There is a special kind of excitement that every caravan owner understands, and this Coachman Acadia 565 Review begins right there. It is that mix of nostalgia for past trips and excitement about collecting a new caravan. In October 2025, we reached one of those big milestones in our journey with Caravan Adventuring. After years with our Bailey Pegasus GT65 Rimini, we decided to upgrade.
The Bailey had served us well on caravan holidays in the UK. Even so, we wanted more comfort and the refined build quality that Coachman is known for. After plenty of research and a few dealership visits, we fell hook, line, and sinker for the Coachman Acadia 565 Singleton GTR Sussex Special Edition.
The Decision: Why the Upgrade?
If you are just getting started with caravanning for beginners, you might wonder why anyone would swap a good caravan for one with a similar layout. The Rimini and the Acadia 565 both use the popular twin single-bed layout with a full-width rear washroom. For us, the special edition extras made the difference.
The Singleton GTR comes from the team at Sussex Caravan Centre. It takes the standard Acadia 565 and adds a long list of Sussex-only extras. These include upgraded upholstery, heavy-duty corner steadies, a solar panel, and smart silver-grey exterior branding. Those details help it stand out on the road.
The move to Coachman also felt like a step up in overall build quality. The Coachman ABC (Advanced Bonded Construction) gives us more confidence in durability and insulation. That matters a lot when you tour all year round.
Collection Day at Sussex Caravan Centre
The big day arrived in mid-October. We headed down to the Sussex Caravan Centre, and the whole experience felt brilliant. From the moment we pulled in, the team made us feel like old friends. For this Coachman Acadia 565 Review, the collection day mattered just as much as the caravan itself. Some handovers feel rushed, especially at bigger dealerships, but the team here took their time.
They walked us through every feature of the Singleton GTR. We have been caravanning for years, but every brand does things a little differently. They showed us the Alde heating controls, the new fridge, and the Phantom VanGuard alarm setup. Those small details make a big difference during handover. If you are buying your first caravan, the staff at Sussex really know their stuff.
First Impressions: The Singleton GTR Spec
As soon as we stepped inside, it felt like home, just a more luxurious version. The 565 layout suits us perfectly because it gives us loads of floor space. Having fixed single beds means we no longer need to make up the bed every night. The rear washroom also feels a bit like a boutique hotel bathroom on wheels.
One of the best parts of the Singleton GTR is the attention to detail. The badge on the back is more than a sticker. It marks this out as a proper special edition for the UK market. Inside, the exclusive fabrics feel much more premium than those in our previous caravan. The extra chrome sockets, dimmable lighting, and better mattress all help justify the upgrade.
The exterior looks just as good. The Acadia 565 has a modern, streamlined profile. Towing it home felt effortless. It also felt more stable on the road, likely thanks to the standard AL-KO ATC (Active Trailer Control) system. That extra confidence on the motorway really stands out in this Coachman Acadia 565 Review.
The Maiden Voyage: California Chalet & Touring Park
We did not want to tow the new caravan straight home and park it on the drive. We wanted a shakedown night first. That gave us time to test the systems and learn where everything lived. We stopped at California Chalet & Touring Park near Wokingham on the way home.
We only stayed one night, but it gave us the perfect test run. The park sits in a lovely woodland setting beside California Country Park. It was ideal for a quick October getaway. The site felt peaceful, and the pitches were nicely spaced. That gave us plenty of room to manoeuvre the caravan without an audience.
Setting up was easy. We tested the water pump and fired up the Alde heating as the October air turned chilly. We also gave the kitchen a try by making a quick meal. The Acadia offers generous kitchen workspace for a single-axle caravan. It has a decent circular sink and a modern hob and oven combo.
We spent the evening in the lounge with the ambient LED lighting on. We also enjoyed the feel of the new upholstery. It is amazing how much interior design can shape the mood of a trip. The Coachman feels calm and refined, which suits us perfectly after a long day on the road.
Exploring the Surroundings in Wokingham
The next morning, before the final leg of our journey, we took a stroll around California Country Park. If you stay at California Chalet & Touring Park, the lake walk is well worth doing. It looks especially good in October when the leaves turn golden.
The park also has a great cafe called Jackson’s and a brilliant children’s play area. That makes it a good option for families planning caravan holidays in the UK. Even on a short stay, the woodland setting helped us switch off. It also gave us a lovely way to round off this early Coachman Acadia 565 Review experience.
Lessons Learned: Caravanning for Beginners
If you are considering your first caravan or thinking about an upgrade, here are a few takeaways from our collection day:
- Don’t Rush the Handover: If you buy new or used, let the dealer show you everything. Take notes or record a quick video of key controls on your phone.
- The Shakedown Stay is Essential: One night at a nearby site like California Chalet helps you spot any small issues early. It also lets you test everything before a bigger trip.
- Layout is King: We stayed with the 565 layout because it suits our lifestyle. Before you upgrade, sit in a few layouts and see what feels right.
- Special Editions Add Value: Dealer specials like the Singleton GTR often include lots of useful extras. Buying them this way usually costs less than adding them later.
We are really pleased with the switch to Coachman. Much as we loved our Bailey, the Acadia 565 Singleton GTR feels like the start of a new chapter for Caravan Adventuring. From a real-world Coachman Acadia 565 Review point of view, the layout, finish, and early towing impressions have all been very positive. There is already a list of places we want to visit, from the luxury of Concierge Camping to the quiet corners of Somerset.
The road ahead looks very comfortable indeed.
Suggest a Campsite for Review
Have you stayed at a campsite that deserves more attention?
We’re always looking for new campsites to feature on Caravan Adventuring. Whether it’s a hidden gem, a family favourite, or a site with outstanding facilities, we’d love to hear about it.
