Get read, get set, let’s go touring with the new Practical Motorhome Summer Special! In this issue we bring you loads of hot new touring kit, top holiday reads and our group test of 13 sun loungers and comfort chairs to ensure your holidays are truly relaxing.

Discover Devon, the Lake District, and more

Enjoy a great escape to Devon with our grand tour in this issue. Our Claudia feels on top of the world, after following the spectacular North Devon coast road and crossing the hills in the Bailey Approach Advance 665 to see some of the county’s most glorious sights.

The southern Lake District makes an exciting destination for Mick and Elaine Statham in their trusty two-berth Ace Siena. They head to the North-West coast for Morecambe Bay in search of trail-running and twitching routes, and zoom in to capture the wildlife en-route.

But what’s a motorhome tour without the right holiday reading? Bryony Symes reviews three great books to take on tour.

Next, we explore the hidden Cotswolds – beauty spots that are every bit as picturesque as the best-known villages, but are happily unburdened by tourist crowds and coach tours!

A short break in the lush Herefordshire countryside makes a scenic short break full of treasures, for Sue and Ralph Nicholson. Touring in their Rapido 891M they go on a hunt for Herefordshire’s hidden gems, antiques and historic houses.

Win an awning and a tripod!

There’s a chance to win a fantastic drive-away awning worth £850 and also a competition to win a portable tripod and mobile phone holder – the Manfrotto Pixi Evo tripod and TwistGrip smartphone clamp, together worth £84.90. 

Campers and coachbuilts on test

For campervan fans we feature our spectacular VW Megatest! In this 15-page camper test we compare the latest Volkswagen T6-based campervans for all budgets, with van conversions from Bilbo’s Design, CMC Reimo, Hillside Leisure and Volkswagen.

We caused quite a stir at the Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site in Wiltshire, where we borrowed the rally field and tested the Danbury Surf, the Hillside Birchover, the Nomad Ranger, the Autohaus Ashton, the Bilbo’s Celex, Volkswagen California Ocean and CMC Reimo Trio High Style. After testing such a dazzling array of popular new campers, which were our favourites? Check them all out with us in the new Summer Special. 

For those who think bigger is better when it comes to motorhomes, don’t miss our new Hobby Optima De Luxe V65 GE review. This fixed-twin-bed low-profile coachbuilt has £8500-worth of added extras thrown in for 2016.

We also review the fabulous Marquis Lifestyle 622, taking a close look at the 2016 updates to this dealer-special version of the popular Swift Escape range.

Next up is our 2016 Rimor Europea 69 Plus review. This new Italian-built, island-bed five-berth is based on the Fiat Ducato.

If you’re hoping to get more for your money, don’t miss our used ’van challenge. Nick Harding goes off in search of used motorhomes with garages and comes up with some pretty impressive ’vans. Would you go for the good-as-new 2008 Bürstner Elegance I 821 G, or the value-for-money 2009 Chausson Welcome 75, or the super-saver 2007 Adria Coral Sport S574 SP? Let Nick’s feature guide you on some of the things to consider when you look for the best possible used motorhomes for sale!

Carefree summertime touring in a beautifully designed Volkswagen California used to be reserved for those with very deep pockets. Not any more! Make sure you check out our guide to buying a used 2005-2015 Volkswagen California. We focus on what to look for, how to get the best camper, how much to pay for older models, and more. Armed with this guide, who knows, will you soon be the ones California dreaming? 

And finally… if you’re new to motorhomes or just plucking up the courage to buy your first ever ’van, take advice from a fellow reader. John Wilkinson recently completed sourcing and specifying his ideal motorhome for a three-month European tour. In this issue he talks us through the choices he made – to help make sure you choose a motorhome that’s exactly right for you!

We hope you’re having a superb summer so far – to make it even better head to the shops and pick up a copy of Practical Motorhome’s Summer Special 2016!