How to choose the perfect static caravan holiday park
Your chosen static caravan park can make or break your holiday; ensuring the park and its surrounding areas are well-suited to your wants and needs is the key to success.
Whether you’re a veteran static caravan holidaymaker or planning to embark on your first adventure, here are the main factors to consider when choosing the perfect holiday park.
What are your holiday goals?
Everyone relaxes in different ways, so think about how you’d like to spend your holiday. Some people prefer to spend the majority of their time within the park, while others are happy to venture out to activities and restaurants. If you’re a nature lover or bringing a dog on holiday, a park with plenty of open green spaces may be the right choice for you. For people with young children, you may prioritise finding a park with suitable activity options on-site, like play parks, swimming pools, and evening entertainment.
Other things to bear in mind include the types of parks you’re looking into. Are you after a quiet, adults-only atmosphere, or do you need a family-friendly park? For pet owners, also check whether the park allows pets on site, as while many do, not all will.
Not every caravan park will be suitable for you to enjoy in your intended ways, so understanding how you like to holiday is an important starting point when choosing the perfect park.
Location, location, location
Consider how far you’re willing to travel to get to the holiday park, then search for parks within this proximity.
Research the attractions in the area of a holiday park to determine whether they’re suited to your preferences. Holiday parks are often relatively close to beaches, the countryside, historical sites, and various family activities like arcades, piers, and theme parks. Whether or not the location is suitable will depend on your interests.
The perfect park facilities
Even if you’re willing to travel around the local area for activities, the on-site amenities will likely sway your decision too. Facilities such as pools, entertainment venues, shops, restaurants, and kids’ clubs can enhance both the convenience and enjoyment of your break away.
Other features like the WiFi and mobile signal available at the park can also be important if you plan to stream movies and TV shows, or if you plan to work remotely whilst at the park.
Accommodation quality
Check what sort of caravans are available at the park. Do they offer sizes that will suitably fit your party? Are they equipped with all the features you need to enjoy your holiday, such as a full kitchen, a bathtub (where a shower cubicle is not suitable), and a washing machine (although there may also be a laundrette on site)?
It’s also worth checking whether the caravans offer central heating and air conditioning. The UK weather is unpredictable, and you may find temperatures are particularly hot or cold whilst away in the caravan.
Cost vs value
Weigh up the prices of staying at the park in comparison to the features and amenities available. It’s often worth paying a higher price for your stay if you can be confident that the park can fulfil your needs.
Check reviews
Have a quick Google search for reviews of the parks you’re considering, and check sites like TripAdvisor. The park may even display reviews on its website. You can also join various social media groups and ask for park recommendations from experienced caravaners.
Even when a park seems perfect on paper, reviews can uncover downsides that aren’t immediately obvious when viewing a park online. For example, previous guests may highlight concerns with cleanliness or negative experiences with the food services on site. This is also a great way to find out about any additional fees that may not be easy to find on the park’s site, such as a cost for using certain amenities like swimming pools or attending evening entertainment shows.
Read the terms & conditions
Some parks have a minimum stay duration, such as an entire weekend or week-long bookings only. Check whether the booking options suit your needs. It’s also important to check whether the park offers easy cancellations or booking amendments. Fingers crossed that you don’t need to change your holiday plans, but the unpredictable can always happen!
What if it really is the perfect holiday park?
If a park meets all of your requirements and you find yourself wanting to return, you may choose to invest in your own static caravan.
Owning a caravan opens up endless opportunities for ad hoc breaks, and purchasing a home-away-from-home at the perfect park is guaranteed to plant the seeds for new memories with family and friends, including the new friends you’ll meet from becoming a regular at the park!
Owning a static caravan is very different from simply renting one for a short break; you have many new responsibilities, and should protect your investment with a strong static caravan insurance policy.
If you’ve purchased a static caravan in the perfect holiday park, get a quote today and ensure your caravan is well protected.
