Camping News

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BEACH: Camp next to the sea (by Dave Croker)

CLIFF: Campsite overlooking the sea at Rhosllefain (by SMJ)

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PARK Coppice Caravan Club Site, on Lake Coniston, has re-opened after a £2.5 million redevelopment programme.

Improvements include upgrades to all roads, pitches and services, together with the total refurbishment of the reception area and all three toilet/shower blocks.  Three new play areas have also been created.

UPGRADE: Park Coppice, on Lake Coniston

The 295-pitch site sits within 63 acres of National Trust-owned wooded hillside in the heart of the Lake District National Park.

Catherine Ford, head of marketing, said:  “We know the site’s location is unrivalled and now the top-notch facilities at Park Coppice match its position, providing a wonderful destination for members and visitors alike.”

The camp will remain open into November.

To locate smaller and quieter Caravan Club sites on lakes, rivers, canals and beaches use our simple CL mapping service here.

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Why spend loads of dosh and time getting here…

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SPAIN: Fun in the sun - but has the Eurozone priced itself out?

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when you could be enjoying the best of British, here…

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STUNNING: Camp on the water's edge of Loch Linnhe

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or here…

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MILL: On the River Thurne (by Smudge 9000)

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or here….

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BEAUTY: On the banks of the River Stour near Christchurch (by MarilynJane)

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But you knew that anyway. More Brits holidayed at home in 2009 than ever before.

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that just 58.6 million travelled abroad, compared to 69 million in 2010.

And as foreign visitors have rushed to take advantage of the devalued pound, they were as keen to take to caravans, motorhomes and tents as hotels. Foreign visitors rose from 10.9 million in 2008 to 11.4 million in 2009.

The UK has 28 World Heritage Sites, with 38 more sites applying for status. They include the Lake District, the Dover Strait and Blackpool.

UK, May 25. 2010 - The British Marine Federation has created a website of events, activities and holidays on the UK’s waterways and beaches.

The online portal features almost everything  needed to explore rivers, canals, lakes and coastline.

The site aims to raise the awareness of boating, breakdown the barriers to entry and, most importantly, encourage regular participation in boating. 

Marketing manager, Hayley James, who is leading the project said: “With On The Water we aim to inspire people to go boating more regularly and, importantly, provide them with the information, resources, advice and ideas they need to achieve this. 

“People love the anticipation and excitement of boating but it’s the active lifestyle combined with the relaxation and escapism that keeps them coming back. 

“Through On The Water we need to show that there are many forms of boating and there’s something for everyone, whether it’s an adrenaline pumped race through a rapid kayak course or a slow Sunday meander up the river.

For more information on events visit http://onthewater.co.uk/boating_events/whats_on_calendar.aspx

UK, Mar 10. 2010 —A gang of four men, thought to be liable for half of the UK’s caravan thievery between 2004 and 2007, have been jailed for between four and nine years. The stolen caravans are worth over £700,000.

The Caravanning Club has reached an agreement with Forest Holidays to manage its campsites from 2011. The Club, which already has 110 Club Sites and almost half-a-million members, will be responsible for running the entire site operations, including reservations. Forest Holidays currently has 20 caravan and camping sites on Forestry Commission land in England, Scotland and Wales.

UK, Feb 20. 2010 — Thames Water has successfully appealed against a £125,00 fine for polluting the River Wandle with toxic chemicals, killing £7,000 fish. The fine was reduced to £50,000 after the company said it had pledged to pay £500,000 towards restoring the river’s eco system and in aid to the Wandle Trust conservation group. The Environment Agency said the spill had reversed 20 years of conservation work on the River Wandle.

The National Trust has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 in a fine and costs for breaching passenger boat safety regulations in Poole Harbour.

A successful businessman who has pioneered City commuting on the Thames may pave the way for river transport.

UK, Feb 15. 2010 — The debate over whether the Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Skipton has become a no-go zone for the boating community rumbles on – police and  Chamber or Trade says no. Canal users say ‘yes’ and claim young criminals are ‘terrorising’ the area.

The Caravan Club has been busy posting a both a driving and web users guide to staying green.

