Best caravan for seasonal pitches 2024

Seasonal pitches offer caravanners the opportunity to position their caravans on a favoured site for the whole of a season. It’s cheaper than buying a static caravan, and means you can choose a different site every season. So if you’re happy to spend a few weeks or months in one location but want the flexibility of trying somewhere different next year – this could be the way to go. But what is the best caravan for seasonal pitches?

We’re on hand to help, as we have used our decades of collective experience within the industry to choose the winner of the best seasonal pitch caravan at the Practical Caravan Awards 2024, as well as our shortlisted options.

This year, our judging panel have picked out the Swift Elegance Grande 760 as the best caravan for seasonal pitches. Features like the L-shaped lounge provide plenty of space for stretching out in and create a nice homely vibe when you’re at your seasonal caravan pitch.

In this guide, you’ll also be able to see what we made of the shortlisted models, which feature tourers from Coachman, as well as take a look at the vans that made our shortlist last year, where you’ll find some of the biggest names in the industry included, such as Bailey, Adria and Hobby – if you’d like to find out more about these brands, head to our guide to the best caravan manufacturers.

The best caravan for seasonal pitches is:

Swift Elegance Grande 760

• Price: £43,495
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 1871kg
• MiRO: 1674kg
• Payload: 197kg
• Shipping length: 7.57m
• Width: 2.45m

Reason to buy:

• Comfortable island bed, plenty of space

Reason to avoid:

• Not everyone may like the shape of bed created from L-shaped seating

The best seasonal pitch caravans should give you that little bit of extra space to stretch out in, and perhaps more of a sense that this is a home you have come back to, not just somewhere convenient to crash for the night.

This new single-axle, 8ft-wide caravan from Swift has an L-shaped lounge, so that you can indeed stretch out. Hidden behind the large central washroom is a very comfortable in-line island bed, set in its own bedroom. That should really make you feel as though you are retiring properly for the night.

This is an Elegance Grande, so you can rest assured that the latest version of the SMART construction system should keep your van in tip-top condition, even in the roughest of winters. And with a 30-litre water tank on board, you might not have to worry about that Aquaroll, otherwise something of a caravan essential.

The single axle keeps the overall weight down just a touch, so you can tow this big beast with a relatively standard car.

Full review: Swift Elegance Grande 760

The models we shortlisted for the best caravan for seasonal pitches are:

Coachman Laser Xtra 665

• Price: £41,365
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 1898kg
• MiRO: 1738kg
• Payload: TBC
• Shipping length: 7.90m
• Width: 2.44m

Reason to buy:

• Good digital spec, provides home-from-home comforts

Reason to avoid:

• Shower and washroom partition doors can clash, no roof vent in shower cubicle

Now an 8ft-wide van, we think this tourer offers a great level of comfort and luxury, with its central washroom and rear fixed singles layout essentially creating separate ‘rooms’.

Its well-lit lounge is ideal for entertaining – easily seating six, there are higher backrests for enhanced support too. The matt black spotlights, each with USBs, look great, while a TV can be set up just to the right of the door (check out our guide to the best caravan TVs if you’re looking for one).

The beds at the rear are now wider as well. A bedside table with a socket sits between the singles, and luxurious headboards provide comfort. We like that there’s no hauling of infill cushions required to make up the double in the lounge either, due to the height of the backrests.

Perhaps our only gripe is the central washroom. You get a dressing room effect, with swing doors dividing both sides, but the roomy shower itself has a single swinging door too, so it can be a bit tricky to access. However, the main washroom itself feels homely, thanks to the blinds on the opaque window.

Full review: Coachman Laser Xtra 665

Coachman Laser Xcel 850

• Price: £46,095
• Berth: 4
• MTPLM: 1929kg
• MiRO: 1769kg
• Payload: 160kg
• Shipping length: 7.90m
• Width: 2.44m

What we like:

• Spacious feeling, good lighting

What we don’t like:

• Wardrobe is now only in rear bedroom

If plenty of space is an important trait in your dream seasonal pitch caravan, this could be the best caravan for you.

The latest iteration of the Laser Xcel 850 sees the rear transverse island bed flipped 180 and a change to Thetford appliances in the kitchen.

