Tips on winter touring in your motorhome or caravan

Just because the weather is cold and the days are shorter we still love travelling, here are our tips on winter touring in your motorhome or caravan. Many campsites are now open all year round and have the added benefit that they are usually cheaper and quieter in the winter months.

Preparing your Motorhome or Caravan for a winter trip

Tyres

• For winter travel you must do regular vehicle checks including the tyres on your vehicle to ensure everything is in excellent condition. If you are travelling abroad check out the legal requirements for the country you are visiting as winter tyres or snowchains may be stipulated.

Motorhome Water Tanks

• Consider leaving your wastewater tank open and drain it into a bucket to prevent it from freezing
• Insulate your water tank if it is an external underslung tank or consider investing in a 12V electrical tank heater. 
• Remember, most modern motorhomes have an automatic frost control valve which will dump your water at about 4C to protect your hot water boiler. Keeping your hot water boiler on a low level can prevent this.

Caravan Fresh and Wastewater

• Purchase a insulated water carrier cover for your external water tank, not forgetting the pipe as well and if extremely low temperatures keep a small container of fresh water inside overnight for that morning cup of coffee
• Like a motorhome, drain your wastewater into a bucket rather than a waste container

After your trip away don’t forget to drain down the system in your motorhome or caravan to ensure there is no water left in the pipes that could freeze.

What to consider when booking a campsite for a winter stay?

When we are looking for a getaway in the colder months, there are a few things that are on our checklist when booking a campsite.

• Hardstanding
  • As with most campervans and motorhomes, we can get stuck in a puddle. Ok, that is a slight exaggeration, but wet grass and mud are a no-no so as soon as the rain arrives, we always book a campsite with hardstanding.
• A pub
  • I know you are probably reading this saying why a pub just in winter. Well, we don’t mind a pub in summer, but we tend to BBQ a lot more, especially when we are away with friends. In winter it is too cold to sit outside, and it can get quite cramped with a few adults and numerous dogs in our van so we tend to look for a campsite near a pub so we can all go and socialise in comfort. A roaring open fire or log burner is always a bonus.
• Walk with a dog-friendly refreshment stop
  • Even in winter the dogs need a walk, but unlike summer where we can sit outside for a mid-walk break, in winter you can get very cold when you stop so it is essential to us to have a refreshment stop that allows dogs inside. 
• Electric Hook Up
  • This is nice to have in winter but not essential. As with most motorhome and caravans, our heating and hot water will operate on both gas and electric, but as it will be used a lot more in winter than summer, then mains electric can be more cost-effective. If you are going to run off gas do not forget to make sure you have a spare botlle/ LPG tank is topped up so you do not run out.

Three great winter campsites to consider

We love the Cotswolds, probably because it is on our doorstep. If you are looking for some inspiration for a weekend or even longer away check out these options.

Moreton- in-Marsh Caravan and Motorhome Club Site

Located within walking distance of the town the campsite has full facilities in an attractive woodland setting and is open all year round. There are plenty of activities on-site to keep the whole family entertained with crazy golf, 5-a-side football pitches, boules and climbing frames. All pitches are hardstanding with electric, and there are numerous cafés, restaurants and pubs in Moreton within walking distance of the campsite.

Fun Facts about Moreton-in-Marsh

1. There has been a settlement in the area since the Iron Age
2. The Redesdale Market Hall was designed by architect Sir Ernest George and was built in 1887 even though it looks medieval
3. Early September the town hosts the UK’s largest one-day agricultural show 
4. The largest street market in the Cotswold is held every Tuesday on the high street
5. The infamous Mitford sisters spent a part of their childhood at Batsford House just west of Moreton

Stretch your legs

• There is a lovely 5.5mile circular walk to Bourton-on-the-Hill from the campsite with the Horse and Groom Pub ideally situated for a mid-walk refreshment.
• Walking leaflets are  available from reception at the campsite or have a look at Cotswoldaonb.org.uk for further walking ideas

Things to do in the area

• Sezincote House is the only authentically Mughal palace in northern Europe, the house was built in an Indian style in 1805 and was the inspiration for Brighton Pavilion.
• Batsford Arboretum stretches over 56 acres of hilly countryside and was designed at the end of the nineteenth century by Algernon Mitford. It is open all year and is particularly stunning in autumn.

Wysdom Touring Park

The campsite is situated only a five-minute walk to Burford, and it is open all year round. It is mainly hardstanding with electric hook up on all pitches which are separated by trees and shrubs to give privacy. Wysdom Touring Park is an adult-only site and costs £18 a night

Fun Facts about Burford

1. The village is often referred to as ‘the gateway to the Cotswolds’.
2. In old English, the word burh means hill town and ford means crossing of a river
3. In the 2011 census, the population was as 1410 people
4. The stone from nearby Taynton quarry was used to build Blenheim Palace and St, Paul’s Cathedral
5. Levellers Day is celebrated on the Saturday closest to 17^th May each year

Stretch your legs

• If you fancy a long walk, you can follow the River Windrush to Minster Lovell; this will be about an 11 miles circular walk. For a mid-walk refreshment pop into the Minster Mill
• A shorter option is a lovely circular walk from Burford to Swinbrook and Fulbrook, which is 6 miles long. For a mid-walk refreshment break on this walk stop at The Swan at Swinbrook on the banks of the River Windrush.

Things to do in the area

Cotswold Wildlife Park is only a short drive from the campsite and is home to many species of animals all in 160 acres of parkland. It is open all year round and is dog-friendly.

Broadway Caravan and Motorhome Club Site

The site is situated on the edge of the village within walking distance of the high street. It is arranged over two levels and has a dog walk in situ. The site is open all year with the majority of pitches being hardstanding with electric hook-up. 

Fun Facts about Broadway

1. Often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’.
2. The village featured in the 2018 video game Forza Horizon 4
3. In the 9^th Century, it was known as Bradsetena Gamere (Broad Village)
4. During the 1600’s it was a busy stagecoach stop with 33 public houses
5. The road through Broadway became a toll-road in 1728, and the tolls were collected at Turnpike House (renamed Pike Cottage) in the Upper High Street

Stretch your legs

• For a fantastic view of the village head up to the Broadway Tower. This is about a 3-mile circular walk. For a mid-walk refreshment head to the Morris and Brown Café at the tower, The good news is it is downhill on the way back. 
• If you fancy a going a little further, you could walk to Chipping Camden and back, which is about 12 miles. Chipping Camden has many pubs and restaurants; our favourite dog-friendly café is Huxleys.

Things to do in the area

• The Broadway Tower and Park is a family-owned 50-acre estate with the famous Broadway Tower (the highest point of the Cotswolds), a visitor centre, café and even a nuclear bunker to visit. 
• The Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway operates steam and heritage diesel trains from Cheltenham Racecourse to Broadway. The Broadway station is situated right next to the campsite

Happy winter adventuring