IS BEST
A seven-site tour of the beautiful Cornish coast
Our ‘overseas happy place’ competition winner revealed
SUPER SAVINGS
Beat the price crunch with our fantastic offers
Test your driving skills on an off-road adventure
If you are seeking freedom and adventure, owning a caravan or motorhome is a great choice.
YOUR VEHICLE. Freedom and adventures when you want it, just plan your getaways and go!
YOUR ACCOMMODATION. Travel with family, friends with your things and to your standards, in your own environment.
YOUR ITINERARY. Independent travel, your own itinerary, nd your own places away from the crowds.
YOUR ADVENTURES. Life changes with an Adria caravan or motorhome, offering endless possibilities for your adventures.
YOUR PEACE OF MIND. Adria is one of Europe’s leading caravan manufacturers, with over 600,000 recreational vehicles produced since 1965.
Please contact your nearest Adria dealership for more information: www.adria.co.uk/dealer-network
www.adria.co.uk
camc.com/contact
Editorial Editors Gary Martin, John Thynne
Assistant Editors Clare Disano, Stuart Egan, Stephen Hollis
Design Michaela Millar
Postal address
Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UA
Club contact details
For comprehensive contact details, see camc.com/contact
Membership services and magazine circulation 01342 318813 (calls may be recorded)
Site booking (members only)/
UK Club sites advance booking 01342 327490
Cover Caravan 01342 336610
Insurance (Devitts)
Car/motorhome 0345 504 0334
Home/contents 0345 504 0335
Travel Service 01342 316101
Red Pennant (European breakdown and travel insurance) 01342 336633
Brochures on Club services 01342 327410
Technical advice 01342 336611
Club Magazine editorial 01342 336640
Legal helpline 01275 378728
Advertising enquiries
General number 01342 336817
Commercial Manager
Ian Lea 01342 336753 ian.lea@camc.com
Commercial Executive
Jason Clarke 01342 779368 jason.clarke@camc.com
Commercial Executive
Adam Johnson 01342 336742 adam.johnson@camc.com
Advertising Sales Executive
Olliver Hamilton-Williams 01342 337782 olliver.hamilton-williams@camc.com
Production Controller
Tara Erroll 01342 779371 tara.erroll@camc.com
Digital Advertising Co-ordinator
Vicky Powell 01342 779378 victoria.powell@camc.com
President: Thomas Coke, 8th Earl of Leicester
Chairman: Grenville Chamberlain OBE
Director General: Nick Lomas
John Thynne says:
We know how many of you look forward to receiving your magazine each month – and we always appreciate your honest feedback on its contents. But did you know there are other ways to read our articles?
“ There are other ways to read our articles ”
Download the app and you can browse old issues going back as far as 2017. The Digital Magazine is now even easier to read too – simply touch the story or article you are interested in and it will open up in a larger font in a separate window.
Members can easily access the digital version of the magazine via the App Store or Google Play –simply forget you‘ll find even more touringrelated content at camc.com/blog. Feedback from our most recent membership survey shows that the majority of members enjoy reading the magazine in print each month but that, in future, you would like the option of viewing it electronically too. The digital version goes hand in hand with the touring lifestyle, allowing easy access on your holidays – but we also appreciate the simple, tactile pleasure of sitting back and thumbing through a printed copy.
You’ll also find lots of extra content including vehicle test videos, interactive puzzles – and an extra page of Tail Lights each month!
Additionally you can read the magazine on our website at
COVER IMAGE: Mark Humphrey
We would like to thank image libraries Alamy, Getty Images/iStock and Shutterstock for supplying a number of images used in this magazine.
We hope the Magazine continues to be a source of informative, inspirational articles for caravanners, motorhomers and campervanners. Enjoy this issue – however you choose to read it!
Editions of your Club magazine – with lots of extra content – are also available via an app on iPhone/iPad and Android tablets and phones.
Heidi
Lee Davey takes his caravan and vintage motorbike to Belgium
John Rankin has a mysterious electrical issue in his caravan
HANDMADE IN THE HIGHLANDS
Nick Harding goes in search of traditional Scottish crafts
25 GREAT SAVINGS GUIDE
Deals at four great attractions
54 MEMBER OFFERS
Save money on a range of products
9 DIRECTOR GENERAL’S VIEW
Nick Lomas explains why the Isle of Wight is an ideal touring destination
Members tell us how they have saved with the Club 56 LETTERS
Your comments and views
64 COUNTRY MATTERS
Warning: may cause nightmares. The fascinating ichneumon wasp 88 PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Outdoor cooking accessories
91 PRACTICAL
Guide to repairing scratched
acrylic windows on your tourer
97 ASK YOUR CLUB
Your touring questions answered 98 CROSSWORD
99
A chance to win Club gift vouchers
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
To advertise, call 01342 336817
114 TAIL LIGHTS
The weird, wacky and wonderful world of touring
116 CYCLE ROUTE
Jonathan Manning rides from Broadway Club campsite
120 CENTRE RALLY GUIDE
Updated details of the Centre
Rallies due to take place in 2022
camc.com/contact
The Caravan Club Limited, which trades as Caravan and Motorhome Club, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for general insurance and credit activities.
This magazine is also available free of charge as a page turner on the Club website and as an app via Google Play or the App Store. For non-members who download the Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine app, each issue costs £3.49.
Readers are asked to note that the Caravan and Motorhome Club cannot accept responsibility for the quality, safe delivery or operation of any products advertised or mentioned in this journal. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply any form of approval or recommendation. Advertisements or other inserted material are accepted subject to the approval of the publishers and their current terms and conditions.
The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way infringe copyright or contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act.
All copy is subject to the approval of the publisher, who reserves the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to it at its absolute discretion and without explanation.
All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice.
Mail order advertisers are required to state in advertisements addressed to the public, their true surname or full company name, together with the address from which the business is managed.
Calls to phone numbers starting 084 and 087 cost up to 7p per minute plus your service provider’s charge.
367,796
Circulation: Jan-Dec 2021
Printing by Mohn Media, Gütersloh, Germany
says:
I recently enjoyed spending some time
Isle of Wight. A member who stays there regularly and loves the island suggested I should write about it so that other members could be inspired to visit and enjoy this beautiful part of England. I’m very happy to oblige!
The island has long been a popular tourism and holiday destination. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert gave it royal endorsement in the 1840s. Victoria had visited as a child and Albert said the island atmosphere reminded him of Capri – this is why he designed their family residence,
“ You are never far from bucolic vistas of rolling hills ”
Osborne House, in an Italianate style. You can, of course, visit it today. In the
heritage.org.uk for opening times).
The idea of Italy might make you raise an eyebrow when you consider the Isle
UK, but if you are looking for a sunny destination for your holiday, statistically speaking you could make no better choice. The island is regularly the sunniest place in Britain according to the Met Office, boasting about 2,000 hours of sunshine a year compared to the UK average of nearer 1,500.
While Italy may have cypress trees, the scent of pine and rosemary and brilliant purple bougainvillea, the island has more in common with the chalk
and also, to my mind, the coastal downs of Dorset. All are, of course, wonderfully attractive locations.
More than half of the island is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – you are never far from bucolic vistas of rolling hills, with plenty of footpaths and bridleways to walk or cycle along. And as the island is just over 22 miles across, you are treated to a sea view – as well as swimming, beachcombing, surfing or paddleboarding opportunities – in almost every direction.
In common with Dorset’s Jurassic Coast you can also see dinosaur fossils. At Compton Bay you can view giant, the sands at low tide.
Meanwhile, the short, comfortable
an adventure in itself. It can be booked on our website or via the Club’s Contact Centre at special member rates, so travelling couldn’t be easier.
All of this is surely enough, but if you need another reason to go, remember the island is home to the largest population of red squirrels in England. Enjoy your visit to search for them!
In the June issue we offered you the chance to win a week’s holiday in Europe (with ferry crossings) by sending in photographs of your ‘overseas happy places’. We’ve had a great time looking through your submissions – but there can be only one winner. The prize goes to Club member Mark Humphrey, whose striking image of Slovenia’s Lake Bled, fronted by an olive-green camper, wowed the judges. Many congratulations Mark! On these pages you can see some of the other wonderful entries – and you’ll find even more in our Digital Magazine!
Remember: If you book an overseas site, Eurotunnel or ferry crossing through the Club you’ll get the lowest price – guaranteed! To find out more see camc.com/pricematch.
Send your images to camc.com/inspiring adventures or tag us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #inspiringadventures
Remember: If you book an overseas site, Eurotunnel or ferry crossing through the Club you’ll get the lowest price – guaranteed! To find out more see camc.com/pricematch.
Send your images to camc.com/inspiring adventures or tag us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #inspiringadventures
OFF
Members receive 5% off all tyres purchased online from National Tyres and Autocare
In 2021 members saved more than £3.8 million via our Member Offers. You could take advantage of savings on outdoor leisure clothing from big names such as Cotswold Outdoor and Mountain Warehouse, purchase a discounted electric or conventional bike from Haibike or Raleigh, or benefit from cut-price membership of organisations such as Cycling UK or Surfing England. You can see more examples of our amazing deals on pages 54-55 of this issue.
Members already know that Club campsites represent great value for money – and we highlighted examples of some of the great holiday offers available to you on pages 12 and 13 of the
Members save 15% at outdoor clothing and kit specialist Cotswold Outdoor
August issue. But did you know that membership also gives you access to a huge number of special deals on everything from outdoor clothing, pet products and solar panels to days out at famous attractions? On these pages, you can see what your fellow members have to say about them – and find out how you can start saving too!
“ We use Club offers which are appropriate to our style of living and compliment you that the savings I made last year [2020] amounted to £2,772, keep up the good work! ”
Peter Messenger
You could save up to £154.99 on a Raleigh bike through our Member Offers
“Just thought I would drop an email to say I saved around £20 on a new leisure battery from Tayna, including delivery to my door, through the Club membership. Many thanks.”
Ian Piacentini
out how much you can save by visiting camc.com/memberoffers. 15% OFF
“I’m delighted to have saved over £80 on a new dishwasher through the Club’s Member Offer scheme. Ordered on Sunday afternoon and it arrived the next morning with free delivery! I just wanted to thank the Club and highlight a less obvious benefit of membership to others.” Isabelle Lea
The Club has teamed up with hundreds of attractions and experiences across the country to offer you savings of up to 50%. Simply visit camc.com/greatsavingsguide and you can search by category (examples include Adventure, Animals, Heritage and Food and Drink) or look for deals close to a specific destination or Club campsite. You can see some examples on page 25 of this issue – in the meantime, see what other members think...
“We took advantage of the East Lancashire Railway offer… I always look at the Great Savings Guide prior to visiting any area as it certainly makes it more financially attractive and provides information as to the attractions in the region which I may not already be aware of.”
Karen Henfrey
“I got my Young Driver experience as a 14th birthday present from my uncle, who is a Club member and discovered it on the Club website The session was exhilarating and fun yet very informative.”
Kevin
Lake 10% OFF SAVE £8.80 SAVE £17.50 20% OFF
“All your requirements through the Club Shop.” C Copsey, via Trustpilot
Save on entry to Go Ape venues across the country
“Good Club Shop with discounts.” Chris Topping, via Trustpilot
Club Shop (in partnership with PRIMA Leisure) is home to an extensive range of products from top leisure brands such as Avtex, Cadac, Truma, Thetford and Milenco. Find out how you can save up to 10% on all purchases by visiting shop.camc.com.
“Myself and my two children went to the Go Ape in Grizedale Forest, Cumbria. We have done a few others before but this one went higher in the trees and had longer zip wires! We had great fun on the various rope bridges, drop onto a cargo net and zip wires. The instructors were really informative and supportive. We would definitely recommend a go!”
Suzanne Butcher
If you have saved via our offers we would love to hear from you. Please send us your story and/or image to memberoffers@camc.com. And keep checking the Club website (camc.com), as new deals and discounts are added regularly!
Terms and conditions apply to all offers – see camc.com/memberoffers, shop.camc.com and camc.com/greatsavingsguide for details
Power Clean can use water from a tap as well as from any other source you choosea bowl or bucket, a swimming pool or even a river. Power Clean has up to ten times the power of a regular garden hose and an impressive running-time of up to 60 minutes* from a single charge. Power Clean comes ready to use with a detachable 2.0Ah or 4.0Ah Li-ion rechargeable battery pack and all the handy accessories you’ll ever need. Now you really can use a pressure washer anywhere you want - even
Be the envy of other motorhome and caravan owners, order your Cordless Pressure Washer today & we’ll deliver it the next working day for FREE!
Power Clean comes complete with: 2.0Ah Li-ion rechargeable battery or *4.0Ah Li-ion rechargeable battery for increased power & longer run time. Battery charger, 2 Pressure Wands, Soap Gun, 6m hose & Filter, 2 Variable Spray Heads. Weighs only 1.6kg. P20 pressure up to 320psi. P40 Max pressure up to 650psi. 12 Month Warranty.
The Club will be running a temporary campsite at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham from Monday 17 October-Sunday 23 October 2022 (inclusive). Coinciding with The Motorhome and Caravan Show (commonly referred to as the ‘NEC Show’), this is a great opportunity to stay a stone’s throw from the exhibition halls – particularly convenient if you are planning to attend across a number of days, or if you have a long drive either side of your visit.
Located in the NEC’s North Car Parks 10 and 10a, the campsite will include EHU and toilets, and a bar and restaurants will be available within a short distance. Pitch prices start from
£37 per night – to find out more information and to book please see camc.com/neccampsiteoct. Please note that entry to the show is not included in the pitch fee.
The Motorhome and Caravan Show is the UK’s largest leisure vehicle show, featuring the latest caravans, campervans, motorhomes, trailer tents and accessories. The Club will be offering motorhome manoeuvring taster sessions (a full, valid UK driving licence card is required, and please book early to avoid disappointment), and if you are attending please stop by at the Club’s stand to say ‘hello’ – our
staff will be on hand to answer any queries.
‘Club Day’ at the show is Tuesday 18 October. Members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club attending on Club Day will be able to take advantage of discounted tickets (pre-booking is required; please see pages 4 and 5 of this issue for information, terms and conditions and a code to apply the discount). We’re delighted to report that TV presenter, keen campervanner and Club member Matt Allwright will be chatting on our stage about his love of the great outdoors.
Full details about the show can be found at mcshow.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you there!
Like many organisations, the Club is looking at technology that can enhance efficiency, improve our sites and, importantly, provide a better experience for members.
Later this year, a trial will be undertaken at Clachan Club Campsite in Killin using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
technology during check-in. As a result, the barrier at Clachan will automatically open based on your vehicle registration and payment status, streamlining the arrival procedure.
Anyone staying at Clachan during the trial period will be given more information by
Visit the Club’s stand at the NEC Show (see left) and you could win a holiday in Australia. The prize – which is worth more than £8,000 – is for two adults to experience our ‘Australia’s Southern Delights’ 31-day independent motorhome tour. This trip gives you the chance to explore the stunning stretch of coastline from Sydney to Adelaide via Melbourne and discover Australia’s amazing flora and fauna along the way. This competition is open to anyone attending the October NEC Show, and terms and conditions will be available when entering. Full details of the tour can be found at camc. com/worldwide. Good luck!
email in advance. Members will also receive a call from in full before arrival, and also if we do not hold your vehicle registration, as both are required. But don’t worry – our staff will still be on hand should you have any questions.
The Finedon, Northamptonshire premises of dealership The Caravan Company was damaged by a fire in July. We would like to make members aware that this branch is still operating as normal following the incident.
The company behind the scenic North Coast 500 (NC500) route in Scotland is encouraging visitors to follow relevant advice and guidance while on holiday. While some of the advice may already be second nature to many Club members, we still recommend a thorough read before you travel. Please visit northcoast500.com and click on ‘Top Tips’.
The new Cumbria Coastal Route –as featured in our May 2022 issue – has also collated advice and resources for visitors. Please see visitlakedistrict.com/ vanlife. Visitors to the area may be interested in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven, which runs until 4 September 2022. See thebeaconwhitehaven.co.uk for information and tickets. The nearest Club campsite is Dockray Meadow.
A Club member and children’s book author has found a novel use for her caravan – as a base for a UK-wide book tour.
Jennifer Doyle, who wrote her first children’s book, Billy the Blackbird, in 2020, also bought a Lunar Zenith 4 and joined the Club in the same year.
Having completed workshops with local farms and museums based around the book –which tells the story of a baby blackbird taking its first flight and two children who build a recycled bird feeder – the author decided to travel with her caravan to farm shops, schools and other venues around the UK, reading the story and making bird feeders with children.
Do you have a passion for touring and good knowledge of the Club’s Certificated Location (CL) network? Would you be able to build good relationships with CL owners and have the time to help the Club provide guidance and support to CLs? If so we would love to hear from you.
Jennifer says: “I am a single parent to two wonderful children, Isabella and Harry, and I had always dreamed of uncle who had been wardens for the Club for over 20 years and my parents had owned a van when I was a child, but I had been worried about how I would tow, unload, park a caravan by myself.”
“One of these massive blocks was the idea that because I was a single parent there was no way I could own my own caravan, that I would need friends or family to accompany me on every
However, throughout the lockdown I spent 24 hours a day on my own with my children and realised how much love and fun we had together as a family of three.”
Having travelled as far north as Stirling and south to Looe in Cornwall, drawing on the touring community for advice when needed, Jennifer and her children are thoroughly enjoying their new shared pastime. Meanwhile, the book has been a success and a second story has been published. To buy copies and to find out more please see billytheblackbird.com.
A great base for days out on Dartmoor and the South Devon coast
“Lovely site, perfectly maintained and run by the fantastic and friendly [site staff]. Great location, 10 minutes from the A38, 20 minutes to Salcombe or Bigbury-on-Sea and about 30 minutes to Plymouth. Modbury is just down the road which is nice to visit and there is a SPAR less than a mile from the site gates. Would highly recommend.”
(June 2022)
“Both my children enjoyed the park on site and I have to mention that
the showers were lovely and hot. I would not hesitate in returning to this great site” (June 2022)
“The main thing for us was the number of different places to visit not that far away... Slapton Beach, Wonwell Beach (very narrow approach road), Kingsbridge, Dartmouth, Salcombe to name but a few. We extended our stay and had a lovely 12 nights there. The dog really enjoyed himself!” (October 2021)
The Club is looking for a Volunteer CL Adviser in the Northumberland/Scottish Borders area. We will ask you to call in at all the CLs in the area (29 at the time of going to press) at least once a year to support and advise owners, particularly if an issue on site has been highlighted. CL Advisers are an important ‘face’ for the Club, working closely with a friendly head office team and playing a crucial part in creating our amazing network of CLs. If this is of interest to you, please email clresponse@ camc.com and a member of the team will respond.
Looking for that perfect pitch with a view to die for, or need to park your caravan in the most awkward of tight spots? A touch caravan wherever you like with that’s accurate to 1mm and tested to move over 2 tonnes on a 1:4 slope across all surfaces.
UK, with a Year Guarantee, it’s hardly surprising touch are still the UK’s No1 Caravan Movers
So, no matter what caravan you own or whatever your budget, has the No1 mover that’s perfect for you. Why choose second best?
“Excellent product. Very light, easy to use, long blade which makes hedge cutting quicker. Highly recommend.”
Susan F.
Regular trimming of your hedge will thicken it up and give it an incredible texture, but heavy trimmers, cables, and step ladders make hedge trimming a job that some people hate. Gtech’s cordless HT50 makes hedge trimming a pleasure.
With 60 minutes of runtime*, you can move freely around your garden without being tethered by cables or worrying about messy petrol. Running off a high torque 18V motor, the HT50 Hedge Trimmer supplies the power directly when needed. The lightweight but super strong drive system is designed for refinement and quiet running, but don’t be fooled – the precision, laser cut blades power through branches up to 25mm thick. Leaving a clean cut is vital to promote a healthy hedge.
The Gtech HT50 Hedge Trimmer has an adjustable head that rotates through 135° so that you have full control over the cut of your hedge. The head adjusts downwards
so you can cut the top of your hedge easily, and upwards so that you can cut thorny hedges without scratching your arms. Keep your hedges neat by cutting flat along the tops of hedges up to 10 tall† using the 55cm long blade. The precision blades power through foliage, leaving clean cut, healthy stems which will bud out to create a beautiful,rich textured hedge.
Weighing only 2.94kg and accompanied by the harness, you can move freely around your garden without feeling anchored down. The HT50 is well balanced giving you a more enjoyable gardening experience without worrying about the weight.
and add the HT50
Or, call 08000 308 115 (24-hour
A remarkable and recently-discovered set of items relating to the history of The Royal Caravan has been donated to the Club’s Collection.
First presented to the young Prince Charles and Princess Anne by the Club in 1955, the miniature caravan now delights families visiting the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, where it is featured in the current exhibition The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects. It was built by Rollalong of Ringwood in Hampshire. This established caravan builder was originally founded in the 1930s by Murray Lindner; his son David Murray Lindner later led on the design of The Royal Caravan.
On purchasing David Murray Lindner’s former home, the new owners inherited a wooden cabinet that had been built by Lindner. Remarkably, they found a secret compartment in the cabinet, containing a treasure trove of photographs featuring the caravan and a book called Queen Elizabeth, The Duke of Edinburgh and Their Children. In the book, author Dorothy Laird shared insights into the presentation of The Royal Caravan by the Club, revealing that “The
The final touches are applied to The Royal Caravan caravan was towed around the Mews and parked outside the palace. Out of the palace rushed a corgi, followed by two wildly excited children.”
The items are now being preserved and digitised at the Club’s Collection. You can learn more about the collection by visiting nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/ collections/camc-collection.
A new line-up of Mercedes-based A-class Supersonic motorhomes spearheads Adria’s leisure vehicle portfolio for the new season.
There will be four Supersonic models – the 780 SL (pictured above) with private bedroom, L-shaped lounge (including movable sofa) and front loft-bed; the island bed 780 DC; and 8.9m-long tag axle 890 LL (L-shaped lounge and single beds; pictured below right) and 890 LC (L-shaped lounge, island bed). All are four-berths and will be sold through six of Adria’s UK dealers. They are expected to be available from October/November 2022.
Adria will also be offering the Coral Supreme (670 DC and 670 DL) and Matrix Supreme (670 SL and 670 DC) coachbuilt models on Mercedes chassis. These will be available spring/summer 2023, with exact dates to be confirmed nearer the time.
The Twin range of campervans will remain Fiat-based and there are three new layouts here. The Supreme 600 SX and Sports 600 SX (with elevating roof) both feature
a rear bed arrangement with a central electric drop-down section that allows you to optimise luggage space. The Twin 600 Supreme SBX has a flexible rear section that gives a drop-down double bed at night and a daytime settee/table arrangement that Adria calls its ‘Work-From-Van corner’.
On the caravan front, there’s a substantial make-over for Adria’s ‘entry level’ Altea range. The three new Alteas will come with all-silver bodywork and a host of interior details ranging from fabric-covered settee bases and wall linings, clever hooks and storage pockets, and even a bespoke dog bed option.
Prices were still to be announced at the time of going to press.
Full details of new models and layouts will be available soon at adria.co.uk.
Nick Harding
The third series of Channel 5’s Million Pound Motorhomes is currently being broadcast on Sunday evenings at 8pm in the UK. The opening episode of the new series, which showcases luxury tourers alongside ‘normal’ campervans and motorhomes, featured TV presenter and Club member Matt Allwright. You can catch up on the My5 player (available at channel5.com).
