21 WAYS TO BE A BETTER MOTORHOMER!
10 pages of tips to
improve your trips!

35 PAGES OF MUST-TAKE TOURS!

Kick off your season in style with travel to the Isle of Wight,
Dorset, Pembrokeshire, the French Alps and more

GOING GREEN
How eco-friendly
is motorhoming?
We reveal all!

PLUS…

Top camping chairs revealed
Beat the dreaded black streak!
Buy a used Elddis Encore for less
How to take a tour to Turkey

MUST-READ REVIEWS

Classy, well-priced Benimar Benivan
and clever, comfortable Laika Ecovip!

White Sands, Pembrokeshire

TALK

Sarah Wakely
Editor-in-chief

Whether you’ve been motorhoming for
years, or are a relative newbie to our fantastic
pastime, there’s always something new to
learn! That’s the thinking behind our special
guide this issue on how to be a better
motorhomer. From making the most
of the limited space in your motorhome,
to driving onto a ferry deck like a pro,
we’ve everything you need to improve
your touring life – you’ll find our
comprehensive article starting on p21.
And do let us know if we missed any
hints and tips – just email us via talk@
practicalmotorhome.com, and the best
ones will feature in the magazine!
Also this issue, we take a look at a few
of the past winners in our prestigious
annual Top 100 Sites Guide (p52). It’s all
in preparation for our next issue, which
comes complete with your copy of our
info-packed Top 100 Sites Guide 2024.
It’s on sale 28 March – don’t miss it!
sarah.wakely@futurenet.com

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our newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest from
Practical Motorhome every week!

6 Where in the world? Turkey’s spectacular Lake Van
8 Connect Readers share their news, views and photos
13 New gear The latest essential kit to enhance your tours
14 Nightstops Stay at our motorhome-friendly stopovers
15 Puzzle time Take a break with our brain-teasers
16 Ask the experts Technical problem? We can help!
21 Be a better motorhomer! First-timer or old hand, there’s
always something new to learn and top tips to benefit from

TOURING
34 This month All of the latest travel and touring news
36 Pembrokeshire Colin and Elaine Burdett find a short break
on the Welsh coast the perfect way to banish winter blues
42 West Midlands Janette Sykes enjoys the wonderful scenery
and history of Stratford-upon-Avon and its surroundings
46 Isle of Wight Anna and Harvey Lyon discover excellent
walking on the island, exploring coast and countryside
50 48 hours in… Dorchester Make the most of your weekend
break in the heart of Dorset, with our hour-by-hour guide
52 Top 100 Sites As we prepare to reveal the sites that won
your votes for 2024, here’s a round-up of past Overall Winners!
56 Ile de Ré on two wheels Elaine Ormerod takes to the cycle
paths to explore the gorgeous island off the coast of France
62 Burgundy and beyond Sonia Wignall discovers great hiking
trails and breathtaking scenery touring in the French Alps
68 Big European odyssey pt 26 Marcus, Kim and the children
enjoy wild camping in stunning landscapes by Turkey’s Lake Van

TESTED
76 New-model news Peter Baber has the latest updates
78 ’Van review: Laika Ecovip 540 It’s just 5.41m long, but this
smart two-berth manages to pack a great deal into the space
80 ’Van review: Benimar Benivan 144 This neat van conversion
offers comfortable touring for two, provided you travel light
82 NEC show round-up Didn’t manage to make it to the show?
Not to worry! Here are the highlights of the February event
86 Product review: camping chairs A comfortable chair is a
must-have on tour, and these are six of our favourite models

PRE-OWNED
88 Pre-owned news Nick Harding reports from the forecourts
90 Used ’van buyer Gentleman Jack casts an expert eye
over the cleverly designed Elddis Encore (2015-present)
92 Motorhome Hall of Fame Gentleman Jack’s round-up of
iconic brands considers the Bailey Approach SE (2012-2014)

TECHNICAL
96 Diamond Dave Why it’s vital to check out van converters
98 How green is your motorhome? Peter Rosenthal considers
ways in which touring can help to combat climate change
104 Cleaning your motorhome Follow John Sootheran’s expert
guide to prepare your vehicle for a sparkling new season
108 Buyer’s guide Comprehensive listings and information
114 Blast from the past Touring life from yesteryear

Use your phone or tablet camera!

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 5

WHERE
IN THE
WORLD?
Lake Van,
Turkey

What3words
///unbolt.derisory.annoyingly

Why tour here?
Lake Van is Turkey’s largest lake and lies in
the easternmost part of the country, some
120km from the border with Iran.
The tectonic lake is set amid the Armenian
Highlands, with Mount Süphan (Turkey’s
second highest volcano) located to the north.
Covering almost 4000 square kilometres,
Lake Van is a wonder of nature, undiscovered
by most visiting tourists, who gravitate to the
western side of the country.
Those who do make it here might well be
attracted by the island of Akdamar, which
is home to the 10th-century Armenian
Church of the Holy Cross (or Surb Khach) ,
well known for the bas-relief carvings
of biblical scenes that adorn its walls.

Marcus Leach

Don’t miss…
Marcus Leach and family found this spit
of land at Yelkenli on Lake Van’s southern
shore an exceptional wild camping spot.
Read more about the family’s adventures
across Europe and beyond on p68.

practicalmotorhomeuk

6 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 7

Star attractions
I read Diamond Dave’s column (issue
283) about the brightness of headlights
and having to wear glasses to cope
with the unpleasant glare.
Welcome to the Night Drivers’ Club!
You enter as a Bronze Member and
begin by noticing oncoming headlights
like you never used to (the bulbs must
have got brighter).
After a few big birthdays you move
up to Silver Member (sometimes,
if you’re lucky, with hair to match)
and you begin commenting to your
co-driver about oncoming traffic.
You become a Gold Member when
you have the beginning of cataracts

and those oncoming lights start to
flare like they never used to. Platinum
Members get their cataracts fixed and
then don’t need glasses for driving
(the lenses they put in your eyes are
corrective – brilliant, now you only
need glasses for reading).
Now you might purchase a pair of
simple amber-tinted night driving specs
from a well-known company that sells
everything from A-Z… and then have
your 80th birthday party, happy and
contented and still driving safely and
carefully on well-lit roads and during
the day. Roll on long summer days!
Nick Rogers

The writer of our Letter of the Month wins
a pair of Milenco Quattro Levelling Ramps
worth £40. They’re twice as high as many
plastic levels, with a high-grip leading edge,
and can be mounted back-to-back for
levelling tag-axles. Visit www.milenco.com
for details and retailers.

you also said…
I wonder if my experience with my van
conversion and the dealer I bought it
from is typical, or just unlucky?
Since purchasing the vehicle new in
September 2020, I have returned it to
the dealer on 14 occasions for warranty
issues to be inspected or repaired.
Problems include a loose flyscreen,
imploded hab door window, failed
leisure battery, leaking skylight and
cracked shower wall. Most significant
was the detached overcab skylight
valance, reported in 2021 and yet to be
repaired. The ’van is with the dealer,
awaiting parts for the fourth attempt.
The process for warranty claims is
lengthy, and the dealers often blame

8 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

the manufacturers. The customer is left
in limbo. Apart from disappointment
with the build quality of my ’van and
frustration with the warranty process,
I have spent hundreds on making the
round trip between my home and the
dealer. I’ve learned two lessons: don’t
buy that brand again and don’t buy
from a dealer 100 miles from home!
Les Robinson
Editor Sarah replies… We’re really sorry
to hear that you’ve had such a poor buying
experience, Les. Do be sure to let us
know more about your experiences via our
Owner Satisfaction Survey 2025 - you can
find it at practicalmotorhome.com/vote.

Astrotourism has become hugely popular,
with stargazers keen to find the best spots
for viewing spectacular constellations.
Now the team of travel experts at
stressfreecarrental.com have researched
top places for dark skies, picking out
eight destinations, with four of the top
five located in the UK.
In first position is Galloway Forest in
Scotland, where visitors can observe over
7000 stars and planets in a night sky little
troubled by light pollution. Here’s the UK’s
Top Four, with some campsite suggestions:
Galloway Forest, Scotland
Glentrool Camping and Caravan Site
glentroolcampingandcaravansite.co.uk
Northumberland, England
Kielder Waterside kielderwaterside.com
Malin Head, Northern Ireland
Binion Bay Caravan and Camping Park
caravanandcampingireland.ie
Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)
Wales Pencelli Castle Caravan &
Camping Park pencelli-castle.com

Shropshire shines
Travel tastemakers at the Association of
British Travel Agents have released their
list of ‘Destinations to Watch’ for 2024
– and one entry might surprise you.
Made up of consumer research, the
list has 10 tempting locations, including
Aruba, Mauritius and Vietnam.
This year, among the glamorous
spots is the UK’s very own Shropshire,
making it the first British destination
to be featured on the prestigious list.
The rural Midlands gem is described
by ABTA as an “idyllic English county
on the Welsh borders”, home to
“some of the country’s most beautiful
landscapes, towns and villages”.

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and events

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practicalmotorhomeuk
for beautiful pics, videos
and inspiration

Email us your letters and
photographs to talk@
practicalmotorhome.com

To
the
rescue!
Campsite supports mountain
rescue volunteer team
A North-East glamping and touring site has
marked its longstanding support for a local
mountain rescue team by hosting a special
event for its members.
Herding Hill Farm, near Haltwhistle, in
Northumberland, welcomed some 20 team
members to its campsite for the weekend.
Site managers Sue and Phil Humphreys
provided food and accommodation for
the team, who had been taking part in
a night-time navigation challenge at
Walltown Crags, on Hadrian’s Wall.
Over the years, donations to the North of
Tyne Mountain Rescue Team from Herding
Hill Farm have been used to purchase
potentially lifesaving equipment, including
a Starlink RV satellite system.
Rich Ayre, deputy team leader for the
North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team,
said: “As a volunteer-run organisation,
we depend on money raised by businesses

Write to us at
121-141 Westbourne
Terrace, Paddington,
London W2 6JR

1

2

such as Herding Hill
Farm and the general
public in order to
continue providing
our search and
rescue services.
We are very grateful
for their support.”
Members of the team stayed overnight
at Herding Hill Farm after testing their
skills, along with other search and
rescue service teams, by participating
in the night-time navigation challenge.
North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team
works across Northumberland and Tyne
and Wear, and is operated and staffed
by volunteers – just over 40 qualified
members and a number of trainees.
They are funded solely by charitable
donations. To find out more or donate,
visit notmrt.org.uk.

3
1 Members of the North of Tyne Mountain
Rescue Team with Phil and Sue Humphreys,
site managers at Herding Hill Farm
2 Members of the North of Tyne Mountain
Rescue Team demonstrate throw lines at
Herding Hill Farm, which were purchased
with the help of money raised by the
camping and glamping site
3 Team members Liam Alcock, Nadia Allan
and Helena Sansum on the night-time
navigation challenge at Walltown Crags

Point
of view

And the winner is…

Can you name this
famous lake?
It’s just for fun
– the answer
is below…

ANSWER: Grasmere, Cumbria

Congratulations to keen PM reader Karla,
who has won the Practical Motorhome
Great Giveaway Competition. Karla
previously owned a VW California, but
is currently on the hunt for a new ’van,
so our boxful of motorhoming goodies
should come in handy. Well done!

Getty

Karla with her sons
Blake and Mason

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 9

CONNECT HOTSHOTS

The best of your touring photos

Star picture

1

1 Bardenas Reales de Navarra,
north-east Spain, an extraordinary
semi-desert area that feels more
like the US than Spain. From the
Visitor Centre, drive the 25km
perimeter track to see all of the
sights. This is the iconic rock
formation called Carcastillo.
Iain MacTavish
2 View from our 2021 Auto-Trail
Tracker LB at Silverknowes site
in Edinburgh for New Year’s Eve.
A fabulous site and the managers
are so friendly – we will be back.
We travelled from Northern
Ireland for the 30th anniversary
of Hogmanay in the city.
Dawn Dobson
3 Lunch surrounded by eucalyptus
trees, a cacophony of birdsong
and a spectacular view over the
Blue Mountains National Park,
in our hired Mercedes Sprinter
camper. Literally the high point of
our Aussie road trip in December!
Mark and Di Bellamy

2

3

Grea
idea!t

Email your pictures and their stories (40 words, plus name, address and contacts)
to hotshots@practicalmotorhome.com. The best photo will win these guides:
Road Trip Europe – Best of Belgium; All the Aires Spain and Portugal; All the Aires
Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; Go Motorhoming and Campervanning;
Sea View Camping Scotland; Sea View Camping West Country; Road Trip Europe
– The Great War and More; and Road Trip Europe – Go Dutch. All are from
Vicarious Books, www.vicarious-shop.com, 0131 208 3333.
10 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

CONNECT NEW GEAR

NEW GEAR

Our selection of brilliant kit that’s sure to enhance your tours!
Stylish
pick

PICK OF THE MONTH

Petromax Percolator
Designed for brewing tea and coffee indoors
and out, this attractive percolator can be used
on motorhome hobs, barbecues and fires
to make up to nine cups.
Price £49.95 berryuseful.co.uk

Down Hut Slippers
These lightweight slippers are perfect for
relaxing onsite, featuring a 100% recycled outer
along with a soft brushed fleece lining
and recycled down insulation.
Price £55 rab.equipment/uk

No Fuss Road Trip Ireland

Topside Heated Blanket
You’ll look forward to cold nights with this
12V heated blanket that’s perfect for camping,
featuring smart control and made from
100% recycled polyester.
Price £160 ignik.com

No Fuss is a new independent publisher
which aims to publish motorhome-friendly
guide books that are full of detail, but
written as though you were having a pub
chat! As well as details of glorious routes to
take around Ireland, Northern Ireland and
the Atlantic Way, there’s also information
on campsites, budgeting advice, practical
tips and much more besides.
Road Trip Ireland follows in the
wake of North Coast 500 and Road Trip
South West - all written since Covid.
Price £23.99
www.nofusstravelguides.com

Extra
tough
Rambler 6oz Mugs
Great for a touring kitchen or picnic kit, these
robust, stackable mugs are puncture- and
rust-resistant, and made with a DuraSip
ceramic lining and vacuum insulation.
Price £35 uk.yeti.com

Space
saver

Flashlight Duo
Providing 1000 lumens and a 65-hour life,
this torch has 13 modes, including ambient
multicolours and a 210m main beam. Choose
from multiple attachment methods and
recharge with USB-C.
Price £50 hototools.com

Hurtta Monsoon Dog Coat
Keep your pooch comfortable in all conditions
with this weatherproof coat, featuring
reflective piping, breathable fabric and
an adjustable rain collar.
Price From £52.99 hillsandhounds.co.uk

Hanging Packing Cubes
Doubling as both packing cubes
and a wardrobe insert, this handy
three-compartment storage solution
is collapsible for touring and can
be unpacked and hung straight up.
Price £29.99 amazon.co.uk

KinKind Shampoo Bar
This nourishing shampoo bar, made
with argan and coconut oils, lathers up in the
shower for up to 50 washes, while saving
on storage space, plastic – and your pocket!
Price £6.95 kinkind.co.uk
www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 13

All prices correct at the time of writing

Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
This powerful cordless vacuum is perfect for
quick clean-ups and small ’van spaces.
The rechargeable device also comes with
attachments for crevices and pet hair.
Price £129.99 lakeland.co.uk

CONNECT NIGHTSTOPS

The latest information on all our current destinations in the UK

T

he Nightstop Scheme is run
by us in conjunction with the
Motor Caravanners’ Club
(MCC), and the sites are certificated
locations (CLs); you don’t have to
join any club to use them. You’ll
need to ring the relevant site to
confirm whether there’s space for
you before you visit: you’ll find
information at www.practical
motorhome.com/nightstops.
For further information about
the MCC, visit www.themotor
caravannersclub.co.uk.

1 Airman Hotel SG17 5JF
2 The Black Horse Pub HP16 9AX
3 The Seven Wives PE27 5RF
4 The Penrhiwgaled Arms SA44 6LN
5 Railway Hotel SA32 7LQ
6 Mousehole Camping TR19 6XB
7 Blenkinsopp Castle Inn CA8 7JS
8 The Thelbridge Cross Inn EX17 4SQ
9 The Ship Inn YO15 1EW
10 The Crown Inn GL7 5QH
11 Elton Farm GL14 1JU
12 The Gloucester Old Spot GL51 9SY
13 The Flying Bull Inn GU33 7JB
14 Three Horseshoes GU34 3AE
15 Landsdowne PR4 6XP
16 The Hawthorne OL4 5LN
17 The Bluebell Inn PE12 6SN
18 The Riverside Hotel Surfleet Ltd PE11 4DG
19 Banham Community Centre NR16 2HB
20 Great Danes Country Inn PE37 8BG
21 South Moor Farm YO13 0LW
22 The Seaview Hotel SA65 9PL
23 The Tipple Inn SN8 3EQ
24 Carpenters Arms DE7 4PP
25 The Old Stables DG10 9QX
26 Black Horse Inn DL7 0SH
27 The Red Cow SG8 8RN
28 The Park Club Cleveleys FY5 2BJ
29 The Bannockburn Inn KW8 6JY
30 The Bennet Arms IP30 9LH
31 The Tarrington Arms HR1 4HX
32 Angel View Hotel NE9 7UB
33 The Mill Leisure Holiday
Cottage & Campsite SY21 8BJ
34 The Harrow Inn SN4 0AE

NOTE
We strongly
recommend doub
le
checking that
Nightstops are
open before
travelling

29

15 Landsdowne
Shore Road, Hesketh Bank,
Preston PR4 6XP
Open all year. Costs £10 per night,
£25 for three nights. Facilities
include water, chemical disposal
and a fishing lake (extra charge).

25
7

32

26
21

9

28
15
16

24
17

20
19

3
4

31

22
5

12
11

1

34

10

2
23
14

8

30
27

13

6

FIND FULL DETAILS ONLINE www.practicalmotorhome.com/nightstops
14 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

18

33

CONNECT PUZZLE BREAK

Whether you’re on tour or at home, relax with a cup
of tea and some brain-teasing puzzles to ponder!

SUDOKU
To solve the puzzle, each row, column and 3x3 box
must contain the numbers 1 to 9. No single digit can
appear twice in any one row, column or 3x3 box

WORDWISE

NOTES

R A R
I W T
Y H O
You have 15 minutes to find as
many words as possible using the
letters in the grid. Each word must
contain four or more letters, one of
which must be the central square.
No proper nouns, plurals or foreign
words are allowed. There is one
nine-letter word in the grid, for
which the clue is: Safe to fly
15 = average
More than 25 = well done

WORDWISE
SUDOKU

ANSWERS

Cross out a letter in
each square to get a
grid filled with words.
The uncrossed-out letters
in the shaded squares
will complete the
puzzle answer

ARROW, AWRY, HARROW, THAW,
THROW, TROW, WAIT, WART,
WARTY, WARY, WHAT, WHIR,
WHIRR, WHIT, WHITY, WHOA,
WIRY, WITH, WITHY, WORRIT,
WORRY, WORT, WORTH, WORTHY,
WRAITH, WRATH, WRIT, WROTH,
YARROW ANSWER AIRWORTHY

Pores of Kohn and canals
of Lambert are structures
found in which organ of
the human body?

HALF & HALF
ACROSS LASER, UNION, HEFTY
DOWN LAUGH, STIFF, RANGY
ANSWER LUNG

HALF
& HALF

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 15

CONNECT ASK THE EXPERTS

Burning questions about motorcaravanning? Our expert
team can help! Simply email one of the addresses below
or contact practical.motorhome@futurenet.com, and
we’ll do our best to answer it in an upcoming issue
WHICH MOTORHOMES WILL
TRANSPORT MY MOTORBIKE?
I am returning to motorhoming
after a seven-year break. This time
around, I don’t want a coachbuilt, I want
a van conversion, and a requirement is
that it can carry a motorcycle in the back
with the bed raised or folded out of the
way (1). So far I have found three models,
all around 6.4m long, that could meet
my needs: Adria Twin, Malibu Carthago
Charming and Globecar Campscout.
Can you please advise if there are other
’vans like this? Thanks for your help.
Douglas Murphy

Q

Our expert panel
Sarah
Wakely
Editor-in-chief
sarah@practicalmotorhome.com

Peter Baber replies…
There certainly are other ’vans.
In fact, a great many van conversions
could potentially fit your needs if they
have a bed that folds up at the back.
All you really need to do is check the
payload figure (the difference between
the MiRO and the MTPLM), and make
sure it is high enough to accommodate
the extra weight of the motorbike in
the back, as well as everything else.
Van conversions often have a larger
payload than coachbuilts, in part
because the bodywork of the latter
eats into the payload.

A

Paul
Critcher
Deputy editor
paul.critcher@futurenet.com

Peter
Baber
Reviews editor
peter.baber@futurenet.com

Gentleman
Jack
Contributor
askjack@practicalmotorhome.com

Nick
Harding
Contributor
practical.motorhome@futurenet.com

Diamond
Dave
Contributor
practical.motorhome@futurenet.com

16 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

1

However, one 6.4m-long model that
I think might particularly serve your
needs and that you have not mentioned
is the Pilote Vega Van V633M.
Not only does it have a bed that rises
out of the bay, it also has an unusual
height of 2.8m, so you should certainly
be able to stand up below the bed.
Once there, you will find all sorts of
compartments for tools and things if you
need to work on your bike en route.
You also mention the Adria Twin. The
Twin Sports 640 SGX would certainly
suit your purposes – and it has a payload
nearly twice as big as the Pilote’s, largely
because it has an MTPLM of 4250kg, so
you would need a C1 licence to drive it.
You could also consider the Twin Max
680 SGX (reviewed in issue 282). This
runs on a MAN TGE chassis and has a
similar layout to the Twin Sports, and
a payload of 900kg, although again, you
would need a C1 licence to drive it.

WHY IS THE HEATING SYSTEM
NOT WORKING IN MY ’VAN?
The Truma Combi 6E in my 2017
motorhome does not seem to be
heating very much on its 1800W (or
900W) electricity setting. I have also
tested this while plugged into my home
13A supply, to eliminate any problem
with the campsite electricity supply.
There is only a very slight heat output
immediately in front of the air vents.
I’m certain it has been much stronger
on previous occasions. On gas, it works
like the furnace that it is.
Am I missing something? Is there a
fuse or something stopping the electric
elements from working at full capacity?
Ken Peers

Q

Diamond Dave replies…
As you mention, there are two
power settings for mains operation,
900W and 1800W. This is achieved with
two separate 900W elements embedded
in the central heat exchanger.
The first point to make here is that
even on 1800W, the system isn’t going
to produce super heating.
The most likely cause of reduced heat
output is that one of the elements has
failed, limiting you to just 900W. The
easiest way to check is with a plug-in
power meter, the type you can plug
into a standard 13A socket and then
plug your appliance into.
You’ll need a 13A to 16A (blue plug)
adapter, to see how many watts are
being drawn and establish if one element
has failed. Note that these elements are
no longer sold separately; you’ll have to
buy a complete heat exchanger unit and
the heater will need to be almost fully
stripped down to replace it.

A

WAYS TO
BE A BETTER
MOTORHOMER

Old hand at motorhoming or new to
our fantastic pastime, you can’t deny
there’s a lot to learn. From campsite
etiquette to knowing what kit to take
abroad, there’s always something new
to discover. With this in mind, our special
report brings together 21 ways to
improve your touring and become an
even better motorhomer than before!
www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 21

1

%HDEHƔHUFDPSVLWHQHLJKERXU

Most campsite visitors are friendly,
well-behaved and considerate to their
fellow campers, but it only takes a little
thoughtless or inconsiderate behaviour
to change the dynamics.
However, establishing what is acceptable
behaviour on a site is not quite as clear-cut
as you might think – one person’s pleasant
evening with friends could be another’s
disturbed night’s sleep.
And while you might not enjoy the sound
of children playing outdoors, no campsite
can be expected to have library levels of
noise. Nobody likes dogs barking, smelly
food or banging doors… but a lot of us
aren’t that crazy about the imposition
of too many rules, either.
Two words that are worth keeping in
mind are ‘tolerance’ and ‘consideration’.
We should all be able to tolerate fellow
campers being a little noisier than usual
on a Saturday night and hopefully, we

can put up with a bit of barbecue smoke
or even the occasional barking dog.
By the same token, show consideration
for your neighbours and remember that
campers are by nature early to bed and
early to rise. Amplified music, raucous
laughter and traipsing over other pitches
can be disturbing and rude and should
be avoided, especially late at night!
In addition, remember to keep your
driving speed within park limits at all
times and to dim lights and torches at
night, when others are trying to sleep.
But first things first – begin by picking
a campsite that best suits you. Don’t like
being around children? Then choose an
adults-only park; there are plenty of these
available. Not crazy about dogs? Look for
parks that are dog-free or have dog-free
areas. The same goes for space – look
online or phone the site to find out how
big the pitches are and if there are any

limitations on party sizes or the use
of additional gazebos.
Many sites prefer not to accept larger
groups – if that’s you, find a site that caters
for bigger parties. The same goes for fires
and barbecues – some parks encourage
the fun, communal element, while others
recognise that other residents might
actually find them disturbing.
You’d be forgiven for thinking you should
never camp with children or animals, given
some people’s reactions, but if you do,
plenty of sites welcome them. Look for
parks with children’s activities, football
fields, playgrounds and so on. If you’re
touring with a pooch, a campsite with
a dog-shower and a dog-walk is ideal.
Dogs should be tethered, where site
rules require, and of course, you should
clean up any mess immediately. But if you
find campsite rules too limiting, perhaps
think about going off-grid instead (p25)?

3 ,PSURYH\RXUFRRNLQJ
Motorhome kitchens are often very small,
but there are ways to make life easier.

Words: Peter Baber, Paul Critcher, Jo Davies

Layout While most motorhomes have
some kitchen workspace (sometimes with
a less-than-sturdy extension), if you like
to prepare a proper meal, you might find
things easier if the kitchen is close
to the table and on the same level.
This arrangement often works best in
van conversions, where the worktop is
close to the table. You can then sit on the
bench seat and prepare food in comfort.
22 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Ovens Although they seem compulsory
in UK motorhomes, you should consider
whether you really need one. They take
up a lot of what could be useful storage
space, and the grill pan that comes with
them is often the chief cause of
that rattling sound you hear en
route (don’t forget to pack it
away in a locker before you
start!). If you can survive with
just a hob, they often come
with four burners, which
should be more than enough.

If you do need an oven, you could opt for
a stove-top Omnia (pictured), but you
would need somewhere to store it.
Microwaves are potentially more useful;
they heat food more quickly and evenly
than a conventional oven, and
take up less space.

Storage Be inventive! Small
spaces not intended for storage
can still be a useful spot for a
coffee jar, say – just as long as
you remember where you put it.

21 WAYS TO BE A BETTER MOTORHOMER

YOUR TOP TIPS!
We went onto Facebook to ask
for your thoughts on camping
etiquette – here’s what you said…
“Keep to the speed limits
and one-way systems!”
Mo Bowes
“We normally use CAMC
CLs, where it’s often a case of site
yourself, so if we see a two-berth
arriving, we get the children to play
outside the awning, to let others
know not to pitch too close. Trying
to keep under-fives quiet knowing
that others on site will be glaring
at you if you don’t is no fun!”
Mark Raven
“Just be respectful of others.
Keep your children under control,
keep the noise down, and no
cutting through pitches as a
shortcut, because your enjoyment
doesn’t outweigh anyone else’s.”
Eileen Usher
“Don’t squeeze between the car/
caravan/awning on neighbours’
pitches – some find it intimidating
to have strangers so close.”
Winnie Campbell

Top Sites
Check out our Top
100 Sites Guide
2024, included with
issue 284, on sale
28 March, to find
the campsite that
best suits you!

2 -RLQDFOXE
If you’re passionate about your ’van’s brand
and would like to meet others who are too,
owners’ clubs are a great place to start.
From Bailey to Swift to Auto-Trail, many
brands have clubs. It’s easy to find one
with a quick internet search, and they are
well-organised and active. Many run rallies,
community events, group tours and more.

Club organisations
If you’d prefer something a little broader,
you might want to consider joining one
of the groups run by touring clubs.
The Camping and Caravanning Club
www.campingandcaravanning
club.co.uk/membership
UK Regions 13 Membership From £48 pa
Savings and offers
The self-described “friendly club” offers
great discounts and exclusive sites for its
members, along with community events.
Special Interest Sections
If you like to combine your hobbies with
touring, the Club has nine established
Special Interest Sections. These groups
organise events for members interested in
folk music, photography, walking and more.
Social Camping
On unique sites around the UK, pop-up
Holiday Sites are stewarded by experienced
members and offer affordable, sociable
accommodation near popular destinations.
Touring abroad
For members touring further afield, the
Club’s partnership with AllCamps gives
access to a range of fantastic campsites
in beautiful locations outside the UK,
from Slovenia to Germany and Spain.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club
caravanclub.co.uk/membership
UK Regions 10 Membership From £63 pa
Savings and offers
Members of the Caravan and Motorhome
Club can access ferry savings, breakdown
cover and insurance, along with money off
European campsites. Members also receive
discounts on touring tech and gear in the
Club shop, and on UK days out.
Extensive site network
The Caravan and Motorhome Club has
300 sites across 15 countries, including
CLs, which you can book directly through
them. The Club also runs more than 20
escorted European tours, and provides
options for worldwide touring.
Motor Caravanners’ Club
themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk
UK Regions 21 Membership £36.75 pa
Social events
Open to motorhomes of all makes and
models, the MCC runs a packed social
calendar of rallies and offers Club
members advice, support and discounts.
Overseas touring
Along with Club perks, members can join
the supplemental European Rallies Group,
which joins other groups on rallies held
at various locations abroad.
Support and community
As well as rallies and events, the MCC
publishes regular member magazines, an
annual handbook and its CL/Nightstops
booklet. On the Club’s website, members
can offer advice on matters to do with
touring, maintenance and accessibility.

