Author: m0t0rplu3

Whether you want to buy a new or second-hand motorhome, there is no way around the fact that it is likely to set you back a fair sum of money.

So, the purchase of a motorhome is likely to be one of those larger items for which you may need to borrow money. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about motorhome finance.

What is motorhome finance?

Motorhome finance is a type of loan or financing option designed specifically for purchasing a motorhome. It allows individuals to spread the cost of buying a motorhome over time, typically through monthly repayments.

How much can I borrow?

The amount you can borrow for a motorhome depends on various factors, including your credit history, income, expenses, and the lender’s lending criteria.

When determining how much you can borrow, lenders will assess your affordability by considering factors such as your income, employment status, existing debts, and monthly expenses. They will also evaluate the value of the motorhome you intend to purchase and may require a deposit, which could affect the amount you need to borrow.

To get an idea of how much you can borrow for a motorhome, you can use our free motorhome finance calculator.

Keep in mind that borrowing for a motorhome is typically done through a secured loan, where the motorhome serves as collateral for the loan. As such, the amount you can borrow may be influenced by the value of the motorhome and the lender’s loan-to-value (LTV) ratio requirements.

Ultimately, it’s essential to carefully consider your financial situation and budget constraints before taking out a loan for a motorhome to ensure that you can comfortably afford the repayments and enjoy your motorhome without financial strain.

How does a finance company calculate that affordability?

As we touched on above, the motorhome finance company will consider the amount you are putting down as a deposit, your regular earnings and expenditure and – perhaps most important of all will examine your credit rating.

Any finance company is obliged to check your credit history – which illustrates how well, or otherwise, you have managed borrowing and credit in the past and, so, provides the lender some confidence in your maintaining the agreed repayment schedule on any new borrowing.

Don’t be misled by those advertisements suggesting that there is any such thing as “no credit check credit”.

How can I trust any lender to offer a fair deal?

Lenders providing motorhome finance advice need to be authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – and you may review the FCA register to confirm that here at Derby Motorhomes we have just such authorisation, trading as Motor Plus Derby Limited.

Not only is our motorhome finance business regulated by the FCA but it also means that if you subsequently have any complaint or dispute about your finance, you may refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Do I need a deposit for motorhome finance?

Some motorhome finance options may require a deposit, while others may offer 100% financing. The deposit amount required can vary depending on factors such as your creditworthiness, the value of the motorhome, and the lender’s requirements.

What types of motorhome finance are available?

There are various types of motorhome finance available in the UK, including Hire Purchase (HP), Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), Personal Loans, and secured motorhome loans. Each type of finance has its own terms, conditions, and repayment structures.

What is hire purchase (HP)?

Perhaps the most familiar form of motorhome finance is hire purchase. If your application is approved, you typically need to find a deposit of around 10% of the purchase price of the motorhome you have chosen.

The balance of the purchase price is then repaid in equal monthly instalments over the agreed term of the hire purchase agreement. In some instances, you may be able to opt for monthly repayments followed by a larger, final, “balloon” payment.

It is worth remembering that legal ownership of the motorhome does not pass to you until the final instalment has been paid and that if you default on the repayments, your motorhome may be repossessed.

What happens if I can’t keep up with repayments?

If you’re struggling to keep up with repayments on your motorhome finance, it’s essential to contact your lender as soon as possible to discuss your options. Depending on your circumstances, your lender may be able to offer temporary payment arrangements or alternative solutions to help you manage your repayments.

Can I pay off my motorhome finance early?

In most cases, you can pay off your motorhome finance early by making additional payments or settling the outstanding balance in full. However, early repayment terms and fees may apply, so it’s essential to check with your lender before making any early payments.

How can we help?

For more information on how we can help you with motorhome finance, please visit our dedicated page here or please give us a call on 01332 360222 – we’d be delighted to help.

Have you thought of taking your motorhome to the Netherlands?

When planning a European tour, many motorhome owners head for the mountains of Austria and Switzerland or the beaches of southern France, Italy or Spain. But you do not need to drive so far to enjoy a continental journey much closer to home. The Low Countries – and the Netherlands, in particular – have a great deal to offer.

