A guide to seasonal caravan pitches

What are seasonal caravan pitches?

Seasonal caravan pitches are sites where you can lock up and leave your caravan for the whole season. This means if there is a region that you really love along with a campsite, you can choose to pitch your caravan there for the season and drive away caravan free. It will be safe on the campsite and only available for your occupation.

You pick your spot in the seasonal caravan pitch area (which is usually not part of the standard campsite area), and then come and stay as often and for as long as you want to.

How much do seasonal caravan pitches cost?

Costs can vary from campsite to campsite and prices start from around £1,500 for a full season; you may find some a little cheaper. However, some of the larger campsites, with numerous facilities, may be charging as much as £3,000.

It pays to do a bit of shopping around to make sure you know just what you are getting for your money. Some campsites offer shorter terms, too, so you could pitch up for a month for a fixed fee.

There are campsites that will charge you extra for electric hook-up when you stay. If you don’t mind paying extra for this, or you just want to come and go as you please with no extra cost, the choice is yours… but it takes research.

The real point of having a seasonal caravan pitch is that you tow your caravan to a campsite in March, get it sited and nicely levelled, set your TV/satellite up and make the inside just how you like it – then just lock up and leave and use it as you want it.

Pros and cons of seasonal caravan pitches

Things to consider when looking for a seasonal caravan pitch

Cost

One of the first things to consider is whether you will use your caravan enough to break even. Even if this is not one of your main considerations, cost is one of the biggest factors in whether people decide to take up this option as paying upfront costs can be difficult.

Convenience

When you have a seasonal caravan pitch, you can literally jump in the car and go when you feel like it. The other side to that is perhaps you will get fed up of staying in the same place all the time. If your pitch is too far away, it may deter you from going to the campsite often, so it may be a waste of money. With all this in mind, it may be worth considering campsites about an hour away from home.

Amenities

Does the campsite have enough amenities to suit your needs? As you can choose simple campsites with hook-up facilities, or campsites that have swimming pools and activities, too, it makes sense to create a wish list of what your ‘dream campsite’ looks like when it comes to facilities and amenities, as well as distance to places of interest and local pubs and shops.

Security

Does the campsite look secure enough for you to leave your asset? It is best to choose a caravan site where the owner or warden is a resident.

FAQ

What is the cost of the pitch?

Most campsites offering seasonal pitches send out an invoice for the full amount you are expected to pay in the late winter and expect to get paid either before you arrive or when you do. Many do offer the facility to pay the amount in two halves but check they don’t add a surcharge for allowing you to do this. Costs of pitches vary widely depending size and popularity.

Can you choose your pitch?

Sometimes. The choice of pitch depends on the campsite and the owner. If there is a waiting list, you will have to take what comes up. If the campsite has a lot of seasonal pitches, the owner might give you choices of a few. It also depends on the length of your caravan – some pitches are smaller than others, and you may have to go where there is space for your outfit.

Is it economical?

For example: a seasonal pitch of £1,300, with an average pitch costing £25 per night, it works out at 52 nights.

In reality, that means two to three weekends a month, plus a few week-long stays.

Assuming that average of £25 per night for a pitch, and most caravanners only being able to use the caravan at weekends during an eight-month season, three (two-night) weekends a month would total about £1,200 in site fees. Of course, there are long bank holiday weekends and extended breaks, too, and, remember, this is more about convenience than overall cost.

Servicing on pitch

There are mobile independent caravan servicers who will come and do a full caravan service for you on the campsite, and at a reasonable cost. A lot of dealerships like the caravan you bought to be taken back to them for servicing to prevent voiding the warranty.

Taking it back to the dealer is not essential, but ensure you check on it. We book our caravan in for its annual service the week it comes back off the campsite after the end of the season, so we can get it all over with quickly, give it a wash and get it ready for the winter.

Does your caravan insurance go up?

Not really. As long as the insurance company knows where the caravan is and has it marked on your records as a ‘known location’, the premium usually remains the same. You will be charged a fee (about £15) for having the additional location added to your records.

What about security devices on the campsite?

Security is just the same as if you were at home – wheel locks firmly in place and a hitch lock on. Always set the alarm when you leave the caravan, as the insurance may be void if you don’t. Ensure Aquarolls are put away when you go home or, at least, locked to something secure.

What do you do about gas, battery and electric hook-up?

Always turn the gas off and disconnect the electrical supply. I usually just unplug it from the electrical box and place it neatly under the caravan with a plastic bag around the connection, so it is then a simple and quick job to plug it in when you arrive.

Batteries are OK left connected (if you are coming regularly), but make sure all the switches on your control panel are turned off, and we recommend turning off at the RCD unit, too.

Will I be allowed visitors?

You will be allowed visitors, but make sure they park carefully and don’t obstruct other pitches. Most campsites will allow family or friends to use your caravan when you are not there, but make sure you let the campsite owner know who will be coming and when.

Can I sublet?

Most campsites are not keen on this. Check with your campsite owner to see what the official stance on it is.

Should I drain on-board water tanks when I leave?

We would advise you to do so early and late season, when there is likely to be a frost. Also empty the ‘flush’ tank for the toilet.

Final thoughts

If you are considering opting for a seasonal caravan pitch, do your research first. There is so much to consider before you commit to an area and a campsite. The pros could outweigh the cons for you or the other way around, but as a seasoned caravanner it is lovely to just pitch up and leave with the convenience of popping back whenever the feeling takes you.

Swap your seasonal caravan pitches every year or tour one year and pitch the next! The freedom is yours with a caravan.