Bookings for 2009 are up by 40% on previous years, the caravan club reports.  The club took over 50,000 bookings in December, probably fueled by the state of the UK economy and dire exchange rates.

Nick Lomas, director of marketing for The Caravan Club, said: "We confidently predict that 2009 will be the year that welcomes the return of the great British holiday, something Caravan Club members have enjoyed for over a century."

A caravan holiday can be tailored to suit young and old and many celebrity caravanners such as comedian Rowland Rivron are extolling the virtues of caravanning with their families.