Why the Netherlands?

If you don’t fancy another long journey after driving your motorhome off the ferry, the Netherlands offers a perfect solution. Take the ferry from Harwich in Essex to the Hook of Holland and you reach your destination as soon as you roll off the boat. The ferry crossing takes just under seven hours, but this can vary.

Or, take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais and drive to the Netherlands – this takes less than four hours says their website.

The Dutch

You are almost certain to receive a warm welcome from the Dutch people you meet. They are friendly and family-oriented, with as great a taste for the outdoor life. Think Holland and you’re sure to think cycling family days out or pottering about on any one of the many stretches of open water.

Although Dutch, of course, is the native language, practically everyone you meet will have (very good) English as their second language – so striking up a conversation is never likely to be all that taxing. As anywhere, though, it always goes down well if you have at least a spattering of the country’s own language.

What documents will I need?

To legally drive in the Netherlands, visitors must be 18 years or older and possess a full, valid driving licence. For motorcycle riders operating vehicles up to 125cc, the minimum age requirement is also 18.

Driving licences issued in European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries are accepted in the Netherlands. While international driving permits are recognized, they are not obligatory.

To ensure compliance with local regulations, it is imperative you carry the following documents while driving in the Netherlands:

  • Full, valid UK driving licence
  • Proof of identification (passport)
  • Motor insurance certificate
  • V5 registration document

Plus, you will need a “UK” sticker, not “GB”.

On the road

Although you’ll be driving on the right, the highway code is very much as you find it at home – although there are one or two differences to bear in mind.

Different speed limits apply depending on the vehicle you are driving – see the Caravan & Motorhome Club for more information here.

Unless otherwise directed, always give way to vehicles emerging from the right and remember that use of your mobile phone while driving is prohibited (but hands-free devices are allowed).

Roads and motorways are toll-free, but there are several different anti-congestion and low emission zones in different cities – so make sure you’re aware of the rules in place if you intend driving there. Sounding your horn in cities is also illegal.

Overnight in your motorhome

When it’s time to turn in for the night, you must park your motorhome on a recognised campsite – so-called “wild camping” is prohibited and strictly enforced with a possible fine of up to €500 per person, according to the website Caravanya.

Fortunately, therefore, campsites are plentiful, of a high standard, and affordable (according to some sources, prices are ranked the seventh cheapest in Europe).

Ideal for your motorhome tour is Delftse Hout campsite, near the city of Delft, with its typically Dutch architecture and famous for its ceramics. The 5-star site is surrounded by a beautiful park, has mostly grass pitches, is family-friendly and has English-speaking staff.

If you thought the whole of Holland was flat, just visit the southern part of the country towards its borders with Germany and Belgium. Set in rolling hills, with stunning views across South Limburg, is the beautiful Europarcs Gulperberg.

You’ve almost certainly heard the name – since their reputation goes before them. And if you’ve ever parked your own motorhome alongside one on a campsite, you’ve probably seen for yourself that Auto-Sleepers are a cut above most others.

So, if you are thinking about upgrading your motorhome this season, what makes it an attractive choice and how might you go about trading up for an Auto-Sleepers motorhome?

Why choose Auto-Sleeper?

What better way of finding out how well any particular motorhome is regarded than to ask those who already own one? And in terms of owner satisfaction, Auto-Sleepers have an enviable track record.

Your choice of models

There are lots of Auto-Sleepers models from which to choose – from the compact 2-berth Symbol campervan to the luxurious and spacious coachbuilt Mercedes-powered 4-berth Burford Duo.

The characteristics of each model – frequently updated to greet each new season – make Auto-Sleepers some of the most reviewed motorhomes on the market. 2022 even saw a brand-new make and model to the Auto-Sleepers stable – the all-new 4-berth Ford Air Camper.

In its review on the 11th of November 2021, Out and About Live described the class-leading Ford Air’s proven layout and featured its “top-notch pop-top”.

Trading up

Whether the fulsome reviews give you that incentive to buy or whether you prefer to take the word of those who already own a motorhome from the Auto-Sleepers stable, this is the manufacturer you might want to have in your sights when looking to upgrade.

