UK holidays have been back on since April 12, with even more opportunities for travels with those outside of your household from May 17. With international travel restrictions ongoing, many Britons may be considering switching their typical overseas holiday for something closer to home.
As TV host Shane Richie points out in Channel 5’s Caravanning with Shane Richie, the traditional caravan holiday has changed massively in recent years.
Many holiday parks now offer luxury options, such as the “Rockstar” caravan he stays in on this week’s episode at an Isle of Wight caravan park.
However, even with the new modern options, there are still some essentials holidaymakers should be sure to pack.
He revealed there are some simple items Britons should never forget, as well as some new suitcase additions one might not typically pack for a British summer holiday.
“I have a few tips for your caravan holiday,” he explained.
“Luckily we got some wonderful radiators but you might not have in your very own caravan.
“So always think just bring a hoodie, throw it in your case.
“It will keep you warm in the evenings and you can use it as a pyjama if you want.”
Making sure you are prepared for late-night outdoor journeys is also important.
“Sometimes the amenities can be a bit of a walk,” he continued.
“If you’re going to the ballroom or you’re going swimming and it gets dark very quickly there’s not a lot of light around where the caravans are situated, so you might need a headlamp.
“Now, I know you think you don’t need that torch well I have one anyway.”
For those who don’t have a headlamp to hand, there is another option which the majority of people will have in their back pocket.
“Make make sure your phone’s charged,” advised Shane.
“Because you can always use the torch on your phone.”
Thanks to the boost many holiday providers have given their UK parks, there are some new essentials you might normally only pack when heading to warmer climates.
He pointed out: “I’ve got a hot tub and what do I need for the hot tub?
“I got my shorts for the hot tub.”
Even holidaymakers who don’t have an onsite hot tub might still want to consider popping swimwear into their suitcase.
“It’s always worth bringing your swimming costume anyway because there’s often a swimming pool on-site, but most holiday parks have also started offering hot tub holiday options,” added Shane.
Other new amenities caravan stays are increasingly offering include multiple televisions in the holiday homes, as well as an array of kitchen amenities such as dishwashers and fridges stocked with complimentary beverages.