We are going to cover all of the essentials that you need to consider when purchasing a static caravan, from finding a caravan park to selecting the right static caravan for you and making a purchase.
Static caravans are some of the most popular holiday homes in the world for countless different reasons. They're affordable, they're located in places of outstanding natural beauty, and they offer a peaceful, simple lifestyle that many people crave. The only question is this - how do you go about investing in a static caravan and what should you consider when looking into purchasing one?
Here at Allens Caravans, we have been at the forefront of the British caravan industry since our foundation in the mid-1930s, creating some of the most popular static caravan holiday parks in the UK. Our experience has positioned us as one of the leading experts on caravan park systems, which is why we have compiled our team's years of knowledge into this comprehensive guide covering everything there is to know about buying a static caravan.
We are going to cover all of the essentials that you need to consider when purchasing a static caravan, from finding a caravan park to selecting the right static caravan for you and making a purchase.
Don't forget to bookmark this page and come back to it whenever you're unsure about any part of the static caravan buying process!
This page can guide you through each step of the static caravan buying process. We’ve dedicated a section to each step, each packed with answers to questions we’re often asked or think newcomers to the world of static caravans should consider. Click on each stage to go directly to the relevant section.
An Introduction to Our Static Caravan Buyers Guide →
Selecting a Region for Your Static Caravan →
The first step in the caravan buying process is picking out the area where you want your caravan to be located. In this section, we will cover how to refine your desired location by asking yourself simple questions like how far are you willing to travel and how often will you be using your static caravan.
Finding the right Static Caravan →
Having decided on the right region for you, the second step is to refine your location further and choose a caravan park in that area which suits your needs. This section will look at questions you should be asking, including what facilities does your dream caravan park need to have and what attractions are in the local area.
With a caravan park chosen, the third step is to pick out your dream caravan. This section will cover budgeting as well as what facilities and details to look for when you're researching the available caravan options.
Purchasing your Static Caravan →
With your perfect caravan selected, it's time to take the biggest step and actually make the purchase. This is the fourth step of the process and in this section, we will look at caravan ownership fees as well as purchase agreements and optimal buying times.
Post-purchase considerations →
Finally, the fifth stage of our guide contains a few final tips to consider now that you've bought your static caravan, including caravan park etiquette and those all-important homely touches.
You've decided to look into buying a static caravan holiday home - but where do you start? Like all complex-seeming tasks, it’s best to break it down into smaller steps. Begin by creating a loose set of guidelines or a ‘wish list’ for the location of your static caravan, then use these to select the region that’s right for you. From there it's time to start looking at caravan parks in the area. Then, once you’ve found a suitable-looking caravan park, you can find the perfect static caravan in that park. Think of it as progressively ‘zooming in’ from a map of the entire country to one specific place.
With this methodical approach, you should be able to pick out a location in no time at all! As you do, there are certain questions that you will need to ask to decide where your caravan should be located. We think the important ones are:
ou may be willing to travel across the country to reach your holiday destination. In that case, distance isn't really an issue for you. On the other hand, many people prefer to avoid travelling too far, so they can reach their static caravan with as little time and fuss as possible. If this is you, it's a good idea to decide on the maximum amount of time you'd be happy to travel and eliminate any locations outside your range. This can quickly give you an area to explore further.
Will you be driving yourself there? Catching a train? This is an important factor to consider because it will impact how close your chosen caravan park is to important transport links. If you intend to access your static caravan by public transport, then you will need to make sure that there is a train or bus station nearby. How are you going to cover the last bit of your journey – is there a local taxi firm or does the caravan park have a minibus?
Many people don’t just purchase a static caravan holiday home for themselves, but also to share it with their family and friends. If you intend to share your static caravan with others, then you will need to keep their needs in mind too. Consider where your new static caravan will need to be so that it's easily accessible for all those who you intend to invite so they can enjoy it. After all, it's always best to keep everyone in mind when you're making decisions like these.
