Tested: The lovely little Nexa+ from Bilbo’s

campervan
F R E E D O M T O E X P L O R E

June 2020 ●
❯❯ £4.25

Here comes the sun

Time to put your feet up and get planning
an epic post-lockdown escape!

Enjoying
z Discovering Snowdon’s quieter side
z Getting off the beaten track in Norway

Campers Vanlife Camping

>
06

9 772054 409023

Linda and Geoff show off What’s rockin’ your weird Editors’ picks of the best
their Wellhouse Lux-XL and wonderful world! campsites to stay at
Bilbo’s NEW Volkswagen T6.1 Talk to us about
converting your van.

campervans are available Phone: 01342 892499

to learn more.

to order now!
The UK’s largest VW
Campervan specialist.

Building quality award winning

campervans for over 40 years

Space Komba Celex Nexa Lezan

To find out more about Bilbo’s & book a test drive, contact:
Bilbo’s, Eastbourne Road, South Godstone, Surrey RH9 8JQ. www.bilbos.com
Tel: +44 (0) 1342 892499 (Monday to Saturday)
• We buy well looked after Bilbo campers
• Competitive finance available subject to status
Volkswagen

• Excellent range of fully prepared pre-owned vehicles Motorhome

Specialist

• Vehicles in good condition considered for part exchange www.smmt.co.uk

• Largest stock of New and Pre-owned VW campervans in UK

All Bilbo’s campervans are Euro 6 compatible, NSSTA Type-Approved, NCC approved and are built by our skilled British craftsman in our purpose built
factory with build quality guaranteed through our ISO 9001 accreditation. Bilbo’s retain the right to alter specification and prices without prior notice.
 Editor's note | Welcome

Hello
Contributors
Linda Field

Peter Rosenthal

Claire Tupholme

Peter Vaughan

Mike Waterman

Two fantastic
subscr iption offers
See pages 16

H
owdy, folks! I hope you're all staying safe and well
during the lockdown, and making the most of the
chance to just put your feet up, take it easy and
take the time to plan all those awesome campervan
adventures you're no doubt dreaming of. I know I am!
Campervan magazine is always jam-packed with
inspirational features covering everything from DIY tips to
buying advice, campervan reviews and travel features.
To help you take advantage of all the back issues
available, as well as some great promotions, we've just
opened a brand-new store where you can find everything
in one place. To find out more, visit: & 79
buy.warnersgroup.co.uk
Due to popular demand, we've also
upped the ante of our downloadable digital offerings and
– for the first time ever – the latest issue contains some
new and exciting extra elements, such as scrolling picture
galleries with extra photos on pages 12 and 64, and a
video of the Camper Conversions Brawbus on page 17.
Geneve
Editor

P54 The Editor sits about in lockdown P71 Top tips for keeping your pooch smel
P11 We catch up with the guys at Dirty ling as
.. fresh as a daisy while out and about...
Weekender to get the company lowdown. daydreaming of being in Cornwall...

Share Got any interesting campervan stories? 

Get in touch!

Don’t miss out on all this...

The latest news, exclusive features, competitions
and special offers. Plus much more!

FREE e-newsletter SIGN UP TODAY AT www.motorhome.ma/freemails

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 3
Contents | In this issue

campervan
F F RR EE EE D
D O
O M
M T
T O
O EE X X P PL LO OR R
E E

Inside this month

Choosing
6 News
All the latest goings on in the campervan world

11 Spotlight on Dirty Weekender

We catch up with the company's owners for the latest goss

14 Danbury Raven
The latest Ford-based Danbury is worth raving about!

17 Camper Conversions Brawbus

This bonnie wee camper is certainly eye-catching...

20 Bilbo's Nexa+
A proper loo in a SWB VW T6.1... Whatever next?

Enjoying 54
24 Wales
Exploring Snowdon, away from the usual tourist crowds

30 Editors' choice
We share our opinions on some of the best sites around
20
42 Community
Not out and about in your 'vans, enjoying the lockdown!

46 Destination of the month

Find out why exploring the Yorkshire Dales is a no-brainer

49 Yorkshire Dales campsites

Some fabulous sites to help you plan your Yorkshire visit

54 Cornwall
The Editor takes a trip down memory lane...

Your campervans
60 Wellhouse Lux-XL
Linda explains how a 'van she disliked was actually ideal...

17 64

24
4 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk
 This month’s
cover

—alamy.com
36
Norway
If exploring Scandinavia
by campervan is on your
bucket list, it's impossible
not to be envious of Mike
Waterman, who took the
time out to visit Norway
in his 'van

76 68

—meatless farm

60
Our campervans
64 Geneve's 1986 VW T25
The Editor explains what a trip to the bodyshop looks like...

In the know
68 Cookery
Top barbecue recipes for cooking up a veggie storm

71 Paws on Tour
Useful tips for keeping your pooch odour-free in the 'van

72 Safety technology
Make sure you know your ASR from your ESC...

—AdobeStock
49 76 Accessories
All the latest campervan gear and gadgets put to the test

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 5

News | What's happening in the world of campervans

News
Read all about what's going on in the
fascinating world of campervans...

Readers offered 12 Lady donates campervan

back issues for free to care home staff
Campervan readers are being offered a new package that means, as soon Anne Peachey from Holmfirth has donated her campervan to
as they subscribe to the digital version of the magazine, they get instant a local care home during the Coronavirus lockdown. Anne was
access to 12 back issues for free. alerted to an appeal from the Meadow Court Residential Care
Campervan magazine agreed the offer with pocketmags.com Home in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, for motorhomes or caravans
– which retails the digital version of the magazine – after there was a for 16 of their staff to be able to stay in.
growth in demand from readers for more digital versions of the magazine, Anne, who is currently on lockdown in her Greek holiday
which they can download and read without leaving their home. home, spoke to her insurance provider, Caravan Guard, and
The offer began on April 30 and is available at pocketmags.com/ together they were able to amend her policy to cover her
campervan-magazine Globecar Campscout to be used for the care home staff to
The latest digital issue of Campervan magazine features all the same self-isolate.
content as the print version, as well as extra cool stuff, like video, photo “As a company we care completely about our customers and
galleries and interactive web links. community and wanted to be able to help Mrs Peachey fulfil
Because the service is web-based, any issue of Campervan assigned this wonderful offer of support,” said Caravan Guard's PR &
to a reader’s account can be downloaded on multiple devices, including Communications Manager, Liz Harrison.
smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers. Once Anne said: “I was delighted to be able to help, as I’ve not
downloaded, no internet connection is needed to read the magazine, been able to do anything to support the local community
making it perfect to read anywhere, any time! whilst stuck in Greece."
Getting started couldn’t be easier. Just head to pocketmags.com to Anne was one of many campervan and caravan owners
create an account. Then search for Campervan – you’ll have access to the who came forward to help, as Meadow Court’s residential
current issue, all of the back issues and any special editions. care home Manager, Stephen Humble, explained: “We have
For readers who still prefer the print version of Campervan, there’s also eight vehicles for our Meadow Court Angels – but could have
a special subscription offer up for grabs at the moment, meaning you can had about 20 – and the team has really pulled together, self-
have Campervan delivered to your door for just £9.99 by quarterly direct rostering and helping each other out with various tasks. We are
debit, or 12 issues for only £41.99. blessed to have such an amazing team."
To help readers avail themselves of the latest offers, Warners Group
Publications (which publishes magazines including MMM,
Camping, Caravan and What Motorhomes,
in addition to Campervan) has also
Advice for outdoors fans
created a new online store for all Thirty-five organisations from the outdoor recreation
its titles. industry — including the Camping and Caravanning Club,
The new store features details the National Trust, Forestry England and Ordnance Survey
of all the magazines, as well as the — have come together to issue advice on exercising safely
latest print and digital subscription outdoors. It suggests:
offers, meaning readers now have z Enjoy active outdoor recreation in your local area,
everything to hand and all in one while practicing good social distancing at all times
place, and can save cash at the z Do not travel to popular tourist areas and reduce the
same time! risk of groups gathering in one place
There are loads of special z Stay close to home — consider low-risk, familiar
offers to take advantage of at the activities in local areas, such as a local walk or run
moment. For example, get your z Avoid public transport and social gatherings — keep
hands on five issues of a print active by travelling on foot or bike
magazine from just £5 and z Outdoor play and learning opportunities that reflect
digital issues from only 99p! government guidelines are available to children,
Visit buy.warnersgroup. including those of key workers attending school.
co.uk today to see what Over the coming weeks, the group plans to release
bargains take your fancy. more advice on staying active and healthy outdoors
during the Coronavirus crisis.

6 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

VW celebrates 70 years of the Transporter
The Transporter – also known as Bulli, Kombi, VW bus or microbus
– first rolled off Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg production line on 8 March
1950 and, since then, 13 million have been sold.
To celebrate the landmark, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has
collated this ultimate guide to the historic vehicle.
z T1: 1950 to 1967. Revealed as a hand-built panel van prototype
in 1949, the T1 is eventually launched as a rear-engined panel van,
passenger van and eight-seat bus. In 1951, the iconic Samba model
was revealed with all-round windows and folding sunroof. By 1967,
around 1.9 million people had purchased the T1 with its split
windscreen, making it a global success.
z T2: 1967 to 1979. The T2 took the utility of the van on a step
further with a new front end and air intake grille. A sliding door was
standard, and the pop-up roof camper version became an instant
hit. In 1972, the T2 went electric with a zero-emission version
available to buy. During its run, 2.14 million vehicles were built. 1.9 million models across the range, which now included the
z T3: 1979 to 1992. The T3 (also known as the T25) adopted a wider popular Westfalia California.
body, offering more passenger and cargo space and improved z T5: 2003 to 2015. The T5 was an evolution of design focusing on
safety. A boxer engine, available in diesel, was introduced and, the interior and the driver’s area, as well as a variety of petrol and
in 1985, a raft of innovations were added: catalytic converters, diesel engines and an all-wheel drive system. The California was
turbochargers and all-wheel drive, while the westfalia Joker and built in Hannover by VW for the first time. In total, 1.65 million T5s
Caravelle became popular. were produced during this time.
z T4: 1990 to 2003. The T4 was the first Transporter to be front- z T6/T6.1: 2015 to 2019/2019 – present. New engines, intelligent
engined and front-wheel drive. With this came a new design, driver assistance systems, new infotainment and a front-end
longer front end, new suspension, more varied engine choice and redesign have defined the modern T6 era – while the two-tone
even better handling. The T4 was phased out in 2003 having sold paint scheme serves as a nod to the original model.

UK’s seven best natural wonders Dealer offers free

Campervan and motorhome hire company,
Indie Campers, has published its list of
seven natural wonders of the UK, offering
inspiration for travellers when lockdowns
have been lifted. In light of the recent
crisis, the natural world has flourished as
worldwide travel has been restricted; for
the first time in 30 years you can see the
Himalayas from Jalandhar in India, swans
and dolphins are swimming in the canals of
Venice and goats are roaming the streets of
Llandudno, Wales.
In honour of this, Indie Campers, which
has branches in London and Edinburgh, is
encouraging British people to explore the
natural attractions of the UK:
z Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire with
its remarkable stone formations
z Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, which
was formed in the Ice Age
z Wistman’s Wood in Dartmoor, a high-
altitude oak wood
z Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr in
Snowdonia, for great hikes
z Gaping Gill in North Yorkshire, one of the
largest known cave chambers in the UK
z Jurassic Coast road trip in Dorset, a World
Heritage Site
z Malham Cove in North Yorkshire, an
iconic limestone formation which
featured in a Harry Potter film.
What’s going to be on your bucket list?
pixabay
technical advice
The Motorhome Dealer Group, with three
sites in Hampshire and Dorset, is offering
free technical advice to motorhome and
campervan owners.
Due to the current Coronavirus
lockdown, 'van owners looking for
technical support, fault-finding advice and
diagnostics may struggle to get aftersales
support, so the Motorhome Dealer Group's
technicians are offering free help and
advice remotely.
Managing Director, Rob Kirk, said:
“People from all over the country have
been in touch to ask about anything and
everything, from how to reset their heating
thermostat to changing a gas bottle. We’ve
had owners contact us because they cannot
get in touch with their regular service agent,
by phone or email.”
The Motorhome Dealership Group
includes Three Counties Motorhomes in
Poole, Countrywide Motorhomes and VW
Kamper Centre in Ringwood, Hampshire.
For free technical support, email
 customersupport@m-d-g.co.uk
If you're looking for projects to
keep you busy during lockdown, you
can also download our new digital
magazine, The MMM Guide to Simple

Motorhome DIY, for just £2.99.

Visit buy.warnersgroup.co.uk


outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 7

News | What's happening in the world of campervans

Company provides
campervans for carers
Inverness campervan company, Highland Auto Campers, has
provided three of its campervans to a local care home, Isobel Fraser
Care Home, to provide accommodation to its key workers during the
coronavirus pandemic.
Highland Auto Campers runs a fleet of campervans normally hired
out to holidaymakers visiting the Scottish Highlands. Mark Jarratt, one
of the owners, said: “I have been impressed with way that local
businesses in the Highlands – and in the wider community – have
been pulling together during the current crisis. When Victoria
Connolly (Manager at the Isobel Fraser Care Home) approached us
to help, we immediately agreed to assist in any way that we could…
We just hope that the campers provide them somewhere warm and
comfortable to stay while they are based on site.”

Club suggests campsite

reopening dates
Both the Caravan and Motorhome Club and
the Camping and Caravanning Club have
closed all their campsites, with the Caravan
and Motorhome Club saying all of its UK
campsites and CLs may reopen on 30 June,
while the Camping and Caravanning Club
has not yet specified a date.
In a statement, the Caravan and
Motorhome Club said: “The safety
and wellbeing of our members, local
communities, guests and staff is of
paramount importance to us and we feel
this move supports the recommendations
issued by the government.”
The Camping and Caravanning Club
said: “Clearly, this decision will have a great
impact on the hundreds of staff who have
shown such remarkable dedication to the
Club in extremely testing times. We will
be supporting them in every way we can
through the weeks and months ahead,
until they can get back to doing what they
do best – giving you the best possible
experience at our sites around the country."
Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld
launches e-commerce site
Stafford-based motorhome and campervan dealer, Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld, has
launched a new e-commerce site where customers can buy genuine parts and accessories
directly from the dealer.
Following the successful launch of Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld's new website in
January, the dealer has now focused its attentions on an e-commerce site where customers
can not only order genuine motorhome and chassis manufacturer parts and accessories
— including awnings, self-levelling systems and air-conditioning units — but can also book
their motorhome or campervan in for a service and order a replacement windscreen for
any European or American ’van.
Customers will be able to search the site by brand, including Goldschmitt, Dometic,
Oyster, Gasit, Truma and many more. Visit motorhomes.shop
Club Singers hunt for new pianist
The Caravan and Motorhome Club Singers are 70 people, mainly husbands and wifes, who meet
looking for a new pianist/accompanist as the Club’s up five or six times per year and hold weekend
current accompanist is stepping down at the end rehearsal rallies, with a view to performing concerts
of September. The choir was formed 15 years ago at Club events. Because members come from
and consists of members who like to combine their all parts of the UK, rallies are held mainly in the
hobby of caravanning or motorhoming with their Midlands. Further information can be found at
passion for singing. The group consists of about camc-singers.co.uk

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8 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

10 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk
 Dirty Weekender | Spotlight on

Spotlight on...
Dirty Weekender
A versatile campervan converter specialising in
bespoke conversions as well as Reimo campers, it
is also the UK’s only Egoé Nest dealer. We spoke
to company owners, Johnny Luebke and Katie
Monk, to find out more…
Katie & Johnny
1 When did Dirty Weekender start out?
The business dates back to 2010, initially as an extension of our Worcester-based
Company owners
mechanical garage, W.A.S Autocentre, which was established over 25 years ago. We have been lucky to be able to extend on the same
site, which now comprises of our showroom with offices and extensive campervan workshops, as well as the original garage.

2 What sets you apart from

the crowd?
We like to do things a little differently. We have the
ability to design and build exactly to the customer’s
requirements – whether that’s a family needing to make
clever use of space, or someone using the ’van for both
work and leisure. It might be the demands of a sport
or hobby that requires a need for something a bit
different, or perhaps it’s just a particular aesthetic that
needs to be achieved. Whatever is it, we believe there’s
always a way.
3 How would you sum up the company’s
ethos and values?
It’s really important to us to get to know our customers and what makes
them tick, so building relationships and having fun along the way is of
the upmost importance to us. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all
standard campervan approach and we aim to deliver a conversion that
matches exactly what the customer has in their head. As a result, we give
our customers heaps of time to go through every little detail and ask as
many questions as needed in order to create the right ’van for them, also
ensuring every product option meets our requirements of safety,
usability and durability.

4 What do you think makes a great campervan conversion?

Build quality and safety are obvious key factors, and a great experience. Ours stems from personal use, as we’ve been
campervan conversion will also be one that suits you and meets campervanning for years. We’re passionate about getting out and
your needs. In order to make sure your ’van meets these criteria, about in our own ’vans and so our experiences help us constantly
check the converter has the necessary knowledge, skills and grow as a company.

