What is an aire and can you use them in the UK?

Originating from France, an aire is a designated area where motorhomes and campervans can legally park overnight and they are commonly used on the continent. While aires exist in the UK, they can be few and far between.

The Campaign for Real Aires (CAMpRA) is a UK-based organization that aims to increase the number of aires in the country, providing motorhomers and caravanners more options for safe, authorized overnight parking and helping to prevent unauthorised "wild camping" and park-ups.

At the Yorkshire Motorhome and Campervan Show 2023, Matt spoke with CAMpRA to unpack what defines an aire, their success in helping to open over 120 UK sites and how you can support the campaign.

Find out more at https://campra.org.uk/

This episode is brought to you by GasStop, the easy-to-install 100% shut-off emergency valve that protects you and your leisure vehicle. Get yours at www.thatleisureshop.com/gasstop and use the code GASSTOP at checkout to save £5.

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Since 1968, the Alan Rogers guidebook has been an essential tool for finding the perfect campsite for your travels throughout Europe. But this week we're asking, who is Alan Rogers?

At the NEC Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show in February 2023, we spoke with Rob Fearn, editor at Alan Rogers, and asked him this exact question.

Rob shared with us some of the histories of this fantastic guidebook, what sets it apart and recent changes in the organisation. Plus, we expose a growing interest in a different type of campsite... 🍑

Find out more about Alan Rogers here → https://alanrogers.com

This episode is sponsored by the award-winning Riverside Caravan Park at High Bentham in North Yorkshire, a third-generation independent caravan park nestled between the Yorkshire Dales, The Lake District and the Forest of Bowland. Find out more at https://www.riversidecaravanpark.co.uk

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Amy from Christchurch asked Matt about buying a Category N vehicle and we asked Caravan Guard for their thoughts on this. They were kind enough to send this official response, which we have quoted in the episode. Thanks for your question, Amy!

We can insure a category N motorhome, but there are a number of considerations.

As a previous ‘write-off’, even when repaired it is likely to be worth less than the market value of an equivalent non-write-off, so it can be difficult to put a valuation on the unit, especially in a volatile price market as we have currently. Having all relevant paperwork, recent photos etc would help put a valuation on the unit should something happen.

If it was written off due to parts not being available and the repair did not put it back in the same condition as before, we are unlikely to accept it as the same thing could happen in the event of a future claim.

If it was written off due to cosmetic damage (for example hailstone damage to panels but not structural) and it has not been repaired, we are unlikely to insure this.

If satisfactory repairs have been completed, backed up by a full report from the repairer or a motor engineer, then we will consider insuring it. Each insurer is different and we wouldn’t necessarily charge more, it’s more a case of acceptability. Similar to buying any vehicle that has previously been a write-off, you are more than likely limiting your choice of insurers and also resale customers as many can be put off.

In conclusion, do your homework on the vehicle, get as much information as possible, make sure you can insure it before you commit to buying and consider what future buyers may require from you if you come to sell it. 

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The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

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This week, Matt and Keith take a deep dive into the new technology of lithium leisure batteries, how they work and whether you actually need one for your motorhome, campervan or caravan.

Lithium batteries are becoming more popular in leisure vehicles, with many people deciding to replace their more traditional wet lead acid batteries, but they are a much bigger initial investment. Matt shines a light on the questions you should ask yourself and your installer before committing, from usage, replacing old batteries, solar charging and the full costs involved.

We also drop in on Oakleigh, from the award-winning Bristol Caravans, to get his take on what types of circumstances might make a lithium battery worthwhile.

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The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

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Why should you consider specialist motorhome, campervan or caravan insurance? Matt speaks with the senior team from specialist insurer, Caravan Guard, to ask the questions that you've sent in about motorhome insurance, including DIY campervan conversions, living in a motorhome and breakdown cover.

Listen in to find out why a specialist policy could mean that you are better protected, properly insured and fully covered in the event of a claim.

Matt also discusses the new C1 licence review that The Department of Transport is currently putting together to present to Parliament this year. If passed, it would mean anyone with a UK driving licence could drive up to 7.5 tonnes, as they could before 1st January 1997.

Matt interviews David Whitehead, Director of Technical Services from the National Caravan Council, for their view on the review and what it would mean for our industry.

Find out more about Caravan Guard here → www.caravanguard.co.uk

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The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

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It's part 2 of our highlights from The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2023. This time we talk about documenting travels with the Roaming Radfords; the family behind Fiamma with their co-director, Charles; shark bites and "wild camping" with Sarah Roberts and ask Excel Marine why there are so many boats at a motorhome and caravan show!

Matt shows off his new favourite gadget, a fantastic product that continually tests for damp in your leisure vehicle. An industry revolution, maybe?

We also drop back to see CampervanCo to see how their all-electric campervan was received by show-goers.

Full video interviews featured in this episode will be available to view at youtube.com/motorhomematt, so be sure to head over and hit subscribe to be notified of new releases.

