Your caravan can feel like a safe-haven.  Whether it’s from the elements, from the pressures of the world, or just from a traffic jam, there can often be a strong feeling of comfort and calm when you’re in your caravan.

However, such a trait can make security considerations an easy matter to overlook.  Without wanting to cause upset, it is always worth remembering that around 3000 caravans are stolen in the UK every year; a number which looks set to increase as domestic holidays become more popular in the UK.  As safe as your caravan might feel to you, it is important to make sure that it isn’t easy for anybody else to gain access to.

Thankfully, securing your caravan does need have to be difficult.  In fact, a few of the most important tasks are extremely simple indeed.  So what do you need do to keep your vehicle safe?

- If your caravan is stolen, well kept records are an invaluable resource for police detectives.  Rather than keeping all vital paperwork in the caravan itself, keep some originals or copies in a safe location at home.  Importantly, make a note of your caravan’s chassis number which can act as an infallible identifier of stolen caravans.

- In addition to keeping good records of existing identification markers, consider adding your own.  Use ultra-violet pen to scribe unique identification codes, or perhaps a postcode, on to various parts of your caravan.  Ideal locations are the undercarriage, or perhaps a difficult to reach surface on an indoor fixture.  Wherever you choose, go for somewhere memorable but difficult for intruders to notice and erase.

- Considering police tactics, it can also be identify your caravan on its roof.  This will provide fantastic assistance for any aerial pursuit.

- Photograph your caravan inside and out.  Many owners remember to do this when they first purchase the vehicle, however it is strongly advisable to repeat the exercise regularly so that up to date photographs can be presented if necessary.

- Whether you are storing your caravan at home, at a site or elsewhere, high security wheel clamps can prevent many forms of attack, and also act as a strong deterrent.  Make sure the one you purchase fits your caravan.  For even higher security, lock two wheels with different brands of lock to wrongfoot determined thieves.

- Alternatively, rather than clamping your wheels, you could remove them altogether.  Security providers may be able to supply you with wheel stands which replace your wheels, effectively making it impossible to drive your caravan away.

- Finally, if you fancy a more high tech solution, working on the same technological principles as your Sat Nav, vehicle tracking systems can be subtly installed in your caravan.  Although this technology will not protect your caravan from criminal interest, it would make a clean getaway nigh on impossible, and your possessions simple to track.  Of course, such assurance comes at a high price.

Keeping your possessions safe is always important, both for financial and for sentimental reasons.  Your caravan, however, is particularly important, acting – as it does – as a second home for you and your family.   In consideration of this, make sure that you spend some time securing your vehicle in the means that best works for you.  However, no matter how secure you manage to make your caravan, there is always a risk remaining.  It is always therefore advisable to take out Caravan Insurance should the worst occur.

Caravanning holidays are the perfect means to escape the hum-drum or hustle and bustle of everyday life.  For some, leaving behind jobs, traffic and gadgets holds infinite appeal.  For others however, the isolation from normal life can be more difficult to deal with.

If you are the kind of person who would prefer to keep your finger on the pulse, or just can’t bear to leave your most prized technological possessions at home, it is becoming more and more possible to meet your needs.

Take internet access, for example.  It has been possible for some time now to access internet virtually anywhere using wireless ‘dongles’ which link to mobile phone networks like Vodafone or T-Mobile.  Essentially, this technology turns your laptop into an entirely mobile internet access point, allowing you to surf not only at your campsite, but even whilst on the journey there.

The disadvantages of this service, however, are numerous.  Coverage can be patchy at best once you get too far out of high population density areas, transfer speeds are often extremely slow, and cost per megabyte can be off putting.

Thankfully, The Caravan Club have come up with a strong and measured solution by providing WiFi access at many of the UKs most popular campsites.  Since WiFi is a more local source of internet access, this should be more reliable, faster, and perhaps even cheaper.  Unlike wireless ‘dongles’, The Caravan Club’s WiFi service allows you to purchase access in small, hourly chunks rather than as long contracts; perfect for that spontaneous decision to catch a bit of BBC iPlayer on a rainy afternoon.

Although you might be repulsed by the idea of taking your laptop on holiday, even the most basic advantages might make you reconsider.  Think about checking the weather forecast before you plan your trips, searching out the best local restaurant, or checking travel information for the trip home.

If you are missing your internet access, you may also be missing your music.  Just because you are leaving your full Hi-Fi system at home doesn’t mean that you have to be tune-less for the whole holiday.  There is of course, the classic option of taking along your stereo-radio for tuning in to the headlines and your favourite DJs.  But there are also some great MP3-Player docks and speakers available to keep you entertained throughout the holiday.

Of course you always need to ensure that your music isn’t frustrating those nearby, but if you fancy playing your music outdoors, you can buy speakers which are either battery powered, rechargeable or even solar powered.

Finally, a GPS system is the perfect final technological addition to your caravan trip.  GPS maps have all major caravan sites pre-programmed into their memory, so you’ll have no trouble finding your holiday destination.  Furthermore, you’ll be able to nip around and about like a local with no worry of getting lost.  What could be better?

Taking gadgets on your caravan holiday can be great fun, and also genuinely helpful.  Whatever you do take, though, be sure to keep it well out of sight and lock up all valuables securely.  And before you take anything at all with you, or even set off, make sure you protect yourself with Caravan Insurance.

