The Honda CR-V: a perfect companion to any caravanning staycation

Load up the CR-V and head for our pick of the top 10 UK caravan parks and campsites this summer.

The whole business of cramming suitcases full of family accoutrements, dragging the kids through an airport, putting up with lengthy passport queues and risking the hire car lottery in a foreign country can be stressful, not to mention expensive.

With this in mind, it is easy to see why so many Brits are opting for a staycation, with a recent study revealing that two-thirds (66%) of us enjoyed a holiday on home soil last year, up from 56% in 2017.

What better way to enjoy some of the stunning scenery the British Isles has to offer than from the comfort of your vehicle? The kids can be entertained in the back, there's ample room for inflatable flamingos, and the Honda CR-V's fuel-efficient and powerful 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo engine is capable of towing up to 2000kg – perfect for caravanning.

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Get Ready to Road Trip

One of the most important aspects of any staycation is arriving at your intended location comfortable and stress-free, which is why having ample space inside the car is so important.

The Honda CR-V – the world's most popular SUV – features room for up to seven people on selected petrol grades, with 'one-motion' folding rear seats offering a third row of pews. When not in use, the seats fold neatly away – disappearing into the boot floor.

To make life even easier, the rear doors open to almost 90-degrees – allowing for plenty of room to load bulky items or excitable little ones to clamber into booster seats.

Boot space is an ample 561 litres with the third row of seats folded flat (or a whopping 1,756 litres with all seat stowed), which is more than enough for multiple large suitcases, camping kit and body-boards, while top-grade vehicles get hands-free boot access.

Simply waggle a foot under the rear bumper and the electronically powered tailgate opens up – making it easy to pack items when the hands are full of kids' toys or busy wrangling wriggling children.

If you need a little more orderliness in your life, Honda also offers a range of accessories designed for those who regularly take trips away. A Premium Boot Organiser, for example, prevents items from moving around in transport, while a heavy-duty boot tray is perfect for those carrying sopping wetsuits and other mucky items.

The Power To Move 

The Honda CR-V has always been a popular choice among those with caravans to tow and its new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine remains a great option. 

With up to 193ps horsepower on tap, a silky smooth CVT automatic gearbox and optional all-wheel-drive, it is a sure-footed vehicle for hauling bulky items to idyllic campsites around the UK. 

Innovative technology, such as a clear rear-view camera, aids with hitching up items to the tow ball, while Honda’s Agile Handling Assist constantly monitors drive to the wheels and provides subtle and stable steering assistance when cornering at low and high speeds. 

Once out on the open road, there are multitude infotainment options to keep everyone inside the car entertained and connected to the outside world. Sync smartphones with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, enjoy podcasts via the internet-based Aha audio player and stay on course with Garmin's reliable satellite navigation –all accessed via a crisp and clear seven-inch touchscreen display.



NOW THE CAR IS ALL PACKED UP, AND EVERYONE IS STRAPPED IN AND SITTING COMFORTABLY, LET'S CHECK OUT THE 10 BEST CARAVANNING STAYCATION LOCATIONS IN THE UK.

1. Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks, Golden Coast, Devon

Overlooking one of the most beautiful bays in Britain, this immaculate park includes bungee trampolines for the little ones, climbing walls, four heated pools, slides, flumes and even tenpin bowling if the weather turns sour. But by far the most exciting thing is trekking down to Woolacombe Bay itself via a gorgeous coastal path and enjoying the sun, golden sand and salty waves.

2. Whitefield Forest Touring Park, Isle of Wight

This award-winning, family run park is situated between the beautiful beaches of Ryde and Sandown, while access is easy for cars and even the largest caravans. All amenities are finished to a stunningly high standard and the surrounding grounds and woodland are perfect for little explorers, with wooden playgrounds and picturesque walks in abundance.

3. Thorpe Park, Lincolnshire

Fortunately, this family-friendly holiday park isn't choc-full of high-adrenaline rollercoasters like its name might suggest, but there is still plenty to keep everyone entertained. Highlights include a lazy river, a nine-hole golf course, two freshwater fishing lakes, an awesome theme park-themed restaurant and the picturesque town of Cleethorpes on the doorstep. Boredom just doesn’t happen here.

4. Beverley Park, Paignton, Devon

Overlooking the blue seas and golden sand of the English Riviera, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d warped over to the Med! With activities and entertainment and bars and restaurants on the site, there is plenty to keep the family occupied and some of the country’s best beaches, water parks and coastal attractions are all within a mile or so of this southern gem.

5. Tummel Valley Holiday Park, Pitlochry, Perthshire

The gentle trickling of the River Tummel greets anyone who stays at this peaceful campsite, which offers great routes for walking, cycling and, of course, awesome angling. There is also a heated pool for winding down after a day of activities and a kids' club to give the adults some time to enjoy the blissful surrounds.

6. Broadhembury Caravan and Camping Park, Kent

It is amazing to think this idyllic spot is only a couple of hours outside of London, with lush fields and a huge array of hikes right on the doorstep. Broadhembury has been a five-star rated site since 1988 and its amenities speak for themselves. Clean showers, kitchens for campers to prepare meals and a laundry room are just a few highlights.

7. Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park, Nairn, Inverness

The Cairngorms National Park is the perfect playground for exploring by foot or by car, offering up some of the finest winding roads for those that like to explore their vehicle's handling dynamics. Expect direct access to local beaches, crazy golf, an indoor heated pool and plenty for toddlers and little ones to enjoy.

8. Camber Sands Holiday Park, East Sussex

Another one for the beach goers, Camber Sands Holiday Park is a stones-throw from the famously beautiful Camber Sands beach. On the park, you’ll find lots to do with crazy golf, go-karts, an all-weather sports court and adventure playground. As well as the usual kids’ clubs, entertainments and bars you’d expect on a modern, family-friendly facility.

9. Beadnell Bay Campsite, Northumberland

If it is calm, quiet remoteness you are after, you have come to the right place, because Beadnell Bay feels romantically detached from the hubbub of everyday life. There is some great cycling on nearby trails, but a lack of on-site entertainment means the little ones will have to make do with the great outdoors to keep them busy.

10. Hoburne Blue Anchor, Somerset

There aren’t many holiday parks where you can sit and watch steam trains puff by, then make your way to the beach for a dip in the ocean or set off for a bracing walk in the hills. For families of all ages, Blue Anchor ticks all the boxes for an unforgettable seaside holiday: activities in the pool, nature trail adventures and beach walks. And beyond the park itself, a landscape for more grown up adventures walking the beautiful Quantock Hills or Exmoor National Park.