Posts Tagged ‘festival’

Swift and stunning

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Last week saw the unveiling of Swift Caravan’s much vaunted new look for 2011, and journalists and dealers alike were not left disappointed.

In secrecy more akin to a government surveillance department rather than caravan manufacture, Swift had kept their new model designs under close wraps. No-one was allowed even a peak before the official unveiling, although one intrepid soul did manage to get a few long range shots of the caravans and displayed them on a caravan website the day before.

The four new updated tourer caravan models were presented to the world from an event at Cottingham, near Hull last Thursday, and it must be said the ballyhoo surrounding the unveiling was well justified. The four models, namely the Sterling Eccles and Elite with the Swift Conqueror and Challenger are dramatically different.

All four models have a significantly different exterior profile and all have superior interior design to their predecessors, but the really striking difference is the panoramic sunroof. The window seemingly sweeps up from the nose of the caravan and envelops itself around the roof. The shading is black and provides a stark and sporty contrast to the brilliant white of the rest of the caravan. Inside one gets the feeling of being in the cockpit of a plane as you really do get a panoramic view of your surroundings. The sunroof comes as standard on the Conqueror and Elite models and can be fitted as an extra on the other two. It would be difficult to envisage anyone shelling out the money for a new Swift, purchasing their caravan insurance and not going the extra mile to add the sunroof, it is that striking.

Other improvements that feature on the new models include low energy LED lighting, the lighting itself now being concealed above the lockers, iPod and mobile phone recharging stations, mains panel with a 12v socket, two extra mains sockets and TV Ariel socket. The main idea inside seems to have been ease of access. The microwave has been lowered slightly, the table top mechanism improved and the door bin made slightly bigger. The vinyl floor covering has been upgraded as well.

In all, there will 8 new models of the Swift Challenger and Sterling Eccles and 5 new types of Swift Conqueror and Sterling Elite. Prices will be announced on the first of September with the public invited to view the range from the 4th and 5th of September.

Autumn Fair in Newark

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Motor home and caravan enthusiasts should be getting ready for the UK motor home and caravan fair to be held at Newark Showground, in Nottinghamshire.

The event will take place on the weekend of September 4th and 5th and is a must for caravanners all over Britain. This year the fair promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with trade stands selling everything the camper could wish to buy.

There will be two giant indoor exhibition halls as well as an outdoor section. A craft fair will also be on site.

New and used caravans, accessories, essentials and spares will top the list for many, but there is a whole lot more on offer.

Water and waste systems, towing equipment and reversing aids will prove popular buys, and for inside the van, stands will provide opportunities to buy cleaning agents, refrigeration, cooking and other kitchen requirements. Assorted gadgets and portable satellite systems will also be available for the discerning customer.

Outdoor clothing stands will attract plenty of attention with the autumn and winter months approaching, and sales of outdoor furniture should attract discounts now the summer is behind us.

Just looking at the above list makes one realise how much valuable equipment is tied up in a caravan, providing a compelling reason to secure caravan insurance.

Day tickets for the show are £5 for adults (if pre-booked) and children under 14 go free. Fido the dog is welcome so long as he is kept on a lead at all times. For tourers wishing to make a weekend of it, a pre-booked weekend ticket costs £35 (this covers two adults) pay on the day costs £45. The camping is on-site, and the booking fee includes admittance to top class entertainment on both Friday and Saturday evening. All camp facilities come with the booking fee.

For those wanting to take a stroll around Newark town, there is a complimentary shuttle bus service at the weekend. Newark certainly has enough interest to pass a pleasant morning exploring. The historic market place and Newark Castle are both worth seeing. The gardens in the castle are very pretty and the ruined walls of the castle create a perfect backdrop for the herbaceous borders and trees.

Disabled badge holders with weekend passes will have a dedicated part of the site allocated to them, and there will be a disabled car park for day visitors.

Festival Caravanning

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Music festivals are the realm of euphoria, relaxation and great experiences.  Sadly, rain, sleepless nights and mud creep in and can often spoil visitors’ enjoyment drastically.

In the UK at the moment, festivals are becoming one of the most popular summer activities.  There are hundreds of festivals throughout the year around the country, ranging from a few hours to a few weeks long.  Even better, the choice of music, entertainment and themes are wide enough to impress any aficionado or casual listener.

So how can you hit the festivals without slumming it?  Take your caravan!

Most major UK festivals now have provision for caravans.  You’ll even find special caravan service providers at some of the largest festivals.

The advantages of taking your caravan to a festival can be obvious, but there are more subtle benefits too.  Firstly, expect to keep yourself far dryer in a caravan than in a tent.  Unfortunately, festivals seem to be unfairly plagued by bad weather, but with a caravan you’ll be able to dry yourself off after a hard day’s partying, and enjoy a warm night.

Whilst you can feasibly stock up a tent with mattresses and duvets, you’ll find that you can make up a far more comfortable bed in your caravan.  What’s more, rather than lugging round heavy or cumbersome bedding, it’ll all be stored for you en-route.

Another major concern about festivals is their toileting facilities.  Save yourself the horrors of spending a penny on the final days of the festival by bringing your own caravan (with toilet) to the site.  You might even have an on-board shower, although beware that this could incur scorn from fellow ‘rightfully un-showered’ festival goers.

As with any good plan, there are still some drawbacks.  Booking a site for your caravan will likely set you back more money than a standard tent pitch.  Worse still, the caravan sites are sometimes positioned further away from the action than standard areas.  This is a compromise which could work for you, or might leave you unimpressed.

Furthermore, it is also important to consider your entry to the festival.  Due to the sheer scale of many modern festivals, campsites can be a long distance from major roadways.  You can, therefore, sometimes be forced to travel over large amounts of natural terrain – a possible challenge if your caravan or car finds off-road journeying difficult.

Despite these problems, though, caravanning can be the perfect way to experience festivals, even if they’ve never appealed to you before.

The big festivals, all of which are fully accessible to caravanners, are Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds and V festivals.  For watching the major headliners from Muse to Stevie Wonder, there’s nowhere better.

On the other hand, smaller festivals can provide unforgettable experiences despite their lack of household names.  The Secret Garden Party, or Rob Da Bank’s Bestival on the Isle of Wight are both extremely successful and popular smaller festivals.

If unbearable conditions have dissuaded you from attending festivals in the past, but something still inspires you about the idea, your caravan can provide the ideal compromise.  Don’t suffer for your enjoyment, take your caravan and have a great time in comfort.  Whatever use you find for your caravan, make sure you’ve taken out good Caravan Insurance.