Hibernation has lasted quite long enough for your touring caravan this year, so there is good news on the horizon as caravan and campsites are set to reopen.
Together with other important snippets of caravan news, here is our round-up of some of the latest developments.
Staycation boom sees used caravan prices rocket as dealers report sales surge
It’s little surprise that the vast majority of people will be looking to holiday in the UK this year – foreign travel, after all, is hardly likely to be back on the cards any time soon.
The surge in staycations has also seen a steep rise in the price of caravans and motorhomes, said Car Dealer magazine last week. The sudden swell in demand, coupled with the dwindling stock held by many dealers, has led to an inevitable surge in prices.
The magazine also cited figures collected by Auto Trader which suggested that 40% of the visitors to its website are planning a staycation this year. Caravan holidays are likely to equal the number of hotel nights sold.
When will camping and caravan sites reopen?
It might signal the celebration of American independence for our friends across the pond, but the 4th of July this year is when the UK’s campers will rejoice in the reopening of camping and caravan sites, reported the Express newspaper earlier this week.
The date is practically certain, but subject to a final green light not only from the government in Westminster but also the assemblies in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, noted Wales Online on the 12th of June. Although most camping and caravan sites are likely to reopen, therefore, you will do well to check whether those in and around your chosen destination have followed suit.
The Camping and Caravanning Club, for example, is planning to reopen as many of its sites as possible, but warns that stringent health, hygiene and distancing rules will be enforced and that some sites may need to stay closed.
Under current conditions, therefore, the Club warns that onsite toilet and shower blocks will only reopen if the situation allows – so some sites may not offer these facilities. Where they are open, they will subject to two deep cleans everyday and a further four supplementary cleaning regimes.
Look after nature says Wildlife Trusts
The Wildlife Trusts have issued an appeal to visitors to take greater care and show more respect for the nature reserves that are being visited as the warmer weather attracts thousands to enjoy the countryside.
The Trusts are responsible for some 46 sites across the country and the recent influx of visitors has seen some alarming instances of antisocial behaviour, resulting in:
- damaging wildfires caused by the use of portable barbeques;
- ground-nesting birds disturbed, and plants trampled by people and their dogs;
- littering, vandalism, and the use of outdoor spaces as toilets – not to mention the unprecedented level of abuse directed towards staff at some site.
New caravan site to bring something ‘totally new’ to Skegness
Nothing else like it in Skegness – that is the promise of caravan site owners Jo and Ashley Boxhall who plan to expand their Herons Mead caravan site and fishing lakes in Marsh Road, Orby, in a scheme described to the Lincolnshire Live last month.
The couple plan to build a state-of-the-art spa, leisure centre and holiday park at the site, which also incorporates a pub called the Hide at Herons Mead, which they opened only last year.
Visitors intending to make a short break or holiday around the use of the new spa’s facilities will have the choice of staying in one of 33 static caravans, five two-bedroom holiday cottages, or six smaller log cabins each with its own hot tub.