5 What kinds of bespoke options do you offer? 6 What’s your best seller?
Anything you like! We specialise in bespoke In addition to our bespoke
conversions, so we can offer anything from a few simple conversions, we also offer the full range
adaptations that will turn your work ’van into a weekend of Reimo campervan conversions, and
camper, right through to something completely unique. the Trio Style has to be our overall
We use many different materials to create our bespoke bestseller. This features the ever-
builds, from pallet wood and other reclaimed items to solid popular side kitchen layout with travel
oak or granite. This gives the customer the opportunity seats for five. It offers a clean and
to be involved with the build and choose colour schemes, simple design with everything you need
etc. It also adds fluidity as ideas may change along the and it lends itself to customisation, too.
way. We love our bespoke graphics and wraps, too, which Paired with the Reimo pop-top roof and
give such a personal edge to the campers. It’s actually very Reimo Variotech 3000 sliding seat/
rare that we build two ’vans the same! bed, no wonder it’s a winner.


outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 11

Spotlight on | Dirty Weekender
7 Have you got any exciting new
developments in the pipeline?
Always! We’ve just finished a revamp of our showroom and facilities,
and have started working on a special edition campervan. We’ve also very
recently partnered up with Egoé Nest in the Czech Republic and become
its only UK distributor. We are really happy to represent the brand, as we
both share the same values and ethos. It produces camping units that fit in
the back of vehicles such as vans, MPVs and cars that are beautifully
crafted and, to be honest, ingenious! They’re great for people who want to
combine the elements of a campervan, such as cooking facilities, running
water and a bed, with their everyday vehicle.
9 What’s the most unusual question
you’ve ever been asked by a customer?
10
Wow, there are absolutely too many to list, but the silliest
questions are always to do with how much stuff we can fit into
the space available. People forget that you’re essentially trying
to cram all the facilities and home comforts of a house into the
floorplan of a VW T6, for example, so there are limitations. We
have had people ask if it is actually a TARDIS!
The Dirty Weekender range...
Bespoke conversions
We offer everything from full Reimo conversions through to campervan
repairs, servicing and MoTs. When it comes to bespoke conversions,
the sky is the limit. Choose from VW and Reimo accessories, appliances
from leading brands like Webasto, Smev, Dometic, Waeco and
Vitrifrigo, and bench/beds from Reimo and RIB. Combined with unique
blinds and curtain options, as well as wraps and exterior styling, means
the only limitation is your imagination! Here’s some of the stuff we’ve
created for our customers…
Contacts
Dirty Weekender 268 Bath dirty-weekender.com
Road, Worcester WR5 3ES dirtyweekendervanconversions
☎ 01905 353880 adventurevans
Take #StayAtHome! Why not download Campervan or have it
me out delivered to your door? buy.warnersgroup.co.uk
12 campervan June 2020
8 What advice would you give
to someone thinking about
buying a campervan?
Think about how the ’van is going to work for you
and don’t be blinded by the aesthetics as looks can
be deceptive. Ask how it has been built and check it
is safe. When researching converters, make sure you
go and visit its premises – have a good look around
and ask lots of questions. Get a feel for the company
and its standards. Is the coffee good? You will
probably be drinking a lot of it!
What’s the best campervan trip
you’ve personally undertaken?
We’re lucky enough to have been on many trips, both in the UK
and in Europe but, hands down, our favourite has to be Sardinia.
We both fell in love with the island and how unspoilt it is. There
are tonnes of wild camping spots and deserted beaches to
explore, as well as the inland mountains and amazing roads
to drive. The food and wine’s not bad, either.
Egoé Nest Nestbox
The Nestbox fits into the boot or luggage loading
area of your vehicle, transforming it into a comfortable
camper. There are various models available to
accommodate all sorts of vehicles, from cars to vans. The
Camper is the smallest unit, suited to vehicles such as the
Mini Countryman and BMW X3, while the Supertramp
module is for off-road vehicles like the Land Rover
Discovery. The Hiker fits into a VW Caddy-sized vehicle
and comprises of a folding bed and kitchen, housing
a cooker, fridge and sink with tap. The Roamer is the
biggest unit, which fits into VW T6-sized vans and offers
the same facilities as the Hiker, except with a wider bed.
outandaboutlive.co.uk
Choosing | Danbury Raven
Danbury Raven
As Henry Ford intended, only in black…
H
enry Ford famously said you could
have his Model T in any colour
“as long as it’s black”, so it seems
appropriate that this black-only
campervan is also a Ford.
It’s based on a Transit Custom short-
wheelbase in Trend spec, so there are plenty
of bells and whistles as standard to keep the
driver happy, with the 128bhp (130PS)
engine and six-speed manual gearbox.
Where Henry might have disapproved,
though, is in Danbury offering three colours
for the detailing – seen not only in the form
of stripes along the flanks and the bumper,
grille and mirrors, but also used for the
piping and stitching on the front and rear
leather seats inside. Lime green is shown
14 campervan June 2020
here, but orange or Sky Blue are also
available, if you prefer.
In addition to the black leather interior,
the Raven gets 18in alloy wheels, privacy
glass, a front splitter and black side bars,
too, to complete the sporty look. Even the
canvas used for the rear-hinged elevating
roof is black.
Also included in the just sub-£50k price
tag are cab air-conditioning, front and rear
parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers,
a roof bed and blown-air heating.
Meanwhile, the conversion is based on
the company’s well-established Go model
with Danbury’s own sliding seat system,
which can be locked in two positions.
The layout is, of course, the usual side
kitchen campervan design but one surprise
here is the fitment of a full oven/grill – a rare
sight in such a compact camper.
There’s also a couple of drawers and a
slide-out rack for tins, etc, while the hob has
three gas burners and the fridge is a 50-litre,
front door, compressor type.
Storage in the rear boot area is, however,
compromised by the design of the seat/bed
unit, while the bed is a bit on the narrow side
for two average-sized adults, too. There's
also a choice of a regular passenger seat or
a twin bench to give travel seating for five.
If you’d prefer a VW badge on your
camper, at the time of writing, Danbury also
had a number of pre-facelift T6 conversions
in stock, some of which are under £50k.
outandaboutlive.co.uk

The Danbury lowdown
Think Danbury and you automatically think
campervan. The name is synonymous –
much like Hoover is to the vacuum cleaner.
Danbury was founded back in the 1960s
and became known for its VW splitty and
bay window campervans. Although
production of the T2 ceased in Europe in
1979, they were still built in South America
and Danbury had a stint at reviving nostalgia
during the early 2000s when it started
importing them from Brazil.
You’ll probably have spotted some of
these on the road, as the front grille on the
modern Brazilian T2 is quite different from
the original European bay. Sadly (or perhaps
not, if you’ve ever driven one!), Brazil
outandaboutlive.co.uk
Danbury Raven
Base vehicle Ford Transit Custom
Travel seats 4/5
stopped manufacturing these in 2013 but Berths 4
Danbury cashed in on a bulk buy and there Maximum weight 3,140kg
are a handful of stunning used conversions
still up for grabs at its premises in Bristol. Payload 763kg
Alternatively, if you love a VW but not a Length x width x height 4.97m x 2.08m x
classic, it offers a range of modern T6.1- 2.05m
based campervans, as well as a selection Price from £49,995
of Ford Transit Custom-based ’vans.
Danbury was bought up a couple years CONTACTS
ago by French motorhome manufacturer, Danbury Motorcaravans Ltd Great Western
Pilote. As a result, the Danbury line-up also Business Park, Armstrong Way, Yate, Bristol
includes the the Avenir, a Fiat Ducato-based BS37 5NG
panel van conversion that’s available in six danburycampervans.co.uk
variants, to suit all tastes. While the Avenir ☎ 01454 310000
is built at the Pilote factory in France, danburymotorcaravans
Danbury’s VW and Ford-based campervans DanburyBristol
continue to be manufactured in the UK.
June 2020 campervan 15
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Camper Conversions
Brawbus
Watch the
video
Get yourself a bonny wee campervan from Scotland’s newest converter…
W
hile the term ‘braw’ might not mean
a lot to many of us, in Scotland
(where this campervan converter
hails from), it’s a colloquial term
of endearment meaning lovely,
good-looking or beautiful.
So, the Brawbus is the name given
to the latest model range from Camper
Conversions. It's a new line-up of good-
looing Ford Transit Custom-based
campervans that offers style, practicality
and value for money.
While current orders are being taken on
new vehicles, the first batch of models is
based on well-serviced, low-mileage, used
vans, providing the buyer wtih a brand-new
conversion for under the £40k mark.
outandaboutlive.co.uk
17_Choosing_Brawbus_GB.indd 17
Camper Conversions Brawbus | Choosing
Whether you choose new or used, the
Brawbus is built on the short-wheelbase
Ford Transit Custom, while plans to expand
into the long-wheelbase model are already
in the pipeline.
As standard, you can expect two berths,
while a further two (to create a four-berth
camper) are optionally available. Seatbelts
are provided for four.
The pop-top roof is also a standard
feature, providing that all-important standing
room, and there’s the option to colour-code
the external pop-top panel as well as the
colour of the canvas.
The layout of the interior follows the norm
for these vehicles, having a side kitchen,
which is fitted with a Dometic 49-litre
compressor fridge and a Smev two-burner
hob and sink combo that’s located in the
main kitchen unit behind the driver’s seat.
The cooking area is finished off with a
splashback panel and simple blackout
blinds, too.
There are also plenty of power outlets for
all your gadgets and gizmos, with two 230V
sockets, two USB ports and one 12V socket.
While the Brawbus is available in other
colours, the blue version (shown here) is
inspired by a Californian beach shack.
The chilled out vibe is achieved through
handbuilt pale blue furniture, paired with
light grey flooring and finished off with
LED ambient lighting.
Moreover, the certified M1 rock ‘n’ 
June 2020 campervan 17
11/05/2020 12:38
Choosing | Camper Conversions Brawbus
roll-style bench/bed, which is operated
electrically, is also finished in blue upholstery
with blue piping to match the two cab seats.
Of course, the exterior blue decals help to
create a striking impression, too.
For those chillier nights, there’s an
underslung diesel space heater, which has
the outlet located under the cab passenger
seat for central air distribution.
The passenger seat also swivels, and there
is a removable table that stows behind the
driver’s seat, turning this area into a perfect
breakfast/dining area for couples.
A number of kitchen cupboards and
shelves, as well as a rear tambour-doored
unit, provide a good amount of storage
space in the Brawbus, too.
18 campervan June 2020
Camper Conversions lowdown
Established in 2019, Glasgow-based
Camper Conversions is a division of
Motorhome Repair Centre, which is a
member of the Swinton Vehicle Group.
The company specialises in all manner of
motorhome and campervan repairs and
servicing, covering everything from MoTs
and habitation servicing to bodywork and
chassis realignment. All work is done to
British Standards PAS 125 and Motorhome
Repair Centre is approved by the NCC
(National Caravan Council), the Camping
and Caravanning Club and the Caravan
and Motorhome Club.
With over 30 years of experience in the
industry, it was a natural step to expand into
Camper Conversions Brawbus
Base vehicle Ford Transit Custom
Travel seats 4
Berths 2/4
Maximum weight 3,200kg
Payload 650kg approx (depending on spec)
Length x width x height 4.97m x 2.08m x
2.05m
Price from £37,995 (on a used van)
CONTACTS
Camper Conversions Glasgow
253 Blairtummock Road, Glasgow G33 4ED
☎ 01417 731212
camperconversionsglasgow.com
CamperConversionsGlasgow
the campervan conversion sector, and so
Camper Conversions was born. Having a
highly skilled team in servicing and repairs,
as well as design and customisation, has
stood this new converter in good stead
as, when building its ’vans, everything is
installed with servicing in mind, meaning all
key components are accessible and easy to
maintain from the start.
In addition to offering the Brawbus on
new and used Ford Transit Custom base
vehicles in SWB and LWB forms, Camper
Conversions will also convert your own
van, with prices starting from £18,000. The
company has plans in the offing to convert
other models, such as Fiat Ducato,
Mercedes Sprinter and Peugeot Boxer.
outandaboutlive.co.uk
Tailor your own bespoke
camper Conversion.
We believe that everyone should have the
freedom to explore the outdoors.
We specialise in providing quality
campervan conversions allowing you
to experience the very best of what the
open road has to offer.
We hand-build all of our campervans
and only use quality materials and
components to make sure that our
models stand the test of time.

With full conversions starting from a

competitive £37,995 now is the time to escape
and start your own adventure!

Camper Conversions Glasgow 253 Blairtummock Rd Glasgow G334ED Tel: 0141 773 1212
OPENING TIMES - 09.00 - 17.00 Mon to Fri 9.30 - 12.30 Sat Closed Sunday

To Book a Consultation call us on: 0141 773 1212

Choosing | Bilbo’s Nexa+

We’re going on an
adventure!
Bilbo’s was established back in 1977 by David
and Moira Latham, with a name inspired by
Bilbo Baggins, the intrepid Hobbit…
WORDS & PHOTOS Peter Vaughan

S
ee the latest Volkswagen Transporter
from the rear and you’ll be convinced
that nothing has changed. Even from
the side it’s hard to spot what’s new,
although you might notice a new
‘Transporter’ logo on the front wings
neatly linking the headlights and indicator
repeaters. In fact, the load area part of the
van (the living space in a camper) hasn’t
changed since the T5 debuted in 2003.
It’s a similar situation at Bilbo’s, where
designs are gradually improved rather than
starting afresh. This latest Nexa+ actually
debuted as a prototype at last October’s
NEC show, but it can trace its development
back to the Nektar model on the T4, which
became the Nexa when the T5 replaced the
T4. The Nexa+ is the latest chapter in the
development of Bilbo’s rear kitchen layout,
as it answers customer requests for a fitted
cassette toilet rather than the Porta Potti in
a cupboard on the standard model.
Travelling in a new Kombi
The bright Ravenna Blue of the test vehicle
is one of four new metallic options for the
T6.1. As the Nexa+ is based on a Highline-
spec Transporter, it comes with 16in alloy
wheels, automatic headlights, a heated
windscreen, Bluetooth, a Category 1 alarm
and automatic post-collision braking, plus
new features of front and rear parking
sensors, adaptive cruise control and
electric/heated folding door mirrors.
Bilbo’s converts the Transporter in its
Kombi form, rather than the panel van, so all
of its windows are factory-fitted VW items
and the rear seatbelt mountings are also in
situ from Germany.
The standard power unit for the Nexa+
is the new 108bhp (110PS) diesel which,
like all T6.1 engines, is the latest (Euro 6d)
development of the 2-litre TDI range. Here,
the motor had been upgraded to the
148bhp (150PS) unit, which is where the
DSG twin-clutch automatic (also fitted) first
becomes available. Add both to your Bilbo’s
and you’ll need to find an extra £4,400.
There’s a new dashboard design, too, that
like everything else here shows Darwinian
evolution. New storage areas feature and
cup holders are now recessed into the top
corners of the fascia, while the new
leather-bound steering wheel has a flat
bottom, like those found in VW’s cars (as
well as a plethora of radio/Bluetooth/cruise
control switches).
Most noticeable, though, is the 6.5in
colour touchscreen display in a section of
the dash’ that’s angled gently towards the

Bilbo’s Nexa+
Base vehicle VW Transporter T6.1
T30 Kombi Highline short-
wheelbase
Drive Front-wheel drive
Engine 2-litre, Euro 6d
Power 148bhp (150PS)
Gearbox 7-speed DSG automatic
Number of travel seats 4
Berths 2
Leisure battery capacity 105Ah
lithium
Payload 760kg
Length x width x height 4.90m x
1.90m x 2.03m
Standard equipment Dometic
three-burner hob, separate
Dometic grill, Dometic 47-litre
compressor fridge, twin single beds
(measuring: offside 1.80m x 0.60m;
nearside 1.84m x 0.60m), 36-litre
inboard fresh water tank, 35-litre
underfloor waste water tank, gas: 2
x 2.75kg (Campingaz) or 1 x 4.5kg
(propane)
Optional equipment Fitted to test
vehicle: 148bhp (150PS) engine
(£2,200), DSG automatic gearbox
(£2,200), cab carpet (£110), metallic
paint (£1,000), reversing camera
(£290), diesel heating (£1,250),
cassette toilet (£500), 80W solar
panel (£595), lithium battery
upgrade (£650) Webasto diesel
blown-air (£1,250)
Warranty Three years/100,000
miles on base vehicle and two
years/24,000 miles on conversion
Price from £51,900
Price as tested £60, 695
CONTACTS
Bilbo’s Eastbourne Road, South
Godstone, Surrey RH9 8JQ
bilbos.com
☎ 01342 892499
bilbos1977 Bilbos1977

20 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 driver. The new infotainment system features
App Connect, enabling you to wirelessly
connect to your smartphone using Apple
CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink
interfaces. Below, there are two USB ports.
However, the change that VW makes
most fuss about is the switch from hydraulic
to electromechanical power steering. This is
claimed to reduce fuel consumption and,
more significantly, allows the integration of
driver assistance systems for the first time
on a Transporter, including Crosswind Assist
(automatically activated above 50mph) as
outandaboutlive.co.uk
standard. Also available at extra cost
are Park Assist (which can park the T6.1
automatically in parallel or perpendicular
spaces) and Trailer Assist (to help with the
black art of reversing a trailer).
Raise the roof
While the majority of campervans in this
class (including other models in the Bilbo’s
stable) adopt the long-established side
kitchen format, the Nexa+ appeals to buyers
seeking either single beds or a fitted toilet,
or both. It’s based on a short-wheelbase 
June 2020 campervan 21
Choosing | Bilbo’s Nexa+
Transporter (a long-wheelbase version is
also offered) which, at 4.90m long, is shorter
than a BMW 5 Series estate and fits into a
typical parking bay – easily, thanks to
excellent all-round vision, parking sensors
and the optional reversing camera.
Bilbo’s fits its own elevating roof, a proven
design called the Low-Lie, which keeps
overall height down to just over 2m when
lowered. Unusually, in a market dominated
by German Reimo and SCA pop-tops, the
Bilbo’s roof is side-hinged rather than lifting
from the front or rear.
That is more significant with this type of
layout as it endows the whole living area
with the same headroom – at 2.14m
maximum, it’s plenty for even the tallest
campervanners. Not only that, but the
Low-Lie must be one of the easiest roofs to
raise and lower. It is secured simply with two
straps inside the ’van and, when raised, has
two windows in the nearside to let lots of
light into the vehicle. There are flyscreened
panels (with covers) at either end for
Pros
z Easy-to-operate elevating roof
z Kitchen with three burners and grill
Cons
z Narrow aisle at rear
z Lack of shoulder room when
standing at the loo
22 campervan June 2020
ventilation, while a 1.11m by 0.47m shelf at
the front of the roof is very useful for coats
and bags on site.
Below the roof, the layout is another
established design, tweaked in this latest
Nexa+ form to include a Thetford swivel
cassette toilet. Up front, both cab seats
swivel to face a pair of individual RIB chairs,
while the main galley unit on the nearside is
faced by more storage, the fridge and that
all-important loo.
The cab chairs and RIB seats match in
VW’s new Titanium Black ‘Bricks’ cloth trim
and the front seats come with twin armrests.
They rotate easily on VW factory swivels,
without opening the cab doors, to create
a practical four-seat lounge with plenty of
legroom for a quartet of campers, while the
rear seats have a degree of backrest rake
adjustment and come with automotive-type
head restraints.
As this is a two-berth conversion, there’s
only a table on the offside. It stores (with leg
folded underneath) between the loo and the
tailgate where it is easily accessible,
although I did find it impossible to reattach
its retaining strap with the rear door closed.
The table is ideally sized for two diners and
simply clips to a rail on the wall.
All the creature comforts
Many campervans of this size have just
a two-burner hob, but the Nexa+ not only
goes one better than that with an extra gas
ring, it has a separate grill below, too.
The hob is part of a Dometic combination
sink and cooker with a one-piece glass lid,
which has a surprisingly large worktop area
to its left.
Below the sink is a large, deep drawer
with an unusual arched front, while another
much slimmer drawer under the grill serves
for cutlery and utensils. Underneath here
is a blank panel that hides the gas locker
(accessed via the tailgate) and the fresh
water tank (36 litres, inboard). Then, forward
of this is a large cupboard, tall enough for
cereal packets, etc. Bilbo’s has made good
outandaboutlive.co.uk
 layout, as it
The Nexa+ is the latest chapter in the development of Bilbo’s rear kitchen
Potti in a cupboard
answers customer requests for a fitted cassette toilet rather than the Porta
use of the rear end of this conversion, with
a more generous amount of storage than
you’d expect, although a gap of just 420mm
between the opposing furniture units could
be an issue for some.
It’s on the offside that the new Nexa+
differs from the original Nexa. The fridge (a
47-litre compressor model mounted off the
floor for easier access) has moved forward
to accommodate the cassette toilet in the
rear corner, while there are cupboards both
above and below the fridge.
Behind the loo is a shallow wardrobe with
hanging rail and also fitted with a couple of
removable shelves. The toilet itself partially
hides under a hinged flap that creates a little
more working space for the cook.
There’s plenty of room to sit on the toilet
but standing up can be problematic due to
the intrusion of the section of original VW
van roof above. Of course, the sink is close
by for hand washing and an elasticated
curtain simply clips in place between the
kitchen and seating to provide some privacy
from the front half of the camper (but only
to roof-down height). You’ll need to pull the
kitchen and tailgate curtains, too, when
using the loo, and you’ll find lined curtains
throughout the Nexa+, even around the
cab. The curtains provide good levels of
blackout and they press-stud to the walls
at appropriate intervals except in the cab,
where they hang by your feet when in bed.
The RIB beds are simple to make up
– remove back seat headrests, fold rear seat
squabs over through 180 degrees and tip
backrests forward to horizontal – repeat
on the other side and the job’s done.
One bed is just under 6ft long, the other is
a shade over, and of course the centre aisle
remains clear so either person can get up to
go to the kitchen or loo without disturbing
their partner (the tailgate is free for entry/
exit of the camper, too). Both beds are flat
for three quarters of their length and slope
down where your feet go on the cab chairs
– it’s not a major comfort issue for most.
A Webasto programmable diesel-fired
heater ensures that cold isn’t a problem,
either. It’s a pricey option at £1,250 but one
that you wouldn’t want to be without. Its
digital controller is mounted behind the
offside rear passenger seat where you’ll
also see the main Bilbo’s control panel, a 12V
socket and twin USBs. Opposite, on the end
of the galley, is a double 230V power point.
Lighting is generously catered for with a
selection of LED downlights, over the
kitchen, toilet, rear seats and even over the
cab chairs. There’s also an LED strip running
under the edge of the kitchen – a rare hint
of bling from a maker that puts quality and
practicality first. And, on a practical note,
the under-seat lockers are large and empty
– you’ll be able to get all of your bedding
into just one of them.

