Some rainy days in autumn don’t herald the depths of winter – breaks in the weather still give you plenty of chances to tow away the caravan for a weekend or two.

For some light reading matter as you relax at your chosen campsite, here are some of the current headlines for existing and prospective caravan owners.

North Devon holiday park seeks year-round caravan use

The owners of the Cleavewood Leisure Park near the North Devon resort of Woolacombe have made a bid to turn the seasonal caravan site into a park for year round use.

Remarking on the planning application in a story on the 25^th of October, the BBC noted that the park’s current licence allowed the occupation of its caravans between the 15^th of March and the 31^st of October only. The owners now consider these restrictions to be unduly dated and want to allow year-round occupation by owners.

North Devon County Council will consider the planning application in due course.

Caravan Award winners announced for 2024

The hotly anticipated annual Caravan Awards for the coming 2024 season have been announced by Caravan magazine, according to Out and About Live on the 19^th of October.

Among the many categories of winners, the following stand out:

• Caravan of the year for 2024 – Swift Elegance Grande 835;

• Best Luxury Caravan – Swift Elegance Grande 835;

• Best Lightweight and Compact Caravan – Xplore 304;

• Best Caravan costing less than £30,000 – Sprite Grande Major 4 SB;

• Coolest Caravan – La Mancelle Liberty 440 PC;

• Best 4-Berth Caravan – Coachman VIP 575;

• Best Caravan for Couples – Bailey Phoenix GT75 420; and

• Dealer of the Year 2024 – Red Lion Caravans.

Work to start next year on expanding Whitstable holiday park

Controversial plans to significantly expand the capacity of the Alberta Holiday Park at Seasalter near Whitstable have been given the go-ahead by a planning inspector who overturned the rejection of the proposals by Canterbury City Council, reported Kent Online on the 22^nd of October.

The expansion plans feature pitches for a further 91 static caravans on the site – a number that objectors complain will have a harmful impact on the landscape, be visually intrusive, and compound traffic problems in the area. Concerned residents feared that the proposals would result in the seaside village of Seasalter becoming a further version of Sheppey – which, they say, is overwhelmed by the number of caravan sites.

The Alberta Holiday Park currently already has an operating licence for up to 400 holiday homes.

World’s most advanced caravan makes towing with an electric car easy

If you’ve ever doubted that an electric vehicle (EV) is quite up to towing a caravan, a story in Auto Express on the 20^th of October might help to convince you of the possibilities.

The article unveils the Pebble Flow – itself an all-electric trailer that packs so much by way of innovation that it is branded the most high-tech caravan in the world.

The secret to the Pebble Flow’s contribution to EV automation is its so-called Active Propulsion Assist System – an arrangement of two electric motors that power the trailer and take the strain out of towing whether by an electric vehicle or one that is conventionally fuelled.

As a fully electric caravan, the Pebble Flow also has detectors that position the trailer and automatically hitch it to the towing vehicle – controlled by a simple app on a smartphone. Once you’ve arrived at your chosen campsite, the unhitched Pebble Flow can then manoeuvre itself into the tightest of pitches.

Where on earth did this last year go? Already we’re in the runup to Christmas – and the round of seasonal markets that open around this time of the year. Some will be firmly established old favourites, and some might be new on the scene but, whatever your preference, why not hitch up your caravan and enjoy a weekend or longer browsing a Christmas market or two?

Difficult choices aside, here is our list of the top ten.

1. Bath

For the early birds, one of the first to be staged is the Christmas Market in the historic city of Bath. It opens on Thursday the 23^rd of November and runs through to Sunday the 10^th of December.

Iconic monuments might take on a quite different hue after a glass of festive mulled wine before you repair to one of the several well-appointed campsites dotted around the city.

2. Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham

Opening even earlier – from Thursday the 2^nd of November right through to Sunday the 24^th of December – is the “Frankfurt” Christmas Market in the centre of Birmingham.