A sunroom and Heki allow light to flood into the spacious lounge, with taller settee backrests providing comfort too. We really like the sophisticated touches in this tourer. For instance, Coachman has added matt-black spotlights with USBs in each corner of the lounge, while a wireless charging pad can be found near the central chest, which also offers a slide out shelf if you don’t want to use the table.

The ‘L’ shaped kitchen work surface ensures there’s plenty of room for food preparation, and again, it’s well-lit, thanks to a large window and a striplight.

Those matt-black spotlights can also be found at the head of the transverse island bed, while a TV can be set up on the offside wall. Storage options are also great in this tourer, giving you room for all of your luxury caravan accessories. This particularly applies if you take bulky outdoor items with you, while a near full-height wardrobe can also be located in the rear bedroom.

Full review: Coachman Laser Xcel 850

The caravans for seasonal pitches that we shortlisted last year are:

Coachman Laser Xcel 855

• Price: £47,085
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 1950kg
• MiRO: 1790kg
• Payload: 160kg
• Length: 7.90m
• Width: 2.44m

Reason to buy:

• Spacious kitchen with a well-equipped washroom

Reason to avoid:

• Needs a very powerful tow car

The 855’s 8ft width works particularly well in the L-shaped lounge, where you get a comfortable room to relax in and a real feeling of space. This is exactly what you need in a home from home, which is what helped it secure the best caravan for seasonal pitches category at the Practical Caravan Awards 2023.

The interior oozes luxury, with quality soft furnishings and a specification that includes a self-levelling system with a control panel. The kitchen area offers plenty of work space too, primarily because it is spread across both sides of the caravan with – unusually for a British-built caravan – most of the action on the nearside by the door.

A mid washroom comes with a well appointed shower room and a superb separate toilet area. A rear transverse fixed bed is the perfect finishing touch here.

In addition, with the latest Alde 3030 boiler heating system and a 36-litre fresh water tank, you have all you need for a caravan you might want to be in all year round.

The Laser Xcel also has a smart exterior, which comes with the quality finish Coachman is renowned for.

Full review: Coachman Laser Xcel 855

Bailey Alicanto Grande Evora

• Price: £38,499
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 1855kg
• MiRO: 1694kg
• Payload: 160kg
• Shipping length: 7.86m
• Width: 2.45m

Reason to buy:

• Loads of space, plenty of storage

Reason to avoid:

• Table can be hard to retrieve from under the bed.

The only new caravan model from Bailey this season should make a great season pitch model, thanks to its generously sized rear washroom and a rear bedroom complete with a transverse island bed, a large wardrobe with two hanging rails, and a separate dressing table unit where you could store everything you are likely to need during a long stay.

Nor is that all. The front lounge is comfortable and bright thanks to the large central window and generous side windows, through which you can easily admire the view.

The central kitchen has plenty of workspace, and there’s even room for that all essential wine rack.

This caravan comes complete with an onboard 40-litre water tank too, so you can luxuriate in the shower without worrying about the Aquaroll running out.

Full review: Bailey Alicanto Grande Evora

Hobby Maxia 660 WQM

• Price: TBC
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 2000kg
• MiRO: 1710kg
• Payload: 290kg
• Length: 8.33m
• Width: 2.50m

Reason to buy:

• Great contemporary Scandi design

Reason to avoid:

• This caravan is super heavy!

There is plenty of choice in this category so the shortlisted models have to tick all the boxes. The Hobby Maxia 660 WQM certainly does.

This incredibly spacious tourer comes with a layout that has an unusual (for the UK) front end kitchen, a full width washroom in the rear and a transverse rear island bed. The central lounge provides full wraparound seating. Opposite it is a large central dresser that offers plenty of storage in addition to the super overhead lockers. They, like much of this interior,  follow the Scandinavian design which makes this tourer one that’s incredibly contemporary.

The central seating area offers comfort and room for four, while the front end kitchen comes with good storage and a 157-litre fridge. The rear end washroom is superbly designed, with stylish curved furniture and good practical touches. This is a caravan that stands out from the crowd for those seasonal pitch users.

Adria Alpina Rio Grande

• Price: £43,646
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 2000kg
• Payload: 260kg
• MiRO: 1740kg
• Shipping length: 8.19m
• Width: 2.46m

Reason to avoid:

• Front kitchen caravans are not always popular in the UK, so it may be harder to sell on

While most of the attention this year has been on updating the more budget Altea range, at the last minute a new model has been added to the upmarket Alpinas. And it looks as if it could be a serious contender in the seasonal pitch stakes.

