What to Pack for a Self-Catering Caravan Holiday

We’ve put together a handy packing list for a self-catering caravan holiday in the UK, so you can pack light and enjoy your stay.

If you’re new to hiring static caravans or have done so a couple of times, it can feel overwhelming when considering all the things you might need to bring. We are pros at packing for a self-catering caravan holiday in the UK as a family. There are essentials, luxuries and things you can afford to leave behind. Below is our essential checklist for your self-catering caravan trip.

Essential Self-catering caravan checklist

You are correct in thinking this guide is for static caravans; you know, the ones that are based at holiday parks and don’t move (unless they are on the back of a lorry). Although most aspects are transferable between touring and static caravans, there are no hard and fast rules.

As a family, we have been using self-catering caravans for nearly fifteen years. They aren’t as bare as you might think, and we have upgraded over the years from the basic to the premium (it comes with a dishwasher), but the essentials are always the same. Over the years, we’ve also learned what works and what doesn’t, and to take care when leaving to make sure nothing or no one is left behind, as Bear Bear (RIP) ended up in the rubbish bin, not the bedding bag, many years ago. It’s a home-from-home.

Homeware Essentials

If you hire a static caravan, it comes with minimal essentials, including cooking utensils, pots & pans, mugs, glassware, a kettle, a microwave, and bedding (depending on the caravan grade) – everything you would use essentially at home.

Here are some of the things not included (this is subject to change depending on whether it’s booked privately)

• Bath towels and bath mats
• Oven gloves and tea towels
• Child-friendly crockery and glassware – we often pack a couple of picnic-type sets of bamboo and plastic glasses or beakers for the kids.
• Bedding (if required) – most offer free bedding hire included (beds pre-made), or you can pay for a pack of bedding, which is usually collected from the hire shop or if you prefer a little bit of home comfort. You’re welcome to bring your own covers and blankets; we also take a few of our own pillows.

Outdoor equipment for your Self-catering caravan holiday

Without an outdoor equipment checklist, a checklist wouldn’t be complete for those who embrace outdoor life. Check with your desired location to confirm that specific equipment is allowed, such as gazebos and BBQs.

• Camping chairs
• Folding table
• Portable or disposable BBQ with utensils, charcoal, and other essentials.
• Windbreaks for tiny ones and the furry family members

Self-catering Caravan Entertainment

Static caravans often feature modern essentials, including televisions and, occasionally, Bluetooth speaker systems. There are many things to keep you entertained, including:

• Camping games
• Handheld computer games
• Kindles or e-readers
• Books and magazines

Groceries – Food Essentials

No one goes on holiday to spend their time cooking for the family. It’s a rest from all that, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need careful consideration. Can you afford to eat out every night? Do you want to head to the beach for a picnic? Will the kids have enough snacks to keep them happy? It all needs to be considered, which is why we decided to buy a large storage container and rather than wasting parts of our holiday food shopping, we took essentials with us to keep us ticking over.

• Condiments – Ketchup, mayo, etc
• Squash
• Cooking oil spray
• Margarine
• Teabags, coffee, sugar, etc
• Bread

We don’t usually take milk as it doesn’t keep well in the car, even with the electric cool box. It is always a good idea to check what restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores are on-site or within easy reach of your accommodation. Some parks allow supermarket deliveries on-site to your caravan, but this is worth checking before arranging.

Groceries – Cleaning Supplies & Hygiene

There is nothing quite like being on a self-catering holiday to realise that you’ve used the last toilet roll or the supermarket has sold out of anti-bacterial wipes, so we have always been prepared for the unexpected. When it comes to cleaning supplies, we love Poundshop.com, which offers unbeatable prices with big brand names you love, suitable for every room in the house.

• Toilet rolls
• Kitchen roll
• Anti-bacterial spray or wipes
• Cleaning cloths
• Washing-up liquid
• Bin bags (you may be given one or two)
• Hand wash and hand sanitiser
• A mini hand wash detergent

Some caravans have the added luxury of a dishwasher, so it’s worth checking to keep that in mind. We usually grab a small pack of dishwasher tablets from the on-site store.

What to pack for the kids (including those with disabilities)

The most significant factor will be the age of your kids. Travelling with babies and toddlers often feels like travelling with the kitchen sink, but sometimes you need those must-have items, and it’s the same when travelling with a disabled child. So much more needs to be prepared for or anticipated.

• Travel cot – Not everyone is happy hiring a travel cot from the hire shop, so consider where your little one will sleep. We opted to take our own in the early days, as it was more convenient, but the rooms can be pretty small, so it was a bit of a squeeze.
• Nappies, wipes, nappy bags – We still have a disabled child in pads, so it’s the norm to consider his essentials. However, there are now many more options, including space-saving cots.
• Stroller – We use a wheelchair now, but highly recommend getting a lightweight stroller; we had a Silver Cross Zest Stroller, and it was excellent and faired well; if you are looking for something for younger ones or one that is aeroplane approved, then consider the Joie Tourist lightweight pushchair, which only weighs 6kg and can support a carrycot or a car seat.
• Travel games
• High chair, travel potty, stair gates, blackout blinds, fridge locks, and toddler cutlery if your kids are on the younger side.

Beach or Day Out Essentials

We always want the weather to be lovely enough to get a couple of beach days (especially here in the UK), so it is worth having a self-catering caravan holiday checklist for when the sun shines.

• Beach towels
• Bucket & spades – We especially like the fact that they fold away.
• Beach tent or windbreaker
• Suncream
• Beach bag or rucksack
• Suitable shoes
• Wet weather gear
• First aid kit

Summary

We have only stayed in self-catering caravans in the UK, so I can’t comment on self-catering holidays abroad. It can be tricky if you’ve never done it or are flying and do not have much room in your luggage for all those essentials. There are, however, self-catering holidays in European holiday parks that include essential packs, which can be purchased before travel for added convenience.

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