Date of Visit:    August 2023

Overall View

Brookside CL is a family and dog friendly CAMC members only 5 pitch site just on the outskirts of Newland in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.  It is situated in the bottom of a small valley and surrounded by trees and green fields in all directions.

Care should be taken to follow the site’s directions to access the site and do not use Sat Nav at all from the A40 by Monmouth.  Please see arrival video HERE.

Facilities

This is a no facility site with the exception of a clean water, grey water, Elsan disposal point in one corner of the field.  The motorhome service point is in the entrance car parking area.  All appear relatively new and are kept very clean indeed.

There are two large waste bins at the road entrance to the site, one for general and one for recycling.

There are a number of picnic benches dotted throughout the site which you are invited to use if you so wish.

There was also a box of cooking apples for you to help yourself if you wished to.

All the main TV & radio channels were available but the line up of others was understandably somewhat limited compared to more open areas. Mobile wise, Three’s coverage checker suggested only 3G was available where in fact 4G was picked up and good enough for streaming. EE was fine on 4G and both Vodafone and O2 indicated that 4G was available. There was no WiFi.

Review of Site Pitch

The site is level and laid to grass which is kept well mown and swathes of wildflowers distinguish between each of the pitches.  It is fenced off to the road and there is a good area in which to pull off the road before entering the CL itself, the gate is not locked, however.

There is the choice of EHU or non EHU grass pitches and similarly there are a couple of hardstanding pitches just outside the fencing. EHU is metered and £5 cards can be purchased. At the time of visiting the rate was 35p/unit and our electric cost just over £2/day which included running the fridge, heating water, watching tv and charging phones etc.

We stayed oh Pitch 1 and no blocks or levelling aids were required – pitching up was a matter of moments which was very pleasing. 

Each grass pitch is generously sized and easily accommodated caravan, awning and car alongside.

Alongside one side of the site is a brook, (not fenced), which ran quite strongly after some heavy and prolonged rain.  For that reason, you are required to keep pets on leads at all times and care should be taken with young children.

There was a very pleasant aspect from the front of the van and it is very peaceful.

Around and about

Please note that although most of the places listed here are not too far away, the roads and need to climb in and out of valleys does affect journey times considerably.

The Forest of Dean has a very mixed and interesting past, with at one time being a hunting grounds for the Kings in the Tudor era, then more later becoming very heavily industrialised with iron foundries, quarries, charcoal making – there are reminders and remnants of these all over the Forest.  Seeing the valleys today it is hard to recognise the history – including the more recent industrialisation.  The Dean Heritage Centre is a great place to visit and shows you a good range of artefacts and exhibitions to accompany your tour.  The centre is relatively accessible and there is a good café.  Dogs are allowed in the café and the shop but not on the heritage trail and museum itself.  There is also a playground for children and a Gruffalo trail to walk round.  Further details, please see: 

Tintern Abbey – This is a very famous abbey ruins on the banks of the River Wye between Monmouth and Chepstow.  It was, up until the time of King Henry VIII’s dissolution of all these buildings, a Cistercian monks abbey.  There is ample parking, including all accessible parking.  A high quality gift shop is available at the entrance, plus the usual toilet facilities and despite the ongoing structural re pairs remains largely accessible to all.  There is no café at the venue but a very nice café is about 50 yards away.  It serves all manner of usual café fayre including highly recommended cakes, coffees and teas. 

Monmouth – This is the nearest large town to the site – after Coleford.  This sits on the River Wye and the A40, the main trunk road through the area.  There are good car parks dotted throughout the town, markets are regularly held and there is a good range of independent shops, cafes and restaurants as well as the usual high street suspects.  Please note that the high street is on the side of a hill so may well require relocating the car and completing the visit in two halves.  The medieval bridge which is at one end of the high street is of particular note, being one of very few that still exist which could be locked by the use of a portcullis or wooden doors.

