What do Jarvis Cocker, Patsy Palmer and Helen Mirren have in common? They are part of a current renaissance among Britons who are rediscovering the joys of caravanning. Jarvis is often spotted on the King's Road driving his Toyota mobile home, while Patsy Palmer and Helen Mirren both holiday at the same caravan site in Kent. And last month a website, caravannersreunited.co.uk, was launched in response to the outdoor pursuit enjoying its biggest resurgence in popularity in over 20 years. It has already achieved more than 15,000 hits from users desperate to find other like-minded caravanners. So, who says caravanning isn't cool?
Let's face it; a caravanning holiday in Torquay doesn't have quite the same cachet as a villa in Tuscany, does it? But this is missing the point; the new generation of caravanners are doing both: many people who own caravans, mobile homes or campervans still have their main summer holiday abroad, but then use their caravans for shorter breaks throughout the year.
Martin Howlett, marketing director for the caravan and motor home manufacturer Avondale, says: "The 2001/2002 season has seen our best sales for a decade." And 15% of these sales were to first-time buyers, a figure that is higher than normal. Howlett puts it down to a resurgence of interest in British holidays along with trends in modern lifestyles. "For the cost of a family holiday abroad, you can invest in a second-hand vehicle and be set up for countless holidays throughout the year," he says.
With longer hours spent at work and increased stress levels, the weekend getaway has never been so popular. It is particularly appealing for people, often in their late 20s and 30s, who work in cities such as London, and need a break from the fast pace.
Mark Reynolds, MD of justKampers, a specialist supplier of parts and accessories for VW campervans, agrees: "A large percentage of our customers are under 35, often with kids, who enjoy using their campers for weekend trips, frequently combining it with a hobby such as surfing."
Howlett and Reynolds have also both noticed an increase in interest since September 11. Howlett believes the impact of September 11, continuing terrorist attacks, problems with air traffic control and the improved profile of British tourism since the foot and mouth outbreak are all encouraging people to look closer to home for their holidays. Reynolds puts it down to freedom of choice and a craving for independence. "People don't want to have their meal times dictated to them, or 'face painting at 11.45am' or whatever."
The ability to take off at a moment's notice is extremely appealing and liberating. This was my plan earlier this year when the sun was out, and I combined my weekend hobby of sitting on my backside with a trip to Oxford in a friend's caravan with my less than enthusiastic boyfriend.
It's a good feeling driving away from the concrete and crowds of London to a greener place where the air is clean except for smoke from the barbeques, and people are friendly. Okay, so we could have chosen somewhere greener than Oxford, but with a picturesque Camping and Caravanning Club site on the outskirts of the city (a 20-minute stroll away), we were able to get the best of town and country. Oh, and it's cheap. Hotel accommodation is a lot more than £5.50 a night.
Once we'd hooked up and checked in, our neighbours, Joe and Nancy, advised us on the pick of the nearby pubs and the most scenic route into town. I was relieved that they were friendly after initially eying us with suspicion as we struggled with a few basics, like unlocking the caravan. Then we could relax with a cup of tea (with sugar borrowed from Joe and Nancy) outside our home from home. That's the beauty of caravanning: you can enjoy the outdoors experience without having to do without the home comforts.
I couldn't help but feel smug when I woke up and had a nose out of the window at our neighbours, who were camping in a tent; stooping to get in and out and having to listen to the radio in the car. Not like our snug caravan with built-in radio.
After an outdoors breakfast, we walked downriver into the city to wander around the colleges of the university and have a lunchtime drink at the River's End pub. Its location meant we could dangle our feet at the water's edge while sipping Pimm's. Christ Church, the university's largest and most famous college was our last stop, and I noticed a few Harry Potter devotees wandering around in awe - it provided the location for Hogwarts Hall in the film. Sadly there was no trace of the Queen of Hearts - Lewis Carroll penned Alice In Wonderland in Christ Church meadow, our chosen destination for a sandwich stop.
Taking a different route back to the campsite, we stopped off at the rather 1980s sounding Aquavitae, a chic Italian cafe bar with decking and seating at the river's edge, providing great views of the amateur punters struggling to manoeuvre their craft.
Back at the site, kettle on, it felt good to relax in our own space - B&Bs, for example, don't afford you that kind of independence or respite. You always feel like you're imposing; with a caravan you're the landlady of your own chintz. Stephen (the apprehensive boyfriend) was pleasantly surprised at the advances in caravan technology. Our Avondale Osprey was twice the size of the one he used to share with his family of five, and they didn't even have running water, or a radio.
It was simple pleasures like these and slowing down the pace that we enjoyed. Eating alfresco, taking time over reading the papers or just sitting and enjoying the surroundings, which at the Oxford site had a suburban charm with neatly lined bedding plants surrounding reception and the shower block. And then there's the little tasks, like filling the water container and assembling the bed. It feels like an adventure, but one where you can retreat back into your shell if it gets too scary out there. Admittedly, "out there" for us on Saturday night was the beer garden at the Duke of Monmouth, down the road from the site, for scampi and chips and a couple of pints.
Waking up on Sunday morning, it was a hive of activity on the site: kids on scooters, breakfast barbecues and family production lines at the washing-up area. The siblings who were playing Blair Witch outside the family van the night before were now chasing each other around the toilet block with Super Soakers.
Be warned, though, caravanning is addictive: living for the weekend and the next destination. After talking shop with Dave, the site's proprietor, we are considering buying our own van and, having exorcised his demons of caravanning past, Stephen is dreaming of long summers by the sea in Devon and Cornwall.
As I sat at the little breakfast table eating my bacon sandwich, it did feel sad to see everybody packing up around us. "Party's over," Joe shouted to me on his return from the waste disposal point. And so the awnings came down and windbreakswere rolled up - the systematic dismantling of our utopian holiday village. Oh well, there's always next weekend.
Way to go
Getting there: Alison and Stephen stayed at the Camping and Caravanning Club's site in Oxford: 426 Abingdon Road, Oxford, OX1 4XN (01865 244088). Pitches cost £5.50 per adult and £1.70 per child (plus £4.50 extra for non-C&CC members).
Further information: The Camping and Caravanning Club, Greenfields House, Westward Way, Coventry CV4 8JH (02476 694995, campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk).
