We returned from Cherbourg to Portsmouth on Friday, and I couldn't believe that on our ferry there was only a single caravan - never seen that before at this time of year.
We saw very few other British units on the sites we visited this time, but again, only a handful of these were caravans.
Whether this would be the same during the main holiday season I don't know, but It would appear that the out of season holidaymakers (ie older and child-free younger people) are deserting caravans in favour of motorhomes and campervans.
Just my (non-scientifically proved) observation!
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For myself, I don't want to tow, hence I opted for a MH.
I know of one person who ditched their 8m MH in favour of a caravan so that he and his wife have more freedom to go out and about as they found having a 8M van difficult to squeeze into a normal parking space!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
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'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
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France it appears is motorhome/campervan central.
Have hardly seen a caravan of any other nationality with the exception of Dutch. They are still buying new caravans, Hobby of course.
The end of the caravan is nigh.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Been a bit of a general trend away from caravans towards MHs over past few years it seems, distinctly visible in the storage yard where I store my caravan, significantly more MHs now than a few years back. When I first put the caravan there 7 years back, only a handful in the circa 500 spaces!
Ferry crossing costs with a caravan can be eyewatering figures, MHs seem cheaper!
Not much support for journey breaks with a caravan in UK (even some off motorway services can't handle them!), and not sure the continent is much better, but MH's are at least slightly more compact and flexible in finding UK spots, and well supported on the continent it seems.
The UK caravan manufacturers and dealers have had a tough year or so, rather indicating a collapsing market!
I love my caravan and don't want a MH, but got to admit it's a changing scene.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Caravans are still remarkably popular for seasonal pitching. I think a lot of people are put off by towing so choose a campervan/motorhome instead for touring. We have had our name on the waiting list on our preferred site for a seasonal pitch for nearly 2 years now and we are one of many! The site has hundreds of seasonals and very few people leave.
------------- Pixie
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Still see a lot of UK and Dutch registered cars fitted with towing brackets in supermarket car parks here in the Dordogne, although as I said in mid June, on our return from a short break in the Loire - ratio of M/H's / Campervans to towed vans around 3 to 1.
Also more and more pitches taken up by "locations" ie rentals of cabins, which have increased dramatically in popularity in the last few years. Post covid people want their own personal space and hotels / b&b's seem to be struggling. The gites round our way seem to be busier earlier in the season than when we moved out here 7 years ago.
Hi,
Lots of younger people have not been encouraged to tow due to the towing test you had to do, which cost a lot to do.
The government then dumped the test about a year ago as it wasn't working.
This may be one of the factors in a downfall in towed units.
Quote: Originally posted by suechick43 on 01/7/2025
Hi,
Lots of younger people have not been encouraged to tow due to the towing test you had to do, which cost a lot to do.
The government then dumped the test about a year ago as it wasn't working.
This may be one of the factors in a downfall in towed units.
Would have thought that a big factor could be younger people increasingly living in flats / apartments where parking space is at a premium - few will have a drive to keep a van on.
There is clearly greater prosperity than when we first started taking a caravan to France nearly 30 years ago. Then many French had very elderly caravans and those who had a static tended to use it as a "weekend cottage" and rarely went further than the next departement. There were very few motor homes. Although it might be true to say that there were fewer sellers of them!
The rise in motor homes seems to have come with the retirement (early or otherwise) of professional baby boomers. From talking to people on campsites, many teachers, NHS, Local Government and so on retirees have used their lump sums to buy a motor home. I have also talked to people who, whilst previously keen caravanners, now find that age and infirmity mean that they have moved to motor homes in order to be able to continue travelling. Most of these people admit that they now have very different holidays.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Yes motorhomes seem the way it’s going. I’d rather put caravan on site & have car to go out in though so I will continue shed dragging until I die. Most caravanners in France appear to be Dutch or UK nowadays though. Very few French reg cars towing caravans.
I prefer motorhomes because we can use aires while on our way to the main destination.
The transport problem is solved with a 390cc motorcycle on the back. It's the perfect set up
Don't think my wife would consider a motorcycle in her wildest dreams!
Also ... doing a large shop at a supermarket, would be challenging to transport on a mortorbike.
We, also, prefer the freedom offered by the detachable car ... and, I can take my kayak/bikes anywhere to explore the area more fully ... at a fraction of the cost of an MH.
Plus, except for the ginormous MH's, a caravan provides more space ... and, pound for pound, is hugely better value ... let alone the environmental costs of chugging a large MH around.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Where are all the UK caravans?
via mobile 01/7/2025 at 12:55pm
