Practical Caravan August 2021

Practical Caravan is Britain's best-selling caravan magazine. Each month we travel at home and abroad, bringing you essential guides to the best caravan holidays around. There's practical advice, too, with technical tips and all your questions answered, making us the perfect place for first-timers and experts alike.

£4

in this issue

In This Issue

Touring inspiration!

We’ve loved receiving all the photos of the post-lockdown tours that you’ve been sending us over the past few weeks – after all the months of not being able to travel anywhere, it’s fantastic to see us caravanners hitting the road en masse. And why not – we deserve it! If you’re still looking for inspiration on where to go, though, be sure to take a look at our very special travel section this issue. We’ve 28 pages on brilliant places to visit and areas to explore in 2021, from the stunning Somerset Levels, to some of the less-crowded places in the Lake District. And if you enjoy walking when you’re on tour, turn to p83 for the next in our Know-how series of guides. You’ll find everything you need to know…

1 min

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THE BIG SHOT

‘Overlooking the crashing North Atlantic Ocean, the spectacular Causeway Coast is a land of myth and legend’ (p86) Where are we? Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland Coordinates 55.2395° N, 6.3325° W Why tour here? The Causeway Coast offers some of Northern Ireland’s most dramatic landscapes, with stunning views over the North Atlantic. Highlights include the magnificent basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway. For ore top coastal walks, see p84. Don’t miss… The atmospheric rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede was first constructed by fishermen more than 250 years ago. Photographer Getty Images…

1 min

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Connect

★ Star letter ★ Here is a photo of the birthday cake that my wife had made for my 70th birthday, in May this year. The cake is a replica of our Swift Challenger 645. I was so impressed with the attention to detail that I had to share it with others. I would also like to highlight the efforts of our family friend, Sarah Powell, from Swansea, who worked so hard making this fantastic cake! Ian Godbeer MILENCO The contributor of our Star letter wins a pair of Milenco Grand Aero towing mirrors, worth £50. They’re designed to fit all wing mirrors and offer an outstanding view. For further details and a list of retailers of Milenco products, visit www.milenco.com PEAK CONDITION Work is under way to repair footpaths and prevent damage to the landscape…

4 min

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Your photos!

You can spread out and relax in an awning! Here are some of the great ways you’ve been setting up your home from home TAG US #PRACTICAL CARAVAN OR EMAIL LETTERS@PRACTICALCARAVAN.COM…

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This month we love…

The Book of Knots With diagrams of over 125 knots prepared by an expert, this book should help you tie down virtually anything in your caravan. Price £9.99 Web www.quartoknows.com Fatboy glimmer The Fatboy Tjoepke table and outdoor lamp is rechargeable, and you can choose either bright lighting or a candlelight effect. Price £55 Web marshabythesea.com Welcome home Keep your caravan’s interior clean and tidy with this personalised doormat – other caravanning designs are also available. Price £19.99 Web www.artylicious.co.uk Pass the Giant Pigs A giant inflatable version of the popular game that is sure to keep all ages entertained on the campsite this summer. Price £14.99 Web www.amazon.co.uk Caravan cushion Decorate your caravan with this comfortable and personalised cushion, available on Etsy via the seller, MadeformemoriesGifts. Price £16 Web www.etsy.com/uk Stowing away This neat Canyon Cabinet by Outwell is perfect when you need to provide…

2 min

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Expert Q&A

Editor sarah@practicalcaravan.com Deputy editor paul.critcher@futurenet.com Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com Tow car editor motty@practicalcaravan.com Consulting editor practical.caravan@futurenet.com Used-van contributor practical.caravan@futurenet.com WHICH VANS OFFER L-SHAPED LOUNGE? Q I am thinking of changing my Compass Capiro 550 for a similar layout with a rear central fixed bed, but I’m also looking for an L-shaped front lounge. Could you please advise of any new single-axle vans, priced at up to £30,000 and offering the option of either a U- or an L-shaped lounge? Nigel Dayment Peter Baber replies… If you want a U-shaped lounge, you would be wise to stick with Compass – all of its models with parallel settees in the lounge include the option of having U-shaped seating instead, where you still get to keep the front chest in case you decide to use it for a change on tour. The same applies to all Elddis models. So you could…

3 min