Why? Because, along with the rear washroom and rear transverse island bed should make you really feel at home, the front end of the caravan doesn’t disappoint either.

There is a generously sized kitchen spread across the front of the caravan, and then the central lounge is made up of a side settee on the nearside, an L-shaped settee on the offside, and a large table in the middle. Easily enough room for two people to spread out, or for you to have guests around on your pitch.

Then if you are staying as a foursome, or if some of your guests rather like the idea of staying over for the night, a second double bed is easily made from the L-shaped settee. And there will still be enough seating space for anyone who wakes up early in the morning.

When put together with a similarly sized awning, you should have a real seasonal palace with this caravan.

Full review: Adria Alpina Rio Grande

The best of the rest – our other top recommendations for best caravans for seasonal pitches

Sprite Super Quattro EB

• Price: £22,440
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 1705kg
• Overall length: 7.98m (26ft 2in)
• Width: 2.46m (8ft)

Swift Group’s twin-axle Sprite Supers offer the luxury of wider living space at a budget price. This is the only four-berth in the three-strong range, and has a transverse island bed behind a central washroom making it a strong contender for couples seeking a van to leave at their favourite site on a seasonal pitch. The front sofas will easily seat four people, but at just 5’4” long their usefulness as single beds is limited, however, they do make up into a good-sized double, so this is workable as a family van, too.

There’s a domestic-style door separating the kitchen from the washroom and a sliding door separating the washroom from the sleeping quarters.

Despite appearances – it has a three-piece front window and a sunroof – this is a budget caravan so if you want niceties such as an AKS 3004 stabiliser, a microwave, alloy wheels and a DAB radio you’ll need the optional Diamond Pack.

There’s external access on the offside to the area beneath the transverse island bed, so you can reach for the outdoor furniture from there.

Kitchen kit includes a large stainless-steel sink, a three-burner gas hob, a separate oven and grill, but only a small fridge, which is fine for two and only just adequate for four.

The lounge may be a little short but the van’s extra width gives plenty of room to manoeuvre in the kitchen, a spacious washroom and a bedroom where you don’t have to roll back the bed to gain access to the vanity area. It’s luxury living for a couple at a budget price.

Buy if … funds are limited but you want a large van

Pros
Light-filled lounge
Comfy bedroom

Cons
Small shower and fridge
No ATC – even as an option

Read our full review of the Sprite Super Quattro EB

Sprite Super Quattro DB

• Price: £22,440
• Berths: 6
• MTPLM: 1700kg
• Overall length: 7.98m (26ft 2in)
• Width: 2.46m (8ft)

There are few eight-foot wide vans that sleep six on the UK market and the DB and its sister van the FB are among the cheapest, no matter how many berths, but that is before you add the front panoramic window (£365), AL-KO  ATC trailer stability control (£349) and the Diamond Pack (£610), and you will want this because it includes an AKS3004 hitch stabiliser, a microwave, door flyscreen, alloys and a stereo. All things that will bring more joy for a seasonal van. You might also want to buy a motor mover for fine tuning placement on site, on your drive or in storage.

You will get the Swift Command system, and you have the option to subscribe to a pre-installed Thatcham Category S7 approved pro-active tracker.

This six-berth has a U-shaped dinette at the centre of the van, which should seat four for dining, and gives you the option of leaving the front lounge made up as a double bed should you want to. The DB also has a small seating area at the rear, between the bunk beds and the good-sized  offside corner washroom, giving children their own area for play.

Sleeping wise you have an enormous double at the front, or it can be used as two single beds at 5ft 11in x 2ft 4in, the dinette in the middle can be converted into a decent sized bed at 6ft 3in x 4ft 5in, while the bunk beds at the back are 6ft x 2ft 4in.

Buy if… you are looking for a spacious family van for a seasonal pitch

Pros
Fantastic sense of space
Flexible interior layout
Two USB ports

Cons
Key kit is on the options list rather than standard

Read our full review of the Sprite Super Quattro DB

Adria Alpina 623UT Mississippi

• Price: £30,495
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 1900kg
• Overall length: 8.27m (26’10”)
• Width: 2.46m (8’0”)

This long caravan has a big payload so there should be more than enough to hold all you need for an extended comfortable stay in this transverse island bed, rear washroom model. The Al-Ko chassis sits on a single axle and with the ATC trailer control system you should have no problem towing it to your favourite site for the season.

