Full review

The Bailey Phoenix 642 caravan has a twin-bed bedroom, clever kitchen and a neat approach to soft furnishings (including pink cushions!).

The choice of twin-bed layouts is vast, with 17 single-axle options on the market. Seven of these weigh less than 1,500 kg, the arena in which the new Phoenix 642 competes, so what makes the Bailey special?

For starters, its twin-bed area is well separated from the kitchen by a full-height wall on the offside and by the rear wall of the dresser opposite, so the bedroom feels pleasingly detached.

In the kitchen, the double hob cover, unique to Bailey, cleverly increases the work surface. With the top cover down, you have the whole of the kitchen on which to prepare food. A glass hob cover lies below the top cover.

Kitchen storage comes courtesy of a large double-doored cabinet, a wide, deep drawer, plus top cabinets.

On the opposite side of the caravan, the dresser adds to the storage space. Above the fridge is the microwave, and there’s a locker above that. Three shelves run alongside the fridge and there are two more by the microwave.

The washroom stretches across the rear and has a large wardrobe that occupies the whole of the nearside.

The 642 we reviewed had bright pink hints in the décor. The four cushions, two bolsters, plus two high-quality, big, fringed woollen throws and a carpet for the washroom, come as an option for £229. If you prefer a different colour, you can buy accessories of your choice.

Heating is the tried and tested Truma Combi system.