https://www.visitmonmouthshire.com/explore/monmouth

https://www.visitmonmouthshire.com/things-to-do/monnow-gate-and-bridge-p1504521

Coleford – This is known as the central administrative town for the Forest of Dean and has a good range of shops, supermarkets, including the nearest fuel stop.  There is a small railway museum in the centre of the town, showing the industrial past of the area.

https://colefordtown.net/

https://www.gwrmuseumcoleford.co.uk/

We opted to have Sunday lunch out during our stay and after perusing the internet, we came upon the Woodman Inn in Parkend.  We were not to be disappointed and the most delicious Sunday lunch was had and at a reasonable price.  Dogs are allowed and there is level access and plenty of parking to the front and side of the building.  It is about a 15 minute drive from the site.  https://woodmaninnforestofdean.co.uk/

Lydney & Harbour – This is a small town on the A48 and is also home to the nearest National Rail service.  There is a small harbour which is currently being renovated into a tourist destination.  Fabulous views of the River Severn and the newer Severn Road bridge can be seen – if you have good weather, you can see for miles in either direction.  There are toilets, a small café/visitor information centre, disabled parking and access is reasonably flat enabling you to get up close to the banks of the River Severn.  https://www.visitdeanwye.co.uk/things-to-do/lydney-harbour-p1312571

Ross on Wye – This is the furthest venue from the site but can be combined with a visit to Weston’s Cider and then on the way back to site, Symonds Yat.  A market town close to the Wales/English border and at the western end of the M50.  About 15 minutes away is the famous Weston’s Cider farm, home to a lovely café, shop and tour, (book ahead for tour is advised).  Good parking but none near the entrance.  Dogs allowed in the garden area outside the café where seating is available for you to have a drink etc.  https://visitrossonwye.com/          https://www.westons-cider.co.uk/summer

Tram Stop – Fish & Chip shop Coleford – This is the nearest shop to the site, was well patronised when we passed it one evening. 

https://www.zmenu.com/tram-stop-fish-and-chip-shop-coleford-uk-online-menu/

For something slightly different you may wish to pay a visit to a micro pub which is conveniently next door to the fish and chip shop.  It is an independent place with an eclectic mix of drinks, decorations etc.  It is built on several levels, access is not good for people who find steps etc difficult.  It usually closes at around 9.30pm so please check web-site before setting out.

Forest of Dean Railway – This was a surprise to the trip – expecting something akin to a miniature style railway, (there is a small one a few miles away but we did not visit on this occasion), to find a full sized heritage railway and to learn of its industrial past was very interesting.  It is well worth a visit, good parking at Norchard, which is pretty much mid-way and the railway recommended starting point.  Access is very good, toilet and café facilities offering the usual fayre, (very efficiently too).  You are able to order ahead online for a breakfast bap and a hot drink if you wish – a good number of people had done so.  The line then takes you first to the southern most point at Lydney Harbour – a couple of minutes flat walk and you will be at the National Railway line/station.  It then returns to Norchard High Level and proceeds on to the northernmost station at Parkend.  With stops for photos etc, 1.5 – 2 hours is required.  Dogs are allowed in all areas including the museum and shop at the entrance.  In busy times you are advised to book online ahead.  

Kingfisher Cruises & Symonds Yat – This is a very famous area on the River Wye, favourite spot of canoeists and there are rapids a little further on the River.  It is a very small area so can get very busy at the weekend and in high season.  The views are amazing and there is lots to see.  A comfortable and informative way to visit is on the Kingfisher Cruises, there is a Facebook page but currently no web-site.  It is a case of turn up, pay by card or cash and enjoy a 40 minute journey up and down the section of the River Wye including a very informative commentary and history of the area.  Access is difficult so it is advised to call ahead to discuss suitability.  Dogs are allowed and light refreshments are available onboard.

https://www.visitdeanwye.co.uk/information/products/symonds-yat-east-and-west-p1313151

The Saracens Head is the main pub/restaurant on the East side, (and more commercial side of the river).  Booking at peak times is essential although it is possible to take a chance and turn up to see if a seat outside is possible.  Dogs are welcome throughout and the meals are of a very high standard.

Buses – The nearest buses are available at Coleford.

