There are probably thousands of different styles of caravan available. Think carefully about your requirements from a caravan before you buy one. Caravans are an expensive purchase so it is worth taking some time to find the perfect one for you.

Static Caravans

Static caravans are great if you have one place that you really love to go. They are normally fairly large and stay in one place all of the year. The main advantages of a static caravan are:

• Stays in one place at your favourite destination.

• You do not have to transport your caravan when you wish to go away.

• You do not need to organise storage when you are not using your caravan. (Although you may have to pay the park it is in for general security and upkeep).

• More suited to the installation of modern conveniences for example washing machines and double glazing. (This means buying a static caravan can be expensive).

Touring Caravans

Touring caravans are the most popular form of caravans. They allow for spontaneous holidays and if you do not like where you end up you can just move on. Here are a few general key facts about touring caravans.

• They must be attached to a towing vehicle for transportation. Heavier caravans must be transported by more powerful cars.

• Size varies enormously.

• Generally the seating area is transformed into the sleeping area at night.

• Touring caravans are likely to have a kitchen and washing area of varying description. Some may have a toilet and others will not.

• Touring caravans are popular because they offer the greatest amount of personal freedom.

Full/Standard Touring Caravans

This is the most recognisable style of caravan. They have solid sides and a solid roof. They are set up to be easy to connect to amenities and normally have a fairly high roof for comfort.

Pop-top / Pop-up Caravans

As the name suggest these kinds of caravan have roofs that can be raised up providing extra head room. Normally this flexible part is made of a strong vinyl to ensure water resistance. Pop-top caravans have some specific benefits. They make towing easier because they are less wind resistant. They use less fuel in transportation because they are less heavy that standard caravans and they will have good air circulation inside. The disadvantages are that you will have less storage space and they take a little more time to set up.

Compact Caravans

As the name suggests these caravans are small. Normally they have a solid metal shell. They do not have a large amount of room so do not expect luxury. The main attraction is that they will have beds inside (normally two). If you are looking for a more comfortable nights sleep than you could get in a tent then they are a good option.

Fifth Wheel Caravans

These caravans are not often seen in the U.K. however they are popular in America. A pick up truck or similar vehicle is needed to tow them. They are very large and contain many home comforts, they are quite literally a home away from home. But they use a significant amount of fuel to be transported and need a large specialised towing vehicle. Getting around some of the small country roads in the U.K. would not be possible with this kind of caravan.

A few things to consider before making a purchase

• How far and how frequently are you going to travel? Smaller caravans are easy to transport, but the living space is reduced, you will need to strike a balance between the two.

• Where are you going? Do you need a shower/toilet which will take up space and add weight or are you going to stay in caravan parks where they are likely to have these facilities?

• What weight can your towing vehicle tow? Do not forget to budget for a more powerful car if you want a large caravan.

• Fuel will cost more with a heavier caravan.

• How many beds do you really need?

• What appliances will make you comfortable? For example in the kitchen will a microwave be sufficient or do you want a grill and hob? If you will only go caravanning in the summer you may be able to BBQ outside instead.

• There are only a few caravans that are expressly listed as off road suitable. If you do want to go off road, fully check the manufacturers warranty to ensure that what you want to do will not invalidate it. Off road caravans will weigh more because they are re-enforced with a lot of extra metal. They are likely to come with more spare parts and will ideally have low energy appliances.

• Having lots of windows allows for a greater view of the scenery around and lets in lots of light.

• Interiors and layouts vary enormously so shop around for something that makes you happy. Remember it is not about how large the caravan is but how the space it used!

Caravanning is a popular holiday choice, which means that there are loads of destinations to choose from. Staying at a designated caravan park is a good idea because they should provide you with at least the basic facilities that you need to be comfortable, such as clean toilets and access to fresh water. There is a vast range of different types of caravan site with all kinds of different facilities.

When you are choosing somewhere to stay it is worth considering what you need from your holiday destination. Here are 10 things that could affect your choice of pitch:

1. Animals – Not all sites allow pets, some may charge if you do take them.

2. Adults – Some sites are adult only sites, creating a completely different atmosphere.

3. Children – Some sites will have lots of child friendly facilities such as playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts and even petting zoos.

4. Privacy – If you want a high degree of privacy it may be worth looking for somewhere with en-suite facilities and secluded pitches.

5. Facilities – Sports facilities, food and drink availability and social events all differ from place to place. If you want to cycle, many sites offer cycle hire facilities.

6. Public Transport Connections – If you wish to see the local area you should find out about the local transport system. Check how close the train station or bus stop is to the site.

7. Locations – If you want lots of things to do during your holiday, check the local area or your intended destination site for information about areas of natural beauty, tourist attractions, water parks, beaches, local events and other things to do.

8. Locality – It is worth finding out how long it will take you to get to the site, and how much that journey will cost you.

9. Price – Price varies enormously, from £3 a night upwards, you may find that it is beneficial to join a club so that you can take advantage of their reduced rates.

10. Booking – Book well in advance if you have a specific site in mind. During peak times some sites get completely booked up.

Once you have decided upon what you need from a site you can start looking at the different kinds of sites available.

Static Caravan Sites

There are lots of static caravan sites in the U.K. They are available to buy and to rent. If you particularly like a certain area and wish for the comfort of having your own things around you then buying a static caravan may be a good idea. You can also rent static caravans. This is excellent if you do not have the means to transport a touring caravan. The parks that static caravans are located on will normally offer a range of facilities.

Touring Caravan Sites

Touring caravans are flexible homes. You can stay in large parks with many facilities or you can retreat to small rustic pitches in the countryside, the choice is yours!

Certified Locations

The smallest sites known as Certified Locations to the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club, are suitable for no more than 5 caravans at any one time. They offer seclusion and basic amenities. Certified locations are casual, normally rural caravan sites designed to facilitate your enjoyment of the local area rather than to provide you with on-site activities. Many sites of this size are affiliated to a caravan club so they are only available to use if you are a member. The cost of staying in a site of this size starts at about £3, which makes it great value for money if you can entertain yourself.

Starred Caravan Sites – The British Graded Holiday Park Scheme

There is a system in place to evaluate holiday parks and caravan sites. It is the traditional 5* system. Private sites, holiday parks owned by commercial operators and the club sites that are open to non-members will generally all be rated under the star system. It is organised by the tourist boards of the U.K. As you would expect 5* is the top rating; caravan sites with this accolade will have groceries available daily, 24 hour access to a public telephone, good lighting, heated toilets and 75% of pitches will have electrical hook ups. 5* sites will have extremely high levels of cleanliness and all facilities will be in good order.

The other sites are graded according to where they fall in comparison to this. 5* means exceptional standards, 4* excellent quality, 3* is the industry standard, 2* is good, 1* is acceptable. Any parks that fall below these standards will not be awarded a star.

The star system is not an indication of the types of facilities available, but of the quality of the facilities that are there. Star status is reviewed annually. Always check individual brochures for details about the exact facilities that will be available.

Other Criteria for Judging Holiday Parks

The Camping and Caravanning Club and The Caravan Club have their own criteria for judging their own caravan sites. This information is available to members. Both of the clubs have a good reputation and many choose these sites because they have a high minimum standard.

The David Bellamy Conservation Award is given to all of the caravan sites in the U.K. that are making a comprehensive effort and having a positive affect on local wildlife. There are 600+ awarded sites at the moment. Many of the sites are in areas of great natural beauty and some are completely eco-friendly.