And while on the subject of the web, the Camping and Caravan Club has published  an improved wi-fi policy document and price list. If staying connected is your idea of a perfect holiday, the club says most of its main sites are now online for £42-a-year.

UK, Feb 12. 2010 — Anti-social wild campers in Scotland may force a ban on some lochs. Proposals already under consideration to restrict campers from Loch Lomond’s shore may be extended. Tory MP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Murdo Fraser, is supporting the call. Ramblers though have withdrawn initial support for a ban amid fears it could undermine wider land access laws.

RISK: Wild camping on Loch Lomond could be banned

Think being a caravan owner might cramp your cool image. Something here on caravans with pulling power.

Employees from Northamptonshire County Council’s Longtown Outdoor Education Centre, in Herefordshire, have set off on a 150-mile sponsored canoe trip for charity.

The trip, along the Grand Union Canal, River Avon, River Severn and Severn Estuary, is expected to last seven days, and should be completed on Monday.

To sponsor them visit www.justgiving.com/n2w.

UK, Feb 8. 2010 — For anyone that wants to get into Wild Camping proper a Forum will will be held on Friday March 26 at the Vaynol Arms in Nant Peris, Snowdonia, to discuss all the good stuff like how to do it, the law, access and where to go; cracking little piece here on Tom Rolt, the man who saved our canals in 1944 when he published his hugely influential book, Narrow Boat. And a Loch Ness boot-camp.

UNIQUE: Loch Ness Caravan Park is close to the boot-camp

OK it’s not tents at dawn. But anyone who commits to a shoreline training at 5am in the morning deserves a mention – even here. Even if they are staying in a hotel. Wimps!

DEVON, UK, Feb 6. 2010 — An investigation to discover why the sea off Combe Martin beach has failed water quality standards for three years running, a blog article on how three of London’s most important rivers were ‘covered’ by developers when houses were built, and something for surfers.

Wave riders from the around the world will arrive at the end of this month to ride the Severn bore, a natural tidal phenomenon that pushes a 4ft wave up the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire. The wave is formed every morning for two or three days, with the largest expected on March 2.

UK, Feb 3rd. 2010 — Something for the lazy camper in all of us?

UK, Feb 3. 2010 — Good news for caravaners in Wiltshire. Thieves who stole £1m worth of vans have been caught thanks to an operation by police and the National Caravan Council.

Cleaner waters are attracting more wildlife, but it’s not all ‘happy habitat’ according to one angling trust. It has called for a cull of otters eating too many fish.

A Cornish coastal path has won an award after it was rebuilt by the Cornish Council and the National Trust. The South West Coast Path had been closed for eight months.

EAST OF ENGLAND, UK, FEB, 2. 2010 — WATER quality in rivers, lakes, coastal waters across the East of England is to be improved over the next five years.

DAWN: Fishing at Ely, on the Ouse (by euphro)

The Environment Agency has announced a clean-up of 758 rivers across 27,890 square kilometres of mainly farm land.

The waters affected stretch 1,700km from Lincolnshire to Essex and Northamptonshire to the coast.

The River Basin Management Plan will involve Natural England, water companies, farming and conservation bodies, as well as the owners of land on the river banks.

Paul Woodcock, EA Anglian regional director said a £254k programme of fisheries work was already helping improve the migration and survival of sea trout and eels by providing new fish passes and restoring river habitats.

He added: “The latest is the next step in increasing our water quality further, and making sure that water in this region matches both our needs and those of the environment around us we enjoy so much.”

The eastern region is home to 5.2 million people, with the government envisaging a further 500,000 homes being built by 2021.

Development is expected put pressure on the water available to both people and the environment in the region. The EA claims that good planning will ensure the expansion will not be detrimental to the water environment.

The Environment Agency is still investigating how water quality in particular areas can be improved and the costs involved to businesses.

LONDON, UK, Jan 25. 2010 — It will be illegal to take old motorhomes into London from October 2010 without paying a fee. 