The nearest caravan dealers are Forest of Dean Caravans in Parkend – they are a full dealer with service and accessory shop.

Summary

A very pleasant stay in a well looked after and popular CL.  There are plenty of activities to do in the surrounding area to suit all.  A site to which we would return.

Date of Visit:    July/August 2023

Overall View

Grafton CL is a Caravan and Motorhome Club members only 5 pitch site just to the southwest of Hereford, it is a family and dog friendly site.  Care needs to be taken on accessing the site – using the owner’s directions and ignoring a club sign if approaching from the North.  Please see arrival video HERE.

The site is to one side of an agricultural, Christmas tree growing and laser clay pigeon business.  During the working week there is business being carried on and at the weekend, the laser business may be operating.

The site is well placed, being around a mile off the A49 and access into Hereford is relatively straightforward – the almost constant queuing to get through the city notwithstanding, (this is an issue of many years standing, so time should be allowed to get through the city as appropriate).

Facilities

There are water taps to each pitch with grey water being deposited to the rear on the Christmas tree growing area.

There is an Elsan point at the end of the site.  Caravanners have the use of a toilet in the main building which is a good 5 minute walk away.  We chose to use our own facilities during our week-long stay.

There are no laundry facilities but a 10 minute drive to the southern edge of Hereford brings you to a laundry which does service washes, very useful parking right outside too.

TV & radio reception was good. There was no Wi-Fi available but the four mobile networks reported good coverage up to 4G with EE and Three also offering 5G, better outdoors.

There are some good walks for dogs around the site and the map and local information booklet which help you with this is stored in a pipe at the rear of the pitch.  You are also invited to pick some fresh fruit, particularly plums and apples if you so wish.  We can confirm the plums, once ripened are very pleasant indeed.

Review of Site Pitch

The 5 pitches are lined up in one row, facing the laser clay pigeon area – there is a loose fence which delineates between the two areas.  Pegs are used to separate the pitches, which centre on the water taps.

The site is laid to grass and was well kept, EHU’s to each pitch too offering 16 amps.

Overall the CL area is pretty level although due to the softer nature of the ground – it was necessary to use a ramp for side to side levelling.

There is sufficient space to have an awning and park the car the other side of the van, in the same way as on most Club sites.

Around and about

The nearest bus stops are on the A49, approximately half a mile from the site, going to Hereford in one direction and Ross-on-Wye in the other. See Stagecoach for more information.

The nearest railway station is in Hereford, a little under 4 miles away and can be reached on the bus.  This has mainline connections to the north, south and east.

Hereford is a city on the River Wye and is of great historical importance.  The Cathedral, the Mapa Mundi and the Chained library, (all within the cathedral building) are just some of the attractions within the city. 

There is, of course, the usual national shopping suspects and a pleasant pedestrianised centre with a good range of coffee shops and cabins that you will be able to obtain pretty much anything you may require.

https://www.herefordcitylife.co.uk/stay/good-to-know/visitor-information

The Victorian Town Hall is a splendid piece of architecture – reminiscent of so many such Town Halls up and down the country.  This one is in a lighter stone colour – yellow hues are very much in evidence.

A familiar county symbol is the Hereford Bull and one can be seen in  the town square by the coffee shops.  Herefordshire beef is widely prized and is a feature of local cuisine.

Whilst staying in Hereford, you may wish to complete the Black and White Trail – it is based on Leominster to the North but you can easily pick up at point 5 – Eardisley which is the nearest one to the CL and then make your way round from there.

A short diversion from the Black & White Trail is Westonbury Mill Water Gardens, a beautiful and calming little oasis. Dogs are welcome and there is a café where tea is served in teapots and China cups.

There are a good number of pubs around the area but you will need to use a car.  The site provides a useful information leaflet which details these, a list of important telephone numbers, some community run shops and general site information and map.

Fish and chips are available, Tuesday to Saturday from the nearby Tump Inn – ring ahead and book and they will be ready for you when you go to pick them up and pay.  A very nice meal was had.  It takes around 10 minutes for the round trip including picking the food up. 

