Static Caravan or Lodge? A Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Right Holiday Home

1. Introduction

Walk onto almost any holiday park in the UK. You’ll usually see two main types of holiday home:

1. One that looks like the caravan you remember from childhood.
2. One that looks more like a timber bungalow or villa.

Choosing between a static caravan and a holiday lodge is a big decision. It affects your upfront budget, your annual running costs, and how many years you can keep the holiday home on the park.

This guide is written for buyers looking at parks in Shropshire and Mid Wales, but the principles apply across the UK. We will focus on clear, practical comparisons, not sales talk.

Important: A holiday lodge is not the same as a residential park home. Even if a lodge is built to BS 3632 residential specification, if it is on a holiday park with a holiday licence, you cannot live in it full-time. It is for holiday use only, and you must have a separate main home.

2. Understanding the Basics

2.1 What is a static caravan?

A static caravan is a holiday home designed to stay on one pitch. Most static caravans on UK holiday parks are single-unit homes delivered on one lorry.

• Size: Usually 10–12ft wide, around 28–40ft long.
• Construction: Aluminium or vinyl cladding on a timber or steel chassis.
• Standards: Many are built to EN 1647 holiday specification. Some higher-spec models are built to BS 3632.
• Siting: Usually on a hardstanding base (gravel or concrete), supported by axle jacks and steady stands. Some parks now use full concrete pads.
• Use: Holiday use only. You must have a separate main residence.

In short: a static caravan is a single-width holiday home that offers good value, especially for shorter, frequent breaks.

2.2 What is a holiday lodge?

A holiday lodge is usually a twin-unit holiday home. It arrives in two halves that are joined together on your pitch.

• Size: Often 14–22ft wide, with many modern lodges around 20–22ft wide and up to 40ft+ long.
• Construction: Usually built to BS 3632 residential specification. Thicker walls, higher insulation values, and double glazing as standard. A few lodges may be EN 1647, so always check the spec.
• Foundation: Commonly sited on a concrete raft foundation. This adds stability and a more permanent feel.
• Interior feel: More like a small house or apartment than a caravan. Often includes domestic-style kitchens and bathrooms.

In short: a holiday lodge is a double-width, higher-spec holiday home with more space and comfort, still for holiday use only.

2.3 What they have in common

Despite the differences, statics and lodges share some key points:

• Both are classed as mobile structures, not bricks-and-mortar houses.
• Both are sold for holiday and recreational use only.
• You pay site (pitch) fees to keep them on the park.
• You need specialist holiday home insurance.
• You must have a main residential address elsewhere.

3. Key Differences at a Glance

If you’re short on time, start here.

4. Cladding, Colours & Local Authority Rules

The outside of your holiday home is more important than it looks. It affects planning permission and how well the home blends into the local landscape.

How colours are often decided

Local authorities may set conditions on colours, cladding materials, and roof finishes. This is especially common in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Typical patterns we see:

• Shropshire & Mid Wales: Environmental greens and muted tones are common to blend into woodland and hillside settings.
• Coastal areas: Cream, light grey and sand tones are popular to soften the visual impact near beaches.

The lodge advantage (with a big caveat)

• Static caravans: Usually aluminium or vinyl cladding.
• Holiday lodges: Often offer CanExel (composite wood) or timber cladding for a "premium" chalet look.

Warning: If every unit on the park is green, do not plan on installing a cream lodge until you have confirmed it is allowed.

5. Cost Comparison

5.1 Initial purchase cost

Static caravans

• Pre-owned: Often available from £15,000–£25,000.
• New: On quality parks in Shropshire and Mid Wales, often start from £35,000–£45,000.
• High-spec: Can reach £70,000–£80,000+.

Holiday lodges

• New: Typically start around £90,000–£110,000.
• Premium: Models with hot tubs and large decking can reach £200,000–£250,000+.
• Location: Lakeside or scenic lodge pitches often command a higher price.

5.2 Running costs

• Site Fees: Lodge pitches are usually larger and often on newer developments, so they often carry higher site fees.
• Utilities: Lodges are larger to heat, but their superior insulation means a modern lodge may actually cost less to heat in winter than an older caravan.
• Maintenance: Aluminium caravan cladding is wipe-clean. Timber or CanExel lodge cladding may need occasional treatment or staining.

5.3 Depreciation & long-term value

Both are depreciating assets, not bricks-and-mortar property.

• Static caravans: Tend to depreciate faster in early years. Shorter licence terms (10–15 years) mean you may need to upgrade sooner.
• Holiday lodges: Built to last longer with longer licence terms (25–30+ years). They often retain residual value better on well-run parks.

6. Lifestyle & Comfort Comparison

6.1 Space and layout

Space is where many buyers feel the biggest difference.

• Static caravan (12ft wide): Open-plan lounge/kitchen with a corridor to bedrooms. Smart use of space, but compact.
• Holiday lodge (20ft wide): Wide open-plan living with full-size domestic furniture. Often includes a utility room and dining table for six. On a wet weekend in Shropshire, the extra width makes a huge difference.

The parking factor

• Statics: Usually one private space or shared parking.
• Lodges: Frequently two private spaces right outside. Ideal for families travelling in two cars.

