This second Rapido motorhome also opts for stripes CHECKLIST
– this time wavy ones that look more modern. Whilst þ MoT
the exterior sports a bike rack and reversing camera, þ Dampcheck certificate
the interior has a large rooflight over the spacious þ Warranty: 12 months
lounge – which has a tabletop that folds in half to aid
access to the seating. The kitchen is more compact
þ Weighbridge certificate
than some and doesn’t offer an oven, but the rear
þ HPI checked
bedroom has a
þ Finance available
compact
shower cubicle
on the nearside
and a more
spacious toilet
compartment
on the offside.
Webbs Motorcaravans, Berkshire  01189 712424 webbsmotorcaravans.co.uk

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174 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 Secondhand Choice BUYING

2011 BÜRSTNER IXEO TIME IT 720 £39,995 £ 354.34

MMM says... Mileage: 23,043 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.3TD (130bhp) Berths: 4
At nine years old, this German motorhome is still CHECKLIST
looking in great condition, although that bold fabric þ MoT
(called Sunset Spring) may not be to everyone’s taste. þ Dampcheck certificate
This model, at 7.40m in length has a more spacious
þ Warranty: 12 months
than average lounge and a separate shower opposite
the toilet compartment at the foot of the island bed.
þ Weighbridge certificate
There’s also a drop-down double bed above
þ HPI checked
the lounge. The compromise for the þ Finance available
roomy lounge and sleeping areas is
in the kitchen, which has a
compact L-shaped worktop
hosting a three-burner hob and
sink with a 104-litre fridge
below – there’s no oven/grill
fitted here.
Chelston Motorhomes, Somerset  01823 662075 chelstononline.co.uk

2013 DETHLEFFS TREND T6857 £43,995 £ 366.93

MMM says... Mileage: 22,500 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.3TD (150bhp) Berths: 3 (4 seatbelts)
This Dethleffs has a front lounge with a straightforward CHECKLIST
half-dinette with travel seats and a wall-mounted dining þ MoT
table. The compact kitchen has an oven as well as the þ Dampcheck certificate
usual glass tops for the sink and drainer. Opposite
þ Warranty: 12 months
this, the all-in-one washroom compartment has a false
wall so you can protect the toilet whilst showering.
þ Weighbridge certificate
Now we come to the rear island bed, which lifts to
þ HPI checked
reveal a generous amount þ Finance available
of storage space
beneath. It also has
a pillow-adorned
headboard
and a mirror
above.
Premier Motorhomes, West Sussex  01243 210030 premiermotorhomes.uk

2018 SWIFT CHAMPAGNE 694 £47,995 £ 383.51

MMM says... Mileage: 6,103 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.3TD (130bhp) Berths: 4
This Swift represents a significant saving on the CHECKLIST
equivalent new model, with low mileage and remaining þ MoT
time left on the manufacturer’s warranty period. þ Dampcheck certificate
Although it would make a comfortable two-berth, there
þ Warranty: Manufacturer’s
are two rear travel seats and the lounge can be made
up into a double bed. The benefit of this model is that
þ Weighbridge certificate
it is a dealer special (originally
þ HPI checked
from Brownhills), which þ Finance available
means that you get an
awning, bike rack, a
reversing camera
(which could offer
insurance
savings) and
sat-nav included.
Brownhills, Nottinghamshire  01636 704201 brownhills.co.uk

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February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 175

BUYING Secondhand Choice

On the market
2015 BÜRSTNER VISEO I720 £52,995 £ 402.96

MMM says... Mileage: 10,700 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.3TD Berths: 4
This A-class (with UK-specific Sovereign equipment CHECKLIST
and branding) looks smart with its cream upholstery. þ MoT
The seats also have extra cushions to make them feel þ Dampcheck certificate
more like settees. The kitchen has full facilities þ Warranty: 12 months
(including an oven/grill) and the washroom includes a
shower unit and a false wall will protect the toilet from
þ Weighbridge certificate
getting wet. The rear island bed
þ HPI checked
has steps leading to its
þ Finance available
higher-level mattress, and
large front-loading roller
shutter doors beneath
the bed frame give
excellent access to
the storage area in
the garage below.
Becks Motorhomes, Norfolk  01493 740274 becksmotorhomes.com

2014 AUTO-TRAIL COMANCHE £59,990 £ 448.00

MMM says... Mileage: 18,763 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 3.0TD Berths: 4
The full-leather-adorned lounge in this British-built CHECKLIST
Comanche is simply huge, seating eight or nine people þ MoT
comfortably. This lounge also has travel seats and þ Dampcheck certificate
turns into another double bed. But of course the
þ Warranty: 6 months
owners will favour the impressive rear island bed with
its tall padded headboard, individual reading lights and
þ Weighbridge certificate
Perspex-fronted his ‘n’ hers
þ HPI checked
wardrobes. The separate shower þ Finance available
and toilet cubicles, as well as the
kitchen, are all faultless. Extras
abound, including the powerful
3.0-litre engine, so you’ll
want for nothing in this
top-of-the-range tag-axle.
Nick Whale Motorhomes, Worcestershire  01386 870852 nickwhalemotorhomes.co.uk

£ £££ Insurance figures quoted by Shield Total Insurance are based on a For a free quote call today
motorhome stored in a CaSSOA Gold site, driver aged 50, plus a spouse,  0800 975 1307
both having no claims or convictions in the last five years. The quote shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk
given is based on a 5,000-mile limit. Vehicles over £50,000 quoted with a
Shield Total Insurance is authorised and
tracking system fitted. Subject to policy terms and conditions. regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

JUST £11.99
SAVE by quarterly direct debit
up to Or 13 issues for £49.99 by cheque or credit card
£13.79 Offer is open to UK residents and closes on 29 February 2020

01778 392010 Reference: mmm/nov19  motorhome.ma/mmmfeb20

176 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 79
Motorhomes
for sale
AVAILABILITY TO DRIVE AWAY TODAY
18 & 19 PLATE REGISTRATIONS

Automatic Transmission Reversing Camera

Cab Air Conditioning Solar Panel
Custom Sliding Windows Bike Rack
Omnidirectional Ariel AVTEX 18.5” T.V.

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BUYING

Secondhandprices
If you’re looking to buy or sell a used motorhome,
this guide to current market prices should help

Island bed coachbuilts

RR rising roof campers HT high-top campers OC overcab coachbuilts LP low-profile coachbuilts AC A-class coachbuilts RV US RVs *Private sale price

MAKE & MODEL YEAR BASE VEHICLE ENGINE PRICE MAKE & MODEL YEAR BASE VEHICLE ENGINE PRICE

AUTOCRUISE C-compactline 145QB 2014 AC Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £56,995

Oakmont 2010 LP Peugeot Boxer 3.0TD £36,995 C-tourer Sport i144 2016 AC Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £63,000
AUTO-SLEEPERS C-tourer i150 2016 AC Fiat Ducato auto 2.3TD £73,995
Corinium RB 2017 LP Peugeot Boxer 2.0TD £57,995 C-tourer T 150 2017 LP Fiat Ducato auto 2.3TD £69,995
AUTO-TRAIL M-liner 6.8 2005 AC Man TGL 6.8D £59,999
Cheyenne 840D 2007 LP Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £34,995 CHAUSSON
Comanche 2011 OC Fiat Ducato auto 3.0TD £44,995 Allegro 97 2009 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £29,995
Comanche 2015 LP Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £55,995 Flash 638EB 2017 LP Ford Transit 2.0TD £42,995
Delaware 2009 OC Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £34,995 Flash 718EB 2016 LP Ford Transit 2.2TD £31,355
Delaware 2017 LP Fiat Ducato auto 2.3TD £63,995 Flash 718EB 2017 LP Ford Transit 2.0TD £42,500
Imala 730 2016 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £39,970 Welcome 78EB 2010 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £36,995
Imala 730 2018 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £45,995 Welcome 79EB 2013 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD *£38,900
Imala 732 2019 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £45,995 Welcome 718EB 2014 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £39,995
Tracker LB 2018 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £52,995 Welcome 718EB 2016 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £49,995
Tracker RB 2012 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £39,995 CONCORDE
Tracker RB 2017 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £49,995 Charisma 900M 2015 AC Iveco Daily auto (LHD) 3.0TD £169,995
BAILEY Charisma 920G 2014 AC Iveco Daily (LHD) 3.0TD £149,995
Approach Autograph 730 2015 LP Peugeot Boxer 2.2TD £37,995 Liner Plus 990G 2015 AC Man TGL auto 6.9TD £259,995
Approach Autograph 730 2016 LP Peugeot Boxer 2.2TD £39,230 DETHLEFFS
Autograph 79-4 2017 LP Peugeot Boxer 2.0TD £49,995 Esprit i 7150 2016 AC Fiat Ducato (LHD) 2.3TD £65,995
BENIMAR Esprit T 7150-2 DBT 2016 LP Fiat Ducato auto 2.3TD £50,995
Mileo 294 2016 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £48,995 Globetrotter XLI 7850 2016 AC Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £87,999
BESSACARR HYMER
E494 2015 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £41,995 B698 2016 AC Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £69,995
E769 2008 OC Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £37,990 Exsis T 598 2015 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £45,995
E769 2011 OC Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £45,995 PILOTE
E769 2012 LP Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £48,999 Aventura G730 2008 AC Peugeot Boxer 3.0TD £29,990
BÜRSTNER P700C 2016 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £48,990
Aviano I 725 2008 AC Fiat Ducato auto 3.0TD £38,995 P740 Emotion 2015 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £45,995
Aviano I 727 2012 AC Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £49,500 RAPIDO
Elegance I 745 2016 AC Fiat Ducato auto 3.0TD £71,995 650F 2016 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £47,995
Elegance I 890 G 2013 AC Fiat Ducato auto 3.0TD £69,995 681F 2017 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £48,995
Grand Panorama I 830 G 2013 AC Fiat Ducato auto (LHD) 3.0TD *£79,995 691FF 2013 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £42,995
Ixeo Time IT 720 2011 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £39,995 691FF 2016 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £48,995
Ixeo Time IT 745 2015 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £44,995 7090F 2008 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £36,999
Ixeo IT 735 2014 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £45,995 7095DF 2009 LP Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £39,995
Ixeo TL 734 2017 LP Fiat Ducato auto 2.3TD £63,995 891M 2013 AC Mercedes Sprinter auto 3.0TD £54,995
Lyseo T 700 2017 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £48,995 9090F 2007 AC Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £39,999
Nexxo T 685 2014 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £42,999 9090DF 2016 AC Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £63,995
Nexxo T 740 2012 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £34,950 990M 2011 AC Mercedes Sprinter auto 3.0TD £69,995
Nexxo T 740 2015 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £46,995 992M 2011 AC Mercedes Sprinter 3.0TD £47,995
Solano T 727 2010 LP Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £36,995 10000 Design Edition 2011 AC Fiat Ducato auto 3.0TD £52,995
Viseo I 720G 2015 AC Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £54,995 SWIFT
Viseo I 720G 2017 AC Fiat Ducato auto 2.3TD £58,995 Escape 694 2017 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £43,995
CARTHAGO Kon-Tiki 625 2014 LP Fiat Ducato 2.3TD *£55,950
Chic c-line i5.0 2016 AC Fiat Ducato 2.3TD £74,995 Kon-Tiki 625 2016 LP Fiat Ducato auto 2.3TD £59,995
Chic c-line T-Plus 5.2H 2014 LP Fiat Ducato auto (LHD) 2.3TD £47,995 Kon-Tiki 669 2007 OC Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £37,995
Chic e-line i51QB 2014 AC Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £79,995 Kon-Tiki 669 2016 LP Fiat Ducato 3.0TD £62,995

READ THE EXPERT REVIEW of 10 island bed Bürstner models

at outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/reviews

178 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020


01487 812901 | 01487 815511
Ramsey Forty Foot, Ramsey, Huntingdon PE26 2XJ
info@wellsbridgemotorhomes.com
Mon - Sat 9am - 6pm | Sun & Bank Holidays 10am - 5pm
Specialising in quality used motorhomes since 1985
COACHBUILTS
2017 (17) Peugeot Boxer Bailey Autograph 75-2 2.0TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,c/rack,air-con,sw/seats,airbags,rear bed ................................. £45,995
2013 (63) Fiat Ducato Bessacarr E496 2.3TD 6 berth, PAS, aerial,
air-con,c/lockg,airbags,240/12V,radio/CD,rear U lounge ................... £38,995
2018 (18) Peugeot Boxer Elddis Accordo 135 2.0TD 2 berth, PAS,
awning,tow bar,air-con,sw/seats,side kitchen,rear lounge ............... £37,995
2016 (66) Fiat Ducato Swift Rio 310 2.3TD 2 berth, PAS, aerial,
air-con,sw/seats,airbags,240/12V,radio,end washroom ..................... £37,995
2015 (15) Peugeot Boxer Elddis Autoquest 155 2.2TD 4 berth, PAS,
c/rack,air-con,sw/seats,airbags,side kitchen,rear bed ........................ £37,995
2014 (64) Peugeot Boxer Elddis Autoquest Envy 180 2.2TD 6 berth,
PAS,awning,c/rack,air-con,sw/seat,airbags,rear U lounge ................. £36,995
2013 (13) Peugeot Boxer Bailey Approach 740 2.2TD No details or
Image set yet * Guide price is subject to change * .............................. £34,995
2015 (15) Fiat Ducato Rollerteam Autoroller 695P 2.3TD 2+2 berth,
PAS,awning,air-con,sw/seats,side kitchen,rear island bed ................ £34,995
2008 (08) Fiat Ducato Autotrail Chieftain SE 3.0TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,tow bar,c/rack,air-con,sw/seats,airbags,rear bed .................. £34,995
2009 (09) Fiat Ducato Autotrail Mohican 3.0TD 2 berth, Auto, PAS,
awning,ladder,aerial,2*air-con,sw/seats,end washroom ................... £33,995
2012 (62) Fiat Ducato Swift Lifestyle 686 2.3TD 6 berth, PAS, awning,
c/rack,aerial,air-con,240/12V,radio/CD,rear U lounge ......................... £32,995
2011 (11) Fiat Ducato Autotrail Cherokee 2.3TD 4 berth, PAS, awning,
ladder,tow bar,air-con,sw/seats,airbags,rear bed................................. £32,995
2011 (11) Fiat Ducato Autotrail Apache 700 2.3TD 6 berth, PAS, awning,
ladder,tow bar,aerial,air-con,sw/seats,rear U lounge .......................... £32,995
2010 (60) Fiat Ducato Adria Coral S670SLT 2.3TD 2+2 berth, PAS,
awning,c/rack,air-con,sw/seats,2 single beds,end washroom.......... £31,995
2010 (10) Fiat Ducato Swift Kontiki 665P 3.0TD 4 berth, PAS, awning,
ladder,c/rack,alloys,air-con,sw/seats,airbags,rear bed........................ £31,995
2014 (14) Fiat Ducato Sunlight by Dethleffs 2.3TD 2-3 berth, PAS,
awning,c/rack,aerial,air-con,sw/seats,airbags,rear bed ...................... £31,995
2011 (61) Fiat Ducato Swift Sundance 580PR 2.2TD 2 berth, PAS,
awning,aerial,air-con,sw/seat,airbags,kitchen,rear lounge ............... £30,995
2010 (10) Fiat Ducato Swift Sundance 630G 2.3TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,solar panel,air-con,sw/seats,rear bed over garage ............... £29,995
2009 (09) Fiat Ducato Bessacarr E520 2.3TD 2 berth, PAS, awning,
tow bar,aerial,air-con,sw/seats,airbags,rear lounge ............................ £29,995
2011 (11) Fiat Ducato Bessacarr E460 by Swift 2.2TD 2 berth, PAS,
awning,tow bar,air-con,airbags,rear washroom,rear kitchen ........... £29,995
2010 (10) Fiat Ducato Autotrail Apache 634SE 2.3TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,c/rack,air-con,sw/seats,airbags,rear L lounge ........................ £29,995
2006 (06) Fiat Ducato Rapido Le-Randonneur 7099F 2.8TD 3-4 berth,
PAS,awning,c/rack,air-con,sw/seats,rear bed,end washroom........... £29,995
2007 (57) Fiat Ducato Autotrail Cheyenne 696G 2.3TD 2 berth, PAS,
awning,air-con,sw/seats,side kitchen,rear bed over garage ............. £28,995
2010 (10) Fiat Ducato Swift Sundance 590RS 2.2TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,c/rack,aerial,c/lockg,airbags, rear washroom & kitchen ...... £28,995
2008 (08) Peugeot Boxer Autocruise Stargazer 2.2TD 2 berth, PAS,
awning,aerial,c/lockg,sw/seats,rear washroom & kitchen ................. £28,995
ANTED
WGOOD CL
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WANTED FOR C
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or let us
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* UP TO 100 VEHICLES
IN STOCK *
WELLSBRIDGE
MOTORHOMES
2009 (09) Fiat Ducato Autotrail Apache 634U SE 2.3TD 2 berth, PAS,
awning,aerial,air-con,c/lockg,sw/seats,rear U lounge ........................ £27,995
2008 (58) Fiat Ducato Autotrail Apache SE 634L 2.3TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,c/rack,aerial,2*air-con,sw/seats,rear L lounge ....................... £27,995
2007 (07) Fiat Ducato Ace Airstream 630EK 2.2TD 2 berth, PAS,
awning,tow bar,c/rack,sw/seats,rear washroom & kitchen ............... £26,995
2007 (07) Fiat Ducato Ace Airstream 630EK 2.2TD 2 berth, PAS,
awning,roof bars,c/rack,sw/seats,rear washroom & kitchen ............. £26,995
2007 (57) Fiat Ducato Swift Suntor 630L 2.3TD 6 berth, PAS, awning,
c/rack,c/lockg,240/12V,heating,side kitchen,rear lounge .................. £26,995
2009 (59) Ford Transit CI Cusona 200 2.2TD 3 berth, PAS, aerial,
cruise control,sw/seats,airbags,rear bed & washroom........................ £26,995
2006 (56) Fiat Ducato Adria Adriatik Coral 666SL 2.8TD 2/3 berth,
PAS,awning,c/rack,sw/seats,side kitchen,rear bed,garage ................ £25,995
2010 (10) Ford Transit Homecar Xs33 2.2TD 2 berth, PAS, awning,
aerial,solar panel sw/seats,240/12V,side kitchen,rear bed................. £24,995
2010 (10) Fiat Ducato Autotrail Excel 670B 2.2TD 3 berth, PAS,
awning,aerial,c/lockg,sw/seats,airbags,radio/CD,rear bed ................ £24,995
2008 (08) Renault Master Lunar Telstar GT 2.5TD 2 berth, PAS,
awning,c/rack,aerial,sw/seats,rear washroom,rear kitchen ............... £23,995
2003 (03) Fiat Ducato Lunar Roadstar 780 2.8TD 6 berth, PAS,
awning, ladder,c/rack,240/12V,rear bedroom,rear washroom ......... £22,995
2004 (04) Ford Transit Autosleeper Amethyst 2.4TD 4/5 berth, PAS,
ladder,aerial,c/lockg,radio/CD,rear washroom,rear kitchen .............. £22,995
2006 (55) Renault Master Lunar Telstar GT 2.5TD 2 berth, PAS,
aerial,awning,c/rack,sw/seats,rear washroom & kitchen ................... £22,995
2010 (60) Ford Transit Tribute T620 2.2TD No details or
Image set yet * Guide price is subject to change * .............................. £21,995
2008 (57) Peugeot Boxer Miller Lakes Winnipeg By SeA 2.2TD
4 berth,PAS,awning,aerial,rear washroom,rear kitchen...................... £21,995
2006 (06) Peugeot Boxer Elddis Autoquest Suntor 100 2.0TD 4 berth,
PAS,c/rack,aerial,c/lockg,radio/CD,rear washroom & kitchen ........... £20,995
2004 (54) Fiat Ducato Lunar Roadstar 630 2.8TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,ladder,c/rack,aerial,240/12V,radio/CD,rear lounge ............... £20,995
2005 (05) Peugeot Boxer Compass Avantgarde 200 2.0TD 4 berth,
PAS,awning,aerial,rear storage box,side kitchen,rear U lounge ....... £20,995
2006 (06) Peugeot Boxer Elddis Autoquest Explorer 150 2.2TD 4 berth,
PAS,awning,tow bar,heater,240/12V,radio/CD,rear L lounge ............ £20,995
2006 (06) Fiat Ducato Hymer Classic 2.3TD 4 berth, PAS, awning,
aerial,heating,240/12V,radio/CD,rear washroom & kitchen ...............£20,995
2006 (06) Fiat Ducato CI Cusona 594 2.0TD 4 berth, PAS, awning,
c/rack,aerial,sw/seats,radio/CD,rear washroom & kitchen ..................£20,995
2004 (04) Peugeot Boxer Autocruise Starlight 2.2TD 2 berth, PAS,
aerial,solar panel,c/rack,tow bar,sw/seats,end washroom..................£19,995
2006 (06) Peugeot Boxer Elddis Autoquest 130 2.2TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,c/rack,aerial,240/12V,rear washroom,rear kitchen ................£19,995
2006 (06) Peugeot Boxer Elddis Autoquest Sunseeker 400 2.2TD
4 berth,PAS,awning,c/rack,aerial,c/lockg,rear U lounge,FSH .............£19,995
2001 (51) Fiat Ducato Hobby 700 2.8TD 4 berth, PAS, awning, ladder,
tow bar,aerial,air-con,sw/seats,radio/CD,rear bed ................................£19,995
MORE
This list was correct at time of going to press, more vehicles are available. Please visit our website for the
latest and up-to-date list of vehicles. Have a chat with one of our sales team regarding your requirements
or to ask for further details about any of our vehicles, mileages etc. We also Buy Motorhomes for cash or
Part Exchange against almost any vehicle.
Telephone Sales Lines: 01487 812901 and 01487 815511
2004 (54) Fiat Ducato Chausson Welcome 55 2.3TD 2+2 berth, PAS,
c/rack,aerial,c/lockg,sw/seats,rear washroom,rear bed .......................£19,995
2005 (05) Peugeot Boxer Compass Avantgarde Suntor 400RL 2.0TD
4 berth,PAS,awning,ladder,aerial,heating,rear L lounge .....................£19,995
2003 (53) Fiat Ducato Bessacarr E445 2.3TD 4 berth, PAS, awning,
aerial,c/lockg,240/12V,l/batt,radio/CD,end washroom........................£19,995
2005 (05) Fiat Ducato Avondale SeaScape 5-SLX 2.3TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,ladder,aerial,sw/seats,rear washroom,rear lounge ................£18,995
2003 (03) Peugeot Boxer Compass Avantgarde Suntor 100 2.0TD
4 berth,PAS,c/lockg,radio/CD,rear washroom and kitchen .................£18,995
2003 (03) Fiat Ducato McLouis Glen 262 2.0TD 4 berth, PAS, awning,
c/rack,aerial,240/12V,radio/CD,side kitchen,rear bed ..........................£18,995
2003 (53) Fiat Ducato Swift Sundance 590RL 2.0TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,c/rack,aerial,240/12V,radio/CD,kitchen,rear lounge ..............£18,995
2005 (05) Peugeot Boxer Elddis Autoquest 100 2.0TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,aerial,c/lockg,240/12V,rear kitchen,rear washroom ..............£18,995
2005 (55) Fiat Ducato Joint E47 2.0TD 5 berth, PAS, ladder, c/rack,
heater,240/12V,radio/CD,side kitchen,rear washroom ........................£18,995
2003 (03) Fiat Ducato CI Carioca 15P 2.0TD 4 berth, PAS, awning,
aerial,heating,240/12V,radio/CD,rear bed,rear washroom..................£17,995
2004 (04) Peugeot Boxer Elddis Autoquest 100 2.0TD 4/5 berth, PAS,
awning,c/rack,aerial,radio/CD,rear washroom & kitchen ....................£17,995
2001 (51) Fiat Ducato Hymer Swing 2.8TD 4 berth, PAS, c/rack,
heating,240/12V,e/step,radio/CD,rear washroom,rear kitchen .........£15,995
1999 (T) Peugeot Boxer Autosleeper Ravenna 1.9TD 4 berth, PAS,
awning,roof rack/bars,aerial,side kitchen,rear L lounge......................£15,995
2000 (X) Fiat Ducato Rapido Le-Randonneur 770F 2.8TD 4 berth,
LHD,PAS,awning,ladder,aerial,240/12V,side kitchen,rear bed............£15,995
1999 (T) Fiat Ducato Autotrail Mohican 2.8TD 4 berth, PAS, awning,
ladder,tow bar,c/rack,aerial,sw/seats,end washroom ..........................£15,995
HITOPS
2011 (11) Peugeot Boxer Autocruise Alto 2.2TD 2 berth, PAS,
awning,c/rack,aerial,air-con,heating,sw/seats,rear bed ......................£31,995
2015 (15) Volkswagen Transporter T5 by Camper King 2.0TD, PAS
2+2 berth,awning,lift-up roof,c/lockg,radio/CD,side kitchen ............£26,995
2009 (09) Peugeot Boxer Autocruise Rhythm 2.2TD 2 berth, PAS,
awning,cycle rack,air-con,sw/seats,side kitchen,rear lounge ............£26,995
2013 (13) Volkswagen Transporter BlueMotion T27 2.0TD 2+2 berth,
PAS,lift-up roof,airbags,twin passenger seat,side kitchen ..................£25,995
2006 (56) Volkswagen Welbeck conversion by Elite Campers 1.9TD
2+2 berth,PAS,c/rack,c/lockg,airbags,240/12V,kitchen .......................£21,995
2004 (04) Toyota Hi-Ace Devon Tuscany 2.5TD 2 berth, PAS, awning,
tow bar,lift-up roof,air-con,portapotti,side kitchen ..............................£15,995
2008 (08) Vauxhall Vivaro 2900 CDTi 2.0TD 2 berth, PAS, alloys,
aerial,air-con,c/lockg,airbags,heating,kitchen facilities.......................£15,995
2005 (55) Nissan Elgrand Campervan 2.5L Petrol 2+2 berth, Auto,
PAS,alloys,air-con,5 seats,portapotti,kitchen facilities .........................£14,995
1997 (P) Fiat Ducato Swift Mondial 1.9TD 2 berth, awning, c/rack,
heating,240/12V,radio/CD,rear washroom,rear kitchen ......................£13,995
 Vintage ’vans
Expert advice on buying and running an older motorhome
THIS MONTH Martin looks at motorhomes – old and new – based on a Mercedes-Benz

Martin Watts...

