How to Explore the Countryside With Home Comforts

Leisure vehicles give you a comfortable way to stay at campsites, which offer you the chance to live within some of the most scenic countryside locations in the UK.

And what’s more, many campsites have all the amenities you’ll need for a relaxing stay. Things like games rooms and on-site shops, meaning you’ll never have to choose between having an adventure or a little bit more comfort.

Why are leisure vehicles the perfect mix of freedom and comfort

Exploring the countryside doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort for adventure. Modern leisure vehicles (like those made by Bailey of Bristol) bring together the flexibility of travel with the practicalities of home.

Every Bailey caravan, motorhome and campervan is fully self-contained with heating, hot water, kitchen facilities and washrooms designed for every kind of trip you can throw at them: weekends away through to a few months’ touring across Europe.

Bailey models across our ranges include programmable heating systems, which means you can set your preferred temperature and wake up warm, even in winter. And to keep you well and truly toasty, insulation and double-glazed windows help maintain that comfort year-round.

Even the smaller details are designed to help you relax on the road. Onboard water tanks, leisure batteries and solar panels (available on many of our vehicles) let you stay off-grid when you want to, while spacious fridges (up to 153L in many models) and gas or electric cooking options make it easy to eat well wherever you are. Add in comfortable fixed or convertible beds, wide doorways for easy access and ample storage for outdoor gear, and you’ve got everything you need for long, relaxed journeys.

Which vehicle suits your way of countryside exploration?

Choosing the right leisure vehicle depends on how you like to explore. Do you prefer settling into one scenic spot for a few nights, moving steadily from place to place or travelling light and going wherever the road takes you?

Here’s how Bailey’s caravans, motorhomes and campervans compare when it comes to freedom, comfort and practicality on rural routes:

In summary:

• Consider a caravan if you want the ability to use your car to explore locally.
• Consider a motorhome if you prefer everything on board and ready to go at a moment’s notice.
• Consider a campervan if you want true go-anywhere versatility without giving up proper heating, cooking and sleeping space.

What makes leisure vehicles feel like home in the countryside?

One of the things everyone wants on their holiday is a good night’s sleep. Therefore, every Bailey model is crafted to give you the same rest you’d expect at home.

Comfortable fixed beds

Fixed beds in a Bailey vehicle are made with sprung mattresses with slat bases and often with storage underneath. Fixed beds feature headboards with headrests and reading lights with USB chargers.

A place to sit and while away the hours

On rainy days you might spend time inside reading, planning routes or relaxing with TV and snacks. The lounge seats in Bailey caravans use sprung cushion construction, knee rolled base cushions and foam filled backrests to ensure comfort. Motorhomes use Aguti seating that allows travel seats to convert to sofas, and campervans feature domestic style seating in lounge areas.

When you’re parked up in the hills or by the coast, keeping warm is essential. Our heating systems keep every corner of your vehicle’s interior warm and cosy.

• Temperature regulation that’s tested to the limits: Bailey leisure vehicles are tested in a cold chamber down to –15°C, meaning they can definitely handle any conditions a British or Continental European winter trip throws your way.

• Blown air or radiator heating systems: All our vehicles use either a Truma blown air system or an Alde radiator heating system. Both will keep their vehicles warm and comfortable whatever the weather outside or the season of the year.

Cooking on the road should feel effortless. We design our on-the-road kitchens so you can enjoy proper meals with friends and family.

• Dual-fuel hobs and full ovens: Every range includes a hob and oven combination so you can cook whatever and whenever you want to eat. Some models come with a microwave as well and kitchen counter space often allows for the addition of an air fryer.

• Undercounter or tower refrigerators and freezers: The type of fridge depends on the size of the vehicle but all can hold a decent grocery shop and some have doors that can be opened from either direction.

• Drop-down worktop extensions and plenty of kitchen storage: Giving you extra space to work, and lots of room for all your kitchen equipment and groceries.

A proper washroom is what makes touring anywhere you want to go possible, whether that is at a local campsite or off-grid on a temporary stop-over. The designs across all Bailey models are created to be bright, practical and genuinely usable.

• Onboard showers or wetrooms with washroom sink and toilet: All the facilities you need right in your leisure vehicle, so you can travel wherever you want without worrying about needing a shower block at your destination.