It claims to be the biggest authentic festive German market outside Germany or Austria – so, be sure to sample the traditional fayre of roast almonds, bratwurst, schnitzels, and pretzels, washed down with gluhwein, hot chocolate, or Weissbier.

3. Cardiff

If you are planning to take your caravan to South Wales, you’ll not want to miss out on the Christmas Market held in the centre of Cardiff.

This is one of the longest-established Christmas markets – now into its 30^th year – and this time around opens from the 9^th of November until the 23^rd of December.

4. York Christmas Market

You’ll be stepping back in time whenever you wander the narrow, Medieval streets in the heart of York – as Christmas approaches, the atmosphere takes on even more magic.

The city’s St Nicholas Fair – as those in the know are more likely to call it – runs from the 16^th of November until the 22^nd of December with a host of different stalls set against the magnificently historic backdrop and a variety of Christmas-themed events to enthral the whole family.

Even if you miss out on the market itself, you may be sure to catch the Christmas Tree Festival – held in the stunning York Minster – from the 2^nd of December until the 5^th of January.

5. Chester Christmas Market

From the 17^th of November until the 21^st of December, the much-loved city of Chester holds its popular Christmas Market in the very centre of town – right outside the Town Hall on Northgate Street.

Simply stand in wonder at the festively-lit Christmas tree that is the centrepiece of the city’s celebrations.

6. Southampton Christmas Market

The Christmas Market in Southampton’s city centre enjoys an especially extended run from the 16^th of November into the New Year until the 2^nd of January.

It’s another of the German-themed festivals – offering waffles and Bratwurst, with mulled wine or German beer.

7. Winchester Christmas Market

Just a short way up the road, you can discover an effective contrast in the approach to the Christmas festivities.

The Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market claims to be one of the best in Europe and one where you can step inside from the cold and surround yourself with the 1,000 years or so of history on which the iconic Winchester Cathedral is built.

8. Edinburgh Christmas Markets and Winter Festivals

North of the border and they do things slightly differently, of course, – but no less enjoyably.

Rather than a single Christmas market, therefore, the Scottish capital has several markets and festivals dotted all over the city – from the run-up to Christmas until the wilder New Year celebrations that will make a memorable Hogmanay.

9. Belfast Christmas Market

The Christmas Market in Northern Ireland’s capital of Belfast runs from the 18^th of November until the 23^rd of December.

Although the backdrop to the market is the impressive Belfast City Hall, a distinctly international flavour imbues proceedings in everything from freshly-cooked cuisine to hand-crafted goods.

10. London’s Winter Wonderland

If you were looking to save the biggest of them all until the last, then it’s the English capital where you’ll want to look. London’s enthralling Winter Wonderland – from the 17^th of November until the 1^st of January – covers almost the whole of Hyde Park and offers everything from an outside ice-skating rink to a big Ferris wheel and circus performances.

But London is nothing if not a collection of distinctive, individual villages and communities so you can also take your pick from more than 10 additional Christmas markets dotted about the metropolis.

Here are some of the latest news stories we have found from across the web to keep you up to date with what is happening in the world of UK caravan and camping …

Tips on avoiding caravan fines

When you’re venturing out with your caravan at this time of year, you might be tempted to pack extra clothing and additional camping gear in anticipation of the longer, colder nights.

Do that by all means but beware of overloading your caravan, warns a story in the Caravan Times on the 28^th of September. Every caravan has a technical and legal maximum weight restriction and if you exceed that limit you risk safety on the roads and the prospect of a fine – or even stiffer penalty.

Keep in mind that even a minor weight infraction can attract a fine of £300 – so, don’t overload your trailer.

Overloading is not the only area where caution is needed if you want to avoid hefty fines:

• speeding – is an offence for which you could be fined up to £1,000. So remember that the maximum speed when towing a caravan on single-carriageway roads is 50 mph and on motorways, it is 60 mph;

• overtaking – if you’ve crossed an unbroken white line to do so, you could be fined up to £1,000 and have those dreaded penalty points added to your licence;

• mismatched number plates – make sure that the number on your caravan is the same as the towing vehicle and similarly complies with the regulations on size, colour, and spacing of the characters;

• safe towing – the vehicle you’re using to tow your caravan needs to be safe and roadworthy in every respect unless you’re prepared to face a fine of up to £2,500 for driving an unsafe rig along the road.