Natural England has unveiled two new stretches of the England Coast Path in Essex. Highlights of the improved coastal route from Tilbury to Southendon-Sea and Southend to Wallasea Island include the Tilbury Cruise Terminal (where the SS Empire Windrush docked) and England’s longest seaside pier (below). The CLs Leacroft, Stroud Green, Potash Wood and Tower Field would make for good bases for those wishing to explore.
The Chew Valley Arts Trail celebrates its 20th anniversary from 10am-6pm on 8-9 October. A variety of art will be on display, with tea and cake available from some venues – a great day out if you’re staying at Bath Chew Valley AS, Cheddar Club Campsite or nearby CLs. See chewvalleyarts trail.co.uk.
9-11 Somerset: The Southwest Motorhome & Campervan Show, Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet (Warners Group, see outandaboutlive.co.uk or call 01778 391123)
23-25 Lincolnshire: The Motorhome & Campervan Show Season Finale, Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln (Warners Group, details as above)
30-2 Oct Worcestershire: The Malvern Caravan & Motorhome Show, Three Counties Showground, Malvern (Warners Group, details as above)
18-23 Birmingham: Motorhome & Caravan Show 2022, NEC, Birmingham (NCC Events, see mcshow.co.uk or call 0121 780 4141)
28-30 Aberdeenshire: Love Touring Expo, P&J Live, Aberdeen (Adventum Events, see lovetouringexpo.co.uk)
Note: details subject to change and pre-registration may be required – please check websites or telephone event organisers in advance for up-to-date information.
Regrettably, the Fuelpecker Member Offer will come to a close on 31 August 2022 and from 1 September 2022 will no longer be available. Please be assured that we are looking into alternative fuel card options on behalf of members, and many other new ways for members to save with the Club.
The digital version of the Club Magazine contains extra content each month –simply download it for free from the App Store or Google Play by searching for ‘CAMC magazine’. As well as the current magazine, you can also access back issues for online or offline reading, while our search function can be used to find older articles of interest.
The September Digital Magazine includes a cycle route from Broadway Club Campsite in the Cotswolds, as well as videos to accompany tests of the Rimor Evo 77 Plus and the Nissan Qashqai.
Hull-based Coachman has unveiled its 2023 line-up of tourers and motorhomes, while also announcing plans to upgrade its existing production facilities and the addition of a new, 23,000 sq ft manufacturing plant nearby.
There are no all-new ranges of caravans, but there are fresh models, with the wide-bodied, twin-axle Laser Xcel 855 (pictured above) the biggest newcomer. It includes an L-shaped front lounge and a kitchen unit along the nearside. The Laser Xcel 850 also gets an updated washroom.
Other news includes a re-designed washroom and longer island bed in the Acadia 545; the VIP 675 is a twin-axle version of the transverse island bed/end washroom 575; and the Laser 665 (right) has been revised to include a larger wardrobe, and the facility to create one of the biggest washrooms you’ll find in any touring caravan.
The Acadia line-up is being cut from seven to four models – the 545, 575, 630 Xtra and 660 Xtra will still be available in 2023. These will sport silver and grey sides as well as new alloy wheels, a ‘richer’ woodwork tone, new soft furnishings, and
additional details such as more USB sockets and kitchen concertina blinds.
Plans to expand the Travel Master range of motorhomes from three to six have been confirmed. More details about the three new models will be available in 2023, and we understand that a 3,500kg version is in the pipeline.
You find out more about the new and updated caravans, at coachman.co.uk.
Nick Harding
Long-standing Club member Alan Wade has combined two hobbies by writing a play set on a “rather run down” caravan site. To date, it has been performed by Alan’s local amateur dramatics group and was well received. If anyone would like to take a look at the play with a view to a possible future production, Alan will be happy to email a copy in exchange for a charitable contribution to Cancer Research. Please email alan@twentywell.com if you are interested, or if you require further information.
Many Club members find that our seasonal and storage pitches are a cost-efficient and convenient option. Here’s why...
Do you need somewhere to store your caravan or motorhome? More than 40 UK Club campsites have storage facilities costing from just £1.08* per day. Some of these have 24-hour CCTV in operation, controlled access and staff on site, and seven are gold-rated by CaSSOA, the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association.
You can choose from all-year, seasonal (ie the main touring season) or temporary storage (for example, a few weeks or a couple of months) to suit your needs. Why not consider storing your outfit on or near your favourite Club campsite, or perhaps keep it closer to home?
Full details and a booking form can be found at camc.com/storage. Forms for seasonal storage need to be received by the Club no later than 23 September 2022 to ensure you will be in the ballot system for the facility. The ballot system ensures all members are treated fairly and have an equal chance to secure their preferred location. All-year and temporary storage can be booked by contacting your chosen campsite directly.
* Based on an indicative price per day when booking seasonal storage at Lower Wensleydale Club Campsite from 10 Mar to 6 Nov 2023
In 2023, 72 UK Club campsites are offering you the opportunity to book a seasonal pitch – a ‘home from home’ where you can leave your outfit and visit at leisure, without having to tow or manoeuvre each time you want to stay. By booking a longer-term seasonal pitch on a UK campsite you’ll be getting the best pitch price available.
Some members like to book a single pitch for a longer period – the entire summer, for example – and then visit for spontaneous weekend getaways or extended breaks, taking advantage of a truly flexible system. Here is a selection of benefits:
Prices start from £3.96 per night^ and are lower than for a standard touring pitch at the same campsite.
All-inclusive price: the pitch fee includes two adults and any children up to the age of 17, electric hook-up (where included) and all services on site.
You get to enjoy your own, dedicated pitch. Dogs go free.
It offers you the flexibility to stay for a longer break (up to 28 days on most campsites and 21 days on a select few) or enjoy shorter holidays.
Friends and family are welcome: when you’re not using your outfit on your seasonal pitch, why not invite your friends and family to try it out? They’ll just need to pay the normal touring pitch and per person fees, plus a non-member fee if relevant. You can choose your preferred pitch before arriving on site.
Full details and a booking form can be found at camc.com/seasonal. Forms for seasonal pitches need to be received by the Club no later than 23 September 2022 to ensure you will be in the ballot.
^ Based on an indicative price per night when booking a seasonal pitch at Balbirnie Park Club Campsite from 16 Aug to 6 Nov 2023.
Summer may be coming to an end, but a glamping break with Experience Freedom makes for a fantastic getaway at any time of the year.
We have a great choice of sites and accommodation types to suit all our visitors. At Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite in the Lake District, for example, our luxury glamping pods come with comfy bedding, en-suite bathroom facilities and cooking equipment. You could hike up the Old Man of Coniston or relax on Coniston Water during the day before relaxing with a good book or film in the evening.
The glamping pods sleep two adults and two children and prices start from £99 per night at Coniston this autumn. Don’t forget that Club members, and friends and family of Club members, can take advantage of a 10% discount – find out more by visiting camc.com/ experiencefreedom
We’re excited to let you know about some of the new aspects we’re trialling within our new facilities blocks on the following redeveloped Club campsites –Clumber Park, Winchester Morn Hill, Scarborough West Ayton and Lady Margaret’s Park. These have been developed following feedback from over 76,000 visitor surveys in 2021, with members offering comments and ideas for improvements, as well as answering specific tailored questions about potential new facilities. Earlier this year 36 members also took part in a threeday online research session or face-to-face workshops. Of
you feel about the changes that are introduced.
new aspects:
A new toilet block design with dual access allowing it to remain open during cleaning, just with reduced facilities for a period of time (all new blocks except Winchester Morn Hill). Adding an accessible toilet as well as the accessible bathroom already on site, improving services for our members with accessibility
needs (all new blocks except Winchester Morn Hill). We recognise that not all disabilities are visible; these facilities are available for all people who need extra space for accessibility or mobility purposes.
Renaming ‘family bathrooms’ to ‘inclusive’ bathrooms. These are designed for a wide range of people from different types of families, members who need to support one another, to anyone who does not feel comfortable using either the male or female areas and would like more privacy. New signage on the facility behind the door.
New interior designs with some great member photography on display. To support our commitment to sustainability, we are running a ‘sensor trial’ at two campsites to help the Club reduce water usage and energy consumption.
If you happen to be visiting any of the ‘new block’ campsites, do feel free to let us know what you think of the changes – for example by filling out the post-stay surveys that are sent via email after your trip.
The earliest arrival time at most UK Club campsites is now 1pm. Please ensure that you arrive at this time or later to avoid congestion, to avoid blocking access roads and to avoid causing disruption to public highways. This policy also gives site staff enough time to prepare your pitch.
The following campsites currently have different arrival times at the time of publication: Abbey Wood (12pm) Baltic Wharf (12pm) Carnon Downs (12pm) Coniston Park Coppice (10am) Malvern Hills (12pm)
For the most up-to-date arrival times, please check the individual pages of campsites at camc.com. Other useful information to read before you depart can be found at camc.com/ beforeyoutravel
In the last issue we stated that more touring pitches are being added to Lady Margaret’s Park Club Campsite in Chirk. We would like to clarify that these additional pitches will be added at a later stage and are subject to planning approval. We look forward to reopening the site in December 2022.
SAVE AT A VARIETY OF FANTASTIC ATTRACTIONS, EXPERIENCES AND EATERIES ACROSS THE UK USING OUR GREAT SAVINGS GUIDE. CHECK OUT THIS SELECTION – ALL PERFECT FOR A DAY OUT
Submit photos of your favourite Great Savings Guide attractions for the chance to win a family ticket to visit The Royal Yacht Britannia (pictured) including lunch for four in the Royal Deck Tea Room. Plus a £100 E-Gift voucher redeemable against Club campsites. Visit camc.com/ competitions for details.
Leave your own vehicle on site and discover the Peak District using this long-running local bus service (hulleys-of-baslow.co.uk) –members can get 25% off tickets*. Club campsites near services: Chatsworth Park, Castleton, Poolsbrook Country Park, Carsington Water
10% OFF
Get a fresh perspective on the spectacular scenery of Lochaber –including mighty Ben Nevis – while trying to spot seals, porpoises and sea eagles. Members save 10% on all cruises with Cruise Loch Linnhe* – hop aboard to enjoy a heated cabin and live commentary on the local history, wildlife and geology.
Nearest Club campsite: Bunree
Housed in a listed warehouse combined with a modern slate-and-glass building, the free-toenter National Waterfront Museum celebrates 300 years of industry and innovation in Wales. Members get a 10% discount on purchases of full-price items at the Museum Shop*. Nearest Club campsite: Gowerton
2-FOR-1
Get 2-for-1 on entry* to this multi-awardwinning attraction in North Yorkshire, where you can see the house, surgery and memorabilia that once belonged to vet James Alfred Wight, better known as James Herriot. A new exhibition room covers Channel 5’s new TV adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small Nearest Club campsite: Thirsk
*Please visit camc.com/greatsavingsguide for vouchers, discount codes and pre-booking where relevant, as well as terms and conditions for all offers.
Looking for some holiday inspiration? Why not take in an event near a Club campsite or pitch up at a temporary site?
Kynren – an epic tale of England
Kynren is a spectacular, exhilarating outdoor theatre performance that runs through an incredible 2,000 years of British history in the space of just 90 minutes. Each show – at 11 Arches Park near Bishop Auckland – covers the Roman, Viking and Norman occupations as well as the English Civil War, the Age of Steam, World War I and the Queen’s Coronation, with choreography, stunts, equestrianism, water jets, special effects and pyrotechnics drawing gasps and cheers. Tickets are still available for evening performances on Saturday 3 and Saturday 10 September at the time of going to press.
Club campsites: Durham Grange; Richmond Hargill House; Teesdale Barnard Castle; White Water Park (please note Saturday 10 September was fully booked at Teesdale Barnard Castle at time of going to press)
Info: 11arches.com
Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival
This free festival taking place at The Barbican and Sutton Harbour in Plymouth showcases the sustainably caught fresh fish and seafood that makes its way onto plates (and into yesterday’s newspapers) in Britain’s ‘Ocean City’. As well as enjoying tasty treats, refreshments and activities for all the family, visitors will be able to watch
some of the region’s top chefs in action in the West Pier cookery theatre.
Club campsites Plymouth Sound, Looe, Lydford AS, Modbury Info: visitplymouth.co.uk
Wigtown Book Festival
Taking place in Scotland’s National Book Town, this celebration of literature in Dumfries & Galloway is a must for keen readers. The 10-day festival will include a new, free-to-enter venue in the heart of the town called The Gardens, and while the 2022 line-up is yet to be confirmed, previous years have included appearances by a mix of authors, illustrators, playwrights, poets and other storytellers. Attendees will also want to visit
Wigtown’s many bookstores.
Club campsite: Garlieston Info: wigtownbookfestival.com
Edinburgh Cocktail Week
Despite the name, this popular celebration of mouth-watering concoctions – some familiar, others less so – will take place over 10 days in Scotland’s capital. The Cocktail Village in Festival Square will be the main hub, with 20 bars, live music, DJs and street food on offer, but the various wristbands that grant you access (weekend/weekday/full 10 days options are available) also allow you to enjoy £5 Signature Cocktails at 120 of Edinburgh’s finest cocktail bars.
Club campsite: Edinburgh Info: edinburghcocktailweek.co.uk
Sywell Classic: Pistons & Props
Taking place at Sywell Aerodrome, Northamptonshire, this is a great chance to see classic cars and breathtaking aerial displays. There will be high-octane motorsports throughout the weekend featuring historic racing cars, hot rods and motorcycles, while many of the UK’s best classic car and motorcycle clubs will be showcasing their vehicles. The temporary site hosted by Hertfordshire Centre will be on the showground. Toilet blocks and showers will be available. Temporary site open: 23-26 September 2022 Contact: Sandie and Alan on 01767 640263 or 07887 541762, or email sandiejevans@gmail.com.
Note: Temporary sites enable you to attend a wide variety of exciting events and meet up with like-minded members. Please book in advance where possible. If you would like to promote a temporary site set up around a major event, please contact john.thynne@camc.com.
With the support of the Club you can still enjoy a great-value European holiday, says Head of Travel Services Chris Newey
Brexit, the pandemic, problems at P&O and the cost of living crisis have understandably made some members nervous about travel. But with the help of the Club you can still enjoy a great value break – and there are signs confidence is returning. Bookings would certainly indicate this, with volumes ahead of pre-pandemic 2019.
Brexit has had a mixed effect on foreign travel. You can now only stay for 90 days in the European Schengen Area without a visa during any 180 day period, and there is a slightly more costly process for taking your pets abroad. But on the positive side, the ferry operators, Eurotunnel and specialist shops in the ports now have some amazing duty free deals. For example, as this issue went to press, Irish Ferries was offering 4 litres of spirits for £55 and DFDS had a deal of six bottles of wine for £18 at its Calais and Dunkirk shops. Meanwhile, there are World Duty Free shops on-board P&O vessels and at Eurotunnel terminals – great for deals on drink, perfumes, beauty products and more. The per-person allowances for duty-free alcohol, tobacco and other goods can be found at gov.uk/ bringing-goods-into-ukpersonal-use/arrivingin-Great-Britain
At the time of going to press most pandemic restrictions and testing requirements have been removed for those travelling to Europe. But there is always a chance that the situation could change, so we recommend checking the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice before travel for the most up-to-date information. Remember that, through its ‘Book With Confidence’ programme, the Club offers you
Remember, if you book an overseas site, Eurotunnel or ferry crossing through the Club you’ll get the lowest price – guaranteed! To find out more see camc.com/pricematch And you can often save even more by booking a crossing and site as a package (this way you also benefit from financial protection and reassurance via ABTA).
for two adults in a motorhome, staying five nights in September at Risle-Seine Les Etangs campsite including ferry crossing*
the freedom and flexibility to amend or cancel package holidays if the FCDO advises against travel to your destination. (Terms and conditions apply – see camc. com/confidence.)
A new operator – Irish Ferries – now sails on the Dover-Calais route, creating a new level of price competition between the carriers. I travelled with Irish Ferries myself recently, and the service was efficient and friendly and offered great value for money.
Did you know that the Club offers a fantastic price comparison booking service on its website enabling members to find the lowest-priced fare on their day of travel? It’s specifically designed for caravanners and
Still not sure taking your caravan or motorhome to Europe represents good value? When you compare our prices with self-catering accommodation or package holidays involving air travel, we think so. Just take a look at these incredible deals available through the Club:
for a family of four in a motorhome, staying five nights in August at Ca’ Savio campsite including ferry crossing*
motorhomers and you can enter alternative dates to see how that might impact the cost. Incidentally, members save 10% on ‘short sea’ Dover routes with Irish Ferries, DFDS, P&O and Eurotunnel.
Check out our brochure for details on over 300 sites across 14 European countries – it contains everything you need to know for a great value holiday in Europe. Visit camc.com/brochures to view online or order your free copy.
*Terms and conditions apply - see camc.com/ europegetaways. All overseas package prices are subject to availability and correct as at 21 July 2022
Lee Davey hitches up and hits the road for a tour that takes in Cornwall’s magnificent Atlantic coast
With over 300 beaches forming a significant part of 250 miles of coastline, Cornwall is understandably popular with surfers, paddleboarders and sunseekers. As a family, we’ve spent over a decade exploring various parts of England’s south-west tip
on our holidays. This time we concentrated on Cornwall’s Atlantic coast, a destination that offers so much regardless of the weather or season, although the tour actually began inland.
My last visit to Carnon Downs was way back in 2016 when the site was independently owned. Fast forward to 2022, it is now a Club campsite, and the feeling as you pull into the ‘New Arrivals’ lane is a bit like putting on an old, comfortable pair of slippers.
“ Cornwall is understandably popular with surfers, paddle boarders and sunseekers ”
See camc.com for the latest site information and follow official guidelines at all times. We also recommend that you check with businesses/attractions that are listed regarding opening dates/restrictions.
Boasts a bar, café and close proximity to the A39, making this beautifully landscaped site an excellent base from which to explore Cornwall’s south coast. Pitches: 169
Max outfit length: 10m
Member view
“We try to visit a different Club site most weeks and this is our first time at Carnon Downs. All the sites we have visited have been a high standard, although this one has something extra.”
Al and Jen
Site view
“We have generous, flat pitches... The team are all friendly, local and welcoming. We have the popular bar and café, as well as entertainment on site.”
Food & drink
Linden Hey Garden Tea Room, Penelewey, Truro TR3 6QU
Contact: lindenhey.co.uk, 01872 865106
Royal Cornwall Museum, 25 River St, Truro TR1 2SJ
Contact: royalcornwallmuseum. org.uk, 01872 272205
Outdoor fun
Trelissick, Feock, near Truro TR3 6QL
Contact: nationaltrust.org.uk, 01872 862090
For the family
Flambards Theme Park, Clodgey Lane, Helston TR13 0QA
Contact: flambards.co.uk, 01326 573404
For the latest details and opening information for all our sites, please see camc.com
The A39 leads almost to the entrance. This makes it the perfect choice for members wishing to build confidence on their first few trips. I’m pleased to discover that Carnon Downs has a bar/café at the side of the reception building and, with the weather being kind, several members are sipping coffee in the Cornish sunshine as I check in.
Cornwall’s only city is a short drive from the campsite. Truro sits on three rivers (the Scan here to book a pitch at Carnon Downs
Cornish name ‘Tri-veru’ is said to reflect this fact) and served as an industrial hub on these watery supply routes; it grew and prospered off the back of the successful copper and tin mining industries. Today, it is a hub for tourism, with its cathedral and surrounding attractions being popular spots: The Plaza is a refurbished Art Deco cinema; Hall for Cornwall has live music, theatre and comedy; and there’s even an axe-throwing centre! Truro was also the location for my ‘big shop’, and the supermarket
I visited had the cheapest diesel I’d seen on my journey.
Should you be drawn towards Cornwall’s south coast, nearby Devoran is within easy reach of Carnon Downs, with The Old Quay Inn proving popular with members. Heading east you will find pretty Feock and the slight stretch of sand at Loe Beach, where kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can be hired from the incredibly knowledgeable Loe Beach Watersports Centre team, who also offer lessons (pre-booking required).
To the south, a 20-minute drive from the Carnon Downs Club Campsite takes you to
the famous tourist town of Falmouth. Here you could visit the hilltop Pendennis Castle or the impressive National Maritime Museum Cornwall. The museum features diverse displays on rescue boats and smugglers alongside temporary nautical-themed exhibitions – ‘Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed’ and ‘Monsters of the Deep’ both continue into the early months of 2023.
Hitting the north coast of Cornwall, near St Ives, our next destination is Godrevy Park Club Campsite, which nestles behind the dunes on the outskirts of Hayle. Surfing is obviously a popular pastime here – good use
The beaches of Upton Towans and Gwithian are within walking distance of this peaceful site, which is divided into cul-de-sacs.
Pitches: 120
Max outfit length: 9m
“Very friendly and helpful staff, and nothing is too much trouble. It’s a nice, quiet location and only a short walk to Gwithian Beach... The kids love to play on the sand dunes.”
The Bennett family
“There’s a bus stop outside the site for St Ives and other stunning areas. For members who like to walk, we have four pub walks, which take from 15 minutes to 90 minutes.”
Macky and Jane
Chomp, Three Mile Beach, Gwithian Towans, Hayle TR27 5GE Contact: food.threemilebeach. co.uk, 01736 805981
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, Barnoon Hill, St Ives TR26 1AD
Contact: tate.org.uk, 01736 796226
Godrevy Point, South West Coast Path (walk from campsite) Contact: nationaltrust.org.uk, 01872552412
Porthminster Beach, St Ives Contact: visitcornwall.com
Scan here to book a pitch at Godrevy Park
“ We’re firmly in Poldark territory ”
is made of the on-site external wetsuit shower, and the beachside car park between the site and the sea is awash with vehicles carrying surfboards.
Hayle is famed for its ‘three miles of golden sand’, and I’d recommend venturing through the dunes from Godrevy Park towards Gwithian, at the north-eastern end. Although the sun was shining, bathing everything in a golden glow, it wasn’t particularly busy when we visited, and we spent a relaxing hour at a beach-facing mobile café.
The town of Hayle boasts a good selection of independent eateries. Try the Salt Kitchen Bar – a popular hangout serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails into the night – or, if you just want to grab a quick snack, Philps Bakery offers fresh Cornish pasties.
We also decided to revisit Coast 2 Coast Karting in nearby St Erth and booked an
‘Arrive & Drive’ session. The supplied kit was freshly laundered, the instruction was excellent, and we had a great time on the outdoor track.
IN THE ’DARK
Just 30 minutes’ drive farther north, and we’re firmly in Poldark territory. This striking section of Cornwall’s rugged coastline
Unforgettable views of the Atlantic and Cornwall’s rocky coastline at a gently sloping site arranged on several levels.
Pitches: 88
Max outfit length: 10m
“We often disappear here for a last-minute
quaint little Cornish town only a couple of miles from the site and has everything you need in the way of essentials.”