For some pleasant retail therapy which is supporting local businesses and avoids the rush, you may wish to try Oakchurch Farm Shop – its billing as the Harrod’s of Herefordshire are reflected in some of the prices but there is a nice café/restaurant to the side and a telephone number is on the web-site which you ring as you arrive and they will let you and your dogs in to sit under a lean too style roof and you can order food and drinks which are delivered to you.  A plus point indeed.

In terms of shopping, there are a couple of local shops listed in the information booklet on your pitch.  We did not visit either of them on this occasion.  In terms of supermarket shopping, the nearest supermarket is Asda and this also sells fuel.  Click and Collect is available at this store.  There is a slightly nearer petrol station on the A49 with reasonably comparable prices and also an Amazon pick up point if required.  The laundry is opposite the Asda although it requires several lane changes to ensure you make the right turning.  It is, however, possible to go to the next roundabout and come back on yourself if you miss it.

During our stay, we visited a number of pubs, as indicated on the site’s information leaflet:

Black Swan – 10 minute drive away, very much a local pub, friendly and dog’s welcome.  We did not eat there but it looked very appetising.  There was also a pool table.

The Tump Inn is a little closer, (this is the same pub as sells fish and chips).  It is dog friendly.

Bunch of Carrots – this was another very old pub, like the Black Swan – about a 15 minute drive towards Holme Lacey and crossing the River Wye.  Dog friendly and the carvery looked superb.  The pub stocked a small range of Wye Valley Brewery ales on draught.  It is a wood and brick building which makes it a very characterful place to visit.  Staff were friendly and helpful.

A visit to Hay on Wye is a must for those who love books, old vinyl records and antique shops.  It is world famous as a book lovers’ destination and holds various annual festivals including the Book Fair.  It is about a 30 minute drive from the site.  There is ample parking but please be advised on market days these car parks fill up very early indeed.  There is a cost to park but blue badge holders are exempt for up to 3 hours.  There are toilets at the front of the car park but there is a charge – coins not accepted, card only.  Hay on Wye’s main shopping area is relatively level but drops sharply to the riverside.  There is a café on the riverside and a picnic area just before that.  There are a couple of general stores for food supplies, a range of clothing stores and a post office, information office just across from the entrance to the main car park.

A recent addition is the re-opening of Hay Castle – it has been restored beautifully and has good wheelchair access from the rear of the castle, again opposite the car park entrance.  There is an ice cream trolley and they also sell cold drinks, ice cream was local and delicious. Dogs are allowed on the ground floor, gardens and café.

Summary A conveniently located site with straightforward access – largely quiet and very good value for what is, essentially, a fully serviced pitch.

August marks the height of our British summers with weekend breaks and longer outings in your caravan in full swing.

Whilst you’re out there sat on the threshold of your tourer or static holiday home, lapping up the sunshine (or sheltering from the rain!), spare a moment or two to catch up with some of the latest caravan news UK.

Let’s take a look …

The ultimate campervan destinations in the UK revealed

Have you ever wondered where the best touring locations in the UK can be found? A story in the Caravan Times recently has a possible answer.

With scores out of 100 reflecting the relative effects of cost, scenic attraction, prevailing weather conditions, and neighbouring motorhome-friendly sites, the following are the highest-scoring locations in the UK:

• North York Moors – the extensive and scenically stunning North York Moors that offer rugged countryside and bracing coastal vistas scored the winning 69.3 out of a hundred;

• Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – came in second place, with a  score of 60.1, thanks to its many attractions, gentle climate, and some 69 campsites that welcome motorhome visitors; and

• Peak District National Park – in third place with a very creditable 59.2/100, came the diverse and scenically attractive National Park that is readily accessible to the many tourers and hikers it regularly hosts.

Caravan and Motorhome Club cuts the costs

Members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club have the chance to lock in the cost of their holidays next year at this year’s prices.

