Winchester Caravans' Blog
Keep up-to-date with the latest news, promotions and events with our very own blog. Updated weekly.
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Is a leisure vehicle a good investment?
If you’re thinking about purchasing a leisure vehicle, whether it’s a good investment or worth the money may be something that keeps crossing your mind. How good an investment your purchase is will depend on what you buy and of course, how much you plan to use it.
All leisure vehicles are priced differently according to the vehicle type. You can choose from new or pre-owned vehicles, which will affect the price substantially, and from caravans, campervans and motorhomes. Within each vehicle type there is also a wide range of pricing relating to the manufacturer and what spec level you wish to go for - the higher the spec, the more it will cost.
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How much do motorhomes cost?
This very much depends on what you’re after! Are you looking for a new model or pre-owned? What manufacturers are at the top of your list? How many berths do you need? All these things will impact the price you’ll pay.
The first thing to decide is how much you’re able and willing to spend and set yourself a budget. This will enable you to focus on motorhomes in your price range and not waste time on ones that are too expensive. This will ultimately also be the decider as to whether you’re looking at new or pre-owned models and which manufacturers are in the frame.
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Planning your trip…
If you’re new to caravanning / motorhoming, you may be unsure of the best way to go about planning trips away, so we’re here to give you a few tips to make trip preparation a breeze!
Even if you’re a seasoned caravanner, our tips may be of help to you too, and give you a fresh perspective! You’ve probably been planning your trips the same way for years, but there may be some improvements you could make to enhance your holidays further…
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Discover the North Coast 500…
If you’re looking to travel a little further afield, are up for an adventure and spectacular scenery is your thing, the North Coast 500 comes highly recommended. Travel 500+ miles around the most northern parts of the UK and take in rural Scotland in all its glory.
The 516 miles is made up of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages, and a collection of unforgettable experiences; the NC500 is definitely one of the world’s most beautiful road trips.
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Financing your caravan or motorhome
If you’re itching to purchase a caravan or motorhome but don’t have the cash to pay for it up front, relax - there are several finance options available to you that you should explore before deciding how to proceed.
Buying a leisure vehicle is a big decision, but our various finance options can make it possible to get what you want without compromising your current lifestyle. In fact, by buying a caravan or motorhome, you’ll be enhancing it! You’ll have the means of getting away to wherever you fancy at the drop of a hat, and all for a manageable monthly payment.
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Prioritising customer service
We pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service and our customers have come to expect nothing less! We aim to do all we can to find out what the customer wants and needs from a vehicle and work with you to find your ideal match. We want you to be happy with your vehicle not only at the time of purchase, but long into the future too.
We do this by getting to know our customers, what you need and like and encourage you to consider all the options. We’re not pushy or sales-focused and we don’t work on commission. We simply want to help you find your ideal vehicle, which is sometimes the complete opposite of what you thought it would be!
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City breaks in your leisure vehicle…
Although more traditional caravan and motorhome trips may involve rural locations, rolling countryside or quiet coastal areas, leisure vehicles are actually great for getting away on city breaks too!
Much in the same way, they provide you with a roof over your head in a location of your choice, and if you’re up for exploring some of the great cities in England or indeed the wider UK or Europe, doing it in your leisure vehicle offers you great flexibility and versatility.
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Caravanning in Europe
Caravanning and motorhoming offers a freedom like no other type of holiday. You can choose where you’d like to visit and off you go! And that’s not limited to the UK - you can take your leisure vehicle across the channel to Europe to explore whichever countries you fancy as long as you don’t mind the drive!
There are so many places to choose from and a range of routes you could take, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Before you make the final decision on where to go, consider how much time you’ll have to spend there, how far you’d be willing to drive to get there and whether you have one or multiple destinations in mind.
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Invest in air con for your leisure vehicle…
If you like to stay cool during the summer months, fitting an air conditioning unit to your leisure vehicle will ensure your comfort! Whether you’re thinking of starting your adventures this season, or you’re a seasoned caravanner or motorhomer, we can help.
At Winchester Caravans and Motorhomes, we can order and organise the installation of your Truma air conditioning unit of choice. If you’re looking to buy a vehicle soon, we can add it on as an extra to your purchase, or if you already have your vehicle, you can book it in with us to be fitted at a time convenient for you.
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Do festival season in style!
For all the music lovers out there, it’s that time of year again - festival season! May-August is bursting with various festival dates, catering for a wide range of music tastes from pop and rock to 80s and dance.