If you already own an older Auto-Sleepers model and want to upgrade to a newer motorhome with a currently higher specification, you might naturally turn to a main dealer and franchise-holder such as us here at Derby Motorhomes. Our familiarity with every model of the whole Auto-Sleepers range – whatever its age or mileage – ensures that we can offer a highly competitive price in part exchange when you want to trade up.

Simply put, we are also interested in taking a second-hand Auto-Sleeper in part exchange.

In fact, we are interested in the whole chain of transactions typically involved when trading up to a new motorhome. If you are a private buyer interested in the motorhome you are trying to sell, for example, simply direct them to our Motorhomes Wanted page. If it is a campervan, van conversion or any motorhome less than seven years old, we may be able to offer a further part-exchange deal or offer to advertise it in our own listings on a sale or return basis.

As you will have gathered, therefore, you don’t have to own an Auto-Sleepers motorhome to offer any make of motorhome in part-exchange. The way is clear for you to upgrade to the luxury and reliability of an Auto-Sleepers motorhome simply by visiting our showrooms today and choosing the latest model that suits you and your family.

You want to enjoy your motorhome confident in the knowledge that it is safe to use and securely out of the hands of those up to no good. Let’s take a closer look at how you might do just that.

Fire

On occasion, your motorhome will be everything that your second home needs to be – and that means cooking, heating, and using a fridge. Each one of these appliances is likely to be powered by LPG gas. You are also likely to have lighting and other electrical devices connected to the onboard battery of your motorhome.

Both gas and electricity, of course, are potential sources of fire, so always ensure that supplies are disconnected when you leave your motorhome for any length of time and treat all appliances fuelled by them with care and caution.

As essential fire safety measures, smoke alarms, CO2 detectors, and fire extinguishers may also give you further peace of mind.

Although manufacturers are required to use fire-retardant materials in the construction of your motorhome, exercise care when parking up at your campsite and ensure you maintain a minimum of six metres between vehicles. That is the minimum separation recommended by the Caravan and Motorhome Club, which also suggests you keep at least three metres between your own and a neighbour’s car or awning.

Servicing

Regular servicing of any vehicle is important – to keep it working just as it should but also to help preserve its resale value. In the case of a motorhome, regular servicing is even more important – both from its mechanical and roadworthiness status and to all those interior aspects that make it a home from home.

The areas covered by those separate aspects of mechanical and habitation servicing are discussed in greater detail in an article by the Camping and Caravanning Club.

Here are Derby Motorhomes, we have expertise in both mechanical and habitation servicing – and as we have recommended in a separate blog, you might want the comfort and reassurance of knowing that servicing is done by a member of the Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS) set up by the National Caravan Council, the Camping and Caravanning Club, and the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

Security

Keeping your motorhome secure is principally a question of keeping two main threats at bay:

  • someone stealing and making off with the vehicle; and
  • the deterrence of intruders who are bent on causing damage or stealing any valuables you have inside.

The principal defence against the theft of the vehicle is an immobilisation device.

Practically every new motorhome manufactured these days comes already fitted with an immobilisation device that meets Thatcham Category 2 standards.

These devices work by cutting off the fuel system, starter motor, ignition, or a combination of all three when someone tries to start the engine without a specially coded key – the ignition key or fob (a touch key) for your particular motorhome. Without the unique code, the engine cannot be started, and a dual immobilisation circuit prevents the vehicle from being “hot-wired”.

Additional ways of immobilising your motorhome are described by the Camping and Caravanning Club. Some of these have the advantage of providing either a visual or audible deterrent – the sight of wheel clamps, for example, or the audible warning made when a lock between the gear shift and handbrake is disturbed.

To help trace your motorhome if it has been stolen, a tracking device may help by providing a 24/7 GPS locating signal. You might want to browse the latest wide range of devices supplied by one of the UK’s leading specialists, Tracker.

The simplest and most cost-effective way of keeping unwanted intruders out of your motorhome, of course, is to ensure that you lock all doors and windows whenever you leave the vehicle unattended. (Typically, of course, this is also going to be one of the fundamental conditions of your motorhome insurance policy).