Swift reveals its line-up of motorhomes & campervans for 2024 season

As British manufacturer Swift celebrates its 60^th anniversary, the company has marked this impressive milestone with a raft of new and updated models for 2024.

The key new features across its stable of popular motorhomes and campervans include:

• just launched at the end of the current season, the Voyager 4 makes the most of its interior spaciousness;

• the Voyager 5 series has an additional model and all feature new details;

• the Kon-Tiki also boasts a range of new features including a Swift Command dashboard and app – all housed in a lengthened vehicle;

• a new model also joins the existing Ascari range; and

• exciting new features mark the existing Carrera, Monza, and Escape models.

Oldham caravan site denied lodges in case of ‘damaging’ view

Moorlands Caravan Park in Saddleworth has had its application for the development of seven “holiday lodge” static caravans rejected by the local planning authority, revealed the Oldham Times recently.

The planning authority objected that the planned holiday lodges would look like “bungalows” and be a blot on the landscape.

The good news is that the current touring caravan pitches will no longer have to make way for more static caravans.

Wild camping: Drivers must not break little-known travel rule

Beware of running foul of the so-called “wild camping” laws in the UK that dictate where you can and cannot sleep overnight in your motorhome or campervan, warns a story in the Express newspaper on the 24^th of September.

Reminding readers that they certainly cannot just pull up on the street and sleep wherever their vehicle stops, the newspaper reminds motorhome owners that they must always secure the permission of the landowner before parking for an overnight stay.

Advance preparation by booking a pitch on a recognised campsite is always recommended.

Updated October 2023

Introduction

One of the great things about the British Isles is that they are about a whole lot more than historic monuments, castles, ruins and the tranquillity of some rural idyll – there is also a mountain of adventures and activities throughout the country.

Some of the best spots for activities – whether extreme or otherwise – might be almost on your own doorstep, whilst others might be in new and untravelled corners of these islands.

When visiting the latter in particular and with tired and aching bones, one of the last things you are likely to want is the long slog home or the prospect of roughing it on some windswept mountainside.

If you take your caravan with you, of course, you are always assured of a warm and comfy home from home, where you can rest a while, get a good night’s sleep – and launch off into your next round of wild activities in the morning.

What is more, and however remote a corner your thirst for adventure might take you, you are likely to be surprised by just how many well-organised and well-appointed caravan sites are right next door or a short drive away at most.

Combining some of the best adventure activities and sports which the British Isles have to offer with the freedom and ever-present comfort of a touring caravan to return to at nights might be all that you need for a well-earned weekend break or the holiday you have been promising yourself for some time.

In this brief guide, the aim is to introduce you to some of the locations where you can indulge a hankering for more adventurous activities – and where you will find a handily placed site for your caravan at the end of the day.

Please note that the information provided is correct at the time of writing, but some activities or facilities may change or be withdrawn, so please always check directly with the provider before booking.

Scotland

Even if you have never been there, Scotland conjures up pictures of breath-taking mountain scenery, rugged and windswept moorland, and fast-flowing white water – all the ingredients for some adrenaline-pumped action set amongst spectacular scenery. Here are just a few examples.

Vertical Descents, Ben Nevis

Just the term “canyoning” might give you some idea of the thrills and spills this activity might bring. Imagine doing it down the sides of Britain’s highest mountain and the excitement is bound to rise still further – wild swimming, cliff jumping, abseiling, sliding down natural water flumes, and scrambling beneath waterfalls are all activities you are likely to find memorable to say the least.

