SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS

GETTING A GOOD night’s sleep can make or break a caravanning holiday. As well as lounging, cooking and washing facilities, one of the major factors (perhaps the most important?) in choosing a caravan should be that the sleeping arrangements are well suited to you and your family.

This will include the number of berths, bed types, size of beds and the comfort levels they provide.

This guide outlines all of the aspects to think about, plus other useful advice to help you get a great night’s sleep in your caravan.

Let’s start with the four major points you need to consider for establishing really good sleep patterns.

Create a great space for sleeping

• Invest in a high-quality mattress and pillows. This is relatively easy, although not always cheap for caravanners. But what value do you put on a night of sound sleep, and how much better that makes you feel the following day?

• Choose quality bedding, with the right Tog factor for the season, so that once you are asleep, you remain comfortable.

• Temperature is crucial to having sound, uninterrupted sleep. Research suggests that 18.3°C is the ideal temperature for good sleep… although I’m pretty sure Mrs S would demand the Truma be turned up two or three notches! Find what works for you. Caravan interiors are ideal for closely monitoring and maintaining the internal temperatures, whether you have a blown-air or wet heating system.

• Too much light can disrupt your sleep and your circadian rhythm (the body’s sleep cycle). Modern caravans are a good environment for a black-out scenario.

‘One of the major factors (perhaps the most important?) in