Caravans - love them or loathe them?
With the recession biting, more and more Britons are opting to holiday on home soil this year. And Christine Walken discovered how the change in habits is giving a boost to the caravanning industry.
According to The Caravan Club, so far their bookings for 2009 are up by 40 per cent compared to figures this time last year.
For many struggling in the current financial climate, caravans have become a more viable option when it comes to booking their holidays. And it's a boom industry, as the numbers of Brits caravanning has risen steadily for the last six years.
More information:
The Caravan Club
National Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show
But what do you think? Are you worried about the extra caravans clogging up our already over-stretched highways? Or can you think of nothing better than hitting the open road in your home away from home come holiday time? Add your comments.
Also: Send us pictures of you with your caravans here.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~41~RS~)
Comments
What ever you say, caravaning is not cool. How can dragging your own porta loo- however luxurious, around the country to a wet, damp and muddy field be cool?
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Oh wow! Does anyone know where I can get one of those little pink caravans?
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Tried to add a pic of my very cool caravan - but the link is broken!!! Come on BBC
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Yes they are called The Teardrop (or a Turkish made one is called the Turtle) and are available all over - where are you in the UK?
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Caravans are the devils invention. Mobile roadblocks and the worst holiday ever. I'd rather stay at home than be part of a massive (other caravan owner created) traffic jam for many hours only to spend a wet weekend cooped up in a sardine can.
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never mind caravaning we've started camping..No messing with towing, cheap nightly stays and been able to go where ever you want ,and the kids LOVE it
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Been caravanning since 1981. Made some life long friends in all parts of the country. The kids have followed in our footsteps and bought their own. retiring shortly and looking forward to caravanning midweek when it is a bit quieter.
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Hello GoldenOldieSheila - welcome to The One Show website - pls use this link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow/gallery/uploader-v2.shtml
Is it still broken?
Best wishes,
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I do so remember caravans.
Starting in 1956: £5 a week in Tintagel Cornwall, and come the evening we had to light the gas lights: there was a puff sound and then the smell of galor gas, then the card games sarted. I love it ...and then it would rainnever to be forgotten. Love them
Sheila Wilton
France
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I have been caravaning all my life and I absolutely love it. Last year I bought my first ever Volkwagen Campervan and have done thousands of miles in her already. Lots of people wave and many more smile to see a 34 year old vehicle on the road.
I met my husband-to-be on a caravan site in 1979. We have been married for 26 years and still go caravanning. If I won the lottery I wouldn't go abroad in an aeroplane, siting in a bin box with wings breathing in other people's flatulence - that's not for me.
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We were caravanners while the kids were small - it was the only way we could afford to go on holiday. We have been back into caravanning now for about five years and we love it. We always know that we will like the accommodation. We have a towing unit with a fixed bed, central heating and a shower. What could be better!! We love it and are looking forward to retirement so that we can take the van abroad for six months at a time.
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Over 30 years ago I read in the Reader's Digest a letter from a man whose childhood holidays were spent in a caravan. He said that, on one journey, he commented on the scores of cars following their caravan. His dad said, 'Remember this, son, we are the snail, they are the slime.'
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We have been caravanning for 15 years. It gets you into the out door life, walkingin areas that you may not have seen otherwise.
Not all caravans hold the traffic up on the roads. Lorries often cause more of a problem when they overtake each other and block both lanes.
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Towed caravans and snails have a few things in common, they both carry their home around with them, they're both slow and both most definitely a nuisance.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
My only criticism of Top Gear is that they don't destroy enough caravans.
I'm totally with you 1amgreen.
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We've had a caravan for 15 years the idiots that cause accidents are often none caravanners, (we've been undertaken and overtaken in dangerous places by idiots). We've been members of the caravan club and had fun at all times of the year including in the snow at new year. Both our children have been part of it and it is great when you arrive on a rally as kids disappear and only come back when they are either called or hungry (We do check where she is from time to time).
It was useful one year when we went to Wales for a holiday as the road only had laybys we had a mobile cafe and toilet for the break the person in the car in front tried to hide between car doors!