Where to stay

1. Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park, a 30-acre site, with fantastic views of majestic Ben Nevis right from the door of your caravan. It is in Fort William, one of the principal access points for Ben Nevis itself and its four fields offer 40 fully serviced (electricity, water and drainage) pitches for caravans and a further 150 pitches which are partially serviced (electricity only);
2. Glencoe Mountain has 10 microlodges, 4 microlodge plus, 6 camper/caravan hook-up points, 30 camping plots, showers (£1 for 5 mins), drying rooms and an onsite café with a fully licensed bar. Not only is the scenery stunning you can enjoy hill walking and mountain biking in the summer and, for the hardier types sledging in the depths of winter.

Gartmore (near Loch Lomond)

Lots of activities including water sports and quad biking are listed by Action Adventure Activities at its centre just to the east of Loch Lomond, 23 miles from the centre of Glasgow and roughly an hour’s drive away from Edinburgh.

Where to stay

1. Cashel Campsite situated on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, the campsite offers a peaceful and tranquil setting that is only a few miles from all the activity at Gartmore. The site offers pitches for tents, motorhomes and caravans with some also offering fully serviced hard standings;
2. Keltie Bridge Caravan Park is within the beautiful Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, near the town of Callander and, so, a short drive from the activity centre at Gartmore. The site offers a total of 75 pitches for caravans, all of which are on level ground and some of which are fully serviced;
3. Lomond Woods Holiday Park, as the name suggests, caters for those looking to rent a more permanent holiday home, but there are also pitches for a number of touring caravans. The latter are all on hard standing, with some offering electricity hookup, water, drainage and digital TV connection, whilst others offer electricity hookup only.

Nae Limits, Central Scotland

The name says it all really – no limits to the thrills and spills on offer from this activity centre, located near the southern boundary of the Cairngorms National Park, just three miles south of Pitlochry and about an hour’s drive away, therefore, from either Glasgow or Edinburgh.

On offer is a whole raft of white water based activities to get the adrenaline pumping. There is even a section for younger adventurists – appropriately called Wee Limits.

Where to stay

1. In Pitlochry itself you will find the Milton of Fonab Caravan Park, a peaceful family-run site with both static holiday homes for rent and pitches for touring caravans. It is the holder of an AA Campsite of the Year award. This large park has pitches for up to 170 caravans and tents, all with electric hookup;
2. Faskally Caravan Park is similarly close to all the activities based at Nae Limits, since it is also in Pitlochry, on the banks of the River Garry. The site advertises “plenty” of pitches for caravans, all of which have electricity hookup;
3. Aberfeldy Caravan Park is less than 10 miles away, situated on the banks of the famous River Tay. As a retreat from the day’s exertions at Nae Limits, you are likely to find the park both restful and quiet, with stunning views over the river. 133 pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes are available, all with electric hookup.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is no stranger to adventure activities, many of which are headlined in one helpful guide, Outdoor Activities in Northern Ireland.

“Open” canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking are some of the activities you might want to try out in the stunning setting of the Castlewellan Forest Park, just an 11 minute drive north of Newcastle – and the same distance from Dundrum – in County Down.

There are beginner level courses and those to suit more advanced adventurers – of whatever age.

Where to stay

1. Windsor Holiday Park is a short walk from the seaside town of Newcastle. Although the park concentrates on the rental of static holiday homes, there are also pitches for a number of touring caravans, on grass, but each with an electrical hookup;
2. Strangford Holiday Park is on the shores of Lough Strangford and a dozen or so miles to the east of Castlewellan, ideal for further exploration of the Ards Peninsula and the iconic Mountains of Mourne. Once again, the park concentrates on static holiday homes, but also offers a number of pitches for touring caravans, all of which are on hardstanding with electricity hook-ups, water and drainage points.

Wales

“How Green Was My Valley” is the title of a nostalgic look back at the life and times of growing up in Wales. The valley almost certainly had a river running through it, but these days any hint of white water is going to attract those with the thrills and spills of adventure activities in mind.