Promoted by Out and About Live on the 31^st of July, the Club has extended some new offers – but you’ll need to be quick since some of them need you to act before the 20^th of August and others by the end of September:

• book before the end of September for your campsites next year and you will pay just a 10% deposit – which also becomes fully refundable;

• book before the 20^th of August and you can get up to 20% off the price of your pitch at certain campsites if you stay for a minimum of just three nights;

• a 20% discount is also available on selected bookings made with Irish Ferries.

Temporary CAMC campsite returns for October NEC Show

If you’re planning to visit the annual Caravan and Motorhome Show at the NEC this October, you’ll be pleased to know that the Caravan and Motorhome Club is once again opening its temporary campsite for visitors, announced Practical Caravan on the 27^th of July.

The Show is open from the 16^th to the 22^nd of October. Pitches for two people range from £31 to £46 a night on hardstanding pitches with fresh and waste water connections and electrical hook ups, plus toilets nearby.

Cook up a storm with TV chef Rachael Green’s recipes

Caravan manufacturer Swift has teamed up with celebrity chef Rachael Green to publish some of her iconic recipes in the house magazine “Swift Living”. You can access the recipe collection by filling in an online form.

Rachael made her mark with visitors to Swift’s trade stand at last year’s Motorhome and Caravan Show.

Firm makes another bid for new caravan donkey site on Calderdale farmland

In a story on the 2^nd of August, the Halifax Courier reported a planning application for the formal approval of a mixed-use parcel of land for both a caravan site, a space for donkeys and other agricultural purposes.

This time last year, a similar application was rejected on the grounds that the applicants had failed to show that the land had been given over to such mixed-use purposes for ten years or longer.

Essex is a county in the southeast of England. It’s handily close to London to the southwest, and bordered by Kent to the south, Hertfordshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the northwest, and Suffolk to the north. It’s also home to the Cover4Caravans office!

There are many reasons for visiting Essex including its rich tapestry of history, natural beauty, cultural diversions and attractions, outdoor activities, and shopping and entertainment. Let’s paint some detail onto these bare bones by identifying six places to visit.

1. Colchester

Whether or not you’re a history buff, Colchester tells important tales of Britain itself. It was once the capital of England. It also became the first city of Britain in 49AD when it was the first to be designated a Roman Colonia by the invaders of that time.

Even today, when you walk the streets of Colchester, you will see the many remaining scars not just of the Roman occupation but also the marks left during the Siege of Colchester in 1648 during the English Civil War.

Built during Norman times, Colchester Castle boasts the largest keep ever built in the UK and is still the biggest of any remaining such structure in the whole of Europe.

2. Beautiful beaches and historic Old Leigh

For a different – yet absolutely as absorbing – take on British history, the Essex coast combines the past with enduring natural beauty.

The coastline stretches for 350 miles, dotted with extensive nature reserves, long sandy beaches, and many a chance for an escape into remote and undeveloped beauty.

You can also take a step back in time as you wander the cobbled high street of historic Old Leigh – combining the charm of Leigh-on-Sea with its more well-known neighbour Southend-on-Sea.

3. Audley End

Among the many cultural attractions that Essex has to offer, Audley End is a stunning and luxurious stately home and sumptuous gardens in the medieval town of Saffron Walden in the northwest corner of the county.

The origins of the manor house date back still further to 1190 when Geoffrey de Mandeville, the 1^st Earl of Essex, founded the Benedictine Walden Abbey. Following the dissolution of abbeys by King Henry VIII, it was transformed into a manor house by his Chancellor, Sir Thomas Audley, in 1538.

4. Adventure Island

If it’s outdoor activity you’re after – whatever your age – probably the most iconic landmark Essex has to offer is Adventure Island in Southend.

Adventure Island offers more than enough rides to keep you and your family busy throughout the day – and whenever you need to take a break, you’ll find plenty of options for sustaining food and drink.

The most recent new ride is called City Wheel – thrilling visitors to a Southend that was granted city status in 2022.

5. Lakeside Shopping Centre

Retail therapy is likely to be on the agenda of at least one or two of your party wherever in the UK you’ll be visiting – and, when in Essex, that’s likely to mean the Lakeside Shopping Centre.