Verdict Bilbo’s Nexa+ answers the need of some buyers for single beds and a fitted
toilet in a vehicle as small as a short-wheelbase VW. As ever with Bilbo’s, it
eschews flashiness for down-to-earth practicality when camping, matched to
top-notch build quality and safety. Like the VW Transporter it is based upon, it has
evolved, not radically, but with useful improvements.

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 23

Enjoying | Wales

Wild Wales

24 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Discovering Snowdon’s
quieter side and dipping
our toes in the Irish Sea in
wonderful north Wales, back
in the good old days when
we were allowed out…
WORDS & PHOTOS Geneve Brand

W
ith the weather forecast looking good for the
weekend, my husband, Steve, and I wasted no
time in throwing the essentials into our trusty
classic camper and setting off for Snowdonia
as soon as the working week was done.
The journey took around four hours, being a 200-mile
drive away. We were very pleased to find that the on-site
bar at Tyddyn Llwyn Camping, Caravan and Touring Park
near Porthmadog was still open and happy to check us in
and serve us a well-earned pint of real ale upon our arrival
at 10pm!
The next morning, we were up bright and early in
preparation for a big day out. Although we’d been up
Snowdon a couple of times before, via the hair-raising Crib
Goch route and also the more sedate Pyg Track from the
Llanberis side of the mountain, the quieter, but equally
dramatic, south ridge was yet to be explored.

Summit special
Being a lovely sunny morning, we figured we wouldn’t
be alone in wanting to conquer this friendly giant, which is
said to be the tomb of the giant Rhitta Gawr, who wore a
cloak made of men’s beards and was killed by King Arthur.
He gives Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) its name, as this loosely
translates as ‘tumulus’.
From the campsite, we took a short drive over to Pont
Bethania just beyond the popular village of Beddgelert
and secured a spot at the pay and display car park. This
was already filling up quickly, despite it only being 8am.
Not having had breakfast, we enjoyed a hearty bowl of
porridge and a cup of tea in our ’van before setting off.
The route up Snowdon from Pont Bethania is via the
Watkin Path. This path, like many of the footpaths in
Snowdonia, owes its origins to its slate mining history. As
a result, the first part of the hike up to the old quarry that
sits in a green valley at the foot of Snowdon is an easy one.
The Watkin Path is a well-marked track that follows a
river upwards and is punctuated by waterfalls that are

ABOVE View of Criccieth Castle

RIGHT View of the summit of Snowdon;
Train at the summit of Snowdon


outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 25

Enjoying | Wales
stunning in the morning sun. A particular highlight is the
Watkins Waterfall, which is the perfect spot to stop for a
break and a dip in the natural pools, if you’re feeling brave.
The path becomes steeper from here and then
meanders past a number of fallen-down slate cottages
that must have once been the dwellings of those who
worked at the slate quarry. Who knows how old these
cottages might be or when they were last lived in, but
Steve and I love to stop and stare at such places and
imagine what life must have been like there…
Just beyond the houses, the track ends as it meets what’s
left of the quarry, which is marked with a monument in the
shape of a large boulder, known as the Gladstone Rock.
The path was named after Sir Edward Watkin, a railway
tycoon who was responsible for the installation of the path
that leads from the South Snowdon Slate Quarry (as it was
then) to the summit of Snowdon.
This route was officially opened in 1892 by the then-
prime minister, William Gladstone, who addressed a crowd
of 2,000. It’s hard to imagine an 83-year-old prime
minister trekking up Snowdon followed by such a crowd
in this day and age, but I suppose those Victorians were
made of sterner stuff!
Although we could have followed the Watkin Path up
to the summit of Snowdon from here, we instead chose to
split off to the left to join a track that heads steeply uphill.
This leads to a dramatic ridge that’s knife-edged in places;
this ridge can then be followed up to Snowdon. As this
isn’t the most common ascent, we soon had the place to
ourselves and enjoyed an interesting break as we sat on
a large rock and watched a farmer training a rather lively
and wayward young sheepdog.
This ridge route eventually joins the Rhyd Ddu Path,
which comes up from Beddgelert and which also meets
the top of the Watkin Path. From there it’s a short, but
steep, climb to the top of Snowdon. However, in hindsight,
we wished we hadn’t bothered continuing to the summit
from here, having already seen it before.
Although the train that goes up to the top of Snowdon
offers the opportunity of seeing the world from the top of
a mountain to those who may not otherwise be able to get
up there, the summit is quite small. As a result, there is very
little standing room for everyone to appreciate the
magnificent views across Snowdonia and out to the Irish
Sea. The smell of toilets and deep fat fryers emanating
Views along the ridge as we headed up Snowdon
26 campervan June 2020
With its turquoise sea and little boats, the scene
was somewhat reminiscent of the French Riviera
from the restaurant at the Hafod Eryri (Snowdon Summit)
Visitor Centre is also quite an alien concept. I felt that the
whole experience was very far removed from everything
I love about the solitude and purity of the mountains.
Needless to say, we didn’t dawdle on the summit and,
instead, quickly retraced our steps back to the Watkin Path
and down to the quarry where we’d peeled off up the
ridge earlier that day. Although it started to rain as we
headed back down past the waterfalls, there were a
number of people swimming in the pools who eagerly
beckoned us to join them. Despite the temptation, I didn’t
have a spare set of clothes to change into…
What I have so far failed to mention is that our campsite,
Tyddyn Llwyn, has its own American-style smokehouse
restaurant – Tŷ Mŵg Beer & Brisket Smokehouse. The
menu had not escaped our attention during our visit to
the bar the night before. So, in the interest of research
you understand, we had booked a table.
Having worked up quite a healthy appetite by now,
we were keen not to be late for our reservation! The food
certainly lived up to our expectations, but hearty research
is indeed tiring work and so, with full bellies, we were
safely tucked up in bed by 9pm.
Cracking views at Criccieth
The following morning, we awoke to more sunshine, so
we enjoyed a lazy al fresco breakfast on the grass before
heading out to explore. Not being familiar with the area,
I’d heard that the nearby Llŷn Peninsula was very nice and
so we headed in this direction. However, we didn’t get far
because the approach to the little town of Criccieth, with
its pretty castle and postcard-perfect beach, is very
alluring. As we came around a bend, we spotted a seafront
car park with a number of campers already parked up.
It was a done deal!
I’ve never been able to go to the seaside without
instantly removing my shoes and going straight in for
a paddle so, without further ado, that’s what we did. It
was heavenly, too.
The beach is quite short and so we strolled up and down
The beach at Criccieth
outandaboutlive.co.uk
 LEFT View of Criccieth from the castle
BELOW The walk up Snowdon; Pitched at
Tyddyn Llwyn campsite

Our 'van 1986 VW T25

Transporter
CONVERSION TYPE
Handbuilt conversion by an
unknown previous owner
OWNED 2007– 2020
LAYOUT Side kitchen with a rock ‘n’
roll style bed
TRAVEL SEATS/BERTHS 4
WHAT WE L♥VE ABOUT IT With
the exception of food and clothes,
absolutely everything we need to
go camping lives in our ’van
permanently, so we never have to
plan, or worry about forgetting stuff.
It only takes five minutes to unpack
when we get home, too


outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 27

Enjoying | Wales

several times, spotting jellyfish and crabs hiding in rock

pools and watching people having fun in all manner of
seafaring vessels, from kayaks and surfboards to little boats
and yachts. At the head of the beach is a small pier and
we sat on some rocks for a while and watched as an old
tractor assisted boats on and off the shore – until the
attraction of the castle above proved irresistible.
Criccieth Castle may only be small by castle standards
and is a ruin, so there’s not really that much of it to see.
But it’s perched on a headland that juts into the sea and
the views on a clear day from here are quite stunning. The
grounds around the castle are also tiered with gardens and
viewpoints and plenty of benches scattered about, so it’s
ideal for chilling out or having a picnic on a hot day.
We must have spent a couple of hours here, extensively
testing the comfort of each bench in turn, gazing at
mountains in the distance that protrude like oversized
wisdom teeth and marvelling at the cove below. With its
turquoise sea and little boats, the scene was somewhat
reminiscent of the French Riviera.
We also explored the castle experience centre and gift
shop, which is probably more designed for children and
with rainy days in mind. However, I’ve never been one to
turn down the chance of sitting in a plastic throne and
trying my hand at some interactive, medieval-inspired ABOVE Lifeboat cream flavours, as well as a whole range of different
games! Such fun. station, Criccieth cones and toppings; yum!
We could have stayed in the castle at Criccieth all day BELOW THE The We bought the biggest ice creams that we could
but we had a long drive home ahead and I wasn’t leaving remains of Criccieth physically carry and then took a slow walk down the hill,
without paying a visit to the Cadwalader's ice cream Castle past the lifeboat station and along the esplanade back
parlour that we’d passed on our way up to the castle. Ice to our ’van.
cream really is my primary weakness and Cadwalader's We’d had the most wonderful weekend away
is amazing. They serve a huge selection of fantastic ice discovering this part of Wales and can’t wait to return.

We TYDDYN LLWYN CAMPING,

stayed at CARAVAN AND TOURING PARK

Morfa Bychan Road, Porthmadog,
Gwynedd LL49 9UR tyddynllwyn.com

This trip took place prior to the Coronavirus pandemic. We are publishing it for your enjoyment and to help you plan your future trips. Readers
must follow the latest government advice before leaving their homes. gov.uk/coronavirus

28 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 EASY CAMP®
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convenience for carefree outdoor life
Easy Camp drive-aways are simple to understand and even
easier to use. They provide the ideal solution if you want to add
versatile living space to your campervan. The stylish awnings
complement any vehicle with attachment heights from 180cm
to 205cm. And all without a heavy weight and packed size
penalty – or a hefty price tag!
June 2020 campervan 29
Enjoying | Editors’ choice

Our favourite sites

The top campsites that our members of staff would stay at again and again…

1 Au Coin Tranquille, Savoie, France

+ 6 Chemin des Vignes, 38490 Les Abrets
☎ 0033 476 321348 coin-tranquille.com ˆ 1 April – 4 November
Au Coin Tranquille (translation: At the quiet corner) at Les Abrets is one of those rare destinations
where the on-site restaurant is good enough to attract locals, not just campers. Perhaps it’s the
huge choice of menus, but more likely it’s the size of the sundaes. Well, at least you can work off
the calories in the pool!
Or, maybe, with a swim in the nearby Lac d’Aiguebelette, said to boast the warmest and
cleanest waters of any lake in Europe. Its colouring looks like a bad case of over-photoshopping
but it really is that turquoise. The whole lake is privately owned, so you’ll pay to use its beaches,
and €6 for the day for a family seemed pretty reasonable, especially as lifeguards were on duty. Peter Vaughan,
This site’s remote location and super-friendly staff make for a holiday feeling as soon as you
arrive. Hedges between pitches provide privacy and kids club activities and swimming pools Editor (What Motorhome)
keep any little ones amused. One of the best French sites we’ve ever stayed at.

30 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 2 Kelling Heath Holiday Park, Norfolk
+ Sandy Hill Lane, Holt NR25 7HW ☎ 01263 588181
kellingheath.co.uk ˆ 10 February – 2 January
Kelling is a thriving place, packed with
top-quality facilities and activities,
making it a great destination for
families with children, as there's plenty
to keep them entertained. Pitches here
are surrounded by natural countryside
and you can walk for what seems like
miles through woodland without
actually leaving the campsite.
Although the site is a couple of miles
inland, you’re a short drive from the
coast and the fantastic beaches, and
you can walk there, too.
The amenities on site are of a high
standard and there are plenty of them,
all within easy walking distance of the
various touring areas.
The hub of the site is the village
square and this is where you will find
the main facilities, including the
well-stocked shop, café, pub and
leisure centre. Keeping up the au
naturel feel, all the buildings are
wooden clad and fit perfectly into
the surroundings here.
The leisure centre offers various
membership options, allowing guests
to take advantage of a 19-metre indoor
swimming pool and a heated outdoor
pool in summer, plus a spa, sauna and
steam room, as well as a gym. If you
want to head off site then bike hire is
available, along with maps of different
routes in the surrounding area.

Clare Kelly, Editor (Caravan)

3 Gibraltar Farm, Lancashire

+ Jenny Brown's Point, Silverdale LA5 0UA
☎ 01524701736 gibfarm.weebly.comk ˆ All year
Gibraltar Farm sits on Morecambe Bay in the far northwest
corner of Lancashire, close to the border with Cumbria.
It’s a fairly long drive through the countryside to reach it,
but it’s well worth it when you do.
As you drive through the farm entrance, past old equipment
and outbuildings, you might not think so, but then you turn
a corner and the campsite suddenly appears before you,
stretching down a steep hill and running off towards the coast.
From the top of the hill the views over the bay and the
surrounding countryside are simply breathtaking and, if you’re
lucky, you will get to enjoy some of the most fabulous sunsets
you’ll find anywhere in
Britain, too.
There are hardstanding
and grass pitches, with
electric hook-ups
available. And, while
there’s no formal playpark,
the rocky outcrop in the
centre of the field acts as
a playground for the kids
on site. It all feels very
back to nature – the site
Rachel Stothert, is clean and tidy but not
Deputy Editor (MM M) pristine. Ideal if you like
laid-back camping! 

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 31

Enjoying | Editors’ choice
4 Llanberis Touring Park,
Gwynedd
+ Glyn Rhonwy, Llanberis LL55 4EL
☎ 01286 870700
morris-leisure.co.uk
ˆ 1 March – 11 January
Driving through the Llanberis Pass to get
to the ‘gateway to Snowdon’ is such a
thrill! The main path up Snowdon (and
the railway) is just a 20-minute walk from
the site and Llyn Padarn – for swimming,
boating and a railway – is almost on the
doorstep, too.
Gentler pursuits in this adventure capital
include walks in neighbouring woods and
around Padarn Country Park to the
fascinating National Slate Museum (free)
and the atmospheric ruins of Dolbadarn
Castle, so there's plenty to do!
Everything about this top-notch site is
32 campervan June 2020
5 Stonehenge Campsite,
Wiltshire
+ Berwick Road, Salisbury SP3 4TQ
☎ 07786 734732
stonehengecampsite.co.uk
ˆ All year
This site advertises itself as dog-friendly,
group-friendly, child-friendly, campfire-
friendly... In fact, they are pretty much
everyone-friendly and that, more than
anything, is what makes it a special site.
When we visited there were signs posted
offering you free toothpaste, shower gel,
shampoo, body lotion and soap. The wardens
will even supply you with a toothbrush if you
don’t remember to bring your own!
The shower blocks are spotlessly clean, too.
The site is relatively small and tranquil, and has
been extensively landscaped, ensuring it
blends in with the surrounding countryside.
There are various walks in the area and you
can reach at least five pubs on foot, including
the Bell Inn in Winterbourne Stoke, where full
English breakfast is served from 9am. You can
also walk to a farm shop at Berwick.
The site is an ideal base for exploring all
that this county has to offer but there’s no
doubt it is Stonehenge itself that is the biggest
draw. It’s just 10 minutes away by car – or an
hour’s walk if you’re feeling energetic.
Helen Werin,
Travel Editor (MMM)
pristine. The wardens are knowledgeable
about the area, the shop sells basic
groceries and camping stuff, dogs are
welcome and WiFi is available at a charge.
The 35 hardstanding and 19 super pitches
are well spaced, so it's great for
campervans and motorhomes.
It’s only a five-minute walk into Llanberis
itself, where you'll find a well-stocked Spar
and a good choice of places to eat (we
favour the Padarn Hotel’s bistro.)
Oh, and my favourite castle ever, Iain Duf f, Editor (Camping)
Caernarfon, is only six miles up the road!
Well worth a visit.
outandaboutlive.co.uk
 6 +
Longnor Wood Holiday Park, Derbyshire
Longnor, Buxton SK17 0NG
☎ 01298 83648 longnorwood.co.uk
ˆ 1 March – 10 January
If you’re looking for an adults-only retreat for a relaxing break,
then Longnor Wood comes highly recommended. Set within the
Peak District National Park, in a secluded position and surrounded
by woodland, means this is a nature lover’s paradise and the
perfect place for just chilling out. However, if you like being
active, then there’s plenty of walking and cycling routes to enjoy
locally, along with other outdoor activities in
the National Park.
Pitches are all-weather hardstandings
with electric hook-up. There are also 27
fully serviced pitches. The excellent amenities
include toilet cubicles with their own individual
basins, showers (all with heated flooring) and a
laundry room. There’s also a dog wash, boules
court and putting green.
Dog owners, like myself, will appreciate the
massive meadow that adjoins the tent field
where dogs can run free while the humans
Will Hawkins, Online Editor take in the stunning views across the valley.

