Marquis Leisure is the UK’s largest dealer network; it primarily sells motorhomes, but also offers new caravans from Coachman, Adria and Erwin Hymer Group UK (EHG UK), as well as used models, at five of its 13 branches: Durham, South Yorkshire, Surrey, Suffolk and Exeter. If you order a caravan, you can, however, collect it at the Marquis branch nearest you.

Among those new caravans is Marquis’s Majestic range Built for the company by EHG UK and based on its popular Xplore line-up, in 2022 Majestic consists of four models, all packed with additional kit.

Here, we take a look at the four-berth Majestic 304, the smallest in the range. The Xplore costs £16,444, while the Marquis versions is £19,995 – so what are you getting for your extra cash?

Pitch and set-up

The Majestic's smart exterior includes solid graphics on the GRP sidewalls
The Majestic’s smart exterior includes solid graphics on the GRP sidewalls

Walk around the outside and the difference is evident: the Majestic 304 features smart solid graphics on the GRP sidewalls, which we prefer to those of the Xplore.

Elsewhere you’ll notice the Al-Ko AKS stabiliser and alloy wheels, both are part of Elddis’s £504 SE pack, which is standard fit on the Majestic. It also includes a steel spare wheel and carrier, wheel lock receptor, and a radio and speakers in the lounge. Other extras are an external 230V socket and BBQ point. Al-Ko ATC, an alarm system and Tracker.

Lounge

Exclusive fabrics in the lounge are an elegant combination of grey, beige and red
Exclusive fabrics in the lounge are an elegant combination of grey, beige and red

Sofas in the lounge are comfortable and benefit from smart upholstery, exclusive to the Majestic: the grey/beige fabrics with red piping should prove hardwearing.

On the offside is a small pull-up shelf, above which are the TV sockets – everyone sitting in the lounge could comfortably see the screen when placed here.

The single-piece front window allows plenty of natural light into the lounge, as does the vertical window on the offside.

Two blown-air heating vents, along with the 2kW underslung Whale heating system, will help keep your feet warm: there are four vents in all, including one in the washroom.

Kitchen

Extendable worktop and excellent storage solutions feature in the 304’s kitchen

The kitchen isn’t vast, but the storage space is impressive: there are three good-sized drawers beneath the sink, and two large cupboards below them and the oven.

One of the overhead lockers holds the Russell Hobbs microwave – standard fit on the Majestic, but a £228 option on the regular 304 – but the other is also large. A lift-up extension at the end of the galley improves the amount of work surface.

The sink is black enamel, to match the three-burner dual-fuel hob – another upgrade to the spec of the regular 304.

Below the hob is a Thetford Duplex combined oven/grill. An Omnivent with extractor fan sits above, and two LEDs provide lighting. Opposite the kitchen is a 98-litre Dometic fridge/freezer.

Beds

The two comfortable bunks made up in the dinette each have their own reading light
The two comfortable bunks made up in the dinette each have their own reading light

The lounge sofas are easy to make up into a reasonable double bed: simply pull out the slats and rearrange the cushions for a firm, flat surface.

The offside dinette is also easy to convert into bunks. The small table drops down between the seats, with the cushions making up the bed surface. The bunk above, with Hypnos mattress (another spec upgrade), drops over the top; it has two safety panels and a ladder. Both occupants have their own light, and a curtain can be pulled to separate the bunks from the rest of the van’s interior.

Washroom

Washroom provides a Thetford swivel toilet, handbasin and Ecocamel shower head
Washroom provides a Thetford swivel toilet, handbasin and Ecocamel shower head

As you’d expect in a compact caravan, the washroom – here located on the rear wall, in the nearside corner – isn’t huge. What space there is has been well used, though: the Thetford swivel toilet is off to the right, with a shallow double-doored cupboard positioned just above.

There’s no separate shower cubicle, so the shower tray from the floor as you step in, and there’s only a single plughole. The Ecocamel shower head is mounted on a riser by the wall. There’s a soap dish on the riser, and a shower curtain pulls around to protect the toilet and door – the area is not fully lined.

Storage

Storage throughout is excellent. There are four tall lockers above the lounge, along with a small one beneath the sofa, and a drawer. There’s space underneath both of the dinette seats for your kit. The wardrobe is only half-height, but is reasonably wide. It might be a bit of a squeeze to store four people’s gear here if you’re on a long tour, however.

Verdict

Simply lower the dinette table to make up the two bunk beds
Simply lower the dinette table to make up the two bunk beds

The 304 is impressive, and with the extra kit, makes even more sense – the additions include everything you’re likely to want.

The Majestic works well as a four-berth, but is also more than suitable for two: you could easily leave the front bed down all day, and use the dinette for meals. It’s a shame the washroom isn’t fully lined, but this is a small niggle in an attractive little van that, with an MTPLM of just 1100kg, isn’t going to require a weighty tow car.

  • Thumbs up: Great storage, high level of kit, light in weight
  • Thumbs down: Washroom isn’t fully lined, wardrobe only half-height

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