There are at least 18 ways in which Essex could “blow your mind” according to the Great British Bucket List in a blog on the 6^th of January 2022. Let’s see whether you’ll be blown away by our own list of suggested things to do in the county:

1. Visit Colchester

• for a short time after the Romans invaded in AD 43, Colchester, which they called Camulodunum – became the very first capital of Britain;

• even 2,000 years later, there are lots of important heritage to be found. You can “walk the walls” – a circular route around the perimiter of the Roman Walls and the later Medieval additions;       

2. Walk the pier

• there are piers – and then there is the pier at Southend-on-Sea;

• Southend pier is a whopper – a full 1.33 miles – and the longest in the world;

• it’s quite a walk, during which you can imagine all that it has seen since work first started on its construction in 1829;

• alternatively, you can hop the Pier Railway and enjoy the ten minute leisurely journey from shore to the end of the pier;

3. Amble along the beach

• few coastal English counties can equal the eighteen attractive beaches you’ll find in Essex – from Harwich in the north and southwards through Frinton, Clacton, Mersea and all the way down to Southend;

• many significant historic features remain along the coast including remnants of traditional industries such as fishing, salt making and historic grazing marshes;

• the coastline of Essex is more than 350 miles long – only Cornwall has a longer coast;

4. Retail therapy

• retail therapy may never have felt so good or quite so extensive as a trip to Lakeside Shopping Centre at Thurrock – where Essex borders Greater London;

• across a total retail floor area on three floors of nearly 2,600,000 square feet (240,000 square metres), you’ll find more than 250 shops and eateries in one of Europe’s most extensive shopping areas in a single location;

5. If you go down to the woods today…

• after all that retail therapy, you might want to spend a little time relaxing and communing with nature – a stroll in the woods is easy enough to find whenever you’re in Essex;

• Epping Forest is the most well-known – and you’ll find it difficult to believe you’re just a stone’s throw from London (you can even get there on the Tube by getting off at Theydon Bois) – so take the Lady’s Guide to the Oak Trail in Epping Forest;

• at Hockley Woods (near Southend) in the southeast of the county you’ll find the most extensive (250 acres) remaining area of woodland in eastern England;

• Hatfield Forest (near Bishop’s Stortford, the M11, and Stanstead Airport) also offers miles of woodland walking trails;

6. Island hopping

• many people have a fascination for islands – when you’re surrounded on all sides by the sea, you get a real sense of having found your own space;

• so, come to Essex where you’ll find more offshore islands than any other county in England – 35 of them altogether, from simple mudflats to a luxurious bolthole frequented by A-list celebrities (the island of Osea described by the Telegraph newspaper on the 31^st of March 2022);

7. Visit Greensted Church

• why not complete your tour of Essex with refreshment for your spirit as well as slaking your thirst for history?

• St Andrew’s Church in the village of Greensted in the heart of Essex claims to be the oldest wooden church in the world with a history extending back to the 6^th and 7^th centuries.

Summary

These are just seven suggestions that might surprise you if you’ve never visited Essex before – and, if you have already done so, you might want to come back for more.

You know how important it is to insure your caravan. You understand that it’s rarely such a good idea to let it automatically renew each year. Instead, you’ll want to review the current cover, make certain it still gives you what you need, and check that there’s not another policy that might do a better job.

All in all, that is to say, whether you’re after cover for your touring caravan or a static holiday home – you’ll need to compare caravan insurance offers.

How to compare caravan insurance – a quick overview

If you want to compare caravan insurance policies, your first step is to establish just what it is you’re looking for. When making your comparisons, therefore, keep the following main points in mind:

• the cover provided – naturally, this is the very crux of what you’ll be looking for. On some level, the caravan insurance cover provided by one policy might appear to be remarkably similar to that of another. But look a little beneath the surface and check for things such as whether or not awnings are covered. Check the policy options on a like-for-like basis. If your current policy offers new for old cover, for example, do the insurance policies you are comparing it with also include new for old insurance cover too?
• exclusions – some policies exclude things you might prefer they did not. Things to look for here might include flood damage, contents above a certain individual value, damage incurred outside of the UK and so on;
• policy terms and conditions – every insurance policy is bound to include lists of terms and conditions – they are perfectly normal and are nothing to worry about. But it’s important to read them carefully because they may make a major difference to the suitability of the most appropriate insurance cover for you. Classic points to note might include what the policy requires of the site for a static caravan, the security precautions you are expected to take with your touring caravan, who can tow it and exactly what you might have to do in the event of a claim. There may be nothing wrong with any of these, but you need to be sure that you can comply with them or your ability to claim in future might be limited;
• price – no caravan insurance comparison would be complete without making some attempt to consider one price against another. But always remember to make sure you are comparing like-for-like (as we mentioned in the first point). One caravan insurance policy might seem to be much more attractively priced. But if it offers reduced cover as a result, then you may need to think about where your priorities lie.