7 +
Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, Cornwall
Pentewan, St Austell PL26 6BT ☎ 01726 843485
pentewan.co.uk ˆ 29 March – 2 November
As the rhyme goes, ‘I do like to be beside the seaside’, and for beachside campsites you
can’t get much closer than Pentewan Sands. The front row pitches are literally a few steps
from the golden sands, but they do get booked up quickly.
Cornwall’s beaches are stunning, and this site’s location between Pentewan and
Mevagissey is no exception. An extra bonus is that the famous Lost Gardens of Heligan
is just a short drive away. Claire Tupholme,
The site pitches are grass with electric, and servicing the 400+ pitches are four toilet
blocks, with disabled facilities and a laundry. Content Editor (Campsites)
It’s a great site for any season. In summer there are watersports and a snack bar on the
beach but, if the weather isn’t favourable, there are two indoor pools to choose from. For food and drink
there is a bar, restaurant, fish and chips and a supermarket – everything really is covered at Pentewan!

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 33

Enjoying | Editors’ choice

8 Burravoe Pier Trust Caravan & Campsite, Shetland

+ Burravoe, Yell ZE2 9AY ☎ 01957 722315 ˆ All year
The northern island of Yell is a short ferry ride from Shetland’s local volunteers who
mainland. This is my favourite site because it is small (just eight come to empty the
campervan pitches), peaceful and run by volunteers with the honesty box for payment
proceeds ploughed back into the community. There is a small and take care of the site.
sanitary facilities block with a good shower, toilets and a kitchen. From the site there is a
Carol Kubicki, Travel writer
The roof of the sanitary block is made from one of the lifeboats splendid walk to the cliffs
from the SS Canberra. to watch puffins and other seabirds, and around the ness (headland),
You can sit in your campervan and watch the fishing boats come where you might see otters and seals. The nearby community-run
and go and a lorry collect the catch (if you ask nicely you will be Burravoe Old Haa houses a local museum that serves tea and
given a handful of mussels for your tea). You can also chat to the fantastic homemade cake.

9 +
Tyddyn Llwyn Park, Gwynedd
Morfa Bychan Road, Porthmadog LL49 9UR
☎ 01766 512205 tyddynllwyn.com ˆ 1 March – 31 October
This site is in a great location in Snowdonia, close to places like Porthmadog, so it’s
within easy reach of both mountains and the stunning Atlantic coast. During our
weekend stay, we hiked up Snowdon via the quieter north ridge on one day, and
then went out to the beach on the next. We spotted the stunning beach and castle
at Criccieth, and had to stop! There is excellent seafront parking suitable for
campervans here.
The site itself is perfect. It’s not too big and
is tiered so that you have nice views of the
hills wherever you pitch, and you should also
get the morning sun. The way it’s laid out
with plenty of hedges and trees makes it feel
like you’re camping in the countryside, so
it has more of a rural and rustic feel.
Facilities are excellent. Not just the loos,
and shop, but how often do you get an
on-site pub that serves proper beer? It even
has its own own American-style smokehouse,
Geneve Brand, too, and a meal in its restaurant is certainly
Editor (Campervan) not one to be missed. We’d go back just for
this alone!

We visited these places prior to the Coronavirus pandemic. We are publishing this information for your enjoyment and to help you plan your
future trips. Readers must follow the latest government advice before leaving their homes. gov.uk/coronavirus

34 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

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outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 35
 Norway Chill out in
I
‘ wonder what the weather is like in Norway in April?’
was the question I pondered in a warm, sunny, very
spring-like southwest France.
Having wintered in the Aquitaine region, I was
keen to get back on the road. Norway had been
on my list for a couple of years, ever since I had seen the
distant, spectacular coast from the Denmark to Iceland
ferry a couple of years previously.
Preparation was quite minimal. I registered online for
the Norwegian tolls, which are all based on cameras and
automated charging. Vehicle insurance was checked to
see if Norway was covered and some quickly researched
details of camping and waterfall locations were
downloaded using WiFi at the local library.
I left my base near Bordeaux on a late March morning
(in 2019) and, after using motorways the whole 1,300-mile
36 campervan June 2020
distance, arrived in Hirtshals on the north coast of
Denmark two days later, and checked into a campsite.
The Hirtshals to Langesund ferry (Fjord Line) was
booked online for 9am the following morning.
On the way to Norway
I left a dull and wet Denmark on a pretty much deserted
ferry and four-and-a-half hours later arrived in sunny, but
chilly, southern Norway. Customs clearance consisted of
three questions; did I speak Norwegian or English, was
I on holiday, and where was I headed today?
My plan was to head up the western side of Norway.
Almost immediately I came across quite a large lake, ABOVE
Hauklandstranda;
totally frozen over. Three days before I’d been in shorts
some of the
and a tee shirt. Now it seemed that I’d returned to winter! Norwegian beaches
Norway is very campervan-friendly. They have are stunning
outandaboutlive.co.uk

It’s beautiful, it’s exhilarating, it’s
an adventure and it’s a very
campervan-friendly country…
WORDS & PHOTOS Mike Waterman
bobilplassen (motorhome stopovers that are often free).
Many look a little like car parks, especially those in a
town, but others are on harbours and marinas or in
the countryside. Some have electricity for a fee and
sometimes showers and toilets are available. Most are
detailed online and the key information is clear to a
non-Norwegian speaker.
On my first day in Norway, I headed to Båly Havn,
near Lindesnes, on the coast between Kristiansand and
Stavanger. I arrived to find a marina complex with holiday
housing but, on the other side, I spotted four Norwegian
motorhomes at the end of a harbour wall in a gorgeous
setting. Taking their lead, I parked up. The online
information had promised my spot was free. There was
a toilet at the marina buildings some 300m away, plus
a shower, which could be paid for at the marina office.
outandaboutlive.co.uk
Norway | Enjoying
Plan I based my trip in April/May around the
your trip National Tourist Routes and visited the
Lofoten Islands, Nordkapp, Tromsø,
Trondheim and Oslo, travelling 4,519 miles
(7,273km) within Norway over 45 nights and using
five free bobilparkering spots and 26 campsites
Toll registration and payment (Euro Parking
Collection plc) epcplc.com
Find out about the motorhome stopover network
bobilplassen.no
Discover Norway’s 18 scenic tourist routes
nasjonaleturistveger.no
My ’van has twin 88Ah batteries, an Eberspächer diesel ABOVE Reindeer
heater, chemical toilet and a small solar panel on the roof, are free to roam
so a night or two off grid is to be welcomed in exchange and farmed by
the Sami people
for some free camping, especially in such a lovely location. in the far north;
Norway has 18 National Tourist Routes (Nasjonale Trondheim wharves
turistveger) and marking them on my map with a
highlighter pen suggested an obvious route north, simply
by joining some of the routes together. That was as much
planning as my route received.
Being a very thin and long country, broadly speaking,
you head either up or down. This was especially so in April
as I discovered that many of the inland routes were still
closed for winter, including the famous Trolls Ladder
(Trollstigen) series of hairpin bends. Coast equals
passable routes and mountains equal closed roads.
My third day in Norway confirmed my first impression 
June 2020 campervan 37
 Enjoying | Norway

about tolls. They are everywhere. My thought of taking
back roads and avoiding them was not at all foolproof. The
cameras are thick on the ground, especially in the south.
A sign tells you the charge, but I soon gave up trying to
keep tabs on what I’d spent. The individual amounts are
small, yet the frequency is high.
At least the process is painless; you get an email
giving the total monthly figure in sterling and a detailed
breakdown of the individual tolls, complete with photos of
your vehicle to prove the point. The bill is charged to the
credit card specified when first registering.
Heaps of highlights
I stayed in 31 different places in Norway; here are some
of the highlights…
Preikestolen Camping, east of Stavanger, is only two
miles from the car park for the famous Pulpit Rock, where
it cost NOK200 (£16 approx) to park. One of the rangers
told me that, during high season, they get between 8,000
and 9,000 visitors but, on the day of my visit, he estimated
only 20 or 30. It’s only a four-kilometre (two-and-a-half
miles) hike to this much-photographed spot but, mainly
due to the weather, I found it tough. The trail marks were
getting difficult to see in the mist and, when I got above
the snow line, I missed quite a few of the markers. It also
started to snow heavily and I really was losing the trail.
I found the rock more through luck than judgement, took
a hasty photo and retreated before my footprints – which
were my only guide back – disappeared in the snow!
Back in the car park the ranger was still in situ. He was
worried about a group of Dutch people who were not
properly dressed. I told him about a Chinese woman that
I’d met heading up as I was descending. She was wearing
trainers and a thin waterproof. He said he hadn’t seen the
woman, otherwise he would have stopped her, and that
he would wait for her and the Dutch people to return.
I used Preikestolen Camping as a base from which to
see Jørpeland and the Jørpeland River Falls and to go even
further north for the short hike to see the waterfalls at
Sendingfossen and Hiafossen. These two waterfalls on the
Storåna river are very close together on the same
reasonably short walk. It’s a gentle climb walking upstream,
although the path is quite rocky and can be slippery. Both
falls are worth the effort on their own, but with two for the
price of one and the benefit of downhill on the way back,
the reward is high.
Sand is a lovely little town. The local wharf doubles
as free bobilparkering with an amazing view down
Sandsfjorden. A short drive into the hills is Fossadn,
another spectacular waterfall.
Heading towards Bergen, Sundal Camping is well worth
a stay. Firstly, Furebergfossen (another waterfall) is a short
drive away and, secondly, it is also possible to walk from
the site to the Bondhusvatnet (Lake Bondhus) and a
remarkable view of the Bondhus Glacier.
Norway seems to have a very high level of motorhome
ownership and they get used. I was there during a public
holiday and was very lucky to find a pitch although, after
the two-day rush, the country was again mine.
Mosjøen looks just like a visitor would describe a
Norwegian town with multi-coloured, wooden buildings
lining a fjord-based location. Mosjøen Camping is on the
edge of the small town, conveniently close to a Rema
1000 supermarket.
A short walk allows exploration of the quaint streets, and
I crossed the bridge and took the wide footpath along the
western shore of the Vefsnfjord, which gives lovely views
of the town on the opposite bank of the fjord.
If I had to pick one place in Norway, it would be this
string of islands all joined together by a beautiful road
which is, unsurprisingly, a tourist route. The Lofoten Islands
and I got off to a great start as, from my pitch in Moskenes
Camping, I had the joy of watching a pod of orcas cruise
by. Camping just doesn’t get better than that!
To Nordkapp, of course
I’m not sure it’s possible to visit Norway and not want to
get to Nordkapp, the most northerly point of mainland
Europe. I was concerned about the roads, as it’s at 71
degrees north, nearly five degrees past the Arctic Circle.

Furøy Camping, near the ferry Kjøsnesfjorden

2016 VW Transporter T6 LWB LAYOUT Side kitchen, rock ‘n’ roll style roof and an Eberspächer diesel heater. I
My 'van Trendline bench/bed shipped it over from Antwerp in Belgium to
Halifax, Nova Scotia, travelling on the same
CONVERSION TYPE Adventure TRAVEL SEATS/BERTHS 5/2
ship as a passenger, and spent a year in the
Trek by Stratford-based Camper King WHAT I L♥VE ABOUT IT It’s so flexible. US and Canada, before shipping it back to
camperking.co.uk
Off-grid camping is aided by two 85Ah Europe, using the same shipping service, to
OWNED SINCE 2016 leisure batteries, a 65W solar panel on the embark on the European leg of my road trip.

38 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 I Free overnighting
stayed at Båly Havn, Lindesnes
N58° 02’ 28” E7° 09’ 14”
Sand Bobilparkering on the wharf
N59° 29’ 06” E6° 14’ 50”
Honningsvåg N70° 59’ 34” E25° 56’ 35”
Narvik 1940 Memorial Layby N68° 23’ 06” E17° 15’ 13”
Trondheim Bobilparkering N63° 25’ 33” E10° 22’ 55”

Campsites at
Brusand Camping 4363 Brusand brusand-camping

Preikestolen Camping 4100 Jørpeland

preikestolencamping.com

Sundal Camping 5476 Mauranger

sundalcamping.com

Voss Camping 5700 Vossevangen vosscamping.no

Jølstraholmen Camping 6847 Vassenden

jolstraholmen.no

Steinvik Camping 2390 Moelv steinvikcamping.no

Volsdalen Camping 6001 Ålesund

volsdalencamping.no

Byskogen camping 6517 Kristiansund

byskogencamping.no

Follingstua Camping 7732 Steinkjer follingstua.no

Mosjøen Camping 8657 Mosjøen

mosjoencamping.no

Bodøsjøen Camping 8070 Bodø ☎ 0047 75 563680

Moskenes Camping 8392 Sørvågen

moskenescamping.no

Ramberg Gjestegård 8380 Ramberg

ramberg-gjestegard.no

Brustranda Sjøcamping 8357 Valberg

brustranda.no

Kvalnesbrygga 8485 Dverberg kvalnesbrygga.no

Harstad Camping 9411 Harstad harstadcamping.no

Alta Strand Camping 9518 Alta altacamping.no

Tromsø Camping 9020 Tromsdalen

tromsolodgeandcamping.no

Saltstraumen Camping 8056 Saltrauen

saltstraumen-camping.no

Furøy Camping 8178 Halsa furoycamp.no

Sandnessjøen Camping 8800 Sandnessjøen ssj.no

Namsos Camping 7800 Namsos

namsos-camping.no

Flakk Camping 7070 Bosberg flakk-camping.no

Mageli Camping 2635 Tretten magelicamping.no

Bogstad Camping & Turistsenter 0766 Oslo

Fossadn waterfall bogstadcamping.no


outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 39

Enjoying | Norway

Take good-quality walking gear, phoned a number, often left on a noticeboard,

Top tips a good heater and as many supplies
as your ’van can carry
In the low season, Bogstad Camp and
Turistsenter is the closest camping to Oslo; it’s
a short bus ride to the city centre. In high season
there is also a large bobilparkering at the marina
I found the opening dates of sites to be flexible
and governed by the weather. Most had owners
or managers living on site or nearby. If you
someone would come along and open up
I used short-hop ferries to cross fjords. In low
season you pay on board, by cash or credit card.
In high season some ferries have ticket booths
Most campsites include electricity and WiFi,
but the majority charge for a shower
I found that credit cards are accepted
everywhere

I took faith in the fact that Norwegians seem to be masters
at clearing snow. When required, they regularly plough
and spray the main routes.
I eventually arrived at Nordkapp on a late evening at the
beginning of May. Twice a day you can wait at the end of
the final road and a snowplough will provide an escort, but
I was too late. The last few miles were dodgy. The road
had been ploughed, but the wind was drifting large
volumes of snow. Walking around the cape was bitterly
cold in the wind and the snow was up to a metre deep,
but I think later in the year it might just have been another
headland packed with tourists taking selfies.
I was there for an hour and hoped to camp in the car
park. The only other tourist, a young German in his car,
obviously had the same idea. It was a forlorn plan as, when
the visitor centre closed, the three staff members came
over and explained that no one could stay in winter and
that they had called the snowplough to escort them
(and us) back to the main road.
I stayed for free in considerably better weather in
nearby Honningsvåg before heading back for a second
visit to Nordkapp early the following morning.
On the way south, Tromsø gave a good opportunity to
restock as it’s the largest city in northern Norway. I stayed
at Tromsø Camping, which is attached to a sports
complex and an easy walk from the city centre.
On the way is the modern Arctic Cathedral, built
in 1965. The Tromsø Bridge, which crosses the
Tromsøysundet Strait, has a pedestrian walkway which
gives excellent views down to the Tromsø waterfront.
The third largest city in Norway, Trondheim is one of
ABOVE those places which is immediately recognisable, as images
CLOCKWISE of the old quay are so often used to advertise both city
Huldefossen and country.
waterfall; Sand
The Trondheim Bobilparkering gives 24 hours' free
Bobilparkering
on the wharf; parking, although there are no facilities provided. Getting
Atlanterhavsveien a space in high season I suspect would be a real challenge.
National Tourist Located on the south bank of the Nidelva River, it’s a
Route lovely walk along the river bank to the old town area.
BELOW Mike I visited the Gothic-style Nidaros Cathedral,
at Nordkapp commenced in 1070 and radiant in a covering of spring
flowers. Close by, the storehouses of the old quay are
fascinating and at least one can be seen leaning at an
alarming angle. At the southern end of the quay is the
Old Town Bridge.
Walking east from that landmark up the steep hill is the
way to the Kristiansten Festning, a thick-walled fortress
finished in 1685 to protect the city. Lots of cannons,
a coffee shop and great views over the city are the
rewards for a short, sharp, altitude-gaining hike.
I loved Norway in April, to the point where I stayed
for half of May, too. The downsides at that time of year
are that the ability to explore the inland mountains is
severely restricted and the hiking is significantly limited.
Also, much of the free camping was unavailable, especially
in the north, as it was covered in snow. Even some
campsites were closed, or needed a gentle reminder that
the season had started, so it was a case of, “Can you let
me in, please?”
On the upside, there was a real sense of adventure
about the trip. I felt like I had the place to myself.
The Norwegian landscape is magnificent!

