Blog

Winter is coming and if you are not planning to use your caravan for venturing out into the cold, you need to make sure it is well-prepared for storage. Winterising your caravan means taking steps towards protecting it from the effects of frost, dampness, mould, vermin and theft. To help you prep your caravan, we’ve put together this practical step-by-step winterisation guide covering all of the most important components of your caravan — we hope you will find it useful. Step 1: Ser...

Touring is a way of exploring that the whole family can enjoy over and over again — and the destinations you can head to are somewhat endless! To fully enjoy the experience as a group, though, you’ll need the right caravan — and it’s one that can accommodate everyone in comfort.  A caravan holiday doesn’t mean being on top of each other all week, as our top caravans for families prove…  Why buy a family caravan?  1. Unlimited holidays  Heading away anyw...

Touring the UK and Europe in your caravan is a year-round pursuit as far as we’re concerned - you just need to be prepared! Just as you gear up for a summer in your caravan, the same can be done prior to a winter trip to make the experience calm, comfortable, and most of all - cosy! Here are some of the caravan essentials for winter that we’d recommend…  Torch (and spare batteries)  The evenings are dark and the mornings aren’t much better, so a torch you can rely on when you ...

Just because the summer is drawing to a close, it doesn’t mean that your adventures have to stop - far from it! In fact, there are plenty of places in the UK that look even better and more beautiful in the autumn than they do during the summer months, and the following 5 destinations are some of the best…  Quantock Hills, Somerset Just west of Bridgewater in Somerset lies a swathe of countryside known as the Quantock Hills - the UK’s very first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, n...

Are you ready to embark on unforgettable adventures with a touch of luxury? The 2024 season brings exciting news for caravan enthusiasts as the Swift Group introduces the Challenger Exclusive, a stunning addition to the Swift caravan lineup. Keep reading to learn more about the features of the all-new Challenger Exclusive. What is the Swift Challenger Exclusive? Building upon the success of the Swift Challenger SE, the Exclusive model comes with a host of premium features and a captivating des...

When you’re touring, there’s nothing like being able to enjoy some outdoor space protected from the elements, whether you’re enjoying your dinner alfresco, or making the most of rainy day ambience with a good book.  Awnings have long provided us with these clever extensions to our caravans, but they are exposed to the elements, and unlike the hard shell of our caravans, their soft composition can make them trickier to clean.  If you’ve enjoyed a summer of exploration and are now look...

If you thought that touring meant investing in a huge caravan, we’d like to gently suggest an alternative to consider. 2 berth caravans are short, sweet, and ideal for solo tourers or couples looking for spontaneous escapes.  Affordable to buy and easy to tow, small caravans are still packed with all the essentials you need for a comfortable stay, as you’ll discover in this article, where we look at the top small caravans… Why buy a small caravan?  Lighter to transport When ...

If you’ve just been through the exciting caravan-buying process, and your new pride and joy is now sitting on your driveway, you may be wondering what’s next - and you’re not alone. It can be overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to getting going with your caravan, so we’ve put together a few handy pointers to help you on your journey.  Insure your caravan Buying a caravan is no small investment, so, as you do for your car, you should be on the lookout for comprehensive carava...

Before you consider heading off on your adventures with your caravan, you need to make sure the basics are covered, and that involves checking that your car is ready to tow. After all, if it isn’t, you won’t be getting very far! Making sure that your car is ready to take on the task of pulling your caravan here, there and everywhere is unfortunately not as simple as just fitting a tow bar; though this is a big part of it.  Here we’ll talk about what you need in order to tow your caravan, ...

Whilst there’s no doubting the joy of discovering new places abroad, there’s plenty here in the UK to keep us occupied in our caravans, campervans and motorhomes.  From vast beach scenes and rolling fields to craggy coastlines and mountains that rise from lakesides, the UK has so much to offer, and much of it can be explored in fell swoops, making the following road trips ideal for you and your leisure vehicle… The Atlantic Highway  Close to our hearts - and our dealership! W...

One of the benefits of being a trusted leisure vehicle dealership with an accessories shop to boot is that we see the same customers return to upgrade their caravans and the kit they keep inside them. To reward this customer loyalty, we recently launched the Tamar Loyalty Scheme, offering those who return again and again discounts on their caravan accessories.  Why choose Tamar for accessories? Quite simply because we’ve got pretty much everything! Our well-stocked accessories shop sells ...

Join us on Saturday 24th June and you will be offered breakfast with tea and coffee plus a Lunchtime BBQ to launch the up to 50% off sale. Sizzling Discounts on BIG brands such as ISABELLA, VANGO, KAMP-DOMETIC and much more….  On-site refreshments – Bacon/Sausage Baps, Burgers Tea, Coffee and Squash Various offers on Awning bundles, furniture and accessories. Prize draw for those that join us on Saturday 24th to win some of the best camping and caravanning acces...