The likely duration of your holidays will influence where your static caravan should be. If you intend to take lots of short, regular breaks throughout the year, then it makes no sense for your caravan to be located a five hours' drive away. On the flip side, if you intend to visit your static caravan holiday home for weeks at a time only a few times per year, then a longer travel time doesn't matter so much. People often get swept away in the excitement and importance of the process and overlook factors like this.
After locating the best area for your static caravan, it's time to start researching that region and finding the perfect caravan park for you. Here is what you need to consider when investigating the options:
What is the number one feature that your caravan park needs to have nearby? A town comes with the added benefit of offering increased travel connections and local services, whilst being in the middle of the countryside offers peace and seclusion but access and entertainment can be more limited. Being on the coast or near a national park opens the door to nature-based activities and new experiences. Decide what matters most to you and note it down.
Almost all caravan parks have at least some facilities onsite. Certainly all of the Allens Caravans sites do. But these can vary greatly between caravan parks. Consider the essentials first: What are the park's rules on utilities like water, gas and electricity? Most static caravans will have mains electricity and a constant water supply but will use gas canisters for their cookers and heaters. Where does the responsibility for these systems start and end for you as the caravan owner? Ensure that you find out the specifics of the park you're considering before committing to purchasing a caravan.
After that you can look into the non-essential (but much more interesting!) park facilities such as leisure, dining, sports and entertainment. It's a good idea to write down the facilities you really want and then refine your search to include only these facilities. Similarly, it's important to consider the needs of others who will be using your caravan. For instance, you may be considering a caravan as a retirement holiday home, but does the park have a playground or a games room for the grandchildren?
Having thought about the facilities within the park, it's also important to consider what attractions are available in the area around the park. Static caravan owners rarely spend every second of every day in the holiday park - most will also spend time enjoying the opportunities available in the vicinity of the park too.
The variety of available activities in the area is dependent on the park's location, so this can be another way of thinning out your list of potential caravan parks if there are certain attractions (or types of activity) you really want to be close to. Here are a few popular types of activities that you might be interested in pursuing and what to look for in the surrounding area to ensure you will be able to enjoy them to your heart's content.
Many holidaymakers love to explore new historical or cultural locations during their time away. One of the things that makes holidays in Britain so good in this respect is that the entire country is brimming with history – you don’t have to be in a big city to find something interesting or important. If this sounds like what you would enjoy during your holiday, then research what's in the area of your potential caravan park.
Just because most of the facilities within the caravan park will be leisure-focused, that doesn't mean you can't take the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing break! If you're interested in leisure facilities, it's advisable to find a caravan park that is near to a town or has easy connections to major cities as these will open many more doors for you during your holidays.
Finally, if you love to explore and adventure through nature, then you should look for rural or coastal caravan parks. In these locations, many caravan parks run their own adventure tours and activities but be sure to research what's available outside of the park too. Similarly, make sure that you investigate any walking or cycling trails in the local area for you to discover on your own. Most of the time, the best experiences are the ones that you stumble upon or organise yourself.
If the aim of your static caravan purchase is to have somewhere to turn off and relax, then you should keep an eye on the rules of the caravan park that you choose. Many caravan parks implement curfews and rules to ensure that there is a peaceful experience for everyone. Some are also adult-only for the ultimate tranquil holiday experience. Make sure that you learn the rules and regulations at your potential caravan park and furthermore, check the proximity of the park to major roads as this will also affect the peacefulness of the setting.
For many people, it wouldn’t be a proper family holiday without their pet. Who wants to go away for days or weeks while leaving the dog or cat somewhere else? If taking your four-legged friend is non-negotiable, then make checking the park’s pet policy a priority, and rule out those that don’t meet your requirements (all of Allens Caravans’ sites are pet friendly, by the way). Check which pets the site allows – if any – and whether they are allowed around the site or have to stay in the caravan.