Caravan insurance comparison FAQs

We’ve set the scene now for the four key things to consider when comparing insurance policies. We hope this has given you an idea of the type of things you need to consider when looking for either static or touring caravan insurance. The following frequently asked questions (FAQs) that customers put to us here at Cover4Caravans might help to shine further light on the issues raised:

Should I rank policies based on their price?

It’s probably not a good idea to rank policies solely according to their price.

Instead, try to look at the breadth of cover they provide and where some are more comprehensive or suitable to your particular needs and circumstances than others. Value for money is likely to provide a truer reflection of what you need rather than the price alone.

Is price unimportant then?

Of course, you are always going to take notice of the cost of an insurance policy – none of us likes to pay more for caravan insurance than we need to! In the event of a caravan insurance claim, though, it is not the price you’ll want to discuss but only what cover your policy provides and what it does not.

In the event of a claim, in other words, whatever you have been paying for the policy is unlikely to be something that will bother you under such circumstances.

So, it makes sense to concentrate initially on the cover and only when you have one or two policies that appear to meet your needs, to start wondering whether it is the price differences between them that separate one from the other.

Are some caravan insurance providers better than others?

Don’t be misled by the question. Probably a better way of approaching any such decision is to recognise that some insurance providers offer policies that are, by their nature, more suited to your particular, individual needs and circumstances than others.

A policy that might prove to be very suitable for one caravan owner might not be suitable for you.

That is where expertise in the insurance marketplace – such as the many years’ of experience we have gained here at Cover4Caravans – is extremely useful in terms of reducing the possibility of purchasing caravan insurance that doesn’t offer the protection your ‘van needs or is overpriced for the nature and extent of the cover provided.

Do I need to worry about the policy’s small print?

The simple answer is yes you do – but not because the insurer is trying in any way to trick you in the policy’s small print.

All insurance contains terms and conditions that are designed to make it truly clear where the respective responsibilities and obligations lie between the insurer and the policyholder. They may also clarify exactly what caravan cover is or is not provided under what circumstances.

As such, the small print of terms and conditions are there to help not to hinder, and it is essential that you take the time and trouble to understand them or get help from someone to do so.

How do I choose the most suitable caravan insurance cover for me?

A careful and comprehensive caravan insurance comparison is important, but we cannot deny that it can also be a reasonably lengthy, time-consuming process.

If you don’t like the thought of wading through lots of individual insurance policies yourself, you might be better off using a specialist provider of touring caravan insurance or static caravan insurance – such as ourselves at Cover4Caravans – to do that hard work on your behalf.

We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – so you know we are a reputable business – and have many years’ experience providing caravans insurance.

We can help you access a number of touring caravan or static caravan insurance policy options from various providers. That way you can quickly compare your caravan insurance options and cherry-pick the caravan insurance that you find appropriate and cost-effective for you.

Even with a nod to the upcoming winter season and having to put your caravan into storage in the next few months, current news headlines offer some welcome and interesting reading for touring and static caravan owners.

Let’s take a peek behind some of the headlines.

Winter storage open for booking

It’s always going to be tinged with a little sadness when it comes to closing down and storing your caravan for winter – but the sooner you make the necessary arrangements, the wider your choice of sites and you won’t run the risk of forgetting to book somewhere.

Though it’s only the end of July, the Camping and Caravanning Club has already announced that bookings are open for winter storage at its 26 Club sites across the UK – including such hotspots as Greater London, the Lake District, the Peak District, and Scotland.

If there’s no room at a Club site or nothing close to where you live, you can also investigate your storage options at one of the 450 or so sites run by the Caravan Storage Site Owners Association (CaSSOA) – earning yourself a discount of between 5-20% on the cost of your cover if you have a touring insurance policy with us.

