HILLSIDE BIRCHOVER S

Hillside is one of the UK’s largest converters of VWs, also building campers for several leading dealers (now including Lowdhams and Heart of England), and it offers a full range of models. It’s the price of Hillside’s entry-level Birchover S that should really grab your attention, though. Almost £15k less than the cheapest California, this looks like a bargain before you even open the sliding door. Do that and you’ll see a full side kitchen conversion (with cabinets in a grey or wood finish), an RIB seat and a top-quality SCA elevating roof (with roof bed!).

For the price of a pre-owned camper, the Birchover S has none of the compromises of going to a lesser-known converter or building on a used panel van. The conversion has full European Whole Vehicle

Type Approval and has been passed by the NCC (National Caravan Council), too. It’s based on the latest T6.1 Transporter Startline with airconditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, DAB radio with touchscreen, and a leather steering wheel.

You’ll have to pay extra to upgrade from the standard 89bhp (90PS) engine – we’d recommend the 108bhp (110PS) unit as a good compromise here without blowing the budget. And you might want to add metallic paint or diesel heating, but don’t buy a used camper until you’ve had a very good look at this brand-new one.