Table of contents for Summer Special 2024 in Practical Caravan

‘This stretch of the river, and the nearby Loch Tummel, make for great salmon fishing in season’ My occasional slightly guilty pleasure in the depths of winter, when it is cold, wet and dreary, is a wee dram of Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold whisky. I was therefore rather pleased to discover that, during a visit to Scotland last summer, we would be pitched close to the Dalwhinnie distillery, and I resolved to call in. Found in a valley high up between two mountains on an ancient cattle-droving route, it perhaps isn’t the most accessible of distilleries, but its relatively remote location does add to its charm. No wonder it is proud to call itself Scotland’s highest and coldest whisky distillery - I was glad we were visiting in the middle of…

‘Sandy beaches, cliff walks and waterfront eateries all appeal’ RAMSGATE ATTRACTS many visitors to its scenic shorelines and historic landmarks. Along with its rich maritime history, Ramsgate Harbour bustles with fishing boats and yachts, and offers panoramic views of the Channel. Sandy beaches, cliff walks and waterfront eateries all appeal, while museums and galleries tell tales of seafaring adventures. London is just 90 minutes by train, and gems such as Broadstairs and Margate are only a short drive away. HOUR BY HOUR Day 1 9am Breakfast with a view Ramsgate has a wealth of great culinary offerings, from cafés to restaurants to chip shops. You can sample several along the waterfront, including the Ship Shape Café. This rustic waterside spot is tucked away beneath the Royal Parade. Enjoy a full…

FIRST LOOK SHOWROOM FIRST LOOK Price £38,999 Berths 4 MiRO 1687kg MTPLM 1847kg SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION in 2020, the Alicanto Grande range has sat at the top of Bailey’s caravan portfolio. There are three models in the line-up: one single-axle, end-bedroom van, and a pair of twin-axle, fixed-bed layouts. One of the latter has an end washroom and transverse bed; the other is the end-bedroom, central-washroom Porto reviewed here. The Alicanto Grandes are 8ft-wide, all-singing, all-dancing vans, and they look like excellent value, given the level of spec. If you’re seeking a high-end caravan, should the Alicanto Grande Porto be on your shortlist? Let’s take a look. Pitch and set-up Over the years, Bailey has developed its Alu-Tech caravan bodies into something very attractive, and the Alicanto Grande is no exception,…

PC GUIDE TO… SKILLS SCHOOL AUDIO DEVICES IF YOU ARE anything like me, music, podcasts and radio are an essential part of any caravanning trip. Whether you want to keep up with the news at home, entertain the kids or have some background music over dinner, choosing the right device is the key to easy set-up, great performance and sound quality, and longevity of service. Here we look at a range of models that deliver superb results. Standard equipment Many caravans come with a car-style, DIN-sized stereo head-unit in the front of the lounge area, mounted at head height. This usually pumps out its sounds through two speakers in the A-pillars of the tourer, at each side of the front window, and some vans have speakers in the bedroom, too. This…

USED VANS SHOWROOM USED VAN BUYER DEALER SPECIALS attract lots of attention on the forecourts, and it’s easy to see why. They offer a level of spec above and beyond that of the standard model they are based on, and all for a competitive price. The concept of the dealer special really caught on in the late 1990s, as buyers sought out higher-spec caravans for little extra outlay. They provided plenty of very valuable extras, at a lower price than the customer would pay if they were adding these items individually for themselves. Swift was an early adopter of dealer specials, based on several of its ranges. One such was the entry-level Abbey Vogue, launched in 2006 and soon gaining popularity as a dealer special. And one such dealer was Lowdhams,…

QUICK TEST TOW CARS QUICK TEST *includes wing mirrors What’s new? Volkswagen has updated the Tiguan with new looks, more space, and an uprated infotainment system. Once all models are on sale, the new VW will be available with a choice of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid power. In this test, we’ve been driving the 150hp 2.0-litre diesel in R-Line spec, which is priced at £40,895. What are we looking for? Is the new Tiguan a big step up over the old model? How well does the new car tow? Towing ability The Tiguan might have the looks of a 4x4, but most of the new models send power to the front wheels. Later this year, there will be four-wheel-drive petrol versions, but surprisingly, there are no plans for the…

USED TOW CAR SHOWROOM WHEN THE TOYOTA Highlander was launched in the UK in 2019, a common refrain was, “What took you so long?” That’s because the car has actually existed through four generations around the world, but Toyota had hitherto chosen not to sell it in the UK, despite our clear love of seven-seat SUVs. Still, it offers space, practicality and towing ability with a hybrid powertrain - and now it’s hitting the pre-owned marketplace. So, was it worth the wait? What’s it like inside? Spacious. There’s more than enough room here for a couple of six-footers to get very comfortable up front, with a further three six-footers sitting in the middle row of seats. Better still, that middle row slides backwards and forwards to vary the rear legroom…

