MEL SYKES

Opens Motorhome
and Caravan
Show 2013
&Pitch
Hitch
For family camping and caravan
adventures all year round
10
Gadgets
for your
getaway
HOTSPOT
of the month...
YORKSHIRE
November issue - 2.50
Photo courtesy of Te Motorhome and Caravan Show
Contents
Photo courtesy of Steven Scofeld
12 Tis months hotspot -
Yorkshire
20 Glamping
Add glamour to camping.
10 Preview:
Infatable awning
15 Top 10 Camping Gagets
Photo courtesy of Steven Schofeld Photo courtesy Pablo Asekas
Photo courtesy of Barnzy
04 Why go camping?
Reasons you should take
a camping holiday this season.
Photo courtesy of Steven Scofeld
12 Tis months hotspot -
Yorkshire
14 - Novembers Hotspot
17 - Top 10 Gadgets for your
getaway
20 - Cheaper sites next year
21 - Te Scrubba
- Keep your clothes clean!
22 - Keep Calm and Glamp On
26 - Photo of the Month
27 - Next months issue
Tis month...
04 - Wonders of the Wild
- Why go camping this winter?
06 - Overseas touring
07 - Te Summer Blast
08 - Te Motorhome and
Caravan Show 2013
12 - Infatable Awnings
13 - Te 195,000 motorhome
Welcome
to
Hitch & Pitch
November
issue
W
ith the caravan and
camping industry
bringing in a
whopping 6 billion in revenues
to the UK economy each year
and employing 115.000 people
across the country, these
holidays have grown in
popularity in recent years.
Tis month we have
incorporated some more family
activities for you and the kids to
enjoy over the next few winter
months.
In this months issue we look at
the National Caravan Councils
Motorhome and Caravan Show
with the one and only Melanie
Sykes on duty to cut the ribbon
at the beginning of the weekend.
And if you fick over to page 15
you can see which top gadgets
Hitch & Pitchs editorial team
have chosen for you this winter,
making your caravan even more
of a home-from-home.
And not forgetting this months
Hotspot. We have chosen the
beautiful county of Yorkshire,
not only for its renowned beauty
and rolling hills, but also for its
array of activities for the whole
family.
And fnally, dont forget -Kids
Corner. Keep them entertained
on the journey there! So pick up
your cuppa, put your feet up and
enjoy this months Hitch & Pitch.
Photo courtesy of Ben Bodien
Wonders
of the Wild
W
hen was the last time you
ventured into the garage to fnd
your tent buried beneath bikes
and boxes of toys? Was your last camping
holiday one of horror that put you of for
life? Well it shouldnt. Camping is a great
way to get away from the mundane stresses
of life and escape to the wild. So put your
feet up, and live the old clich of letting the
world pass by.
Camping is one of the few times you can
relax wih your family. Your break starts as
soon as you have packed the car. No driving
to the airport, no losing your luggage and
no hopelessly feigning a foreign language
just jumping in the car with the essentials
and escaping.
Camping is great, not only for the fun, but
also fnancially. It wont break the piggy
bank for the average family of four. You
dont have to get sucked into buying the
latest state-of-the-art equipment, unless
you want to go the whole nine yards, but
instead, a conventional tent and sleeping
bag is all you need. Tere is usually a small
surcharge per night, unless you go wild-
style (in that case its free), but site prices
vary. Tink of it as a huge saving, as its only
a fraction of the price youd be paying if the
whole family jetted of to Spain.
Do you ofen work a nine-to-fve week?
Busy days can be detrimental to spending
quality time with your children. It can be
hard to fnd the time to focus entirely on
your family. Its not a bad thing to admit,
its merely life, and working plays a big
part. Camping can be the answer. From
waking up in the morning to feel the wet,
fresh dew on the grass, to gathering round

By Darius
Taylor-McCall

80% of children camping with
their families feel parents are
less stressed
Photo courtesy of Steve Cyr
4
Hitch & Pitch
Wonders
of the Wild
p Cheap and cheerful
p Family time
p Stress-free
p Adventures
Research gathered at Liverpool John
Moores University which showed that 91
per cent of all children interviewed said
spending time exploring outdoors with
their parents makes them happy. When
asked, 80 per cent of children said that their
parents seemed less stressed and
additionally three-quarters said their
parents shouted less.
Mr Dale added, Camping is the perfect
family holiday option.
Ofcial tourism site, VisitBritain said
that camping and caravanning holidays
have gone up by eight per cent since the
beginning of the recession, showing their
increasing popularity as an afordable
family getaway. Not only do they agree that
glamping is a long term trend, but
companies must respond to this huge
consumer demand.

the crackling campfre on a star-lit evening,
it is truly family time - a chance to bond
and enjoy your loved ones company.
Dont be alarmed if you think time will
pass you slowly, a simple Google search
into where you will be staying will reveal a
plethora of family activities, from nature
walks, to aerial rope centres. Never been
fshing? Well what a perfect way to start.
A license costs next to nothing (available
from the Post Ofce) and a basic rod can be
bought for under 20. A worthwhile
investment, as it could be putting dinner on
your plates every night!
Jon Dale, Senior Communications
Manager at Te Camping and Caravanning
Club, said: Camping is a fantastic way to
holiday not only is it an inexpensive
pastime, its also proven to help develop
closer family relationships.