Even for the shopaholic-averse, there’s likely to be something for everyone. But you don’t need to shop ‘til you drop – take a bite to eat, drink a glass or two of prosecco, or indulge in a beauty treatment in one of the centre’s salons.

6. Entertainment

Everything from high opera to classical music concerts, gigs in the pub to your favourite DJ at the nightclub – Essex has it all.

For opera, it has to be the summer festival at Layer Marney to the southwest of Colchester. The Essex Symphony Orchestra has concerts around the county. Live music and pub bands will pop up all over Essex and you might want to keep an eye on the website Love Essex for the latest venues.

Visit Essex

All in all, you’re likely to find that a visit to Essex will cater to the tastes and preferences of just about all of your friends or family members.

We’ve included just six of the likely highlights or areas of interest – you’ll no doubt soon home in on your own.

Whether a kind and understanding friend has lent you theirs for a weekend’s trial or whether you have taken the plunge and already decided to buy your own touring caravan, sooner or later you are going to be faced with the challenge of towing it from one place to another.

Initially, it might seem a daunting prospect. In most instances, however, drivers soon pick up the particular skills necessary for towing a caravan behind the car they are driving.

The National Caravan Council – in cooperation with the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club – has published what is probably the definitive guide to towing a caravan. By distilling the contents of that 32-page document, however, we present the following more basic guide plus some further tips.

The paperwork

Before getting behind the wheel, you first need to think about some of the paperwork required for towing a caravan.

Naturally, you need to be qualified to drive the car vehicle that is towing a caravan.

The particular driving licence you require depends on the weight and size of the caravan and the date when you passed your driving test.

Changes to the rules have made the situation quite complicated, but the Caravan Club’s website has a handy tool and a guide which explains that:

• if you passed your driving test before 1997, you may tow a caravan of up to 8.25 tonnes;
• if you passed your driving test after 1997, your category B driving licence allows you to tow a trailer (including a caravan) of up to 750 kg or a car and trailer combination with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 3.5 tonnes;
• if you passed your driving test after the 1^st of January 1997, and the combined MAM of car and trailer exceeds 3.5 tonnes, you need to hold a licence which allows you to tow such a trailer – a so-called B+E category driving licence – for which you need to pass an additional driving test.

In addition to the relevant category of driving licence, you also need to check on the status of any insurance for the caravan you are towing. The law requires that you have a minimum of third-party cover and many insurers limit their policies to just that minimum for the caravan too.

Therefore, you might want to contact us here at Cover4Caravans to arrange comprehensive caravan insurance for any trailer you are planning to tow.

Practical considerations

Further practical considerations with respect to weights and loading also need to be taken before towing your caravan.

Weight ratios

One of the most critical aspects of towing a caravan is getting right the weight ratio between the trailer and the car that is towing it.

This may be quite a challenging and complicated business, requiring a knowledge of some of the esoteric terms used by both car and caravan manufacturers.

The key terms are:

• Gross Train Weight (GTW) – the maximum permitted weight as defined by the car manufacturer of the car and the caravan combined;
• Maximum Permissible Towing Mass (MPTM) – again defined by the car manufacturer as the maximum weight of any trailer the car may tow;
• Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) – the weight of the car combined with the weight of is driver and passengers, luggage and the nose weight of the caravan it is towing:
• Mass of vehicle in running order (MRO) – perhaps one of the most critical measurements, also known as the kerbside weight or kerb weight, which is the weight of the car as defined by the manufacturer;
• caravan MRO – the caravan also has an MRO which is defined by the manufacturer and refers to the unladen weight of the trailer; and
• Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM) – is the maximum weight of the caravan and everything you pack within it, including water, gas cylinders, and personal kit, a total weight that must not be exceeded for legal use on the road.

Your caravan and the vehicle needed to tow it

Armed with this bewildering array of technical terms, it is possible to begin to match the caravan you want to tow and the car that is needed to tow it.

