Erwin Hymer Group UK (Elddis) - Practical Caravan

Elddis is a Consett-based manufacturer that began making top-quality leisure vehicles almost six decades ago.

The brand, who made it onto our best caravan manufacturer guide, has a portfolio that includes state-of-the-art campervans, motorhomes and caravans, with the tourers being manufactured under four respected brand names: Elddis, Compass, Xplore and Buccaneer.

These sensational caravans are designed and specified to match all pockets, from the budget-friendly, lightweight Xplore four-model range, to the iconic Buccaneer collection. One Xplore we saw in 2022 that impressed us is the Xplore 585, an entry-level tourer which would be ideal for family touring.

Another example is the Compass Camino 650, an 8ft-wide twin-axle tourer which we think has a floorplan which makes great use of the available space and impressed us enough to make it into our best caravan round-up.

Then there’s the Elddis Crusader Tempest, a smart 6-berth which has a superb spec.

The five Buccaneer caravans are widely-regarded as the most luxurious tourers in the UK, with the six-berth Aruba giving many extravagant hotel suites a run for their money! As well as sumptuous interiors, Buccaneer caravans come with valuable extras, like remote-control self-levelling systems and Alde’s brilliant underfloor heating, as standard.

The four brands all feature the group’s innovative SoLiD (Strong, Light and Dry) construction system, which replaces troublesome screws and bolts (they can often let water in) with space-age, fully-bonded construction.

SoLiD uses the same types of specialist adhesives seen in the Formula One and aviation sectors, which create exceptionally strong and watertight seams. This technology allows Elddis to confidently offer a 10-year water ingress and body-integrity warranty on its vans.

Elddis has a huge network of over 80 approved retailers around the UK, making it easy to view new products from the group and gain useful help and advice… or book an annual service.

Head to our Best of British: Manufacturers section to find out about the other leading brands.

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John Sootheran

John is a regular contributor to Practical Caravan and other magazines and websites. Originally trained as a photographer, he started his journalism career on Practical Photography magazine, moving onto automotive titles, The Economist, Caravan magazine and aviation media. “All these markets are fascinating, but only one gives you great holidays!” he says. John has won several Caravan Writers’ Guild Awards, and produced a TV pilot about caravanning adventures in Cornwall. His favourite caravanning holiday destinations are in France: “I love Normandy, especially the vibe around D-Day commemorations, Le Mans and the area around Biscarrosse on the west coast – we’ve had some amazing caravanning and motorhoming holidays in those areas.” And the very best thing about caravan holidays? “The sense of adventure – definitely”.