TECHNICAL TERMS EXPLAINED › Kerbweight As defined by EU Directive 95/48/EC (which still applies), the car or other vehicle’s weight with a 90% full fuel tank, all necessary fluids, 68kg for the driver and 7kg of luggage. This is the figure that is used to calculate a tow car match › GTW (Gross train weight) The maximum allowable combined weight of the towing vehicle and the caravan, as specified by the maker of the towing vehicle › Hook-up Cable connection to the mains electrical supply at a campsite. Provides power to mains sockets and appliances › Maximum towing limit The greatest weight that a car can legally tow, as specified by the manufacturer of the towing vehicle › MiRO (Mass in running order) The caravan’s weight, with all factory-fitted equipment,…

*Star letter* Electric cars - my experiences I BOUGHT MY first hybrid electric vehicle (EV) in 2015, my first all-electric in 2019, and my current Kia EV6 AWD in 2022. That year, we took up touring again, and I bought the EV6 to tow our 1600kg Bailey Unicom Cabrera. Here, I’d like to pass on my experiences to other readers. Driving and charging The EV6 is a fantastic car to drive, with enough safety and convenience features to satisfy the most demanding driver. The range, driven solo, is 250-320 miles (3.4-44 miles/kW), depending on speed, temperature and weather. As an example of EV capabilities, in my previous car, the Kia Niro, I made a 1000-mile trip in 24 hours with no problems. The big difference between the Niro and the…

Whether you’re on tour or at home, relax with a cup of tea and some brain-teasers to ponder! SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each row, column and 3×3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9. No single digit can appear twice in any one row, column or 3×3 box WORDWISE 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: Complaining 15 = average More than 25 = well done Notes HALF & HALF Developed by agricultural firm William Foster & Co, Little Willie…

Celebrate summer across the UK 3-4 August 2024 A Taste of Yorkshire Food and Drink Festival, West Yorkshire Step back in time to enjoy the splendours of the age of steam at Middleton Railway in Leeds, which will be hosting its first Taste of Yorkshire food festival. Visitors can enjoy cooking demonstrations, hot and cold food, local breweries, and cider and cocktail bars. There will also be live music and children’s entertainment. Adult tickets cost £10. › middletonrailway.org.uk/event/a-taste-of-yorkshire-food-and-drink-festival Stay at Broadlands Farm Touring Caravan Park › durkar.com 3-4 August 2024 Truckfest, Edinburgh Motoring fans are going to love this weekend-long extravaganza featuring car-crushing monster trucks, thrilling displays by freestyle motocross riders, and customised American rigs, at the Royal Highland Centre. There’s also the chance to take a trip in a Slingshot truck, along…

1 The George & Dragon North Yorkshire The George & Dragon has more to tempt you than fabulous pies. This stone-walled pub has views over beautiful Swaledale, and is also a local library, shop and allotments. Burn off some energy after lunch on trails through oak, lime, ash and beech trees in the National Trust’s Hudswell Woods. Or try a five-mile circular route by the Swale to Richmond, passing an 11th-century castle. › georgeanddragonhudswell.co.uk Stay at Scar Close CL › scarclosecaravanpark.co.uk 2 The Globe Inn Norfolk It may be 200 years old, but The Globe has a distinctly modern edge. Its menu stars the best of local ingredients, such as Barsham Beer Battered Fish. Begin a stroll from the pub square, hiking past the quay onto a mile-long raised footpath with…

When to go Winter snow gives the Highlands a special allure but we were glad of the summer warmth and clear skies. It’s still Scotland though, so be sure to take your all-weather clothing! Why go To enjoy the breathtaking scenery and some of the area’s charming towns and villages. Also, to visit the home of one of my favourite tipples! Food and drink › victorias-pitlochry.co.uk › portnacraig.com › moulinhotel.co.uk › auldsmiddyinn.co.uk Find out more A good starting point for information on the town and surrounding area. › pitlochry.org Dalwhinnie Distillery This is just off the main A9 road through the Highlands, on the A889, around two hours north of Edinburgh and one hour east of Fort William (following the A86). › malts.com/en-gb/brands/dalwhinnie What3words ///embarks.tonality.vest Blair Athol Distillery › malts.com/en-gb/distilleries/blair-athol…