Caravans are more than just a vehicle.  They are more than just accommodation, or just a place to kip for the night.  If your caravan is doing what it should be, then it should feel like a home.

Now, perhaps the only time you want to be in your caravan is when you are chilling out and enjoying the holidays, but spare some consideration for how much better your experience could be were it to feel like a cosy, personalised home space.

There is, of course, a stereotypical image of somewhat shabby and uninspiring 70s decorated caravans.  On the other end of the scale, there are also the modern caravans which are rolled off the production lines in their 1000s with virtually no individuality.  The limited space which most caravans have to contend with does always mean that minimal and space-saving designs are preferable, but this doesn’t always need to be at the expense of personality.

It may seem like a strange concept, but if you happen to own either of these styles of caravans – or for that matter, pretty much any caravan inbetween – then interior design could turn your caravan from failing bedsit into luxurious homestead.

One of the worst style offenders are carpets.  Indeed, you may like a bit of carpet in your caravan, but invariably it causes hassle, dirt and unsightly marks once you’ve trudged in from the rain.  Ripping up the carpets and replacing them with contemporary, bright, vinyl flooring can liven the feel of the space and make cleaning a doddle.  Still need the carpeting?  Bring along a really fluffy rug for warming your feet in the mornings!

Other furnishings are often even more easy to adjust.  Patterned walls do little for increasing feelings of spaciousness, and are best replaced with lighter colours (although avoid white, because that can become clinical.)  If you are pushed for wall space to inject colour, replacing those tired and fraying curtains with some newly-made alternatives is another handy tip.  In addition, make sure to get some thick blackout blinds to ensure the early morning sun doesn’t inflict itself upon your lie-in.

Mirrors are always the ultimate in maximising perceived space.  No matter how small your living quarters may actually be, placing a few extra mirrors on doors, panels and cupboards can add extensively to the spaciousness of your caravan.  Just make sure not to overdo it and find yourself living in a fairground attraction.

Finally, no interior design makeover would be complete without extensive personal touches.  For the ultimate home-from-home feel, transfer a few key items from your home to your caravan and back again each trip.  Perhaps a clock, some important photographs or a set of kitchenware; these can be all you need to feel fully comfortable and relaxed, rather than needing to take a couple of days slipping back into the caravanning lifestyle.

You’ll want to use your caravan for escaping home on many levels, but keeping homely touches can really improve your holiday.  Just as you’d keep good care of your home itself, make sure to always take out caravan insurance to keep yourself covered.

Screaming children, wails and cries, bleary-eyed parents – these are all familiar sights and sounds of the campsite.  Of course, campsites can be a haven for children, and their energy and high spirits can be a fantastically welcome addition to many locations.  However, from time to time, perhaps holidaymakers might prefer a little peace and quiet, and this is where Adults Only Caravan Campsites can be of assistance.

Caravan sites for mature visitors only don’t aim to be exclusive or miserly about the holiday experience, but instead simply to put adults at the forefront.  There are some distinct advantages for the adult holiday-maker once young people are taken out of the picture, ranging from peace and quiet to being able to keep beautifully scenic gardens free from little feet.

Tranquil Touring Parks, opened eleven years ago in 1999, now provides 22 adult-only caravan parks in the UK.  Each park is individually owned, but all guarantee the 18+ standard, along with a Visit Britain Quality in Tourism rating – ensuring the quality of your stay will be high.  The sites are located all over the country, with particularly large numbers in the South West, and along the North East coastline

Chairman of the company, Tony Taylor, is passionate about the scheme.  He says proudly that “We’re the friendly club, who offer something for everyone”, and that despite the one age restriction “We operate an ‘open to all’ policy and do not single out any group of whatever age for special treatment”.

He claims that the idea for an adults only campsite came to him particularly after one section of flowerbeds were lovingly tended by one of his gardeners all year, before the children arrived and it became trampled and ruined.  Tony decided then that some things in life can only be properly enjoyed when the kids aren’t around, and so decided to put the age limit on his site.

Among some of the other great benefits found at these exclusive caravan sites are superb campsite facilities such as cafes, bars and luxury shower rooms.  Free from the threat of mistreatment, facilities are often provided to a higher standard than might normally be expected.

All this doesn’t just provide the adults with benefit, though.  Many of the campsites contain natural features which could be dangerous to young children.  Environments such as deep ponds or cliff edges nearby campsites can make for beautiful surroundings, but if kids are present then necessary signs, fences and protections are always an eyesore.  With adults only campsite, kids are kept completely safe from such dangers, and adults are left free to enjoy their beauties without the unwanted accompaniment of signage.

Some campsites have seen the advantages of this policy, but, unwilling to get rid of families altogether, have simply partitioned off a section of their campsite for adults only.  Whilst not solving all problems, this can provide a handy half-way-house for pleasing most.

If you are wondering why caravanning hasn’t provided the peaceful breaks away that you were searching for, perhaps adults only campsites are your answer.  And you needn’t feel miserly, because there are thousands of other campsites who are thrilled to welcome families every year.  It’s your holiday, so make sure it suits you.

If you chose to take your caravan adults-only, or family-friendly, it’s always advisable to get your Caravan Insurance sorted before you set off.