The caravan holiday checklist: Your essential guide to packing

Haven holiday parks are a great place for family holidays. This is thanks to a combination of remarkable scenery, action-packed activities, and gorgeous beaches right on your doorstep.

The static caravans we have make for the ideal accommodation and much of what you will need on a Haven holiday is ready to go when you arrive, but there are always other things you need to take with you on a caravan holiday. Whether they’re essentials or personal touches, it’s no less important to bring what makes you feel at home in your static caravan.

No matter whether it’s your first or 100th time staying with us, it's always helpful to have a caravan holiday checklist close at hand and that’s why we’ve compiled this definitive guide to packing to make sure you don’t forget those important items.

• What’s already there
• What you can hire
• Kitchen
• Food and drink
• Bathroom
• Holiday clothes/items
• Swimming
• Activities
• Sun protection
• Entertainment

What’s already there

• highchairs
• cots 
• bed guards

What you can hire

Towels can be hired at a surcharge, subject to availability. Each additional bale hired contains 4 x towels and 2 x hand towels for your stay. The price would be 12£ per person

We have a large range of hire goods available if it's not possible to squeeze everything in your car or if anything is forgotten that varies by park - call us to hear the full list*. For anything you do forget, we have shops and services on park for all your needs.

Kitchen

Even if you eat out for dinner or get takeaways every night you’ll still be in the kitchen for the odd meal. While our kitchens contain a fridge, microwave, hob, oven, kettle and toaster as well as most utensils, you’ll want to bring these extras:

Bin bags

Washing-up bits: cloth/sponge, washing-up liquid and hand wash

Tea towels

Oven gloves

Kitchen roll

Kitchen foil to wrap and store food

Plastic plates, cups and cutlery if you have young children and don’t want things getting broken

Food and drink

There are of course restaurants on site but half the fun of a static caravan holiday is preparing your own meals, to do this you may want to bring some staples.

Tea bags/coffee

Squash

Salt & pepper

Tomato sauce and other condiments

Cooking oil

Your favourite tasty treats (for you, the kids and maybe even the dog)

All the above are available in our on-site Mini Market if you do happen to need anything

Bathroom

Some basic bathroom utilities will be one of the things to take on every caravan holiday.

Hand soap (you might like to bring more than one if there are two bathrooms in your accommodation)

Towels (towels will be supplied in Gold and Signature models)

Cosmetics

Toilet rolls, toiletries, and a bathmat

Hairdryer (a hairdryer will be supplied in Silver, Gold and Signature models)

SPF 30 (or higher sun screen) - a waterproof sunscreen is better, even if you are not swimming, as it protects you better if you sweat.  Remember, to apply the sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside, and at least every 2 hours (if you swim or sweat a lot, use it more often). 

Holiday clothes/items

Alongside your ordinary clothes there are several other items you make want to take.

Comfortable shoes for exploring

Outdoor clothes

Sunglasses

Wellies or flip flops depending on your location and the weather!

Waterproofs

Nightwear

Swimming

If you are planning on going to the beach or have pre-booked a swimming slot in one of our pools, here are some items you might want to bring:

Swimwear - swimming costumes/trunks

Goggles, armbands, inflatables

Swimming towels

Floats and swimming nappies for little ones

£1/trolley coin to keep your items safe in our pool lockers (subject to park and availability)

A spare bag for your wet clothes

Each of our on-park swimming pools also has a shop area, where you can stock up on any swimming must-haves. Think goggles, floats, inflatables and armbands. We also stock the re-usable Happy Nappy, which replaces disposable swim nappies.

 

Activities

Many of our activities can take place whatever the weather, so here are a few recommendations of what to bring:

Pack a pair of trainers or shoes that can attach to the feet. Crocs, heels and sandals are not suitable for many of our activities

You'll need a pair of socks for our soft play areas and sessions such as Bounce & Play and Bungee Trampoline

Pack clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and are suitable for the conditions outside

Clothing with room and no bits that could catch

Hair ties

Waterproofs

Planning on going fishing? Please remember your rod licence. We do not provide rods and equipment, so please remember to bring your own

Planning on playing golf? Club hire is often included but you may want to bring your own

Sun protection

Everyone looks forward to a sun-kissed holiday, but it's important to stay safe in the sun. The British Skin Foundation outline some key items you should pack to protect yourself in sunny conditions.

For more information about how to stay safe in the sun, including sun safety advice for parents, visit the British Skin Foundation's website.

Entertainment

This list of items will keep you entertained in the caravan whatever time of the day you happen to be indoors.

Electrical devices such as iPads for playing music and games

Chargers for all your electrical devices

A night light if your children don't like pitch black rooms 

Board games

Toys

DVDs (a DVD player is included in your accommodation if you’ve booked a Silver or Gold caravan, any of our Lodges, Comfort Plus or Premier chalet, or Comfort with veranda apartment)