Tag Archives: Daily Mail

Interest in camper vans surges says the Daily Mail’s Ray Massey.

27 Saturday Jun 2020

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SOURCE: thisismoney.co.uk and Ray Massey of the Daily Mail.

Boris Johnson this week urged the nation to enjoy a ‘staycation’ in Britain, as part of the Government’s plans to ease the lockdown in England from next weekend. 

With campsites and hotels able to reopen from July 4, there has already been a surge in interest in campervans that provide flexible, mobile and self-contained accommodation. 

Manufacturers say they are getting calls from both stir-crazy couples and families wanting to explore the country safely and avoid the hassle of travelling overseas and quarantine on return. 

Campervans are ideal for creating self-contained hotels-on-wheels — ‘bubbles’ with beds, fridges, cookers, kitchen and often a shower on board. 

And there’s a good choice on the market to buy or rent. 

Volkswagen is a leading player with its recently launched, and refreshed, California 6.1. It costs from £55,339 in Coast trim, up to £69,889 for Ocean. Based on the Transporter van, the 2.5-ton 2m-tall model sleeps four and has a raised roof. It comes with a table, cupboards, double gas hob, kitchen sink, a side awning and a sleeping space. 

Powered by a 2-litre 148 hp diesel, with seven- speed automatic gearbox, it averages 33.6 mpg with CO2 emissions of 221g/km. 

The larger Grand California, from £72,745 to £82,258, based on the Crafter van, sleeps two or four, and has a wet room with a toilet and showerIn March and April, online requests for quotes went up 250 per cent for the California. Nearly 1,500 were sold in Britain last year. They are factory built — not conversions — and can be serviced at VW’s 97 UK van centres and authorised repairers. 

To be truly authentic, a secondhand hippy-trail VW ‘bus’ will cost from around £10,000 to £40,000. 

Other new options include: the Mercedes-Benz V Class Marco Polo, from £37,980 to £69,800 and the oddly-named Ford Transit Custom Nugget, from £59,608 to £63,334. 

Horsham-based converter Sussex Campervans turns a Renault Trafic or Nissan NV300 into its Manhattan and Paradise ranges, from £41,995 to £51,995. 

If ‘glamping’ is more your style, then bespoke luxury motor home firm GlamperRV.co.uk offers an office-hotel on wheels, from £75,000 plus VAT.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Camping out in the Duke’s secret garden…..

05 Wednesday Feb 2014

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Camping out in the Duke’s secret garden on the charming Chatsworth Estate.
By MONICA ADORNO
SOURCE

As long as we have a kettle and heating we’ll be fine,’ said my camping companion Chloe.

‘Don’t fret, it’s luxurious,’ I replied. ‘It’s got a cooker, a shower, a toilet, and a soft, springy bed – it’s practically a mini-palace on wheels!’ Indeed it was.
As I kept reminding our friends before we set off on a three-day trip to Chatsworth in Derbyshire, Chloe and I had hired a motorhome, not a caravan. You tow a caravan, but you drive a motorhome.

I’m no stranger to camping, but the majority of my experience has been confined to pitching a tent at major music festivals. This was entirely different – a spacious site and modern facilities rather than a flimsy tent and trying to wash in the morning with only a wet wipe.

Before we arrived, we had been informed that Chatsworth is one of the loveliest parts of England – a claim I am happy to endorse.

The Chatsworth Park site, run by The Caravan Club, is situated within an old walled garden at the famous Chatsworth House estate, the home of the Duke of Devonshire. Upon arrival we were handed a key to a wooden door. Walk through it and you are in the estate’s 1,000-acre park – all very Secret Garden-esque.

I must have commented at least 20 times as we passed through the Peak District about how spectacular the scenery was – even the sheep looked fluffier. This region is picture-perfect – no wonder so many great artists have been inspired by it.

The gardens at Chatsworth are exquisite, and the house is one of Britain’s most impressive stately homes. Before we stepped foot inside, we checked out the family tree in the courtyard; Georgiana Cavendish lived here in the 18th Century with her husband, the 5th Duke – and his mistress.

Inside, the house was a Narnia-like wonderland – hundreds of candles (not real but clever glowing contraptions), an enormous stuffed toy lion and a White Witch stood regally at the top of the stairs in the Painted Hall. Three days isn’t long enough to explore the Peak District, but we did manage a trip to the bustling market town of Bakewell, home of the famous tart. Chloe and I had a delicious hot chocolate at the Lavender Tea Rooms in the town, which also serves scrumptious cakes.
Good food, welcoming people and gorgeous surroundings – camping doesn’t get better than this.

Chatsworth Park is one of over 200 campsites operated by The Caravan Club.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews