The ABI Langdale gets a refresh as ABI celebrates 50 years of holiday caravan manufacturing!
Half a century ago, in the summer of 1972, Ace Caravans in Beverley and their neighbours, Belmont Caravans, decided to merge. The new company was named Ace Belmont International – or ABI for short. This made ABI second only to UK CI Group, which was a global leisure manufacturer.
By the end of the 1970’s ABI was to take the lead as the UK’s biggest manufacturer of touring and holiday caravans. There were ups and downs with one-time US ownership before a management buyout in 2001 saw the end of tourer production and ABI concentrating on producing static caravans and lodges.
With many years of experience, no wonder ABI holiday caravans are some of the best on the market. The ABI Langdale has been around for a few years and has just been given a fresh new look for 2022.
Our 2021 review model had optional CanExel cladding and a standard galvanised chassis. With the front patio doors set to one side the ABI Langdale looks wider than 13ft and the fit and finish is all well executed, with full guttering included.
The Langdale’s side entrance door leads into a hallway and straight away you can see that the ABI designers have given the décor a contemporary feel and one that creates space too.
In the lounge there’s a modern grey-coloured three-seater, free standing sofa with two chairs as well. A large coffee table with storage is centrally placed and there’s a large cabinet with points for a TV and shelving.
Another small cabinet at the back of the lounge adds more storage.
But in the corner of the lounge is a mock log burning stove which really does give it a cosy feeling and is a great design feature. (However, the ABI Langdale does come with full central heating.)
LED ceiling lights and twin wall lights provide night time lighting and on a dull winter’s day worked well.
The dining table with four grey upholstered chairs is neatly placed next to a large side window. It’s quite a small dining set which could prove to be a little cramped.
Opposite, the kitchen is very spacious in size, offering acres of worktop. There are also several mains and USB sockets lots of cupboard storage. The overhead wood-effect cupboards contrast with the graphite grey cupboards under the worktop.
A microwave, dishwasher and washing machine are on the options list.
A fridge is fitted but it’s not very big, with a small freezer, and a gas hob with extractor fan above is part of the standard specification. If you’re wondering if they’ve forgotten to attach handles on the cupboards – that’s the fuss-free style!
Moving into the ABI Langdale’s sleeping area and the twin bedroom offers a good size for two and the beds are also big enough for adults. There’s a small wardrobe in here, plus a stool and a large mirror over a dressing table, plus two large wall lights over each bed. There’s a handy storage cupboard between the twin beds and the mains sockets also have USB points.
Entering the master bedroom, there’s a king-sized double bed awaiting you which also lifts up and is great for some extra storage space for your bedding etc.
But there’s plenty more storage in the master bedroom with a large wardrobe and drawers in its base, plus a side cabinet with more drawer storage and twin side cabinets. As in the twin bedroom there are large wall lights at either side of the bed.
The bedroom also has an en-suite complete with generous walk in shower cubicle, a large hand basin with mirror above, and shelf storage below. A window lets in light and also provides added ventilation to stop things steaming up.
Then there’s the main bathroom which also has a decent sized shower cubicle and a hand basin next to the window. Both bathrooms have good floor space for changing and heated towel rails.
Verdict: The ABI Langdale is a great static caravan with a large kitchen size and you won’t be wanting for storage. We loved the lounge area with its free-standing seating and that log wood burner electric fire.
Plus points: Large kitchen units with great worktop, modern updated décor, good sized master bedroom.
Minus points: Dining table feels small, no microwave as standard; some may not like the lack of handles on the kitchen cupboards.
In a nutshell: The Langdale is another class act from the ABI stable, there’s plenty of storage and general space and we liked the fresh interior for 2022. The quality was evident throughout the Langdale, with no flimsy fittings. It’s a holiday caravan that’s hard to ignore!
Size: 40ft x 13ft
Build standard: EN1647
Sleeps: Four
Bedrooms: Two
Other Langdale models available: 41ft x 12ft, three bedroomed
Others to look at: Swift Antibes 40ft x 12ft two bed; Willerby Manor 38ft x 12ft two bed; Europa Willow 38ft x 12ft two bed; Atlas Debonair 38ft x 12ft two bed.
Key optional extras: Alternative exterior colour finish, BS3632, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, Bluetooth sound system, vinyl flooring in lounge, pocket sprung mattress, space saver bed.
Ex-works price: £53,655*
Spotted in the classifieds: A 2022 ABI Langdale static caravan sited in Dorset (BH19). Sited costs £99,995.
Cost to insure this sited static caravan would be £294.00**
**Leisuredays static caravan insurance quote based on 2022 ABI Langdale static caravan insured for £104,995 (£99,995 for structure and £5,000 contents). Owners are a 68-year-old retired couple with previous holiday caravan insurance and three years no claim discount. Static caravan has CanExel cladding and is fitted with decking and an alarm system. £5,000 contents included. £75 excess applies. Insurance premium includes insurance premium tax at the current rate and is correct as of 01/02/2022
*Extra charges will be made by park operators and/or distributors for transport and siting and annual maintenance. Please check the price carefully before you commit to buy as prices vary considerably dependant amongst other factors, on the geographical location of your chosen park
For more information about the ABI holiday caravan range visit www.abiuk.co.uk or call 01482 678000.
Our thanks to Pure Leisure for showcasing the review model.
