Category: News

All the news articles from Leisure Plus Direct Camping and Caravan blog

LEISURE PLUS DIRECT..location move

LEISURE PLUS DIRECT..location move

Posted on by Kevin


Hi all, just a note now that we are in 2019 to say thank you to all of our customers who visited our shop in Birchington over the 3 years that we were there.

As most of you will know we have now moved location. We sold the shop and it is now a Hairdressers but we as Leisure Plus Direct have moved to larger premises. We now own a Caravan and Motorhome recognised CL site in Stourmouth …..Post Code CT3 1HR. We are listed under number 745 in the 2019/20 Site Directory. We very much look forward to welcoming you to our campsite.

We are still agents for Thule RV, Fiamma, Vango, Royal, Camping Gaz and many more major manufacturers. Moving to a larger premises is giving us the opportunity to carry a larger range of products and also giving us the opportunity to fit a range of accessories to motorhomes and caravans from our premises. We currently have one large log cabin as the office but by early 2019 the second will be added. Cabin 1 will house the office plus a small shop for the customers visiting our camp site. We will carry items ranging from Thetford chemicals, camping equipment, leisure ranges of chairs to cool boxes and even small supermarket products if you require whilst staying with us.

Cabin 2 will hold further larger items including Fiamma and Thule Bike Racks and awnings. Thule Residence rooms , Fiamma Privacy rooms and a whole range more for your caravan and motorhomes plus a fitting service will be available

So once again, thank you for checking us out and Leisure Plus Direct looks forward to meeting more of you in 2019.

Could A UK Caravan Holiday Be The Answer After Brexit?

Could A UK Caravan Holiday Be The Answer After Brexit?

Posted on by Kevin

In less than two months, Britain could leave the European Union (EU), but no exit strategy has been settled on yet – which means thousands of holidaymakers could be left with their holiday plans ruined. That is why more and more people might be tempted to book a caravanning holiday in the UK instead to avoid any disruptions and enjoy a peaceful time away.

March 29th is the date given for Brexit to occur, but as of yet, Prime Minster Theresa May has not established a deal on how this will affect travel arrangements for Brits travelling into the EU after this date.

Indeed, price comparison site GoCompare noted there is extra risk this year for those booking their European breaks after March, as no regulations have been set up regarding flights to and from the continent.

Matthew Sanders, travel expert at GoCompare, was reported by Your Money as saying: “The added uncertainty caused by Brexit this year should definitely focus the mind on protecting this investment.”

He noted that even without the Brexit concerns, many Brits fail to take out travel insurance, risking thousands of pounds if something unforeseen should occur.

According to the organisation, 58 per cent of holidaymakers leave their travel insurance plans to the last minute, arranging it within a week of their departure date. Nearly a third of these only book their protection on the day they fly.

Earlier this month, expert Simon Calder warned viewers of Good Morning Britain that airlines could cancel flights in the wake of Brexit, which means they risk losing the money they spent on accommodation and car hire if they are not protected, the Express revealed.

For a more secure choice of holiday, why not consider a motorhome break in the UK? You can find a huge choice of caravan equipment in Kent for your relaxing break here.

Why You Should Get The Family Outdoors This Winter

Why You Should Get The Family Outdoors This Winter

Posted on by Kevin

When the weather starts to get colder (and usually wetter in the UK) it’s easy to retreat to the sofa and TV and snuggle up. But there is plenty to enjoy in the great outdoors at this time of year.

In fact, if you have children it’s even more important to ensure you’re getting out and about at this time of year, as outdoor play at any time of the year facilitates healthy brain development in youngsters.

An article for Business Insider recently pointed to a scientific study that has proven the positive benefits of outdoor play. However, the news provider also cited a survey by the National Trust, which found children aged 10 to 16 spend fewer than 15 minutes a day taking part in “vigorous outdoor activity”.

Dr Robert Murray, pediatrician, author and board member of Action for Healthy Kids, told the news provider that there’s no reason to spend more time indoors in the winter. He stressed that it’s the perception of inconvenience that tends to make more families stay home at this time of year.