This is Adria’s top range and it certainly looks the part with a huge skylight window, an onboard water tank and pump, external gas barbecue point, mains socket and TV point and locker access at the front and rear of the van, plus an integral step and stable door. Awning rails go all round the Alpina vans, so you can choose how you set up.

Inside you will find a luxurious wraparound lounge with headrests in the front corners, so you can sit back with your feet up and watch the TV located above the dresser. There’s plenty of overhead storage. Its concave design helps to increase the feeling of light and space as well as looking chic.

The kitchen has plenty of worktop space to the left and in front of an in-line stainless -steel, three-burner gas hob integrated as one unit with a large sink. Below are a separate oven and grill and large drawers. The microwave is tucked discreetly away inside a cupboard and on the opposite, nearside wall is a tall 147-litre fridge/freezer that will accommodate perishables, wine and beer.

The bedroom area can be screened off by a pleated divider. The large (6’3” long) fixed transverse island bed comes off the nearside wall and is flanked each side by wardrobes. The bed can be raised on each side to a reclining position for reading and on one side are the lighting controls and a mains point and on the other side a USB point and cubby hole for your phone.

The rear washroom has a good-sized shower with an orbital shower head and a radiator and bi-fold doors.

The whole space has an Alde central heating system. It really does have everything you need for an extended stay and if you have overnight visitors you can put them up in the vast front double bed.

Buy if … you want a real home from home on your seasonal pitch

Pros
Comfortable lounge area
On board water tank
Retractable step

Cons
The washroom is a little cramped

Find out more about the Adria Alpina 623UT via these links https://www.practicalcaravan.com/news/adria-2020-season-preview
https://www.adria.co.uk/caravans/alpina/mississippi

Bailey Alicanto Porto

• Price: £29,999
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 1779kg
• Overall length: 7.862m / 25′10″
• Width: 2.450m / 8′0″

Bailey’s eight-foot wide Alicanto Port sits on an Al-Ko chassis with twin axle and AL-KO AKS 3004 stabiliser, Al-Ko ATS trailer control system, shock absorbers, secure wheel locks, a tracker system and intruder alarm, plus there’s a wind-down spare wheel carrier and spare wheel. You’ll get a fantastic view of your chosen site for the season through its vertical picture window, while seated on one of the firm sofas with high backs and wrap-around corners. Three of which have detachable headrests.

Just inside the door on a shallow dresser is a large grab handle for ease of access in and out of the caravan. Above that is a TV point and the mains controls, which sit under an L-shaped shelf, useful for keys, torches and sunglasses. To the left of the entrance door under the nearside seat is a boot box, which could be useful for keeping the dog’s lead, too.

The lounge is spacious and light with good storage and a central chest. The L-shape of the kitchen makes a good job of creating a separate zone. Kitchen kit includes a dual-fuel, four-burner hob, separate oven and grill, a branded microwave and a tall 153-litre fridge/freezer with doors that open either way. There’s wine bottle storage above a tall narrow cupboard next to the stove and the hob has a worktop cover to increase food preparation space.

Living space is separated from the bedroom by a roomy central washroom, which has a domestic-style door separating it from the kitchen and a sliding door separating it from the bedroom.
The in line island bed is flanked by narrow wardrobes with a drawer and cupboard below. There’s a second round of TV points in the bedroom.

With ample storage you will have everything to hand. Visitors can be put up in the lounge on a double bed measuring 7ft x 4ft 10ins or singles measuring 6ft by a narrow 2ft 1in.

