Bessacarr is a great name in the leisure vehicle industry, with 70 years of heritage behind it. The brand began by building park homes, until the early 1970s.

Then, under the ownership of timber supplier Arnold Laver, the company went on to become a market leader in the manufacture of twin-axle caravans by the mid-1980s, producing the Cameo range, a name that was acquired from the now defunct Astral Caravans.

Arnold Laver had decided to leave the caravan market by the 1990s, and the brand’s new owner, Swift, used the name only on its motorhomes.

But customer demand saw Midlands dealership Couplands Caravans (and for a short time, Swindon Caravan Centre) offering special-edition tourers under the Bessacarr name, in Couplands’ case based on the Swift Elegance.

In 2025, Couplands celebrates its 50th birthday, and the Bessacarr name turns 70 – I took a look at the Swift Bessacarr 850 Anniversary Edition to see how it shapes up.

Pitch and set-up

This twin-axle, with GRP front, rear and side panels, comes with alloys as well as heavy-duty corner steadies, which are part of the E&P self-levelling system – a real godsend, in my opinion, on a tourer of this size.

You also get a caravan stabiliser and ATC, a large sunroof, a Status TV aerial, and a pair of solar panels. Other additions include Truma Aventa Comfort air conditioning.

There is the usual external barbecue point and mains socket, plus external side locker access. An external shower point is another welcome part of the superb spec of this luxury caravan, as is the onboard water tank.

Lounge in the Swift Bessacarr 850 Anniversary Edition

L-shaped lounges like the one you see here have become very popular over the past few years, because they provide a large, sociable living area, something which can be a deciding factor when picking between the best caravans.

There is a sizeable freestanding table for mealtimes, while on the nearside, a large cupboard offers additional worktop and the ideal place to locate a 32-inch TV.

The L-shaped lounge
Opulent upholstery adds to the air of understated elegance

There’s only one side window, but with three big front windows and the sunroof, I think the lounge is well supplied with natural light. I found the seating extremely comfortable, and night-time illumination is well catered for, with LED lighting throughout.

Kitchen in the Swift Bessacarr 850 Anniversary Edition

The kitchen is another L-shaped design, which creates a generous worktop that still comes with a handy extension flap.

There’s a Thetford oven and grill, with a four-burner dual-fuel hob above and an extractor fan, while the built-in microwave blends in with the lockers. Lighting is in good supply, with no dark areas around the stainless-steel sink or the cooker.

The kitchen in the Bessacarr
The Well-appointed kitchen provides dual-fuel hob and built-in microwave

Opposite the kitchen is a Dometic fridge with a separate freezer, just next to a small cupboard that provides more worktop.

Luxurious design touches here include a smart drinks cabinet above the cupboard, with a glass door that lights up, and – a nice touch – a pair of branded gin glasses.

Washroom in the Swift Bessacarr 850 Anniversary Edition

The Swift Bessacarr 850 Anniversary Edition comes with a central washroom that uses the full width of the caravan and can be closed off from the living area or the rear bedroom.

You get a circular shower cubicle on the nearside, while the toilet and handbasin are located opposite, by a side window.

There’s also a cupboard with a narrow work surface, a large mirror by the basin, a radiator next to the shower cubicle, and an extractor fan for ventilation.

Beds in the Swift Bessacarr 850 Anniversary Edition

The lounge seating easily converts to a large double bed if needed, while the fixed double at the rear is predictably luxurious. Its Duvalay memory foam mattress will ensure a good night’s sleep.

The rear double bed
Generous double bed at the rear boasts a Duvalay memory foam mattress

The bedroom area itself is quite large, allowing for good access around each side of the bed.

Storage in the Swift Bessacarr 850 Anniversary Edition

If you’re looking for a caravan for couples, the Bessacarr 850 provides an impressive amount of storage space. In the lounge, the large overhead lockers look very modern, with their white finish and chrome handles and trim. There’s more storage in the underseat areas, too.

Go through to the rear bedroom and, as well as the twin wardrobes, you have deep overhead lockers, while at the wardrobe bases, cupboards offer more storage.

The area below the bed is ideal for storing all of those bulkier items.

The kitchen has plenty of drawers, as well as a cupboard and overhead storage, giving you plenty of options for kitting out a caravan. The washroom has a couple of cupboards, shelves and storage behind the mirror.

Alternatives to consider

The Coachman Lusso III is a luxury tourer with some classy décor, an excellent kitchen and a superb level of spec throughout.

Another luxurious option to consider is the Bailey Alicanto Grande Deluxe Alvor – it’s a family-friendly four-berth which makes a great choice as a seasonal pitch.

Technical specification

  • Price: £53,995 (as reviewed)
  • Berths: 4
  • MiRO: 1919kg
  • Payload: 329kg
  • MTPLM: 2250kg
  • Interior length: 6.36m
  • Shipping length: 7.98m
  • Overall width: 2.45m

Spec list

  • Alloy wheels
  • Self-levelling system
  • ATC
  • External BBQ and shower point
  • Two 100W solar panels
  • Spare wheel
  • Sunroof
  • Awning light
  • Alde heating
  • Underfloor heating
  • Onboard water tank
  • Extractor fan
  • DAB radio
  • Status TV aerial
  • Air conditioning
  • Tracker
  • Alarm
  • Stereo
  • 5G Wi-Fi
  • Microwave
  • Drinks cabinet with branded glasses
  • Front double: 1.91 x 1.22m
  • Rear double: 1.90 x 1.43m

After buying your new tourer, one thing you can do to keep it in tip-top condition will be carrying out the appropriate caravan tyre care tasks – it can be a crucial element in staying safe on the road.

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