5
Hitch & Pitch

Overseas
C
amping and
caravanning abroad
is one of the most
exciting ways to add a little
bit more variation to your
holiday. With a rising
number of cash-strapped
Britons choosing not to fy
and stay in swanky hotels,
theres been an increase in
the number of us hopping
across the channel and
setting up camp in
mainland Europe.
P&O Ferries told
Hitch&Pitch that theyve
seen large numbers of
campers and caravanners
pass through their doors
over the past year. Te
benefts of going overseas
on your trip are endless. It
gives the opportunity to soak
up not only the scorching
Mediterranean rays, but the
culture of the continent as
well.
Stepping across the water
adds a world of potential
camping locations, from
the white sands and historic
coastline of the Portuguese
Algarve to the rolling green
hills of the Dordogne.
Prices at European campsites
can start remarkably low. A
family of four can enjoy a
week-long stay at Camping
Bellevue in Brittany for as
little as 160. Tis seems a
good price, but it seems even
better when you compare it
to the 2,000 a family of four
could spend staying in one of
the regions glitzier options,
or the 150 you could spend
on a single meal out with the
family.
You can even experience the
sheer glamour and luxury of
the famously swanky
Monaco on a budget by
choosing to camp just
outside the city. Camping
La Vielle Ferme is only a
10 minute walk from Biot
Station, allowing easy access
to the home of F1 and the
glitterati.
Te British Caravanners
Club have always been
great advocates of camping
abroad. A spokesperson
for the club said: Weve seen
an increase in the
By
Charles Clark
Experience
the glamour
and luxury
of Monaco
number of campers going
overseas. Touring,
particularly abroad and in
France, has become a
popular pastime with many
caravan manufacturers
reporting increases in sales.
Finding a campsite to visit
can be easy too. Te French
tourism board have set up a
website dedicated to helping
campers fnd their
home-from-home.
Te Fdration Franaise de
Camping et de Caravanings
website gives you the handy
option to flter regions and
price ranges when searching
for a place to stay.
When camping abroad, the
main cost to take into
consideration is travelling.
Aside from petrol costs, you
have to take into account
foreign road systems. France,
as opposed to road-tax,
operate a much more
prominent tolling system
to fund the upkeep of their
roads.
At frst this may seem like
a bother, but as you drive
through France with your
tent and worldly belongings
crammed into the back of
your caravan, youll notice
the quality of the French
roads make for perfect
travelling and touring.
Photos courtsey of Richard Ross
The Summer Bl ast
Touring
Photo courtesy of Archaeobobalist
P
h
oto
cou
rtesy of Steve Ju
rvetson
Camping
abroad?
Hitch & Pitch
Regular camper, Mark
Holderness, from Spilsby,
said: My wife and I take the
caravan abroad as much as
we can. Te kids love being
able to play outdoors and
its sunny all year round in
France which is always a
plus. Te culture as well: its
nice to see other countries
whilst being on a budget.
We used to stay in villas but
since swapping to the
caravan we have been able
to visit more places as it is so
much cheaper.
Of course, your passport is a
must. Its a holiday-makers
worst nightmare - driving
all the way to the Euro-Star
station and having to turn
back at the last hurdle.
Te Euro has been a godsend
for campers around the
continent for obvious
reasons. No longer do you
have to take an assortment of
currencies banded together
in your rucksacks, no longer
do you have to try to
remember which country
uses which currency whilst
uselessly fumbling around in
front of a clueless cashier.
But let us not forget the main
reason most of you will want
to camp abroad the sun.
Youll be able to bask in 30
degree Barcelonian
sunbeams.
Camping overseas is the
cheapest way you can
experience that continental
weather without having to
fork out a small fortune to
carry extra luggage onto your
Jet 2 fight whilst thinking
why didnt I drive?
L
ooking to pitch up your
canvas? Or perhaps
parking up your van may
be more appropriate for this
cold winter weather. Either
way, you shouldnt be short of
a neighbour or two, with
fgures in the Telegraph
showing camping has
overtaken bed and breakfast
bookings for the frst time.
Dan Yates from Pitchup.com,
explained: Tere has been a
growing desire for
authenticity
exemplifed
by the popularity of local
produce, farmers markets,
organic food, crafs and
time with family and friends
outdoors. Camping ticks all of
these boxes and is inherently
sociable.
With everyone on a tight
budget, camping may seem
like a poor option for a
family break, but its clearly
not just those with a lower
budget choosing to keep their
holiday on British turf. With
the brighter weather giving a
helping hand, summer
bookings were up by a massive
60% from 2012 bookings. Te
Telegraph reported bookings
The Summer Bl ast
By
Natalie Casey
Touring
are up 40% from 2012, this
shows people are not only
returning to British based
holidays but are also spreading
a good word or two,
encouraging more of you to
pack up your cars and begin a
British adventure.

A study by Dr Kaye Richard,
an Outdoor Education
lecturer, found that campers
are happier, healthier and
more socially connected. Tis
of peak season could be the
perfect time to test the water,
so with this excuse and your
budget why not continue
exploring Britain this winter?

Stepping
across the
water adds a
world of
potential
Photo courtesy of Archaeobobalist
Or
camping
at home?
7
Hitch & Pitch
T
he Motorhome and Caravan
Show 2013 if you werent
there, you defnitely missed
out. Tis years biggest and quite
frankly, most glamorous
motorhome and caravan show not
only saw a record-breaking
number of visitors walk
through the doors, but also
featured some of 2014s
newest models. Visitors
were also greeted by
Melanie Sykes at the door
as she opened this years
show.
Each year, the show is timed
to coincide with the launch of
new models and give customers
the chance to order them before
the next season.
Tis years visitors had a sneak
peak at Carthargos newest range,
including the rebirth of
Carthagos Malibu motorhome.
Te Malibu, originally named in
the seventies, has been renovated
and is now more spacious,
featuring a double bed and
separate shower cubicle.
But the Malibu isnt the only
come-back of 2014 - the Compass
brand will also be reintroduced
this season, as they bring out
almost appropriate for glampers
(but its still no Yurt). Te
Caravisio even features a terrace
at the back with sliding doors and
motorhome-standard interior.
Burstner had a stand at the show
afer they announced a 2014
limited edition range to celebrate
55 years of manufacturing
Burstner motorhomes, which
were displayed at the NEC last
month.
But the show accommodates for
more than just motorhome and
caravan enthusiasts. At the event,
visitors can purchase anything
from outdoor clothing to the
three top models. Visitors at the
show were able to tour the new
caravans before the next
season.
Next year will also see the
beginning of a revolutionary
design from Knaus. Te
German manufacturers
featured their new design this
year, calling it the Caravan of the
Future. Tey have
combined future
design with yacht
characteristics
to create a new,
sleek caravan
called the
Caravisio-
This years show saw the worlds top caravan and motorhome brands
come together for the weekend.
Over
100,000
visitors
Melanie Sykes and Ed Baines opened the show.
Photo courtesy of Te Motorhome and Caravan Show 2013
By
Alex Price
T
h
e