Whether your adrenaline fix is best met by white water or any number of other activities, Wales may be certain to come up with many locations worth considering.

Adventures Wales, near Cardiff

It is only a few miles from the Welsh capital of Cardiff, yet Adventure Wales offer white water rafting on the completely wild and natural rivers Usk, Wye and Rhondda. Travel to the relevant river head by minibus and career down its course in specially constructed white water rafts guided by experienced professionals.

Although the centre offers one of the only year round white water rafting courses in Wales, low river condition might mean a last-minute switch to equally exhilarating gorge walking.

Where to stay

1. Cardiff Caravan and Camping Park, if you want to stay in Cardiff, close to all the white water excitement provided by Adventure Wales, it might be difficult to beat this caravan site on 70 acres of prime land at Pontcanna Fields in the centre of the city. It offers 43 individual and fully serviced “grasscrete” pitches for touring caravans, space for a further 20 touring caravans on grass pitches, and a further 40 pitches without an electric hookup;
2. Llandow Touring Caravan Park is approximately 20 miles west of Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan, only three miles or so from the area’s heritage coast. The site offers a total of 175 pitches for touring caravans in two different fields. Many are grass pitches but those on hardstanding are available at no extra cost

Black Mountain Activities, Brecon, Powys

On land or on water, the huge open spaces of the Brecon Beacons give Black Mountain Activities a head start when it comes to finding and organising adventure activities.

It is almost impossible to list all of the activities available here since they encompass everything from rock climbing and caving to white water rafting and open canoeing, from abseiling to high level rope walking, to mountain biking and orienteering – and a lot more besides. The centre is just six miles from Hay-on-Wye and ten from Brecon itself.

Where to stay

1. Just one and a half miles from Hay is Black Mountain View for touring caravans. The park makes a special welcome for tourers and offers all level pitches, on grass, with electrical hookup and digital TV connection;
2. Also just a short walk from Hay – and so only a stone’s throw from Back Mountain Activities – is Ashbrook Caravan and Camping Park. Pitches for touring caravans are all on hardstanding and 16 amp electric hook-ups are available on request;

Anglesey Adventures, Anglesey

If you venture to this island at the very northwest tip of Wales, you might indulge all of your adventure activity dreams, whether they be rock climbing, coasteering, gorge scrambling and mountaineering, abseiling or kayaking – probably more than enough for even the most hardened of adrenaline junkies.

Anglesey Adventures is based in the island’s main town of Holyhead.

Where to stay

1. Pen-y-Llyn Caravan Site to the west of Holyhead, and a 10 minute drive away at Llanfair-yn-Neubwll, this small, low-density touring caravan site is for adults only and offers just five fully serviced pitches;
2. Home Farm Holiday Park or Parc Gwyliau to give it its proper Welsh name, is situated on the coast directly east of Holyhead and offers 3 individually named fields for touring caravans (Maes Isaf, Maes Canol and Maes Maes Uchaf) on a mix of hardstanding and grass pitches, many of which are fully serviced;
3. Plas Uchaf Caravan and Camping Park, also on the east coast of Anglesey in the small town of Benllech, this site is listed by the Caravan Club and has RAC approval. On a mixture of both hardstanding and grass pitches it offers ample space for a good number of touring caravans.

England

England is not all about lazy days around the village cricket green, messing about in boats or just dozing in your deckchair. You probably don’t need to look very far to discover a far more active world of adventure activities certain to get the adrenaline pumping – whatever your age.

Crags Adventures, Windermere, Lake District

The Lake District, of course, has more than its fair share of adventure activities and from your base at Crags Adventures, in the centre of Windermere, it is possible to join like-minded individuals for climbing tours, canyoning, rappelling, abseiling and many other outdoor activities in these craggy wilds of the country. You can even add to your list of activities one that your friends might not yet have heard of – ghyll scrambling.

