Caravan-tastic sales as buyers boycott bricks

Britain's second-home owners are rapidly switching their loyalty from cottages to caravans, according to one of the country's largest holiday park groups, Park Holidays UK.

Its sales of caravan holiday homes in May were up 27 percent on last year's figures, says director Tony Clish - thanks in part to the number of buyers bowing-out of cottage ownership.

As a result, Park Holidays UK has now increased the number of pitches available at many of its 25 parks in southern England on which some 7500 caravan holiday homes are located.

"Enquiries were well up earlier in the year, and now people have clearly decided that a holiday caravan life is a better way to realise the dream of owning a second home," said Tony.

"It's not just lack of faith in the property market, and the much lower purchase cost of a caravan holiday home. With a caravan, there are no costly maintenance headaches - plus there's a chance to earn a second income from sub-letting," he added.

The size and comfort levels of modern holiday caravans were also pitched higher than most cottages, said Tony - and the first day of each stay doesn't have to be spent cutting the grass.

Prices of caravan holiday homes vary from £9,995 to well over £100,000 - and are also being snapped up by people who see them as a better use of their personal savings.

Park Holidays UK has introduced a special section to its website (ParkHolidaysUK.com) giving general guidance to first-time buyers on the ins and outs of ownership.

"It's an option which many families are now exploring - and which is often taken up when people step into a caravan holiday home see what they are getting for their money," said Tony.

"Cottages can seem very claustrophobic by comparison, especially if you've children and there's little for them to do without everyone having to go out.

"By comparison, on our parks there's usually a lovely beach just a short walk away, and plenty of facilities such as pools if you want to use them. It's a better type of break for everyone," he said.

As an additional incentive for would-be new holiday home buyers, Park Holidays UK has announced a 50 percent cut in its annual pitch fees for the remainder of the year. A list of properties currently on sale can be found at ParkHolidaysUK.com