An ‘Accidentally Accessible’ Visit to the Caravan Show!
Since before we brought and adapted our caravan, we’ve loved visiting the caravan shows at the NEC. Seeing all the shiny new models on display, learning about amazing travel destinations and making plans for the year ahead always excited us and gave us a buzz to go exploring in the great outdoors.
This year we’ve focused in on some ‘accidentally accessible’ findings, which may make it easier for people with disabilities to access the word of leisure vehicles. This continues on from our ‘unexpectedly accessible’ finding of trailer tents at the previous October show and the XL motorhome doors we discovered at Düsseldorf in 2019.
Accessible Swift Monza!
It wouldn’t be a proper caravan show for us without the wonderful people at Coachbuilt exhibiting. The one manufacturer that truly speaks to us by offering bespoke accessible modifications to caravans, motorhomes and now campervans too!
This year Coachbuilt were exhibiting the brand new Swift Monza campervan, which was in the process of being made wheelchair accessible for one of their customers. So far it only had a side-access wheelchair lift fitted, but the possibilities are endless for campervan adaptions - hoists, wet rooms and wheelchair docking stations to name but a few.
This was the first camper van Karla has ever been able to access, but even with her larger powerchair she was able to complete a full 360° turn within the floor space. Speaking of space, the roomy feeling created with the pop-top extended was immense. Being able to stand up straight to get changed or attend to Karla’s care needs is one of the main reasons we’re considering a day vehicle for our next accessible tow car! Find out more about the options for day vehicles from Coachbuilt here.
Accessible Campsite Awards…
This year saw a return of the Alan Rogers and Caravan and Motorhome Club European Campsite Awards ceremony. This was the first time the event has been held since the Covid-19 pandemic, having been previously held at Utrecht in The Netherlands. We were very pleased to learn that this year there were 3 new categories, which included an award for ‘The Most Accessible’ campsite.
Last year we had the absolute privilege of travelling across continental Europe on an incredible adventure through the Loire Valley and the French Pyrenees. During this trip we visited Camping Les Saules, who had gone to great lengths to ensure their campsite is accessible to all. We were thrilled to learn that they had been invited to the awards, and ecstatic when they were announced as the winners in the ‘Most Accessible’ site category - Congratulations Laurent and Isabelle, very worthy winners!
It was fantastic to catch-up with the owners of Camping Les Saules after the award ceremony!
A big well done as well to Camping Rüdesheim am Rhein in Germany for achieving runners up in the accessible category. We hope to visit you one day!
Another worthy runner-up was Camping Pyrenees Natura in France. They featured in the ‘Most Attractive Campsite’ category, and having stayed there last year, we can confirm it is a truly spectacular location to camp…
Unexpectedly Accessible…
It always interests us to find products which work well for accessibility, but were not specifically designed to be. This show we’ve picked out two different caravans which could work great for accessibility, or may only need minor adaptions to make them suitable should your needs fit in well with them.
Swift Basecamp 4
As the name would suggest the Swift basecamp 4 has 4 berths, but also features a wider-than-average rear access door. This could facilitate wheelchair entry for those with a narrower chair. Once inside, although on first appearances accessibility may be deceiving, the Basecamp features fold up sofa seats, which, once stowed, will allow room to manoeuvre a wheelchair. Complimenting this is the ability to completely remove the side table which makes up the dinette area, which could work as a parking spot overnight, though this will cost you two of the berths.
Knaus Deseo
Originally designed for those who wish to take their motorcycles on holiday (the Deseo has space for two), it features a huge amount of room with plenty of floor space to manoeuvre a wheelchair. Similar to the Basecamp, the Deseo has a fold up sofa/dining area but also includes two movable stools, perfect for creating your own seating configuration. A colossal fold up door (similar to a car boot), which spans across almost the entire rear panel of the caravan, enables plenty of space to enter with a wheelchair. Above the lounge area is a drop down double bed, though it may be a struggle for some people to access.
Another Knaus caravan to consider is the Sport + Fun, which, when seeing it in Düsseldorf for the first time in 2019, drew in a number of wheelchair users for its wider door and ‘accidentally accessible’ capabilities…
See you in October?
We hope you enjoyed reading our insight into the February show, through the eyes of those with access needs, and I hope it’s given you something to think about. What else might we be able to find that’s ‘accidentally accessible’ I wonder!?
With the curtains drawn on the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2023, we’re already looking forward to the next one! The next big caravan industry event at the NEC will be the Motorhome and Caravan Show 17th-22nd October, and with tickets already on sale, we hope to see you there!