The new Evora model in the 8ft-wide Alicanto Grande range is the only new caravan Bailey has launched this summer. With supply chain issues only just about sorted out, the caravan manufacturer has taken the decision not to make too many changes this season.

Pitch and set-up

Although Bailey does make some 8ft-wide models accessible to those with smaller tow cars, by building them on single axles, the 7.86m-long Evora comes on twin axles.

With the resulting MTPLM of 1855kg, you could be looking at needing a car weighing in excess of two tonnes to tow this van. Still, two axles give additional assurance, as does the ATC that is fitted as standard. And this sort of caravan is perhaps more likely to be used as a seasonal pitch.

Setting up should be easy. Two external lockers on the nearside make unloading outdoor furniture a breeze, and the offside service light means you won’t be stumbling around for the hook-up, gas bottle locker or cassette toilet access in the dark.

Lounge

The small sideboard to the right of the door is a useful place to leave keys and fobs, and has a wireless charging pad for mobiles. The locker door to the left accesses the nearside underseat area, almost all of which has a waterproof floor – useful for boots.

There is room for at least six to sit in the front lounge and enjoy the fine views you get through the huge central window.

The lounge area, with light streaming in through the huge windows
Huge windows keep this spacious area really bright and airy

Our only problem was with the table: it is stored under the rear transverse island bed, and getting it out is a bit of a struggle as the bed base did not stay up on its own. Once you extract the table, you’ll find there is plenty of space for at least four. But if it is just the two of you, you might prefer to slide out the shelf from the central chest.

There are only two spotlights, but both have USB ports. Two LEDs in the window housing keep evenings bright, and there are speakers for the radio here, too.

Kitchen

The worktop is separated from the lounge by a Perspex divider, and the round sink includes a cover that doubles as a chopping board. There are two sockets nearby, too.

You get the usual four-burner dual-fuel hob (with a wooden cover to extend the workspace), with a separate oven and grill below. There is a four-bottle wine rack next to this, but, given the proximity, we guess it would only be for reds!

Immediately above is a Dometic 700W microwave with a fixed ceramic plate – no need to worry about any glass plate falling out while you’re on the move. The 153-litre two-way opening fridge is opposite. A new addition for this year is an Omnivent.

Washroom

End washrooms can feel a bit basic. Not so this one, thanks to the large door that slides open in the middle, to reveal a washroom that isn’t far off what you might find in a hotel. There is a ladder radiator and a large square basin with an elegant swan-neck tap, in front of a big mirror.

The spacious shower cubicle on the right has a plastic rack, a large riser, LED lighting and a roof vent with a clothes rail. But it only has one drainage hole.

Beds in the Bailey Alicanto Grande Evora

In the rear bedroom, Bailey has done away with the usual arrangement of wardrobes either side of the bed, and opted for one in the far offside corner.

There is a dresser in the nearside corner, too, with a mirror that moves towards the light when you need it, or back to provide space for a TV – the sockets are here, too (if you’re looking for one, be sure to take a look at our guide to the best caravan TVs).

The bed rolls back to make a daybed, but even rolled forward, there is enough room to move easily around its foot, the type of feature we look for in the best 8ft wide caravan.

The bedroom area
Fitting one large wardrobe in the offside corner makes the bedroom feel more spacious

The lounge settees in this Bailey caravan are long enough for anyone under 6ft to use as singles, or they can be made into a huge double using slats that roll out from the central chest.

Storage in the Bailey Alicanto Grande Evora

The external locker doors are a good addition, because both lockers are completely clear, although lifting the bed base is a hefty task. The single wardrobe is more useful than two narrow ones, especially as it includes two hanging rails and a column of shelves. You get two bedside tables, while the dresser has a set of shelves, and a cupboard below, and there are two overhead lockers here.

Up front is more limited, because the offside underseat area is largely taken up with the Alde heater. But you still get two large overhead lockers. Kitchen storage includes two overhead lockers next to the microwave, two drawers and a locker at the bottom, and shelves in the cupboard to the left of the oven.

In the washroom, there is a large double cupboard underneath the handbasin.

Verdict

In a year with precious little new so far, this is a welcome addition to the Alicanto Grande range. We would like to see a better table storage solution, but moving the wardrobe away from the bed and including such a large washroom makes the rear of the van feel almost as airy as the front.

Features like this helped it have a strong performance at the Practical Caravan Awards 2023, where our judges shortlisted it for three categories, and also picked it out as the winner of the best caravan over £30,000 category.

After more tourer inspiration? Then be sure to take a look at our best caravan guide.

What we like

  • Light and airy bedroom and washroom

What we don’t like

  • Retrieving the table from under the bed is a bit tricky

Technical spec

  • Price: £38,499
  • Berths: 4
  • MTPLM: 1855kg
  • MiRO: 1694kg
  • Payload: 160kg
  • Interior length: 6.33m
  • Shipping length: 7.86m
  • Overall width: 2.45m

Spec list

  • Alde central heating
  • ATC
  • Avtex mobile Wi-Fi system (including introductory data and support package)
  • Omnivent
  • Wine rack
  • 153-litre two-way opening fridge
  • Dual-fuel four-burner hob with separate oven and grill
  • Dometic 700W microwave with non-moving ceramic plate
  • Thetford C260 cassette toilet
  • Alde heated towel rail

You can also take a look at our reviews of the following 2023 tourers:


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