BRITAIN’S VISITORS ADOPTING CARAVAN METHOD OF TRAVEL

Shannon News, 31 July 1928, Page 4

BRITAIN’S VISITORS ADOPTING CARAVAN METHOD OF TRAVEL

ALL PARTS OF COUNTRY MADE ACCESSIBLE BY-FREE-AND EASY SYSTEM.

LONDON,

Some Americans visiting England are this year adopting a new method of seeing tlie country. Instead of following the customary beaten paths, they arc forming caravan parties and going where they please. Within the past few years the motor caravan has been greatly developed in England. It is now a comfortable little house on wheels, fitted with all conveniences and easy to drive. Caravans are of all kinds and s : zos, from small trailers that can be attached to an ordinary car to large self-contained vehicles having accommodation for a considerable party. And Americans have not been slow in discovering the, advantage they over the ordinary methods of travel inland.

All English roads are good, huge, sums being continually spent in widening them and making them better suited for motors. Caravaning may not on the whole, be cheaper than hotels and railways —whether it is or not depends upon the caravaners —but it has a freedom arid an attraction that makes a wide appeal. If so desired, the caravan may meet you at the ship side and you climb into the vehicle, start up the engine, and 'roll off whither you will. No time-table need be kept., there are no fixed points to bother about, you stop whenever and wherever you feel inclined. In' short,, you go off"on your journey in the rcs.-l explorer’s spirit, and it is Americans imbued with this spirit who are taking to the caravan. One great thing in favour of this Inode of tr*Vel is that it provides the best means of seeing what’ is worth seeing in England ’"in a reasonable space of time. The prettiest villages and many of the loveliest beauty spots lie away from the crowded highways, but by "motor caravan they are-easily accessible. Camping for the night is a simple matter. If no roadside pitch bo available'farmers are always willing to allow the caravan to stay for the night, in one of their meadows, and food supplies in the shape of fresh butter, milk, eggs, etc., are obtainable from the farmhouses. Some parties are talcing in Dartmoor and other 'stretches of Devon and Cornwall. Others are . going through Wales, the. Lake district, and into Scotland. As the caravans are only hired, they can be picked up at any place arranged arid left at any floint. , Having served their purposes, they may be discarded at will, and travellers can, if they so choose, continue their tjur by any of the more sophisticated routes. Doing England by this method is a style of travel that American visitors are only now beginning to adopt, but it has so many attractions that it seems likely to increase vastly.-in popularity. ,