The east of England holds a wealth of things to do and see. Whether you’re interested in history, art, renowned English cities, royal estates, coastal walks, or natural landscapes, the east of England offers something for practically everyone.

So let’s take a glimpse of just some of those sights and activities.

Constable country

Here’s a corner of England that offers a timeless embrace of so much that is great in its art and natural beauty. Just as the name suggests, Constable country is a natural beauty captured in the paintings of an idyllic rural England by John Constable.

You will instantly recognise some of the most iconic vistas of the English countryside the moment you enter the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) that is Dedham Vale, spanning the border between Suffolk and Essex. Along the way, make sure to visit the village of East Bergholt – where Constable was born – and the watermill on the River Stour, Flatford Mill, which inspired one of Constable’s most recognised works.

Sudbury

It must be something in the water they drink in Suffolk because there’s yet another village that gave birth to a renowned English painter – the village of Sudbury, the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough.

Not only can you visit the charming village, though, but also the very house in which the artist was baptised on the 14^th of May 1827 – the Independent Meeting House which you can find on Friars Street and which has been developed by the charitable trust that owns it as a museum and centre for all things to do with Gainsborough.

Sandringham

There’s nowhere quite like the royal estate of Sandringham in Norfolk.

The royal residence of Sandringham House is set in more than 600 acres of parkland which you can explore along well-maintained trails by bicycle or on foot, with or without man’s best friend (but remember to keep your pet on a short lead in more heavily populated area of the park).

The House, its Gardens, and St Mary Magdalene Church are open to the public daily from the 23^rd of March until the 11^th of October – except for the period between the 19^th of July and the 1^st of August.

Holkham beach

Even the beach at Holkham on the Norfolk coast has a royal connection. It is here that a certain Princess Victoria – later to become the long-lived monarch – came in 1835. She was so taken with this escape to nature that she and later generations not only stayed at Holkham Hall but also picnicked in a royal beach hut (said to be a particular favourite of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother).

You are entirely free to roam the endless expanse of unspoilt golden sands before retiring for a spot of shade from the sun or shelter from the wind in the pine forests that back the dunes.

Cambridge

It might have been little more than a day trip, but you can say you went to the University of Cambridge – you could even try your hand at aping student life there by punting along the River Cam.

A visit to Cambridge offers so much more than a peek into the lives of its illustrious students. Towards the end of July, for instance, there is the Cambridge Folk Festival – one of the longest-running annual festivals in the world – countless museums and galleries, theatres, cinemas, and shopping in the outdoor Market Square.

Ipswich

Ipswich in Suffolk is the town that brings the past right up to the present in an appealing blend of the historic and modern.

This charming combination is probably nowhere better expressed than Ipswich Waterfront. Here, modern restaurants and cool bars jostle with historic buildings that help to paint the 1,500 years or more of the maritime and agricultural heritage that makes it one of England’s oldest towns.

Whether you explore the town on foot or from one of the many boat tours along the River Orwell, Ipswich offers a unique blend of England’s past and a glimpse of its still vibrant future.

This is more like it! After a fairly damp and chilly start to this year’s caravanning season, (at the time of writing!) the weather seems to have taken a turn for the better with many parts of the country welcoming temperatures in the upper twenties.

So, find a little bit of shade for your cosy camping chair and catch up with some of the following news headlines.

Transformational Tourism Award win for Ribble Valley holiday park

Ribble Valley Holiday Park – once known as Rimington Leisure Park – has won the prestigious Transformational Tourism Award.

The Lancashire camping site – for touring and static caravans, cabins, and glamping pods – put its back to the wheel during the challenging period of closures forced on it by the Covid pandemic . The work paid off in many areas and resulted in the holiday park winning the award announced in the Caravan Times recently.

Thanks to expansion and extensive upgrading, the capacity of all types of holiday homes has doubled, pathways and roads have been resurfaced, a new play area for children was built, a dog-walking sector was created, and the park’s bar area extended. All the while, the holiday park continued to deliver the “exceptional customer service” recognised by the award.