One of the things that deters a lot of people from going along and enjoying these festivals is the sleeping and bathroom arrangements offered - namely camping and shared toilet and shower blocks. Let’s face it, at festivals, the campsites can be crowded and noisy, and the bathroom blocks are busy and perhaps not the cleanest!
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Explore our homeland!
Although the weather is not always as good as we would like it to be, we’re really lucky to live in England! With its beautiful countryside, stunning coastlines, lush woodlands and historic towns and cities, we really do have it all.
England comprises 55 cities and tens of thousands of towns and villages! This means that when it comes to places to visit, the possibilities are endless! Exploring the country in a caravan or motorhome is the ideal way as you’ll have the freedom to go where you want and stay for as much or as little time as you wish!
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Handling your motorhome with confidence!
If you’re thinking about purchasing your first motorhome, there are many things to consider. Motorhomes are large vehicles and therefore provide a driving experience that’s very different to that of a car.
Once you’ve decided to go for a motorhome - or perhaps before you make the final decision - why not take a little time to explore and even experience the practicalities of owning, driving and manoeuvring a motorhome?
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Motorhoming made easy!
If you’ve been toying with the idea of buying a motorhome for some time, we’re here to tell you to go for it! Read on to discover some top tips to buying the motorhome of your dreams as well as our guidance on the best ways to motorhome with ease once you have your vehicle.
It’s true, buying your motorhome is just the first step on your motorhoming journey! It’s a very important step as it involves many decisions along the way. You’ll need to decide exactly what you want, what you can afford to spend and how you see yourself using your motorhome as this may help inform your decisions.
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Stay switched on, off grid!
One of the best things about having a leisure vehicle is the ability to use all your electric-powered creature comforts even whilst holidaying in the middle of nowhere!
Most campsites have electric hook-up, but for those that don’t or for those of you who enjoy a little wild camping from time to time, solar panels are a great way to ensure you still have access to a power supply.
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Top 10 benefits of motorhoming
Motorhomes offer so many benefits that it’s tough to list them all! It’s such a hassle-free, convenient and enjoyable way to holiday, we’re sure that once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
Perhaps you’ve camped or caravanned in the past, or owned a campervan, but motorhoming is the next level. So if you’ve done none of the above before, please read on because you’re in for a treat!
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The freedom of caravanning and motorhoming
Caravanning and motorhoming gives you a freedom that no other holiday can offer - you can get away at the drop of a hat, you decide where you want to go and for how long and you can spend your time away in any way you please!
What’s more, you’ll be in your own home on wheels so you’ll have all your favourite things and creature comforts with you. Once you’ve chosen a destination you can plan ahead if you want to by booking a site and thinking about what you’ll do and where you’d like to visit, or you can simply play it by ear and see where the wind (or road!) takes you!
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Meet Mark Thomas, Accessory Shop Manager
Mark has just joined the team after 22 years working for another dealership and he is looking forward to a new challenge! Outside of work he enjoys motorhoming in the New Forest, birdwatching, DIY and gardening.
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Our guide to buying a pre-owned motorhome
If you’ve decided to buy a pre-owned motorhome, whether it’s your first or you’re upgrading to a newer model, there are a number of things to consider to ensure you end up with the right vehicle for you!
Buying pre-owned is a great idea as it will be more affordable than buying new and you won’t experience the first-year depreciation. If you go for one that’s only a few years old, you’ll still benefit from that ‘new’ feeling, especially if you go for one that has been well looked after.
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Our guide to motorhome storage
If you’re researching your motorhome options at the moment, be sure to consider storage before making your final decision. As space is limited inside motorhomes, how the storage works for you will become very prominent once you’re on the road!
Different manufacturers and models mean variations on the amount and type of storage on offer, so investigate fully before committing to buy. There would be nothing worse than purchasing your new motorhome only to find there isn’t room for all your belongings, or even that the storage positioning doesn’t work for you.
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7 top tips to finding your ideal new motorhome
Like the idea of owning a motorhome so you can just up and go when the weekend arrives? Or perhaps you’re a motorhome owner simply looking to upgrade - whatever your situation, be sure to explore every aspect of your upcoming purchase fully to ensure you get the right motorhome for you.
If this isn’t your first motorhome purchase, have a think about what you looked for the last time you bought and whether those things proved to be important to you. Is there anything about your current/past vehicle that you’d change or any features that you don’t have but would like? If you bought your last motorhome a while ago, actually making a list of these things will be useful as it’ll bring the important things to the fore...
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New or pre-owned motorhome?