Buy if … you’re looking for a couple’s van packed with safety features

Pros
Nice little details such as tea towel hooks, boot cupboard and key shelf
Safety features
L-shaped kitchen

Cons
Front single beds are narrow
Narrow wardrobes

Find out more about the Bailey Alicanto Porto via these links
https://www.practicalcaravan.com/news/bailey-2020-season-preview
https://www.baileyofbristol.co.uk/touring-caravans/alicanto-grande/alicanto-grande-porto/

Bailey Pegasus Grande Palermo and Bailey Pegasus Grande Turin

• Price: £25,249
• Berths: 6
• MTPLM: 1692kg /1686kg
• Overall length: 7.863m (25′10″)
• Width: 2.450m (8′0″)

Two of the six models in Bailey’s mid-market Pegasus Grande range will sleep six people. The Palermo has fixed bunks ((6’2″x2’4″) at the back on the nearside, while Turin’s layout has a fixed French bed (6’1″x4’6″). Both vans have an offside rear corner washroom, a double U-shaped dinette midship with kitchen opposite, and a front lounge. The layouts could work equally well as a seasonal van for a small family or a large family, and for a couple, too, in the case of the Turin. Both vans ride on an Al-Ko chassis and twin axle.

Highlights on the outside include the Al-Ko ATC trailer control system, a Truma 100 watt solar panel, a barbecue point and mains socket, external locker access at the front and at the back on the nearside. The glazed stable door and signature vertical picture window are both features that increase the amount of light coming into the van. Another good feature is the large grab handle just inside the door on the right to aid entry and exit.

These are spacious vans. There’s plenty of space in the lounge, which now has a freestanding table with hinged sides giving more table space and making it easier to manoeuvre around. Lounge sofas, which have bolsters at both ends, are over 6ft long and at 2ft 2in wide will easily serve as single beds or will make up into a roomy 7ft 1in x 4ft 10in double. The U-shaped dinette has a table that slides to make it easier to sit down or the table can be removed for that extra bit of seating. That U-shape does mean you lose a bit of width on the opposing seats, but it can also be made up into a narrow double bed (6’6”x3’9”).

Kitchen kit comprises a dual-fuel, four-burner hob, with a glass cover and a worktop cover, separate oven and grill, a Dometic 145-litre tower refrigerator with 28-litre freezer, and a microwave above. While the roomy washroom has a shower cubicle with two plugholes and an Ecocamel showerhead.

Depending on the make-up of your family unit the Palermo could just have the edge if you have small children. Next to the bunks is an extra seating area for two with a table and a stool, which doubles as a storage box.

Buy if … you’re looking for a six berth with flexible seating/sleeping areas

Pros
Two plug holes in shower
USB sockets in directional spotlights
Truma 100 watt solar panel

Cons
Electric hook-up on the van’s nearside interferes with awning set up.

Find out more about the Bailey Grande Palermo and Bailey Pegasus Grande Turin

Coachman Laser 665

• Price: £31,265
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 1838kg
• Overall length: 7895mm (25′ 11″)
• Width: 2310mm (7′ 7″)

Twin bed layouts can suit a variety of family units; couples, friends or families of four where the children take the fixed beds and the grown-ups can have the lounge to themselves come the evening. It even works with teenagers with those twin singles at 6’3” x 2’7”, if mum and dad take the lounge double at 6’9” x 4’7”. And a layout that has a central washroom separating the living space from the bedroom makes this even more attractive as a possible family seasonal van.

The Laser 665 rides a twin axle and Al-Ko chassis with an Al-Ko ATC control system, an Al-Ko hitch stabiliser and automatic levelling. This is a big van, which will need a large tow car to pull it but with the van’s four wheels in contact with the road and the additional technology it should feel a stable tow.

Rather than a large locker at the front, there are twin lockers, one for gas the other for camping paraphernalia. The front has a three-piece window with a wide panoramic window above.
Coachman is known for its high build quality, which may account for the weight of the van. The exterior is manufactured using its ABC method (Advanced Bonded Construction).

The washroom is huge, with a large, spacious shower, a wardrobe, loo and basin to accommodate. That and the rest of the van are warmed using the Alde central heating system. At 6’3” long the twin singles aren’t short either, which means a compromise has been made on space somewhere and that is in the lounge area, the sofas are just 5 foot long, and perfectly adequate for four although supremely comfortable for two people lounging. That on the offside has a bolster where it meets the kitchen bulkhead. There’s no bolster or bulkhead on the nearside sofa so you can stretch out with your feet dangling over the end. The ambient lighting in here is good, too, with LED strips even below the sofa cushions.