Caravan owners warned breaking new laws could lead to £2,500 fine

With the caravanning season now in full swing, the Daily Mirror on the 19^th of June reminded caravan owners to check that they are street-legal whenever they take to the roads. Failure to pay sufficient attention to three major – but frequently overlooked – aspects of towing with a caravan could end up with you facing steep fines, points on your licence, or worse:

Driving licence

• if you passed your driving test after 1997, you are qualified to tow a caravan if the car you are using and the trailer itself together weigh up to 3,500kg;

• calculate that combined weight carefully if you want to avoid a potential fine of up to £2,500;

• if you passed your driving test before 1997, the combined weight of the vehicle and caravan may be up to 8.25 tonnes;

Lights

• perhaps because you use them much less often than those on your car, the lights on your caravan can sometimes get overlooked;

• that could be an expensive oversight since defective lights on your trailer could earn you a fine of up to £2,500, three points on your licence, or a driving ban;

Tyres

• the tread depth of the tyres on your caravan is also at least as critical as your car – faulty tyres can also land you with a £2,500 fine and three points on your licence.

Cheshire: Plans for caravan and camping site in Bosley recommended for refusal

A planning application for a caravan and camping site at Bosley seems unlikely to be met with approval, according to a story in the Northwich and Winsford Guardian on the 24^th of June.

Responding to an application to establish a site of 74 caravan and camping pitches on a site bounded by two major A roads, planning officers have commented that:

• the scale of the proposed site is out of proportion to its setting and location;

• it would have a detrimental impact on the character of the surrounding countryside; and

• there appears to be little evidence of any demand for the proposed caravan and camping site.

UK Camping and Caravanning Market Report 2024

The publication of the UK Camping and Caravanning Market Report for 2024 contains a wealth of encouraging signs for the industry.

For example, it found that in the past three years, 47% of all adults in Britain enjoyed at least one caravanning or camping holiday. Mintel – the report’s authors – estimate that the domestic market achieved earnings of some £2.1 billion in 2023.

There appear to be a host of reasons why people like to camp:

• the health-conscious see it as a way to improve their overall wellbeing;

• those wanting to develop a first-hand relationship with nature praise the benefits of camping and caravanning; and

• those anxious about their finances find that camping and caravanning is a budget-conscious solution to their holiday planning.

Given these positive foundations, the report predicts that further innovations in the industry will make caravanning and camping even more comfortable, convenient, and cost-effective – so, boosting still further the positive nature of the market.

It’s easily done, perhaps, but never overlook or take for granted the condition of the tyres on your caravan. Because of the critical role they play, taking the condition of the tyres for granted could prove a potentially catastrophic oversight.

The tyres on your caravan are, after all, the only contact between the road and the trailer you are towing – sometimes at relatively high speeds. A blowout or some other failure may have very dire consequences.

Reflecting that importance from the point of view of road safety, there are also legal obligations relating to the condition of the wheels and tyres. The Camping and Caravanning Club publishes a helpful guide to the tyres on your caravan and warns that you are legally required to ensure that the tyres not only on the car towing your caravan but the caravan itself must be “fit for purpose” and free of any defect that may cause a road safety problem.

This means that in addition to the tyres on your caravan being inflated to the correct pressure, they must also:

• be of the same specification as other tyres on the trailer;
• need a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm running continuously throughout the central three-quarters of the tread and around its whole circumference (just as the tyres on your car);
• be free of tears, bulges, lumps, or any other indication of potential failure;
• be free of tears or cuts extending for more than 25 mm or across more than 10% of the tyre’s width; and
• no part of the tyre’s cord or ply must be exposed.

You may be prosecuted for using the caravan with a defective tyre or in an otherwise unroadworthy condition – and, for that reason, the Caravan and Motorhome Club recommends that you replace the tyres on your caravan at least every five years and never use those that are more than seven years old.

Further reading: How old are your tyres?

Wheels

It’s one thing to be taking care of the condition of the tyres and keeping them in a fit and roadworthy condition, but don’t forget about the wheels too.

