The Caravan Club has announced it is to double the amount of sites with a Wi-Fi connection.  Visitors will be able to buy a card at reception that will be valid for 6 months.

If you need that urgent piece of kit while you are away, just get online, surf to Busy Outdoors.com and we will deliver straight to the Caravan Club Site!

With an estimated 500,000 touring caravans in use  , the    NCC    (National Caravan Council) is advising owners to check the condition of tyres before every journey, to ensure both their safety and that of other road users.    Particular attention should be paid to the age of the tyres.

This advice is because caravan tyres do not tend to wear out due to high mileage like car tyres. However, the rubber degrades due to exposure to UV radiation from sunlight and other weather conditions.    Therefore even if the tyres do not appear to be worn, it is recommended that they are replaced seven years from the date they were manufactured.  

To identify the tyre's age, owners can check the Date of Manufacture Code which is printed on the tyre. The code is four digits, for example '1807' which would indicate the tyre was manufactured in the 18 th  Week of 2007. When replacing tyres also ensure that they are correctly rated for the maximum plated weight of the caravan.

As one of the UK's largest consumer events – Boat and Caravan Show - came to a close at the NEC Birmingham on Sunday, all the signs were of an industry leading the way out of business gloom with record orders reported by exhibitors.

Attracting a visitor attendance of 83,364 (this figure excludes exhibitors and press and is subject to ABC audit) to the six-day event, leading manufacturers such as Swift, Bailey, Elddis, Lunar and Coachman reported record sales.

"The tens of thousands of people we welcomed to the show proved that despite so much talk of doom and gloom, there is an increasing demand for the outdoor way of life and outdoor holidays in both the UK and Europe."

For the full report please go to Busy Outdoors.com

Predictions from the NCC (National Caravan Council) that an extra two million caravan holidays would be taken in Britain in 2009 are set to be proved correct.

The NCC, the trade association that represents the UK caravan industry, estimated in February 2009 that a big rise in the number of holidays taken in touring caravans, motorhomes and caravan holiday homes would be seen that year. 

Figures from VisitEngland show that the number of camping and caravan trips taken in the UK rose by nearly 20 per cent during the first nine months of 2009 (more than any other type of accommodation except self catering).  Their research also reports that 65 per cent of caravan parks attracted more bookings last year than in 2008.

Data from CRiS, the registration system for touring caravans, show that sales of pre-owned tourers rose by around a fifth in 2009.  The NCC believes that up to 1,000 new jobs have been created through the rise in park bookings, as additional staff were taken on in caravan holiday companies' offices and on sites. 

Speaking before the opening of the Boat and Caravan Show at the NEC (23-28 Feb, Director General of the NCC, John Lally, said: "More than 95 per cent of touring caravans and virtually all caravan holiday homes in the UK are made here.  Caravans have played an important part in fuelling renewed interest in holidaying in the UK. 

Almost 30,000 people visited The Scottish Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show during the four day event at the SECC, Glasgow (4 – 7 February).  Over 150 companies showcased the latest caravans, motor caravans and holiday homes as well as outdoor leisure accessories, camping equipment and small boats. Many exhibitors reported record sales, including Kirkcaldy Caravans with sales up 100% on 2009 figures.

Kirkcaldy Caravan's Managing Director Malcolm Sempey commented "We have had a very successful show. This is our third year at the SECC and sales have increased steadily each year which is very promising for the business going forward". He added " This show give a clear indication that many people are ditching the euro based holidays and returning to lifestyle holidays at home. With new touring caravan demand increasing we are now seeing product availability pushing out on many models past the Easter holidays."

Steve Blakeley, Director of Sales and Marketing of The Penine Group said: "Following a great deal of deliberation, we decided to exhibit at the show.  The show exceeded all of our expectations in terms of sales figures, attendance and public reaction to our new range of acrylic Convertible Caravans.  Our best selling models on the stand were the Crusader and Countryman acrylic models and we look forward to meeting our customers at the show again next year."

Microlodge who offer camping shelters for glamping – glamorous camping -  made their show debut and were delighted with orders which will keep them busy for the foreseeable future.

Jamie Taylor, Show Organiser said "The show was a great success and busy throughout the four days.  Every exhibitor I have spoken to has expressed delight at the results.  We are already starting work on the 2011 show which will run from 3 – 6 February - information available at www.caravanshowscotland.com

Swift Group may be working flat out on its latest models for 2010 but a little corner of their giant plant is devoted to a very special project – the restoration of three classic caravans.

