February 2024

Practical Caravan

Britains best-selling caravan magazine

Practical Caravan1 min read
Customer Satisfaction
At Practical Caravan, we receive a lot of correspondence asking for details of which caravan brand or dealer we'd recommend. We can suggest the right caravan for your needs – and we've done just that for four sets of caravanners on p66, in our new Pe
Practical Caravan1 min read
The Big Shot
Where are we? Glencoe, Scotland Why tour here? This magnificent deep valley amid towering mountains is about as classic a Scottish scene as you can get. Famous for its incredible geology and superb hiking and climbing, it's a wonderful, historical pl
Practical Caravan6 min read
Connect
Having read your recent article on vehicle tracking systems (issue 472), I write in the hope of making readers more security-conscious when it comes to protecting their vehicles. As a retired police officer, I was always amazed by responses I got whe
Practical Caravan1 min read
Your Photos!
We asked you, what's cooking? Here are your delicious dishes! Star photo Our winning entry receives one of these beautifully illustrated maps from Awesome Maps – check out the amazing range at www.awesome-maps.com WIN ME! TAG US #PRACTICAL CARAVAN OR
Practical Caravan1 min read
Puzzle Time
Whether you're on tour or at home, relax with a cup of tea and some brain-teasers to ponder! To solve the puzzle, each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9. No single digit can appear twice in any one row, column or 3x3 box You hav
Practical Caravan2 min read
This Month We Love…
No need to forgo your favourite shows with this new internet solution from Avtex, offering 3, 4 and 5G connection on the go from a simply installed roof-mounted unit. Price £381 Web outdoor-world.co.uk Made from sustainably sourced natural fibre, thi
Practical Caravan3 min read
Expert Q&A
Sarah Wakely Editor sarah@practicalcaravan.com Paul Critcher Deputy editor paul.critcher@futurenet.com Peter Baber Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com David Motton Tow car editor motty@practicalcaravan.com John Sootheran Consulting editor practi
Practical Caravan1 min read
Travel
We've had fun compiling this issue, especially with some of the more ‘unusual’ articles, such as gourmet camping (P24) and caravan skiing trips (p26). We've chosen the gourmet restaurants with special celebrations in mind, so I must admit they are pr
Practical Caravan2 min read
Exhibition Time
10 February to 6 May 2024 Discover the work of visual artist Outi Pieski in this unique exploration of the identity, culture and environment of the Sami people, who live in the region of Sapmi, which includes the northern part of Scandinavia and the
Practical Caravan1 min read
Spotlight On Scotland, Coming In Spring 2024
Perth Museum opens at Easter following a £26.5m redevelopment project. It will showcase objects associated with Perth and Kinross, including the 3000-year-old Carpow Logboat and the Stone of Destiny (used in Scottish coronations, and returning to Per
Practical Caravan7 min read
Iconic Scotland
Does it get any more quintessentially Scottish than Ben Nevis or Loch Lomond? Oh, maybe midges and heather. And whisky, mustn't forget the whisky, very Scots. Which is why, on a trip to Scotland this summer, we decided we had to experience these (oka
Practical Caravan1 min read
Your Trip Planner Loch Lomond
We visited in the summer to experience some of the many famous sights in Western Scotland. Bear in mind that this is midge season, and you'll need to pack suitable clothing and repellent. It is also wise to carry wet-weather gear! Tullie Inn pubanddi
Practical Caravan3 min read
Come Dine With Me!
