► Our pick of the 2025 camping expo
► The Caravan, Camping and Motorshow
► A postcard from the outdoors world
We’ve been to the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC in Birmingham for the launch of the new Citroen Holidays campervan. It’s the French brand’s rival to the Volkswagen California and it looks like a strong contender in the growing market for campervans built and marketed by vehicle manufacturers, rather than specialists.
While we were there, we checked out the other vehicles on display at what is a truly vast show and these are the coolest ones we saw. You can see more photos of them in the gallery above.
Our guide to the best campervans
Citroen Holidays
Based on the SpaceTourer MPV, itself spun off from the Dispatch van, the Citroen Holidays sleeps four in a surprisingly comfortable interior. It’s well made and finished, should be pleasant to drive, and costs £55,000. That’s considerably less than a VW California and it comes with kit VW doesn’t give you – including a toilet.
Motorcraft Mercedes Atego 4×4
This massive machine based on a Mercedes Atego 4×4 chassis and cab was built by UK expedition vehicle specialist Motorcraft. Behind the enormous tyres there’s heavy-duty off-road suspension, albeit with fairly basic leaf springs and dampers – you could spec much more capable (and expensive) alternatives. The interior is nicely finished in warm colours, which makes a change from the hyper-masculine vibe this kind of vehicle usually has.
Adria Supertwin Mercedes Sprinter 4×4
Expedition-spec Mercedes Sprinter 4x4s were a running theme throughout the show – we wonder whether or not the owners fully use them as intended. Anyway, this Adria Supertwin version is a particularly good-looking example of the breed outside and in, with a fly screen over the side opening that’s a nice touch. However, it’s also an example of good looks not necessarily being backed up with true depth of quality.
Barefoot caravans
Barefoot Caravans look so adorable, but they are ferociously expensive. The ones seen here cost nearly £40,000 – you can find other caravans with similar space and equipment for a quarter of that. Why so costly? The body is made from a single piece of fibreglass. It’s a brilliant piece of engineering, but that always costs.
Carthago Liner-for-Two Iveco Daily
This thing is a ridiculously indulgent way for two people to travel. The interior is very luxuriously finished and detailed, and full of really clever little touches. Such as the kitchen storage unit that slides out as you push the door aside. The king-size bed drops down from above the driver’s cab. It would be a fabulous way to travel, were it not for the Iveco Daily chassis which isn’t especially nice to drive…
Coachman Travel Master Imperial Mercedes Sprinter
A grand name for a grand vehicle. Coachman is essentially the Mercedes of motorhome and caravan builders – its prices and quality are at the top end of the mid-market. This particular vehicle started life as the front end of a Mercedes Sprinter – minus sheet metal – and a twin-axle Alkoa rear chassis is bolted on. The interior features a built-in microwave and a wine rack, which gives you an idea of the target market.
Escapade Fiat Panda 4×4
You don’t need a whacking-great Mercedes van to go on an adventure – a suitably equipped Fiat Panda 4×4 will do. This one is has Escapade’s Thre360 roof tent and towbar-mounted Aero tent that, together, sleep four in reasonable comfort. The extra weight should help with traction and the Panda’s size will take it to places bulkier vehicles can’t reach.
Escape Apex Ford Transit Custom
Escape was just one of many companies at the show offering high-end camper conversions of mid-size vans. The Ford Transit Custom is an uncommon base vehicle, but it’s cheaper than a similar VW Transporter. We think this one looks great and it’s finished to a high standard.
Precision parking
There are hundreds of vehicles crammed into the NEC for the show, all of them parked with milimetric precision. We’ve no idea who the drivers were, but massive props to them for their delicacy of touch.
Kaktus Vans MAN TGE
Of all the expedition-spec vehicles on display, this was by far the coolest. It’s based on the four-wheel-drive MAN TGE (a rebadged VW Crafter) and built by UK specialist Kaktus Vans to a very high standard. This one is particularly special as its been adapted to take a wheelchair – a bespoke crane lifts it in. It also has a huge and beautifully finished garage at the back.