We pay more road tax as family caravans are too heavy to be towed by many saloon cars, and as we are often in fields we need a 4x4 to get us in and out.
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MY WIFE AND I LOVE CARAVANNING WE ARE BOTH IN OUR 30'S AND HAVE BEEN CARAVANNING FOR A YEAR .YOU CAN VISIT SO MANY PLACES AND MEET SOME WONDERFULL PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY .WE SPENT CHRISTMAS IN OUR VAN ,IT WAS BRILLIANT AND WILL BE DOING IT AGAIN THS YEAR
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My dad is 85 and is still caravaning, he has been caravaning since he was 10. When his school was evacuated during the war he lived in his Mum's caravan in the Lake district. Although many may complain about the " mobile road blocks" , Clarkson and Johnnie Walker included , his 35 year old Cheltenham provides him with freedom, holidays and the opportunity to meet other caravaners of a similar vintage ! they do exist.
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Before you complain about a caravan holding you up, have a look what is holding the caravan up. We can legally do 60 mph on a dual carriagway or motorway in the first and second lanes only and are frequently held by middle lane hoggers.
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I saw that little pink caravan at the NEC today, theyre called the BedBug and
I think theyre made in Herefordshire....
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
we are caravanner and you sad people have no idea of the freedom this kind of holiday gives you. besides its you who try to dive out in front of us to beat us that causes problems and accidents!
Grow up you sad ,narrow minded people, we don't criticise your overpriced foreign holidays cos we know that you all just love queueing in those terrible airports!
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we moved into our caravan as a temporary measure 3 years ago, Our plans fell through and we are still living in it. We work hard and pay taxes, we are happy enough and love the healthy green life. although because of rules we have to move every month from camp site to campsite staying local for work and family. we would love to buy a small plot of land to self build but we just dont have the money so i guess we will be still here in another 3 years. Poor but very happy and still living the green life. much better than living on an estate. surrounded by noise, pollution, stress and people. You would be supprised how many people do this although most have a get out plan eg a flat or house somewhere. We dont have that luxury. but if anyone has a small plot of land for sale in the east sussex countryside let us know.
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Never stuck in an airport
Never stuck in a horrible hotel room
Never have to sleep in someone else's bed
Never look at other hotels - only lovely views
Never have to book can always go on holiday when we want
Never cause a traffic jam - lorries hold us up
Great social life
We always keep up with flow of traffic
Don't knock it till you TRY it - it's fun.
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Wow - what passions are released!!! We have a tiny 'van and try to be considerate (keeping off main/arterial roads in peak times), Not taking forever to overtake etc. Ours is teeny but comfy, but we don't carry a tv so no watching corrie or anything else as we are too busy taking in the scenery in our temporary stop-over places, which are, by the way, very rarely damp, muddy fields. All I can say is - times have changed! Check it out today, and don't rely on 25 year old perceptions.
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I was introduced to caravan holidays at about the age of five, some 55 years ago.
There has not been a year since that I have not been off with a caravan or tent or some such.
I have seen much of England, been all around Scotland, toured all over France and right around the coast of Italy.
I have toured much of the south west coastal regions of USA.
I have driven in a motorhome from Perth to Darwin, Sydney to Adelaide and Cairns to Sydney.
All done at my leisure. Stopping where and when I wish. If a place is worth it I stay longer. If the weather turns foul I move to where it is brighter.
I am about to set off to see the coast of Spain and Portugal by driving around it. I may be away for 4 weeks or maybe 12 - who knows ! It depends on the weather, the places, the people I meet - but it will be my choice and done at my speed.
I have tried 'hotel' holidays or cruising down the Nile but to be under my own steam is what I love the most.
As for the age old grumble about being stuck behind a caravan - how about stuck behind a tractor, stuck behind a lorry, stuck behind some old driver, stuck behind some young learner going slow - so what - just chill !! You never know it just might save your life.