MOTORHOME
CARAVAN SHOW
&
8
Hitch & Pitch
latest satellite TV systems. An
abundance of free advice, on
anything from fnances to
technical issues, was available
to both newbies and seasoned
fanatics.
Te six-day annual event ran
from Tuesday, October 15 to
Sunday, October 20 with TV
chef, author and restaurateur Ed
Baines also on set. Ed was at the
show each day in the Experts
Teatre to show the packed out
audience live campsite-style
cookery demonstrations.
More than 400 companies
attended the event across
11 halls- the equivalent
of 12
Premier League
football pitches. Tey
included major
manufacturers, dealers
and independents such
as Elddis, Swif and
Auto-Trail.
Te shows organisers, the
National Caravan Council, have
reported 100,000 people visited
the NEC in Birmingham over
the course of the event and had
record-breaking sales, with some
companies reporting over 200
units sold in a day. Te NCC said
these statistics signal a potential
upturn for the industry.
Simon Coe, the exhibition
co-ordinator of the event, said:
Tis year has been spectacular
and the show has featured very
high quality products. Te show
will be running next year and
hopefully the number of visitors
will increase once again.
We asked Melanie to join us
earlier in the year, she told us
caravanning was one of her
favourite past-times - she was
more than happy to open the
show.
Sykes opened the show
stylishly on Tuesday, in a bright
pink Micro Zone caravan. On
the opening day, she said: My
parents used to take me and my
sisters caravanning when we were
kids and I loved it. I liked the
The
Caravan
of the
Future
All images courtesy of Te Motorhome and Caravan Show 2013
9
Hitch & Pitch
department that, in turn, secures
the afersales business and so the
cycle continues.
Laws added: Our bestselling
brand is Burstner. Afer their
announcement, they were an
instant success and Im sure the
Burstner brand will go on to be
our bestselling unit.
Te Caravan Club were also in
attendance.
Lucie Warren, the exhibitions
co-ordinator at the Caravan Club,
said: Touring popularity has
increased steadily in recent years
with 2013 proving very
popular due to the glorious
summer weather. Overseas
touring has also seen a rise in
popularity, therefore the club
decided to have a stand
promoting overseas advice.
Te Motorhome & Caravan Show
will be returning to
Birmingham next fall between
Tuesday, October 14 to Sunday,
October 19 2014.
However the start of season event,
closeness of the family together,
all in this little space... I have just
got warm memories of it.
Kids are so glue to computers
and iPads now arent they? And
caravan holidays force you to
start getting back to nature and
to the simple things like playing
cards and doing jigsaws and kite
fying all those beautiful things
that kids miss out on now.
When asked if she would ever go
caravanning again, Sykes said: In
my little fantasy land, I would like
to do Route 66 I had this thing
about doing it in a
Winnebago.
Camper UK, motorhome
dealers based near Lincoln,
attended the event for the second
year in a row. Martin Laws,
manager at Camper UK said: It
was brilliant for us; it is the
industries show case event for the
UK. Tis year we had
representation on the Carthago,
Bessacarr and Burstner brands.
Te show is very important as
this is the opportunity to secure
future business for our sales
Over
400
companies
Lef:
Chefs
demonstrate
barbequing on
the
Weber Grill.
Above:
Melanie
looked
fabulous in
her
Micro Zone
caravan as
she opened
the show
last month.
All images courtesy of Te Motorhome and Caravan Show 2013
10
Hitch & Pitch
the Caravan and Camping show
is up next, from Tuesday,
February 18 to Sunday, February
23 2014.
Te Caravan and Camping
Show has promised to be
bigger and better than ever, with
double the amount of stands for
camping than 2013.
Over
400
companies
Visitors will have the chance to
look around holiday homes and
lodges, as well as ofers from UK
and European campsites and
holiday parks.
Te Accessories Megastore will
also be back in 2014 for all you
happy campers to stock up on
those camping essentials. And
for the newbies, there will be
a Towing Experience, as well
as Motorhome Maneuvering
Lessons over the course of the
weekend, ensuring the dads
know exactly what theyre
doing.
So all thats lef to say is: roll on
2014...
2014
promises to
be bigger
All images courtesy of Te Motorhome and Caravan Show 2013
11
Hitch & Pitch
I
ts the same every time isnt it?
Youve arrived at the caravan
site, parked your caravan afer
an embarrassing and occasionally
awkward 20 minutes of reversing,
pulling out and reversing again.
Te kids are already getting out the
fshing rods and mums desperate for
a cuppa. But you cant take the kids
fshing just yet the awnings not
done. Te dreaded awning is still
piled high in the caravan and with
no volunteers jumping at the
opportunity to help, youre forced
to spend the next half hour of your
holiday scampering around outside,
looking for poles and pegs. And
lets face it; you came in a caravan to
avoid the stress of canvas and poles.
But what if there was an easier way?
Te Kampa Rally Air Awning range
comes with connected Airframe
replacements meaning
theres no need to drag out the metal
poles.
Tis new infatable awning can be
assembled in less than 60 seconds. It
has been tried and tested it and
consists of three simple steps:
thread, peg and pump.
It all sounds too good to be true, but
what are the disadvantages of this
revolutionary design? One
disadvantage is the step across both
side doors easy to see but also easy
to forget about, and afer a few beers
in the local pub, it may disappear
altogether, sending you head frst
into your stowed away barbeque.
Maybe not a massive problem, but
worth thinking about.
Secondly: the price. It isnt a cheap
alternative. Te Rally Air 260 can be
purchased for around 500, whilst
the 390 is a hefy 800.
An awning sure to
blow you away...
By
Alex Price
Photo courtesy of Kampa
But Kampa have claimed it is the
easiest awning ever on their
website. Kampa have also said it can
be unpacked and put up in under
fve minutes.
Hollie Blenkarn, a spokesperson for
Kampa, said: We have found the
air awnings and tents to be a very
substantial and reliable product, but
you have a look at one to see the
quality of it.
She added: Te Rally Air is the
fastest and easiest awning to set up
and take down.
Te airframe is connected at each
corner so only pumping up one
section is necessary. With two
models of diferent lengths, the Rally
Air 260 and the Rally Air 390, this
awning is suitable for most caravans
between the heights of 235-250cm.
Te additional add-ons available at
Kampa include the easytread carpet,
storm tie down kit, rear upright
poles and two-stage electric pump.
So will this revoluntionary
design take of in 2014?
Or is 500 a little too
much to justify that
extra half hour of
fshing?