“With well-insulated caps, mittens, gloves, socks and appropriate layers, kids can get outdoors too and enjoy some fresh air,” he said.

If you’re struggling to break the habit of screen time, try taking yourselves out of your home environment. Stock up on winter caravan supplies in the UK and head off for a couple of nights somewhere beautiful.

Dr Murray also suggested using the likes of mobile phones and tablets to help you and your kids research fun outdoor activities and places to visit, so that you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

The Guardian recently suggested some top small towns in the UK for a winter break. Among them is Bakewell in Derbyshire, that has the added advantage of being on the edge of the Peak District, as well as Holt in Norfolk which is well placed to allow you to discover some of the area’s stunning beaches without the summer crowds.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Nature Lovers

Christmas Gift Ideas For Nature Lovers

Posted on by Kevin

While it might be off season for camping, it’s the perfect time to shop in Kent for Christmas gifts for nature lovers. If you have someone in your life who loves to camp, hike, ramble or just spend time in the great outdoors, the gift of kit to enjoy this better is sure to be well received. The Times thinks so also, so here are their best ideas and styles to shop from our web shop.

Trekking poles are especially useful for older people who still like to get out and enjoy nature, and its believed they could relieve pressure on knees by as much as 25 per cent, meaning that they can stay active for longer with less of the aches and pains that come with a longer hike.

A thermo flask is great for those who like to go off the beaten path – after all, there’s usually not a café there to stop for afternoon tea. These are always the item to go missing, so no-one will mind having another in their kit for those cold winter hikes.

A bat detector may seem like an unusual gadget, but it’s great for those who want to get more connected to nature. It turns inaudible bat calls into something the human ear can hear, and helps to identify one of the 17 species in the UK that it could be.

Binoculars are the perfect choice for someone with a keen interest in birds and other bits of nature, but hasn’t gone head first into ornithologist life quite yet. Opt for something lightweight and streamlined and you won’t even notice you’re carrying them until you need them.

Could A Motorhome Make Your Ski Trip More Affordable?

Could A Motorhome Make Your Ski Trip More Affordable?

Posted on by Kevin

We’re moving towards the ski and snowboarding season. It’s a great time of year if you love hitting the slopes, gliding down powdery, white snow. But it’s not usually so brilliant for your bank balance.

By the time you’ve factored in lift passes, flights, accommodation, food and equipment hire (or excess baggage if you’re taking your own) the price of a ski holiday can quickly mount up.

So could a motorhome holiday to the mountains make life more affordable? According to a recent article for Ski Club the answer is yes.

The news provider even noted that in France, there are places where you can park up and stay overnight, which are just metres away from the lifts. You can be first on the slopes in the morning and know you won’t have far to travel once you finish your day of skiing or boarding.

The other option is to stay in Ski Aires, these typically cost around £10 per night and give you access to amenities including a water supply, waste water and toilet emptying facilities and, in some cases, an electric hook up.

Another great reason to consider this approach to a ski holiday is that you’re not restricted to a single resort. While you won’t want to spend too much time driving from place to place, it’s good to know that if the slopes aren’t what you’d hoped, you can just move on and try somewhere different.

Of course, if you’re heading to the mountains in the winter, you need to ensure you’ve got all the necessary motorhome supplies in Kent before you set off on your adventure.

A recent article for Caravan Times recently pointed out that you don’t have to hit the Alps for a great winter getaway in your motorhome – there are plenty of great places to explore in the UK, and with sites offering hot showers and electric hook-ups, you can have all the creature comforts you need to get warm once you’ve spent time outdoors.

New Address..Moving to a Caravan and Motorhome CL Site

New Address..Moving to a Caravan and Motorhome CL Site

Posted on by Kevin

Dear customer.

We opened our shop in Minnis Bay just over 3 years ago.  Our shop grew  and grew.  As well as stocking ranges from Milenco, Kampa, Vango, Camping GAz, Fiamma and Thule RV plus a wide range of other products for your caravan and motorhome, we also carried ranges for beach and for the local fisherman.

The shop turned from a 5 day week to a 6 day week and in the summer a 7 day a week shop.

