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Touring Caravan Sites: What to Look for Before You Book

There are lots of touring caravan sites throughout the UK, but how do you choose the right one?

 

When planning your next getaway, you want it to be stress-free and memorable, regardless of whether you’re travelling with the whole family or your four-legged best friend.

 

Unlike a static caravan site, touring caravan sites are designed for short-term stays, offering flexible pitches, easy access, and facilities that make your stay more comfortable.

 

Choosing the right touring caravan site helps you make the most of your holiday experience, all while you unwind in your own motorhome or caravan. It’s the familiarity of your own caravan, but on the move!

 

At Meridian Parks, we offer long season touring pitches that are open all year round, allowing you to enjoy the freedom of extended stays whenever it suits you. From Burtree Lakes to Hillcrest Park, we have touring caravan sites for you and your family. 

 

Let’s take a look at what to think about before you hit the road. 

 

Touring Caravan Site Perks

 

If you’re thinking about buying a caravan, you have two options – a static caravan or a touring caravan. As the name suggests, the latter refers to a caravan where you can tour around different locations, giving you the flexibility to see lots of places.

 

Attached to your car or van, a touring caravan is a popular choice because of this freedom. Also if you’re trying to cut costs where possible, touring pitches are cheaper than a static caravan which remains in one location.

 

We’ve got some other perks of a touring caravan below:

 

  • Freedom to travel – Touring caravans means you take your holiday anywhere, whenever you like. As you’re not tied to one spot, you can pack up and head to a new destination whenever suits best. 
  • Cheaper holiday getaways – Touring can be a lot cheaper than booking hotels or holiday rentals, especially if you travel regularly. Once you’ve bought your touring caravan or motorhome, site fees are often much lower than other types of accommodation.
  • Flexibility and variety – From the countryside to the coast, you can explore different locations throughout the year. Lots of touring caravan sites such as Meridian Parks, also offer long season touring pitches giving you the freedom to come and go as you please.
  • Home comforts on the road – You can enjoy travelling without sacrificing your home comforts! As you’ll be using your own caravan, it’s a lot more familiar and you’ll have everything you need on the go.

 

What to Look for In a Touring Caravan Site

 

Before choosing a touring caravan site, you want to make sure it has everything you need. You could be pitched up for a few days, or for a few weeks, so you want to be comfortable with all the right amenities at hand.

 

Every touring site is different, so do a little research beforehand. We’ve compiled a list of the key things to look for to make your pitch-up as comfortable as possible.

Choose the right location

 

Location is so important when choosing a touring caravan site as you want to open the doors of your caravan to a beautiful view! Think about whether you want peaceful countryside views or maybe a coastal view instead?

 

The location of your touring caravan site can shape your whole experience, so choose somewhere that matches the vibe you’re going for. At Meridian Parks, our Hillcrest site is positioned on the border of North Yorkshire and County Durham, offering effortless access to the best of both counties. And with 11 month seasonal touring, it gives you more flexibility to book.

Check the on-site amenities 

 

As we said above, touring caravan sites need to make your stay more comfortable. Whilst you will have all of your essentials in your own caravan or motorhome, you will still require some on-site amenities for added convenience.

 

These vary depending on the touring caravan site so it’s always best to check. Amenities usually include electric hook-up, water points, and waste disposal but there might also be added comforts such as shower blocks, children’s play areas, and designated dog areas if you’re taking your pet along too.

 

Find out seasonal availability 

 

Some touring caravan sites are only open for part of the year, while others, such as Meridian Parks, offer extended or even year-round seasons.

 

This lets you enjoy spontaneous weekend breaks whenever you feel like it as you’re not limited to certain months. Also whilst summer is always a popular time for travel, lots of people  enjoy travelling in the quieter, colder months, soaking up the autumn air. By choosing a touring caravan site with long-season availability, you have far more flexibility. It also means you can experience your favourite locations in every season, from crisp winter mornings to sunny summer evenings.

Look at ease of access

 

Before hitting the road, check how easy it is to reach your chosen touring caravan site. For example, are the roads easy to access and are they suitable for towing? You’ll also want to check the size of the pitches at the site to make sure they’re spacious enough for your caravan or motorhome.

 

Checking accessibility to local shops and attractions is also worthwhile, especially if you want to venture out a little and see what’s right on your doorstep. At Meridian Parks, all of our sites are carefully chosen for both their scenic locations and ease of access, so you can arrive and settle in stress-free.

 

Pet-friendly options

 

If you’re travelling with your dog, you want to make sure your chosen touring site is dog friendly. After all, they’re a big part of your family so they need to have a comfortable stay too!

 

This is where location also comes into play as you want to see if there’s any walks or parks nearby where you can let them run free. Some parks also have designated dog walking areas; for example our Burtree Lakes site has specially designated dog exercise areas so you can relax knowing they’re burning off their energy.

 

If you’re pitching up at our Derwentside Park in County Durham, you might be interested in our guide to the best dog-friendly pubs in Durham. This lets you grab a pint and some lunch knowing your furry friend is well looked after too!

Explore the surrounding area

 

Choosing the right location is about more than just opening the doors to a nice view. You want to know what’s nearby in the surrounding area as you’ll likely want to venture out and explore. Especially if you’re travelling with kids knowing what local attractions are available will help you keep them entertained during your stay. 

 

Look for things such as nearby museums, shops, walking routes, parks, and beaches so you know there’s plenty to see and do. Also, choosing a touring caravan site with plenty to explore nearby means there’s always something new to discover, no matter how many times you return. 

 

If you’re travelling to Scotland, check out our guide to October half term ideas for the whole family.

Touring Caravan Sites: What to Look for Before You Book

 

Touring caravan sites give you the freedom to park up in a stunning location without being fixed to one place. Unlike a static caravan, this means you can take your motorhome or caravan to different places, exploring nearby attractions.

 

At Meridian Parks, we have a range of static caravans for either purchase or hire, as well a variety of touring caravan sites, allowing you to choose which option best suits your needs. 

 

Our touring sites are spread out across different locations giving you the flexibility to choose somewhere that meets your requirements. All of our touring sites are designed to make your stay comfortable and easy, with amenities such as a facilities block, waste disposal, and water points as standard.

 

Come and explore any of our parks by clicking here and a member of the team will be happy to help. We look forward to welcoming you into the Meridian Parks family!