Its the fastest and easiest awning to

set up and take down
Photo courtesy of Mike Cattell
Photo courtesy of Barnzey
Hitch & Pitch
Te UKs four Carthago Liner
Deluxe dealers have reported sales
fgures as low as one, with some not
stocking the revolutionary
motorhome at all.
Carthago launched the range two
years ago and were hoping to corner a
particular market but dealers say this
market is a very small one.
At the price of 195,000, the Liner
Deluxe sits comfortably in the luxury
end of motorhomes whilst
maintaining Carthagos renowned
quality and skilful design.
Carthago have therefore only chosen
to stock its motorhome with four
dealers in the UK.
However, the four contracted dealers,
including Camper UK, Premium
Motorhomes, Southdowns
Motorhomes and Go European
Motorhomes said sales are slow and
there is strong competition from the
likes of Concorde.
Martin Laws, manager at Camper
UK, based near Lincoln, said: As we
deal with other German brands such
as Burstner, we decided to go with
Carthago and have so far sold one.
Tere is a very limited opportunity
for the Deluxe, however there is a
market place, albeit a small one.
Speaking of Camper UKs
participation in this years Motorhome
and Caravan Show, he added: Te
shows are very important as it gives
the public the opportunity to see such
expensive vehicles, as most dealers
would not choose to carry one in
stock.
Both Go European Motorhomes
and Southdowns Motorhomes have
admitted they are contracted to stock
the Liner but have chosen not to this
year as it is too costly for their target
consumers.
Rod Jolley, a salesman at Southdowns
Motorhomes added: One of the
reasons we fnd the Liners less popular
from this outlet is that we are also the
UK dealer for Concorde which are
probably the most prestigious of all
luxury liners.
We usually fnd that customers who
can aford the Carthago Liner can
also aford to purchase the Concorde
equivalent and prefer to do so.
Is Carthagos
luxury liner
on its last wheels?
Speaking of their contract with
Carthago, Jolley said: We are proud
to be Carthago agents. Tey are an
excellent motorhome with a unique
style and character.
Tey have a chic but homely and
warm feel which is almost cosseting.
With a fat-screen TV, a three-fame
cooker and space for a dishwasher,
Carthago have created a motorhome
suitable for permanent living.
However Dan Wright, a salesman at
Go European, suggested that the Liner
does have some downfalls revolving
around the drivers license.
Te coach-style motorhome is ftted
with a garage for your car. Carthago
have said without a car parked in the
garage, a full UK drivers license
holder can drive the vehicle without
taking any further tests.
However, with a car in the garage, it
takes the overall weight over the 8.25
tonnes limit so further driving tests
would be required to drive it.
Te four contractors are hoping to see
better fgures in 2014 as the popularity
of caravanning and glamping rises.
I
ts got a full-sized ceramic bathroom with LED lights and a very hefy
price tag but dealers are saying Cartagos glamp-style Liner Deluxe isnt
selling well. Alex Price spoke to the UK sales teams...

Photo courtesy of Mike Cattell

Photo courtesy of Barnzey Photo courtesy of Carthago
13
Hitch & Pitch
F
inally gaining the number one
spot against Lancashire,
Stafordshire, Cheshire and
Lincolnshire in the National Caravan
Council (NCC) Survey, a list com-
piled of camping fgures over the past
12 months, shows this year, tourism is
peaking in Yorkshire.
Not only is Yorkshire flled with
stunning scenery and historical points
of interest, but it is bursting with
exciting museums and experience
centers for fun packed days that will
knacker the kids, and of course provide
some fantastic shopping for Mum.
With campsites from 12 a night, its
hard to go wrong. Finding a site to
hitch your caravan is easy. To help you
narrow it down, here are a few points
of interest, all season appropriate, no
matter how your taste difers along
with the season.
Graham Poucher from tourism
agency Welcome to Yorkshire, told us
why Yorkshire is top of the table:
Businesses such as Lonely Planet have
rated us the best region in the world
to visit in 2014. AOL said we are in the
top 10 global destinations and
TripAdvisor said we are the second
most popular destination with Brits
and third with internationals in the
UK.
Many attractions are already preparing
for Christmas and what better way to
get in the mood than visiting frosty
Yorkshire, where, when wrapped up
warm, you will be able to explore a
range of indoor and outdoor activities.
HOTSPOT...
orkshire
All photos courtesy of Richard Ross
Y
Forget the Cumbrian lakes and bin your Cornish pasty, its Yorkshire
that is winning the hearts of tourists this season, landing Hitch &
Pitchs Hotspot of the Month. Natalie Casey explores the county...
Emmerdale: the Yorkshire set
Photo courtesy of Waldopepper
Yorkshires stunning scenery
Photo courtesy of Rick Harrison
Te Deep aquarium, Hull.
Photo courtesy of Jacky Jordan
14
Hitch & Pitch