Extra security might be provided by intruder alarms or motion detectors, which also warn you when someone may have broken into your motorhome.

Finally, it is worth remembering that the more secure you make your motorhome, the better your motor insurer is going to like it – and may even offer a discount on your insurance premiums as a result if you provide additional security.

You already own your prized and trusty motorhome, have just upgraded to a new one, or are about to embark on the brand-new experience of renting and touring in one. Only one big question remains. Where are you going to go?

When you own a motorhome, the world is quite literally your oyster – you have the wheels and you have the living accommodation, you are free to travel practically anywhere.

Inspiration for the many possible motorhome holiday destinations depends on your particular tastes and preferences, of course, together with who’s travelling and the size of your motorhome. But here are a few suggestions, featuring those countries which many consider to be the most motorhome-friendly:

The world

  • for the truly adventurous – and if you have all the time in the world – there really are no frontiers that cannot be crossed in your motorhome;
  • if you were in any doubt, take a look at the brief account given in the Sun newspaper a couple of years’ ago of the couple from Brighton who spent 8 years or more globe-trotting in a modest campervan – and circled the globe three times;

France

  • in the meantime, other destinations may be closer to home;
  • France remains a popular destination – if only because it is so close and easy to get to by ferry or the Channel Tunnel;
  • exploring the country by motorhome is made that much easier by the number of basic-amenity “aires” which you find just outside towns and villages on major highways;
  • with rudimentary facilities, they are free or very low-cost and are essentially for overnight stopovers, but with almost 4,000 of them dotted around the country, make excellent last-minute parking spots;
  • elsewhere, the high invariably high standards of regular campsites in France are legend;

Norway

  • you might be surprised to find Norway on our list of suggested destinations – but you’ll already be aware of the stunning scenery afforded by its mountains and fjords;
  • it is especially motorhome-friendly because of its law of “allemannsretten”, which allows you to free-camp – or park your motorhome – for up to two nights on any patch of uncultivated or unfenced land;

Iceland

  • the land of ice and fire also extends a surprisingly warm welcome for motorhome holidays;
  • there are more than 150 campsites spread over what is a relatively small island, so you are unlikely to have to travel far to find one that suits you;

Canada

  • friendly people and spectacular scenery make Canada a favourite among more adventurous motorhomers;
  • the extensive network of provincial and national park campsites stretches across the country, leaving you rarely without a base from which to admire the wild landscapes;

United States

  • probably the home of the road trip – “from California to the New York island/From the redwood forest to the Gulfstream waters”, to quote Woody Guthrie – the United States is probably high on the list of destinations for any motorhome enthusiast;
  • there are iconic sights too numerous to mention in this big, wide country – from the well-known attractions to its myriad of small towns;
  • Kampgrounds of America is probably the bible for those looking to park up their motorhome to admire the sights – but, in emergencies, you might do well to note that many Walmart supermarkets allow free overnight parking, too.

Not yet ready for such great adventures? Then why not make the most of your motorhome by getting to know all those many fascinating and unexplored corners of the British Isles – where your motorhome is likely to be welcomed just as warmly as anywhere else in the world.

TIP: before you travel, make sure your motorhome insurance covers your destination and any stop off points enroute.

If you managed to dodge the storms and flooding of the past few months, calmer days are just around the corner. It’s time to shift up a gear and get your motorhome back into serious work as the new season dawns.

So, what’s new on the horizon? Here are a few snippets.

Prices slashed at Derby Motorhomes

If you are looking to buy your first motorhome – or want to upgrade – we’re offering a great start to the season with some amazing price reductions on Auto-Sleepers!

The deals include £2,000 the ever-popular Burford and Burford Duo coachbuilt Auto-Sleepers, £1,500 off all of this year’s van conversion models, and massive savings on previous years’ Auto-Sleepers.

Cornish wellness retreats

If you own a motorhome, you already enjoy the outdoor life. How about combining that with a wellness retreat on Cornwall’s north coast, at Holywell Bay, near Newquay?