The wheels on your caravan are specifically designed for the job they do. They might look the same but are different from the wheels you normally find on cars – as a visit to the aptly named manufacturer Wheels will illustrate.

They are different largely because of their need to withstand greater pressures than car wheels. They are therefore generally stronger to support the weight of the caravan – usually on just two wheels – and because of the caravan’s lack of the sophisticated suspension system you might find on a car.

As a matter of routine maintenance, the wheels need to be checked to ensure that the rims are not rusted, scuffed, or cracked. The stud bolts also need to be in sound condition and fit snuggly into the stud holes – which should not be elongated or damaged.

Caravan tyres – a special case

Many experienced drivers and caravan owners like to think that they know a thing or two about their vehicles – including the tyres.

Yet it’s still possible to see some poor practices in this area. Incredibly, it’s still possible to occasionally see towing vehicles with pristine tyres but caravans (or trailer tents) with tyres that should have been scrapped or recycled a long time ago.

This is exceptionally dangerous. The tyres on a towed vehicle can make it highly unwieldy and unpredictable if they’re in poor condition – irrespective of how good the tyres on the towing vehicle are.

The National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) explains how the tyres on your caravan are likely to be in a special case and need to be viewed somewhat differently from those on the car you use practically every day.

The tyres on your car are likely to wear out simply because of the use they get; with the tyres on your caravan, the problem is likely to be quite the opposite. Rather than mileage, the tyres on your caravan are much more likely to be vulnerable to the simple process of ageing. These tyres are vulnerable because:

• they tend to take more of the shocks and bumps from the road than those on your car – since the caravan’s suspension is less sophisticated and has less dampening effect than your car’s;
• the rubber from which the tyres are made suffers the effects of degradation simply through the effects of sunlight and the atmosphere – even when they are not being used, therefore, their condition is still deteriorating; and
• wear is especially pronounced when the tyre is under pressure from the weight of the caravan itself – when the trailer is left for long periods of time resting on the same few square inches of tyre rubber, therefore, wear is most pronounced.

Care needs to be taken about this last vulnerability in particular. When the caravan is being stored for any length of time, the wheels need to be rotated from time to time to even out the load on particular patches of the tyre.

An even better precaution is to remove the wheels entirely and take the weight of the caravan on axle stands. The removed wheels may then be stored horizontally and out of direct sunlight.

When the new season begins and it is time to refit the wheels, that is a good time to give the tyres an especially close inspection. Remove small stones or other objects embedded in the tread and use detergent to remove paint, oil, or fuel from the tyre’s surface.

The law requires your caravan tyres always to have just the same minimum tread as your car – 1.6mm – but remember that they are likely to need replacing long before the tread is worn down to anything like this low point.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club echoes the advice given by the NTDA, pointing out that the average mileage covered by a caravan is only around 2,000 miles a year – seeming to give many years of use in terms of the rubber actually wearing down.

But in addition to the natural ageing processes during storage and exposure to daylight, the tyres on a caravan tend to be subject to small but quite repetitive impacts during normal use – there are usually only two wheels supporting the whole weight of your caravan, which is typically about a quarter of the weight of your four-wheeled car.

The overriding lesson, from both tyre distributors and the Caravan and Motorhome Club, is that, whatever their visual appearance and however intact your older tyres may be, they need to be regularly checked by a professional – remembering that any tyre starts to age the moment it is manufactured and not the year it is fitted to your caravan.

Checking your tyres

It can send something of a shiver down your spine when you see someone ‘testing’ their tyres by giving them a swift kick. We might all have done it at some time but know full well that it is simply not a reliable way of testing them.

Tyre pressures need to be checked regularly and accurately, of course. Some caravan tyres are inflated to higher than usual pressures (50 psi) and these need to be given especially careful checks for evidence of deterioration.

There are many professional tyres pressure gauges on the market and your owner’s manual may make recommendations. Avoid ‘cheap and cheerful’ gauges.

Then there is the question of the correct tyre pressure for your towed vehicle. The first starting point again is your owner’s manual. If that’s missing, you should be able to find out the type of tyres you need by researching your caravan type and configuration on the internet. You can also take the tyre’s number off its sidewall and research that.

