Own & Roam

New vs used

New vs used static caravan: which is better to buy?

A new caravan gives you the clean slate and the showroom smell. A used one can cut the entry price dramatically. Neither is automatically the better deal because the park agreement, remaining licence, condition and eventual resale position can matter as much as the age on the brochure.

The financially clever caravan is not necessarily the one with untouched cushions. Cushions, unlike depreciation, are relatively inexpensive.

North Wales · Darwin Escapes

Talacre Beach Resort

Talacre Beach is a large, facilities-led North Wales resort close to the beach. It suits buyers who want swimming, entertainment, food and family activities on the park rather than a quiet base with minimal facilities.

Why it made this shortlist

  • Families who want a full-facilities resort close to the beach
  • Buyers travelling from North West England who want straightforward access

Published starting point

Darwin Escapes currently advertises Talacre Beach ownership from £17,995, with individual current models advertised at higher prices.

Published site-fee evidence

2026 site fees are published from £3,187, subject to plot and holiday home. The operator says the fee covers plot rental, resort maintenance, leisure facilities, Go Active membership, 24-hour security and resort Wi-Fi.

Last checked: September 2026

You are paying for a resort here, not just a rectangle of grass with a caravan on it. Make sure you actually want the resort.

Read buyer profileOfficial ownership page ↗

North Wales · Haven

Hafan y Môr Holiday Park

Hafan y Môr is a large Haven resort near Pwllheli with direct beach access, a major indoor water park, an Adventure Village and dedicated owners' facilities. It is best treated as a resort purchase rather than simply a pitch for a caravan.

Why it made this shortlist

  • Families who want a large resort with lots to do on site
  • Buyers who value direct beach access and easy access to the Llŷn Peninsula

Published starting point

Haven currently advertises eligible pre-owned holiday homes at Hafan y Môr from £14,995. The headline price excludes site fees, running costs and optional add-ons.

Published site-fee evidence

Haven states that site fees vary by park, pitch size and location and are payable annually. Get the exact Hafan y Môr pitch fee in the written quotation rather than relying on a network-wide starting figure.

Last checked: September 2026

Hafan y Môr is enormous by holiday-park standards. For some buyers that is the attraction; for others it is the warning label.

Read buyer profileOfficial ownership page ↗

Suffolk · Parkdean Resorts

Kessingland Beach Holiday Park

Kessingland Beach is a Suffolk coast option with direct beach access and a livelier facilities mix. The low published entry price makes it worth investigating, but it should not distract from pitch fees and the cost over the full ownership period.

Why it made this shortlist

  • Buyers wanting the Suffolk coast rather than Norfolk
  • Families who want beach access plus on-park facilities

Published starting point

Parkdean's current ownership index lists holiday homes at Kessingland Beach Holiday Park from £12,995. This is a starting price, not the total cost of ownership, and stock can change quickly.

Published site-fee evidence

The exact pitch fee depends on the park, pitch and holiday home. Ask for the current annual fee for the specific pitch, what it includes and how it has changed over recent years before paying a deposit.

Last checked: September 2026

A low entry price is pleasant. It is not a magical exemption from annual bills.

Read buyer profileOfficial ownership page ↗

Norfolk · Parkdean Resorts

Breydon Water Holiday Park

Breydon Water sits close to the Norfolk Broads and offers a practical base for buyers who want waterways, coast and Great Yarmouth within reach. It is more about location and flexibility than postcard-pretty seclusion.

Why it made this shortlist

  • Buyers who want access to the Norfolk Broads
  • Families wanting pools and entertainment alongside the location

Published starting point

Parkdean's current ownership index lists holiday homes at Breydon Water Holiday Park from £13,995. This is a starting price, not the total cost of ownership, and stock can change quickly.

Published site-fee evidence

The exact pitch fee depends on the park, pitch and holiday home. Ask for the current annual fee for the specific pitch, what it includes and how it has changed over recent years before paying a deposit.

Last checked: September 2026

The Broads are better enjoyed from a boat than from a spreadsheet, but the spreadsheet should come first.

Read buyer profileOfficial ownership page ↗

Yorkshire · Parkdean Resorts

Skipsea Sands Holiday Park

Skipsea Sands is a facilities-led East Yorkshire option with fishing, a pool and a substantial investment programme announced for 2027. It is worth comparing for families, but ask exactly what will be open and when.

Why it made this shortlist

  • Families wanting facilities and East Yorkshire coast access
  • Buyers who like fishing and on-park activities

Published starting point

Parkdean's current ownership index lists holiday homes at Skipsea Sands Holiday Park from £13,995. This is a starting price, not the total cost of ownership, and stock can change quickly.

Published site-fee evidence

Parkdean currently states that 2026 site fees at Skipsea Sands start from £3,495. The operator notes that fees are subject to change, pitch type and availability, so get the exact annual fee for the specific pitch in writing before paying a deposit.

Last checked: September 2026

Future improvements are lovely. You are buying the park that exists on completion day, not the artist's impression.

Read buyer profileOfficial ownership page ↗

Isle of Wight · Parkdean Resorts

Thorness Bay Holiday Park

Thorness Bay has the lowest current published entry price of Parkdean's Isle of Wight trio. That makes it an obvious comparison point, but ferry travel and annual pitch costs still matter far more than a cheap-looking first number.

Why it made this shortlist

  • Value-conscious Isle of Wight buyers
  • Owners wanting a coastal island base

Published starting point

Parkdean's current ownership index lists holiday homes at Thorness Bay Holiday Park from £13,995. This is a starting price, not the total cost of ownership, and stock can change quickly.

Published site-fee evidence

The exact pitch fee depends on the park, pitch and holiday home. Ask for the current annual fee for the specific pitch, what it includes and how it has changed over recent years before paying a deposit.

Last checked: September 2026

The cheapest caravan on an island is still on an island.

Read buyer profileOfficial ownership page ↗

What matters

What we would compare before viewing

  • Price difference between genuinely comparable new and pre-owned units
  • Remaining licence or permitted age on the park
  • Condition of the chassis, exterior, heating and appliances
  • What warranty is included and exactly who provides it
  • Likely resale route and any park commission or transfer fee

Own & Roam view

Shortlist first, buy later

Compare the total cost of owning each option for the number of years you realistically expect to keep it. The cheapest sticker price and the cheapest ownership are not always the same thing.

Calculate site fees and ownership costs
Free holiday home viewing checklistThe questions to ask a park or seller before you pay a deposit. Print it, save it, take it to the viewing.

Prices and park information are research snapshots and can change. Check the operator's current terms for the exact caravan and pitch before travelling or paying a deposit.