Light Water
Valley
From Tursday,
November 28 to
Sunday,
December 1, Light
Water valley, which
hosts a theme park
and quirky shopping
village, will have a slightly
more twinkling atmosphere.
Te park and shopping village will host
magicians, carol singers and bell
ringers all accompanied by a
traditional Christmas soundtrack.
Santa will be making an appearance,
opening his grotto up to children and
their Christmas wishes, as his reindeers
get take Centre stage and illustrate a
special story.
Based in Ripon, the accessible and
picturesque location sets the perfect
scene for a relaxing get away before
any big occasion. Tough if Christmas
2013 is already jam packed, this
attraction is fexible regardless of the
season. Te theme park and shopping
village will provide great family
weekend entertainment.
Te Deep
But if youre wanting to get a little
closer to nature, Hull might have just
what youre looking for with an
exquisite aquarium, boasting Europes
deepest viewing tunnel. Further out
than other attractions, but defnitely
worth the travel, Te Deep aquarium is
a fantastic way to get out the elements
and explore the oceanic side of nature
we very rarely see.
Tis attraction uses its spectacular sea
life to take you to exotic places, without
the hassle and expense of travel,
making this attraction fascinating for
Mum and Dad as well as the kids.
Neighbour to Humber estuary, Te
Deeps extravagant architecture makes
sure its appearance is as bold as its
inhabitants, being sure to capture your
attention from several points around
Hull.
Te spectacular lights ensure it doesnt
disappear at night and changes the
coast and sky line of the city. As the
HOTSPOT...
appearance of the building changes,
so does the internal activity, from
feeding animals to feeding
yourselves, Te Deep houses Te
Two Rivers Restaurant. Te unique
restaurant enables you to dine with
the backdrop of the endless ocean
gallery accompanied by rays and
sharks. It gives you the chance to end
the day a little more exotic than you
had planned when you chose Hull as
your destination.
And with it being Christmas, youll
be able to make live video calls to
Santa, and take home your
handmade Christmas decorations
from Tursday, November 28 to
Monday, January 6.
Malham Cove
Not afraid of the weather? Or just a
family full of avid movie fans? How
about a bit of set jetting and a visit to
Malham Cove?
Tis secluded Yorkshire waterfall
Weve got the
whole world in
one county
The Deep
is home to
3,500 fsh
is featured in Harry Potter and Te
Deathly Hallows. Granted, its a little
enhanced for the flm, but strip back
the special efects and you have a
picturesque haven thats open to the
imagination.
A budget day that gets you right back
to nature, with an interesting twist to
make sure the kids can be
persuaded, this North
Yorkshire
paradise is an ideal
location to fully
escape the city. It
may be no Machu
Picchu, but walk-
ing the same steps
as Harry Potter
defnitely
Two
National
Parks
15
Hitch & Pitch
highlights it as one of the
more novel and
interesting hikes found
in the UK.
Under a mile from the
centre of the village of
Malham, it is very
accessible. So during this
cold season, save your
Iceland expenses and ex-
plore this North Yorkshire corner
which can ofer you the scenic environ-
ment with gorgeous winter weather.
Te Emmerdale set
Now, what Yorkshire trip is complete
without a visit to the most famous part
of the Dales? Te set of Emmerdale is
just outside of Leeds in a secluded area
of West Yorkshire. Not only are you
able to have a pint in the Wool Pack
on tour days, but the surrounding area
showcases some of Yorkshires most
simple yet beautiful scenery. Tour days
are available to book online at the price
of 25 for adults and 18 for children.
Harewood House
Neighbouring the village tour is
Harewood House (pictured below).Te
remarkable grounds lay the
foundation for a whole host of
activities, all of which are both fun and
educational.
Teres plenty to explore on the
exterior. You can start with the bird
garden where there is an array of exotic
birds to see and move on to the
adventure playground. Te area has
age appropriate sections meaning all
Over
4,500
places
to stay
the kids are catered for and should you
come during a dry spell, theres
relaxing scenery to put you at ease.
And inside there is fancy dress for the
kids and a little historical education for
the whole family. Tere will be plenty
to explore, its just a case of ftting it all
in.
So whether you take a trip for
Christmas or save it for summer 2014,
exploring all these exciting Yorkshire
spots will showcase all it has to ofer
and show you why it won UKs top
camping and caravanning county.
Poucher said: Our broad tourism
industry and our friendliness play a
large role, but bringing the Tour de
France in July 2014 is already helping
us reap the benefts of global exposure
which can only be a good thing for
Yorkshire tourism.
Weve got the whole world in one
county. You can be almost anywhere in
two hours from our seven cities, to our
stunning coastline to our three
National Parks. Our food is some of
the best and on the fnest menus in
the country. Plus our attractions are
renowned, so its hard to beat.
Poucher continued by
highlighting why Yorkshire is
just as good as a trip abroad.
He said: You dont need a
passport for starters. People
come back to Yorkshire time
and again and there are
several reasons for that.
Natural beauty, customer
service, variety, easy access on
roads and rail. It may not be trop-
ical, but Yorkshire looks stunning 365
days a year.
And if you have any spare time, or
energy, youll almost defnitely be able
to fnd more hidden gems
to experience in
Yorkshire.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Teiner
Over
2.5 million
acres
Hitch & Pitch
10
The Top
Camping Gadgets
S
ometimes theres nothing worse than
seeing the dreaded low battery alert
on your phone, knowing theres no