WE ARRIVED AT Beach View Holiday Park in Sizewell, Suffolk, set up the caravan and walked along the beach to see the coastal views. The EDF nuclear power station towers over the beach, like a giant golf ball on top of a modern building. There is a visitor centre exploring nuclear fusion, and it’s very interesting - children might enjoy the exhibition, too, as it’s quite hands-on. The following morning, we headed to Landguard Fort in Felixstowe. This seafront fortress was constructed around 1750, and significantly extended over the years. It was eventually taken out of military service and handed to English Heritage after the end of the Cold War in 1991. Improvements to the original fortress include Victorian-era soldiers’ barracks, World War II gun batteries and Cold War strategic…

OUR SON, BEN, was busy plotting his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition Section. This involves spending four days and three nights living in the great outdoors, with eight hours of planned activity each day and at least 50% of that time on the move - in his case, in the glorious scenery of the Peak District. Meantime, Harvey and I were sitting opposite, also planning - for us, this meant the next trip with Lucy, our seven-year-old Cavachon. Our city break would combine some sightseeing in the capital with my running in the London Landmarks Half Marathon. With our training schedules and routes sorted, and gear packed, we waved Ben off on his latest adventure - his fully laden backpack would be his only home for the next few…

Bailey profits increase Bristol manufacturer announces strong performance BAILEY OF BRISTOL has reported full-year profits up by over a third to £4.3m, while turnover also increased by 16% to £150.8m. Prima Leisure, its accessories subsidiary, also brought in a profit after tax of £300,000 - its highest since incorporation. The company says the size of the market reduced in 2022 and the first half of 2023, but this reduction then flattened. Over the course of 2023 it managed to increase its market share with the launch of the Phoenix GT75 and Pegasus GT75 ranges, both brought out to celebrate the company’s 75th birthday. Stocks on forecourts also returned to more normal levels in 2023, after the pandemic. The brand has embarked on an efficiency drive and is pressing ahead with…

PRODUCT REVIEW FACTFILE Ecoflow Alternator Charger Charge Up to 800W Connectivity App & Bluetooth Web uk.ecoflow.com Weight 2.3kg Price £329 Delta Max 2000 Powerbank Power 2016Wh 50.4V battery (40Ah) Outputs Four USB-A outlets and two USB-C Dimensions (L × W × H) 49.7 × 24.2 × 30.5cm Weight 22kg Price £899 › uk.ecoflow.com A POWERBANK is just a battery in a box, with an inverter and some 240V and 12V sockets. This duplicates the systems your caravan has on board. Now, Ecoflow’s new Delta Max battery-to-battery (B2B) charger aims to challenge this view. The Alternator Charger is a compact and stylish B2B charger that works solely with Ecoflow products. It comes with all of its cabling pre-terminated and everything you need to install it. To set up, connect the two…

Here are 10 songs or albums called ‘Caravan’ to test your new audio devices with! You can search for them on Spotify, iTunes or your provider. There’s something for everyone to enjoy! 1 Prose Caravan Whisk yourself back to those classic 70s or 80s family holidays with the brilliant lyrics and storytelling of this tune, taken from the album Home of the Brave. 2 Inspiral Carpets Caravan Super-catchy song from the Madchester favourites. This is from their Greatest Hits album. 3 Passenger Caravan Smart lyrics, with added whistling, from the album Wide Eyes Blind Love. 4 Gangbusters Melody Club Caravan Palace Quirky electronica with a jazz vibe - strangely compelling! Lone Digger might be my favourite on this album. 5 Nick Power Caravan The album was recorded solo, entirely within…

Choosing the right caravan for you is never just about selecting the right layout. It’s also about making sure that your chosen new caravan is ideally within 85% of the weight of your car. And there is your budget to consider, too. That’s why it is never easy. But we are once again here to help. Here are three more scenarios where we help caravanners look for a suitable solution. If you’d like us to sort out your conundrum and show you the used caravan of your dreams, just get in touch! WANT OUR EXPERTS TO HELP YOU FIND THE PERFECT USED CARAVAN? Let us know by emailing letters@practicalcaravan.com and we’ll do the legwork for you! Kevin and Glynis - a family and a half Kevin and Glynis are retired and…

WALKING SPECIAL TRAVEL BEST FOR breathtaking views THE LAKE DISTRICT Put on the map (literally) by fellwalker Alfred Wainwright, under whose name 214 peaks are logged, the Lake District is a dramatic and beautiful place. Towering above the lakes are splendid hills and mountains, such as Scafell Pike and Skiddaw. Be sure to pop into one of the nearby towns - Keswick, Windermere or Grasmere. They all have pubs for a post-walk drink, such as The Royal Oak in Keswick (royaloakkeswick.co.uk) or The Flying Pig (theflyingpigbowness.co.uk) at Bowness-on-Windermere. Find out more lakedistrict.gov.uk Stay at Castlerigg Farm Camping & Caravan Site › castleriggfarm.com BEST FOR a total escape SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, WEST HIGHLAND WAY Head up to Edinburgh and then beyond, to the magnificent Highlands, where vast valleys and heather-covered hillsides shelter the…

