The Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome teams recently came together at Eye Kettleby Lakes for a very special photoshoot – looking at life behind the scenes of an award-winning campsite. 

We certainly picked a good week to take on the challenges, too, as Storm Gareth battered the UK with high winds and rain for most of our visit. However, being caravanners, we kept calm and carried on, trying out the various jobs that are essential to keeping a holiday park like Eye Kettleby Lakes running smoothly. 

We took our long-term Adria Altea 472 DS Eden up with us for the photoshoot element of the trip, with a Kia Sorento for the tow car.

The whole team got involved with the various jobs around the campsite, including our new editor, Deanna, who was keen to get stuck into the cleaning. 

Meanwhile, we all took up our different roles, which were far-reaching, reflecting the way that the Eye Kettleby Lakes team lend their hands to anything that needs doing. 

I took my turn shadowing the groundsmen, trying everything from changing a lightbulb in one of the outdoor lights, to strimming the grass verges and wielding a hedge cutter over the shrubs surrounding the pitches. 

When the sun finally struggled through the clouds, our photoshoot seems to have been deceptively calm; it’s a good thing you can’t photograph 50mph wind gusts!

Although the trip was by no means smooth sailing, we all left Eye Kettleby Lakes remarking on the fact that the staff were all so happy to do their jobs, and it certainly made for a memorable few days for us.

Look out for the fruits of our labour in an upcoming issue of Practical Caravan magazine – subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss out!