Entertainment includes a Pioneer stereo system with speakers in the lounge and the bedroom, plus TV points in both areas and the 2020 vans have fast charging points for mobile phones..
Both fixed beds have exterior access storage space. They are separated by a central chest with drawers and a mirror and have padded headboards. Roof lockers wraparound the entire area, while the wardrobe is housed in the washroom. Alde Central heating warms the space quickly.
The kitchen has plenty of worktop space, with a flap extension. Kit includes a dual fuel hob with cast iron pan support, separate oven and grill, a tower fridge/freezer with two-way opening doors and a microwave oven.

Buy if… you want luxury and a flexible layout

Pros
Great build quality
Speakers at front and back of van
Huge central washroom

Cons
Small lounge

Find out more about the Coachman Laser via these links
https://www.coachman.co.uk/laser
https://www.practicalcaravan.com/news/new-caravans-for-2019-coachman

Coachman Laser Xcel 850

• Price: £35,945
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM:  1927kg
• Overall length: 7895mm / 25′ 11″
• Width: 2440mm / 8′ 0″

The 850 would make a great seasonal van for a couple; the layout comprises a transverse island bed at the back, a large centre washroom, good-sized kitchen and compact, but supremely comfortable lounge, all wrapped up in superb build quality and attention to detail, such as an on-board water tank and self levelling system, that makes this a luxurious home from home.

The cosy – there’s room for four people – parallel sofas are illuminated by plenty of daylight coming through the windows, the rooflight and the sunroof that runs the width of the van. On the front sill there’s a mobile charging pad, but you’ll need an iPhone 8, Samsung 7 or something even newer for it to be of use. There are two mains sockets at one end of this sill, and light switches at the other end. Just inside the entrance door are TV points for a wall-mounted screen and USB sockets. Above the door are the main controls and those for the Alde central heating.

The L-shaped kitchen has a good level of kit, dual-fuel four-burner hob, separate oven and grill, microwave and tall fridge/freezer with two-way opening doors.

The huge washroom with corner shower also houses the wardrobe, which relieves the bedroom. Instead of wardrobes flanking the transverse island bed, there are bedside tables, which instantly gives a feeling of space and light, and you can push back the bed from more space. For guests the front sofas make up into a huge double bed.

Storage is pretty good with external access to area under the nearside sofa and offside at the rear under the bed.

Buy if… you are looking for a certain level of luxury without ostentation

Pros
Automatic levelling system
Spacious and light bedroom
Huge washroom

Cons
Compact lounge

Read our full review of the Coachman Laser Xcel 850 

Elddis Crusader Zephyr

• Price: £29,644*
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 1800kgs
• Overall length: 7.96m (26’1”)
• Width: 2.3m (7’7”)

A big front lounge up front and a retractable transverse bed at the rear separated by luxurious washroom at the centre makes this a sensible seasonal van choice for a couple.

The lounge upholstery includes bolster cushions and you can breakfast at the occasional table illuminated by daylight from the sunroof and the stargazer window, which is surrounded by LED lights for night time.

There are two speakers at the front for the stereo, a mains socket and two essential USB sockets in the corner, with TV points on the shelf next to the door, immediately beneath the cocktail cabinet.

The kitchen comprises a large worktop, two mains sockets, a four-burner dual-fuel hob, separate oven and grill and a rectangular sink. Opposite it a large Dometic fridge freezer.

The central washroom, separated from the living space by a domestic-style door, is luxurious with heated towel rail, part of the programmable Alde central heating, although the shower tray is compromised by the wheel arch.

A sliding door leads to the bedroom where the transverse island bed can be pushed back to allow easier access to the vanity unit and the wardrobe on the far side.

Buy if… you’re looking for a fixed bed, central washroom and a good-sized lounge

Pros
Comfy lounge
Well equipped kitchen
On board water tank

Cons
The wheel arch compromises the shower tray

Read more in our full review of the Elddis Crusader Zephyr

Buccaneer Barracuda

• Price: £35,294
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 1990kg
• Overall length: 8.16m (26’9”)
• Width: 2.45m (8’)

There’s no doubt that the Buccaneers ooze class – and a touch of bling – with seductive dark cabinetwork and opulent furnishings. That huge corner sofa you have at home is replicated here in L-shaped seating at the front of the van. The offside wall has a dedicated entertainment centre that includes a 32” TV with accompanying aerial, mains and USB sockets. Overhead are a large sunroof and a stargazer rooflight that extends from the lounge to the kitchen.

