July’s heatwave created ideal conditions for caravan holidays in the UK – we hope you enjoyed them.

Although no one can guarantee good weather in our unpredictable climate, there are still many more days of enticing outdoor adventures in the offing. A brief selection of the latest caravan news headlines might whet your appetite …

New campervan and motorhome ban in East Suffolk

East Suffolk council has introduced local regulations banning “heavy vehicles”, including caravans and motorhomes, from parking along popular sea-front roads – effectively banning them from such access.

A story in the Sun newspaper recently explained that the Traffic Regulation Order restricts parking on certain beachfront roads to cars only – with special provision for disabled parking too.

Cars can park along the designated routes without any time restrictions, while alternative parking for motorhomes and caravans will be available elsewhere, with overnight parking for up to three consecutive days.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has just added a new training centre in Kent

The Caravan and Motorhome Club is opening the 18^th in its network of training centres, announced Practical Caravan on the 30^th of July.

The latest of these centres is at Sandwich in Kent and offers training in:

• towing techniques – including reversing a caravan;

• hitching and unhitching your caravan;

• safety routines and the law; and

• tips on loading and weight distribution.

A one and a half day Practical Caravanning course costs £218, as does the one-day Motorhome Manoeuvring course. A one-day Caravan Manoeuvring course costs £188.

Whether you are new to the art of manoeuvring your caravan or want to refresh the skills you’ve acquired over many years, the centre in Kent opened its doors on the 14^th of August.

The course might also be useful for those wanting to tow horseboxes, boats, or any other type of trailer.

 Anglesey holiday park cafe named in UK top 100 Good Food Guide listings

Good things come in small bundles – a humble café at a holiday park on the island of Anglesey has certainly confirmed the adage, according to a report by Wales Online on the 16^th of July.

Although it opened only last year, the café Y Marram at Newborough Warren Caravan Park in Anglesey featured in the top 100 Best Local Restaurants for 2025 published by the Good Food Guide.

The two brothers who run the café – Liam and Ellis Barrie – are no strangers to award-winning hospitality. Some ten years ago, they hit national fame, including television appearances, when they ran the restaurant Marram Grass, which was also in Newborough. Riding the crest of their fame, the brothers opened a further restaurant in Liverpool, but both these ventures were forced to close during the pandemic.

The latest recognition by the Good Food Guide suggests that they have not lost their culinary touch.

UK staycationers ‘playing it safe’ with return visits

Familiarity is a key quality when it comes to holidays in the UK, according to a recent survey by the Camping and Caravanning Club and reported in the Caravan Times on the 30^th of July.

Some 77% of respondents said they liked to “play it safe” by revisiting UK holiday destinations they had previously enjoyed. 71% of them went so far as to book precisely the same accommodation as they had in the past.

Respondents also said that they returned to favourite locations because of the scenery there, and others said that previously visited places gave a sense of being from home to home.

Holidays within the UK – staycations – currently account for an estimated 59% of all trips says the study.

There are those who think that towing a caravan is easy – and there are those who have a lot of experience and know differently!

Towing myths

Many people assume that towing a caravan is easy. They assume it’s all about being careful when you go around corners and needing to ‘think differently’ when you’re reversing.

However, even experienced caravan owners can sometimes find their skills challenged in particularly demanding circumstances. That might include things such as tight parking, reversing at angles or reversing around corners. Even if you mastered those techniques once upon a time, it’s a fact that you can become rusty if you haven’t practised them for a while.

Add to this the changing conditions that come with towing on different roads and terrains – from navigating narrow country lanes to dealing with windy motorways or steep gradients. Even wind buffeting from passing HGVs can unsettle your caravan if you’re unprepared or poorly loaded. And when weather conditions turn bad – heavy rain, fog or crosswinds – the additional weight and length of a caravan makes everything that bit more challenging.

That’s why, even if you’re an experienced caravan tower, it might be worth considering a brush up on your specialist techniques. Or, if you are moving up to a larger caravan, a course may give you a head start when you first take it out on the road.

It’s not just about physical handling either. Today’s caravanners are dealing with more technology than ever. From electronic stability systems to reversing cameras and smart towing aids, modern towing rigs can be complex – and understanding how to operate or troubleshoot these systems properly can be just as important as learning how to reverse.

