The Manchester, Event City Caravan and Motorhome Show 2016 is on now! The Caravan and Motorhome Show has a huge choice of all the latest models of Caravans and Motorhomes (obviously!) With displays from over 200 exhibitors and brand new, exclusive, models being unveiled too, this is the perfect place for all UK travellers

You can kick start your caravanning adventures at this great show, it gives you a chance to compare layouts, interiors and specifications of all the latest models – because, believe it or not, they are not all the same! There are show only discounts, talks and presentations from experts and celebrities, all making it a great place to get ideas for exploring the fantastic British countryside and lots of friendly people on hand to offer advice.

There are loads of attractions and stands to feast your eyes on, but I had to choose only a few to mention here…

So read on and learn more my lovely travellers!

get back to nature

This is a brand new attraction for 2016, over the weekend there will be talks from many experts about the great British wildlife. Experts including TV presenter and Marine Adventurer (how do you get that job title?!) Monty Hall, who had travelled the globe four times, presented shows for BBC, Channel 5, Discovery, Nat Geo and the History Channel (literally all my favourite channels…) He will be talking about how to explore the beautiful British countryside and the marine wildlife that is available to us. Katy Hill will also be talking here, the Blue Peter and Tomorrows World presenter will be discussing her latest adventure Glamping (remember Katy Hill from when you were a kid?) This stand will be high lighting the best places for bird watching, cycling routes and walking trails! The Forest Rangers will be on hand to uncover the majestic woodland we have, keeping the kids busy while discovering animals, birds and bugs! Enjoy the falconry experience too, and learn all about the Duke of Edinburgh Award. For everything nature, this is the place to go!

the food and travel stage

We all know I love food, so this was always going to be on here wasn’t it? No food, no Sarah – that’s my rule! Anyway, this stand will showcase mouth watering meals that can be cooked in a caravan and camp side (if you like sleeping on the ground in a tent, I do prefer a bed, but each to their own!). From homemade pitta breads to tasty paella, all sorts of food will be on offer here. Expert cook Andrew Dickens can not only cook, he has acted in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks (among other things), as well as presenting shows for BBC, and he will be cooking up a storm while telling us all about his 1000 mile trip around the UK. TV presenter and New York Bestselling Author Simon Reeve will be talking about travelling and food too (obviously), he will be telling us all about his latest escapades. Marine Adventurer Monty Hall (I just like saying that…) will also be dropping in to show us how to make some delicious Saltfish Cakes! Loads of tasters and recipes on offer at this attraction!

accessory superstore

This is the place where all the stuff you didn’t know you needed will be! The leading retailers all exhibit at the Caravan and Motorhome Show, it is a place where you can go and stock up on all the essentials for the new season ahead. There is a massive range to wander around and look at, from bike racks and barbecues to sat navs, outdoor furniture and house hold must-haves (you know you need that bright green kettle, it will just go with the kitchen!) You will find things you didn’t even know you needed – its like being inside a JML show! There will be show only offers and discounts at the store, so have your purse ready for these bargains you won’t find on the high street!

So why not pop along this weekend, Event City in Manchester (right next the Trafford Centre), it is on until Sunday 24th January, starts 9:30am and closes at 6pm! Plenty of time to wander around and see the fantastic stages and exhibits, kids under 16 years old go free, and its only £9.50 on the door!

It will be a fun weekend and a great start to the new season! Pop over to the Darwin Escapes stand and say hello to our lovely Ownership team!

Happy Adventuring Caravan and Motorhome Folks!

