Bailey Discovery D4-2 review

The long-term tag team of Bailey bodywork on an AL-KO chassis returns here, which will ease your mind for stability concerns even if the tourer's light weight 995kg MTPLM doesn't. In an industry dominated by same sameness when it comes to exterior styling, the Discovery's curvature and wrap-around graphics are a welcome change. Visuals aside, innovative creation of awning space from the near-side to the rear is going to make your neighbours jealous whatever they tow, too.

For such a compact caravan, there's plenty of space to hang out, read or just relax in the front twin seating area as this Bailey has headroom of well over six foot. But perhaps more importantly, the floor-to-ceiling vertical skylight means you're never short of natural light if you get your pitch right. The team at Bailey has made the most of space when it comes to tech touches, too. It's details such as the USB ports in wall-mounted spotlights that prove to be difference-makers for day-to-day living space comfort and convenience.

A decent-sized (103-litre) Dometic fridge and Thetford oven/grill/three-burner hob set-up gives more than enough options for exciting dining in such a compact kitchen. Points gained for plenty of light from an elongated window and fitted downlighters, although points lost as storage is almost exclusively overhead, which could be an issue for anyone with limited mobility.The old-up worktop extension to the left of the kitchen for cooking and prep space while another folding table at the front of the caravan provides enough space for eating comfort, just about.

The slatted bed pulls out from the front to make up a double (1.88m x 1.72m / 6' 2" x 5' 8"), or there's the option to keep sleeping arrangements as two singles either side of the lounge (2.00m x 0.64m / 6' 7" x 2' 1"). Nothing out of the ordinary here, but enough room for a good night's kip either way.

There's always a compromise with challenges of limited space, and this is what lets the D4-2 down. Thetford cassette toilet aside, the washroom is just a shower curtain to tangle with when washing and very little space for your toiletries. That said, just because it's a squeeze to use the wet room shower doesn't mean that you should be put off. It's an ideal loo and wash space for those that like to use on-site facilities for the most part.

While it's no luxury apartment on wheels, at £16,199 you still get a lot of caravan for your money. Bailey's pushing the styling forward a notch with the Discovery, and the huge awning space for such a compact tourer makes for even more of a value add when it comes to the useable footprint on any pitch.

You don't plump for a two-berth tourer unless you know how to use your space wisely or how to make the most of other facilities on the site your visiting. Bailey has created a brilliant buying option for first timers, or those looking to keep caravanning simple. Browse all our new caravans here.