6.2 Soundproofing

Lodges built to BS 3632 usually have thicker walls and better acoustic performance. This means less noise from rain on the roof and less noise from neighbours.

6.3 Length of stays & season use

• Static caravan: Perfect for short, frequent trips. Warms up quickly; easy to lock up.
• Holiday lodge: Better for longer stays (2–3 weeks), Christmas breaks, or off-peak visits where you spend more time indoors.

7. Ownership Experience

7.1 Licence tenure (the “lease”)

Your pitch licence agreement sets out how long your unit can stay on that pitch.

• Static caravans: Commonly 10–15 years (sometimes up to 20).
• Holiday lodges: Frequently 25–30 years (sometimes longer).

A longer licence spreads the higher upfront cost over more years of enjoyment.

7.2 Pitch availability & scarcity

• Caravan pitches: More widely available across most parks.
• Lodge pitches: Lodges are twin units and take more space. Prime lodge pitches (lakeside at Spring Lea, or rural views in Mid Wales) are scarce and in high demand.

7.3 Park types

• Caravan areas: Often family-focused with more buzz and facilities.
• Lodge developments: Often quieter, landscaped, gated areas. May restrict subletting to protect the peace.

7.4 Legal & planning – the golden rule

BS 3632 (Residential Spec) ≠ Residential Status.
If your holiday home is on a holiday park, you cannot use it as your main home. You must pay Council Tax elsewhere. Parks may ask for proof of this regularly.

7.5 Subletting & letting income

Lodges usually achieve higher weekly rental rates due to their size and spec. However, always check if your specific park allows subletting before buying.

8. Who Should Choose a Static Caravan?

A static caravan is usually the right choice if:

• Budget is tight or mid-range: You want the lifestyle without the lodge price tag.
• Short breaks: You visit for weekends and bank holidays.
• First-time buyer: A sensible way to "test the water."
• Low maintenance: You prefer easy-clean exteriors.

9. Who Should Choose a Holiday Lodge?

A holiday lodge is usually the better fit if:

• Space is a priority: You have a large family or guests.
• All-season use: You enjoy winter walks in Shropshire and want a warm base.
• Parking: Two spaces are essential.
• Long-term plan: You want a base for 20+ years.
• Income: You want stronger letting potential (where allowed).

10. Key Trends in the Sector (2024–2025)

• Eco-friendly specs: Manufacturers like Willerby and ABI now offer "Green" upgrades on statics that narrow the insulation gap.
• Heat pumps: Parks are moving toward electric heating and air-source heat pumps, away from gas bottles.
• Smart tech: App-controlled heating is becoming standard in high-end lodges.

11. Decision Framework

Use this quick checklist if you’re still unsure.

1. Budget: Under £60k? → Static Caravan.
2. Visit Pattern: Mostly weekends? → Static Caravan. Regular long stays? → Lodge.
3. Time Horizon: 5–10 years? → Static. 20+ years? → Lodge.
4. Experience: First-time buyer? → Static. Upgrading? → Lodge.

12. Conclusion & Next Steps

There is no single “better” option. There is only the option that fits your budget, your visit pattern, and your long-term plans.

• A static caravan offers an accessible, flexible starting point.
• A holiday lodge offers space, luxury, and longevity.

Best next step: Don’t decide from photos alone. Visit one of our parks in Shropshire or Mid Wales. Step into a 12ft static caravan and then a 20ft lodge. Sit down, walk around, stand in the kitchen. You will quickly feel which space fits your life.

Ready to explore the options?

• Download our Free Holiday Home Finance Guide PDF
• View Static Caravans and Lodges for Sale in Shropshire & Mid Wales
• Book a Park Visit

13. Why Choose Salop Caravan Sites

Across all Salop Caravan Sites parks in Shropshire and Mid Wales – including countryside and lakeside locations such as Spring Lea – owners benefit from:

• Fair, transparent pricing.
• Well-maintained countryside and lakeside settings.
• Owners-only areas and quieter developments for predictable, peaceful stays.
• Experienced, approachable park managers who offer honest advice.
• Clear information and no hidden conditions.

Each park has its own character, from riverside locations near Shrewsbury to tranquil countryside in Mid Wales. All share one philosophy: peaceful ownership, long-term value, and clarity from the first conversation to the last.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I live permanently in a holiday lodge?

No. Even if your lodge is built to BS 3632 residential specification, if it is sited on a holiday park, you cannot use it as your main home. You must have a primary residence elsewhere.

Do holiday lodges hold their value better?

In general, yes. Because they are built to a higher specification and sit on pitches with longer licence terms, they depreciate more slowly. However, all holiday homes are depreciating assets.

Are site fees higher for lodges?

Often yes. Lodge pitches take up more space and are often on premium developments, which can mean higher annual fees.

What is the difference between BS 3632 and EN 1647?

• EN 1647: European standard for holiday caravans (seasonal use).
• BS 3632: British Standard for residential-spec (higher insulation/comfort).

Can I get a mortgage on a holiday lodge?

No, because you do not own the land. However, specialist holiday home finance is available.