Staying at a Caravan Park: What You Need to Know Before You Book

When you’re planning a road trip and need a place to park your motorhome or caravan, staying at a caravan park, a designated site with facilities for recreational vehicles and static caravans, often run by private companies or local councils. Also known as campsite, it’s where most UK travelers set up for the night—or the week. It’s not just a patch of grass with a hook-up. A good caravan park gives you clean toilets, hot showers, waste disposal, and sometimes even Wi-Fi, laundry, and a shop. But not all are created equal. Some feel like a quiet forest retreat. Others? Think busy parking lot with loud kids and dogs barking all night.

Before you book, ask yourself: Do you need full electric hook-up? Is a dog-friendly area important? Are you okay with a basic pitch, or do you want something with a private deck and outdoor seating? caravan park fees, the cost to stay overnight or long-term at a site, which can range from £15 to over £60 a night depending on location and facilities vary wildly. A basic site in rural North Yorkshire might cost half of what you’d pay near the Lake District in peak season. And don’t forget hidden charges—some parks add fees for extra people, dogs, or even using the washing machine. caravan living, a lifestyle choice where people use caravans or motorhomes as full-time homes, often parked at a site with long-term rental agreements is growing fast in the UK, but it’s not cheap. Monthly fees can hit £500+, plus utility bills and site maintenance charges. If you’re just stopping for a weekend, you don’t need luxury—but you do need to know what’s included.

Location matters more than you think. A park near a beach or national park usually costs more, but it’s worth it if you’re hiking, fishing, or just want to wake up to views. A quiet site tucked away in the countryside might feel more peaceful, but if you’re miles from a pub or supermarket, you’ll need to pack more. And always check the rules: some parks ban overnight parking for non-residents, others don’t allow open fires, and a few don’t even let you bring a BBQ. You don’t want to show up only to find you can’t use the very thing you planned around.

Whether you’re new to motorhoming or you’ve been on the road for years, staying at a caravan park is one of the most common—and often most affordable—ways to enjoy the UK’s outdoors. The posts below cover real costs, hidden fees, what to look for in a site, and how to pick the right one for your trip. You’ll find out why some parks charge double in summer, which ones are actually dog-friendly, and how to avoid the traps that catch first-timers. No fluff. Just what you need to know before you pull in.