If you have just bought your first caravan – or if you have borrowed one to see what caravanning has to offer – you may have all sorts of expectations about the pleasure it is about to bring – for example:  

• the freedom of the open road; 

• knowing that wherever you might pitch up, your second home on wheels is there to give you a good night’s sleep and all the comforts of home; and 

• the chance to meet like-minded friends and establish long-term contacts to help you get the most of your caravanning holidays. 

If you are just such a newbie, it might be helpful to share a few initial thoughts on making the most of the adventure that is opening up to you.  

Even if you are an old hand or have been caravanning before, it might also be useful to jog your memory about the preparation that needs to go into getting your caravan ready for a new round of outings. 

The caravan you choose  

As you are likely to have discovered, there are all types of caravans from which you might have chosen (if you are not borrowing or renting a ‘van), and each might be better equipped to serve the specific purpose you need: 

• conventional designs – these have a single axle and may range in length from 3 to 6.5 metres, sleeping between 2 and six occupants; 

• the conventional touring caravan has all your home comforts including a toilet, sink, shower, and kitchens fitted out with a cooker, work surfaces and a kitchen sink;

• on the other hand, you might have chosen something considerably more substantial and in need of a twin axle to tow;

• at the other end of the scale may be a small “teardrop” caravan specifically designed to make towing even easier; 

• if you went for ease of towing and a relatively small and less well–equipped interior, you might have chosen a pop–up, folding or GRP caravan. 

Layout 

When you were choosing your caravan, one of the most important considerations may have been the space and layout it offered.  

Although relatively small, you may be surprised by the ingenuity with which modern caravan designers have been able to exploit every possible opportunity for maximising the useful floor area. 

Prepping the caravan 

Before hitching up and taking to the road, of course, you are going to want to ensure that the caravan is thoroughly roadworthy.  

There are several checks and simple maintenance routines to be followed before embarking on any trip and it is important that you carry these out. As a newbie, you may feel more confident in entrusting maintenance and servicing to qualified caravan engineers.  

If you have already been caravanning before and are prepping the trailer for a new season, read on.  

Insurance

Whatever the size or specification of the caravan you have purchased, it may be sensible to consider how it is protected with appropriate caravan insurance, subject to policy terms and conditions.

If you are new to caravanning, understanding which type of cover is suitable for your circumstances can feel unclear, particularly given the range of policies and options available. At Cover4Caravans, we specialise in helping customers explore insurance options for a range of caravan makes and models, taking individual requirements into account.

For more experienced caravanners, you may already be familiar with the role suitable caravan insurance can play. However, it can still be worthwhile to review your cover from time to time, particularly if your policy is due for renewal or if your circumstances have changed.

Towing 

Perhaps the single most unfamiliar aspect of touring with a caravan is the fact that you are going to be towing it. Fortunately, towing is not necessarily that difficult and with a little care, patience and practice you are soon likely to get the hang of it. 

The broadest rule of thumb is that the heavier the caravan the heavier and more powerful car you need to tow it. This may be made more difficult by the fact that the manufacturer is likely to have stipulated a Mass in Running Order Weight (MIRO) or unladen weight of the caravan. 

This is considerably less important or useful than the Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM), which combines not only the crude weight of the caravan but also its maximum laden weight. 

The more you investigate, the more you may be baffled by the various descriptions and ways of calculating the ratio of the caravan to vehicle weight. A comprehensive guide published by the RAC covers everything from towing limits, measuring the weight and nose weight of your caravan, tips on reversing with a caravan. 

While you are completing your preparation before actually getting behind the wheel, though, you might also like to read some helpful guides published by the Camping and Caravanning Club about what you can tow, including what the law says, and a further guide on becoming a confident tower. Plus, our own guide to towing mirrors. 

It might be prudent, of course, to practice towing an old and inexpensive trailer in the first instance rather than denting, scraping, or backing into something with your new caravan.  

For hands-on instruction and practice, you might also want to consider enrolling on one of the caravan manoeuvring courses offered by the Caravan and Motorhome Club or the Camping and Caravanning Club. 

