Nick B

If you're a bit tight for space when heading off on holiday in your caravan or campervan, and if you haven't already considered it, you could look to buy a caravan awning.

Caravan awnings are essentially an extra space or room which you add onto your caravan, motorhome or camper-van. They act as an additional space for eating, sleeping or just relaxing in if the weather is too hot or a bit wet and windy.

There are various styles on the market and a good quality awning can start from around £300. Porches are similar in design to an awning but simply offer a smaller space which can be latched onto an existing awning or to a caravan entrance.

Awning material is usually polyester for the roof and cotton for the walls or sides. More expensive all-season awnings are coated in polyester and offer far more weather resistance. A waterproof awning can be especially useful if you want to store clothing inside your awning or maybe use an inner lining for sleeping arrangements.

The usual features of a caravan awning are a door, of course, windows and in some cases a ventilation opening. These can all be zip up or roll out/up, with zip up windows and doors offering maximum protection from insect and bugs.

Accessories for a caravan awning come in the shape of flooring or a 'ground sheet' which can be breathable but tough and rot proof to keep inescts out, whilst allowing the grass to survive beneath your camp. Ground sheets are generally sold by the metre length and are of similar design to tent groundsheets. You will definitely need one if you want to invest in an 'inner lining'. Inner linings offer a sleeping space and they work very much like a tent. Other accessories are security lock systems and hanger poles for additional wardrobe space.

Caravan awnings are really useful to caravan and motorhome enthusiasts and should be a good investment if you use your caravan and want that extra bit fo space and freedom. Most good camping equipment stockists will provide good advice on which one suits you best.