The Caravanning Mummy - Advice from Adventurers

We used to holiday in static caravans or lodges. In the summer of 2019, we were at a site in Spain, and the beachside touring pitches inspired us. Coupled with the high costs of holidays restricted to school holidays, as our eldest was about to start school, we started researching caravanning on our return to the UK. Six weeks later, we owned a Bailey Pursuit 560-5.

Five years on, we are still loving the caravanning life and recently upgraded our caravan to a Bailey Phoenix+ 650.

We do a mixture of both. We enjoy longer trips to the West Country or the Peak District but sometimes stay local for a quick weekend break. That’s what we love about caravanning—it offers such flexibility and allows for spontaneity. This summer, we are planning our first trip abroad, heading to the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in France. This has opened up a whole new side of touring for us, and we can’t wait. We will be sharing our planning, preparation, and trip on Instagram (@thecaravanningmummy).

The caravanning community is fantastic. People are always sharing advice, ideas, and recommendations for places to visit. We’re never stuck for inspiration. We are Caravan and Motorhome Club members and love the ease of booking and knowing exactly what to expect in terms of pitch and facilities. Normally, we find places we want to visit and locate the nearest club site.

When our youngest started to walk, we were away in the New Forest. His newfound ability gave him a thirst for exploration. If we turned our back on him for a moment, he was off, often returned to us by fellow campers. The following year, he had just learnt to ride a balance bike, and he regularly returned to us after grabbing his bike and scooting off! The caravanning community, especially on caravan club sites, is amazing—everyone looks out for each other, and the kids play together as if they’ve known each other their whole lives.

We love zoos, farm parks, and safari parks—nothing beats a trip on a steam train. Some of our favourite sites for these activities are:

• Longleat Caravan Club Site: A 2-minute walk from the site exit to the park entrance, or a 5-minute drive to the safari entrance.
• Broadway Caravan Club Site: A 2-minute walk from the site exit to the steam railway station.
• Hillhead Caravan Club: On-site pool and 40 minutes to Pennywell Farm, which we love.
• Cotswold Farm Park: Touring pitches on-site with farm park entry included in your stay.

For thrill-seekers, theme parks like Alton Towers and Paultons Park are great for family days out, both with excellent campsites nearby. For Alton Towers, we stayed at Lower Micklin Farm, just a few minutes away. Paultons Park is close to one of our favourite sites, The New Forest Centenary site—about 30 minutes away and perfect for a cycling holiday.

A family beach holiday is always great fun. We love the Jurassic Coast, especially Swanage, a typical British seaside resort with beach huts, a steam train line, a castle, and even a Punch and Judy stand. Our campsite choices are Hunters Moon, Haycraft Caravan Club Sites, Norden Farm, and Ulwell.

Since owning a Bailey caravan, we take far more holidays than ever before—every school holiday and weekends in between. It has given us a home away from home, reducing the stress of holidaying with very young children.

Go somewhere local. You don’t have to travel far to get the complete caravan experience. We took our van directly from the dealership to a nearby Caravan and Motorhome Club site about 30 minutes away. This gave us a quick practice tow and plenty of time to set everything up while it was fresh in our minds from the dealer’s demonstration.

Nothing beats outdoor cooking, so definitely invest in a portable barbecue. We have a Cadac BBQ with interchangeable pans, allowing us to barbecue, cook pizza, or make a risotto. One essential in my cupboard is Idahoan mashed potato—it’s a staple for caravan cooking.