Journalist Clare Macnaughton, who recently purchased a caravan—a vehicle type once "destroyed for sport" by Jeremy Clarkson—has described its bed as a "revelation."
Macnaughton, who previously owned a campervan named "Bertha," ranked the campervan at the top of leisure vehicle lists but placed the caravan near the bottom, calling it the "punchline of British motoring."
Clarkson's criticism and the switch
Clarkson, former Top Gear star, has long criticised caravans, dubbing them a "menace" and claiming they "clog up the British countryside all summer long." Despite this, Macnaughton decided to make the switch after realising a downside of campervans: they are an additional motor to tax, insure, and maintain, with repairs that can be a drain.
She and her family now own an Adria Action 361 LT, a model the Caravan and Motorhome Club describes as "enduringly popular" and "immediately identifiable."
The bed revelation
Despite a few "teething" issues, including problems with the fridge switch and a socket fuse, Macnaughton highlighted the bed as the standout feature. Writing in The Telegraph, she said: "And then, the revelation: the bed. This caravan may be tiny, but the bed is colossal. Pete is 6ft 1in, with a back ruined by a lifetime of lugging tiles up ladders, and the campervan's bed was always a couple of inches too short for him."
She added: "This one swallowed Pete, me and Maya with room to spare. Whoever designed this caravan clearly understood the priorities of middle age: you can compromise on almost anything, just don't compromise on the bed."
High praise from the Caravan and Motorhome Club
The Caravan and Motorhome Club awarded the caravan a 92 per cent rating, calling it "singularly attractive, nicely made, easy to tow, good value and a brilliant lounge." The club also noted its "behemoth of a double bed."
In related news, psychologist Dr Sophie Mort told the Express that camping can benefit mental health, saying: "Camping gives everyone a task. When we're away from screens, work pressures and daily routines, we're more likely to have meaningful conversations, share experiences and form deeper connections with those around us."
