Luxury Caravanning on a Budget

When we began touring, we had older and more basic vans, such as our previous Unicorn II Barcelona. As a result, we primarily toured mainstream independent and caravan club sites, relying entirely on access to facilities for toilets, showers, and even hot water.

Over time, we have moved on, and more recently, we have been introduced to the world of much more basic sites, such as CLs. This has become possible due to the advancement of onboard facilities.

The new Bailey Unicorn V range, including our Cartagena, is no exception to this progress. It represents a massive leap forward since all services are on the offside, which means no intrusion into your awning. Additionally, having everything you need in one place and easily accessible prevents inconvenient water shortages. Furthermore, this convenience is significantly enhanced by the well-placed light of the new service on the offside, eliminating the need to fumble around in the dark while changing over water barrels and similar tasks.

There is no denying that the various clubs have provided us access to an exquisite range of sites, along with numerous independent sites, each offering something different to cater to diverse tastes, preferences, and requirements. There is something for everyone!

Amidst the cost-of-living crisis, many have had to make significant adjustments. Instead of reducing the number of breaks we take, we found it beneficial to explore other options. Consequently, we have delved into the world of CLs more than we originally anticipated. So far, we have been pleasantly surprised by the available options and the potential cost savings involved. This is made much more achievable with the facilities onboard the Cartagena, as we are now far less reliant on a particular site’s facilities.

Do you need a brand-new setup? No, of course not. For us, it was a personal preference to invest in our leisure vehicle and then adjust our holiday style as needed, and it worked out beautifully. Purchasing a brand-new caravan was not something we had considered possible due to the significant financial commitment it entails. However, the process was made comfortable and easy thanks to Martin and his team at our local dealer, Penrose Touring, who kept us well-informed of any developments and facilitated a seamless handover.

Having committed to our new van, we feel at ease with it all. Staying at more basic sites suits us well, and we are fortunate to have fabulous sites within an hour of our home, making last-minute getaways convenient. Some of these sites are as basic as a farmer’s field, but all we need is access to water and a waste point.

That said, even when staying at the most basic of sites, our Cartagena offers simplistic elegance and a real sense of luxury without requiring an extensive holiday budget. With all the amenities onboard, we have everything we need to enjoy a simple break with the comforts of home.

The Unicorn V range boasts large, fully lined showers, exceptional hot water and heating systems, and excellent insulation for efficiency. Additionally, it features a large fridge/freezer for all essentials and even a built-in wine rack! The bedroom is just amazing with its newly designed curved wardrobes, accommodating a 4’8” wide bed with a wonderfully comfy memory foam mattress. Plenty of storage is available, and the individual wardrobes work exceptionally well. The living space is comfortable, cosy, and spacious, while Bailey’s incredible new infinity front window adds a light and airy feel. There is also a wide variety of multi-fuel cooking options with a dual fuel hob, gas oven, and separate grill. The microwave is equipped without a glass plate, eliminating worries about it falling out and causing damage. Outdoor cooking options are made easy with the external power outlet and gas point, perfect for barbecues or electric grills during warmer months.

Recently, we enjoyed a weekend break at a CL site located just 10 miles from home. This trip marked our first-ever “off-grid” experience. The site was as basic as they come, with only access to water and a chemical waste point, yet it was idyllic. We were both pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed it. With a bit more thought about utilizing onboard services resourcefully, it was not as difficult or stressful as we initially anticipated. Moreover, it was about a fifth of the cost of a mainstream site at only £7 per night. Thanks to our onboard facilities, we are eager to repeat this experience.

We are delighted with our choice, and we are excited about the upcoming experiences and the wonderful memories we will create, all thanks to our amazing Cartagena. Go Bailey!

Check out more from Lee & Simon Grounds-White, AKA The Touring Boys, on Instagram (@the_touring_boys) Facebook (The Touring Boys), Twitter (The Touring Boys) and Threads (the_touring_boys).