...lives and breathes classic
motorhomes. He currently has
a VW T4 that needs work
(it was a bargain buy) and
has been motorhoming, man
and boy, since the 1960s
I
t’s been quite a while since any classic
Mercedes models were mentioned in these
pages, and it took a press release from
Mercedes to remind me of that fact. Some 35
years ago, the fabulous Mercedes Marco Polo
made its debut, based on the ‘Bremen
Transporter’ 209D van with a striking
Bahamas beige livery.
The interior conversion was absolute
quality, as one would expect from the
original Westfalia factory, and brown was
very much in vogue throughout the 1980s.
The Marco Polo was a very neat, compact
conversion, fitted with a double bed in the
roof, a bench seat/single berth in the rear
and swivel cab seats.
Westfalia built a reputation dating back to
the 1950s for quality interior fitments, and
the Marco Polo did not disappoint with a
robust kitchen and plenty of storage. It was
powered by the Mercedes OM617, five-
cylinder diesel engine, delivering 88bhp and
a top speed of around 74mph.
Surviving examples of the Mercedes
Marco Polo (in good condition) command
high prices on the used/classic campervan
scene and it is rare to see one advertised.
The reason for the Mercedes press release
is that it is building a new model in
celebration of the Marco Polo anniversary,
the ‘ArtVenture’, with eye-catching
aquamarine highlights (a nod to the
distinctive livery of the Marco Polo). The
obvious difference between the two models
is of course that the ArtVenture features a
pop-top, whereas the Marco Polo was a
high-top.
Staying with the Mercedes theme, the
builders of the luxurious VarioMobil
motorhomes with their built-in garages and

Classic corner
I’m sure that readers ‘of a certain age’ will
remember the cute Morris J-type van
produced by BMC between 1949 and
1961. This dumpy van with sliding cab
doors was a familiar sight on British roads
in the 1950s and 60s. One of the most
familiar sightings on a daily basis (so I’m
told) were the Red Post
Office vans and the
green Post Office
Telephones examples,
with their rubber front wings.
As full production motorhome
conversion in the UK did not get into full
swing until the late 1950s, the Morris
J-type just missed out on conversion into a
campervan; it was replaced by the
Austin-Morris J4 in 1961.
Things could be about to change for the
J-type 60 years after it ceased production, is back, and the J-type has been re-born as
and it’s quite possible a campervan the Morris JE, identical in shape to the
version might appear. Morris Commercial original, but now completely electric.

SHOW OFF YOUR CLASSIC! Tell everyone about your vintage ’van: post to MMM
Vintage at the address on the Next Month page or email mmm@warnersgroup.co.uk

180 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 BUYING

ON THE MARKET
This month, Martin looks at a pair of models
with a £14,995 price tag, spotted on
outandaboutlive.co.uk

CI AUTO-ROLLER

THE ARCHIVES
As the Morris name is
making a comeback in
the light commercial van
sector, I thought it apt to
£14,995
Year: 1999 Mileage: 44,000
look back at a popular Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
Morris campervan from the Berths: 4
60s; the Austin Morris J4.
The J4 replaced the Martin says...
BMC J-type in 1961, and After a 20-year-old coachbuilt motorhome,
huge slide-outs, converted its first continued in production in four-berth format and in immaculate
motorhome in 1981 on a Mercedes 613/813 until 1974, when it was condition with low miles, and all for under
chassis. I recently received a picture (far left) then replaced by the £15,000? Look no further than this
from reader, Trevor Banks, who spotted an Leyland Sherpa (which example. In addition to the attractive low
early Vario model being used by a young retained the rear panels of miles and price tag, this little gem has a
the J4 on the van chassis). lovely light wood grain interior and pale
couple in Dénia, Spain.
By far the most popular mixed-colour (mainly pinks) upholstery/
The factory built its first motorhome on a campervan model based
VW base in 1985, so this example spotted by curtains. It also comes with a solar panel,
on the BMC J4 was the cycle rack, awning and TV aerial.
Trevor is a very early survivor. Dormobile, with its candy-
Many motorhome companies with a long stripe canvas roof and
pedigree are rightly proud of their heritage, striking side flash.
MCLOUIS GLEN
and often give an insight into their history on
their websites; VarioMobil is no exception.
To have a look at past models (or perhaps the
current luxury stable) just go to
 ON THE WEBSITES
Scouring the myriad of
listings on eBay recently,
vario-mobil.com/en a real bargain basement
It’s been a while since I attended the huge example caught my eye at
November classic vehicle spectacular held at just £1,495!
the NEC, despite organising displays of It was a classic 1988
classic campervans and motorhomes in the Auto-Trail Navajo based
past. There are not usually that many on the Mercedes 207D,
motorhomes on display at this event, but two with 100k miles on that
that spring to mind – and never fail to show bulletproof German
up – are the well-known white Rover with engine. It came with a Year: 2001 Mileage: 24,000 £14,995
MoT, but has a major Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato
coachbuilt rear and a couple of Morris Minor
drawback: all its windows Berths: 4
home conversions.
had been smashed! Those
Reader, Mel Wood, has sent me a picture windows will take some Martin says...
of a Morris Minor campervan (above) after tracking down. It looks like this motorhome has been
visiting the event, and I’m pleased to see that Also, worth saving was used for one annual holiday a year since
its still in use and being enjoyed. a 1989 VW Devon based 2001 according to that mileage! With its
This ‘Moggy’ is a 1970 example, originally on the larger LT chassis. five-berth layout, this larger coachbuilt
a pick-up used by a timber merchant. It was This Devon high-top was example will appeal to the larger family and/
given a chassis extension and a body a high-end model back in or grandparents. The light wood interior
transplant many years ago. This quirky little its day, and with 64k miles (and blue fabrics) retains a modern feel,
campervan, known as The Snail, is fitted with on the clock, it’s hardly despite its age, and it comes already fitted
been thrashed. The asking with a cycle rack and side awning. A lot of
a Fisher Holivan caravan body, a two-berth
price was just £1,250. motorhome for the money.
trailer caravan from the 1960s.

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 181

 Don’t miss out on all this...
The latest motorhome
news, exclusive features,
competitions and special
offers. Plus much more!
07802265140
johnfield@offgridmotorhomesolutions.co.uk
www.offgridmotorhomesolutions.co.uk
• Solar panels and leisure battery upgrades for off grid touring
• Supply and mobile fitting to the Kronings Airconditioning FREE e-newsletter
• Maxview auto satellite Dishes supply and fit
• Satfi on board 4G wifi router . The very best system for motorhomes
• Satfi Auto Satellite Domes SIGN UP TODAY AT
• Self build assistance and motorhome upgrades www.motorhome.ma/freemails
• Auto term diesel heating 2 & 4 kw Perfect for campervan conversions.

comfort Tel: 01777 701804

INSULATION SCREENS & ACCESSORY SPECIALISTS EXTENS
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Sales & Distribution of leisure industry accessories
products for cassette or holding tanks

www.vancomfort.co.uk Email: sales@vancomfort.co.uk

2014 SWIFT KONTIKI 625 BLACK EDITION. FIAT 3.0 JTD 4 berth, 4 seat belts, 14,000 mls. Rear island bed, front lounge with
swivel Capt seats. Big bathroom, Fabulous spec. Spoil yourself! ..................................................................................£50,000
2012 RAPIDO AUTOMATIC 646. FIAT 2.3 JTD (150 BHP). 3 berth low profile, 4 seat belts. 19,000 mls. Smiley front, French
bed, solar panel, rev. camera, awning, Air Con, Cruise etc .............................................................................................£37,500
2008 AUTOSLEEPER NUEVO PEUGEOT 2.2 HDI (130 BHP) 6 Speed. 2 berth low profile. 49,000 mls. swivel Capt. seats, end
kitchen, long sofas or double bed, sep. shower, recessed swning, bike rack. Fabulous compact coachbuilt ...............£29,500
2008 HORIZONS UNLIMITED CAVARNO 2. FORD 2.2 TDi (130BHP) 2 berth SWB hitop, 39,000 mls. Full FORD history.
Swivel front seats, 4 seat belts, shower, cass toilet, microwave, recessed awning, air con metallic light blue ............£24,500
2007 AUTOSLEEPER MEZAN PEUGEOT PARTNER 2.0 HDI 2 berth mini GRP coachbuilt, 45,000mls, 2 singles or double, H&C
water, blown air, 3 way fridge, toilet, awning. Perfect vehicle and 50mpg to boot...........................................................£19,500
2003 AUTOTRAIL TRACKER EKS FIAT 2.0 JTD SE MODEL. 2 berth low profile, 44,000 mls, front lounge making two singles or
double, pass swivel, end kitchen, sep shower & toilet, recessed awning, terrific spec .................................................£19,995
2003 AUTOSLEEPER RAVENNA PEUGEOT 2.8HDI. 1 owner. 54,000 mls. Full history. 4 berth. Lovely L shaped rear lounge,
pass.swivel, shower, removable carpets, blown air, roll out awning. Easy peasy parking at under 20’ long .................£20,000
2000 AUTOSLEEPER SYMBOL PEUGEOT 1.9 TURBO DIESEL. Rare 4 berth MWB hitop 86,000mls, shower, cass toilet, pass.
swivel, double or 2 singles, blown air, oven, awning, bike rack. The ever popular.........................................................£16,000
1998 AUTOSLEEPER DUETTO FORD LWB 2.5 Diesel. 2 berth, 2 singles or double, shower, cass toilet, blown air, oven, pass,
swivel, awning, bike rack, Perfect FTB ...........................................................................................................................£11,250
1998 COMPASS NAVIGATOR 360E. VW 2.5 Turbo Diesel LWB. 4 berth. 53,000 mls. Two long sofas, end kitchen with oven,
corner bathroom, overcab double, pass. swivel, roll out awning ...................................................................................£13,500

TOP PRICES PAID FOR Celebrating 30 years of his small award winning
PROPER MOTORHOMES business Chris Cole is cock a hoop and extremely
M1NORTH LEICESTER
M69 2 MINS OFF M1 proud to have weathered various storms to achieve
21 JUNCTION ON this milestone. He chooses however to continue to
B4114. operate on his own offering possibly the most per-
B4114
sonal service available. Serving the discerning with
CROFT 5 MINS IN A slightly used but not abused motorhomes!
QUARRY WE ARE MOTORHOME!
HERE
OPEN 6 DAYS.
MOTORLAND, COVENTRY RD. Closed Sunday.
CROFT, LEICESTER LE9 3GP.
TELEPHONE: 01455 286600 Look forward to seeing you soon.

182 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020


ACCESSORIES
A round-up of the latest gear and gadgets
FOOD & DRINK
NAANSTER BURRITOS
We’re big fans of the
Naanster movement
here at MMM HQ. There
is surely nothing better
on a cold day than a
tasty curry sandwich.
Well, if you’re not a
curry fan, the people
behind the Naanster
brand, Jake and Nayns’,
have moved to Mexico
(not really, they’re still
based in Leicester) and discovered the burrito.
Available in four flavours, our favourite was the pulled
pork version, but there’s also a vegetarian jackfruit one
and two types of chicken (jerk and Mexican), which were
tucked into with gusto, too. Each also comes with rice and
kidney beans.
Simply pop the packet in the microwave (or eat cold)
for 90 seconds and then burn your mouth by eating
straight away or patiently wait for a minute or so until it
has cooled to non-volcanic temperatures.
Buy these at a Sainsbury’s priced around £2.50 each
(also available at Spar, Londis and Co-op).
jakeandnayns.com
OUTDOOR GEAR
THETFORD GREY WATER
FRESH CONCENTRATE
Could you get any more snore-worthy
than talking about grey and water tanks
in the same sentence? Not likely, but
stick with us as this product is worth a
mention and it won’t take long.
Thetford has a new addition to its
space-saving Concentrated range, called
Grey Water Fresh. Simply add it to your
sink or shower drain after you’ve
emptied your grey water tank and flush
with water. It banishes any potential
pongs that may ooze up through the
pipes and drainholes and reduces
‘deposit’ formation in the tank (whatever
that is). It also means a fresher-smelling emptying process.
Being concentrated you only need to add 80ml to a
100-litre tank, which will last up to five days (in hotter
weather – over 30˚C – add a little more). Bottles are 800ml,
which is 10 doses.
Shop around as we found this product at various UK shops
costing from £7.95 to £12.99.
thetford.com
BUYING
OUTDOOR GEAR
ALCOSENSE LITE 2
You know how it is. You go out for a
lovely meal, have some wine and
then retire to the motorhome
(maybe with a snifter or two).
Then you get up at a reasonable
hour, pack the motorhome and are
about to head off to your next
destination... but wait – you may still be over the legal blood/alcohol
limit for driving (and these levels differ across Europe).
Alcohol is removed from the system at roughly one unit per hour,
although this varies between men and women, how much food you
have eaten, your weight and your metabolism.
So pack a breathalyser to make sure you are fit and legal to drive
(even small amounts of alcohol can have an effect on your driving).
This new version from AlcoSense is the Lite 2, costing £44.99. It’s
very simple to use: switch it on, place a straw in the side and blow
into it. It gives you readings of ‘Lo’ (fine to drive), and then
increments of 0.1 up to the user-set limit.
You can order a carry case for £12.99 while extra blow tubes cost
up to £4.99. It’s a great simple gadget at a good price, plus it just
makes sense.
alcosense.co.uk  08001 950088
APP
JOURNI BLOG
Ignore the terrible name (and the use of the
word ‘blog’), this free app is actually a very
good digital diary.
Write up to 1,000 characters (about 200
words, depending on your use of the
thesaurus), add pictures and save the entry.
This will then log the location on a map,
too. The flight status button is pretty
useless for motorhomes, but you can add a
weather status, which is quite neat.
You can even add historical entries to
document your previous travels.
The blog is completely private unless
you choose to make it public, while you
can also share this just with your family
and friends via email, Facebook, WhatsApp or text.
You can even get your adventures printed into a photobook,
calendar or box of prints direct from the app.
Some of the elements of this don’t work as well with no
internet – you can add the pictures and words, but the elements
won’t actually load into the app properly until you have WiFi or
mobile internet.
The Premium version is £48.99 for the year and works offline.
Google Play, Apple App Store
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 183
BUYING Accessories

OUTDOOR GEAR BOOK

VANGO MAGMA MUG CORNWALL AND THE
Refillable on-the-go coffee ISLES OF SCILLY
cups are all the rage now If it was just for the amazing
in this current climate of pictures alone this book would
environmental fervour. be on our must-read list.
Yes, you can save the However, it is also packed
planet by reusing a coffee with useful information and
cup and you can also save written by MMM’s own wildlife
money, so it’s a win win. expert and travel writer, David
We did some research Chapman.
and a small (called ‘Tall’) There are 38 locations to
coffee from Starbucks is explore with information on
341ml, which will go into when to go, what to see and more. There is also a handy list of
the tall version of this mug perfectly. a further 59 sites of interest as well as wildlife parks, boat trips
If you are a flat white connoisseur then you’ll be able to and conservation organisations. If there is a specific bird or
opt for the 240ml Short version. animal you are on the hunt for (so to speak), then turn to the
If you don’t understand any of the previous terms and all index at the back that lists by common name.
you know about coffee is you like a large milky coffee then It’s a chunky 216 pages yet still pocket-sized so you could
go for the taller version but, if you prefer to limit your carry it with you, and the £8.95 price tag seems very reasonable
liquid caffeine intake to smaller coffees, then opt for the for the quality. It’s part of the Pocket Cornwall series, covering a
shorter mug. whole range of topics and areas.
The tall version (priced £13) is 305g and 19.1cm high (a If you are planning a trip to Cornwall and want to take in
smidge over 7.5in) while the short version is just 247g some local wildlife (not just those in the public houses), then
(priced £11) with 240ml of volume. this book is a must.
There are deals to be had online, though, as we found It’s available at all good bookshops or online (ISBN
some websites offered them at £7.99 and £6.99, 9780850252002).
respectively.
vango.co.uk
OUTDOOR GEAR
LOWEPRO PRO TREKKER
THE MOTORHOMERS’ MAGA ZINE
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH BP 450 AW II
There seems to be a bit of
MANFROTTO XPRO 5 MONOPOD ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ a photography theme
going on this month, with
þ Sturdy þ Versatile þCompact
a monopod and a wildlife-
Not cheap
spotting book all in the
Are your holiday snaps often blurry? Do your review pile.
hands shake every time you attempt to capture a Budding photographers will
photo of your partner in a glorious location, also be thrilled with this
giving family and friends double vision when Lowepro camera bag but, if you
attending the holiday slideshow? You need help. just carry a smartphone, then I
Not just generally, but in the form of this excellent would stop reading now.
photographic aid. First impressions are that this
The Manfrotto XPro monopod screws onto the thing is huge. It has adjustable
base of your camera, or a smartphone mount, with compartments in the main
one-quarter-inch or three-eighth-inch threads. This body with an all-around
feature means the outer part pushes down for the suitcase-style zip to easily access
narrower threads when needed. It’s got a durable that blue-sky filter you need to make skies bluer – the
rubber grip and solid, firm clips to secure the four sun does not shine all the time in the real world, but
extension sections. expert snappers can make it appear like it does.
Its weight (700g) and compact design (41cm long when There’s a waterproof case that can cover the bag when
packed and 141cm long when extended) mean it’s perfect for the heavens open and several other pockets to lose
the motorhome and can be stashed easily in a rucksack when things in.
out and about. It’s also got a foot attachment that can be It’s solid, well-padded and comfortable, but we say
attached to a fluid-head tripod base for smooth video shots, if again, it is large (big enough for two DSLR cameras,
you are seriously into your post-holiday presentations. lenses and a laptop), measuring 35cm by 25cm by 49cm
The only problem is that you won’t be able to blame your externally. If you fill this thing with camera gear and try to
shakier hands for shoddy, blurred photos any more, you’ll just carry it up a mountain, you might need a visit to a
have to claim that it’s artistic blur. chiropractor. The price is also a not inconsiderable
Priced at £84.95, this is well worth the money and, if you need £260.95. You’ll need an expensive set of cameras to go
a smartphone mount, the Manfrotto specific one will set you back with this product, but there is a smaller version (32cm by
another £17.95. Plus, there’s a two-year warranty with an optional 25cm by 48cm) for £220.95.
extra eight years on top of this, telling you the quality of the product.
lowepro.com/uk-en  01530 566090
manfrotto.com  01530 566090

184 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 RUST PROBLEM?
A solution is closer than you think
• FULL RUST PROOFING SERVICES
• EPOXY UNDERBODY COATING
• WELDING REPAIRS
• CORROLAN – NORWEGIAN RUST PROOFING
• DUCATO MOTORHOME CAB SPECIALISTS
e-go bike offers a range of 4 foldable
electric bikes, the most popular for Award winning corrision free
Motorhome users is the “Lite” and “Lite+”
The Lite is one of the smallest and lightest auto engineering, made in
foldable electric bikes on the market.
Weighing in at just under 15Kg this 16”
the UK by RUSTBUSTER.
36v 250w single speed bike has a 6.4 Ah LG battery (upgradable to 7Ah Visit our online shop or phone
Samsung battery) fully chargable in around 3 hours, folds in seconds,
available in 3 colours. for your FREE CATALOGUE
The Lite+ is a 20” version of the Lite but with seven speed Shimano
gears and a 7Ah Samsung battery as standard, we have sold to many
happy Motorhome owners. www.rust.co.uk
As a special offer to MMM readers we are offering a free rear rack or
bag worth £29.99 each for every bike purchased.
01775 761222
For more information please check out our website
www.e-gobike.co.uk or e-mail us info@e-gobike.co.uk
sales@rust.co.uk

Motor dealer since 1963,

family owned and run from the start.
T: 01964 534144 M: 07539 209705
W: www.maplegarage.co.uk
WildAx dealers New stoc
k on
site
- free
refreshm
ents

Main Road, Mappleton, Hornsea, HU18 1XT

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 185


Martin Dorey...
...is a writer, surfer, VW owner
and keen shrimper. He was the
presenter of a BBC2 TV show
One Man And His Campervan
Ingredients
þ Vegetable oil
þ 1kg diced leg of lamb
þ One large onion, chopped
þ A piece of root ginger, about
2cm, finely chopped
þ Two large cloves of garlic,
finely chopped
þ One red chilli, finely
chopped (or more if you like
things spicy)
þ 1tsp of garam masala, plus
extra to sprinkle
þ 1tsp of ground turmeric
þ 1tsp of ground coriander
þ A big squirt of tomato purée
186 outandaboutlive.co.uk January 2020
On the menu ...
LAMB GOSHT CURRY
SERVES 4 PREPARATION 15 minutes COOKING TIME 40 minutes
Camping and curry go together – it’s the rule! So that’s why I’ve included this simple
enough rogan josh-style curry here. It’s my favourite and one that I’ve made so many
times on camping trips it’s starting to get ridiculous. Still, it is very good and, because
it uses fresh tomatoes and you make it from scratch, it tastes, smells and looks clean
and delicious…
Serve it with rice if you like, or with my quick chapatis, some mango chutney and
perhaps even some soured cream.
þ One 400g tin of
chopped tomatoes
þ Four tomatoes that have
been roughly chopped
þ Handful of baby
spinach leaves
þ Handful of coriander leaves
þ Soured cream, to serve
How to cook
Quick chapatis
þ 1 mug (about 150g) of
Heat a saucepan with a dash of vegetable oil. Brown the lamb in
wholemeal flour
batches, transferring it to a plate as it is ready.
þ 1tbsp of fennel seeds
þ A pinch of chilli flakes Soften the onion, in the same pan, then add the ginger, garlic
and chilli. Fry for a few minutes before stirring in the spices. You
þ Vegetable oil for frying
will now have a nice, spicy base for the curry.
Add some seasoning and return all meat to the pan, along with
the contents of the tin of tomatoes and the tomato purée.
Simmer, partially covered, for about 10 minutes. Add the roughly chopped
tomatoes and gently cook for a further 20 minutes.
Finally, just as you are about to serve, stir the spinach into the curry and
allow it to wilt. Then add the coriander and taste to check the seasoning.
Top each serving with a big dollop of soured cream and a sprinkle of
garam masala.
Quick chapatis
Tip the flour into a big mixing bowl and add a pinch of salt, the fennel
seeds and the chilli flakes. Mix water into the flour, a little at a time, until
you have a dryish dough; you will need about 100ml. Bring the dough
together into a ball, then gently knead it on a lightly floured surface.
Return the dough to the bowl, cover and leave it to stand for 15 to
30 minutes.
Divide the dough into six golf ball-sized pieces. Roll each ball out until it
is about the size of a small saucer and a couple of millimetres thick. Use
a little flour if the mixture is sticky.
Heat a frying pan or skillet over a hot flame with a dash of oil. Fry the
chapatis for a minute on each side or until they begin to blister. Eat hot.
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2009 NEISMANN & BISCOFF ARTO 69PL, 4 Berth A-Class, Fiat 3.0 M-Jet AUTOMATIC, Rm. 41,000 Miles, Fixed Rear Bed &
Drop Down Front Dbl .......................................................................................................................................................................................... £42,995

2015 AUTO-TRAIL APACHE 634U, 4 Berth Coach Built, Fiat 2.3 130 M-Jet, Rm. 10,000 Miles, ‘U’ Shaped rear Lounge, Air-
Con, Solar Panel Etc .............................................................................................................................................................................................. £42,995
.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2016 HOBBY VANTANA 65, 3 Berth Lwb Hi-Top, Fiat 2.3 M-Jet, Rm. 7,000 Miles, Fixed Rear Bed, Was…£39,995 Now
Reduced ....................................................................................................................................................................................Save £3,000… £36,995

2011 SWIFT BOLERO 630EW, 2 Berth Low Profile, Fiat 2.3 130 M-Jet, Rm. 12,000 Miles Only,
2 Singles/Dbl Bed, ...............................................................................................................................Was £37,995…Save £3,000….£36,995

2011 VW AUTOSLEEPER TROOPER, 2 Berth Raise Roof, VW 2.0Tdi 140 DSG AUTOMATIC, RM. 23,000 Miles Only, Bronze
Metallic, Highly Sought After............................................................................................................................................................................ £34,995

2009 AUTOCRUISE GLENEAGLE, Lux 2 Berth Low Profile, Peugeot 3.0 160 Hdi, Rm. 30,000 Miles, 2 Singles or Huge Dbl,
Large Rear Wash Room .................................................................................................................................................................................... ...£32,995

2013 BAILEY APPROACH 620SE, 2 Berth Low Profile, Peugeot 2.2 130, Rm 23,000 Miles Only, Rear Kitchen/Washroom,
Scooter Rack ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ £29,995

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After Model .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. £29,995

2009 ELDDIS AUTOQUEST 140, 2 Berth Low Profile, Peugeot 2.2 Hdi, Rm, 39,000 Miles, ‘U’ Shaped Rear Lounge, Super
Value Only ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ £23,995

2008 HOMECAR 22, 2 Berth Low Profile, Ford 2.2 Tdci, Rm. 34,000 Miles, Rear Lounge, Excellent Value, Now Reduced Was
£24,995 ..............................................................................................................................................................................................Now Only £22,995

CC email: sales@wilkinsmotorcaravans.c.uk FSB

MEMBER www.wilkinsmotorcaravans.co.uk MEMBER

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 187

 TRUST US TO KEEP YOU ON THE ROAD
Servicing - Repairs - Installations - Parts

Manufacturer appointed Service Partner

Adria, Auto-trail, Carthago, Dethleffs, Niesmann+Bischoff
NCC APPROVED WORKSHOP 01243 940050

RELIANCE
CARAVAN & MOTORHOME SERVICES
Chichester, West Sussex PO18 9DA
www.reliancecms.uk - enquiries@reliancecms.uk

TaylorMade
Screen Covers

01484
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918
www.taylormade-covers.co.uk
One of the foremost suppliers
rs
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Silver Pad Descaler Filter Disinfectant/ Silver

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Approved Installer of Awnings, Rooms &

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Email: sales@wmaquatec.co.uk
01202 620427
www.roseawnings.co.uk | sales@roseawnings.co.uk

188 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 PUZZLES

WIN £50
There’s a £25 prize each for the crossword
and sudoku puzzles, so get your thinking
cap on and you could be a winner!