On the road 

With a good deal of homework and preparation done, you may be ready to hit the road and take the first trip with your caravan. Here are some tips that may help your initial excursion – and subsequent journeys – go smoothly and safely:  

• when packing the caravan, take care to distribute the weight properly, with heavier items on the floor and more or less over the axle; 

• before every outing, check and, if necessary, inflate the tyres until they are at the correct pressure;

• many caravans have special devices designed to improve their stability – check that these are correctly installed and in working order;

• remember that the legal speed limit when towing your caravan will vary depending on its weight – the link above gives detailed information; 

• your first trip with the new caravan is likely to be relatively close to home but whenever planning a journey, you might want to remember that the car and trailer is less manoeuvrable than the car alone – if you are accustomed to using a sat nav, bear in mind that these devices may often take you down impossibly narrow or winding country lanes;

• experience is likely to teach you how to pick the best pitches when you arrive at a site, but broadly speaking you might want to avoid trees (leaves, sap and bird droppings), choose level ground and decide whether you want or need to be close to or further away from the site’s amenity block.

Location, location, location 

Choosing the location for your initial outings with the caravan is almost as important as choosing the place where you intended to live. It might only be a holiday or weekend break, but your choice of camping site may make or break the occasion.  

Making the choice, of course, depends on who is in your party – a family with children, for example, is likely to have quite different priorities to those of a retired couple.  

In other words, a lot depends on what you hope to get out of your trip away from home – peace and tranquillity of the countryside, say, or action-packed sporting adventures, or maybe sites of historical interest. 

There are innumerable guides and listings of the very many campsites both in England and abroad, though you may be equally influenced by word of mouth and the recommendations of other more seasoned caravanners.  

Amenities 

Your choice of campsite is also likely to be determined by the facilities and amenities it has to offer. Typically, these are fully detailed in the site’s advertising and, in these days of the internet, the majority of sites maintain their own webpage.  

Amenities are generally included in the many listings of caravan sites and if you want to dig deeper, you might read through some of the reviews of the experiences encountered by previous visitors.  

Etiquette  

Caravanners sometimes consider themselves to be members of a rather select group or club and particular sites are likely to attract like-minded souls. You may become aware of an unwritten etiquette amongst such folk and most of this is largely a matter of common sense and respect for other people’s enjoyment of their own holiday:  

• if you have your dog with you, for instance, some sites may insist that it is kept on a lead at all times – even if there is no such rule, make sure to keep your pet under control;

• leave shower rooms, washrooms and washing up sinks clean, tidy, and free from waste – leaving them as you hope to find them;

• avoid taking short cuts across other campers’ pitches – there may be nothing more annoying or intrusive than have a stranger appear close up to your caravan windows or awning; 

• keeping a respectful distance; 

• an environmentally friendly piece of advice is to lift up any groundsheets you might be using under your awnings from time to time so that the grass has a chance to breathe before turning brown as it dies; 

• if your children have bought their bikes with them, teach them not to ride close to other caravans, but to stick to the paths and roads, taking care of both pedestrians and cars; 

• many caravanners are looking for a little peace, quiet and relaxation when on their holiday – blaring radios or televisions and noise late at night or early in the morning are all things likely to be frowned upon. 

Going abroad 

With a caravan in tow, the whole of Europe may be your oyster, offering a huge range of potential destinations and caravanning experiences. Making a success of any such holiday requires a little more preparation and patience, especially concerning the different driving conditions, laws, and regulations you may encounter.  

Also note that you should check your caravan insurance cover, and also territorial limits and policy conditions before you travel.

The Caravan Club has published a number of guides for first-time caravanning visitors to Europe, with advice on subjects such as essential and recommended documentation, pieces of kit that might be required for use in different countries, speed limits on a country by country basis, and a general checklist of all the items that are either essential or recommended when taking your car and caravan across the Channel to Europe.  

We also have a number of destination guides which you view here: 

Trip Related Guides 

Caravanning for Adrenaline Junkies 

Complete caravanners’ guide to mainland Europe 

Caravanning for History Buffs 

Caravanners’ guide to theme parks in and around the UK 

Caravanning for Adults 

Coastal campsites for Caravanners – where to go and where to pitch up 

Guide to caravanning in France 

Guide to caravanning in Germany 

Guide to caravanning in the Channel Islands 

Guide to caravanning for cyclists 

Starting out or preparing for the next season? 

Every caravanner started out as a newbie at some point in time, so you are by no means alone on the learning curve to making each outing and holiday a success. After your first few excursions, you may soon discover that you are unlikely to be a newbie for long.  

If you have passed that stage of being a newbie, though, here are some tips and suggestions about getting your caravan ready for the next season. 