Lee and Simon
Site view
“Many dog owners enjoy the coast path, or there are many beaches within easy driving distance that are dog-friendly.” Ray and Viv
Food & drink
The Tap House, 7 Peterville, Saint Agnes TR5 0QU
Contact: the-taphouse.com, 01872 553095
St Agnes Museum, Penwinnick Road, St Agnes TR5 0PA
Contact: stagnesmuseum.org. uk, 01872 552301
Outdoor fun
Holywell Bay Golf, Holywell Bay, Newquay TR8 5PW
Contact: holywellbaygolf. co.uk, 01637 832916
Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide
For the family
Lappa Valley, St Newlyn East, Newquay TR8 5LX
Contact: lappavalley.co.uk, 01872 510317
Scan here to book a pitch at St Agnes Beacon
Certificated Location
Peaceful CL with easy access from the A39 and views across the River Camel and Padstow. The town of Wadebridge is less than two miles away.
Sites Directory & Handbook p288
“Members like the peace and quiet, the pub next door, and the cycling routes nearby. There’s easy access to the Camel Trail, which heads into Padstow. The sunsets here are always popular.”
Paul
Food & drink
The Tiny Thai, 1a Molesworth St, Wadebridge PL27 7DA
Contact: thetinythai.co.uk, 01208455135
Pop Gallery Cornwall, 5 Trevanson Street, Wadebridge PL27 7AW
Contact: popgallerycornwall. co.uk, 01208 815720
Outdoor fun Culture
Supreme Fishing Trips, Padstow PL28 8BL
Contact: padstowlive.com, 07766 650333
For the family
Bodmin Jail, Berrycoombe Road, Bodmin PL31 2NR
Contact: bodminjail.org, 01208 76292
coastline understandably wowed the BBC’s location team. The colossal engine house at Wheal Coates, just south of St Agnes Head, was selected to represent Nampara Valley, part of Captain Poldark’s fictional family estate, and is instantly recognisable to anyone familiar with the drama.
Nampara Valley – sorry, St Agnes Head – couldn’t be easier to visit for those staying
at St Agnes Beacon Club Campsite. Simply walk down Beacon Drive until you see a car park on the right, take the footpath from the car park and head for the massive chimney in front of you. If you continue along the coast path (with the sea to your right), you’ll also find Chapel Porth Beach Café, famous for its hedgehog-shaped ice-creams. So taken were we by this café (and the clifftop walk to get
There are many activities on site – you could be entertained for days without leaving. Nearby Bude is popular with surfers and beachgoers.
Pitches: 326
Max outfit length: 10m
Member view
“Big site but feels really friendly, great location, and a nice walk into Bude. We really like Sandymouth Bay Beach, especially when the tide is out as it is so spacious.”
there) that we often venture there after lunch for dessert.
Be aware that St Agnes Beacon doesn’t have a toilet or shower block, but what it may lack in terms of facilities it more than makes up for thanks to its location: you’ll find stunning coastal paths, fascinating local heritage and another enviable selection of pubs and restaurants.
“Club members like the location, and the bus stop at the entrance takes them into Bude. We’re only a few miles from the sea and the views are fantastic.”
Graeme
Food & drink
The Courtyard (on-site restaurant), Wooda Farm, Poughill, Bude EX23 9HJ Contact: 01288 352144
The Castle Heritage Centre, The Wharf, Bude EX23 8LG
Contact: thecastlebude.org.uk, 01288 357300
Scenes Above (hot-air balloon rides), Launceston PL159SP
Contact: scenesabove.co.uk
Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide
Summerleaze Beach, Bude EX23 8HN
Contact: visitcornwall.com
Nick and Kevin Scan here for
Certificated Location
A CL that goes above and beyond; there’s a small swimming pool and hardstanding pitches available. Boscastle and Tintagel are nearby. The site owners were offering cooked breakfasts while I was there!
Sites Directory & Handbook p279
“Walking is always popular as we have a network of routes that begin across the road, and lead to the. Members like the nearby towns of Tintagel and Port Isaac, and the beaches of Polzeath and Widemouth are also favourites on a sunny day.” Richard, Camilla and Jacky
Food & drink
Napoleon Inn, High St, Boscastle PL35 0BD
Contact: napoleoninn.co.uk, 01840 250204
Culture
The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, The Harbour, Boscastle PL35 0HD
Contact: museumofwitchcraft andmagic.co.uk, 01840 250111
Outdoor fun
St Nectan’s Glen & Waterfalls, Fore St, Tintagel PL34 0HL
Contact: st-nectansglen.co.uk, 01840 779538
Polzeath Beach, Polzeath, Wadebridge PL27 6SP
Contact: visitcornwall.com, 01872 261735
Next stop was Padstow, a famous Cornish harbour town and one end of the Camel Trail, a popular bike route that is suitable for cyclists of all ages as it is largely traffic-free. Even though we were visiting outside the school holidays, the town’s coastal location and good weather attracted quite a few folk, with many enjoying lunchtime fish and chips and ‘99’ ice-creams.
Despite the constant buzz and popularity of the town (championed by celebrity television chef Rick Stein), you may be surprised to find how inexpensive nearby sites can be. I stayed at Chapel Farm Certificated Location (CL), an incredibly peaceful spot with views across the River Camel and Padstow. It’s worth noting that the site doesn’t offer an electric hook-up, but £8 per night is the kind of bargain that I simply can’t refuse.
The CL is less than a mile from the A39, with the local pub (The Quarrymen Inn – real ale and locally-sourced dishes) being a very short walk away. It is a great base from which to explore the Camel Trail – the site owner is a keen cyclist and is more than happy to impart route information. As I watched the sun setting over Padstow, I was grateful that locations like this are available to members.
Driving along Cornwall’s Atlantic Highway –the long, winding stretch of the A39 running from Newquay to Barnstaple in Devon – I spotted a row of trees growing at a 45˚ angle, an indication of the occasional strong winds that turn this place into a surfing mecca. My destination was Wooda Farm Holiday Park, a family-owned Affiliated Site, located north-east of Bude.
Somehow I’d bypassed Bude during previous trips. When it comes to surfing, Newquay and Perranporth may be the first Cornish hotspots that spring to mind but, according to a keen surfer I bumped into, Bude has much to offer whatever your skill level. He described Summerleaze Beach as perfect for beginners, especially if travelling with the family – the acres of sand keeping everyone
7
Popular spot with stunning views out to sea. The South West Coast Path runs adjacent to the site.
Pitches: 128
Max outfit length: 9m
Tent camping available
Member view
“I was initially attracted by the views from site, but the location is ideal for many reasons. Nearby Polzeath was great, especially as we’d packed the wetsuits and could park on the beach.”
Edward
Site view
“During the evening, a clear sunset bathes everything in an orange glow. Tintagel and Boscastle can be reached along the South West Coast Path, both routes beginning from site.”
Bev and Pat
Food & drink
The Strand Cafe, Trebarwith Strand, Tintagel PL34 0HB
Contact: 01840779482
Culture
Vale of Avalon, The Arthurian Centre, Slaughterbridge PL32 9TT
Contact: thevaleofavalon.co.uk Member offer available: camc.com/greatsavingsguide
Outdoor fun
Cornish Coast Adventures (kayaking, coasteering etc), Port Quin, Port Isaac PL29 3ST
Contact: cornishcoast adventures.com, 01208 880280
For the family
Tintagel Toy Museum, Fore Street, Tintagel, PL34 0DD
Contact: 01840 770354
Scan here to book a pitch at Trewethett Farm
happy. Crooklets Beach is popular with the more experienced surfers, and is known as the ‘Bondi of Britain’.
After something more sedate? After your visit to the beach, Bude also has clothes shops, gift shops, galleries and river walks to enjoy.
I was surprised by the impressive list of on-site facilities and attractions at Wooda Farm. At the far end of the park, towards the farm, there’s – deep breath – a bar, a restaurant, a pitch-and-putt golf course, Segway rides, indoor archery, a sports barn (including fitness suite), a climbing wall and a cycle trail. The fishing lake is a little farther on, just past the tree house. (A licence is required to fish – these are available to purchase at Wooda, costing just £3 per day – and there are charges for other activities.) I hope to pop back with my son, Charlie, during the school holidays, to make full use of the facilities.
Heading south once more, I visited Venndown Farmhouse CL, which is close to
Boscastle and situated between the Club campsites of Camelford and Trewethett Farm. Some hardstanding pitches have been added and the site also has a small swimming pool that members can use. As well as picturesque Boscastle, day trips might include the 60ft waterfall at St Nectan’s Glen, or a stroll along the network of footpaths opposite the site towards the South West Coast Path. Inland, the many tors and stone circles of Bodmin Moor provide focal points for walks.
Another first for me was Trewethett Farm, a Club campsite I’d heard much about. Occupying a lofty clifftop position looking out
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“ This is an area shrouded in myth and legend ”
You can use the Outdooractive app to enjoy a variety of walking routes in the region. The basic app is free to use, but Club members benefit from a €10 discount on Pro or Pro+ first-year subscriptions. With the Pro version you receive features such as access to topographical maps and special activity networks, while Pro+ gives you 3D maps and more. To find out more and to see a collection of routes near Club sites, see camc.com/outdooractive
to the Atlantic, it’s understandably popular. My non-electric grass pitch at the far end of the site offered stunning views; it also saved me a few quid, with our solar panel topping up the battery and the fridge running on gas.
The South West Coast Path runs along the site border – turn right for Boscastle and left for Tintagel. We went left and headed into Rocky Valley during an adventurous evening walk. Aptly titled, this one-mile river gorge walk reminded me of rugged North Wales terrain, and it is an impressive reminder of the power of water. After a somewhat heavy dinner, the calf-burning route will consume those chip-shop calories with ease.
This is, of course, an area shrouded in myth and legend, home to tales of ghostly apparitions, barbaric smugglers and Arthurian magic. Tintagel Castle, heavily associated with folklore relating to King Arthur but with equally fascinating Roman and medieval history, offers breathtaking views. We last visited this rocky outcrop several years ago, and the white-knuckle steps climb haunts my wife, Helen, to this day. We enjoyed a culinary interlude on this occasion
thanks to Tintagel Artisan Confections. The ice-cream is homemade, the portions enormous, and the prices incredibly reasonable. They even sell ice-cream for dogs, which our Max loved.
Iconic Tintagel was a fitting destination for the end our travels through a beautiful part of England. There’s something about Cornwall and its enchanting Atlantic coastline, that draws us in time after time, no matter the weather or the season.
Also see the CL section of the Club website (camc.com) for the most up-to-date details on all CLs. Pitch fees may be subject to variation –please check with the CL owner before booking. New CLs are also listed at camc.com/newcls.
NOTE: CL entries are identified by a reference/map number in the 2021/22 Sites Directory & Handbook They are listed here using the same number, unless otherwise specified.
WHALLEY (3.4m SW) – Little Snodworth Farm, Ms Nicky Cummings, Langho BD6 8DS. 07545 473177; nickycummings@gmail.com; horsesandhealing.co.uk. 103:SD706330; 53.79337, -2.44744. OAY; 0.5 acre; dogs; adv bkg req; drive over MH waste disp; enhanced hdstdng with 10A (metered) & drinking water; dog walk fr site; price fr £20 (pitch + all occ).
NORWICH (5.9m SSW) – Vale Farm, Mr Mark and Mrs Jenny Sheldrake, Gowthorpe Lane, Swainsthorpe, Norwich NR14 8PT. 01508 571116; 07823 443302; valefarmcl22@gmail. com. 134:TG209015; 52.566478, 1.258059. OAY; 0.5 acre; dogs; adv bkg req; hdstdng & grass; 16A; dog walk fr site; price fr £20 (pitch + all occ).
BAMBURGH (2.9m SW) –Spindlestone Hideaway, Mr Mark and Mrs Sue Swearman, Spindlestone, Belford NE70 7ED. 07850 656930; 01668 214387; mswearman@aol.com. 75:NU150334; 55.594252, -1.763196. OAY; 1 acre; adults only; dogs; adv bkg req; some sl pitches; levelling blocks req; grass; 16A; peaceful; info rm; dog walk fr site; sandy beach in 2.9m; price fr £25 (pitch + 2 ad).
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
RETFORD (10.9m NNE) – Fountain Hill Farm, Mrs Joanne Bates, Gringley Road, Misterton DN10 4AR. 07740 099265; 07464 614607; enquiries@ fountainhillfarm.co.uk; fountainhillfarm.co.uk. 112:SK758937;
53.435514, -0.860674. Open 1 Apr-30 Sep; 0.3 acre; adults only; adv bkg req; unfenced water; grass; EHU; wc (sh); fr £20 (pitch + 2 ad).
OAKHAM (4m W) – Sconsboro Hill CL, Mr Michael and Mrs Hilary Butler, Somerby Road, Knossington, Oakham LE15 8LY. 07974 578211; 01664 454308; hilarybutler18@gmail. com. 141:SK795090; 52.671058, -0.818422. Open 1 Mar-30 Oct; 0.5 acre; dogs; some sl pitches; levelling blocks req; grass; 16A; peaceful; ideal for families; views; lawned; wkg fm; dog walk fr site; public trans, town & pub in 1m; golf & watersports in 5m; fr £18 (pitch + 2 ad).
STOWMARKET (2.7m SE) –Garnham’s Field, Tom and Sue Garnham, Badley Hill, Stowmarket Road, Needham Market IP6 8RJ. 07979 395655; garnhamsfield@aol. com; garnhamsfishing.co.uk. 169:TM080559; 52.162291, 1.039772. Open 1 Mar-31 Oct; 0.5 acre; dogs; adv bkg req; some sl pitches; levelling blocks req; grass; price fr £10 (pitch + all occ).
CHICHESTER (1.7m NE) – Swallow Beck, Mr Paul and Mrs Pam Clingan, Madgwick Lane, Westhampnett, Chichester PO18 0GY. swallowbeck100@gmail.com; swallowbeckcl.co.uk. 197:SU879065; 50.851449, -0.752433. Open 21 Mar-30 Sep; 1.5 acres; adults only; adv bkg req; grass; info rm; price fr £15 (pitch + 2 ad).
YORKSHIRE
DRIFFIELD (5.9m S) – Thistledown Farm Caravan Site, Mr Simon and Mrs Cathy Spence, Carr Lane, Watton YO25 9AH. 07474 234874; cathysimon.spence@gmail.com. 107:TA026494; 53.931326, -0.438486. OAY; 0.75 acres; adult only; dogs; drive over MH waste disp; hdstdng; grass; 10A; peaceful; views; lawned; wkg fm; Wi-Fi; dog walk fr site; public trans in 1m; game & coarse fishing & golf in 5m; price fr £20 (pitch + 2 ad).
NORTH YORKSHIRE
SALTBURN-BY-THE-SEA (6.4m SE)
– Townend Farm, Mr Iain and Mrs
Julie Graham, Whitby Road, Easington, Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS13 4NE. 01287 640444; 07967 834352; 07950 029425; stay@townendfarm. co.uk; townendfarm.co.uk. 94:NZ740181; 54.552418, -0.857175. Open 1 Mar-31 Oct; 1 acre; adults only; dogs; enhanced hdstdng, 16A & drinking water; peaceful; views; pub in 1m; coarse fishing in 5m; price fr £25 (pitch + 2 ad).
ABOYNE (5m W) – Firbank Park, Mr Archie and Justine Buchanan, Old Hall, South Deeside Road, Dinnet, Aboyne AB34 5PJ. 07708 700849; relax@firbankpark.co.uk; firbankpark.co.uk/members. 44:NO0466981; 57.07164, -2.88721.
Open 1 Mar-30 Nov; 6.5 acres; dogs; drive over MH waste disp; enhanced hdstdng with 16A & drinking water; max o’fit length: 12mtrs; dog walk fr site; price fr £25 (pitch + 2 ad).
ABERYSTWYTH (4.6m NE) – Cae Ceiro, Mrs Fflur Fychan, Llety Ceiro, Land off Peggy Lane, Peggy Lane, Llandre, Aberystwyth SY24 5AB. 07713 275025; fflurfychan@aol.com. 135:SN627862; 52.45483, -4.02243. Open 14 Apr-31 Oct; 1 acre; dogs; adv bkg req; hdstdng; 16A; pub on site; self catering accom; dog walk fr site; public trans, town, shop & pub in 1m; beach in 3.5m; price fr £15 (pitch + 2 ad).
CONWY (2.3m NNE) – Llandudno Caravan Park, Mr Mark Rutherford, Tynycoed Farm, Pentywyn Road, Llandudno LL30 1SB. 07973 731608; park50@hotmail.co.uk. 115:SH792795; 53.2995844, -3.8145766. Open 1 May-7 Nov; 1.5 acres; dogs; adv bkg req; grass; 16A; peaceful; ideal for families; views; lawned; wkg fm; dog walk fr site; price fr £23 (pitch + 2 ad).
IMPORTANT: Nightly fees may differ from those published in the Directory due to a change
of facilities or ownership. It is therefore essential to confirm current fees when enquiring or making a booking. Not all CLs accompanied by a pub symbol in the Directory are located on the site of a public house – some are near to a pub (up to three miles away), so please check with the owner before visiting.
19 BRISTOL – Hortham Farm – Field View. New mob: 07887 796089.
20 BRISTOL – Hortham Farm –Wood View. New mob: 07887 796089.
61 ALDERLEY EDGE – Sycamore Farm. WC now shared use.
314 DERBY – Dishfield Farm. Tel 01283 732347 no longer in use. New tel: 01283 563907. WC (Sh) available.
1054 KING’S LYNN – Old School House. No landline. Mob no: 07765 583881. Now has water tap on each pitch.
1308 HIGHBRIDGE – Cob Tree Caravan Park. Mob no 07870678125 no longer in use.
1598 KIDDERMINSTER –Weatheroak Farm. No landline. Use 07973 306407 or 07810 005656.
1644 HORNSEA – Southfield Farm. New email: info@mrmoos.co.uk. New website: mrmoos.co.uk/ caravan.html. Lndry available. 1878 DUNBAR – Beesknowe. New mgr: John Gray. New mob: 07553 939536.
2011 COLWYN BAY – Plas Carw. New owners: Sarah & Sean Carr. Mob: 07712 338808. Email: sarahcarr7@btinternet.com.
JULY MAG ST IVES – Lower Amalwhidden Farm. Mob: 07842 089760; 07840 153966
JULY MAG ARISAIG – Mossbank Croft. Mob: 07789 042074.
See camc.com for the latest site and CL information and follow official guidelines at all times. Please note: routes provided by autoroutes or satellite navigation systems may include roads unsuitable for vehicles towing trailers or caravans. For caravan-friendly local routes to sites we advise using directions published in the Sites Directory & Handbook and on our website.
We’d visited lush and lovely Portugal – famed for fine wine, fabulous beaches and foot-stomping ‘fado’ – in our van many times before, without ever spending enough time on the west coast. So, on a hot summer’s day, we wiggled along the Spanish coast via Vigo and hopped over the border to the Parque Cerdeira campsite. With its shaded pitches and immaculate lawns surrounding several pools, this site in Peneda-Gerês – the 700km2 UNESCO Biosphere reserve which is Portugal’s only national park – is a nature lover’s dream, with lots of hiking trails and rolling rivers for fishing and canoeing nearby.
On our first day, we hiked along waymarked trails from the campsite to enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountains – home to wolves, eagles and rare plants, including the deep blue Gerês lily, which only grows on these rugged slopes.
The following morning we made a beeline for Braga. We imagined this city – considered to be Portugal’s religious centre – would be rather austere, but it’s home to several universities, and we passed throngs of young people laughing while sitting at café terraces as we strolled through paved streets. Our destination was the city’s twin-towered, 12th century cathedral – a mix of Baroque, Gothic, Manueline, Moorish and Romanesque styles.
After admiring the azulejo tile-lined Capela de São Geraldo (‘Chapel of St Gerald’) and gaping at the mummified remains of
Archbishop D Lourenço Vicente, we climbed aboard a bus to visit the iconic Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, famed for its wedding cake-style lattice of staircases and panoramic views of Braga.
A return to the city centre gave us the chance to sample the (surprisingly tasty) caramel and dry-cured ham pudding, Pudim Abade de Priscos, at the terrace of historic Café A Brasileira, which opened in 1907.
Parque Cerdeira is an easy two-hour drive from Porto (an alternative option, Angeiras, is closer). Pronounced ‘Portu’ by locals – and often called ‘Oporto’ by foreign visitors –Portugal’s second largest city straddles the
Douro River and features a UNESCO-classed centre, which is one of Europe’s oldest. Most people know Porto, however, as the place where sweet fortified port wine was invented.
Hopping onto one of the city’s beautifully refurbished century-old trams (a day pass costs €10), we rumbled along to the fascinating hotchpotch of vintage vehicles on display at the Museu do Carro Eléctrico tram museum. Another tram took us to more iconic sights, including the lovely tile-covered interior of the Estação São Bento railway station. From here it was an easy stroll through leafy streets to Livraria Lello – a famously beautiful Art Nouveau bookstore.
By now we were feeling peckish, so we headed back towards the Douro river, browsing the shops housed in 17th and 18th
Parque Cerdeira (Club ref: E37)
Enjoy large pools, clipped lawns and a restaurant serving local specialities at this rural – but far from rustic – site in northern Portugal
Touring pitches: 220
Open: all year
Site view
“Our site is an excellent starting point to explore and enjoy the only national park in Portugal. We have guides and maps that will help you to get to know and explore the wonders of nature that surrounds us.”
José Carlos Pires
Food & drink
Caves Cálem (wine tour and tasting session), Avenida Diogo Leite, 344 Vila Nova de Gaia
Contact: tour.calem.pt, 00351 916 113 451
Biscainhos Museum (decorative arts), Rua dos Biscainhos, 4700-415 Braga Contact: museudosbiscainhos. gov.pt, 00351 253 204 650 Culture
Outdoor fun
Water Park Gerês, Praia do Alqueirão
Contact: waterparkgeres.pt, 00351 91 565 88 66
Esplanada do Molhe and Molhe Beach, Av do Brasil 749, Porto
Scan here to book a pitch at Parque Cerdeira
Guincho (Club ref: E10)
Within easy reach of Lisbon and historic Evora, this site, shaded by fragrant pines, has several large pools and access to dune-studded coastline.
Touring pitches: 600 Open: all year
Site view
“Guincho beach is a great place for those who enjoy surfing and windsurfing and also with several other beaches less windy in walking distance. [Lisbon’s] medieval quarters, monuments, churches and typical streets are well worth visiting.”
Raphael Perret-Roigt (Campsite Contractor)
Food & drink
O Faroleiro, Estrada do Guincho, 2750-642 Cascais
Contact: faroleiro.com, 00351 21 487 02 25
Museu do Fado, Largo do Chafariz de Dentro 1, 1100-139 Lisbon
Contact: museudofado.pt, 00351 218 823 470 Culture
Outdoor fun
Oitavos Dunes Golf Course, Quinta da Marinha, Lote 64, 2750-040 Cascais
Contact: oitavosdunes.com
Ursa Beach (accessible via steep trail), north of Cabo da Roca viewpoint
Serra Amarela, Peneda-Gerês, near Parque Cerdeira (Club ref: E37)
Inset: Braga Cathedral
century buildings along the pedestrianised Rua das Flores. After searching the winding cobbled streets of Ribeira, we found familyowned restaurant Escondidinho do Barredo.
This cosy place appears basic, with only one menu shared between tables – but the food is superb. We sipped on crisp white wine from a jug, served with succulent tapas-style snacks called petiscos (cod fritters; fried salt cod in batter; pork blood soup; and fish roe swimming in green sauce).