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The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

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The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2023 returned once again to the NEC in Birmingham with its huge range of accessories and leisure vehicles on display.

Being the second February show after the pandemic, and after considerable growth in the industry, all eyes were on attendance and sales numbers. So, what did exhibitors and visitors think? Matt chats to a few members of the show to gauge their reactions.

We also talk a few of our usual topics: toilets, electric vans, mental well-being and the outdoors and retiring into a motorhome! Plus, we spotted what could have been the most expensive VW conversion at the show, which had snapped up a Best Design award.

The NCC also ran their AWS Awards and Bristol Caravans, last week's interviewee, won Best Fixed Workshop out of 550 entries! We caught up with Oakleigh once again to congratulate him on their achievement.

The podcast team had a great week chatting with the show's visitors, exhibitors and speakers. Thank you to all those that stopped by our stand or stopped us in the aisles to chat.

And a huge thank you to Oakleigh Wood from Bristol Caravans; Harrison Ward aka Fell Foodie; Gary Hughes from CampervanCo; Sven Mahn from Arwinger; Siobhan Daniels aka Shuvon Shuvoff; Andy Beer from Premier Motorhomes and Kenny Green from Eco Wagon for joining us on the podcast.

Full video interviews featured in this episode will be available to view at youtube.com/motorhomematt, so be sure to head over and hit subscribe to be notified of new releases.

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The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

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This week we're answering two important questions: what is a habitation check and do you need one?

Essential to keep your manufacturer's warranty valid, a habitation check is an inspection of the "living area" in your motorhome, caravan or campervan to ensure everything is working correctly and safely.

So do you need one regularly? Can you DIY it? Matt and Keith unpack the crucial benefits of having a habitation check, as well as the myths and mysteries around them.

Matt also visits NCC Approved Workshop Scheme local business, Bristol Caravans, to talk damp meters, Kane meters, Electrical checks and more. We ask what "great" looks like when it comes to a habitation check, and why you shouldn't settle for less with your pride and joy.

Bristol Caravans, based in North Bristol, has been shortlisted for an NCC award and are a business setting a fantastic example of an in-depth and reliable habitation check. Thank you to Oakleigh for joining us in this episode.

Find out more about Bristol Caravans here → https://bristolcaravans.com/

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The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

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This week we are talking shows! With a quick overview of a few of the big events that you can visit in 2023 and the unique benefits of visiting shows. The first NCC show of the year takes place at the NEC in Birmingham this month, followed by a plethora of outdoor shows organised by Warners, famous for publishing Practical Motorhome magazine.

At the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, we are exhibiting the Motorhome Matt podcast in hall 4 and our team from www.thatleisureshop.com are on three stands, representing Maypole, Crespo and Seago.

That Leisure Shop has a stand at each Warners Show, selling a range of outdoor furniture and accessories. Matt is also speaking at the shows in Harrogate, Ardingly and Shepton Mallet on a range of topics including preparing for a European motorhome adventure, Wi-Fi on the move, and the real cost of motorhome ownership.

21-26 Feb - Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, NEC Birmingham

17-19 Mar - The Yorkshire Motorhome and Campervan Show, Harrogate

17-22 Oct - The Motorhome & Caravan Show, NEC Birmingham

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The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

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What do you need to know about motorhome wild camping? Well, number one is that it doesn't exist. It is a phrase commonly misused, but a more accurate term is wild parking, off-grid or parking up.

True wild camping, in a tent, has been in the news recently as the High Court declared on 13 January 2023 that the public does not have the right to wild camp on Dartmoor. Last year, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 was passed which made trespass a criminal offence and brought in tougher punishments for offenders.

So, when does travelling in a motorhome become trespassing? What do all these changes mean for motorhomers and caravanners? What are the rules on parking up overnight? Matt and Keith take a deep dive into the impact of these recent changes and what you need to know about parking up overnight in the UK.

Special thanks to those who participated in the discussion on our social media, and to Wandering Bird, Life Beyond Bricks and Donald Donaldson from CAMpRA for their contributions.

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The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

Thanks for listening!

We never want to leave a member of the family behind on our adventures, even those that have four legs and a tail! But what do you need to know about travelling with a pet in the UK and EU? What costs are involved and what has changed since Brexit?

Matt speaks to Vet and TV personality Dr James Greenwood to get expert tips on making your pet relaxed and stress-free. We unpack everything from getting your pet accustomed to life on the road, keeping them safe, the planning you need to do, as well as the all-important rule changes in place since we left the EU. But not just for dogs - cats, birds and even ferrets too.

Plus, we speak to Margaret, owner of Dogrobes, about her experience of travelling Europe with her dog, Missy, and her amazing range of dog dressing gowns.

Dogrobes is THE perfect accessory for muddy dogs to keep help your motorhome or caravan clean, find out more at www.thatleisureshop.com/product-brand/dogrobes and use code REGGIE15 at checkout to get 15% off.

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The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

Thanks for listening!