It’s the New Year and is time to showcase all that’s new in the world of caravanning! We take stock of the forthcoming improvement and expansion of selected campsites, eye some attractive discounts on brand-new trailers, and create a list of the best caravans that 2024 has to offer.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these exciting news headlines.
The 2024 Caravan, Camping, and Motorhome Show
A highlight for practically anyone with an interest in caravans and camping has to be the annual Caravan, Camping, and Motorhome Show. This year’s event opens from the 13th until the 18th of February – as usual under the spacious halls of the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) just outside Birmingham.
You can browse the five bustling halls to your heart’s content or use the exhibition as a literal one-stop shop for all your caravanning or motorhome needs – from the latest launches of trailers, vehicles, and accessories galore.
Caravan park upgrade approved for year-round use
Thanks to recently approved upgrades and improvements to the Caravan and Motorhome club site at Totnes, this popular caravan park can now open for a full 12 months of the year.
According to a report by the BBC on the 30th of December, South Hams District Council approved the conversion of the present grass pitches to 47 all-weather pitches for caravans and motorhomes – each pitch with its own water and electric hook-up.
The park’s washrooms and facilities will also be refurbished – with energy-saving solar panels installed on the roof of the block.
Bid to expand campsite in Cornwall with 40 caravan pitches
Meanwhile in neighbouring Cornwall, plans are afoot to upgrade the Higher Penderleath Caravan and Camp Site into a rebranded “resort” and an extension of the present facilities to incorporate 40 year-round pitches for touring caravans.
According to the local newspaper, the Falmouth Packet on the 27th of December, the established campsite near St Ives has been in operation for a number of years but now needs refurbishments that will bring it into the 21st century.
The site’s owners insist that modernisation and expansion can take place in a way that remains in keeping with the surrounding landscape of the area.
New adventures await with Swift
Best act soon to take advantage of the New Year offer from caravan manufacturers Swift!
In deals that remain open until the last day of January – and only while stocks last – Swift is offering the following discounts and deals on new caravans:
- £1,000 off the price of the luxurious, 8ft-wide Elegance Grande;
- £1,000 off both Challenger Exclusive and Challenger Grande Exclusive caravans, together with the inclusion of attractive additional accessories (available at selected dealerships only);
- £750 off Challenger SE and Challenger Grande SE caravans;
- £500 off the perennial family favourites – the Sprite, Sprite Compact and Sprite Grande;
- a free RVA2 awning (worth £795) with your purchase of the compact, “crossover” caravan, the Basecamp.
Practical Caravan reveals its best caravans for 2024
Choosing your next caravan can be fraught with indecision and more than a degree of nervousness. To help dispel some of those worries, in its edition of the 20th of December, Practical Caravan offered thumbnail reviews of what it considers the best seven caravans for the coming year:
- Swift Challenger Exclusive 580 – for its excellent specification;
- Bailey Phoenix GT75 762 – admirably adaptable to suit any family;
- Coachman Laser Xtra 665 – for the comfort of its long single beds;
- La Mancelle Fantaisy 360 CL – a generous payload of 442kg and lots of kit;
- Coachman Laser Xcel 850 – spaciousness includes a well-equipped kitchen;
- Xplore 304 – great value for money; and
- Knaus Yaseo 500DK – for its space-saving ingenuity.
Practical Caravan has made a start with these suggestions though you will probably want to create your own wish list of candidates.