plug sockets within reach, or spending your
camping trip traipsing round the woodlands
looking for fresh water or an easy way to start
the campfre.
For the technology obsessed younger generation,
the idea of being away from the rest of the world
whilst camping can be a tear-inducing concept, and
adults can feel the strain of a tech void holiday too
when theyre missing those ever-important work
emails.
Whatever the case is, there are ways you can work
around the whole cut-of-from-society situation.
Below are Hitch & Pitchs top ten must-have
gadgets for your next camping trip:
L
ets start of with the obvious. Te
dongle has been around for a long time,
but with the entrance of 4G, and an
ever-widening mobile phone network in the
UK, theres never been more reasons to buy a
dongle. Just plug one of these nify little devices
into the USB port of your laptop and youll be able to
Facebook and tweet from the comfort of your sleeping
bag. All of the major carriers sell dongles on either pay-
as-you-go or pay monthly schemes.
A
s time goes on, phones battery lives
seem to be getting shorter and
shorter. Alas, there is a way to
combat the seemingly shrinking
battery lives, particularly useful for
those sleeping under-canvas, where
you have no accessible power sources,
unlike those glamping in their yurts.
Te Mophie Juice Pack Air, designed
specifcally for iPhone, provides hours
more talk, browsing and play time on your
phone. However, be prepared to fork out around 60 for
the battery case.
The Dongle - Prices vary
The Mophie Juice Pack Air - 60
2
1
By Charles Clark
Available at:
www.mophie.com
Photo courtesy of Steel W
ool
Photo courtesy of Osdeinfo
Photo courtesy of Patrick Teiner
17
Hitch & Pitch
I
n a similar vein to the
aforementioned
rechargeable battery case,
this battery sheet, specifcally
designed to be compatable with the
Sony Vaio range of laptops, acts as an
additional battery to the internal one, allowing campers
to use their laptop for up to hours longer. It simply clips
onto the bottom of the case and is hardly noticeable.
Sony Vaio Battery Sheet - 79
B
ack in September, Nikon
unveiled the worlds frst
interchangeable lens camera that is
also shockproof, freezeproof and
waterproof, as well as resistant to dust
build-up, without losing its sleek looks. If
that doesnt scream, take me camping! (or even
glamping), then we dont know what does. Te 14.2 megapixel
device is aimed at the keen photographer with a price tag of
749.99.
Nikon 1-AW1 - 749.99
T
his is a must have for any keen
camper. Te Biolite
Campstove incorporates two
of everyones favourite things - food
and technology. Its simple, fuelled by
renewable biomass such as twigs, this
ingenius invention allows you to cook
food, whilst at the same time, charging
any of your USB devices via the gadgets
built-in USB port. At only 22cm high, this portable
petite stove is perfect for campers needs.
4
3
5
6
T
he future of camping is here,
and its in the form of the
SolarMonkey Adventuruer, a
backpack ftted with phone-
charging solar panels. Both
economically friendly and useful,
simply attach it to the back of your
normal backpack, and throughout the day,
the SolarMonkey Adventurer will store
away enough juice to power your phone. With an array of
interchangable charging jacks, this gadget can be charge most
modern phones, including iPhones, Blackberries and Samsung
Galaxies.
7
Solar-Monkey Adventurer - 85
BioLite Campstove - 134.95
Available at:
www.cotswoldoutdoors.com
Available at:
www.gopro.com
Available at:
www.aboveandbeyond.co.uk
Available at:
www.sony.co.uk
P
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s
Photo courtesy of Pow
erTraveller Ltd
Available at:
www.coleman.com
Available at:
www.amazon.co.uk
Photo courtesy of Natasha McMillan
Hitch & Pitch
6
7
8
9
10
P
erhaps one of the most useful
gadgets for survival in the wild is
the Lifesaver Water Filtration Bottle.
Without further inspection, you wouldnt
be blamed for thinking it was just a
normal fask. However, the Lifesaver
features a fltering mesh device in the top
of the container, allowing you to scoop water
out of the nearest stream, lake or river and drink it
without worry of illness. Again, the fask is on the pricey side,
with an asking price of 124, but if it means avoiding illness
on your camping holiday, its probably worth it!
Lifesaver Bottle - 124
A
cheaper alternative to the
aforementioned Nikon
AW1, the GoPro Hero
3 ofers snap-happy campers a
12-megapixel camera with built
in wif and a waterproof up to 200f
casing, its hard to go wrong with that.
Te GoPro Hero 3 comes in at half the price of Nikons
sturdy snapper, boasting a more reasonable 359.99
price tag.
GoPro Hero 3 - 359.99
T
he Termacell Portable Mosquito
Repeller deals with the
nightmarish problem of insects
taking up unwanted residence in your
tent. Te device is an ideal alternative
to lotions and creams, providing a 98%
insect-free zone of 4.5 metres. Inside, a
chemically treated matt is heated up, which
gives of a mosquito irritant. Unlike some alternatives to
this insect repellent, its cheap, at only 25. Te fact that
this device is odour-free means you wont have to worry
about using it around pets either.
Thermacell Mosquito Repeller - 25
L
ets face it, not having your morning cofee
can make the rest of the day seem like the
most arduous of tasks. But dont worry,
Coleman have made a cofee maker that not
only can be taken camping, but would give
your work-top cofee maker at home a run for
its money. If youre really craving your cuppa,
the Coleman Cofee Maker can pump out an
impressive 10 cups of cofee in under 20
minutes, at around 50, this is a worthwhile
investment.
Coleman Coffee Maker - 69.99
Available at:
www.lifesaversystems.com
Available at:
www.amazon.com
Available at:
www.gopro.com
Available at:
www.aboveandbeyond.co.uk
Available at:
www.sony.co.uk
P
h
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t
o

