Caravan of the Year
The most prestigious award handed out by our judges, the winner of this category is picked from among our other award winners, highlighting the best caravan launched for the new season.
Best Caravan of the Year 2026
Elddis Whirlwind 868
What makes a Caravan of the Year? To qualify, a caravan has to be absolutely stunning in several ways. Great value, for certain. And with wide appeal. A pinnacle of excellence in the industry – that’s a certainty, too.
And it has to make a statement of importance in its marketplace.
The Elddis Whirlwind achieves all of the above handsomely. Its importance in the marketplace is that this is a maximum-width, twin-axle, spacious six- berth caravan for a price tag that places it in the affordability bracket.
The crucial factor on price is that Elddis has created, for 2026, the new Whirlwind range in response to a market that has become increasingly price driven.
Whirlwinds are lower in price than the long- established Avante models that they replace. So, this big family caravan, at £30,749, is now within reach of more buyers.
In realigning its entry-level range, Elddis has made a statement to caravan buyers that affordability is key – and the 868, one of two six-berths in the range, takes the prize for the clever way in which it accommodates its families: in one room for four, at the rear – that’s two bunks (both with a secluded pod feel) and a double bed.
The judges love this layout for its versatility tailor-made for a young family. There’s more to this layout than initially meets the eye. Yes, parents can have the double bed and two young family members get the bunks, and two more can claim the sofas in the lounge as single beds.
That’s straightforward. But picture this: the rear bedroom can be exclusively a kids’ zone. The two eldest kids get the bunks, and two more little caravanners can get the double bed – one in a carrycot, perhaps.
And the parents can create their own, very separate ‘bedroom’ from the lounge seating.
So, the brilliance of the 868’s layout is its adaptability. Furthermore, the shower and toilet zone is in the centre of the caravan, with doors at both ends, so it’s easy to allocate shower turns to those sleeping in the bedroom and then those sleeping in the lounge.
Congratulations, Elddis, on a great family caravan.
Award judge Val Chapman
Tailor-made for a young family, with budget at its heart, and spaciousness that few caravans can beat… The Elddis Whirlwind 868 is impressive on all levels.
A brilliant layout designed for versatility, and an all-up weight that puts it within range of a great many tow vehicles, ensure it has wide appeal. Its styling is modern and simple, yet conveys an air of elegance. And it’s superbly crafted to compete in a price-driven market.
For all those reasons, it won its class – Best Family Caravan – and then took the overall, coveted title, Caravan of the Year.
Award judge Macaulay Nichol
The Whirlwind 868 won because it gets the fundamentals right: it’s a genuinely spacious, family-friendly caravan that doesn’t drift away from affordability.
Elddis has created a layout that actually works for real families, such as their rear kids zone and the central washroom layout, which makes everyday life easier and that combination of space, practicality and affordability is exactly why it stood out.
View the rest of the awards
We want to recognise the best of the best, the top caravans your money can buy right now in the UK and so we present the Caravan Awards.
The Caravan Awards 2026 will be presented to the very best models for the coming year to help you make the right buying decision for your next tourer.
Discover the best of the other awards here!
Previous award winner
Sprite Quattro MB
2025
