Practical Motorhome October 2021

What was the one thing you wish you’d known when you first went away in a motorhome? I actually have a couple – the first would be that it’s okay not to plan every trip in detail, and it’s fine to (sometimes) go with the flow. Another, though, would be always to check what time a campsite barrier opens in the morning – the latter came about after I almost missed a ferry from Normandy, because I assumed the barrier would be open when we were due to leave at 6.30am. It wasn’t… No matter whether you’re an old hand or a newbie, there’s always something new to learn – which is where our 50 Top Tips feature (p16) is so handy. We’ve plenty of advice for everyone, and we’re…

HADRIAN’S WALL, NORTHUMBRIA Coordinates 55.0133° N, 2.3303° W Why tour here? Rome wasn’t built in a day, although this particular piece of the Roman Empire, constructed on the orders of Emperor Hadrian, was erected in under six years. That’s impressive when you consider it is some 73 miles long and remained the north-west frontier of the empire for almost 300 years. Find out more about Roman Britain in glorious Northumberland, on p44. Don’t miss… Housesteads Roman Fort opens a window onto the lives of the 800 soldiers who lived and worked at the edge of the empire. From the fort, you can enjoy views of Hadrian’s Wall, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. practicalmotorhomeuk…

letter of the month I own a Benimar Mileo 294 and live in Thornton-le-Dale, in the North York Moors National Park (NYMNP). I take issue with the title of the article in issue 248 (‘Moor Exploring’), owing to the fact that of 12 places mentioned, only three are in the North York Moors. These are Rievaulx Abbey, Osmotherley and Swainby. We run a B&B and have two NYMNP routes for our guests to drive, so they see all of the National Park. We always advise motorcaravanners to travel the Moors by car, because of the narrow road network. Here is one route (suitable if you have a car or small VW campervan): From Thornton-le-Dale, home of Scarrscroft Bed and Breakfast, travel up Whitbygate; at 1.5 miles is the Great Dalby Forest. Continue on from here…

Fans of science fiction (or could it be fact?) will love this list of the best places to stay in the UK to spot alien spaceships, collated by the team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk to mark World UFO Day in July. 1. South England (38 spots) London is home to the highest number of reports of suspicious activity in the sky. In the past year, more than 20 have come from the capital. Observers of abnormal sightings have described V-shaped objects in the airspace above the city at Christmas and silent red lights in the sky at 7pm one March evening. Pulsating orbs overhead were reported just last month. 2. North-east England (21) Last November, bright red UFOs were spotted in Washington, Tyne and Wear, with more recent reports describing erratic moving lights in Hull at…

Email your pictures and their stories (40 words, plus name, address and contacts) to hotshots@practicalmotorhome.com. The best photo will win these guides: All the Aires Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; Go Motorhoming and Campervanning; Seaview Camping Wales; Seaview Camping West Country; Road Trip Europe – The Great War and More; Road Trip Europe – Go Dutch. All are from Vicarious Books, www.vicarious-shop.co.uk, 0131 208 3333.…

Vespera observation station Available to pre-order now, the Vespera is the ultimate portable telescope, with auto-alignment and tracking. Price €1499 Web vaonis.com/vespera DJI Mini 2 drone You’ll have great fun on tour with this 249g mini-drone, which has a 4K camera and can remain airborne for up to 31 minutes. Price £419 Web store.dji.com Touring time Decorate your ’van, home or garage with a fun motorcaravanning clock, such as this one designed by Roamfree from Red Bubble. Price £45.30 (inc postage) Web redbubble.com Defender plug-in simulated TV This clever little device plugs into a mains socket to emit LED lights that look like the TV is on in your motorhome when you are out. Price £17.99 Web redlinesecurity.co.uk Polaroid Go Starter Set If you love the retro look of a Polaroid print, you’ll welcome this tiny new member of the family, with self-timer…