4 /HDUQWKHFDVVHƔHWRLOHWEDVLFV
Some purists claim a campervan is not a
campervan if it has a toilet on board. But
don’t listen to them – an onboard toilet
makes touring much more comfortable.
In a motorhome toilet, waste falls into
the cassette section, which is hidden from
view. It is then broken down by a
diluted chemical that you pour
into the base unit after each
time you empty it.
When you press the
flush button, the top bowl

section is rinsed clean. The flush usually
uses water from a separate tank that you
fill up when you arrive. You then close off
the flap in the base of the bowl.
It’s a good idea to empty the cassette
every time you move on, because heavy
liquid sploshing about could
damage the apparatus.
A Porta Potti works the
same way, although the base
is part of the toilet you sit on,
not a hidden cassette.

Are there any alternatives? Well, with a
built-in toilet, you could install a SOG unit,
to remove smells through a carbon filter.
In 2020 Thetford introduced its INDUS
system. This uses grey water to flush and
dispose of all waste through hoses, without
the need to remove any cassettes. It can’t
be retrofitted, and so far has only been used
in very large ’vans like Bürstner’s Elegance.
It is designed to let you stay off-grid for
longer, but you need a grey-water disposal
point connected to a mains sewer.

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 23

5

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Looking to be a bit more adventurous in your touring choices,
but feeling a little nervous about travelling on your own, and
unsure of where to go and what to do?
An escorted tour could be the answer. Add the camaraderie
of travelling with a group of like-minded companions
and you have a great recipe for a fantastic
motorcaravanning adventure.
Essentially, escorted tours are organised
trips in which you follow a set itinerary,
travelling independently but meeting up
with a tour leader at designated sites.
The tour leader will also be contactable
should you have any problems.
What’s included will depend on the trip you
book. Often accommodation, a guide and a
comprehensive travel itinerary are included
in the price. Day trips, food and drink, ferry
crossings and insurance may also be part
of the tour package.
Ultimately, an escorted tour is there to
take away any organisational headaches.
Your tour operator should be booking you
into the best and most suitable sites for
your trip, using the most appropriate routes,
and your tour leaders should be knowledgeable
about the area you visit and touring in general.

Making new friends
The real joy of these tours, and the reason
so many people return to them year after
year, is the opportunity to meet people
and make new friends. Touring holidays
can be a real bonding experience, one
that is only amplified when the group
is travelling further and for longer.
Several companies offer escorted tours
for motorhomers. For example, the CAMC
has an excellent choice of European trips.
This year, it has 20 escorted European
tours to destinations including France,
Italy, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Austria,
Slovenia, Croatia and the Netherlands,
with five new tours for 2024, such as
Paws on Tour Loire Valley, Solo Cycling
in the Loire and Balkan Adventure.
There are also special interest options, such
as cycling and wine tours. For more details, see
caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/tours/european-tours.

UK options, too!
If you like the idea of an escorted tour, but don’t fancy travelling
overseas, check out the CAMC’s programme of UK tours, which has
just been released and includes 14 holidays for 2024. We like the look
of the Scenic North Wales tour (May 2024 for 12 nights), which includes
Puffin Island, Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens, the heritage Llanberis
Lake Railway, Portmeirion and a Llangollen Horse Drawn Boat Trip.
Tour prices start from £1589 for a vehicle plus two adults.

24 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

7

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There’s no doubt that freshening up your destination choices
with something new can provide your touring holidays with
a welcome shot in the arm. If you’ve been a little timid in
your choices or are stuck in a rut, why not change it up?
That doesn’t mean you suddenly have to go off on an
extended worldwide tour. It could be something as simple
as swapping coast for countryside.
So many of us gravitate towards the sea, we sometimes
forget the many fantastic inland campsites. Replace coastal
strolls with woodland walks and mountain hikes. Here are
a couple of superb campsites to inspire you:
Concierge Camping,
West Sussex
With the advantage of being
only a short drive from the
coast if you just can’t keep
away, Concierge’s position at
the foot of the South Downs
National Park makes it a
winner for those looking
to enjoy the gentle peaks
of the South Downs Way.
Luxury is a byword at
this fantastic site, which
offers 27 fully serviced,
hardstanding pitches,
superb washrooms and
a raft of onsite facilities.
conciergecamping.co.uk

Cote Ghyll,
North Yorkshire
This site makes a splendid
base for exploring the North
York Moors National Park
and is just an hour’s drive
from the Yorkshire Dales
National Park.
Cote Ghyll has much to
offer onsite, with five-star
facilities, a popular café and
two play areas for the kids.
The real pleasure, though,
is the wonderful walking and
cycling, including the trail
at Cod Beck Reservoir, which
is just down the lane.
coteghyll.com

21 WAYS TO BE A BETTER MOTORHOMER

6

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Upsides to unplugging
Touring off-grid is an exciting way to
enjoy the great outdoors. It reduces
your carbon footprint and means you
can make the most of CLs and smaller,
independent campsites.
You can even discover curated rural
spots, like those found on Wild With
Consent (wildwithconsent.com).
You’ll save money by sidestepping
expensive hook-ups and enjoying
simpler (and cheaper) campsites.
So stock up on marshmallows, gather
round the campfire (site permitting!)
and dust off some spooky stories.
Choose the right battery
There are many options for leisure
batteries, but a good-quality 110Ah is
a good place to start. Lithium batteries
make the perfect off-grid companion,
as they provide plenty of power while
remaining relatively light in weight.

8

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Your motorhome isn’t just for touring!
There’s a whole load of activities to enjoy,
once you have a base. Here are a few:

9

Invest in solar power
It’s important to keep your battery
topped up to at least 75% to avoid
damage. One way of doing this is to
install solar panels, which can provide
a trickle charge to your battery. Most
motorhomers find a 150-200W panel
sufficient, but it’s worth noting that
everything over 18W will also need
a charge controller.
Get to grips with gas
Propane is ideal for off-grid camping,
especially in winter, because it
evaporates at such a low temperature
(around -42°C). You’ll need plenty of
gas for heating and hot water, but to
save cash you might consider investing
in a self-refill system.
Options such as Gaslow or Safefill
allow you to restock at any Autogas
fuel station, and there are more than
200 stations across the UK.

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Birdwatching Position your motorhome
correctly and you could turn it into a hide.
Try Rye Harbour in Sussex, for spoonbills,
great white egrets and glossy ibis, and
Haggerston Castle in Northumberland, good for
spotting sea eagles, ospreys and mergansers.

Cycling Motorhomes and van conversions were
made for bicycles – especially when the former
come with large garages or the latter have
rear beds that fold up for bike storage.
Just be careful not to exceed your payload
– garages can have individual weight
limits as low as 80kg.

Dog grooming You have a washroom, and
the large spaces in van conversions such as
the Adria Twin Max 680 SGX or the Pilote
Vega Van V633M Premium should provide all
you need for setting up a mobile grooming parlour!

6XUĉQJ Is there anything more aspirational than a camper
with surfboards on top? If you drive onto a beach, watch the
tides and remember to go to a car wash afterwards to wash
the sand and salt off the undercarriage. You might prefer a
beachside site, such as Tristram Caravan Park in Cornwall.

We want our motorhome
designers to be ingenious
in things such as working
out how to turn a lounge
into a double bed. The
trouble is, they are
sometimes too ingenious,
particularly in how you
make up the ‘occasional’
beds you tend to get in the
lounges of coachbuilt ’vans.
All too often making the
bed involves at least one
infill cushion - sometimes
many more. We once had to
together put a bed that was
made up of no fewer than
10 cushions, and only four
were from the settees.
Quite apart from what
this implies for the comfort

of the bed, it does mean
you have to find storage for
these cushions when the
bed is not in use. They can
take up room, especially if
they are an unusual shape
and size. Either that or they
are so small, they are likely
to be hidden by everything
else you need to cram into
precious storage spaces.
Our advice? If you really
don’t think the two of you
are going to be joined by
anyone on tour, leave all
infill cushions at home
(label them up, as it is all
too easy to mistake them
for something else, or lose
them). Such a move will
save you a lot of frustration.

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 25

10

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Feeling confident when you
get behind the wheel of your
motorhome will allow you to
relax and really enjoy being
out and about on tour.
Once you’ve invested in your
dream vehicle, you don’t want
to be held back by dreading
roundabouts or worrying
about reversing.
That’s where specialist
training courses come in
- whether it’s manoeuvring,
road experience or simply
a refresher, a driving course
can enhance your touring
experience in ways that
might surprise you.
There are plenty of courses
out there to choose from,
but three of the most popular
training providers are:

12

Camping and Caravanning Club
Caravan and Motorhome Club
Towing Solutions

Camping and
Caravanning Club:
Motorhome Manoeuvres
Length One day Price £200pp
Location C&CC HQ, Coventry
campingandcaravanning
club.co.uk/club-courses/
motorhome-manoeuvres
Highlights
Reversing with confidence
Off- and on-road exercises
Loading your motorhome

Caravan and
Motorhome Club:
Motorhome Manoeuvring
Length One day Price £214pp
Location 18 UK centres

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Touring abroad is a great experience, which
we would recommend. However, to ensure
you stay on the right side of the road traffic
laws (as well as the road!) it’s worth taking
a few minutes to check you have the right
equipment and are au fait with the latest
traffic laws. Here we’ve focused on the
driving rules in France, one of the most
popular countries for Brits touring
overseas, and often a route to other
destinations further afield.

Be sure to bring
Your motorhome’s
insurance documents, and
your travel insurance info
V5 registration log book
(or VE103 for rented vehicles)
Valid UK driving licence
Up-to-date passport (valid
for at least three months after
the day you plan to leave)

Make sure you display
UK sticker GB stickers are no longer valid.
If your numberplate has a Union Flag with
‘UK’ under it on a blue background (green
for EVs), then you can drive in Europe
Crit’Air sticker Your vehicle needs to display
a Crit’Air sticker when in low emission zones.
For more details, see certificat-air.gouv.fr
26 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

caravanclub.co.uk/adviceand-training/training-courses/
motorhome-courses
Highlights
Maintenance and laws
Manoeuvring forwards
and backwards
One-to-one road session

Towing Solutions:
Motorhome Driving
Length Four hours for one
person or five hours for two
Price £186-£330
Location Cheshire
towing-solutions.co.uk/
towing-courses/motorhome
Highlights
Negotiating roads
and junctions
Reversing
Driving laws

13

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Prepare
First, make sure you park with enough space
to walk all the way around your ’van. Better
still, find a slanted position so the water
can run off. Douse the exterior with a
hose to loosen the dirt and remove
the worst of moss, leaves or grit.
Be sure to carry
Reflective jackets You
need one for each of the
Clean
vehicle’s occupants
Apply a suitable cleaning agent
and they must be
to your ’van in large sections
easily accessible
and work it in with a soft
brush, a sponge or a
A warning triangle
microfibre cloth. Before
Headlamp beam
it dries, rinse off with
deflectors These
water or a telescopic
stop headlights from
dazzling other drivers
Winter tyres or
snow chains During
the winter (1 November
to 31 March), vehicles must
be equipped with winter tyres
or snow chains in certain
mountainous areas of France.
These regions include the
Alps, the Massif Central,
the Jura Mountains, the
Pyrenees and the Vosges
Source: AA

21 WAYS TO BE A BETTER MOTORHOMER

11

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Even if you have driven on the right
before in a standard passenger car,
driving on the right in a motorhome
for the first time can be a little bit
disconcerting. The anxieties you might
still have about driving a motorhome
are amplified by driving such a large
vehicle on the ‘wrong’ side, with
different traffic laws and those
intimidating Continental lorries.
So how do you master the skill?
Just as you possibly did when you first
drove on the right in a car, the main
thing is to keep an eye on your position
in the lane you are travelling in. You
must resist the tendency that anyone
driving a right-hand-drive vehicle for
the first time on the right might show
– to start drifting to the left.
This is especially important in a
coachbuilt motorhome, because they
tend to have side mirrors that stick
out a long way. So any unintended
drift into the next lane might meet
with disaster sooner than expected.

water-fed brush. A formula suitable for
acrylic can be used on the windows, too.
A silicone squeegee works on the body, but
use a microfibre cloth to dry the windows.

14

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Finish

Book a service

Stave off dullness with a quick wax of
the exterior. This doesn’t offer cleaning
properties, but coating with a good wax
will protect your paintwork and help to
keep dirt at bay. Apply the wax with a soft
cloth and leave for up to half an hour before
gently buffing it out.

Regardless of your latest MOT or
service, book in for a check before
you go; that way, you should avoid
any nasty surprises on the road.

Top tip
It’s best to avoid using a pressure washer
on your vehicle, unless you can carefully
control the flow speed. Too much pressure
can disturb window and wall seals and
TV antennae, or damage the paintwork.

We recommend…
Autoglym Caravan & Motorhome Cleaner
Winning Best Motorhome Cleaner in our 2024
awards, this all-rounder from Autoglym is,
in our opinion, a must-have product.
The specially formulated cleaning agent
is suitable for paintwork, glass and acrylic,
tackling algae, black streaks and other issues.
Subscribe to Practical Motorhome and receive
a free Autoglym Luxury Bodywork and Wheels
Collection worth £52! See p94 for details

If you are really nervous about that
happening, it might be wise to fit a
rear-view (as opposed to a reversing)
camera in the cab – the kind that stays
on all the time, rather than just when
you are reversing.
That way you can keep an eye on
who is rushing up behind you (useful on
German autobahns, many of which still
have no speed limit) and you have a
second set of rear eyes, should disaster
happen and your mirror be broken off.

Paperwork
Always double-check your insurance
and tax are up to date and cover
requirements relevant to your trip.
Keep all of your information together,
along with any visas (for you or furry
friends) if you are travelling abroad.

Budget
Whether you stick to it or not, it’s a
good idea to set up an outline budget
when you’re on the road for a while.
Setting aside money for eating out,
activities and fuel can help to stop
your finances spiralling out of control.

Travel days
You can avoid the feeling that you’re
burning daylight by budgeting for
travel days. Earmark days on your trip
that are dedicated to driving, rather

than trying to
squeeze in getting
to a new campsite
and ticking off that
must-see attraction,
all in the one day.

Decide your route
You might be drawn to a curated
route like the NC500, or have visions
of your own. Either way, it will save
time, money and headaches to plan
your route before you head off. Think
about places to see and roads to drive
along, and build from there.

Stock cupboards
You’ll want to sample local fare, but
well-stocked cupboards are essential.
Think minimal ingredients – you’ll be
loading up on gear, so you don’t want
to use up even more of your payload.

Don’t forget your bike
Extended tours are a great chance
for slow travel! Hop on your bike and
take in the sights on two wheels.

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 27

15

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One of motorhoming’s biggest attractions
is the opportunity it gives you to get back
to nature. If you needed any further proof
of the benefits of life in the great outdoors,
The Camping and Caravanning Club has
commissioned a survey, the Outjoyment
Report, which shows that going camping
makes people happier, more connected to
nature and less anxious than non-campers,
and can improve wellbeing and mental
health, and provide a sense of community.
Proof indeed that being outdoors is good
for body and soul! And with that in mind,
here’s our pick of walking events in the
UK and Ireland over the next few months,
perfect for getting out in all that fresh air.

22-24 March 2024

Wander Wild, Killarney, Ireland
Gorge walking, outdoor rock climbing and
sunrise dips are just some of the activities
at Ireland’s Great Outdoor Festival, which
offers a full programme over the weekend.
Walks and other events are all individually
priced; for example, the Torc Mountain
guided hike costs €40 per person.
wanderwildfestival.com

2-7 April 2024

16

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From escaping the crowds to saving on
site costs, there are plenty of benefits
to touring out of season. Enjoy beauty
spots at your leisure, cruise quieter
roads and help the local economy.

Chepstow Walking Festival, Wales

September Lake District

Chepstow Walking Festival returns in 2024,
with plenty to entertain visiting hikers
in search of their choice of mixed-level
hillwalking. This is a great event for people
of all abilities, which showcases the best
of the Wye Valley. Chepstow prides itself
on being an official ‘Walkers are Welcome’
town. This year’s full programme is yet to
be released, so keep an eye on the website
for further information.
walksinchepstow.co.uk

Best for… Colourful woodland walks
Don’t miss… Kendal Torchlight
Gathering, Cumbria
When 28 September 2024
kendaltorchlightcarnival.co.uk

27 April - 6 May 2024

Ulverston WalkFest, Lake District
This annual festival in the Lake District has
plenty of choice, offering everything from
two-mile strolls in Ulverston to a more
challenging eight-miler on the Dunnerdale
Fells. There’s a £3 per walk fee; book places
at ulverstonwalks@gmail.com.
ulverstonwalkfest.com

17-20 May 2024

Arran Mountain Festival, Scotland
Scotland’s top hillwalking and climbing
festival has a fantastic pedigree and includes
famous peaks, such as Holy Isle, Western
Ridge and Three Beinns Horseshoe.
Walks are individually priced and most
are designed for more experienced hikers.
arranmountainfestival.co.uk
28 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

October Shropshire
Best for… Lively market towns
Don’t miss… Shropshire Oktoberfest
When 4-5 October 2024
shropshireoktoberfest.co.uk

November Edinburgh
Best for… Nightlife, bars and cafés
Don’t miss… Scots Fiddle Festival
When 15-17 November 2024
scotsfiddlefestival.com

December York
Best for… Festive fun, great pubs
Don’t miss… York Christmas Festival
When December 2024
visityork.org/christmas

Did you
know that?
According to Tripadvisor,
the off-peak tourist season in
the UK runs from November to
April, while the shoulder seasons
are from May to early June
and September to
early October

January Cotswolds
Best for… Frosty walks, quiet
beauty spots, cosy evenings out
Don’t miss… Burns Night events
When January 2025
cotswolds.com

February Causeway Coast
Best for… Exploring harbour
towns and rugged coastlines
Don’t miss… Belfast TradFest
When February 2025 (TBC)
belfasttraditionalmusic.com

March Pembrokeshire
Best for… Seeing flora and fauna in
spring, coastal walking and cycling
Don’t miss… St David’s Day
When 1 March 2024
visitwales.com

April Cornwall
Best for… Longer days and warmer
weather, quiet, lush gardens, lively
festivals and local events
Don’t miss… Roseland Festival
When 19-28 April 2024
roselandfestival.co.uk

May Eryri (Snowdonia)
Best for… Woodland walks and
invigorating hikes, exploring
castles, fascinating historic towns
Don’t miss…
Machynlleth Comedy Festival
When 3-5 May 2024
machcomedyfest.co.uk

21 WAYS TO BE A BETTER MOTORHOMER

17

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Motorhomers and caravanners are an
inventive bunch, always coming up with
ingenious ideas to solve touring problems.
Indeed, one of our readers even set up a
Facebook page called Caravanning Clever
Ideas, which allows users to share solutions
to motorhome and caravan problems.
It’s been so successful that its creator
has now published a book of the same title,
packed with brilliant and practical ideas to
make your touring life easier.
The book provides suggestions about
everything from pitching to lighting,
and we’ve picked out a few storage tips
you might find useful on your next trip.

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A R E PE R F EC E M S
IT
SMALLER

Wardrobes
Hanging dividers can be trimmed in length
to suit the depth of a motorhome wardrobe
and are useful for storing smaller items,
leaving drawers free for other things.
To prevent hanging clothes from falling
off their hangers while in transit, use
an elastic band to keep them in place. SIMPLE
BR
K E E P S H O AC K E T S
You can also use ring pulls to hang
ES
THE FLOOROFF
more clothing from.

Awnings
Hanging shoe store organisers
can be used for all sorts of
items, including shoes, and
can be hung up in awnings
to leave space free in your
motorhome. They are also
low-cost and easy to source
online and on the high street.
Although there is less space
in the ’van for shoes, a simple
bracket makes a quick and easy solution
for storing one or two essential pairs.

Segmented cases

SECTIONS
USE PL A STICSPARES
TO K E E P E D
ORGANIS

Plastic cases with plenty of sections of
different sizes are a neat way of keeping
tools, fuses or batteries ready to hand.
This is also the ideal place to store useful
items, such as tape, screws and glue.

Caravanning
Clever Ideas
by Kurt Varley
costs £12.99 and
is available to
buy at tinyurl.
com/mryac7z3

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 29

18

&RQVLGHU\RXURYHUKDQJ

It’s not totally surprising that some
coachbuilt motorhomes can have
an unusually long rear overhang (the
space between the rear wheels and
the end of the vehicle).
After all, the longest versions
of the most common base vehicles
that today’s motorhomes are built
on mostly come in at under 7m.
Only the Mercedes Sprinter can
have an external length of over 7m,
and its longest version is rarely used.
So if your coachbuilt motorhome
has an overall length of well over
7m, then the rear of this is bound
to be extended chassis.
More expensive models may have
their own chassis, which alleviates
this problem. That is also why they
can take more weight in the garage.
Is this situation likely to affect
your driving experience? In three
ways, possibly, but none of them
very serious – if you are sensible.
The back of a vehicle with a long
overhang might be more subject to
buffeting crosswinds. But you can
easily anticipate these if you are
ready for them.
You might also have a problem
trying to get such a vehicle around
a sharp corner and into a narrow

opening. The wheels may make it,
but the overhang may not. Again,
you should always use your own
judgment here before making the turn.
The main way there could be a
problem is on ferry ramps, sharp
humpback bridges or even some
speed ramps.
The sudden change in gradient
might be enough to make the rear
of the vehicle hit the road surface.
Approach such hazards slowly,
however, and you should reduce
the likelihood of an impact.

N
TAKE C ARE O
S!
P
F E R RY R A M

19 /HDUQDERXWOHYHOOLQJ
Is it worth taking levelling blocks with you
on tour? The answer really depends on
how well you sleep – and how long you
like to spend in the shower!
Motorhoming is meant to be all about
getting up and going, so it may seem odd
to spend time ramping your wheels up
to just the right height, when you might
only be staying for one night.
But levelling blocks are a wise idea
if you are the kind of person who finds
it difficult to sleep on anything but
a totally level surface, particularly if the
peculiarities of the pitch mean that you
end up sleeping with your head lower
than your feet.
They are also a good thing to use if
the shower tray in your motorhome’s
washroom only has one drainage hole,
but you have a desire (and a full enough

30 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

fresh-water tank!) to take a long
shower. If you haven’t levelled the
motorhome first, and the drainage
hole is not at the lowest point of the
shower, the tray can fill up with
water and potentially overflow
quicker than you think.
Even if the hole is at the bottom,
the narrow pipes mean that
water will take longer to drain
away than at home. These
are the reasons why posher
motorhomes have two drain holes.
So yes, go ahead and level - having
made sure that once you are level,
you won’t need to move again.
It can be a tad annoying to get your
vehicle perfectly level, only to realise
that your water tank needs filling.
Trust us - we speak from experience!

You could have a levelling device
retrofitted to your ’van. But this costs
well into four figures, and not every
base vehicle can be easily adapted.

21 WAYS TO BE A BETTER MOTORHOMER

7RXUOLNHDSUR
20 LQDOOZHDWKHUV
Most driving advice is simply a matter of applying common sense, such as
checking the weather before you set off and reducing speed in bad conditions.
But there’s always something to be said for well-meaning hints and tips…

Wind
Although it’s a very good rule of thumb whatever the weather, keeping heavy
items low down in the ’van is especially important when it’s windy. Stashing
them close to the axles can help with your stability if a gust catches you.
Check your route ahead of time and if it takes you down narrow roads or
along country lanes, you might consider taking the long way around instead.

Rain
If it’s raining, remember that leaving
a grass pitch might be slippery – you
won’t want to annoy the site owner
by churning up their grass, only to get
stuck. If possible, choose a slightly
sloping pitch that you can drive (or
reverse) off downhill, to give you a
bit more momentum to get going.

Heat
When it comes to breakdowns during
the summer months, the RAC calls
batteries “the number one offender”.
They also warn drivers that stop-start
traffic, increased short journeys and
charging devices can all contribute to
pushing your battery right to the brink.
It’s wise to keep an eye out for:
Lethargic starting
Dimmer lights
Longer turn-on time
Dodgy dashboard lights

6DYHPRQH\
21 RQWRXU
Perhaps this is more about
being a ‘better off’ rather than
a ‘better’ motorcaravanner, but
there’s no harm in trying to save
a few quid. Here’s our pick of
the money-saving tips:

Join a club
The Camping and
Caravanning Club
(£48 a year) and
the Caravan and
Motorhome Club
(£63 a year) provide
offers and benefits,
including access to
a network of parks, especially their
low-priced CSs or CLs, particularly
on weekdays.

Drive smart That means keeping
your speed regular and a little lower for
optimum fuel efficiency – use cruise
control and speed limiters to maintain
an even speed. Be sure to set the correct
tyre pressure, which will be safer and
help to reduce your fuel consumption.
Be aware that carrying a large tank of
fuel will have an impact on consumption
(do you really need to fill up to the brim?),
as will roof boxes or racks. Shop around
for fuel by seeking out the best prices
using apps such as PetrolPrices.

Sign up for newsletters Yes, you

You can avoid any interruptions
to your summer road trip by:
Replacing your vehicle battery
after three to five years
Avoiding lots of small journeys
Checking and charging your battery
before long journeys or after a day of
driving in crawling traffic
Buying a battery comfort indicator

could probably do without yet more junk
mail, but consider using a free email
address from Outlook or Google, separate
from your main email address, so that
you can sign up to receive newsletters
from travel companies, ferry operators
(P&O Ferries and DFDS have run discount
touring offers recently), tourist boards,
organisations such as the National
Trust, caravan parks and, of course,
Practical Motorhome!

Cold

Cards count Touring abroad? Then

You’ll need plenty of grip during
snowy and icy conditions, so it’s very
important to monitor tread depth if
chilly weather is forecast.
A cold snap can cause tyre pressure
to drop, which contributes to wear and
increases risk of a blow-out, so check
pressure regularly in cold weather.
Hot weather causes pressure to rise –
so we’d advise checking your tyre
pressure before every journey.

make sure you have an appropriate credit
card or multi-currency account to avoid
costly exchange rate charges. Consider
buying an ACSI card, which offers you
discounts of up to 60% on campsite
fees at more than 3000 different
locations across the UK and Europe.

Coupons, vouchers, deals
Sainsbury’s Nectar card, Boots Advantage
card, Tesco Clubcard… they all add up!

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 31

Inspirational travel stories, plus
expert advice, hints and tips, to help
you get the most out of your motorhome

IN THIS MONTH’S SECTION
35 This month

PAUL CRITCHER
Collating these travel pages is always fun.
I used to love putting together a scrapbook
as a child, and I still take great pleasure
in picking out fascinating stories and superb
photographs. These days I’m privileged to have
the chance to select world-class articles from
the many passionate motorhoming writers and
photographers who submit them. But even
though the team and I are used to seeing great
images, every now and then one stops us in
our tracks – for example, Marcus Leach’s photo
from Lake Van, in Turkey, on p6. That single
shot encompasses the Leach family’s spirit
of adventure as they follow their dream.
Read more about their adventures on p68.
PM is not just about exotic far-flung travel,
though, and there’s plenty to enjoy closer
to home – whether that’s summer getaways
across the Channel in France (p56 and p62)
or leisurely jaunts around the Isle of Wight
(p46), Pembrokeshire (p36), Dorset (p50)
and the Midlands (p42).
We particularly enjoy seeing where you’re
off to in your ’vans. In our Hotshots slot (p10),
readers can share their favourite motorhome
travel photos. Why not send in one of your
own? The winning photograph receives a super
set of travel guides. Just email your touring
photographs, with an explanatory caption,
to hotshots@practicalmotorhome.com.

Dates for your diary
A chocolate box selection of Easter events for the whole family!

