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Travel

Taste of the great outdoors

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Campervan by Bill McCarthy

VW campervan parked at the Lynton campsite in Devon 

As someone who has some experience of motorhome holidays it was with some curiosity that we decided to go smaller and try our hand with a camper van.

The campervan made famous by Volkswagen in fact. 

This latest version is a million miles away from the original, boasting all the latest creature comforts and hi-tech gizmos, but no amount of technology can do anything about lack of space. Or can it? 

From a maximum 28ft on our first motorhome, this VW offered something a little more compact. Compact, but still ingenious in its practicality and the big advantage over the larger vehicle, is that you are more mobile.

You can stow stuff away in no time and be on the road, even down to the local shops. 

Exceedingly difficult with the motorhome. 

VW campervans have plenty of storage areas for holiday paraphernalia in what appears to be a limited space 

We were invited to test all of this by a motorhome and campervan company which has recently opened a new branch in the Midlands, at Beoley near Redditch. 

Taking advantage of the surge in popularity of caravanning and camping staycations, Rockin’ Vans has opened this 8,000 sq ft facility early last year and has a wide range of vehicles to choose from. 

On arrival, it didn’t look like there would enough space to store all our holiday paraphernalia, but with ingenious hidden cubby holes and storage areas under seating and overhead, an awful lot can be stored in what appears to be a limited amount of space. 

So we loaded up and headed south west to beautiful north Devon and into Somerset where we stayed at a couple of Camping and Caravanning Club sites. 

Spectacular views over Minehead 

These are usually set in picturesque surroundings, with enough facilities to be comfortable, but secluded enough to be away from the madding crowd. 

We chose one in Lynton in Devon, above the cliffs and overlooking the beautiful the combined town of Lynton and Lynmouth and the other at Minehead in Somerset – again a spectacular view over the town from high on a hill with an incredible panoramic view. 

Both offer peace and tranquility with all the basic facilities required for camping and caravanning as well as close proximity to nearby tourist centres. Daily rates at both began for us at around £22 and included electricity points and water and disposal facilities as well as clean and tidy shower blocks and a small shop for essentials and a friendly welcome and helping hand if needed. 

A spectacular sunset a Brean Sands in Somerset 

Here we were able to explore the van properly. Space is at a premium but the rear seats and table are used to create a double bed, which features individual lights, while the two front chairs are captain style, which means they swivel around. 

Also the fabric roof can be raised to accommodate a couple of, usually children, above the main bed. It is worthwhile taking an extra foldaway mattress, because without it, unless you like sleeping on a board, the bed conversion can be uncomfortable. We used the mattress from the overhead bed for extra comfort as there was only two of us. 

The kitchen facilities offer a cooker and fridge, which is just about enough, otherwise, weather and site permitting, portable barbecues offer a rustic cooking alternative. 

As said earlier, the size is an advantage as packing up takes minutes and allows for plenty of sight seeing. 

VW campervan 

A trip on the water-powered funicular cliff railway down from Lynton to Lynmouth is a must. Lynton is 700 feet above Lynmouth, which was the only place to expand to once all available space in Lynmouth had been built on. 

From there we moved to Minehead, again a picturesque town with its own miniature railway, which offers 20 miles of heritage railway and typically British seaside welcome, 

For those who want wall to wall entertainment the vast Butlins sight can be entered with day passes. 

A new level of motorhome for us, and we loved the freedom. Cheaper too, as the smaller VW uses much less fuel. Rockin’ Vans has a fleet of campervans and motorhomes to hire with a week’s hire of a VW campervan, prices start at £413. 

VW campervan 

If you want creature comforts, then maybe hotel is for you but if you want a taste of the great outdoors with freedom to move at will, try the camper van.

Travel

Travelling in ‘God’s Country’

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It’s God’s Own Country. At least that’s what they say in Yorkshire

The ‘secret garden’ doorway’ behind the motorhomes and caravans at the Chatsworth Park site, which leads to the Chatsworth House estate in Derbyshire

Many other parts of the UK would dispute that, but it’s clear the White Rose county has a rich tapestry of gently sloping wolds, delightful dales, quaint villages and the stunning moorlands so vividly displayed in TV’s Heartbeat.

Not to mention picturesque seaside town like Whitby, Filey, Bridlington and Scarborough – and plenty of pubs and wildlife.

A lot to take in in what is a huge county so a touring holiday gives the freedom to pick and choose various campsites that each offer something a little bit different.

We chose a motorhome. It has been a few years since that last adventure when we hired a vehicle from one of the many rental sites.

