Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Danbury Royale

Danbury is one of the oldest names in the campervan business and has long been associated with VWs. 

Its back catalogue, however, includes campers based on Bedford, Fiat, Ford, Nissan, Renault, Seat and Subaru vans and now, with its Final Edition models signalling the end of T6.1 Volkswagen conversions, it has returned to the Fiat Ducato with its latest model, the Royale (a name previously used on a VW T6 with rear toilet).

The new Royale is based on the six-metre, long-wheelbase version of the ever-popular Fiat and comes in two formats – the rear lounge model shown here or, in place of that seating area, you can have a raised fixed double bed with garage below.

The options

Both layouts come in Silver specification, priced at £85,000, on a white 140hp van with manual gearbox, or you can upgrade to Gold (for an extra ten grand) to have a Lanzarote Grey Ducato in Primo trim with the nine-speed automatic gearbox. 

Even at £95k, however, there are still options to consider – a Thule awning (£1,500), leather upholstery (£2,500), sound system (£1,200) and Remis cab blinds (£750). 

Or go for all four options as a Lux Pack for £4,950. 

The exterior

Externally, this Silver version looks unremarkable but it does come with alloy wheels, framed habitation windows, a colour-coded front bumper and neat, modern graphics.

There’s no overcab sunroof as the shelf above the front seats is retained for storage.

The interior

Inside, the floorplan is a perennial UK favourite with a half-dinette up front adding rear travel seats as well as a second seating area for when the back is made into a bed. 

That process is simply one of sliding the two seat bases together to form a 1.86m by 1.25m double bed that’s reassuringly flat.

The front seating area can cater for four once the cab seats have been swivelled and passengers in the back will welcome the sliding window here which can be opened while you travel. 

The bench seat has some shape, the duo-tone upholstery is nicely finished and the wall-mounted table has an extension leaf. 

The cabinetwork also mixes two colours – a dark wood with mid-grey doors – while the headlining is a plush leatherette. 

A full-width LED strip above the cab ensures that this area isn’t gloomy and a wind-up Heki rooflight is fitted over the table.

The rear lounge

The rear lounge is where you’ll want to unwind on a fine day, with the back doors open. A raised floor here ensures a comfortable height for the settees as well as providing stowage for the island leg table underneath.

Scatter cushions are provided and a roller shutter in the washroom wall hides the TV cupboard.

The kitchen

Amidships, the galley includes plenty of drawer-based storage as well as Staron solid surface worktops, including a pop-out extension for extra preparation space. 

The Triplex cooker incorporates three gas rings and a combined oven/grill, with an especially deep drawer below for pots and pans. 

At the end of the unit, the 70-litre compressor fridge is easily accessed from inside the campervan or from outside.

The washroom

Opposite the galley is the washroom, complete with a swivel cassette toilet that empties through the living area rather than via an external door. 

Above that is a tip-up basin – perhaps the least premium aspect of this conversion. 

The spec

Water tanks are underslung and have capacities of 85 litres (fresh) and 65 litres (waste), while also under the campervan is a 25-litre LPG tank. 

A 150W solar panel is mounted on the roof and the leisure battery is a 100Ah lithium one.

With dimmable lighting throughout and a very high-quality finish, the Royale feels like an upmarket alternative to mainstream campervans. 

It’s pricey but Danbury plans to extend the model’s appeal with additional variants, such as a pop-top and a swamper.

Where to buy

Danbury campervans are sold from the company’s headquarters at Bridgwater in Somerset. You’ll also see the firm exhibiting at some of the major motorhome shows.