First of all, the process is likely to involve a game of two halves – in the spring you are likely to have a checklist of things to do as the caravan is brought out of hibernation; in the autumn you are probably preparing to put it into storage. 

Spring  

Just when you start reviving your caravan from its winter’s rest, of course, depends on when you intend to use it. As March or April come around, typically many people start preparing for that first outing around the Easter holidays.  

These are just some of the issues you might want to look out for and address: 

• damp is one of the major enemies of any caravan owner – and whilst it is locked up over the wintertime, condensation and damp may have set in;

• a thorough airing of your caravan is likely to be called for, with special attention paid to any soft furnishings which need to be dried out and a careful check of doors and windows for any signs of leaks;

• unchecked and unresolved, the rot encouraged by condensation may cause untold damage to the inside of your caravan, quite apart from the unpleasant smell, unsightly marks, and risks to your health; 

• tyres need a thorough check for signs of bulging, cracking or wear and are likely to need inflating to the correct pressure; 

• water tanks and appliances are likely to have been drained down for winter storage and may now have a musty smell and taste – annual sterilisation, flushing and refilling may help to get systems back into a usable state;

• for similar reasons, the empty fridge might also welcome a thorough clean – some bicarbonate of soda mixed into the cleaning water may help to clear any lingering musty smell; 

• check the cooker by lighting each of the jets to ensure that there are no blockages and replace the gas cylinder or cylinders if necessary;

• some elements might be easy to overlook, so it may come as a timely reminder from the Crime Prevention Website to check your onboard security and safety equipment – everything from locks, alarms smoke-detectors and the supplies in the first aid kit; 

• as you near the end of this checklist of items, you are nearly ready to sally forth on your first outing of the season; 

• before taking to the road, however, there are several final checks still to make; 

• double–check that the wheel bolts are properly tightened – especially if they have replaced winter wheels that you used whilst the caravan was in storage; 

• make sure that the gas is turned off at the cylinder;

• ensure that the flush tank and on-board toilet tanks are empty; 

• close and lock all cupboards, wardrobes, and stowage compartments; 

• secure anything that is loose or might shift about when you are underway; 

• lock the fridge shut;

• close and lock windows and roof vents whilst on the move;

• check the caravan’s road lights;

• make sure the jockey wheel is secured in its raised position and check the breakaway cable is properly connected; 

• check the caravan’s nose weight to check that you are not overladen; and 

• release the handbrake – and you are off! 

Further reading: Is your caravan ready for spring touring? A pre-season maintenance checklist

Autumn  

Hopefully, the careful preparations you made at the beginning of the season meant that you had many trouble-free days of caravanning. Although you encountered no problems during the summer, however, it is still important to prepare just as carefully when laying up the caravan for winter – especially if you hope next season’s outings to go without a hitch:  

• the immediate question, of course, is where the caravan is to be located for its winter hibernation; 

• the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA) has a network of member sites throughout the country, with each one graded according to the security and facilities present – storage at a CaSSOA site may also earn you a discount in your caravan insurance premiums and is something we recognise here at Cover4Caravans;

• although the security measures may help to put your mind at ease, it may still be a good idea to visit the storage site in advance to check whether your caravan is going to be on hard standing or concrete, under cover or in the open, and ease of access for you and the vehicle being used to put the caravan into storage and retrieve it again in the spring;

• whatever the chosen location, it is likely to be important to thoroughly clean and wax the outside of the caravan, removing birdlime, oil stains, black or green mould – all of which may leave permanent marks if left untreated; 

• use caution and attention to personal safety when using step ladders or stretching over to clean the roof of your caravan – it might well not bear your weight; 

• tyres are especially vulnerable to wear when left to bear the weight of your caravan in the same position over a long period of time. Further reading: How old are your tyres?

• you may want to consider replacing the normal road wheel with winter wheels – especially the lockable type, for added security; 

• where possible, store the vehicle with the corner steadies lowered and the handbrake off, to reduce the chance of it sticking; 

• probably the most important preparation inside the caravan is to completely drain down all water systems – whether fresh water, the toilet flush or heating system – to prevent damage caused by pipes, fittings or valves freezing during the winter;

• special care needs to be taken towards the storage of gas cylinders, which need to be turned off and disconnected from the caravan’s supply; and 

• your caravan storage site may have specific policies relating to the storage of gas cylinders and you may not be allowed to keep them close to the vehicle for the duration of the winter. 

