Bailey Caravans Range

Caravan and motorhome manufacturer Bailey of Bristol make some of the nation’s favourite caravans and have been in business since 1948 when it was founded by Martin Bailey. Now in the hands of the Howard family, it offers caravans aimed at both couples and families with five popular ranges sleeping from two to six people with numerous configurations.
Constantly seeking to innovate, it puts all its leisure vehicles through a strict testing process to ensure they will hold up in even the most extreme weather. In 2009 it introduced its Alu-Tech construction technology, combining an interlocking aluminum framework with fully-laminated bodyshell panels, the highest classification (Grade III for EN1645-I and EN1646-I) of thermal insulation. This keeps the caravan cooler in the summer and ensures it’s warm in the winter – so no need to give up touring in the colder months. Each model is made by hand in its south Bristol factory and back in 2012, opened its doors to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour. Occupying a stable position in the middle of the caravan market, Bailey caravans hold their value well providing you keep up to date with services (always use an Approved Workshop Scheme member) and resist the temptation to reupholster the seating if there’s a chance you want to sell it on. It’s suggested that original furnishings are often more desirable. In addition to private sellers, there’s 150 dealers in the Bailey network (with a further 10 joining for the 2024 model year) so chances are you won’t need to go too far to find the perfect one. Prices for new models start at around £20,000 for the compact and sporty Discovery and around £40,000 for the top of the range luxurious Alicanto Grande models. We’ll go into more detail about the current ranges here.

Bailey’s Discovery range is a unique offering for the brand and is a great choice for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits such as mountain biking with the option of adding a Thule bike carrier to the front A-frame. There’s three layouts to choose from – the smallest is the two-berth twin-bed D4-2 while the D4-4L sleeps four people with two twin beds and the option for two bunks above the dinette area. The D4-4 also caters for four and has a fixed bed in the rear and twin-beds at the front. All models in the range are lightweight so it is unlikely you’ll need to invest in a big towcar. With distinctive graphics and a less traditional look, these caravans would suit those who are new to the hobby and want something that looks a bit cooler and is easy to tow.

Released by Bailey to celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary in 2023, the Phoenix GT75 range comprises six layouts and has been designed to be affordable making them a popular choice with families. The 762 can accommodate six and is the most expensive of the range but offers a greater degree of flexibility – the front twin beds convert into a double and there are two fixed bunks and the option for a further two bunks. If you’re touring with tots or teens in tow, there’s room for everyone. Too big but like the style? A two-berth 420 might suit. All models in this range are pre-wired for WiFi, something both you and the kids will appreciate. In addition, there’s a media station that can charge devices wirelessly and a portable SONOS speaker which you can take outside and drown out the person playing the guitar badly on the next pitch.

The Unicorn line-up has long been the most popular range for Bailey and first appeared on the market in 2011. With seven layouts, there’s more than in any of the other ranges and caters for between two and four people in luxury. A large window at the front known as an ‘infinity’ window lets in plenty of light and, when you’re relaxing in the caravan, you’ve got an interrupted view of the scenery. All models have twin beds in the front that convert into doubles but if you prefer to crawl into bed at the end of a busy day rather than make one up, four of the models have fixed double beds. Two of the models are twin-axle so more suited to those who are more confident towing. Models come with 80 watt solar panels that will come in handy if you like to stay at smaller sites without electrical hook-up.

Introduced in 2009, Pegasus has gone through many transformations and its latest iteration is this line-up designed to, like the Phoenix, celebrate Bailey’s 75th anniversary. All four layouts sleep up to four people and have been created to provide a higher level of luxury with comfortable king-size fixed beds. As such, these caravans are best suited to couples. In recent years, more 8ft wide caravans have been rolling off production lines – people love the extra room this provides (approximately six inches more than a standard width caravan) but they can be more challenging to tow. The Pegasus Grande GT75 is one of Bailey’s most premium offerings, second only to the Alicanto Grande – and you’ll find plenty of features that make this caravan more homely than most, from the soft furnishings to the washroom with marble effect features and full-length mirror.

The Alicanto Grande range comprises three layouts and commands the highest pricetag of all Bailey ranges. For that though, you get quite a lot including 5ft-wide king size beds with comfy mattresses, mood lighting courtesy of an RGB colour change lighting system and WiFi as standard (introductory data and support package included when purchased new). Those who choose the Alicanto Grande will probably be experienced caravanners who spend a large proportion of their time on holiday and don’t want to compromise on luxury.

You can find new and used Bailey caravans on Auto Trader - happy browsing!