The equation boils down to a ratio expressed by the fully-laden weight of the caravan as a proportion of the kerb weight (MRO) of the car – in other words, the fully laden weight of the caravan times 100, divided by the car’s MRO.

It is generally recommended that this ratio should not be greater than 85% for someone learning to tow a caravan, up to 100% for the most experienced such drivers, and never more than 100%.

Getting these ratios right and ensuring that you do not exceed any of the weight limits is important for staying within the law and also helps determine what size vehicle you need to tow the caravan.

Generally speaking, of course, the heavier the caravan you want to tow, the heavier and more powerful the car you need to tow it.

Loading

It is not only the laden weight of your caravan that matters but also how it is loaded. Heavy items need to be stowed on the floor, as closely as possible to the trailer’s axle and in a way that does not adversely affect the nose weight which the car is designed to bear.

Finally, when towing, don’t underestimate the importance of having the most appropriate mirrors. Since the caravan you are towing may be wider than the car itself, you may need to fix special extendable wing mirrors to ensure that good rearward vision is maintained.

There are both safety and legal implications, so check out our Guide to Towing Caravan Mirrors for more information.

Safety checks, tyres and other considerations

Here are six further things to consider …

1. Towing equipment and safety checks: Regularly inspect and maintain your towing equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety. Check the tow hitch, safety chains, and brakes for any signs of wear or damage. Ensure the hitch is securely attached and the safety chains are properly connected. Test the brakes and lights to ensure they are functioning correctly.
2. Tyre Safety: Monitor the condition and pressure of your caravan’s tyres before each journey. Check for any signs of wear, bulges, or cracks. Ensure the tyre pressure is at the recommended level to maintain stability and reduce the risk of blowouts. Additionally, consider using a tyre pressure monitoring system for added safety. Further reading: Tyre safety and your van
3. Adjusting your driving style: When towing a caravan, it’s important to adjust your driving style to accommodate the extra weight and length. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and allow for increased braking distances. Take turns and corners wider to avoid clipping curbs or objects. Drive at a moderate speed, especially when going downhill or in adverse weather conditions.
4. Stabilising your caravan: Invest in stabilisation systems such as anti-sway devices or weight distribution hitches to minimise the risk of sway and improve overall stability. These devices help maintain control of the caravan, particularly in windy conditions or when passing large vehicles.
5. Reversing and parking: Practising reversing and parking manoeuvres with your caravan is essential for confidence and safety. Find an open area to practice and get comfortable with using your mirrors effectively. Use a spotter if necessary and take your time when manoeuvring in tight spaces. If you want to gain more confidence when towing, the Caravan Club offers caravan towing courses.
6. Stay informed: Stay up to date with the latest towing regulations, road safety guidelines, and best practices. Consider attending towing courses or workshops to enhance your knowledge and skills. Networking with experienced caravanners can also provide invaluable tips and tricks.

Taking to the road

There are several simple things to bear in mind when it comes to the actual practice of hitching up and towing a caravan:

• the first step, of course, is to hitch the caravan to the car that is going to be towing it – although the hitch ball arrangement, with its lock and safety chain, makes this fairly straight forward, beware that as you are manhandling the caravan into position even the slightest change in the level of the pavement may send the trailer scooting forward at a suddenly alarming rate;
• on the road, you obviously need to exercise rather more caution and to drive well within the prescribed speed limits;
• you might need to take corners wider than you otherwise do, to avoid the caravan’s wheel’s hitting the kerb or other roadside obstructions;
• once you have mastered the art of driving forward with your caravan, at some stage you may need to reverse it whilst it is still hitched to your car – this is likely to prove a whole new experience, which you might wish to leave ‘til a later date.

Although towing a caravan poses no intrinsically difficult skills, it is important to ensure that you are properly licensed and insured and that you exercise due caution when taking to the open road for the first time.

By following these caravan towing tips, you can ensure a safe and stress-free journey. Remember to prioritise regular maintenance, be mindful of weight limits, and adjust your driving style accordingly. With proper preparation, knowledge, and attention to detail, you can enjoy the freedom and adventure that comes with towing a caravan.