Whether it is preparing your caravan for a well-earned rest during the winter months or the anticipation of enjoying yet another summer on tour, the care and attention you give to getting ready for the next caravan season are likely to prove well worth your while. 

Further reading: Winter caravanning: What to pack and where to go.

Additional considerations for new and returning caravanners

Beyond the practical checks already outlined, there are a number of wider considerations that may help support a smoother caravanning experience over time. Budgeting realistically for ongoing costs, for example, may help avoid surprises.

Servicing, storage fees, replacement tyres, gas, site fees and insurance premiums can all add up over the course of a season, particularly for those new to caravanning. Taking time to map out likely annual costs may help you decide how often you plan to travel and which types of trips are most suitable.

Weather planning is another factor that may influence both comfort and safety. Conditions in the UK can change quickly, and caravanners may wish to keep an eye on forecasts before travelling, particularly when towing. High winds, heavy rain or heatwaves may affect driving conditions, pitch selection and the use of awnings. Adjusting travel plans or delaying departure may sometimes be the more prudent option.

Security is also worth revisiting as part of your wider preparation. While many modern caravans are fitted with alarms, trackers or wheel clamps, these measures may work best when used together rather than in isolation. Parking orientation on site, the use of hitch locks when stationary and awareness of site security procedures may all play a role in reducing risk. As with any security measures, insurers may expect reasonable precautions to be taken, subject to policy terms.

Documentation is another area that can be overlooked. Keeping copies of service records, inspection reports, insurance documents and ownership paperwork together may make administration easier, particularly if you need to refer to them while travelling. Some caravanners also find it helpful to keep digital backups in case documents are misplaced.

Finally, it may be worth allowing time after each trip to reflect on what worked well and what could be improved next time. Small adjustments to packing routines, pitch preferences or travel timings may significantly enhance future trips. Over time, experience often builds confidence and helps caravanners develop habits that suit their own style of travel.

Further reading: Caravanning Checklist.

Caravanning is often associated with freedom – the ability to change plans, take the scenic route or stay longer somewhere that feels right. For many people, the word “planning” sounds like the opposite of that. Too rigid. Too organised. Too close to turning a break into a schedule.

In reality, planning is what makes that freedom possible.

The most enjoyable caravan trips are rarely the least planned. They are the ones where enough thought has gone in beforehand to remove friction, reduce uncertainty and allow decisions to be made calmly once the journey begins.

Planning isn’t about control – it’s about flow

Good planning in caravan touring isn’t about locking yourself into a fixed itinerary. It’s about understanding the shape of your trip before you set off. Knowing roughly how far you want to travel, what kind of landscape you’re heading into and how much energy you want to spend each day.

That awareness makes a real difference. Touring through wide, open regions such as the Scottish Highlands feels very different from travelling through tighter, more populated areas. Distances, road types and stopping points all affect how a day unfolds. Planning helps you work with a destination rather than against it.

Experience changes how people plan

Ask long-term caravan owners how they plan today, and many will tell you they plan less than they used to – but more effectively. Early trips are often over planned, driven by nerves or fear of getting things wrong. Over time, that shifts.

Experienced caravan travellers know what matters. They plan around pace, daylight, weather and how they want the trip to feel, rather than trying to account for every detail. That confidence comes from understanding their own preferences as much as the destination.

Planning supports flexibility, not rigidity

One of the great myths about planning is that it removes spontaneity. In practice, the opposite is often true. When you’ve done a bit of thinking in advance, changing plans becomes easier, not harder.

This is especially true in places where weather plays a big role. Touring areas like the Lake District or Pembrokeshire where the weather can be notoriously unpredictable can look very different from one day to the next.

Knowing your alternatives – shorter drives, nearby locations or quieter routes – makes adapting feel natural rather than stressful.

Time and energy matter more than mileage

Planning also changes how people think about distance. Caravan touring isn’t about covering ground quickly; it’s about enjoying the journey without arriving exhausted.

Shorter travel days, realistic arrival times and room to pause along the way often lead to better experiences. Regions such as the Norfolk Broads lend themselves particularly well to this slower rhythm, where the landscape encourages unhurried movement and time outdoors.

Planning cushions the unexpected

Unexpected situations are part of any trip. Roads close. Weather shifts. Plans change. What tends to define the experience is not whether something unexpected happens, but how prepared you are when it does.

