Caravan Park Tips: Smart Advice for Smoother Stays

When you’re planning a trip in a caravan, a self-contained mobile home used for travel and temporary living. Also known as motorhome, it gives you freedom—but only if you know how to use caravan parks, designated sites with facilities for parked caravans and motorhomes right. A bad pitch can ruin your trip. A good one? It feels like home, but with better views.

Not all caravan parks are built the same. Some charge extra for electricity, others have strict quiet hours after 10 PM. Some welcome dogs with open arms, others ban them completely. You’ll find caravan park fees, the daily or weekly cost to stay at a designated site, often including water, waste disposal, and power vary wildly across the UK—from £15 a night on a basic field to over £50 for a luxury spot with a private shower and Wi-Fi. And yes, caravan living cost, the total expense of residing in a caravan full-time, including pitch fees, utilities, insurance, and maintenance adds up fast if you don’t plan ahead. Most people don’t realize how much site fees climb in peak season or how often hidden charges sneak into the bill.

Want to bring your dog? Check if the park is truly dog friendly campsites, caravan parks that allow pets with designated areas, waste stations, and no breed restrictions. Some say they are, then charge you £10 extra or force you to keep your pup on a leash 24/7. And don’t assume all parks have showers—some only offer basic toilets. The best spots tell you exactly what’s included before you book. Look for real reviews, not just star ratings. People will tell you if the water pressure is weak, if the toilets smell, or if the site manager is helpful.

Timing matters too. Booking early saves money, but so does going off-season. Many parks drop prices after September, and you’ll get more space, quieter nights, and better service. If you’re thinking of living in your caravan full-time, know that some sites only allow seasonal stays. Others have rules about how long you can stay in one spot. The UK camping fees, the range of charges for staying at campsites across the United Kingdom, including tents, caravans, and motorhomes aren’t set by law—they’re set by whoever owns the land. That’s why prices jump near the coast, in national parks, or during school holidays.

There’s no magic trick to picking the perfect caravan park. But there are smart habits. Always check the site’s map before you book. Is your pitch near the toilets? Is there shade? Can you park your car right next to your caravan? These small things make a huge difference when you’re tired after a long drive. And never skip reading the small print—some parks charge extra for using the laundry, for late check-in, or even for using the fire pit.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve been there—what worked, what didn’t, and how they saved money, avoided stress, and found the best spots for their family, their dog, or their solo adventure. No fluff. Just what you need to know before you pull into that next pitch.