## Home is where you park it ##
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What ever I think about caravan holidays ,I object to yet another article that in reality has little or nothing to do with the current economic situation being linked to it ,how on earth can the idea of spending £17000 be a way of saving money on your holidays.Please give us a break, stop thinking that by constantly reminding us that the worlds economy is in such a state it in some way makes for a more interesting piece .It sometimes fells as if the media takes great delight in the fact and thinks it is just an easy way to grab attention.I don't think I can be alone in increasingly turning the TV/Radio off or over when I encounter this behaviour.
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C ountryside
A dventures
R oving around
A wareness of nature
V an clubs
A Air - fresh and clean
N ew friends
S unshine, sea and sand
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Caravan owners shouls be hit with an excise duty (either for a calendar month or a full year)
Also, they should be restricted to the times they are allowed to travel.
On Planet Christine it may seem wonderful to be stuck behind a caravan but a lot of us do have a schedule to keep to.
Another (increasing pain) in the behind is the idiot who blocks up narrow lanes in the Lake District and elsewhere with his (gas guzzling) motorhome.
Jethro, Cheshire
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to andrew of shepton mallet what do you do when you get to the top of the mountain? climb back down again,sounds fun, not.get a life and learn to spell caravaning is great ,sitting buy a fire having fun with your friends in the open air
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farmerslittlewife - I could invent a pneumonis about caravans (five letters beginning with C -Caravannners U -Uncomfortable) but I don't want to get banned
Jethro, Cheshire
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One and a half million caravanners in the UK - they can't all be wrong. Don't knock it until you try it!
I've tried the holiday abroad - never again. This country has hundreds of excellent destinations and hidden gems, and I can understand the language and know I am not getting ripped-off!
As for being stuck behind a caravan - what's your hurry? Chill out, get a caravan and no blood pressure worries!
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largewelder wrote
"learn to spell caravaning is great ,sitting buy a fire "
Oh dear
Jethro,Cheshire
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I found the pink teardrop at http://www.thebedbug.co.uk/
gaz
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I think that its a great idea, but what you have to remember, if you took your driving test after 1997 then you dont have the correct driving license to tow a caravan. Just a Thought.
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It's not about the caravan, it's about the places you go, the people you go with and those you meet, and what you do with those people in those places. The caravan just gives you a nice relaxed place to stay.
As a family we have explored more of the UK and Europe than we would have done any other way and loved every minute of it. The only frustration ? Getting stuck behind slow moving trucks and cars.
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The people who use caravans boost the economies of rural communities in the whole of the British Isles, and during the credit crunch, it is the only way for some people to enjoy a holiday. Hardened caravanners are out 12 months of the year, in all weathers hot or cold. The people who moan about them are those that have never tried it, so please don't knock it till you've been on a proper holiday with a caravan
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cairnterrier- signed off as jethro, I think you need to get a life......
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we love our caravan. as we live in it we insisted in all mod cons ie internet, seperate bedroom, bathroom, shower, etc we stay cool on hot summer nights with a soft country breeze through the windows whilst watching the bats through the skylight chasing insects against the moon, listening to the owls and foxes. we have all manor of birds and quite a few squirels visiting our bird table which stands less than 2 feet from the window (wonderful for photographs). in the winter we are warm and cozy whilst watching the deer walk past crunching in the snow pinching moss from the trees. At christmas we had all the traditional fayre in our cozy home whilst my husband played his guitar (check out myspace/tracewalton or Trace Walton on itunes. we have met a lot of wonderful people and in the very very rare event we find ourselves near noisy neighbours we can hitch up and move, maybe a few feet or a few miles who knows. The choice is ours.
I challange anyone to beat that.
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CARAVANS ARE COOL!
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After 40 years of caravanning, I totally support Adrian's comments that it is bliss to hear the sound of rain falling onto the aluminium roof particularly when one is in bed. I can't think of anything much better than the sounds of the pitter patter of rainfall on the alumium roof beats counting sheep anytime
and guarantees that you will fall asleep quickly.
