Now... the £161,000 motor home

Those who thought caravaning was the height of naff may have to reconsider. These days, many motor homes are considered status symbols, with some selling for the equivalent of a semi-detached house in Waltham Forest.

At this year's Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show at Earls Court, opened yesterday by actress and M&S pin-up Claire Sweeney, the star attraction is the Clouliner motor home made by Niesmann and Bischoff. It will set you back a cool £161,158.

The 25ft vehicle, while relatively unimpressive from the outside, comes fully equipped with a double bed, leather upholstery, hot running water, central heating, air conditioning, satellite navigation and marble surfaces.

The motor home can only be viewed by appointment and, after paying the £50,000 deposit, buyers are flown out to Germany to meet the designers face to face and decide exactly what trimmings they want.

Customers can choose to have their sink made out of mahogany, ash, or even gold and can select the exact shade of leather they want on their seats.

But would anyone seriously part with that much cash for a caravan? Rather unsurprisingly, James McVicker, a specialist at Niesmann and Bischoff, believes the answer is definitely in the affirmative.

He said: "Although we would only expect to sell maybe two a year in the UK and maybe a dozen worldwide, there will always be a market for this kind of thing.

"It's basically for the sort of person-who wants the best of everything,'' Mr McVicker added.

"We would expect horse trainers or motor racing drivers - perhaps someone like Jenson Button - to be interested in this particular model.

"It is ideal for someone who travels around for a large part of the year but doesn't want to stay in hotels," he said.

The same company also make a motor home that is not on display at Earl's Court, but worth a staggering £300,000.

It comes with a winch that, once you've lifted up your car, can be stored inside, underneath the bed.

Despite their somewhat uncool image, caravans are still a big hit with a sizeable chunk of the British population.

The Caravan Club boasts 700,000 members nationwide, while the Camping and Caravan Club has 300,000. It is estimated that around 35 per cent of people in the UK have been on holiday in a caravan at some point in their lives.

Simon Coe, the show director, said: "Many people have a conception of caravans looking like the inside of your granny's front room.

"But you just have to look at some of the models at the show to see that caravaning can actually be sexy.

"Everyone wants the freedom to go where they want, when they want and with a caravan, home is where you park it."

The Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show will be on at Earls Court until Sunday.

Admission is £8 for adults, £6 for senior citizens and children under 15 are free.

For further details log onto the website: wwwcaravanshows.com