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Available at:
www.coleman.com
Hitch & Pitch
a prime instigator in succeeding in
carrying out this task.
Both members and non-members
alike will be able to enjoy great
value holidays at lower costs,
which should increase occupancy
across our network. Tis is
fantastic news for the club and its
members, as all of the profts
generated will go back into
developing our sites to ensure a
sustainable future for current and
future generations of campers.
Planning in advance this year
wont just ease the stress, it will
also ease the pain on the purse
strings, with the new booking
system enabling you to get top
pitches for bottom prices.
Te quicker, easier and fairer
booking system also enables you
to cancel up to 30 days before the
trip, should you have to alter your
plans at all.
Robert Louden MBE, the clubs
Director General, told the Caravan
Times: Flexibility of price and a
fairer cancellation policy for all,
together with a great digital
experience, making it easier to
book online, we believe are the
essentials that will ensure that
Caravan Club
Slash 2014 Prices
Wanting to get away for less in the New
Year? Or just hoping for a few more days in your
country haven? Well the generous folk at the
Camping and Caravan Club can help...
W
ith the Camping and
Caravan Club cutting the
prices of many of their
sites, this means that you can enjoy
camping in 2014 for even less.
From earlier this month, you have
been able to plan and book your
break on an all new lower budget,
straight from the clubs website.
While prices havent changed for
the current season planning and
budgeting for summer 2014 can
get well underway before the year
is out.
Not only do children go half-price,
but there is a 25% concession
discount for certain seasons,
giving even more reason to get the
whole family involved.
And the brand new Value Stamp
scheme, helping you save more
money when booking your break,
is the icing on the country cake.
Te club told us: Te clubs
mission is to get more people out
camping and our lower site fees are
both members and non-members
can enjoy the benefts of the Club
Site network for many years to
come.
According to the Caravan Times,
there are even more incentives to
become a member of the club, with
exclusive savings and extras
available for adult and family
members.
With memberships starting at just
41, the club states on average you
can make the money back with just
six nights of camping, they say:
We want to get more
holidaymakers out camping and
caravanning and enjoying our site
network and were encouraging
this by ofering better value for
money.
Itll encourage campers to explore
more of our site network to
discover hidden gems which they
may never have considered prior to
the clubs new pricing structure
announcement.
With so many sites to choose from,
you really are spoilt for choice.
Tough the selection is limited in
these winter months, there are
plenty of bargains to get you out
the city.
By
Natalie Casey
Photo courtesy of Woodhall Country Park
Photo courtesy of Barnzey
Hitch & Pitch
Caravan Club
Slash 2014 Prices
both members and non-members
can enjoy the benefts of the Club
Site network for many years to
come.
According to the Caravan Times,
there are even more incentives to
become a member of the club, with
exclusive savings and extras
available for adult and family
members.
With memberships starting at just
41, the club states on average you
can make the money back with just
six nights of camping, they say:
We want to get more
holidaymakers out camping and
caravanning and enjoying our site
network and were encouraging
this by ofering better value for
money.
Itll encourage campers to explore
more of our site network to
discover hidden gems which they
may never have considered prior to
the clubs new pricing structure
announcement.
With so many sites to choose from,
you really are spoilt for choice.
Tough the selection is limited in
these winter months, there are
plenty of bargains to get you out
the city.
Photo courtesy of Woodhall Country Park
Photo courtesy of Barnzey
T
he perfect accessory to any
well-seasoned traveller, the
Scrubba, a portable washing
device, can make light work of any
dirty clothes within minutes.
Camping, as we all know, can be
rather messy and clothes tend to get
dirty quite quickly.
Without a laundrette nearby,
cleaning your clothes can be quite
the nightmare whilst camping. It
can be even worse if youre camping
for an extended period of time and
space in your bag is an issue.
From the other side of the pond,
Australian designers have produced
something extraordinary. Te
Scrubba which weighs less than 200
grams, can ft in your pocket and
can produce a machine quality wash
within minutes.
Within six simple steps Te
Scrubba, in addition to a bit of good
old fashioned elbow grease, can give
you clean underpants in minutes.
Stephen Smith, a regular camper,
labelled it: A piece of equipment
that any camping enthusiast should
own.
Te Scrubba uses the same principle
as the Victorian washboard but a
much more fexible version on the
inside of the bag.
Australian inventor, Ash Newland,
thought of the idea whilst packing
for a six week camping expedition
to Africa. He realised he only had
enough room in his backpack for a
few changes of clothes.
He told Hitch & Pitch: Te
inspiration came from a six week
trip to Africa .
I realised that with all my camping
and cold weather gear I would only
have a couple of changes of casual
clothes, which would mean trying to
fnd somewhere to wash them every
couple of days.
I had the realisation that if I could
incorporate a highly fexible wash-
board into a waterproof bag, I could
change the way people wash clothes
on the go.
Speaking of the products success, he
added: Te Scrubba wash bag was
launched in June 2012 and we now
have retailers and distributors in
more than 14 countries and we are
rapidly expanding.
Te Scrubba wash bag works using
the same principles as the old
fashion washboard, but with the
advantage that you dont have to get
your hands wet.
As clothes are rubbed along the
washboard, the bumps create
friction and water movement
though the clothes, which assists
in dislodging oils and dirt from the
clothes.
You can easily wash up to three days
of summer wear in one load such as
three t-shirts, three pairs of socks
and three pairs of pants in fve to six
minutes.
Scrubbas
up pretty
well
By
Darius Taylor-McCall
Photo courtesy of thescrubba.com
21
Hitch & Pitch
A
s we all know, camping is
great. Its a chance to relax,
bond with the family and
free your mind. However, is your
annual camping trip becoming
a bit too monotonous? Te same
camp site, the same pitch, the same
people year afer year. If so, then it
might be time for change.
Every blue moon, something comes
along that revolutionises what we
once knew as the norm. For
example, the iPod to music, the Ford
to the automobile, the concord to
fight, and now glamping to
camping. A break through - a change
in what we once knew as normal.
As you probably guessed, glamping,
is the utmost desirable side of
camping. From Victorian style bath
tubs, to wide screen TVs, youd be
amazed at how glamorous it really
can get.
If you love camping, but hate the
side that includes wiping your
derriere with leaves, feeling grubby
and dirty, or youve simply been
brow-beaten into going by your
signifcant other or children; then
glamping could just be for you. As it
falls under the category of
camping, you cant go wrong. Duvets
and proper pillows, the warmth and
luxury of home, yet all out in the
wilderness.
Compared to camping, glamping
can take on several forms, from tipis,
wooden huts or pods, huge canvas
tents and even refurbished
gypsy-style caravans.
Glamping isnt seasonal either.
Regular camping is ofen dependent
upon the weather, and not many
people enjoy camping during the
of-season of winter. However, due
to the fact that glamping can take
place within a wooden, insulated hut,
it is an all-round, seasonal activity.
At Hillcrest Park, North
Yorkshire, they ofer what they call
comfy camping. A range of
camping pods that have been
insulated with sheeps wool, possess
heaters, lights and electric sockets
for all your chargers, hairdryers and
straighteners. Kate Nichols from
Hillcrest Park, said: People enjoy it
KEEP
CALM
AND
GLAMP
ON
Crown photo courtesy of Domesticat
22
Hitch & Pitch
Photo courtesy of Eatswords
M
y

F
a
m
il
y
Me this year
Below: Marisa
Laycock and her
family on their
glamping trip this
year
S
u
m
m
e
r

2
0
1
3

23
Hitch & Pitch
Photo courtesy of Hillcrest Park
no extra worries.
Marisa Laycock who went
glamping with her husband and
children over summer said: I
preferred glamping to camping
as our yurt was all set up on the
decking when we arrived so I
didnt have to watch my husband
get stressed trying to set up the
tent. I didnt have to worry about
insects getting into the tent.
My husband loves the forest,
he loves to make things and get
back to basics. I agreed to go as it
sounded a bit more comfortable
than straightforward camping.
Whilst staying in a hotel abroad,
it is easy to become wrapped up
in the seclusion of the party you
arrived with; but according to
regular glampers, there can be a
sense of community.
Family glamper Beth Donoldson
said: Glamping is a good choice
without having to deal with all the
dirt everyone else is expectantly
going to get everywhere.
Tese days children are rarely seen
without some form of new
technology, locked between their
hands. Well what better way to
convince them to go glamping,
than bribing them with electricity;
its not your fault if you
accidentally forget to pack the
chargers.
Due to the popularity of
glamping, it really can serve any
particular desire. If youre
looking for something a few pegs
up from the regular pitching of a
tent, then there is a glamping site
to suit you. If you want to go the
full nine yards, then pick from
over the 150 available in England.
Glamping can be anything you
want it to be. It ofers the best of
both worlds; the luxury of hotel
class, and the wilderness of
camping. Everything is set up with
[glamping] because it has all the
fun of the camping experience, but
without the bad bits. You still have
to cook, however, you are
provided with an outside stove
and BBQ to make things much
more convenient.
As the pods are fully insulated,
they are available for bookings all
year round, so neednt be worried
about feeling cold in the winter.
According to Tom Sterne from
Yurtshire in Ripon, glamping was
propelled to fame by the
increasing popularity of
festival-goers. As they had more
money to spend, they wanted to
avoid the muddy felds stay
somewhere a bit more luxurious
whilst still under the illusion they
were camping.
Camping has always been an
activity that divides the family in
half. Stereotypically, Dad always
wants to get muddy with the kids,
whilst Mum wants to relax
Hitch & Pitch
Photo courtesy of Hillcrest Park Photo courtesy of Yurtshire, Ripon
for family bonding. Its great to see
the children meeting each other
and becoming friends and playing.
We enjoyed meeting a few fellow
glampers by the camp fre in the
evening too. Teres a sense of
community, which is harder to
achieve in hotels.
If a family enjoy camping, theyll
love glamping. Te fresh air does
everybody the world of good. Its
great for families with young
children as theres no airport or
aeroplane stress.
Below is a list of the best ways to
spend some quality time together:
1) Hunter Gathering
Available from almost any good
book store are books that ofer
advice on what edible foods can be
collected from the English
countryside. What a perfect way
to spark the ignition of the
childrens minds by showing them
the process of food to plate; from
picking fruit and veg to fshing
and cooking on an open fre. Not
only does this activity bring the
family closer, but its a great way
to really get out into the
wilderness.
2) Wood carving
Tis may be something that the
boys might enjoy a little more;
however, it can be great fun for
everyone. All you need is a small
pocket knife, no more than three
inches in length, and a book on
whittling that can be picked up
for next to nothing. Hours can be
spent doing this old past time and
some really fantastic things can be
made with a little patience and a
touch of fnesse.
3) Star Gazing
If you live in the city and escape to
the country for a touch of
glamping, then a spot of star
gazing can simply amaze the
entire family. Tere are meteor
showers that occur every month
during set dates (which could
easily fall under when you book
your trip), although on a good,
clear night, shooting stars are
almost guaranteed.

Glamping is
the utmost
desirable
part of
camping
Photo courtesy of Eatswords
Hitch & Pitch
HITCH&PITCH
PHOTO
of the
MONTH
Hitch & Pitch

E
very month, Hitch &
Pitch asks readers to
send in a photo theyve
taken that they deem to be
particularly exciting or
interesting during their
camping trips via Instagram,
and they rarely fail to
impress.
Tis month, the Photo of the
Month comes to us courtesy
of Natalie Tornley, a
freelance designer currently
living in Greater Manchester.
Natalie, 35, explained: I took
this photo whilst I was
camping not far from where
I live, here in Manchester. It
was in Tatton Park in a place
called Knutsford which is in
Cheshire.
Tatton Park is one of
Cheshires favourite and
best-known National Trust
parks, boasting an array of
wildlife including wild deer
in over 2000 acres of green. It
also plays host to the annual
RHS Flower Show and has
sprawling gardens and an
opulent country manor house,
open to the public.
Te picturesque and historic
town of Knutsford provided
the inspiration for BBC period
drama, Cranford and is the
perfect attraction for visitors
and campers as it houses all
local amenities, including
some of the best wine bars
and restaurants around, as
well as its fair share of Premier
League footballers. Te true
makings of a glampers
paradise.
Natalie, whos currently
studying Graphic Design at
Salford University told Hitch
& Pitch how she snapped the
photo: I took the picture
using my Canon EOS Rebel
T4i and uploaded it onto
Instagram. It has 18-
megapixels so its perfect for
capturing moments like this.
I think what I like most about
the photo is that it captures
the serenity and tranquillity of
the animal and its
surrounding areas. Te
entire scene is just so peaceful.
Just being there made me feel
calm.
Natalie also spoke of her love
for camping: If I didnt go
camping. I wouldnt have half
of the lovely photos I have
collected over time. Whats so
wonderful about it is that it
gives you a chance to get
out there and explore the
world, and as cheesy as it
sounds, be with wildlife in
its most natural state, in the
wild.
In Cheshire, youll never fnd
yourself far from a
campsite. Te Cheshire plains
are thriving with camping
activity, from Northwich to
Tarporley, you wont struggle
to fnd a campsite in this
green county.
If you have a photo that youd
like to submit for our panel
of judges to have a look at,
then dont hesitate to send it
over and your picture could
be published in next months
issue and a 100 voucher that
can be used at UK campsites
could be on its way.
By
Charles Clark

It captures the
serenity and
tranquility
Kids
Corner
This weeks puzzle:
word searches!
&
Hitch
Pitch
Next
months
issue...
Glamping goes budget
Decembers hotspot of the month
Camping stateside
USA CAMPING
How you can aford to go
camping state-side
&
Pitch
Hitch
HOTSPOT
Decembers
camping hotspot
unveiled
GLAMPING GOES
BUDGET
November - 2.50
p
p
p