New 85-mile stretch of England Coast Path opens in Essex

The coastal paths of Britain are especially popular among caravanners who will be delighted to learn that a further 85 miles of coastal pathways have opened in Essex.

Announcing the new route on the 21^st of July Practical Caravan described the wide variety of landscapes, views, and environments walkers will encounter along pathways that now extend along more than half of the county’s coastline.

The new 85-mile stretch runs from Tilbury to Wallasea Island, taking in the iconic seaside resort of Southend-On-Sea, but also opening up to grasslands and saltmarshes, industrial landscapes, and views across to the Hoo Peninsula of Kent.

Heritage Caravan Company launches reproduction 1930s classic vintage touring ‘vans

Plymouth-based Heritage Caravan Company recently announced the launch of a reproduction model of a classic touring caravan from the 1930s.

The reproduction caravans are hand built to the original vintage designs using sheets of aluminium over a timber frame lined with sheep’s wool for insulation of the walls and roof.

The bodywork livery is in the original colours of the British Motor Corporation (BMC), but customers can choose their own unique fabrics and internal finishes.

Business as usual for The Caravan Company after fire

Despite a major fire that broke out at its headquarters site in Finedon, Northamptonshire, The Caravan Company has been able to continue trading – indeed, sales exceeded the normal immediately after the fire, according to Out and About Live on the 19^th of July.

The fire that occurred at the beginning of the month caused extensive damage to the site itself, seventeen caravans that were parked there, and neighbouring properties.

Cliff edge caravans will move inland to avoid coastal erosion

To prevent static caravans on a coastal site in Norfolk from tumbling into the sea county planning officers have granted permission for their relocation some seven miles further along the coast, according to a story in the Eastern Daily Press on the 22^nd of July.

Several dozen caravans at Woodhill Holiday Park, near East Runton in North Norfolk, will be moved from their present location which is under serious threat of coastal erosion to safer ground at a sister site at Kelling Heath Holiday Park, in nearby Weybourne.

How is your caravanning summer season going? Though it might be a struggle keeping up with the seemingly relentless increase in petrol prices of late, the news headlines continue to shine a light on the more positive side of caravanning.

Let’s take a peek behind some of the latest UK caravan news headlines.

Coachman keeps its 2023 models at 2022 season prices, until 21 August

The good news for anyone looking to buy a Coachman caravan this year is the company’s announcement – reported by Practical Caravan on the 24^th of June – that the manufacturer’s latest models for 2023 can be bought at 2022 prices.

You’d better be quick, though, because that offer is scheduled to end on the 21^st of August.

First out of the stable for Coachman’s new range of caravans is the upgraded and updated VIP 675 – a version of the company’s ever-popular VIP575. The Laser Xcel 855 is also new and features a front-end lounge and revised kitchen layout on the nearside.

Layouts for the Laser Xcel850, Laser 665, and the Acadia 545 are also given new treatments.

Newly refurbished Camping and Caravanning Club sites to reopen

After months of anticipation – not to mention the expenditure of an estimated £2.5 million – the Camping and Caravanning Club is now taking bookings for its completely refurbished and newly reopened campsites at Chertsey in Surrey and Bowness on Windermere in the Lake District National Park.

Announcing the long-awaited reopening, the Caravan Times on the 22^nd of June noted that the Chertsey site is one of the oldest of the Club’s sites, having first opened in 1927 but now refurbished to a standard that makes the most of its enviable location on the banks of the Thames, just a stone’s throw from central London.

Bowness on Windermere remains the ideal place within the Lake District National Park as a base for all your explorations and adventure – and now with the added benefit of state-of-the-art facilities in a stunning location.

Adria UK’s current production status and vehicle supply update

Currently, under majority ownership by the French manufacturer Trigano, the company issued a notice on the 27^th of June seeking to reassure customers about its efforts to maintain production in the face of supply chain difficulties and shortages.

Adria insists that it is doing everything within its powers to reduce delays in fulfilling sold orders – which it promises to give its highest priority. By maintaining close contact with both suppliers and franchised dealers, the company will strive to meet scheduled delivery dates but will inform customers as soon as possible if these need to change.