Crossword
When you have solved the crossword the coloured
squares highlight a motorhome-related anagram

ACROSS
1 Reaching a crisis (6,2,1,4)
8 Sixth letter of the Greek alphabet (4)
9 Flattered in an obsequious manner (8)
10 Physically strong and healthy (4-6)
12 Solid that has been pulverised (6)
14 Flapped cardboard box (6)
15 Rum Serbian? (anag) (10)
19 Mesomorphic (8)
20 Steep (4) 6 One who accumulates things (7)
21 Remove restraint and allow to get out of control (4,3,3,3) 7 Long, long time (4)
11 Unable to distinguish musical pitch (4-4)
DOWN 13 Refuse to acknowledge (7)
2 Reserve more places than there are places available (8) 14 Item of non-freehold property (7)
3 Idiotic (5) 16 Hieronymus -----, Dutch painter (5)
4 Alluring beauty or charm (7) 17 Implant (5)
5 Circular windows (5) 18 Farmer’s place, in the children’s song (4)

Sudoku Just for fun

When you have solved the Find the 26 types of vegetables
sudoku you will have three
figures in the coloured
squares, reading from the
top to the bottom

Enter the numbers for sudoku and

the anagram for the crossword on the
online form (see below).

The closing date for both the

crossword and sudoku is
13 February 2020. For T&Cs go to
warners.gr/compterms

You r scribbles

HOW TO ENTER Go online to enter the crossword & sudoku for free.
Good luck! outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/competitions

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 189

WIN An Outwell campervan awning
Worth
£1,000
T
o celebrate its twenty-fifth birthday,
we’ve teamed up with the award-
winning Scandinavian brand, Outwell,
to give you the opportunity to win one of its
new Blossburg 380 Air driveaway awnings,
worth £1,000.
It is part of the Outwell Air Cruising
Collection that evolves popular models to
reduce packed size and weight while
maintaining quality and performance to
provide even more choice that’s perfect for
shorter stays and smaller pitches.
To cater for different pitches, the
Blossburg 380 Air pitches parallel to either
side of the unit, with an attachment height
of 175cm – 200cm, thanks to the
removable Link Access Zone.
It uses the simple yet highly effective
190 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
stable Rigid Air System frame to help
shield up to force eight winds and works
with the upgraded Outtex 4000 Select
fabric to provide excellent weather-beating
performance.
Its deep front canopy extends, protecting
outdoor living space no matter the weather
and large tinted windows provide great
views out while offering UV-resistance and
privacy. The Blossburg features the new
highly acclaimed Outwell HookTrack
System that allows lights and smaller
items to be positioned where needed, with
the optional Tent Hanging System providing
even more versatility with additional hooks
and adjustable line connecting the tracks.
Other options include an inner tent for a
bedroom or storage, footprint to protect the
groundsheet and carpet for underfoot
comfort. For more information head to
outwell.com
THE PRIZE We’ve got an Outwell
Blossburg 380 Air awning to give away
(worth £1,000) to mark Outwell
celebrating 25 years of creating,
manufacturing and providing innovative
family camping equipment.
QUESTION What is the maximum
attachment height of the Blossburg
380 Air?
 COMPETITIONS & OFFERS

WIN BodyRag robes and towels

The new BodyRag range is a luxurious
towelling line made with travelling in
mind, so you can feel the comfort and
cosiness of a super chic towel that is still
practical while you’re out and about or on
the move. Once you’ve tried these towels,
you’ll never go back.
BodyRag is a special super-absorbent
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because it dries out quicker and so stays
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saltwater resistant, tumble dryer safe
and washable up to 90°C.
Maintaining its new slick look wash
after wash, BodyRag packs away smaller,
lighter and it takes up less space than a
standard towel. Use it in the motorhome,
boat, caravan or car, for camping,
swimming, sailing or surfing.
The towels come in three sizes, with a
set containing one of each costing £90.
Choose from seven colours: Spicy Orange,
Midnight Blue, Mocha, Charcoal Grey, Red
Wine, Mustard and Champagne.
The robe comes with a belt and is
available in two sizes, exclusively in
Midnight Blue, costing £89.
For more information visit
bodyrag.co.uk
THE PRIZE 10 lucky people will win
either one of the gorgeous BodyRag robes
or a BodyRag towel set.
QUESTION Which fizzy drink are
BodyRag cream towels named after?

The closing date for all entries is 13 February, 2020. All winners will be contacted within 14 days of the closing date.

HOW TO ENTER Go online now to enter, check rules and to see if you
are a winner outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/competitions

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 191

 EXPLORE, DREAM
& DISCOVER

At Yorkshire’s largest motorhome and campervan show

DISCOVER LEARN SHOP
√ OVER 250 NEW & USED MODELS √ FREE MANOEUVRING SESSIONS √ 120+ EXHIBITORS
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CAMPERVANS FIFTH WHEELS

ELECTRIC BIKES DEMOS

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WITH ADVANCE
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ACCESSORIES
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In advance - Adult: On arrival - Adult: Children: FRIDAY - SUNDAY
£5.00 £7.00 FREE 9:30am - 4:30pm
FREE PARKING, FREE GOODY BAG & FREE SHOWGUIDE | GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWGROUND, HG2 8NZ

To Book - www.showgoer.co.uk | 0844 581 1240

Terms & Conditions: Calls are charged at 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge. Fee applies for postal tickets. E-Tickets are free of charge.
 BUY & SELL

Motorhomes
FOR SALE AUTOHAUS VW AUTOHAUS
CAMELOT T6 SWB, 2015,
5000mls, £36500 ONO DSG, air
www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/for-sale con, parking sensors, sat nav,
folding mirrors, cruise control.
DETHLEFFS ADVANTAGE T 6651,
2017, 4600mls, £52000 Selling my
lovely motorhome due to lack of
use, satellite tv, solar panel,
awning, very small mark on seat
ELDDIS AUTOQUEST 196, 2017,
6500mls, £39850 Hardly been
used due to no time working. Thatís
reason for sale 1-year warranty left
on it as well. Fully loaded winter

Over 4500 motorhomes Awning, solar panel. Oven/grill &

hob, lpg heating & HW, fridge, sink.
Cassette toilet in privacy cupboard.
where turned against table other
than that beautiful. Private -
Wiltshire - 07923481915 before
package. Private - Glamorgan -
+441685389144 (1009109)

on-line to choose from Private - Berkshire - 07719

570657 Anytime (1009315)
8pm (1007331)

ELDDIS MARQUIS MAJESTIC 155

2012, 38500mls, £32500 Modern low profile fixed end bed, 4 seatbelts, Thetford
toilet, 3 gas burner hob 1 electric, gas electric and battery fridge., built in
microwave, ceiling mounted extractor fan above kitchen, Whale blown air
heating, 2 bike rack, brand new Fiamma wind-out awning, reversing camera,
outside gas BBQ point, non- smoking, pet free, recent habitation check,
removable carpets. Very comfortable van. Private - Bridgend - 07938234847
(1009849)
HOBBY OPTIMA T 75 HGE, 2017, HYMER 644, 1996, 85200mls, HYMER B644, 2002, 57000mls,
4602mls, £49950 ONO Fiat £8500 ONO A great example of a £17500 FSH MOT Dec 2020. 1
Ducato automatic transmission. classic 644, well looked after with owner for 17 years. LHD. GVWR
Condition as new. Tow bar fitted 1 owner for the last 19 years, 4000kg. 4 berth. New awning, cam
with electrics with warning light on dealer service history and extras as belt and leisure batteries. Solar.
dashboard. 2 fixed rear singles. listed: Safari room. Air con. Solar Large garage and pass through
Reluctant sale due to health panel. Ramp to large garage. Sat basement storage. Private -
reasons. Private - Staffordshire - TV. Outside gas connection. Cheshire - 07979693892
07968962488 01543490468 Private Warwicks - (1009725)
anytime (1007327) 01926493018 (1010104)

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IH MOTORHOMES OREGON RE ,
2006, 49000mls, £22000 NEW 2
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MOT July 2020. Service history.
Extra large water tank. TV. No pets
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Great condition for year. Private -
Derbyshire - 01335390724
(1007276)
MERCEDES-BENZ SPORTS VAN ,
2013, 112000mls, £33950 ONO
Able to go off grid. Solar panels &
LPG gas. Full MoT. Excellent
condition fault free. See online
advert for full details or call me as
too much to list. Private -
Gloucestershire - 07770685662
(1007693)
PEUGEOT BOXER NUEVO ES,
2007, 54364mls, £7000 The van is
in excellent condition and has just
completed a long trip round
southern Europe, where it returned
37 mpg when at 60 mph. Private
- London - 02036424098
(1007417)
TRIBUTE T-625, 2012, 36700mls,
£28500 One owner. 36,700 miles.
4 berth. Crockery, bedding, TV, gas
bottles, stabilizers, bike carrier,
awning, matting, picnic set. Rear
lounge. Owners non smokers, no
pets. Immaculate. Garaged. York.
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01759304508 07769929489
(1009323)
VOLKSWAGEN T5 TRANSPORTER
CAMPERVAN CONVERSION, 2006,
132369mls, £18450 Our much
loved and cared for VW Campervan
Conversion, 2006, Tdi, SWB, 4
Berth, BRAND NEW elevating roof
and solar panel (did cost £9000).
Fridge-Freezer. Propex Heating,
Winterproof. Private - Essex -
07969640911 (1009756)

Buy the new Micra with a

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February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 193


CITROEN CI, 2018, £8995 4400
miles. Includes reversing camera,
air conditioning. Very excellent
condition. Privates - Wales -
07846410250 (1010219)
FIAT 500 1.2 LOUNGE A-FRAME
TOWCAR, 2015, £4995 Converted
07/17. MOT May 2020, 4 new
tyres, FSH. 2 keys, air con, only
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- 07900 432467 Anytime
(1009424)
AIR SUSPENSION FOR ALKO CHASSIS
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website for full application list and prices www.as-airsuspension.co.uk or call for
a no obligation quote on Trade - Cheshire - 01925 740666 / 07874 046643
(1009650)
TOYOTA AYGO FIRE AUTOMATIC,
2012, £3895 ONO White/Black
Roof, 2012(62), 80,000 + miles,
fitted with TowingAFrames S/S
Hitch. Electric glass roof. A/C.
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Private - Oxon - 01869340939 /
07973509141 (1009407)

01354 654462 NEW PRODUCT

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mail@uk-towbars.net
For all your motorhome towing needs Look for the logo,
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194 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 BUY & SELL

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01202 before making the wrong choice.
www.solarsolutionsltd.co.uk Tel: 01202 632488 Tel: 01202 632456 www.caratow.com
632456

Pneumatic Air
Suspension Kit
NOTICE
TO ADVERTISERS
Towbar Fitting Centre, Reliable The Business Advertisements
(Disclosure) Order 1977
Trailers and Leisure Products Affordable
NEW See our website www. Advertisements are accepted
• Motorhome Towbars • Air suspension
• Solar Panels • Small Car Trailers
tyresave.co.uk from £495 for 4, Easy D.I.Y. on the understanding that
plus tyres if wanted. New 15in and they comply with the Business
• Aframes • Hydraulic leveling systems 16in Alloy Wheels for Motorhomes:
• Dealers for Gaslow Systems Fiat, Ford, Citroen, Peugeot, Free P&P Advertisements (Disclosure) 1977
• Fitting agent for Scorpion tracker Renault, Vauxhall, Mercedes, V.W. Only which requires all advertisements
275 Penarth Road, Cardiff. CF11 8TT
etc. Mail Order. Credit/Debit cards.
TYRESAVE, Deeside, CH5 4DS. £425
+ fitting
Fiat - Mercedes
Ford - Renault
placed by persons who seek to sell
goods, in the course of a Business,
Tel: 02920 371379/236121 Trade - Flintshire - 07831 to make that fact clear in the
Email: sgmtowing@btconnect.com 365412 (1009907)
Web: www.sgmtowing.co.uk 01258 268388 wording of their advertisements

AWNINGS
SunnCamp Silhouette Motor Air An advert
Items
SCREENS, BLINDS & COVERS
225 Plus Driveaway, good condition,
includes groundsheet and figure of 8
Silverscreen Windscreen Cover, to fit
Fiat/Peugeot 2015 onwards, £30.
costs as little as
driveaway, £250.
Tel: 01279 814288
Tel: 01243 583489 (W Sussex)

£45
(Essex)
Vango Kela1V High awning, new,

FOR SALE
www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/sell-my/accessories
£425 ono.
Tel: 07767 350373 / 01635 253384
(Berkshire)
2 Rain Blocker side panels, to fit Thule
WHEELS/TYRES
Fiat Ducato Spare Wheel, 215/70R
15C, brand new/never used (Collect
Nottingham), £95.
Tel: 01158 749923 / 07708 490689
Omnistor awning, £250.
(Nottinghamshire) To place your
Tel: (Essex) 01279814288
... items valued up to £500 Outdoor Revolution T2 Highline Air,
advert visit
To place your ad follow the instructions at: erected once, wrong size, £380.
outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/sell-my/accessories Tel: 07876 330199
www.outandaboutlive.co.uk
Items up to £100 - free • Items up to £500 - £5 per ad (Leicestershire)
or call 01778 391187

THINKING OF BUYING A MOTORHOME?

Buying Your First Motorhome has all the information you
need to help you buy the right motorhome, first time

2020 EDITIO
N
ON SALE
21st February

Order your copy now for just £4.99 and enjoy FREE postage in the UK
www.your-first-motorhome.co.uk or call 01778 392010
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 195
ACCESSORIES

Motorhome Electrical Specialists

• Cruise Controls
•• Cruise
Alarm Systems
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Trackers
Controls
Systems
NEXT ISSUE
Gaslow Bottles
Monocrystalline
Solar Panels
panels Security Systems
•• Trackers
Remapping
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Satellite Systems
of Britains’
•• Remapping
TVs
•• Satellite
ChargersSystems
best-selling
• TV’s
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Visit our online shop www.automateuk.com Find us on
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MANUFACTURERS OF DISTINCTIVE products for cleaning, treating and
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All products are developed and

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Comprehensive Dashboard Kits

ISSUE 16

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caravans & motorhomes
All motorhome models, including: FREE, fully illustrated catalogue
Please visit our website or call
• Fiat •Peugeot •Citroen 01425 617722
•Mercedes •Volkswagen •Ford SOLVE YOUR
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Phone now on 01206 791888
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PERFECT MOTORHOME?
Our buyers’ guide has over
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www.atenlighting.co.uk • info@atenlighting.co.uk


motorhome.ma/buyersguide COMPLETE YOUR MMM COLLECTION
Digital back issues from
April 2011! Download at
pocketmags.com/mmm
196 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
 CLASSIFIEDS
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a trading style of Carole Nash Insurance Consultants Ltd, registered in England and Wales no. 2600841.

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 197

INSURANCE

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REPAIRS & SERVICING

NEXT
SERVICE & REPAIR SPECIALISTS
• 30 years industry experience
• Accident repairs, servicing
ISSUE
• MOTs & Habitation checks

ALSO AVAILABLE - CARAVAN REPAIRS of Britains’

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253 Blairtummock Rd., Glasgow G33 4ED
best-selling
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magazine

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vehicle service and MOT
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Tel: 01903 753852

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All makes & models catered for

COMPLETE YOUR MMM COLLECTION

Digital back issues from
April 2011! Download at Winter (Nov19-Feb20 incl) motorhome discount special.-10% off servicing-underbody 170 Stafford Road, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 4AH
pocketmags.com/mmm protection-bodywash-habitation. Your small tow car serviced from £90 +VAT.
Tel: 01543 572686
www.motorhomerepairs.co.uk

198 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 CLASSIFIEDS
REPAIRS & SERVICING TOWING RUST PROOFING
BRITAIN’S PREMIER CARAVAN &
MOTORHOME REPAIR SPECIALIST WATLING RUSTBUSTERS
CROSSLEYS www.rustbusters.co.uk
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Tel : 01772 623423 Watling Engineers Ltd Digital back issues from April 2011! Download at
Website : www.crossleycoachcraft.co.uk
E-mail : repairs@crossleycoachcraft.co.uk
www.watling-towbars.co.uk pocketmags.com/mmm
REPAIRS & SERVICING REUPHOLSTERY

AW Motorhome Replacement
Body Panel Specialists
• Rear Bumpers • Obsolete Panels Your Style. Your Journey.
• Corner Panels • Insurance Quotes
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• Shower trays/sinks • Fast Service
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• Motorhome Body • Most Motorhomes campervans and vehicles.All our work is
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SATELLITES SOUNDPROOFING

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whilst sitting in vehicle £105 inc P&P
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Tel: 0161 6527080 Email: office@nkgroup.co.uk
product www.nkgroup.co.uk

WANTED

HOYLES
NEXT ISSUE DENHOLME
of Britains’ MOTORHOMES
best-selling & CAMPERS
motorhome TOP PRICES PAID
magazine We can come to you.
Cash, bankers draft or bank transfer
ON SALE
Contact Tim Hoyle Anytime
06/02/20 01274 832836 / 07786 735544
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 199
 WANTED WANTED

WANTED!
BEST PRICES PAID FOR GOOD CLEAN MOTORHOMES
“Ask fo
Harry w r
01487 812901
h
you ph en
one” or
01487 815511
★ Cash waiting ★ Part Exchanges
★ We can also sell your motorhome on
commission basis. NO SALE - NO CHARGE

www.wellsbridgemotorhomes.com

WANTED WANTED

MOTORHOMES WANTED
PHONE US LAST FOR
THE BEST DEAL...
Whether we buy it for cash
or sell it for you
Ask for Chris on...
01295 711157 or 07760 410260
Thorpe Road, Middleton Cheney,Banbury OX17 2QY

Yorkshire Rose Motorhomes Ltd

Call now:
01302
439360 NEXT ISSUE
es.co.uk
es.co.uk
WE WANT YOUR MOTORHOME! of Britains’ best-selling
We’ll buy your motorhome for £££
motorhome magazine
OR Check out our Brokerage Service! ON SALE 06/02/20
200 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
 CLASSIFIEDS

Tel: 01823 444193

FREE UK
COLLECTION

UK’S BEST BUYER OF

USED MOTORHOMES!
GUARANTEED CLEARED FUNDS PRIOR TO COLLECTING YOUR VEHICLE

CALL 01823 444193 OR 07860 428477

Tom
Tom is always on site working hard to
find a good selection of
motorhomes. His vast knowledge
and experience in the motorhome
industry helps to find the best
motorhomes possible to add to the
curent stock.
Simon
Simon has to be one of the most
experienced buyers in the country,
he has bought and sold almost every
brand and type of motorhome. His
excellent level of experience allows
him to give the best and most
accurate price possible.

All makes and models urgently required

Somerset Motorhome Centre | www.somersetmotorhomecentre.co.uk
Thornfalcon Garage, Thornfalcon, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 5NN 201
February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk
WANTED

TOP PRICES PAID FOR YOUR QUALITY LOW MILEAGE

MOTORHOME.. We are always looking to buy motorhomes
and we also ofer a "sale or return" service.
Outstanding Finance Settled • Nationwide Collection • Cash Waiting WE WI
LL
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PHONE
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just the best price line
BEATE
PRICE
N ON
THE
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PRICE
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Sam Lewis on ..
or Jack
free phone: 0800 028 3417
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David Carpenter
CASH WAITING
WANTS WE WILL BUY YOUR
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Sell direct to us! As a national leading FREE BROKERAGE
muti branch retailer we appreciate the
opportunity of buying your motorhome.
Call our Hotline Number below or visit...
OAKTREE
www.cwmh.co.uk MOTORHOMES
PLEASE CALL ANYTIME ON
0115 858 1145
OR 07785 527736
FREEPHONE www.omcmotorhomes.co.uk
0800 652 6724
202 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
 CLASSIFIEDS

UK’S LARGEST MOTORHOME DEALER

NATIONWIDE CASH TRANSFER AT

COLLECTION SERVICE THE POINT OF COLLECTION

TOP PRICES GIVEN ALL MAKES AND

ON ALL MOTORHOMES MODELS CONSIDERED

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WE WANT YOUR MOTORHOME
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Find out more at www.brownhills.co.uk/sell-your-motorhome

Brownhills Motorhomes Ltd A1/A46 Junction, Newark, NG24 2EA | Tel: 01636 704201 Brownhills MotorhomesFebruary 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 203
WANTED

SPRINGFIELD
MOTORHOMES MOTORHOMES
WANTED Yorkshires top buyer
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We Buy All Makes & Models

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ALL MAKES AND MODELS CONSIDERED

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Motorhome Sellers Advice Line Members.

As a national leading multi branch retailer we appreciate the

opportunity of buying your motorhome. If you choose to sell
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vehicle with recognition for extras fitted and careful ownership.
Call Rob Kirk, Andy Spencer
or Gavin Bartlett NOW!

FREEPHONE
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Check out our customer testimonials on the website:

www.m-d-g.co.uk Open 7 days a week.

204 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020

 Important Information for motorhome and
MSAL campervan owners wishing to sell their vehicles

Motorhome Sellers
Advice Line
MSAL consists of a panel of industry experts who
offer advice on the various options available to
owners looking to sell a motorhome or campervan
Freephone 08080 600 600

The Motorhome Sellers Advice Line (MSAL) is a genuine and unique opportunity for sellers to discuss the most appropriate method for
selling their motorhome or campervan. The panel members are industry experts with years of experience and are willing to give advice and
offer a valuation if appropriate. On certain occasions more detailed advice will be sought by third parties who have specialised knowledge
of certain unique or bespoke models. The panel members featured below can be contacted 7 days a week by telephoning the number above.
Please quote MSAL when calling.
Panel Members

Craig Taylor Andy Spencer Rob Kirk Gareth Row Gavin Bartlett

What option is right for you? Motorhome Sellers Advice Line

• A private sale? Freephone 08080 600 600

• An outright cash sale?
• Brokerage or sale on return agreement?
• Downsize to a smaller motorhome or caravan?
• All makes and models discussed.
• Lines open 7 days a week.

The panel members featured above are either Directors or employees of the Motorhome Dealer Group. Please quote MSAL when calling.
 A r e Yo u
Looking
To S e l l Yo u r
motorhomes
Motorhome?
Avoid the SHARKS
and give DOLPHIN a call!!
We are a family run business with over 40
years industry experience and guarantee to
offer a fast, friendly and honest service.

u top prices paid We currently require the following

motorhomes:
u finance settled
u cash waiting • Ace • Adria
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u distance no object • Autocruise • Bailey
u option of outright • Bessacarr • CI
• C o m pa s s • Devon
cash purchase • Elddis • Hymer
or sale or return • Romahome • S w i ft
• Tr i g a n o Tr i b u t e • Vo l k s w a g e n

PHONE JOSH WILLIS ON
( 01202 479444 ( 07810 503301
206 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
www.dolphinmotorhomes.co.uk u sales@dolphinmotorhomes.co.uk
 CLASSIFIEDS
WANTED

Motorhomes urgently WANTED!

