Buyer's Guide - Buying a Caravan

We’re here to make the dream of holiday home ownership a reality with our buyer’s guide. We’ll take you through the simple step-by-step process towards owning a caravan of your own, so you can eliminate the admin and make the best choice for you and the family. Join a world where the kids can roam free, where the escape from the hustle and bustle is constant and where the goodbyes are only temporary. A place to return to as and when you please is waiting in the wings for your arrival.

Static caravans for sale

Discover caravans and lodges for sale

Step 1. Choose a location

Step 1. Choose a location

As an owner, you’ll have the privilege of returning to your holiday home as and when you please, meaning you’ll want to choose a park that’s as convenient as it is charming.

With an array of picturesque Haven locations dotted around the UK, you’re never too far from the ideal spot. Sample our stunning settings and find the perfect park for your holiday home.

Consider the following factors to find a park to tick all your boxes:

  • How often you intend to visit
  • The experiences on the park itself
  • The things to do in the local area
Step 2. Understand the costs

Step 2. Understand the costs

There are three different costs to consider as a prospective holiday homeowner:

  • The cost of the holiday home itself

  • The annual site fees to cover the cost of your holiday home at your chosen park

  • The annual running costs for amenities in your holiday home

Fear not, as a Haven owner there are many different ways to offset these costs and make holiday home ownership much more affordable than it may first seem.

Cost of the holiday home explained

Cost of the holiday home explained

The price you see on our website covers the cost of the property itself and essential add-ons like siting, connection and safety and security. 

Decking must added to your total package price on Silver grade caravans and above, which isn't included in the prices shown online, but you will receive a full price breakdown during your park ownership visit.

The park team will also go through the ways you could offset the initial costs, including a 10% deposit scheme with monthly instalments to your chosen finance provider.

Take a look at our articles below for more information on the above.

Guide to buying a new caravan

Guide to caravan finance article

Guide to letting out your static caravan article

Caravan decking types article

Cost of site fees explained

Cost of site fees explained

Site fees cover the right to site your holiday home your chosen Haven park. This includes: 

  • Maintenance and security 

  • Grass cutting 

  • Landscaping and park upkeep 

  • Use of all park facilities including exclusive owners-only features 

Site fees are payable in advance of the season start on March 1 each year. They start from £4,645 and vary based on pitch location at the park.

Let2offset is our new letting service for new customers, and existing customers who are part-exchanging through Haven, which offsets letting income against your costs and enables you to pay your site fee costs monthly. Terms apply. Find out more by visiting our lettings page.

Costs to run your holiday home explained

Costs to run your holiday home explained

These cover the cost of utilities needed for your holiday home, including: 

  • Water 

  • Gas 

  • Electricity 

  • Insurance 

The total running costs of your holiday will vary from year to year. Our team of experts will walk you through these and help you decide the best way to cover them.

Step 3. Choose a holiday home

Step 3. Choose a holiday home

The world of holiday home ownership throws up a world of choice that makes it easier than ever to find a holiday home that suits your needs. There are no shortage of options, but this can sometimes throw up a whole load of questions!

Our experienced park team will support you with your decisions and recommend holiday homes based on your requirements. Step 4 on this page explains why we think a park visit is the best way of finding your perfect home-from-home. However, we understand you might want to do some initial homework before making a trip to a park, and hopefully, the following sections will help answer any questions you have.

Explore our caravans for sale

Explore our caravans for sale

If you fancy a brand-new caravan, visit our handpicked range page where you'll find our best models grouped to guide you through our extensive choice of caravans. Go for Bronze if you're after an attractive but practical first caravan; Silver if you seek extra space with style or Gold if you desire the finest home comforts.

We also have on our parks a selection of pre-loved caravans, which may just be the thing if you want to make your budget stretch that bit further. Our used caravan page highlights some of the benefits of buying pre-owned. If you're still struggling to decide between new and used caravans, see our guides which are full of advice:

Benefits of buying a brand-new caravan

Why buy a used vs new static caravan?

The differences between the caravans

See our lodges for sale

See our lodges for sale

For high-end features and comfort, visit our lodge page. This page shows you some of the lodges we have for sale and the parks which have exclusive lodge areas. Lodges are 16 feet wide so if you're after maximum space as well as luxury, then a lodge could be for you.

Our article on buying a luxury lodge versus a static caravan has useful information on the key differences between the two.

Step 4. Book an ownership park visit

Step 4. Book an ownership park visit

Now for the exciting part! Once you’ve had a browse online, get in touch with us to book an ownership park visit where you'll see our caravans for sale as well as explore the park.

In just a few hours, you'll get a good understanding of what life as an owner is like, but you can spend as much time on the park as you need and there will be no pressure to buy. It's really important that you take your time and make the right decision for you.

Learn all about a park ownership visit in our benefits of a park ownership visit article.

Step 5. Buy your home with our park teams

Step 5. Buy your home with our park teams

Our park team will go through all the figures with you on a park visit. They'll also go through the letting options available to you, if you're looking to offset some of your costs. Once you're ready to buy, and you're happy with your final quote, you'll agree how to pay. Options include payment in full via by cheque, BACS, credit or debit card, or a park finance package (subject to status).

Once you've bought a static caravan on one of our parks, you'll quickly settle into park life. However, if you decide that the Haven lifestyle is not what you were expecting, we offer a 30-Day Lifestyle Money Back Guarantee. In other words, for 30 days after buying your holiday home, you're entitled to hand back the key and walk away, and we'll return the money. 

