The Jacksons, secret telly addicts

Hilary and Dennis, both in their 70s, enjoy the great outdoors, which is why they love caravanning. But they also love their telly. Hilary finds it hard to be away from Coronation Street, Dennis likes to catch up on the cricket. So in their new van, while they might need sleeping space for grandchildren occasionally touring with them, they know they also want enough room for at least one large TV.

1 2016 Elddis

Sanremo 204

Well within the Jacksons’ budget and weight limit, this caravan has a comfortable L-shaped lounge, ideal for watching TV. The second dinette means one of them could relax elsewhere if they are less interested in what is on the screen.

The settees convert into a double, leaving seating for the early morning riser available in the side dinette. This converts into bunks, ideal for children. But as the grandchildren grow, this van might be too compact.

Price £11,495

Berths 4

MTPLM 1100kg

Shipping length 5.47m

Grantham’s Caravans

granthamcaravans.co.uk/ model/caravans-for-sale/4berth-caravans-for-sale/ elddis-sanremo-3042016

2 2020 Bailey Pegasus Grande Brindisi

If Hilary and Dennis can find an extra £995, this model has an L-shaped lounge, like the Elddis, but it’s 8ft wide.

A seat by the door doubles as a footstool, so both of them could stretch out to watch TV.

They would have to give up the settees if the grandchildren came along, and the kids would need to be happy sleeping in a double bed. But a second set of TV sockets in the rear bedroom means the adults could always retire to watch there.

Price £21,995

Berths 4

MTPLM 1490kg

Shipping length 7.3m

Highbridge Caravan Centre

highbridgecaravans. co.uk/products/caravans/ Hccqf156990/2020bailey-grande-brindisi

3 2018 Swift Eccles 580

For a more conventional front lounge layout, this Eccles may be the one to go for, because it includes a sizeable sideboard to the right of the door, where you could position a TV. From there, each adult reclining on either of the settees has a good view of the screen.

Those side settees should be long enough for most children to use as single beds.

In the rear bedroom, there’s a comfortable transverse island bed, and a dresser with a second set of TV sockets. A roomy end washroom seals the deal.

Price £19,750

Berths 4

MTPLM 1522kg

Shipping length 7.54m

Golden Castle Caravans

goldencastle.co.uk/product/ swift-eccles-580-2018