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Guide to Caravan Travel in the UK

Caravanning through the countryside can be an exciting experience, no matter what the season. There is a certain charm to packing your temporary home to take it anywhere you want. It is very much akin to living a nomadic lifestyle. You get the opportunity to explore different places at your own pace, and you do not have to forsake the creature comforts either. For towing a caravan to any location, all you would have to do is get towbars for cars installed. We can help you in this respect, as we specialize in providing services for towbar fitting in Telford.

The United Kingdom offers many exceptional destinations for caravanning. Some offer exceptional scenery and sights, while others are hidden treasures that have not been explored by many. In this article, we will provide you with some recommendations for the best places in the UK, besides tips on basic problems that an inexperienced caravaner might encounter.

Caravanning Destinations in the UK

If you are looking for holiday destinations for towing your caravan to, here is a list of gorgeous and picturesque places in the UK:

1. Peak District in Derbyshire

Peak District in Derbyshire
Peak District in Derbyshire

The Peak District is the first National Park of Britain, which is widely known for its tranquillity and the scenic trails for walking and cycling. The park also offers many outdoor activities like horse riding, fishing, caving, and climbing. For exploring this location, you can pitch your caravan to the Backwell Caravanning and Camping Club campsite, which is only a few miles from the Peak District.

2. Snowdonia in North Wales

Snowdonia in North Wales
Snowdonia in North Wales

This is a great destination for people who love mountain biking, hiking, and whitewater rafting. The Snowdonia, which is the highest cliff in Wales, is located near the Welsh coast. For caravanning to Snowdonia, you can pitch your motorhome at the Aberafon Camping and Caravan Site. It is only an hour-long drive from Snowdonia.

3. Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland

Hadrians Wall Northumberland
Hadrians Wall Northumberland

 This large Roman artefact, which is also a World Heritage Site, stretches for 84 miles from Bowness to Wallsend. This destination offers breath-taking views of the English countryside, with many activities to keep you and your family thoroughly entertained. You can tow your caravan to the Hadrian’s Wall Caravan and Campsite, which is just a stone’s throw away from Hadrian’s Wall.

These were our top 3 recommendations for caravanning across the UK. However, this list is not exhaustive. You can also visit the Lake District, Somerset & Wiltshire, Polperro (Cornwall), Glenfinnan (Scottish Highlands), Purbeck Heritage Coast (Dorset), and Brecon Beacons National Park (South Wales).

Tips for caravanning

Before you set out for a caravan holiday, there are certain things you should take into account.

1. Planning the route

Towing a motorhome can be quite tricky, so you need to plan your route well in advance. It is important to ensure that the roads leading to your destination are not too narrow and do not have any hairpin bends/sharp turns.

2. Ensure your car can tow a caravan

It is important to determine the towing ability of your car and whether the towbars for motorhomes can be attached to it. Besides this, you would also need to make sure that you have the relevant license for towing the caravan.

3. Read reviews about the campsite

Remember to read some reviews about the campsite where you are planning to pitch your caravan. Certain campsites might not have washroom facilities, while others can be fairly inaccessible. Reviews can help you prepare beforehand.

4. Avoid bad weather

Make sure to check the weather of the destination before setting out. If you are likely to encounter bad weather, you can consider postponing your caravan holiday or picking a new destination.

5. Bring entertainment

Don’t forget to bring along something for entertainment (that does not require electricity). You can bring your board games, books, and other things for entertaining yourself for the time you will be cooped up in the caravan.

6. Get insurance for the caravan

Whether you are buying a caravan or renting/borrowing one, it is important to get them insured. Also, check the campsite for glass bottles, hidden stumps, low tree branches, and animals so that it does not cause damage to the caravan unnecessarily.

Laws concerning towing of caravans in the United Kingdom

If you are planning to tow your caravan on the UK roads, you need to familiarize yourself with the laws. In the following sections, we will cover some basic laws regarding towing caravans. The first thing you need to do is get a towbar fitted in your car by availing of the towbar services in Telford.

1. Speed limits for towing caravans

If you are towing a caravan in the UK, you need to make sure that you follow the following speed limits:

  • 30 mph near build-up areas
  • 60 mph on motorways
  • 50 mph on single carriageways
  • 60 mph on dual carriageways

Remember never to drive on a motorway’s outside lane when it has three or more lanes.

2. Limits on lengths, widths, and weights in caravan towing

You would also need to ensure that your vehicle meets the requirements for towing a caravan. The maximum weight allowance is usually found in the vehicle handbook. It is also listed as the gross weight train on the VIN plate. As for the length and width requirements, the caravan can be a maximum of 7m (in length) and 2.55m (in width). If your car meets these requirements, you can get the safest car towing caravans in Telford through us.

3. Towing mirrors

If your motorhome’s width is greater than the width of your car, you would need to get towing mirrors installed. The UK can add 3 points on your driving license or fine you with a £1,000 ticket if you do not get towing mirrors installed in your vehicle.

4. Adherence to safety checks

You need to carry out the necessary safety checks if you are planning to tow your caravan to any location. This includes checking the tires and wheels, load weight, indicators and lights, and also the tow ball. If your equipment is not in compliance, you can be fined £2,500.

Conclusion

With this, we have covered everything there is to know about towing a caravan across the UK. The most important thing is to make sure that the towbars are specially designed for your vehicle and that it meets the EU regulations. If you are looking to install a car towbar in Telford, we at Telford Towbar can help you through the entire process. To find out more, reach out to us today!

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