Have you noticed an increased number of motorhomes and campervans around?
They seem to be everywhere.
On the roads, at the shops and parked up at beauty spots...
These days, someone you know almost certainly has one. Once the almost-exclusive domain of ‘retirees’, they are now also owned by couples, singles, young families, friends, grandparents, hobbyists and sportspeople.
And right at the heart of this travel revolution is Canterbury-based Choose Leisure.
Kent's leading motorhome and campervan dealership, at anyone time you will find a selection of about 100 motorhomes.
Family-owned, the company was established in 2008, and is found on a truly expansive site on the corner of the A28 and Howfield Lane.
Disclaimer here. I'm no motorhome expert. Nor am I any kind of camping fan. My childhood family holidays may have been spent in a static caravan at various locations across England (often in the rain) but despite the fun we had, it did not instil any kind of camper life in me.
Holidays as a grown-up have been very much an all-inclusive affair. At destinations promising either guaranteed sunshine. Or snow.
And yet, when I visited Choose Leisure I was genuinely stunned by the sheer variety available actually on-site.
Choose Leisure stocks both new and used motorhomes and all the best brands.
Favourites include luxury, German brand, Carthago on Mercedes chassis, Italian innovation from Laika and British-built Auto-Sleepers and Swift.
Even to my inexperienced eye, these were seriously stylish affairs. Almost hotel rooms on wheels!
The campervans (okay, I will admit I do occasionally ogle a vintage VW and imagine myself pulling up at sandy beach in the height of summer in one of these) I looked around included cool and contemporary Hillside models and the Swift Monza.
I confess that having taken a tour of a super-lux £259,995 motorhome, and sat inside a contemporary chic van conversion having a chatter with the team, I may have found myself getting a bit of motorhome envy.
This only moved up a gear as I wandered past dozens of different designs and set-ups. All offering very different approaches to this ever-more popular lifestyle.
Things have certainly come a long way since 2008 when Paul Santos started the business with his wife Jenny and six vans!
The couple may have - some 15 years on - stepped back a bit from the business (Dave Williams was recently appointed Managing Director), but Choose Leisure is still very much a family affair - with a team full of friendly advice.
Which is evident from the moment you pull up (even if you are in just a normal car and not some kind of home on wheels!)
I suppose it's not surprise in this post-pandemic era, when we all want more flexibility and freedom, that interest in motorhomes is soaring.
They’re a smart way to combat the steep rise in staycation prices. The joy of opening your doors to a new view each day can only be good for your mental health. And while they are certainly a considered purchase, motorhomes have a time-proven strong residual value that makes them an affordable long-term holiday choice, especially when paired with lengthy finance options for up to ten years.
So rather than the anxiety of spending hours in airports, with your fingers crossed that flights aren’t cancelled and that your luggage reaches its destination safely, Choose Leisure can help you ditch the queues and revel in every part of your journey from the moment you set off.
They might have even won round this camper cynic.
Canterbury... then the world. What's stopping you?
Choose Leisure is proud sponsor of our Attractions in Kent map, featuring 100 brilliant places to discover around the county.
Models we love
CARTHAGO S-PLUS – A CLASS MOTORHOME, £259,995:
The ultimate in motorhome luxury. This has a generous living area height of 211cm, and offers a two-level room concept. The entire double floor is heated with a climate storage function and underfloor heating effect. It features a 40in TV/satellite package for the living room, 24in TV package for the bedroom, capsule coffee maker, luxury bedding set and carpets throughout, heated seats and windscreen. The luxury bathroom includes a completely separable changing room, with lots of room and privacy.
HILLSIDE HOPTON – VAN CONVERSION, £84,495 OTR PRICE:
Cutting-edge design and technology combine with a traditional layout. The large rear seating area is a lovely relaxed place to rest in comfort. Can be used as an every day vehicle, as it is easy to park on your drive or in a car park.
SWIFT KON-TIKI 744, £106,190:
This sleeps six, so is a great holiday base for a family or for taking friends. It has sumptuous interior upholstery and finishes giving a hotel-like aesthetic.
