Gear up for a cosy campervan break
THE campervan was an icon of the Sixties. And our love affair goes on — not with original VWs, restored and loved by those who can afford them — but with the new models such as the 42 ft-long Winnebago. Its price? Close to £300,000.
Renting one is cheaper. Brit Stops, a scheme that links more than 600 small rural businesses, caters for tourists keen to get off the beaten track. The Brit Stops Directory (£27.50,
britstops.com) lists unusual locations where you can pull up for the night, including a llama farm, a town-centre Indian restaurant and a museum of magic.
I rent a brand-new California from Kamper Hire and head for the New Forest, where my first stop is the pretty village of Burley and its cider farm. New Forest Cider can host two motorhomes in a field where you fall asleep to the sound of saddleback pigs munching sweetcorn and wake to the calls of geese.
Campers are under no obligation to repay their host’s free hospitality — a night on a commercial campsite would cost about £25 — but most do. At Burley, the cider farm has a cafe serving sumptuous breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas and its shop is stacked with scrumpy and other delights. With a large fridge on board, it seems crazy not to stock up.
The Turfcutters Arms in East Boldre was briefly home to Ken Russell, the film director, when his nearby cottage burned down. Today it welcomes Brit Stoppers, who must book in advance to get a table and a slot in the car park.
I return via the Tichborne Arms, a favourite. Landlord Patrick Roper dispenses tips for tourers as readily as he pours local ales. And the beauty of Brit Stops is that after a night in a delightful country pub, no one has to drive home.