Two months ago we as a family bought a Caravan and Motorhome Club CL Site in Stourmouth.  Owning a caravan site although it is only a CL site requires manning. So the sensible thing to do was to move the shop to the new site in Stourmouth.  We have now built a “Lodge” which is an office as well as a small run shop carrying the caravan and motorhome section of our business.

I would like to thank all customers for their business over the last few years and would like to think that any of you Caravaner’s or Motorhome’rs will come and stay and visit at the new site.  Postcode is CT3 1HR

We look forward to welcoming you all there

Kevin

 

 

How To Beat Camping Condensation

How To Beat Camping Condensation

Posted on by Kevin

If you’re planning a camping holiday then you’ll probably be interested in finding the best camping supplies in Kent to ensure you’re fully prepared for your trip away, however, there’s not yet a tool that solves all of camping’s minor inconveniences.

Condensation in your tent when camping out can be an annoying problem, causing items to become damp, but fear not, as Out and About Live gives some top tips for tackling condensation when camping.

The main cause of a build-up of condensation inside your tent is due to poor ventilation, so  the best way to avoid it is to keep panels and doors open as much as possible, depending on weather conditions, to keep air flowing through.

Avoid cooking or eating hot food inside your tent as this will let off steam which will in turn create moisture and cause that damp feeling you want to avoid.

It’s inevitable that you’ll get some condensation build up if not just because our bodies let off heat into our surroundings, but keep on top of it by having lots of absorbent cloths that you can wipe surfaces over with to keep them as dry as possible.

If there’s a large group of you, spend as much time as you can sitting outside of your tent rather than inside. The more people inside the tent, the more people breathing and the more heat and condensation will be given off.

Avoid bringing any damp clothes into the tent to dry. Put them in your car or let them dry outside. Another great tip to ensuring your tent stays dry is to hang your sleeping bags out in the fresh air every morning.

Where To Go Camping In Kent

Where To Go Camping In Kent

Posted on by leisureplus

While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend a camping trip over the next few days, with Storm Ali battering our coastlines and very heavy gusts of wind pushing us all around, it can still be great fun to head off for a weekend in the countryside at this time of year, hitting the open road in your motorhome or stuffing the tent into your car to really get away from it all.

But where to go? We’re blessed with some amazing countryside here in the UK and you really are spoiled for choice – which can make destination decisions very difficult indeed. But we’re quite partial to Kent, when looking for the perfect county to camp in… and there are lots of excellent places to go. Here are just a few of our very favourites.

Canterbury Camping and Caravanning Club

This is just a few miles to the south of Canterbury and in fact is well within walking and cycling distance, so you could easily pop off for a lovely day out, walking through some truly beautiful countryside before having fun in the city and making your way home once again. It’s open all year as well, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to get your autumnal camping fix.

Dunn Street Farm

Looking for something a little different? What about staying on a working farm in the middle of the stunning Kent countryside. Dunn Street Farm can be found just above the village of Westwell, nestled among rolling hills and woodland. The farm itself is home to chickens, goats, cattle, horses and sheep!

Folkestone Camping and Caravanning Club

Those of you after a beachside location should book a space at this campsite in Folkestone. There are 60 pitches here (although no touring caravans are allowed), but the site overlooks the beach and has some incredible views of the sea so it would certainly be worth leaving your caravan behind for the weekend.

Hop Farm Camping and Touring Park

This award-winning site is right in the heart of Kent’s rolling countryside and is home to a very popular family park, as well as the biggest oast house collection in the world! Dogs are welcome but must be kept on the lead, but remember that they’re not allowed into the family park. The site’s open until September 30th so you still have time if you want to get away for the weekend this month.

Sandwich Lakes

Open all year, this camp site is small and quiet, tucked away in the grounds of a coarse fishery just one short mile from the centre of Sandwich. If you love your fishing, this is the place to go, since there are six lakes stocked with bream, tench, perch, rudd and roach, and you can also fish for mirror and common carp. Tent camping, as well as motorhomes and caravans are permitted here, so this could well be the campsite for you.

Looking for new motorhome supplies in Kent? Check out our website today.