Practical Motorhome November 2020

Editor-in-chief Have you heard about Van Live! - proudly sponsored by Bailey - yet? You can find out more by turning to p74, but do make sure to visit our own online show this October. It’ll be running on our website from 12-18 October; we’ll be bringing you the very latest 2021 manufacturer news, updates from campsites, and news of brilliant deals, as well as lots of fun stuff such as celebrities and recipes – just about everything that you’d expect from a real show, all in the comfort of your own home! You can even get hold of a brilliant goodie bag. We’ve plenty of exciting content planned and ready and waiting for you to enjoy, so be sure to bookmark our show page, www.practicalmotorhome.com/vanlive. Keep an eye out for updates…

Coordinates 49.9747° N, 5.2315° W Why tour here? If you love sandy beaches, hidden coves and rockpooling, you should head for Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula. Despite a steep 15-minute descent from the car park to the beach, Kynance Cove is one of the most popular; arrive before 11am to secure a parking spot. For more on this area, see p43. Don’t miss… Want to try scuba diving? The peninsula has several schools where you can learn. You could also visit the Marconi Centre and find out how the first transatlantic messages were sent, and Frenchman’s Creek, the inspiration for Daphne du Maurier’s novel.…

People are talking these days about the ‘new normal’, with life post-lockdown not simply returning to business as usual. One huge change will be staycationing. People’s reluctance to fly, along with fears over quarantining upon their return from abroad, means many motorhome users are looking closer to home when deciding where to go for their holidays. This pandemic will be a catalyst for change – in terms of motorcaravanning, the creation of aires across the UK will not just allow us to holiday at home, they will also reduce the pressure being felt in high-profile areas, as new towns and villages become destinations - bringing fresh hopes for rapid economic revival on their high streets. CAMpRA – The Campaign for Real Aires – is now working with local and national decision-makers, private and…

Those of you who have been craving a sight of the beautiful, wild scenery of Scotland’s Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park will be pleased to know that you can once again apply for a permit to camp within the Camping Management Zone. You will need to book online and up to two weeks in advance of your trip, to enable the park authorities to manage the numbers of visitors. National Park Chief Executive Gordon Watson said: “We’re reminding people to check our website and book a camping permit in advance, as turning up without one may lead to disappointment if areas are already at full capacity.” Camping management byelaws are still in effect and will be enforced by both National Park Rangers and Police Scotland, and can result in a fine…

A former Camping and Caravanning Club Site on the banks of Loch Lomond (below) is under new management. Managed by Luss Estates, Luss Caravan & Campsite (www.lusscampsite.co.uk) has undergone extensive refurbishment. The site offers 45 touring pitches, most with hook-up. Amenities include heated washblocks, laundry facilities, family and accessible washroom, a play area, shop and a good 4G signal. Dogs are welcome. Local outlets include a pub, fish and chip shop and restaurant, and a general store. Site charges start at £7 per night.…

Hitting the road again in the wake of lockdown was like a total rediscovery of the freedom a motorhome affords you. However, with staycations very much on the increase, you would think popular areas would consider that more people will be travelling by motorhome, and cater accordingly for parking. We only visited a couple of places which had recognised and properly catered for the motorhome fraternity, with specific areas marked out; otherwise it was a free-for-all in the public car parks, in spaces designed for Mondeos. In our changing world, it would be great if everyone could change together and become more accommodating. It is very important that we all do our bit to help get the economy back on its feet. Half a dozen parking spaces for motorhomes in a car park…