There’s no need to put off the start your season until Easter, because as Julie Thorpe has discovered, touring really is an all-year pursuit
WHEN WE COLLECTED our first tourer in June 2021, we had already decided that it would never stay in storage for long.
We still love to read articles about how to prepare your caravan for the winter – cover or not, handbrake on or off, ditto wheels. How to prevent animal invasion, battery drain and perishing seals and tyres, not to mention the worries about damp and green algae forming on the roof.
Our conclusion? Let’s just keep using our trusty 2016 Swift! Many campsites are open all year round and are set up for winter touring, with well-drained hardstanding pitches, warm facility blocks, hot showers and good lighting. Sites are often much cheaper and quieter out of season, so last-minute bookings, even in the most popular spots, are possible.
Making the most of it
Last winter, we managed to get away to eight locations, mainly for weekends, but also for a couple of slightly longer stays, further afield. We set ourselves a maximum of no more than an hour’s journey for a couple of nights, but will travel further if we can squeeze in an extra night or two.
We have stayed in the delightful villages of Hope and Castleton in the beautiful Peak District; at the welcoming Waleswood Caravan & Camping Park in Rother Valley Country Park, South Yorkshire; in the gorgeous market town of Hawes, in the Yorkshire Dales and, closest to home, Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire.
The first weekend in December was spent on the outskirts of York, wandering into the city alongside the River Ouse to enjoy the Christmas markets and marvel at the lights and festive decorations we caravanners can fit around our outfits!
One member of the family who certainly appreciates this dedication to getting away, whatever the season, is Stanley, our chocolate cocker spaniel. The UK has become increasingly dog-friendly and owning a caravan is a great way to be able to take the dog along – in fact, try getting off the drive without him!
A dog brings much joy to a caravan break. Unfortunately, in many cases, it also brings dirty paws! Stanley is fond of wallowing in muddy puddles, so we are always on the look-out for tips from fellow cam