36 Your Tour
Perfect Pembrokeshire
Looking for a short break after the long winter, Colin and Elaine
Burdett find the Welsh coast the perfect touring destination

42 Your Tour
West Midlands
Janette Sykes enjoys the wonderful scenery and splendid history
of Stratford-upon-Avon and its beautiful surrounding areas

42

46 Your Tour
Isle of Wight
Anna and Harvey Lyon discover excellent walking in the lovely
landscapes of the island, exploring coast and countryside

50 48 hours in…
Dorchester
Make the most of your weekend break in the charming market
town at the heart of Dorset, with our hour-by-hour guide

52 Special report
Meet our top 100 stars!
As we prepare to reveal our 2024 award-winners, we take a look
back at the brilliant Overall WInners from the past decade

56 Your Tour
Cycling the Ile de Ré
Seeking ideal cycling country, Elaine Ormerod takes to the cycle
paths to explore the gorgeous island just off the coast of France

62 Your Tour
Burgundy and beyond
Sonia Wignall enjoys excellent walking against a breathtaking
backdrop while touring in the spectacular French Alps and Germany

68 Big European Odyssey pt 26
Timeless Turkey

paul.critcher@futurenet.com
34 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Marcus, Kim and the children find their favourite wild camping
spot in the stunning landscapes of Turkey’s Lake Van region

News and events to put in your diary

Easter days out

Mother’s
Day treats
Celebrate on 10 March!
Hever Castle, Kent
Hever, the childhood home of
Anne Boleyn, is quite rightly
considered one of England’s
prettiest castles, set in 125
acres of beautiful grounds.
Visitors on Mothering Sunday
can enjoy a luxury afternoon
tea in the Tudor Suite Dining
Room. Tea tickets include entry
to the castle and grounds and
cost £64.50 plus booking fee.
hevercastle.co.uk
Stay at… Long Acres
Caravan & Camping Park
longacrescamping.co.uk

1

Easter Eggstravaganza
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
29 March to 1 April 2024
With everything from a truly
headspinning maze to stunning
formal gardens and magnificent
state rooms, there is a great deal
to enjoy at Winston Churchill’s
famous ancestral home in
glorious Oxfordshire.
It’s also the setting for an
egg-citing Easter weekend, as
the Walled Garden hosts circus
skills (1), balloon modelling,
bubble performances, bungee
trampolines and a travelling
vintage variety show.
The Easter Bunny will be there,
of course, and there’s an egg hunt
in the grounds. Tickets: £22.
blenheimpalace.com
Stay at… Greenhill Leisure Park
greenhill-leisure-park.co.uk

Easter Adventure Quest
Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire
23 March to 14 April 2024
Journey to atmospheric Whitby
Abbey this Easter and explore

the grounds, where you can hunt
for clues and complete exciting
challenges to track down Easter
eggs. There’ll also be traditional
Easter activities, such as egg
rolling and the egg and spoon
race. Tickets for the Easter
Adventure Quest: £2.
discoveryorkshirecoast.com
Stay at… Whitby Holiday Park
whitbypark.co.uk

Easter Eggstravaganza
Traquair House, Peeblesshire
31 March 2024
The Biggest Easter Egg Hunt in the
Borders will hide more than 5000
eggs! The hedged maze is the
perfect spot for an egg hunt.
There will be two separate
afternoon hunts for under-10s,
and an under-fives egg scramble
in the Old Walled Garden. Tickets
go on sale in March, with prices
to be confirmed.
traquair.co.uk/event/
eastereggstravaganza
Stay at… Tweedside Caravan Park
visitscotland.com

Longbridge Legacies
12 March 2024
The British Motor Museum
is hosting a special
evening to
celebrate the
Longbridge
Factory, which
gave birth to
hundreds of
historic vehicles, from
the Austin Seven to the first
Minis. Visitors will be able to
see a reconstruction of Lord
Austin’s Office, and a trio of
MGs will be on display. Dinner
is included and tickets for the
event cost £18 each.
britishmotormuseum.co.uk
Stay at… Harbury Fields Farm
harburyfields.co.uk

28 March New issue of
Practical Motorhome on sale!
Subscribe to have your copy
delivered – see p94 for details

Belvoir Castle,
Leicestershire
Explore the fine state rooms
and gardens of this impressive
estate near Grantham. For
Mother’s Day, enjoy live music,
pop-up shops and exquisite
flowers. Prices start from £86
for afternoon tea for two.
belvoircastle.com
Stay at… Wagtail Country Park
wagtailcountrypark.co.uk
Raby Castle,
Co Durham
Visitors to Raby Castle
over the Mother’s Day
weekend can enjoy a
guided tour followed
by afternoon tea and
a glass of fizz. Tickets
cost £35 and include
entry to the castle
and the deer park.
raby.co.uk
Stay at… Teesdale Barnard
Castle CAMC Campsite
caravanclub.co.uk

practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 35

Getty

PERFECT
L

onging to get away after what had seemed
like a never-ending winter, we at last saw
a forecast for a few bright, sunny days ahead.
So having quickly loaded the ’van, we set off for
one of our favourite campsites in West Wales.
After about an hour and a half battling against
a 40mph headwind, we eventually made it to
Little Kings Holiday Park, just off the A477, about
15 minutes north of Tenby. Having pitched the
’van, we decided to relax over a leisurely lunch
before setting off to explore the area.

Ambling about in Amroth
Duration
Four nights
When
Spring 2023
Why?
Revisiting favourite
haunts in a beautiful
part of the world

Our first stop was the small coastal village of
Amroth. Since our last visit, the winter storms
had been at work and the bank of stones adjacent
to the access footpath had been made even higher
by the relentless pounding of the sea and the large
amounts of wood that had washed over the top.
The concrete ramp down to the sandy foreshore
remained intact, however, and with a bit of rather
judicious walking between the stones, we were
still able to reach the beach, where many other
visitors were enjoying a walk on the sands, while
dogs bounded about, having a whale of a time.

36 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

I’m sure that by the start of the Easter holidays,
the local council will have tidied up the pathway
to allow full access once again. Despite all that,
this remains one of our favourite spots to visit,
and with a Pay & Display car park tucked away
behind the shops and cafés, there is normally
no problem finding a place to park.
The road through the village is lined with small
shops and cafés, with The Smugglers Bar & Grill
at one end and the Amroth Arms pub at the other.
We have eaten at the latter several times and in
summer, they do not take bookings, so it is a case
of first come, first served!
Amroth is a popular spot for locals and visitors,
and during the warmer weather, tables and chairs
are placed on the beach side of the road, and the
cafés and pubs all do a roaring trade in delicious
breakfast rolls and light lunches.
While strolling along the promenade, do look
out for ‘Bertie the Sea Bass’, a huge stainless-steel
sculpture filled with plastic litter collected by
volunteers from local beaches, to highlight the
growing problem of sea pollution.
Having had our daily dose of fresh air and good
exercise, we headed back to the site for a relaxing

TRAVEL PEMBROKESHIRE

1

2

from pizzas to curries and burgers, on different
nights. You are also welcome to bring the food
into the Tavern and enjoy a sit-down meal,
accompanied by a pint of the local ale.

Off to the seaside

After the long winter, Colin and
Elaine Burdett find a springtime
break in Wales the ideal tonic

afternoon. Later in the evening, we went to the
campsite’s Tavern, where we were pleased to find
a takeaway pizza van in attendance. That was our
evening meal sorted!
After enjoying our food in the Tavern, washed
down with a couple of beers, we headed back to
the ’van for an early night.
Before the pandemic, the Tavern provided its
own great value evening meals, but this has now
stopped. However, the park owners ensure that
in the busier months, a choice of local takeaway
vans visits the site, offering a range of meals,

3

The weekend we were there coincided with the
clocks going forward for summer, so we found
ourselves still up and about somewhat later
than usual, but the sun was shining and we
were really determined to make the most of
the good weather while it lasted.
The pretty little resort of Saundersfoot is only
a 15-minute drive from the site, so next day, we
hit the road and headed there. We found the best
route was to drive towards Tenby, then turn left
in the village of Pentlepoir. On the main road
through the village, there is a static caravan park
with an excellent site shop, selling a wide range
of camping gear – this is a very convenient place
to stock up on everything you might need, from
toilet chemicals to awning pegs.
It’s also worth remembering that just next door
is the Dragon Palace, a Chinese restaurant and
takeaway, which delivers locally, saving you
having to drive out at night!
There is a substantial car park in Saundersfoot
overlooking the beach and the harbour, which
is always popular. There’s another Pay & Display
behind the shops, and in summertime, there is
additional parking off this one, on the grass of
the local cricket club.

1 Tenby’s beautiful
harbour is a great
place for a stroll
2 Classic MGs at a
nearby rally were
cruising around
the local streets
3 Don’t miss ‘Bertie
the Seabass’, the
sculpture designed
to highlight plastic
pollution of the sea

Crabbing and ice cream
Saundersfoot has a lot to offer, including a long
stretch of sandy beach and a picturesque fishing
harbour enclosed by robust stone seawalls.
Stroll around the harbour (great for crabbing,
by the way) and you eventually come to the
Marine Centre of Excellence. Here, the Outer Reef
Surf School provides advice and equipment for
visitors to enjoy a range of watersport activities,
including paddleboarding, surfing and kayaking.
Just beyond this building, steps take you down
to a sandy cove, ideal for getting away from the
www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 37

4

4 Tenby has a huge
choice of traditional
seaside shops and
welcoming pubs
5 St Catherine’s
Island and Fort, on
Castle Beach, Tenby

hustle and bustle of the main beach, with its
numerous ice cream vans and fast food outlets.
No such problems for us at this time of the year,
however, and it was lovely to sit in the pleasant
sunshine, enjoying an ice cream and watching
people strolling on the beach and paddling about
in the seawater pools.
For Elaine, the main attraction here is the wide
range of independent shops selling clothing,
handbags and jewellery. On The Strand, there
is also a larger outlet shop, offering a huge choice
of well-priced clothing and accessories.
I was much more interested in a group of classic
MG sports cars, which were taking part in a rally
nearby and were cruising around town, passing
local pubs overflowing with people enjoying their
drinks in the sunshine.

Timeless Tenby
No trip to this part of Pembrokeshire would be
complete without a visit to Tenby, the most
popular seaside town in the area.
After a morning spent relaxing in the ’van,
we set off to revisit some of our favourite haunts
(numerous car parks in Tenby have extended bays
for motorhomes; for more information, see www.
pembrokeshire.gov.uk/parking-in-pembrokeshire/
motor-homes). We were lucky to quickly find a
spot and made our way to the main shopping area.
We were immediately assailed with all of the
sights and sounds of a traditional seaside resort
– colourful displays of beach goods, the alluring
smell of fish & chips, and the sight of many
visitors enjoying their ice cream.
We wandered down to the harbour area and
found that the tide was out, exposing the sandy
shoreline, from where you can walk across to
38 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

5

North Beach, passing the moored fishing boats
and leisure craft. Later, walking back up, we
discovered the Tudor Merchant’s House. This is
hidden away in a side street, Quay Hill, leading
to the harbour from the main square.
Dating back to the 15th century, the house,
which is now owned by the National Trust,
recreates the daily life of a prosperous trader
and provides a fascinating insight into living in
the Middle Ages. Opening times are restricted,
though, so check on their website before visiting.

Time for a tea break
Having worked up a thirst, we set off in search
of refreshments and chanced upon Caffè Vista.
This small café is on Crackwell Street, which leads
down to the harbour, and comes complete with
an outdoor seating area, offering spectacular
views over Tenby Harbour and North Beach.
Service is excellent and the menu is good, with
everything from hearty breakfasts to delicious
cakes and pastries, all with a Continental twist.
However, if you fancy something a bit more
substantial, we would recommend On George’s
restaurant, on (believe it or not) George’s Street.
Here they prepare simple dishes, with plenty of
seafood on the excellent menu.
Next morning, after another peaceful night,
we decided to try something different and headed
west along the A477. Friends had recommended
visiting a small village, Lawrenny, where there
are charming quayside tearooms overlooking
the upper reaches of the River Cleddau.
This is where the tributary rivers Cresswell and
Carew merge before entering the Cleddau, which
then winds its way past Pembroke Dock and the oil
refineries of Milford Haven, to join the Irish Sea.

TRAVEL PEMBROKESHIRE

6

surrounded by woodland, looking absolutely
perfect for avoiding the Revenue officers. These
days, the river is used for much more peaceful
pursuits, with a steady stream of leisure boats
pottering about on the river or heading out to
sea for a full day’s sailing.
That evening, we met up with friends to enjoy
an evening meal at a country pub. They suggested
The Carew Inn, a pub in the village of Carew, less
than a mile from the A477.
After enjoying a delightful dinner with them,
we headed back to the campsite; but not until
we had made a mental note to return one day to
explore the old castle and the ancient tidal mill next
door, which is one of only five in the
UK and the only one in Wales.

Ferry crossings

It is an interesting drive,
because the road gradually
becomes narrower and
traverses ancient woodlands, before passing
the pretty village of Cresswell Quay and then
going on to Lawrenny Quay (those with a larger
coachbuilt may well want to avoid this route).

Woodland views
Although this turned out to be a longer journey
than expected, we were well rewarded when
we arrived, and – after parking up safely at the
side of the road – decided to relax at a rustic café
table with tea and cakes, overlooking the river.
Looking around the setting, it was so easy to
imagine the furtive activities of local smugglers
in days gone by, with numerous small creeks

Our next port of call was Pembroke
Dock, a bustling riverside town
which has the best choice of local
supermarkets to stock up on food
and other supplies.
Hobbs Point, a small area by the
River Cleddau, was originally built
for the ferry crossings. From the old
pier, the packet ferries use to depart
for Ireland, providing a service that
lasted from the 1830s until 1848.
In the 1930s, a paddle steamer
route was established to ferry both
passengers and vehicles across the
river. This service, along with other boats,
continued until the Cleddau Bridge was
completed and opened in 1975.
Originally a toll bridge, today there are no
charges, and motorists and other visitors can
enjoy the really spectacular views over the river.
Pembroke Dock continues to provide the
departure point for Irish Ferries services crossing
to Rosslare in County Wexford, and we enjoyed
watching one such ship from our vantage point
in the car park at Hobbs Point, as it cruised up
the river before docking at the ferry terminal.
Having crossed over the magnificent Cleddau
Bridge, we made our way across to Milford

7

6 The ancient Tudor
Merchant’s House
7 Peaceful and
picturesque
Lawrenny Quay
www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 39

TRAVEL PEMBROKESHIRE

8 Milford Haven’s
modern marina,
now complete with
floating hotel rooms!
9 The Amroth Arms
is a great place
to eat, but it’s best
to get there early

Haven. Historically, the town has always been
favoured as a port, mainly because of its wide
deep-water channel and the sheltering hills
that enclose it on either side.
Originally a centre for the fishing industry,
Milford Haven was transformed into a naval
dockyard and then in the 1960s, took on a new
lease of life for commercial tankers, following
the construction of nearby oil refineries.
Today, the old docks have once more been
transformed, into a modern marina complete
with shops and restaurants in new buildings

8

designed to echo the old dockside warehouses,
some of which have also been retained.
We took a stroll along the waterfront (parking is
available at Mackerel Quay), while enjoying an ice
cream in the warm sunshine. There’s plenty of
interest to see here, such as one enterprising hotel
that has built a row of floating rooms, accessed
from the walkway running alongside the docks.

Haven and Haverfordwest
As the fine weather was holding, we extended
our stay for an additional night, and decided to
venture further west to explore the historic town
of Haverfordwest on our final day (Castle Lake
car park has no height barriers).
Located on the banks of the Western Cleddau
river, there is a development of modern shops
on one side, then by crossing one of the many
bridges, you can enter the old town. The latter
features traditional shops, in the shadow of the
imposing castle, dating from the 12th century.
To the north of the town is Withybush Retail
Park, housing shops and supermarkets – a good
place to while away an hour or two on a wet day!
All too soon our enjoyable mini-break was
coming to an end, so we made our way back
to the campsite to start the process of loading
up the ’van once more, in preparation for our
morning departure the following day.

TOUR ESSENTIALS
WAY TO GO
From the east, the easiest way is along the
M4 until it ends at Pont Abraham Services.
The good-quality road continues as the
A48, and the route is dual-carriageway
all the way to Carmarthen.
From there, it was the dual-carriageway
A40 to the St Clears roundabout, where
we forked left onto the A477, signposted
for Pembroke Dock.
After that, it was single-carriageway
roads, but a bit further on, a new stretch
of road cuts through lovely countryside,
avoiding the previously long, arduous
crawl through the villages of Llanddowror
and Red Roses.
Just before getting as far as the Kilgetty
roundabout, we took a left turn towards
Amroth and a couple of miles later, we
were driving into Little Kings Holiday Park.
If using sat nav, head for the nearby
village of Ludchurch. If travelling from
the North or the Midlands, go down the
M5 to the M4 and head into Wales over
the Severn Bridge, then carry on as above.

WHERE WE STAYED
Little Kings Holiday Park
Little Kings Park, Amroth Road,
Ludchurch, Pembrokeshire SA67 8PG

40 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

room and a popular pub, the Tavern.
The reception area also doubles as a
small shop for all of your basic needs.
Dogs are welcome inside the Tavern,
but must be kept on a lead at all times,
and visitors should be aware that there
are restrictions on where and when
your dog is permitted – a list
of dates is available on
the park’s website.

Tel 01834 831 330 littlekings.co.uk
Open March to October
Pitches A total of 66 touring pitches,
with a mixture of grass and hardstanding,
and including 20 fully serviced pitches
Charges From £45 to £65
Set in glorious Welsh countryside,
this immaculate, family-run,
17-acre campsite
provides a selection
of hardstanding and
grass pitches.
If you really want
to be spoilt, you can
opt for one of the fully
serviced pitches, which
provide water, waste water
drainage and hook-up, on a
level hardstanding with stunning
views across the rolling countryside.
As a bonus, these pitches are blessed
with fine sea views and a picnic bench
on a grassy area to one side – what more
could you possibly want?
Elsewhere on the site, there are play
areas for the children, a football pitch,
a dog-walk and a picnic zone.
The main reception block provides a
heated indoor pool, as well as a games

FOOD AND
DRINK

9

The Smugglers
Bar & Grill
smugglers
amroth.co.uk
Amroth Arms
Tel 01834 812 480
Dragon Palace
dragon-palace.co.uk
Caffè Vista Tel 01834 849 636
On George’s Tel 01834 842 373

FIND OUT MORE
Visit Pembrokeshire
visitpembrokeshire.com
Pembrokeshire motorhome parking
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/
parking-in-pembrokeshire/motor-homes

1

Getty

Ŧ7HOIRUGŧVVNLOIXOO\FUDƏWHG
bridge was built in 1795 to
replace an earlier version
from the 15th century’
2

Getty

3

42 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

TRAVEL THE MIDLANDS

BLACK

Janette Sykes finds Georgian gems,
an ancient forest and much more
in the Midlands’ Black Country

G

azing at the rather puzzlingly low-profile
photograph spotted in The Queens Head
pub in Wolverley, I was transported back
in time to my misspent youth.
Suddenly, it was the 1970s and I was being
bewitched by the flowing golden locks and the
very distinctive voice of Robert Plant, lead singer
with Led Zeppelin.
There he was, at the height of the group’s fame,
with only his trademark tresses and the rather
restrained caption ‘R Plant’ to distinguish him
from fellow players in the pub football team.
I have to admit, it took me a moment or two
to return to the present and the real, rather more
cerebral, reason we had chosen to take a short
break in this pretty Worcestershire village.

Trip to the theatre

Duration
Three nights
When
Spring 2023
Why?
Discovering scenic
surroundings south
of Birmingham

1 Beautiful Bewdley
has a very relaxed
atmosphere
2 Staffordshire and
Worcestershire Canal
is home to many bird
species, including
elegant herons
3 Royal Shakespeare
Theatre enjoys a
splendid location
by the River Avon

After many years, my husband and I decided on
a return visit to the revamped Royal Shakespeare
Company theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon, and
Wolverley seemed the ideal base for a springtime
getaway, with the bonus of exploring the gentle
countryside in an area just south of Birmingham
that we had never visited.
‘Centrally located’ is a cliché usually employed
only by estate agents, but in this case, it was true.
Convenient, too, only a few hours’ drive away
from our home in the Derbyshire Peak District.
The village is close to the urban sprawl of the
West Midlands, but remarkably, very tranquil,
and our campsite was metres away from the
Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.
There was a designated dog-walk on site, but
the towpath was a welcome addition for our lively
Dalmatian, Zara, who charmed her way into the
affections of passing narrowboat enthusiasts.

Canalside walking
On our first day, we decided to follow the route
of the towpath for the pleasant canalside walk
to Kidderminster, a town once renowned for
the manufacture of fine carpets.
Our trail started just across the way from the
traditional pub The Lock, a stone’s throw from
the campsite, and afforded plenty of opportunity
for Zara to run around and explore.
We were surprised by how tame the resident
herons were, and how close we could approach
to capture them on camera.

However, it wasn’t long before we worked out
why – those canny birds were waiting for the
boats to pass by, so they would disturb the water
and bring the fish to the surface, all ready to be
snatched up in their beaks for a snack!

Georgian elegance
Truth be told, Kidderminster probably isn’t the
most attractive town for tourists, although it has
its fair share of shops, cafés and bars.
We much preferred the relaxed ambience and
Georgian elegance of Bewdley, on the banks of
the Severn, just three miles to the west (we
managed to park on a side road off Load Street,
but motorhome parking is tricky here).
Birthplace of Stanley Baldwin, prime minister
from 1935 to 1937, its name is sadly synonymous
with flooding over the centuries, and many historic
properties flanking the river have no carpets, and
hooks on the ceilings, so that furniture and other
precious possessions can be hoisted clear of harm.
Some of the worst floods in living memory
happened here in 1947, 1968 and 2000, although
thankfully, the threat has since subsided, thanks
to defences introduced in 2006.

Architectural charms
The name Bewdley is an English corruption of the
French beau lieu, meaning beautiful place, and the
town’s many architectural charms are enhanced by
Thomas Telford’s bridge, built in 1795 to replace an
earlier version from the 15th century.
There’s an authentic community feeling about
the place, reinforced by the regular events held
throughout the year, such as Bewdley Regatta
in July, Bewdley Festival – featuring a varied
programme of music, comedy, drama, art and
talks – in October, a twice-yearly artisan riverside
market and the hugely popular Christmas lights
for the festive season.
The town also has its own, equally popular,
Bewdley Brewery and offers an excellent selection
of good places to eat and drink, including the
famous Merchants Fish Restaurant.
A riverside stroll on a sunny spring day is a
treat, as is the free-to-enter Bewdley Museum,
something of a hidden gem.
As well as delving into the town’s rich history,
it tells the story of the surrounding Wyre Forest
in an engaging way. With a wonderfully calming
www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 43

Getty

‘It’s a green oasis,
enjoyed by hikers,
runners, cyclists
and horse-riders’

4
4 Wyre Forest is one
of the UK’s largest
ancient woodlands
5 The Other Place,
the RSC’s studio
theatre
6 The beautiful River
Avon at Stratford

sensory herb garden and water feature, it backs
on to the fine Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens,
and is a lovely place to relax over breakfast, lunch
or afternoon tea, all featuring locally sourced and
seasonal produce, at the Garden Kitchen café.
The 18th-century buildings incorporate a
butcher’s shambles and a brass foundry, and
there’s a craft studio, where visitors can watch
local artisans at work, as well as having the
opportunity to buy their ‘Made in the Museum’
items in the gift shop.
Just outside Bewdley, we took Zara for a very
enjoyable stroll in the Wyre Forest, one of the
UK’s largest ancient woodlands, spanning more
than 1400 hectares.
Straddling the border of Shropshire and
Worcestershire, the ‘Foresta de Wyre’ was first
mentioned in the Domesday Book in the 11th
century. In the past, it has been an important
location for hunting, charcoal burning, timber,
coppicing and fruit growing.

Accessible forest trails
Nowadays, Forestry England, Natural England,
Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and various local
landowners work in partnership to restore the
area to native woodland, and one result is that
it supports notable wildlife species, such as the
dormouse, the grass snake, the pied fly-catcher
and the lesser-spotted woodpecker.
This is also a green oasis, enjoyed by hikers,
runners, cyclists and horse-riders. For those
who seek more of a challenge, there’s a Go Ape
high-wire adventure course, while younger
children can enjoy regular forest school and
nature play sessions.
Much of the forest’s trail network is accessible
to all, and there are three clearly waymarked
walking routes, starting from the visitor centre
44 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

5

6

TRAVEL THE MIDLANDS

House and gardens
It was a fine day, so we lunched al fresco in the
Stableyard, and then took it in turns to visit the
house and the gardens without Zara (note that
although Hanbury Hall has a two pawprint
rating, dogs are not allowed in either).
The highlight inside the house was a series
of classical, recently restored wall and ceiling
paintings by Sir James Thornhill, while outside,
the splendid topiary and hedge framework of the
Great Garden, which was first created by George
London in the early 1700s, has been faithfully
reproduced for present-day visitors.
The final day of our trip took us down the M40
to Stratford-upon-Avon and our evening date
with the Royal Shakespeare Company. We had
decided beforehand to make a full day of it, and
after parking in the Riverside Coach & Lorry Park
(CV37 6YY), we took a short stroll around town
and then followed the Riverside Heritage Trail.

Industrial heritage
This alternative take on Shakespeare’s home town
gave us a fascinating insight into its commercial and
industrial past, which owes much of its success to
major infrastructure, such as the Stratford Canal
and the Great Western Railway.
Following the banks of the River Avon, it is an
enjoyable and leisurely way to explore Stratford’s

7

The Camping and Caravanning Club

(forestryengland.uk/wyre-forest). We opted for
the 5km Buzzard Trail, through mixed woodland
and an arboretum featuring 100 species, including
a rare Whitty Pear, descended from an original
specimen dating back to 1677.
At the end of this very pleasant walk, the
dog-wash proved extremely useful before we
paused for soup and sandwiches at the bustling
and welcoming Wyre Forest Café.
Another excellent location for a longer hike is
the National Trust’s Hanbury Hall, near Droitwich
Spa. Originally built as a country retreat for the
Vernon family at the turn of the 18th century, this
handsome house has both formal gardens and 400
acres of dog-friendly parkland.

built heritage and beautiful open spaces.
The route begins at Bancroft Gardens, next to
the canal basin, passing landmarks including the
Gower Memorial and the 14-arched, medieval
Clopton Bridge, then traversing the wide green
space of the East Bank before crossing the river
at Lucy’s Mill and Footbridge.
The mill was first mentioned in the Domesday
Book and was rebuilt many times, but is now
home to a modern apartment block.
The footbridge passes the Old Railway Bridge,
built in 1973, now the route of a relief road, then
follows Mill Lane to Holy Trinity Church, where
Shakespeare was baptised and is buried. Farther
on are Avonbrook Gardens, once the grounds of
a school attended by Elizabeth Stevenson, who
became the Victorian novelist Mrs Gaskell.
Just opposite is The Other Place, the RSC studio
theatre. Southern Lane gives way here to Waterside
and some elegant 18th- and early 19th-century
houses, including The Ferry House, The Malt
House and The Black Swan pub, affectionately
known as The Dirty Duck.
Appropriately enough, the final stop on the
trail was the Royal Shakespeare Theatre itself.
After dinner at Café Rouge, we ended our break
at a superb performance of Wars of the Roses,
the action-packed – and often gory – climax
to Shakespeare’s saga of Henry VI’s tumultuous
reign. A fitting, if rather adversarial, finale for
a Yorkshire lass and her Lancashire lad!

7 Wolverley Camping
and Caravanning
Club Site has
both grass and
hardstanding pitches

TOUR ESSENTIALS
WAY TO GO

WHERE WE STAYED

From home in the Derbyshire
Peak District, we travelled
via the A515 to Ashbourne,
taking the A50 and A515
through Lichfield, then on
to the A38, M6 Toll and M42
south of Birmingham. A quick
hop north from junction 4A to
4 on the M5 took us to the A491
and A456 and the outskirts
of Kidderminster, and we then
followed the A449 and the
B4189 to Wolverley.

Wolverley Camping and
Caravanning Club Site
Brown Westhead Park,
Wolverley, Kidderminster,
Worcestershire DY10 3PX
Tel 01562 850 909
www.campingand
caravanningclub.co.uk
Open March to January
Pitches 105
Charges From £10.20
This peaceful site just 60m
from the Staffordshire and

Worcestershire Canal has grass
and hardstanding pitches.
We opted for a grass pitch
backing on to the canal, with
hook-up. This well-appointed
campsite also provides a shop,
recreation room, dishwashing
facilities and laundry.

FIND OUT MORE
Visit Worcestershire
visitworcestershire.org
Shakespeare’s England
shakespeares-england.co.uk

FOOD AND DRINK
Garden Kitchen
www.bewdley
museum.co.uk/eating
Merchants Fish Restaurant
merchantsfishbar.co.uk
Wyre Forest Café
forestryengland.uk/wyreforest/wyre-forest-cafe
Courtyard Kitchen/
Stables Café
nationaltrust.org.uk
Café Rouge
caferouge.com

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 45

1

2

3

JUST
With its easy access from the mainland and everything from palaces
to gastronomy, the Lyons find the Isle of Wight to be a touring delight
46 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

TRAVEL ISLE OF WIGHT

S

ummer holidays always appear to be over
in a sudden blur as the hectic autumn term
at school begins in earnest. However, quite
often, good weather and decent daylight hours
continue well into September and October.
Bearing this in mind, our son Ben had booked
a UKSA Dinghy Instructor Course on the Isle of
Wight for the October half-term holidays, hoping
that the weather would remain favourable.
As Ben perused his course criteria certificates,
we boarded a Red Funnel ferry for the 60-minute
crossing from Southampton to Cowes, the most
northerly point on the island.
Booking the ferry trip through the Caravan and
Motorhome Club and staying at Southland Club
Campsite in our VW California for six nights meant
we could take advantage of discounted ferry tickets
through the ‘Sail & Stay’ incentive scheme.
With full board paid upfront, we left Ben to
complete his residential Gold Duke of Edinburgh
section with his very own nautical adventure at
the impressive Sea.Change UKSA training centre,
based in West Cowes.
Temporarily ‘teenager free’, we headed off
to Southland Campsite, a 30-minute drive away.
After our first experience of automatic check-in,
we hurriedly set up, mindful of the approaching
dark clouds gathering above us.
A quick downpour provided us with a beautiful
rainbow and an opportunity to consider our first
walk – the somewhat wet-underfoot five-mile
circular route from the campsite, which included
a short section of the Red Squirrel Trail.