TOP PRICES PAID
Fuller

fuller

CASH TRANSFER ON COLLECTION

FULLER FULLER FULLER

We Love Auto-Sleepers, Auto-Trail, Bailey, Bessacarr, Elddis, FREE NATIONWIDE COLLECTION

Hymer, Pilote, Swift and Rapido motorhomes just as much ALL MAKES & MODELS REQUIRED
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Camper King, Chausson, Dethleffs, Devon, IH, PROMPT PROFESSIONAL ATTENTION
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Trigano Tribute, and VW models... just give us a try! Nottingham, Notts, NG14 7ER
We’re always looking to buy stock and have customers ready and waiting.
Open 7 days a week.
If you’re looking for the BEST PRICE to sell your A-Class, Coachbuilt, We’re waiting for your call...
or Low Profile motorhome or campervan CALL US NOW!
Call Nick or Steve NOW...
www.david-fuller.co.uk
0115 966 4401
07882 285633

HOYLES
DENHOLME
NEXT ISSUE
of Britains’ MOTORHOMES
best-selling & CAMPERS
motorhome TOP PRICES PAID
magazine We can come to you.
Cash, bankers draft or bank transfer
ON SALE
06/02/20 Contact Tim Hoyle Anytime
01274 832836 / 07786 735544

February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 207

 Free Entry!
January Free Parking!

R
MOTO ANH O M E &
CAMPERV Peterborough Arena
SALE
B U Y N OW ! SAV E N OW !
Make the most of your budget | Hundreds of new and used models
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3 DAYS ONLY
24TH • 25TH • 26TH JAN 2020

In conjunction with THE MOTORHOMERS’ MAGA ZINE

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*
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* one goodie bag per couple, subject to availability.
GET IN TOUCH!
MMM welcomes your thoughts on the world of motorhoming:
MMM Editorial, Warners Group Publications,
The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH
 mmm@warnersgroup.co.uk
MMM is published by: Stephen Warner

EDITORIAL
Managing Editor: Daniel Attwood
 danielattwood@warnersgroup.co.uk
Deputy Editor: Rachel Stothert
 rachels@warnersgroup.co.uk
Travel Editor: Helen Werin
 mmmtravel@warnersgroup.co.uk
Technical Editor: Peter Rosenthal

Next month
 mmmtech@warnersgroup.co.uk
Road Test Editor: Peter Vaughan
 peterv@warnersgroup.co.uk
Online and Social Media Editor: Chloë Holland
 chloe.holland@warnersgroup.co.uk
Online Content Editor: Kevin Hughes
 kevin.hughes@warnersgroup.co.uk March issue on sale 6 February
Campsites: Claire Tupholme
 clairet@warnersgroup.co.uk
Directories Manager: Wendy Pennycook TRAVEL From the charms of County Kerry to the lovely Lake District, the
 wendyp@warnersgroup.co.uk
Media Assistant: Sophie Bromley
delightful Yorkshire Dales to quirky northern Germany and southwest
 sophie.bromley@warnersgroup.co.uk France. Go wild in the Chilterns and explore friendly Tyneside on a fun
Designers: Maria Hurlow, Claire Honeywood, Jayne Thorpe
short break. Plus, the annual ferry guide and adults-only campsites…
Distribution: Warners Group Publications plc

ADVERTISING TESTED We review the Mobilvetta K-Yacht A-class with fixed single beds,
Group Head of Advertising: Fleur Chivers
01778 392071  fleurc@warnersgroup.co.uk
an Adria Matrix with an end washroom/garage, the twin lounge Swift
☎
Key Account Manager: Zellah Knowles Select campervan and a McLouis with a transverse double bed
☎ 01778 392093  zellahk@warnersgroup.co.uk
Account Manager: Tom Lee TECHNICAL All you need to know about wheels and tyres, as well as
☎ 01778 392454  tom.lee@warnersgroup.co.uk
reader projects, motorhoming problems solved and more

Contents subject to change

Parks Advertising Manager: Ashleigh Chadwick
☎ 01778 392050  ashleighw@warnersgroup.co.uk
Parks Account Manager: Connor Jackson
BUYING Advice on secondhand single bed coachbuilts, plus a chance to
☎ 01778 392057  connor.jackson@warnersgroup.co.uk win a camping pass to the Peterborough show with electric hook-up
Parks Sales Executive: Paula Turner
☎ 01778 392454  paulat@warnersgroup.co.uk
Multimedia Sales Executive: Sue Bullock
PLUS Campsite Finder – your comprehensive UK campsite guide
☎ 01778 391079  sueb@warnersgroup.co.uk
Classified Lineage Advertising: Jane Cottam
☎ 01778 391187  janec@warnersgroup.co.uk
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February 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk 209

 My view...
Julian Merriman asks
have we done the right thing?
We didn’t actually intend to buy
a motorhome, it just sort of
happened. One came up for sale
through someone we knew and it was
cheap, but for a reason – it was rubbish.
But having looked at it, the seed had
been planted in our minds and so it was
that a few days later we were the proud owners of a secondhand
Peugeot Compass Avantgarde 400. It was clean, cared for and
low-mileage. The bank balance was in shock, though. Had we
done the right thing? The first proper trip would tell.
The first thing we noticed was that every time we told
someone we’d bought a motorhome they were thrilled. ‘Oh, I’ve
always wanted one of them’ and ‘Well done, I’m so jealous’ were
common responses. This helped ease our conscience over the
financial extravagance.
But we had to get a bike rack fitted as that’s our preferred
choice of holiday transport. Have you any idea how much that
costs to have done? Then we filled it up in preparation for a trip
to Cornwall. Yep, we knew it
was going to take a lot.
And we also spent a lot
more getting everything we
wanted. New towels, cutlery,
bedding, new this, new that
and so on.
By now the bank balance
TELL YOUR STORY Funny, poignant or annoyed – tell readers about your motorhoming
experiences and you could earn £80 motorhome.ma/myviews
210 outandaboutlive.co.uk February 2020
was crying and we were smarting somewhat.
After years of camping and the faffing involved to get all that
stuff ready and packed, it would be so much easier to chuck
some underpants in the ’van and go, right? Well, no. Still quite a
lot to do as it turned out. But, no problem, only a few hours later
than expected, we were setting off into the gridlock of the
holiday traffic on the M5.
The previous few weeks had seen a heatwave across the
country; however, the forecast was for a change in the weather.
By the time we camped down by Gorran Haven there was a
storm on the way. We watched in amusement as the previously
packed site thinned out, and chuckled as tents were strapped
down with every piece of rope or strapping available. We’d been
there and done that years ago when a hurricane off the coast of
Pembrokeshire demolished a campsite.
However, that night when those winds howled off the sea and
blasted the ’van side on we weren’t smiling any more. It’s quite a
slab of surface to catch the wind and it got pretty nervy in the
’van that sleepless night. But we were still upright the following
day, though the wind continued. Eventually, fed up with the
vicious buffeting I turned the ’van around to face the wind,
which I should’ve done the day before. And, by doing that,
obviously it was the cue for the wind to finally die down.
Towards the end of our trip we drove back up into Devon and
arrived onto our last campsite and, just yards from our pitch, the
’van conked out. As I tried to restart it the campsite owner
waved frantically at me to stop as there were a lot of sparks
flying out from underneath.
The sun had come back out but dark clouds of doubt and
worry began to trouble our thoughts. We were kindly towed to
our pitch. As my mechanical knowledge extends no further than
knowing how to spell ‘spanner’ I rang the breakdown company.
Next morning, the RAC man turns up and gets under the
bonnet. All kinds of frightening repair bills fill my head and the
ignominious thought of returning home from our first trip on
the back of a truck. But no, it was nothing more than a loose
earth connection and the work of but two minutes to fix.
Had we enjoyed our first motorhome experience?
Without a shadow of a doubt we had and here’s looking
forward to many, many more years of fantastic
adventures. See you out there.
PROVIDING OUR CUSTOMERS WITH
EVEN MORE OF A GREAT DEAL
VAN CONVERSIONS
2017 17 Peugeot Autosleeper Warwick XL 3500kg 160 Blue HDI 13929 miles 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £45,995
2017 67 Fiat Swift Select 144 3300kg 130 Multijet 6357 miles 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £38,995
2015 15 Peugeot Autosleeper Symbol 3500kg 2.2 HDI 10604 miles 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £37,995
2016 16 Fiat Autotrail V-Line 620 Sport 3500kg130 Multijet 11380 miles 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £37,995
2014 64 Volkswagen Mal Tourliner 3000kg2.0 TDI 140 28230 miles 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £31,995
2008 08 Volkswagen Autosleeper Trooper 3000kg 2.5 TDI 130bhp 56116 miles 2+2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £23,995
2005 05 Volkswagen Autosleeper Trident 3000kg 2.5 TDI 130bhp 92510 miles 2+2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £18,995
2006 55 Fiat Trigano Tribute 3300kg 2.3 JTD 55477 miles 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £18,650

COACHBUILTS
2016 16 Mercedes Autosleeper Malvern Auto 3880kg 2.1 CDI 6722 miles 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £50,995
2016 66 Fiat Bessacarr 494 3700kg 130 Multijet 10600 miles 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £42,995
2018 68 Fiat Swift Escape 604 3500kg 130 Multijet 1771 miles 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £42,995
2018 18 Fiat Autotrail Tribute T726 Hi-Line 3500kg 130 Multijet 4007 miles 6 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £41,995
2016 66 Fiat Bessacarr 412 3500kg 130 Multijet 3587 miles 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2016 16 Peugeot Autosleeper Nuevo 3300kg130 Multijet 16500 miles 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
£41,995
£40,995
Since having moved to our superb premises our
2017 66 Fiat Swift Rio 310 3500kg 130 Multijet 9795 miles 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £39,995
2018 18 Peugeot Elddis Majestic 105 3300kg 2.0 160 HDI 4779 miles 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £38,995 selection of used caravans and motorhomes has grown
2017 17 Fiat Adria Matrix Axess 590SG 3500kg 130 Multijet 21820 miles 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £38,995
2016 16 Ford Chausson Flash 737 FD16VVM 3500kg 2.2 TDCI 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013 63 Fiat Dethleffs Advantage T6511 3500kg 130 Multijet 17776 miles 3 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
£36,995
£36,995
and grown enabling us to offer you a fabulous choice of
2009 09 Fiat Autotrail Arapaho SE-Automatic 5000kg 160 Multijet 15942 miles 6 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2011 11 Fiat Autotrail Dakota Lo-Line- Automatic 4250kg 160 Multijet19010 miles 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
£36,995
£36,995 carefully selected models of all sizes and price.
2011 61 Fiat Swift Bolero 630 PR 3500kg 130 Multijet 12110 miles 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £31,995
2013 13 Ford Autotrail Tribute 725G 3500kg 2.2 TDCI 13137 miles 6 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013 13 Fiat Swift Sundance 582PR 3500kg 130 Multijet 32182 miles 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
£30,995
£29,995
In addition to our more spacious showground we also
2012 12 Peugeot Elddis Aspire 215 3300kg 2.2 HDI 19347 miles 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2012 12 Peugeot Elddis Sunseeker 115 3300kg 2.2 HDI 24028 miles 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
£29,995
£25,995
have more customer parking and facilities, a more
2004 54 Peugeot Autosleeper Executive 3400kg 2.8 HDI 48509 miles 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £21,995
2005 55 Fiat Avondale Seascape 5-CSX 3400kg 2.8 JTD 41163 miles 3 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £19,995 comprehensive accessory shop and extensive
2005 54 Peugeot Autocruise Starfire 3400kg 2.2 HDI 60108 miles 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £19,995
2006 56 Iveco Autocruise Pinto - Automatic 3500kg 2.3 T Diesel 39019 miles 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2004 54 Fiat Ace Modena 3400kg 2.3 JTD 41726 miles 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
£18,995
£17,995
superbly equipped approved workshops.
USED CARAVANS We are here to help you achieve satisfaction in the
2018 Swift Fairway 635 Platinum Edition 20’10’’ 1730kg 1570kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £19,995
2015
2017
Swift Elegance 645 Twin Axle 20’11”1900kg 1679kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £18,995
Sterling Eccles Elite 565 18’3” 1700kg 1500kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £18,500
purchase of your choice of caravan or motorhome.
2015
2017
Bailey Unicorn Barcelona Motor Movers20’8’’ 1723kg 1560kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £17,995
Lunar Clubman SR Inc Motor Mover 18’8’’ 1495kg 1340kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £16,995 Don’t forget we take cars and caravans in part exchange
2016 Elddis Crusader Aurora Inc Mover 18’8”1526kg 1377kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £16,500
2018
2018
Bailey Pegasus GT70 Brindisi M/Mover19’3’’ 1450kg 1286kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £16,495
Bailey Pegasus GT70 Rimini 19’6’’ 1431kg 1279kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £15,995
and are keen cash buyers of used caravans and
2016
2016
Swift Fairway 570 Inc Motor Mover 18’3’’ 1550kg 1341kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £15,995
Swift Challenger 580 Inc Motor Mover 19’3’’ 1520kg 1364kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £15,995
motorcaravans. We also offer optional finance packages
2014 Coachman VIP 545/4 Inc Motor Mover 19’ 1630kg 1475kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £15,995
2017 Bailey Pegasus Rimini 19’6’’ 1450kg 1287kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £14,995 (written quotations on request).
2012 Buccaneer Fluyt Inc Motor Mover 19’ 1800kg 1596kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £14,650
2015
2014
Swift Fairway 530 SR (16 Model) 17’4” 1489kg 1338kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £13,995
Bailey Unicorn Cadiz Inc Motor Mover 18’8’’ 1498kg 1344kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £13,995
You are invited to visit our superb location - we’re just off
2015 Bailey Unicorn Seville Inc. Mover 15’8” 1369kg 1242kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £13,495
2013 Bailey Unicorn Madrid (2014 Model) 18’7’’ 1484kg 1329kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £13,495 the M5 at junction 30. You can be assured of a very
2013 Bailey Unicorn Cadiz M/Mover & Awng 18’8’’ 1498kg 1344kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £12,995
2016
2013
Bailey Pursuit Plus 560/5 M/Mover Awng 18’10’’ 1441kg 1276kg 5 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £12,995
Swift Corniche 19/4 (14 Model) M/Mov 18’4’’ 1454kg 1301kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £12,650
warm welcome.
2014 Elddis Avante 574 18’8’’ 1500kg 1297kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £11,650
2016 Bailey Pursuit 400/2 Inc Motor Mover 13’9” 1090kg 918kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £10,995
2013 Bailey Orion 430/4 17’3” 1247kg 1100kg 4 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £10,650
2014 Elddis Xplore 402 Inc Motor Mover 14’ 1350kg 993kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9,995
2010 Sterling Elite Diamond Inc Motor Mover 15’8’’ 1455kg 1235kg 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9,495
2012 Coachman Amara 450/2 15’6’’ 1335kg 1200kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £8,995
2008 Swift Conqueror 480 Inc. Mover 15’7” 1424kg 1210kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £7,995
2008 Lunar Clubman ES Inc Mover Mover 19’ 1440kg 1226kg 4 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £6,995
2007 Bailey Pageant Monarch (08 Mod) M/Mov 15’10’’ 1238kg 1062kg 2 Berth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5,995
2006 Swift Challenger 470 Inc Motor Mover 15’7’’ 1406kg 1230kg 2 Berth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5,995

Visit our website www.martinsofexeter.co.uk

DANGER DO NOT SELL YOUR MOTORCARAVAN OR
CARAVAN BEFORE SPEAKING TO MARTINS OF EXETER

EXETER

M5 PLYMOUTH 30 M5 BRISTOL

Mon – Sat: 9.00am – 5.30pm

D
ST R Closed Bank Holidays
CLY

MARTINS
OF EXETER
01392 446250 Trading since 1929
CLYST ROAD · SANDYGATE · JCT30 M5 · EXETER EX2 7JL
w w w. m a r t i n s o f e x e t e r. c o . u k U p d a t e d d a i l y
...Experience The Ultimate
in Luxury Touring

WWW.MOBILVETTA.CO.UK 0800 026 7777

 For the ultimate holiday ex�erience…

DOG-FRIENDLY SITES OPEN ALL YEAR SIT

FAMILY SITES ES

p001_Cover.indd 2 31/10/2019 11:52

Welcome

For the ultimate holiday experience...

Now entering its 12th year, the Premier Parks
group is a collection of 100 high-quality,
independently assessed campsites and touring CLAIRE TUPHOLME
parks throughout the UK and Ireland. Content Editor - Travel & Campsites
clairet@warnersgroup.co.uk
The group was founded in 2008 with the aim
of providing a first-class holiday experience
where customer satisfaction is a top priority. ASHLEIGH CHADWICK
With a Premier Parks campsite you can rest Parks Advertising Manager
ashleigh.chadwick@warnersgroup.co.uk
assured that the place you choose is going 01778 392050
to be all you hoped for and more. All the
campsites, touring parks and holiday parks vary
in size, location and the facilities offered, and CONNOR JACKSON
they all provide a first-rate experience. Account Manager
connor.jackson@warnersgroup.co.uk
So have a browse through these pages, pick a 01778 392057
region you fancy exploring, and be on your way
to finding the perfect pitch...
TOM LEE
Account Manager
Happy travels! tom.lee@warnersgroup.co.uk
The Premier Parks Team 01778 392454

SYMBOLS KEY œ Motorhome waste empty point

Ô Parking by pitches w Toilet facilities available
è Electric hook-ups available S Train station nearby
Å Showers # Bus service nearby
“ Bottled gas available ú Storage facilities available
Í Shop ⑱ Adults only
≈ Bar WiFi WiFi available
Z Restaurant/ hot food
8 Online booking
ΠTakeaway
≤ Accepts motorhomes
` Washing machine facilities
T Indoor games room 7 Accepts caravans
q Indoor swimming pool 4 Accepts tents
p Outdoor swimming pool Hh Has holiday homes
È Fishing Á Has lodges
˙ Dogs accepted fl Has camping pods
‚ Entertainment provided £ Has seasonal pitches
Q Wheelchair-friendly facilities FS Has fully serviced pitches

2 premier-parks.co.uk

p002_Welcome.indd 2 31/10/2019 11:55

 The Woods, Scotland
PREMIER PARKS MAP ...................... 4
ENGLAND
South West .............................................. 6
South East .............................................53

Contents
East of England ...................................62
East & West Midlands ........................73
Yorkshire ................................................81
North West ............................................84

SCOTLAND ..........................................91
WALES ...................................................98
IRELAND ............................................111

Heligan Camping & Caravan Park, Cornwall

Bryn Gloch, Wales

Sands Caravan & Camping, Scotland

premier-parks.co.uk 3

p002_Welcome.indd 3 31/10/2019 11:55

Index & Map

Visit us on...

94

93
92

95
96

112
97 86
83
85 82
88
89
87
90
74
99
100 101 67
70
102
106
69
78 65
75 68
66
114 103104 108 71
105 80
63
113 107 77 79 72
109 76 64
46 43
45 110
60 54 58
28 31 44 59
49 29 24 48
51 5756
47 50
38 52
16 30 21 36 39 40
42 61
19 11 13 26 41
20 34 23
27 55 35
9 22 37
7 8 25 32
15 18 10 12 33
17 14

4 premier-parks.co.uk

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 REGION PARK MAP & PAGE REGION PARK MAP & PAGE
SOUTH WEST EAST OF ENGLAND
Cornwall Atlantic Coast Holiday Park 7 Cambridgeshire Highfield Farm Touring Park 63
Cornwall Carlyon Bay 8 Essex Waldegraves Holiday Park 64

Index & Map

Cornwall Cosawes Park 9 Lincolnshire Delph Bank Touring Park 65
Cornwall Heligan Camping & Caravan Park 10 Lincolnshire Keal Lodge 66
Cornwall Hendra Holiday Park 11 Lincolnshire Long Acres Touring Park 67
Cornwall Meadow Lakes 12 Norfolk Clippesby Hall 68
Cornwall Padstow Touring Park 13 Norfolk Kelling Heath 69
Cornwall Pentewan Sands 14 Norfolk Woodhill Park 70
Suffolk Pakefield Caravan Park 71
Cornwall Polmanter Touring Park 15
Suffolk Run Cottage Touring Park 72
Cornwall Porth Beach Tourist Park 16
Cornwall St Ives Bay 17
EAST & WEST MIDLANDS
Cornwall Trevalgan Touring Park 18
Derbyshire Longnor Wood Holiday Park 74
Cornwall Trevornick 19 Rutland Rutland Caravan & Camping 75
Cornwall Trewan Hall Campsite 20 Herefordshire Broadmeadow Caravan Park 76
Devon Andrewshayes Holiday Park 21 Herefordshire Townsend Touring Park 77
Devon Castle Brake Holiday Park 22 Shropshire Beaconsfield Holiday Park 78
Devon Cofton Holidays 23 Warwickshire Riverside Caravan Park 79
Devon Damage Barton 24 Warwickshire Somers Wood Caravan Park 80
Devon Dornafield Caravan Park 25
Devon Harford Bridge Holiday Park 26 YORKSHIRE
Devon Ladram Bay 27 North Yorkshire St Helens in the Park 82
Devon Mill Park 28 North Yorkshire Whitby Holiday Park 83
Devon Minnows Touring Park 29
Devon Smytham Holiday Park 30 NORTH WEST
Devon Stowford Farm Meadows 31 Cumbria Shepherds Views Holidays 85
Devon Whitehill Country Park 32 Cumbria Stanwix Park Holiday Centre 86
Devon Widdicombe Farm 33 Lancashire Bay View Holiday Park 87
Devon Woodovis 34 Lancashire Holgates Silverdale Caravan Park 88
Dorset Back of Beyond 35 Lancashire Hollins Farm Camping & Caravanning 89
Dorset Bagwell Farm 36 Merseyside Willowbank Holiday Home & Touring Park 90
Dorset Harrow Wood 37
SCOTLAND
Dorset Monkton Wyld 38
Perth & Kinross Blair Castle Caravan Park 92
Dorset Newlands Holidays 39
Highland Glen Nevis Holidays 93
Dorset South Lytchett Manor 40
Highland Sands Caravan & Camping 94
Dorset Ulwell Cottage Caravan Park 41 Fife Cairnsmill Caravan Park 95
Dorset Wareham Forest Tourist Park 42 Clackmannanshire The Woods 96
Gloucestershire Briarfields Motel & Touring Park 43 Dumfries & Galloway Brighouse Bay Holiday Park 97
Somerset Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park 44
Somerset Country View Holiday Park 45 WALES
Somerset Dulhorn Farm Holiday Park 46 Conwy Bron-Y-Wendon Holiday Park 99
Somerset Exe Valley Caravan Site 47 Conwy Bryn Gloch 100
Somerset Old Oaks Touring, Camping & Glamping 48 Conwy Bodnant 101
Somerset Waterrow Touring Park 49 Gwynedd Garreg Goch Caravan Park 102
Somerset Wells Touring Park 50 Gwynedd Hendre Mynach 103
Wiltshire Coombe Caravan Park 51 Gwynedd Islawrffordd Caravan Park 104
Wiltshire Green Hill Farm 52 Gwynedd Trawsdir Park 105
Gwynedd Tyddyn Llwyn Park 106
SOUTH EAST Powys Fforest Fields Caravan & Camping Site 107
Berkshire Hurley Riverside Park 54 Powys Red Kite Touring Park 108
Hampshire Shamba Holidays 55 Carmarthenshire Erwlon Caravan & Camping Park 109
Kent Hawthorn Farm 56 Carmarthenshire South Wales Touring Park 110
Kent Little Satmar Holiday Park 57
Kent Quex Holiday Park 58 IRELAND
Kent Tanner Farm Park 59 Co Antrim Ballyness Caravan Park 112
Oxfordshire Swiss Farm Touring & Camping 60 Co Kerry Mannix Point Camping & Caravan Park 113
West Sussex Warner Farm Touring Park 61 Co Tipperary Glen of Aherlow 114

premier-parks.co.uk 5

p004_Index_Map.indd 5 01/11/2019 14:36

 South West
South West

Cornwall ............... 7
Devon..................21
Dorset .................35
Gloucestershire...43
Somerset ............44
Wiltshire .............51

Land’s End, Cornwall ©Alamy

6 premier-parks.co.uk

p006_SouthWest_Intro.indd 6 29/10/2019 12:15

 Atlanticname
CoastofHoliday
park Park
county
Cornwall
- map
- Map
reference
ref 7

South West
• DIRECT BEACH ACCESS
• BUS SERVICE • SHOP & TAKEAWAY
Near the coastline of St Ives Bay and fringed by
dunes, Atlantic Coast Park is only minutes away
from the sands of Gwithian Beach, which is
popular with surfers and families alike. Head in
the other direction and you’ll find St Ives itself,
which offers seafood restaurants and the Tate
Gallery. On site there’s a shop selling freshly
baked bread, a takeaway serving hot food twice
daily and a modern toilet and shower block (with
accessible facilities). Fully serviced pitches with
16-amp hook-ups are available. Atlantic Coast
also offers free WiFi for all guests.

