Why More Families Are Choosing Caravan Staycations

More UK families are choosing to holiday closer to home these days, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why.

Nearly half of British holidaymakers now say a UK staycation is their ideal trip, almost matching those who’d rather head abroad, with 46% choosing a staycation as their number one choice.

For families, a staycation gives everyone the chance to properly switch off, slow down, and spend real time in each other’s company. Whether that’s grandparents joining in, siblings running about, or just mum and dad finally relaxing, holidays these days are less about ticking off sights and more about being together.

That’s exactly where a caravan staycation fits in. A caravan park gives families the space to spread out, the flexibility to do things at their own pace, and none of the stress or expense that comes with flying off somewhere new. It’s little wonder they’re often ranked among the best staycations for families looking for real value and quality time together.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a caravan staycation could beat a holiday abroad for your family’s next getaway, here’s a closer look at what makes them such a popular choice, from cutting out flight stress to finding a space that truly fits everyone.

1. No Flights, No Faff

Anyone who’s travelled abroad with children knows the drill: early alarms, long queues, the panic of finding passports, and the stress of keeping little ones entertained through delays. 

It’s not just a feeling either. As many as 27% of flights from UK airports fail to depart on time, leaving plenty of room for an already long travel day to get longer, especially with kids in tow.

Add in baggage limits, the cost of checking extra bags for a family of four or five, and the scramble to keep everyone fed and occupied in a departure lounge, and the holiday can feel like it’s already taken its toll before you’ve even reached your destination.

A caravan staycation cuts all of that out. There’s no airport to rush to, no security queues to navigate with a pushchair, and no worrying about lost luggage on the other side. 

There’s no limit on what you can bring either, so wellies, buckets and spades, the kids’ favourite toys, even the dog’s bed, can all come along for the ride. You simply pack the car and go, arriving relaxed rather than run ragged before the holiday’s even started.

No delays, no departure boards, just a straightforward drive to somewhere the whole family can properly unwind.

2. More for Your Money

A family holiday abroad rarely comes with just one price tag. A typical week abroad for a family of four can cost anywhere from £3,000 to £4,000 in total once flights, accommodation, food and activities are all added up, and that’s before the exchange rate eats into everything you spend once you’re there. 

Worse still, most families end up spending beyond even that: the Post Office’s Family Holiday Report found that 85% of families overspend their holiday budget, going over by an average of £380.

A caravan staycation works differently. At Nolton Cross, a week in a 3-bedroom Gold caravan sleeping up to six starts from £490 outside peak season, rising to £690 during the summer holidays. That’s the total cost for the whole family, not a per-person price. 

There’s no need to buy extra seats, and with a full kitchen in every caravan, families can cook meals for a fraction of the cost of eating out every day. It all adds up to a holiday that feels far more generous than the price tag suggests.

3. Space That Suits Families

Standard hotel rooms are typically only designed for two adults, so bringing more than one child often means paying for an extra rollaway bed, which can cost £30 to £60 a night, adding up to as much as £420 over a week’s stay, on top of the room itself.

A caravan holiday gives every family room to breathe, without the extra charges. At Nolton Cross, the 2-and 3-bedroom Gold caravans sleep up to six people, with proper bedrooms rather than everyone crammed into one room. There’s also a pull-out bed in the living area for even more space if needed, all included in one price.

There’s an outside sitting area too, with a picnic table and decking, and when the caravan itself feels a little much, the whole park is right there to escape to, whether that’s a stroll to the fishing lake, a game at the play area, or simply open countryside to stretch your legs in. 

A caravan staycation strikes the balance families need: enough shared room to spend real time together, with everyone still able to retreat to their own space when they fancy some quiet time. 

4. Freedom to Do Things Your Way

Holidays abroad often come with a schedule that isn’t entirely your own, with fixed flight times, set check-in and check-out days, and itineraries built around getting the most out of an expensive trip. There’s pressure to be up and out early and pack every day with activities, as flights and transfers can’t be moved easily if plans change.

A caravan staycation runs at whatever pace suits your family. Fancy a lazy morning followed by an afternoon on the beach? No problem. Want to book a long weekend instead of a full week off? At Nolton Cross, short breaks are available across most of the season, so families aren’t locked into one rigid holiday format.

It’s a shift more and more people are making too: over half of all UK staycation bookings in 2025 were short breaks of six nights or fewer, as families move away from cramming everything into one big annual trip in favour of more frequent, flexible getaways throughout the year. 

There’s no need to fill every hour either. Without a flight or a fixed itinerary to plan around, you can relax properly, knowing there’s nowhere you have to rush off to.

Ready for Your Caravan Staycation?

From cutting out flight stress to giving every family room to breathe, it’s easy to see why caravan staycations are great for families looking for a holiday that’s simple, flexible, and genuinely restful.

Ready to swap the airport queues for something a little more relaxed? 

Browse our tariffs or book your caravan staycation at Nolton Cross today and see for yourself why more families are choosing to holiday this way.