Enhanced caravan towing courses

There are a number of courses geared up to meet this need, from outright beginners wanting to learn the basics, to experienced caravan owners who what to hone their skills a bit more.

For example:

• the Caravan Club’s caravan manoeuvring course. This is aimed at drivers who are already experienced in the basics of towing a caravan but who want to brush up on some skills and master advanced techniques too;

• another similar course is offered by the Camping and Caravan Club.

There are plenty of others to choose from and there’s bound to be one being run somewhere near your home. Typically – at the time of writing, August 2025 – the price is likely to be somewhere in the region of £220 or so.

Depending on which course you attend, you may find it involves useful ‘theory’ work as well – such as knowing your towing windspeeds, safer loading and the laws affecting caravanners.

Is it worth it?

It’s certainly true that many experienced and perfectly competent drivers with towed caravans have never attended a formal training course in their life. However, we’ve perhaps all seem examples of some less than inspirational techniques when on the road or watching others in caravan parks etc.

The trouble is that you don’t really know how good (or otherwise) your complicated manoeuvring skills are until you need to deploy them one day. That’s probably not the time you’ll want to discover that they’re rusty or to start wishing you’d taken that advanced or brush-up course!

For those who travel with family or plan long journeys, that extra confidence gained through a course can make a world of difference – reducing stress, improving safety and enhancing the overall enjoyment of the trip. It may even result in lower insurance premiums if your insurer recognises your commitment to safer driving.

Perhaps it’s a case of better safe than sorry where this sort of training is concerned.

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Fires are dangerous anywhere and caravans are no exception.

Prevention

It’s always better to stop a fire happening than to try and deal with its consequences.  Many basic fire prevention techniques are common-sense but don’t take them for granted.

Familiarise yourself with them or perhaps just refresh your memory.  Either way:

• don’t smoke in caravans;
• avoid heating large quantities of cooking oil, notably chip pans.  Cooking oil fires are a common cause of fire in homes but they can be easily avoided by using one of the modern fully enclosed and low-fat content fryers;
• use heaters for heating, not for drying clothes;
• if your caravan is an older model, make sure you replace potentially flammable foam coverings with modern fire-resistant varieties;
• whatever the attractive call of the outside world, don’t leave your caravan unattended while food is cooking on the stove;
• unless you are a qualified electrician, don’t try to enhance the caravan’s electrical systems;
• make sure there are at least six metres between you and other adjacent caravans.  This stops fires spreading;
• even if the weather isn’t cooperating, never be tempted to bring the barbecue into the caravan.  The same holds true for portable camping gas stoves;
• pay special attention to young children and sources of flame.  In the modern world, many might never have seen a lighter or a box of matches before they go on a caravan holiday, and you won’t want them experimenting inside while you are outside.

In addition, always inspect your electrical appliances before use, especially if they’ve been in storage over winter. Cables can become frayed or perish with age and temperature changes. Faulty wiring or overloaded sockets are a common cause of caravan fires, so avoid daisy-chaining multiple appliances into one outlet.

Also check your gas lines and appliances regularly, ideally before every trip. A simple leak detection spray or soapy water can help you identify any leaks around fittings and regulators. If you detect a leak or smell gas, turn off the supply immediately and get it checked by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.

Precautions

There are some steps you should take just in case:

• fit optical smoke detectors.  They should detect a fire in its very earliest stages and give you a chance to deal with it before it becomes a major threat;
• have a fire extinguisher or extinguishers fitted somewhere away from the stove.  There are different types to be used in different situations, so you should select those that are appropriate based on professional advice;
• make sure you also fit a carbon monoxide (CO) detector.  CO can be lethal.  Make absolutely sure also that all ventilation in the caravan is unobstructed and working well;
• no fire extinguisher is particularly ideal for cooking fat fires.  So, you should also have an approved fire blanket
• familiarise yourself thoroughly with how extinguishers work. In the event of a fire, you won’t have time to stand around reading and trying to learn all this;

What to do if the worst happens

If you need to react to the fire:

• your absolute top priority should be to get everybody out of the caravan immediately.  It doesn’t matter whether it is raining outside or the fire appears minor, get everybody out.  Do not start trying to collect valuables or other personal belongings;
• attempt to deal with the fire with your own appliances if it is minor and you believe it is safe to do so. Above all, keep your access to the exit entirely clear.  Do not let the fire come between you and that exit;
• if a fire appears severe or you doubt your ability to deal with it, call immediately for professional help through the emergency services;
• be certain you are using the correct type of extinguisher for the type of fire;
• do not try to deal with fires originating from bottled gas supplies or those which are directly adjacent to them.  Retreat a long way away and call for Fire Brigade assistance.  Where gas supplies are involved, remember to notify your neighbouring caravans so they can evacuate a further distance away too.