Chairman, Peter Smith has owned the classics for some years but with the Eccles celebrating its 90^th birthday in 2009, it seemed a good time to get the restoration project off the ground.

Oldest of the three caravans is the Eccles President from 1938 which made its debut at the 1937 Motor Show. The Eccles has spent most of its life under cover and was used for many years prior to the second world war. The caravan is complete with its original crockery pots and pans including egg cups and sherry glasses.

It has amazingly high specification with 12V lighting, built in water tank and wet cell radio, a table that has a cover for card games and a mat on the other side for letter writing. Thankfully some things have improved though as it was challenging to tow, max speed 25 mph and the nights were freezing.

To the get the Eccles back to its former glory, looking exactly as it did when it left the factory, the President has been stripped back to its shell and has been painstakingly brought back to its original condition.

Being worked on alongside the Eccles is one of Swift's originals, a 1964 Clubman Ten – which is having new upholstery, curtains and carpets to match the originals. Thanks to the skill of the time served craftsman, this 45 year old van will look as good as new.

The third classic project is a Safari Minor from 1948. This two-berth caravan was one of the first Safari caravans to be built and is again getting new soft furnishings in addition to body work repairs to return it to its former glory.

The three classics will be centre stage on the Swift Group stand at the NEC National Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show 23-28 February 2010.

The Caravan Club is delighted to announce that TV favourite Neil Oliver will officially open The Scottish Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show on February 4, 2010, and he will become the latest celebrity to join the Caravan Club.

The show, Scotland's only dedicated event for caravanners and those who love the outdoor life, will take place at the SECC, Glasgow from 4 -7 February 2010. This year's show is a one stop shop providing products and services from over 150 companies. Visitors will be able to get up close and personal to the latest 2010 models from all the major caravan and motorhome manufacturers. There will be holidays parks and the largest collection of holiday homes in the UK, as well as outdoor leisure accessories, camping equipment, small boats, marine products, industry clubs and associations.

Commenting show organiser, Jamie Taylor said "With many people choosing a holiday or short-break in the UK, we are expecting more visitors than ever."

Nick Lomas, The Caravan Club's Director of Marketing comments, "We are looking forward to Neil Oliver being with us at the show.  The Caravan Club offers some 180 locations across Scotland and Club members spend over £17m in local communities when caravanning in Scotland."

The show will also feature

· Free towing lessons & motor caravan manoeuvring lessons with The Caravan Club

· Go Green  - hints and tips to help you keep your carbon footprint to a minimum. To encourage car-sharing visitors leaving the show with 4 or more people in one vehicle will not be charged for parking.

· Cookery and wine tasting demonstrations

· Free expert advice

· Exclusive money saving offers

Entry prices have been held at 2009 levels…making it the ideal crunch-beating day out.  For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.caravanshowscotland.com or call the ticket hotline 0844 395 4000:     Advance tickets are £7 or £6 for seniors and on-the-door tickets are £9 each or £8 for seniors. Kids go free.  All tickets include brochure RRP £4.50. The show is open from 10am to 6pm daily.

Despite the snow and ice thousands of families are choosing the peace and quiet of the countryside over overindulgence and television repeats in front of the fire at home, according to the latest research.

Record numbers of cash-strapped Britons forced to tighten their belts switched to 'staycation' holidays in UK in summer and have now extended the concept of money-saving breaks to New Year despite the plummeting temperatures.

To read the full report from the Daily Telegraph click here

This year's show consists of over 560 exhibiting companies offering visitors' the first opportunity to see the latest 2010 products from some of the leading outdoor manufacturers. Free activities, demonstrations, help and advice add to a great day- out for the whole family.

Talk of doom and gloom and the recession were sidelined last year, when over 96,384 (84,423 visitors and 11,961 exhibitors subject to ABC Audit) walked through the doors of the UK's largest outdoor leisure show.

Discover the freedom and adventure of independent holidaying – whether in a tent, a caravan, folding camper or motorhome – and visit the show where friendly help and advice is available from leading clubs and organisations. Beginners can try towing a caravan or driving a motorhome at the show – all free of charge.

We have ten pairs of tickets to be won in our ticket competition - to enter go to our main page here

Britain's rediscovering of the benefits of caravan holidays helped Britain's largest manufacturer, Cottingham based Swift Group, achieve all time record sales of £28 million at the International Caravan and Motorhome Show held at the NEC, Birmingham last week.

The company, which displayed a wide range of its touring caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes, provided a spectacular main feature at the show with a display of over 100 products covering a massive 7,000 square metres.

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