From the 5th until the 7th of June – and again from the 19th to the 21st of June – Trevornick Holiday Park is running wellness courses, with the price of your motorhome pitch included, writes Out and About Live.

The 5-star holiday park also boasts nature trails, a heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi and spa.

Land Rover Discovery conversion

Van conversions generally work very well – others somehow just don’t make it.

On the 1st of February, the UK’s Motor 1 magazine featured a Land Rover Discovery conversion that has been listed for sale in the United States – where else!

An interesting conversion it may be, but in terms of styling, design and general comfort, practically any other motorhome would knock the socks off it

Ladram Bay goes green

Ladram Bay Holiday Park, near Exeter in Devon is flying its green credentials as it plans to invest £300,000 on cutting edge solar energy systems in various buildings throughout its extensive grounds its grounds.

An infographic illustrates the many ways in which the park is aiming to recycle waste, avoid plastic packaging, install energy-efficient heating boilers, reduce paper usage by slimming down its brochure and relying more and more on the internet, and even investing in onsite electric vehicles to cut emissions.

Driving in Europe in 2021

Just when you thought you’d heard the last of Brexit, the BBC reminded us on the 20th of February that the UK is currently in a transition phase, during which very little will change in terms of driving your motorhome in Europe.

By the end of the year – and it might come around faster than you think – there might be a number of important changes. Preparing for them now might head off last-minute panic as you plan for next year’s holidays.

Depending on the detail of the UK’s final departure from the EU, from the 31st of December 2020, when driving in Europe you may need:

  • not only your UK driving licence but also an International Driving Permit (available from any Post Office for £5.50);
  • a “green card” showing proof of the level of insurance cover required in the European countries through which you are driving; and
  • a GB sticker on any UK-registered motorhome.

No need to panic just yet, but it may be worth keeping any changes in mind as you prepare for next year’s holidays and outings across the Channel.

 

Can’t wait to get behind the wheel of your motorhome to kick off the new season of adventures?

Here are some snippets of motorhome news that might help you along the way.

New carpark stopovers in Wales

Two Welsh towns on popular touring routes are to allow overnight stopovers for what the local council describes as “caravanettes” – motorhomes, in other words – according to UK Motorhomes.

The pay and display carparks are at Quay Street in Cardigan and New Promenade in Aberystwyth where overnight stopovers are being introduced this season on a trial basis. No other public carparks in the county currently allow such use.

Campervan refusals by DVLA

The DVLA has announced a massive increase in the number of refusals it has made of applications to reregister vehicles converted into campervans, reported Out and About Live on the 21st of January.

In just the first 11 months of 2019, the DVLA refused 9,488 such applications. This compares with 2,266 rejections in the whole of 2018 and just 622 in 2017.

The DVLA is unable to give any explanation for such a huge increase in rejections and insists that any vehicle meeting the required criteria would be passed. Nevertheless, some van converters protest that their vehicles met the necessary standards but still failed to gain registration by the DVLA.

Auto-Sleeper takes the laurels – again!

For the second year in a row, Auto-Sleeper walked away with the Best Motorhome Manufacturer award for 2020 at an annual dinner hosted by the Camping and Caravanning Club on the 17th of January.

Organised in collaboration with Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan magazines, the awards made on the basis of owner satisfaction surveys which were run between April and October 2019.

Concerns about “smart” motorways

January saw considerable media speculation about the safety of so-called smart motorways – where the hard shoulder is effectively turned into an operational lane of the motorway and safety laybys can be as far a mile to a mile and a half apart.

Drivers of motorhomes are likely to have a particular interest – if not concern – about the debate since they are among the most frequent users of such slower lanes of traffic.

You might want to read the discussion on the subject published in Practical Motorhome magazine on the 30th of January.

Pet-friendly pubs

If you’ve braved the elements and continued outings in your motorhome this winter, you’re also likely to have taken along the family dog.

Since any bracing winter’s walk always ends best at the local pub, it can nevertheless cause frustration if the beloved pet has to be left in the vehicle – or even worse tethered outside.

For a dog-friendlier welcome, therefore, you might want to browse the top ten list of pubs suggested by the online pet food supplier Webbox.