Don’t forget to keep fire exits clear at all times. Avoid stacking furniture or equipment in front of doorways or windows that could serve as emergency exits. Remember, caravans are compact spaces and obstacles can quickly create dangerous bottlenecks during a fire.

If safe to do so, turn off gas and electricity supplies before evacuating. However, only do this if you can reach the controls without going through flames or smoke. Your safety and that of your family must come first.

It’s also worth practising an evacuation plan with your family or travel companions, particularly if children are involved. Agree on what each person should do and where you’ll meet outside the caravan in the event of a fire.

Remember – plan in advance

As mentioned above, when a fire has broken out is not the time to start trying to learn for the first time about how to deal with it.

For the protection of yourself, your family and other caravanners around you, make sure you find 30 minutes or so to familiarise yourself with basic fire prevention and fire-fighting techniques using appropriate safety equipment.

Caravan & Motorhome Club CL – 5 pitches site, members only

LE15 9TJ

Date of Visit:    July 2025

Overall View

This is a small, basic, but fully functional CL members only site on the outskirts of Uppingham in Rutland.  The owners are very welcoming and only too willing to help if you require it.  They are able to give you all the local information as well.  It is situated to the side of the working farm, although this is not intrusive in any way.  Dogs are allowed on site, on leads at all times.  Access is relatively straightforward, please see arrival video HERE.  

Facilities

The CL has 16amp EHU to each pitch.  There is the usual clean water tap, grey water disposal and chemical disposal point at the entrance to the site.  There is also a recycling bin and rubbish disposal here.

None of the mobile network providers offered 5G but we had no problems streaming TV using EE and the roof mounted puck. Inside the ‘van the signal was poorer, as it was for Three. The coverage checkers suggest 4G indoors and outdoors for O2 but only outdoors for Vodafone. There was no site WiFi.

Both radio and TV reception was excellent – with TV you could choose from three regions for local content.

There are bus stops close to the entrance to the site – these go into Uppingham and Corby in the opposite direction.

https://www.rutland.gov.uk/rutland-buses/uppingham-buses

Review of Site Pitch

The site/field is predominantly level and lain to grass.  There is a certain amount of freedom as to which way you pitch your vehicle, so as to make the most of the views of the valley to the side.  We opted to pitch sideways so that the canopy looked over the valley and we could sit out and admire the view.  The site is very well kept.

Around and about

Rutland claims its famous badge by being the smallest county in England, although it packs a lot of very pleasant and attractive places, activities within its confines.  A useful starting point is https://discover-rutland.co.uk/

The nearest village is Uppingham – a five minute drive from the site – there are several car parks dotted around, blue badges do not have to pay.  There is a Co-Op here and this is the nearest convenience store.

There is also an excellent Fish and Chip shop called Silvers Fish Bar – ordering is available on line for subsequent collection.  They do not deliver.

https://silverfishbar.co.uk/   There are a number of Chinese and Indian Takeaways in the town but we did not try these out on this visit.

Fuel is available at the garage on the main crossroads in the village – it is the only one for some distance, so prices are not necessarily that competitive.  Corby, a half hour drive away has the larger supermarkets with fuel available.

One of the biggest attractions, outside of the very pretty villages etc is Rutland Water – a large reservoir, built in the 1970s to meet the anticipated needs of a growing East Midlands population.  At first it was not really called on too much, but as temperatures have heated up in summers, it is now fully utilised.  You can sail on here, paddleboarding, though not swimming.  There is a large Aquapark at the North Shore which is where swimming and having a go on the assault course in the water is allowed.  Great for children of all ages!  https://aquaparkgroup.co.uk

It is also possible to take a boat trip around the reservoir, which is essentially horseshoe in shape, with a useful commentary and enabling you to see the dam.  There is tea and coffee plus biscuits available, plus a toilet on board.  Cream scones are available but must be ordered in advance.  There is access for wheelchairs, pre-bookable in advance.  Dogs are allowed as well.  https://rutlandwatercruises.com/

Slightly larger villages/small towns are all within half an hour’s drive, namely Oakham and Stamford, the latter just being over the border into Lincolnshire.  Both have railways stations.  There are a larger range of shops and Stamford is particularly noteworthy in having a pedestrianised High Street and many independent shops.  Its proximity to the A1 – formerly a Roman road, is shown by some of the architecture. https://www.visitlincolnshire.com/destinations/stamford/

For a superb Sunday lunch, a trip to Oakham and the Wheatsheaf is highly recommended.  Car parking is close by plus on-street blue badge bays within a few metres.  Very dog friendly and accessible, plus a good range of real ales on hand pumps which are changed regularly.  Booking ahead, especially on a Sunday is advisable.  It is possible to opt for a regular portion or a smaller version, useful for those with smaller appetites.

A visit to this area should include a trip to the nearby Market Town of Uppingham.  https://discover-rutland.co.uk/uppingham/ It has all the facilities you might need including a Co-Op supermarket. It is possible to catch a bus to Leicester from outside the Co-Op. There is a very attractive little high street with plenty of independent shops plus a good smattering of charity shops.  A few pubs and cafes complete the High Street.  Overlooking the market square, (usually held on Friday) is the Post Office and a pub plus a lovely café serving delicious cream teas and hot pots of tea.  There is plentiful seating outside and dogs are allowed there.  Car parking, except Friday, is here.  There are also accessible toilets here too, RADAR key required.  Finally, there is a good old fashioned hardware store – and given the stain glass window inserts, it has been a hardware shop for a good many years.  The owner is very helpful and it is spread over 3 floors.  There is also a guided Heritage Trail round the town  by means of QR codes – there is a lot of history here.  https://discover-rutland.co.uk/listing/uppingham-heritage-trail/

Summary

A very pleasant site in a convenient location.  It has all that you need if you are happy to use your own onboard facilities.  The owners are very helpful and friendly.  A very green and attractive part of the country.  It is definitely a site we would return to in the future.

Date of Visit:    July 2025

Overall View

Appuldurcombe Gardens is a privately owned, family friendly site on the Isle of Wight in the village of Wroxall, a few miles north of Ventnor to the south of the Island. Access is relatively straightforward, please see arrival video HERE.  It is a participant in the Red Funnel combined discounted ferry and stay ticket scheme which includes your car, caravan, two adults plus a number of nights stay in a choice of caravan sites in the fare.  Various restrictions apply, as usual, regarding height etc.  It should also be noted that WightLink and the Camping and Caravan Club offer similar discounted schemes.

The site is a mixture of all types of pitches including grass, hardstanding, all with electric hookup and progresses up to a fully serviced pitch with water and grey waste drainage.  There are all types of caravans, motorhomes and camping outfits all intermingled across the site. 

Facilities

There are two toilet blocks with showers, toilets and wash basins.  There is one accessible toilet in the newer block which is situated in the centre of the site.

The site also has a swimming pool by which is situated the bar, café/restaurant and a picnic area on grass.

The site is dog friendly and they are allowed everywhere apart from the immediate, fenced off area around the swimming pool.  There is, however, plenty of seating just outside this where you can sit with your dogs and still watch the swimming.

There is a laundry on site with irons and ironing boards available plus a large handwash Belfast style sink for your use.  Normal charges apply for the washing machine, dryers and ironing boards.

Reception is situated at the entrance to the caravan and camping part of the site. The other toilet block is situated at the end of this plus one of the two CDPs.  A freezer is available, foc, to enable you to freeze ice blocks if you so wish.

There is a small children’s playground at this point too.  Seating is available should you require it.

Inside the old walled garden area are the static caravans – this is where the pool and laundry are situated.

Review of Site Pitch

Our pitch was on the outer edge of the site, laid to grass with EHU.  We had plenty of space to spread out as it was effectively at the end of a line of vehicles on the corner.  We could have opted for a fully serviced pitch but were advised that these were mainly in full sun all day.  Given the recent weather and with two elderly dogs on board, we felt that this was not the best idea.  Our water tap is literally two minutes’ walk away around the front of the barn on the corner of our pitch, so although it could be seen as an inconvenience, we felt that this was a price worth paying to ensure a nice shady spot and privacy of hedging to the rear.

