Essential bits to know

Bobby Brown, Ginger Rogers and Colonel Mustard all have their own page for more detailed information on each camper

OUR FLEET:

Have 2 litre fuel injection air cooled engines (except Ginger Rogers who is a 1800cc automatic)
Need unleaded petrol
Are left hand drive, it's easy - overtaking is not a common need during the driving experience, always a clear road ahead !
Have a user friendly "manual" on board
Have roof racks but a disappointing lack of wardrobe space for girls
Can have bicycle racks fitted for you
Have everything you need on board from 1st aid kit to bottle opener and lantern. Just bring your food, clothes, towels and bedding (bedding hire available) and wine, oh and any children belonging to you. Freshly laundered mattress protectors and tea towels are provided. You will also find cleaning and washing up equipment on board. See inventory for full details.
Have picnic table and chairs on board
Are absolutely ideal for touring Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk. Please do ask us for our campsite suggestions
Are classic vehicles, over 30 years of age. Please be realistic about the vintage driving experience

Important note:

As our campers are all over 30 years old we hope you will not mind if we ask that you treat them tenderly. They run very nicely at up to 60mph but if you are likely to be in a hurry, you may wish to consider a racier vehicle for your trip. Although the nomad crew, as experienced VW camper and beetle drivers find the gear box a dream, if you are not familiar with driving vintage vehicles you may well not agree! Please do be realistic about the type of driving experience to expect from an original VW camper van. The modern day luxuries such as power steering have become the norm and their absence may be missed by some!

All the camper vans are regularly serviced (thanks to VW Bulli Barn) but, as we are sure you will appreciate, we cannot rule out the rare possibility of a breakdown whilst out on hire to you. We do of course provide AA breakdown cover and, as an added precaution, some useful spares on board each camper in case the AA man does not have them in stock.

About the beds:

Ginger Roger's sleeping arrangement: The hammock in the roof space is as a rough guide suitable for children between 6 & 12years. It measures 1m 59 x 55cm. The hammock that fits across the front bunk measures 1m 40 x 95cm. The rear seat reclines to a bed measuring 1m 95 (6ft6) x 1m 17cm. Silver screens fit around the front cab windows to provide insulation and privacy.

Bobby Brown's rear seat converts to sleep two. The second bed is in the roof space and is actually more spacious than the lower deck bed. We find the kids love sleeping up high though and it leaves you with some space once they have gone to bed !

Colonel Mustard has a queen sized bed, ideal for 2 adults with plenty of room for a child in the middle. There is also the option of having a child bunk across the front cab (approx 1m40x 95cm). The attachable awning is inclusive with the hire of Colonel

Additional sleeping:

Do consider hiring the attachable awning to provide an additional or alternative sleeping arrangement. The awning attaches directly to your camper, this means that it becomes one unit and you can sleep with sliding door open if you wish. We are happy to provide you with a double inflatable airbed which fits snuggly into the zipped sleeping compartment. Should you not require the additional sleeping compartment, the awning space works very well to set up your alfesco kitchen, picnic table and chairs (and the bunting of course!)

We also have a stock of Kath Kidston 2 person tents and sleeping bags for hire.

Pets

Sorry but we do not allow pets in our campers.

As an alternative option. our collection point is conveniently situated next door to "Friars Barn Boarding Kennels and Cattery". (Tel no. 01206 240204 for details)

Smoking

Very, very strictly no smoking in vans or awnings.

Collection Point

We are at VW Bulli Barn, Friars Barn, Halstead Road. Fordham, Colchester, CO6 3LW. Google Map >>

Arrangements for collection of your camper van will always be confirmed with you.

Please allow thirty minutes for signing of paperwork and introduction to your camper. Please ensure that you feel happy and competent with the driving of your vehicle before you leave Friars Barn. We will be very pleased to take you for a test drive should you wish. Collection time is normally 4pm. If you arrive early and your camper is not ready, we suggest The Old Queen's Head - family friendly and just 2 minutes walk from collection point. Here you can relax with the newspaper or plan your VW adventure route over a sandwich and coffee (or maybe something stronger for the non driver!). We will then call you as soon as your camper is ready. We are often ready earlier but state 4pm to be on the safe side.

Delivery

We are able to deliver your van to Stansted Airport and Harwich Port. Please ask for a quote.

Parking

Our parking facilities at collection point are limited. We do however have an alternative parking arrangement if our paddock is full. If arriving by train, Marks Tey Station (London Liverpool Street just 50 minutes) is only 2 miles from collection point - we are very happy to collect you from here.

Where to go in your camper van

Although the campers are happy on long runs down to Devon and Cornwall, the feedback we have recieved over the last 7 years has led us to believe that you cannot beat a holiday in Suffolk, Essex or Norfolk in a Nomad camper. We are ideally situated for you to explore East Anglia, it is truly lovely. Driving a classic vehicle with no mod cons such as power steering can be a challenge and quite tiring on the motorways. We think it is a bit like going back to our childhoods when you couldn't talk to dad because he is 'driving'.

We love to promote local tourism and would be delighted to share our campsite suggestions that we have gathered from our own experiences and that of our previous customers.

Tips on what to pack

We will send you a full inventory listing everything on board - you will be amazed at what we can pack in for you.

Some bits you might find handy to pack … Flip flops & towels for shower block, maybe head torch for midnight trips to loos depending on the site where you are staying, marshmallows & sticks if allowed campfires, big socks and cozy throws to wrap round yourself when sitting our star gazing. Wet wipes for the kids. A few larder basic essentials if you are intending to cook : olive oil, herbs, stock cubes, garlic, spuds, onions, rissotto rice, ketchup, tins of beans, weetcorn and tomatoes (or cartons so less weight), pitta bread, meals from your freezer that can be defrosting in the cool box (we can provide you with cool boxes) sealable food bags, barbecue tongs

Returning your camper

Sad to discuss the end of an adventure but just a couple of points to add. Return time is normally 11am. This allows us plenty of time to valet the camper and carry out all the necessary checks for the next customer. If you expect any delay whatsoever, please do call us ASAP. For those travelling further afield, we do have a list of campsite suggestions that are quite near to our base. You may like to consider to spend your last night in one of these so that you can have a relaxing last night in your camper without having to hit the road early to avoid traffic jams (just an idea).

Although we do not expect the camper to come back valeted, we do ask that it is reasonably clean and that the stove and cooking equipment is cleaned and put away.