Over the past 10 years we have seen a major growth in the number of parks in the UK offering lodges in addition to their standard static caravans for sale. Although some lodge only parks now exist they are generally offered as the premium choice for customers alongside standard caravans.
The Benefits of a 12 Month Caravan Park
A clue to the benefits of a 12 month caravan park is subtly hidden in the title. While most caravan sites will close for around two months a year during the off season, these caravan parks remain open for the duration.
This brings with it a few obvious advantages. The first advantage is the ability to take a holiday in your caravan whenever you wish, instead of being limited by the closed season of your caravan site.
When you have paid for your holiday caravan and annual site fees – it can be frustrating to then be told that your caravan will be off limits to you at certain times of year, even if those are winter months.
The majority of UK holiday parks have a close season from 1 – 4 months over the winter as they are generally very quiet. This also allows them to complete major maintenance tasks and allows the park to regenerate.
While most caravan parks will allow you access to your unit during the close season, they will not allow you to remain overnight or to use any of the facilities onsite (which will be shut); purchasing a holiday caravan on a site with a full 12 month season ensures that this is not an issue, as the park will remain in full operation.
So, whenever you decide take an impromptu trip to your static caravan, with a good weather forecast – you can, with no restrictions on overnight stays or use of facilities.
Getting as much use out of your unit as you can is vital to getting good value for money from your investment in ownership. Having 12-month access to your caravan makes this easier. While winter is often associated with squally weather and grim conditions, those occasional crystal-clear days when the air is sharp and crisp can make winter one of the most rewarding times of year to get away.
Easy winterisation of your holiday caravan is another, less obvious, benefit of a 12 month season at a caravan park. Winterisation relates to the preparations a caravan owner must make before they leave their caravan unattended for an extended period of time over the winter when the caravan park is closed.
If your caravan park is open throughout the winter, the time your caravan needs to be left unattended is reduced. A year-long season enables you to check on and use your caravan from time to time, running the heating and the water and minimise the damage caused by the cold winter weather.
However, it is important to stress one point: A 12 month caravan park is NOT a license for caravan owners to move into their caravan full time. Any users looking for residential park life are better looking at Park Home sites.
Under UK law, citizens residing in the UK must be registered to pay council tax somewhere. Most reputable holiday parks will need to check you can provide proof of another permanent address.
Regulations vary between local authorities, but permanent residence in an unregistered caravan is a major no-no wherever you are in the country. While the wording of some holiday caravan legislation can be ambiguous, the local council will still come down hard on you if they think you are abusing the system. To avoid landing yourself and your caravan park owner in hot water with the taxman, use your holiday caravan for holidays only, even if the site is open 12 months a year.
Information on 12 Month Caravan Parks
Bear in mind when holidaying over the winter that it can get pretty cold at times, so ensure that your caravan is equipped with double glazing and central heating to keep you warm and cosy even in the most Arctic of conditions.
Featured Caravan - The ABI Elegeance
FREE Double glazing and central heating
The ABI Elegance is an ideal Holiday Home for you to enjoy throughout the winter months. It has a spacious living room, modern fitted kitchen, a comfortable master bedroom, two twin bedrooms, a large shower room with a power shower and a toilet suite. It also includes FREE double glazing and central heating.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 8
Size: 36' x 12'
Year: 2011
Parks open for 12 months: