Show season under way

IF you’re looking for a park or leisure home in 2008, whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’re planning a change of model, February is the month to start your search, with bigger-than-ever shows in Glasgow and Birmingham to start you on your way.

Though both are general caravan, motorhome and outdoor leisure shows, the park and leisure home industry have a significant presence at each – so you will be able to do some home hunting and enjoy an entertaining day out as well.

There will be a range of features to keep you occupied, in addition to the trade exhibitors, and plenty of choice if you fancy a meal or a drink. And if you have your own caravan or motorhome, you’ll be able to camp on site.

Scotland’s finest

The Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure show takes place at Glasgow’s SECC from February 7-10. There will be more than 150 trade exhibitors.

The park and leisure home industry will be represented at the show by ABI, Atlas, BK Bluebird, Carnaby, Cosalt, Country Homes, Island Leisure, Omar, Pathfinder, Stately Albion, Tingdene and, exhibiting for the first time on its own stand, Willerby.

In addition, there will be a number of parks and park groups, such as Forest Holidays, Laird Estates, Lucebay, Meadowhead and Park Resorts; dealers such as Discover and Holiday homes UK; accessories such as decking from the likes of LB Plastics; service providers, including Park Home Insurance Services; and organisations such as the BH&HPA.

In addition to the trade exhibitors, there will be four cookery demonstrations each day with chef Billy Walker, beer and wine tasting and a farmers’ market with 16 stalls offering game, Mediterranean produce, fish, pastries, cheese, liqueurs, ales, honey, coffee and handmade soaps.

As usual there will be the chance to win a variety of products on various stands, including an £9,995 Xplore caravan with the radio station Clyde 2.

The show also has a Kids Entertainment Zone, with balloon modelling, face painting, magic and a kids’ drawing competition.

And if you’re looking for somewhere new to visit, or have a particular favourite place yourself, Hall 3 will have a giant map where visitors will be able to post their recommendations – and you can do it via the show’s website, too.

The show will be open from 10am to 6pm. Daily tickets are £6.50 (seniors £6) in advance or £8.50/£7.50 on the door; childen under 16 get in free.

To book, tel: 0870 040 4000, or see the website: www.caravanshowscotland.com

Bigger than ever

The National Boat Caravan and Outdoor Show, now in its 47th year, is the largest of the indoor events and, in the absence of a London exhibition this year, will be the focus of attention for home hunters from the south as well as the Midlands and Wales.

Taking place from February 19-24, it will be about 30% bigger than last year and fill six halls at Birmingham’s NEC. The show, as its name suggest, features boats small and large – from sea-going luxury cabin cruisers to canal barges and small dinghies – as well as caravans, motorhomes, park homes and holiday homes.

Park and leisure home exhibitors will include Advent, Allens Caravans, Atlas, BK Bluebird, Homeseeker, Omar, Salop Leisure, Stately-Albion, Swift, Tingdene, Wessex and Willerby

There will be organisations and service providers such as Black Horse Finance, 4site/Vantage Insurance, Capital Bank, National Caravan Council and Park Home Assist.

And among the parks with stands are Avon Estates, Best of British Touring and Holiday Parks, Britannia Parks, Carefree Lifestyle, Don Amott, Drayton Manor Park, Forest Holidays, Home Farm Holiday Park, Littlehampton Marina, Meadowbank, Park Resorts, Park Living Spain, Seadown Holiday Park, Shorefield and Stowford Farm, plus a range of other continental sites.

As well as hunting for your dream home, you will be able to try your hand at archery, canoeing or, if you have a head for heights, climbing. There will be plenty of food and drink available, too.

The show will be open each day from 10am to 6pm and tickets are £11.50 (seniors 60+ £8.50, children 5-15 £4) in advance or £14/£11/£5 on the door). To book, tel: 0870 730 0963 or see the website: www.boatandcaravan.co.uk

Homeseeker and Advent ring in the new

Homeseeker will show a new version of the Cotswold park home on its stand (2325) at the NEC. The Cotswold range, one of the UK’s most popular, has had a full refurbishment for 2008 to celebrate 21 years since Homeseeker was formed and the NEC will be the first time the 2008 version will be seen.

The version on show will be a 42ft x 20ft model with two double bedrooms, an en suite shower room, walk-in wardrobe and the characteristic L-shaped lounge/diner.

Though the basic layout remains the same, the 2008 design includes a completely new kitchen, major appliances included, new bedroom and living room furniture and fabrics, stylish dressings, and up-to-the-minute new bathroom and shower room. This model will retail at £82,152, including VAT.

Homeseeker will bring other brand new park home ranges to market during 2008 and all will be on permanent display at the park home village at its Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire headquarters.

The village has a permanent display of nine fully-furnished park homes, an example from each of Homeseeker’s current ranges, and is open to the public free of charge. The homes are outdoors, in a real life setting, so that they can be seen as they would look when sited on a park.

Homeseeker’s sister company Advent will be showing the 2008 version of its Rosemary lodge at the NEC.

This 42ft x 20ft model has a light, flowing living area with tongue-and-groove effect vaulted ceiling, patio doors l and innovative of floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room set in a panoramic bay.

Advent’s design team has chosen subtle, neutral colours for the carpet and furnishings, but buyers will have a choice of four alternative schemes.

Meanwhile, the open-plan kitchen has an integral fridge/freezer as standard (another addition for 2008) as well as built-in hob with stainless steel hood and oven and oak-effect units.

There are also oak-finished wardrobes and neutral fabrics in the master bedroom.

The modern en suite shower room and family bathroom are half tiled and have vanity units for the first time.

The three-bedroom version of the Rosemary has a double, a twin and a single bedroom, which could alternatively become a study.  

The Rosemary is now available as a mirror image of previous versions, with main entrance to the right of the home, rather than the left. Sizes are available up to 66ft x 22ft. 

The model on show has an optional LCD TV and DVD player, oak stand and coffee table to the lounge and integral dishwasher to the kitchen. It retails at £81,596 including VAT.

For customers who require even more features and accessories, there are two imaginative variations on the standard Rosemary range: the “Opus” and even more luxurious “Omni” versions.

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