Don’t forget to take into account the loading capacity of your caravan and how far off is the weight, one way or another, for an average outing when towing your caravan – make the necessary adjustments in tyre pressures accordingly.

Finally, inspect your tyres carefully. You’re looking for bald patches, uneven wear, cracks, flaking rubber and patches of permanent discolouration. You’re also looking for tread that’s worn below or is getting close to, legal limits.

Don’t take chances in this area. Not only do you risk the safety of yourself and other road users, but you could face a fine plus points on your licence for every tyre that falls short of the legal requirement. So, get the opinion of an expert if you’re in any doubt.

Remember, your touring caravan insurance may become invalid if you fail to maintain your vehicle in a roadworthy condition and that includes its tyres.

Adjust for conditions

Remember that certain road or environmental conditions may call for a change in the running pressure of your tyres. Consult your manual but some of the occasions on which you might want to be especially vigilant include:

• icy and snowy conditions;
• unusually hot weather;
• a heavier or lighter load in your caravan than normal;
• taking your caravan off-road (as an entirely separate issue, make sure your caravan insurance actually permits this); and
• towing over extended distances at higher than average normal speeds.

Warning – used and sub-standard tyres

The quality of your tyres is of the utmost importance. It’s always best to avoid re-using tyres – or buying cheaper re-tread or remould tyres – if at all possible.

Whether new or used, make sure that your tyres are a recognised make and not one that neither you nor anybody else has ever heard of. Even if you are given every reassurance as to its quality, it’s probably not a chance worth taking.

Summary

Try to avoid the trap of slipping into thinking that it’s only your car’s tyres that need to be looked at closely.

Your insurance provider certainly won’t see it that way and the police will most likely be inclined to agree with them!

Berkshire is one of the Home Counties that circle the metropolis. It borders Greater London to the east and the counties of Wiltshire to the west, Hampshire to the south, Surrey to the southeast, Buckinghamshire to the northeast, and Oxfordshire to the north. As you can see, Berkshire not only sits at the centre of many of England’s most populous counties, but is also readily accessible from just about anywhere in the country.

It’s that accessibility that makes Berkshire a thoroughly worthwhile place to visit. So, once you’ve pitched up there, what are some of the things to do and see?

Windsor Castle

It’s no accident that the county is often referred to as Royal Berkshire – it has many associations with royalty not least the iconic and world-renowned Windsor Castle.

This stunning building has seen more than 1,000 years of history as a royal residence – making it the biggest and oldest inhabited castle in the world. Its magnificent architecture and rich history make Windsor Castle a must-see on any visit to Berkshire.

The castle’s State Apartments are open to the public throughout the year and in the grounds, you can witness the daily changing of the guard. Take a peek inside St George’s Chapel – where King Charles III (then the Prince of Wales) received a blessing from the Archbishop of Canterbury after his marriage to Camila, where Princes Edward and Harry were married, and where Queen Elizabeth II is buried.

Ascot racecourse

Members of the royal family are also known for their love of horses and are closely associated with Ascot racecourse – so, coining the title of Royal Ascot.

Just like many of the other attractions in the county of Berkshire, Ascot Racecourse is also steeped in history. The course was founded as long ago as 1711 when Queen Anne was taking a ride on horseback from Windsor Castle. She spied a stretch of open land that appeared ideal for letting horses have their head by galloping at full speed.

Although the main event is the renowned Royal Ascot – which runs for five days in June – there are no fewer than 21 race days you can attend, along with numerous other non-racing events held here. At any time of the year, therefore, Ascot offers one of the most glamorous days out that Berkshire has to offer.

Maidenhead

There’s an attractive town astride the River Thames that also lends itself to royal connections – the giveaway is in the location of this settlement in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Maidenhead lets you enjoy the River Thames in all its rural glory as it curves around from Bray to Hurley on the very border of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

As you stroll along the leafy banks of the river, it’s difficult to imagine that London is less than an hour’s drive away. But Maidenhead has created its very own, distinctive sense of community that you can savour as you settle back in one of its myriad restaurants, bars, or lively cafes.