Duration
Six nights
When
October 2023
Why?
Exploring some of
the island’s excellent
hiking trails, while
son Ben trains
for dinghy sailing
qualifications

South coast sands

4

That evening, the site’s intermittent Wi-Fi caused
us little concern (although it would have annoyed
Ben!) as we studied leaflets from the well-stocked
information centre over a glass of wine, settling
in for a quiet evening with our dog, Lucy.
We knew that parking on the Isle of Wight was
expensive, so heading towards the south coast
next day for our first trip, we were not surprised
to find ourselves parking some way back from the
beach and walking into the traditional bucket and
spade seaside resort of Sandown.
Sandown rather merges with Shanklin across
Sandown Bay. With its beautiful golden sands,
quirky 1879 pier and beach huts, we found it sadly
let down on the esplanade by rows of neglected,
no doubt once impressive, Victorian hotels.
We later discovered from a local that these were
part of a continuing legal dispute and a campaign
to reinstate them to their former glory.
Buffeted by our esplanade walk, we left the Zoo
and Dinosaur Isle for those with younger families,
taking refuge in our campervan before making
our way towards the chalk slopes of St Helens
Duver National Trust car park. ‘Duver’ is an island
dialect term for low-lying coastline that is prone
to occasional inundation by the sea.
A short, clearly marked walk around Culver
Down offers a breathtaking vantage point for
views towards Bembridge and Sandown.
Harvey and I then decided to pay an ‘essential’
visit to the Isle of Wight Distillery and the Mermaid
Bar, on Pondwell Hill in Ryde, securing a bottle

1 The Red Funnel
ferry leaves from
Southampton
2 Excellent walking
on the causeway
near the Duver
3 The gate at Culver
Down, part of the
Ramblers’ Donate
a Gate scheme to
improve access
4 Anna and Lucy
enjoy the splendid
view on the Downs

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 47

We soon began to appreciate that whether you
are tackling the sea, 200 miles of cycle tracks
(mainly along disused railway lines), the 68-mile
coastal path or 500 miles of additional rights of
way, the Isle of Wight certainly has much to offer
those who love the great outdoors.
Next morning, enjoying the slower pace,
we visited the nearby Garlic Farm Shop and
Restaurant, where taking advantage of the
island’s record hours of sunlight, the Boswell
family have farmed garlic for three generations.
Completing the two short, gentle walks of just
over 2.5 miles, we picked up our garlic souvenirs
and a delicious cooked breakfast, setting us up for
the action-packed day ahead on the south coast,
with its promise of coves and coastal paths.

5

5 Garlic has been
farmed on the island
for generations,
owing to the many
hours of sunlight

6

6 Anna stops to buy
superb sausage rolls
at Grace’s Bakery
7 After muddy walks,
it’s time for Lucy to
don her drying robe
8 The distinctively
bottled gin from the
Mermaid Distillery

7

of Mermaid Gin for the holiday drinks cabinet
(after careful tasting consideration by me).
Away from Ryde’s Union Street, with its array
of locally owned stores and boutiques and views
of the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, the
east of the island appeared relatively
undeveloped as we approached another
National Trust property – the Grade I
listed Bembridge Windmill, dating
from the early 1700s and now the
only surviving windmill on the island.
Following our noses to Bembridge
High Street, we sought out the fishmongers,
bakeries and delicatessens to pick up some
supplies, before descending towards the
RNLI station.
This impressive building by the Solent, with its
wooden beach groynes, is where the coastal path
leads to Nodes Point and splendid views of the
famous Palmerston’s Follies (forts built in the
19th century and so named because they were
constructed at massive cost to defend
Portsmouth and the Solent against an
enemy that never came).

Bracing walks on the beach
With dusk falling, we made a slight detour
to the village of Seaview, a real gem of
winding streets and pretty cottages,
its Victorian mansions rising above
the rocky foreshore. Another
relatively easy, but bracing, walk
took us to Seagrove Bay, between
Seaview Beach and Priory Bay.
48 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Sea views and a circular hike
Our first stop, following a quick visit to Shanklin
to see the thatched cottages of the Old Village
and Rylstone Tea Gardens (apparently a good
location to see red squirrels), was Ventnor.
We parked in a spot with seaside views,
to enjoy a challenging circular hike in the bright
sunshine. We headed up from this pretty Victorian
seaside town and onto Luccombe, St Boniface and
Bonchurch Downs, adjacent to the highest point o
n the island at 236m, and home to Ventnor’s very
own herd of some 50 feral goats (introduced to
help control scrub and holm oak).
Afterwards, Lucy was content to don her
drying robe, and slept as we drove back to
the campsite.
The rain had settled in for the night and was
forecast again for the following day – our
thoughts turned to Ben, who texted to say that he
was completely waterproof and the course was
going well! So with sandwiches packed, we drove
back to St Helens Duver, this time walking
towards Seaview via Horestone Point and the
privately owned Priory Bay, accessed through
the National Trust’s Priory Woods.

Muddy marshes and flood warnings
Drying off after a visit to Bembridge Harbour to
look at the houseboats, we headed for Yarmouth.
This is a good base for exploring, although after
the muddy, marshy, Yar Estuary and Freshwater
Way circular walk, we were glad Grace’s Bakery
was open, for the best sausage rolls ever!
Now refuelled, we turned for home through
Yarmouth, with its beautiful Grade II listed pier.
With severe flood warnings all around us, we had
somehow managed to dodge the deepest
puddles and arrived at the site to finish off
our day with hot showers and Rummikub
competitiveness.
Next day, having made plans the previous
evening, our ultimate destination had been
decided – The Needles Old Battery.
Making use once again of our National
Trust membership and a glorious sunny
8
morning, we stopped along the way to
see the 15th-century manor house of
Mottistone Gardens, a magical place.
Sitting in a sheltered valley below the

TRAVEL ISLE OF WIGHT

9

Alum Bay and The Needles
Heading for the western tip of the island, after
such a productive start to our day we were a bit
frustrated to find ourselves driving around in
circles – extensive flooding had caused seriously
long traffic diversions.
We abandoned the coastal route and eventually
found our way to Alum Bay and Tennyson Down
National Trust car park, where we stopped for
another circular walk from The Needles Old
Battery and New Battery, with spectacular
bird’s-eye views of the Solent. This Victorian
fortification, built in 1862 for a war that never
took place, was one of the costly Palmerston’s
Follies, although it was eventually called into
action during both of the World Wars.
Tennyson Down, blessed with magnificent
sunlight, made a very welcome contrast to the
military engineering, as Harvey and I hiked the
beautiful stretch of undulating countryside and
the heathland of Headon Warren, “far from noise
and smoke of town”. This was how the great
poet described the landscape in a poem sent to
a friend.
Here you can enjoy uninterrupted, far-reaching
views of the ancient chalk stacks of The Needles,
across to the New Forest on the mainland and
towards the contrasting shades of the ochre-hued
sands at Alum Bay. In Victorian times, pigments
in the sands were used for painting landscapes,
and these days the bay is a popular attraction.
Avoiding the amusements and the chairlift
at Needles Pleasure Park, we returned to the
comfort of the 1940s themed tearooms, for a well
earned pot of tea and scones, after an atmospheric
walk through ‘time rooms’, displaying the work
of the military stationed at The Old Battery, from
Victorian gunners through to World War II officers.
The New Battery, meantime, hosts a fascinating
exhibition about its use as a secret rocket-testing
site in the Cold War ‘race for space’.

Sailing towards success
All too soon it was time for us to drive back to the
sailing craft and boat building site of West Cowes,
also world-famous for the Cowes Week regatta,
held in early August.
After a gentle stroll on the estuary of the River
Medina and a quick cup of coffee, it was time to
collect Ben. Arriving tired but triumphant, having
passed with flying (albeit very wet) colours, he

10

handed over his sodden clothes,
keen to return to basecamp for a hot shower and
some R&R.
After Lucy’s final free run in the enclosed dog
zone on site, and with the sound of helicopters
overhead checking for flooding, we huddled
indoors for a celebratory homemade curry and
a glass of bubbly, reminiscing just how quickly
our separate holidays had gone by.
Our thoughts were also turning towards how
Ben, now ‘qualified’, might find employment
at campsite sailing clubs next summer. This was
a very exciting prospect, but first there was his
pertinent question to answer: “So did you and
Dad make plans about where we are all going
next?”. So it appears that we have a few more
family holidays ahead of us, where Ben will
need to be involved in the planning process.
Discussions definitely for another day, though,
because for us, there was the small matter of an
epic laundry pile to sort, while an exhausted Lucy
simply needed to rest her extremely tired paws!

9 Splendid views of
Alum Bay from The
Needles Old Battery
10 Harvey and Anna
stop to admire the
ancient chalk stacks
of The Needles
11 Southland Caravan
and Motorhome
Club Campsite

TOUR ESSENTIALS
WAY TO GO
We booked our Sail & Stay break via the Caravan and Motorhome Club,
driving from Essex to Southampton on the A12, M25 and M3 and then
crossing by Red Funnel Ferries to East Cowes.

WHEN TO GO
We went during the autumn school holiday, with ferries and campsite booked
in advance to avoid disappointment. Summer is the most popular time for
visiting the Isle of Wight, and the roads are busier in the school holidays.

WHERE WE STAYED
Southland Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
Winford Road, Newchurch, Sandown, Isle
of Wight, PO36 0LZ caravanclub.co.uk

11

FIND OUT MORE
UKSA Sea.Change training courses
Arctic Road, West Cowes,
Isle of Wight PO31 7PQ
Tel 01983 294 941 uksa.org
Red Funnel Ferries
redfunnel.co.uk
Visit Isle of Wight
visitisleofwight.co.uk

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 49

Caravan and Motorhome Club

Downs, these beautiful gardens
were still bursting with bright
pink and orange flowers.
We continued exploring on
footpaths through the rolling
countryside of Brighstone,
passing the Longstone, marking
the entrance to a Neolithic
barrow, and enjoying splendid
views across the fields towards
Compton Bay – apparently the
best place on the island for
surfing (but only accessible by
foot from the car park at the top).

DORCHESTER
S

teeped in history and surrounded by
lush rolling countryside, Dorchester
is Dorset’s splendid county town.
Once a successful Roman settlement, the
attractive market town now bustles with
history buffs and holidaymakers.
It’s also the perfect base for exploring
south Dorset and is just eight miles
from the sandy stretches of
Weymouth’s coast.

view across the town and its surrounding
countryside from the roof of the barracks.
Adult tickets £7.50, children £3.
keepmilitarymuseum.org

2pm Lunch break
Further along the charming high street,
you’ll find The Posh Partridge Café.
This family-run, dog-friendly
restaurant serves an excellent
menu, including breakfast,
lunch and afternoon tea,
all homemade using locally
sourced ingredients.
theposhpartridge.com

DAY 1

10am Roman rooms

4pm Ancient mysteries
In the heart of the town, you
can step even further back in time
at the Maumbury Rings. This mysterious
monument has served many purposes, as
a Neolithic henge, a Roman amphitheatre
and a Civil War artillery fort.
Stroll around the circular earthwork and
learn about the 5000-year lifespan of the
Dorset Council

Kick off a packed day of
discovering Dorchester’s
history with a trip to the
Roman Town House. This
ancient site was once part of the
Roman settlement of Durnovaria and
is still home to mosaics, hypocausts
and excavated rooms.
Then, if you wander just across the
road, you’ll see Hangman’s Cottage, a
surprisingly pretty 13th-century house
that is supposed to have been the home
of the Bloody Assizes executioner.
Here you’ll also encounter the charming
River Frome and you can trace the scenic
footpath right into the town centre.
dorsetmuseum.org/romantownhouse
britishlistedbuildings.co.uk

50 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Words: Jo Davies

site. If you’re there during the summer,
make sure you also check out HengeFest,
an entertaining, family-friendly day of
events and live performances.
discoverdorchester.co.uk

6pm Dine à la carte
With a mouthwatering menu of Italian
dishes, Al Molo restaurant is the perfect
spot for a leisurely dinner. Housed in a
17th-century building, the award-winning
eatery offers patrons an extensive à la
carte selection, a three-course set dinner
option or an excellent tasting menu.
The historic setting boasts two Jacobean
rooms and Tudor fireplaces, in one of the
few surviving timber-framed buildings
to be found in Dorchester.
almolodorchester.co.uk

DAY 2

12pm Just keep walking
Housed in an imposing Norman-inspired
fortress, The Keep Military Museum offers
fascinating insights into the history of
Dorchester and beyond. The artefacts
and exhibitions span the centuries, and
visitors can also enjoy a superb bird’s eye

Dorchester lies in
lush countryside

Hardy’s Cottage is tucked
away in pretty gardens

10am Literary connection
Before becoming a world-famous novelist,
Thomas Hardy spent his childhood on the
heathlands to the east of Dorchester.
Today, you can learn more about him by
visiting Hardy’s Cottage, where he wrote
Far from the Madding Crowd. The cottage
and its pretty gardens are managed by the
National Trust, preserved as they would
have appeared during Hardy’s time there.
Adult tickets £9, children £4.50.
nationaltrust.org.uk

48 HOURS IN DORCHESTER

WHAT’S ON

27-28 April 2024
Dorset Spring Show
This celebration of food, farming, flowers
and more, held at Kingston Maurward,
offers demonstrations, entertainment,
have-a-go sessions, and plenty of local
delicacies to enjoy. Adult tickets £15,
free entry for children aged under 15.
discoverdorchester.co.uk

5 May 2024
Shaftesbury Food and Drink Festival
Promising a day full of “food, fun and
frivolity”, this festival packs the pretty
town of Shaftesbury with stalls selling
local produce, live music and activities
– including an uphill Cheese Race!
shaftesburyfestival.co.uk

July 2024 (TBC)
HengeFest
This family-friendly day of historical fun
celebrates Dorchester’s ancient past with
craft sessions, medieval games and live
music, all hosted around the mysterious
Maumbury Rings henge.
discoverdorchester.co.uk

PLACES TO STAY
Getty

Moreton C&CC Site

Visit Dorset

The famous Cerne
Abbas Giant

This 120-pitch campsite lies in the
heart of Wessex, within easy reach of
Dorchester, Lulworth and Dorset AONB.
campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

Giants Head Caravan
& Camping Park
Not far from the village of Cerne Abbas,
this family-friendly campsite makes the
ideal base for exploring the surrounding
countryside and the iconic Jurassic Coast.
giantshead.co.uk

Eye-catching artworks
at Sculpture by the Lakes
Getty

Beautiful Athelhampton House
was originally built in 1485 and
has been exquisitely preserved

12pm Refreshments

4pm By the lakes

Just down the road from the cottage is
Hardy’s Birthplace Visitor Centre, home
to a cosy café. Neighbouring the ethereal
Thorncombe Wood, Under the Greenwood
Tree serves simple, wholesome lunches,
hot drinks and delicious cakes.
dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Among the waterways to the east of
Dorchester, you can find Sculpture by
the Lakes. Set against Pallington Lakes,
the 26-acre sculpture park hosts over
120 artworks. Visitors can also explore
the botanical gardens, brimming with
rare plants and fascinating wildlife.
sculpturebythelakes.co.uk

2pm To the manor born
A short drive from the centre is another
architectural gem, Athelhampton House.
Built in 1485, the historic manor house is
exquisitely preserved, with over 20 finely
furnished rooms. There are also 12 acres
of lovely riverside gardens to explore.
athelhampton.com

Twin towns
Historic Dorchester is twinned with
three European towns: Lübbecke
in Westphalia, Germany, Bayeux,
in France, and Holbæk, in Denmark.
The most famous of these is Bayeux,
in Normandy, renowned for its great
tapestry. The connection came about
because infantrymen of the Dorset
Regiment were the first to enter the
French town in 1944, as World War II
was finally drawing to a close.

6pm Off to the pub
Head for dinner at the Yalbury Cottage,
a cosy pub halfway back to Dorchester
town centre. This traditional hostelry
serves a fine menu, blending gourmet
elements with classic favourite dishes.
yalburycottage.com

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 51

TOP 100

SITES

PAST WINNERS
CELEBRATING SUCCESS

As we prepare to reveal our Top 100 Sites
for 2024, we take a look at some of the
brilliant overall winners across the years,
who continue to welcome motorhomes

T

Words: Jo Davies

rying to juggle a busy life and plan your next
touring holiday can sometimes be stressful
– in the end, it’s always worth the effort,
of course, but there is a lot to think about.
One of the most time-consuming aspects of
any holiday plan is selecting the best site for your
needs; there are so many to choose from, and it’s
tricky to know which ones come highly rated.
That’s where our annual Top 100 Sites scheme
comes in. Every year, we ask those who have stayed
at UK caravan parks to nominate their favourites;
we then crunch all the numbers, and our expert

52 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

team from Practical Motorhome also has its say, to
come up with what we believe is the best guide
out there on where to stay with your ’van.
Now we’re about to announce our Top 100 Sites
winner for 2024, and you’ll be able to find out who
took top spot in our all-new guide, which comes
with the next issue of Practical Motorhome.
In the meantime, we’re taking a look back at
our brilliant Overall Winners from the past decade.
Each and every one of these campsites continues
to welcome motorhomes – you’ll find their full
contact details within each listing!

Whitefield Forest Touring Park
Address Brading Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 1QJ
Web whitefieldforest.co.uk Tel 01983 617 069
Open April to October
Whitefield Forest took our
overall title back in 2014, and
it continues to impress – the
site bagged the South-East
regional category in our 2023
awards, too.
Surrounded by woodland,
this family-run campsite lies
between the Isle of Wight’s
eastern coast and its lush
green countryside.
Whitefield Forest offers
standard or fully serviced
pitches – grass and hardstanding – for motorhomes,
caravans and tents.

Each pitch has hook-up, is well
drained, and is sheltered by
the stunning woodlands.
The perfect spot for couples
or families, the park provides
a modern, heated facilities
block with privacy cubicles,
hairdryers, baby-changing
and accessible amenities.
Guests at Whitefield Forest
can enjoy exploring the site’s
beautiful woodland walk,
or perhaps visit the Squirrel
Hide to observe the abundant
wildlife, such as red squirrels.
If you visit in the spring, you

Winner in
…

2015 Winner in…
2016
5

The Orchards Holiday
Caravan and Camping Park
Address Main Road, Newbridge, Yarmouth,
Isle of Wight PO41 OTS Web orchardsholidaypark.co.uk
Tel 01983 531 331 Open March to October
Whether it’s because of the
site’s wonderful views across
the beautiful Isle of Wight
countryside, the luxurious
indoor heated swimming
pool, the takeaway food bar,
or the warm welcome that
guests receive on arrival,
hundreds of you told us
The Orchards was your
favourite UK campsite.
In fact, this park, based
in Newbridge, achieved our
Overall Winner award two
years in a row.
One of the best things
about The Orchards is the
campsite’s clever layout:

all of the touring, camping
and holiday caravan fields
are located around a central
area that houses the park’s
extensive facilities, so that
everything is within easy
reach for all of its guests.
In addition, you’ll also
find an outdoor swimming
pool, a well-stocked shop,
a pool table and lots more
to enjoy besides.
The tidy, sizeable touring
pitches here are a mixture
of grass and hardstanding,
and there are special deals
available that include ferry
travel to the island.

should also be able to enjoy
a sea of bluebells.
When you can tear yourself
away from this tranquil park,
the nearby Ryde, Appley and
Priory beaches make a fine
day out for the whole family.
There are bus stops near the
park and lots of walking and

cycling trails to take you
around the island.
For culture-lovers and
history buffs, there are
plenty of local attractions,
including the Isle of Wight
Steam Railway, Osborne
House and Gardens, and
mighty Carisbrooke Castle.

South Lytchett Manor
Caravan and Camping Park
Address Dorchester Road, Lytchett Minster, Poole,
Dorset BH16 6JB Web southlytchettmanor.co.uk
Tel 01202 622 577 Open March to January
It’s the close attention to
detail at South Lytchett
that promises to give you
the very best stay.
For example, no matter
which accommodation you
choose – bring your own
motorhome or tent, or stay
in the glorious Romany
caravans – you’ll be able to
use the free onsite Wi-Fi.
The well-stocked licensed
shop can supply provisions
or those last-minute
essentials, and the site’s
washrooms are beautifully
clean – they even boast
fresh flowers and music.
Some sites seem to forget
the experience of younger
guests, but children will

find plenty to entertain them
here, with a great adventure
playground and a separate
area for ball games.
Other facilities above and
beyond those of many other
sites include bicycle hire,
an off-lead dog-walk and
spotless family bathrooms.
The location allows you
to explore Dorset with ease.
Poole is within easy reach,
as are Swanage, Weymouth
and Wareham, with a bus
stop by the gates. Corfe Castle,
Bournemouth and the New
Forest are close. It’s easy to
see why so many of you love
this dog-friendly site.

Winner in
…

20175 Winner in…
2018
5

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 53

TOP 100

SITES

PAST WINNERS

Winner in
…

20195 Winner in…
202115
Winner in
…

202135

Eye Kettleby Lakes
Address Eye Kettleby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 2TN
Web eyekettlebylakes.com Tel 01664 565 900 Open All year
Three-times Overall Winner
Eye Kettleby Lakes, which
topped the table in our most
recent Top 100 Sites Guide, lies
near the charming town of
Melton Mowbray and boasts
excellent facilities, including
individual bathrooms with
that special sense of privacy
so valued by guests.
While the touring park
and glamping pods are
adults-only, families can
enjoy staying in the site’s
distinctive log cabins.
There’s plenty to do here,
too, with a bar and tearoom,
and no fewer than nine lakes,

including six mixed coarse
fishing lakes, two specimen
carp lakes and a private lake
for lodge members.
The popular Clubhouse at
Eye Kettleby Lakes serves a
selection of ales, gins and
food during the day, and
you can enjoy live evening
entertainment, too.
Many motorhomers love
touring with pets, and this
campsite really makes them
welcome, with plenty of
walking trails, a warm
shower for muddy paws
– and even a pet-friendly
lounge in the Clubhouse!

Old Oaks Touring Park
Address Wick Farm, Wick, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 8JS
Web theoldoaks.co.uk Tel 01458 831 437 Open March to November
What makes each and every
one of our Top 100 Overall
Winners so great?
There are a number of key
factors that always impress
you and our team of experts
– the winning site has to offer
a warm welcome, excellent
facilities, a good location and
so much more, to ensure all
visitors feel as though they
receive special attention.
And 2022’s Overall Winner,
adults-only Old Oaks Touring
Park in Somerset, does all of

that and more. For starters,
the site is in an outstanding
location. Set in rolling hills
close to the extraordinary
town of Glastonbury, it’s a
stroll from the legendary Tor.
The area’s long history is
even evident in the flora here:
the ancient Gog and Magog
oak trees stand alongside one
of the site’s touring fields.
And what fields they are!
Every pitch is a good size
and well maintained, while
central grassy areas in four

Concierge Camping
Address Ratham Lane, West Ashling, Chichester PO18 8DL
Web conciergecamping.co.uk Tel 01243 573 118 Open All year
The name clearly implies
hotel standards, and that’s
what you get at this small
campsite on the edge of the
South Downs, which is just
a 15-minute drive from the
historic city of Chichester.
Luxury is the hallmark
of this park on the Ratham
Estate, at the foot of the
South Downs National Park.
It offers touring visitors a
choice of 27 spacious, fully
serviced, hardstanding
pitches, as well as a number
of safari glamping lodges.
Each pitch is framed with
hedging for privacy and there
are three sizes available.

The campsite’s excellent
amenities include indoor
dish-washing, a launderette
and a luxury toilet and
shower block, where the
award-winning washrooms
have granite-topped surfaces
and complimentary toiletries.
Dogs are welcome at the
site and there’s a shop, as
well as pubs within walking
distance of the park.
This is the perfect base for
exploring the surroundings,
and within one mile, you can
find an award-winning pub,
well-stocked farm shops,
supermarkets and good
public transport links.

Winner in
…

20210
5

Winner in
…

202125

fields enhance the sense of
privacy and peace for guests.
The list of facilities is huge:
spotless washrooms, a shop
stocked with local produce,
bean-to-cup coffee machines,

a fishing lake, takeaway food
delivery, two launderettes,
fire pit hire, free Wi-Fi and
much more. There’s also a
300m dog-run, with a hot
shower for muddy hounds.

WHO WILL BE OUR 2024 WINNER?

Find out in the next issue of Practical Motorhome, on sale from
28 March, which comes with your Top 100 Sites Guide 2024!
54 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Duration
Seven nights
When?
May-June 2023
Why?
Ile de Ré is the
perfect location for
leisurely cycling!

And where better to enjoy getting back in the saddle than idyllic
Ile de Ré, off France’s west coast? Elaine Ormerod reports

56 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

TRAVEL ILE DE RÉ

D

uring a rally in Germany many years ago,
I met Joyce, aged 75, who was still riding
her bike, together with husband Ian, of
a similar age. Having always wanted a bike but
never owned or learned how to ride one, I did
a quick calculation and realised that I still had
20-25 years of cycling opportunities!
Inspired by Joyce, I bought a bike and at the
age of 55, proceeded to learn some riding skills.
I’m still not a confident cyclist, so I tend to look
for off-road routes wherever possible.
When Joe suggested we visit Ile de Ré, a place
we’d been to before, I agreed readily, because
we could see the island from a new perspective
using its network of cycle routes.
Our tour began when we drove through La
Rochelle to the toll bridge (costing €8 in the low
season) which links this strange, distinctively
shaped island to the mainland. There’s one place
where the island is barely 50m wide.

Our campsite was almost at the farthest
point of the island, at Les Portes-en-Ré.
After the friendly check-in at Camping
Seasonova, we were left to choose a pitch.
We got chatting to a couple from New
Zealand, who advised that the far end of the
campsite was more open and sunnier than
where they were, under the trees. So we
sun-starved Brits chose an open pitch and
set up – and then the heatwave started.
We had arrived at the site quite late,
so exploring was left until the next day.

1 The island’s capital,
Saint-Martin-de-Ré,
is ideal for exploring
on two wheels

Whitewashed houses
The charming village of Les Portes-en-Ré is a
short walk from the campsite. We were greeted
by narrow streets lined with whitewashed
houses displaying green doors and shutters.
The pretty streets led us into the central
square, where the daily market was in

1

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 57

2

4

3

5

6

2 Ile de Ré is reached
via a bridge from
the mainland
3 Market stalls in
Les-Portes-en-Ré
4 Elaine on the
cycle path to Loix
5 The lighthouse
dates back to
the 17th century
6 Herons abound in
the salt marshes

progress. We found clothes stalls, fruit and
vegetable stalls, and one that only sold olives.
We bought raspberries and blueberries from
a stall, cheese, and meat from a nearby butcher’s,
and then popped into the well-stocked Carrefour
Contact supermarket – where among other items,
they sold Jacob’s cream crackers!
In one corner of the square, we came across the
pretty whitewashed church of St Eutrope, which
was originally built back in the 16th century,
subsequently damaged during the French wars
of religion, and then restored to its former glory
in the late 17th century.
There are several splendid beaches nearby,
which can be accessed from the village or via
a handy shortcut from a gate at the campsite,
not far from our pitch.
But it was now time to get out our bikes, to
undertake a modest first ride – the eight-mile
round trip to the 19th-century lighthouse, the
Phare des Baleines, where there are also some
rather nice restaurants. This was a place we’d
visited before, but this time we arrived under
our own steam, which was very satisfying.
The name Phare des Baleines (lighthouse
of the whales) sadly refers to the number of
whales which have beached in the vicinity.
At 59m, this is one of the tallest lighthouses
in the whole of France, and it also has a spiral
staircase of no fewer than 257 steps, which we
climbed on our last visit. As you would expect,
there are splendid views from the top.

58 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

At the foot of the lighthouse is the Museum
of the Sea and beyond, the original, shorter
lighthouse, built in the 17th century by Vauban,
Louis XIV’s famous military engineer.
We paused at one of the restaurants for drinks
and inspected the menu while we were there,
before returning to the campsite.

Cycle paths on railway lines
We discovered that the cycle paths were formerly
railway lines, built for the general population and
for shipping grapes from the local vineyards to
the ports, and salt from the marais (marshes).
Les Portes-en-Ré has numerous salt marshes
nearby, with cycling paths traversing them.
We enjoyed taking a circular route through the
marshes, returning via the woods, where you can
observe many wonderful birds, such as avocets
and herons, along the way.
Having explored the local area, we decided to
visit the lovely village of Ars-en-Ré, where there
was a large market in progress, and a market hall
with all manner of pastry treats, both savoury
and sweet. We couldn’t resist buying tomatoes,
salad and a baguette, which we stowed carefully
away in our bike panniers.
The pretty harbour is surrounded by bars and
restaurants, but we ventured into the centre, to
the large square and the church of St Etienne.
It has a very distinctive black and white steeple,
which we could easily see from a long way away
as we pedalled towards the village. It was no

TRAVEL ILE DE RÉ

7
surprise to learn that in times past, it was used
to guide sailors safely into the harbour.
In the square we spotted a restaurant, L’Océane,
where we decided to stop for lunch – a delicious
meal of moules frites with half a bottle of wine,
and crêpes for dessert.

Having a capital time
The following day, for a change of scenery and
to stock up on fuel, we decided to take a drive
to Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the lovely port that is
the island’s bustling capital.
It is pedestrianised, with access for
vehicles restricted to the locals. There is,
however, an aire attached to the town’s
municipal campsite - parking there in the
summer costs €10 for 24 hours.
We walked through a shady park along the
ramparts towards a white lighthouse topped
with a red lantern, standing guard at the busy
harbour entrance. But annoyingly, it was at this
point that a lens fell out of my glasses, so instead
of sightseeing, we had to search for an optician.
Luckily, we found one in a street just off the
harbour, where my glasses were repaired quickly,
and gratuit! We then climbed further up into the
town, discovering quiet streets and charming
buildings bedecked with flowers.
At the top, we found the church of St Martin,
which from afar, looks ruined. But it’s actually
only the top section that remains damaged (by
bombardment from the English and Dutch fleets

in the continuing hostilities of the 17th century);
the remainder has been lovingly restored.
Returning to the harbour and feeling in need of
a meal, we browsed among the many restaurants,
choosing Le Belem. The food was very good, but
the service was a little slow.
Next day, with the sun beating down, we
embarked on our longest cycle ride, through
salt marshes to the charming village of Loix.
In the centre is the church of St Catherine,
which has undergone several restorations in its
long life (the date of construction is unknown).
Inside, I loved the model of a frigate hanging
in the nave and the modern spiral staircase.
Outside, I was rather amused to see a sign that
declared the restaurant next door would open
when the church bell rang for noon – it did, too!