Where to stay

1. Amongst the countless number of touring caravan sites in the Lake District, Park Cliffe is on the shores of Lake Windermere just a few miles south of the town itself and the base point for Grags Adventures. It is a large park, spread over 25 acres with one area set aside for the 70 pitches for touring caravans, on either grass or hardstanding, but all with electricity hook-ups and mains water supplies;
2. Hill of Oaks is an award-winning park with its own mile-long frontage onto Lake Windermere. Pitches available for touring caravans include standard pitches and premium, lakeside pitches. All have electric hookup, with parking space for your car alongside and for your caravan’s awning.

The Midlands

The heart of England is also a place where you can find plenty of adventure activities to satisfy even the thirstiest of adrenaline junkies.

Ultimate Activity Company, Hereford

Although based in Hereford, the Ultimate Activity Company arranges a huge range of adventure activities throughout the Midlands. Fancied your chances as a member of a SWAT team, storming buildings in order to arrest criminals or terrorists? Or maybe you would like to learn how to drive a tank, test yourself with some rock climbing or explore white waters in your canoe for the day? The Ultimate Activity Company arranges all these and more.

Where to stay

1. Just five miles from the city of Hereford is Lucksall Caravan and Camping Park, situated in the beautiful Wye Valley. The park extends for 28 acres of mixed woodland and offers a total of 139 flat and closely mown grass pitches, including some on hardstanding, all with a 16 amp electrical hookup;
2. Poston Mill Country Holiday Park is only a little further along the Wye in the appropriately named Golden Valley. There is a wide variety of pitches for touring caravans, with tariffs depending on hardstanding or grass and the level of services provided;
3. The delightfully named Cuckoo’s Corner Campsite is only a few miles from Hereford. It offers 16 pitches for touring caravans, all on hardstanding and with electric hookup and mains water nearby. It is an adults-only site.

Ackers Adventure, Birmingham

It might be in the heart of the Midlands, but Ackers Adventure Pingu Ski School is open the year round and offers, skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing on its artificial slopes. The ski centre offers facilities for winter sports enthusiasts of all ages, but makes a special effort to encourage younger, fledgling skiers.

Where to stay

1. In the Wythall district of Birmingham, the Chapel Lane Caravan Club Site has the twin benefits of being close to the city yet also enjoying a rural setting. Its 117 pitches for touring caravans include 85 that are on hardstanding;
2. Just a stone’s throw from the city itself, in the suburb of Sutton Coldfield you will find Marsten Caravan Park. Since it is in the very heart of England, the site is easily accessible from any direction and offers both hardstanding and grass pitches for touring caravans, with the option of those with an electric hookup;
3. An adult’s only caravan site, in the Forest of Arden between Coventry and Birmingham, may be found at Somers Wood Caravan Park. The site offers a total of 48 pitches for touring caravans, all with 10 amp electric hookup, with some on hardstanding and the remainder on grass.

Southwest England

With just a shade under 300 miles of coastline, it probably comes as no surprise that the southwest’s Duchy of Cornwall packs in a host of sea and water-related adventure activities. Here are just two of them.

Coasteering combines wild sea swimming with scrambling over the rugged rocks and taking a plunge into the waters below when your route on land becomes impassable. Cornish Coasteering is based near Polzeath on the road to Wadebridge on the north Cornish coast.

Where to stay

1. The obvious choice to stay when you are visiting Cornish Coasteering is the latter’s base at Dinham Farm Camping and Caravans. Near the beach at Polzeath, the site offers easy access to the two principal stretches of coastline used by Cornish Coasteering and gives visiting touring caravans the option of an electric hookup;
2. Also close (200 yards or so) to the beach at Polzeath is one of the oldest campsites in Cornwall – Valley Caravan Park, which first opened in 1945. Today, it offers a variety of pitches with varying levels of service for touring caravans, tents and motorhomes.

Vertical Descents, St. Ives, Cornwall

Vertical Descents in Cornwall offer a range of land and sea-based activities including surfing and eco-coasteering, power kiting and kite buggying.

