Fire damages Cranleigh mother's home

In June 2022, Jon and Emilie James (36 and 37) sold their home for £132,000 and bought a three-acre abandoned motorhome park in Wales for £90,000. The site, once housing coal miners, had been closed since 1989 and was littered with trash. For three years, the couple lived in a 25-year-old moldy caravan without running water, relying on YouTube tutorials for renovations. They spent about £43,000 turning the dilapidated caravan into a modern tiny house with a wood-fired sauna. The project is funded by their photography work and a candle business. Plans include opening a glamping site with communal showers, laundry, and an outdoor cinema.

The Quiet Site at Ullswater has been named the UK’s Sustainable Family Business of the Year 2026 by Family Business United. The award was presented at a ceremony in London at the National Geographic Society. Owner Daniel Holder said the park has achieved carbon neutrality and generates 80% of its energy from on-site renewables. The park also helped launch a community bus service in the Ullswater area to reduce congestion and emissions.

Residents of the Lake District National Park report widespread littering, illegal wild camping, and fires by visitors. The Friends of the Lake District annual survey logged hundreds of complaints about anti-social behaviour. Westmorland and Furness Council introduced fines up to £100 for littering, fires, and inappropriate use of motorhomes. The share of visitors under 50 rose from 52% in 2018 to 74% in 2022, while total visitor numbers in 2024 were 5 million lower than in 2019.

The Scottish Motorhome, Caravan & Holiday Home Show will take place at Glasgow's SEC from 4 to 7 February 2027. Around 200 exhibitors and up to 23,000 visitors are expected. A new brand identity with Scottish-inspired design has been unveiled for the anniversary. Children under 16 get free admission.

Actor Jason Momoa, together with British company Electrogenic, has unveiled a series of electric conversions: hybrid Harley-Davidson motorcycles from the 1920s and fully electric Land Rovers. The 1924 and 1927 Harley-Davidson Model JD bikes feature a plug-in hybrid with a 15 hp electric motor and a retained 20 hp internal combustion engine, while the 1921 Model FD received a fully electric drivetrain. The 1949 Land Rover Series I and the Series IIA 109 Dormobile camper are equipped with 48 kWh and 62 kWh batteries respectively, offering a range of about 240 km. A Schutt Industries XVENTURE XV-2 trailer with a 93 kWh battery for off-grid power is also included.

Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park in Bembridge, Isle of Wight, offers accommodation in caravans, lodges, and touring pitches. Facilities include outdoor and indoor pools, children's entertainment, adventure golf, and The Nab restaurant. Meal prices are around £15 for adults, with kids' meals at £1 with an adult meal.