Away from the riverside, you can relax in one of several other parks and open spaces – and if the weather turns inclement, you can take your recreation at the Braywick Leisure Centre.

Reading

The name might not conjure up the most appealing thoughts about places to visit – but in Reading you are likely to be pleasantly surprised.

Reading is the county town, administrative centre, and the most populous location in Berkshire. Its leading role – and the presence of a large university campus – ensures that the city boasts an especially vibrant cultural scene not to mention many opportunities for retail therapy in its numerous shops, or the many dining options across a wide range of restaurants.

In August, the city hosts one of the UK’s biggest music festivals while other enthusiasts can shop ‘til they drop in the Oracle Shopping Centre.

Summary

So, if you’d somehow always managed to give Royal Berkshire a miss, perhaps now is the time to set the record straight. You’ll be given a taste of the history, royal associations, bustling and prosperous town centres, and pleasantly leafy surroundings of a county well worth the visit.

The caravanning season is well underway. But that’s no reason why you should not keep abreast of the latest news, including site closures, extensions, upgrades, and the lowdown on the favourite destinations of your fellow campers.

Here are some of the latest caravan news headlines from around the UK.

Folkestone Camping and Caravanning Club Site shuts amid ground movement and landslip concerns

If you were thinking of pitching up at a popular beauty spot near Folkestone any time soon, sadly you’ll have to think again. The Camping and Caravanning Club’s site overlooking the attractive beach at Folkestone has had to close for the foreseeable future because of dangerous ground movement and landslides, announced Kent Online on the 16th of April.

Ground movements have caused large cracks along the paved promenade below the campsite and across the access road at the Warren. Responding with an abundance of caution, the Club – as the present leaseholders of the site – have indefinitely closed it and the local authority has proposed no new future tenancies until the current problems have been resolved.

The newspaper reported that a neighbouring campsite, Little Switzerland, remains open and appears to be running normally.

Lake District campers to benefit from 4G upgrades

Although the Camping and Caravanning Club may have had a spot of bad news for its site at Folkestone, it revealed a happily different story on the 21^st of May for those visiting pitches throughout the Lake District.

In April, the erection of a new mast near Keswick spread the benefits of 4G internet connections throughout the area.

A government-funded £1 billion programme will see a further 82 such masts erected across the UK so that previously difficult-to-reach areas will be connected through the Shared Rural Network scheme.

The scheme embraces network operations by the big four mobile operators – Three, VMO2, EE, and Vodafone – and will vastly improve the availability and reliability of 4G signals. Although the new mast near Keswick is the first, additional masts will bring stronger connections to an estimated 95% of the UK.

Sussex caravan park to extend season

Winchelsea Caravan Park in East Sussex has successfully applied for local authority permission to extend its operating season from the 1^st of March until the following 14^th of February, reported the BBC on the 23^rd of April.

Previously, the opening times for the site had been limited to the period from the 1^st of March until the 31^st of October.

The extended season was opposed by some local councillors who argued that the site’s reliance on cesspit sewerage would mean that more tankers would congest the approach roads to the site, resulting in an over-development of the location on Pett Level Road.

The successful counter-argument from the owners of the site accepted that there may be fewer visitors during the winter months but that an extended season granted customers greater freedom of choice.

The UK’s favourite camping destinations revealed

Whatever your chosen recreation, there’s always an interest in “favourites”. The Camping and Caravanning Club has obliged by publishing the favourite camping destinations voted in a poll of 750 members.

The top three favourites will probably come as no surprise to seasoned caravanners – namely, the Lake District, Cornwall, and the Scottish Highlands.

Other well-known tourist destinations complete the top ten of favourite places – the Peak District, Devon, the shores of Loch Ness, the Yorkshire Dales, Lake Windermere, the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, and the Cotswolds.

Included in the Camping and Caravanning Club’s top 20 destinations were places such as the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula, and the North York Moors.