GUEST GUIDE
HOW TO CHOOSE A HOLIDAY PARK
The caravan matters, but the park shapes your whole holiday. Two caravans that look the same can give you very different breaks depending on where they sit. Here is how to work out which kind of park suits you.
QUIET PARK OR BUSY PARK?
Start by thinking about what you want to do most of the time.
Parks with entertainment often have a pool, a clubhouse, kids' clubs, evening shows, and places to eat on site. They suit families who want lots to do without driving anywhere. They can be busy and lively, especially in the school holidays.
Quiet parks may have few facilities, or none beyond a shop and a launderette. They suit people who want peace, walking, wildlife, or a base for days out. Some quiet parks are adults only, or ask for quiet after a set time in the evening.
Neither is better. It is about what fits your group.
PARK PASSES AND EXTRA COSTS
On many parks, guests in privately owned caravans need a park pass to use the pool, the clubhouse or the entertainment. The pass may be included in the price, or you may buy it at reception. The cost often depends on how many people are in your group and how long you stay.
Before you book, ask the owner:
- Are park passes included? If not, roughly what do they cost and where do you buy them?
- Are there any other charges, such as a car pass, wifi, or a pet fee?
- Which facilities are open at the time of year you are going?
Some facilities close or open shorter hours outside the main season. If the pool is the reason you are going, check it will be open.
LOCATION ON THE PARK
Where the caravan sits on the park makes a difference. A pitch close to the clubhouse is handy but can be noisier at night. A pitch on the edge may be quieter, with better views, but a longer walk to the facilities. If you have small children or anyone who finds walking hard, ask how far the caravan is from the places you will use.
BEACH ACCESS
Parks that call themselves near the beach can mean very different things. Ask the owner some plain questions:
- How long is the walk to the beach, in minutes?
- Is it a flat path, steps, a steep slope, or a road with no pavement?
- Is the beach sand, shingle or rock?
- Are dogs allowed on that beach, and at what times of year?
- Is there parking near the beach if you would rather drive?
ACCESSIBILITY
If anyone in your group has a disability or uses a wheelchair, ask detailed questions before you book. Most static caravans have steps up to the door, though some have ramps. Inside, doorways and corridors are narrow.
- How many steps are there up to the door? Is there a handrail or a ramp?
- Is there parking right next to the caravan?
- Is there a walk-in shower, or a shower over a bath?
- Are the park roads flat or hilly?
- Do the clubhouse, pool and shop have step-free access and accessible toilets?
Ask for photos or measurements if they will help. A good owner will be happy to answer honestly.
GETTING THERE AND GETTING ABOUT
Think about the journey and what is nearby. Is there a bus stop or a train station within reach if you are not driving? Is there a supermarket close by, or just the park shop? Are there places to visit in bad weather?
READING THE PARK RULES
Every park has its own rules. They may cover noise, the number of cars, barbecues, visitors, pets, and the use of facilities. Ask the owner for a copy, or look on the park's own website. Knowing the rules before you arrive helps you pick a park that suits your group.