8

9

7 The busy harbour at
Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Picnic lunch and a fine view
We cycled on through Loix to the almost deserted
Plage du Grouin, where we enjoyed our picnic
gazing over the arc of sand. After lunch, we set
off for Loix’s tiny harbour, with its old tidal mill,
then returned to the centre to visit a café that had
been recommended by our campsite neighbours.
Joe had a flan, and I chose tiramisu – we had
earned a treat! On the way back, we bought a bag
of the local salt at a roadside stall. This was well
established, with one honesty box for payments,
and another to provide change if needed.
Next day, we cycled to the lighthouse again,
arriving at lunchtime to sample one of the

8 The town’s streets
were a little quieter
9 Visitors can buy
salt produced on
the local marshes

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 59

TRAVEL ILE DE RÉ
tourists browsing the shops, to the market, built
in the 19th century but in the medieval style.
Later we cycled out of town, to the stunning
ruined Cistercian Abbaye des Châteliers, in an
equally glorious setting. Founded in 1156, the
abbey played a major role until it was destroyed
in the religious wars.
We cycled across the island on the following
day, to Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, on the opposite
coast to La Flotte – and what a contrast.
The trail took us down some quiet roads to the
peaceful village, with a large church at its heart.
We continued on to the Plage de la Basse Benaie,
then paused at Port Notre Dame to enjoy a picnic
lunch, overlooking the sea and the seabirds.

10

Beaches and villages

10 The pretty
harbour town
of La Flotte

restaurants we had seen earlier in the week. We
chose La Cabane, and we were not disappointed,
enjoying a leisurely lunch sheltered from the
searing heat outside.
Meanwhile, back at Les Portes-en-Ré, a major
event was taking place – the T24 Xtrem Triathlon.
The site filled with people ready to compete in the
swimming, cycling and running. I don’t know
how they did it in those temperatures!

Moving nearer the bridge
Having decided to move to a site nearer the bridge
to the mainland, we headed for Flower Camping
Le Bel Air, near La Flotte.
Next day, we cycled to La Flotte, locking up
our bikes at the harbour, filled with leisure craft,
to stroll around and explore. We walked along
one of the busy streets, packed with locals and

We then cycled to Rivedoux-Plage, which has
two fine beaches, north and south. Close to the
south beach is Redoute de Sablanceaux, a massive
fortification that has never been attacked. Built
by Vauban in 1673, it has a square, a gunpowder
shop and a guardhouse.
We paused for coffee at a small café on the north
beach, overlooking the bridge, where we watched
the fascinating progress of a farmer driving his
tractor onto the sands to check his oysters (the
island is famous for its shellfish).
Our final bicycle ride on the island took us to
Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, but this time we turned in
the opposite direction at the beach. This route
took us through the town of La Noue, then beside
the D201 to Le Bois-Plage-en Ré, where we found
picnic tables by the Plage des Gollandières. There
are several restaurants here and a boardwalk to
protect the dunes from erosion.
Reflecting on our trip, we realised the only
village we hadn’t visited was where we stayed
last time. I’m just so glad that Joyce opened
up the two-wheeled way of life to me!

TOUR ESSENTIALS
WAY TO GO
We crossed by ferry from Dover to Calais,
overnighting there so we could shop at
the nearby supermarket.
We drove to Camping Parc de Loisirs
Le Val Fleuri, at Cloyes-sur-Le-Loir, via
the A16 to Abbeville, then the A26 to J10,
where we took the D915 to Gournay.
We took minor roads, avoiding Rouen,
the D216 and D313/D316 to Evreux and the
N154 to Chartres, then the N10 to the site.
Next day, we resumed the N10 to Tours
and Poitiers, then the A10, exiting at J33
for the N11, which took us to La Rochelle
and the bridge for Ile de Ré.

FOOD AND DRINK
L’Océane
restaurantloceane.eatbu.com
La Cabane
9 Allée du Phare, Saint-Clementdes Baleines 17590
Le Belem
29 Quai de la Poitheviniere,
Saint-Martin-de-Ré

FIND OUT MORE
Destination Ile de Ré
holidays-iledere.co.uk

WHEN TO GO

WHERE WE STAYED

We visited Ile de Ré in late May to early
June. This popular island gets very busy
during the high season.

Camping Seasonova
Route de la Pointe à Chabot,
17880 Les Portes-en-Ré

60 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Open 1 April to 31 October
Pitches 109
ACSI price (low season) €21
Sizeable pitches, new facilities block and
a small pool. The snack bar is only open in
high season, but the village is just a short
stroll away. Outside the site, there’s a bus
for La Rochelle, but it takes a long time.
Flower Camping Le Bel Air
5 Route de la Noue, 17630 La Flotte
Open 31 March to 30 September
Pitches 110
ACSI price (low season) €19
Large pitches at this busy site. One facilities
block is rather old, but new ones are dotted
about the site. There’s a restaurant, a pool
and bike hire. The site is just off the main
road, but pitches are quiet. A short walk in
woods takes you to a local supermarket.

Duration
Part of a 10-week
European tour

Over a long, hot summer, Sonia Wignall journeys through fields of
sunflowers, alpine meadows and snowy peaks, then on to Germany

Why?
Superb walking in
a choice of settings,
including mountains,
meadows and forest

T

here’s nothing quite like a long overseas
tour to satisfy one’s zest for adventure,
and with the prospect of an extended
European summer trip ahead of us, the
Eurotunnel had never looked so appealing.
We journeyed first to the sunflower-filled
landscapes of the Burgundy region, where the
idyllic canalside village of Cravant beckoned.
This was the perfect place for us to enjoy some
lazy, carefree days. This region is an intoxicating
mix of historic villages, intricate waterways and
of course, wine! Simply put, it’s typically French
in every way. It has a real feel-good factor, not
to mention some excellent cycle routes.
We explored the glorious countryside with
the warm air on our faces lifting our spirits as
we paused beside the water. Simple pleasures!
At the hilltop village of Mailly-le-Château,
colourful swathes of sunflowers lined the canal
towpath. They were just beautiful.

1 Sonia stops to
admire the beautiful
Burgundy sunflowers
2 Cravant lies by
a peaceful canal
in lush country

1

2

62 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Boating is very popular in these parts and
we enjoyed watching the sometimes comical
antics on the water. It was great to see lots
of people enjoying the boats and the weather
and the freedom of being out and about.
Birds, butterflies and boats painted a pretty
picture amid the stunning countryside.

Hilltop towns with long history
We could have spent longer here, but Vézelay
was too tempting – a hilltop town famed for
its church and relics of Mary Magdalene. This
is another pretty place, and clearly popular
– the restaurants were full of outdoor diners.
Moving on, we reached the town of Autun,
which boasts a fascinating Roman amphitheatre.
A signpost for cascades took us into the hills,
where we soon reached an ancient structure,
which we later discovered was built in the first
century and is known as the Couhard Pyramid.

TRAVEL BURGUNDY TO GERMANY

3
The heat was intense, so it was no wonder
that the cascades were dry! We didn’t mind
too much, though, because the views of the
Burgundy countryside were striking.
We carried on to the charming town of Nolay,
where we found a historic market square that
was surrounded by beautiful half-timbered
buildings, all full of character.
But it was time to leave for the mountains.
The Alps were calling and, given the number
of traffic jams we’d encountered, we decided
the toll-roads would be our preferred route.

Alpine splendour
There’s something incredibly humbling when
you first see the majestic peaks of the Alps.
Driving along the busy shores of Lake Geneva
led us inland towards Morzine, a very popular
year-round resort. Nigel suggested we continue
along the Col de Joux Plane, a scenic alternative
route across the mountains to Samöens.
With the sound of cowbells echoing through
the alpine meadows and mountain goats for
company, the choice was a good one. We love
walking and the options here are endless.
Each day brought us new opportunities for
discovery, strolling in wonderful wildflower
meadows, where we felt revived by nature.
Here, the paths were well marked, and the
views? They were quite simply incredible,
breathtaking and mesmerising.
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval was no exception; one
of the most famous ‘Grand Sites of France’,
the landscapes resemble something from
the Jurassic age. We chose to follow the 8km
Edge of The World trail, passing a fascinating

4

5
3 Autun’s splendid
Roman amphitheatre
could hold up to
20,000 spectators
4 Crossing peaks on
the off-road route to
Col du Joly plateau

display of waterfalls, glacial streams and thick
forests, surrounded by the dramatic beauty of
its cul-de-sac setting.
Most spectacular of all, at some 4810m high,
was mighty Mont Blanc itself. This snow-capped
peak can be seen for miles, but at Chamonix,
we could admire its full beauty close up.
We also delighted in the glaciers that flow
towards the town, cracking and shimmering
under the glare of the bright sunshine.
Another find was Les Contamines-Montjoie,
a delightful mountain resort, from which we
reached the Col du Joly plateau on an off-road
track over the mountains.
We stayed the night to watch the sun rise,
which was a memorable moment. We weren’t
alone, though – by morning the parking area
was full. Mainly with vehicles carrying hikers
who were hitting the countless trails, which
seem to go on forever in this beautiful region.

5 Fabulous sunrise
over the Mont Blanc
mountain range

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 63

6
7

8

6 The spectacular
Col de Joux Plane
links Morzine
with Samoëns
7 The turquoise
waters of Lac de
Roselend lie in lush
mountain scenery
8 Made it! Nigel
admires the view
at the summit of
Col de la Bonette

We were pleased to find a more accessible (but
no less scenic) Tarmac pass to drive back down
to the cheesemaking town of Beaufort.
From there, we continued on to the turquoise
waters of Lac de Roselend. The views here simply
took our breath away, dazzling below the peaks
before rising over the dramatic mountain pass
at Cormet de Roselend.
Here, we found the car parks were packed, with
visitors out in force, many of them enjoying the
labyrinth of walking trails. We admired the fine
scenery, with its contrasting craggy rock faces.
The scale was hard to comprehend until we spotted
a lone climber, a dot against the mountain.
It’s a remote yet idyllic area, where wildflower
fields were filled with playful marmots, whose
cries echoed across the valley.
At the remote hamlet of Les Chapieux, we were
able to get our walking boots on and really enjoy

64 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

the fabulous surroundings, all in the shadow
of the mighty glacier that towered above.
From the Savoie region, we headed further
south to Jausiers and Col de la Bonette. This is
a mountain pass like no other, winding steeply
over 15 miles to heights of 2715m (8900ft), and
is claimed to be the highest road in Europe.

Mediterranean landscapes
The drive was simply superb, crossing landscapes
that appeared Mediterranean, yet mixed with lush
greenery. Although the road was narrow in some
places, we have driven on worse. The addition of
a calming lake, tumbling waterfalls and shepherds
herding their flocks made this journey so much
more than just a drive.
By the time we reached the summit, the land
had a volcanic appearance, reminding us more
of New Zealand than France. From here, we had

TRAVEL BURGUNDY TO GERMANY

10

to continue on foot. The actual summit was on
top of a desolate peak, reached via a shale path
to the circular stone viewpoint. Soon, we were
rewarded with amazing 360-degree views, while
the wind played havoc with our appearance!
Coming down off the mountain, we passed old
forts that brought us to the gorgeous village of
Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage. Here, our parking spot
overlooked the most delightful church, which
ensured an early wake-up call in the morning.
It was just as well, because next up was a drive
with a difference – the 15-mile Route des Balcons
at the Gorges du Cians. France’s celebrated balcony
roads are breathtaking routes cut into the cliffs.
This was an incredible drive, first taking us to
the fabulous hilltop village of Roubion, where a
motorhome parking sign directed us to a large
aire at a ski resort linking to the village.
In the village, we walked the cobbled alleyways,
where ancient buildings, their doors beautifully
decorated, cling to the cliff face.
Back at the motorhome, to be on the safe side,
we triple-checked its dimensions before we got to
the narrow balcony road ahead. We were good to

9

go – the only
thing in our way
was the rain! We
wound our way
along the gorge,
and then had our first glimpse of deep red rocks,
shining in the wet. Small rockfalls on the Tarmac
reminded us debris could come tumbling down at
any moment. Craggy overhangs of hollowed-out
rock protruded around us, and we navigated the
jagged tunnels with care, as we followed the river
further down the narrow mountain pass.
Watching the landscapes change as we drove,
it was like driving through an oasis or a tropical
paradise. An exhilarating journey!

9 Pausing for a break
during the drive at
the Gorges du Cians
10 Cyclists taking
part in the Tour de
France reach the
mountain finish line

A detour for the Tour de France
As we emerged onto a wider road, we noticed
a road closure sign – the Tour de France was
passing through. Enough said! The next thing
we knew, we were driving up the Col de Turini
ready to see the first mountain stage of the race.
Curiously, this steep, winding 22-mile route,
which passes through the mountain village of
La Bollène-Vésubie, is famous because of the
Monte Carlo Rally. Back in the day, wealthy car
owners would have themselves chauffeur-driven
across the mountains here.
It was great to join with other motorhomers
as we waited for the famed Tour Caravane at the
summit finish. Finally, the first competitor made
it across the finish line, followed by a flurry of
others. With helicopters filming overhead, the
cyclists were gone as quickly as they arrived.
Worth the wait, despite being over in a flash!
It was time for us to retreat, too, back north to
the beautiful setting of Lac du Bourget. We soon
found a good aire close to the shore at Bourget,
a small town on the southern edge of the lake.
www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 65

TRAVEL BURGUNDY TO GERMANY
Soon we were leaving France behind and driving
through the Black Forest. The Stellplätze, Germany’s
version of aires, make touring easy here.
At delightful Lake Titisee, we decided to follow
a walking trail from the tourist hub in the town
centre. This seven-mile route provides pretty
viewpoints across the water. It’s a region of lush
forest and half-timbered buildings, an interesting
mix of chocolate-box prettiness and majestic
countryside. There are also numerous spas here,
popular with visitors looking to relax after all of
the outdoor pursuits that are available locally.

11

11 Oberwesel is one
of Germany’s many
excellent Stellplätze
motorhome stops

12

Rhine and Riesling

12 Half-timbered
houses in historic
Bacharach are
well preserved

Even better were the excellent cycle trails, taking
us to Aix-les-Bains along a pretty lakeside route.
This was a gorgeous setting – clear waters and
mountain scenery surrounded us, and the lake
provided plenty of leisure pursuits to keep any
water babies happy. Here, the pavement cafés
spilled out onto the waterfront and this bustling
little place was the perfect spot for us to park our
bikes and relax for a while, enjoying the views.
Refreshed and refuelled, we returned to the ’van
and set off again, leaving Lac du Bourget behind
and heading into a different landscape altogether.
We were soon in wine country, where the Rhône
flows by immaculate rows of vines and beautiful
stone villages complete a picture-perfect image.
Before long, we reached the gorgeous canalside
village of Chanaz, where tourists can enjoy boat
trips or explore the busy, characterful streets.

Then it was back on the road, and after a couple
of hours we reached the mighty Rhine, where
we followed signs for the Riesling Wine Route.
The wine industry here is vast and vines cover
every inch of rocky hillside along the river.
Boats ferry passengers and vehicles across the
river at regular intervals. To add to the romance,
there are several castles along this busy waterway,
of both the fairytale and the ruined variety.
It was all rather magical, even in the rain.
Stopping in the charming town of Bacharach,
we explored the 16th-century buildings and
narrow cobbled streets. We walked towards the
rows of vines above the town, which rewarded
us with amazing views across the river.
In contrast, reaching Koblenz, we diverted to
the Moselle, a narrower, quieter river. We drove
along the scenic riverside route, where vineyards
still dominate the hillsides. It was not only the
wine that was in abundance – the Stellplatz was
full of ’vans, but there was room for us, and the
cycle paths here made sightseeing a pleasure.
We arrived by bike at Cochem, a town typical
of this region – fairytale castle, German wine
and half-timbered buildings lining picturesque
streets. A delightful end to a fascinating trip.

TOUR ESSENTIALS
NEED TO KNOW
This was part of an extended 10-week tour
from July to October. Some routes involved
steep, narrow mountain roads with hairpin
bends and might not be suitable for all
motorhomes or drivers. Always check the
road conditions and any vehicle restrictions
before attempting these journeys.
Our ’van La Strada Regent S Sprinter 4x4:
3.5 tonnes, 5.98 x 2.20 x 2.98m
Crossing Eurotunnel Dover-Calais,
via Caravan and Motorhome Club: £224
Tolls £80

WHERE WE STAYED
Aires in France
Gravelines
Parc des Rives de l’Aa
(30 minutes from Calais)

66 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Cravant
Parking Office de Tourisme,
Canal du Nivernais
Autun
Rue de la Maladière, Nolay;
Avenue de la Liberté, Vézelay
Samöens
Ski lift, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, €10 fee
Chamonix
Argentière at Gondola des Grands Montets
Les Contamines-Montjoie
Ski lift in village, or Col du Joly summit
Les Chapieux
Free parking in town centre
Beaufort
Tourist tax, 22 cents per person
Jausiers
Free parking at recreation area
Roubion
Les Buisses ski lift

Col de Turini
Camp d’Argent ski lift
Lac du Bourget
L’lle aux Cygnes, €5 fee off season

Stellplätze in Germany
Lake Titisee
Badeparadies Schwarzwald
Oberwesel
6km from Bacharach, €8 fee

FIND OUT MORE
Sonia and Nigel’s website
campervancastaways.com
Caravan and Motorhome Club
caravanclub.co.uk
Savoie Mont Blanc
savoie-mont-blanc.com
Germany Tourism
tourism.de

TOP 100

SITES

2024
GET READY FOR OUR…

The votes have been counted and
the data sorted – we’re about to reveal
our Top 100 Sites for 2024
Don’t miss the next issue
of Practical Motorhome,
which will feature your 2024 guide –
it’s better than ever before!

ON SALE 28 MARCH 2024

Returning to a warm welcome in Turkey, Marcus, Kim and the
children enjoy exploring ancient ruins in glorious landscapes
1 Stunning views
across Lake Van,
the largest body
of water in Turkey

W

e all seek something different from our
travels. For us, it’s become seeking not
so much a sense of solitude away from
the world, but rather a deeper connection with
the places and people to be found away from the
well-trodden tourist routes of Europe.
These connections tend to come about far from
the crowds, where the surroundings are a little
quieter, the pace of life a little slower and the
willingness to accept each other for who we are
a little more obvious. There’s no pretence, no
feelings of being a visitor; instead in these places
we are just people, our curiosity about where
we are matched, and often surpassed, by that
of the people we meet, who wonder why
we are roaming so far from home.

Discovering the world

ventured, the more travel has taken on a whole
new meaning for us. It’s here we’ve discovered
places where the focus is not on tourism, gaining
genuine insight into the culture and the lives of
the local people (as well as becoming something
of an attraction ourselves!).

Sweeping switchbacks
This sense of stepping into another life was most
evident when we first crossed back into Turkey
from Georgia, doing so at a remote border control
post used almost exclusively by haulage lorries.
The upside was that there were no queues in
the car lane, resulting in a surprisingly quick
crossing, by Turkish standards at least.
Once back on Turkish soil, the road
immediately climbs, and a series of
sweeping switchbacks took us to
the top of Mozeret Geçidi Pass,
at 2159m, and a blanket of fresh
snow. That was just too much
of a temptation for Dorothy and
Harrison, so we stopped to let them
play outside, while we sat drinking
tea in the warmth of the motorhome.

OUR
EUROPEAN
ODYSSEY

It’s for these reasons that our
journey through Eastern Turkey,
at times skirting the borders
of Iran and Iraq, spoke to us as
travellers, who have come to thrive
on discovering a world outside of
what many might consider normal.
Why else would we find ourselves
camped under a walnut tree in Doğubeyazıt,
overlooking the beguiling Ishak Pasha Palace?
It’s certainly not a spot for the all-inclusive
campsite entertainment schedule.
It’s not that we are against the ease and luxury
that mainstream European touring and its many
sites can offer, only that the further east we have

pt 26

1
68 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Wild camping by the lake
Our first destination – once we’d stocked up on
groceries – was Lake Çıldır, where, thanks to a tip
from a Swiss family we met in Georgia, we found
a wonderful wild camping place, on a spit of land
jutting out into the tranquil waters. The drive to
get there was truly spectacular, along a road that

SPECIAL FEATURE EUROPEAN ODYSSEY PT 26

2

2 Crossing through
remote landscapes
to leave Georgia
and enter Turkey

3

3 Driving by the
shores of Lake Çıldır,
where the family
found a wonderful
wild camping spot…
4 … and enjoyed the
most glorious sunsets

4

offers views across the water to the cirque of
snowcapped mountains that surround the lake.
We passed through two small villages, where
we were met with looks of puzzlement as farmers
herded their flocks of sheep home for the evening.
Clearly, not many motorhomes come this way.
Our arrival at the water’s edge coincided with
sunset, the sky suddenly ablaze with fiery reds
and oranges. We raced to the top of the rocky
knoll in front of us and sat huddled together
for extra warmth (it was -4°C outside), savouring
nature’s very own light show.
In years to come, we’ll look back on moments
like this, reminding us of adventures in places
we’d otherwise never have heard of.
One place we had heard of on the high eastern
plateau – the altitude rarely goes below 1800m –
was Kars, gateway to the ancient city of Ani.

5

5 Snowy mountains
surround the ancient
Church of St Gregory
the Illuminator

I’ve been fascinated with Ani and its ruins ever
since reading about it in a magazine several years
ago, which meant our route back through Turkey
was always going to include a stop there.
What we didn’t expect was to stay in the region
for quite as long as we did, discovering there’s so
much more here than just Ani itself.

A stop on the Silk Road
Dating all the way back to 1010, Ani was once the
capital of an Armenian kingdom, home to 100,000
people and such an integral point on the Silk Road
that it rivalled Constantinople in importance.
Today it’s a shadow of its former self, yet still a
place full of intrigue, offering a fascinating glimpse
into the past. The ruins, rather poignantly given

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 69

6

7

8

6 Now mostly in
ruins, Ani was once
the capital of the
medieval kingdom
of the Bagratids
7 Kim and the
children were
warmly welcomed
when they visited
a restaurant…
8 … to enjoy a local
speciality, Kars
goose cooked in
a tandoor oven
and served with
bulgur pilaf
9 Sweeping views of
the mountains at Ani
10 Flocks on the road
between Ani and
Kars, where sheep
are an important
source of income

their history, stand sentinel
above the river that marks
the closed border between
Turkey and Armenia.
We arrived on the day the first
snows were beginning to fall. A
frosty wind whipped at our faces as we roamed
around the vast site, trying to imagine the city
as it once was, bustling with activity as an
important crossroads for merchant caravans,
controlling trade routes between Byzantium,
Persia, Syria and Central Asia.

Mountain scenery
Some of the buildings here are little more than
a mish-mash of rubble, yet a handful remain in
surprisingly excellent condition, chief of which
is the Church of St Gregory the Illuminator.
Perched on a little rise, set away from the rest
of the buildings and with snowcapped mountains
in the background, it makes an imposing sight.
After marvelling at the stonework, Dorothy and
I sat on the church’s front step, drinking soup
from a flask and admiring the views.
The cold and the fading light eventually won,
though, and we were forced to head back to the
motorhome to get back to Kars in time for dinner
and a regional delicacy. For the past few days,

9

70 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

we had seen several shops
and vans displaying stickers
showing images of geese,
sparking our curiosity. A little
research informed us that Kars
and the surrounding Cilavuz Valley are home to
a unique breed of goose, which becomes the
centrepiece of a delicious dish served in winter.
It just so happened that we were there in time
to try Kars kazı ve bulgur pilavı (Kars goose with
bulgur pilaf), which is cooked in a traditional
tandoor oven. It was a fitting meal for us to enjoy
before heading south to another location that was
high up on our travel wish list – Lake Van.

Lake Van, close to Iran
Truth be told, I’d never heard of Lake Van before
we began planning our European tour. It was
over dinner with a friend, before we set off on
our travels, that we first heard the name.
But this was enough to pique our curiosity and,
having done a little research, it was firmly agreed
that we should include it in our itinerary.
Given our research was minimal, we knew little
more than that the lake is Turkey’s biggest body
of water and it’s located in the eastern corner of
the Anatolia region, near Iran. So it’s fair to say
that we were not expecting such spectacular

10

SPECIAL FEATURE EUROPEAN ODYSSEY PT 26

11

views as those that greeted us on arriving at our
wild camping spot for the night – there are also
a handful of campsites dotted around the lake,
but they weren’t open when we were there.
From where we were parked, the vast peak
of Mount Süphan, which rises up over 4000m,
lay to the west, and a string of jagged white
peaks completely filled the horizon across
the shimmering waters of the lake itself.
It wasn’t long before we were scrambling down
the rocky slope to the water’s edge to take a swim.
Or at least, that was the plan – given how cold the
water was, Kim, Harrison and Dorothy quickly
changed their minds, laughing at me as I flung
myself in, to emerge moments later, shivering
and very glad of the towel they offered me.
As idyllic as our spot was, after a few days,
our sense of adventure called us away from the lake
and east, to within a few kilometres of the Iranian
border and a town called Doğubeyazıt. Our arrival
in its bustling centre was met with looks of surprise,

12

‘Truth be told, I’d never heard
of Lake Van before we began
planning our European tour’

but we were quickly made to feel welcome by
everyone we crossed paths with, especially those
frequenting the same lokanta (see panel, p76) as us.
It was here that we were told of a quiet place to park
our motorhome for the night, under that walnut
tree looking out over Ishak Pasha Palace.

11 Lake Van in the
sunshine makes for
idyllic wild camping
12 The Ishak Pasha
Palace dates back to
the late 17th century

Ottoman architecture
The great palace itself is reason enough to visit
Doğubeyazıt. Dating back to the 18th century,
it combines a blend of Ottoman, Persian and
Armenian architecture, resulting in a splendid
complex of imposing buildings.
However, even without the palace, the appeal
of the Kurdish culture and of immersing ourselves
in an area and a lifestyle that were so different
from anywhere we’ve been thus far on our travels
was enough to warrant a few days’ stay.
But as with all good things, our time there
came to an end, which marked a return
to Lake Van, albeit this time travelling along

13 Kim and Marcus
admire the interiors
of the historic palace

13

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 71

SPECIAL FEATURE EUROPEAN ODYSSEY PT 26

15

14

14 Wild camping at
Yelkenli, where the
views are simply
breathtaking
15 Dorothy and
Harrison watch the
sunset at Lake Van
16 Marcus confirms
that happiness is
a lokanta lunch…
17 … and looking at
the superb spread,
you can see why!

the southern shore. And it was
here that we discovered what
had to be a strong contender
for our favourite wild camping
spot of the entire trip.
Following a succession of
security checks – there are
various military checkpoints
in this region, given the close
proximity to borders and the
past unrest – along the road
from Van, we chanced on a
little hamlet called Yelkenli,
which was made up of a series
of rather ramshackle houses
and farm buildings. We decided
to stop there in the hope of finding some bread
and fresh vegetables.
Unfortunately, there was no shop – not that
it mattered, because while searching for one,
we met Asli, who bestowed on us four loaves
of homemade bread and two huge bags of fruit
and vegetables from her garden, for which she
refused to accept a penny in return.
What’s more, she also advised us to head down
to the lake rather than going back to the road, a
recommendation we were not entirely convinced
about following. Not wanting to seem ungrateful,
though, we began tentatively driving down the
dirt track that led out of the hamlet and almost
instantly, saw why she said to come this way.

Snowy mountains, crystal waters
Away from the houses and trees shielding the
lake from view, we were met with an absolutely
mesmerising scene of snowy mountains and
crystal waters, out into which a crooked finger
of land bent, where the track led to a level patch
that was perfect for our motorhome.
It was here that we spent the following four
days, disconnected from the outside world, lost
in the beauty of nature and the stillness of time.
Our only interaction was a daily chat with
a shepherd who grazed his flock there, always
checking if we had enough bread as he passed.

Throughout our wonderful travels in Eastern
Turkey, we were continually reminded that no
matter what differences we might have in the way
we live, the food we eat, the customs we uphold,
the religions we follow (or don’t follow, for that
matter), or the languages we speak, we are
basically all the same. We are all people of the
world and all deserve to be treated as equals,
without judgment or prejudice.
Time and again we had small gifts bestowed
on us by people who clearly had far less than us,
but whose hearts were full of love and happiness,
emotions that will forever define our time and
experiences in this memorable part of the world.

All hail, the
mighty lokanta! 16
Throughout Turkey, you
will find the ubiquitous
lokanta. While the Turkish
word lokanta can be
translated as restaurant,
it more accurately refers
to the quick and informal
eateries that serve up
a variety of simple, yet
delicious, home-style
dishes. The advantage
of these places is that
they are cheap, but that doesn’t mean they are
not good quality. The food is almost always on
display in hot counters, so you can simply see
what you like the look of, order and then have
it served at your
table a few
17
minutes later.
On average,
a superb meal
for the four of
us at a lokanta
cost anywhere
from £12 to £20.

You can follow the full story of the Leach family’s Big European Odyssey, not only through Practical Motorhome but also
via their social media channels (@marcusleachglobal and @our.roaming.odyssey on Instagram, @MarcusGLeach on X
and @OurRoamingOdyssey on YouTube), as well as those of our Bailey of Bristol and the Caravan and Motorhome Club
72 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

The latest news and products
from across the motorhome
and campervan world

IN THIS MONTH’S SECTION
77 New ’vans

PETER BABER
Reviews editor

Back in the day, when I was a business
journalist, we often wrote about industry
clusters – groups of companies in the same
sector that were also located close together.
In recent years, one place that seems
to have taken that cluster theory to heart
is Slovenia. I’m not just talking about Adria,
either. Carthago now has two of its three
factories located in this small country.
Slovenian van converter Robeta made its debut
at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show
this February. And now Citroën has chosen
Slovenian manufacturer Bravia Mobil’s
SpaceTourer as the starting block for its new
Holidays campervan. It’s all very impressive.
I’d like to think a similar cluster exists
in Britain, at least in van conversions, along
the M62 corridor, particularly around Leeds.

