AtHomeWithGloriaHunnifordOctober2016 - 169

T R AV E L ▲ WORDS: HAZEL TILLEY, IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES H olidays on the road are cool - it's official. Celebrities including Helen Mirren, 71, Lorraine Kelly, 56, Billie Piper, 34, and Jamie Oliver, 41, are all discovering the joys of motoring trips in a caravan or motorhome. But it's not just celebs hitting the asphalt. More than 205,000 people in Britain own motorhomes - and the number is quickly rising. In March 2016, 2,352 new motorhomes were registered in the UK - that's up 20.4% on March last year. It's little wonder they're so popular. A motorhome combines freedom and convenience like no other holiday choice. Self-catering apartments on wheels, they allow you to go where you please, taking pets, possessions, friends and family with you. If you feel like exploring the coast of Cornwall, or the continent, a motorhome can take you to places other holidays can't reach. However deserted or far-flung your destination, you can still put the kettle on and plug into mains electricity and fresh water. Forget the clapped-out caravans of the 1970s; today's mobile homes are stylish with all mod cons. Not only that, the choice of vehicle is vast. At the top end are all-singing, all-dancing luxury numbers. If that's what you're after, consider Adria (www.adria.co.uk), with more than 400 dealers across Europe. Think six-berth, atrium-style living with panoramic windows and sky lights, and smart, chrome finishings. At the other end of the market, many manufacturers offer buyers a choice of layouts, finishes and textiles. Whether it's a compact two-berth or something to accommodate your friends and family, there's a motorhome to suit every explorer. The latest annual figures show new UK motorhome registrations during 2015 were up 21% on 2014, with some companies reporting near-record new motorhome sales levels in 2016, says the National Caravan Council. BEST BRITISH SITES If you stay at a registered camping and caravan site you'll get extra conveniences, such as water and electricity, plus waste disposal facilities. Try www.caravanclub.co.uk and www.freedomtogo.co.uk for more ideas and information. KIPPFORD HOLIDAY PARK DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY Boasting fantastic views, nature walks, good facilities and friendly staff, this site offers lovely views of the surrounding Galloway Hills. Its private woodland includes an 8,000-year-old bluebell field, which houses a breeding ground for the red squirrel population, and there are also amazing views of the Lake District. Touring pitches are £20 to £29 a night (www.kippfordholidaypark.co.uk). SOUTH LYTCHETT MANOR PARK DORSET INSTALLING SATELLITE TV INTO YOUR MOTORHOME. IS EASIER THAN YOU MAY THINK, IF YOU CAN'T BEAR TO BE WITHOUT IT. Voted the Best UK Site for Motorhomes this year by Practical Motorhome magazine, you'll find hard-standing pitches in a beautiful setting, piped music in the modern washrooms, and a well-stocked shop. There's a bus stop outside, so you can park your motorhome then head off exploring Poole, Swanage or Weymouth. There's free wi-fi, an adventure playground, games room, bicycle hire, and events for kids, plus large pitches for twin-axle vehicles (visit www. southlytchettmanor.co.uk for details). BATH CHEW VALLEY CARAVAN PARK SOMERSET Nestled in the rolling hills of the stunning Somerset countryside, and Show time A MOTORHOME COMBINES FREEDOM AND CONVENIENCE close to a championship fishing lake, this adults-only site provides easy access to Bristol, Bath and Wells. Pitches are large and well-landscaped, and there are luxury washrooms, free ironing facilities, a motorhome wastedisposal point, lending library, car hire facilities and dog walking area. THREE TRIP TIPS Before you go, it really pays to be prepared... DRIVING LICENCE To drive motorhomes weighing up to 3,500kg you just need a standard driving licence. However, if you want to drive a larger C1-class vehicle, weighing up to 7,500kg, you'll need to take an additional test if you're over 70 or received your licence after 1997. PARKING UP While there is no specific law preventing you parking overnight on a public road or layby, some councils put signs up stating 'no overnight camping' and may ask you to move on if you ignore them. KEEPING IT FRESH If you leave your motorhome in storage over winter, it can become damp and mouldy. Open yours up regularly to let air circulate, and keep an eye out for any leaks. www.athomemagazine.co.uk NOVEMBER 2016 | 169 http://www.adria.co.uk http://www.kippfordholidaypark.co.uk http://southlytchettmanor.co.uk http://www.caravanclub.co.uk http://www.freedomtogo.co.uk http://www.athomemagazine.co.uk

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