When a trip is loosely planned, changes feel manageable rather than disruptive. You’re less likely to feel boxed in by decisions made earlier and more able to respond calmly to what’s happening in front of you.

A practical planning checklist for caravan touring

While the following checklist is not exhaustive, here are some ideas of what to include when planning your next trip …

For wet weather and downtime

• board games, cards or puzzles for relaxed evenings;
• books, magazines or downloaded films for offline use;
• activities that don’t rely on good weather or outdoor space;

For navigation and detours

• paper road maps for wider route awareness;
• notes on alternative routes or nearby areas worth exploring;
• offline navigation or saved locations where signal may be limited;

For food and drink flexibility

• simple, adaptable meal options;
• hot drinks and comfort favourites;
• easy snacks for travel days or unplanned stops;

For comfort and routine

• extra layers, blankets or throws;
• familiar items that make the caravan feel settled;
• lighting, music or small touches that create a relaxed atmosphere;

For shared time

• games or activities suitable for everyone travelling;
• items that encourage conversation and downtime;
• space to slow the pace and enjoy being together;

For peace of mind

• essentials that reduce reliance on local facilities;
• a small buffer of supplies for plan changes;
• the basics that allow you to adapt calmly if circumstances shift.

Confidence is the real benefit

Perhaps the most valuable outcome of planning is confidence. Not the loud, performative kind, but the quiet assurance that comes from knowing you’ve thought things through.

That confidence allows you to relax once you’re on the road. Decisions feel easier. Detours feel less risky. The journey feels lighter.

In many ways, planning becomes part of the pleasure. Reading about places, imagining routes and shaping the kind of trip you want to take all build anticipation. Far from limiting freedom, thoughtful planning clears the way for the kind of flexible, rewarding travel that caravanning does best.

Further reading: Caravanning Checklist,
Guide to what to do on rainy days and Winter caravanning: What to pack and where to go.

The winter has really set in by now, and perhaps only the hardiest are likely to venture out and about with their caravan in tow. If you are like most of us, though, you’ll be looking for ways of keeping your caravan safely tucked up for the winter (as well as typically meeting the terms and conditions of your tourer insurance cover which may require you to fulfil certain obligations in order to minimise any risk).

Here are some of the essentials …

Storage

Probably the single most important consideration will be exactly where you choose to store your caravan – if you choose a Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA) approved storage facility, not only may you have peace of mind that your caravan is securely stored, but you may also attract discounts on your insurance premiums (up to 20% with Cover4Caravans).

Further reading:

Guide to Caravan Storage and Security

Caravan Storage and Insurance Video;

Security

• once you’ve found a safe location where you can store your caravan, you are still responsible for maintaining all reasonable security precautions;

• as our blog about Caravan security makes clear, deterring theft boils down to essentially three main components – immobilisers, alarms, and locks;

Weathering the winter storms

• even though you can rest easy that your caravan is over-wintering in the safety of a CaSSOA-approved site, it may still remain outside and exposed to the elements;

• so you do need to ensure your caravan is weather-proof – our blog Storm proofing your caravan; protecting against wind and rain explains this in more detail;

• the very way in which any caravan is built makes it more than usually vulnerable to wind, rain, and stormy weather – naturally, it is no match for bricks and water, but there are still ways in which you can help your trailer weather even the worst storms;

• it’s important, for example, to retract or completely remove any awning;

• make sure your trailer remains wind and watertight by carefully checking the seals around all the windows and doors – taking care not to block any of the ventilation openings, guarding against damage from frost or ice, and checking whether your insurance cover requires the water system to be drained down.

Your caravan insurance

Before the final onset of winter, it might also be helpful to check your caravan insurance policy for any exclusions or conditions you need to meet to show that it has been properly maintained in readiness for the harsher weather ahead. If you are unsure as to what your obligations are under the terms of the policy, speak to your insurance provider.

These are some of the basic steps you might want to take to winterise your caravan so that it remains ready to hit the road as soon as the spring weather allows.

From choosing safe storage to preparing for the worst that winter’s weather might bring to reviewing all that your caravan insurance has to offer, this is the time of year to show that extra care and attention that will see your caravan through until the coming new season.

It’s a New Year, and a new caravanning season is just around the corner – though it might not feel like it during the recent snowstorms!