You’ve made the decision to buy a motorhome and we’re sure you won’t be sorry! Motorhomes provide the freedom to get away and enjoy breaks at the drop of a hat! They’re ideal for adventures near and far and in a year when we’ve not been able to do all we may have wanted to, it’s the perfect time to start enjoying a bit of freedom again!
Before you actually purchase your new vehicle, there are a few things you should consider, the first one being whether you’re going to go for a new or pre-owned model?
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Discover caravanning in 2021!
James Mainwaring
01/03/2021
blog / advice / new caravans / motorhomes / summer / holiday / family, All
If you’ve been mulling over the idea of a caravan or motorhome for the past few years, there’s never been a better time to take the plunge! 2020 saw caravans become the new cool as they offered couples and families alike the best option for a holiday during a global pandemic.
Although things are looking up with vaccines being rolled out and dates in the diary for the country to (cautiously) start reopening its doors, staycations are likely to be the most sensible holiday option this year. It is hoped that all adults will have received the vaccine by the end of July, but that may be too late to organise holidays abroad, so why not stay on home soil to enjoy your annual leave?
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7 great places to caravan in Dorset
James Mainwaring
22/02/2021
blog / advice / new caravans / motorhomes / summer / holiday / family, All
Dorset is a stunning county with the best of both worlds; picturesque villages and sleepy hamlets set in jaw-dropping countryside, but with the glorious Jurassic Coast to the south. It really does have it all and offers the ideal location for a caravan holiday, whatever your tastes may be.
Wherever you choose to stay in Dorset, you’ll be able to travel between places of interest easily enough, but with no motorways at all in the county, you could find yourself using country roads much of the time, meaning journeys could take a little longer! Before embarking on your trip, be sure to plan your route in advance to avoid any nasty surprises that involve you trying to squeeze down narrow lanes whilst towing a caravan!
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Top 10 reasons to buy a motorhome
Motorhoming is becoming more and more popular, especially in these strange times when we are unable to venture to foreign lands. That reason aside, motorhoming is fun! It allows you to pick a place, pack a bag and off you go!
A motorhome will allow the whole family to pile in and enjoy some quality time together away from the pressures of everyday life. Plus being in your own home on wheels makes it all the more exciting! Buying a motorhome is a big decision, but we want to make it a little easier for you - read our top 10 reasons to buy a motorhome and decide for yourselves! We’ve also listed a few practical tips at the bottom to ensure your final decision is a well-rounded one…
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Motorhome or campervan?
So you’ve decided to go for a motorised leisure vehicle rather than a caravan - that’s the first decision made! But now to decide between a motorhome or a campervan… read on to discover the benefits and drawbacks of each and work out which will suit your needs best!
This is one of the toughest choices to make when deciding on your next leisure vehicle - do you want the space that a motorhome would offer you or are you looking for lots of cool points by opting for a campervan?
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Your guide to buying a new Bailey motorhome
Now that we’re an official dealer of new Bailey Motorhomes, we want to tell you all about them and help guide you towards your perfect match! You’ve probably already decided three things: 1. That you believe in the Bailey brand, 2. You want to go for a motorhome rather than a caravan, and 3. You want to buy new rather than pre-owned.
These are three very big decisions, but your choices are good ones! Bailey is one of the biggest and most reliable names in the industry, motorhomes are a great choice for those who want to destination hop and do not wish to tow and buying new means you will get the exact spec and finish you want.
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We are passionate about caravans, which is why we have created our very own Winchester Caravans blog. If you want to keep up-to-date with the wonderful world of caravanning and are always looking for tops tips and handy hints, then why not check out our regular blog posts?
What's more, our blog is the perfect opportunity to share your caravanning stories. If you have a story to tell, send us an email (marketing@winchestercaravans.com) and you could see yourself published on one of our blog posts. We want to hear about your journey!
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Ask a question ›News & Blogs
Get your caravan ready for winter
The days are getting shorter, the mornings crisper and the evenings darker - yep, it’s British wintertime! Whether you’re year-round caravanners or prefer to stick to the warmer months ...
14/10/2024
blog / advice / new caravans / pre-owned caravans / winter
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Celebrate the 2024 season with a new CADAC BBQ…
Caravanning holidays provide the ideal opportunity to get the BBQ out! It’s a time when you’ll have plenty of outdoor space to do it and it’s also a great way to bring the whole f...
25/03/2024
blog / advice / accessories / summer / holiday
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5 great places to caravan in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire has a rich history, diverse landscape, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a popular place to live as well as visit. With a population of 675,000 and covering an area of 1,236 sq km,...
18/03/2024
blog / holiday / family
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