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We go caravanning done in Devon every year and we absolutely love it!! We always stay at Peppermint Park, a beautiful holiday park, surrounded by countryside, close to the sea, near to beautiful walks, what more could you want? And you even get complete access to all the facilities and fab entertainment at the sister park, Golden Sands, next door... it's the best of both worlds!
The kids love the freedom and the chance to explore the great outdoors (unlike back at home in Surrey). We've made so many great friends and always have such a fun and memorable holiday.
In this economic climate caravanning is one of the only ways people can enjoy a holiday, but to be honest it wouldn't matter to us how much money we had, we wouldn't change it for anything.
To any one who doubts the fun and exitement of a carvan holiday please don't knock it until you've tried it, I guarantee you'll be pleasantly suprised!
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I don't like caravans very much but understand for some people it's the only kind of holiday they can afford and so to some extent sympathise cos I know some people moan about caravans.
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we have been caravanning for two years and love it. The reason we got a van was that we have three dogs and like to take them on holiday with us, cottages became very expensive and difficult to find.
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We have had a Motor Home for over 4 years but before that we went camping under canvas. Unlike hotels with camping you can get up when you like, have what breakfast you like, you don't have to cut your days out short, to get back for evening meal, you make friends that last for ever, we were once in a Hotel and one other guest would not talk to us because we came from Yorkshire, (I don't wear a flat cap or clogs). Get out in the fresh air and live a lot, and don't knock it until you have tried it.
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totally agree with you 'palermodave',have been camping since last year bought a six man vango with separate living space and tunnel kitchen,bought all the gear spent in total about £700 and have already had 4 holidays to date and going to cornwall in august for one week for the grand total of £120.you cant even get two nights in a hotel for that.and before someone makes a comment on the cold with the camp heaters the tent gets very warm in matter of seconds and if my 3yaer old can do it any one can,also the freedom of no strict breakfast times and being able to sit out till late just looking at the stars priceless
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People such as greyJumbug really do need to get it out of their heads that it is a cost thing. That caravanners can't afford anything else. That is completely wrong. It is because we love it. Usually the freedom to do what you want, where you want, when you want.
I am grateful for those that don't want to do it, because it just keeps it quieter for those of us that do.
## Home is where you park it ##
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Im not a caravanner personally but i have alot of friends and family who regularly caravan and they seem to love it. The flexibility is the main attraction i think, they can pick and choose destinations without worrying about the quality of accommodation. Their travel is not just limited to home soil however - nowadays, many ferry operators (http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/) are allowing caravans - opening up the whole of the European continent. Only wish i had the time to join them!
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@ MrBontana: You should go on caravan holidays more often. In the last couple of years they've been less popular but I'm sure that as the recession bits harder more people will see the benefit and the freedom that you can get from them - site like http://www.haven.com and http://www.caravanparkholidays.co.uk let you see the fun you could be having.
I have to add that some caravan parks do still resemble 1970's nightmares from some social documentary on the BBC but on the whole they're fun places to go to.
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I definitely agree with Tokyito, and would recommend that anyone try a caravan holiday. We have just returned from a caravanning holiday in Devon over the bank holiday and had the most fabulous time. The park was lovely and busy so I think the popularity of holiday parks is definitely on the increase.
Some other sites worth looking at are:
http://www.ParkHolidaysUK.com and http://www.SouthDevonHolidayParks.co.uk
In my experience carvan parks are a fun and fantastic place to go. The kids can't wait for the sumer holidays for our next caravanning adventure!
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Myself and the family have spent many really enjoable holidays in a static caravan at sites all accross the country.
This year as the kids are older we stayed at the helevalley park in north devon this year as it was a bit cheaper then the haven's and hoseasons and really enjoyed ourselves. It was fantastic, nice and peaceful maybe lacking some of the facilities of the bigger holiday parks but offers great value with excellent caravans. We found it at http://www.devonholidayplaces.co.uk in there caravan parks section and can highly recommend it and caravaning...
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I completely agree with this. Caravan sales have gone to a high in recent times and the holidaying culture is for sure back again.
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caravans for sale
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