Have motorhome will travel

If you thought you’ve spent the winter months hatching an adventurous trip in your motorhome, you might want to cast an envious eye on a family from Derbyshire who are doing just that.

Mum and Dad quit their jobs, sold the house, and together with their children aged eight and five, invested in a 23ft motorhome. They are already in northern Africa on the first leg of their worldwide travels, recounted the Mirror newspaper on the 11th of January.

The whole family enjoyed a relaxing Christmas on the road and everyone is enjoying meeting new friends from different cultures in amazing places, they told the newspaper.

When the chill winds and frosty nights of winter keep you tucked up at home, your thoughts may be turning to those long summer days in your motorhome. What better way to breathe life into those dreams by considering those must-have motorhome accessories for 2020?

One motorhome owner’s must-have accessory could be another one’s passing fancy or mere folly, of course, but here is a selection of this year’s possibilities:

Dashcam

TV

  • you might have invested in your motorhome for a taste of the outdoor life, but that doesn’t mean you have to forego cosy evenings in just watching TV;
  • Cello’s 22-inch HD Traveller TV is a smart television that is suitably compact for any motorhome and may be powered either by 230V mains or a 12V source. It’s Wi-Fi and mobile hotspot capabilities mean that you can stay connected whilst on the move;

Leather-bound travel log

  • it’s not all about gadgets, however. Some of the best things about your motorhome adventures are the fond memories you are likely to have of trips at home or abroad;
  • what better way to record those memories – the old-fashioned way – than to keep a travel log for posterity’s sake;
  • the Italian-made Vietri Classico is a leather-bound journal and logbook in which to record your treasured memories and comes in a special gift box;

Personalised pitch-saver

  • you’ve found the perfect pitch at the campsite of your choice. After spending the first of several booked nights, you naturally use your motorhome for a spot of daytime exploring. At the end of the day, you return, only to find that someone else has parked on your pitch;
  • avoid that irritation and frustration by investing in a simple “pitch reserved” sign from Pitch-Saver that can be personalised with your motorhome’s registration number to remove any doubt;

Folding cupboard or larder

  • once you’ve set up camp, you want the room to move around in your motorhome;
  • a folding cupboard or larder gives you just that extra space – either inside your vehicle or under an awning outside – and is easily stowed away when you are on the road again;

Brit Stops

  • it’s neither a device nor a gadget, but Brit Stops might be one of the most useful accessories to keep in your motorhome’s glove box;
  • Brit Stops is a book, an old-fashioned guidebook, but one that lists over 1,000 hosts in the UK who are happy to offer free overnight parking to motorhome owners;
  • the parking pitches are at country pubs, farm shops, vineyards, breweries, craft and antique centres – where the hosts are happy to offer you free parking in the likelihood of your passing business at their establishment.

Getting your motorhome ready for the forthcoming new season is exciting in itself. Making sure you have the latest of gadgets and accessories only adds to the fun and sense of satisfaction.

So, now you’re the proud owner of your first motorhome, have just upgraded to a new one, or are already on the verge of making that investment. There’s just one question left – where can you go to fully enjoy the benefits of your second home on wheels?

One of the great things about the UK, of course, is that the rich diversity and beauty of these isles means that you are likely to be spoilt for choice. But here are just a few motorhome destinations to inspire your choice.

Scotland

If you’re English, any foray north of the border takes you to a whole new country – culturally, historically and scenically.

The wide-open spaces, the rugged moorlands and mountains, stunning lochs, coastline and outlying islands are perfect for exploring in your motorhome.

You don’t even need to venture very far into Scotland to find the other-worldly, fairy tale magic of a castle on the south coast of Ayrshire at Culzean. The Camping and Caravanning Club’s site is in the very grounds of the castle itself and opens up to some stunning views across the water to the Isle of Arran. With 90 pitches, you are almost certain to find a perfect place to stay.

Probably the greatest draw for visitors from south of the border, however, are the Scottish Highlands, where the Camping and Motorhome Club’s site at Altnaharra has everything you might have imagined – including breath-taking views across Loch Naver to the mountains of Ben Klibreck.

