The Search

Choosing our first caravan took months. We visited dealers, joined forums, watched YouTube reviews, and borrowed a friend’s van for a weekend to get a feel for what we actually needed.

Our requirements were clear: five berths, fixed bunk beds for the children, a proper double bed for us, a full kitchen, and a bathroom we could use without going to the site facilities block. Oh, and it needed to be towable by our VW Amarok.

Why Coachman?

Coachman is one of the UK’s most respected caravan manufacturers, known for exceptional build quality and thoughtful layouts. The Acadia range is specifically designed for families, which made it the obvious starting point.

The Acadia 830 ticked every box. The 8ft-wide Xcel bodyshell gives it significantly more floor space than a standard caravan. The fixed bunk beds at the rear give Bodhi and River their own permanent sleeping space. The L-shaped front lounge is genuinely comfortable for adults in the evening.

The Alde wet central heating system is worth mentioning specifically — it provides even, quiet warmth throughout the van, which is essential for comfortable autumn and winter trips with children.

The Coachman Acadia 830 — Our Review

Three years on, we would make the same choice again. The build quality has held up exceptionally well. The layout works perfectly for our family of four.

The full end washroom with separate shower cubicle means we almost never need to use the site facilities, which is a significant quality-of-life improvement.

The tall fridge-freezer holds a full week’s worth of food for four people, which makes longer trips genuinely self-sufficient.

The side dinette opposite the kitchen is where the children spend most of their time — drawing, playing games, watching tablets. It keeps them occupied without them being in the main living area.

[PERSONALISE: Add your own specific memories or observations about the Acadia 830 after three years]