BEING AN EXPERIENCED and skilled hiker doesn’t just mean knowing how to take a bearing or use crampons - it also means being able to keep yourself and others around you as safe as possible. You have heard it before: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes. But is it really true that every day is a great day for hiking? We love walking in all seasons and a lot of different weather conditions, but aren’t there times when you’d be wiser to meet a friend for coffee, take a yoga class or even lace up your running shoes and head for a low-level trail instead? This is a question I’ve been pondering lately, particularly with warmer weather bringing more unprepared people onto the trails. I…

GREAT BRITAIN HAS a rich history and culture, which can be seen in the many iconic estates spread throughout its countries. These places offer a glimpse into the past, from towering castles to grand stately homes, and each one is an architectural marvel with a unique story to tell. Whether you are a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply love exploring new places, our curated list of the best examples will help you discover a wealth of treasures - plus, we reaveal a fantastic site to stay at nearby! Buckingham Palace LONDON, ENGLAND Arguably the most famous royal residence in the world, Buckingham Palace is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring London. Visitors can watch the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony - the formal handover between soldiers on…

FIRST LOOK SHOWROOM FIRST LOOK Price £24,995 Berths 4 MiRO 1320kg MTPLM 1476kg THE MAJOR RANGE has been a stalwart of Sprite’s line-up for decades. In recent years, it has been expanded with a variously named 8ft-wide sub-range. But we thought it was time to go back to basics and view a conventional-width Sprite, such as this four-berth 4EB with in-line island bed and transverse washroom. We went to North Western Caravans, in Cheadle Hulme, to take a look. Pitch and set-up Towards the end of the previous decade, Swift took the Sprite brand up a notch or two, and that is particularly evident on the outside here. The three windows at the front and the contrasting charcoal-coloured gas locker below don’t look like an entry-level caravan. Nor do the chrome…

Nobody goes on tour to watch TV, but there’s something very relaxing about being able to catch up with some of your favourite shows at the end of a long day of exploring. Although plenty of caravanners believe that touring is a time to escape the TV, an equal number love evenings in their comfortable home-from-home, settled in front of the box. Some caravans - particularly pre-owned ones - will come with a TV already fitted. But what if yours doesn’t, and you want to buy one? Alternatively, you might have a set, but would like to upgrade. Fear not - first, we will explain all you need to know about buying a new TV for your caravan. Then we’ll take a look at the options for TVs that are…

IF YOU ARE lucky enough to have very deep pockets, these are some of the very finest cars available for towing duties. Any of these five vehicles will be able to tow a large twin-axle caravan with ease. Luxury doesn’t come cheap, but while the original buyer must have a bulging bank account, the second and third owners don’t need to be quite so affluent. Wait a few years and these upmarket cars become a lot more affordable. Granted, most won’t be cheap to run. But so long as you budget and have a fighting fund to fix any faults, a pre-owned 4x4 can be a smart buy. Find out how the other half lives, for half the cash… BMW X5 XDRIVE50E M SPORT Price £82,055 Kerbweight 2495kg 85% match…

SKILLS SCHOOL SAVING MONEY IF YOU HAVE already invested in a caravan, then you’re already winning the holiday value game - you have taken possession of a home-from-home that should allow you to take cheap holidays for many years to come. Caravans also hold their value well, giving even better value. The longer you keep the van, the lower the cost per year will average out, too. So if you typically replace your caravan every four years or so, extending this period by a year or so will reduce your average yearly depreciation cost. Clearly, other factors, such as the cost of finance and interest rates, are also in play when you are making these calculations, but you take the point. Fuel costs The biggest cost of running a caravan…

Includes all 2024 models on UK sale! FIND THE PERFECT FLOORPLAN FOR YOUR NEEDS Please check model details with the manufacturer or dealer before travelling to view or buy There are a wide range of caravan layouts to choose from (pictured below), all with their own pros and cons. When you’re trying to settle on the arrangement that will suit you, there are some points to think about that can help you decide. Here, we take a look at a few of the most popular floorplans out there, and what they can offer you. B TRANSVERSE ISLAND BED, REAR WASHROOM Island beds are a surprisingly recent addition to caravans, and were really introduced from the world of motorhomes. Caravans are usually a bit wider than motorhomes, though, so it is…