New trailer training scheme announced

If you feel you could do with a little help and practical instruction for towing your caravan – or indeed any kind of trailer – the revamped training course run by the Camping and Caravanning Club could be for you.

Announcing the new National Trailer Training Accreditation Scheme on the 23^rd of June, the Club pointed out that it could prove especially timely for owners of heavier caravans and the more powerful cars they drive. Since changes to the licensing rules in December 2021, drivers who passed their test after the 1^st of January 1997 no longer have to take the B+E test for towing a trailer of up to 3,500 kg.

Nevertheless, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) recommends that anyone new to towing a caravan or trailer is best advised to seek a professionally recognised driving instructor.

Eriba produces 100th Touring 820 caravan

The 100^th model of the iconic Touring 820 caravan has rolled off the production line to great fanfare, reported Out and About Live on the 24^th of June.

The classic caravan is hand-built at Eriba’s factory in Bad Waldsee, near Ravensburg, in Germany, ensuring that every model is unique – though the 100^th model to emerge from the factory will probably wear the laurels for some time to come.

The Touring 820 has an impeccable pedigree – based on the company’s original Troll design, the caravan has remained in uninterrupted production for the past 65 years.

Not for nothing is it called the Garden of England. This corner in the southeast of the country is a garden like no other. It has it all yet retains an air of familiarity that puts you immediately at ease, as though you were in your own garden at home.

Come with us, therefore, as we look at just a few of the things to do in the magical county of Kent.

1. Canterbury

• you don’t have to be a pilgrim to tell tales of your visit to Canterbury, the historic capital of Kent;

• throughout its 1,400-year history the Cathedral has seen its share of dramatic – not to mention bloody – events;

• the Cathedral has amazing stained glass windows that will take your breath away;

• whet your appetite by browsing the new online guide the city prepared for visitors in 2022;

2. Dover

• many people have sadly missed out for many a year by limiting their entire knowledge of Kent to the Port of Dover – it’s where you wait for the ferry to cross the Channel to France;

• but Dover itself has many a delight – not least the mighty Dover Castle, which steals the show as England’s longest-serving fortress. It saw action during the times of the medieval King Henry II through to its pivotal roles in both World Wars (first as a signalling station and in the Second World War as a hospital for the wounded in battle);

• if you plan on visiting the castle, allow yourself several hours, it is huge!

3. Four out of five

• if it’s history you’re after, then Kent’s historic harbours are home to four of the five “cinque ports” – the most important ports of southeast England that provided both men and ships to serve in the so-called “Cradle of the Royal Navy” before the Tudor Kings established the nation’s standing navy;

• so, that’s four historic ports – Dover, Hythe, New Romney, and Sandwich – you’ll want to visit in Kent (the fifth cinque port of Hastings is in Sussex);

• stroll down quaint, cobbled little streets and enjoy the delights of the many independent boutiques and eateries;

4. Rural charm

• the Garden of England positively oozes rural charm, of course, and probably no more than in the television series that catapulted both David Jason and Catherine Zeta-Jones to fame, the Darling Buds of May;

• filmed in the mainly agricultural Pluckley, the village is also known as the “the most haunted village in Britain”;

5. Viking Coastal Trail

• just when you thought that Kent was the place for a restful appreciation of the countryside and all its sedate pleasures, along comes the call of something more active;

• the Viking Coastal Trail is a 32-mile (51.4 km) circular tour around the Isle of Thanet, looping through quiet, picture-book villages and ancient churches but also runs through the well-known resorts of Broadstairs, Margate, and Ramsgate;

• don’t be misled by the thought of it being an easy cycle ride around a mainly flat island – there are uphill sections that will test you enough to want to break up your tour into several stages;

6. The Shell Grotto

• this unusual attraction must qualify as one of the most mysterious there is;

• it’s a manmade labyrinth stretching some 2,000 square feet underground, and has walls lined with an estimated 4.6 million shells;

• it was discovered in 1835 but no one seems to know why, by whom, or when it was created;

• the caverns are located in Margate on the appropriately named Grotto Hill.

With just half a dozen activities mentioned in our brief list of destinations, we’ve done no justice at all to the wealth of treasures that await you in the beautiful county of Kent. There’s nothing for it but to come and discover all the others at your leisure.