Bailey unveiled its budget Discovery range a couple of seasons ago, offering funky interiors, light weights and a truly innovative L-shaped air awning.

That awning has gone, but the youthful design remains. Shortly before the range’s debut at the February NEC show, we took a look at the new caravan layout in its ranks, the D4-4L. With an end washroom and a side dinette, it comes in at £21,499.

Pitch and set-up

The exterior has been revamped, with silver side and back panels. The decals also run around the curved rear corners to the back.

The white front panel now has decals spreading up both sides of the large central window. Bailey has extended the A-frame and left it unadorned, so you should be able to mount a bike rack there (see our best caravan bike rack guide if you’re looking for one).

An external hatch gives access to a clear nearside underseat space, and there is an awning light and mains socket here, too.

The caravan brand is offering as a cost option a Thule roll-out awning – unusual in a British van, but those who like to set up quickly might well appreciate it.

Lounge in the Bailey Discovery D4-4L

The lounge is separated from the side dinette by a removable cushion, held by a metal frame. Remove the cushion and you have either extra seating for the lounge, or more space for one of you to stretch out in. As this van only has an internal length of 4.17m, the settees are not hugely long, although they still have room for four.

The chunky settee cushions have beige tops contrasting with dark blue sides, and that dark blue continues on panels up each front corner. The effect is striking.

Bright lounge with parallel seating and big window
Large central window keeps the lounge bright and airy

There is no front chest, but the sill under the window is deep enough for mugs. The main table is stored by the door, so you may have to negotiate getting it past a busy cook. Bailey has cleverly sought to save weight by leaving the storage space open once the table is removed – you don’t really need that extra panel. There’s also a clip-on table, big enough for two.

Ambient light stretches right to the front corners, and one of the two spotlights here has a USB. There is a mains socket to the side of the kitchen, in addition to sockets within the unit itself, designed for the TV. If you do put a set here, however, you are restricting the kitchen space.

Carpets on all the new Bailey Discovery models are an optional extra.

Kitchen in the Bailey Discovery D4-4L

If you don’t bring a TV, you should have ample well-lit workspace in the kitchen, with two mains sockets close by. If you do bring one, space could be a bit limited because Bailey’s wooden hob cover hasn’t yet made it into Discovery vans.

Kitchen and side dinette
Side dinette table can also provide additional kitchen work surface when needed

You also only get a three-burner hob and combined oven and grill – but this is a budget caravan range. You still get a two-way opening 101-litre fridge, but no microwave, even as an optional extra.

Washroom in the Bailey Discovery D4-4L

The handbasin in the rear-corner washroom is close to the door. But the shower isn’t separated off, so there’s loads of space, with a generous curtain to keep splashing to a minimum. There is a large mirror with an LED above the basin, as well as a hook. You also get a robe hook higher up the wall, and a toilet roll holder for the circular toilet.

Beds in the Bailey Discovery D4-4L

If you are touring on your own, you could remove the separating cushion and use the extended offside settee as a single bed. The settees are not really long enough for adult beds, but they do make up a large double.

When there are two of you on tour, you could leave the double made up during the day and use the side dinette for meals.

If there are more than two, you can also lower the table in the side dinette to make a third bed, unfolding the top bunk for the fourth in the usual way. Bailey provides an extra fold-out cushion for the whole of this bunk. You will need to find room to store these cushions when not in use, though.

Storage in the Bailey Discovery D4-4L

In the lounge, as well as two overhead lockers, you get two large corner shelves. Both underseat areas are relatively clear, although they lack internal access flaps.

There are two more lockers in the dinette. The wardrobe by the door is big enough for the clothes of four, while the boot locker should easily accommodate their footwear. The kitchen has two more lockers and a cupboard. There’s also a cutlery drawer just where you need it.

Verdict

Bailey makes up for the loss of the L-shaped awning with clever updates, such as smart upholstery and the removable cushion. The optional roll-out awning is novel.

Having carpets only as an optional extra is a cost-cutting measure that might deter some buyers, but you’d be surprised how easily you can do without them.

All in all, Bailey has done a great job in the space available.

After more ideas? Then take a look at our guide to the best 4 berth caravans, where we share our top picks on the market for the season.

What we like:

  • Clever, flexible lounge, spacious washroom

What we don’t like:

  • Kitchen workspace could be better

Technical specification

  • Price: £21,499
  • Berths: 4
  • MiRO: 949kg
  • Payload: 133kg
  • MTPLM: 1082kg
  • Interior length: 4.17m
  • Overall length: 5.92m
  • Overall width 2.29m

Spec list

  • Alloy wheels
  • Awning light
  • Exterior mains socket
  • Extended A-frame
  • Exterior locker
  • AKS 3004 stabiliser
  • Truma Combi 2 heater
  • 101-litre Dometic fridge and freezer
  • Thetford Triplex combined oven and grill
  • Spotlights with USBs
  • C-260 cassette toilet
  • Belfast-style handbasin
  • Fully lined shower cubicle with shower and raiser bar
  • Front double bed: 1.88 x 1.35m
  • Rear lower bunk: 1.84 x 0.74m
  • Rear upper bunk: 1.73 x 0.62m

Or you could try:

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