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Welcome to the community.  A word of warning regarding advertisements.  There's lots of scam around so be aware and if something appears too good to be true, it probably is.

Exciting times.

Sounds like you could learn a lot very quickly from visiting an established caravanner on site somewhere - such as your nearest Caravan Club site!

Just remember, there are always at least three ways to do everything and none are wrong. Stay safe, dry and warm - others are extras.

Again thank you for all replies,all are very helpful.cheers

Welcome and good luck with your purchase.  You have been given loads of advice but no one has mentioned that it is essential that any caravan you buy has a current damp test and report.  We caravan on the KISS system - Keep It Simple S....!  You can overload your caravan with those absolutely essential items that you will never use.  Really you need little - mirrors for car, spare wheel for caravan, (check all tyres are in good condition and less than 5 years old by looking at the date stamp on them - 1618 means tyre made in 16th week of 2018),  water in/out, wc and chemicals, bedding (sleeping bags or house bedding) steps, gas bottle(s), decent battery, power cable, crockery/cutlery/pans from house.  As has been suggested a few of these ought to come with the caravan (or negotiated as part of the deal).  As you get more experienced you will refine the list.  When you take delivery of your caravan ensure that you are shown how everything works! Strongly recommended that your first trip is to a local site so that it is not the end of the world if you have forgotten something.  Be warned that when browsing the shelves of your local dealer you will see loads of those 'non essential' 'essentials' so be careful with your credit card.  Don't hesitate to ask for help, we love talking about our hobby.

Visit as many dealers as possible to check layouts/berths which may suit your needs & the legal towing capability of your vehicle. (bearing in mind the weight of all you will put in it)   I feel one option is to buy a new or used c’van (with warranty) from a local dealer who is within reasonable towing distance so any warranty issues can be sorted easily.  Usually more used c’vans come onto dealer’s forecourt’s in the early part of the year as people take delivery of their brand new c’vans ordered via NEC or their local dealers. Possibly consider paying for an inspection if it’s a used c’van once you have found a one you are seriously considering buying. This could be used as a bargaining tool and/or point out any serious defects. Good luck

You will doubtless find it worthwhile to go on a towing course with the club, as soon as possible, if you are not experienced at towing a trailer.

On your first tow home from the dealer consider an experienced tugger in the passenger seat to give you moral support.

Don't hesitate to ask any questions, for the only stupid one is the one you never asked and you will not therefore know the answer to.

Hi Dean.  Welcome to the world of caravanning and to Club Together.  Have you got the caravan yet, or are you still waiting to get it?  Do let us know how you get on.

Edit: Just read through the thread again and it looks like you haven't got the van yet.  The best of luck with it all.  Check the towing capacity of your car carefully when you choose the caravan.  The Club do have a matching service somewhere on the website.  Don't take a retailers word for it, and avoid the retailer who says, 'no worries, your car will tow anything....'.  I've had that said to me before!!!!

David

Welcome to the forum Dean. Plenty of good advice on this thread so far, but try not to be put off by the seeming complexity of it all.

Remember we all started from your position, and some of us, like me quite recently and met some rather unexpected hurdles to jump over that I have written about, as have many other about their own.

My advice is not to rush the process and spend the winter touring all the caravan dealers within reach and look at as many caravans within your price range as possible. If you decide that a secondhand caravan is what you want then engage a caravan service engineer to survey it for you prior to purchase.

One other point, that I initially overlook, is that of storage. Spaces in some part of the country commercial storage is in short supply. 

.....another thought, Dean.  If you can get to the NEC in February, there's the Caravan and Camping Show, if you are still looking for inspiration.  

David