As I write we’re mid-way through the
Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, which is the traditional curtain-raiser for the new camping season each year.
The Club’s President Julia Bradbury was star of the show on its opening day, and if you’re a fan of Chris Evans’ BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show you’ll likely have heard discussions this week about camping and caravanning, and what the difference is between a campervan and a motorhome.
The show is busy, it’s buzzing, and that’s because camping is booming.
A total of more than 17 million camping and caravanning trips are estimated to have been taken by UK adults in 2016, over 15 million of which were in Britain. And the total trips taken figure is expected to rise to 17.9 million this year.
The Club had a very successful 2016. During the summer months, we recorded the highest ever membership figure in our 115 year history.
At the end of the year our total household membership number stood at 290,784 – an increase of more than five per cent on 2015 – while occupancy on our Club Site network grew by more than four per cent.
It seems more and more people are switching on to camping as a lifestyle choice, no longer just an affordable holiday.
And with more than 350 leading leisure brands exhibiting at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show, this is the place to get started.
The event runs until Sunday 26 February at its regular home, the NEC Birmingham, and if you’re considering visiting over the weekend, here are a few tips for what to see and do there.
Among the state of the art caravans and motorhomes from Britain and the Continent’s finest manufacturers, one model I’d recommend you check out is a one-of-a-kind caravan from Lunar that’s been styled by the fashion and lifestyle team at Joules. It’s based on a four-berth Quasar but given a funky new exterior and interior.
Other cool towables include the Opus Folding Camper, which now uses Air pole technology to inflate the camper in just 90 seconds, and Swift’s Basecamp, a camping crossover unit that’s more toy trailer than traditional caravan.
Motorhomes and campervans are all the rage right now, with the market growing by some 17 per cent last year compared with 2015, and you can see why. They’re smarter than ever – just check out what Hillside Leisure can do in a VW Transporter, including fitting a fixed toilet! Bilbo’s motorhomes topped our
Motorhome Owner Satisfaction Survey at the end of January and was just one of the makers celebrating its success in our awards with signage at the show.
And if you haven’t seen Adria’s Compact SlideOut motorhome before – a model that hugely increases its internal living space on site thanks to a slide out section at the rear of the van – then be sure to take a look.
If tents are your thing, check out Coleman’s ‘blackout bedroom’ models, and the latest innovations from Outwell and Vango.
For those who are looking for things to do to burn off the kids’ energy, there’s a children’s assault course, simulated caving, and a mobile climbing mountain.
Here are five more great reasons to get involved with the Club at the show:
1. We’re supporting a Freedom to Go interactive area (Hall 5) by teaching newcomers how to hitch up a caravan in just a few easy steps. You can also try your hand at reversing a caravan here too, and there’s another chance to see the Guinness World Record breaking LEGO brick caravan.
2. The Club has partnered with Hyundai to run its towing initiative: have a go at towing on the open road with a free lesson from the Club’s experts.
3. Try out our pedal-powered caravan slot racing at the Club’s stand (Hall 4) – it’s great fun for kids and adults alike. While you’re there, if you’re a Club member take advantage of a free cup of tea or coffee in our member area – and if you’re not a member, ask about the show joining offer. Also, it’s not well known, but the Club stand is manned largely by volunteers, Club members who are so enthusiastic about the benefits of the Club they give up their own time to spread the word. They’re a fount of knowledge and information, and they’re happy to share it.
4. If you’ve heard about Ready Camp but not yet seen one of these luxurious glamping tents in person, check one out at our stand in Hall 5. The Club’s Ready Camp network of pre-pitched glamping tents continues to go from strength to strength, and for 2017 we’ve expanded the network to 180 tents across 39 of our Club Sites.
5. Finally, here at the show we’re continuing our campaign to raise awareness around towing without a B+E licence by offering a fabulous prize of a Hyundai i30 tow car and Swift Basecamp Camping Crossover Vehicle worth more than £38,000!
Come along to the show, visit us on our stand and say hello – we’d love to see you here.