Why winter is the best time for a campervan workshop tour
The clocks have gone back, the evenings are drawing in, and this is one of our favourite times of year to show people round the workshop.
It might not feel like the obvious time to start thinking about a campervan, but we actually think a campervan workshop tour in the autumn or winter is one of the nicest ways to get to know us! If you’re hoping to be out in your own ‘van for the 2027 season, the timing really couldn’t be better.
Here’s why we think it’s worth getting a visit booked in before Christmas...
A cosy welcome on a cold day
Every visit starts in our warm, cosy welcome area, whatever's going on with the weather outside!
Here you can get comfy, a brew in your hand and tell us what you’re looking for before you head into the workshop for a nosey.
It overlooks the production floor as well, so you’ll get your first glimpse of the team at work before you’ve even finished your cuppa!
It’s also a comfy spot to sit and look through the interior options at your own pace. You're also welcome to stay and relax or do some work if you'd like!
Jack may well wander over to say hello – he takes his welcoming duties very seriously! Your dogs are also more than welcome here.
It’s always sunny in our campers
Our ‘vans are renowned for being light and airy, and that's really put to the test on a grey afternoon! It’s one of the first things visitors mention when they step inside.
Seeing a ‘van in winter light is really useful to see in person. If it feels bright and welcoming on a dull day in Yorkshire, you can be confident it’ll be a lovely place to be when you’re parked up somewhere with the rain coming down. That comes from the thought that goes into the design, and photographs never quite capture it.
The best time to start if you want to catch the 2027 season
Every ‘van we make is built here at HQ by our own workshop team, in a Made in Britain accredited workshop. We don’t sell from a forecourt, so we work in build slots, and that’s why the timing of your first visit matters more than you might think.
If you’d like to be away in your own ‘van by Easter or out and about in the spring, now is the ideal time to be talking to us. It gives you the chance to try the layouts properly and settle on what suits you, and it means you can secure a 2027 build slot before they’re snapped up.
Make the most of the weeks before the Christmas madness (or just after it!)
Once December arrives, diaries fill up with parties and present shopping, and it gets much harder to find a free day for anything else.
November and early December are a lovely window to fit a visit in before all of that starts. Lots of people find the Christmas break is when they finally have time to talk things through as a family, and those conversations are so much easier when you’ve already stood inside the ‘vans and know what you’re talking about.
And if Christmas comes and goes and you start the new year wanting something to look forward to, January is still a brilliant time to visit. It’s one of the calmer times of year at the workshop, so you’ll get the same unhurried visit, and there’s still plenty of time to plan for the 2027 season with one of our ‘vans.
More time with the team
Autumn and winter are quieter in general, which means you get more personal attention. During the spring and summer we’re often away at shows and the workshop can be busy with handovers, whereas at this time of year we can give your visit all the time it deserves.
You can lie on the bed to check you fit, and ask every question you’ve been saving up without feeling like anyone is waiting behind you. A tour usually lasts about an hour, although the conversations often run on a bit longer - there's really no rush!
What to expect on your workshop tour
Once you’ve booked a time, we’ll ask you to fill in a few quick questions before your visit. It means we can have the right ‘vans ready for you and make sure the conversation focuses on the things that matter to you.
When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by one of the team and settle in with a brew while you talk through your plans. Then it’s out to the ‘vans!
You might start in the Trouvaille Classique MWB, which is the forever ‘van most of our upgraders choose, and compare the pop top with the high roof.
You can also have a look inside the gas free Micro Camper, which is the perfect starter ‘van. Most people end up comparing a few before they leave. If you’d particularly like to see the Micro Camper, please mention it when you book, as our demo is sometimes out on hire.
Next you’ll head into the workshop itself. It stays live while you’re here, so you’ll see ‘vans at different stages of the build, from furniture being fitted to electrics going in. You can ask the people actually building them why things are done the way they are, and it’s the best way we know of showing how much care goes into the quality of every ‘van.
Test drives are available on workshop tours too, so if you’d like to see how a ‘van feels on the road, just let us know when you book. And if you’re ready to talk numbers by the end of your visit, we can put a quote together for you there and then.
We’ve written a full guide that takes you through each part of the visit in more detail, so have a read if you’d like to know exactly what to expect:
All the different ways to come and see us
Workshop tours aren’t the only way to get to know us, and people often ask which option is right for them. They’re all lovely ways to meet the team, and they simply suit different people...
Shows
During show season you’ll find us at motorhome and campervan shows around the country. They’re a great way to see our ‘vans alongside lots of others and get a feel for what’s out there before you narrow things down. Shows can get very busy, so if you’d like a proper chat with us, you can book a time to come and see us as one of our VIP guests.
Open Days
Our Open Days are the biggest events we host here at HQ. Our demo ‘vans are out on display and the whole team is around for the day. You’ll often find owners and special guests there with their own ‘vans too, which makes it a brilliant way to see the community side of Orange Campers for yourself.
Coffee mornings
A coffee morning is a smaller, more relaxed get-together. The doors are open for a few hours and you can drop in whenever suits you. There’s always a brew on, and you can wander round the ‘vans at your own pace while chatting to other visitors and some of our owners.
Workshop tours
A workshop tour is a personal, one-to-one visit at a time that works for you. The whole visit is built around your plans, which makes it ideal if you’ve already got a fair idea of what you’re after, or if you’d simply prefer to talk things through with the team on your own.
Some people meet us at one of our events first to get a feel for us, then book a workshop tour once they’re ready to talk specifics, and that works really well too. Workshop tours run all year round, so you can come whenever the time feels right for you.
Be the first to hear about our new gas free MWB option
We’ve got a new gas free option and spec on the way for the Trouvaille Classique MWB, and we’d love to talk you through it in person!
If you’ve liked the sound of our gas free Micro Camper but you need the extra space of the MWB, this is one you’ll want to hear about. We’re not sharing all the details online just yet, so coming in for a workshop tour is the best way to be among the first to find out what’s coming. Just ask us about it on the day and we’ll happily go through it with you.
Come and see us this winter
If you’d like to visit before the festive season takes over, the easiest way is to book a workshop tour. If you like what you see, it’s also your chance to grab a 2027 build slot before they’re snapped up.
Our promise is continuous care, long after you drive away, and that starts from the moment you walk through the door.
You’ll find us at Orange Campers, Unit 1, Thornhill Industrial Estate, Hope St, Rotherham S60 1LH.
Please note: Information in this blog was correct at the time of publishing. Links, offers, specifications and product availability may change over time.
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