Many caravan parks have owners' associations where all of the residents work together to ensure a good park environment. These also foster good communication and relationships between residents and the site owners. This is a great way to get your questions answered by people who already own a static caravan on the park. It can also give you an idea of what other people in the caravan park are like. The park owners will know if an owners' association exists and will be able to point you in the right direction if you are interested.
Regardless of what style of caravan park you're dealing with, whether it ticks all of your boxes or if it only has a few things you like, always try to visit your prospective caravan parks. You are going to be purchasing a static caravan where you will regularly go on holiday, which means it's essential that you love the environment you will be in. The only way to truly get an understanding of the park's system, style and feeling is to pay it a visit
Many parks enable prospective buyers to visit and receive a tour through the park with a representative; this is perfect as it allows you to see things for yourself and ask questions first hand. We'll get onto the most important caravan-related questions you should ask in the next section.
We have parks in some of the most scenic parts of the UK. From the dramatic Welsh coast to picturesque Cotswolds, our parks are ideally situated to provide a relaxing, enjoyable getaway every time. Simply browse our parks to find your perfect fit today.
Having picked out the caravan park that suits your needs, it's time to get into the finer details and discover the perfect static caravan for you. Here is what you will need to keep in mind when making this decision.
Your budget is obviously the most important part of the purchasing process. It's essential that you consider not only your budget for buying the static caravan itself but also the monthly fees that you will incur after its purchase (we will discuss how much they are in the next section). For now, let's focus on the price of the caravan itself.
Unfortunately, it's difficult to give you a solid estimate of the price of a static caravan because of the many variables involved. Depending on the model, size, age and more, your static caravan can vary significantly in cost. As a result, it's important to decide a budget that matches your means and your requirements. And be sure you stick to it.
Kitchens vary from caravan to caravan based on variables including specification, size, price and quality. Usually, the primary variations are the appliances and the amount of storage space, but regardless of what the specification says, ensure that you visit the caravan and see the kitchen for yourself. That's the best way to be sure that you will like it.
Some people really value the right space for a relaxing bath. So, whether the caravan has a shower room or a proper bath, and how big the bath/shower and the room itself is, can all be important judgements. Don’t forget to factor in storage space for all those toiletries and other items.
Finally, the number of bedrooms probably has the largest impact on both price and suitability. Some static caravans also include additional sofa beds, which can be beneficial if you have people visiting during your stay. Again, we always recommend visiting the caravan before purchasing, just as you would visit a house you were going to buy.
This is usually the first question that people consider. The most important point to consider is the number of bedrooms, as this sets the maximum number of people who can comfortably stay in the caravan.
Saying this, the layout of a static caravan can also influence this. Some caravans are intended more as sleeping accommodation with the idea that you’ll spend most time outdoors, so they have more bed space, but the sitting and dining areas can be cramped. Others are designed for a smaller number of people to sprawl out. Decide where your priorities lie and how often you really think you’ll fill every bed space.
In some parks, the specific position of your static caravan can have a big impact on the quality of your stay and ownership experience. Firstly, proximity to the park's facilities or communal areas can make for high noise levels, so if you want a peaceful experience, you should avoid these positions
On the flip side, if you want to be within touching distance of everything the park has to offer, then it's important to check that your static caravan is suitably situated. You may not want to slog up hills or be in a spot exposed to weather. How close is the pitch to nearby roads or railways? Will there be a lot of through-traffic from other residents and visitors, or is it in a more secluded spot? What’s the view like?
Now that you have picked out the static caravan you want to buy, the big moment has arrived. It’s time to actually make the purchase! In this section, we will work through tips for buying your caravan, as well as some extra costs to consider.
Just like properties in any industry, static caravan prices fluctuate based on a large number of factors. In the caravan industry, the most drastic pricing shifts occur based on the time of year. Most people sell a caravan or move off a plot after one final summer season, so there is more availability in autumn and winter. This leads to lower prices. In turn, prices rise with demand in the spring.
