Since its launch in 2012, Barefoot Caravans has captured the attention of those seeking a more aesthetically pleasing caravan. Barefoot’s models have the sort of design flair and stylish good looks that make people pause for a second glance – an almost cute quality.

But this British success story is not just about good looks. Barefoot has also been praised for its fibreglass monocoque bodies, producing leak-free and aerodynamic vans. The company’s latest model is the Barefoot Bothy, an affordable lightweight model with no washroom or fridge, a tourer that certainly impressed us at the Practical Caravan Awards 2026 where we named it the best small caravan.

Pitch and set-up

It has a one-piece fibreglass body, available in a range of colours, and its aerodynamic shape ensures that rain flows off it. It comes with a 10-year body shell warranty for water ingress.

There’s an awning rail (a £350 option and just one of the caravan upgrades the Bothy comes with) neatly concealed in one of the channels, a gas box at the front with a spare wheel in it and room for one large or two small gas bottles. Other exterior features include a solar socket under the front light and gas and mains hook-up. It has a 110Ah leisure battery. Chunky polished handcast aluminium hinges add a touch of class.

Overall, it’s neat and extremely lightweight, weighing just 706kg with an MTPLM that can be specified at 750kg (which leaves you with a payload of just 44kg) or 850kg upon ordering. So it can be towed by most of the best small tow cars and EVs.

Lounge in the Barefoot Bothy

Entering the Barefoot Bothy, there’s a polished aluminium grab handle on the back of the door just above a well-positioned bin. The roof and walls are lined with a soft carpet, available in silver grey or wheat, and the Karndean flooring comes in Dutch limed oak (with options available).

The lounge in the Bothy
Big end window helps flood the van with light

To your right, there’s a small sofa, and immediately in front of you, a kitchen area and then to the left, the main U-shaped seating area.

The best caravans to buy will always have a comfortable lounge space, and here, the cushioned seating, which doubles as a mattress at night, is high quality and suitably supportive. It comes in a striking beach blue that is offset by colourful striped cushions, curtains and magazine racks. Again, colour options are available.

The kitchen in the Bothy

A lighter and less expensive caravan means there are some compromises. For instance, instead of having a caravan fridge, there’s a top-opening 24-litre coolbox (12/230v). Nevertheless, a nice feature is the carrying handle, which means you can lift it out for a picnic.

There’s no gas hob as standard, but you could plug in your own portable induction hob on the surface next to it. Alternatively, Barefoot can fit a two-burner gas hob as an option (£895). The kitchen does, however, come with a Dometic sink with tap and glass lid, and base units containing fresh- and waste-water tanks.

The coolbox near the door
Coolbox sited near the door with electric socket and useful cargo net storage

The solid oak worktops are excellent quality and there’s a useful cutlery drawer. We also liked the addition of a wall-mounted extendable shaving mirror.

There’s a three-pin socket at the end of the kitchen unit on the side and on the other side, near the coolbox, there’s a bank of sockets including a 12-volt and a USB port. Spotlights have USB sockets, too.

The washroom in the Bothy

There’s not really a washroom to speak of. The kitchen sink can obviously be used along with the shaving mirror.

The Porta Potti underneath the bunk seat
Porta Potti is stored under the bunk seat with easy-access storage next to it

Underneath the end seating at the rear is a Thetford Porta Potti 345, which is stored in a cupboard. There are also useful cargo nets and hooks dotted about for toiletries.

Sleeping

It’s a three-berth, with the small third berth located in the seating area at the back. The main sleeping area for two is in the lounge, where you can make up your layout as you prefer.

It’s either two single beds that are 6ft 3in long and 2ft 4in wide, or you can bring them together into the middle to make a 4ft 8in-wide bed. There’s an optional joining kit (£395) to fill in the middle, and you easily slide the cushions across.

Storage in the Barefoot Bothy

A lot of thought has gone into the Bothy’s storage options. For instance, there are no fronts on the underseat storage units in the lounge, which is a good idea as it means the user gains instant access without having to lift a seat. There’s plenty of storage here under the seats, with anchor points, so you can secure items when on the move, always useful to have when packing a caravan.

The Bothy's cupboards
Solid oak worktops look and feel great

Cargo nets for storing bags and shoes, hooks and magazine racks are well-placed throughout, and there is more storage next to the Porta Potti cupboard – a cubbyhole that we thought was just the right size for a small dog to find a nice little nook.

Alternatives to consider

The Camperlands Campmaster Duo CE was a highly commended runner-up to the Bothy at the Practical Caravan Awards 2026. Coming with a comfortable lounge, the Duo CE is a good choice for those who are towing with a lightweight car.

Alternatively, you could take a look at the Swift Sprite Alpine 4 DB, which comes with an MTPLM of 1263kg, a bright and airy lounge, and a competitive price.

Tech specs of the Barefoot Bothy

  • Price: £25,500
  • Berths: 3
  • MTPLM: 750kg or 850kg
  • MiRO: 706kg
  • Payload: 44kg or 144kg
  • Interior length: 3.5m
  • Shipping length: 5.08m
  • Overall width: 1.92m

Spec list

  • Fresh- and waste-water tanks
  • Dometic bowl sink with tap and lid
  • Easycamp Arctic Bluebell 24-litre coolbox
  • MPK ventilated rooflight
  • Thetford Porta Potti 345
  • Sargent control panel
  • 110Ah leisure battery
  • Polyvision windows with flyscreens and blackout blinds
  • Double-glazed front and rear windows with blackout curtains in a choice of fabrics
  • Dimmable ceiling light and five reading lights
  • Front locker with spare wheel
  • Beds: Two singles: 6’3” long (1910mm) x 2’4” wide (710mm). These can be converted into a large double with an optional joining kit.
  • Rear bed: 5’9” (1755mm) max x 2’4” (710mm)

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