Where to stay

1. Polmanter Touring Park is within walking distance of St Ives and caters for touring caravans, tents and motorhomes. There are non-serviced grass pitches, hardstanding serviced pitches, multi-serviced grass pitches and multi-serviced hardstanding pitches;
2. Trevalgan Touring Park is only two miles away from St Ives, nestling between the green fields of open farmland. More than 130 pitches are offered, with some having basic services, some multi-serviced and others with no services supplied;
3. Higher Penderleath Caravan & Camping Park the coast as well as unspoiled countryside. Pitches for caravans, tents and motorhomes are all on grass and electric hook-ups may be available.

Southern England

One of the attractions of southern England, of course, is that it is likely to offer longer hours of summer daylight – not to mention the sun – to help you stay warm during whatever adventure activities you choose to pursue.

Go Ape Wendover Woods, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Choose a scrambling net or climbing wall to reach the treetops of this airy adventure land and take in the views over the unspoilt landscape of Aylesbury Vale before negotiating the high ropes crossings, tree-top high wires and down to the ground zip wires.

Where to stay

1. In the Chiltern Hills about 15 miles from Aylesbury you can find Home Farm Camping and Caravan Site. It offers up to 12 pitches for touring caravans, 5 of which are on hardstanding and electric hook-ups are also available;
2. 26 miles south of Aylesbury, on the River Thames at Maidenhead, there is Amerden Caravan and Camping Park. (Currently closed for 2021 due to the widening of the M4). If your adventures at Go Ape Wendover Woods have given you a hearty appetite, you might be reassured that this caravan site is within walking distance of the village of Bray and its famous restaurants. Touring caravan pitches are on grass and come with or without electric hookup.

If you own a static caravan, your holiday home is almost certainly too good to let go to waste whenever you’re unable to use it. However, tempting it might be, there are occasions when neither you nor your family are able to enjoy your static home.

Those are the times when you might think about renting out your holiday home – and earn yourself a little extra cash into the bargain.

How do I do it?

Your static holiday home sits on a site that you lease from the caravan park’s owners – and you have a lease agreement to that effect.

If you want to rent out your static caravan, therefore, your first question is whether such a move is permitted under the terms of your lease. You can get the answer easily enough simply by asking the management or owners of the site.

Indeed, by asking the question, you may well find that the site owners are very much on your side. With their support – but probably at the cost of a commission on any rental income you earn – site owners or management may often offer to advertise and make any lettings on your behalf. That could be a convenience well worth any commission you need to pay.

Either way, of course, you must be prepared to comply with any conditions applied by the owners whenever you rent out your holiday home – whether your tenants can bring pets with them, for instance, or any restrictions on the number of cars that can be parked on or near to your caravan’s pitch.

Insurance

You will want to be assured that your holiday home remains fully insured whenever you have holidaymaking tenants in your static caravan. Your static caravan insurance typically may not include this cover as standard.

Checking whether you are covered for these periods is a simple matter of picking up the telephone and giving us a call on  01702 606301.

Your obligations as a landlord

It might not have been something that occurred to you but whenever you rent out your holiday home, you automatically become a landlord for the duration.

As the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) notes, the definition of a landlord is extremely broad and embraces not only standard houses and flats but also caravans.

As a landlord, you are bound by a wide range of legal responsibilities bearing on the health and safety of your tenants.

Although there are slightly different rules for landlords in Scotland and Northern Ireland, in England and Wales, you must ensure that:

• all gas and electrical installations and appliances are safe and properly maintained;

• you have an up to date Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your holiday home.

Summary

It would be a shame to see your static holiday home go to waste with no one using it. Renting it out will allow others the enjoyment of your caravan – and may earn you some valuable extra cash.

Although the business of letting it out is likely to prove fairly straightforward, you must get the permission of the site owners or management, abide by any conditions they might apply, and ensure that you continue to be covered by the relevant static caravan insurance policy.

Remember, too, that however short-term the arrangement might be, you take on the legal responsibilities of a landlord once you rent out your static holiday home.