But we’ll help you stay on top of the caravanning news by taking a peek behind some of the latest UK caravan news headlines.

Huddersfield location crowned Campsite of the Year

The coveted Campsite of the Year award has gone to a site at Thongsbridge, Holmfirth, near Huddersfield, announced Yorkshire Live on the 16^th of December.

Awarding the title to Holme Valley Caravan & Camping Park, Out and About Live praised the site for its eco-conscious operation and for the high quality of its facilities. The organisers went still further by describing Holme Valley as everything one would expect of an award-winning destination.

Holme Valley Caravan & Camping Park occupies an especially peaceful location on what was once the site of a working woollen mill. It became a caravan park in 1986 and has remained a family-run affair ever since. From the outset, the family has aimed for a green and sustainable environment – and that has attracted many wildlife supporters.

Plans to create a new caravan park in South Wales

The 4^th of January edition of Barry and District News reported that the Vale of Glamorgan planning authorities are considering an application to turn a vacant site in Wenvoe, South Wales, into a caravan park. Public feedback continues while the council considers the planning application.

The plans focus on the redevelopment of the former Tunnelside Yard, at Alps Quarry Road, in Wenvoe, as a site for touring caravans and motorhomes (no static caravans are included in the application).

Repurposing land for tourism-related activities has not met with universal approval in other planning applications, but the one for Tunnelside Yard rests on credentials that include low environmental impact, eco-friendly amenities, and utility hookups.

The applicants promise extensive landscaping of the park, numerous onsite connections for water, electricity, and waste, environmentally sustainable operations, and affordable holiday choices during seasonal operations.

Festive UK travel delivers £3.3bn domestic tourism boost

The Christmas and New Year festivities throughout the UK this year generated a £3.3 billion boost to the economy, according to a recent news story.

An estimated 11.6 million Britons took a break away from home for at least one night during the recent holidays. This is a notable increase from last year. Over the Christmas period of 2024, for instance, only 9 million Britons chose an overnight stay in the UK.

Most revellers opted for multiple short breaks – around half enjoyed two or more separate breaks away, visiting family or engaging in the many festive activities, and outdoor pursuits like walking and cycling.

Last-minute decisions seem to have been made on account of the changing weather, together with discounts that made certain deals even more affordable. According to analysts, it all added up to the recent holiday period becoming one of the busiest times for travel during 2025.

With 2025 ending on such a positive note, says Visit England who released the figures, a welcome boost has been given to tourism destinations throughout the UK for 2026.

Lake District authorities look at new ways to manage anti-social behaviour and illegal camping

According to local newspaper Cumbria Crack on the 6^th of January, councils throughout the Lake District will be taking a tougher stance on anti-social behaviour in the tourism hotspot.

Windermere west shore, Coniston east shore, and Blea Tarn – all sites owned by the National Trust – along with Askam and Dalton, will be subject to public space protection orders.

That will allow police in these areas to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £100 for anti-social behaviour such as irresponsible use of alcohol, dog fouling, and unsafe barbeques and fires.

Failure to pay that initial penalty can lead to a summary conviction before the courts and a fine of up to £1,000.

Date of Visit:    December 2025

Overall View

This is an independent adults only, dog friendly site which is also part of both the Tranquil Parks organisation and the Premier Parks group.                          

www.tranquilparks.co.uk

www.premierparks.outandaboutlive.co.uk/

The site has 40+ fully serviced pitches and also has a small number of log cabins at the rear of the site.  These do accept children.  The site is rural in location and peaceful. Watch our site arrival video here.

Facilities

There is a comprehensive facilities block at the front of the site – it is of the highest standard, with individual shower/toilet rooms including a fully accessible room.  Underfloor heating and beautiful stone and marble fixtures make for a lovely experience.  Hairdryers with access to mirrors are placed outside each room.

The middle of the block houses the washing machine and dryer – good quality domestic style machines charged at only £1/hour at the time of visiting.  There is also a washing up sink unit for those people who prefer to do their dishwashing outside of their van.  This area serves as the information area and there are comprehensive maps, leaflets and very much focussed on dog friendly locations.  A list of vets, GP’s, Hospitals etc is also available here.

The site has a number of waste/recycling points spread across the site and there are a number of CDP points, some of which are alongside the recycling points.  A drive over motorhome service point was being constructed at the time of our visit and will be open in the New Year – this will be opposite the facilities block.

