Caravan Park Etiquette

What not to do on a touring caravan site

We find touring caravan holidays liberating because they come without many of the constraints of conventional holidays. Caravanning is all about enjoying outdoor life, the freedom to roam, and the chance to do things at entirely your own pace. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t considerations to make, and rules to respect.

So how should you behave on a touring caravan site, and perhaps more pertinently, what shouldn’t you do? Let’s break it down. In this article, we take a look at the things to steer clear of when caravanning – starting with mistakes which could upset your fellow caravanners, before moving on to oversights which could get you on the wrong side of park owners! We also listen to the views of an expert on how important it is to adhere to carvanning best practices.

Be nice to the neighbours!

Image: Touring super pitch at Love2Stay Touring site.

Caravan and motorhome sites are social environments, and that is one of the reasons we love them. And so we must be aware of anything which might be seen as straying into the realms of anti-social behaviour. Let’s look at some examples:

-          Hold your own ‘music festival’ – whether you are an 80s enthusiast, hardcore heavy metal head or EDM fanatic; there is nothing wrong with listening to some tunes on holiday, but maybe not all of your neighbours will share your love for your music. That’s why it makes sense to keep an eye on the volume control, particularly when the evening hours arrive.

-          Give the kids free reign – touring caravan holidays are tremendous opportunities for the kids to let off steam in a controlled environment. Your little ones could have life long memories of their fun in the sun with newly-made friends. But children, particularly in groups,  have the potential to cause a nuisance and be mischievous, so ensure you put in place some boundaries and rules, just like at home. The Love2Stay caravan and motorhome site offers a children’s natural play adventure zone, den building, cinedrome and a junior club – ideal to keep the kids occupied and happy!

-          Laundry hogging – during the caravan season, you and your fellow caravan site inhabitants will be making the most of the washing facilities. That is why you should be sure to take out your clothes when the cycle has finished, rather than leave them in there and prevent others from using the machine. It may not sound much, but laundry hogging can be a sure-fire way to irk your neighbours. 

-          Place your toilet near a neighbour’s sleeping area – so you’ve arrived at your pitch and it’s time to get things sorted. If you have a portable toilet with you, it is worth being mindful of where you place it. Positioning it next to the sleeping area on a neighbour’s pitch might be considered ignorant.

-          Walk through a neighbour’s space – it might be just a small encroachment, but walking on or through a neighbour’s pitch just isn’t ‘the done thing’. Think of it this way – you wouldn’t walk through another person’s garden while you are living at home, so don’t do it on a caravan site! The same goes for walking under an awning. During very busy times, if you must pass through part of a neighbour’s pitch, be sure to give an acknowledgement in the form of a smile and an apology.

-          Fail to control your overspill – whether it is children’s toys, newspapers blown by the wind, or perhaps an oversized awning which is leaving you struggling for space, there really is no excuse for letting your items overspill onto a neighbour’s territory. Mishaps will happen on caravan sites, and the majority of the time they can be met with an understanding smile, but make an effort to keep belongings within your pitch boundaries.

-          Be a grump – we are all here to enjoy our holiday, aren’t we? One of the reasons why touring caravan sites can make such a good holiday choice is the relaxed atmosphere and feeling of community. This is only made possible by the friendliness and politeness of caravanners themselves, so make sure you wear a smile not a grimace and are ready to exchange a few simple pleasantries with fellow campers.

Don’t be a park rule breaker!

Image: Touring caravan site Love2Stay.

Just as important as the relationship which you have with your fellow caravanners, is being seen as a respectful visitor by a touring caravan site’s owners and management. Here are some no-nos which could bring you the unwanted attention of the powers that be:

-          Make a mess – this might come under the bracket of ‘common sense’, but if you or your family are not the tidiest of groups, you must keep an eye on where your rubbish goes. Don’t leave it lying around with the intention of clearing your waste first thing in the morning. Deal with your waste straight away and have a good, thorough clean before you leave a touring caravan site.

-          Allow your children to drink alcohol – drinking is permitted on touring caravan sites, but only by those over the age of 18. You should ensure that this rule is enforced to avoid getting in hot water with caravan park management, and in turn save the caravan park from repercussions with the authorities. 

-          Take illegal drugs, or bring them on site – while the rule above might be misinterpreted at times, there can be little doubt that illegal drug taking on a touring caravan site is not allowed under any circumstances.

-          Be a care-free pet owner – on many caravan sites in the UK, there are restrictions in place pertaining to pets. Some caravan parks have an exclusive zone in which pets such as cats and dogs are allowed. Make sure you know the exact pet rules of the touring caravan site before you even book, and then familiarise yourself with the layout of the ‘pet zone’, confirming that you know where these areas are when entering the site. You should not leave your pets unleashed or unattended.

-          Trash the pool area – you can find that the pride and joy of many caravan park owners is the swimming pool, which is sure to be a magnet for caravanners during the summer peak season. You and your group should do your best to keep this area as clean and tidy as possible, and also avoid eating, drinking and making mess in and around the pool. Love2Stay features a completely chemical-free, natural swimming pool and water gardens (shameless plug!).

-          Forget to turn off the hoses – when using water from the mains supply at a touring caravan site, you should remember to turn off the hose after filling your tubs and tanks. Aside from the fact that wasting water is bad for the environment, it is also prohibited at caravan parks. Caravan sites in the UK do a great job of providing clean drinking water, so let’s use it wisely!

-          Break speed limits – many caravan parks place speed restrictions on vehicles within their boundaries. You should know what these are, and even when you have become familiar with a touring caravan site, don’t push it when it comes to your speed. A limit of 8 to 10 kph is typically in place at parks, and for the safety of you and your fellow caravanners, you mustn’t stray over it.

What does the expert say?

Harvey Alexander of the Caravan and Motorhome Club knows a thing or two about how to behave on a touring caravan site.

He had the following words of advice for those planning a caravan break: “The touring community is a great community comprising of very friendly people who are always willing to help, ensuring that everyone has a great time on their holidays. As with any holiday, be mindful and respectful of your neighbours and don’t forget your corkscrew/bottle opener!”

Love2Stay, situated in the tranquil Shropshire Hills countryside, is known for its relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. Caravanners taking advantage of the site’s all-inclusive super pitches enjoy the benefits of dedicated family zones and an adults-only area, along with state of the art facilities. Check availability here