Holiday caravans are booming in the UK this year! We are all looking for an affordable staycation. Holiday caravanning is one of the cheapest and easiest options.
I know a lot of people grew up seeing static caravans, but there are also a lot of people who barely know they exist. If you are one of those people, today’s blog post is for you!
Why book a holiday caravan?
Holiday caravans are an affordable way to holiday in beautiful locations. Many static caravan sites and holiday parks are located in some of the most beautiful parts of the UK where property is very expensive, so static caravans offer a simple and affordable alternative.
Once inside a caravan, it’s easy to forget you’re part of a caravan, as the space is often just as luxurious as a home.
The obvious downside is that it doesn’t always look pretty, but the price, location, and activities available usually make up for it!
There are very different levels of ‘luxury’ when it comes to holiday caravans
Before we move on, we really need to point out that a static caravan can be very different, as can a holiday home. Some are very basic, while others are more luxurious than at home!
We have stayed in fixed caravans in France, which are as luxurious as tents. It was horrible, with plastic seats, a small sofa, a small bed, a small stove and microwave, and very little else. But other places we’ve stayed make you forget you’re in a caravan and feel more like a luxury cabin.
The luxury holiday caravan has a washer and dryer, utility room, bath, power shower, comfy sofa, Sky TV, high speed Wi-Fi, king size bed, dressing room, hot tub and private garden.
A basic holiday caravan usually has simple furniture and a small kitchen, but still has a bathroom, living room/diner/kitchen, and usually at least two bedrooms and an outdoor area.
Holiday parks vs private caravan sites
Holiday caravans can be rented from ‘holiday parks’ or simple private caravan sites.
Holiday parks have entertainment, cafes, restaurants, swimming pools, play parks, a bar or two, and are often staffed to help with any issues you may have.
Private caravan sites are simpler. Some have nothing, while others have laundry facilities, pools, bars, etc.
Please note that many private caravan sites do not allow subletting, so the caravan can only be used by the owner and their immediate family.
To be honest, I wasn’t really into the idea of a holiday park. It all seemed a bit unpleasant and tacky. But now that I have kids, my mindset has completely changed! my kids love them. They love everything from the 6pm discos to the kids clubs to the guys walking around in funny suits to the pools and waterslides to the play parks and the other kids they can play with. And happy kids = happy mom!
We actually own a caravan on private land and there is nothing there other than laundry, a play park and fields for the kids to play. I love that it’s within walking distance to the beach, bars, restaurants, and golf course. No additional entertainment is really needed.
Read more: Buy a static caravan – is this the cheapest and easiest way to own a ‘vacation home’?
How do you find holiday caravans to rent?
Here are some websites where you can find fixed caravans for hire:
AirBnB – Mostly private rentals and often the most affordable option, but be sure to check out the lots of photos and reviews (I’ve seen some really pathetic looking caravans on AirBnB!)
Haven – 37 family-friendly holiday parks along the UK coast
ParkDean – 67 locations across the UK
Hoseasons – 630 stores available across the UK
In my experience there is not much difference between the companies offering caravans in holiday parks. All caravans are available to suit different budgets and have different facilities. The prices are also quite similar.
How do you choose the location for your holiday caravan?
There are static caravan parks all over the UK. There are probably more of them than you think, and they are often well hidden behind trees. They are often found in rural areas and along the coast.
If you open Google Maps and search for “caravan park,” you’ll see that there are caravan parks all over the country!
For me, it’s important that a holiday caravan is close to the sea, so coastal caravans are my favorite.
What’s the difference between a holiday caravan and a holiday lodge?
This also confused me for a while!
A “lodge” is basically a larger caravan. It’s so flashy that I don’t even want to call it a caravan. In reality, they are often two stationary caravans together, much larger and much more luxurious.
If you want to know more about owning a static caravan, read Owning a Static Caravan: Advantages and Disadvantages
