Caravan holidays in the United Kingdom are experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity, as an increasing number of British families opt for staycations rather than spending heavily on luxury hotels overseas. Holiday park operators such as Haven, Away Resorts, and Waterside Holiday Group have all reported heightened demand, while Gumtree notes that searches for campervans, motorhomes, and caravans have skyrocketed by 133 percent since the start of the year.
Even celebrities, including Gemma Collins, Stacey Solomon, and Coleen Rooney, have embraced the caravan lifestyle, while Dani and Danny Dyer have gone so far as to launch their own holiday park. However, it is not just famous faces discovering the appeal of caravan breaks.
Samantha, who posts on TikTok as @samanthaproudmama, says holiday parks have been the perfect getaway as a single mother, helping her build confidence while keeping costs manageable. The mother from West Sussex became a single parent around 18 months ago and booked her first solo trip with her son Jack shortly afterward, choosing a caravan park just 30 minutes from home.
A Confidence-Building Experience
"I think becoming a single mum is a really big thing, and it's really scary, that feeling of being financially responsible for your child on your own," Samantha tells the Daily Mail. "Being a single mum doesn't mean you can't go away." For her first trip, she chose a location close to home to minimize stress. "If it all went wrong and for whatever reason it wasn't okay, I'm literally just a drive away from home, so it didn't feel like too much pressure," she explains. "It was cheaper than going abroad too, and I guess that's what started it."
The trip gave her the reassurance that she "could do it" and "could still provide holidays" for her son without spending a fortune. Despite feeling outside her comfort zone, she and Jack made the most of the park's facilities, including the swimming pool and playground. "We just enjoyed being in the caravan," she says. "As silly as it sounds, it's so different to being at home. Jack loved the novelty of it. We had a little balcony, we brought his toys with him, and he was happy just being somewhere different."
Surprising Luxury and Affordability
Samantha admits she initially assumed caravan holidays were "quite basic," but has since discovered many parks offer surprisingly luxurious accommodation. "We stayed in one park this year which literally had a hot tub and a bath in the master bedroom," she reveals. "Some of these caravans are nicer than flats people live in." The biggest draw, however, is the feeling of escape without the stress that often comes with travelling abroad. "My hat goes off to anybody that can take their kids on a holiday abroad and not feel stressed, but for me there's always been that worry," she says. "With a caravan holiday, you still get that feeling of escapism. You're away, you can relax and put your feet up, but there's not that much effort involved in getting there."
The holidaymaker believes there is an option to suit every budget and style of traveller. "Whether you want something really luxurious or something simple and affordable, I feel like there's a holiday park and a caravan for everyone." Samantha has also picked up plenty of money-saving tricks along the way. "The more of them I've done, the more I've realised there are different ways to do it affordably," she says, noting that travelling during term time before Jack started school helped keep costs down. She also recommends booking swimming sessions early and bringing your own food rather than relying on on-site restaurants and shops. "One way you can save money is to pack up your weekly shop and bring it with you," she says.
Advice for Nervous Parents
For parents nervous about taking children away alone, Samantha recommends starting small. "Book somewhere not too far from home. Bring their toys and the things that keep them comfortable," she advises. "If you get there and anything goes wrong, you're close enough to drive home." She adds that having an on-site shop nearby can be reassuring if you've forgotten any essentials. "I think sometimes as parents we worry about every possible scenario because we care so much about our children," she says. "But sometimes you just have to throw yourself into it a little bit. Keeping it local and keeping it simple definitely helped build my confidence." She concludes: "Now I would happily drive four hours with my little boy for a six-night break and it doesn't faze me at all. The more experience you have, the more confident you become."