We're pleased to reveal that we will be attending the Motorhome and Campervan Show at Exeter Race Course from 14th-16th July 2023. See you there! 

Getting the right caravan is one thing, but what can make touring an absolute joy is the right accessories. This is why we don’t stop at just stocking new and used models from Swift here at our Plymouth caravan dealership; we specialise in caravan accessories too.  Whilst the ways you can make your caravan your own can feel endless, below are our top caravan accessories for summer, all available from our caravan accessories shop…  What caravan accessories do I need?  The...

The beauty of caravan ownership is heading to whatever destination you fancy, and towbars go hand in hand with this dream; without your towbar, you wouldn’t be getting very far! As such an important bit of kit coupling your caravan to your car, it’s vital to get it right for safe, hassle-free touring.  As a caravan dealership in possession of over 30 years of experience in not only selling and maintaining caravans but sourcing and fitting towbars to cars too, we know a thing or two about f...

If you’ve been eyeing up the Swift Mayflower from Swift’s 2023 range, we’ve got a pretty magical May offer to celebrate the recent Coronation that could just make up your mind - but be quick, you’ve only got until 27th May to take us up on it!  How does 2 years of free servicing and a free Powrtouch Motormover sound? This is exactly what new owners of the Swift Mayflower get when they make their purchase before 27th May from Tamar Caravan Centre…  Meet the Swift Mayflower&nbsp...

Imagine sitting outside of your caravan, motorhome or awning, taking in the fresh air, with the smell of bacon & eggs, freshly cooked pizza dough, a roasted chicken or paella wafting under your nose from your portable barbeque.  Feeling hungry now? As soon as someone mentions barbeque, the majority of people immediately think of burgers and sausages.  However, with the Cadac range of portable barbeques and their interchangeable cooking surfaces, you can ...

Chapter 6 – Toilets. Not always the prettiest of jobs but, just like the plumbing and electrics, it’s pretty important to prepare. This is chapter 6 of our Winterisation guide, a step-by-step guide to preparing your caravan or campervan for the winter months.     TOILETS 1. Leave toilet caps removed and apply acid-free Vaseline or similar to the seals and drain the toilet reservoir. 2. Empty the toilet cassette – The Thetford Cassette Port...

COME AND VISIT US ON THE SWIFT CARAVANS STAND! Tamar Caravan Centre are pleased to be attending the NEC Motorhome & Caravan Show 2022, and will be on the Swift Caravans exhibition stand 6.33/6.39 in Hall 6. This prestigious event takes place on the 18th – 23rd October 2022. SWIFT CARAVANS We are one of the largest Swift retailers in the South West, and have a wide range of models on display in our indoor showroom, from brand-new t...

If you are an owner of a caravan, are looking to purchase a caravan, or have already bought one from our Caravan Centre in Plympton, Plymouth or elsewhere, then security and safety will be a priority for you. Whether your van is pitched on a seasonal site or used to tour to your heart’s content, the feeling that your pride and joy is safe and secure when you are not around will allow you to enjoy the sense of freedom during your trips/holidays. If you have insurance for your c...

If you have a new caravan, a used caravan, or are thinking of purchasing one, a caravan awning will help to enhance your weekend break or holiday by extending your living space.  You can also purchase awnings for your campervan. There are several reasons why people choose to add an awning to their caravan.  If the caravan is set up on a seasonal pitch, then a full awning will give you room to add an additional kitchen area, a fridge freezer, a sofa,...

Have you ever travelled to a holiday destination in your car, caravan, campervan or motorhome, and wished you’d had room to pack your bike? Do you envy the people you see riding to work, with the wind blowing through their hair, taking in the atmosphere and beating all of the traffic jams? With the Grőn eBike, you can join them! The Grőn is designed in the UK, taking inspiration from the Swedish lifestyle, and combined with German engineering. To retain the original he...

VISIT US AT OUR SHOWROOM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF  OUR EXCLUSIVE IN-STORE OFFERS For a limited time only, 2nd-23rd July, we have a selection of amazing, unmissable in-store offers available to you. Visit us in our shop for exclusive access to these offers, and to browse through our extensive range of products. Here at Tamar Caravan Centre, our in-store shop stocks a huge variety of high-quality caravan and campervan accessories and appliances, that are suitable for use ...

WHY IS CARAVAN SERVICING IMPORTANT? If you own a caravan, then you should be booking in for caravan servicing annually, or after every 10,000KM – whichever comes first!  You may ask “Why do I need a service?”  The answer is in two parts.  1. You are legally bound to ensure that your caravan is roadworthy to ensure safety for both yourself and other road users.  2.  If your caravan is not serviced regularly, you are putti...