This trip took place prior to the Coronavirus pandemic. We are publishing it for your enjoyment and to help you plan your future trips. Readers
must follow the latest government advice before leaving their homes. gov.uk/coronavirus

40 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 IS A UNIQUE GAS STORAGE
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• Reduced operating costs
• Increased safety
• On board level indicator
• Quick/Easy/Cheap fill up

7
Contact us direct:

01425 486950
info@propexheatsource.co.uk
propexheatsource.co.uk
Heat in Motion

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outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 41
Enjoying | Campervan community

campervan
community
We take a look at what's been rockin' your weird
and wonderful campervan world this month...

A hasty retreat!
At the beginning of March, we headed off to complete the Scottish South West Coast 300 but, after just three
days, the COVID-19 situation started to worsen and so we wisely decided to head home back to North Wales.
We broke up the drive home with a stopover at Arnside, south Cumbria, and hopefully, in better times, we’ll
visit again. This photo of the two campervans was taken at Mull of Galloway before we made our hasty retreat.
Guy, email

Very vintage
Having featured the lovely Cambee
Top tip
Classic GT in last month’s issue, Keith My (usually) mobile
sent in this picture of office motorhome
his own eye-catching currently has a SORN
retro-style camper. (Statutory Off Road
We absolutely Notice) on it, so I got a
love the bold colour big refund on the road
choice, and that tax. A handy tip for
iconic chequered anyone who won’t be
flooring is awsome! using their camper until
Quite unusual to see the lockdown is over.
two rail-fitted tables, Helen, Twitter
too. Super-handy!

42 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Campervan community | Enjoying

It’s a dog’s life

This is Hercules, ready for a trip
away in the campervan earlier this
year. He loves going out, when we
can, of course...
In the meantime, we’re keeping
busy planning new adventures for
when the lockdown is lifted, and
doing a few odd jobs on the ’van.
Simon, Facebook

A pizza the action!

We joined in showing our support for the NHS with a trip
down the drive during the Easter bank holiday weekend,
taking part in the Camp Out.
We did cheat a little by eating pizza cooked in the house,
but it was so much fun! My youngest, Ruben, keeps asking
when we can do it again!
Peter, email

Campervanners of the month

Two now very proud owners of Otis, the campervan! We rented Otis for
two weeks before deciding to buy a campervan, and enjoyed it so much
that we actually bought Otis. Bonnie, our labradoodle, has her own seat
in the front and, as soon as we start packing for a trip, she has to be in
her seat just so she can make sure she is coming, too!
We haven't looked back since buying Otis and had 12 excellent
holidays last year. We’re looking forward to retirement soon, and can't
see that we will be at home much when we haven't got to work, and
the lockdown is over.
Jones, email

Lovin’ the lockdown

Today is day 30 of self-isolation
here in Istanbul. We thought it
would be appropriate to celebrate
rather than commiserate. We've
cracked open a beer, made flat
breads for pizzas and we're going
to watch a movie on Netflix. Keep
positive, these times will pass.
Sending virtual hugs
TREADtheglobe, Twitter

Got a question you'd like to ask

Ask Campervan? We'd love to hear from you! 


outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 43

Enjoying | Campervan community

campervan
Warners Group Publications, The
Competition
Maltings, West Street, Bourne, To be in with a chance of winning a Vango Sizzle Induction Hob,
Lincolnshire PE10 9PH worth £55, and a Vango Gourmet Cook Set, worth £45, we
asked you to send us your best stories and pictures…
Editorial
Publisher Fleur Chivers
Head of Content Daniel Attwood
Editor Geneve Brand
01778 395019
Design Claire Honeywood

Advertising
Group Head of Advertising
Fleur Chivers 01778 392071
Key Account Manager
Zellah Knowles 01778 392093
Multimedia Sales Executive
Sue Bullock 01778 391079
Advertising Sales Manager
Ashleigh Chadwick 01778 392050
Parks Account Manager
Connor Jackson 01778 392057
Advertising Production & Design
Kate Goulding, Viv Lane,
Karen Wayman
Distribution 01778 391171
Printed by Warners Midlands plc à Here we have my old Ford Transit works van that’s carried carpets for many years. It came
01778 395111 off the road last September and is now ready to hit the road again, after passing its MoT.
Unfortunately, with what’s going on in the world at the moment, the best place to camp is
on the drive!
Marketing
Paul, email
Brand Manager Lucie Cox
01778 395016

How to subscribe
Digital subscription pocketmags.com or
for print subscriptions call 01778 392019
© Warners Group Publications 2020. All rights
reserved. No part of this magazine may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means without
prior permission. While we welcome written
enquiries we regret we cannot offer advice on a
personal basis. While every care is taken with
unsolicited material submitted for publication, we
cannot be responsible for loss or damage. The views
expressed by contributors are not necessarily those
of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that
the content of this magazine is accurate, but we
assume no responsibility for any effect from errors or
omissions. While every care is taken when accepting
advertisements, we cannot take responsibility for
unsatisfactory transactions.
After travelling in a hired camper to a friend’s
wedding, we pitched up at a campsite, late in
the evening. The wedding was the next day,
at lunch time…
—pixabay
Overnight, I had, in error, left my wedding
gift parcelled up at the back door of the
camper, only to find in the morning that it had
been nibbled by guilty-looking rabbits, who
had destroyed the wrapping paper and box!
Luckily, the item was cookware, but there
were chew marks on the pot handles…
As the wedding was imminent, I had
no choice but to put it in a plastic bag.
Our friends just laughed, and it was
brought to the top table for further mockery
during the speeches. It was a funny story, still
regaled to this day, two years later.
My gift was certainly the only one in
a Sainsbury’s carrier bag! If I win this
competition, I plan on giving my now
married friends the prize, properly wrapped
(in campervan paper!)
God bless all, and stay safe.
Tracey, Twitter

Take #StayAtHome! Why not download Campervan or have it

me out delivered to your door? buy.warnersgroup.co.uk

44 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 This Since last winter, my dad, who has MND (motor neurone disease), can't

month's walk or talk anymore, so he hasn’t been able to use our campervan
much, unfortunately.
winner It’s such a shame as we were so looking forward to 2020, planning
our camping trips and talking about driving over to France – wow! Then
Coronavirus came over to the UK, which is sad. We’re in lockdown and one month
has already gone by, and still no sight of it ending.
So, one sunny day, me and my mum decided to take the campervan to a car
park, open the pop-top roof, and then get my dad there for a surprise...
We had ordered takeout pizza, and you should have seen his eyes light up when
the delivery scooter pulled up! It was amazing to see the look on my dad’s face
Penni-May (aged 12), email

Þ We are both school teachers and, when Þ Really miss my campervan time away,
the children were young, we decided to but am halfway through a total strip out
head to New Zealand and travel for six and refit...
months in Alf. Travel is the BEST education Really looking forward to sitting in the
and we all learnt so much about the countryside watching the world go by
environment, culture and each other. with a glass of something nice and a
Best time ever! meal on the go
Fiona, Twitter Tj Daz, Facebook

Ý This picture reminds me of a campervan

story of arriving at an empty campsite in
Spain, unable to believe our luck. We'd been
travelling so long we didn't know it was a
bank holiday weekend… Returning from a
walk, we found every pitch full! This is the
calm before the chaos…
Carol, Twitter

Þ We woke up one morning to find some

rather noisy neighbours had moved in!
Wayne, Facebook

Ý With the lockdown in place and no sites open, who says you can't camp out in
your camper? Here we are on my birthday weekend camped on our drive for the
#nightoutforthenurses event. I’m also a key worker, and really enjoyed a day off.
Jacky, Facebook

Send us your best campervan stories and pictures!

To be in with a chance of winning a Vango Sunbeam Flexi Light 2m
kit, a Vango Storage Organiser and a Vango Globe 150 light, worth
£100, send us your best campervan stories and pictures!
 campervan@warnersgroup.co.uk

Campervanmag Campervan_Mag using #campervanstories

*Terms & conditions apply. See:
outandaboutlive.co.uk/information/competition-terms Win
Have you got any interesting campervan
Share stories to tell? We'd love to hear from you! 
outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 45
Enjoying | Destination of the month

Yorkshire Dales
Destination of the month

A pootle around this awesome national park has to

be on every campervanner's bucket list, so get
planning your dilly-dally of the Dales...

—alamy.com

46 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 B
eing bang in the middle of the
country, sandwiched between the
Lake District and the North York
Moors National Park, and south of
the North Pennines AONB, this part
of the country is absolute paradise for all
nature lovers.
The Yorkshire Dales is easily accessible,
too, from the M6, north of Manchester, for
the west side of the park, or from the A1 for
the eastern areas. Of course, you can't go
there at the moment, as we're strongly
advised to stay well away during the
lockdown. But all this lolling around is a
great excuse for binging on Google and
doing some proper research, isn't it?
Whether you're into walking, wildlife
and waterfall spotting, or checking out old
castles, churches and railway bridges, the
Yorkshire Dales really does have it all...

Watch

The Yorkshire Dales National Park would ike us to

gather data about wildlife while stuck at home, so why
not dig out your camera, binoculars and notepad, and
see what you can spot? yorkshiredales.org.uk

Read

Tales of the Dales is a collection of over 60 stories of

local folklore and legends. Compiled by writer and artist,
Ian Scott Massie. who has also illustrated the book. £12,
including P&P mashamgallery.co.uk

Enjoy

—pixabay
No trip to the Dales would be complete without visiting
the Wensleydale Creamery! Keep your eyes peeled on
its webiste for Digital Days Out events, and buy cheese
from the online shop wensleydale.co.uk

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 47

 Waldegraves Holiay Park, Essex
Book your summer holidays
with Premier Parks at
premier-parks.co.uk

Bron-Y-Wendon Holiday an Park, Little Satmar Holiday Park,

Ballyness Carav Beaconsfield Hol
Park, North Wales
Co Antrim iday Park, Kent
Shropshire

@PrmParks @PremierParks @premier_parks

 Yorkshire Dales sites | Enjoying

A date with the Dales

Fall in love with the Yorkshire Dales on a break away at these
top sites for exploring this stunning National Park

1 Langcliffe Park, Settle

—VisitBritain/Matt Cant
Considered to be the most beautiful railway journey in England, the Settle to Carlisle Railway crosses
the Ribblehead Viaduct with incredible views of the Dales. Langcliffe Park is just one mile from Settle station
and 30 minutes from the viaduct. The site has electric hook-ups, toilets, showers and a laundry.
+ North Yorkshire BD24 9LX ☎ 01729 822387 langcliffe.com ˆ 1 March – mid January

2 Hawes Caravan and Motorhome Club Site, Hawes

Set in Wensleydale, between the River Ure and the market town
3
of Hawes. There are hardstanding pitches with electric, plus toilets
and showers, a dog walk and games room. Under two miles away is
England’s largest single drop waterfall, Hardraw Force, and 20 minutes
away is Arten Gill viaduct.
+ Brunt Acres Road, North Yorkshire DL8 3PS

☎ 01969 667338 caravanclub.co.uk ˆ 13 March – 6 January

—VisitBritain/Lee Beel

Wood Nook Caravan Park, Skipton

With six acres of woodlands, wildlife and walks, Wood Nook
is a picturesque spot. Small campervans are welcome on grass
pitches (weather permitting) and there are gravel pitches, too,
both with electric. Facilities include toilets, showers, a washing
up area and play area. Malham Cove is a 30-minute drive away
– a curved limestone cliff formation, some 260ft high.
+ Skirethorns, Threshfield BD23 5NU

☎ 01756 752412 woodnook.net ˆ 1 March – 4 January 

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 49

 4 Constable Burton Hall Caravan Park, Leyburn
Constable Burton Hall occupies 10 acres of parkland in Wensleydale within
the grounds of the hall. Grass pitches with electric, along with two toilet and shower
blocks and a laundry. A 20-minute drive from the site is historic Bolton Castle. As
well as the castle to explore there are gardens, a falconry and even a wild boar park.
—AdobeStock

+ Constable Burton Hall, North Yorkshire DL8 5LJ ☎ 01677 450428

cbcaravanpark.co.uk ˆ March – October

6 Old Station Caravan Park, Masham

Situated just outside the market town of Masham where you’ll
find two well-known brewers, Theakston and Black Sheep – both of which
offer brewery tours and shops to peruse. The site is part of a former railway
station and pitches are situated on flat grass or hardstandings, with some
hook-ups available.
+ Station Road, North Yorkshire HG4 4DF ☎ 01765 689569

oldstation-masham.co.uk ˆ March – November

—pixabay

5 Masons Campsite, Skipton

A dog-friendly riverside site in the village of
Appletreewick, on the banks of the River Wharfe. All pitches
are grass and have electric hook-up as standard. Site
facilities include a small shop, river fishing, boules court and
the ‘coffee & bread shed’. 20 minutes’ drive away is Bolton
Abbey where you can explore the romantic Priory ruins.
+ Appletreewick, North Yorkshire BD23 6DD

☎ 01756 720275 masonscampsite.co.uk

ˆ 27 March – 31 October

50 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Yorkshire Dales sites | Enjoying

7 High Moor Farm Park, Harrogate

With the pretty town of Harrogate just four miles away, High Moor Farm is
on the edge of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to the

—VisitEngland/Visit Harrogate
Dales. The site has grass or hardstanding pitches with electric, a bar serving food,
a nine-hole golf course, shop, indoor pool and fishing. Nearby is the pretty Royal
Horticultural Society’s Garden, Harlow Carr (10 minutes’ drive away).
+ Skipton Road, North Yorkshire HG3 2LT ☎ 01423 563637

highmoorfarmpark.co.uk ˆ 1 April – 31 October

8 Orchard Caravan Park, Reeth

9
Next to the River Swale on the edge of Reeth village, which is
located on the Wainwright Coast to Coast Route, James Herriot Way
and the Inn Way. There are grass pitches with electric. A 30-minute drive
away is Aysgarth Falls, a pretty triple flight of waterfalls on the River Ure.
—AdobeStock

+ Back Lane, North Yorkshire DL11 6TT ☎ 01748 884475

orchardcaravanpark.com ˆ March – 31 October

Black Swan Holiday Park,

Masham
Just two miles from Masham, set in the
village of Fearby. The campsite is part of
the 17th century bar and restaurant, so
food and drink is good! There are lots of
walks from the site, to Masham Wetlands
and Jervaulx Abbey, for example. The site
has grass and super pitches with
countryside views.
+ Fearby, Ripon, North Yorkshire

HG4 4NF ☎ 01765 689477

blackswanholiday.co.uk
ˆ March – October


outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 51

Enjoying | Yorkshire Dales sites

10 Studfold Caravan, Camping and Glamping Park, Lofthouse

Set in Nidderdale, surrounded by countryside, Studfold offers adventure trails, outdoor activities and a pop-up
café. The site consists of two acres of flat grassland with hook-ups available. There’s a toilet block and a small shop. The

—AdobeStock
National Trust’s Fountains Abbey is a 40-minute drive away. Here you’ll find abbey ruins and a pretty water garden.
+ North Yorkshire HG3 5SG ☎ 01423 755084 studfold.com ˆ 3 April – 3 October

12 Woodclose Park, Kirkby Lonsdale

Located in the valley of the River Lune, close to Kirkby
Lonsdale, White Scar Cave and Ingleton Falls. An abundance of
walking and cycling routes on the doorstep. All pitches are fully
serviced hardstandings and facilities include wetroom-style showers,
a laundry and site shop.
+ Cumbria LA6 2SE ☎ 01524 271597

woodclosepark.com ˆ 1 March – 2 January

11 Bolton Abbey Estate Caravan and

Motorhome Club Site, Skipton
Part of the Bolton Abbey Estate, this Club site is located in an open
glade surrounded by woodland. The site attracts a lot of wildlife
and there are miles of walks easily accessible from the Bolton
Abbey site. The pitches are hardstandings with electric, and
facilities include an on-site dog walk, as well as toilets and showers.
+ Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire BD23 6AN ☎ 01756 710433
—pixabay

caravanclub.co.uk ˆ 13 March – 2 November

This feature was written prior to the Coronavirus pandemic. We are publishing it for your enjoyment and to help you plan your future trips.
Readers must follow the latest government advice before leaving their homes. gov.uk/coronavirus

52 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Parks

CORNWALL DEVON

Small Independent Site in a Woodland Setting

Conveniently Located only 10 minutes from J26 of the M5
Ideal Base for Exploring Devon, Somerset and Beyond
Fantastic Walks and great pubs nearby
Modern Heated Facilities Block
Campfires Allowed
Pet Friendly
Open all Year

For Located on the Devon/Somerset Border near Taunton & Wellington

10% off
Clayhidon, Devon. EX15 3TR
Quote
CVMJUN Book Online @ www.kingsmeadcentre.com • 01823 421630

NORFOLK

naturally
NORTH NORFOLK…

The natural escape

IN NORTH NORFOLK
Touring pitches on beautiful
Kelling Heath. Great facilities and
environmental activities. Lodges
and holiday homes for hire.
Relax in your touring caravan
or tent enjoying the sea views
and Norfolk countryside. Multi
service, electric pitches and
amenity buildings. Luxurious
holiday homes for hire.

