caravan

Families have the chance to celebrate a ‘magical’ Christmas this year as popular caravan site Haven has announced two parks will open their doors for the festive season this year

Two popular caravan sites are opening their doors over the festive period giving holidaymakers the chance to spend their Christmas in style with a ‘magical’ list of celebrations.

Popular family caravan sites Haven are normally closed during Christmas and New Year, but two parks have been announced in Scotland to allow people to celebrate with them.

The parks will be transformed into Winter Wonderlands and it comes as five were opened last year for festivities which saw around 30,000 people having a winter break at the caravan sites. The new two Scottish sites announced are at Craig Tara in Ayr and Seton Sands in Prestonpans and will be opening over Christmas and Hogmanay.

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They will be decorated for Christmas and have lots for families to do during the stay, including access to the pools – and even the chance for children to meet Santa. There will also be a Hogmany show to bring in the New Year with the bells.

Simon Palethorpe, CEO of Haven said: “This August, we’re welcoming record numbers of visitors to our parks, and we’re delighted Father Christmas is amongst them – though we had to remind him to swap his sleigh for a sunhat and to slap on the sunscreen. Christmas and Hogmanay at Haven is truly magical.

“Whichever Park you choose, I’m confident you’ll experience an unforgettable festive feeling. Whether it’s waking up in your cosy caravan on Christmas morning, singing Auld Lang Syne in the show bar on Hogmanay, the live festive entertainment, eating lunch in one of our restaurants or simply spending quality time together in a wonderful coastal setting. I can’t think of anywhere better to be first-footing.”

The park’s owners, Bourne Leisure Ltd, have lodged a planning application with Blackpool Council for the placement of 20 extra caravans for holiday use through a proposed Certificate of Lawfulness, meaning more sites could be added to the already extensive list.

It comes as Marton Mere Holiday Village, which operates under subsidiary group Haven Holidays, currently has 1474 permitted pitches, mainly filled with static caravans alongside a handful of touring pitches. By pursuing a Certificate of Lawfulness, the applicants contend there would be no need for planning permission to position the extra caravans on the park, situated off Mythop Road, Marton.

Planning consultants Laister, representing the applicants, stated in a planning document: “The addition of 20 caravans in the context of the overall permitted number of units across the park is so insignificant that it would not result in an onsite change to the definable character of the use of the land.

“The total number of permitted caravans across the site would rise to 1494, an increase of 1.4 per cent on the existing limits, which falls well within the percentage change parameters of a number of recent appeal decisions.”

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TRYING to get onto the housing ladder is no mean feat, and many people have to make some sacrifices when it comes to it. 

From tightening up the budget, and reducing the spending on some of life’s luxuries, managing to find the money can take quite some time. 

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But one woman managed to bag her dream home by making some sacrifices. 

Leonie, who is known as ‘building_ribbons’ on TikTok, shared a video on her social media account explaining how she lived in a caravan for eight years to be able to afford her dream home. 

She went on to explain that people now assume that she is rich because of it, but instead she just managed to save thousands on rent. 

Speaking to her 122.7k TikTok followers, Leonie did a tour of her home which was in the countryside. 

The kitchen was large and open plan with an island in the middle, and wooden beams in the ceiling giving a luxurious touch to it. 

She also had large glass doors which looked out onto her garden, and allowed for plenty of sunlight to shine through.

Her video also showed her bathroom, which had a standalone large bath in it as well as her living space which had a fireplace lit to give a warm cosy touch to it. 

Having so much garden space also allows her to keep animals on it including a goat, and two dogs which her son plays with. 

Leonie explained that it was self-built in the English countryside and she was able to style it whilst also doing some bargain hunting. 

Speaking to her followers, she adds that “you guys probably think I’m rich but in reality we spent eight years living in a caravan to achieve the dream of building our own home and it was so worth it.” 

Revealing that she is a “country girl at heart,” Leonie loves that she can spend time with her family, horses, animals, and “gorgeous son”.

Her video, which was shared in October, has gained 105.6k views and gained 67 comments. 

One person who was in a similar situation, wrote: “I spent 10 years in our Mobil while we built our home. It was worth it, no mortgage.” 

Whilst a second complimented her “beautiful home” saying that her situation was “a dream.” 

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A third asked: “Your home is beautiful, can you please talk us through how you found the land and the process of building?

“Also, did you live in the caravan on the land?” 

Leonie replied: “We already owned the land….. planning took us nearly 10 years…the build took around 18 months. Yea we lived on site.”

How much does it cost to live in a caravan?

LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here’s a breakdown of potential costs:

Initial Costs

• Caravan Purchase: £8,000 – £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition)
• Caravan Insurance: £200 – £800 per year

Ongoing Monthly Costs

• Pitch Fees: £150 – £600 (varies by location and facilities)
• Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 – £120
• Maintenance and Repairs: £20 – £80
• Internet and TV: £20 – £50
• Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 – £40

Other Potential Costs

• Waste Disposal Fees: £8 – £25
• Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance
• Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 – £1,600 (one-time)

Sample Monthly Budget

• Pitch Fees: £400
• Utilities: £80
• Maintenance and Repairs: £40
• Internet and TV: £40
• Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25
• Total: £585

Annual Estimated Cost

• Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020
• Insurance: £500
• Maintenance and Repairs: £480
• Total Annual Cost: £8,000

Tips to Save

• Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons.
• DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself.
• Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs.

While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK.