Is Motorhome Usage a Geographic Thing?
Having just spent two weeks in the north of England in Cumbria and Yorkshire I was surprised to see so few motorhomes. The CLs that we were on had one come in for a weekend only whereas all the other units were caravans, all bar two were there for at least a week. Driving around we passed many other sites, (commercial, CLs, CMC and C&CC) and, from what we could see, the vast majority of units were caravans. So the question is, as there is supposed to be this vast surge in motorhome ownership, are most of them only used in the south of the UK?
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We live in the North of England and have a motorhome. We do use sites in England and Scotland, but find sites in France, Holland, Germany and Spain much better and cheaper
From home the channel is nearly 400 miles, and we try to cross at least twice a year. I can see why if you live down South a motorhome would be a lot more attractive, whereas if you are from the North you either have long/expensive journeys to Europe, or if you are going onto sites in the North a caravan and awning are probably a better bet
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did you miss the UK reference there DD
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During recent rips this year I've haven't noticed any difference on club sites, a mixture of both outfits, maybe one day there are more of one but over the stay an even mixture. Maybe there is a time/day variation?
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I’ve not noticed any difference north/south either.
I guess we break the mould of the north/south/UK/over there perceptions as we live about as far south as it's possible to get yet choose not to cross The Channel with our MH but often holiday in the north.
Last year we travelled as far north as Haroldswick on Unst in Shetland where by far the vast majority of units were MHs and were made welcome. The community sites are really geared up towards MH-ers. This year it's to be the Outer Hebrides where I suspect the same pattern will be repeated. All over Scotland MHs are plentiful and I’ve yet to meet the scenario described by the OP.
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Is that Exmouth?
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I came home yesterday from two weeks away in the van first week at Daleacres where there were quite a number of motorhomes and the second at Fairlight Wood where at one time motorhomes outnumbered caravans at around 3 to 1 and some pretty flash ones at that..
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Funnily enough, that was exactly my first thought.....
we were thinking about 'doing Scotland' again, now we are mobile once more (it's nearly 10 years since we last there) but is so blooming cold at the moment....
and then there was the other choice of the South of France.....Adieu
WRT the OP, I'm not sure theres any specific geographic differences within the UK, though there might be, who knows.....dealer research, perhaps?
however, 'over there', there are some discernible market 'trends' with Germans favouring MH, as do the Campingcaristes of France, whereas the Dutch (who travel everywhere) seem to use caravans...
we go 'there' as the travelling, stopping for short periods, including quick overnighters seems far easier to do with a MH...
horses for courses, but I've not been tempted by a caravan.....but I am from the South, if this has a bearing...
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why did you choose to pick up on DDs post when Olden posted a similar 'continental' reference immediately above it.....?
selective chastisement?
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We saw more more MHs on the road, but slightly more vans on sites last year, variety of sites. There are definitely a lot more MHs out and about nowadays than you used to see, all areas of country. A fortnight in Wales last year, five different sites, Bromyard Downs was around 50:50, one CL was 50:50, two CLs were MH dominated, and final site we stayed on was a CL with a small seasonal pitch (tourers) adjacent. That had 3 vans, 2 MHs, and of course the seasonals were all vans. Don't think it is geographic, there are lots of MHs in Yorkshire and certainly we saw lots in Northumberland and Scotland a couple of years ago.
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Perhaps its just a monetary issue where members north of Watford don't have enough spare brass to spend on expensive MHs .
But seeing how the OP comes from Derbyshire thats doesn't seem to be the case .
Does it matter what we all drive or tow ......we are all in the same club .👍
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Perhaps for a lot of motorhomers a CL would not be first choice unless it had hardstandings? Also the issue of location if you didn't want to take the van off site. For us location is everything so regardless of how lovely a CL is and how wonderful the facilities, if it was in the middle of nowhere then it wouldn't be for us. Two weeks ago we were at Henley Four Oaks and I suppose that motorhomes accounted for about 40% of pitches. I suspect also that around the time of school holidays caravans will always outnumber motorhomes by quite a margin on all sites.
David
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Mmmm, not sure you're right there Compass362. My company had a branch in Romford, Essex and we were always getting comments about how we northerners could afford to go out for meals etc far more frequently than the staff from Romford. Similarly, my niece has move up here from Hampshire and found a considerable reduction in the cost of living and in particular, house prices. She has moved into a big four bedroom detached house from a small two bedroom semi in Fareham and is paying about the same on her mortgage.
Just to clarify, I have a caravan and not a MH but have absolutely nothing against them except, as DavidKlyne has commented, MHs are not for those who like to be in the middle of nowhere with no public transport and who, once pitched, don't want to take their MH off site. That's why I wouldn't have one.
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Currently on a CS, outnumbered by MHs 4 to 1
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Ah, is it north or south?
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I think that' a very sweeping generalisation 😲😲. Living as we do, and have done for 40 years, within 35 minutes of Liverpool Street I can assure you the cost of living is phenomenal compared to other places. Some of those that work in the City can earn 'silly' money but generally wages/salaries are not that great. Minimum wage doesn't get you much locally 😲😲😲. If we were to buy our house today we couldn't prices have just gone mad! Our son has moved around the Peterborough area and has a bigger house for much less money. I think the cost of living is vastly less in the north - not necessarily everywhere in the north, so I wouldn't agree with your statement.
Friends who moved to Scotland, he was the same grade in the civil service as my OH and got the same salary regardless of location 😲. Thus immediately had more 'surplus' money for 'luxuries'. One reason we are short of essential service employee is because they earn the same at the same grade regardless of local cost of housing etc.
Car parking in our town is £6 or more a day 😲😲😲
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Within 15 miles of the South coast
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That bears out the OP's theory.
Waiting for a boat are you?
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Yes Tinners, sunny weather here we come
Bakers, we expected bad weather today but no rain at all - cold and cloudy most of the day but much brighter now.
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It’s been sunny here without the need to travel.
I expect you'll return like a new person.
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Only if I need to.
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I reckon it’s very likely.
Hey, you’ll be able to meet up with your mate BB.
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Last November Henley was again about 40%+ MH. Last month Brighton was predominately caravans. Does it prove anything - I've absolutely no idea.
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