 CARAVAN CHECKLIST AFTER WINTER HIBERNATION Take a look at our most recent blog, ‘Caravan Checklist After Winter Hibernation’. We’re sure you’ll find this useful, before embarking on those long awaited-adventures planned for the year ahead. Caravan Checklist The new caravanning season is upon us, and it’s time to prepare yourself and your caravan for the exciting road trips to come. Winter is over, the sun is shining, ...

THE HISTORY OF THE TOURING CARAVAN Take a look at our most recent blog, ‘The History of the Touring Caravan’. It makes an interesting read. Did you know, the term ‘caravan’ derives from the Moroccan name ‘karwan’, meaning a group of desert travellers? Back in the 1800s, caravans were used by farmers for shelter, circus folk and fairground showmen for a good rest after a day of performing. Travelling communities of Romanies would also...

END-OF-YEAR ROUND-UP A CHALLENGING YEAR IN THE CARAVAN WORLD! Naturally, at this time of year, we reflect on our performance in what has been another challenging year for the business and the team here at Tamar Caravan Centre. We are pleased to report that despite the global pandemic, we have had a successful year. By mid-July, we were extremely low on stock, particularly our very own Mayflower Caravan by Swift, which has been extremely popular since its launch in 2020....

STAYCATIONSOUR TOP 5 TIPS MAKE YOUR STAYCATION A SAFECATION! Now that we’re able to travel outside of our local areas and enjoy the great outdoors again, many of us are turning our thoughts to holidays. With European travel still looking rather uncertain, staycations look set to be more popular than ever this year. As a result, caravan ownership has never been so popular! Offering a self-contained, self-catering bubble, caravans provide the opportunity to ex...

SAFE TOWING INITIATIVE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHATEVER YOU’RE TOWING, MAKE IT SAFE Are you practising SAFE towing? Launched earlier this month, the DVSA’s SAFE towing initiative is supported by the NCC and the Approved Workshop Scheme. Designed to raise awareness of towing safety to all drivers, the scheme aims to encourage drivers to get their trailers and caravans serviced and safety checked before they hit the road this Summer. As the UK’s been i...

EXCITING NEWS – MOTORHOMES FROM PILOTE, NOW AVAILABLE AT TAMAR CARAVAN CENTRE! FREEDOM, INDEPENDENCE AND ADVENTURE WITH PILOTE We have some very exciting news for you all, we are now stocking motorhomes! In addition to our range of new Swift caravans, quality used caravans and VW campervans, we’re proud to offer a collection of beautifully designed motorhomes from Pilote, a leading French manufacturer. To find out more about who Pilote are an...

NHS DISCOUNT EVENT THANK YOU NHS! Now that the world is opening up and the vaccine rollout is continuing at a steady pace, we think it’s time to celebrate our healthcare heroes! With this in mind, Swift have decided to say a massive, heartfelt thank you to all NHS workers for everything they’ve done during the COVID-19 pandemic. To give a little bit back, NHS staff can take advantage of some special promotions, running from 23rd April to 9th May. ...

GUIDE TO TOWING: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TOWBAR FITTING & TOWING A CARAVAN PLYMOUTH TOWBAR FITTING EXPERTS Whether you’re planning on towing a caravan for a Summer staycation or simply want to tow a trailer to the local tip, our guide to towing is a must-read! TYPES OF TOWBAR As we’ve detailed in our ‘Types of Towbar’ blog, there are several different towbar varieties on the market. We fit and supply fl...

REOPENING ANNOUNCEMENT: MARCH 2021 We’re pleased to announce that we’re working towards a phased re-opening of our caravan service centre, caravan showroom and accessories shop! Read on to find out more.  SERVICE CENTRE, PARTS & AFTERSALES Our service centre, parts team and aftersales department will be resuming service on Monday 29th March 2021*. On this date, the ‘stay at home’ order is due to be lifted. From this date onwa...

CHOOSING A CARAVAN: THE 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW (PART 2) Last month, we brought you the first instalment in our guide to choosing a caravan. We know that choosing a caravan can be a bit of a daunting task – regardless of whether you’re a novice or an old pro. With this in mind, our team have put their heads together and created a helpful guide for anyone looking to buy a caravan.   In this part, we’ll take you through more of...

SWIFT LIVE FLASH PROMOTION! Running in tandem with the Swift Live online event, there’s an amazing promotion running for a limited time only! From 11 am on Thursday (11/02/21) to 6 pm on Friday (12/02/21), customers who have registered and attended the Swift Live event can take advantage of some incredible offers. Please note, you must complete a ‘Request a Quote’ form and choose Tamar Caravan Centre as your dealer of choice to be eligib...