To book call 01263 588181 For bookings 01263 512242

Near Weybourne, Holt NR25 7HW or www.woodhill-park.com
www.kellingheath.co.uk East Runton, Cromer NR27 9PX

DEVON SCOTLAND

Situated on the beautiful West

coast of the
Highlands of Scotland
bring your own caravan,
motor-caravan or tent and set
up wherever you wish in the
designated areas.
For something a bit different
why not try our wigwam
cabins, a unique holiday CARAVAN & CAMPING
experience. Alternatively you
can spend your holiday in one
of the Park’s five star static
caravans.
On site facilities:
• Licensed shop
• Café on site
• Dog walking area
• Play area
• Laundrette
• Picnic tables
• Games/TV room
• Highland WiFi
• Bikes and Kayaks for hire
• Covered indoor cooking and
eating area
• Loch and River fishing.

www.sandscaravanandcamping.co.uk
Sands Caravan & Camping, Gairloch, Wester Ross. IV21 2DL
Tel: 01445 712152
Email: info@sandscaravanandcamping.co.uk

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 53

Enjoying | Cornwall

With rose-tinted spectacles firmly affixed, the Editor remembers a trip

to Cornwall’s Roseland Peninsula, long before the lockdown…
WORDS & PHOTOS Geneve Brand

54 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk


MAIN Mevagissey harbour
ABOVE The Sun Inn, Portmellon
outandaboutlive.co.uk
F
eeling the warmth of the sun on my face, I close
my eyes, and smile. It’s half way between winter
and spring when the weather can swing either way,
but today it’s definitely leaning towards the latter.
It feels good. I rest my head on the wall behind
me and listen to the sea, gently lapping on the beach,
the boats and the harbour. I hear the distant buzz of a
lawnmower, and that wonderful sweet smell of grass alerts
me that summer is on its way, too.
I am roused from my daydream when Steve, my
husband, comes back from the bar, clutching a pair of
well-earned pints. We’re at the Rising Sun Inn in the pretty
Cornish village of Portmellon, and we’ve walked about four
miles along the coastal path from our basecamp at
Pentewan. It’s a hot day, and that cold pint goes down
a treat! Nectar…
‘Facebook cares about your memories and we thought
you’d like to look back on this post…’
And boom! I’m back in the room. It’s spring 2020 –
we’ve been in full lockdown for weeks now, as a result of
the Coronavirus pandemic. There are no pubs open. There
are no pretty seaside villages serving ice cream. There are
no campsites open. The world seems to have almost
ground to a halt and the only hashtag trending right now
is #StayAtHome. Strange times!
Of course, it’s the right – and only – thing to do, but it’s
not intuitive. Certainly not when the sun is shining outside
and, from my home office window, I imagine my
campervan glistening on the drive, beckoning to me.
So thank goodness for memories, and photos – and even
Facebook for reminding us, rose-tinted spectacle fashion,
of those carefree, liberal and bygone days.
Come rain or shine
And so back to Portmellon. Who says I can’t live in the
past? Or daydream...
The previous day, we’d tackled an eight-hour drive to
get to Cornwall, which is probably why we don’t go there
very often – that, and the lack of mountains. But, over the
years, it has become something of a birthday tradition to 
June 2020 campervan 55
Enjoying | Cornwall

always go somewhere new in the campervan, and we

fancied the seaside this time.
Besides, it had been a very wet winter and most of the
country was still sodden.
In fact, we arrived in Pentewan in pouring rain, having
eventually found our way after encountering a lane that
was no more, and having to make a U-turn. Fortunately,
a couple of traffic cones and some tape alerted us to the
danger; otherwise, we would have gone careering straight
over the edge!
Ordinarily, Pentewan Sands is a busy holiday park,
boasting its own beach, where nearby shops rent out
surfboards and sell all manner of seaside paraphernalia.
The campsite also has its own bar and shop, and even
a fish and chip shop.
The village of Pentewan is situated on The Roseland
Heritage Coast, and is nearby to places like Eden Project
and The Lost Gardens of Heligan, so it’s easy to see why
people flock here (gosh, who remembers what a flock of
people looks like?). However, it was still early in the season
and clearly few others shared our enthusiasm/were mad
enough for camping in this weather.
We pitched up – well, parked up in a spot that looked
less like a swamp than other areas – and were soon joined
by another campervan. Now we were two.
But Steve and I are British. We sit inside our warm, dry
campervan and stick the kettle on. Our neighbours, a

young German couple in a VW T5 pop-top, have more

ambitious ideas…
The wind-out awning is deployed, as are the camping
chairs and a camping table, and a radio for some tunes.
Out comes a gas stove for cooking, and a couple of
supermarket carrier bags full of goodies. They sit down
cheerily and open a bottle of wine, and tuck into nibbles
while a pan of sausages sizzles away.
Idyllic, you might think. Exactly what camping is all
about, you could say. Well, yes – except the pouring rain
is now torrential, the campground swamp has become a
swimming pool, and the slight wind is gathering increasing
gusto. You can imagine how this story ends, right?
If they had been British, the spectacle would have made
for good viewing from the comfort of our dry high-top
campervan; sympathy would have been replaced with

Mevagissey is a picture-postcard fishing village

set in a quaint bay and approaching it from the
cliffs above means we enjoy a great overview
56 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

Our 'van
OWNED 2007 – 2020
LAYOUT Side kitchen layout with a rock
‘n’ roll-style bed
mockery, for being so naive. What did they expect?
Instead, we felt immensely sad for them, and somehow
guilty that they had chosen to holiday in our country
and were having such a rotten time of it – no doubt the
weather back in Germany was glorious!
But, as is often the way here, the weather had
completely changed its tune the following morning. Cloud
and rain were replaced with blue sky and a strong sun. The
wind had dropped and even the waterlogged campsite
had drained. We sat outside for breakfast and chatted to
our neighbours. “Is it normal for the weather to change
so rapidly and dramatically,” they asked. “Yes”, we replied.
Smell the sea, and feel the sky
I’m a nerd when it comes to etymology and so
I was interested to learn that the Roseland
Peninsula derives its name from the Cornish
Ros, meaning peninsula, which is derived from
Rhos, the Celtic word for heath or gorse.
The Roseland Peninsula is separated from the
rest of Cornwall by the River Fal and it is indeed
gorse-adorned heathland in many places. In
outandaboutlive.co.uk
1986 VW T25 Transporter TRAVEL SEATS/BERTHS 4
CONVERSION TYPE Handbuilt
conversion by an unknown
WHAT WE L♥VE ABOUT IT With the
exception of food and clothes,
previous owner absolutely everything we need to go
camping lives in our ’van permanently, so
we never have to plan, or worry about
forgetting stuff. It only takes five minutes
to unpack when we get home, too
ABOVE spring, the cheerful yellow gorse bloom makes a
CLOCKWISE
wonderful contrast against the bright blue backdrop of the
Boats at
Mevagissey; sea; even when you can’t see it, that heady-sweet floral
Steve queues for scent in the air is unmistakeable.
ice cream! The South West Coast Path runs along the Roseland
LEFT The beach at Heritage Coast, too, on its 630-mile trajectory from
Pentewan Sands; Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset.
At Chapel Point So, having stuffed ourselves with a continental-style
all-day breakfast buffet that morning, it’s definitely time
to slap on the sun cream and go for a walk.
From the campsite, we can follow the coast path in
either direction, heading up to Charlestown or down
to Portmellon; we choose the latter today, saving
Charlestown for the following day.
It’s a well-marked and easy-to-follow path that
gently bobs up and down over undulating grassy
cliffs. It’s steep enough in places to get a bit of
a workout and stop you from reaching your
destination too quickly, but it’s hardly Everest.
Soon we reach Mevagissey. We find the name
amusing and a quick game of scrabble with the
letters results in some comical alternative 
June 2020 campervan 57
Enjoying | Cornwall
We PENTEWAN SANDS HOLIDAY PARK
stayed at Pentewan, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 6BT
pentewan.co.uk
ABOVE spellings! Mevagissey is a picture-postcard fishing village
CLOCKWISE set in a quaint bay, and approaching it from the cliffs
Pentewan village; above means we enjoy a great overview. We meander
The Ship Inn,
our way down through steep narrow streets lined with cute
Pentewan; Steve,
at the Mevagissey whitewashed cottages decorated with hanging baskets full
lighthouse; of flowers. We feel like Rick Stein on a Mediterranean
Pentewan Sands adventure, and try out our best impressions. Down at the
BELOW A cheeky harbour, we relax on a bench and watch cheeky seagulls
bird enjoying the hoping to pilfer a pasty while children fish for crabs. We
sun at Mevagissey then walk out along the jetty to see the lighthouse, which
harbour
stands proud at the end, before climbing steeply back out
of Mevagissey to rejoin the coast path on the other side.
Onwards to Portmellon, then. Another quaint fishing
village but much smaller than Mevagissey – the only
sign of life is a handful of locals at the Rising Sun Inn,
we observe. The seafront is lined with cottages, which
evidently are no stranger to tidal flooding as all the front
doors have defences. However, this winter clearly proved
too much as the houses have been severely
flooded and are no longer lived in. Huge
mounds of debris from the sea are strewn
across the road and mounted up on the
beach; evidence that this village is reeling from
This trip took place prior to the Coronavirus pandemic. We are publishing it for your enjoyment
and to help you plan your future trips. Readers must follow the latest government advice before
leaving their homes. gov.uk/coronavirus
very recent storms and no one has yet had time to clear up
the piles of seaweed, leaves, logs and everything else the
sea has regurgitated here.
We contemplate the pub but have spotted Chapel
Point on our OS map. About a mile beyond Portmellon, it’s
nothing more than a point jutting out into the sea, but the
walk looks nice and so we press on. Actually, you can’t
walk out to the point as it has a (quite magnificent!) house
on it so is private land, but a white sandy cove just the
other side makes the walk worthwhile. We relax on the
beach and skim pebbles for a while.
Mindful of the time, we return to Portmellon where a
bench against the wall and in direct sun outside the Rising
Sun Inn now certainly has our name on it...
After our pint, we will retrace our steps, stopping for
an ice cream in Mevagissey. By the time we get back to
Pentewan, the most amazing sunset is taking shape and
so we stroll hand in hand along the beach and around
the village until the sun goes down. Then we cosy up in the
Ship Inn and enjoy a hearty pub meal, washed down with a
pint or two of good Cornish ale, before going back to our
campervan. Such simple pleasures that I will never take for
granted again, after the lockdown is over.
outandaboutlive.co.uk
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outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 59

 All’s well,
that ends well

Linda and Geoff discover that exactly

what they didn’t want in their next
campervan is precisely what they need…
WORDS & PHOTOS Linda Field

I
t was as a sad day when we decided
our little Danbury Space Cruise on
the SWB Fiat Ducato needed to be
rehomed, after 100,000 miles and 11
years of happy camping. It was time
to get a new ’van for the next 10 years of
cycling, walking and sea kayak trips.
It had to be small enough to drive and
park in most places. We wanted a spacious
layout with a bed that didn’t encroach on
the kitchen, tough plain upholstery, fridge,
hob and grill but no oven, a heater but no
hot water system and definitely no shower.
In other words, exactly the same again.
Before contemplating shiny new ’vans
that would probably be outside our budget
we needed to know the secondhand value
of ours. Bored while waiting for a dealer to
value it, we broke the rules and had a look
at a new campervan.
It was obviously what we didn’t want, but
we had a nose around, making criticisms.
On the way home we discussed the ‘why
nots’ of this ’van and surprised ourselves.
A detailed analysis proved that it was just
what we needed!
It ticked all the important boxes and the
tweaks were simple DIY jobs or something
that the converter offered as an option. That
was it, big decision made, our next ’van was
to be a Wellhouse Lux-XL on the high-top
Ford Transit Custom Kombi.
We were moving to a narrower ’van,
lower but longer than our old one with a
completely opposite layout. From sleeping
across the ’van with a side kitchen and Porta
Potti, in a cupboard, to sleeping down the
camper with a side sofa, rear kitchen and
a toilet in its own little room.
All change
The biggest change was the ‘privacy’ room
in the back corner. The first time we saw
the Lux we thought it was a very bad idea
in such a small ’van.

60 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 2017 Wellhouse Lux-XL | Your campervans

Best We love winter camping and have fond memories

of Aviemore and the Cairngorms. The Yorkshire
trip Dales in summer was pretty good, too!

The cab can be closed off with a home made

Cairngorm Mountain, looking across Loch Morlich, screen
We’d never wanted a space- for the shor t bed option
while parke d up in our camper
wasting, claustrophobic, plastic-lined
shower room which then needed a
hot water system. Having just a toilet, the floor clear. It gives us a good view out through the big
locker and shelf is unusual and very useful. We chose not to have the ceramic bowl unobstructed doorway and large windows.
It’s light and airy with a half-height back electric-flush cassette toilet that Wellhouse The front seats swivel to give even more
wall and the window in the back door. As usually fits and bought a Porta Potti lounge seating and legs-up lounging space
well as using the toilet or having a wash (we Excellence that clips to its own fixed floor for both of us. The tough plain Ford fabric
use a pop-up folding bowl as a washbasin), plate. This saves weight and space, and option is perfect, as is the wipe-clean vinyl
it gives us somewhere to hang up towels gives us more control over water and power flooring. We put down a thick carpet for
and jackets, dry washing or waterproofs and usage, too. winter camping.
is easily vented by opening the back door. We knew the upright sofa back wouldn’t
Packing in all our outdoor kit or our A room with a view be comfortable and immediately removed
shopping when travelling keeps everything The large side sofa is a big improvement and refitted the back support panel to give it
contained and out of the way, leaving over the previous small rear travel seat ‘sofa’. a slightly better angle. This moved the base 

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 61

 Linda & Geoff
Base vehicle 2017 Ford Transit Custom
Kombi Trend High Top L2H2
Conversion type Wellhouse Lux-XL, by
Wellhouse Leisure wellhouseleisure.com
Owned since 2017 (from new)
Drive Front-wheel drive
Engine 2-litre turbo-diesel (Euro 6)
Power 128bhp
Economy 39mpg (approx)
Gearbox 6-speed manual
Travel seats 2 Berths 2
Leisure battery 100Ah
Length x width x height 5.34m x 1.99m x
2.40m
Ford Trend specification Alloy wheels, body
colour bumpers, air-con, heated windscreen,
heated cab seats, electrically adjusted and
heated mirrors, privacy glass, front fog lights,
parking sensors, leather steering wheel,
reversing camera, towbar
Wellhouse conversion equipment Thule
electric step; Eberspächer diesel heater; Heki
Midi rooflight; 100W slimline solar panel;
swivel cab seats; freestanding inside/outside
table; side sofa that converts to a double bed.
Rear kitchen with Dometic two-burner hob, of the sofa out into the living space by just work and planned to modify the bed base.
extractor unit, sink, 40l compressor fridge
6cm and robbed the same amount from Wellhouse has been working on a lift-up
and Smev mini grill. 40l external fresh water
the width of the bed. slatted bed base that we hope to retro-fit.
tank; 28l external waste water tank; Rear
toilet room with bespoke Porta Potti Standing height in the ’van is only 5ft 10in,
Excellence toilet on floor-fitting plate ('van but perfect for us, giving Geoff an inch to Loads of storage
bought without ceramic electric flush cassette spare. Wellhouse can now offer a higher The cupboard space is generous, with five
toilet that is fitted as standard in Lux models.) version for customers up to 6ft 4in. upper lockers, a big overcab locker and
Insurance £283 fully comprehensive We like the simple bed with just two flat three good-sized kitchen cupboards. We
mattress sections rather than a jigsaw of fitted extra shelves in the biggest cupboard
seats and infill cushions. to store all our food supplies together.
COSTS SO FAR At 1.6m, the bed isn’t very long, but The underbed area is two huge storage
Vehicle cost ..................................... £40,000 neither are we, so we don’t always use the lockers and just one easily swallows all the
Toilet and fitting plate ........................... £125 option of turning both front seats to face bedding. We made an organiser to take
Additional DIY projects adding extra each other and sliding them together to magazines and another by a power socket
insulation (silver fabric, carpet and make a longer 2m bed. to keep our phones and chargers handy.
rug, cab curtain and rail) ....................... £80 For the double, the base slides out across Accessed through the back doors is the
Fabric for midge-proof screens on cab the ’van but still leaves floorspace at the side gas locker for a 6kg cylinder. We use a
windows and sliding door window ........£16 of the bed, doesn’t steal any room from the 3.9kg one and get the levelling blocks
Silver trims for front grille.......................£30 kitchen, and leaves access to the toilet, too. and hook-up lead in, too.
Due to the way the bed base is designed, A smaller space above the gas locker
‘Deer whistle’ wildlife warning device ... £9
both cushions have boards built in, which takes toilet chemicals, tool kit, etc. The
Total costs to date ...................... £40,260 makes them heavy. Making the bed or narrow space inside the back doors has
accessing the underbed storage is a straps to hold the rolled-up window screens,
two-person job. walking poles, boots and outdoor chairs.
We knew up front that this needed The leisure battery and diesel heating

62 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk


for
The lengthways sofa is a super-comfy spot
putting your feet up!
unit are both under the passenger seat. It’s
great that not every cupboard is half-filled
with batteries and electrical units.
Dinner’s up
The L-shaped kitchen has a glass-topped
sink and separate two-burner hob, extractor
unit with lights, mini grill and a 40-litre
compressor fridge.
The fridge is a big change from our
previous top-loading model. Adding a deep
organiser box at the bottom and a shallow
one on the shelf has improved the new
fridge in terms of better use of the space
and less waste of cold air. One plus point is
that it’s fitted above a bottom cupboard, so
we don’t have to grovel around at floor level
to see inside.
There’s good worktop space in such a
small ’van and well-placed power sockets.
We love the table which stores in the privacy
room and can be used inside or out on a
tripod base. We bought an extra leg and
cut it down to give us a coffee table option
as well, which is versatile.
outandaboutlive.co.uk
2017 Wellhouse Lux-XL | Your campervans
There's nothing quite like sitting in the door
It's great that so much of the 'van is accessible
cuppa and enjoying the morning sun!
from the barn doors
Another change is the fresh water tank,
which we don’t drink from. We prefer
removable tanks for ease of filling and
cleaning, plus there’s no danger of freezing
when camping in winter. We carry a water
container (with a tap) in the privacy room.
When the darkness comes
The ’van comes with insulated screens for
the cab and back doors, and fitted thermal
blackout curtains for the side windows.
I planned to replace the curtains with
something more ‘stylish’, but realised how
good they were. I bought black and grey
patterned fabric to make curtains for the
back windows and one to close off the cab
as we don’t use the thermal screens when
wild camping in summer.
We’re not fans of plastic windows and the
big glass windows let in plenty of daylight.
The tint on the glass is barely noticeable
inside but very effective from the outside.
The other source of light, the Midi Heki
rooflight, is a real pain. It flies open with the
slightest puff of wind so it can’t be used for
way with a
ventilation at night or when parked on
campsites. Heki assures us we haven’t got a
faulty one! We don’t need a speedo, we can
judge our speed by the volume and tone of
the ‘Heki howl’. We would give anything to
go back to the quiet, secure Remis rooflight
on our old ’van. The other appendage on
the roof is an excellent slimline 100W solar
panel; plenty of power for long off-grid trips.
Putting the Ford into affordable
We love everything about the base vehicle.
It’s comfortable, car-like to drive and park,
and a perfect size for us, inside and out.
The 2-litre 128bhp engine is powerful but
economical and the Trend specification
gives added spec.
Wellhouse has come up with a conversion
that’s clever and different; its latest model
also has options of more internal height
and three rear travel seats instead of the
side sofa. The build quality is excellent, the
aftersales service has been outstanding and,
in our opinion, the whole package
represents good value. 
June 2020 campervan 63
Our campervans | 1986 VW T25

Love
Time
in the

of Coronavirus

At the
repair
shop

Rust spots are around the

Around the wheels are rust hotspots on the T25 At least holes can be fully repaired with patches! windows are sorted, too

64 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 It’s time for The Editor’s ‘Little
Old Lady’ to start dating
again! A trip to the bodyshop
for a full makeover has her
looking her best again…

O
wning a classic campervan is a huge amount
of fun, especially an old vee-dub because you
automatically become a member of a secret
society that’s largely concerned with waving
at fellow owners.
There are rules, of course. As T25 owners, one can wave
at those in the older T1 and T2 splitty and bay window VW
campers. When you see another T25, it’s good practice to
be more enthusiastic – for instance, both passengers may
wave, and the flashing of lights is welcomed, too. Of late,
the newer T4 owners seem to have included themselves
in the club as well, although I think the jury is still out…
There’s also something very carefree and liberating
about living with an older camper. Unlike modern vehicles
that are all about electronics, diagnostics and fancy,
expensive body parts, there’s not much that can’t be
repaired on a T25 with just an old-fashioned toolbox.
That’s a good thing because bits, like the sliding door,
are more prone to falling off, too. Once, because a 50p
coin had become wedged in the runner. The result was
that the door flew open while pulling out of a campsite,
hurling our coolbox and beer supply into a hedge.
Another time, it fell off into the road at a service station
on the M62, simply because it felt like it. But, thanks to the
support of a folding barbecue and a portable gas fire, and
the wonders of YouTube, we simply repositioned it back
onto the runners and continued on our journey.
Now you can’t do that on a modern T6! Although,
admittedly, sliding doors no longer just fall off VW
Transporters, do they?