Okay so the January blues are a real thing, and they kick our bums every year, so now I think it’s time for us to fight back…

January is a hard month for everyone, the excitement of Christmas and New Year is fast becoming a distant memory, so it’s the perfect time of the year to kick away those January blues by enjoying your very own holiday home at a handpicked Darwin Escapes Location. January could become your favourite month as you escape to luxury and homely comforts at one of our 8 ownership locations, no booking, no worries, just get up and go…

Here’s some help on picking your perfect escape location…

Devon: Hawkchurch Resort & Spa

Hawkchurch Resort & Spa has undergone an extensive redevelopment in 2015, with new luxury lodges in an outstanding setting on the Devonshire/Dorset boarder. With 5 Star facilities available including a state of the art gym, steam room and sauna, as well as a beautiful hydrotherapy pool that helps to improve circulation and muscle tension. Indulge in a treatment at our own Ezina Spa, and grab a bite to eat at The Beeches Restaurant on site. A relaxing pick me up in a sleepy Devonshire village.

Somerset: Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa

Cheddar Woods has helped to redefine the way people view UK holidays, winning the prestigious Best in Britain Award at the Hoseasons Awards 2014, after having a huge redevelopment in 2013. There are endless activities to enjoy on your weekend trips with our Go Active + programme, including archery, fencing, sea scooters. Enjoy the family games area, with two lane bowling alley, pool tables and even a golf simulator! Have a swim in the indoor swimming pool, relax in the sauna and steam room before having a treatment at the Eden Spa.

Cornwall: Piran Meadows Resort & Spa

Surrounded by the totally understated Cornish countryside, Piran Meadows has recently been redeveloped and was the winner of the Best in Britain Hoseasons Awards 2015! A fun family games area, with bowling alley, pool tables and golf simulator, along with a fantastic Go Active + programme to enjoy on your weekend excursions. Indulge in a luxury treatment at the Serenity Spa before relaxing in the indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, while marveling at the beautiful scenery.

North Wales

We have 4 handpicked locations across the North Wales Coastline to take a look at, all in a region that offers family friendly relaxation, as well as plenty of activities for the adventurous souls out there! There will be something for everyone in North Wales…

Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park

This traditional holiday home park has been a favourite destination for holiday home owners for over 50 years, and is still a Darwin Escapes’ favourite. A delicious restaurant, a fish and chip shop as well as our brand new Pizza Alfresco available, and the beach only a few minutes walk away, you will have everything you need for a UK holiday at hand. Our outstanding entertainments team, including Charlie Bear, will have endless activities and shows to keep you laughing, with musicians, comedians and quiz nights. We also have a state of the art gym, indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room, as well as our brand new Tranquility Spa Lodge available for relaxing treatments.

Seaview Holiday Home Park

One of our owner exclusive locations in the Welsh mountains, with stunning views of the ocean below. The perfect destination to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you will enjoy automatic and unlimited access to Talacre Beach’s 5 Star facilities, only a mile down the road, with the perfect balance of retreating to the peace and tranquility of Seaview.

New Pines Holiday Home Park

Nestled in the Denbighshire countryside, close to the seaside towns of Rhyl and Prestatyn, New Pines Holiday Home Park is a firm favourite for holiday home owners. With a state of the art gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room to help you relax on your weekends away, as well as a fantastic entertainments team, including Charlie Bear, too! Endless fun to be had as the team put on fabulous shows, including musicians, comedians and games nights, as well as fun days, for children and adults to enjoy.

Aberconwy Resort & Spa

The key words for this owners exclusive resort are luxury and relaxation, with the magical Snowdonia Mountain Range as the backdrop, and the Conwy Morfa Beach right on your doorstep. The Aberconwy Experience is spectacular, get a spring in your step from Mali’s hair salon, indulge in a luxury treatment at the Aberconwy Spa and visit the friendly personal trainers at the Langley’s Country Club, with indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and a choice of two state of the art gyms. Enjoy a mouth watering meal from the on site, award winning, restaurant Signatures while marveling at the surrounding scenery.

All our holiday homes are manufactured in the UK and Europe, ensuring top quality, we have new and used holiday homes for sale at all our locations. With Darwin Escapes’ low rate finance packages available owning your own holiday home is a lot easier than you think it is, so why not contact our ownership team and enquire for more information on your dream holiday home?

No booking, no packing, no worries, just get and go…
Happy holiday home hunting folks!

