Buying a Static Caravan | Advice and Tips
March 19, 2019
Our Top Tips to help you buy the perfect Holiday Home
At West Country Park Homes we understand that buying a static caravan is far from a small decision, and with more choice available than ever before it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
We want all of our holiday home owners to enjoy their time with us for years to come so we’ve compiled this list of advice and tips to help you at the start of this exciting journey;
1. Consider your lifestyle and how often you will be using your holiday home
If you favour weekend breaks rather than longer, less regular getaways, a caravan park within a couple of hours travelling time from your home is probably the sensible option. However, if you plan to visit for several weeks at a time, a couple of times a year, you may be willing to travel further.
Remember to check the length of the parks season, our parks vary from 9 – 12 months of the year.
2. Think about how you enjoy spending your leisure time
If you have a young family you may prefer a park with enough facilities and events to keep everyone entertained. However, if you are hoping to enjoy a peaceful retirement, peace and quiet with like-minded people may be more important.
Consider the pitch location; would you prefer a quiet pitch away from the main facilities or are you the kind of person who would you rather be in the middle of things?
We strongly recommend that you visit any potential park before making a purchase. If you can spend a couple of nights there that’s even better!
3. Set a budget
Static caravans come in a wide range of specifications; from basic entry-level models to highly luxurious. It can be easy to get carried away when looking at lovely glossy photos of brand-new units, but in our experience the model that you choose will depend on your budget.
Remember that in addition to your initial purchase you will also be responsible for site-fees, gas, electricity, insurance and general maintenance costs.
4. New or pre-owned?
Many pre-owned units can be purchased in ‘like new’ condition for a fraction of the price of a new unit, however, in the event of any issues a brand-new unit usually comes with a manufactures warranty. You may also find that the heating system is more efficient in new units. If you decide to purchase a pre-owned unit remember to ask the current owner for any available paperwork.
At West Country Parks we don’t impose strict age limits on our static caravans, however most parks do. Older models may be removed from site, so always ask for clarification from any park that you are considering.
5. Choose the right model and layout
Static caravans come in an almost infinite variety of styles and layouts. It’s important to consider how you will use your new holiday home; How many beds will you need? Is it more important to have a spacious kitchen or will you spend more time in the living area? Do you need an en-suite, bath or just a shower? Does anyone in your family have accessibility needs?
These are all really important questions so don’t be afraid to spend a bit of time having a look around and investigating what is available.
6. Finally, ask for a copy of the park rules
Every park has its own set of rules and it’s important to familiarise yourselves with them before committing to a purchase; Is the park pet-friendly? Are there restrictions on car-parking? Are the park facilities free or will you have to pay extra? Are there restrictions for having sheds, storage boxes etc?
These may seem like small points, but they are all things that you will wish you had checked once you take ownership of your holiday home!
So, in summary, it is important to look at the bigger picture. Purchasing a holiday home is a big decision and we hope that you will enjoy the experience for years to come. Take your time and don’t be afraid to ask questions - but remember to be realistic about your expectations!
Static Caravans and Holiday Lodges for sale at our parks
Location: Edithmead Leisure and Park Homes. Available to view . . .
Location: Fairways Holiday Park. Open plan living with plenty of natural light and a large sun-deck
Location: Edithmead Leisure and Park Homes. A contemporary interior and a brand-new layout
At West Country Parks we offer a superb range of new and pre-owned holiday homes from the top manufacturers. With 6 unique holiday parks all located in beautiful Somerset we are confident that you will find your perfect holiday home. Please contact us for more information.
Latest News
We are ecstatic to share that West Country Parks have been named the Hospitality and Tourism Business of the Year and Large Business of the Year at the prestigious Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards 2025. These award categories honour businesses that deliver exceptional guest experiences and adapt to changing trends, and recognise large businesses that lead through innovation, communication and community impact. Businesses from across the region came together for an evening of celebration and recognition at this year’s Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards, where local organisations of all sizes were honoured for their hard work, resilience and innovation. This year was the busiest to date, with more than 130 entries across all categories. The standard was exceptionally high and reflects the strength and diversity of Sedgemoor’s business community. Speaking about the awards, Roger Smith, General Manager at the Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce, said; 'These awards really are the jewel in the Chamber’s crown, and this year was no exception, with more than 240 people coming together to celebrate our incredible local business community. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners. We look forward to continuing our work to connect, promote and support business, helping to ensure a thriving local economy.' We would like to thank our visitors, supporters and all of our fantastic team for your support.
We are delighted to share that Riverside Holiday Village has been named the Holiday Park of the Year and Dog Friendly Business of the Year at the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards 2026, held at T he Apex City of Bath Hotel in Somerset. These award categories recognise holiday parks, sites and villages that provide exceptional guest experiences across static vans, touring pitches and more with a wide range of facilities and entertainment, and providers of truly memorable experiences for dogs and their human companions. This year marks the second consecutive year that Riverside has won the coveted Holiday Park of the Year Gold Award. Nell Barrington, awards director at Services for Tourism Ltd, commented on the importance of the awards: “What I love most about these awards is that they give tourism businesses the recognition they deserve. So many of them work incredibly hard, often with little reward, and some are tiny teams or even just one person keeping everything going. Despite the challenges the sector continues to face, these businesses have shown excellence, innovation and resilience.” We would like to thank our visitors, supporters and all of our fantastic team for your support.
With the festive season fast approaching, there's plenty going on to keep our visitors entertained this winter here at Riverside Holiday Village .