Latest from the industry
Exciting developments in the sector include Coachman’s new
van conversions, and Citroën unveiling its rising-roof campervan

78 ’Van review
Laika Ecovip 540
This sporty little two-berth from the Italian manufacturer
manages to pack a surprising amount into its 5.41m length

78

80 ’Van review
Benimar Benivan 144
The latest offering from the Spanish brand provides plenty
of comfort for two on tour, along with a competitive price

80

Perhaps it just needs a little more publicity…
Email Peter via peter.baber@futurenet.com

Our tests explained

Here’s what you can expect from our reviews
Big tests
These are our most detailed
tests – we spend at least one
full day (usually more) inside
each motorhome, to bring you
our comprehensive verdict.
The overall score is based on the
views of multiple team members.
’Van reviews
Each issue we test new models of
all sizes – we then report back to

you in our regular ’van reviews
pages. This is the place to look for
the quick low-down on a model!
Our ’vans, our month
Practical Motorhome has
numerous long-term-test
vehicles – we’re loaned these
by manufacturers. We treat these
as if they’re our own, allowing us
to give you a full, warts-and-all
report over the months.

76 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

82 NEC Show highlights
Didn’t make it to February’s Caravan, Camping and Motorhome
Show? Not to worry, as we round up a selection of show stars!

86 Product review
Camping chairs
Comfortable seating is an absolute essential when you’re
touring, and we have selected six of our favourite models

The latest from the forecourts and the factories
Coachman launches van conversions
Hull-based Coachman has completed
its move into the motorhome market
by launching its first van conversions.
The brand, which unveiled its Travel
Master low-profiles at the start of the
decade, followed this up last year with
the Travel Master Imperial A-class.
It then launched its new two-model
van conversion range, Affinity Now,
at February’s Caravan, Camping and
Motorhome Show.
The Affinity Duo, based on either a
Fiat Ducato or a MAN TGE, dispenses
with a rear bench to provide a central
kitchen and a French bed in the rear
that extends sideways for use. Rolled
back, this provides a gateway to the
rear washroom, with a separate shower
cubicle, and easier access to cupboards
along most of the offside.
The Affinity One, on a Fiat Ducato,
has a rear bench with two travel seats.
Its French bed sits alongside a corner
washroom, but there is still room for
some cupboards down the offside.

More details of Xplore’s new ’van
Erwin Hymer Group UK has revealed
more about its new Xplore campervan,
including an OTR price of £74,999.
The Xplore CV X8, the first ’van to go
under the Xplore name, was unveiled
as a prototype at the Motorhome and
Caravan Show at the NEC last October,
although visitors were only allowed
to see it from the outside.
The rugged vehicle, based on a Fiat
Ducato, has a rising roof, all-terrain
tyres and a glossy black exterior with
extensive decals, and is part of the
firm’s plan to reposition Xplore as
a more youth-focused product.
Although the vehicle
2
remains a prototype,
EHG UK has revealed
that it will have a front
and rear lounge with
four travel seats, and
slide-outs to turn the
rear lounge into a double
bed. It will come with a
25-litre underslung LPG

1

The Harrogate
show returns

1 Coachman’s new
Affinity One is based
on a Fiat Ducato
2 Porcelain white
worktops contrast
with the matt-black
sink in the new Xplore
CV X8 campervan
3 The Harrogate show
returns in September,
under a new name

tank as standard. The kitchen should
include a three-burner gas hob, an
87-litre fridge and a matt-black sink
with a chopping board cover. Worktops
will be porcelain white.
The whole interior will be heated
by a 4.7kW Whale dual-fuel heater.

Citroën joins campervan market
Citroën is the latest car marque to
launch its own rising-roof campervan.
The Stellantis brand has teamed up
with Slovenian converter Bravia Mobil
to produce the 4.98m-long Holidays.
Right-hand-drive versions with a
2.0-litre 180bhp BlueHDi engine and
with an automatic gearbox fitted as
standard should be on sale at Citroën
dealers in the UK from this summer.
The Holidays is derived from Bravia
Mobil’s existing SpaceTourer vehicle.
The ’van includes a rear bench with
two travel seats that can be removed
to provide more storage space. It can
also be turned into a double bed
measuring 1.90 x 1.15m. The side
kitchen unit has a stainless-steel
sink, two gas burners, a 16-litre
fridge and a clip-on table, even
with sliding doors on both sides.
The kitchen unit and table can
be removed for outdoor dining.

The caravan show
that debuted in
Harrogate last
September returns
to the Yorkshire
town this year,
with a new name.
Held at the
Great Yorkshire
Showground,
The Great Caravan,
Motorhome and
Holiday Home Show
will be open to the
public from 6 to 8
September, and
for businesses
only from 10 to 12
September.
The event is a
successor to the
show that organiser
HERCMA used to
run at the Lawns
in Hull at the same
time of year. It had
announced the
move to Harrogate
shortly before the
pandemic, which
delayed the debut
for two years until
last September.
For further
information, go to
www.theharrogate
show.co.uk.

3

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 77

’van review

LAIKA
ECOVIP 540

This cleverly designed two-berth packs a great deal
of comfort into its smart interior, says Peter Baber

A

part from its association with the
famous Soviet space dog, Italian
brand Laika is best known for its
upmarket low-profiles and A-classes.
But the Erwin Hymer Group subsidiary
also offers van conversions in its more
sporty Ecovip range, including one that
is just 5.41m long – the Ecovip 540.
We went to see it at Choose Leisure,
in Canterbury, Kent.
The Fiat-based ’van comes with an
optional pop-up roof, which our test
model included, giving it four beds
to match the four travel seats.
Our test model also had a number
of other extras, including the chassis
pack (£740), which gets you a DAB
radio system, among other things;
the chassis design pack (£680) that
offers a black engine grille and leather
steering wheel; the digital pack (£2860)
that gives you a 10-inch screen on the
dash with a rear-view camera; and the
comfort pack (£2590), offering a door
flyscreen, insulated water tanks and
an improved kitchen.
Other options on our model included
an auto gearbox (£3470), 16-inch Fiat
alloy wheels (£660) and cab blinds
(£610). You get plenty of scope for
customisation with Laika.
But the brand is well known for
attention to detail, and you see that
immediately in the front lounge.
Would you prefer not to see or sit
on seatbelts when you’re parked up?
Then you don’t have to. Laika has
included a fabric cover that goes over
the rear bench to hide such things.
It’s a bit fiddly to remove, but it does
make the lounge feel more homely.
Then there’s the clip-on table. Usually
a table like this can only be removed

Price £87,590 (as tested)
Sleeps 2
Belts 4
Base vehicle Fiat Ducato
Engine 2.2-litre,
140bhp turbodiesel
Length/width/height
5.41/2.05/2.70m
(17’7”/6’7”/8’9”)
MTPLM 3500kg
MiRO 2722kg
Payload 778kg
Water (fresh/waste)
100/90 litres
Leisure battery 95Ah
Gas 2 x 11kg

2.70m
(8’9”)

5.41m
(17’7”)

2.05m (6’7”)

Seen at Choose Leisure; www.chooseleisure.co.uk Contact Laika Caravans SpA Address
Via Certaldese 41/A, San Casciano in Val di Pesa, 50026 Florence, Italy Web laika.it/en

in one go, and you then have to find a
place to store it. This table folds either
to half-size, where it makes a handy
place for snacks, or completely, for
better legroom. But it only just has
room for four when fully extended.
Surprisingly, there’s no sunroof,
but light floods in through a large
Heki. There are three LEDs in the
ceiling, two swan-neck spotlights
and ample ambient lighting.
Two heating vents in the step down
from the cab and a third under the
table should keep everybody warm.

The comfort pack’s kitchen upgrades
include a clip-on extension to the left
of the main unit (above the 70-litre
fridge), which partially obstructs the
doorway. Even without this, you’d
have some workspace on a shelf to the
right of the unit, which doubles up as
a bedside table for the rear transverse
bed. With two sockets nearby, this is
also a perfect place for a kettle.
The gas-only hob has just the two
burners, but it is large enough to take
conventional pans. The inline sink is
big for a van conversion, too.

up close

LEFT Clever use
of space offers
plenty of storage

Fiat-based 540 has a number of
options, including an auto gearbox

78 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

RIGHT Well-lit
washroom also
has an opaque
window

If you’re looking for four berths,
there’s an optional pop-up roof

’VAN REVIEW TWO-BERTH VAN CONVERSION
1 Table folds halfway or
completely for flexible
lounge arrangements

1

2 Kitchen provides
two-burner gas hob
and the sink is large
for a van conversion
3 Bedroom is bright, with
good ambient light and
two swan-neck lights
with USB sockets

2

3

As with much of this interior, the
washroom is well lit, with lighting and
an opaque window, although there is
no roof vent. There are mirrors in front
of the shelving above the basin and a
huge mirror to the side.
The tap doubles up as a showerhead,
however, and there’s one drain hole.
You can fold out steps to help you
get into the rear bed. Ambient light
and two swan-neck lights (both with
USBs) help to keep this area bright.
Those in the roof bed can make use
of one swan-neck light and a USB.

Anyone sleeping upstairs has the use
of a swan-neck light and a USB port

When it comes to storage, the 540
has huge space at the back for larger
items once you retract the bed in the
middle. There is a false floor you can
remove if you need to access holds
to keep the larger items anchored.
This area under the bed also includes
two spaces (one of them cavernous) for
clothes storage. They are perhaps not
the easiest to access, but the bed slats
stay up when you raise them. You also
get a slide-out wardrobe in front of
the bed, with a hanging rail. There are
three medium-sized overhead lockers

Bed slats stay up when raised, offering
easier access to the underbed areas

here, and some small ones up front,
and cubbyholes either side of the cab.
The kitchen has three drawers just
about large enough for average-sized
pans, and one locker. The washroom
has shelves behind the mirror.

PRACTICAL MOTORHOME SAYS...
The extras added to this test model certainly
put up the price, but even in basic spec this
’van provides good space for two, reasonable
space for four, with a high degree of comfort
considering its overall length.

LEFT The fuse box
is easily reached
under the bench

ABOVE Plenty of
storage in lockers
and cupboards

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 79

’van review

BENIMAR
BENIVAN 144

This neat two-berth offers comfortable touring
for two at a competitive price, says Peter Baber

S

panish manufacturer Benimar
is probably best known for the
bright and breezy low-profiles
(and occasional overcab) that it makes
on a Fiat Ducato or a Ford Transit.
But for the past few years, its sole
UK distributor Marquis Leisure has
also been bringing in its Fiat-based
Benivan van conversions. We checked
out how the 5.99m-long two-berth
Benivan 144 is looking for 2024.
Running on the 140bhp Ducato
engine as standard, the ’van comes
with Fiat alloys and a standard Ducato
cab with central drinks holders, and
you also get cruise control. An auto
gearbox is a £4000 cost option.
There is no sunroof, so the panel
where it would be is taken up with
pockets for maps, giving you clear
headroom when you get up from
the driver’s seat and move towards
the rear. There is a step to look
out for, however, if you are planning
to walk to the kitchen.
The absence of any light flooding
in from above the driver isn’t as stark
as you might think, because the toffee
and beige upholstery brightens up the
interior. There is also a huge Heki
above the front lounge, where
a clip-on table stands in front of two
travel seats in the rear bench.
This table has an extension, and
with that fully extended, there is
enough room for four people to enjoy
a meal with the cab seats swivelled.
The lounge should be snug in the
winter, because there are two vents
from the Truma heater pumping warm
air out into the area under the table,
a notorious cold spot that many other
van converters don’t bother to heat.

Price £56,995
Sleeps 2
Belts 4
Base vehicle Fiat Ducato
Engine 2.2-litre,
140bhp turbodiesel
Length/width/height
5.99/2.05/2.65m
(19’7”/6’7”/8’7”)
MTPLM 3500kg
MiRO 2853kg
Payload 647kg
Water (fresh/waste)
85/90 litres
Leisure battery 100Ah
Gas 2 x 6kg

up close
80 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

5.99m
(19’7”)

2.05m (6’7”)

Contact Marquis Leisure Address Orchard Works, Willersey, Nr Broadway,
Worcestershire WR12 7QF Web marquisleisure.co.uk Tel 0800 026 7777

Two more vents in the step down to
the kitchen keep the central aisle and
the entranceway warm as well.
The table also clips onto the edge
of the kitchen peninsula, for outdoor
dining when the weather is fine.
Inside the ’van at night, there is
an LED in the ceiling and a striplight
under the overhead locker, but there
are no spotlights by the travel seats or
the cab seats. The sockets for a TV are
behind the bench seat, so a set fitted
here could easily be viewed by both
people sitting in the cab seats.

LEFT There are
two heating vents
in the step down
to the kitchen

Standard Ducato cab, although
you also get cruise control

2.65m
(8’7”)

RIGHT Fold up
the bed and you
have room to
transport a bike

The kitchen extension is supported
by just one plastic stand, so there
should be no unnecessary fiddling
trying to bring it out. You will almost
certainly need it, though, because
without it, workspace is fairly limited
(unless you include the table).
The worktop includes a reasonable
sink, set inline with a two-burner hob.
Apart from the daylight coming in
through the door and the window,
there is a striplight under the locker.
There is a mains socket at the end
here, but below it is only a limited

The shower is
separated off
by a curtain

’VAN REVIEW TWO-BERTH VAN CONVERSION

1

1 Swivel the cab seats
and extend the table
to accommodate four
people at mealtimes

2

2 Compact kitchen is
fitted with inline sink
and two-burner hob,
and UK models will
also have an oven
(pictured)
3 The rear transverse
bed is very comfortable,
and lit by swan-neck
spotlights for reading

3

amount of space, where you might
be able to perch a small kettle.
The washroom has a proper handle
on the door, and reasonable headroom
for a van conversion. It’s bright here,
too, thanks to the opaque window
behind the deep handbasin. This does
mean that the unlit mirrors have to go
further up and on the side, but there
is a good towel rail here. There is only
one drainage hole in the shower tray,
which is separated off by a curtain, but
there is a shelf for shampoos and you
get a separate shower hose with a riser.

The water tank can easily be
accessed from inside the vehicle

The transverse bed at the back is very
comfortable, and reading here will be
aided by two swan-neck spotlights.
The bed folds with a seat-belt style
clasp to provide space to store a bike.
There is an area under the nearside
for storing clothes. You also get two
overhead lockers on each side, with
a fifth one over the lounge, and
a limited amount of storage under the
travel seat. But there is no wardrobe.
Kitchen storage in our test model
was good – three drawers, one with
a cutlery tray, and one clear overhead

Access to the ’van
habitation controls
is via the floor

You could possibly
stash some small
items in here

locker. We are told that UK models
will come with an oven under the sink,
replacing one of the drawers.
In the washroom, there is a sizeable
locker just above the window.

PRACTICAL MOTORHOME SAYS...
The 144 is at a ‘take it or leave it’ price that
you can’t really quibble with. It should give
the two of you years of comfortable touring,
and could serve as a day-to-day vehicle.
A bit more clothes storage might be useful,
but the washroom is very versatile.

LEFT Discreet cubby
hole under the table
in the front lounge

ABOVE No sunroof,
but the panel has
handy map pockets

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 81

FEBRUARY’S
Didn’t make it to the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show
this February? Never mind - here’s our round-up of the best bits!

Roller Team, I presume?
Grimsby-based manufacturer Roller
Team brought its new Livingstone van
conversion range to the NEC show.
The two-model line-up, on Fiat Ducato,
is now being made at its main factory in
Italy, and comprises a pair of two-berths,
both coming in at 5.99m long.
The Livingstone 2 Sport (£56,490 OTR)
comes with a transverse bed, while the
Livingstone 6 Sport (£56,990 OTR) has
fixed single beds. Both models include
two travel seats in the bench in the front
lounge and have a white furniture finish
to match the white exterior.
rollerteam.it/GB-en

Coachman makes a move
into van conversions
Coachman unveiled the first two models in
Affinity, its new van conversion range - both
with highly innovative layouts. The Affinity Duo,
based on either a Fiat Ducato or a MAN TGE,
has two travel seats to leave enough room for
a central kitchen, then a French bed on the
nearside with an aisle down the offside leading
to an end washroom, complete with a shower
cubicle. The bed needs to be extended for use.
The Affinity One, available only on a Fiat,
includes a rear bench with two travel seats
ahead of an L-shaped kitchen. Its French
bed sits alongside a corner washroom.
Coachman also revealed the latest model
in its Travel Master low-profile range.
The 7.45m-long Sportivo 565 features fixed
single beds in the rear and a central L-shaped
kitchen opposite a central washroom.
coachman.co.uk

82 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Vantage takes on carbon
ĉEUHHQKDQFHPHQWV
Vantage showed its latest Motion R model,
a collaboration with Motion R Design.
Outside, the Ford Transit Custom-based
’van includes a carbon fibre enhancement
kit and monoblock alloy wheels.
Inside, you’ll find either full or half nappa
seating, carbon fibre steering controls and
a perforated leather steering wheel.
With a wide range of sockets to keep even
the most digitally addicted campervanner
happy, the vehicle also includes elegant
interior lighting that changes colour with
the use of a remote control fob.
vantagemotorhomes.co.uk

ROUND-UP NEC SHOW

.DNWXVĊRZHUV
Off-road van converter Kaktus was
exhibiting its selection of new MAN
TGE-based models.
Both the medium-wheelbase
Dune (prices from £127,500) and
the long-wheelbase Oasis (from
£137,500) come with side pods or
flares on the vehicle sides to provide
more width, and roof pods to increase
the height and bring in more light.
You also get 20-inch off-road tyres,
Scheel-Mann seats in the cab with two
rear travel seats trimmed to match,
and a custom-built washroom.
The Welsh converter previously
specialised in VW Transporters: these
are its first models on a new vehicle.
kaktusvans.co.uk

Dreamer in the City

Wonder at Project Yonder

The new City Camp model that was on
display on Dreamer’s stand is the first
in a new City by Dreamer range that
it plans to produce featuring ’vans
which are very much geared up to
be day-to-day vehicles as well.
The Ford Transit Custom-based
model differs slightly from what was
originally announced, in that the side
kitchen is no longer removable.
This plan has now been abandoned
to make the kitchen, with its pull-out
coolbox, easier to use.
A portable one-burner hob, with
its own storage slot at the back of
the ’van, is still included in the spec.
The vehicle comes with an outdoor
dining set that fits into a pouch on the
inside of the tailgate door.
The updated Cap Land model on
display now includes an electronically
convertible lower bed.
dreamer-van.co.uk

Another new model aimed at customers
seeking the off-grid lifestyle was unveiled
at the show. The Freedom 4X from Project
Yonder is an all-electric van conversion
based on a Mercedes Sprinter with 4x4
steering. With a cosy transverse bed and
a washroom that wouldn’t look out of
place in a boutique hotel, it also includes
an innovative floor made of cork.
projectyonder.co.uk

More to Auto Explore
Showing for the first time at the NEC,
Auto Explore is a range of van conversions
produced for the Webb dealership by a
converter based in Derbyshire.
The dealer switched from new to used
’vans only a couple of years ago, but has
since launched the Peugeot Boxer-based
range, which is sold exclusively through
its branches in Reading and Salisbury.
The three models shown included the Auto
Explore RL (£57,995), with fixed single beds,
the SB (£61,995), with a side-facing settee
and an end kitchen, and the RB (£57,995),
with a transverse bed. They come with cruise
control, sat nav and a microwave as standard.
webbsmotorcaravans.co.uk/auto-explore

More from Slovenia
Fresh from winning a major European
award, Slovenian van converter Robeta
debuted at the NEC with two models,
the Mercedes Sprinter-based Adonis
and the Fiat Ducato-based Apollo.
Both ’vans feature a number of
innovations, including furniture made
from recycled plastic – saving over
200kg in weight – a pop-up roof with
a temperature gauge in the ceiling,
and a kitchen worktop that slides
out to reveal the sink. You also get
cab-style seats in the lounge.
The brand is being distributed by
Guildford-based Surrey Campers.
robetamobil.com

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 83

AWNINGS
Cinch

Bradcot
Bradcot’s Modul-Air Driveaway
awning, which like all of its
products is fully made in the
UK, has options for six tunnel
heights and a full zip to attach
the tunnel, so if you buy a ’van
with a different height, you only
need to buy a new tunnel.
Made from fully breathable
TenCate fabric, the Driveaway
has a lifetime guarantee on
all of its beams and is based
on the manufacturer’s popular
Modul-Air caravan awning.
bradcot-awnings.co.uk

It was great to see the Cinch Hub
(£269) and Campervan Connecter
(£161) being so well received at the
show, because this product won the
Best Motorhome Awning category in
this year’s Motorhome Awards.
The hub is a standalone unit, which
packs down small and weighs in at
just 8kg. The connector is suitable
for any vehicle up to 260cm in height.
Accessories include a canopy to
extend space, a solar power unit for
a tent roof, a lantern, a carpet and
groundsheet, and an inner tent.
cinchpopuptents.com

ACCESSORIES
&RRNLQJZLWK&DPSLQJD]
New for this year, Campingaz’s lightweight
(2.9kg) Bistro Grill (£99.99) is an impressive
alternative to the disposable barbecue, with
a non-stick coating, grease tray and sizeable
940 sq cm diecast
aluminium cooking
surface, which is
easily removable
for washing.
The wok-shaped
Campingaz 360 Grill
CV (pictured right)
has an aluminium
diecast reversible
ribbed griddle,
which can be flipped
over for pancakes. The surface can also be
removed to expose a pan support for stove
cooking. Great on campsites, where you
have 360º access, so you can sit around
it in campfire style. It’s compact and weighs
just 4.4kg, ideal for leisure vehicles, where
storage is at a premium.
Finally, the Campingaz Attitude 2Go
(£229.99) is a more substantial tabletop

84 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

barbecue. For those campsite chefs looking
to cook more than a few sausages, the lid
can be closed so it can be used to roast.
It comes with a large thermometer set into
the lid. It’s fairly chunky, weighing 13.9kg, but
certainly provides more stability.
campingaz.co.uk

Cool runnings
Two new refrigeration models from
Italian manufacturer Vitrifrigo were
among the range of thermostatically
controlled 12V/24V DC compressor
fridges on show at the Penguin
Refrigeration stand.
With a width of just 41.7cm, the
SLIM 09i fridge-freezer (£1243.79)
is designed for use in panel vans,
where space is
at a premium.
It has a 90-litre
capacity and
given the unit’s
compact size,
a relatively large
10-litre freezer.

The low-height C51 (prices from £797.70
to £1180.18) is aimed at small vans, such as
the VW Transporter or Ford Transit Custom.
It’s a 51-litre 12V (or 24V) DC compressor
fridge popular for small camper conversions
and suitable for running from solar power.
penguinfrigo.co.uk

Rack in black
Touring accessory specialist
Fiamma’s latest Pro bike
rack is suitable if you
don’t have rear windows
and you want to spread
the load as efficiently
as possible. But if you do
have a rear window, and
you don’t want to block the
view, you can fit the
Pro C bike rack below the window.
The Pro C (£269.99), which
carries two bikes as standard but
can support up to four by using
an optional upgrade kit, is newly
available in a smart black finish.
fiamma.it/en

ROUND-UP NEC SHOW

SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY…
Matt chat
Podcaster Motorhome Matt turned the
tables on Practical Motorhome by asking
one of our editorial team to answer the
questions for a change!
Deputy editor Paul Critcher (below right)
was happy to take time out at the show
to talk with Matt Sims (below left) about
his forthcoming column in the magazine.
Matt will be looking at the big issues
affecting the motorhome community.
For a taste of what he’s all about, check
out his podcast at motorhomematt.co.uk.
You’ll find Matt’s first column in issue 284
of Practical Motorhome, which is on sale
from 28 March. Welcome aboard Matt!

Making more
of Dorema
With dual beading and
a sewn-in extendable
groundsheet, Dorema’s
new Voyager driveaway
awning (£649) comes
in three sizes and covers
all motorhome heights.
It’s 3m wide and has
a zip-out front panel that
moves forward to extend
the living space to 4.2m.
A fold-down flap offers
wheelchair access, while
the tunnel has two doors
and an optional annexe.
dorema.co.uk

$JD]HERWKDWLVQíW
Versatility is the name of the game
for Outwell. Its new Fast Lane 300
(£325.99) features an easy-to-pitch
telescopic pole system and can be
used as a shelter/gazebo.
You can buy a vehicle connector
(£70.99) too, which allows you to
use it as a driveaway awning – handy
if your campsite doesn’t allow gazebos.
The optional annexe (£112.99)
fastens securely to the 300.
outwell.com

:RUNVKRSZLQQHUVPHHWZLWKDSSURYDO
Lee Fitzgerald from Tourer Techs (right)
and Jamie Bell of JB Caravan Trailer and
Services (left) won the Fixed Workshop
and Mobile Workshop categories at the
AWS Workshop of the Year awards,
announced at the show.
This is the third consecutive year that
AWS has run the awards, which are held
to recognise the efforts of people and
businesses in the scheme, a joint
enterprise between the NCC and the
two main touring clubs.
Lee, MD at Tourer Techs in Highbridge,
Somerset, said: “It’s an honour to win this
award, which is for all the team, and it’s
good to make people aware of what we
do and what the AWS is.”
Mobile workshop winner Jamie Bell and
his wife Jane cover the West Midlands

together, providing servicing and repair
for caravans and motorhomes, including
habitation, and mobile trailers.
Jamie said: “We are really proud of
what we do and of winning the award.”
For further information about the
Approved Workshop Scheme, visit
www.approvedworkshops.co.uk.

Strictly Annabel
TV personality and sports pundit Annabel
Croft entertained a packed crowd in the
Inspiration Theatre at the NEC Caravan,
Camping and Motorhome Show, where
she was interviewed about her passion
for motorhoming, her van conversion
and her role as an ambassador at the
Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC).
Former tennis star Annabel bought
her van, a Mercedes Sprinter LWB, with
husband Mel in 2021 and he converted
it into a campervan over three months
during the pandemic lockdown, naming
it ‘Vannabel’. Sadly, Mel died in 2023.
Annabel told PM deputy editor Paul
Critcher, “I’m an ambassador for the
CAMC and feel like I’ve been welcomed
into the club with open arms, into
the most wonderful family.
“Every time I come to the shows,
I’m blown away and excited
to see the motorhomes
and compare layouts.
Today I was seeing
’vans with showers
with revolving doors
and I haven’t seen
that before. It also
gives you lots of
motivation to go and
visit places – I love it.”
Read the full interview with Annabel
at http://tinyurl.com/2s39xyzj.

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 85

Stylish option

A comfortable chair is a touring essential, and there
are lots to choose from. Here are six of our favourites
you’ll want is relatively simple. After
all, the very best camping chairs are
lightweight, portable, quick to set up
and comfortable to sit in.
In this guide, we’re running through
just a few of the models that have
caught our eye, featuring well-known
camping accessory brands such as
Vango, Dometic, Outwell and Helinox.

XGEAR Camping Chair
Price £55.99 (amazon.co.uk)
Dimensions 54 x 150 x 89cm/
54 x 150 x 76cm
Packed dimensions 20 x 30 x 89cm
Weight 6.8kg Max load 135kg
Reason to buy
Can be reclined back
Reason to avoid
Heaviest one-person option here

www.amazon.co.uk

This is a camping chair with a bit of a
difference to the other options on our

Best for comfort

86 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

list, in that it also gives you the chance
to recline it backwards, offering you
a truly luxurious setting.
This means you can either sit at
a 90-degree angle, or recline to a
145-degree angle and soak up the
ambience of your surroundings, with
a drink to hand in the cup holder.
The chair is made from 600D Oxford
polyester, which should provide some
durability, as well as a steel frame.
It can bear up to 135kg, but its 6.8kg
weight should be a consideration, as
it’s one of the heaviest on our list.
When it’s not in use, you can fold it
down to a convenient size, which then
goes into a bag with a shoulder strap,
measuring 20 x 30 x 89cm.

www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk

W

hether you’re heading to a
campsite and want to enjoy
some time in the sun or you
simply want to relax at the beach in
comfort, one thing’s for sure – you’ll
want a good camping chair, so you
can sit back and enjoy the moment.
This is a market that is saturated
in options, yet fundamentally, what

Dometic Lounge
Firenze Reclining Chair
Price £89 (winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk)
Dimensions 121 x 63 x 85cm
Packed dimensions 110 x 65 x 9cm
Weight 5.10kg Max load 120kg
Reason to buy
Firm armrests, stylish and durable
Reason to avoid
Fairly heavy to carry
Dometic is another immediately
recognisable name in the camping
sphere, well known for their very
durable products.
We think this clever reclining
camping chair is a particularly
stylish option to consider.
The Firenze provides comfort
and customisation, offering you
the option of manoeuvring the
backrest into no fewer than seven
different positions so that you
can really enjoy unwinding.
It is made from 600D fabric,
which should ensure that you’re
getting a long-lasting product,
while we think the aluminium
frame is very smart.
Another feature we appreciate
is how easy it is to set up, taking
just seconds to unfold.