There is a secure dog walk with seats in to one side of the entrance to the site.  Dog bins are available throughout the site as well.  A dog shower point is available to the rear of the facilities block.

At one side of the facility block is the Reception and a small shop stocking basics.  This includes ample supplies for the fishing lakes – there are a number; the ones by the tourer area are available free to residents.  At the time of our visit, it was contactless payments.  They do carry a small cash float to pay for the washing machines.

Security is good with a barrier system.

There are tennis courts situated to the rear of the log cabins – further details from Reception.

Both TV and radio reception were excellent.

Mobile wise, the coverage maps of all four of the UK mobile networks suggested good 4G coverage inside and out, however our experience was a bit different. Smarty (Three) struggled during the day and was unusable at night with the blinds closed. EE and Vodafone were a little better but streaming was hit and miss. This may have been due to the location of our pitch which was more sheltered than some. There were no issue with streaming using the roof mounted puck through Lyca (EE).

Review of Site Pitch

Each of the pitches are fully serviced with water, grey waste disposal and EHU.  They are level and of generous proportions.  It is possible to site your awning, caravan and car alongside each other with room to spare.  They are laid to gravel and drain well.  There is a tarmac road around the front of each pitch.

All pitches look onto one of the fishing lakes – this is to facilitate the fishing whilst not being away from the van.

Around and about

The nearest bus stop is in the village of Stretton, which is at the exit of the A1 on your way to the site.  It is about a 20 minute walk along roads with no pavements from the site.  It is operated by Rutland County Council bus service – RZ1.  It offers two buses a day, one in a morning and one in late afternoon.  www.rutland.gov.uk/rutland-buses

They also offer a Call Connect Service whereby you call and reserve buses in advance.   Please see website for further details.

Nearest shop is a Community Shop in Clipsham and also houses a cafe. 

https://bythams.shop/shop-cafe

There are several fuel stations on the A1 – but they do tend to charge premium prices.  There are supermarket fuel stations in both Oakham and Stamford – these being the two main towns in closest proximity to the site.  There is an Essar garage at the top of Oakham high street which was offering very competitively priced fuel – watch for the queues!

There are a good number of places to visit within half an hour or so travelling.  All offer a great range of independent shops and facilities, Oakham in particular.  There are also free to download Heritage Trails around the towns – it’s good to do this before you leave as some of them are quite small writing on your phone.  Commercial firms also offer a range of trails from the straightforward historical to the downright quirky and fun.  Each website lists guided tours available as well as self-guided.

Stamford:  https://discover-rutland.co.uk/stamford/

Oakham:  https://discover-rutland.co.uk/oakham/

Rutland Water:  https://anglianwaterparks.co.uk/rutland-water

One of the closest visitor attractions to the site is the Yew Tree Walk.  It used to be the entrance to the privately owned Clipsham Hall but is now a free to visit historical site.  There is limited car parking at the site but it is all accessible, providing the ground is not too wet.  There are picnic tables available but no toilet facilities.  For further information and to read up on its fascinating history – please check https://yewtreeavenue.co.uk/

There are a couple of permissive footpaths direct from the site to Stretton, potentially cutting off some of the road walking.  Wellies or strong walking shoes are recommended in the winter months.  This also takes you through George Henry Wood which runs along the road before the turning to the site.  It is clearly a favourite with dog walkers although there are limited roadside parking opportunities.

Grantham is a main town in Lincolnshire, about a 20 minute easy drive up the A1 from the site.  It has all the facilities, including the usual out of town retail parks.  It is also on the East Coast Mainline Railway.  Grantham has many claims to fame over many centuries including Sir Isaac Newton was educated here as a schoolboy and in more recent times, the birthplace of Lady Margaret Thatcher.  We happened upon a free heritage trail app, purely by chance.  The app covers lots of places up and down the country but also included a very interesting one for Grantham.  It is fully accessible and includes an audio commentary if you wish to use that.

www.trailtale.co.uk

We highly recommend you have a look at this app, we will certainly be making use of it in the future.  They are on Facebook as well.

Summary 

An excellent site with very high standards.  Its location is part of the attraction but you really need a car to move about.  If you have a fisher in your party, then they will find this site very enjoyable.  However, please do not be put off by the focus on fishing as there is plenty of alternatives in the area.  We visited over the Christmas and New Year period and would certainly return again.