Curious what those clusters of trailer parks are nestled up next to the ocean or other dreamy locations? They are UK holiday parks.
Unlike an American trailer park, a holiday park in the UK is a vacation destination. In this post, I demystify American ideas on what a UK holiday park really is, and why the Brits have kept this lovely accommodation secret to themselves.
Read on to learn about super affordable yet surprising accommodation to explore the very best of the UK – British style.
Save for planning your first holiday park trip!
This is a sponsored post in partnership with Away Resorts and Aria Resorts. I had already visited one of their resorts, so when they asked me to write about my experience as an American after my second holiday park vacation, I was more than happy to!
A UK Holiday Park and RV Park are not the same
Truth be told when I originally agreed to book a holiday park for Wales, I thought we were going to rent an RV.
Holiday parks in the USA tend to suggest an RV or camper park. And since I went camping (the RV kind) nearly every summer as a little girl, I didn’t imagine a UK holiday park being any different.
But they are very different. And delightfully so. Well, if you’re the kind of traveler like me who enjoys privacy, running water, hot showers, restaurants on-site, a hot tub, pool, an ocean, your own bedroom…you know, the essentials for traveling with kids.
Needless to say, it’s a pleasant surprise to discover that a holiday park in the UK doesn’t involve an RV at all.
Are trailers in a UK holiday park rubbish?
There is a stigma in the USA about trailer parks. They tend to suggest low-income, low budget, and in an undesirable location.
For an American, a trailer park is far from considered a holiday accommodation. (I certainly don’t mean to offend you if you live in a trailer, and if it helps to confirm my authenticity, my parents started their family in one.)
The holiday park trailers in the UK range from modern to traditional contemporary. And holiday park companies like Away Resorts continuously invest in maintaining current trends, consumer expectations, and 5-star experiences.
Amenities can range from an electric log burning fire at Away Resorts Barmouth Bay, to a private hot tub on the deck of a Sandy Balls trailer in New Forest. (Yes, the park is really called Sandy Balls!)
Both parks exceed expectations as an American newbie to the old UK holiday park past-time.
View this post on Instagram
Are holiday parks in the UK like timeshares in America?
Yes! You can own your very own caravan if one is up for sale in the UK.
Once you own a caravan you can deposit it back to the holiday park for it to be rented. This is very similar to timeshare ownership in America.
What is staying at a holiday park in the UK really like?
For an American, once you get over the very impressionable trailer park view upon check-in, staying at a holiday park is:
- Quiet compared to a hotel.
- Like having your own private villa in a sought-after UK destination that no one else knows about.
- Freedom to choose if you want to eat in or eat out. Kitchens are equipped with most everyday things but the groceries.
- Can feel spacious or compact. Depending upon what you book may determine how much space you have to maneuver. The kitchen table at our caravan in Barmouth Bay was a squeeze so we always made light of it when we stayed in to eat dinner.
- Guilt-free heating – set the temperature as high as you want! You don’t have to pay this heating bill!
- Parking is included. Let’s be honest, this is a huge bonus anywhere in the UK.
- Similar to a timeshare rental/exchange in America.
And lastly, staying at a holiday park in the UK is basically home away from home but in an incredible location.
This Barmouth Bay caravan kitchen is a tight squeeze but a fun memory
What do you need to pack to stay at a holiday park in the UK?
Pack for a holiday park the same as packing to stay at a hotel, with these additions:
- Towels – Contact the holiday park in advance on whether towels will be provided. Inquire about beach towels, too!
- Outdoor activities – Hiking boots, beach toys, snorkel gear
- Weather – Wellies, beach tents/umbrellas
- Kitchen – If you book a caravan with a full kitchen, pack a tea towel, your favorite tea or coffee, and a few grocery essentials in the event you arrive late or super early. Check the on-site shop hours in advance.
- Washer Detergent – If you book a more modern or luxurious accommodation at a holiday park, the unit will most likely have a washer dryer. This means you don’t need to pack an outfit for every day. Just pack the detergent.
Lastly, pack an open mind. While there are no UK holiday parks with over-the-water bungalows or a bellman to roll out the red carpet, what makes it so memorable is that it’s a British experience, unlike any American one with access to some pretty awesome places.
Why UK holiday parks are awesome for Americans
Since American expats and travelers alike seek to cover as much of the British Isles as possible in a condensed timeline, choosing UK holiday parks for travel is a strategic choice.
In addition to popular locations, staying at a UK holiday park offers fabulous family accommodations at a good price. And with travel a top expat priority, finding great value on top of great accommodations is a big win.
Seeking holiday park luxury? Book a Premium Barn at Retallack Resort & Spa in Cornwall.
Luxury Holiday Park in Cornwall, England
Budgeting for less? Book a caravan at Sandy Balls for a getaway to find New Forest ponies.
Sandy Balls Holiday Park Caravan in New Forest
Looking for accommodation that’s 100% British? Book The Rockstar at Tattershall Lakes.
Rockstar Caravan at Tattershall Lakes, Lincolnshire
Need to bring the dog? No problem. You can typically do that too when booking a UK holiday park. Both Away Resorts and Aria Resorts let you bring your pooch!
Where are the best holiday parks in the UK?
I’m a bit biased given my experience at Away Resorts, but their holiday parks are strategically located in the UK for a perfect road trip around the coast.
See these 13 Best UK Road Trips for inspiration.
A few holiday parks to consider by county for your next Great Britain holiday, listed clockwise:
Scotland Holiday Park
Angus – Piperdam Leisure Resort
📍Landal Piperdam, Fowlis, Dundee, Angus, Scotland, DD2 5LP
England Holiday Parks
North Yorkshire – The Bay Filey
📍The Bay Filey, 1 Moor Rd, Filey YO14 9GA
Lincolnshire – Tattershall Lakes
📍Tattershall Lakes Country Park, Sleaford Road, Tattershall, Lincolnshire, LN4 4LR
Essex – Mersea Island
📍Mersea Island Holiday Park, Fen Lane, East Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8UA
Hampshire – Mill Rythe
📍Mill Rythe Coastal Village, Havant Road, Hayling Island, Hampshire, PO11 0PB
Isle of Wight – Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park
📍Hillway Road, Bembridge, Isle of Wight, PO35 5PL
Dorset – Swanage Bay View
📍Swanage Bay View, Panorama Rd, Swanage BH19 2QS
Cornwall – St Ives Bay
📍St Ives Bay Holiday Park, 73 Loggans Rd, Upton Towans, Hayle, TR27 5BH
Wales Holiday Park
North Wales – Barmouth Bay Holiday Park
Talybont, Barmouth, Gwynedd, North Wales, LL43 2BJ
For things to do for your stay at Barmouth Bay, read 11 Pretty Things To Do On A Wales Road Trip.
Barmouth Bay Wales Holiday Park
But there are far more options – including UK holiday parks with hot tubs! For a totally British holiday experience in your very own trailer, book your holiday at Away Resorts or Aria Resorts.
Final Thoughts On UK Holiday Parks
You now know that a seaside trailer park in Britain isn’t just a lucky setup but an untapped holiday waiting for you to experience yourself.
Choose a holiday caravan that best suits your style and the British vacation you’re dreaming of. From budget-friendly oceanside trailers to lakefront modern barns, there is an option for all adventure seekers and wallet sizes waiting for memories to be made.
While seeing London is on every American’s bucket list, it’s getting beyond city limits that truly uncover the depth of beauty the UK has to offer. UK holiday parks help American travelers experience just that!
So the next time you consider a holiday, consider a truly British one. Book a UK holiday park and experience how trailer park living isn’t so bad after all.
Looking for unique British travel?
- 5 British Events To Experience At Least Once
- Where To See New Forest Ponies in England
- Trooping the Colour: The Queen’s Birthday Celebration
—————————————————————-
Get on the list!
5 comments
Thank you
My husband is going to the UK for 3 months. He is looking to borrow his sister’s car while there. Do you have any advice on car insurance he can get?
Hi Inna! If your husband is going for only 3 months I would see if his sister can add him to her policy as an additional driver and he pay her the balance. That is probably the easiest way. Otherwise, 1- have him check comparethemarket.com for short-term car insurance options, and 2- check his credit card for options that offer insurance while traveling overseas. x
Sandy Balls 😂😂😂😂. Surely it’s worth going just for the name.
It completely is!! x