1 T&Cs apply

We recommend these parks

Ambling walks through the countryside and refreshing coastal breezes, it’s all a stone’s throw away when you own a holiday home in Cleethorpes Beach.

  • Direct beach access
  • New park development - secure your space
  • Adventure Village
  • Wonderful walks

This peaceful, caravan owners-only park sits proudly on the Yorkshire coast, benefiting from sea views and quaint coastal towns nearby.

  • 18-hole golf course
  • The Lakes Spa
  • Beach access
  • Country Park

You’re not too near to the hustle and bustle or too far from the fun when you choose a break at Skegness Holiday Park, a fantastic park that’s ripe for making memories that last a lifetime. 

  • Outdoor Piazza & Stage
  • Marina Bar and Stage
  • Indoor pool
  • Beach nearby

With a holiday home in Golden Sands, you’ll have the perfect spot to explore magnificent Lincolnshire’s natural beauty and rich history.

  • Beach nearby
  • Adventure Village
  • Indoor pool
  • Entertainment

Find your holiday home

Browse the complete range of caravans and lodge holiday homes for sale across all 39 of our coastal parks.

Find your holiday home new caravan
from £34,995
Offers available
New caravans

100s of brand new holiday homes with fantastic savings

Search new caravans
Holiday Homes For Sale Find Your Holiday Home Preowned
from £19,995
Offers available
Used caravans

Incredible value for money caravans ideal for the first-time buyer

Search used caravans
Lodges at Haven
Offers available
Lodges

Spacious and beautifully designed with luxury interiors

Search lodges
Holiday Homes For Sale Explore Hand Picked Range Comfort
Offers available
Handpicked range

Caravan ranges carefully chosen to suit a wide range of needs, tastes and budgets

Explore caravan ranges

Discover our different size caravans 4 berth for small families and couples, 6 berth for extended families and 8 berth, our largest holiday homes.

Frequently asked questions

All our award-winning holiday parks are on or near the coast and packed with our special combination of activities and entertainment. We're part of Bourne Leisure Limited, one of the UK’s leading holiday home ownership companies, which means we’re always investing more into our parks to give you a great time, all the time.

As an owner you’ll also receive special perks, have access to exclusive facilities and a dedicated Experience team, these are just some of the reasons to choose Haven.

We have a 24 hour on-park security team who regularly patrol the park to ensure our owners and guests feel safe.

They will also refuse entry to anyone without a valid pass. Plus, we offer a Park Security Alarm system to protect your holiday home and help put your mind at ease.

If you wish to contact our security team, you will be able to find their number on your key ring or the Haven app. 

Our park opening dates vary depending on whether you are a holiday maker or own your own holiday home on our parks.

We have listed our opening dates for holiday home owners below.

You may occupy your holiday home for up to 60 consecutive days at a time, however, we are unable to accept mail which has been addressed to you at the park.

Please remember your holiday home cannot be used as your primary residence and proof of residence will be required when you purchase.

ParkOwnership
Berwick9 March - 9 January 
Blue Dolphin1 March - 30 November 
Burnham-on-Sea1 March - 30 November 
Caister-on-Sea1 March - 30 November
Cala Gran1 March - 4 January 
Cardigan View4 March - 10 January 
Church Farm1 March - 1 December 
Cleethorpes Beach1 March - 30 November
Combe Haven1 March - 14 January 
Craig Tara1 March - 30 November 
Devon Cliffs1 March - 30 November
Doniford Bay1 March - 30 November 
Far Grange2 March  - 31 January. Weekend occupancy throughout February (Friday evening until Monday morning). The opening dates for The Lakes are 8 February - 5 January
Garreg Wen4 March - 4 January 
Golden Sands1 March - 30 November 
Greenacres4 March - 4 January
Hafan y Môr

1 March - 30 November. The Stables and Golf Village are open until 14 January

Haggerston Castle9 March - 9 January
Hopton

1 March - 31 October. You may also occupy your holiday home on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights during November and December and for a 10 day period either side of Christmas Day in each season

Kent Coast1 March - 30 November and 20 December - 4 January
Kiln Park1 March - 9 January 
Lakeland1 March – 14 November. Plus, from 23rd December to 3 January for continuous occupancy.  From 14 November to 23 December caravans may be occupied from Friday 8am to Monday noon only in each season
Littlesea1 March - 22 December 
Lydstep Beach1 March - 9 January 
Marton Mere1 March - 1 December 
Penally Court1 March - 30 November
Perran Sands1 March - 31 October
Presthaven1 March - 14 January 
Primrose Valley1 March - 4 January 
Quay West1 March - 9 January
Reighton Sands1 March - 30 November
Riviere SandsNot an owner's park 
Rockley Park2 March - 2 January
Seashore1 March - 30 November 
SeaviewNot an owner's park 
Seton Sands1 March - 30 November. Also in December to include Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights only and finally 24th December to 7th January in each season
The Orchards1 March - 30 November. Also, every weekend throughout the year.  The Park is open from 24th December to 3rd January inclusive over Christmas & New Year
Thornwick Bay1 March - 30 November
Weymouth Bay1 March - 2 January
Wild Duck1 March - 30 November

A static caravan is a lifestyle investment, not a financial investment. Static caravans depreciate at a similar rate to cars. 

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