Christmas in the Caravan

Adrian Cherrill
Adrian Cherrill Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited October 2023 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Hi all, we usually go away in the October half term in the caravan, normally to somewhere not too far away (1-2hrs drive). However this year, due to a change in holiday periods at work (changing from Apr-Mar to Jan-Dec due to a takeover) I don't have enough holiday left.

So as my firm shuts between Christmas and New Year (and it doesn't come out of our holiday entitlement) we thought we'd push the boat out a little and maybe do Christmas in the caravan. Again, not too far (poss. Cherry Hinton or Sandringham), and we think we have worked out the logistics of taking presents (at least for our two boys) and doing the food, and obvisouly the weather might be foul but I wondered if anyone had any tips / ideas / pitfalls even they could share?

Thanks

AC

Comments

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited October 2023 #2

    compare the prices of the two Sandringham 'club' sites....we've just been to the C&CC one and the CAMC was 50% more...and a bit further from Sandringham estate if you wish to walk there.

  • Dyddy
    Dyddy Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited October 2023 #3

    Well good for you. But how's Santa going to get down the chimney smile Few folks have commented that some sites hike prices over the holidays, when we looked a while ago the sites at the top of our wish list had already been booked up. I guess maybe a hardstanding pitch in case it gets really wet is not a bad idea plus a site with TV / Phone reception to ring family on the day.

    Hope you have a memorable time, enjoy.

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #4

    We've being going to Sandringham for Christmas for quite a few years now - and, hopefully, will be there this year. Whilst I agree with yt about the prices, the CAMC site is much nicer in our opinion. In previous years, the wardens have really entered into the spirit of things with a get together with drinks and nibbles on Christmas Eve, and lights everywhere - even their tractor/trailer is decorated as Santa's sleigh! Whatever anyone's opinion is about lights around a caravan, it's a 'must' there at Christmas and there's always been a bit of a competition in terms of decorating your van. Not sure how current 'twitchiness' about electricity usage will affect things - but I hope it doesn't. The whole site just looks magical.  Just goes to show that even though we are in our mid 70s - we still haven't grown upsmile

    In our experience, it's not usually cold at Christmas - but more likely to be wet so be prepared. We always take our lightweight awning because we usually end up packing it away wet and it's easy to dry at home. 

    Cooking Christmas lunch from scratch can be a bit of a challenge in the van so we cheat a bit and cook the turkey at home and have it cold on Christmas day - the other bits are easy to do in the van. 

    If I remember correctly, phone reception (on EE) isn't brilliant at Sandringham but I'm sure it works most of the time.

    I'm sure the children will love the experience - enjoy.

     

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #5

    We have had a few holidays away over the Xmas period, although usually in cottages. One of the things that you need to think about is that a lot of businesses/visitor experiences shut over Xmas, so take plenty to do, as you might be restricted for a few days. That said, if the weather is good, you can’t beat a Wintery walk or bike ride. A lot of English Heritage, NT properties have more restricted opening days and hours as well, and of course, daylight hours will be shorter than in October. 

    We will be away early December, and one of the things we enjoy is driving through towns and villages and enjoying all the wonderful Xmas light displays. If in East Anglia, wildlife and bird spotting should be good as well, so take a feeder and let the children enjoy seeing things come up to the caravan. They could have a go at making some old fashioned paper trimmings for the van as well? 

    Have a lovely time😁

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #6

    Despite being part of this hobby for over 40 years its not something we have done. Having said that I have always fancied walking along a beach on Christmas Day. Obviously living in MK that is a bit difficult without travelling a 100 miles or more! If the whole family like the idea why not give it a go, you will either love it or hate it so it could be the first of many or a failed experimentwink Despite what Greg Lake might say we don't get snow at Christmas although that, perhaps, would be the icing on the cake!

    David

  • Rufs
    Rufs Forum Participant Posts: 4,072
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    edited October 2023 #7

    Could never get my head around how we would seat perhaps 15 people in the caravan/awning, that is how many we normally have for Christmas lunch which for us normally starts at approx 1400 hrs (drinks) for 1500 hrs sit down by which time it is starting to go dark and cold, so given that an awning heater could be far too expensive to run, yes we have been known to use an awning heater laughing, this would leave us seating to find for 15 people in a 5 berth caravan undecidedand how would we cope with the additional weight of turkey, veg, puddings, and not forgetting the cards & presents, thinks we will stay at home, but hope you enjoy your Christmas whereever, you may have it  cool

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #8

    How old are your boys? I remember taking 3 active hill walking, risk taking teenagers to the Lake District in their school Christmas holidays but can’t imagine there would have been anything at all to interest them (or me) at Sandringham at that time of year. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #9

    There’s plenty to do for all ages in North Norfolk, even in December. Granted, hill walking might be off, but there are boat trips to seals, heritage railways, some of the big houses like Holkham and Sandringham have interesting indoor Museums for wet days, there’s some great cycling, the beaches around Wells are absolutely stunning for walks and beach combing. There’s also a sells out very quickly Luminate event at Sandringham itself.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #10

    My boys also liked ice rinks, swimming pools with slides and wave machines, Alton Towers, musical shows in London, historic ships at Portsmouth, small scale betting at the races, and big football matches. Cherry Hinton in mid winter would not have ticked  any more boxes for them than Sandringham. 

  • Adrian Cherrill
    Adrian Cherrill Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited October 2023 #11

    Thanks for all this. I've just booked Sandringham, arriving Christmas Eve for 6 nights. We'll be doing our best to get some lights and decs wink, but not sure if we'll be good enough to compete with the seasoned competition!!

  • Adrian Cherrill
    Adrian Cherrill Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited October 2023 #12

    Thanks to everyone else for their response too cool

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