CLEAN AIR: Marylebone Road Rush Hour (by Garry Knight)

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) affects older, diesel-engined lorries, buses, coaches, large vans (exceeding 1.205 tonnes unladen weight) and minibuses (over eight seats plus the driver’s seat and below 5 tonnes).

To find out if your vehicle is affected, use the online compliance check or check the LEZ emissions standards.

Motorhomers will need to pay the daily charge if they drive within the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in a vehicle that does not meet the LEZ emissions standards and is not exempt from the scheme or registered for a 100 per cent discount.

RIVER THAMES, UK, Jan 25. 2010 – River moorings are to get a £5.1million upgrade. Thirteen locks along the River Thames will benefit from repairs and improvements by the Environment Agency this year. 

Boaters and campers can get updated information on changes from the new EA site http://www.visitthames.co.uk/

Improvements at Abingdon Lock and Hurley Lock have already been completed.

IMPROVEMENTS: The tow path at Hurley (by Gribiche)

A full list of campsites along the River Thames is here:

http://www.visitthames.co.uk/uploads/go_camping_on_the_river_thames.pdf

SKIPTON, NORTH YORKSHIRE, UK, Jan 25. 2010 — Young troublemakers are damaging Skipton’s image by turning the Leeds-Liverpool Canal into a ‘no-go zone’, according to the Cravan Helald.

VANDALS: The Leeds/Liverpool Canal, Skipton (by Neil T)

Organisers of the town’s waterway festival have called on police to investigate narrowboats being cast adrift in the night.
There are reports that some have also been vandalised, with spate of thefts from the decks.
For more visit: http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/4861723.Thugs_make_canal_a__no_go__area/

24/01/10

Guardian journalist Kevin Rushby isn’t up for any ol’ traditional camping experience, particularly when he’s setting off for the Lake District during one of the coldest English winters in 50 years.

An interesting piece for anyone on a budget who doesn’t like their own company:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/jan/23/barn-camping-lake-district-walking

21/10/09

CAMPSITES will maintain their popularity in 2010, according to report by the Camping and Caravanning Club. The weak pound and economic downturn mean people want to stay closer to home.

Latest figures show a 15 per cent increase on bookings in December 2009.

Robert Louden, director general of the Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “Those who thought that the staycation was uniquely a 2009 phenomenon look like being proven wrong. We are therefore optimistic that both campers and caravanners will be looking to repeat that experience in 2010.”

21/01/10

BRITAIN’S leading walking charity is calling on people to help prevent the closure of rights of way.

The Ramblers claims local authorities are using controversial ‘alley gating powers’, known as the ‘Asbo for paths’, to shut off routes.

The 2005 legislation does not allow objections to be heard by an independent arbitrator at a public inquiry.

The Ramblers referred to Liverpool City Council’s decision to block a 500-year old path, as ‘the tip of an iceberg’, claiming an estimated 2,150 urban paths have been blocked by councils.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society which backs the Unlocking Paths campaign, said: ‘Liverpool Council is belatedly consulting on its alleygating policy.

“We have called on it to hold an independent public inquiry whenever an alleygate is opposed. That might have saved the popular Croxteth path.”

The Altcross Road path, Croxteth, was closed despite a 700-strong local petition against the ‘gating order’. Those who signed clained there was no record of persistent crime or anti-social behaviour associated with the path to justify the order.

The Ramblers is urging walkers across England to step forward and campaign for a change in the 2005 legislation. Janet Davis, the Ramblers Senior Policy Officer, explained: “Liverpool Council ‘alleygators’ decision to snap shut this vital and popular Croxteth path with scant regard for local views, is a gate too far.”

“The current council alleygating powers ride roughshod over England’s hard-fought-for tradition of robust, public consultation on changes to rights of way. Although gating can help prevent crime on paths with no practical value, these summary powers are being abused by many councils, who are closing community lifelines vital to every day business and recreation.”

“We want to have the law changed so that when a member of public objects to a gating order the decision is passed to an independent arbitrator. This will ensure that communities like Croxteth will never lose their routes to shops and services ever again.

The Ramblers and Open Spaces Society are calling on walkers to join the campaign. Visit www.unlockingpaths.org.uk/faq for more.