Wales

An equally “foreign” adventure might take you into the heart of Wales.

The North, Mid-Wales, or the South all offer distinctive touring and holiday destinations that shake off your English roots and welcome you into a land of stark contrasts, rugged mountains, gentle costal walks and green valleys.

To the north, of course, is the stunning majesty of Snowdonia National Park – 823 square miles of diverse natural beauty and a home and working environment for more than 26,000 people.

Pull up your motorhome for a night or two at the family-run Celyn Brithion campsite, which is situated within the National Park.

Did you know that Mid-Wales has its own Lakeland – a rural idyll between the coast and the border country of the Shropshire Hills across the border in England. Wyeside Camping and Caravanning Club Site makes the perfect place to stay.

In South Wales, the scenery shifts dramatically from the valleys of the Brecon Beacons, to the Gower Peninsula and the Pembrokeshire coast.

Pitton Cross Caravan and Camping Park is close to the renowned Rhossili headland and a beach that has often been rated the “Best in the UK”.

England

From the Lake District in the northwest, the wild and rugged Northumbrian coast to the east, the rural charms of the Peak District, the Heart of England in Shakespeare’s homeland around Stratford upon Avon, East Anglia, the coastline and the beaches of Devon and Cornwall, or the Garden of England in the southeast, you are still spoilt for amazing choice if you prefer a shorter drive in your motorhome.

When you’ve done touring for the day – or you just want to rest and relax to take in the views – each of these English regions have campsites galore for you and your motorhome.

Individual sites are too numerous to mention – so we’ll leave it to you to discover your own favourite bolthole.

A new year brings with it a packed schedule of motorhome events, shows and exhibitions.

Whether you are looking to buy your first motorhome, trade up to a new one, or simply have an interest in holidays that combine the freedom of the open road and the outdoor life, there’s almost certain to be an upcoming event near you.

This is where you can get up close and personal with some of the season’s exciting new launches – including a range of 2020 Auto-Sleepers – talk to experts about any aspect of owning and driving a motorhome, or browse the bewildering array of gadgets and accessories.

Here are some of the key dates and places for your diary.

Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Glasgow, 6th to 9th of February

Scotland is never slow to get in on the act and stages the biggest of its kind north of the border in February.

The Camping and Caravanning Club organises this extensive display of everything related to caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes at the expansive SECC in Glasgow.

Yorkshire Motorhome and Campervan Show, Harrogate, 20th to 22nd of March

Just a month later is the Yorkshire Motorhome and Campervan Show, held at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate and expected to feature more than 300 new and second-hand leisure vehicles for sale.

If you want to try your hand at manoeuvring a motorhome, campervan or caravan, the Caravan and Motorhome Club will also be there to offer free 20-minute hands-on courses.

Southern Motorhome and Campervan Show, Newbury, 15th to 17th May

With springtime’s new season well underway, why not pay a visit to the South of England’s main event, the three-day show at the Newbury Showground, in Chieveley, Berkshire?

Make a longer break of it by pitching up at the onsite camping grounds, which are open for visitors to the show from 10 a.m. on the 17th until noon on the 20th of May.

Your entry fee gains access to two shows for the price of one – not only is there the motorhome and campervan show, but also the National Park and Holiday Homes Show in the same grounds.

Midsummer Motorhome Show, Kenilworth, 19th to 21st of June

Organised by the Camping and Caravanning Club in the beautiful grounds of the Midlands’ foremost showground at Stoneleigh Park, near Kenilworth, this show has a 1950s rock and roll theme.

But you’ll not be coming for the music alone, of course, rather the 300 or so new and used motorhomes for sale, the 30 national and local dealers to talk to, and the 145 or more retailers of accessories and gadgets.

Motorhome and Caravan Show 2020, NEC Birmingham, 13th to 18th October

By the time mid-October comes around, it has probably been worth the wait for the biggest show of them all, the jewel in the crown that is 2020’s Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

The extensive exhibition halls of the NEC pack all of 2020’s caravans and motorhomes under one roof, there are mountains of accessories, devices and gadgets to browse, and expert advice from the UK’s foremost caravanning club is readily on hand.