Why caravanning = great family holidays!

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Caravanning has provided fun family holidays for decades. Add to that the rapid growth in the popularity of motorhomes and campervans in more recent years and it’s clear to see that leisure vehicle holidays have never been a better option!

The past year has been a difficult one, with most families finding themselves unable to enjoy their annual summer holiday abroad due to the pandemic. This has however, resulted in a rise in those opting for caravan or motorhome holidays instead; a great option as with washroom and kitchen facilities on board, you can remain completely self-contained, limiting contact with others as much as you want to.

Unlike camping, there’s no need to share toilet and shower facilities with other holiday makers or stand outside cooking if the weather’s bad either, so you can really enjoy a break away from it all safe in the knowledge you have all you need on-board.

Fully equipped

Caravanning is great because it allows you access to all your creature comforts from home! As well as cooking facilities and a hot shower, there’s electricity for lighting and charging everyone’s devices, comfy beds, central heating, sofas to sit on, a fridge freezer for food storage and the ability to make a nice cuppa whenever you fancy!

It’s fun!

Caravanning is fun, especially for kids! It will seem like one big adventure - which it is - with all the fun of camping without the bits that compromise your comfort! If you choose sites that are more rural, the children will be able to get out and enjoy the great outdoors - running around freely, riding their bikes, ball games, climbing trees and wildlife watching are just a few of the things they could get up to!

Destination of choice

Caravanning gives you the freedom to choose where you want to go - the world is your oyster! You simply need to decide on the location, book your site and off you ‘tow’! You could choose to stay close to home - there are so many glorious places to visit in Hampshire and Dorset alone - or venture a bit further afield if you fancy. Visit somewhere you’ve always wanted to go in England or you could even cross the borders into Wales, Scotland or Ireland if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous! 

An ideal base

Select a caravan site that suits the needs of you and your family. Make sure your site is in a good location for getting out and about and that it has the facilities you need such as ample stations for refilling and emptying your water tanks or an on-site shop. Some sites even offer takeaway services - yum! Once you’ve decided where you want to go, research what caravan sites are available in the area on your chosen dates. Pitch-up and Caravansitefinder are great websites to check out. Look for sites that are child-friendly, with lots of open space and maybe some woodland or in close proximity to the coast.

Holiday activities

What activities would the kids like to do during the trip? Are there any places that you’d like to go as a family? Sit everyone down before the trip and discuss how you’d all like to spend your time - relaxing and enjoying the site or getting out and about? Perhaps a bit of both! Research what there is to do in the area and earmark the places that take your fancy. If you’re going somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit you may well have a list of places in mind, so make sure you plan your trips ahead of time (checking COVID restrictions, opening times and the need to book) to avoid disappointment.

TOP TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TRIP:

• Plan for the journey
  The constant ‘are we there yet?’ whine doesn’t get any easier to hear! Plan activities for the kids to do in the car to keep their screen time to a minimum. Games such as ‘eye spy’ and ‘count the red cars’ are fun for kids of all ages. You could also create a checklist of things for them to spot on the way, with a small prize for each child that completes the list!

• Take some toys
  It’s a good idea to take some toys to keep the little ones entertained on wet days or when you want them to have a quiet hour indoors. Allow each child to pack a bag of 10 small toys each and throw in some colouring books, cards and small games such as dominoes, Uno and Jenga for good measure!

• It’s wheely fun!
  Try to take the kids’ bikes or scooters with you if you can - they’ll provide hours of fun, cycling around the site and exploring. If you haven’t already got one, invest in a bike rack. It’ll keep the bikes out of the way and secure whilst travelling. Pop into our on-site accessory shop and ask one of our knowledgeable sales team to locate the right one for your caravan.

• Consider an awning…
  An awning will provide extra space - some can almost double your footprint - which will prove invaluable if you have bad weather during your trip as it will give the kids somewhere to play if they can’t get outside as much as they’d like. It will also give you extra storage space or a secondary dining area, so it really is win-win!

DON’T FORGET TO PACK:

1. Dustpan and brush / handheld vacuum / doormats - children create a lot of mess!

2. Waterproofs and wellies - so you can get outdoors whatever the weather.

3. Suncream and sun hats -  in case the sun makes an appearance!

4. Outdoor toys such as a football and cricket set - the kids will love it and they’re great family activities too.

5. First aid kit and Calpol - there’s nothing worse than a poorly or injured child with no remedies!

If you’re considering caravanning for the first time, check out our range of new and pre-owned caravans online and then pop into the showroom for a closer look. We also stock new and pre-owned motorhomes if that is your preference! For those experienced caravanners amongst you, why not visit our accessory shop to browse our huge range of caravanning products - we have everything you could possibly need for your next trip!

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