Knights in shining armour

But all the flower-powered fun and hippy-dippy holidays
do come at a price. As with any classic vehicle, you need
to have patience and deep pockets, unless you want to
spend your holidays sitting on the hard shoulder awaiting
a recovery truck. Owning a classic camper should be a
labour of love, and it has to be your pride and joy.
Otherwise, don't bother.
Looking sweet in the sunshine after a full makeover! Our ‘Little Old Lady’ only ever broke down on us once

Ta-da! Looking brand new again Finally, underneath gets a coat

of protective Waxoyl, too

Even the wheels are treated to primer...

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 65

Our campervans | 1986 VW T25

in 13 years of ownership (when the engine blew up)

and that’s because we looked after her.
Of course, it helps to be handy with a spanner, but
finding a good mechanic is indispensable, and we have
been very lucky in this respect.
When Steve and I lived and worked in Suffolk/
Cambridge, we were recommended A M R Motors by a
fellow vee-dub owner. As classic VW specialists and with
Andy, the owner, having a T25 himself, there was nothing
he wouldn’t undertake. He was responsible for the
excellent Subaru engine conversion after the original VW
one exploded, and he also undertook the first round of
major bodywork repairs and did the two-tone paintwork
(originally, our ’van was only white).
When we relocated to Lincolnshire, we worried about
how we’d manage without Andy. We tried all the local
garages but, everywhere we went, we were met with a
shake of the head and a sharp intake of breath – and that
was just for a service and MoT! Excuses for such
mechanical incompetence ranged from, “we don’t have
a diagnostics machine for that” to “it’s too high to fit in our
workshop.” But one day – again through word of mouth
– we heard of Julian Cardrew of Greetham Garage (and
also father of the Illustrator, Katie Cardrew). Rather like
Andy, Julian is a proper old-school mechanic, with a
passion for classic cars and Subaru racing, and has
purpose-built premises for dealing with high-top
campervans and even large A-class motorhomes.

Pimp my ride
Once we had made the decision to sell our VW T25
campervan, the next step was easy. We wanted our ’van to
find a good new home, and I felt responsible for ensuring

Sally & The new owners had already owned a couple of VW T25 campervans
Martin before. Here they are back in the 1990s with their first one!

we handed it over in excellent, problem-free condition.

We knew it was mechanically sound, having passed its
last MoT without advisories, but we were aware of a few
new issues that had developed since then – the clutch was
slipping, the handbrake was stiff, and the bodywork was in
a bad way again, to mention just a few things!
So we drew up a list for Julian, instructed him to leave no
stone unturned, and then left it in his very capable hands
for three weeks...
The result was stunning, as you can see from the photos
here. Our ’van looked better now that we were about to
sell it than it had ever done in all the years we’d owned it!
Apart from the new clutch and a mile-long list of smaller
mechanical jobs, it had been stripped back to its bare
bones in order to repair all the rust patches. Whole
sections had been cut out and new ones welded in,
window rubbers had been replaced and, of course, it was
treated to a nice new paint job – even the rare, original
VW hubcaps had been resprayed. The underneath was
given a good coat of Waxoyl and, for a final touch, Julian
even added new number plates.
And so the moment we’d been dreading had finally
come. It was time to empty our beloved camper of 13
years of all our belongings and give it a thorough clean,
ready for its next owners.
So many memories, I think a tear or two may have been
shed that day!

66 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Geneve Brand
Editor
1986 VW T25 Transporter
Conversion type Handbuilt
conversion by an unknown previous
owner...
Owned 2007– 2020
Engine 2-litre petrol (donor engine
from 1998 Subaru Legacy)
Power 115bhp
Gearbox 5-speed manual
Fuel economy 30mpg (approx)
Insurance cost £322
(fully comprehensive including
commuting, limited to 5,000 miles)

WHAT WE L♥VE ABOUT IT

With the exception of food and
clothes, absolutely everything we
need to go camping lives in our 'van
permanently, so we never have to
plan, or worry about forgetting stuff.
It only takes five minutes to unpack
when we get home, too

Time to say goodbye ABOVE sluggish hills to deal with in this ’van! (Although the wing
That weekend, we were lucky with the weather and so we CLOCKWISE mirrors do fold in if you go over 70mph…)
We fitted a swivel
took advantage to do a nice photoshoot in the sun. Then And the rest is history. I wasn’t at home when Martin
base to the
we were ready for listing. Just Kampers, Car & Classic and passenger seat and came to collect his new campervan – Steve, my husband,
Facebook Marketplace are free platforms, so we started had the cab seats picked him up from the train station, took care of the
with listings on these sites, then paid for classified adverts covered in vinyl; handover and signed over the paperwork.
on eBay and Auto Trader. New memory foam Being a Saturday, I had arranged to meet a friend but,
cushions were fitted
While the first two sites generated no interested, to the bench/bed,
truth be told, I knew I couldn’t bear to watch our 'Little
Facebook proved very popular, with lots of people as well as new Old Lady' leave, forever.
commenting on what a lovely ’van it was and tagging covers and curtains; The blow was meant to be cushioned a fortnight later,
friends in, but this didn’t lead to any genuine interest. eBay Looking good in the as our brand-new campervan (a VW T6-based Birchover
sun!; New carpet
and Auto Trader, however, seemed to be where it’s at, so Classic from Hillside Leisure) was now built and awaiting
lining was fitted but
it’s definitely worth splashing out to advertise here. the decoupage, registration. I had set about planning umpteen trips away
But, while I’d like to say our ’van was up for sale for long bunting and fairy – booking campsites for every bank holiday, as well as
enough to be able to offer a meaningful insight into how lights were all my random weekends away, and even a two-week trip
each of these platforms performs, it actually sold STC in work! through the Alps in May. And then the Coronavirus hit!
less than 24 hours and was taken away by its new owner As a result of issues with the VW website and DVLA
in under a week. office closures, there is no new campervan, as it's still
Shortly after our campervan had been listed on Auto awaiting registration. And there will be no more holidays
Trader, I got a call from Martin. He’d owned a couple of for the foreseeable future. Darn.
VW T25 campervans before, including one with a Subaru
engine conversion. Then he and his wife, Sally, had
decided to sell all their belongings, including their GREETHAM GARAGE Great North Road, Greetham, Oakham,
campervan, and travel the world. Now they were back
home in Yorkshire and Martin was keen to own a T25
Contacts Rutland LE15 7QX greethamgarage.co.uk ☎ 01780 411456
A M R MOTORS Unit 2A, Swan Lane, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7FN
again – specifically one with a Subaru engine conversion ☎ 01638 577622
because of their speedy nature. No trailing behind or

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 67

In the know | Cooking up a storm

Cooking
Salsa and avocado hot dogs
These Mexican-inspired hotdogs
are full of fresh zingy flavours

Makes: 6
Total Time: 20 mins

up a storm Ingredients
1 pack veggie sausages (6)
Olive oil
1 medium red onion, finely
chopped
Think barbecues are just made 1 bunch fresh coriander,
finely chopped
for meat? Here are some great 1 lime
2 tomatoes, peeled and
veggie ideas that might finely chopped
change your mind… 2 avocados
6 hotdog buns

Soy tomato burgers

Shake things up over barbecue season with this
umami explosion

Makes: 4 Ingredients
Total Time: 45 minutes 4 veggie burgers
Vegetable oil
Salt and pepper
300g mushrooms, chopped
4 brioche buns
Tomato and soy sauce marinade:
100ml light soy sauce
50ml rice wine vinegar
40g brown sugar
—pixabay 1 thumb ginger, peeled and
chopped
2 tbsp dried oregano
2 tbsp chopped rosemary
Your say —meatless farm
3 cloves of garlic
6 large tomatoes
We asked our Facebook friends what they love
about campervan cooking and being outside…

“We love to buy local produce and dine al fresco when Teriyaki burgers with chopped spring onions
we're away. Food doesn't come much better!” Break the rules with these epic
Candy Cane (not her real name...) sweet and tangy burgers
Makes: 4
“It’s great for spending time together as a family. The
Total Time: 15 minutes
kids muck in and help with the barbecue, and we love
kicking a ball around while we wait for things to cook” Ingredients:
4 veggie burgers
Olive Oyl (... it's a data protection thing) 3 spring onions, finely chopped
Cheese (optional)
“One of the best things about camping has to be sitting Teriyaki sauce:
out in the sun with friends, enjoying a beer and burger” 70ml light soy sauce
John Dory (sounds fishy!) 1 thumb ginger, finely diced
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp corn flour
85g soft brown sugar
More for more recipes and ideas head to 2 cloves garlic, crushed
and chopped
info meatlessfarm.com
350ml water

68 campervan Month 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Cooking kit
Method
1 Get your dogs rocking on the grill,
cooking for about 10 minutes. Top tip:
give them a 90-degree clockwise turn
every two or three minutes, then you’ll
know which sides have been cooked Here’s a few things that will
2 Slice the avocado and season with
salt, pepper and a squeeze of half a definitely get the barbecue
juicy lime
3 To make the salsa, in a separate bowl,
party started…
combine the tomato and red onion.
Then sprinkle the coriander and add a
generous squeeze of lime before
stirring together
4 Place the sausages inside the buns, Technicolour
then line each side of the sausage with Geometric
thin slices of avocado, making a wall
between the sausage and bun – this
Outdoor Cushion
Grab a few of these
will help you to pack in more Pico de
and head outside for
Gallo (salsa). Top with the salsa and
—meatless farm al fresco dining
you’re ready to feast!
beanbagbazaar.
co.uk
Method
.99
1 For the marinade, combine the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sugar, garlic
and ginger in a large bowl. Then it’s time to add your herbs (dried
£12
oregano and rosemary). Slice your tomatoes so that they are roughly
2cm in width, add into the marinade and leave to soak for a minimum
of 30 mins. Top tip: pack an extra punch of flavour by preparing your Lotus grill
marinade either the night before or the morning of your barbecue.
BBQ £139
This will give your tomatoes a good time to bathe in the soy sauce
2 Place two frying pans onto the barbecue grill, add a drizzle of vegetable Choose your
oil and allow to heat. Add your chopped mushrooms into the first pan, favourite colour
then season for flavour. Gently stir for five minutes and take away in
3 In the other pan, heat your oil and season the burgers. Leave to fry for the ’van with you
three or four mins, turning occasionally. Top tip: frying the cuckooland.com
burgers in a pan rather than directly over the grill of the
barbecue will allow you to get a better crust on the burger,
resulting in an even better flavour
4 Toast your brioche buns directly on the grill of the barbecue
for one min as this will create a barrier for the juicy
marinade and stop them from going soggy
5 To serve, place the burgers and tomatoes into the buns
and season

1 To prepare the Teriyaki sauce, place

a small saucepan onto the barbecue.
Pour in the soy sauce, rice wine
vinegar and water. Add sugar, ginger
and cornflour. Bring to the boil over Lemon fairy lights
a low heat, stirring gently for five Add some zest to
minutes or until it has become glossy evening barbecues
2 Season the burgers and add into a lights4fun.co.uk
£9.9
frying pan, cooking for three to four 9
minutes, turning occasionally. Finish
off the burgers by adding some
cheese to melt (optional)
3 Toast your brioche buns directly on
the grill of the barbecue for one min,
this will create a barrier for the juicy
marinade and stop them going soggy Rainbow
4 To serve, place the burgers (topped paper plates
with cheese) into the buns and add Pretty plates and
another layer of the Teriyaki sauce no need to wash up!
and sprinkle with the chopped £3.99 ( for 8 gingerray.co.uk
—meatless farm spring onion )
outandaboutlive.co.uk Month 2020 campervan 69
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 Paws on tour | In the know

Paws
Winner

on tour In association with

"My dogs absolutely love being away in the
having driving lessons,” says Gary
’van, Rosie is even

Campervanning fun for furry four-legged friends! Try these...

How to stop your dog Best dog-friendly sites Chew
£4.9
from getting smelly Keswick Camping and The Paddock at Robsons 9
Caravanning Club Site, Situated alongside a Webbox Natural Yak Cheese Bar
Whether you’re travelling on an adventure
Cumbria motorhome and caravan These Yak Cheese Bars are a tasty,
or enjoying more time indoors, when you’re
A great campsite for dealership in the heart long-lasting treat that is rich in protein,
spending a lot of time with your pooch, you’ll
exploring the northern Lake of County Durham, The and helps to clean teeth and prevent
no doubt want to keep them from getting too
District, with walking trails Paddock has 18 pitches with tartar build up. Your dog will enjoy this
stinky! When a bath or shower might not be
accessible directly from the electric hook-up. Facilities chew, time and time again, and you don’t
readily available, we’ve put together a handy
site itself. This club site is on include waste water and need to worry about any artificial nasties
guide for keeping your furry friend smelling as
the shores of Derwentwater chemical disposal points, here, either. Available at Morrisons stores
fresh as a daisy.
and you can enjoy and a shower and toilet and online at webbox.co.uk
Regular brushing
dog-friendly boat rides block. There is access to the
Brushing your dog regularly with a fine-toothed
on the lake. river from the campsite and Webbox Natural Skin &
comb or metal brush will help to remove debris
from their fur and stop them from smelling.
There are grass and many walks. The Paddock is Hydrate Coat Dog Treats
hardstanding pitches with located a few minutes’ drive £2
After a walk, give them a good once-over with These
electric hook-up, a play from Hamsterly Forest, Skin & Coat
your preferred grooming tool and remove the
area, toilets and showers, where miles of walks await. Treats are
dirt before it becomes a problem, too.
a washing up area and a There are two dog-friendly made with
Give dental treats
laundry. Keswick town is pubs and outside seating freshly
Avoid your pooch getting the well-renowned
within walking distance and areas at No 10 The Coffee prepared
‘dog-breath’ by giving them treats and toys that
there are dog-friendly pubs Shop and Buon Appettito salmon, which
are optimised for teeth cleaning. Dental chews
and cafés nearby, as well. in Wolsingham, too. is an easily
or durable toys are a great way to keep your
campingand robsonsof digestible
dog entertained whilst also promoting good
caravanningclub.co.uk wolsingham.co.uk protein, with
oral hygiene!
Use wipes added linseed
If your pooch has got into some particularly that's rich in
smelly business, dog or baby wipes can be an omega-3 to keep skin hydrated and
easy alternative to a bath. Be careful to check prevent it from becoming dry and flaky.
that the brand is suitable for your dog’s skin and Your pooch will strut along proudly
avoid using around the eyes, though. This is an showing off their glossy coat after eating
easy way to freshen up while out and about these treats! Available at Morrisons stores
until you can bathe your dog. and online at webbox.co.uk

Win We’ve teamed up with leading pet food brand, Webbox, to offer four lucky readers the chance to win a
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To be in with a chance of winning, send us your photos of your four-legged friends enjoying the
campervan lockdown!  campervan@warnersgroup.co.uk Campervanmag Campervan_Mag

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 71

Safety technology

Modern campervans come bristling with safety tech

and seem to have an acronym for everything. Here
we help you tell your ASR from your ESC...
WORDS Peter Rosenthal

I
t used to be the case that van safety
systems trailed behind the technology
used in cars, but the gap has narrowed
and modern vans come with a whole
suite of safety equipment.
Safety systems can be split into two main
types: active and passive. Passive systems
work after a crash and include items such as
airbags, seatbelts and crumple zones. Active
safety systems help prevent a crash and
include ABS brakes, stability control systems
and emergency brake assist.
ABS brakes
All new vans are fitted with anti-locking
brakes, called ABS (Anti-Blockier System)
that prevent the wheels locking under heavy
braking to help you retain steering control.
ABS systems typically use small toothed
metal discs (reluctor rings) that are fitted
near each wheel and are linked to wheel
speed sensors (electromagnetic coils).
By monitoring these wheel speed sensors
– which pulse on and off as the magnetic
field of the sensor is broken – the ABS
control box knows if a wheel has locked
and how fast it is rotating. So, when you’re
cornering, it knows that the inner wheels are
rotating more slowly than the outer wheels.
If it senses a lock-up, it momentarily
releases the brake on the locked wheel
before automatically reapplying it in a
fraction of a second.
The driver will feel a slight pulse through
the pedal when it initiates this ‘automatic
cadence braking’ and it can do this up to
15 times a second.
ABS works in wet and dry conditions but
isn’t at its best in deep snow where the
ability to lock the wheel solid and create a
snow bank under the tyre can be helpful.
The ABS system does not just work on its
own, though, and is a key component that
integrates with most of the other safety
systems on the vehicle, such as the stability
control system and EBD system.
Electronic brake force
distribution (EBFD, EBD)
Prior to anti-lock braking systems, vehicles
used a mechanical brake proportioning
valve to vary the brake pressure between
the front and rear brakes. This was typically
a simple hydraulic valve fitted on or near
the rear axle and its job was to reduce the
pressure acting on the rear brakes during
emergency braking.
When you hit the brakes hard in an
emergency the van’s front will dip sharply
as the weight transfers to the front. If the
pressure acting on the front and rear brakes
was kept equal when the weight transferred
forwards, the rear brakes would lock before
the front brakes. This would make the back
end skid and want to overtake the front,
which could put the vehicle into a spin.
So, the proportioning valve is essential in
reducing this pressure on the rear brakes
to ensure that the vehicle always brakes in
a straight line.

