A trip away with the Caravan and Motorhome Club

In association with the Caravan and Motorhome Club
We can wax lyrical about the benefits of joining the Caravan and Motorhome Club and how that can help you get the most out of your camper, motorhome or caravan. But nothing beats first-hand experience, so we set out to test the theory for ourselves with a couple of days away to one of the Club's many scenic campsites, located in Northumberland. To that end we loaded up a snazzy Swift Voyager coachbuilt motorhome with everything from provisions to a couple of e-bikes and pointed it north toward the Club’s Berwick Seaview campsite in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

With its elevated position over the mouth of the River Tweed and the historic walled town of Berwick either side of it, the campsite sits on the border between England and Scotland and right on one of the most rugged and beautiful coastlines in the country. With its miles of unspoilt beaches, quaint seaside towns, imposing castles and more this region is a fantastic destination in its own right. Equally, it works brilliantly as a stopover for trips to and from Scotland.

Based on first impressions we’re glad we’re at Berwick Seaview for a proper stay, though! At the check-in building colourful flowers and friendly signs with tips on weather forecast, how to walk into the town centre and other local info immediately put us at ease and, key card in hand, we go through the barrier and into the campsite itself. First stop is the motorhome service point to fill our freshwater tank, this providing an opportunity to stretch legs and take in the incredible view after a smooth but steady journey up the A1 to get this far. There’s clearly a great deal of pride in the upkeep of this campsite, with the grass mowed, the facilities sparkling clean, the signs informative and welcoming and everything obviously geared towards making your stay as relaxing and stress free as possible.
While the campsite backs onto the East Coast mainline the trains pass in a cutting and whoosh by without disturbing the peace and quiet. If anything the proximity to this vital north-south connection and the impressive viaduct taking it over the Tweed estuary feels appropriate to Berwick’s history as an important military and trading link between England and Scotland, and a long history of being (literally at times) at the frontline of both.

We’ve been gifted the best seats in the house with our pitch as well, with views over the town and estuary and a chilled but friendly buzz of activity as fellow campers walk by exchanging greetings on their way to and from town. In what feels like no time the Swift is prepped for its stay, with electric supply hooked up, the saloon table clipped in place, the driver and passenger ‘captain’s chairs’ rotated to create a sociable space inside. All in the time it takes the kettle to boil for a well-earned cup of tea. As that brews we retrieve outside table and chairs from the Voyager’s luggage space, remove the bikes from the rack and consider our options for exploring the town and further afield. Discovering new places like this is, of course, the joy of life on the road, a quick walk into Berwick across its imposing 17th-century bridge revealing a town packed with quirky shops, welcoming pubs and a surprising variety of eating options. Berwick Seaview Club Campsite, it turns out, is the perfect place to enjoy it.

Beyond that the beauty of Caravan and Motorhome Club membership is, of course, feeling part of something bigger, even when you’re happily enjoying the here and now. A quick browse of the website offers inspiration to explore new places close and far, whether that be for a weekend away or combined into an extended roadtrip. And while every campsite is different and has its own unique vibe there’s also the confidence you’ll get the same high-quality experience, and reassurance every pitch meets the exacting standards expected. It’s like the best of both worlds in finding the best undiscovered gem of a campsite but with the familiarity of a proven booking system and guarantee of friendly reception on arrival.
If this is all typical of a Caravan and Motorhome Club experience then count us in! Having bought your camper, motorhome or caravan there are a few critical elements to factor in, including cover or insurance, servicing, getting great advice and finding the best places to stay. Membership is about much more than that as well, the network of beautifully situated grounds and reassurance of a support network both on-site and beyond taking the stress away and leaving you to concentrate on the important bit – namely, enjoying that well-earned time away! Find out more about how the Caravan and Motorhome Club can help you get the most out of your caravan, camper or motorhome!

Caravan Cover is provided directly by the Caravan and Motorhome Club. Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Motorhome/Campervan Insurance is arranged for the Club by Devitt Insurance Services Limited. Caravan and Motorhome Club is a trading name of The Caravan Club Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for general insurance and credit activities.