Address
53 Upton Towans, Hayle TR27 5BL
Open
1 March - 6 January
Contact
01736 752071
atlanticcoastpark.co.uk
enquiries@atlanticcoastpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Carlyon Bayname
Caravan
of park
& Camping Park
county
Cornwall
- map
- Map
reference
ref 8
South West

• CLOSE TO BEACH • EDEN PROJECT NEARBY

• HEATED OUTDOOR POOLS
This beautiful, family-run site abounds with
exotic flowers, palms, and other trees on
manicured lawns set in 30 acres of mature
woodlands and meadow. There’s an onsite
shop, outdoor heated pools, and free unlimited
WiFi. From the site, Carlyon Bay beach is just a
10-minute walk, while 1½ miles further along
the scenic coastal footpath is the historic port
of Charlestown, home to working tall ships. The
Eden Project is just over two miles away. Set in
the 35-acre grounds of an old china clay quarry,
this creation is very much at the top of the ‘must
see’ list of attractions.

Address
Cypress Ave, Carlyon Bay PL25 3RE
Open
1 April - 26 September
Contact
01726 812735
carlyonbay.net
holidays@carlyonbay.net

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Cosawes Park
Cornwall - Map ref 9

South West
Open all year
• OPEN ALL YEAR • FULLY SERVICED PITCHES
• SECLUDED & QUIET
Secluded and quiet, historic Cosawes Park nestles
in a beautiful and easily accessed 100-acre valley
between Truro and Falmouth. Undeniably a
very pretty location, Cosawes is open all year
round and benefits from superb, award-winning
facilities and environs which regularly achieve
10/10 customer exit poll ratings. Centrally
positioned between Truro and Falmouth,
it’s a great base to explore the county. Local
supermarkets, eateries, public transport routes,
cycle paths and walks make Cosawes the perfect
location for a relaxing break.

Address
Perran-ar-Worthal, Truro TR3 7QS
Open
All year
Contact
01872 863724
cosawes.co.uk
info@cosawes.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Heligan Caravan & Camping Park
Cornwall - Map ref 10
South West

• QUIET SITE • BEACHES NEARBY

• NEXT TO LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN
On Cornwall’s south coast, perched above picturesque
Mevagissey Bay, lies the five-star Heligan Caravan
and Camping Park. Within the original Heligan Estate,
surrounded by natural beauty, this park is a magical
destination. Bring your tent to their secluded campsite
- you’ll have a choice of pitches, as well as a number of
hardstanding gravel pitches for your motorhome or
caravan. In 2020, Heligan Campsite will have revamped
toilet and shower facilities, plus a launderette, drying
room and even a dog shower! From breathtaking
coastal path walks, a number of beautiful beaches
and the world-class Lost Gardens of Heligan right next
door, this is an excellent base for this part of Cornwall.

Address
Heligan, St Austell PL26 6EL
Open
3 January - 15 November
Contact
01726 842714
heligancampsite.com
info@heligancampsite.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

10 premier-parks.co.uk

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 Hendra Holiday Park
Cornwall - Map ref 11

South West
• IDEAL FOR FAMILIES • FULL-FACILITY PARK
• INDOOR POOL COMPLEX
Boasting both a Gold five star and a Platinum five
Pennant rating, Hendra Holiday Park occupies
an ideal location, minutes from miles of golden
sand beaches, and has a fantastic array of superb
family facilities. Choose from 14 spacious fields for
touring, camping and motorhomes, equipped with
award-winning facilities in 80 acres of landscaped
parkland. There’s lots to do on the park with free
family entertainment daytime and evening, plus
the Oasis indoor and outdoor fun pools complex,
restaurant, cafés, pizzeria and traditional fish and
chip shop and a supermarket. Everything you need
for a fantastic family holiday is here.

Address
Newquay TR8 4NY
Open
27 March - 4 November
Contact
01637 875778
hendra-holidays.com
enquiries@hendra-holidays.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Meadow Lakes
Cornwall - Map ref 12
South West

• FOUR FISHING LAKES • HEATED OUTDOOR

POOL • CLOSE TO EDEN PROJECT
Meadow Lakes is an award-winning, family run
holiday park, set within the picturesque Cornish
countryside, with beautiful woodlands and lakes
to explore! Offering tenting and touring facilities,
caravans, cottages, lodges, glamping and luxury
holiday accommodation with hot tubs too! (Pet
friendly options available). Features on the park
include three amenity buildings, a heated outdoor
pool, bookable hot tub, Cosy Café, on-site shop,
children’s indoor/outdoor play areas, zip wire, pets’
corner and free fishing, plus plenty of space to relax
and spend time together!

Address
Hewas Water, St Austell PL26 7JG
Open
14 March - 2 January
Contact
01726 882540
meadow-lakes.co.uk
info@meadow-lakes.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Padstow Touring Park
Cornwall - Map ref 13

South West
Open all year
• OPEN ALL YEAR • ONE MILE FROM PADSTOW
• COUNTRYSIDE VIEWS
Located just one mile from Padstow with footpath
access into the town, this award-winning 13-acre park
boasts excellent facilities including two amenities
blocks, a family shower room, disabled facilities,
dishwashing areas and a laundry. There is also a play
area, WiFi and a shop stocked with groceries and
camping equipment. The park has 160 pitches of
which 80 are hardstanding and 150 have electric.
Padstow Touring Park is the ideal setting for your
peaceful and relaxing holiday where you can enjoy
panoramic views of the countryside and local
attractions. The park has been awarded a VisitEngland
Gold Award and a 2019 AA Platinum grading.

Address
Padstow PL28 8LE
Open
All year
Contact
01841 532061
padstowtouringpark.co.uk
bookings@padstowtouringpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Pentewan Sands Holiday Park
Cornwall - Map ref 14
South West

• RIGHT ON THE BEACH

• IDEAL FOR FAMILIES • FULL-FACILITY PARK
Situated on its own private beach overlooking
Mevagissey Bay, teamed with countryside views, it is
no wonder that Pentewan Sands Holiday Park is rated
five-stars. For authentic camping, but with the luxury of
top facilities, pitch a tent or bring your touring caravan
and motorhome - you even get to pick your ideal spot.
Facilities include The Seahorse, home to a kids pool and
length pool, free WiFi and bar and restaurant with sea
views. In peak season there’s entertainment for adults
and activities for the kids. Boat launching and water
sports are available on the beach. Elsewhere on site, you
will find four large modern toilet blocks, baby changing
and disabled facilities, a launderette and much more!

Address
Pentewan, Mevagissey PL26 6BT
Open
27 March - 31 October
Contact
01726 843485
pentewan.co.uk
info@pentewan.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Polmanter Touring Park
Cornwall - Map ref 15

South West
• AWARD-WINNING PARK • CLOSE TO ST IVES
• POOL, RESTAURANT & BAR
Set in the Cornish countryside above St Ives,
Polmanter is an award-winning family camping
and caravan park. Stay in a stunning setting, with
panoramic views of the Cornish coastline. Unwind
on site with excellent facilities including modern
underfloor-heated shower and toilet blocks with
wheelchair-accessible suites, family shower rooms,
and baby bathrooms. The main facilities are open
from mid-May to mid-Sept, and include an outdoor
heated pool, on-site shop, bar, restaurant, takeaway
and bus service to St Ives. The site also offers a new
indoor soft play facility, outdoor play areas, tennis
courts, putting green, sports field and games room.

Address
St Ives TR26 3LX
Open
1 April - 28 October
Contact
01736 795640
polmanter.co.uk
reception@polmanter.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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p007_SouthWest.indd 15 29/10/2019 12:18

 Porth Beach Tourist Park
Cornwall - Map ref 16
South West

• ADJACENT TO BEACH • CLOSE TO NEWQUAY

• SET IN TRANQUIL VALLEY
The park is just 100 metres from one of Newquay’s
best family beaches. There are 200 beautiful,
level grass pitches, (167 with 16-amp electric),
11 serviced pitches with TV hook-ups, and 15
hardstandings. The picturesque layout, fringed
with flower beds and palm trees, is set in a tranquil
wooded valley bordered by a bubbling stream.
The modern, immaculate, heated toilet block has
privacy cubicles, a baby changing area with bath,
and an outdoor covered dishwashing area, plus a
large, modern laundry room with two wheelchair-
accessible rooms. Porth is an ideal location for
visiting Padstow and the north coast of Cornwall.

Address
Porth, Newquay TR7 3NH
Open
1 March - 1 November
Contact
01637 876531
porthbeach.co.uk
info@porthbeach.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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p007_SouthWest.indd 16 29/10/2019 12:18

 St Ives Bay
Cornwall - Map ref 17

South West
• OVER SAND DUNES TO BEACH
• IDEAL FOR FAMILIES • LOTS OF FACILITIES
St Ives Bay is located on one of Cornwall’s finest
beaches and the campsite setting is simply
stunning with rolling dunes leading down to three
miles of sandy beach and surrounded by acres of
open dune land. The campsite offers a wide choice
of accommodation including caravans, chalets and
four-bedroom houses. It also has camping and
touring pitches with excellent facilities and electric
hook-ups. There are a total of five toilet blocks on
the park which have toilets, showers, washing and
dishwashing facilities.

Address
73 Loggans Rd, Upton Towans TR27 5BH
Open
14 April - 27 September
Contact
01736 752274
stivesbay.co.uk
enquiries@stivesbay.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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p007_SouthWest.indd 17 29/10/2019 12:18

 Trevalgan Touring Park
Cornwall - Map ref 18
South West

• SHORT WALK TO COAST • NEW PLAY AREA

• BUS SERVICE AT ENTRANCE
Surrounded by open farmland, Trevalgan is
nestled between granite hills with stunning
coastal views, only two miles from St Ives, with
the South West Coast Path a short walk away. The
touring park itself has underfloor heated showers,
family rooms, facilities for the disabled, a laundry
room, play area and games room. There is also an
on-site shop with a selection of fresh bread, local
produce and basic camping goods. While in St
Ives enjoying this pretty harbour town, why not
head to the Tate St Ives gallery, or take the short
20-minute drive to Cornwall’s south coast to see
St Michael’s Mount.

Address
St Ives TR26 3BJ
Open
1 May - 30 September
Contact
01736 791892
trevalgantouringpark.co.uk
reception@trevalgantouringpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 name
Trevornick
of park
county
Cornwall
- map
- Map
reference
ref 19

South West
• SHORT WALK TO HOLYWELL BAY BEACH
• GOLF • HEATED OUTDOOR POOL
Located on the north Cornish coast, Trevornick is
a five-star family campsite offering plenty of pitch
choices across seven beautifully maintained touring
and caravanning fields. Pitch types range from grass to
semi-hardstanding, with electricity, water, grey waste
drainage and TV connection and WiFi available. As
well as camping and touring pitches, Trevornick offers
a range of other accommodation choices including
Eurotents, stylish static caravans, cosy self-catering
cottages and brand new luxury lodges complete with
hot tubs. The campsite is also dog friendly! Facilities
include an 18-hole par 3 golf course, pitch ‘n’ putt, mini
golf, an outdoor heated pool, spa, games room, farm
shop, launderette, fishing ponds and nature trail.

Address
Holywell Bay TR8 5PW
Open
9 April – 31 October
Contact
01637 830531
trevornick.co.uk
info@trevornick.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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p007_SouthWest.indd 19 29/10/2019 12:18

 Trewan Hall Campsite
Cornwall - Map ref 20
South West

• 36 ACRES OF WOODS AND GROUNDS

• 10 MINUTES TO THE BEACH • SWIMMING POOL
Trewan Hall is a 17th century manor house
located in Cornwall on the north coast between
Newquay and Padstow. The coast is only four
miles away where there are sandy beaches and
cliff walks. St Columb town is a short walking
distance away with shops and pubs. Pitches are
not allocated allowing for plenty of open space
and there are 36 acres of woods and grounds to
explore. Electric is available and other facilities
include a swimming pool (high season only),
toilets and showers, a shop, laundry, games room,
play area, entertainment in high season and
plenty of woodland for walks and dog exercising.

Address
St Columb, Cornwall TR9 6DB
Open
8 May – 14 September
Contact
01637 880261
trewan-hall.co.uk
enquiries@trewan-hall.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Andrewshayes Holiday Park
Devon - Map ref 21

South West
• INDOOR POOL • COUNTRYSIDE LOCATION
• CLOSE TO BEACHES
Andrewshayes is a family-run park overlooking the
valleys and hills of east Devon. For walkers, there are
many footpaths in the area, as well as the nearby
South West Coast Path. Local attractions include
Seaton Tramway, Burrow Farm Gardens, and Forde
Abbey, as well as the family seaside resorts of Lyme
Regis and Charmouth. The park’s four-star facilities
include a lovely large covered heated swimming
pool with retractable roof. There is a seasonal bar
and café on site, play areas, games room and small
toddler soft playroom. The park is pet-friendly, has a
dog exercise field and a woodland walk. Overall, the
perfect place for exploring the West Country.

Address
Dalwood, Axminster EX13 7DY
Open
31 March - 31 October
Contact
01404 808543
andrewshayes.co.uk
info@andrewshayes.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Castle Brake Holiday Park
Devon - Map ref 22
South West

• RURAL LOCATION • BISTRO

• IDEAL FOR WALKING & CYCLING
At Castle Brake, you’ll discover the perfect rural
retreat in a beautiful setting in the heart of east
Devon. The campsite is perfectly located for days
out in Devon. It’s 15 minutes from the vibrant
cathedral city of Exeter and just 10 minutes from
stunning beaches, bustling towns and pretty
villages. As well as a state-of-the-art shower block
with underfloor heating, there’s also the Castle
Bistro, which serves a wonderful selection of
evening meals and a takeaway service. The small
on-site shop offers the daily essentials and other
facilities include a play park and woodland walk.

Address
Castle Lane, Woodbury, Exeter EX5 1HA
Open
13 March - 2 November
Contact
01395 232431
castlebrake.co.uk
reception@castlebrake.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Cofton Holidays
Devon - Map ref 23

South West
Open all year
• OPEN ALL YEAR • IDEAL FOR FAMILIES
• INDOOR & OUTDOOR POOLS
A handy distance from J30 of the M5, Cofton has a
stunning setting in a picturesque valley. Fantastic
five-star facilities in clean, tidy surroundings
complete with an indoor leisure complex, featuring
a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym
(supplementary charge). Also has children’s play
areas, bar, restaurants, shop, takeaway and games
room. Five coarse fishing lakes are a haven for
wildlife, while a woodland walk to Dawlish Warren’s
Blue Flag beach offers views across the Exe Estuary.
Large pitches, with hardstandings and super
pitches. High quality toilet blocks with family and
wheelchair access, plus launderettes.

Address
Starcross, Dawlish EX6 8RP
Open
All year
Contact
01626 890111
coftonholidays.co.uk
info@coftonholidays.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Damage Barton
Devon - Map ref 24
South West

• STUNNING COASTAL VIEWS

• IDEAL FOR WALKERS • DOG FRIENDLY
With its coastal location, Damage Barton offers
sensational views, while it has all the expected
amenities, plus a shop far more ambitious than
on-site outlets usually are. Two heated toilet
blocks are present, with facilities for disabled
users and one of the area’s popular pastimes
is reflected in there: a wetsuit washroom is
provided. There is also picnic area, a field for
kite flying, dog exercise paddocks and a dog
walk. Pitches have electric hook-up and most
are hardstanding. There is also a Caravan Club
members-only section.

Address
Station Rd, Mortehoe EX34 7EJ
Open
13 March - 31 October
Contact
01271 870502
damagebarton.co.uk
enquiries@damagebarton.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Dornafi
nameeld Caravan
of park Park
county
Devon- map
- Map
reference
ref 25

South West
• IMMACULATE SITE
• FULLY SERVICED PITCHES • FAMILY RUN
Dornafield is a historic 14th century farmstead
set in 30 acres of glorious Devon. The cities of
Exeter and Plymouth and enchanting Dartmouth
and Totnes are a short drive away. A shop, games
room, TV, tennis court, children’s adventure
and dog exercise areas complement the
award-winning facilities - think vanity cubicles,
underfloor heating, spacious showers and climate
control. The pitches are level and of a generous
size, and all are fully serviced. All the attractions
of the English Riviera and amazing Dartmoor are
but a short drive away.

Address
Two Mile Oak TQ12 6DD
Open
12 March - 3 November
Contact
01803 812732
dornafield.com
enquiries@dornafield.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 1357 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Harfordname
Bridge
ofHoliday
park Park
county
Devon- map
- Map
reference
ref 26
South West

• STUNNING LOCATION • WITHIN DARTMOOR

NATIONAL PARK • PEACEFUL AND RURAL
Set within the beauty of the Dartmoor National
Park and adjacent to the River Tavy, this rural site
offers relaxation and outdoor activities aplenty.
There are 100 pitches (with or without electric)
on grass or hardstanding, with 30 pitches by
the riverside. There are also 25 fully serviced
hardstanding pitches. Facilities on site include a
shop, laundry, wet rooms, tennis court, play area,
covered table tennis and table football. Harford
Bridge is a dog friendly site with a dog-walking
field across the road and a dog shower on park.
The site is ideal for walkers and cyclists and is
adjacent to a national cycle route.

Address
Peter Tavy, Tavistock PL19 9LS
Open
15 March - 1 November
Contact
01822 810349
harfordbridge.co.uk
stay@harfordbridge.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Ladram Bay Holiday Park
Devon - Map ref 27

South West
• IDEAL FOR FAMILIES • PRIVATE BEACH
• MODERN BAR & RESTAURANT
Close to the southernmost end of the M5, award-
winning, five star Ladram Bay is easily accessible and
once you get onto the Holiday Park you’ll appreciate
the spacious pitches. It’s the location and facilities
that will impress, though, with both the traditional
takeaway and excellent, modern restaurant and bar. Its
outdoor terrace provides beautiful panoramic views
of the campsite’s exclusive private beach on the east
Devon Jurassic Coast. Facilities include an outdoor
splash zone and arcade, indoor swimming pool
complex, climbing wall, Jurassic-themed adventure
golf, and a full entertainment programme. Equally,
fans of peaceful, rural sites will love Ladram Bay.

Address
Otterton, Budleigh Salterton EX9 7BX
Open
13 March - 2 November
Contact
01395 568398
ladrambay.co.uk
info@ladrambay.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Mill Park Caravan
name of&park
Camping Park
county
Devon- map
- Map
reference
ref 28
South West

• ATTRACTIVE, WOODED SITE

• FISHING LAKE • GLAMPING
Mill Park is a sheltered caravan and camping site
set around a sparkling 1.5 acre lake. Located in an
attractive wooded valley on the north Devon coast, it is
perfectly situated for coastal walks, fun seaside activities
and the breathtaking beauty of Exmoor. Mill Park offers
good sized level grassed and hardstanding pitches with
electric hook-ups, some fully serviced pitches, modern
shower blocks, laundry room and camping supplies.
There is an on-site family room and pub plus a well-
stocked shop. Attractive flat grassed areas for camping
and a number of glamping options are available. The
nearest village, Berrynarbor, is just a five minute walk
and offers a country pub, village store and post office.

Address
Berrynarbor, Ilfracombe EX34 9SH
Open
1 March - 31 October
Contact
01271 882647
millpark.com
enquiries@millpark.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Minnows
nameTouring
of parkPark
county
Devon- map
- Map
reference
ref 29

South West
• CANALSIDE LOCATION
• FULLY SERVICED PITCHES • OVER 14s ONLY
This Premier Park is exclusively for guests aged
14 years and over only. Minnows Touring Park is
conveniently just half a mile from junction 27 of
the M5 and north Devon link road. It features 59
hardstanding pitches, all with 16-amp electric
hook-up. 17 of the pitches are fully serviced with
fresh water supply and grey water disposal. There
is WiFi access from all pitches and modern facilities.
The site is set alongside the Grand Western Canal,
great for walking, fishing and canoeing. You can also
enjoy safe cycling on the National Cycle Route along
the towpath. Shops, pubs, public transport and golf
courses are all within walking distance.

Address
Sampford Peverell, Tiverton EX16 7EN
???
Open
2 March - 2 November
???
Contact
01884 821 770
???
minnowstouringpark.co.uk
???
admin@minnowstouringpark.co.uk
???

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Smytham
nameHoliday
of park Park
county
Devon- map
- Map
reference
ref 30
South West

• PARKLAND LOCATION • DOG FRIENDLY

• ACCESS TO TARKA TRAIL
This is a family-run park in the heart of north Devon,
set in 33 acres of parkland and the grounds of the old
manor house. A new addition are 15x12m pitches
and en-suite pitches with their own toilet and
shower. On site is a new heated facilities building,
shop, bar, games room, play area and outdoor pool.
Because of the parkland location, it is perfect for
walking or cycling enthusiasts and the Tarka Trail
can be accessed directly from the site. Attractions
in the area include some great sandy beaches, the
pretty village of Clovelly, zoos and farm parks, while
RHS Garden Rosemoor is two miles away. A peaceful
place to relax and get away from it all.

Address
Little Torrington, Gt Torrington EX38 8PU
Open
14 March - 3 November
Contact
01805 622110
smytham.co.uk
info@smytham.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

30 premier-parks.co.uk

p007_SouthWest.indd 30 31/10/2019 12:14

 Stowford Farm Meadows
Devon - Map ref 31

South West
Open all year
• OPEN ALL YEAR • IDEAL FOR FAMILIES
• INDOOR POOL
Developed from a farm over 30 years ago,
Stowford Farm Meadows is a rural camping and
caravan site from which to explore the best of
north Devon. With plenty of pitching room, this
family-friendly site features first-class facilities
– places to eat, bars, children’s play areas and
an indoor swimming pool, in addition to well-
equipped shower blocks. It also has the excellent
‘Petorama’ where kids get to pet various animals,
and the popular horse riding centre - plus a large
caravan storage facility. In addition to all of this
there’s even a caravan dealer on the campsite -
complete with workshop.

Address
Berry Down, Combe Martin EX34 0PW
Open
All year
Contact
01271 882476
stowford.co.uk
enquiries@stowford.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 31

p007_SouthWest.indd 31 31/10/2019 12:14

 Whitehill
nameCountry
of park Park
county
Devon- map
- Map
reference
ref 32
South West

• IDEAL FOR FAMILIES • OUTDOOR POOL

• COUNTRYSIDE LOCATION
A family-run park offering holiday caravans,
luxury lodges, touring and camping. Beautifully
situated in rolling south Devon countryside,
but only 2½ miles from the nearest picturesque
beaches. Paignton, Brixham and Torquay
- known as the English Riviera - are just a
short drive away. As befits a rural location,
the surrounding countryside is unspoilt and
still used as farm land. The stables and barns
have been converted, yet none of the original
atmosphere has been lost. There are 10 acres
of woods, along with excellent play facilities,
swimming, and cycling and walking trails.

Address
Stoke Road, Paignton TQ4 7PF
Open
27 March - 31 October
Contact
01803 782338
whitehill-park.co.uk
info@whitehill-park.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

32 premier-parks.co.uk

p007_SouthWest.indd 32 29/10/2019 12:21

 Widdicombe Farm
Devon - Map ref 33

South West
Adults only
• ADULTS ONLY • EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
• CLOSE TO ENGLISH RIVIERA
Widdicombe Farm is an adults-only site with easy
access and no narrow lanes to negotiate. Most
of the site’s pitches are all weather with electric,
some have water, drainage and chemical waste
on each pitch. There is a small shop, Poppies
Restaurant and takeaway and Gordons cosy
bar on site. They are all open from Easter and
from Spring Bank Holiday through to the end of
September. Dogs are accepted throughout the
season. On-site mini bus service taking you to
Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Bargain breaks
and over 60s discounts available.

Address
Ring Rd (A380), Marldon TQ3 1ST
Open
20 March - 27 October
Contact
01803 558325
widdicombefarm.co.uk
info@widdicombefarm.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 33

p007_SouthWest.indd 33 31/10/2019 12:14

 Woodovis
name of park
Park
county
Devon- map
- Map
reference
ref 34
South West

• AWARD WINNING • INDOOR POOL & SPA

• CLOSE TO DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK
Awarded AA Campsite of the Year for the South
West in 2014 and Gold at the VisitEngland
Tourism Excellence Awards 2016. Set in an Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Devon/
Cornwall border, the campsite is a tranquil
haven with a wealth of activities nearby. Enjoy
quaint Devonshire villages, beautiful Dartmoor
and National Trust properties, or get active with
hiking, biking, tree-surfing, canoeing and horse
riding. Stunning beaches are nearby. Tavistock
is a charming market town, a shoppers delight.
With its excellent facilities and commitment to the
environment, it’s a great holiday destination.

Address
???
Gulworthy, Tavistock PL19 8NY
Open
???
13 March - 31 October
Contact
???
01822 832968
???
woodovis.com
???
info@woodovis.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

34 premier-parks.co.uk

p007_SouthWest.indd 34 29/10/2019 12:22

 Back of name
Beyond
ofTouring
park Park
county
Dorset
- map
- Map
reference
ref 35

South West
Adults only
• ADULTS ONLY • CLOSE TO NEW FOREST
• HAVEN FOR WILDLIFE
A 30-acre touring and camping park exclusively
for adults only. 18 acres of the park comprises of
woodland and there are two fishing lakes on site.
The park supports a wide range of wildlife and birds
and includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There
are 80 pitches with electric, 40 camping pitches and
a shepherd’s hut and a yurt. Facilities on site include
recently upgraded toilets and showers, a washing
up area, pitch ’n’ putt, boules and a dog wash. A pub
and hotel serving food are within walking distance.
It is ideal for visiting the New Forest, Bournemouth,
South Coast beaches, Moors Valley Country Park, and
Hurn Forest is walkable from the park.

Address
234a Ringwood Road, St Leonards BH24 2SB
Open
March – October
Contact
01202 876968
backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk
info@backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 35

p007_SouthWest.indd 35 31/10/2019 12:14

 Bagwell
name
FarmofTouring
park Park
county
Dorset
- map
- Map
reference
ref 36
South West
Open all year

• OPEN ALL YEAR • BAR & GRILL

• CLOSE TO JURASSIC COAST
A family run park set in a quiet valley, just
five miles from Weymouth’s sandy beach and
picturesque harbour. It is just a short walk to
the South West Coast Path and the Fleet Lagoon
on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Super pitches have
double-width hardstanding, 16-amp electric,
water and drainage points. The modern, heated
facilities include bathrooms and a wet room. The
Red Barn bar and takeaway is open nightly during
mid and high season. There is also a bus stop
within half a mile of the site, making it easy to
explore the many attractions along the coastline.
Dog friendly facilities including dog shower.

Address
Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell, Weymouth DT3 4EA
Open
All year
Contact
01305 782575
bagwellfarm.co.uk
enquiries@bagwellfarm.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

36 premier-parks.co.uk

p007_SouthWest.indd 36 29/10/2019 12:23

 Harrow Wood
nameFarm
of park
Caravan Park
county
Dorset
- map
- Map
reference
ref 37

South West
• ON THE EDGE OF THE NEW FOREST
• FISHING LAKE • DOG FREE SITE
Set in 80 acres of farmland on the edge of the New
Forest, Harrow Wood Farm Caravan Park is located in
the village of Bransgore. Exploring the National Park
is easy with the open forest being just two miles
away. It’s also only five miles to Christchurch where
you’ll find picturesque rivers, a natural harbour
and great beaches to choose from. The site has 60
pitches with hardstanding and electric hook-up.
There is an onsite fishing lake that makes for a nice
spot to relax. A one-mile circular walk leads around
the farm to enjoy the animals and surroundings.
Site facilities include toilets, showers, dishwashing, a
laundry and accessible bathroom.

Address
Poplar Lane, Bransgore, Christchurch BH23 8JE
???
Open
March - January
???
Contact
01425 672487
???
caravan-sites.co.uk
???
harrowwood@caravan-sites.co.uk
???

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 37

p007_SouthWest.indd 37 29/10/2019 12:23

 Monkton
name
Wyld
ofHoliday
park Park
county
Dorset
- map
- Map
reference
ref 38
South West

• CLOSE TO JURASSIC COAST

• NEW LUXURY FACILITIES • RURAL SITE
The park has a countryside location on the Dorset/
Devon border yet three miles from the seaside
towns of Lyme Regis and Charmouth.
A mix of hardstanding, grass and surfaced pitches
(suitable for tents as well as all other units)
most with 16-amp electric. Some pitches can
accommodate the largest RVs. Summer camping
field. The park is divided into separate areas by
hedges so you never feel “one of the crowd”. Trip
Advisor Certificate of Excellence and Loo of the Year
Platinum award.

Address
Scott’s Lane, Charmouth, Dorset DT6 6DB
Open
15 March – 11 November
Contact
01297 631 131
monktonwyld.co.uk
holidays@monktonwyld.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

38premier-parks.co.uk premier-parks.co.uk38

p007_SouthWest.indd 38 29/10/2019 12:23

 Newlands
name ofHolidays
park
county
Dorset
- map
- Map
reference
ref 39

South West
• CLOSE TO THE BEACH • INDOOR &
OUTDOOR POOLS • BAR & RESTAURANT
Nestling beside the lovely World Heritage village of
Charmouth, Newlands Holiday Park is the perfect spot
on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Set in 23 acres of landscaped
grounds surrounded by Dorset countryside the
campsite is approximately 15 minutes walk from the
beach. The site is close to Lyme Regis and surrounded
by many walks inc Golden Cap National Trust. Great
for families, the on-site facilities include both indoor
and outdoor pools, a games room, indoor play area
and outdoor play space, along with family-friendly
activities and entertainment during peak season. There
is also the Tow Bar and Restaurant (eat in or takeaway),
toilets, showers, a laundry and shop.

Address
Charmouth DT6 6RB
Open
13 March – 1 November
Contact
01297 560259
newlandsholidays.co.uk
enq@newlandsholidays.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk premier-parks.co.uk39

p007_SouthWest.indd 39 29/10/2019 12:23

 South Lytchett Manor
nameCaravan
of park & Camping Park
county
Dorset
- map
- Map
reference
ref 40
South West

• AWARD-WINNING PARK • DOG FRIENDLY

• CLOSE TO POOLE & BOURNEMOUTH
Overall AA Campsite of the Year 2016, South
Lytchett Manor is set in 25 acres of stunning
parkland just three miles from Poole and 20
minutes from Bournemouth. There are fully
serviced pitches with free WiFi and TV connection,
serviced by heated amenity blocks with powerful
showers, piped music and professional hairdryers.
Other facilities include disabled/family bathrooms,
a shop, bakery and games room. The site is dog
friendly and has a 2.5-acre mowed off-lead dog
walking field and dog wash. A handy bus stop is
located at the site gates with services to Poole,
Bournemouth and Swanage.

Address
Dorchester Rd, Poole BH16 6JB
Open
1 March - 2 January
Contact
01202 622577
southlytchettmanor.co.uk
info@southlytchettmanor.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

40 premier-parks.co.uk

p007_SouthWest.indd 40 31/10/2019 12:14

 Ulwell Cottage
name ofCaravan
park Park
county
Dorset
- map
- Map
reference
ref 41

South West
• BAR & RESTAURANT
• INDOOR POOL • BEACH NEARBY
Nestling under the Purbeck Hills, Ulwell Cottage
is surrounded by beautiful countryside and
a coastline of dramatic cliffs and clean, safe
beaches. The Victorian seaside town of Swanage
has many attractions for all the family to enjoy
including a blue flag beach, restored pier,
watersports, boat trips and Swanage Railway to
name a few. There are also plenty of walkways
and cycle paths to explore Purbeck’s countryside
and the Jurassic Coast. Facilities on site include
hardstanding and grass pitches with electric,
and some fully serviced ones. There are toilets,
showers, an indoor pool, shop, play area and WiFi.

Address
Ulwell Road, Swanage BH19 3DG
Open
1 March – 7 January
Contact
01929 422823
ulwellcottagepark.co.uk
enq@ulwellcottagepark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 41

p007_SouthWest.indd 41 29/10/2019 12:24

 Wareham
name
Forest
of park
Tourist Park
county
Dorset
- map
- Map
reference
ref 42
South West
Open all year

• OPEN ALL YEAR • AWARD-WINNING PARK

• WOODLAND LOCATION
A warm, friendly welcome awaits you at this
five-star 40-acre woodland campsite, which
is centrally located for exploring the beautiful
Jurassic Coastline and Purbeck Hills. Relax in
the peace and tranquillity on site, or take a
walk in the surrounding Wareham Forest and
heathland. Sample the hustle and bustle of Poole
and Bournemouth, or visit nearby Dorchester,
Wareham, Weymouth and Swanage. Site facilities
include a great adventure playground, an
outdoor pool with sunbathing areas, and the
whole park is surrounded by tracks, trails and
plenty of walking opportunities.

Address
North Trigon, Wareham BH20 7NZ
Open
All year
Contact
01929 551393
warehamforest.co.uk
holiday@warehamforest.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

42 premier-parks.co.uk

p007_SouthWest.indd 42 29/10/2019 12:24

 Briarfields Motel
name& Touring
of park Caravan Park
Gloucestershire
county - map reference
- Map ref 43

South West
Open all year
• ADULTS ONLY • OPEN ALL YEAR
• CLOSE TO CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER
Briarfields is centrally located for exploring Regency
Cheltenham and historic Gloucester. Cheltenham is
renowned for its exclusive shopping and Gloucester

Adults only
has a wonderful cathedral, dockyard and Quays
outlet shopping centre. A bus service to both
makes access very convenient. The park is also well
positioned to explore the Cotswold villages and
Forest of Dean. The site is beautifully landscaped
and offers hardstanding, all weather pitches
inclusive of electric, WiFi and heated washrooms.
The motel offers comfortable accommodation
making Briarfields an ideal choice for camping and
non-camping friends to get together.

Address
Gloucester Road (B4063), Cheltenham GL51 0SS
???
Open
All year
???
Contact
01242 235324
???
briarfields.net
???
reception@briarfields.net
???

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 43

p007_SouthWest.indd 43 29/10/2019 12:24

 Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park
Somerset - Map ref 44
South West
Open all year

• ADULTS ONLY • OPEN ALL YEAR

• TRANQUIL SETTING
Good things come in small packages and for
proof look no further than Bath Chew Valley, an
adults-only site. While it may have just 35 pitches,
Adults only

each is set in its own little private area, giving

the site a personal and intimate feel. The lack of
children and the tranquil setting mean that it’s a
real winner for those seeking to escape the hustle
and bustle of everyday life. It’s within 800 yards
of a championship fishing lake and close to Bath,
Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, plus the scenic
Mendip Hills. With a pub and local shop within a
short walk, it’s a winner.

Address
Ham Lane, Bishop Sutton BS39 5TZ
Open
All year
Contact
01275 332127
bathchewvalley.co.uk
enquiries@bathchewvalley.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

44 premier-parks.co.uk

p007_SouthWest.indd 44 29/10/2019 12:24

 Country View Holiday Park
Somerset - Map ref 45

South West
Open all year
• CLOSE TO BEACH • HEATED OUTDOOR POOL
• SUPERB SHOWER FACILITIES
Set just 200 yards away from the beautiful Sand
Bay beach near Weston-super-Mare, Country View
offers 120 touring pitches on a quiet and peaceful
campsite that caters for families, in picturesque
surroundings. Access to the site is excellent
as it’s only a few miles away from junction 21
of the M5. Facilities include a large heated
outdoor swimming pool and a licensed bar with
a sun patio. The toilet block has recently been
refurbished and offers wheelchair-accessible
facilities. There’s also a laundry room, children’s
play area, an arcade and games room. There are
restaurants near the campsite.

Address
Sand Road, Sand Bay BS22 9UJ
Open
All year
Contact
01934 627595
cvhp.co.uk
info@cvhp.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 45

p007_SouthWest.indd 45 29/10/2019 12:24

 Dulhorn Farm Holiday Park
Somerset - Map ref 46
South West

• SET ON WORKING FARM • FISHING LAKE

• CLOSE TO COASTAL RESORTS
A quiet family-friendly site between the seaside
resorts of Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea.
Easy access from the M5 makes this a perfect base for
exploring well-known Somerset attractions such as
Cheddar Gorge, Wells and Glastonbury. Level grassed
and hardstanding pitches with electric hook-ups on a
secure site with barrier access. Toilet blocks, showers,
launderettes, washing-up bays, three children’s play
areas, games marquee and a sports area. Picturesque
country walks on site, designated dog walk and
fishing lake. Four star VisitEngland. Shop open at
peak times/on request. Accessible toilets, showers
and washing-up bays. Self catering holiday cottages.

Address
Weston Road, Lympsham BS24 0JQ
Open
15 March - 15 November
Contact
01934 750298
dulhornfarmholidaypark.co.uk
dfhp@btconnect.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

46 premier-parks.co.uk

p007_SouthWest.indd 46 29/10/2019 12:25

 Exe Valley Caravan Site
Somerset - Map ref 47

South West
Adults only
• ADULTS ONLY • AWARD-WINNING SITE
• IN EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK
Deep in the heart of Exmoor National Park lies the
award-winning Exe Valley Caravan Site. Nestling
among a fold of trees, with the Mill House as
its backdrop, it is beautiful, peaceful, clean, and
happy. This adults-only site is set on four acres of
well-kept grass and hardstandings. Each of the 50
pitches is either situated next to the River Exe or
the gentle mill stream. There are ample electric
and television hook-ups, as well as an on-site
shop and heated toilet blocks. Opposite is the
Badgers Holt inn, which serves real ale and good
bar food. Red deer, kingfishers and otters can be
spotted from the campsite.

Address
Bridgetown, Dulverton TA22 9JN
Open
13 March - 19 October
Contact
01643 851432
exevalleycamping.co.uk
info@exevalleycamping.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 47

p007_SouthWest.indd 47 29/10/2019 12:25

 Old Oaks Touring,
nameCamping
of park & Glamping
county
Somerset
- map
- Map
reference
ref 48
South West
Adults only

• ADULTS ONLY • PREMIUM PITCHES

• AWARD-WINNING SITE
One of the best sites we’ve seen, with delightful
views and consistent top scores in their annual
grading from the AA and VisitEngland. Old Oaks is
a top quality adults-only park less than a mile from
the magical Glastonbury Tor. Beautifully landscaped,
this site offers level pitches in a series of attractive
locations. First-class facilities are complemented
by a well-stocked shop and off-licence, TV room
and fishing pond. The site has a large enclosed dog
walk, pool table, book exchange and footpaths to
Glastonbury and the Tor. Little added extras: free
walking and cycling maps, food available 5-7 nights
a week, doggy shower and free WiFi.

Address
Wick Farm, Wick, Glastonbury BA6 8JS
Open
1 March - 17 November
Contact
01458 831437
theoldoaks.co.uk
info@theoldoaks.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

48 premier-parks.co.uk

p007_SouthWest.indd 48 29/10/2019 12:25

 Waterrow
nameTouring
of park Park
county
Somerset
- map
- Map
reference
ref 49

South West
Open all year
• ADULTS ONLY • OPEN ALL YEAR
• TRANQUIL & PEACEFUL
This open all year, multi award-winning,
beautifully landscaped, adults-only campsite is
perfect for a peaceful and tranquil getaway. All 41

Adults only
pitches are hardstanding, spacious and level, with
16-amp electric hook-up and TV booster system,
with privacy and lovely views of the surroundings.
There are 34 fully serviced pitches. The site offers
clean, five-star facilities. Dog friendly with a short
riverside, woodland walk on the grounds along
with many circular walks off site. There is a bus
service that runs from outside the park, plus the
local country inn is in walkable distance and also
very popular.

Address
Waterrow, Wiveliscombe TA4 2AZ
Open
All year
Contact
01984 623464
waterrowpark.co.uk
info@waterrowpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 49

p007_SouthWest.indd 49 29/10/2019 12:25

 Wells
nameTouring
of park
Park
county
Somerset
- map
- Map
reference
ref 50
South West
Open all year

• ADULTS ONLY • OPEN ALL YEAR

• WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF WELLS
Exclusively for adults, this campsite is within
walking distance of the historic city of Wells. Close
by is the village of Wookey Hole, with its popular
Adults only

caves and mill. It’s also central for visiting Cheddar

Gorge, Bath, Weston-super-Mare, and Glastonbury,
with the added convenience of a bus stop at the
park entrance. The site has all-weather pitches
large enough for units up to 14m long, along
with cottages to rent and lodges to buy. Facilities
comprise heated toilets and showers, and a
laundry, along with a shop and beauty room. There
is a pool/leisure centre within a mile with discounts
available to touring park guests.

Address
Haybridge, Wells BA5 1AJ
Open
All year
Contact
01749 676869
wellstouringpark.co.uk
info@wellstouringpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

50 premier-parks.co.uk

p007_SouthWest.indd 50 29/10/2019 12:25

 Coombe
nameCaravan
of parkPark
county
Wiltshire
- map
- Map
reference
ref 51

South West
Open all year
• OPEN ALL YEAR • CLOSE TO SALISBURY
• 20 MINS FROM THE NEW FOREST
Coombe Caravan Park is a beautifully landscaped
site with hundreds of trees and shrubs, providing
privacy and shielding. Great pride is taken in their
stunning floral displays with over 7500 plants being
planted each year! This gives a well-maintained
and welcoming feel throughout. Hardstanding
and grass pitches with electric are available, and
facilities include toilets and showers, a full disabled
suite, a play area, laundry, shop (open from Easter to
September) and two fridges for hire. There’s also a
large camper’s kitchen and TV room. The site is only
a 20-minute drive from the New Forest National Park
and just five miles from the cathedral city of Salisbury.

Address
The Race Plain, Netherhampton Salisbury SP2 8PN
Open
All year
Contact
01722 328451
coombecaravanpark.co.uk
enquiries@coombecaravanpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 51

p007_SouthWest.indd 51 29/10/2019 12:26

 Green Hill Farm
name
Caravan
of park
& Camping Park
county
Wiltshire
- map
- Map
reference
ref 52
South West
Open all year

• OPEN ALL YEAR • ADULTS-ONLY AREA

• ON THE EDGE OF THE NEW FOREST
Located on the edge of the New Forest in Wiltshire,
Green Hill Farm is a peaceful award-winning hideaway
set over 50 acres of beautiful countryside. It is within
the National Park and has its own direct access to the
forest. The park is split into different areas including
an adults-only area and boasts three shower and
toilet blocks. There is also an outdoor play area and
recreation field and you can enjoy many activities
such as Segway Experience, Laser Clay Experience and
Archery. Most of the 160 pitches have electric hook-up
and 50 are hardstanding. The park is a member of
the ‘Best of British’ and ‘Premier Parks’ and has been
awarded a five-star rating by the AA.

Address
???
New Road, Landford, Nr Salisbury SP5 2AZ
Open
???
All year
Contact
???
01794 324117
???
greenhillfarm.co.uk
???
info@greenhillfarm.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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p007_SouthWest.indd 52 31/10/2019 12:15

 South East

South East

Berkshire .................. 54
Hampshire................ 55
Kent ........................... 56
Oxfordshire .............. 60
West Sussex ............. 61
Canterbury Old Town, Kent ©Adobe Stock

premier-parks.co.uk 53

p053_SouthEast_Intro.indd 53 29/10/2019 12:27

 Hurley Riverside Park
Berkshire - Map ref 54
South East

• RIVERSIDE SETTING • CLOSE TO LEGOLAND

• SLIPWAY & RIVERSIDE PICNIC AREA
This family-run and pet-friendly park alongside the
River Thames is perfect for visiting the huge number
of attractions in the South East while still feeling away
from it all. It has direct access to the Thames Path and
welcomes tourers, motorhomes, RVs and tents. Hurley
has won a Gold David Bellamy Conservation Award
for the last 20 years and facilities include heated
shower blocks with family rooms, laundry, shop, free
WiFi, nature trail, playground, riverside picnic grounds,
slipway, fishing in season and electric car charging
points. LEGOLAND Windsor tickets are available
at a great rate and discounts are available at other
attractions. Caravan Holiday Homes are also available
to rent and purchase.

Address
Hurley SL6 5NE
Open
1 March - 31 October
Contact
01628 824493
hurleyriversidepark.co.uk
info@hurleyriversidepark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

54 premier-parks.co.uk

p054_SouthEast.indd 54 29/10/2019 12:29

 Shamba
name of
Holidays
park
Hampshire
county - map
- Map
reference
ref 55

South East
Open all year
• OPEN ALL YEAR • CLOSE TO NEW FOREST
• POOL WITH SLIDING ROOF
Shamba Holidays is ideally situated to explore
Hampshire and Dorset, and is close to the New
Forest and Bournemouth with its fine beaches.
Fishing, golfing and horse riding are available
nearby. The park has 150 good-sized, well-drained
pitches, some hardstanding, all with electric hook-
up facilities. There’s a modern clubhouse with
licensed bar, takeaway, games room and well-
stocked shop. There’s also an excellent 40ft heated
swimming pool and toddlers’ paddling pool with
a clever sliding roof. Impressive modern toilet/
shower facilities. Children’s play area, large dog
walking field and grey waste disposal point.

Address
East Moors Lane, St Leonards BH24 2SB
Open
All year
Contact
01202 873302
shambaholidays.co.uk
enquiries@shambaholidays.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 74 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 55

p054_SouthEast.indd 55 29/10/2019 12:39

 Hawthorn Farm
Kent - Map ref 56
South East

• DOG FRIENDLY • NEAR DOVER & BEACHES

• PRETTY, LANDSCAPED SITE
Hawthorn Farm’s 28 acres of beautifully
landscaped gardens contain some 5000
established ornamental fruit and woodland
trees. The port of Dover is just a six-minute
drive away. Martin Mill station is nearby and
Hawthorn Farm is within easy reach of Blue
Flag beaches and the historic castles of Dover,
Deal and Walmer. Fine golf courses, fishing,
swimming, tennis and bowls are just some of
the local activities available. A local public house
serves excellent-value food. All the normal on-
site facilities are available, including toilets and
showers, a shop and café.

Address
Station Rd, Martin Mill, Dover CT15 5LA
Open
6 February - 7 December
Contact
01304 852658
keatfarm.co.uk
hawthorn@keatfarm.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

56 premier-parks.co.uk

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 Little Satmar Holiday Park
Kent - Map ref 57

South East
• IDEAL FOR FOLKESTONE
• CLIFFTOP WALKS • CYCLE PATHS
Four miles from the Port of Dover and only
seven miles to the Channel Tunnel, is the friendly
campsite of Little Satmar. Part of the Keat Farm
group, this small and welcoming park occupies a
tranquil location. Along with static caravans, there
is a separate touring field for tents, caravans and
motorhomes. The touring area has its own WC block
and dishwashing area. Pitches are separated by
open fences and electricity is available. A full shower
block is located near the reception area. Nearby
Folkestone offers a harbour and seafood stalls, while
Sandgate has quaint clapboard houses. The Battle
of Britain Memorial is just one mile away.

Address
Winehouse Lane, Capel-le-Ferne CT18 7JF
Open
6 February - 7 December
Contact
01303 251188
keatfarm.co.uk
satmar@keatfarm.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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p054_SouthEast.indd 57 29/10/2019 12:40

 Quex Holiday Park
Kent - Map ref 58
South East

• CAFE • BEACH TWO MILES AWAY • IDEAL FOR

EXPLORING THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND
Quex is a picturesque, level and partly wooded
campsite with a peaceful, quiet atmosphere.
A small shop and laundry are provided for the
convenience of visitors. The lovely sandy beach at
Minnis Bay is only two miles away, and the leisure
and sporting activities at Margate, Broadstairs,
Ramsgate and Sandwich are all within easy reach.
The park offers washing and shower facilities and
there is a children's play area. The fascinating
Quex House Museum and Gardens adjoining
the park are well worth a visit. The campsite is a
handy location to explore all the attractions that
Kent has to offer.

Address
Park Road, Birchington CT7 0BL
Open
6 February - 7 December
Contact
01843 841273
keatfarm.co.uk
quex@keatfarm.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

58 premier-parks.co.uk

p054_SouthEast.indd 58 29/10/2019 12:40

 Tanner Farm Park
Kent - Map ref 59

South East
Open all year
• OPEN ALL YEAR • HAVEN FOR WILDLIFE
• MANY COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
Tanner Farm Park has 120 pitches set within 15 acres
of a 36-acre park. Set amid the Kent countryside,
the park is surrounded by woodland, farmland and
orchards, there are many walks direct from this dog-
friendly park. Hardstanding and grass pitches are
available, all with electric hook-up. Hardstandings
have mains water and some have drains. Park
facilities include toilets and showers, a shop, two
play areas and a small recreation room. Tanner Farm
is within easy reach of many attractions and London
and the coast are less than an hour away. Things to
see and do include Leeds Castle, Sissinghurst Castle,
Bewl Water and the Hop Farm Family Park.

Address
Goudhurst Road, Marden, Kent TN12 9ND
Open
All year
Contact
01622 832399
tannerfarmpark.co.uk
enquiries@tannerfarmpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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p054_SouthEast.indd 59 29/10/2019 12:40

 Swiss Farm Touring & Camping
Oxfordshire - Map ref 60
South East

• WALKING DISTANCE TO HENLEY

• OUTDOOR POOL • CAFE WITH TERRACE
This picturesque campsite is just a 10-minute walk
from Henley-on-Thames town centre, and yet it sits
in a beautiful, secluded spot perfect for enjoying the
Oxfordshire countryside. There’s a shop offering ‘the
essentials’ such as groceries, camping bits and pieces
and toys. You’ll also find a café which opens on to a
terrace beside the outdoor pool, a pretty lake area,
two children’s play sites and dog walking area. It’s all
about location as this is the ideal Thames Valley spot
from which to explore, whether that’s the stunning
Chilterns or historic towns, including Windsor,
where you’ll also find LEGOLAND. Even a day trip to
London is easy, with several stations nearby.