TESTED CAMPING CHAIRS

Outwell Sardis Lake Two Seater Sofa

Vango Thor Over-Sized
Chair, Excalibur X-Large

Price £158.99 (outwell.com)
Dimensions 125 x 57 x 95cm
Packed dimensions 30 x 30 x 97cm
Weight 8.1kg Max load 120kg x 2

Helinox Chair Two
Price £119.95 (amazon.co.uk)
Dimensions 85 x 55 x 61cm
Packed dimensions 46 x 13 x 12cm
Weight 1.3kg Max load 145kg
Reason to buy
Very lightweight, side pockets
Reason to avoid
No side table, one of the
pricier options in our guide

Couples’ pick
consider. It’s sturdy, too, supporting
up to two lots of 120kg.
At 8.1kg, it’s by far the heaviest
option in our guide, but we think it
should provide comfortable seating.

We think this opulent chair from
Vango is sure to provide some
enhanced comfort for any tour,
thanks to its extra size.
The larger seating area combines
with the 600D polyester padded
seat and backrest to provide
a wonderfully luxurious chair,
in which you can really relax.
It’s one of the heavier options
in our guide, weighing in at 6.3kg,
but it’s able to bear up to 180kg,
making it the strongest camping
chair featured on our list.
Despite the extra-large size,
it still comes with its own handy
carry bag, so when you’ve finished
using it, the chair can be folded
down to a more manageable size
and packed, helping to make that
additional weight a bit easier to
carry and stow away.

Budget choice

There’s a lot to like about this
incredibly lightweight chair.
Weighing only 1.3kg, it can
support up to 145kg, thanks to
its DAC aluminium alloy frame
– very impressive. That’s not the
only innovative feature. The seat
feels sturdy, and it’s made in
machine-washable, UV-resistant
polyester, so it should last.
While it may not have a side
table, it does have side pockets,
useful for storing items
you want close to
hand. It’s simple to
put together, too,
before packing
away in what the
brand calls a
“zipper stuff
sack”.

Highlander Folding
Camping Chair
Price £26.95 (amazon.co.uk)
Dimensions 89 x 51 x 51cm
Packed dimensions 15 x 89cm
Weight 2.2kg Max load 100kg

Generous size

This budget-friendly option from
Highlander is available in a range
of colours. The steel frame means
that it’s lightweight, coming in at
just 2.2kg, yet it offers a maximum
load of 100kg.
In a polyester PVC-coated
material, it’s easy to clean as well,
and we like the handy cup holder
on the right armrest.
It comes with a smart carry bag
with a handle, which is colour
coordinated to match the chair.

www.amazon.co.uk

Reason to buy
Lightweight, budget-friendly
Reason to avoid
Other products offer
heavier max loads

www.amazon.co.uk

Lightweight

Reason to buy
Well-known brand, oversized for
added comfort, strong max load
Reason to avoid
No table or pockets, not everyone
will want the oversized effect,
heavy to carry about

www.amazon.co.uk

This is a unique product in our camping
chair guide, in that it’s more of a sofa,
capable of seating two people.
As a result, it’s probably more suited
to use on a campsite, as opposed to
taking to the beach, but we think it’s
an ideal piece of awning furniture to

www.outwell.com

Reason to buy
Comfortable, has a carry bag, seats two
Reason to avoid
Doesn’t recline, heaviest option on list,
more for campsite use than the beach

Price £87.99 (amazon.co.uk)
Dimensions
30 x 105 x 25cm
Packed dimensions TBC
Weight 6.3kg
Max load 180kg

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 87

pre-owned

The place to
come for used’van news, buying
advice and more
each issue

IN THIS MONTH’S SECTION
89 On the forecourt

NICK HARDING
Looking to sell your motorhome? Any time
from now up to Easter is potentially good.
Here’s a handy tip. Try dealers who specialise
in your brand. That’s arguably the best place
to start to give an early indication of the
money you can expect – and you might even
benefit from a better price than others offer
(see right for one example of this).
Selling to a dealer may not reap the highest
rewards, but it removes the hassle. Many
dealers will visit you, make an inspection,
offer a price and show evidence of funds
transferring before you hand over the keys.
Compare that with deciding how to
advertise your vehicle, dealing with callers
requesting information, preparing your ’van
for sale, making appointments to view (folk
sometimes don’t bother to turn up) and not
being sure about the intentions of a private
buyer you are inviting into your home.

Latest news from the dealers
How specialist dealers can help when you decide to sell up, and
research that shows buyers of pre-owned ’vans are very satisfied

90 Used ’van buyer
Elddis Encore (2015-present)
Gentleman Jack makes an expert assessment of the flagship
range produced by the Consett, Co Durham, manufacturer

90
78

92 Hall of Fame
Bailey Approach SE (2012-2014)
Our series celebrating the iconic brands of the past honours the
vehicle that marked Bailey’s arrival in the motorhome market

92

Email Nick via practical.motorhome@futurenet.com

94 6XEVFULSWLRQRĈHU

Pre-owned know-how
A monthly round-up of shows, news and advice
Taking a test drive
So you’ve found a motorhome you
like at a dealership - now what?
For starters, it’s crucial to take
a test drive. Make an appointment,
because few dealers will be able
to make a specific test vehicle
available at short notice.
It is best to take plenty of time to
cover every detail, so ask the sales
person about planning a route and

make any other specific requests,
such as loading and additional
passengers. If you’re test driving
a demonstrator model, check
whether it has the same engine and
specification as the model you are
considering as a purchase.
Plan your route to sample all
driving conditions, and make it long
enough so that you can get a real
feel for comfort levels.

88 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Take out a subscription to your favourite motorhome magazine
today and you can have every issue delivered to your door!

94

FORECOURT
The latest from dealers around the UK

Southern comfort for Maurice
A friend has just sold his 10-year-old van
conversion. He wanted to offer it to a specialist
dealer, rather than go through the hassle of
selling it privately. But it was a harder sell
than he first imagined.
Maurice Hardy, who has owned a succession
of motorhomes and van conversions over
the years, hawked his Renault Master-based
WildAx Europa around plenty of specialist
motorhome retailers local to him in south-west
England. But he was met with a variety of
excuses not to buy.
As Maurice explained: “One said he was in no
position to buy. One said he was overstocked.
One couldn’t afford it. One made a bid, but it
was a very low price.”
Admittedly, this was during the winter, when
dealers look to keep stock levels to a minimum.
Maurice finally turned up trumps when he
approached WildAx franchise holder Southern
Motorhome Centre, in Bracknell, Berkshire.
Mike Graves, the owner of Southern
Motorhomes, said: “We’ve been a WildAx
dealer for seven years and their conversions
are great. We pay the best possible prices for
anyone selling their WildAx.
“We were happy to take Maurice’s automatic
Europa off his hands, in the knowledge that we
could bring it back to absolutely tiptop condition,
ready for its next owner.”

1 Southern Motorhome
Centre’s Mike Graves
with Maurice’s former
’van, a WildAx Europa

1

Unsurprisingly, Maurice’s vehicle was snapped
up very quickly, but you can see plenty of other
models at southernmotorhomes.co.uk.

Marquis offers levelling option
Levelling your motorhome is one of those chores
that’s somewhat irritating, but has to be done if
you’re going to enjoy a comfortable stay onsite. But
if you’d rather an automatic levelling system did the
hard work for you, you’ll be interested to learn that
the AutoLift system from TESA is now available for
fitting at three Marquis Leisure branches: Exeter,
Devon (Plymouth) and Dorset (Poole).
AutoLift is an electromechanical levelling
system produced in Italy. Prices start at
£3990; you can find out more by visiting
www.marquisleisure.co.uk/tesa.

PROFILE Auto-Sleeper Symbol
A short and very easy to handle
high-top van conversion that’s
a long-established model from
a long-established manufacturer.
The standard Auto-Sleeper
Symbol is just 5.41m long, but there
are now more recent, longer Plus
variants, too. There are plenty of the
former on the pre-owned market,
including older, cheaper versions
being sold privately.
Bearing in mind the advice about
specialist dealers, your first stop
should be any Auto-Sleeper dealer
near you. At the time of writing,
Marquis Leisure (the retail side of
the Auto-Sleepers Group) had five

Symbols in its network of 13 outlets
– with the promise that it can
deliver to the branch nearest you
if you want a closer viewing.
All come with a three-year
warranty and the model pictured
here is also the lowest priced: a
52,000-miler, first registered in
2013, now on for £43,995, almost
exactly the same price as it would
have cost when bought brand new.
West Country Motorhomes in
Somerset also has a 2013 example,
with lower mileage, at the same
price. At the Derby Motorhomes
Auto-Sleeper Exhibition Centre,
there’s a 2021 model for £61,999.

Plus points Auto-Sleeper
pedigree, easy-to-use dimensions
Watch for Broken plastics in
earlier models’ washrooms

Find out more practicalmotor
home.com/advice/auto-sleepersymphony-symbol-1995-2006used-van-buyer (earlier models)

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 89

used ’van buyer

2015–present

ELDDIS ENCORE

Each issue, Gentleman Jack focuses on a great secondhand motorhome. He then reveals
which is the best of the bunch, what to pay and which problems to look out for

T

he Encore was first unveiled at
the end of 2014, with production
commencing for the 2015 model
year. It has always been the flagship
range, above the bestselling Autoquest
and compact Accordo. It replaced the
(relatively) short-lived Aspire.
All Encore models are the same
length and all have a driving licence
friendly MTPLM of 3500kg.
Another point worthy of note is the
converter’s ‘Belts = Berths’ policy. In
other words, they provide a dedicated
travel seat for each sleeping berth.
This isn’t apparent at first glance, but
clever Elddis has a trick up its sleeve.
On the four-berth variants, folding,
forward-facing, crash-tested Aguti
travel pews hide underneath the
inward-facing settees in the lounge.
At launch, there were just two
layouts. First, the two-berth, forward
lounge 275, with a palatial full-width
rear changing area/comfort station.
Alongside the 275 was the four-berth
255, which boasted a European-style
permanent rear corner double bed,
with washroom adjacent.
Both were popular layouts in the
Autoquest, so with Encore’s serious
uplift in specification for a modest
increase in windscreen price, sales
success was pretty much guaranteed.
Standard specification included
one-piece GRP-clad sides, rich Reno
Walnut cabinetwork with dovetailed
drawers, and plush Monte Carlo soft
furnishing fabrics.
Space and water heating was courtesy
of a domestic-style programmable Alde
boiler and radiators. The Encore was
also an early adopter of the Ecocamel
Orbit halo showerhead across the
range, and of Ozio Coolsoft mattresses
on models with a permanent bed.
In 2016, the offer was doubled, with
the addition of the four-berth 285,
which came with twin longitudinal
permanent single beds ahead of the
full-width changing area/comfort
station at the rear. The other newbie
was the two-berth 254, the first
90 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

ESSENTIALS

j Elddis Encore initially on LWB Peugeot
Boxer chassis-cab; from 2020 on LWB
Fiat Ducato chassis-cab j Built 2015
to present in Consett, Co Durham, UK
j Low-profile overcab coachbuilt
j Overall length: 7.408m (24’ 4”)

Encore with a low-level island
double bed at the rear. Interestingly,
it was located transversely, with the
head adjacent to the offside wall.
The following year, the 254 gained
two additional sleeping berths and
an extra two travel seats, all located
in the forward lounge.
The 2017 line-up saw the replacement
of Ford’s ageing Puma powerplant with
Peugeot’s inhouse-built, 2.0-litre,
130bhp Euro 6 unit. The latter is an
absolute bell-ringer of an engine.
The furniture was also refreshed, with
a change to the (lighter) Lardina finish,
and the Winter Pack (tank heaters, pipe
insulation, fridge vent covers) – formerly
a cost option – became standard.
Strong-Lite sides (a laminate of GRP
and aluminium) in a Champagne Gold
hue became standard for a couple of
years, commencing in 2019; towards
the end of that year the Fiat Ducato
chassis became an option.
One result of the latter was that
the Encore could be specified with
automatic transmission. We can only
conclude the Ducato was a popular
choice for purchasers, because the
Boxer was quietly dropped the

R LIKES
All available at 3500kg MTPLM
Practical layouts
Bonded construction (SoLiD)
Well-specified at this price point
Underslung spare wheel as standard

Q DISLIKES
No automatic transmission option
on Boxer-based examples

following year. In addition, the 254
was replaced by the 250 – basically
the same, except for the rear double
bed being rotated 90 degrees, so the
head was adjacent to the rear wall.
All models continued until 2023,
with the only notable change being
the introduction in 2021 of the Ducato
Series 8, which bettered the Euro-6D
emissions standard, added more
infotainment, increased connectivity
and switched over to all-electric
power-assisted steering.
The Encore 295 was unveiled at the
end of 2022. The dedicated two-berth’s
USP was the palatial U-shaped rear
lounge. The 295 replaced the 275, but
all the rest remain in production. If it
ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Base vehicle
All in all, well-proven and dependable.
Ford-powered Boxers have a harsher
bark and are not as smooth as the later
Pug-powered examples. That said, it’s
a reliable unit and easy to maintain.
The only fault regularly reported is
indicated by the illumination of the
airbag warning light. This is frequently
a problem with the sensor, although it
was the airbag trigger itself that failed
on my own 2018 Boxer-based ’van.
Look for a full service history, insist
on a long MoT and check the age and
condition of the tyres, which are likely
to be past their use-by date, rather
than worn out.
Conversion
As with any pre-owned motorcaravan,
check carefully for evidence of water
ingress. An engineer’s inspection
with a (recent) written report should
provide some reassurance, as will
evidence of regular/recent habitation
servicing. The converter’s extended
warranty requires yearly inspections
of body integrity.
Encores of this generation used
adhesive tape to cover joins in the
interior wallboard. The tape tends

PRE-OWNED USED ’VAN BUYER
1 A 2017 Elddis Encore on wide-track
LWB Peugeot Boxer chassis-cab. Very
well specified, a savvy pre-owned
purchase. Note low threshold to
entrance step, a real advantage to
those of us with mobility difficulties.
Later models built on Fiat Ducato

1

2 View forward in a 2018 Encore 255.
Top tackle fold-away Aguti travel
seats are underneath the settees
3 Many buyers believe the Encore 285
has the most flexible layout. Pictured
here is a 2018 example
4 Roomy full-width changing area/
comfort station in a 2023 Encore
285. Similar graces earlier 275 models

2

3

5 The 250 shown here replaced the
long-running 254. Both feature a
permanent low-level island bed
at the rear. The only difference is
the bed’s orientation
6 Dedicated two-berth rear-lounge
Encore 295 recently replaced the
front-lounge 275. Its relative youth
is the reason for its rarity on the
pre-owned market

4

to lose its ‘grab’ after a while and start
to peel. Have it tidied up as a condition
of sale. The majority of Encores (even
four-berth ones) appear to be owned
by couples rather than young families,
so shouldn’t be showing any signs of
hard wear and tear.
OUR PICK
The Encore 275 for couples or solo
motorcaravanners wanting an airy,
uncluttered interior. The Encore
254/250 for those seeking a permanent
low-level island double bed. Most
flexible layout? The Encore 285.
WHAT TO PAY
Early examples are occasionally
available from £40,000 (private) or
£45,000 (trade), although most are
going to be north of £50,000. That
said, we spotted a 2015 Encore 275

5

for sale at Red Lion Caravan Centre
(near Southport) at an asking price
of £44,995. It’s only covered 27,433
miles and includes a wind-out canopy
awning, a Hope Safe-T-bar and a tow
hitch. Nearest equivalent today is
the 295, which, fitted with the same
accessories, would have an RRP of
nearly £90,000.
Those customers looking for a more
approachable price tag would do well
to seek examples of the (older) Elddis
Autostratus, on sale from £11,000.

6

NEXT ISSUE

Bangernomics!
We run the rule over
10 very affordable
motorcaravans, each
priced at less than £10k

OR YOU COULD TRY…
For a while, a badge-engineered
alternative (monikered Compass
Concerto) was offered by the Consett
crew. Some dealer special Elddis
Autoquests come close, but they
don’t have Alde heating or offer the
option of automatic transmission.
www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 91

18
Practical Motorhome Hall of Fame
Gentleman Jack’s monthly round-up of game-changing
motorhomes and campervans of the past

BAILEY APPROACH SE
ƒ

Martin Bailey built his first trailer caravan – the Maestro – back in 1948.
Despite being asked many times by customers, Bailey resolutely refused to
build motorhomes, preferring to stick to caravans. However, circumstances
change, and after extensive development and testing, the first Bailey
motorhomes were available for the 2012 model year.
Before the launch, they were affectionately referred to as ‘flying pigs’, because
dealers had opined that “pigs will fly before Bailey builds a motorhome”.
So it gave me great pleasure to inform them that all Gloucester Old Spots were
fuelled and ready to taxi! From the off, all motorhomes were coachbuilt using
Bailey’s (then) recently developed Alu-Tech construction. This clamps together
bonded and laminated sidewalls and roof using an internal extruded-aluminium
frame, locked together with T-bolt fixings. The result is immensely strong
– strong enough for one vehicle to be placed on another’s roof!
In common with chanteuse Vanessa Williams, I’ve saved the best for last. As part
of their rigorous pre-production testing, a fully fitted-out body and skeleton
cab were subjected to the most stringent crash testing, to an impact of 20G.
As far as I am aware, Bailey remains the only UK converter to do this.

All Approach SE models were built on the Peugeot Boxer cab with Al-Ko AMC
fully galvanised, independently sprung chassis extensions, and this is the first
crash-tested UK coachbuilt motorhome. (Left) 2011 Bailey 6BL prototype
for six-berth Approach SE 760 at the Millbrook Proving Ground.
(Right) 2012 Bailey Approach SE 740 interior

92 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

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Everything you
need to know to
keep your motorhome
in great working order

IN THIS MONTH’S SECTION
97 Workshop
Van conversions

DIAMOND DAVE
Many of us use our motorhomes all year round,
but there are still quite a few who put them
into storage for the winter and only bring them
out when the weather starts to warm up.
Now, to put a motorhome into long-term
storage, you need to take a few steps to look
after your investment as best you can.
So you’ve drained the water tanks and left
the taps open halfway between hot and cold,
removed any foodstuffs, opened cupboard
doors to allow air to circulate and possibly
taken out the soft furnishings if you
have somewhere to store them.
Recommissioning the ’van is simple. First
and foremost is to give it a good clean and
polish (see p112). Check the tyres for age,
pressure and condition, and if there are any
signs of sidewall cracking, replace them.
This is also the perfect time to clean and
sterilise the water system. Close the boiler
drain, then add a couple of litres of white
vinegar to the fresh-water tank and
top it up with clean water.
Run each of the taps, starting with the one
closest to the pump, in both hot and cold
positions until you can smell vinegar. Run the
boiler for 10 minutes to activate the vinegar,
then leave it for as long as you can.
Finally, drain and refill with fresh water

Tempted by the idea of a van conversion? Before you make such
a major investment, it’s essential to check out the converters

98 In depth
How green is your motorhome?
We can all do our bit to help reduce carbon emissions, and here,
Peter Rosenthal outlines the options for more sustainable touring
98

98

104 How to…
Clean your ’van for the new season
Start your touring year with a sparkling motorhome, and you’re
sure to enjoy your tours even more! Here’s how to clean like a pro
104

and you should now be good to go.
108 Buyer’s guide
Email Dave via practical.motorhome@futurenet.com
96 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Overcab coachbuilts
Comprehensive listings and technical information

What’s keeping Diamond Dave busy this month?

Concerning conversions...
These days, there’s a wide variety of motorhomes
and campervans to choose from, with all sorts of
layouts available. But sometimes, you just can’t
find what you want in an off-the-peg vehicle.
The answer, of course, is to either convert one
yourself, to your own specification, or to have
a bespoke model built for you. There are plenty
of small converters about, who will quite happily
take on this work for you.
However, while there are many excellent
converters out there, there is nothing to stop any
Tom, Dick or Harry setting up as a converter with
no real knowledge and often, even less skill.

Concerning details revealed
A case in point came into the workshop recently
in the shape of a conversion, which at first glance
looked fine. However, a closer inspection revealed
a few concerning details.
The ’van in question has a compact kitchen just
inside the side door, with a two-burner hob, and
a sink with a small compressor fridge underneath.
Nothing wrong with that, is there?
Well, below the hob is a cupboard, accessed
from outside, which houses the 10-litre water
container and the gas cylinder. The latter was
a small butane type, which you would normally
use for a single-burner camping stove, the kind
that backpackers would favour.
There were no signs of any gas dropouts and
the gas cylinder was not secured in any way, but
left floating about on the floor with a length of
rubber hose connecting it to the hob. The door
didn’t even seal from the inside of the vehicle.
Gas cylinders should be secured in at least two
ways, usually a securing strap and base mounting

‘There are a lot of good
converters out there,
but there’s nothing to
stop any Tom, Dick or
+DUU\VHƔLQJXSDVRQHŧ

plates. Any gas storage cupboard should only
house the cylinders and be sealed from the
inside of the ’van when the door is closed.
It must also have a dropout hole through the
floor, so that if the cylinder or hose leaks, the
gas, being heavier than air, will fall through the
dropout and disperse safely, rather than building
up to dangerous levels, ready to be ignited by the
slightest thing. Even a static spark from synthetic
materials in clothing could set it off.
In my personal opinion, it’s doubtful that the
small cylinder could evaporate enough vapour to
run both hob rings for long without freezing up.
If you’re considering having a van converted
to your specification, check out the company
thoroughly before you agree anything. Ask
for proof of professional qualifications in
relevant trades such as gas and electrics, and of
professional and public liability insurance. Ask for
contact details from a previous customer, so you
can see the standard of their work. Caveat emptor!

1

1 Before agreeing
anything, check
the credentials of
any converter you
plan to employ

in depth

HOW GREEN
IS YOUR
MOTORHOME?
Listening to the arguments about climate change, it can sometimes feel we’re
simply doomed – but in reality, even though motorhomes are not the biggest
culprit, we can all do our bit to cut carbon emissions, says Peter Rosenthal

T

he world’s climate is changing
and even the most passionate
petrolhead can’t argue with the
clear and obvious signs of that, which
are all around us. From the extreme
weather events of the hottest summer
on record to the increasing number
of storms and floods, the effects are
everywhere you care to look.
The ice record – where pockets of
atmosphere that have been frozen for
hundreds of years in bubbles trapped
beneath the Arctic ice are analysed –
provides the most damning evidence
and clearly shows the impact humans
have had on the planet since the advent
of the Industrial Revolution.
All in all, these days it is undeniable
(although some die-hards still do) that
the world’s climate continues to be
adversely affected by human activity.
We all need to change our behaviour
in the hope that science can rescue us
from the worst effects of this. As the
saying goes, every little helps.
So if we want to keep the planet in
as good a condition as we can for our
children and grandchildren, we have
to be mindful about how we holiday.
Which prompts the question: how
green is your motorhome?

If you live in a rural area, like Mam Tor, you need to
be able to charge your electric vehicle at home…
The number one polluter is China,
which is responsible for 29.1% of all
CO2 emissions. Considering its size,
its role as the workshop of the world
and its enthusiasm for coal-fed power
stations, this is no surprise.
The US is the next worst polluter, but
is producing approximately half of the
carbon emissions of China, at 14%.

UK EMISSIONS RELATIVE
TO GLOBAL EMISSIONS
Before we dig deeper into the green
credentials of various different types
of holiday, we need to gain some
appreciation of how much the UK
contributes to global emissions,
relative to other countries.
According to data from the global
statistics website Worldometer, the
UK is responsible for 1.03% of global
emissions and ranks as the 17th largest
polluter, just ahead of Italy and France.
98 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Elsewhere, India produces 7% of the
world’s CO2 emissions, Russia emits
4.65% and Japan, 3.5%; Germany
serves up double the global emissions
of the UK, at 2.17%.
So a starting point in our attempts to
be greener is to think about where we
buy our goods from. That includes
consideration of the source country’s
green credentials, and the implications
of transporting those goods to the UK.
The greenest thing to do, for example,
might be to avoid buying things from
China, if you can. Sadly, this is often
not possible, or is cost-prohibitive.
Choosing a similar product sourced
closer to the UK is greener, but might
not be affordable for every budget. But
it’s something to bear in mind – paying
a bit more for local goods is an essential
element in reducing global emissions.

SO WHAT PART DOES TRANSPORT
PLAY IN CARBON EMISSIONS?
… and if you can charge at home, you may
never have to visit a petrol station again!

In most countries around the world,
the biggest contributor to emissions
comes from electricity and heat

IN DEPTH GREEN MOTORHOMES

At current diesel prices, fuel consumption
of 296 gallons equates to a cost of well
over £2000, so perhaps it’s time to take
a look at some of the alternatives
generation, according to scientific
research website Our World in Data.
This is generally double the emissions
from manufacturing and transportation
for any given country. However, in the
UK, we’re unusual, in that the bulk of
our emissions comes from transport,
closely followed by electricity and heat.
This is probably because we have
managed to reduce domestic energy
consumption by around 19% since
2000 (for example, by using more
energy-efficient LED lightbulbs and
devices that consume less energy).
Clearly, if you’re going to target the
two largest sources of UK emissions,
you need to focus on transport and
electricity/heat generation. Hence the
Government’s enthusiasm for electric
vehicles and low emission zones.

Electric drivetrains can work quite well
on smaller campervans, such as this
Nissan e-NV200 Dalbury conversion
from Hillside Leisure
equivalents, because they have to carry
two separate propulsion units, as well
as a heavy battery bank.
The technology is forever improving,
but hybrids are something of a stepping
stone, not a long-term solution, as
they still produce tailpipe emissions
when the fossil fuel engine is running.
In modern vans, only Ford offers a
hybrid vehicle, with its Transit Custom
PHEV, which uses a 125bhp 1.0-litre
Ecoboost petrol engine linked to a
battery and motor. While this could

HYBRID VEHICLES
In the automotive industry, the word
‘hybrid’ is bandied about a lot, and
there are essentially three main types:
conventional hybrids, which can drive
on electric power alone, mild hybrids
(MHEVs), which use electric motors
to improve fuel consumption, and
plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which tend
to have a larger battery pack.
All tend to use a fossil fuel engine,
some form of electric motor and a
battery bank. The most efficient use
an electric motor to drive the wheels
and a small fossil fuel engine to act as
a generator to top up the battery bank.
While hybrids can be helpful if they
have a useful electric range – which is
often a miserly 30 miles or so to allow
you to drive into a low emission zone
– and can work well for urban use, on
a long motorway run, they are only
marginally more fuel-efficient than
a fossil fuel vehicle.
What Car? recently tested a batch of
hybrids and the most efficient one they
found (a Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 hybrid)
only managed 60.1mpg. A modern
diesel car can easily beat that.
Hybrids are complex vehicles that
are often heavier than their fossil fuel

If you only have a three-pin socket to
recharge an electric vehicle overnight
at home, you’ll ideally need to have
a separate 7kW charging point fitted

Compared to having to visit a petrol
station, plugging your ’van into the
charger overnight is hardly a chore

make a great campervan, it does come
with drawbacks. It can’t do 60 miles
on electric alone (which is the new
range needed for vehicles to qualify
for a Government grant) and costs
about £6000 more than an equivalent
diesel, so it’s hard to justify.
Testers have found it slightly more
economical than the Transit Custom
diesel, but again, this depends on the
sort of driving you do. Low-mileage
motorhomers might never see the extra
purchase price recouped in fuel savings.

BUT ARE ELECTRIC VEHICLES
THE GREENER OPTION?
If you look at the overall energy used
in the creation and use of a vehicle
over its lifespan, it will be lower for
an electric vehicle. However, there
is a crossover point for this to occur,
and it largely depends on how many
miles a year you cover. Typically, an
electric vehicle will be the greener
option and produce less CO2 overall
after six years or 43,000 miles.
Up to around 20,000 miles, a fossil
fuel vehicle might actually be greener.
The case is clear-cut for passenger cars
doing an average mileage of around
12,000 miles a year, but many ’vans do
far smaller average mileages and many
may never do 20,000 miles a year.
So if you only use your larger ’van
occasionally, swapping to an electric
model could actually increase your net
carbon emissions. Equally, if you use
your campervan as a daily driver, then
swapping to an electric vehicle is the
greenest thing to do.
The lack of tailpipe emissions from
an electric vehicle is a significant plus
point and, if you live near a city, you’ll
be able to access the ULEZ without
charge, and have the peace of mind of
knowing your vehicle isn’t adding to
the issue of localised city pollution.
One question often flagged up is the
mining of lithium for the batteries.