Keeping warm in the winter is everyone’s top priority, but that doesn’t mean you have to head for the airport…you can enjoy a luxury warm holiday break here, in the UK!

Winter came out of nowhere for me this year! One day I was enjoying the sun with my puppy, and the next I had my coat and gloves on while trying to coax a 10 month old Bichon out of the door and into the rain. He promptly turned around and lay in front of the fire, a very sensible decision in the grand scheme of things. Looking around the same walls throughout the winter can be hard, the dark weather and coldness can make everyone (okay, mainly me) a little cranky, so a UK holiday break away is the perfect pick-me-up! And there are some great ways to keep warm while in a lodge or holiday home this winter, read on and find out more!

saunas

Saunas are a great place to keep warm, I genuinely love them as they mean doing my favourite thing in the winter – sitting down. They are guaranteed to keep you warm, so whether you are in North Wales staying at Talacre Beach, in Somerset at Cheddar Woods or in Cornwall at the Best in Britain 2015 winner, Piran Meadows, have a sit in the sauna to warm those digits! Looking for something even more luxurious? Some of our lodges at Tilford Woods offer stunning and soothing private saunas, so after a lovely stroll around the countryside that surrounds the beautiful lodge retreat, you can sit in your very own sauna and let it warm you to your bones. Sign me up!

cosy fire

Another great way to stay warm this winter was stolen from Hugo, my 10 month old stubborn Bichon, laying down in front of a cosy fireplace. For me there really is nothing better than sitting on the sofa with a good book, or movie, and being heated by a stunning and cosy fire. And with all our holiday homes and lodges available in the winter being double glazed and centrally heated, this adds extra cosiness! With the weather all dark and wintery outside you can relax with your feet up in style and luxury, while keeping those toes warm! I think I know where to take Hugo for the winter!

hot tubs

The Icelandic population are experts in keeping warm in cold weather (stay with me…). They say to layer your clothes, jump in a geothermally heated outdoor swimming pool, and if you don’t have one of those, because lets be honest, we don’t, then jump in a glorious hot tub! And I feel that if people who can live in a place where the temperature rarely rises above 15 degrees deem a hot tub a good way to keep warm, then that’s good enough for me! I love hot tubs, you can sit outside and enjoy the extraordinary scenery around you while keeping warm – it’s like being inside but outside! I once sat in a hot tub while in -32degrees temperature in Blue Mountain, Canada, it works! So whether you are in the Lake District at Thanet Well surrounded by the countryside or down at the most southern point of the UK in Mullion Cove, then jump into the hot tub and marvel at the stunning scenery surrounding you. Take a look at all the hot tub accommodation we offer and choose your perfect UK break!

indoor heated swimming pool

This may sound a bit obvious as it has heated in the title, but you know hot tubs…

Anyways, so if you are nothing like me, and you can actually swim, then you might become unmotivated this winter because it is hard to get going in the pool when you know that dipping your toes into it, is something like sitting in an ice bath, just waiting for hyperthermia to set in. I’m not being dramatic here, it can be that bad. Well no fear at Darwin Escapes, as you can dive bomb into any of our indoor heated swimming pools with no worry of frost bite! (please don’t actually dive bomb, health and safety obviously!) Our brand new Hawkchurch Resort & Spa has a Hydrotherapy pool, that not only is designed for releasing tension and increasing circulation, it is also heated slightly higher than other pools for extra relaxation…I’m sold.

winterisation for owners

For owners the winter can mean time away from your holiday home while your resort closes for the 6 weeks winter break. This can be a time of stress if you try to get your holiday home ready for the winter yourself, but we offer a great Winterisation Package that takes care of your home away from home during this break. The package protects against any frost damage, burst pipes or leaks, all costs are covered, as well as a complete restore of the water and heating at your convenience, meaning your holiday home is then ready for your return in the spring! Find out more from our friendly reception team.

Happy UK Winter Holidaying Folks, and Keep Warm!