Address
Marlow Rd, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2HY
Open
14 February - 30 November
Contact
01491 573419
swissfarmcamping.co.uk
info@swissfarmhenley.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Warner Farmname
Camping
of park
& Touring Park
West
county
Sussex
- map- Map
reference
ref 61

South East
• COASTAL PARK • IDEAL FOR FAMILIES
• LOTS OF FACILITIES
A five star touring park in the beautiful seaside
location of Selsey in West Sussex. The perfect choice
for a fun-filled family break or quiet get away from
it all. They have all types of pitches, a level 12.5 acre
grassy park surrounded by hedging just a short stroll
from the beach. Pitch fees include the use of two
swimming pools and a number of entertainment
venues on the linked Bunn Leisure parks. With free
kids clubs, nightly entertainment and a variety of
places to eat, as well as the beautiful mile long beach
front. There is also a free bus service running between
all the parks. Within walking distance of the village of
Selsey and nine miles from the city of Chichester.

Address
Warner Lane, Selsey, Chichester PO20 9EL
Open
1 March – 2 January
Contact
01243 604499
warnerfarm.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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p054_SouthEast.indd 61 29/10/2019 12:40

 East of England
East of England

Cambridgeshire .......... 63
Essex.............................. 64
Lincolnshire ................. 65
Norfolk .......................... 68
Suffolk ........................... 71
Hunsett Mill, Norfolk ©Alamy

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 Highfield
name
Farm
ofTouring
park Park
Cambridgeshire
county - map reference
- Map ref 63

East of England
• CLOSE TO CAMBRIDGE • PARK & RIDE NEARBY
• COUNTRYSIDE LOCATION
Quiet and beautiful touring park located five miles
west of the city of Cambridge offering 120 touring
pitches. Set in eight acres of grounds, landscaped
with conifers, hedging and trees, it offers excellent
toilet and shower amenities and the careful siting
of pitches around the perimeter gives a wonderful
feeling of spaciousness. A 1½ mile walk around
the farm provides attractive views across the
peaceful Cambridgeshire countryside. There is a
Park and Ride service nearby or a bus stop can be
found a short walk away. Facilities on site include
four modern toilet/shower blocks, a laundry, dog
exercise area and motorcaravan service point.

Address
???
Long Road, Comberton CB23 7DG
Open
???
31 March - 30 October
Contact
???
01223 262308
???
highfieldfarmtouringpark.co.uk
???
enquiries@highfieldfarmtouringpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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p063_EastofEngland.indd 63 29/10/2019 12:51

 Waldegraves
name ofHoliday
park Park
county
Essex- -map
Mapreference
ref 64
East of England

• IDEAL FOR FAMILIES

• ENTERTAINMENT • BAR & RESTAURANT
Waldegraves is a great mixture of holiday
homes and touring areas. A wide selection of
self-catering luxury holiday homes are available
and there’s a choice of electric, non-electric and
hardstanding pitches. The pitches are highly
maintained and have all the space you need to
enjoy the great outdoors. The facilities include an
outdoor heated pool, restaurant, bar and shop.
There are also four fishing lakes, children’s play
areas, pool tables, a family arcade, entertainment
venue, beach access, a dog walking area, crazy
golf, footgolf, a driving range and 18-hole pitch ‘n’
putt course.

Address
Mersea Island CO5 8SE
Open
1 March - 30 November
Contact
01206 382898
waldegraves.co.uk
holidays@waldegraves.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

64 premier-parks.co.uk

p063_EastofEngland.indd 64 31/10/2019 12:16

 Delphname
Bank of
Touring
park Park
Lincolnshire
county - map- Map ref 65
reference

East of England
Adults only
• ADULTS ONLY • TRANQUIL PARK
• DOG FRIENDLY
Delph Bank is a small picturesque five star tranquil
park, exclusively for adults, located in the heart of
the Fens. In the centre of a village, the park offers
45 level pitches sheltered by mature trees in an
immaculate garden setting. The pitches are on
grass or hardstanding, all with 16-amp hook-up.
There are also fully serviced pitches available.
The village has a pub, tearoom, farm shop and a
Chinese restaurant, all within walking distance.
There is a bus stop a few yards from the park
entrance. Delph Bank is within easy reach of
Boston, Stamford, Lincoln, the Sandringham Estate
and the North Norfolk coast resorts and beaches.

Address
Old Main Road, Fleet Hargate, Holbeach PE12 8LL
Open
3 April - 11 October
Contact
01406 422910
delphbank.co.uk
enquiries@delphbank.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 65

p063_EastofEngland.indd 65 31/10/2019 12:16

 name
Keal Lodge
of park
Lincolnshire
county - map- Map
reference
ref 66
East of England
Adults only

• ADULTS ONLY • TRANQUIL, RURAL PARK

• FULLY SERVICED PITCHES
This site is situated on the Lincolnshire/
Cambridgeshire border in a quiet lane in the
picturesque village of Deeping St. James. The
site offers visitors a friendly welcome from the
owners, and a sanctuary of peace and quiet to
relax in well maintained grounds, within walking
distance of the village which has all amenities.
On this three quarter acre lawned site, the grass is
kept short and all grass cuttings collected. There
are 11 fully serviced pitches all with free WiFi
available. Nine of the pitches are hardstandings.
Own sanitation is required. OS Grid Ref: 164095

Address
Back Lane, Deeping St James PE6 8RT
Open
6 April - 31 October
Contact
01778 346946
keallodge.co.uk
enquiries@keallodge.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

66 premier-parks.co.uk

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 Long name
Acres Touring
of park Park
Lincolnshire
county - map- Map
reference
ref 67

East of England
Adults only
• ADULTS ONLY • RURAL LOCATION
• ALL HARDSTANDING PITCHES
This friendly, adults-only, 40-pitch touring site
is situated in a rural area of south Lincolnshire
near the village of Old Leake, surrounded by
the fenland countryside. The site is close to the
market town of Boston, the coastal resort of
Skegness, Lincoln, Mablethorpe, Louth, Stamford,
Spalding, RAF Coningsby and the Lincolnshire
Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby. The
fenland area is level and lends itself to those
wishing to enjoy walking, cycling and fishing.
Nearby nature reserves at Frampton Marsh,
Freiston Shore, Gibraltar Point and Snipes Dales
are very popular.

Address
Station Road, Old Leake PE22 9RF
Open
1 March - 8 January
Contact
01205 871555
long-acres.co.uk
info@long-acres.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 67

p063_EastofEngland.indd 67 29/10/2019 12:51

 Clippesby Hall
Norfolk - Map ref 68
East of England
Open All Year

• OPEN ALL YEAR • LOTS OF ON-SITE FACILITIES

• CLOSE TO THE NORFOLK BROADS
Set in 34 acres with extensive woodlands, there
are eight different touring areas, with mature trees,
natural woods and well-cut grass. The centrally
heated toilet blocks have individual shower
cabinets, privacy cubicles, plenty of disabled
facilities, plus a full-sized family bathroom. There
are bikes to hire, a heated pool, tennis courts, and
crazy golf too. Along with a new reception area,
BASECAMP includes a café, kitchen, shop and fully
licensed bar. The nearby Broads can be explored,
maybe in a canoe, or hire a cruiser for the day. The
campsite has its own ‘Discover the Broads’ guide,
offering a wealth of information and ideas.

Address
Clippesby NR29 3BL
Open
All year
Contact
01493 367800
clippesbyhall.com
holidays@clippesby.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

68 premier-parks.co.uk

p063_EastofEngland.indd 68 30/10/2019 10:48

 Kelling
name ofHeath
park
county
Norfolk
- map
- Map
reference
ref 69

East of England
• IDEAL FOR FAMILIES • MANY WALKS &
TRAILS • SET IN RARE HEATHLAND
Set a mile from the north Norfolk coast in an Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Kelling Heath
is an environmentally aware 300-acre holiday
park offering a wide range of activities for all the
family. As well as the usual amenities, which are
all of a high standard, Kelling Heath has a Village
Square complete with village store, bar and
restaurants. There’s even a health and fitness club
with a swimming pool, spa pool, sauna and steam
rooms, plus a free outdoor pool. Environmentally
themed Acorn Activities and events, self-guided
walks and trails available.

Address
Sandy Lane, Weybourne NR25 7HW
Open
10 February - 2 January
Contact
01263 588181
kellingheath.co.uk
info@kellingheath.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 69

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 Woodhill
name of park
Park
county
Norfolk
- map
- Map
reference
ref 70
East of England

• CLIFFTOP LOCATION • STUNNING VIEWS

• CLOSE TO CROMER/SHERINGHAM
On a clifftop position between Sheringham
and Cromer, Woodhill has 250 pitches (205
with electric) for motorhomes, caravans and
tents including 31 serviced pitches, eight with
hardstandings. Luxury caravans with sea views
can be hired. Three modern, clean amenity
buildings, disabled facilities, family bathroom,
and three family shower rooms. Dishwashing
sinks and laundry room available. The shop offers
groceries and basic caravan equipment. There’s
a themed children’s playground, games field and
giant chess. You can walk from Woodhill along
the English Coast Path to Sheringham or Cromer.

Address
Cromer Road, East Runton NR27 9PX
Open
19 March - 30 November
Contact
01263 512242
woodhill-park.com
info@woodhill-park.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Pakefi
name
eld Caravan
of park Park
county
Suffolk
- map
- Map
reference
ref 71

East of England
• OUTDOOR POOL • BAR & RESTAURANT
• CLOSE TO DOG-FRIENDLY BEACH
Located a stone’s throw from the beach and within
easy walking distance of a bus stop, Pakefield
offers 12 touring pitches on level ground and
accessed by a Tarmac road. The pitches all feature
16-amp hook-ups and are serviced by a modern
toilet block. The touring area is next to the main
holiday home site and this offers the convenience
of a shop, bar and restaurant, as well as a heated
outdoor swimming pool (open 21 May to end of
September). Pakefield village offers a variety of
shops, while a Morrisons supermarket is less than
half-a-mile away. Lowestoft itself is a traditional
seaside town. Free WiFi for all guests.

Address
Arbor Lane, Lowestoft NR33 7BQ
Open
1 March - 31 October
Contact
01502 561136
pakefieldpark.co.uk
info@pakefieldcaravanpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Run Cottage
name ofTouring
park Park
county
Suffolk
- map
- Map
reference
ref 72
East of England
Open all year

• ADULTS ONLY • OPEN ALL YEAR

• COUNTRYSIDE LOCATION
Situated on Suffolk’s heritage coast, near the market
town of Woodbridge, this small, adults-only, family-
run site is set in a pleasant parkland setting. All
Adults only

pitches benefit from electric hook-ups with fully

serviced grass/hardstandings available. There’s
attractive landscaping throughout, with flower
beds and an ornate lily pond. Run Cottage is ideal
for walking, cycling and bird watching. It has a dog
exercising area and modern toilet block. The village
shop and pub are both within easy walking distance.
The site is just 1½ miles from a shingle beach and
close to the RSPB Minsmere coastal nature reserve.
This is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday.

Address
Alderton Road, Hollesley IP12 3RQ
Open
All year
Contact
01394 411309
runcottage.co.uk
info@runcottage.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 East & West Midlands
East & West Midlands

Derbyshire ...................74
Rutland .........................75
Herefordshire ..............76
Shropshire....................78
Warwickshire ...............79
Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

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p073_EastWestMidlands_Intro.indd 73 29/10/2019 12:41

East & West Midlands Longnor
name
Wood
ofHoliday
park Park
Derbyshire
county - map
- Map
reference
ref 74
Adults only

• ADULTS ONLY • IDEAL FOR WALKERS

• PEAK DISTRICT LOCATION
In the Peak District, Longnor Wood is a five pennant,
adults-only campsite that offers 51 pitches with
10-amp electric hook-up. You’ll not go wanting for
facilities here. In addition to the spotless heated
amenities block (which also has a laundry room),
the campsite has a small shop, a putting green, and
courts for playing badminton and boules. There’s
also a dog wash and a four-acre exercise area with
stunning countryside views. Longnor itself is a
pretty little moorland town just over a mile away
that offers several good pubs. Venture further afield,
and you’ll find Bakewell, Buxton, Chatsworth House
and Dovedale all within easy reach.

Address
Longnor, Buxton SK17 0NG
Open
1 March - 10 January
Contact
01298 83648
longnorwood.co.uk
info@longnorwood.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Rutlandname
Caravan
of park
& Camping

East & West Midlands

county
Rutland
- map
- Map
reference
ref 75

Open all year

• OPEN ALL YEAR • INDOOR POOL
• ADULTS-ONLY & FAMILY AREAS
A pretty caravan park to a high specification with
a new indoor swimming pool and luxury lodges,
surrounded by well-planted banks to provide good
screening. The spacious site is close to the Viking
Way and central to many market towns and villages.
Greetham is a five-minute walk from Rutland
Caravan & Camping and offers two pubs and a
post office. A golf club is also nearby. The caravan
and camping site is open all year round and offers
both hardstanding and grass pitches. Refurbished
adults-only toilet facilities with privacy rooms.
Rutland Water is close by where walking, cycling
and watersports abound.

Address
Greetham, Oakham LE15 7FN
Open
All year
Contact
01572 813520
rutlandcaravanandcamping.co.uk
info@rutlandcaravanandcamping.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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East & West Midlands Broadmeadow
name ofCaravan
park Park
Herefordshire
county - map-reference
Map ref 76

• ADULTS-ONLY AREA • TWO FISHING LAKES

• 10-MINUTE WALK FROM ROSS-ON-WYE
Situated in Ross-on-Wye in the heart of the Wye
Valley and a short drive from the Forest of Dean.
A 10-minute walk leads to the town centre where
there are shops, cafés and restaurants. Ross-on-
Wye is popular for walkers and cyclists and the
Wye Valley Walk, Offa’s Dyke Walk and the Black
Mountains are within easy reach. Facilities on site
include two shower blocks with disabled facilities
and a family room, laundry rooms, dishwashing
and WiFi. There are a choice of grass and
hardstanding pitches, all with electric and there is
a specific adults-only area. There are dog walking
areas on site and two fishing/wildlife lakes.

Address
???
Ross-on-Wye HR9 7BW
Open
???April - 31 October
1
Contact
???
01989 768076
???
broadmeadow.info
???
site@broadmeadow.info

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

76 premier-parks.co.uk

p074_EastWestMidlands.indd 76 31/10/2019 12:18

 Townsend
nameTouring
of park Park

East & West Midlands

Herefordshire
county - map-reference
Map ref 77

• FAMILY FRIENDLY
• COUNTRYSIDE LOCATION • FISHING LAKE
A relaxed holiday awaits you on this award-winning
five star touring and camping park located on the
edge of Pembridge, one of Herefordshire’s most
beautiful ‘Black and White’ villages. The pitches are
spacious and fully serviced. Glamping and Hobbit-
style pods are also available. There’s an immaculate
facilities block with a large disabled washroom and
family bathroom, while for the little ones there is an
amenity area, play area and a cycle track through
the woods. There is a dog walking area, a fishing
lake and an on-site farm shop, which prepares the
finest meat from Townsend Farm. Three pubs and
restaurants are within a few minutes’ walk of the site.

Address
Pembridge, Leominster HR6 9HB
???
Open
15 February - 6 January
???
Contact
01544 388527
???
townsendfarm.co.uk
???
info@townsendfarm.co.uk
???

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 77

p074_EastWestMidlands.indd 77 29/10/2019 12:54

East & West Midlands Beaconsfi
nameeldof
Holiday
park Park
Shropshire
county - map
- Map
reference
ref 78
Open All Year

• OPEN ALL YEAR • ADULTS ONLY

• RESTAURANT & INDOOR POOL
Set in the heart of picturesque Shropshire, this
holiday park caters for over 18s only, making it
the ideal destination for a tranquil getaway no
Adults Only

matter what time of year. Only two miles from

historic Shrewsbury this holiday park has a choice
of spacious grass or fully serviced hardstanding
pitches, set in landscaped grounds. Dine at The
Croft, Bar and Restaurant or enjoy a hot beverage
in the coffee shop. There are also coarse fishing
pools on site, a shower block, indoor pool and
steam room. If you enjoy walking, the Shropshire
Way passes by the park or you can hire a bike to
explore the area.

Address
???
Upper Battlefield, Shrewsbury SY4 4AA
Open
??? year
All
Contact
???
01939 210370
???
beaconsfi eldholidaypark.co.uk
???
mail@beaconsfi eldholidaypark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

78 premier-parks.co.uk

p074_EastWestMidlands.indd 78 31/10/2019 12:18

 Riverside
name of park
Park

East & West Midlands

Warwickshire
county - map- reference
Map ref 79

• ONE MILE FROM STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

• BAR & RESTAURANT • RIVER TAXI TO TOWN
As the park name suggests, Riverside Park is situated
on the River Avon, only one mile from Stratford-
upon-Avon and ideal for exploring the Cotswolds.
There are approximately 100 touring grass pitches
with electric hook-up and riverfont pitches are
available. The park has open fields with lots of
wildlife and fishing is available on the river. Site
facilities include toilets, showers, a laundry, play
area and disabled room. The stunning Riverside Bar
& Restaurant has panoramic river views. A regular
river taxi service runs to Stratford or it’s a 25-minute
walk. Tiddington village is a five-minute walk and has
shops, restaurants, a pub and bus service.

Address
Tiddington
??? Road, Stratford upon Avon CV37 7AB
Open
1
???April - 1 November
Contact
01789
??? 292312
riversideparkstratford.co.uk
???
info@riversideparkstratford.co.uk
???

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 79

p074_EastWestMidlands.indd 79 31/10/2019 12:18

East & West Midlands Somersname
Woodof
Caravan
park Park
Warwickshire
county - map- reference
Map ref 80
Open All Year

• ADULTS ONLY • OPEN ALL YEAR

• NEXT TO STONEBIRDGE GOLF CENTRE
Exclusively for adults only, situated in beautiful
countryside on the outskirts of Warwickshire, with
countryside walks in abundance. Also the closest
Adults Only

park to the NEC if you are attending an exhibition

or show there. The facilities include a heated
shower block and disabled suite. There are 48
pitches in open, natural woodland, all hardstanding
with electric and four are fully serviced. RVs up
to 42 feet in length are welcome. The site is next
to Stonebridge Golf Centre and adjacent is a
coarse fishery. Somers Wood is ideally placed to
visit Warwick, Leamington Spa, Birmingham and
Coventry. Meriden village is one mile away.

Address
???
Somers Road, Meriden CV7 7PL
Open
??? year
All
Contact
???
01676522978
???
somerswood.co.uk
???
enquiries@somerswood.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

80 premier-parks.co.uk

p074_EastWestMidlands.indd 80 29/10/2019 12:55

 Yorkshire

Yorkshire

North Yorkshire .......... 82

Whitby, North Yorkshire ©Alamy

premier-parks.co.uk 81

p081_premierparks19.indd 81 29/10/2019 12:41

 St Helens
name of
in the
parkPark
North
county
Yorkshire
- map reference
- Map ref 82
Yorkshire

• SHOP & TAKEAWAY • TWO-ACRE DOG WALK

• CLOSE TO SCARBOROUGH
Set in the Wykeham Estate, St Helens in the Park
is an attractive, established park situated on the
edge of the North York Moors National Park just
six miles from the seaside resort of Scarborough.
Facilities are of the highest standard and include
free showers with hairdryers, a well-stocked shop,
and free WiFi. The campsite offers family-friendly
and adults only areas and has a large dog exercise
field. Camping pods and seasonal caravan pitches
are available, and the local pub is a short walk
away. This is an ideal touring base for this popular
area. Discounts are offered for OAPs and weekly
visits. Online booking available.

Address
Wykeham Estate, Wykeham YO13 9QD
Open
16 February - 15 January
Contact
01723 862771
sthelenscaravanpark.co.uk
caravans@wykeham.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

82 premier-parks.co.uk

p082_Yorkshire.indd 82 29/10/2019 13:19

 Whitby
nameHoliday
of parkPark
North
county
Yorkshire
- map reference
- Map ref 83

Yorkshire
• CLIFFTOP LOCATION • CLOSE TO SANDY
BEACHES • VIEWS OF WHITBY ABBEY
Enjoying a clifftop location, with many pitches
having a view of the sea, Whitby Holiday Park
is one of the closest parks to Whitby. It offers
pitches with 16-amp electric hook-ups on grass.
Clifftop paths lead down to sandy beaches, with
Whitby and the ruins of the Gothic abbey being
a gentle stroll away. The site has a small games
room and play area together with a bar, with
evening entertainment at peak times. There’s
also a toilet block, shop and laundry room. Pretty
Whitby offers a wide variety of shops, pubs and
great fish restaurants (try the Magpie Café). No
tents allowed. Free WiFi for all guests.

Address
Saltwick Bay, Whitby YO22 4JX
Open
1 March - 31 October
Contact
01947 602664
whitbypark.co.uk
info@whitbypark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 83

p082_Yorkshire.indd 83 29/10/2019 13:20

 North West
North West

Cumbria ...................85
Lancashire ...............87
Merseyside ..............90

Lake Windermere from Loughrigg Fell, Cumbria ©Alamy

84 premier-parks.co.uk

p084_NorthWest_Intro.indd 84 29/10/2019 12:42

 Shepherds Views Holidays
Cumbria - Map ref 85

North West
• IDEAL FOR WALKING & CYCLING
• CAMPING PODS • BEACH NEARBY
Being close to Wastwater, the area surrounding
Shepherds Views is noted for its beauty. It’s also
great for cycling and walking, with lots of great
trails nearby (Hadrian’s Cycleway passes the
entrance). Less than 10 minutes’ walk brings you
to a sandy beach, perfect for the family. The site
offers fully serviced hardstandings, together with
a modern shower block. Camping pods, complete
with heating and fire pits are available to hire.
Local shops are just over a mile away at Seascale,
while Ravenglass and Muncaster Castle are
nearby. There’s a pub within walking distance and
an 18-hole golf course a mile away.
Address
Drigg, Holmrook CA19 1XU
Open
1 March - 31 October
Contact
01946 729907
shepherdsviews.co.uk
contact@shepherdsviews.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 85

p085_NorthWest.indd 85 29/10/2019 13:20

 Stanwix Park Holiday Centre
Cumbria - Map ref 86
North West
Open All Year

• IDEAL FOR FAMILIES

• TWO SWIMMING POOLS • ENTERTAINMENT
Stanwix Park offers the holiday that has it all!
Whether you love the seaside or want to explore
the Lakes, Stanwix Park is the place. It’s all on
site... NEW sauna, NEW steam room, NEW foot
spas, NEW experience showers, NEW 10-pin
bowling, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool,
gym, Jacuzzi, WiFi, amusement arcades, café,
shop, outdoor play park, tennis, crazy golf and
bike hire. In the evening the Sunset Inn offers
fantastic family nights of crazy fun, music, cabaret
and dancing. The accommodation options
include camping pods and fully serviced pitches
for tents, touring caravans and motorhomes.

Address
Greenrow, Silloth CA7 4HH
Open
All year (except 25/26 Dec)
Contact
01697 332666
stanwix.com
enquiries@stanwix.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

86 premier-parks.co.uk

p085_NorthWest.indd 86 29/10/2019 13:20

 Bay View Holiday Park
Lancashire - Map ref 87

North West
Open all year
• OPEN ALL YEAR
• COASTAL VIEWS • BAR & RESTAURANT
Situated in a rural setting on the picturesque
Lancashire coastline, Bay View Holiday Park is an
ideal base from which to explore the Lake District,
North Yorkshire and Forest of Bowland. Once a
working farm, the rolling green fields surrounding
the campsite offer stunning views over Morecambe
Bay, while providing a peaceful and tranquil retreat
on the outskirts of the coastal village of Bolton-
le-Sands and local market town of Carnforth. The
original farm buildings have been converted into
a beautiful 100-seat bar and restaurant, including
a dog friendly bar new for 2020! Entertainment is
provided on Saturdays in high season.

Address
A6 Main Road, Bolton-le-Sands LA5 8ES
Open
All year
Contact
01524 732854
holgates.co.uk
caravan@holgates.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 87

p085_NorthWest.indd 87 29/10/2019 13:20

 Holgates Silverdale Caravan Park
Lancashire - Map ref 88
North West
Open all year

• OPEN ALL YEAR • GREAT FOR FAMILIES

• LARGE INDOOR POOL
Silverdale is the Holgates Group’s flagship site.
Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
in over 100 acres of beautiful countryside, it
overlooks Morecambe Bay and offers pitches
for tents, camping pods, motorhomes, caravans
and holiday homes. The price of a pitch includes
entry to the on-site swimming pool and sauna,
and children will love the bowling alley, games
room and two outdoor adventure playgrounds. A
well-stocked on-site shop provides all the basics
and the restaurant and bar ensure you won’t have
to cook on your holiday. Silverdale village is just a
10-minute walk, with the coast five minutes away.

Address
Cove Road, Silverdale LA5 0SH
Open
All year
Contact
01524 701508
holgates.co.uk
info@holgates.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

88 premier-parks.co.uk

p085_NorthWest.indd 88 29/10/2019 13:20

 Hollins Farm Camping & Caravanning
Lancashire - Map ref 89

North West
• RURAL SITE • COASTAL VIEWS
• USE OF SILVERDALE’S FACILITIES
Peaceful holiday park for caravans, motorhomes
and tents situated in the heart of the Silverdale
and Arnside Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
A farm site with coastal views overlooking
Morecambe Bay, with lots of farm animals for
children to see. The site has five-star stone-built
heated toilet and shower facilities, including
a launderette and small games room. It’s a
10-minute walk to sister park, Silverdale, where
campers can make use of the leisure facilities,
restaurant and bar. 20-minute walk to Silverdale
village and the RSPB’s Leighton Moss. David
Bellamy Gold Conservation Award.

Address
Far Arnside, Silverdale LA5 0SL
Open
1 March - 14 November
Contact
01524 701508
holgates.co.uk
info@holgates.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 89

p085_NorthWest.indd 89 29/10/2019 13:20

 Willowbank Holiday Home & Touring Park
Merseyside - Map ref 90
North West

• CLOSE TO THE COAST • 50-WEEK SEASON

• 15 MILES FROM LIVERPOOL
Covering almost 30 acres, Willowbank Holiday Home
& Touring Park is entirely fenced and dense woodland
separates it from the coastal road. The park runs an
eleven-and-a-half month season for holiday homes,
caravans and motorhomes in pleasant, relaxing
surroundings. It has 79 mixed pitches with electric
hook-up. Facilities include heated showers and
toilets, disabled access, laundry, dishwashing, dog
exercise area and children’s play area. Early booking
is essential for busy periods and during the August
Flower Show and September Air Show. The park is
within walking distance of a National Trust nature
reserve, Sefton coastline and transport links.

Address
Coastal Rd, Ainsdale, Southport PR8 3ST
Open
14 February - 31 January
Contact
01704 571566
willowbankcp.co.uk
info@willowbankcp.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

90 premier-parks.co.uk

p085_NorthWest.indd 90 29/10/2019 13:20

 Scotland
Northern Scotland ....................92

Scotland
Central Scotland .......................95
Southern Scotland....................97

Edinburgh ©Alamy

premier-parks.co.uk 91

p091_Scotland_Intro.indd 91 29/10/2019 12:42

 Blair Castle
name Caravan
of park Park
Perth
county
& Kinross
- map -reference
Map ref 92
Scotland

• HIGHLAND SCENERY • IDEAL FOR FAMILIES

• FANTASTIC RECEPTION
This picturesque park is at the entrance to the
Cairngorms National Park in the village of Blair
Atholl. Easily accessed from the A9 trunk road, it
is just six miles from the town of Pitlochry with its
excellent shops, cafés, restaurants, distilleries, and
famous theatre. With views over Blair Castle and
the Highlands, this campsite is a Scottish gem.
It is set over nine acres with 160 touring pitches
and four-star facilities. There are five heated toilet
blocks with individual cubicles, baby changing
and dishwashing. There’s also a general store and
a launderette, while kids will love the playground,
games room and putting green.

Address
Blair Atholl, Pitlochry PH18 5SR
Open
1 March - 16 November
Contact
01796 481263
blaircastlecaravanpark.co.uk
mail@blaircastlecaravanpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

92 premier-parks.co.uk

p092_Scotland.indd 92 29/10/2019 13:21

 Glen
name
Nevis
ofHolidays
park
county
Highland
- map
- Map
reference
ref 93

Scotland
• AT THE FOOT OF BEN NEVIS • FULLY SERVICED
PITCHES • RESTAURANT & BAR
Set at the foot of Ben Nevis and offering
wonderful views of the mountains, Glen Nevis is
a four-star rated holiday park that is the perfect
base for a walking or cycling holiday. It features
150 beautifully positioned electric caravan or
motorhome pitches. You can even get full monty
fully serviced pitches and for added convenience
there’s a motorhome service point. It also offers
holiday homes, lodges and cottages for hire.
There’s a restaurant and bar on site. Off site you
can enjoy boat trips on Loch Linnhe, as well as
sampling the delights of Fort William, which
offers decent shops and bars.

Address
Fort William, Highland PH33 6SX
Open
15 March - 5 November
Contact
01397 702191
glen-nevis.co.uk
holidays@glen-nevis.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 93

p092_Scotland.indd 93 29/10/2019 13:21

 Sands Caravan & Camping
Highland - Map ref 94
Scotland

• STUNNING COASTAL LOCATION

• ON-SITE CAFE • LICENSED SHOP
This site is divided into two areas and is an informal
affair, giving you the freedom to choose a spot
among the sand dunes or a pitch with a view across
the Minch. The award-winning beach is a stone’s
throw away and sheltered by extensive sand dunes.
There are unforgettable sunsets over the Hebrides.
Facilities on site include three heated shower blocks,
a licensed shop and a laundry. For recreation there is
a games room, play area, slipway, fishing, bikes and
kayaks for hire. The Barn Café on site serves a range
of hot and cold food. The area is ideal for walking, no
matter your ability as you can choose from a coastal
ramble to ascending one of many Munros.

Address
Gairloch, Wester Ross IV21 2DL
Open
31 March - 30 October
Contact
01445 712152
sandscaravanandcamping.co.uk
info@sandscaravanandcamping.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

94 premier-parks.co.uk

p092_Scotland.indd 94 31/10/2019 12:19

 Cairnsmill
nameCaravan
of park Park
county
Fife -- map
Map reference
ref 95

Scotland
• INDOOR POOL • CLOSE TO ST ANDREWS
• FLY FISHING AVAILABLE
Peaceful, privately owned campsite set on
the outskirts of the award-winning town of St
Andrews. Just a 15-minute walk to the town
centre. The caravan park has 33 touring pitches,
all on hardstanding with electric hook-up and
tents are accepted in a separate area. There
are also static caravans to hire or buy. Facilities
include a shop, bar, gym, laundry, games room,
play area, indoor swimming pool (not lifeguard
attended) and sauna. Public transport is available
from outside the site to St Andrews. Dogs on
leads are welcome. Fly fishing is also available at
the on-site lake.

Address
Largo Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8NN
Open
1 April - 31 October
Contact
01334 473604
cairnsmill.co.uk
cairnsmill@aol.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 95

p092_Scotland.indd 95 29/10/2019 13:21

 name
The Woods
of park
Clackmannanshire
county - map reference
- Map ref 96
Scotland
Open all year

• PANORAMIC VIEWS • OPEN ALL YEAR

• CARAVAN & MOTORHOME CLUB AFFILIATED
The Woods Caravan Park boasts a stunning
location, with breath-taking views of the Ochil
Hills. The site has 105 pitches of which 95 are
large hardstandings, with 10 fully serviced
pitches. The park also provides a tranquil setting
for a spot of fishing and there is an on-site
restaurant, grill and bar. Activities available locally
include a ranger service of guided walks provided
at the nearby Gartmorn Dam Country Park and
Nature Reserve. There’s also Dollar Glen nearby
with its National Trust woodland. Edinburgh,
Glasgow and Perth are all easily accessible, and
there’s a regular bus service to nearby Stirling.

Address
Diverswell Farm by Alva FK10 3AN
Open
All year
Contact
01259 762802
thewoodscaravanpark.co.uk
mail@thewoodscaravanpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

96 premier-parks.co.uk

p092_Scotland.indd 96 29/10/2019 13:21

 Brighouse
nameBay
ofHoliday
park Park
Dumfries
county
& Galloway
- map reference
- Map ref 97

Scotland
Open all year
• OPEN ALL YEAR • IDEAL FOR FAMILIES
• OWN SANDY BEACH
A spacious, family-run park with a country park
feel, Brighouse Bay is situated on a quiet, secluded
peninsula on the edge of the Solway Firth with
magnificent views over the Irish Sea. Surrounded
by acres of natural walking country with signposted
trails over ancient woodland, coastline and farmland,
this pet-friendly wildlife haven has its own sandy
beach, all-tide slipway and sea and coarse fishing.
It boasts an 18-hole championship golf course,
driving range, seasonal pony trekking, pump track,
bike trails, a Leisure Club with indoor pool, Jacuzzi,
gymnasium, amusement room, café (free WiFi), bar
lounge and mini ten pin bowling.

Address
Borgue, Kirkcudbright DG6 4TS
Open
All year
Contact
01557 870267
gillespie-leisure.co.uk
info@gillespie-leisure.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 97

p092_Scotland.indd 97 29/10/2019 13:21

 Wales
North Wales ............99
Mid Wales ............. 107
Wales

South Wales ......... 109

Garreg Ddu Reservoir, Powys ©Alamy

98 premier-parks.co.uk

p098_Wales_Intro.indd 98 29/10/2019 12:43

 Bron-Y-Wendon
name of Holiday
park Park
county
Conwy- map
- Map
reference
ref 99

Wales
Open all year
• OPEN ALL YEAR • PANORAMIC COASTAL VIEWS
• ADJACENT TO WALES COAST/CYCLE PATH
Bron-Y-Wendon Holiday Park has amazing panoramic
views of the Irish sea and Llandudno’s Great Orme.
Easily accessible, with the North Wales Coast Path
adjacent, you can walk or cycle safely to all the local
seaside towns. North Wales has many amazing sights
and activities to enjoy and Snowdonia, Llandudno,
Anglesey and Conwy to explore. Llanddulas Village,
which has a pub, shop, restaurant and excellent
regular bus service, is just 500m away. With four
holiday cottages and 130 touring pitches set in
small groups, Bron-Y-Wendon Holiday Park is a great
location for your stay, offering excellent facilities
including a new children’s play area.

Address
Wern Road, Llanddulas LL22 8HG
Open
All year
Contact
01492 512903 / 512282
bronywendon.co.uk
stay@bronywendon.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 99

p099_Wales.indd 99 01/11/2019 09:31

 Bryn Gloch
Gwynedd - Map ref 100
Wales
Open all year

• OPEN ALL YEAR • STUNNING VIEWS

• SET WITHIN SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK
Located at the foot of Snowdon in the Snowdonia
National Park, this site boasts stunning views and
is ideally located to visit the nearby mountains
and the coast. The on-site facilities are immaculate,
including toilet and shower blocks, parent and child
room, family bathroom, disabled shower and toilet,
launderette, well-equipped shop, and off licence and
free WiFi. Families won’t be short of activities with a
games room, mini-golf, play area and a designated
area for ball games. There is plenty to explore further
afield including the beach. Fishing is free on the
river Gwyrfai that borders the site and this is also a
relaxing and pretty place for an evening walk.

Address
Betws Garmon, Caernarfon LL54 7YY
Open
All year
Contact
01286 650216
northwalescamping.co.uk
eurig@bryngloch.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 name
Bodnant
of park
county
Conwy- map
- Mapreference
ref 101

Wales
• FULLY SERVICED PITCHES • PETS WELCOME
• MANY FLORAL FEATURES
Situated just half a mile from the market town of
Llanwrst in the beautiful Conwy Valley. Winners
of Wales in Bloom for 26 years with many floral
features and old farm implements. There are 34
multi-service hardstanding pitches for touring
caravans and motorcaravans. The site is bordered
by a stream and sheltered by trees. In a separate
field there are 14 tent pitches with electric and TV
hook-ups. There is a dishwashing area, two heated
toilet blocks, (one of them being two disabled wet
rooms), a small playing field and a short dog walk.
Local attractions include Tu Hwnt i’r Bont riverside www.nationaltrust.org.uk
tearooms and the National Trust’s Bodnant Garden. ©National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Address
Nebo Road, Llanrwst, Conwy Valley LL26 0SD
Open
1 March – 31 October
Contact
01492 640248
bodnant-caravan-park.co.uk
©VisitBritain/ Lee Beel ermin@bodnant-caravan-park.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 101

p099_Wales.indd 101 29/10/2019 13:23

 Garregname
Gochof
Caravan
park Park
Gwynedd
county - map
- Map
reference
ref 102
Wales

• PET FRIENDLY • IDEAL FOR FAMILIES

• CLOSE TO BLACK ROCK SANDS
Garreg Goch is a small, family and pet-friendly
holiday park with 12 static caravans for hire plus
13 touring or motorhome pitches. The site is
level with pitches situated on two areas of the
park, one adjacent to the children’s play area
and a quieter strip towards the edge of the
park. The site is extremely well kept, whilst the
newly refurbished shop carries a good choice of
groceries, milk, ice creams and sweets. There’s a
dedicated accessible shower/wetroom with toilet.
Just a few minutes’ walk from the site is the two-
mile-wide Black Rock Sands beach, with fantastic
views across to Harlech. Free WiFi for all guests.

Address
Black Rock Sands LL49 9YD
Open
1 March - 31 October
Contact
01766 512210
garreggochpark.co.uk
info@garreggochcaravanpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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 Hendre
name of
Mynach
park
Gwynedd
county - map
- Map
reference
ref 103

Wales
• SANDY BEACH NEARBY
• GOOD FOR FAMILIES • PET FRIENDLY
An AA five pennant site. 100 metres from a glorious
Blue Flag beach. 25-minute level stroll to Barmouth
town centre. The closest site to the town. Ideal for
touring, walking and cycling in north and mid Wales.
Cycle Route 8, Wales Coast Path and public transport
are nearby. Hardstanding and grass pitches available.
Two shower blocks with hairdryers and shaver points.
Disabled wetroom with WC, launderette, parent
and baby room, shop and enclosed play area and
WiFi. Pets welcome. Special offers during spring and
autumn. Three fully equipped three bedroom static
hire caravans available, plus three camping pods and
a large house (sleeping 8). Electric vehicle charging.

Address
Barmouth, Gwynedd LL42 1YR
Open
1 March - 9 January
Contact
01341 280262
hendremynach.co.uk
info@hendremynach.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

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p099_Wales.indd 103 29/10/2019 13:23

 Islawrff
name
ordd of
Caravan
park Park
Gwynedd
county - map
- Map
reference
ref 104
Wales
Open all year

• OPEN ALL YEAR • INDOOR HEATED POOL

• FINE DINING RESTAURANT
This family-owned, five-star rated holiday park,
situated at the south of the Snowdonia National
Park, offers direct beach access, an indoor
pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and the very best in toilet/
shower facilities. There’s also a bar/restaurant,
amusement arcade, coffee shop, takeaway food
and a brand new play area. Whilst Barmouth is
just a 10-minute drive away, it is possible at low
tide to walk most of the way along the beach
into town. Islawrffordd is ideally situated for
walking, sailing, fishing, horse riding and golf at a
premier Welsh course, Royal St David’s Golf Club
in Harlech, just 15 minutes away.

Address
Tal-y-Bont, Barmouth LL43 2AQ
Open
All year
Contact
01341 247269
islawrffordd.co.uk
info@islawrffordd.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

104 premier-parks.co.uk

p099_Wales.indd 104 29/10/2019 13:23

 Trawsdir
name of park
Park
Gwynedd
county - map
- Map
reference
ref 105

Wales
• COAST AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS
• SHOP • CAMPING PODS
Trawsdir is a five-star park that offers stunning
views across Cardigan Bay. The site has 70 touring
pitches, all of which are on hardstanding and have
electric, fresh water and waste water connections.
30 tent pitches are also available. On-site facilities
include showers, toilets, a launderette and a shop.
Trawsdir has been refurbished and landscaped
to a very high standard, and now has family pods
available (sleeping 5). The site itself is in an Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Snowdonia
National Park, and is an ideal base for visiting
Harlech, Criccieth and Portmeirion. WiFi available.
Open over Christmas and New Year.

Address
Llanaber, Barmouth LL42 1RR
Open
1 March - 6 January
Contact
01341 280999
trawsdir.co.uk
enquiries@trawsdir.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 105

p099_Wales.indd 105 29/10/2019 13:24

 Tyddyn
nameLlwyn
of park
Park
Gwynedd
county - map
- Map
reference
ref 106
Wales

• CLOSE TO BLACK ROCK SANDS • BAR &

RESTAURANT • ALL-WEATHER PITCHES
Tyddyn Llwyn is within walking distance of
Porthmadog, the Welsh Highland/Ffestiniog
Railway and Borth-y-Gest, and a few minutes’ drive
from Black Rock Sands and Portmeirion. All pitches
are all-weather/hardstanding and are fully serviced.
There are three toilet blocks, all of high quality, and
a separate wheelchair accessible shower, wetroom
and toilet. There’s also a launderette, games room
and outdoor play area. The on-site inn has real ale
and good food. The shop offers basic supplies, while
nearby Porthmadog has more shops. An excellent
location for exploring the Llŷn Penisula. Loyalty
scheme for regular guests.

Address
Morfa Bychan Rd LL49 9UR
Open
1 March - 31 October
Contact
01766 512205
tyddynllwyn.com
info@tyddynllwyn.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

106 premier-parks.co.uk

p099_Wales.indd 106 29/10/2019 13:24

 Fforest Fields
name
Caravan
of park
& Camping Site
county
Powys- -map
Mapreference
ref 107

Wales
Open all year
• AA CAMPSITE OF THE YEAR (WALES)
• RURAL LOCATION • AWARD-WINNING FACILITIES
Located on a working hill farm, Fforest Fields is in a
beautiful, rural location with two lakes for swimming,
kayaking and fishing. There are plenty of walks direct
from the campsite through woodland and up to
open moors. There are two areas to the campsite,
the original site, with a small mountain stream, has
an intimate feel with pitches tucked away and a lot
of natural planting. The other field is more open
with spectacular views down the valley to the hills
beyond. A carbon neutral and award-winning facility
provides showers, toilets, family rooms, washing up
and drying rooms in a central courtyard area, along
with a seasonal café and outdoor seating.

Address
Hundred House, Builth Wells LD1 5RT
Open
All year
Contact
01982 570406
fforestfields.co.uk
office@fforestfields.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` Tqp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 107

p099_Wales.indd 107 29/10/2019 13:24

 Red name
Kite Touring
of parkPark
county
Powys- -map
Mapreference
ref 108
Wales
Adults only

• ADULTS ONLY • DOG FRIENDLY

• VIEWS ACROSS THE VALLEY
Located one mile from the historic town of
Llanidloes, Red Kite is a five star, family-owned park
exclusively for adults. Featuring 66 fully serviced
pitches with 16-amp electric, grey and brown waste
water, drinking water, WiFi and piped TV. The state-
of-the-art amenity block with underfloor heating has
sensor taps, laundry and washing-up facilities along
with dog wash and dryer. Set in 20 acres, with a large
amenity area with nature ponds, walking routes and
dog walks. Positioned on a gently sloping, south-
facing site with views across the valley, Red Kite
is in an ideal location for exploring the Clywedog
Reservoir, Hafren Forest and the Elan Valley.

Address
Llanidloes, Powys SY18 6NE
Open
1 March - 3 January
Contact
01686 412122
redkitetouringpark.co.uk
info@redkitetouringpark.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

108 premier-parks.co.uk

p099_Wales.indd 108 29/10/2019 13:24

 Erwlon Caravan
name of
& park
Camping Park
Carmanthenshire
county - map reference
- Map ref 109

Wales
Open all year
• OPEN ALL YEAR • FULLY SERVICED PITCHES
• IDEAL FOR BRECON BEACONS
Near the pretty town of Llandovery, and handy
for the Brecon Beacons, Erwlon is a Welsh Tourist
Board five-star site that offers 40 spacious pitches
and four deluxe glamping pods with en-suite
facilities. Some of these are full service pitches and
all benefit from a fantastic toilet block. Tranquil
and neatly maintained, the site has an adults-
only area and a family-friendly zone, including
a children’s play area. Llandovery, an ideal base
for touring the Cambrian Mountains, the Brecon
Beacons and southwest Wales, is within walking
distance and well worth a visit, offering a castle,
and lots of cafés, pubs, restaurants and takeaways.

Address
Brecon Road, Llandovery SA20 0RD
Open
All year
Contact
01550 721021
erwlon.co.uk
enquiries@erwlon.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 109

p099_Wales.indd 109 31/10/2019 12:19

 South Wales Touring Park - Llwynifan Farm
Carmarthenshire - Map ref 110
Wales
Open All Year

• ADULTS ONLY • OPEN ALL YEAR

• CAR HIRE AVAILABLE
Providing an excellent base to explore the Gower
Peninsula, the Brecon Beacons and the local retail
parks, South Wales Touring Park offers beautifully
Adults only

landscaped pitches with far-reaching views across

the Loughor Estuary. This four-star, award-winning,
adults only campsite is just one mile off the M4 and
a 15-minute drive from the south Wales coast. Just
25 pitches are arranged across three tiers to provide
level bases and make the most of those views,
and all have electric hook-up - some fully serviced
pitches are available. The facilities include individual
shower rooms, vanity units and a laundry. Dogs are
welcome, there’s cycle hire and a bus stop nearby.

Address
Fferm Llwynifan Farm, Llangennech SA14 8AX
Open
All year
Contact
01554 820420
touringpark.wales
info@southwalescaravansite.co.uk

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

110 premier-parks.co.uk

p099_Wales.indd 110 29/10/2019 13:24

 Ireland
Northern Ireland .......... 112
Republic of Ireland ...... 113

Ireland

The Galtee Mountains, Republic of Ireland ©Adobe Stock

premier-parks.co.uk 111

p111_Ireland_Intro.indd 111 29/10/2019 12:43

 Ballyness Caravan Park
Co Antrim - Map ref 112
Ireland

• AWARD-WINNING SITE • NEAR GIANT’S

CAUSEWAY • HARDSTANDING PITCHES
Multi award-winning park on spectacular north
coast. Close to Bushmills Distillery, Giant’s
Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Fully
serviced hardstanding pitches. Heated amenity
building has a very high standard of cleanliness
and includes a family bathroom, disabled facilities,
laundry and dishwashing area. Motorhome service
point. Free WiFi. Library and board games available.
Indoor games and TV room. Play park and football
field. Wildlife paradise with ponds, wooded areas
and meadow. Dog walking woodland. Within
walking distance of pubs, shops and restaurants in
Bushmills. Causeway Rambler bus stop on park.

Address
40 Castlecatt Rd, Bushmills BT57 8TN
Open
13 March - 1 November
Contact
028 2073 2393
ballynesscaravanpark.com
info@ballynesscaravanpark.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

112 premier-parks.co.uk

p112_Ireland.indd 112 29/10/2019 13:24

 Mannix Point Camping & Caravan Park
Co Kerry - Map ref 113

Ireland
• COASTAL LOCATION
• FAMILY FRIENDLY • PETS WELCOME
Situated at the edge of Europe on the spectacular
Gulf Stream coast of Kerry, the pitches face across
the bay to the nearby islands, hills and mountains.
A full range of facilities include a well-equipped
kitchen and dining room, a picnic garden and BBQ.
The cosy sitting room, warmed by a turf fire, is the
venue for many impromptu music sessions. The
park is perfect for watersports, archaeological sites,
hill, mountain and foreshore walks, sub-tropical
gardens, fishing, Blue Flag beaches, horse riding,
bird watching, fabulous cycle and car tours, or
simply relaxing. TripAdvisor Hall of Fame – 5 star
Certificate of Excellence six years in a row.

Address
Ring of Kerry coast, Cahirciveen, Co Kerry
Open
Easter – 15 September
Contact
00 353 66 9472806
campinginkerry.com
mortimer@campinginkerry.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

premier-parks.co.uk 113

p112_Ireland.indd 113 31/10/2019 12:20

 Glen of Aherlow Caravan & Camping Park
Co Tipperary - Map ref 114
Ireland
Open all year

• OPEN ALL YEAR • PEACEFUL RETREAT

• CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME CLUB AFFILIATED SITE

Enjoy a relaxed holiday surrounded by glorious

scenery in a countryside setting. Being amid hills
and woodland means this site has everything for
the keen walker and those seeking a peaceful
retreat. Woodland walks, the Galtee Mountains, a
local pub and hotel are all within walking distance.
Bicycle and E-Bike hire available. Golf and fishing
locally. Pets will love the open space. Mostly
hardstanding pitches, some grass, some fully
serviced, all with electric and water. On-site facilities
are ultra-modern and there’s a large recreation room
with pool table, table tennis and TV lounge. Free
WiFi. Ideal for RVs. Groups and rallies welcome.

Address
Aherlow, Tipperary, E34 NH58, Southern Ireland
Open
All year
Contact
00 353 62 56555
tipperarycamping.com
rdrew@tipperarycamping.com

Facilities
Ô è Å “ Í ≈ Z Œ ` T qp È ˙ ‚ Q œ w S # ú ⑱ WiFi 8 ≤ 7 4 Hh Á fl £ FS

114 premier-parks.co.uk

p112_Ireland.indd 114 29/10/2019 13:24

 Woodovis,
Devon

Beaconsfield Holiday Park, & Riverside Caravan Park,

Shropshire Sands Caravan South Wales Touri
, Sc otl an d ng Park, Warwickshire
Camp ing
Wales

To view the 2020 Premier Parks collection online

go to premier-parks.co.uk
@PrmParks @PremierParks @premier_parks

p115_HouseAd.indd 115 31/10/2019 12:24

 100 OF THE BEST CAMPSITES,
TOURING AND HOLIDAY PARKS
premier-parks.co.uk

94

93
92

95
96

112
97 86
83
85 82
88
89
87
90
74
99
100 101 67
70
102
106
69
78 65
75 68
66
114 103104 108 71
105 80
63
113 107 77 79 72
109 76 64
46 43
45 110
60 54 58
28 31 44 59
49 29 24 48
51 5756
47 50
38 52
16 30 21 36 39 40
61
See 19 11 13 41
42
26 23
PAGE 5 20 34
27 55 35
for key to 9 22 37
7 8 25 32
parks 15 18 10 12 33
17 14

p116_Map.indd 116 29/10/2019 12:44