The Sunday Times Takes to The Road In a California

MILTON KEYNES – June 27, 2008: The Sunday Times has chosen a Volkswagen California campervan to circumnavigate the British coastline for a new six-week summer feature in search of the best beaches, idyllic locations and holiday destinations – all guided on the recommendations of readers.

Inspired by a renaissance in home-grown holidays, The Sunday Times will feature a different section of the British coastline each week, starting on 6 July with East Anglia and the area between Southend-on-Sea and Hunstanton. It will continue anti-clockwise around the coastline covering Skegness to John O’Groats in week two, the west coast from Ullapool to Southport in week three, the Welsh seaside in week four and the south west coast from Weston Super Mare to Torquay in week five. The final week features the south coast from Bournemouth to Whitstable, Kent.

Readers can get in touch with Chris Haslam, The Sunday Times travel writer undertaking the trip, at campervanman@sunday-times.co.uk to recommend the very best the British coastline can offer. Once underway Chris will be tracking his progress in a blog which can be found at www.travel.timesonline.co.uk.

‘When you think of a campervan it’s always a Volkswagen,’ says Chris Haslam. ‘The California is a worthy successor to the iconic Volkswagen camper. It’s the perfect vehicle for this road trip and it’s going to hurt to hand it back when the circumnavigation is over,’ he continued.

The California is car-like to drive every day and in its proportions, yet quickly converts to a home from home with two double beds, an electrically operated pop-up roof, cooker, fridge and sink, plus two folding chairs and a portable table stored neatly in the tailgate and side door.