Tips for first time caravan holidays

When it comes to holidays in the UK, caravans are a timeless option that should always be considered. Affordable and convenient, caravan holidays can provide families with so many wonderful memories, letting people discover incredible locations like Cornwall with its beautiful beaches, charming atmosphere, and wonderful attractions. But what if you have never been on a caravan holiday before? Well, fear not, we have put together a collection of top tips for first time caravan holidays helping you to make the best out of your upcoming holiday.

Make a checklist

One of the first things you should do ahead of your caravan holiday is to make a checklist of all the things you need to bring. On arrival, you will probably find that you have forgotten some things you need and also brought some things you don’t. To avoid this as much as possible, make sure you have investigated the caravan park in which you are intending to say at. For example, you might not need to bring things like kitchen utensils, pillows, and highchairs. So do your research and then make a list of things that you know you will need.

Claire from the family travel blog Tin Box Traveller shared with us her top tip for first-time caravan holidays: “Check what equipment will come with your static caravan as this can vary from holiday park to holiday park. Bedding, barbecues and patio furniture aren’t always supplied. We have a packing list specifically for self-catering holidays in mobile homes that includes cleaning products, toilet rolls, tea towels, bath towels and beach towels.”

Claire also spoke to us about what she believes makes caravan holidays such a great option: “We love caravan holidays of all kinds: statics and touring. We had our own caravan for five years and have enjoyed brilliant holidays in mobile homes in the UK and Europe. What makes this type of holiday so wonderful is the amazing locations you can find yourself in and the relaxed nature of self-catering holidays. You are free to relax in your own home from home or make the most of the holiday park facilities depending on your mood. Our children love making new friends on caravan holidays and plenty of fresh air means we all sleep soundly in proper beds each night. It’s the perfect balance of relaxation and fun.”

Choose the right destination

One of the most important parts of a caravan holiday is choosing the right destination. Of course, you want a nice caravan to stay in but where you are holidaying is, of course, key. We don’t think we are biased in saying the south-west is a wonderful option with our cheap caravans in Cornwall having everything you need for a memorable stay. Not only does Cornwall have the best beaches in the UK, plenty of interesting attractions to visit, and often England’s warmest weather, our caravan park is the perfect spot for first-timers. With on-site entertainment, heated pool, restaurant and caravan essentials provided, you can look forward to a relaxing first step into the world of caravan holidays.

Make sure your caravan is road-ready

Before setting off in your own caravan, you will also need to ensure that it is road ready. This includes taking it for a spin if it is a recent purchase, to make sure that everything is operating as it should be and to help you get used to driving it. Your holiday is supposed to be a relaxing experience, so try not to make it the first time you have ever taken it for a drive.

It’s also a good idea to bring some caravan essentials so you are kitted out for any eventuality. Marcus and Melissa from the travel blog Fly Drive Explore recommend the following to add to your checklist: “Essentials include a gas bottle, regulator, large waste container, toilet chemicals, first aid kit, water container, fire blanket or extinguisher, a caravan battery, spare tyre and pump. Towing mirrors are also essential to help with visibility.”

Bring extra towels

It’s the simple things that can make all the difference on a holiday and something as minor as wet towels that can spoil the mood. Sarah from the family blog Mum Muddling Through has shared this tip, saying that bringing an extra towel or two can be a good idea:

“You will probably have packed towels for swimming and may or may not make room to squish in hand towels, face towels and bath towels. If you can squeeze any additional towels into any spare space into the car it’s a godsend – if the weather isn’t great there aren’t many places to dry towels, so the handful you brought by the end of day one’s swim and evening shower will be wet. They may never completely dry so by day four, they will feel totally gross after your shower, and you’ll have probably used one as a floor mat.”

Of course, using the on-site laundry facilities is an option but if you don’t fancy doing the laundry on your much-deserved holiday, following Sarah’s advice here and packing a few extra towels might be the move to make.

Pack your caravan safely

If you are going on holiday in your own caravan, you should certainly make sure you have packed everything safely and securely before taking off. If you pack your caravan badly, you can end up impairing its stability on the road. The last thing you want is to be pulling over on the motorway because of a shoddy packing job. The heaviest items in your caravan should go above the axle, with medium-sized items coming next. It’s advised to only use cabinets for lighter items, but it is much better to pack clothes, for example, in a suitcase, stored on the floor of the caravan.

Bring some camping chairs

When the weather is nice and the sun is beating down, it’s nice to sit outside first thing in the morning or after you return from your day out. So, make sure that you bring along some camping chairs during your caravan holiday. Of course, sitting on the grass, blanket, or nearby bench is always an option, but the convenience and comfort of a nice chair outside your caravan will be most welcome. If sitting back in the late afternoon sun with a refreshing beverage after a day down the beach sounds tantalising, making the effort to bring a few camping chairs will be well worth it.

Avoid caravan envy by upgrading

When opting for a holiday at a caravan park, you may be happy with one of the modest options available or bringing your own small family caravan. However, the last thing you want is to be overcome with caravan envy by looking at what others are enjoying around you. So, if upgrading to a larger size is possible for you, it might be worth it to have that extra space. After all, if the weather turns sour, you will be spending more time indoors so that extra legroom – especially for families – will surely be welcome.

Advice for your first ever caravan holiday

• Make a checklist
• Choose the right destination
• Make sure your caravan is road-ready
• Bring extra towels
• Pack your caravan safely
• Bring some camping chairs
• Avoid caravan envy by upgrading

We hope the above tips have been helpful in planning your future caravan holiday. Caravan holidays are such a wonderful way to relax and spend time with friends and family, especially when choosing an attractive destination like Cornwall. So, consider the above and start looking forward to your holiday!

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