After our long, lazy lunch we walked off the calories by crossing the double-decked Dom Luis I Bridge to the south bank of the river, noting the rabelos, boats that used to transport port made in the celebrated cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Port has been made by adding distilled grape spirit to wine since the 17th century (only fortified wines produced in the surrounding Douro Valley can actually be labelled as ‘port’). Vila Nova de Gaia boasts more than 60 cellars, but as we’d visited several before, we made for the new World Of Wine. This spectacular grape-themed experience includes seven museums, restaurants and shops, all housed in a line of refurbished port warehouses.
Reluctantly, we left our lovely pitch and followed the busy road to Aveiro, south of Porto. Here, winding waterways, ornate
architecture and bright-painted moliceiros –boats that were once used for harvesting seaweed – combine to create Portugal’s own version of Venice. The peaceful city is flat and has a free bike scheme, so cycling is the perfect way to get around. We followed an Art Nouveau route map from the local tourist office, seeking out the beautiful, ornate buildings that were (mostly) built by locals who’d made their fortunes in Brazil.
Hopping on one of the moliceiros, we headed out to see the glistening flats where salt has been produced for centuries, before making our way to our second campsite – the lovely Parque de Campismo Orbitur Guincho (or simply ‘Guincho’). Just half an hour’s drive from the capital, Lisbon, it is surrounded by sand dunes and sweet scented parasol pines, overlooking one of the country’s most beautiful coastlines.
While staying for three days we visited the fairytale São Jorge Castle and the stocky 16th century Belém Tower, and took selfies on the city’s magnificent Ponte 25 de Abril, built in 1966 by the American Bridge Company as a copy of San Francisco’s Golden Gate. Being back in Portugal’s buzzing capital after visiting some of this country’s lesser-known sites was the perfect way to end our trip.
If Heidi has inspired you to visit Portugal, visit camc.com/overseas to book these campsites and more.
Our
escorted motorhome tours of southern Africa give you the chance to see spellbinding wildlife and scenery
You can read more about these holidays and our other worldwide experiences in our brochure. Visit camc.com/ brochures to view online or order your free copy
Duration/type:
38-day escorted motorhome tour
Departs: 29 April 2023 and 24 September 2023
Price: from £4,699pp (29 April 2023 departure) based on two sharing
Price includes: outfit hire, return flights, all transfers, two nights at a hotel in Johannesburg including breakfast, two nights at a Cape Town hotel including breakfast, 31 nights pre-booked campsites, welcome and farewell dinners, full-day guided game drive in Kruger National Park, Hippo & Croc Cruise, halfday guided game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, experienced South African guides
Starting in Johannesburg, this incredible tour takes you to the world-renowned Kruger National Park, skirts the east and south coasts of South Africa and concludes in Cape Town. Your holiday is led by experienced local tour guides, who will ensure you get the very best out of your African experience.
After acclimatising in South Africa’s largest city, you will be given a motorhome orientation session and can enjoy a welcome dinner, during which you will get to know your tour hosts and fellow travellers. On day four you hit the road – before long you will be exploring the famed Panorama Route, highlights of which include ‘God’s Window’, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and The Three Rondavels. Days six to eight are spent enjoying Kruger National Park, home to more than 130 mammal and 500 bird species. This is one of the few places in the world where you might encounter the ‘big five’ – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. Eswatini (fomerly known as ‘Swaziland’) is your next destination – a country that is home to everything from
“ The tour offers so much diversity in cultures, scenery and animals, a holiday of a lifetime! ”
towering mountains and low-lying savannah to rainforest and lush river valley. You have the opportunity to see more extraordinary wildlife at Bonamanzi Game Reserve or Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park during the next section of your trip, before arriving at the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields. By day 20, travellers will have reached the majestic Wild Coast, with its hidden coves, secluded beaches and green hills. Explore a traditional Xhosa village or take a walk on deserted sands – the choice is yours.
Further highlights of your trip include a visit to Addo Elephant National Park –sanctuary not only to elephants but also the southern right whale and great white shark – and a drive along the Garden Route, taking in the town of Knysna and its beautiful lagoon. Your final destination is breathtaking Cape Town, where you will have time to explore the likes of Table Mountain and the gardens of Kirstenbosch at your leisure. Finally, a 14-course farewell dinner gives you the chance to reminisce about your amazing adventure.
For information or a brochure on these tours, please visit camc.com/worldwide or call
“ It was a fantastic trip on wonderful remote roads with extraordinary scenery, and exotic wildlife appearing regularly
Nicholas Dawson, Club member
This tour begins and ends in the Namibian capital city of Windhoek. After two nights in a hotel, a welcome dinner with your tour hosts and a briefing at the motorhome depot, you’ll be itching to embark on this adventure through three countries.
Early in your trip you will see the incredible sand dunes of Sossusvlei. Optional excursions include helicopter flights, hot air balloon rides and 4x4 experiences – it’s up to you.
On day seven you can spot seals and dolphins during a cruise from Walvis Bay – fresh oysters accompanied by a glass of bubbly will only add to the on-board excitement. It’s then on to Uis in the heart of Namibia’s unspoiled
Damaraland region – the Brandberg area is the place to spot the likes of desert elephant, mountain zebra, springbok and kudu. You will have the chance to see more wildlife in beautiful Etosha National Park, where waterholes attract all manner of creatures.
Next you head for the Otavi Mountains, where you can visit the iconic Hoba Meteorite – weighing
about 60 tonnes, it is the largest ‘space object’ on Earth.
Having traversed Namibia’s narrow but wildlife-rich Caprivi Strip, guests will park their motorhomes in Kasane, Botswana, before being transferred into Zambia and Livingstone – the gateway to the spectacular Victoria Falls. Optional extras here include a Sunset Zambezi Cruise or helicopter flight over the famous cascades. Botswana’s Chobe National Park is your next destination – an area combining lush floodplains and marshland. A game cruise
When you’re ready to explore again, we’ll be with you every step of the way. We offer a full refund or amendment of your package holiday if the FCDO advises against travel to your destination, borders close or you’d need to quarantine on arrival at your destination*. Find out more at camc.com/ wwconfidence
* Covers holiday cancellations in line with FCDO advice. T&Cs apply.
Duration/type:
33-day escorted motorhome tour
Departs: 4 June 2023 and 31 October 2023
Price: from £5,299pp for 4 June 2023 departure based on two sharing
on the Chobe River is included, offering the perfect opportunity to see diverse wildlife.
Further highlights of your African adventure include two nights at Crocodile Camp on the banks of the Thamalakane River, a trip to the Moremi Game Reserve and Ghanzi – where an optional excursion gives you the chance to learn about the San Bushmen.
Farm, you return to Windhoek where you can reminisce with your fellow travellers over a farewell dinner.
Price includes: outfit hire, return flights from the UK to Namibia, all transfers, two nights at a hotel in Windhoek including breakfast, two nights at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa in Zambia including breakfast, one night at the Kalahari Arms Hotel in Ghanzi including breakfast, Seal and Dolphin Cruise, game drives in Etosha National Park, game drive and game cruise in Chobe National Park, experienced South African tour hosts
Look out for special our brochure – visit camc.com/brochures to view online or order your free copy
Vineyards near Saint-Émilion, France
Many of us enjoy a glass of wine or two while on holiday – but have you ever considered the intricacies of the journey from grapevine to glass? What about booking a late break to take in vineyards or a wine-making tour amid some of the most breathtaking countryside in Europe? Check out these specially selected campsites from our overseas network...
Stay at: Le Domaine de Massereau (Club ref: C33)
In the heart of the LanguedocRoussillon region, which is renowned for its high quality, great value wines, lies Le Domaine de Massereau. Wine has been produced here for seven generations – and you can learn all about this history with a tour of the winery and cellar. The adjacent campsite enjoys a woodland setting with well shaded pitches. Special offer: stay 7 nights, get 2 nights free with either a free bottle of wine or 2hrs of tennis (offer applies 1 September7 October 2022)
Stay at: Rüdesheim am Rhein (Club ref: G08)
Surrounded by vineyards growing grapes of the famous Riesling and Pinot Noir varieties, the well-kept, family-run Rüdesheim am Rhein campsite provides a relaxing, friendly atmosphere. You could take a trip high above the town on a cable car to experience the scenery in all its glory or visit the wine museum at nearby Brömserburg.
Stay at: Zaton Holiday Resort (Club ref: X14)
Croatia may not be the first country you associate with wine, but vines have actually been growing here for thousands of years. Zaton Holiday Resort is the perfect base – after a day exploring the rich cultural attractions of the Dalmatian coast, why not embark on a wine tour or tasting experience in Zadar county. Close to the lovely medieval village of Nin, this fantastic campsite boasts its own beach.
Special offer: first dog goes free (offer applies 10-30 September 2022)
Stay at: De Haro (Club ref: E02)
At the heart of the Rioja wine-producing region lies the attractive De Haro campsite. The centre of the historic town of Haro is nearby – here you can enjoy the numerous restaurants and shops as well. Be sure to sample the local wines in the
Special offer: stay 7 nights or more and get one night free (offer applies 15 September10 December 2022)
To read about more sites in wine and champagne-making regions see camc.com/summerholidays.
Marcus Leach
If you book an overseas site, Eurotunnel or ferry crossing through the Club you’ll get the best price –guaranteed! To see camc.com/ pricematch And your crossing travel protection – see camc.com/ overseaspackages Red Pennant emergency assistance protects you and your vehicle while touring Europe. See camc.com/ redpennant
Looking for more inspirational travel ideas? We recommend the series of blogs on our website by adventure athlete and writer Marcus Leach (visit camc.com/blog and click on ‘Stories from abroad’). Marcus has taken a year off with his family to travel around Europe in his motorhome. The vineyard picture at the top of this page was taken near Saint-Émilion in France (nearest site Saint-Émilion, Club ref: D08).
MEMBERS SAVED MORE THAN £3.8 MILLION DURING 2021
If you are going on local walks or longer hikes this autumn, Cotswold Outdoor has a range of outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment – and it’s easy to find what you are looking for and compare products on its website. Head to camc.com/cotswoldoutdoors and save 15% on orders.
Whether you have a caravan, motorhome or van conversion, BBL’s extensive range of batteries, chargers and solar equipment is great for the touring lifestyle. Club members can take advantage of an exclusive 10% discount on all lithium technology leisure batteries – find out more at camc.com/bbl.
Protect your caravan from damage and the effects of the elements with a tailor-made cover from Specialised Covers – it will also help to reduce depreciation. Members save £25 on full caravan or motorhome covers. For more information visit camc.com/ specialisedcovers
“As our newly-replaced caravan is stored outside... we got in touch with the very efficient sales team at Specialised Covers. Having just fitted [the cover] I wanted to let other members know how pleased we are with the quality of the material, as well as the reinforced straps and clips that come with it.... it fits like the proverbial glove!” Steve Johnson, Club member
If you have saved via our offers we would love to hear from you! Please send us your story and/or image to memberoffers@ camc.com
Terms and conditions apply to all Member Offers and Club Shop purchases – see camc.com/memberoffers and shop.camc.com for details
Gas Safety Week runs from 12-18 September –see gassaferegister.co.uk for details. The Club Shop stocks a selection of useful gas-related touring products…
Truma’s LevelControl attaches to your cylinder and monitors your gas levels, sending results directly to your phone. It communicates via Bluetooth and can also be connected to Truma’s iNet system – pick up yours from shop.camc.com at the discounted member price of £117. See website for compatible cylinders.
Designed to fit most common gas cylinder connections found in Great Britain, this hose is 450mm in length and features Hose Rupture Protection (HRP) for safety while in transit. If the hose is damaged, the HRP mechanism trips and stops the flow of gas. Priced at £40.49 (with the member discount of 10% applied), it is available from shop.camc.com
GasStop is an emergency shut-off device for gas systems used in caravans and motorhomes. If a leak occurs GasStop will instantly cut the flow of gas. Simple to fit, it also features a gas pressure indicator. For propane LPG cylinders using low pressure regulators (up to 50 mbar). After applying the Club member discount of 10%, it costs just £35.99 from shop.camc.com
The LevelCheck from Truma uses ultra-sound to detect the amount of gas in your cylinder. Simply hold it at a right-angle to the surface of the cylinder; a green light indicates there is gas up to that level. (Not suitable for all cylinders –see website for details). It is available from shop.camc.com for £58.49 (member discount of 10% applied).
Your chance to have your say. The writer of our Star Letter will receive a £30 National Trust Gift Card
Thank you for the article in the August 2022 issue on solo campervanning. It highlights how solos (like myself) can escape. I lost my husband five years ago and we always camped. Then we got our small Toyota Alphard but sadly as he was so ill we could only have day trips away.
When he passed away I was determined to follow his advice, which was “life is for living”, and went to New Zealand for three months in a rented Toyota camper. What an experience – not
only a beautiful country but welcoming people.
Now I go off in my van and walk in the Scottish hills or along the coast and meet a great number of kind people on the sites when I rock up. Recently I have indulged in a new, to me, Fiat Ducato, which allows me to stand up, have a more comfortable bed and a toilet. Luxury! I highly recommend if you have suddenly become on your own, like the article says, ‘Go for it’ and enjoy. Elizabeth Layhe, via email
Reading the July issue of the Club Magazine, we were interested to see Nick Lomas’s article on Abbey Wood Club Campsite, where we have enjoyed several short stays due to its easy access to London.
In late April we did the long haul up to Scotland from our home in Kent, in our CMC Multi-style VW Campervan. We travelled all up the west coast and along the north coast of Scotland, enjoying the beautiful scenery on a wonderful six-week holiday.
On the way home – via Hadrian’s Wall, the Peak District and Norfolk – we decided on a couple of days at Abbey Wood (right). It’s a lovely site and so peaceful (except for the parakeets!). And, as Nick says, it’s only 10 minutes to the station on foot. We travelled into London on the Elizabeth Line and were very impressed by the helpful staff and the clean and tidy new stations and tube trains, with level access
from the platform. It was also very easy to use the payment system, just tapping your debit card at the barrier at both ends. It’s just a short trip to Farringdon tube station and then a walk to The Postal Museum, where we really enjoyed the ‘mail rail’ underground train and museum. It was a great end to our holiday and in less than two hours we were home from the Abbey Wood site. We will certainly visit again and would recommend the site to anyone wanting to visit London.
Simon and Judith Govier, via email
Send your letters to: magazine@camc.com
Members can save 8% on National Trust Gift Cards, which can be redeemed in National Trust cafés and shops, in the Trust’s online shop and towards gift membership packs. See camc.com/nationaltrust for more information.
I wanted to write in to thank the lovely John and Wendy who were caravanning at Southland Club Campsite on the Isle of Wight in May half-term. We were on the next pitch to you in our VW campervan when my son broke his wrist skateboarding. Thank you for checking in on my husband and younger son whilst I was at the hospital with my eldest. An even bigger thank you for the hugs and support when I was an emotional wreck! I didn’t get to see you the following day (our last day) as I went back to the hospital early in the morning whilst my husband packed up. We then headed straight to the ferry port from the hospital. I’m so grateful for your kindness and support. You are two fabulous people who I will never forget. Zoe Arden, via email
My husband and I were heading away for a long weekend with our caravan to the Fairlight Wood site near Hastings when suddenly there was a clonk and all power went in the car. We managed to cruise into a safe area off a roundabout.
After calling MAYDAY, provided for the Club by Green Flag, we were assured that someone would be with us within the hour.
The first superhero, called Derek, arrived in his Green Flag van and determined what was wrong within minutes. He sorted out a recovery low loader for the car and towed our caravan to the site, even putting it into position for us. Cheryl was amazing at the site as we arrived after 8pm.
The next morning, the second superhero – Stuart from Westbourne Motors – arrived with our car on a low loader and parked it in the overflow carpark. Westbourne Motors then contacted us early in the morning to arrange the repair on the car – this was done by our third superhero, Ray. These three gents were amazing and an absolute credit to the companies they work for. We all wonder sometimes why we pay for insurance and recovery. We can tell you first hand and are so very grateful to all involved!
Emma & Perry Tatman, via email
We have recently returned from a trip of a lifetime, booked to celebrate retirement. We started with three days in Vancouver, a great city to visit. We collected our motorhome and then started our trip to the Rockies. The scenery is truly amazing, or awesome as the Canadians say.
The national parks provide excellent campsites with impressive systems for water and waste disposal at even the simplest stop. We saw glaciers, bears, elk and lots of smaller creatures. We were welcomed by friendly, helpful people and in a day could go from swimming in a warm lake to walking on a glacier.
Our motorhome was roomy with a fixed bed (a treat for us). The booking process was easy and we had lots of support from the guys at Alan Rogers via the Club. We made our way from Vancouver to Calgary via too many amazing places to mention. The trip was definitely worth the hassle of a delayed flight. We would definitely recommend the adventure.
Alan and Jane Smart, via email
Editor’s note: That sounds like an amazing trip. If you are inspired by Alan and Jane’s travels and would like to know more about the Club’s tours, please see camc.com/worldwide.
on-board fridges (July edition) and would like to share an anecdotal story regarding such checks. About 10 years ago I was a partner in an auto electrical business. One day we had a booking to fit a cruise control to a brand new motorhome. When I arrived at work on the day of the appointment the motorhome was already parked outside the garage. The customer had travelled from southern Ireland overnight and the family were in the process of having breakfast. When they had finished, the owner dropped off the keys and said he was taking the family to the local leisure park for the day.
I asked if everything was secure in the vehicle because I would be road testing it later, and specifically asked about the fridge because it was going to be a hot day.
Having finished the work, I duly took the vehicle on a test run. At the first roundabout the fridge door flew open and then swung back, but did not close because a can of Guinness had dropped in the gap. This can was subsequently punctured and went off like a black fire extinguisher, spraying everywhere. I drove back to the workshop and examined the damage. It was terrible. When the owner
We first visited Rock Point last September, not long after they opened as a CL. It’s in an absolutely fabulous location with stunning views over the Wye Valley towards Symonds Yat. The hosts Ben and Netty were so welcoming and we spent more than an hour chatting with them about future plans.
Fast forward to this June and our second visit – wow how things have progressed! They have semi hardstanding plots and wonderful mini hedge lines between three plots. The other plots are separate with their own amazing views.
With Netty’s collection of feathered friends, more than 100 at the last count, fresh eggs are always available. If you’re really lucky the ducks may have been laying too. We can’t mention the birds without a shout out to George and Mildred, the resident geese.
And then there is Netty baking her amazing breads and pastries, fresh salad leaves from their poly-tunnels and local produce.
The site is less than 15 minutes’ drive away from beautiful Skenfrith Castle. We can’t wait for our next visit.
Carl and Lewy Broadis, via email
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We would love to hear about your previous adventures and plans for the future!
He then paid his bill, we shook hands and he left!
Stephen Burwell, via email
Please email us at magazine@camc.com
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ClubFest was great and a lot of people obviously put a great deal of effort into making it such a good event. I watched lots of great entertainment, went to a dog show and a really good talk about going to the Somme. I tried clay
pigeon shooting and had a go on a the Platinum Jubilee picnic lunch and drank plenty of Neck Oil beer. A truly great event!
Roger Badcock, via email
Having bought our first caravan in 1988, a Bessacarr from a work colleague, and getting a towbar fitted to our Astra, we set off up the M6 to Kirkby Lonsdale for our first go at this caravanning malarkey.
On arrival at the site, we set about trying to work out what goes where. After quite a bit of head scratching, we attempted to put the awning up. Despite being quite proud of ourselves, a chap came over and said very politely, “I don’t want to be rude, but you’ve never done this before?”, before pointing out our awning was inside out. He
very kindly put us right and we enjoyed our first of many stays away in this, our first, caravan. Seven caravans, numerous awnings and 34 years later, we still have the occasional heated conversation as to whether or not the awning is going up the correct way, much to the amusement of fellow caravanners watching. Despite these heated discussions, we are still together, having celebrated our ruby wedding anniversary whilst staying at the beautiful Malvern Hills Club Campsite. Les Forfar, via email
Chatsworth House appears frequently in any mention of Derbyshire and the Peak District in the Club Magazine. But rarely does it mention that during the Second World War
Penrhos College whose school buildings in Colwyn Bay were taken over by the Ministry of Food.
My mother was at Penrhos College at Chatsworth during the war years along with two of my aunts, whose friendship resulted in my parents meeting and eventually marrying. My mother passed away a month ago aged 97 but my aunt is still with us, aged 94.
Some years ago Chatsworth House recreated the school within some of its rooms and we visited it with my mother, who told us the many tales from those years, including a bombing raid on the house.
friends with my two aunts, which is fascinating. In many ways those years were the most remarkable in the history of Chatsworth House.
David Stedeford, via email
I have recently completed a motorhome manoeuvring course at Leyburn in North Yorkshire with two other like-minded ladies, Lyn and Jenny. I signed up following a letter in the Club Magazine from a wife/partner of a motorhome owner who suggested that all wives/partners should help with the driving. Our instructor, Dave, was first class and being a person of not much confidence my husband could not believe recommend the course.
Pippa Page, via email
Editor’s note: Glad to hear it had such an impact, Pippa. If you would like to find out more about the Club’s training courses please visit camc.com/training.
Do any members collect GB stickers or Caravan Club mementos? I have 14 self-adhesive ones (plus one old Red Pennant one) to give to any collectors, all unused. These include seven Caravan Club ones of three different designs.
Richard Lindley, via email
some chose period-style accommodation!
One of the advantages of owning a caravan, motorhome or campervan is that you can indulge in hobby holidays without any fuss or bother. Whatever your interests are, and whichever leisure vehicle you choose to tour in, it’s easy to meet people who share your passion across the UK or overseas.
One of my loves is motorcycling. I’ve had a soft spot for motorcycles since the age of nine – I can still remember the feeling I had when releasing a clutch for the first time. Forty-two years later, with the feeling as strong as ever, I spotted an event for pre-1940s motorbikes taking place in Belgium – The Antique Motorcycle Run – and decided to take part.
The caravanning part of the trip promised to be the easy bit. Through the Club’s Travel Team, we
booked an outbound crossing with Irish Ferries and arrived at the Klein Strand campsite less than 90 minutes after clearing Calais customs. You can read more about the trip in the August 2022 issue.
The motorcycle event was being held at Laarne Castle, near Ghent, an hour from Klein Strand, and our final stop would be at Kompas Camping Nieuwpoort, just 50 minutes’ drive from the DFDS terminal at Dunkirk. Booking the ferry crossing through the Club saved me almost £50, a sum that would ease the pain caused by the increased cost of fuel. My only cause for concern was the bike.
Riding a 91-year-old British motorcycle requires deep concentration when you’ve been raised on Japanese machines from the 1970s. Having ridden the classic bike for just 10 miles before boarding the ferry, the lever throttle and tank-mounted gearchange still felt alien, as did
Baguettes complete the look
advancing and retarding the ignition to suit road speeds. At least the brakes offered a reasonable degree of confidence.
The Belgian countryside is spectacular, and even though the farthest point of the trip was still relatively close to the ferry ports, it felt good to be in mainland Europe once again, exploring a neighbouring country with car and caravan. I get a bit fidgety when pitched in one spot for too long, so two campsites on a relatively short trip suited me perfectly.
The stunning town of Laarne was briefly our home, with the imposing 12th Century Laarne Castle being The Antique Motorcycle Run HQ. Sipping a Duvel in the cobbled town square the night before the event was great, but the sleepy present belies the castle’s troubled past. Built to defend the city of Ghent from attack, many unfortunate souls found themselves locked up in its prison, and other gory events continued at the castle through the ages – in the early 1600s, for example, four of the so-called ‘Witches of Laarne’ died at the stake here.
Thankfully a friendlier air pervades today. The organisers offered overnight camping in an adjoining field, with facilities similar to that of a centre rally. Most caravans, motorhomes and campers are designed to be self-sufficient without electric hook-up and our Bailey kept us comfortable while I spanner-checked the bike and topped up the levels in the evening sunshine. But, as night fell, I made sure the caravan door was locked, in case anyone from Laarne’s grisly past made an appearance in our awning!
“A dropped flag signalled the start of the 80km ride out ”
Above: the vintage vehicles assemble Left: machines were presented in tip-top condition
As the sun climbed the following morning – and with no reports of ghostly sightings – a fantastic array of machinery was gathered. I’ve always found Belgian and Dutch folk to be incredibly friendly, and spent most of my time talking to other enthusiasts about our common interest – motorcycles. Some of the bikes were manufactured in the early 1900s and appeared to be little more than powered bicycles.
The morning was incredibly relaxed. With bikes parked under the imposing castle, scrambled egg and lardon baps were washed down with strong Belgian coffee as participants adjusted their attire to match the ages of their motorcycles.
Sporting a shirt, waistcoat and a pudding basin crash helmet, I was ready to go, and a dropped flag signalled the start of the 80km ride out. Following a pre-planned route that was tailored to suit motorcycles from yesteryear, we wafted along empty roads with little to trouble us. Sure, there were plenty of temporary breakdowns, with many machines showing their age, and I spent a significant amount of time adjusting my brakes on the fly. Still, the pace was dictated by the bikes, and that day all entrants temporarily escaped the hustle and bustle of modern life.
With the course complete and bikes returned, several food and drink outlets did a roaring trade as folks sat in the sun and listened to live music.
An army of unsung heroes helps to organise such events. The Antique Motorcycle Run team made us feel incredibly welcome, speaking English whenever we were part of a group, and even conducting separate briefings in English, despite the fact I was one of just two Brits taking part. I cannot thank them enough.
Remember: If you book an overseas site, Eurotunnel or ferry crossing through the Club you’ll get the best price – guaranteed! To find out more see camc.com/pricematch.
Are you a lover of all things retro? Why not consider attending one the following Centre rallies this September?
ROAD, RAIL AND ALE RALLY
Midland Centre’s rally at Statfold Barn Railway near Tamworth from 9-11 September coincides with the Road, Rail and Ale festival featuring vintage trucks, tractors, cars, steam traction engines and a host of visiting exhibitors.
Go full steam ahead: midlandcentre.co.uk
NOMINATIONS
RALLY (1940s WEEKEND)
Gloucestershire Centre welcomes all comers to a special wartime-themed weekend in Newent from 16-18 September.
Army Girls – and don’t forget your ration books. Contact Captain Mainwaring: gloucestershire camc.co.uk
rallies celebrating the King of Rock n’ Roll. Hosted separately by South Wales Centre and West Wales Centre, each has been timed to coincide with the Porthcawl Elvis Festival. South Wales Centre’s rally takes place from 22-26 September and West Wales Centre’s from 23-25 September.
southwalescentre.co.uk, westwalescentre.co.uk
Those with a sensitive disposition should look away... Here, David Chapman unearths a horror story playing out in our garden log piles
The most rewarding way to observe the evolution of log piles is to build them in your garden, but they can usually also be found in woodlands. In recent years, I have enjoyed stays at the following Club campsites, which are all close to woods: Stover, Devon; The Sandringham Estate, Norfolk; Bolton Abbey Estate, Yorkshire; Borrowdale, Cumbria (pictured); and Gwern-y-Bwlch, Powys.
No wildlife garden is complete without a log pile. In fact, I think a good wildlife garden should feature a few log piles in various stages of decomposition. The many hiding places they offer attract insects and amphibians, and some species even penetrate the wood to make their homes. Once decay has set in, a colourful variety of fungi pop up and transform the pile into an ornamental garden feature.
Last September, my appreciation of the humble log pile and the ecosystem it can support took a macabre turn when I noticed a very long, thin insect behaving quite suspiciously around the logs in my garden. From the tip of its antennae to the end of its ‘tail’, this beast was 9cm long – about the length of my finger. With its flimsy antennae, which curved to maximise its contact with the surface of what had once been the branch of an oak tree, it was steadily exploring the area. I inched closer for a photo, but it quickly flew very high – in flight it looked even bigger – and escaped into the distant trees. I had missed my chance. On the next sunny day I went back to the same pile of logs and it was there again, but once more it shunned my attention and flew off. On my third visit, its behaviour was a little different. For a while it gently but determinedly brushed its antennae against the surface of the wood,
The ichneumon wasp probes the log with her ovipositor
“ This beast was 9cm long – about the length of my finger ”
The wasp continued to turn and repeatedly inject for a few minutes
You might find some of the following wildlife within log piles:
Log piles adjacent to ponds provide frogs (right) with damp hiding places.
Common liverwort (below left) grows on soil, bare ground, rocks and rotting log piles. Slime moulds (white coral slime mould pictured below centre) grow on damp, wellrotted logs, and aid the process of decay.
Trooping crumble caps (far right) appear in massed ranks on logs; they survive only for a day or two, but can re-emerge several times throughout autumn.
The wasp curves her antennae to maximise contact with the log
“ Her mission was far from straightforward ”
before becoming feverishly excited and unsheathing its ‘tail’.
This beast was an ichneumon wasp: ephialtes manifestator. Its ‘tail’ wasn’t a tail at all, but an ovipositor – and identified the specimen in my garden as female. The ovipositor extends to about 5cm and is used to drill through wood.
Her mission was far from straightforward. She lifted up the rear end of her body, stood on tiptoes and then directed her ovipositor into the log. She strained to push down, every few seconds rotating her whole body to find a different angle. She tried leaning forward and then back, continuing to feel the surface of the log with her antennae. In the heat of the moment, she was oblivious to my attention. I closed in with my macro lens, now able to position myself only a few inches away from this display; she was intent on her task, and me on mine.
So what was this insect doing? The ichneumon wasp is a parasitoid. The female uses her ovipositor to penetrate logs in order to lay her eggs in a beetle or moth larva nesting within. Her antennae detect the slightest movement of a larva, and when she is confident she has found
a suitable host, she injects her ovipositor into the unfortunate victim.
Eventually she succeeded in inserting her ovipositor to its full length. I will never know whether she succeeded in her mission, but she seemed very excited, even agitated, as she repeatedly injected it piston-like into the wood.
In observing her, I was struck by two things. First, the incredible strength of the insect and her hollow, needle-like ovipositor. Secondly, the gruesomeness of the event that had unfolded before my eyes. I could only imagine that the larva, deep inside the log, would previously have felt quite safe. Maybe it was unaware of the egg being injected into it, but over the next few months the ichneumon’s young would hatch and began to devour the larva from the inside out.
On that first day, as I had approached this unusual insect with my camera, I had unwittingly begun to uncover not only an astonishing aspect of life in the log pile, but also a small-scale, yet all-too-real, horror story.
MEMBER SINCE...
Motorhomer David Chapman joined the Club in 2000
Jonathan
For an instant there’s nothing but blue sky and cotton wool clouds filling the windscreen.
Gravity pins me back into the driver’s chair as I look up, the bonnet and track no longer in view. Seconds later, the car pitches over the crest of the hill and faces down a 25% incline.
“Don’t worry,” off-road driving instructor Allan Jackson reassures me. “This car could tow a 3.5-tonne trailer down a 45˚ slope!”
In my experience, even towing a lightweight caravan over velvet-smooth asphalt can have its sweaty-palm moments, so the prospect of attempting an off-road track with something hitched to the towbar is inconceivable. But there again, this is not my towcar.
It is, in fact, a Range Rover Sport, which transforms from luxury, leather-upholstered road car to off-road superhero. The buttons on the dashboard offer a variety of initialisms designed to respond to virtually any scenario, allied to an air suspension that can lift or lower the height of the vehicle at the flick of a switch. Meanwhile, a low-ratio gearbox delivers Popeye levels of torque to keep the wheels moving.
The car is one of a small fleet at the Land Rover Experience East of England, based at Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire. The short, sharp hills, rolling parkland and muddy ponds of the estate provide the perfect environment in which to learn more about the capabilities of Range Rovers and Land Rovers, and to hone off-road driving skills. Oh, and it’s also an absolute blast, climbing and plunging
and splashing and clambering over terrain that really ought to be impassable in a car.
All towcar drivers are welcome, but owners of new Land Rovers are offered a complimentary three-hour course – with no obligation to use their own vehicles!
Although we won’t be towing today, Allan delights in showing off the car’s towing convenience; how the press of a button summons or stows the towball, and how another prompts the air suspension to lift and lower the back of the car to establish the perfect height for hitching up. There’s no need for oily fingers or tweaked back muscles with this much technology at your disposal.
But it’s on the mud tracks and ruts of the Rockingham estate that the car really comes alive. I engage the GGS (Grass, Gravel, Snow) setting for a slippery surface, while the press of another button raises the height of the vehicle by 65mm, increasing our ground clearance as we tackle the deep grooves of a track.
“Instead of approaching at 90˚, try 12˚,” says Allan. I turn the steering wheel and the vehicle gently nudges one wheel then the next into the rut before serenely continuing its progress.
We’re not barrelling along like rally drivers – Allan’s advice is to drive no faster than you would walk or run through an uncertain landscape – but we only stop to address how to tackle the next obstacle, which right now is a descent so steep I’m anxious that the car might run away like the proverbial rolling stone.
In this scenario, I’m instructed to keep the wheels pointing straight down the hill
“ We only stop to address how to tackle the next obstacle ”
Three more high-octane experiences
This attraction at Castle Combe Circuit in Chippenham, Wiltshire offers a variety of experiences, from skid pan driving to karting and off-road adventures. Members save 10% using our Great Savings Guide. Info: camc.com/ greatsavingsguide and drivetechltd.co.uk
Stay: Cirencester Park Club Campsite
Adventure-seekers are spoiled for choice at this venue in Menheniot near Liskeard. Choose from karting, an aquapark, zip wire and more. Members save £2.50 using our Great Savings Guide. Info: camc.com/ greatsavingsguide and adrenalinquarry.co.uk
Stay: Looe Club Campsite
Based in the beautiful Dartmoor National Park, Crag 2 Mountain offers adventure courses including hill walking and navigation, rock climbing and caving. Members save up to 15% using our Great Savings Guide. Info: camc.com/ greatsavingsguide and crag2mountain.co.uk
Stay: Modbury Club Campsite
Slow and steady – taking on a water obstacle
rather than at an angle, so that if the vehicle does slip it will simply skid forwards and not roll. But, of course, it doesn’t slip – the HDC (Hill Descent Control) button lets me set the speed in increments of 1km/h (0.6mph), and I don’t even need to brake. The grip is unbelievably surefooted, even using standard road tyres at road pressures.
Club members can save 10% on the cost of a session at Land Rover Experience East of England using the Great Savings Guide. A one-hour taster drive costs £99, and a half-day costs £295. Info: camc.com/ greatsavingsguide and eastofengland. landroverexperience.co.uk Stay: Stamford Club Campsite
Reassured that I’m neither reckless nor rash, Allan directs me to an area of the estate where fiendishly uneven tracks have been dug to showcase the capabilities of off-roaders. Where one side rises, the other plummets, threatening to leave tyres spinning helplessly for grip in thin air.
Once again, there’s a button to help me tackle the abyss. This time it’s ATPC (All Terrain Progress Control), the equivalent of a ‘get out of jail free’ card for 4x4s, pulling away on wet ground or maintaining a slow, steady speed on the slipperiest of surfaces. It would be a godsend for any caravanner who has ever spun the wheels and churned up grass trying to tow a caravan off soft ground.
Here though, it keeps the car moving at angles more akin to those experienced by a yacht in the heavy seas of the South Atlantic, a slight creak from one of the windows being the only noticeable suggestion of distress. At one point, I’m sure the nearside wheel is more than a metre off the ground, before it lowers smoothly as the offside wheel heads skywards.
No off-roading experience, it seems, would be complete without a trundle through a swamp. However, Allan is keen to impress on me the dangers of trying to cross a river. Modern off-roaders may be good, but they can’t walk on water, and the risk of a strong current pushing you downstream is best avoided. Fortunately, he’s familiar with the muddy water hazards at Rockingham, so we don’t need to wade them with a stick beforehand to ascertain their depth. The car slips into the water and then glides along the lagoon, sending clouds of flies into the air.
Again, it’s a question of maintaining a slow, steady speed, avoiding the creation of a bow wave that might flood the engine, while depth sensors below the door mirrors check the water depth doesn’t creep above 90cm. At the far bank, the four-wheel drive pulls us effortlessly up the bank.
I’d like to say it’s my fine driving skills that have helped us negotiate the course so smoothly – but it was easy in this car. If only it could teach mine a few lessons! Regardless, I’ve certainly picked up valuable advice and experience for any future off-road encounters.
The Qashqai wasn’t the first family crossover-cum-SUV, but it did help kickstart a trend – seemingly every car manufacturer has an equivalent model in its line-up these days. Nissan has built more than three million Qashqais at its Sunderland factory since launch in 2007, and the car is routinely high in the sales charts; it was the seventh best-selling new car of 2021 in the UK for example, and the top SUV.
So, when Nissan decides to update a hit model, it’s big news. With a huge choice of family SUVs on sale for the caravan owner, the third-generation Qashqai needs to appeal
across a number of areas, most importantly technology, on-road handling and interior fit and finish.
We were keen to spend some more time with the Qashqai to see why it’s so popular.
The first generation Qashqai offered all the advantages of a hatchback with the fashion sense of an off-roader in one, relatively affordable package. While the second generation car of 2013 erred on the side of caution, the new one is almost as radical as the first.
The new Qashqai sits on an updated platform and Nissan’s engineers have been able to stiffen the body by nearly 50%, boding well for an
improved drive. More than that, though, the Japanese carmaker has devoted just as much attention to the areas that people notice the most.
The latest car represents, in my eyes, a far more satisfying piece of design than its predecessor. It clearly takes key styling cues from those earlier versions – at the rear, in particular – but is updated with more modern, even audacious features.
The front-end has a confident air about it and includes a block of LEDs for the headlights, a curved LED strake for the daytime-running lights and indicators, and vertical air intakes in the bumper. The Qashqai also comes with massive 20in alloy wheels for the first time and a bold colour palette (there’s also the option to have a contrasting black roof).
So, the exterior redesign is a success but what about the interior? The previous Qashqai never particularly excelled in this area and was beginning to look dated. The new car offers an enormous improvement, with a slick, swooping dashboard design and acres of soft-touch plastic. The switchgear deserves a special mention as, not only does it feel good to touch, but Nissan has included a raft of buttons and knobs which make twiddling with things like the air conditioning and the touchscreen easier and safer on the move.
Our top-of-the-range Tekna+ model bordered on luxurious with its leather-covered dashboard, quilted leather seats (with a massaging function up front), and a head-up display. But even without these luxuries the interior is a quality place to be. The entry-level Visia has a slightly less-impressive spec, but all other models get alloy wheels, a rear-view camera, dual-zone climate control and a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
With all of these improvements, it’s a shame Nissan hasn’t also overhauled its infotainment system as it relies on slightly laggy software and a dated design – that’s why having smartphone connectivity as a standard feature on all but the Visia is such a boon.
The new Qashqai is 35mm longer, 25mm taller and 32mm wider than before but, crucially, it’s 20mm longer between the wheels. This really aids rear space with there being plenty of room for a couple of six-feet-tall passengers – even with the glass panoramic roof our car had – and doors that open wider than any other family SUV (by 85˚ if you really need to know), which makes loading and unloading child seats or large items very easy.
Main image: rear end shows design cues from earlier iterations
Above top to bottom: automatic gearbox; good combination of touchscreen and physical switches; clear dials
Left from top: comfortable cabin; smartphone connectivity
To see a video of this test download the Digital Magazine from the App Store or Google Play. Remember Magazine’.
With thanks to
Chichester Caravans , Uckfield, for the loan of Towcar Test caravans. See chichester-caravans. co.uk, call 01825 764151 or email uckfield@chichestercaravans.co.uk
by Nathan Morgan
“Doors open wider than any other family SUV ”
Price as tested: £40,739
Engine:
1,332cc, 4cy, in-line, petrol mild-hybrid
Power:
156bhp
Torque:
270Nm (199Ib ft)
Transmission:
CVT automatic
Spare Wheel:
Tyre inflation kit
Kerbweight: 1,467kg
Gross Vehicle Weight: 1,985kg
Gross Train Weight: 3,785kg
Noseweight Limit: 100kg
Towing Equipment:
Detachable towbar (£490), 13-pin electrics (£289)
Fuel /tank /test econ:
Petrol/12 gals (55 litres)/42mpg (solo), 23mpg towing 1,232kg
CO2 :
146g/km
Figures from
The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split but sadly they don’t recline or slide forwards. However, the boot is of a good size, being only slightly smaller than a SEAT Ateca’s. Mid-spec models and above get a nifty ‘luggage board’ feature that allows not only underfloor storage, but also the ability to divide the boot to stop items rolling around.
Nissan has ditched diesel for the new Qashqai, which comes in mild-hybrid petrol and full-hybrid guises. The latter, called E-Power, is a series hybrid which means the 1.5-litre petrol engine doesn’t power the front wheels but instead a generator, which in turn powers an electric motor which then sends drive to the wheels. While it’ll likely appeal to some family buyers, the E-Power won’t suit many caravan owners due to its low braked towing capacity of just 750kg, compared to the mild-hybrid petrol’s 1,040-1,800kg (depending on engine and drivetrain specification). Be aware that the caravan’s weight should never exceed the towcar’s kerbweight. The mild-hybrid petrol comprises a 1.3-litre engine in either 138bhp or 156bhp versions, both of which perform similarly. If you want four-wheel drive then the higher-powered unit is your only choice, as is a CVT automatic gearbox; in fact, that’s a good thing, as the CVT with its ‘steps’ that imitate separate gears is smooth, while the six-speed manual is notchy and suffers from a springyfeeling clutch.
The new Qashqai is significantly stiffer and a touch lighter than its predecessor and that really benefits the handling. While it certainly isn’t thrilling to drive – you can mostly blame the overly light and assisted steering for this –the Qashqai turns direction quickly and feels planted. The ride comfort is polished too, even
Acceleration was smooth when towing
with our car’s 20in wheels, and road noise is well suppressed, giving a refined and relaxing feeling on long journeys.
Nissan only offers a fixed or a detachable towbar with the Qashqai, and we hitched up to a Bailey Pursuit 430-4. Solo, the Qashqai’s engine felt a little lethargic at low revs, which we expected to be exacerbated towing, but this wasn’t the case. Acceleration is smooth and the gearbox is well matched to the engine, performing particularly well between 30mph and 50mph, and when pulling away from a standstill that extra slug of electric power can be felt. Consumption when hitched was an unremarkable 23mpg. Once up to cruising speeds we were amazed at how stable and well planted the outfit was – even with some crosswinds – with hardly any lateral movement.
The Nissan Qashqai has long been a favourite among families and caravan owners, and the latest car will likely be no different. Plusher and roomier than before, the new Qashqai is a competent towcar.
If your vehicle has won any Towcar of the Year category get a 10% discount on both new and renewing car insurance through the Club. Visit camc.com/towcar and camc.com/insurance/car-insurance
Continuing his caravanning adventures (see Sep 2020 and Feb 2022 issues), John Rankin suffers with power issues and leaky taps –but finds a new favourite Club campsite
The caravan had been set up for about an hour, all systems up and running as they should be, wine chilling in the fridge, and Clare treating the telly to an autotune, when, without warning, the screen went blank. How odd. I checked that the mains was connected by pushing the ‘wake’ button on the microwave; this time it offered back neither a confirmatory bleep nor an illuminated LED display. The power was out.
We did all the usual checks. Mains lead snugly connected to caravan and site pole (and swapped to a different pole, just in case). Trip switches all in the correct position. Neighbours all happily connected. The ever-helpful site staff fetched a spare mains lead, because it might just be that – but it was no great surprise when it turned out not to be. What a pain! But we were grabbing just a quick weekender and the days were early-summer-long, so we swapped the fridge over to gas operation – that was a first – and decided we weren’t going to let it spoil our couple of days away. Besides, the caravan was booked in for its annual service in a
couple of weeks’ time, when we’d be able to have the problem investigated professionally.
We got by just fine, as it happens – although we only just made it through the weekend without running out of propane. Coincidentally, I’d been trying to buy a back-up cylinder for about a year without any luck. But even an exchange was out of the question – none of the five local stockists that I called that weekend had any gas available. That weekend, although we didn’t need the lights much anyway, we were more
careful than usual in how we used them. We missed not being able to charge phones too, which prompted memories of how the last phone I owned before entering the smartphone era would go for three weeks on a single charge – and without ever being switched off.
Graham Martin of Martins Caravans in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire (a member of the Approved Workshop Scheme), relishes a caravanning conundrum – so, when I handed the Coachman over to him on service day, he
launched straight into fault-finding mode. Within 10 methodical minutes he’d located the problem – a broken 25A circuit-breaker in the RCD box under the offside seat locker. He looked pleased – but probably not as pleased as I did, given that a five-day stay at the Club’s Cayton Village campsite was but a matter of days away.
Insets from far left: pitched on site... ; ... with two glasses of chilled white wine to savour; the ruins of Whitby Abbey; treated to a display by the
The only other thing that needed seeing to was the leaky washroom tap. We’d put up with this for nearly a year – Sod’s Law had dictated that it rear its watery head soon after
Continuing the theme, our Lexus has given me nothing to report back on! To recap, I bought the 2013 RX 450h as an approved used vehicle from Lexus Stockport in January 2020. I’ve kept up the service history since then, with Steven Eagell Lexus Cambridge: for a £15 charge, they collect it from our driveway and bring it back later that day. So, the car sees a workshop once a year, which is once a year more than I do. Day to day, it’s a delight. It’s smooth, quiet, brisk and exceptionally comfortable for hours at a stretch. The lovely 3.5 V6 petrol engine, mated to the self-charging hybrid system, averages 33mpg solo and just over 20mpg towing.
North Yorkshire is one of our favourite locations in England, specifically its coastline. To that end, we booked a few days away at a Club campsite we’d never graced with our presence before: Cayton Village, just outside Scarborough.
And boy – what has taken us so long? There are three very good reasons why we’ll be back. One: it has a coastal location, with the North York Moors National Park and delightful Whitby within easy reach. Two: it’s a stone’s throw from the Cleveland Way long-distance footpath, with stunning seascape walks in either direction (north towards Scarborough, south to Filey). Three: The Farrier pub and restaurant, which you’d probably be able to see if you stood on your caravan roof.
Ten minutes’ walk brings you to Cayton Bay (where you can also pick up the Cleveland Way). It’s a stunning beach surrounded by cliffs, with a good path down to it, although it is quite steep! Our trek into Scarborough rewarded us with an epic Red Arrows display –purely by coincidence, our visit coincided with Armed Forces Day in Scarborough.
The site itself is immaculate and spacious (it’s possibly the biggest Club campsite we’ve stayed on) and, following a recent redevelopment, boasts state-of-the-art amenities.
Even the drive there was a joy. Instead of the boring A1 and M62, we plotted a route through the Lincolnshire Wolds and via the Humber Bridge, enjoying good-quality roads that we had more or less to ourselves.
“ Hopefully, we’ll be snag-free until the caravan goes back for its 2023 check-up ”
the caravan had been in for its 2021 service; the leak was minor, so not worth a special trip to the workshop. Needless to say, the tap on our 2018 vehicle is now obsolete, but its replacement is smart and looks right at home. Hopefully, we’ll be snag-free until the caravan goes back for its 2023 check-up.
Oh, and Martins had 6kg Calor cylinders in stock, so we exchanged our near-empty one for one of their full ones. Since most of the time we use our microwave and electric hotplate for cooking, and we always run the heating/hot water on leccie, that should last us a year.
There was a nice little surprise when I was setting up the caravan at Cayton Village. When I retrieved the submersible water pump, I saw that the Whale water filter at
Main pic: one fully-functional Coachman
Insets from left: the old tap; and the gleaming replacement; John just about managed not to run out of gas
the end had been secured by a metal hose clip, thus putting an end to its very occasional but still highly annoying habit of detaching itself from the hose and dropping into the Aquaroll. Why I hadn’t ever thought of that I don’t know, but I’m grateful that someone at Martins did.
Now completely ship-shape we were ready to head for North Yorkshire – where we enjoyed a truly outstanding break (see opposite). I’ll let you know how I get on over the next six months or so – in the meantime, happy caravanning or motorhoming!
Remember members can save up to 10% on caravanning kit and accessories via the Club Shop – visit shop.camc.com.
Want a drop-down double bed in a motorhome with an end lounge? Or a second drop-down double bed, and an additional lounge? It’s all packed into this Ford-based, five-berth coachbuilt, with an overall length still shy of 7m.
Part of the Trigano family, Rimor counts the likes of Adria, Benimar, Chausson, Roller Team and Tribute among its stablemates, as well as UK manufacturers such as Auto-Sleepers and Auto-Trail. Few of these, however, offer a Ford Transit-based coachbuilt with this configuration of beds and living space.
The exterior is rather free of frills. Graphics are minimal on the all-white bodywork, while there’s the
slightest of mismatches between the colour of the cab and the rest of the vehicle. Ford’s front bumper and cab body trim are plain grey (no paint matching). The habitation door (and hence the floorplan) isn’t switched for UK use, and there’s only a low-level magnetic catch to protect it against unwanted gusts of wind when open.
A full week’s use, which included driving on everything from motorways to narrow country lanes, was enough to convince me of the Transit’s driving qualities. With Rimor’s UK importer, the Hull-based dealership MandC Ltd, supplying a vehicle with Ford’s impressive 168bhp engine with six-speed manual transmission, things got off to a good start.
There’s a more basic trim for the Ford cab. Nevertheless, manual air-conditioning, DAB stereo with Bluetooth connectivity and
steering wheel controls are all here. The handy, fold-out portable device-holder can take phones or even a tablet – in fact there’s a lot of valuable cab storage, including open shelving in the overcab pod.
Only the fifth passenger gets a raw deal here. That final travel seat is rearward-facing, has an overlong squab and only features a lap restraint. In addition there is no window immediately adjacent.
Of the two lounges, the rear one will appeal to UK customers more, although daylight is a bit restricted here because of the overhead bed. You do get windows to the three sides, though – all top-hinged with concertina blinds and flyscreens. Plus there’s plenty of LED illumination, some of which is dimmable. You’ll probably want to add your own scatter cushions and so on for additional comfort.
The front lounge offers more daylight, despite having just the one side window. It benefits from the opening sunroof over the cab and fixed glazed upper section of the habitation door.
Both seating areas are served by fixed pedestal leg tables, featuring manual adjustment for height and fore and aft, as well as hinged tops that can be folded over when you want easier access
Heating and hot water are from Truma’s Combi. It’s gas only, but can be used whilst driving. Upgrading to mains electricity costs an additional £295.
Plenty of room in the front
168bhp (125kW) @ 3,500rpm
288lb ft (390Nm) @ 1,750-2,500rpm Transmission
I suspect the electrically operated drop-down double over the rear lounge will emerge as ‘Bed 1’ for most users. Both beds require a simple flick of a switch to bring them down and ladders provide access. Unfortunately, the forward double does impede access at the habitation door.
Rimor prefers to call the Evo 77 Plus a five-berth, but at a squeeze you could consider the third sleeping area – made from the lounge seating, with a couple of additional inserts – another double should you be accommodating guests.
There are a few anomalies here. The first two result from changes made in the UK. The microwave oven’s location, over the fridge, means it’s far too high for convenient use; and the conventional oven (without grill) is set diagonally opposite the main kitchen unit, directly under a full hanging-height wardrobe (might food odours be an issue here, I wonder).
Meanwhile, the worktop height, at 89cm, is lower than in many other motorhomes, but will be seen as a benefit to shorter users.
There’s a triangular three-burner hob and a separate, circular sink in matching stainless steel, with a small area of permanent worktop between the two. Storage is good, with two very deep overhead lockers (neither is shelved) as well as a large cutlery drawer and a deeper drawer directly
(6.97m) Overall width
7ft 7in (2.30m)
Overall height
9ft 4in (2.84m)
Max internal height
6ft 9in (2.06m) (at the kitchen)
Fuel/tank/econ
Diesel/15.4gals (70 litres)/2832mpg LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL YOUR VEHICLE?
From brand new models to used caravans and motorhomes, we display thousands of vehicles at camc. com/classifieds It’s free to post an ad and Club members can receive a 30% discount on a premium ad. See website above for more info and terms and conditions.
Stephen Minter - Club member
under the sink. There is an equally generous shelved locker under the hob.
Clockwise from far left: generous washroom; both double beds drop down electronically; matching hob and sink in the kitchen
To see a video of this test, download the Digital Magazine from the App Store or Google Play. Remember to Magazine’.
Details to appreciate include the locking function for the drawers and the side rail featuring a couple of adjustable hooks. There’s a single mains socket, too – UK customers get a choice of location for three additional 230V, 12V and USB sockets. The slimline fridge to the right of the kitchen unit has a decent capacity and automatic energy selection, with a fixed freezer compartment and, in its base, a slide-out section designed to hold bottles upright.
This is a very generous washroom. A small step up and you’re faced by a Thetford swivel-bowl toilet with an opaque window behind it. To your left is a shower cubicle which is also roomy enough to house a fixed basin. Look up and there’s a rather neat rain shower fitting, while the tap at the basin also extends for showering purposes. Underfoot, there’s a loose panel to remove before you turn on the water; just the one drainage hole, though.
Storage is limited to a couple of open pockets in the plastic moulding under the basin and a small high-level locker above the toilet.
Check for yourselves, but I found the effect you get from the plastic mirror in the washroom a little weird
It’s often in the detail that imports lose out over their UK-made rivals. Central locking doesn’t extend to the habitation door, for example, and the
lack of a waste bin here looks like an opportunity lost. But considering the low price, it’s a real plus that items such as the TV aerial, full flyscreen at the habitation door, rear camera system, Thatcham Cat 1 alarm and tracker, bed protection nets, solar panel and more are standard kit.
Note also practical fittings such as the panel on the washroom wall with two coat hooks and two elasticated magazine pockets, as well as lockers to the undersides of both of those beds. There’s an excellent array of interior lighting. It includes a strip running the length of the kitchen, and similar for the undersides of the beds – all touch control.
By current standards, this is certainly a bargain. Given that it is well screwed together, user-friendly and provides a few neat surprises, the Rimor is a smart package. As a final bonus, it’s all on a driving licence-friendly 3,500kg chassis.
You can insure this motorhome with the Club for £332.05 per year. Please see camc.com/ insurance or call 0345 504 0334 for further details*.
Quote (correct as of 14 July 2022) is for the model tested worth £60,990 with a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and with a working tracker fitted. Based on a 57-year-old male living in Kent, with a maximum no claims bonus (unprotected) coming from a vehicle of similar value/experience, who has no accidents, claims or convictions and keeps the vehicle on a drive, driving 3,000 miles a year, with a £350 damage, fire and theft excess. Subject to underwriting. The Club’s Motorhome Insurance is arranged for the Club by Devitt Insurance Services Limited, Insurance Brokers. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited. The Caravan Club Limited and Devitt Insurance Services Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Oven is set diagonally opposite main kitchen unit
Vehicle supplied for testing by: MandC Ltd, Stoneferry Road, Hull HU7 0EG Contact: motorhomesltd. co.uk, 01482 448157
Nick Harding goes in search of traditional Scottish crafts and the folk behind them
Famed for its mountains, glens and lochs, Scotland’s visual splendour is a huge draw for holidaymakers. But did you also know it is a country of clog makers, leatherworkers, glass blowers, silversmiths and bespoke wand creators? Using the Club’s Kinlochewe campsite as a base, my partner Lin and I set off last summer on a voyage of discovery, seeking out some of these wonderful artisans. We explored during the course of a week of generally glorious sunshine, touring through some of the country’s most magical scenery (yes, we enjoyed that too). Here’s what we unearthed...
WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT
Clogs in Scotland? You bet. First up, about an hour-and-a half’s drive eastwards from Kinlochewe, we stopped at the Clog and Craft Shop on Skye Road at Invermoriston. On the western side of Loch Ness, it is owned and run by Steve Hanshaw, who makes much of the stuff he sells.
A leather worker by trade, Steve heads a small team of dedicated workers, including daughter Heather, making not just clogs but also belts, hats, guitar straps and traditional ‘sgian dubh’ knives. Check out Steve’s accent, though. Despite moving to Scotland some 40 years ago, it’s pure Scouse!
SILVER STAR
Above: Steve Hanshaw at work
Clog and Craft Shop, Invermoriston: enjoylochness.com/listing/ clog-craft-shop and lochnessleather.co.uk
Elf Jewels, Laggan Bridge: elfjewels.co.uk Iceberg Glass, Fort Augustus: icebergglass. com
Nook & Cranny, Broadford: facebook.com
The Coalshed, Applecross: visitapplecross.com
Look out for Elf Jewels at all kinds of shows when you travel through Scotland. It’s hard to miss the Silverline Nova Princess caravan and canopy that typically makes up the stall operated by Elvira Neame. We caught up with her at her base in Laggan Bridge, Newtonmore, where she makes her range of necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
What wonderful tales she has to tell, too, starting with: “I left home when I was young because I wanted to see the world and have adventures.” If you meet her you might like to ask about any of the following: travelling through Canada and America, working in agriculture, a jeweller’s shop (“begging them to take me on as an apprentice. I left and went gold prospecting”). Or there’s selling her wedding ring to North American Indigenous Cree people, living on Islay (back in Scotland), hop-picking in Kent and running a rare breeds meats business. Or, you might just want to buy some of Elvira’s intricate silverware.
Next up was a visit to Iceberg Glass in Fort Augustus on Loch Ness – only about 13 miles to the north-west of Laggan Bridge as the crow flies, but in reality about an hour-and-a-quarter’s drive away. Here you can watch Julie Snowdown, a master of the art of glassblowing. “I met a man...” is her explanation of how it all started. “My husband was a scientific glass blower who then learned decorative methods and taught me. It takes a lot of years to learn,” she says. Look around the shop and you’ll see (depending on the time of year) all manner of jewellery, decorations (including Christmas), Scottish thistles, cocktail stirrers and more. The “mini Nessies” she produces are popular all year round.
Heading westwards and then over the water to the beautiful Isle of Skye, we arrived at the wonderfully eclectic Nook & Cranny gift store in Broadford, run by Trevor and Karen Savage. “I’m known as the ‘Skye and Wester Ross Wand Whittler’,” says Trevor.
As well as creating wands, Trevor’s work also includes painting on staves and the ends of old whisky barrels. But it’s the wands that have been capturing the imagination recently. He says: “I didn’t watch Harry Potter... then my daughter made me watch the films one Christmas. It’s total escapism. I went out and made a wand, really just out of curiosity. Then she asked me to make one for her friend... now, it’s some 3,000 wands later. They’re all bespoke, using locally found sticks and I can incorporate gem stones.”
Another gift shop with a difference? Try The Coalshed on the Applecross Peninsula – we’ll let owner, Sue Groocock, take up the story: “I moved here (to Applecross) in 2006 when I’d just started making jewellery. Then I got the opportunity to get The Coalshed, which really was the old coal shed (prior to this it was a mill). It had no windows and no floor and we had to power blast out all the coal dust. I painted it all, too.
“I opened in 2011. It’s a mixture of mainly things made locally. Soaps, knitting, a friend from Skye supplies prints, mittens from a lecturer at Glasgow School of Art etc.” Sue also makes jewellery with silver, semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls.
Sitting on the far western edge of the peninsula – and actually the closest of the five attractions to our Kinlochewe base – the journey to The Coalshed is nothing short of spectacular, rewarding the tourist with stunning mountain and lochside scenery. You may be tempted to travel the famed Bealach Na Ba pass through the mountains but this is not recommended for those towing caravans or driving larger vehicles – so plan your route well in advance.
Motorhomer, caravanner and occasional tent camper Nick Harding joined the Club in 2002.
Sadly all good things must to come to an end – and after everyone has had their fill, there is only one thing left to do... the cleaning up! This great little brush from Cadac will help you get the job done. Suitable for ceramic, chrome, cast iron and enamelled gratings, it features heat resistant bristles – so you can get started as soon as it is safe to do so. Its ergonomic wooden handle ensures it is easy to grip, while its lightweight nature means you can slip it into your pack should you be planning a feast farther afield.
RRP: £6.30 (available for £5.67 through Club Shop; see shop.camc.com for details, terms and conditions)
Weight: 2kg
Contact: cadacuk.com
This useful device comes complete with a spatula, fork and basting brush, as well as a corkscrew and bottle opener, which all swivel out from a wooden handle. The utensils are made from hard-wearing stainless steel. This is great to store in the caravan or motorhome or to pop into your day pack for al fresco dining.
RRP: £35
Size: 2.5cm x 15cm x 3.5cm
Contact: johnlewis.com
If you are looking for versatility, then the Cobb Premier Charcoal Barbecue Grill is designed for roasting, baking, grilling, frying – or even cooking pizza. Food is kept well separated from the fuel, so there is less chance of charring or flare-ups and, according to the manufacturer, eight to 10 charcoal briquettes provide up to three hours’ cooking time. A great touch is that a ‘moat’ at the bottom of the bowl can be filled with wine/beer/ cider to infuse meat with flavour. The Cobb Premier's outer metal basket is designed to stay cool to the touch and the bowl, dome and grill are all dishwasher safe.
RRP: £169.99
Weight: 3.8kg
Contact: lakeland.co.uk
When cooking outdoors, it is always better to be safe than sorry – so why not invest in a food thermometer?
The Inkbird IBT-6XS features six probes that send temperature information via Bluetooth to a free app installed on your smartphone. The magnetic back of the main unit attaches to a metal surface for convenience (note that the plastic cover has an 80˚C temperature limit). Timers can be set, while alarms can be triggered for low and high temperatures. The rechargeable battery lasts for about 40 hours .
RRP: £55.99
Weight: 470g
Contact: inkbird.com (sold via amazon.co.uk)
Designed specifically for outdoor use, this compact, good-value set would make a great addition to your holiday kitchen. The handy ‘stack’ includes two saucepans complete with folding silicone handles and a ‘universal lid’. Made from anodised aluminium, the pans have a scratch-resistant, non-stick surface designed to make washing up less of a chore. When cleaned, simply stack the pans, secure the clasp and return to the mesh carry sack.
RRP: 49.99 (save 15% with our Member Offer – see camc.com/ mountainwarehouse for details and terms and conditions)
Size: 20cm x 20cm x 13cm
Contact: mountainwarehouse.com
An apron is an essential piece of cooking kit and this one, designed and made in the UK by West Sussex-based family firm Sunday’s Daughter, is a great example. Made from a mix of polyester (65%) and cotton (35%), the hardy apron comes in a range of colours, including navy, charcoal and sage, and can be machine-washed at 40˚C. This lovely item would make a great gift as it can be personalised to honour the grilling great in your family!
RRP: £25
Size: 90cm x 72cm (excluding back ties)
Contact: sundaysdaughter.com
Polishing pads can be purchased for drills, but use them on a slow speed
and
Scratched acrylic windows can be fixed with a little patience and effort. Sammy Faircloth reveals her step-by-step repair guide
British hedgerows can soon turn nasty if we drive too close, the acrylic windows in our caravans and motorhomes prone to damage from sharp spikes and thorns. We’ve all suffered –particularly those that enjoy off-thebeaten-track sites down narrow country lanes – and we’re reminded of particularly tight scrapes whenever we look out of damaged windows.
The good news is that, in most cases, you don’t need to replace scuffed windows: it is possible to treat the scratches. Here I explain how to deal with abrasions of varying severity.
First buy a polish or paste that is specifically designed for acrylic windows. Regular household products could cause permanent damage and must not be used. You should also invest in some decent cleaning cloths. Microfibre
cloths used for polishing reading glasses are ideal, though others may also be suitable. It is also possible to buy a polishing head that fits onto an electric drill – but the drill must have a low speed setting (the last thing you want to do is create too much heat –see below).
To understand more about acrylic window scratches, I sought advice from Jonathan Smith of Fenwicks, a manufacturer of scratch removal products. He guided me through the complexities of the restoration process. If the scratches are only very minor, window polishes and pastes should be sufficient. However, deep scratches require initial treatment with abrasive papers that can be finished off with a product like Fenwicks Windowize. Jonathan advises using dry abrasive paper (2,000 and 2,500 grade);
alternatively, ‘wet & dry’ abrasive paper works just as well. The wet and dry paper you’ll need ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 grade, depending on the depth of the scratch. When using abrasives, apply an even pressure by using a denibbing block.
It is usually possible to carry out repair work with the window in situ, rather than removing it from the caravan.
One of the main problems that arise during renovation work is the creation of heat by abrasive products. This must be avoided as heat can cause serious damage: the gradual removal of acrylic adjacent to a deep scratch calls for patience. It is therefore also important not to attempt repair work on a hot, sunny day. Polishing pads can create heat – so if it feels like the window is getting too warm, apply a gentle ‘mist’ of water. Finally, don’t use methylated spirits on acrylic windows as this will cause a cracking effect.
1. Prepare the window by giving it a good clean using water or a product like Autoglym Fast Glass.
2. Dry abrasive papers can be fixed to a flexible piece of plastic for ease of use. For the first treatment, use 2000 grade paper (Fenwicks is pink) at right angles across the scratch, taking care not to create heat.
3. If using wet and dry abrasive paper, cut it into pieces approximately 2in x 3in and soak in warm, lightly soaped water before use.
4. For the second stage, brush away dust or wipe away water, then move to the 2500 grade paper (Fenwicks is green). Now work in line with the scratch, stopping periodically to assess the results.
5. If using the 3000 grade paper (which is especially fine), work across the scratch until all indentations are removed.
6. Run a fingernail lightly over the treated area to feel for a groove. If it feels smooth, apply a pea-sized amount of scratch-removal product such as Windowize using a good-quality microfibre cloth.
7. Alternatively, use a battery-powered rechargeable drill at a slow speed. Squirt a spiral of paste on the polishing pad.
8. Press the polishing pad down vertically on to the pane and apply power briefly for a few seconds – this applies the product across the pad.
9. Now it’s time to go over the entire site of the scratch. Whether applying manually or with a drill, use a circular motion to rub in the paste.
10. Remove any surplus with a good-quality microfibre cloth then finish off using a microfibre lens cloth like those used with spectacles.
11. Before…
12. After …
Be aware that really deep scratches can be untreatable. Inevitably, any renovation work involves the removal of acrylic around a blemish and there are limits to what can be accomplished. If you have any concerns about attempting this work, then don’t – contact your caravan dealer, who will be able to put you in touch with a specialist.
WHATEVER your sleep problems, the dream of a good night’s sleep has now become a realitythanks to a breakthrough invention - the Gx Suspension Pillow. All conventional pillows atten signi cantly during sleep - becoming less supportive and more uncomfortable as the night progresses. The result of this is disturbed and broken sleep, frustration and the fruitless search for a better pillow. That search is now over!
To stop the attening we’ve come up with a solution that’s so simple it’s ingenious. By the clever installation of ‘double X’ internal ties we have produced the world’s rst pillow to retain much more of its plumped shape all night long.
The ties work to pull the pillow in and up so that your head and neck are gently cradled and supported in softly sprung comfort. As well as having the revolutionary internal ties, the pillow shell is 100% cotton with our superb hypoallergenic Polycoz lling, and we have added a unique integral air vent to help keep you cool through the night.
As if all these bene ts were not enough, you can purchase the pillow with our 30-night comfort guarantee – total satisfaction or your money back*. Tens of thousands of delighted customers have already rediscovered the bene ts of a great night’s sleep, why not join them? Now available with a special 25% saving,use code CC8.
and back pain specialist, Dr Deane Halfpenny, recommends Gx Pillows: I can honestly say that your pillow has made the world of di erence… and fully endorse your pillow as being quite unique in its ability to maintain support throughout the night
Unique internal tie technology maintains shape throughout the night Stays plump all night long
Provides comfort and support Integral air vent keeps you cool
Luxurious 100% cotton shell
Hypoallergenic Polycoz lling
Designed and made in the UK
Choose from Medium-soft or Medium- rm
Most sleepers prefer Medium-soft however if you prefer a rmer pillow choose Medium- rm
Simon Gill and Jayne Berry contacted us to say how much they had enjoyed Norfolk
Steam Rally in June.
They say, “We always love going to this one and this year we had an extra day due to
South Essex Centre made the most of new rally held in Leigh-on-Sea. On Saturday
It may be a way off but organisers are asking you to keep 23-29 August 2023 free for the 24th Biennial Southern Centres Rally at Apps Court Farm, Waltonon-Thames, in Surrey. Plans for the familyorientated event include entertainment and sport for all, a summer fete, handicrafts and much more. Keep an eye on southerncentres. org.uk for updates and a booking form.
Scottish Caravan Club Chairman Bruce Fenton presented a cheque to RNLI Portsoy Volunteers during a rally hosted by the Highland Centre in June. More than £775 was raised for the charity during the Big Jubilee Lunch held at ClubFest at Belvoir Castle.
Wiltshire Centre had a fantastic Jubilee Rally at Kington Langley, highlights of
Friday members were served a cream tea, while on Saturday entertainment, food and dancing were enjoyed in the wonderfully decorated hall.
Chairman Steve Berridge also impressed in a Union Jack suit! Many thanks to rally officers John and Tracy and Phil and Ange.
Each month we highlight a few rallies taking place within or near the region covered by our main touring feature (p30-42 this month). See the Devon and Cornwall Centre website (dandccc.co.uk) for more information.
9-11 Sep Autumn Colours, Watergate Bay Holiday Park
23-25 Sep Porth Beach, Porth Holiday Park
23-27 Sep Mortehoe Mayhem, Warcombe Farm
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More than 3 million people are now dedicated to the Revitive Circulation Booster®, which is high-tech yet needs no specialist operation.
Revitive is being shown to help with symptoms such as the feeling of tired legs and puffy ankles. The circular footrest is a dynamic hub for electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) technology, sending electrical pulses gently up through the feet and into the body.
Few people realise it but the calf muscles act as our ‘second heart’, pumping blood
up from the body’s farthest reaches back to the heart. It’s no secret that things tend to slow through ageing or being less active. After we’ve been on our feet for a while, at best many of us suffer from symptoms where we find our legs feeling tired and ankles puffy.
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DRUG-FREE – Revitive is a class IIa medical device offering a drug-free solution and you may be entitled to claim back the VAT** if you suffer from a long-term illness - call for further details.
by the Professor:
QPlease can you clarify the speed limits as they apply to leisure vehicles in the UK? Are those limits actually enforced?
AWe mention this advice from time to time, but it does no harm to repeat it. Both newcomers to touring and those with plenty of experience can (and do) get caught out.
For single carriageway roads with a 60mph limit for cars, the limit when towing is 50mph. On dual carriageway roads and motorways with a 70mph limit for cars, the limit when towing is 60mph.
This is where things get a little complicated, as the rules are based on the unladen weight of the vehicle – something which not all owners will know. The definition of unladen weight used in this context is the weight of the vehicle when it’s not carrying any passengers, goods or other items, and without fuel. Most vehicle manufacturers quote a kerbweight definition which usually includes 75kg allowance for the driver and the weight of fuel – that’s typically about 150kg more than the unladen weight.
Some motorhome converters are reluctant to quote such weights, though, saying it depends on the individual vehicle specification. That
makes it hard to know your payload allowance and potentially your speed limit too.
If the unladen weight of your motorhome is not more than 3.05 tonnes, the same limits apply as for solo cars, ie 60mph on derestricted single carriageway roads and 70mph on derestricted dual carriageways and motorways. However, if the unladen weight of your motorhome exceeds 3.05 tonnes, the limits are 50mph for single carriageways, 60mph for dual carriageways but 70mph for motorways.
There’s a handy table summarising these limits on p605 of the current (2021/2022) edition of the Club’s Sites Directory and Handbook, or see gov.uk/speed-limits for details.
Are these limits enforced? Yes! Police officers using portable or in-car equipment are clearly able to identify the vehicle type, but some types of speed camera can differentiate between types of vehicle and apply different limits accordingly, often using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to identify the vehicle type from its registration record. We do receive reports from Club members towing caravans confirming that the lower towing speed limits are indeed enforced.
This raises a further problem for motorhome owners: if your vehicle is not correctly recorded as a ‘motor caravan’ (or sometimes ‘motorhome’) on
The Club’s technical team answers your pressing questions
its registration documentation, an ANPR system may apply speed limits for goods vehicles instead. For goods vehicles not over 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight, that’s 50mph for single carriageways, 60mph for dual carriageways and 70mph for motorways, ie the same as for heavier motorhomes. The issue of incorrect motorhome registration is a matter of long-term and ongoing concern for the motorhome sector and has been raised repeatedly with DVLA.
Please address your questions to: Technical Information, Email: technical@camc.com Tel: 01342 336611
...and quote your membership number
ACROSS
1 Stout walking shoes (5)
4 Indoor athlete (7) 9 Team sport on horses (4) 10 Fellow competitor (5) 11 Public notice (6)
12 Background sound (5)
14 Put off to a future date (5)
15 Male deer (4)
16 Storyteller (8)
17 Zest and vigour (6)
19 Twirl like a top (4)
22 High ranking officer (7)
24 Forelimb on human (3)
26 Desert mammal (5)
27 Effervescent beer (5)
29 Skill and know-how (9)
32 Glass fitter (7)
35 Yellow primrose(7)
37 Buttonhole flower (9)
39 Opponent in war (5)
41 Resident bird at the Tower of London (5)
43 Constrictor snake (3)
44 Long-eared gun dog (7)
47 Smoking or plumbing (4)
48 A shallow sleep (6)
51 Dark grey colour (8)
52 Seaside sweet (4)
54 Female horses (5)
55 Javelin (5)
56 Dried grape (6)
57 Ornamental feather (5)
1 To swell up (5)
2 Eight-sided shape (7)
3 Scatter in fine drops (8)
4 Prison chief (8)
5 Medieval singer (8)
6 Dozen (6)
7 Upper part of nose (6)
8 Where bread is commercially cooked (6)
13 Water land artificially (8)
18 Precious stone (3)
20 Mangetout or garden (3)
21 Distress rocket (5)
22 Mischievous folkloric creature (7)
23 The night before (3)
25 Cup for hot drinks (3)
26 Television station (7)
28 Radiate health (4)
30 Beverage (3)
31 Male offspring (3)
33 Small island (4) 34 Oak fruit (5) 36 Drinking house (3) 37 Collarbone (8)
38 Metal box (3) 40 Cloth on a stick (3) 42 Commercial vehicle (3)
44 Air Force unit (8)
45 Comfy seat (8)
46 Travelling discoverer (8)
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58 Lazy (4)
59 Nut turning tool (7)
60 Grazing land in USA (5)
47 Rug or pedigree cat (7)
48 Horse house (6)
49 Aphrodisiac seafood (6)
50 Removes pencil lines (6)
53 Country in South America (5)
Your observations on the fun and unusual
“I don’t know if anyone has submitted a photo of this very surprised-looking tree in the past, but it is at the Alderstead Heath campsite,” says Sean Byrne. “Looks like I crept up on it and gave it a shock!” Best leaf it alone, next time.
Debbie Kilkenny says that her husband Andy rescued this Dinky Meccano caravan from a skip... all it needed was a lick of paint and an improvised door. Looks as good as new... and nice job on the Club logo/site signage, too.
After spotting the ‘Deer Stalker’ in Tail Lights (April 2022), Ron Bly sent in this snap of the ‘Hedge Dragon’ on the road approaching Hebden Bridge Club Campsite. Thanks very much, Ron. After years of bad press it’s good to see the hedge dragons of this world finally making themselves useful by helping out at school crossings and the like.
“Your readers may smile along with the door latch on our Swift Challenger 4TD,” jokes Geoff Eagles. It does look as though it’s enjoying its break.
“Even the dogs got in on the Jubilee action,” say Ken and Dawn Dyer, who were staying at White House Beach Club Campsite in Suffolk. What a patriotic pooch!
If you see something fun or unusual on a Club site, CL or while you’re out and about, please send a picture to magazine@camc.com or tag @candmclub on Instagram and we’ll print the best.
Your observations on the fun and unusual world of touring
Jacqueline Smalley visited Delftse Hout in the Netherlands and commented on the abundant wildlife near the campsite. She came across this spoonbill just two minutes’ walk away – what a magnificent bird.
Paul and Carol Smith started a touring adventure during a windy weekend earlier this year. Here’s their Shih Tzu, Bobby, acting on the advice of their new caravanning cushions. Sleep well, Bobby.
If you find yourself near Lelystad in the Netherlands, perhaps consider a visit to Exposure, a huge wire frame ‘sitting man’ sculpture by the artist Antony Gormley. That’s exactly what Sheila Williams did, travelling by bike to what she describes as “a beautiful, inspirational area”. What an incredible sight it must be.
Mark Driscoll describes a recent trip along Scotland’s North Coast 500 route as “an amazing holiday”. This sign, which Mark found at John o’ Groats, points the way to New York – a mere 3,230 miles away. We know that caravanners and motorhomers require more detailed directions, so allow us: simply head west via Harris and Lewis to St Kilda and then onto Greenland. From Greenland it’s a short-ish hop to Newfoundland, then... er... a ferry to Nova Scotia, cross the Canada-USA border and you’re just about there. Watch out for whales, sharks, icebergs and tankers. Simple!
Here’s an impressive caravanning cake, arranged by Mark Watkins for his wife Clare’s 50th birthday. As well as a lovingly recreated Sprite ‘van there are trees on the side, the couple’s two cocker spaniels, Mabel and Lenny, as well as Clare’s tipple of choice –Prosecco. Cheers!
If you see something unusual while you’re out and about, please send a picture to magazine@camc. com and we’ll print the best
The clue is in the names –the ‘Stan’ in Stanton and Stanway stands for stone, the gorgeous honeyed limestone that gives the most beautiful Cotswolds villages their dreamy appearance. Add in thatched roofs and mullioned windows, and the succession of cottages, pubs and stately homes will have many visitors scrabbling for property details from estate agents.
This ride is a perfect introduction to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a landscape from a fairytale with rolling hills separating pretty villages. Furthermore, being slightly off the beaten track means you won’t have to weave between coach parties as you pedal along blissfully quiet lanes.
If all this sounds too cute, you could add an edge to your ride by debating whether Stanton, Stanway, or Snowshill is more attractive. In a game of Top Trumps, all three would be formidable cards, with Stanton
scoring highly for its ancient properties and The Mount pub that gazes out towards the Malvern Hills and Black Mountains of Wales.
The estate village of Stanway could easily contend with Stanway House for 'wow' factor with its gravity-fed fountain that shoots a jet of water 300 feet into the air, as well as the stunning thatched cricket pavilion, donated by Peter Pan author JM Barrie.
And Snowshill has an unspoilt 15thcentury pub with far-reaching views, as well
as the slightly insane attraction of Snowshill Manor (nationaltrust.org.uk), home to the eclectic and eccentric collections of Charles Paget Wade, whose magpie eye gathered curiosities (including bicycles) from the four corners of the world. It’s bizarre and brilliant in equal measure, with the added bonus of bike racks in the car park.
From Snowshill it’s downhill all the way (in a good way!) back to Broadway and the Club site.
CYCLING VIDEOS
See this route and more at youtube. com/Caravanand MotorhomeClub
idyllic village
1 Turn left out of Broadway Club campsite, go under a railway bridge, then turn right immediately into the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway car park and ride to the far end. Turn right and continue into Childswickham, looking out for a narrow turn on the left.
2 1.4km – Turn left along Chapel Lane and at the end of the bridleway follow the road around to the right on to Vicarage Lane, passing a black and white Tudor-style house on the right. Continue to a triangle of grass and turn left, with a small stream down to the right. Turn right at the war memorial, and continue to a T-junction.
3
2.2km – Turn left at the T-junction and continue to the next one. Turn left, signposted to Buckland and Broadway. Continue to a third T-junction at the B4632.
4
4.8km – Turn right at the junction, signposted to Winchcombe and Cheltenham. In 1.5km look out for a turn on the left to Stanton and Mount Inn.
5
6.3km – Turn left to Stanton and follow the road right through the village. On the
The Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine recommends the use of Ordnance Survey maps – your ideal passport to navigating Britain
© Crown copyright 2022 Ordnance Survey Media 003/22
DOWNLOAD THIS ROUTE AND OTHERS TO YOUR GPS DEVICE FROM OUR STRAVA PAGE: STRAVA.COM/ ATHLETES/27202656
far side of the village look for a turning left to Stanway and Stow-on-the-Wold.
6
7.8km – Turn left to Stanway and continue through the village to a T-junction with the B4077.
7
10km – Turn left at the T-junction to Stow, and begin a long, stiff climb for more than 2.7km.
8
12.7km – At the top of the hill (opposite bridleway signs), turn left along a road that appears to be almost going back on itself. Continue climbing this quiet road until it bends 90° to the right.
9
14.2km – At the bend, turn left along the track, signposted ‘Winchcombe Way’ and ‘Unsuitable for motor vehicles’. The surface is broken in places so go carefully. Continue to a T-junction.
10
16.2km – At the T-junction turn left and continue into Snowshill. In the village take the left turn to Snowshill and Broadway. Pass Snowshill Manor and descend all the way to a T-junction in Broadway.
11 21km – Turn left at the T-junction and follow the road back to the Club site.
ABOUT THE ROUTE
Start/finish: Broadway Club site, Station Rd, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7DH.
Distance: 22km /13.75 miles.
Time: 2 hours (plus time for visits).
Level: Suitable for fitter cyclists – the climb from Stanway to Snowshill is reasonably long.
Terrain: Asphalt all the way but some of the roads are more like tracks.
Landscape: Pretty countryside of rolling hills, broadleaf woodland and gorgeous, golden stone houses.
Refreshments: Mount Inn, Stanton; National Trust café at Snowshill Manor; Snowshill Arms in Snowshill.
A guide to all Centre Rallies taking place in 2022
The Club has many local Centres across the UK and Ireland that are at the very heart of our community spirit. Each Centre regularly organises rallies, providing the fun, social aspect of caravanning.
The Centres are run by a voluntary committee and membership is free to all Club members. You can only belong to one Centre at a time, but you don’t have to join your local Centre. If you have friends or family who are members of another Centre, or you like to travel to another area of the country, you can join the Centre most convenient for you.
The most popular Centre activities are rallies. Held over a weekend or longer, you can participate as much or as little as you like. Maybe take advantage of the local countryside, visit a stately home or local attraction, join in a sporting activity or simply relax; the choice is yours.
The rallies on o er for 2021 are listed on the following pages; these details may change and new rallies will be added throughout the year. For more details and the most up-to-date information visit www.camc.com/centres
New rallies are being organised all the time, so keep an eye on the Centre section of our website to see what’s coming up.
The online search tool is the best place to stay up to date with the latest additions to the Centre Rallies calendar. Search by date, centre or rally type to find the perfect rally for you and make sure you never miss out. To find out more, and start searching, visit camc.com/centres
Annual registration is free to all Club members. You can join, renew or check your Centre registration at www.camc.com/centres or call us on 01342 318813.
Centre rallies are the perfect opportunity for a family break and a great way for kids (and big kids!) to enjoy time with friends new and old. Some rallies are specifically aimed at families and will have lots of exciting activities planned for the whole family to get involved with, others are built around local events or visits to attractions which make a great family break. Some Centres even encourage younger members to help with organising their own rallies.
19-29 Aug St Austell, Cornwall Holiday @ Little Winnick Devon & Cornwall 07980 361915 Yes
19-29 Aug Eastbourne, East Sussex Maureens 70th Birthday Berkshire 07711 533 733 berkshirecentrecaravanclub.co.uk No
19-29 Aug Aberdare Summer Bank Holiday Gloucestershire gloucestershirecamc.co.uk Yes
19-30 Aug St Nicholas, Cardi A Welsh Adventure Avon 01179 586060 avoncentre.co.uk No
20-22 Aug Stoke Bruerne, Northants Water Way To Go! Buckinghamshire 07414 841141 buckscaravan.club No 20-23 Aug Tarbrax, South Lanarkshire Nominations And Bowling Forth & Clyde 01501 732305 scc-forth-and-clyde.co.uk No
20-29 Aug Weymouth, Dorset Holiday Rally Upper Thames 07443 644634 upperthamescentre.co.uk No
20 Aug-3 Sep Alsace, France French Holiday In Alsace East Kent 07515 732819 eastkentcentre.co.uk Yes
20 Aug-3 Sep Weymouth, Dorset August Bank Holiday Rally Somerset 07999 243041 somersetcentrecamc.org No
24-29 Aug Langford, Essex A Diamond Celebration North Essex 07795 275273 northessexcaravanclub.org.uk No
24-30 Aug Scarborough, N Yorks Scarborough Rufc North Yorkshire 07794 580769 northyorkshirecentre.co.uk No
25-29 Aug Winchester, Hampshire Bank Holiday Rally West Sussex 01243 671893 camcwestsussexcentre.co.uk No
25-29 Aug Strathdon, Aberdeenshire Lonach Gathering Rally North Scotland 07483 879091 No
25-29 Aug Holt, Norfolk Holt Adventure Su olk su olkcentre.org.uk No
25-29 Aug Paddock Wood, Kent 75+2 Birthday Event South London 07811 128705 southlondoncentre.com No
25-30 Aug Brecon, Powys Welsh National South Wales southwalescentre.co.uk No
25-30 Aug Banbury, Oxfordshire Bank Holiday West Surrey 02380 268790 westsurreycentre.co.uk Yes
25-30 Aug Harlech, Gwynedd Bank Holiday North Sta s northsta scc.org.uk No
26-29 Aug Berwick, Northumberland Bank Holiday Rally Northumberland 07912 013439
26-29 Aug Thorncross, Isle of Wight On The Southside Isle Of Wight
iowcentrecamc.co.uk
26-29 Aug Banbury, Oxfordshire Fir Tree Campsite Midland 07853 930369 midlandcentre.co.uk
26-29 Aug Ratley, Oxfordshire August Bank Holiday Hertfordshire 01767 640263 hertfordshirecentre.co.uk
26-29 Aug Ticknall, Derbyshire Fun Bank Holiday Weekend Derbyshire 07528 087785
No
26-29 Aug Castle Douglas, D&G Lazy Days At The Mollance Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503763 thescottishcaravanclub.com No
26-29 Aug Osmaston, Derbyshire August Bank Holiday West Warwickshire 07376 095614 westwarwickshirecentre.co.uk No
26-29 Aug Battlesbridge, Essex August Bank Holiday North London 07990 821581 northlondoncc.com No
26-29 Aug Peterborough, Cambs August Bank Holiday Northants & Rutland 07828 097201 northantsrutlandcc.org No
26-29 Aug Hesketh Bank, Lancashire A Quiet Weekend South Lancashire 07835 705748 southlancscentre.com No
26-29 Aug Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees Todds
31 Aug-4 Sep Grasmere, Cumbria Grasmere Beer Festival Cumbria 07738 057118 cumbria-centre.co.uk No
1-4 Sep Sedgefield, Northumberland England In The Past Northumberland 07912 013439 No
1-4 Sep Abingdon, Oxfordshire A Quiet Weekend Upper Thames 01295 262940 upperthamescentre.co.uk No
1-5 Sep Langport, Somerset Sw Region AGM Rally Somerset 07919 353236 somersetcentrecamc.org Yes
1-5 Sep Durham, County Durham Durham Houghall College North Yorkshire 01325 359266 northyorkshirecentre.co.uk No
1-7 Sep Bury St Edmunds, Su olk Jeagor Farm Lakes Rally Mid-Anglia 07032 962408 midanglia.org.uk No
2-4 Sep High Ongar, Essex New Ralliers South Essex 07768 900989 secc-online.org.uk No
2-4 Sep Loxwood, West Sussex Chairman's Rally West Sussex 01243 672959 camcwestsussexcentre.co.uk No
2-4 Sep Copthorne, West Sussex Southern CountiesHistoric East Sussex 07792 988441 eastsussexcc.org.uk No
2-4 Sep Brean, Somerset Last Of The Sumer Sun Avon 07415 716522 avoncentre.co.uk Yes
2-4 Sep Faversham, Kent Faversham Hop Festival East Kent 07587 188153 eastkentcentre.co.uk No
2-4 Sep Walton-on-trent, Derbyshire Festival Of Fireworks Midland 07966 091140 midlandcentre.co.uk No
2-4 Sep Eyam, Derbyshire Carnival Weekend Derbyshire 07968 634807 derbyscmcentre.co.uk No
2-4 Sep Wyboston, Bedfordshire Nominations North London 07771 883408 northlondoncc.com Yes
2-4 Sep Stoke Bruerne, Northants Relaxing Weekend Bedfordshire 07818 808115 No
2-4 Sep Bretton, Eyam, Derbyshire Eyam Carnival South Yorkshire 07968 038 315 southyorkshirecentre.co.uk No
2-4 Sep Chelmsford, Essex Hook, Line & Have A Beer North Essex 07557 123154 northessexcaravanclub.org.uk No
2-4 Sep Siddington, Cheshire Bowling & Dancing Cheshire 07512 135404 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
2-4 Sep Nantwich, Cheshire Nantwich Food Festival Cheshire 07762 736129 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
2-4 Sep Wintersett, W Yorkshire Angler’s Country Park Yorkshire Pennine 07480 251276 www.yorkshirepennine.co.uk
2-5 Sep Lessingham, Norfolk Long Weekend In Nowhere Su olk 01440 787828 su olkcentre.org.uk No
2-5 Sep Hayling Island, Hampshire Island Weekend Berkshire 07725 799100 berkshirecentrecaravanclub.co.uk Yes
2-5 Sep Dorchester, Dorset Dorset County Show West Dorset 01258 840476 westdorsetcentre.com No
3-10 Sep Jervaulx, North Yorkshire Breweries And Cheese North Lancashire 07930 835390 northlancashirecentre.co.uk No
3-10 Sep Ludham, Norfolk Lovely Ludham North Essex 07932 001788 northessexcaravanclub.org.uk No
3-17 Sep Lytchett Minster, Dorset South Lytchett Manor Midland 07899 926760 midlandcentre.co.uk Yes
3-17 Sep Pentewan, Cornwall Easy Does It Wiltshire 01225 863874
3-17 Sep Dawlish Warren, Devon Late Summer Holiday Leicestershire 07707 518888 lccmc.org.uk
4-18 Sep Woodbury, Devon Castle Brake Holiday East Hampshire 07710 303050 Easthantscentre.org.uk Yes
5-15 Sep Maldon, Essex Maldon Holiday Rally Norfolk 07733 195248 norfolkcentre.co.uk No
7-11 Sep Hollesley, Su olk Harnessing History V Su olk 01473 742362 su olkcentre.org.uk No
8-12 Sep Hurley, Berkshire Long Break Hertfordshire 01767 640263 hertfordshirecentre.co.uk No
8-13 Sep Glemsford, Su olk Free And Easy Mid-Anglia 07816 893340 midanglia.org.uk Yes
8-13 Sep Frogham, Hampshire New Forest Relaxation West Surrey 01483 531567 westsurreycentre.co.uk No
8-18 Sep Scarborough, NYorks Snainton North Yorkshire 07927 491052 northyorkshirecentre.co.uk No
9-11 Sep Ingram Valley, Northum Ingram Show 2022 Northumberland 07912 013439 No
9-11 Sep Newquay, Cornwall Autumn Delight Devon & Cornwall 07861 389039 Yes
9-11 Sep Findon, West Sussex Wild Heart Hill West Sussex 01903 531177 camcwestsussexcentre.co.uk No
9-11 Sep Didmarton, Gloucestershire Harvest Festival Avon 07415 716522 avoncentre.co.uk No
9-11 Sep Sandown, Isle of Wight Sandown Airport Isle Of Wight See website iowcentrecamc.co.uk No
9-11 Sep Tamworth, Sta ordshire Road, Rail And Ale Midland 07966 091140 midlandcentre.co.uk No
9-11 Sep Abercrave, Powys Adventure Rally West Wales 07903 468357 westwalescentre.co.uk Yes
9-11 Sep Woodborough, Notts Inter-centres Fishing Nottinghamshire 07943 113851 nottscentre.com No
9-11 Sep Frome, Wiltshire Cheese Show Wiltshire 01373 474039 No
9-11 Sep Barlow, Derbyshire Ideal Walking Rally Derbyshire 07528 087785 derbyscmcentre.co.uk No
9-11 Sep Little Walden, Essex Fishing Competition Bedfordshire 07818 808115 No
9-11 Sep Whitby, North Yorkshire Whitby West Cli School North Yorkshire 01325 359266 northyorkshirecentre.co.uk No
9-11 Sep Gretna, D&G Nomination Rally Dumfries & Galloway 01576 203730 thescottishcaravanclub.com Yes
9-11 Sep Stoke Bruerne, Northants Stoke Bruerne North London 07990 821581 northlondoncc.com No
9-11 Sep East Peckham, Kent A Weekend In The Country West Kent 07737 799206 westkentcentre.org.uk No
9-11 Sep Manton, Rutland Bikes & Boots Northants & Rutland 07828 097201 northantsrutlandcc.org No
9-11 Sep Neath Neath Fair Rally South Wales southwalescentre.co.uk No
9-11 Sep Hollingworth, Lancashire By The Lake South Lancashire 07741 249949 southlancscentre.com Yes
9-11 Sep Loxwood, West Sussex Nominations South London 07811 128705 southlondoncentre.com No
9-11 Sep Helsby, Cheshire Helsby Cheshire 07512 135404 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
9-11 Sep Sharpness, Gloucestershire Skittles Weekend Gloucestershire gloucestershirecamc.co.uk No
9-11 Sep Barry, Vale of Glamorgan Parc Newydd Rally Gwent 07725 443776 gwentcentre.co.uk No
9-11 Sep Thornton Watlass, N York Quite Weekend Yorkshire Dales 07980 382960 Yes
9-11 Sep Chelmsford, Essex The Legacy North Essex 07706 53626 northessexcaravanclub.org.uk No
9-18 Sep Morthoe, Devon Holiday Event West Dorset 07968 474654 westdorsetcentre.com Yes
10-12 Sep Sandown, Isle of Wight Magnificent Flying Isle Of Wight Email only iowcentrecamc.co.uk No
10-12 Sep Hoylandswaine, S Yorks Penistone Show Yorkshire Pennine 07799 853935 yorkshirepennine.co.uk No
10-17 Sep Dawlish, Devon Holiday Rally West Warwickshire 07376 095614 westwarwickshirecentre.co.uk Yes
12-18 Sep Hunstanton, Norfolk Autumn At Searles Norfolk 07919 091249 norfolkcentre.co.uk Yes
15-18 Sep Ruckinge, Kent Harvest/illuminations East Kent 07923 016893 eastkentcentre.co.uk No
15-19 Sep Poole, Dorset Rest & Relax West Dorset 01935 421787 westdorsetcentre.com Yes
16-18 Sep Shipley, Northumberland Country Side Venue Northumberland 07912 013439
16-18 Sep Shipham, Somerset Thatcher's Weekend Avon 07896 875002 avoncentre.co.uk
16-18 Sep Buttonoak, Shropshire Button Oak Midland 07894 117892 midlandcentre.co.uk
16-18 Sep Llansaint, Carmarthenshire Harvest Supper West Wales 07968 439145 westwalescentre.co.uk
16-18 Sep Watlington, Oxfordshire White Mark Farm Buckinghamshire 07803 272208 buckscaravan.club No
16-18 Sep Padworth Reading, Berks Gary's 60th Birthday Berkshire 07940 717469 berkshirecentrecaravanclub.co.uk No
16-18 Sep Grafham, Cambridgeshire Peaceful Weekend Bedfordshire 07831 511622 Yes
16-18 Sep Henham, Su olk 46th Henham Steam Fair Su olk 07771 542328 su olkcentre.org.uk No
16-18 Sep Lilley, Bedfordshire AGM North London 07990 821581 northlondoncc.com No
16-18 Sep Brixworth, Northants A Quiet Weekend Northants & Rutland 07828 097201 northantsrutlandcc.org No 16-18 Sep Catterick, North Yorkshire Catterick Races North Yorkshire 07983 524293 northyorkshirecentre.co.uk No
16-18 Sep Caldicott, Monmouthshire Weekend Rally South Wales southwalescentre.co.uk No
16-18 Sep East Mersea, Essex Mersea Illuminations North Essex 07821 847787 northessexcaravanclub.org.uk No
16-18 Sep Whitley, Cheshire Whitley Village Hall Cheshire 07847 754923 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
16-18 Sep Burton, Cheshire Masterbake 2..savoury Cheshire 07512 135404 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
16-18 Sep Newent, Gloucestershire 1940s Weekend Gloucestershire gloucestershirecamc.co.uk Yes
16-18 Sep Oldham, Lancashire Quite Weekend Yorkshire Dales 07799 765890 No
16-18
Dates
22-26 Sep Gartocharn, Glasgow Cruise On The Loch Forth & Clyde 07505 710361 scc-forth-and-clyde.co.uk Yes
22-26 Sep Chatsworth, Derbyshire 60th Anniversay Rally Derbyshire 07528 087785 derbyscmcentre.co.uk No
22-26 Sep Porthcawl, Bridgend Elvis Festival South Wales southwalescentre.co.uk No
22-26 Sep Ardleigh, Essex Relax At Ardleigh North Essex 01206 502184 northessexcaravanclub.org.uk No
22-27 Sep Bourton-on-the-water Cotswold Exploration West Surrey 01252 850324 westsurreycentre.co.uk Yes
23-25 Sep Shortly Bridge, Northum Playing Venue Northumberland 07912 013439 No
23-25 Sep Newquay, Cornwall Porth Beach Holiday Park Devon & Cornwall 07715 309150 Yes
23-25 Sep Slinfold, West Sussex Slinfold Camc Site West Sussex 07970 880707 camcwestsussexcentre.co.uk Yes
23-25 Sep Eccleshall, Sta ordshire Eccleshall Castle Midland 07399 984719 midlandcentre.co.uk No
23-25 Sep North Muskham, Notts AGM & Rally Launch Nottinghamshire 07943 113851 nottscentre.com No
23-25 Sep Princes Risborough, Bucks Kop Hill Climb Buckinghamshire 07803 272208 buckscaravan.club No
23-25 Sep Nottage, Vale of Glamorgan Elvis Weekend West Wales 07397 390170 westwalescentre.co.uk No
23-25 Sep Greetham, Rutland Quiet Weekend Leicestershire 07791 305133 lccmc.org.uk Yes
23-25 Sep Ampthill, Bedfordshire Centre AGM Weekend Bedfordshire 07850 499713 No
23-25 Sep Dumfries, D&G AGM Rally Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503763 thescottishcaravanclub.com No
23-25 Sep Bedale, North Yorkshire Crakehall Station North Yorkshire 01609 773225 northyorkshirecentre.co.uk No
23-25 Sep Blackpool, Lancashire Illumination's Rally South Lancashire 07970 522849 southlancscentre.com Yes
23-25
23-25 Sep Mouldsworth,
30 Sep-2 Oct Little Budworth, Cheshire Treasure Hunt Cheshire 07512 135404 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
30 Sep-2 Oct Weeley, Essex Homesteads Pairs Fishing North Essex 07909 827183 northessexcaravanclub.org.uk Yes
1-1 Oct Arundel, West Sussex AGM West Sussex 01243 606564 camcwestsussexcentre.co.uk No
2-9 Oct Leiston, Su olk You Sea As You Please IV North Essex 07795 176768 northessexcaravanclub.org.uk Yes
5-7 Oct Weston On Trent, Derbyshire AGM Derbyshire 07528 087785 derbyscmcentre.co.uk No
5-9 Oct Kessingland, Su olk Late Holiday Rally Norfolk 07511 896910 norfolkcentre.co.uk Yes
7-9 Oct Bude, Cornwall 67th AGM Devon & Cornwall 07553 931754 Yes
7-9 Oct Bexhill, East Sussex South East Region AGM East Sussex 07788 784944 eastsussexcc.org.uk No
7-9 Oct Pensford, Somerset AGM Rally Avon 07852 583322 avoncentre.co.uk No
7-9 Oct Burford, Oxfordshire AGM Upper Thames 01869 810537 upperthamescentre.co.uk No
7-9 Oct Wroxall, Isle of Wight On The Wrox Isle Of Wight See website iowcentrecamc.co.uk Yes
7-9 Oct Long Sutton, Somerset AGM Somerset 07919 353236 somersetcentrecamc.org No
7-9 Oct Fazeley, Sta ordshire Annual General Meeting Midland 07790 956636 midlandcentre.co.uk No
7-9 Oct Collingham, Notts Free & Easy Nottinghamshire 07943 113851 nottscentre.com No
7-9 Oct Lyneham, Wiltshire AGM Wiltshire 01793 850117 No
7-9 Oct Llandovery, Carmarthenshire Relaxing Weekend West Wales 07759 113681 westwalescentre.co.uk Yes
7-9 Oct Copt Oak, Leicestershire AGM Rally Leicestershire 07856 164489 lccmc.org.uk No
7-9 Oct Henlow, Bedfordshire Relaxing Weekend Bedfordshire 07734 663221 No
7-9 Oct Binton, Warwickshire AGM West Warwickshire 07376 095614 westwarwickshirecentre.co.uk No
7-9 Oct Cogenhoe, Northants Rally Forum Northants & Rutland 07828 097201 northantsrutlandcc.org No
7-9 Oct Brecon, Powys Weekend Rally South Wales southwalescentre.co.uk Yes
7-9 Oct Onneley, Sta ordshire Onneley Cheshire 07762 736129 cheshirecentre.co.uk
7-9 Oct Allostock, Cheshire Spanish Fiesta Take 3 Cheshire 07512 135404 cheshirecentre.co.uk
7-9 Oct Chepstow, Gwent Harvest Rally Gwent 07725 443776 gwentcentre.co.uk
7-9 Oct Knaresborough, N Yorks Quite Weekend
7-9 Oct Welbourn, Lincolnshire Harvest Supper Lincolnshire 07484719349 lincolnshirecentre.co.uk
7-10 Oct Ross-on-wye, Herefordshire Quite Weekend Gloucestershire gloucestershirecamc.co.uk
8-10 Oct Wroxall, Isle of Wight On The Wrox Isle Of Wight Email only iowcentrecamc.co.uk
8-10 Oct York, North Yorkshire Ampleforth North Yorkshire 07890 286032 northyorkshirecentre.co.uk
8-15 Oct Hunstanton, Norfolk Holiday Break Hertfordshire 01767 640263 hertfordshirecentre.co.uk
9-15 Oct Carlisle, Cumbria Holiday Rally North Lancashire 01772 615621 northlancashirecentre.co.uk
12-16 Oct Fleet, Lincolnshire Rest Your Feet At Fleet Mid-Anglia 01406 331199 midanglia.org.uk
13-16 Oct Brean, Somerset Beside The Sea West Dorset 01278 783327 westdorsetcentre.com
14-16 Oct St Ives, Cambridgeshire Festival Of Lights Northants & Rutland 07828 097201 northantsrutlandcc.org Yes
14-16 Oct Upton-on-severn, Worcs Quite Weekend Gloucestershire gloucestershirecamc.co.uk Yes
14-16 Oct Seaford, East Sussex Seaford Head School East Sussex 07788 784944 eastsussexcc.org.uk No
14-16 Oct Dodleston, Cheshire Chester Lakes Cheshire 07954 995604 cheshirecentre.co.uk Yes
14-16 Oct Brereton, Cheshire Free & Easy Cheshire 07526 616589 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
14-16 Oct Ongar, Essex AGM Rally North Essex 07795 275273 northessexcaravanclub.org.uk No
14-16 Oct Pateley Bridge, N Yorks Walkers Delight Yorkshire Dales 07773 018323 No
14-16 Oct Kirkoswald, Cumbria AGM Rally Cumbria 07738 057118 cumbria-centre.co.uk Yes
14-17 Oct Musselburgh, Edinburgh Fall In The Burgh 2 Forth & Clyde 07740 773437 scc-forth-and-clyde.co.uk Yes
15-17 Oct Clippesby, Norfolk A Weekend At Clippesby Norfolk 07989 101855 norfolkcentre.co.uk Yes
15-30 Oct Newquay, Cornwall Half Term Holiday Rally Somerset 07890 484817 somersetcentrecamc.org Yes
18-20 Oct Old Walden, Bedfordshire Children In Need Hertfordshire 01767 640263 hertfordshirecentre.co.uk No
18-20 Oct Ackworth, West Yorkshire Social & Meals On Site Yorkshire Pennine 07970 331175 yorkshirepennine.co.uk No
21-23 Oct Darley Moor, Derbyshire Free & Easy/Motor Racing Nottinghamshire 07943 113851 nottscentre.com No
21-23 Oct Alton, Sta ordshire Scarefest Halloween Derbyshire 07751 156408 derbyscmcentre.co.uk No
21-23 Oct Leighton Buzzard, Beds Peaceful Weekend Bedfordshire 07882 631922
21-23 Oct Barnwell, Northants Centre AGM Northants & Rutland 07828 097201 northantsrutlandcc.org No
21-23 Oct Onneley, Sta ordshire Crafting Rally Cheshire 07512 135404 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
21-23 Oct Aberdare Relaxing Rally West Wales 07568 588323 westwalescentre.co.uk
Oct Naseby, Northants Halloween Northants & Rutland 07828 097201 northantsrutlandcc.org No
21-30 Oct Troutbeck, Cumbria Winter Droving Cumbria 07714 549806 cumbria-centre.co.uk Yes
22-29 Oct Gosport, Hampshire Half Term Break Avon 07974 812274 avoncentre.co.uk Yes 22-29
22-29 Oct Burnham-on-sea, Somerset Holiday Half Term Gloucestershire gloucestershirecamc.co.uk
22-30 Oct Hayling Island, Hampshire Half-term Holiday East Sussex 07788 784944 eastsussexcc.org.uk No
23-30
200218 camcwestsussexcentre.co.uk No
28-30 Oct Badshot Lea, Surrey Halloween Berkshire 07940 717469 berkshirecentrecaravanclub.co.uk No
28-30 Oct Kineton, Warwickshire Hampton House Farm Midland 07853 930369 midlandcentre.co.uk No
28-30 Oct Wisbech St Marys, Cambs Spooky Halloween Mid-Anglia midanglia.org.uk No
28-30 Oct Broom, Bedfordshire Halloween Bedfordshire 07745 855159 No
28-30 Oct Princes Risborough, Bucks Ghosts And Ghouls Buckinghamshire 07803 272208 buckscaravan.club No
28-30 Oct Cardington, Bedfordshire Home Farm North London 07990 821581 northlondoncc.com No
28-30 Oct Whitley, Cheshire Halloween South Lancashire 07702 566342 southlancscentre.com Yes
28-30 Oct Catterick, North Yorkshire Halloween North Yorkshire 07780 697345 northyorkshirecentre.co.uk No
28-30 Oct Doncaster, South Yorkshire Halloween South Yorkshire 01709 549076 southyorkshirecentre.co.uk No
28-30 Oct Harrietsham, Kent Halloween South London 07811 128705 southlondoncentre.com No
28-30 Oct Siddington, Cheshire Spooky Nights Cheshire 07512 135404 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
28-30 Oct Llanarth, Gwent Halloween Rally Gwent 07968 232604 gwentcentre.co.uk No
28-31 Oct Much Marcle, Glos Quiet Weekend Gloucestershire gloucestershirecamc.co.uk No
28-31 Oct Chepstow, Gwent Spooky in the Barn Gwent 07900 264883 gwentcentre.co.uk Yes
28 Oct-6 Nov Tenby, Pembrokeshire Half Term Halloween Fun West Wales 07397 390170 westwalescentre.co.uk No
3-6 Nov St Ives, Cambridgeshire Bonfire Spectacular Mid-Anglia 07816 893340 midanglia.org.uk No
3-6 Nov Portland, Dorset Dinner Dance West Dorset 01460 76440 westdorsetcentre.com Yes
4-6 Nov Brockham, Surrey Brockham Fireworks West Sussex 01903 200218 camcwestsussexcentre.co.uk No
4-6 Nov Ruckinge, Kent Bonfire Rally East Kent 07923 016893 eastkentcentre.co.uk No
4-6 Nov Stourport-on-severn, Worcs Astley Village Hall Midland 07806 780279 midlandcentre.co.uk No
4-6 Nov Walesby, Nottinghamshire Bonfire Rally Nottinghamshire 07943 113851 nottscentre.com No
4-6 Nov Ashbourne, Derbyshire Bonfire Derbyshire 07528 087785 derbyscmcentre.co.uk No
4-6 Nov Cardington, Bedfordshire Non-firework Rally Bedfordshire 07864 356002 No
4-6 Nov Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan Fireworks Rally South Wales southwalescentre.co.uk No
4-6 Nov Bury, Lancashire Free & Easy South Lancashire 07597 094157 southlancscentre.com Yes
4-6 Nov Auckley, South Yorkshire Bonfire South Yorkshire 07976 515 976 southyorkshirecentre.co.uk No
4-6 Nov Chelford, Cheshire Bonfire, Astle Park Cheshire 07861 389130 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
4-6 Nov Sa ron Walden, Essex Bait And Bangers North Essex 01206 502184 northessexcaravanclub.org.uk No
4-6 Nov Leyburn, North Yorkshire Bonfire Rally Yorkshire Dales 07980 382960 Yes
4-6 Nov Brean Sands, Somerset Illuminations Gwent 07501 082110 gwentcentre.co.uk No
4-7 Nov Ruckinge, Kent Bonfire Rally East Kent 01233 732018 eastkentcentre.co.uk No
4-7 Nov St.ives, Cambridgeshire Bonfire Spectacular Mid-Anglia 07710 229989 midanglia.org.uk No
5-7 Nov Wing, Buckinghamshire Lest We Forget Buckinghamshire 01296 630150 buckscaravan.club No
6-11 Nov Whitemead Forest Park Relaxing Winter Break Avon 01278 795265 avoncentre.co.uk Yes
6-11 Nov Lydney, Gloucestershire Holiday Gloucestershire gloucestershirecamc.co.uk Yes
11-13 Nov Scott's Gap, Northum Last Quite Weekend Northumberland 07912 013439 No 11-13 Nov Rye, East Sussex Bonfire Rally
11-13 Nov Warwick, Warwickshire Warwick Marching Band Midland 07853 930369 midlandcentre.co.uk
11-13 Nov Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan Fun Weekend West Wales 07968 439145 westwalescentre.co.uk
11-13 Nov Ipswich, Su olk Anglia Region Rally & AGM Su olk 01206 851996 su olkcentre.org.uk
11-13 Nov Coedkernew, Newport Weekend Rally South Wales southwalescentre.co.uk
Nov Siddington, Cheshire Cabaret (only!) Cheshire 07512 135404 cheshirecentre.co.uk
11-13 Nov Wrexham, Wrexham The Plassey Cheshire 07977 097724 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
11-13
16-20 Nov Osbaldwick, N Yorks York Christmas Markets Cumbria 07925 252411 cumbria-centre.co.uk
18-20 Nov Cheltenham,
25-27 Nov Warminster, Wiltshire Festival Of Lights Somerset 07970 102418 somersetcentrecamc.org Yes
25-27 Nov Slimbridge, Glos Christmas Lights Avon 01179 586060 avoncentre.co.uk Yes
25-27 Nov Longleat, Wiltshire Festival Of Lights Avon 07401 612221 avoncentre.co.uk Yes
25-27 Nov Llanelli, Carmarthenshire Quiet Weekend West Wales 07735 464316 westwalescentre.co.uk Yes
25-27 Nov Peterborough, Cambs Christmas Shopping Bedfordshire 07768 420676 Yes
25-27 Nov Cheltenham, Glos Weekend Rally South Wales southwalescentre.co.uk No
25-27 Nov Cranage, Cheshire Karaoke Cheshire 07888 897567 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
25-27 Nov Bickerton, Cheshire St Andrew's Dancing Cheshire 07923 066364 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
25-27 Nov Bangor On Dee, Wrexham Winter Betting Cheshire 07977 097724 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
25-27 Nov Meathop, Cumbria Dickensian Weekend Cumbria 07714 549806 cumbria-centre.co.uk
25-27 Nov Tredegar House, Gwent Christmas shopping Gwent 07725 443776 gwentcentre.co.uk
1-4 Dec Clyro, Herefordshire Free And Easy West Wales 07789 403520 westwalescentre.co.uk
2-4 Dec Bexhill, East Sussex Christmas Party East Sussex 07788 784944 eastsussexcc.org.uk No
2-4 Dec Bewdley, Worcestershire Yew Tree Farm Midland 07899 926760 midlandcentre.co.uk
2-4 Dec Derby, Derbyshire Christmas Party Derbyshire 07528 087785 derbyscmcentre.co.uk No
2-4 Dec Princes Risborough, Bucks Christmas Party Buckinghamshire 07803 272208 buckscaravan.club
Hertfordshire
2-4 Dec Rainford, Merseyside Christmas Party South Lancashire 07741 249949 southlancscentre.com
2-4
Dorset
2-4 Dec Allostock, Cheshire Pre Xmas @Allostock Cheshire 07512 135404 cheshirecentre.co.uk
2-4 Dec Little Budworth, Cheshire Elm Cottage Cheshire 07512 135404 cheshirecentre.co.uk
2-4 Dec Woodford, Cheshire Family Christmas Party Cheshire 07512 135404 cheshirecentre.co.uk
2-4
2-4 Dec Swinethorpe, Lincolnshire Lincoln Christmas Market South Yorkshire 07725 915438
29
29
East
29 Dec-2 Jan 23 Backwell, Somerset New Year Celebrations Avon 01275 542881 avoncentre.co.uk No
29 Dec-2 Jan 23 Ampthill, Bedfordshire New Year Rally Hertfordshire 01767 640263 hertfordshirecentre.co.uk No
29 Dec-2 Jan 23 Watford, Hertfordshire New Year North London 07990 821581 northlondoncc.com No
29 Dec-2 Jan 23 Princes Risborough, Bucks New Year Rally Buckinghamshire 07803 272208 buckscaravan.club No
29 Dec-2 Jan 23 Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees New Years Durham 01429 267505 durhamcenter.co.uk No
29 Dec-2 Jan 23 Wareham, Dorset New Year Celebration West Dorset 01460 76440 westdorsetcentre.com No
29 Dec-2 Jan 23 Chilworth, Surrey New Year With West Surrey West Surrey 01483 849114 westsurreycentre.co.uk No
29 Dec-2 Jan 23 Gwernymynydd, Flintshire Gwernymynydd New Year Cheshire 07733 213652 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
29 Dec-2 Jan 23 Bispham, Lancashire Bispham New Year Cheshire 07938 153822 cheshirecentre.co.uk No
30 Dec-2 Jan 23 Ebernoe, West Sussex New Year Party West Sussex 01243 672959 camcwestsussexcentre.co.uk No
30 Dec-2 Jan 23 Padworth Reading, Berks New Year Berkshire 07713 925396 berkshirecentrecaravanclub.co.uk No
30 Dec-2 Jan 23 Biggleswade, Bedfordshire New Year Celebrations Bedfordshire 07518 103458 No
30 Dec-2 Jan 23 Waddington, Lincolnshire New Year South Yorkshire 01709 814877 southyorkshirecentre.co.uk No
30 Dec-2 Jan 23 Addington, Kent New Year Rally South London 07811 128705 southlondoncentre.com No
30 Dec-2 Jan 23 Bassinbourn, Royston, Herts New Year 2023 South Essex 07961 533113 secc-online.org.uk No
6-8 Jan 23 Saxtead, Ipswich, Su olk First Rally Of The Year Su olk 01473 715049 su olkcentre.org.uk
20-22 Jan
20-22 Jan 23 Marsden, West Yorkshire Burns Night Yorkshire Dales 07733 338033 No
3-5 Feb 23 Garstang, Lancashire Dinner Dance South Lancashire 07702 566342 southlancscentre.com No
10-12 Feb 23 Winthorpe, Notts Valentines Nottinghamshire 07943 113851 nottscentre.com
10-12 Feb 23 Ipswich, Su olk Valentine Rally Su olk 01440 787828 su olkcentre.org.uk
10-12 Feb 23 Chelmsford, Essex Valentines Marshals Meet North Essex 07795 275273 northessexcaravanclub.org.uk No 12-12 Feb 23 Ipswich, Su olk Natter And Chatter Su olk 01206 851996 su olkcentre.org.uk Yes
24-26 Feb 23 Newquay, Cornwall Dinner & Dance 2023 Devon & Cornwall 07813 696670