But now a big fish has entered the market. Swift has set up its own bespoke rental service, operating initially from a swish new base in Stockport, which has dozens of different motorhomes to choose from and which is convenient for the motorway network.

The firm, based in Yorkshire, plans another six depots countrywide by 2022.

The ‘secret garden’ doorway’ behind the motorhomes and caravans at the Chatsworth Park site, which leads to the Chatsworth House estate in Derbyshire

Our four-berth Escape is a compact brand new vehicle, ingeniously designed, as they have to be, to give the comforts of home living in a relatively tiny space.

So we loaded up and set off on a tour which took in North Yorkshire and eventually north Derbyshire.

Our destinations were Caravan and Motorhome Club sites, or sites affiliated to the group.

The club has more than 200 club sites and 2,500 privately owned places to stay in the UK and more than 300 sites across Europe.

Our first port of call was Wharfedale, near Skipton in North Yorkshire. This is one of the top sites with a peaceful atmosphere and excellent facilities including a pristine shower block and a pub nearby to slake your thirst after a long walk in the stunning countryside.

The next site couldn’t be more different. A couple of miles up the road from Whitby at Sneaton, it is on a working farm, offering limited facilities but a spectacular view over Whitby bay.

There are only a few hard standing pitches but water and waste disposal is available. It is peaceful and secluded and the sheep are never far away. For essentials a pub and farm shop are nearby.

Lack of facilities is not a problem as the Escape is fully equipped with toilet and shower facilities, hob, oven, microwave, fridge and toaster, plus all the pots and pans to go with it.

Hook up to the electrics and off you go. Otherwise a gas supply and leisure battery will provide power.

The motorhome has a sturdy and ingenious fold away table and chairs and if the weather is kind, like it was for us, you take your meals al fresco.

Steaming in on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

So relax, fold out the integral awning and settle down with a Merlot or two and start counting the sheep.

If you like peace and quiet and a friendly welcome this fits the bill.

A trip in Whitby is a must to try the famous fish and chips or a special shout out to The Plough a traditional pub that sells a pint for £1.40 and cost us £4 for two lagers. Whitby is also hosts the famous North Yorkshire Moors Railway. This railway, which has recently featured on Channel 5 and runs to Pickering, with various stops along the way.

If you are a Heartbeat fan, then stop off at Goathland, home of the Aidensfield and, sorry to labour the pub angle, the Aidensfield Arms, which packs in the visitors. It is a beautiful journey through the moorlands and steam enthusiast or not, people love it

Filey is just about 40 minutes down the road and weary travellers can stop off at another affiliated site. The Honeypot Inn offers a small number of pitches with electric and toilet facilities on a field with a view towards the seaside resort. The pub itself boasts a varied menu of home cooking and real ales. Filey itself is a pretty unspoilt seaside town in a picturesque bay, the kind of town you would be happy to visit on a day trip.

Our final destination took us back inland to the imposing and sprawling Chatsworth House estate in Derbyshire. Chatsworth Park is another Caravan and Motorhome Club site offering a full range of facilities and with a couple of magical extras. Although walled off from the estate, campers are provided with a key to a ‘secret garden’ type entrance door to the estate, which allows access to wander around, take in Chatsworth House, although charges apply for entry and provides a relaxing walk down a path to the village of where there is a shop, and yes, two pubs and a hotel. The site is also inhabited by families of tame ducks which just love to be fed, a real treat for children and the site shop provides reasonably priced bird food.

The motorhome itself is easy to drive and set up and provides plenty of freedom to move around.

Relaxing at Monks Farm, near the resort of Whitby

A big bonus on all models is the free, inbuilt wi-fi and excellent TV reception. While it may not offer the freedom of a caravan, it does mean you do not have to face the chore of towing. Considering their size and weight, they are also pretty economical to run. It is certainly worth trying.The UK has plenty of different sites for all tastes, especially if you love pubs and animals.

  • TRAVEL FACTS
  • (Information correct at September 2018, otherwise, visit respective websites(
  • For a week’s hire of a family-sized motorhome, sleeping four, prices start around £700 in low season rising to around £1,050 in high season. Motorhomes can be hired for three or more nights. Visit www.swiftgo.co.uk
  • Join the Caravan and Motorhome Club to save 15 per cent off motorhome hire and get free collision damage waiver (worth £15 per night) when booking with Swift Go. Visit caravanclub.co.uk/membership
  • For attractions in Yorkshire visit www.yorkshire.com
  • For the railway visit www.nymr.co.uk