The pitch was relatively level and the grass well-kept in our area.  The delineation of the pitches was somewhat haphazard in places and we were concerned that the usual safety guideline of 6m, minimum, between outfits was not being observed in a fair few cases.  The roadways around the site are laid to gravel.

Site WiFi was offered but didn’t reach our pitch, though it was available in the bar area as was BT/EE WiFi – free if you are a customer of either.

Mobile wise, EE was the best, offering a strong 5G signal. 3 offered 5G too but was much weaker. The coverage checkers for both Vodafone and O2 report a good 4G signal.

Both TV and radio reception was good.

Around and about

The Isle of Wight is essentially a one-stop tourist destination all over the island.  It may be only 13 x 9 miles approximately but it certainly packs a lot in for its small size.  Beware, though, there are a few areas which have been over-developed to the point of being rather unpleasant and disappointing.  They are, however, in the minority.

As always, I would suggest that a useful starting point is, www.visitisleofwight.co.uk This will enable you to plan out a series of visits/activities you may want to look at further.  Our stay was 10 nights, which we felt was a reasonable time to visit the main attractions on our list.

The south coast of the island from Needles in the west to Ventnor in the south is very peaceful, dramatic scenery and beautiful beaches – some with toilets, ice cream trucks.  Many do not have any facilities, so if you wish to spend a day in the sea here, you will need to take everything with you.

Ventnor, from this site is one of the closest towns and has the usual range of shops including a Tesco Express.  It is a very hilly town but there is limited parking down on the front, including accessible parking, full set of toilets and a number of cafes and bars.  Toni’s Tea Room on the front is very pleasant serving great coffees and toasted teacakes.  It is, like many places except perhaps beaches, that welcome dogs across the island.  There is also a paddling pool attached to a bar/restaurant/café at one end of the beach.

The nearest supermarket – which also offers fuel – was Morrisons, on the outskirts of Sandown, about a 10 minute drive away.

Ventnor Botanical Gardens are worth a visit but be aware that it is quite hilly in parts. 

Buses are plentiful all across the island.  www.islandbuses.info There are two stops a short 5 minute walk from the site entrance and run roughly every 30 minutes towards Newport in one direction.  In the opposite direction they run to Ventnor then up to Shanklin, Sandown and then inland up to Ryde.  Change in Newport to go to Cowes in the North and destinations to the West of the island.

Newport being the main town on the island hosts most of the larger supermarkets, Morrisons, Aldi, Sainsburys plus usual suspects of a typical out of town retail park.  There are a number of independent fuel stations across the island but supermarket prices will necessitate a trip to one of the towns, if offered.

If you happen to visit the IOW at the appropriate times of the summer, you will be able to visit either the Royal Isle of Wight County Show or the world famous Cowes Regatta week.

If you travel from Southampton to the Isle of Wight, your entrance point will be East Cowes.  Obviously on arrival you will be keen to get to your chosen site and set up.  It would be an omission to not return and take in the amazing views and scenery that is available in both Cowes and East Cowes.  This is where the Royal Yachting Society Cowes Regatta is held each year, please see link above.  We visited on a gloriously sunny and warm day.  There is some parking down on the front but it is payable except Blue Badge holders and only for an hour at a time.  There are some nice bars and cafes on the front, along with some very expensive shops.  The apartments, with their balconies, would not look out of place on a top cruise liner. 

There is a pleasant, pedestrian only high street with a few independent shops and a sprinkling of ice cream and cafes too.

Following your visit to Cowes, it is highly recommended that you take the chain link Ferry across the river mouth to East Cowes.  You can take your car, bike or go by foot.  What is definitely not recommended is to take a caravan or trailer.  Any low slung sports cars would be a great risk of grounding too.  It takes a mere 5 minutes from start to finish but is a very unique experience. In East Cowes on the front there is a lovely children’s paddling pool, playground and seating – dogs are not allowed.  The views are tremendous across the Solent and seeing all the shipping.

St Helens has a beautiful beach with very limited parking to the rear.  There are the remains of a church dedicated to mariners.  Swimming is very popular here; there are toilets and a café too.

Summary

The Island is a very beautiful destination, relatively easy to get too, if an additional cost of course.  There are plenty of attractions to choose from and you can easily have a fun-packed and busy 10 night stay.

This site is very pleasant and offers a very good range of services.  Nowhere is that far from each other, so staying at a site in the southern part of the island was not an issue at all.  We will be returning in the future.