The L-shaped kitchen has lots of worktop space, a vast stainless steel sink, dual-fuel hob, separate oven and grill and a tall fridge freezer with a microwave above. A domestic style door separates it from the spacious central washroom with a heated towel rail courtesy of the Alde central heating, a bowl sink and a large shower cubicle.

A sliding door separates it from the In-line island bed (6’3” x 4’5”) flanked by wardrobes above a shelf and drawers.

Storage generally is very good with plenty of space under the bed, although the onboard water tank is located here.

The van rides an Al-Ko chassis, with stabilizer, trailer control system and wheel lock and the corner steadies are operated by a self levelling system, whose controls are on the sofa base just inside the door.

This really is a couple’s van, but if you are putting someone up for the night, that L-shaped sofa at the front makes up into a 6’5” x 4’7” double bed.

Buy if… you are looking for a van that shouts luxury

Pros
Great lounge with built-in entertainment centre
Self-levelling system
Large washroom
Large wardrobes

Cons
No external access to the large space under the bed.

For a look around the Buccaneer Barracuda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOeSALT5KxQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Pc0N32Qlw

Swift Elegance Grande 850

• Price: £35,450
• Berths: 4
• MTPLM: 1900kg
• Length: 7.98m
• Width: 2.45m (8’)

The 850 is the latest model to join Swift Group’s eight-foot wide Elegance Grande range. The layout comprises an L-shaped lounge, centre washroom and rear in-line island bed – ideal as a seasonal tourer for couples.

The nearside exterior decals go some way to hiding the fact that this van has only a small window towards the rear, and a glazed one-piece entrance door, and that’s because inside there is a TV located on the nearside wall. Other exterior features include a huge front locker, external locker access at the front and mains, cold water shower and barbecue points, plus a roof-mounted solar panel and a rear view camera. There’s also an on-board 30-litre fresh water tank.

The van rides an Al-Ko chassis with hitch stabilizer, ATC control and wheel locks and is built using third-generation Smart construction, which means it is completely timberless, with a composite floor and lifetime warranty for water ingress.

Inside, the eight-foot width and L-shaped lounge (converting into a 6’4”x4’ double bed) give a fantastic feeling of space and there’s plenty of light from the three-piece front window, and large skylight and rooflight.

The good-sized kitchen has a worktop extension flap, circular stainless steel sink, a dual-fuel, four-burner hob, a microwave, a separate oven and grill, and a large drawer with cutlery tray and double-door cupboard beneath sink. Opposite is a tall fridge/freezer. There’s a narrow dresser just inside the door and a handy cupboard above that for keys, torches and the like. A domestic-style door leads into the central washroom. On the offside are the basin and toilet, with shaving mirror and wall mirror, and on the nearside a corner shower unit with a radiator next to it (part of the Alde central heating system) and towel ring above. A vanity unit with a large illuminated mirror sits against the bulkhead in the middle.

Either side of the vanity unit are sliding doors into the bedroom. The 6’2” x 4’8” in-line fixed bed fills the length between the bulkhead and the back wall. Good-sized mirrored wardrobes, with a drawer and cupboard beneath, flank the bed on either side, with overhead lockers between. On the bulkhead are aerial and plug points and a bracket for a wall hung TV, with a shelf beneath.
Swift vans’ facilities are controlled by the Swift Command System that can also be operated via a phone app.

Buy if… you’re looking for a well-built van with controls that can be operated remotely

Pros
Lifetime water ingress warranty
Plenty of storage
Swift Command System

Cons
The nearside wall used for the TV rather than the outside wall gives the nearside exterior an odd look.

See a preview of the Swift Elegance range here

Those looking for a family ’van might like to check out best caravans for families or best 6 berth caravans.

Alternatively, if you’re constricted by budget, you may like to consult our list of the best caravans under £20,000. If you’re budget can stretch a bit further, we’ve also compiled a list of the best caravans over £30,000. 

If none of these models sound like the caravan you’re looking for, check the rest of our caravan reviews to see if there might be a model more suited to you – we’re uploading more all the time!

Or what about a motorhome? Check out some of these options Best 2 berth motorhomes, Best 4 berth motorhomes, Best 6 berth motorhomes , Best A-class motorhomes and more

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