gravetyemanor.co.uk Glorious Gravetye Manor, near East Grinstead in West Sussex, was originally built for a local family in 1598, and has been operating as a country house hotel (currently four stars) with a fine dining restaurant for more than 60 ye
Practical Caravan5 min read
Keeping Level On The Slopes
“BUT WERE YOU warm enough?” was the question that most people asked after they heard we'd stayed in a caravan for our first family skiing holiday. And by the way, the answer was a resounding “Yes!” It's a fair question and the first thing my wife ask
Practical Caravan7 min read
GETAWAY Small But Mighty
“HAVE A LOOK at this,” the bird expert said, beckoning me with commendable understatement. “Not many people ever see it live, so you're extremely lucky.” So I was – borrowing his high-powered binoculars, I could see a splendid adult male osprey sitti
Practical Caravan4 min read
History Lovers
Cornwall's heritage dates all the way back to Neolithic times and beyond, although one of its most enduring industries is mining, which began in the Bronze Age. Tin, copper and gold have all formed the bedrock of Cornwall's output at one time or anot
Practical Caravan8 min read
Harrogate Revisited
THE GREAT Holiday Home Show, formerly known as the Lawns Show, is held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, just outside the famous spa town of Harrogate. After a very long pause, mainly thanks to Covid-19, the event, which showcases the latest caravan
Practical Caravan1 min read
Trip Planner
From the roundabout junction with the A59, turn onto the A61 towards Ripon. In 0.8 miles, turn right onto the farm lane (signs for Cooking Fantastic on the adjacent fence). Continue along the lane for 0.3 miles (ignoring the lane off to the right lea
Practical Caravan1 min readCrime & Violence
We visit… Jamaica Inn
Part of Cornwall's infamous history is that its many coves – Prussia Cove, for example – were perfect for smuggling. The deeds of the ‘free traders’ were memorably recorded in Daphne du Maurier's classic 1936 novel, Jamaica Inn. Smuggling in some for
Practical Caravan4 min read
48 Hours In… Keswick
ON THE SURFACE, Keswick is another attractive Cumbrian market town, home to stunning views and an awe-inspiring lake. Dig deeper and you'll find a remarkable landscape, shaped by Neolithic occupation, Roman settlement and Viking invasion. Its scenery
Practical Caravan1 min read
Tested
I've been helping to write our new Personal Shopper feature, where we suggest used vans that might suit (p66). One thing that marks vans out as used is the speed at which the white shell turns sallow. I can't help feeling this looks worse because whi
Practical Caravan2 min read
Barefoot goes Lilac
BAREFOOT, THE MONOCOQUE caravan company, has extended the colours you can have your caravan decked out in by launching a new model in a striking shade of lilac. Barefoot founder Cathy Chamberlain says the colour was suggested to them by a solo woman
Practical Caravan12 min read
Owner Satisfaction Awards 2024
Welcome to the Owner Satisfaction Awards 2024! If you plan to buy a caravan over the next year, the results of this in-depth annual survey will help you spend wisely. Not only will you discover the most satisfying vans to own, you'll learn the best d
Practical Caravan4 min read
Swift Elegance Grande 760
Price £43,495 Berths 4 MIRO 1674kg MTPLM 1871kg SWIFT HASN'T STOOD still over the past 12 months, adding extra models for 2024 to the 8ft-wide Elegance Grande range. This single-axle, split-washroom tourer with rear island bed offers a truly luxury t
Practical Caravan1 min read
Congratulations To All Our Winners!
Adria can feel especially proud of winning the New Caravan Manufacturer award for the third year out of four. Such consistency underlines just how satisfying these caravans are to own. Likewise, Coachman confirms its consistently high standards this
Practical Caravan4 min read
Mink Mink-e
Price From £25,320 Berths 2/3 MiRO 510kg MTPLM 750kg IF YOU HAPPENED to step anywhere near Icelandic brand Mink's stand at the recent NEC show, you won't have failed to notice the popularity of its latest model. The new Mink-E – designed to be lighte
Practical Caravan5 min read
Bailey Discovery D4-4 (2021)
FINAL REPORT IT'S BEEN RATHER a sad month here at Practical Caravan HQ, because we waved goodbye to our Bailey Discovery D4-4, which we've had on our long-term loan fleet for a couple of years now. In that time, the comfortable, fixed-bed, rear-washr
Practical Caravan4 min read
PC Guide To… Towing Mirrors
THERE HAS BEEN something of a debate both online and off in recent years, about whether caravan towing mirrors are strictly necessary, as modern cars have large mirrors that can do the job for you (or so some people would argue). However, the latest
Practical Caravan2 min read
Used Vans
With winter now upon us, sales are slowing down, but there will still be some folk out there wanting to upgrade to a new tourer – and that means more trade-ins. Some dealers’ stock levels are quite high, while others are trying to avoid having too ma
Practical Caravan3 min read
Compass Camino 550 (2018)
THE COMPASS BRAND dates back to 1979 and has had a long and varied history. The Camino, launched for 2017, became a popular choice for caravanners looking for luxury touring. The Camino stood out, with its smart metallic-blue aluminium sides and tint
Practical Caravan7 min read
Buying Special! Personal Shopper
Choosing the right caravan is never easy. It's not just selecting the right layout, it's making sure the weight of your desired van isn't more than 85% of the weight of your car. And then of course, there is your budget to consider. Fortunately, we'r
Practical Caravan2 min read
Two Cars
The other day I was chatting with a friend about the North Coast 500 in Scotland. I was saying how much I'd like to make the trip, and he was complaining how the roads there are overcrowded. To my pal's way of thinking, the celebrated road trip is a
Practical Caravan4 min read
Volkswagen Touareg
QUICK TEST *includes wing mirrors VW has revised the Touareg with new LED headlights, a full-width illuminated strip at the rear and uprated infotainment, with the option to wirelessly mirror your phone. Petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrids are availab
Practical Caravan5 min read
The Hottest… New Cars Of 2024
TOW CAR ADVICE On sale Summer 2024 Price From £55,000 (est) Toyota is doing a Defender with the new Land Cruiser. Just as Land Rover looked to the past for inspiration with its Defender, so Toyota has recalled earlier generations when designing the l
Practical Caravan3 min read
Citroën C5 Aircross (2018-)
USED TOW CAR WHEN IT CAME to the mid-sized SUV marketplace, Citroën was like a shy person at a disco. It sat on the sidelines for a long time, before deciding it had seen enough of rivals getting all the attention. So in 2018 it got up and strutted o
Practical Caravan5 min read
how To Choose A Used Tow Car
TOW CAR TIPS THE RIGHT TOW CAR isn't going to make your caravan holiday, but the wrong one could quite easily break it. A car that's stable, practical and reliable means every trip should start and finish without stress. But choose a car that's slugg
Practical Caravan2 min read
Skills School
It's cold outside, but that doesn't mean you need to stop touring – the right heating system in your caravan means you'll be able to hit the road in comfort, no matter what the time of year. But if you're confused about the many options available, do
Practical Caravan9 min read
Turn Up The Heat!
A properly maintained heating system in a modern, well-insulated caravan is very effective indeed. It will not only heat the interior space quickly – typically reaching your target temperature in around 20-60 minutes – it will also be able to maintai
Practical Caravan7 min read
Investment In Infrastructure
LAST MONTH, WE explained that plans were afoot for a substantial electrical upgrade on Penny. We added a simple 12V accessory socket at that stage to make phone charging easier, but in doing so, found plenty of things that looked like they were ready
Practical Caravan4 min read
Setting A Delayed Start On Alde 3030
IN THESE DAYS of sky-high energy costs (and don't forget that as businesses, campsites have to pay the commercial rate for energy, so don't benefit from the caps that consumers do), we can all do our bit by being more energy conscious. In the past, m
Practical Caravan4 min read
Buyer's Guide
Includes new 2024 models on UK sale! 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
Practical Caravan2 min read
Technical Terms Explained
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 (Gross
Practical Caravan1 min read
How To Buy New
People's needs differ, and your layout choice will depend on your companions and how you want to use your caravan. To understand which layouts are available, spend a day at one of the big shows in Birmingham or Glasgow, where dealers and manufacturer
Practical Caravan1 min read
Useful Info
> 01342 326 944 > caravanclub.co.uk 024 7647 5448 > campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk > 020 3282 1000 www.cris.co.uk www.approvedworkshops.co.uk thencc.org.uk 0843 216 5802 www.cassoa.co.uk towsafe.co.uk 0300 790 6801 www.gov.uk/dvla 01249 651 036 mobi
Practical Caravan1 min read
Practical Caravan
Editorial Website www.practicalcaravan.com Editor-in-chief Sarah Wakely sarah@practicalcaravan.com Deputy Editor Paul Critcher Art Editors Jenny Owen, Simon Mortimer Production Editor Gillian Gould Reviews Editor Peter Baber Content Editor Peter Byrn

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