Home electric vehicle chargers will soon
become the norm for all modern houses
and they are very convenient to use
www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 99

BENEFITS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Range anxiety can be a problem with
vehicles that have ranges below the
100-mile mark, but ranges are getting
better as battery technology improves
The key point to make here is that, once
the material has been dug up, it can be
recycled and reused many times over,
so this is actually a much smaller issue
than the petrol-loving electric vehicle
sceptics would have you believe.
Battery warranties for most electric
vehicles are around the eight-year
mark, although many batteries are
lasting much longer than originally
predicted, and the lack of moving
parts in the drivetrain means electric
vehicles will undoubtedly do higher
mileages than a piston-engined model
before requiring any work.
Smaller campervans, such as this
Wellhouse prototype on an LEVC
VN5, work well as electric vehicles

There is no doubt electric motorhomes
drive better than fossil fuel powered
models. They’re far quieter, there’s
no vibration from the engine (or any
vibrations transmitted to the gear lever
or pedals) and as they have no gears to
worry about, they’re also incredibly
smooth. Most are far quicker than
their fossil-fuelled equivalents and
feel more refined and premium.
In sports cars, enthusiasts bemoan
the lack of ‘theatre’ with an electric
vehicle, but there’s no doubting their
performance advantages – and who
will miss the clatter of a diesel engine?
However, before you consider
swapping to an electric vehicle, you
need to consider the type of driving
you use your ’van for.
If it’s a daily driver that does a lot of
mileage each day, it all depends if you
have access to a home charger, and if
the charging rate available is sufficient
to top up your battery overnight and
give you enough range.
Most electric vehicle owners tend to
top up from about 50% charge, so the
range anxiety usually fades as they get
used to the new technology.
Many owners will rarely need to use
a public charger if they have a good
power supply to their house and only
do around 5000 miles a year.
If you do have to use public chargers,
electric vehicles cost only slightly less
to run than a conventional fossil fuel

Whether or not larger Ducato-based van
conversions will catch on remains to be
seen – the range of these heavier vehicles
and their cost does limit the demand

Towing is another issue to consider with
an electric vehicle, as not all have decent
towing weights and few manufacturers
quote the reduced range when you tow
vehicle, so having appropriate home
charging is key. You can usually get an
electrician to fit a charger of up to 7kW
to a typical home supply on an older
house, while some new buildings can
accept higher-power chargers.
The other point is that if you’re using
a diesel motorhome for short trips as a
daily driver, it might be wiser to lease
an electric vehicle. You can get a new
electric supermini for under £180 a
month on a lease deal (or less – we saw
a Citroën Ami on one lease website for
£142 a month) and if you can charge
this overnight at home on cheap-rate
electricity, you will slash your fuel bills
and be producing no local emissions.
A friend who owns an electric
VW up! and charges it at home reports
that his 18-mile round trip to work now
costs him 40p a day, whereas it used to
cost about £4 in his petrol vehicle. He
saves over £100 a month and no longer
has to waste time at petrol stations.

ISSUES WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES
The heavier the motorhome, the less
viable an electric vehicle becomes.
Trying to keep a motorhome under
3500kg – crucial to manufacturers
to appeal to the maximum number
of buyers – while shoehorning in a
meaningful battery bank and all the
modern touring kit buyers have come
to expect is a really tough challenge.
With current battery technology,
ranges are limited for larger ’vans,
100 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

IN DEPTH GREEN MOTORHOMES

Larger coachbuilts that aim to keep their
maximum weight under 3500kg are not
yet a practical option with current battery
technology – but they soon will be

The forthcoming Ford Transit Custom
PHEV (sibling to the new VW Transporter)
promises an mpg of 39.8, but will still
be producing tailpipe emissions
although some of the Ducato-sized
van conversions are starting to get
enhanced ranges and this might
expand with the development of
solid-state batteries.
In the short term, it looks as though
hydrogen fuel cells will work better on
heavier motorhomes and HGVs. But the
refuelling network is in its infancy and
unless you live near London, it’s not a
practical option as yet.
For medium-sized vans, going electric
is more viable and the electric Vivaro,
for example, is one of the best of the
current generation of vehicles in terms
of range and driving pleasure.

HOW GREEN IS CRUISING?
A year or so ago, I was cajoled into
embarking on a cruise and found
myself on a ship with thousands of
other people. It was eye-opening
to see the level of waste on board.
For example, I saw an entire tray of
meat being thrown away at one of
the numerous daily meal services.
But it’s the amount of fuel these
leviathans use that is quite staggering.
They can consume 250 tonnes of fuel a
day – over a million litres, more than
most people use in a lifetime.
News sources suggest that cruise
ships and other vessels contribute
3% of global emissions each year
– three times the entire emissions of
the UK. They also claim that a person’s
carbon footprint triples while they’re

Hybrid vans sound promising, but they
are technically complex and have a lot
of weighty components compared to
a full electric or a fossil fuel vehicle

on board. So it is sobering to realise
that some 24 million people go on a
cruise each year.
This is obviously a personal choice,
but if you want to avoid the least green
holidays of all, cruise ships should
probably be on your list.
For the record, the cruise I went on
will personally be my last holiday of
that type – the general wastefulness
was frustrating to see, and the logistics
of getting thousands of people on and
off the ship at each destination meant
we spent a great deal of precious
holiday time queueing. Motorhoming
is simply so much more pleasant!

FLYING
While your motorhome has all
manner of clever emissions control
methods, such as reburning
equipment, catalytic converters and
AdBlue injection systems that will
remove the nastiest chemicals from
the exhaust gas, aircraft generally lack
all of these systems.
So although a ULEZ is in operation
in London, for example, thousands
of feet above, planes from Heathrow,
Gatwick and City Airport are belching
out jet fuel (refined kerosene) or
Avgas (aviation gas, a refined petrol)
into the sky.

Electric vehicles undoubtedly have the
simplest drivetrains of all, but there is
still of lot of gubbins under the bonnet!

The latter contains some lead, unlike
road transport fuel; although now,
the industry is looking to use more
biofuel (which does still produce
emissions, however).
According to the BBC, research for
the House of Commons claims flying
is responsible for 8% of UK emissions.
Take into account the secondary
pollution effects from partially burnt
kerosene and Avgas emitted at high
altitude, and flying produces more
emissions per person than road and
rail. Aircraft produce about 133g of CO2
per kilometre, plus an extra 121g owing
to secondary altitude fumes (so 254g
in total) for domestic flights.
A diesel vehicle with one occupant
typically produces about 171g of CO2
per km, but this reduces to 85.5g per
km for two people, and if four people
are on board, it drops to around 43g
– a very similar figure to domestic rail.
The more occupants in your vehicle,
the greener it is going to be.
Coach trips are a little greener still,
producing around 27g of CO2 per km
travelled per passenger, while Eurostar
is the greenest of all, at 6g of CO2 per
person per km. Eurostar has taken steps
to reduce the energy used on its trains.

GREEN FUELS
A great deal of noise is now being made
about biofuels and synthetic fuels, and
the aim here is a laudable one – what
can you do to reduce the emissions of
all the used vehicles on the road?
Not everyone can afford to purchase
a brand-new vehicle, so how can you
make existing vehicles greener?
For many years, ethanol – an alcohol
produced from plants such as corn or
sugarcane – has been added to petrol
(up to 10% in E10 fuel), while vegetable
oils and animal fats are being used in
biodiesel (up to 5% in E5 fuel).
While the jury is out regarding using
acres of land to fuel vehicles, rather

One of the most exciting new launches
in the electric vehicle world has to be the
VW ID. Buzz, which is winning awards all
over the place, but is quite compact for
the purposes of campervan conversion
www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 101

IN DEPTH GREEN MOTORHOMES

than producing food for the growing
global population, biofuels do reduce
tailpipe emissions by up to 85% for
diesel and around 50% for petrol.
They don’t make a piston engine
produce zero emissions, so are only
one part of the longer-term solution.
However, as we said at the start of this
article, every little helps!

HOW CAN YOU BE GREENER?
If you are currently driving an older
motorhome, swapping to a newer
model with a lower Euro emissions
rating is greener, and it will be more
frugal, reducing your fuel bills.
The real emissions culprits are
older motorhomes that only meet the
Euro 3 emissions (typically registered
before 2005 or older). From Euro 4
emissions onwards, the standards
cut emissions significantly and have
been incrementally reducing them
ever since. Euro 6 saw another big
step in emissions reduction.
If you have a pre-1992 ’van, buying
almost anything made in the past
20 years will be an improvement.
Going electric is another option,
but only if you plan to keep the vehicle
for a long time or do a high annual
mileage. For the longer term, it’s
highly likely that most road transport
that is based on medium-sized

Unveiled in North America last summer,
the LWB version of the ID. Buzz is simply
crying out for a campervan conversion.
VW is sure to have one pretty soon…

… and you can see how much space is
liberated in the LWB ID. Buzz; it’s hoped
the extra room will allow for a battery
giving a range of around 300 miles

Even cities like New York are now starting to toughen up on their emissions laws, so the
traditional Yellow Cabs are now largely hybrids or electric vehicles
vans, or smaller, will move to
electric power, while for heavier
vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells might
gain more traction.
As hydrogen fuel cells always power
an electric drivetrain, it is safe to say
the future is most definitely electric
in one form or another!
If you do fewer than 5000 miles a
year, the answer is not so clear-cut and
it might be greener to stick to fossil
fuel. If you also try to drive with all of
the vehicle’s travel seats occupied, you
will be producing minimal CO2 per
person per km travelled.

EVERY LITTLE HELPS
Trying to reduce the world’s overall
CO2 emissions to mitigate climate
change by just looking at road
transport is a complex task – there
really is no magic fix.
The key thing is that we will all play
a small part in doing what we can on a
personal level to reduce our emissions.
No single solution fits all motorhomers,
though, so it is important to consider
the question in the round.
There are also a few things that you
can do for free to reduce the amount
of fuel your vehicle burns. Increasing
the mpg reduces emissions. Reducing
the vehicle’s drag – for example, by
removing top boxes when they’re not
in use – helps, as does checking your
tyre pressures on a regular basis.
Low-pressure tyres have more
rolling resistance and will require
more energy from the engine to rotate.
Tyres will naturally lose pressure
over time and if every motorhomer
got into the habit of topping them up
once a month, the fuel savings would
be significant.
Keeping the vehicle weight as light
as possible also reduces the amount of

!

VERDICT
You might think it’s all environmental
doom and gloom when it comes to
transport, but there are a lot of clever
scientists tackling the problem and a
growing global push to find solutions.
If we can develop a vaccine for a
pandemic in record time, we can do
something similar for the environment.
But science won’t solve it entirely – it
also needs a collective effort from us.
After hiking and tent camping,
I believe that motorhomes and
campervans are about as green as it is
possible to be on holiday in the UK.
Compared to any long-haul flight or a
cruise, they are more eco-friendly, by
a significant margin, so you shouldn’t
feel guilty about it.
Now if your cruise-loving neighbours
turn up their noses at the sight of your
diesel motorhome, you can give them
a knowing smile, safe in the knowledge
that you’re actually far greener…

Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Motorhome, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation
as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement
in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances and skill level. References to specific products are for illustration only and not

intended as recommendation. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use
of this information. Double check any warranty is not affected before proceeding.

102 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

fuel you’ll use. So buy food local to the
campsite and only fill up your fresh
water tank when you get to the site
(and empty it before you leave).
Thin out your touring kit, too – do
you really need to cart everything
around with you all the time? If you
haven’t used an item within the past
year, leave it at home.
Driving style is another easy win to
save fuel. Just dropping your speed
from 60mph to 55mph will save you a
decent amount of fuel and reduce your
fuel consumption.
Some economy driving experts will
even drive in the truck lane to use the
slipstream of the lorry in front to suck
them along to save fuel. Drafting, as it
is called, really works and anyone who
cycles with a group of friends will know
exactly how effective it can be.

how to…

Grimebuster John Sootheran dons rubber gloves and grabs his cleaning kit to take
on arch-enemy The Black Streak, pitting jumbo sponge against ingrained grunge!

M

arvel and DC have dreamt up
some deliciously despicable
supervillains over the decades,
but have any been quite as dastardly
and defiant as The Black Streak?
This stubbornly persistent baddie has
the superpower of being omnipresent,
blighting motorhomes all over the
country with its deeply entrenched
grime and horrible tell-tale staining.
It’s depressingly resilient, too: attack
it with heavy-duty chemicals and all
the muscle you can muster, and it may
still be there afterwards, mocking you
with its seeming indestructibility.
This is an eternal tale of good versus
bad, but follow our cleaning guide and
you’ll soon be ready for a new season
of sparkling motorhome adventures!

When to do battle
First, you can make your grimefighting
a bit less arduous by choosing the best
time to do battle. Ideally, this will be
on a cool, dry day, when your ’van
isn’t standing in strong direct sunlight.
If the weather’s too warm, the grime
and grit you rinse off, and the products
you apply, will dry out before you have
the time to wash or buff them off.
This can lead to scratching and
streaking, and more time and effort
needed to get the desired finish.

The cleaning superhero’s arsenal
Motorhomes are, of course, big, so it
makes sense to use quality cleaning
products, which make the job easier.
Cheap (dilute) cleaning solutions are
available, but if you value your time
and energy, choose recognised brands.
For a comprehensive spring clean,
consider the following products:
Motorhome cleaner Formulated to
eradicate black streaks and remove algae
Shampoo Washes and (often) waxes
your ’van, producing a shiny finish
Window cleaner Specialist products
for acrylic (plastic) motorhome windows
104 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

Getty

ADVICE MOTORHOME CLEANING

Upholstery cleaner Usually spray-on
products, these will clean and protect
motorhome soft furnishings
Wheel cleaner Strong cleaners designed
to remove tar, road film and brake dust
Tyre shine A spray or thick gel which
cleans, lubricates and protects tyres
Polish Gain longer-term protection
with a good-quality polish
Ceramic protection An optional extra
that adds a special protective layer to
the surface of your motorhome
By including some or all of these special
products in your cleaning kit, you can both
clean and protect your beloved vehicle.

Step 1 Start with the roof
The motorhome roof is often really
grimy, while the rest of the exterior
sparkles. Of course, nobody sees the
roof, but that’s no reason to omit it

from your cleaning regime. In fact,
it’s the best place to start. It’s a hotly
debated topic, but I always prefer to
clean my ’van from the top down.
Use a stepladder (henchman.co.uk,
for example) to access the roof, and
start by soaking the roof so the grime,
algae and road film has time to soften.
Next, using a soft brush and a soapy
detergent mix, loosen the dirt from the
roof, paying particular attention to the
edges of rooflights, vents, solar panels,
aerials and other furniture, where the
worst gunge tends to gather.
Use plenty of water to wash away the
muck, so you are not grinding it into
the roof surface as you clean. While
you may not be able to see it, this will
cause micro-abrasions, which damage
the vehicle’s ‘top coat’ over time.
Investing in a long-handled brush
will mean that you don’t have to climb
onto the roof to reach the middle.
After rinsing off the gunk from the
first shampoo, you’ll be able to see
where the stubborn grime remains.
You might need to up your chemical
attack to remove this, and apply a bit
more elbow grease, too.
I’d recommend cleaners from the
likes of Muc-Off (£29.95 for five litres),
Fenwick’s (£11.88 for one litre) or
Autoglym (£14.99 for one litre).
Once the roof is clean, rinsed and
dried, you might want to protect it
with a polish or one of the ceramic
protective coatings now on the market,
such as Autoglym Rapid Ceramic Spray
(£13.99 for 500ml). It’s more work,
but should pay dividends next time
you come to clean your vehicle.
Perspex rooflights can be washed
down initially with a soap-and-water
solution, then treated with a window
cleaner for plastic windows, such as
Fenwick’s Windowize (£9.47 for
100ml). This is designed to remove
light scratches and hazing.
Ensure that your cloth or brush is
fully rinsed, with no grit or grime in
it, when you clean plastic windows.
While on your stepladder, take the
opportunity to clean the solar panel
and run a cloth along and around the
cassette of any roll-out awning.

Step 2 Move on to the walls
The next stage is for the motorhome’s
sidewalls to be soaked and any grime
softened with wash-off from the roof
(the main reason why I always clean
from the top down).
The cab and rear panel are likely to
be the dirtiest, so I start with those.
The cab takes the brunt of the dirt and
debris that is thrown up on the road.

It can be time-consuming, but washing
your ’van is crucial for maintenance

It’s also a major task, so it makes good
sense to invest in specialist products,
such as Autoglym Motorhome Cleaner
Meanwhile, vortices created by the flat
rear end of a motorhome suck in all the
road muck, which sticks to the panel.
Begin this by soaking the areas and
removing the worst of the road film
with a soapy detergent solution and
a soft brush, mitt or sponge.
For this task, use a light, circular
rubbing action, which will help to
avoid grinding abrasive particles into
the motorhome’s paint surface.
If your ’van is very grimy, you should
consider the two-bucket cleaning
method. Here, you have one bucket
of clean water, in which you rinse your
cloth each time it has wiped down a
dirty section of your ’van.
The second bucket holds cleaning
solution, and the cloth or sponge only
goes in here once it’s been rinsed out.
This way, you’re less likely to
transfer grit and particles from the
dirty water bucket back onto the side
of the vehicle.
Rinse this off, then step back and
assess which areas might need extra
attention. This is where you’re most
likely to find the dreaded black streak,
streaming down from protrusions,
including windows, hatches, handles,
lights and any fitted awning cassette.
Like the roof, these streaks and more
ingrained areas need to be treated with
a specialist solution, such as Muc-Off
or Autoglym Motorhome Cleaner.
Spray it on, leave for a minute or so,
www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 105

The roof is usually the dirtiest part of the
vehicle and requires special attention

Muck and dirt tend to gather around
a motorhome’s external fittings

The dreaded black streaks are
a motorhomer’s arch-enemy

John soaks the roof to soften
stubborn dirt and grime

Paragon Microfibre wash
mitt and drying cloth
then carefully rub it off. In personal
tests, I found that these brands were
the most effective for removing those
resolute black streaks.
Now rinse down the front and side
panels, then dry them with a squeegee,
chamois or specialist drying cloth.
There are plenty of these items on
the market these days, but I still rely
on my trusty wash mitt (£5.95) and
drying cloth (£3.90), available from
paragonmicrofibre.com.
These are put to use at least weekly
and, although I must have had them
for the best part of a decade, they
remain as good as ever.
After all of this attention, your
motorhome’s walls will be gleaming,
but you should consider polishing
them as well, again using a specialist
product, such as Autoglym’s Super
Resin Polish (£13.49 for 500ml).
This isn’t the cheapest product
on the market, but it delivers a great
finish with excellent protection, and
it goes on and comes off very easily
(which is an important consideration
when you are cleaning something as
big as your motorhome!).
If you’re running out of time, energy
or the will to live at this point, I would
suggest prioritising the cab area for
the polishing treatment, because it’s
the part of the exterior that really
needs most protection.
106 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

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DƔHQWLRQ\RXU
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Step 3 Cleaning decals and graphics
Motorhome decals and graphics should
be cleaned carefully and you shouldn’t
use harsh chemicals, which can cause
discoloration and fading. It’s also best
to take care not to clean too vigorously,
because they could become detached.
Use a soft cloth or brush to clean
decals, applying lots of soapy water.
I also like Erase Away foam pads,
which I found online.
These non-abrasive pads contain
no harmful chemicals, and are great
for cleaning in and around raised
decals. A 12-pad pack costs about £20.

Step 4 Treating chalky glass fibre
The protective top coat on older glass
fibre panels can degrade over time,
subjecting the material underneath to
the rigours of climate and UV damage.
As the years pass, this can cause the

material to dry out and become ‘chalky’.
If you spot this on your motorhome,
you need to act immediately.
Depending on how badly oxidised
the surface is, you can either polish
it back to a shiny finish, or for worse
damage, use a cutting agent to remove
the dusty layer.
A cutting agent is an abrasive
material suspended in a soft paste,
rather like liquid sandpaper.
Professional car detailers use them
to restore and repair paint surfaces.
I would recommend Meguiar’s
Ultimate Compound (£13.99 for
450ml), and the use of a rotary
buffer with a wool pad.
Once you get down to a solid surface
with no chalkiness, wipe away any
dust residue with isopropyl, and use
a quality wax polish to buff the surface
back to a shine, adding several
applications for extra protection.
Thereafter, you will need to polish
this panel regularly to prevent or
minimise further oxidation.

Step 5 Cleaning the seals
Algae and muck tend to gather around
window, door and hatch seals, so wash
them with soapy water, then once
they have dried, treat with a silicone
spray, such as Thetford’s Seal Lubricant
(£3.75 for 200ml) or Halfords Silicone
Lubricant (£4.99 for 500ml).

ADVICE MOTORHOME CLEANING

Erase Away pads are ideal
for cleaning ’van decals

Use some wheel cleaning
mousse for the final touch!

Rod Farrendon

Silicone spray lubricates
and protects rubber seals

Applying
tyre dressing
minimises UV
damage and
leaves your
tyres looking
much better,
while a coat
of polish on
alloys makes
them a lot
easier to
keep clean

Windows can be washed
down with a soft brush
This will help to keep the rubber
supple and prevent cracking, and will
protect against UV damage, extending
the viable lifetime of the seal.

Step 6 Windows
Wash your ’van’s plastic windows
down carefully with a loaded soapy
mitt, sponge or soft brush, ensuring
that it’s thoroughly rinsed out between
each application.
Afterwards, dry the window with a
clean chamois or soft microfibre cloth.
With the worst of the traffic film
removed, consider using Care-avan’s
Acrylic Window Cleaner (£11.99 for
500ml) to polish your windows and
remove any smears.
For older ’vans with scratched or
hazy windows, consider applying
Fenwick’s Windowize.
For the windscreen and mirrors,
you could try Autoglym Fast Glass.

Step 7 Wheel cleaning
Motorhome wheels are likely to be
coated in traffic film, mud, tar spots
and brake dust at different times of
year, so to clean and protect them,
select a specialist treatment such as
Autoglym Clean Wheels (£10.39 for
one litre) or Simoniz Tar Remover

!

(£5.99 for 300ml). Alloys benefit from
regular rub-downs with a good polish.

Step 8 Clean and protect your tyres
For this important stage, I like the
viscosity of a gel treatment, such as
Meguiar’s Endurance Tire Gel (£10.39
for 473ml), but others might prefer the
spray-on ease of Autoglym’s Instant
Tyre Dressing (£7.99 for 500ml).
A good-quality tyre dressing cleans
and protects the rubber.

Step 9 Furnishings and upholstery
Carefully check over your furnishings
and upholstery, and treat any marks or
stains with a quality cleaning product,
such as Care-avan Interior Cleaner
(£6.49 for 500ml) or Autoglym’s
Interior Shampoo (£9.32 for 500ml).
Note It’s essential to read all application
instructions carefully before using any
of the cleaning products recommended
in this feature

Motorhome cleaning products
Autoglym autoglym.com
Cara Finesse ebay.co.uk
Care-avan care-avan.co.uk
Diamondbrite diamondbrite.co.uk
Dometic dometic.com

Erase Away pads amazon.co.uk
Fenwick’s fenwickscaravan.com
Halfords halfords.com
Henchman ladders henchman.co.uk
Meguiar’s meguiars.co.uk
Muc-Off muc-off.com
Paintseal paintsealdirect.com
Thetford thetford-europe.com
WD-40 wd40.com
Own-brand cleaning products from
the likes of Halfords and Aldi, for
example, are also recommended.
By purchasing recognised brands,
you can be sure that toxic chemicals
and other non-biodegradable elements
are not included in the formulations.

The cost of cleaning products
As you will have noticed from reading
this feature, purchasing high-quality,
recognised brands of motorhome
cleaning products is quite expensive,
especially if you find you need to buy
them all at the same time.
That said, they should last for several
years. But if you want to spread the
cost, I would start by buying a good
motorhome shampoo, then a quality,
bespoke cleaning solution. Other
products can then be added to your
armoury over time.

Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Motorhome, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their
own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing
with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. Double check any warranty is not affected before proceeding.

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 107

buyer’s guide

How to use the guide
We’ve organised our listings by layout,
generally the most crucial aspect for
buyers. Simply locate the floorplan you
like in the guide; then, on the left of it,
you’ll find details of every UK model
with that layout. Simple! Note that TA
in a model name denotes a twin-axle.

OVERCAB
COACHBUILTS

These models are less popular than they used to be, but they still offer lots of appeal – particularly
if you’re a family looking for a motorhome that can provide plenty of space. The area over the cab
usually features a double bed, handy if you don’t want to make up a bed from sofas each night

BUNK BEDS
MODEL

TRANSVERSE
Eura Mobil Activa One 690VB
Hobby Optima OnTour Overcab A65KM
Weinsberg CaraHome 600DKG
Rimor Seal 9
Roller Team Zefiro 675
Carado A361 Pro
Sunlight A68
Rimor Kilig 9
LONGITUDINAL
Rimor Evo Sound

BASE VEHICLE

MAX
WEIGHT LENGTH
(M)
(KG)

TRAVEL
PRICE
BERTHS SEATS (INC OTR
(£)
DRIVER)

Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Ford Transit
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Ford Transit

3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500

6.99
6.99
6.45
7.3
6.99
6.6
6.6
6.97

6
4
4
7
8
6
6
6

4
4
4
7
6
6
4
6

96,995
75,995
69,810
68,495
64,995
64,190
64,090
62,995

Ford Transit

3500

6.97

7

6

65,495

FRENCH BEDS
MODEL

FRONT DINETTE
Rimor Seal 3

BASE VEHICLE

Fiat Ducato

MAX
WEIGHT LENGTH
(M)
(KG)

3500

6.48

TRAVEL
PRICE
BERTHS SEATS (INC OTR
(£)
DRIVER)

6

6

67,995

ISLAND BEDS
MODEL

FULL LOUNGE
Rimor Kilig 669
HALF DINETTE
Swift Voyager 494
TWIN FACING SOFAS
Auto-Trail Frontier Comanche/HB Hi Line
Auto-Trail Frontier Delaware/HB Hi Line
Auto-Trail Imala 730/HB Hi Line

BASE VEHICLE

MAX
WEIGHT LENGTH
(M)
(KG)

TRAVEL
BERTHS SEATS (INC PRICE
DRIVER) OTR (£)

Ford Transit

3500

7.3

5

5

63,995

Ford Transit

3500

7.54

4

4

68,995

Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato

5000
4500
3500

8.79
8.07
7.25

6
6
4

6
4
4

115,184
100,454
75,278

SINGLE BEDS
MODEL

FULL LOUNGE/DINETTE
Dethleffs Globetrotter XXL A-9000-2EB
Rimor Super Brig 695 TC
Weinsberg CaraHome 650MEG
Rimor Seal 695
Swift Voyager 485
Rimor Seal 50
Rimor Kilig 695
Rimor Kilig 50

BASE VEHICLE

Iveco Daily
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Ford Transit
Fiat Ducato
Ford Transit
Ford Transit

108 May 2024 | www.practicalmotorhome.com

MAX
WEIGHT LENGTH
(M)
(KG)

6700
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500

8.86
7.37
6.99
7.35
7.54
7.34
7.3
7.28

TRAVEL
PRICE
BERTHS SEATS (INC OTR
(£)
DRIVER)

6
4
5
6
5
6
5
6

6
4
5
5
5
5
5
6

225,300
72,995
72,230
69,495
69,495
68,495
63,995
63,295

TRANSVERSE BEDS
MODEL

BASE VEHICLE

FULL DINETTE
Eura Mobil Activa One 690 HB
Hobby Optima OnTour Overcab A70GFM
Auto-Trail Imala 736G Hi Line
Rimor Super Brig 687 TC
Weinsberg CaraHome 650DG
Rimor Seal 8
Rimor Seal 5
Carado A464 Pro
Sunlight A70
Rimor Evo 5
Roller Team Zefiro Sport
Etrusco A7300DB
Rimor Kilig 5
HALF DINETTE
Weinsberg CaraHome 550MG
Carado A132 Pro
Sunlight A60
Rimor Kilig 4

MAX
WEIGHT LENGTH
(M)
(KG)

TRAVEL
PRICE
BERTHS SEATS (INC OTR
(£)
DRIVER)

Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Ford Transit
Ford Transit
Fiat Ducato
Ford Transit

3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500
3500

6.99
7.19
7.25
7.17
6.99
6.83
7.15
7.24
7.25
6.97
7.43
7.25
6.97

4
4
6
4
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
6
6

4
4
6
4
6
5
6
6
4
6
4
4
6

94,995
76,995
75,278
72,995
72,200
68,495
67,995
66,990
66,890
65,995
65,995
64,700
62,995

Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Ford Transit

3500
3500
3500
3500

5.97
5.94
5.95
5.95

4
4
4
4

4
4
4
4

67,960
60,490
60,490
59,995

REAR LOUNGE
MODEL

REAR LOUNGE ONLY
Dethleffs Alpa A7820-2
Dethleffs Alpa A6820-2
Frankia F-Line A740 Plus
Frankia F-Line A680 Plus
Bürstner Lyseo Gallery Harmony Line TD 649G
Eura Mobil Activa One 570 HS
FULL DINETTE
Auto-Trail Frontier Scout
Auto-Trall Imala 736 Hi Line
Rimor Super Brig Suite
Roller Team Auto Roller 746
Swift Voyager 475

BASE VEHICLE

MAX
WEIGHT LENGTH
(M)
(KG)

TRAVEL
PRICE
BERTHS SEATS (INC OTR
(£)
DRIVER)

Fiat/Al-Ko
Fiat/Al-Ko
Fiat/Al-Ko
Fiat/Al-Ko
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato

5000
4800
4500
4500
3850
3500

8.58
7.33
7.52
7.06
6.99
5.99

4
4
2
2
4
4

4
4
2
2
4
4

166,000
134,600
126,400
121,900
104,990
95,495

Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato
Ford Transit
Ford Transit

4500
3500
3500
3500
3500

8.07
7.25
7.17
7.24
7.54

6
6
4
6
5

6
6
4
6
5

100,454
75,278
72,995
71,700
69,995

END KITCHENS
MODEL

FRONT DINETTE
Bürstner Lyseo Gallery Harmony Line TD 689G
Eura Mobil Activa One 630 LS
TWIN FACING SOFAS
Eura Mobil Activa One 650 HS
Auto-Trall Imala 615 Hi Line

BASE VEHICLE

MAX
WEIGHT LENGTH
(M)
(KG)

TRAVEL
PRICE
BERTHS SEATS (INC OTR
(£)
DRIVER)

Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato

3850
3500

6.9
6.44

3
5

4
4

104,990
97,495

Fiat Ducato
Fiat Ducato

3500
3500

6.5
6.34

4
4

4
4

97,489
70,364

www.practicalmotorhome.com | May 2024 109

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Editorial
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Join us as we take
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vintage issues of
Practical Motorhome

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MAY 2016

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It was all eyes to the East in this spring
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camper and N-class van conversion,
and the Owner Satisfaction Awards!

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Gentleman Jack enjoyed
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