72 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk


The Mercedes V-Class-based Marco
Polo campervan (and its Vito vans) have
had Cross Wind Assist fitted since 2015
As ABS systems got more sophisticated,
the engineers dispensed with the
mechanical brake proportioning valve and
added electronic brake force distribution
to the ABS unit. Rather than being a
mechanical device that merely varies
pressure depending on a fixed range of
movement, the electronic systems can
infinitely vary the pressure between the front
and rear brakes to give additional benefits.
For example, engineers set the rear brakes
on some vehicles to activate slightly earlier
to keep the vehicle flatter under braking to
give a smoother stop.
Emergency brake assistant (EBA)
This active safety system is not to be
confused with fully automatic braking but
does have an element of autonomy. If you
hit the brake pedal hard and fast – in an
emergency – the EBA system will react and,
if the pedal isn’t being pushed hard enough,
will add extra braking power until the ABS
outandaboutlive.co.uk
VW’s autonomous emergency braking systems were tested by
Thatcham and have been standard on VW vans since June 2017
Ford Transits have had side wind stabilisation
for several years and many now also have
sign recognition technology
system activates. This gives maximum
braking even if you’re not pushing the
brakes hard enough.
Electronic throttle pedal
(fly by wire)
Most modern throttle pedals are electronic
and don’t have a physical wire linking the
pedal to the throttle body on the engine.
This gives many benefits. For example, the
pedal operation can be integrated into the
ECU and ESC systems and it doesn’t have
to operate in a linear way.
The engineers can make it be less
sensitive at lower throttle openings for
smoother low speed driving for example,
while making it faster to respond to high
throttle openings. This makes it easy to
drive smoothly in town, for instance.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Since 2014, it has been mandatory for all
cars to be fitted with stability control,
Safety technology | In the know
Fit larger diameter wheels with
lower profile tyres and your traction control
system may not prevent you spinning in the mud!
The Toyota Proace medium van can be specified
with a road sign recognition system as an extra
although this isn't yet the case for
motorhomes. Also referred to as electronic
stability programme (ESP) and dynamic
stability control (DSC), this is one of the most
significant safety systems on a vehicle as it
oversees multiple systems and can react in
various ways to actively help balance and
stabilise the vehicle. ESC typically integrates
with the ABS system, the ECU, steering
wheel angle sensor, as well as a yaw rate
and lateral acceleration sensors. On some
vehicles it also includes roll rate and
longitudinal acceleration sensors.
By interpreting all this data, the ESC
knows what the vehicle is doing relative to
the driver’s inputs and can react accordingly.
The tools in the ESC's armoury include
activating the front or rear brakes on one
side of the vehicle and/or adjusting the
throttle. In normal circumstances, you’d
never know a vehicle has ESC, but if your
vehicle aquaplanes or slides, the system
will react and deal with the issue. 
June 2020 campervan 73
In the know | Safety technology
With the system switched off and a slide
instigated, even an F1 driver would struggle
to react quickly enough to get the vehicle
back in line while, with the system active, a
slide is nipped in the bud so rapidly it can’t
develop into anything dangerous.
A common myth is that vehicles handle
better with stability control, but this isn’t how
it works. It only intervenes when something
has gone wrong.
Load adaptive control (LAC)
This is a particularly useful feature for vans.
It uses sensors to work out the roll centre
of vehicles and, crucially, can adapt to the
positioning of weight on a vehicle. So, in a
campervan, it can adjust the settings of the
ESC system depending on how the vehicle
is loaded and can take into account the
different ways in which people load and
use their vehicle.
Roll over mitigation and
cross wind assist
This system reacts to sudden changes in
vehicle movement, such as swerving, or
reacting to a crosswind. It works with all the
ESC sensors, particularly the lateral force
sensor. If the force on this sensor is
excessive it will rapidly apply the brakes or
reduce the engine torque to reduce the roll.
Cross Wind Assist is Mercedes’ term for
this system. Its system activates
automatically above 50mph and takes into
account the speed, load condition and
distribution, as well as the steering angle. If
the driver steers in response to the cross-
wind, the systems response reacts to this.
Traction control system (TCS)
Traction control or anti-slip regulation (ASR)
is fitted to all vehicles with ESC and reads
data from the wheel speed sensors. If it
senses one wheel is spinning as it’s lost
traction, it will either reduce the power to
that wheel, apply a little brake pressure or
even reduce the throttle angle. Some
The Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo campervan will react if
you encounter side winds, on motorways, for example
74 campervan June 2020
makers also add an off-road setting to help
vehicles on slippery terrain.
Cruise control and adaptive
cruise control (ACC)
Traditional cruise control systems allow you
to set a speed, and then vary the throttle
pressure to maintain that speed. Great for
cruising on empty motorways in Europe,
perhaps, but not of much use in busy traffic.
Adaptive or active cruise control (ACC)
links with the ECU and can vary the speed to
maintain a constant. It uses radar or lasers to
scan the road ahead and can be set to
maintain a certain gap behind the vehicle in
front. It will also react if vehicles pull in front
of you, which is generally a good thing, but
can be jerky on busy motorways.
It is often linked to an automatic braking
system and, if you have an automatic
gearbox, there is very little left for the driver
to do beyond steering the vehicle.
Autonomous emergency
braking (AEB)
These systems link to the radar or laser
system of the active cruise control and
usually also have a camera (or cameras)
to monitor the road ahead. They can act
autonomously and apply the brakes if they
detect something ahead of the vehicle Traction control via the ESC system has
getting too close too rapidly. its limitations and for proper overlanding
Some of these systems work at lower you’ll need a 4WD conversion
speeds, while others can also work at higher
speeds. They give an audible and visual
warning when they’re about to trigger, so case of commercial vehicles where the
the driver can always take control manually. speed is often fixed at 56mph, 62mph,
They usually only act in the forward 68mph or 70mph.
direction on vans, but some cars now also
have it acting in reverse so this is sure to Hill descent control (HDC)
filter down in time. This is available on the Fiat Ducato and it
allows a vehicle to tackle a slope of up to
Variable speed limiter 50% without any driver input by using the
A variable speed limiter either alerts the ABS system to manage the brakes on the
driver if the preset speed is exceeded or descent. The speed of descent can be
limits the throttle action. It can also be preset, while touching the accelerator
preset in the ECU at a set value – as in the or brake pedal will override it.
Electronic off-road traction control systems only
work to a degree – regular off-road explorers are
better off with chunky tyres!
outandaboutlive.co.uk
 The latest VW Crafter’s autonomous
emergency braking uses radar to detect
obstacles. It brakes automatically

This SsangYong Tivoli gives clear warning of its

autonomous emergency braking system’s activation

Lane departure warning High-beam recognition Physics is always king

system (LDWS)
We’ve all done it: not spotted a vehicle
in our mirror and pulled out on it. Happily,
LDWS knows which lane of the motorway
you’re in and, even if the weather isn’t great,
will give a signal (usually a flashing LED
warning light in the side mirror glass) if
there’s an object approaching, or in the way.
As bigger campervans can have bulky
bodies with blindspots, it is a very helpful
bit of kit.
Some vehicles will even change lane for
you automatically when you activate the
turn signal – and can vibrate the steering
wheel or seatbelt if they detect you veering
off the road or across another lane.
Traffic signal recognition (TSR)
This uses a camera to recognise speed limit
and overtaking signs, and can then alert the
driver to these via the on-board display.
This may seem like a novelty but it’s
designed with autonomous vehicles in
mind, and is, or course, a handy driving aid.
This automatically dips your headlights
from full beam when an oncoming vehicle
is detected and then switches back to full
beam when the vehicle has passed. It’s
a great idea to help prevent you being
dazzled and is particularly welcome in
the era of the ultra-bright LED headlight.
Rain and dusk sensors
These sensors are mounted in front of the
rear view mirror on the windscreen and
can automatically detect ambient light –
activating headlamps at dusk or in tunnels
– as well as switching on the wipers
automatically when rain is detected on
the windscreen.
Hill holder
This is one of our favourite gadgets as it
automatically holds the brakes on for a few
seconds when you come off the brake pedal
and move your foot to the accelerator. It
stops the vehicle rolling back and saves
drivers having to use the handbrake.
As effective as all these safety systems are,
they can’t get around the laws of physics, so
remember there is a limit to what they can
actually do.
They can’t compensate for people driving
into a sharp corner at 100mph – the
campervan’s mass will always dominate.
Equally, auto braking systems can’t brake
any more efficiently than the system they’re
bolted to, the road’s grip levels and the tyre’s
coefficient of friction.
To give all these systems the best possible
chance of keeping you safe if they’re ever
called upon, you have to do your bit.
Keep your tyres correctly inflated and in
good condition, don’t overload your vehicle
and drive to the road conditions.
But, there’s no doubt that these electronic
aids do greatly increase safety and generally
only step in when there’s a need.
It’s like having your own safety angel
travelling in the ’van with you, and that has
to be a good thing for all of us. But don't let
fancy tech make you a lazy driver!

Any advice given by consultants and contributors within Campervan is designed to be by way of suggestion only and does not negate a

Note reader’s responsibility to obtain professional advice before acting upon it. Any such advice is not a recommendation on behalf of the Editor
or publishers and is followed entirely at the reader’s own risk. Consequently, the Editor, consultants and publishers shall not be responsible
for any loss or damage incurred by a reader acting upon such advice.

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 75

In the know | Accessories

Top 10 Campervan Accessories

Being stuck at home is a great opportunity to set up camp in the garden and
live out your childhood dreams of becoming Pocahontas or Indiana Jones.
Here’s a few essential campout items to get started with…

Auro Home & AutoGlym Ultra High Definition Shampoo

Outdoor Fitness App
Coming up with a lockdown exit
strategy is tricky – literally speaking,
because a massive surge in home
baking has left leaders around our
land scratching their heads as to
how they’ll widen front doors so we
can get out again. Like Coronavirus
testing kits, there’s just not enough
door-wideners to go around. So
why not do your bit for the NHS by
levering yourself off the sofa and
doing some proper exercise? It’s
easier than you might think with this
personal training app that’s available
from Google Play and the Apple
App Store, costing £59.99 for an
annual subscription or £11.99 per
month (NHS staff get a 50%
discount). Choose from a huge
range of workouts and classes,
including yoga, spin and rowing.
aurofit.co
9
£11.9
In last month’s issue, we highlighted the fact that there really is no excuse for not
giving your campervan a thorough clean at this time of year, and suggested
you try out the Rapid Aqua Wax Complete Kit from AutoGlym. We assume
you’ve now used up all that and that your camper is dirty again, so we thought
you might like to give AutoGlym’s Ultra High Definition Shampoo a whirl. It
cleans paintwork, leaving a silky smooth, high-gloss finish and,
according to the blurb, it has ‘an irresistible fragrance’…
£14 autoglym.com
Mountain Warehouse Men’s 360
Reflective Jacket & Hurdle Running Shorts
Runners fall into two categories: those who look like they’re on a
mission and actually enjoying it, and those who seem to be on the
run after having just committed some sort of crime.
Whichever camp you fall into, it’s best to be prepared for every
eventuality before embarking on your government-permitted daily
dose of exercise by wearing the right
gear, for a start.
After all, while invisibility cloaks
are a lot of fun, they cause havoc
with social distancing regulations.
Much safer instead to get yourself £29.9
some bespoke sporty glad rags 9
from Mountain Warehouse, like the 360 Reflective Jacket,
which is lightweight, breathable and water resistant, as well as being
suitable for exercising in the dark. Pair that with some very
fetching 100% polyester Hurdle shorts and there’s no
£9.99 knowing where the night might end…
mountainwarehouse.com

Outdoor Revolution Premium Folding Bunk Beds Star

Prefix anything with the words ‘Great British…’ and it’s bound to be a hit. Consider The Great
British Sewing Bake and The Great British Bee Off, for example – oh, and that other one
Buy
where they throw pots at the floor…
Needless to say, when the Great British Campout for NHS staff was announced
to take place over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, it was bound to be a success
– so much so that some people are still living in their gardens.
If you’d like to join them, you’ll be well sorted with these camp beds from Outdoor
Revolution, which can be used as individual single beds or twin bunk beds. With a
combined 120kg weight limit, they’re perfect for kids and average-
sized adults alike. When you’re done, the whole lot folds up and packs
into a handy holdall.
£89.99
outdoor-revolution.co.uk

76 campervan June 2020 outandaboutlive.co.uk

 Wayfayrer Food
People who don’t believe in miracles clearly haven’t heard of Wayfayrer camping food – the
ultimate solution to surviving the great British lockdown! It’s pretty exciting stuff, consisting of
mail order long-life ready meals. And, not only are they available in a variety of tasty
flavours, but they also come in easy-to-clean packets (in case you need to improvise for
loo roll). We managed to get our greedy mitts on samples of the All Day Breakfast
(containing beans, sausages, bacon and omelette in a tomato sauce) and Spicy

£4.50 Sausage & Pasta (made from unicorns). Both can be eaten hot or cold – although #Camp
the latter isn’t for the faint-hearted – and they certainly fill the hole. Yum!
vango.co.uk Clever
Cacoon Songo Vido Campervan Ice Cube Tray
There are many animals that happily £288 With this innovative product there really is no need to sit about
spend over half their lives in the land pining over not being out and about in the camper when you can
of nod. Cats can sleep up to 20 take your mind off it with a nice cold drink out in the garden.
hours a day. Grizzly bears, for Watch as this icy impersonation of a campervan gradually melts
example, will hibernate for up to away and disappears – rather like your own hopes and dreams of
seven months and the lazy a campervan holiday this summer… Oh well, they do say that
bumblebee queen manages an absence makes the heart grow fonder. And once you’re tired of
impressive nine months! It’s a simple drinking, this mould can also be used to make jellies, cakes,
technique to manage getting candles and even
through tough times without food, so scented soaps! Can
perhaps the way through self- your campervan do
isolation for us humans is to simply all those things?
sleep though it. And that can be very easily achieved with the help of one of campervangift.
these very cosy-looking hammocks that can be hung under the canopy of a co.uk
nice tree, or from a tripod (sold separately). #StayAtHome #BeMoreCat
amara.com £7.95

Robens Kaya Bord Atlas Stellplatzführer 2020: Germany and Europe

William Morris famously said: “If you want a
golden rule that will fit everything, this is it:
Have nothing in your house that you do not
know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
A wise sentiment indeed, which certainly
applies to campervanning. Ideally, everything
in your ’van (including passengers!) should be
both useful and beautiful, rather like this
Kaya chair. Made by Danish brand, Robens, it
certainly sports the too-cool-for-school
Scandi look, and is incredibly comfortable.
Thanks to a folding bamboo frame, it’s
lightweight and
easy to set up,
and comes with
a carrybag, too.
robens.de
5
£134.9
Being stuck at home is the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill, and where better to start than
with something nice and simple, like German? The Bord (German for
‘bored’, obvs.) Atlas is great for beginners as
it’s very easy to follow, thanks to pictures and
a simple reference key. It lists over 6,400
stopovers throughout Germany (book 1) and
Europe (book 2), and the entry for each
includes useful information like the address
and GPS coordinates, price and facilities, and
even points of interest and distances to
nearby shops and restaurants. A little German
really does go a long way!
£22.50 vicarious-shop.com
Snugpak Insulated Jungle Travel Blanket
Even if you’re not going to be visiting a jungle, or travelling this summer,
an insulated blanket could still come in useful. Designed by Snugpak (a
Yorkshire brand renowned for its sleeping bags), it’s lightweight,
windproof and water-repellent, and packs down into a small stuff sack.
Think cosy sleeping bag in a blanket format that’s available in standard
(193cm by 163cm) and extra-large (224cm by 183cm) sizes, and you’re
there. Perfect for sitting out after sunset and snuggling up, or (in the
case of our tester) wrapping yourself up like a pig in a blanket while
working from home during the lockdown because some
people are too skinflint to put the heating on…
snugpak.com From £29.95

outandaboutlive.co.uk June 2020 campervan 77

In the know | Next month 18 J On sa
une le
202
0

campervan F R E E D O M T O E X P L O R E

In next month's issue

Enjoying Your
campers

Carol and Anthony have a wicked time exploring Check out this Unimog off-roader, which makes
Croatia by campervan... for a really bonkers campervan conversion!

Sites Choosing In the

know

Perfect campsites only for grown-ups to chill at, We check out the latest, and very keenly- Ever wondered what Type Approval is, and what
when the lockdown is over... priced, California Coast from Volkswagen... all the fuss is about? We reveal all...
All contents subject to change

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To create your dream campervan,
we’re giving you the ‘Choice’.
The new Danbury ‘Choice’ range removes all the
guesswork when deciding which options you’ll need
with high-spec features as standard including aircon,
comfort pack and many more. Plus, we’ll also help
you create your individual, dream campervan with;
a choice of alloy wheels, floorings, wood finishes,
leather upholsteries, roof colours and roof canvas
colours, all within the same price.
As seen
VW T6.1 Surf ‘Choice’ at £57,495 at the recent
Also available in Active and Royale NEC Caravan,
Camping &
Motohome Show
2020

Make your ‘Choice’ now at

Danbury Headquarters Caravan Tech Camper NI

Great Western Business Park, London Road, Hurst Green, Etchingham 67 Moira Road, Hillsborough,
Armstrong Way, Yate, Bristol BS37 5NG TN19 7PN Northern Ireland BT26 6DX
www.danburycampervans.co.uk www.caravantech.co.uk www.camperni.com

Davan Caravans & Motorhomes Pullingers Leisure Vehicles 25seven Campers Ltd
St Georges, Weston-Super-Mare BS22 7XA 11, First Avenue, Bluebridge Industrial Estate, Fivewood Barn, Money Lane, Bromsgrove
www.davan.co.uk Halstead CO9 2EX B61 0QY
www.pullingers.co.uk www.25sevencampers.co.uk
Alan Kerr Ltd
Patrick House, Blythe Way
Yalberton Industrial Estate, Paignton TQ4 7QP
www.alankerrltd.co.uk

www.danburycampervans.co.uk
Vehicle shown is the Danbury Surf ‘Choice’ with complete specification as stated. All details and prices are correct at time of printing. Danbury Campervans reserve
the right to change specification and pricing without prior notice. T’s & C’s apply. See website for full details.