Many parks and site owners will adjust prices for the start of a season each financial year. With inflation, this usually means that costs rise in February or March each year, so you can save money (sometimes amounting to several thousands of pounds) by purchasing caravans and plots and signing contracts in the winter.
On the flip side, many holiday parks close over the winter months, so buying at this time may mean that visits are not possible, staff are less available, and you cannot see the park in fully open condition or talk to residents.
This is an aspect of static caravan ownership that people regularly forget, but it must be considered before making your purchase. In the same way as purchasing a house involves maintenance and monthly fees, owning a static caravan requires the same. Here are the costs you will need to consider and calculate before finalising your purchase:
The land that a static caravan is situated on is called a pitch. Whilst you own the static caravan itself, the caravan park may still charge you ‘rent' to have your caravan situated on their land. This is called a pitch or site fee and can vary in price depending on the size of your caravan, the park you're staying on and the services that you are being offered.
You will need to pay for the utilities that you use in your static caravan. Just like your home, this includes water, gas and electricity, so make sure to factor in these additional costs when budgeting for your static caravan. Some may incur fixed ‘hook-up’ costs or maintenance/inspection charges even when not being actively used.
Whilst caravan insurance isn't always compulsory, it's an incredibly good idea. Caravan insurance covers any parts or items that need to be repaired and replaced within your caravan due to damage. Without it, you could be left not only without a usable caravan but massively out of pocket. The terms and price of caravan insurance vary depending on your provider, but it's a good idea to research what you can afford or ask your caravan park representative for their suggestions. Some parks or operators have relationships with specific insurers – these can often be advantageous but always do a comparison to check that it’s the best deal for you.
Depending on where you're located within the country, local councils can often charge rates for owning a holiday home. Sometimes these rates only include water, sewage and bin collection fees but they can encompass more. These rates are charged to the park as a whole and usually, you will only be charged a portion of this figure by the park management to cover your usage. Ensure that you fully understand the fees you will pay before committing to a purchase.
TV licensing is rarely discussed as an issue but if you pay for your TV license then travel to your holiday home and use the TV there, you shouldn't need a second license for your static caravan. However, if you stay in your static caravan and use your television there whilst the TV is being used in your residential property (for example, if a family member stays at home and uses it), then you will need to purchase a second TV license to cover both televisions being used at once.
Here is a very brief run-through of the process and how it works. The most important points here are to read the purchase agreement thoroughly and ask questions to clarify anything you're unsure about.
The first stage of registering your interest is to take note of the caravan you're interested in and call up the caravan park. Usually, from here, the caravan park will ask for details of your requirements and suggest that you visit the caravan. After organising an appointment, attending, asking any relevant questions and deciding you are happy, you should contact the park again and confirm that you want to make a purchase.
After you have confirmed that you want to make a purchase, a purchase agreement will be written by the caravan park or caravan provider. This purchase agreement will detail everything about your ownership of the static caravan including:
After you have bought your caravan home, you're ready to move in! Here are a few final tips that you should keep in mind just to ensure you're fully prepared and start your holiday home life on the right foot.
This is a big part of settling in, but almost all caravan parks have some unwritten rules and courtesies that you should consider when you first arrive. The best way to become accustomed to these is to ask your neighbour. Each park has its own norms, so make sure that you take the time to learn them as it will help you join the community seamlessly.
If you're going to be spending your holidays there, make sure that your static caravan really does feel like a home away from home. Find out what rules there are around decorating, personalising and modifying the inside of your caravan. Then, you can start adding bits that make the place feel more personal to you and your family. This will help you enjoy your arrival at the caravan much more than if you left it plain and void of colour.
We hope that the information in this guide has given you the inspiration, information and confidence to fulfil your dream of buying a static caravan of your own. Don’t forget to bookmark this page so you can come back to it for a reminder later on. If you want to talk about buying a static caravan or more information about our parks, don’t hesitate to contact us at Allens Caravans.
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