All-season caravanning

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Modern caravans are well equipped to deal with winter conditions so there’s no reason to leave yours sitting on the driveway until the spring if you don’t want to. If you’re happy to get out and about all year round then take advantage of your home on wheels and off you go!

You’ve got a readymade holiday home waiting to take you anywhere you wish. If you’re retired or have time off, getting away in the caravan could give you the break you need after the year we’ve had. As people gear up for Christmas and the kids are in school, it should be relatively quiet at sites, giving you the chance to really relax.

Even if you’re remote working at the moment, why not do so from the comfort of your caravan? It will give you a change of scene and you’ll have the evenings and weekends to explore your surroundings.

Choose your destination

When deciding where to go, you’ll need to keep in mind that many caravan sites close for the winter. Whilst your favourite sites may be closed, some will remain open all year round so do your research to see what’s available. Start by narrowing it down to the area you’d like to visit, then use an search site such as Pitchup to see what’s open and which sites have availability. Some pitches will be grass and others hard stands, so have a think about which you’d prefer. Grass pitches may be less structured and offer more privacy, but hard stands won’t be muddy!

If you’re not sure where to go, simply search for sites in England and see which take your fancy! Consider if you’re looking for a coastal location or inland spot, somewhere rural or somewhere with a bit more going on. Have a think about what activities you’d like to do whilst away and Google popular spots for that activity. Here are a few we thought of:

If you’re looking to lounge…

If you’re simply looking to get away for a bit of chill out time, your destination isn’t too important. You just need somewhere to park the caravan with a nice outlook, where you can relax and enjoy a few good books or films with the odd pub lunch thrown in! Consider the New Forest, the Isle of Wight and the Dorset coast for lovely locations close to home.

Seaside towns

Even in the winter it’s lovely to visit the coast. It can still offer lovely walks, searches for sea glass and stone-skimming galore! Swap the ice cream for a marshmallow-fuelled hot chocolate to warm your hands and enjoy the salty sea air! Top places to visit include Lyme Regis in Dorset, Bognor Regis in West Sussex, Plymouth in Devon, Folkestone in Kent and St Ives in Cornwall.

Get your walking boots on!

If you plan to get out and about to enjoy lots of country walks, be sure to choose somewhere that can cater for your needs. You’d be better off choosing a more rural location so that the walks are right on your doorstep. Popular walking holiday locations include Cornwall with its Lizard Coastal Walk (11km), Dorset where you can head for Old Harry Rocks on the Jurassic Coast (5.5km) or Stonehenge in Wiltshire to explore the entire world heritage site (8km). If you fancy venturing further afield, the Lake District, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales offer many options for keen walkers.

Nature reserves

Nature reserves can provide lots of activities for visitors including walking, cycling, bird watching and nature observation. They’re also great if you’re holidaying with your four-legged friend. Make sure you check your chosen reserve’s restrictions to confirm where cycling and dog walking is permitted. Derbyshire Dales in the Peak District, Dukes Wood in Nottinghamshire, Pensthorpe in Norfolk and Westhay Moor in Somerset are all pretty special; look them up to see what they have to offer.

History lovers

England is steeped in history and the country’s collection of castles are testament to that. There are around 4,000 castles in England, each offering their own little slice of history. If castles are your cup of tea, why not caravan near a castle of your choice? You could head to Northumberland and visit Alnwick Castle, which features in the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey series. Warwick Castle, built by William the Conqueror is well worth a visit, as is Leeds Castle, which is often referred to as Britain’s most beautiful castle. Or visit Cornwall and spend a day at Tintagel Castle with its ties to King Arthur.

Weather

We’re talking about the Great British Weather during the winter months; let’s face it, you’d have to be pretty lucky to bag a mild, dry week! With that in mind, pack for all eventualities and take plenty of spare clothes and lots of layers. Be sure to wrap up warm on those crisp, cold days and don your waterproofs if the heavens are forecast to open! (Or just stay indoors!)

Caravan heating

Luckily, modern caravans offer fantastic heating systems that are sure to keep you snug as a bug during even the coldest snaps. Most models are fitted with either Truma’s blown air system or the Alde radiator system. They are both top notch and it will depend on what model of caravan you have as to which will be installed. Read our blog about heating systems to discover the pros and cons of each to keep in mind for your next purchase.

Christmas

Have you ever thought of spending Christmas in your caravan? What an adventure! You could round off an extraordinary year with a festive season that’s a little different too. We’re not going to be mixing as freely as we usually would with family and friends this year so a caravan trip with your immediate family may be the ideal solution! Our on-site shop stocks a range of Christmas themed caravan accessories - pop in and take a look!

Top tips for winter caravanning:

• Take care on your journey; icy conditions will make towing that little bit trickier, so keep your speed down.
• Make sure you're familiar with the heating system so you can keep the temperature as constant as possible. Don’t let it drop too low during freezing temperatures or the water pipes may suffer damage.
• Remember your wellies, waterproofs, warm coat, hats, gloves and scarves. Better to be over prepared than cold and wet!
• A few blankets for cosy evenings in the caravan will always be appreciated - and don’t forget your slippers!
• Take a doormat or two for wiping muddy feet to avoid trailing it inside your caravan. Pack your dustpan and brush too.
• Keep your tea, soup and hot chocolate supplies topped up!

Get in touch for advice on winter caravanning and pop into our on-site shop from Thursday 3 December when we reopen to take a look. If you’re thinking of upgrading your caravan, browse our ranges online and make an appointment to secure your very own time slot.

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