Camping with a Cockapoo

Breeze Campers has joined forces with the Caravan and Motorhome Club, the No.1 rated UK touring club^ with over one million members. If you hire a vehicle from Breeze Campers you’ll be given access to Campsite+ which gives you access to Club campsites at member rates, meaning you’ll save £15 per night every time you stay at UK Club campsites.

If you haven't driven in Europe before, don’t worry! Here’s a handy guide of what you need to think about before you begin your European adventure…

Over the Summer, one event that grabbed everyone’s attention was Beach Dubbin , held on the Southsea Common. One company that was there was Breeze Campers . Having just launched their campervan hire range in March, they were keen to show Southsea what the company is all about and the range of campers they have to hire out. Living on the South Coast allows us to explore such a huge stretch of coast that we are lucky to have on our doorstep. When you think how quickly you can be at places like the New Forest in 45 minutes and Dorset in an hour, the idea of popping off for a wknd or a few days is so appealing. To hear that we have a local camper hire company close by that we can tap into made me want to find out more. Breeze Campers is based in Havant and easy to get to from Southsea and Portsmouth. Going To Pick Up The Camper Meeting Shafi, we talked about all that Breeze Campers has to offer. I was lucky enough this last wknd to take a brand new California Ocean away to Dorset as a PR hire, to try out the experience of hiring and enjoying a camper-style holiday. We picked up our brand-new campervan on Friday afternoon. Shafi told us that sometimes people work on a Friday and they have just started a collection time on a Saturday morning until 12 p.m. so people can pick up their vehicles at their best convenience. Shafi showed my hubby all the gadgets and how to move things around like turn the Captain chairs etc. You need to allow plenty of time for this if you haven’t hired one of these campers before. I would say allow a good hour for this process. Going On An Adventure Heading off to our campsite, we enjoyed the first evening playing around with all the gadgets! Being so new means everything is designed so well and has all you need to enjoy the perfect break. When we picked up our 73 plate (that still had plastic on the utensils as never been used), we were told we didn’t need to pack anything except bedding and towels. All hires have all crockery and utensils already in place in the mini kitchen that’s there. On our first evening, we opened the roof bed and let our son enjoy the fun of being on a top bunk that is actually a double bed! You can also unzip the front part of the tent to see panoramic views which is amazing when you have parked somewhere with fantastic scenery. We loved how there is so much room in the California Ocean and how easy it is to move the van around from seating to bed in a few minutes. The next morning we woke up to a lovely warm camper as the heating had been popping on throughout the night which meant that we weren’t freezing, dreading to escape the covers of our warm beds.

Are you itching for an unforgettable family adventure? Look no further than Scotland, a land of rugged beauty, enchanting landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage. We recently embarked on a 10-day journey along Scotland's North Coast 500 in a VW Grand California camper from Breeze Campers with our 3 and 2-year-olds, and we're here to share our top tips for making the most of your Scottish camper adventure with young children. 1. Embrace the Unpredictable Weather Scotland is notorious for its unpredictable climate, but don't let that deter you. Instead, be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way. Pack layers, waterproofs, and sturdy footwear for the family. Invest in quality rain gear for the kids to keep them dry during those spontaneous rain showers. And if your signal allows it, check the weather forecast before setting off for the day. You won't always be able to rely on this but it is a good start. The key is to have a positive mindset and remember that even cloudy days can lead to the most magical moments. Plus, there's something truly special about snuggling up in your cosy camper as the rain taps on the roof. We had a couple of wet and windy days combined with beautifully sunny ones, one moment you could be in the sunshine and the next you could be in the middle of a shower. This gave us some stunning rainbows which the boys loved! 2. Prioritise Outdoor Exploration Scotland's wild landscapes are a playground for kids (and adults) of all ages. Encourage your little adventurers to explore the outdoors—it's an educational experience they'll cherish. Whether it's climbing a small hill, collecting pebbles on the beach, or spotting wildlife, Scotland's natural wonders will ignite their curiosity. We allocated plenty of time for outdoor exploration, and it was amazing to see our kids connect with nature and develop a love for the great outdoors. There is plenty of wildlife to be spotted and we made checklists to keep the boys engaged. With so much driving on plan, we used walks and moments of exploration to stretch their legs and give them a break. 3. Plan Your Route and Stops With so much to see in Scotland, it's essential to plan your route carefully. We learned this the hard way on our first visit when we only had 5 days and missed out on many treasures. This time, we allowed ourselves 10 days, which made all the difference. Start by mapping out your must-see destinations and allocate enough time for each. Be flexible and open to spontaneous detours, as some of the most memorable moments happen when you least expect them. Another bonus of being in a camper is that the Grand California has a kitchen so we could easily make pasta and noodles from any spot and even though some of these stops weren't planned we had allocated enough time for them. 4. Use Apps like Park4Night One of the best tools in our camper adventure arsenal was the Park4Night app. It's a lifesaver for finding safe and legal places to wild camp. With young children on board, knowing you have a secure spot for the night is crucial. Park4Night provides user-generated recommendations, complete with reviews and photos, making it easy to choose spots that suit your family's needs. Just remember to leave no trace and respect local communities and the environment. A couple of the spots we visited request a donation to help support the area, please respect this and do what you can to support the local communities you visit. Whether that's grabbing a coffee in the morning from a local café or paying 50p/£1 to use the onsite showering/toilet facilities. We had our own in the van but you do have more spaces in these sites. 5. Embrace the Camper Lifestyle Finally, embrace the camper lifestyle wholeheartedly. Camping with kids can be an enriching experience, fostering family bonding and creating lasting memories. Involve your little ones in daily tasks like meal preparation, setting up camp, and exploring new surroundings. Make the camper feel like home by bringing along familiar toys and books, we had a large line up of Pokémon cuddly toys and a small percentage of their Hot Wheels collection. Scotland is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be uncovered, and a camper adventure with young children is the perfect way to explore it. Be prepared for the weather, encourage outdoor exploration, plan your route wisely, use helpful apps like Park4Night, and fully embrace the camper lifestyle. With these tips in mind, your family is in for an unforgettable Scottish adventure that will leave you all with hearts full of wonder and memories to last a lifetime. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and let Scotland's magic enchant your family on this incredible journey. Author : Lauren Allen

Last Summer, as a present for my girlfriend, I found a unique experience at Hoo Zoo in Telford, where they allow you to feed and interact with some of the animals. Instead of just staying in a hotel for the night, we decided to rent a campervan so we could also explore some of the beautiful Welsh countryside not far from Telford.