One of the best things about owning a caravan is the chance to turn every free weekend into a holiday. City breaks make perfect weekenders, and in the May 2015 issue of Practical Caravan, on sale from 26 March, we’re celebrating the delights of seven superb cities, without breaking the bank. 

Join our team as we visit Newcastle and Gateshead, towing an Xplore 434, and are blown away by the marvellous bridges across the Tyne river. 

Meanwhile, Sarah Wakely and her husband Matt delve deep beneath the surface of Edinburgh as they explore Scotland’s handsome, historic capital city by caravan. They go to Edinburgh castle, atop a volcano, and Sarah leads Matt underground to the ghostly 17th century Mary King’s Close.  

In Bristol, Clare Kelly and Lizzie Pope go on a voyage of discovery, seeking out bridges and balloons, a mighty ship and a vintage Bailey caravan. 

Oxford is not only a beautiful university city, but Alice Griffin finds that it also offers plenty of things to do for young families looking for quick caravan breaks on a budget. 

We enjoy a caravan weekend in Leeds next, with Clare Kelly and Emma Howcutt towing an Adria Sportline PX. They’re captivated by a giant horse, The Tetley artspace, amazing shops and fine food. 

We visit London, too, where Julie Bell enjoys a low-cost break that allows her to indulge in a spot of photography. Find out where to stay during caravan holidays in London and some of the iconic places to see when capturing London life through a lens. 

Last but not least in our city breaks special, Group editor Alastair Clements takes his wife to Paris, where they swap romance for family fun and bring the kids to enjoy Disneyland Paris, scaling the Eiffel Tower and more.

After the hustle and bustle of these amazing cities, it’s time for the picturesque calm of the countryside, where the team recommends 10 top campsites for caravan holidays in the West Yorkshire Dales. They’re perfect for exploring Settle, Ingleton, the Hardraw Force waterfall, the Settle-Carlisle steam train, the Ribbleshead Viaduct and other top places to visit in the Western Dales. 

As well as being packed with ideas for caravan holidays, we bring you great practical advice on maintaining caravans in the May issue of Practical Caravan. John Wickersham reveals what really goes on during your caravan’s annual service, while our DIY caravan mechanic Nigel Hutson bangs the drum for maintaining your tourer’s brakes. 

We have buying advice in the May issue, too. We reveal how to find the best used caravans in our new series, starting this month with the Bailey Senator Series 6. In our secondhand shootout we compare nine-year-old caravans from Britain and Germany to discover which is the best buy for anyone looking for a used two-berth caravan for sale. 

If you’re in the money, check out our latest reviews of new caravans and tow cars. We review the Bailey Unicorn III Madrid to find out why this three-berth is such a top seller. Dealer specials can offer amazing value, so read our Swift Freestyle SE S 6 TD review to find out if this new Sprite-based special edition from Lowdhams could be your dream family caravan. Plus we report on the latest new caravan layouts and budget buys launched for 2015 at the February NEC show. 

Talking of large caravans, how’s your tow car? If you’re thinking of swapping it any time soon, take a look at our Range Rover SDV8 tow car test to see how this heavyweight luxury SUV from Land Rover shapes up on the test track. 

We also review the Renault Captur, a car for lighter caravans only, while this month’s used tow car test investigates the pros and cons of the seemingly indestructible Toyota Land Cruiser. 

Enter our Stacie’s latest super savers’ competition to win a foodie day out in Derbyshire at The Great British Food Festival in Hardwick Hall, Chesterfield from 2-4 May. The deadline for online entries is 8 April. Stacie has also negotiated some great deals for you. Save your back by avoiding all heavy lifting from now on – you can claim 10% off an all-terrain, off-road trolley. Plus you can claim a bargain break at our overall Top 100 Sites Guide 2015 winner, The Orchards Holiday Park on the Isle of Wight. Full details are in our May magazine.

‘Me and my caravan’ features our interview with the owner of Polly, a 1973 Thomson Mini Glen caravan that has been lovingly restored. You won’t believe how beautiful this little old caravan now looks inside!

With so much in the May issue there will be lots to chat about when we meet you at our Practical Caravan Reader Rally 2015! It’s the bargain of the century at £48 per pitch for three glorious days of fun in the beautiful Devonshire countryside. We always have a great time meeting readers and dreaming up entertainment such as Aquaroll racing, the dog show and children’s games. There’s still time to book your place at the very welcoming Stowford Farm Meadows caravan park in North Devon, from 2-4 May. 

All this and much more in the May issue of Practical Caravan, on sale now!