• Truma or Alde hot water systems: With a digital control system for easy control of hot and cold running water

• Mirrors and storage: The bathrooms and washrooms are completed with mirrors and plenty of storage for keeping all your toiletries contained

The countryside is a great escape but a power supply is still needed. All Bailey leisure vehicles ensure you have access to this whether you are staying on or off grid.

• Solar panels: Many Bailey leisure vehicles come with solar panels as standard and for those that don’t, they can often be added as an extra so you can keep your leisure batteries topped up or enjoy life off-grid.

• Plenty of sockets: Every model includes multiple 230V and USB/USB-C outlets in all the places you’d need them: by seating, beds and kitchens for charging devices or running small appliances. Some models also come with wireless charging pads for your mobile devices.

Touring in the countryside means you’ll likely to have your fair share of wet boots and jackets and big shops, and Bailey designs every layout with that in mind.

• Plenty of storage: Every Bailey leisure vehicle has plenty of storage options. From overhead lockers to large cupboards for kitchen equipment, to motorhome garages for outdoors kit. All you have to do is choose the vehicle that best meets your travel needs.

• External access lockers and under-bed storage: Some of the storage areas can be accessed via lockers on the outside of the van, meaning that dirty items like muddy boots and bicycles can be stored away easily without having to bring them through the vehicle. Some of our motorhomes even have heated garages with tie down points which means wetsuits can be hung to dry or they can be used as a heated kennel for soggy dogs

• A bike garage onboard: The Endurance E65 campervan takes garages a step further with a heavy duty garage floor at the back of the van, bungee cord secured shelving, tie-down points and an exterior cold water shower for hosing down muddy bikes. The bed folds down across the top at night so it’s like having a mini workshop under your bed.

Where to stay on your countryside adventure

The best thing about taking a countryside escape in your leisure vehicle is the sheer number of options available for where to stay. Not just in location, but in type too. Here are three types of campsites to look out for.

Brit Stops is a fantastic guide and app that lists hundreds of pubs, farms and attractions across the UK that welcome overnight stays.

You simply check the guide, turn up during opening hours and enjoy a drink or meal while you park for the night.

It’s a lovely way to discover hidden corners of the countryside and meet local people along the way.

If you want some quiet secluded space in places you might not usually get the opportunity to camp, alternate your Brit Stop nights with small, peaceful Certified Locations (Offered by the Caravan & Motorhome Club) or Certified Sites (Offered by the Camping & Caravanning Club) sites.

These are small campsites that permit a maximum of five vehicles at any one time. They typically have few amenities (often just a place for you to source drinking water and get rid of waste), and are often near walking routes, villages or coastlines.

These types of sites are perfect if you really want to escape into the countryside.

Every few days, you might like to stop at a full-facility site with electric hook-up to recharge, refill water and do a proper tidy-up.

There are many of these offered by the UK’s two main Clubs:

• The Caravan & Motorhome Club
• The Camping & Caravanning Club

You can join either club for a small fee each year to unlock things like discounts on overnight stays, discounts on attraction entry fees and special offers throughout the year.

The main benefit of signing up to one of these clubs is that you get priority access to their large lists of owned or affiliated campsites, which, by virtue of being accepted into the club, guarantees a certain standard of upkeep and amenities.

That rhythm of a few more basic nights followed by a few more luxurious sites is how many seasoned tourers travel.

Country touring etiquette

If it’s your first time hitting the road to the countryside with your new leisure vehicle, these tips might come in handy as you navigate the roads.

Try to keep your pitch lights low after dark

Countryside sites in secluded areas are prized for their peace and dark skies (many are even in or close to one of several designated Dark Sky Zones in the UK for great stargazing). At night, particularly in a Dark Sky area, try to keep blinds closed and lights lower so everyone can enjoy the stars.

Keep your pitch tidy

Be respectful of other people on site, and make sure you keep chairs and awnings within your pitch and keep dogs on a lead where required to.

Buy local when you can

A pint at the village pub or a loaf from the bakery helps keep rural businesses thriving, and all adds to your enjoyment of the local area

Manage grey water and waste carefully

Always use the site’s disposal points and never drain onto grass or hedgerows — it damages the ground and wildlife.

Be mindful with fires and BBQs

Check local restrictions, raise BBQs off the grass and never leave embers unattended; one stray spark can damage fragile countryside sites.

Ready to see the countryside your way?

Take a look at our caravans, motorhomes and campervans to find the right fit for your countryside adventures.

Or head over to our blog section for more guides on Bailey models or inspiration on where to travel.