Are UK caravan parks 'down-market'?

We parked our touring van in a friend's drive when we visited them, and slept there overnight (no space in house) When we said we had a toilet and shower of our own, they were very surprised that we didn't have to put an open bucket under the van to catch the effluent.

gill that's a good idea, I hadn't thought of that. Didn't know you could book long term pitches, without committing to being a permanent occupant of a site year after year.

The site your friends found sounds terrific. I'd be happy with any water, river or ocean.

There are many really nice touring sites where you can book a seasonal pitch. The Caravan Club has some, and the standard is excellent. Rowdiness is definitely discouraged. There are those who love the Caravan club and those who hate it, but you could stay on a site for a few nights without joining and see how you like it (you pay £10 a night more as a non-member). Having said that, every Club site is different, so you woukld have to try one where you are thinking of putting down anchors for the season.

www.caravanclub.co.uk/uk-holidays/club-sites/about-club-sites

We're long time members of the Caravan Club because we like the high standard and range of its sites and the 'rules' (nice rules :D), but we've never gone to rallies or anything like that (suspect a minority of members do). Its seasonal pitches are very popular and are always booked very quickly. It might have changed, but the allocation of seasonal pitches used to be done centrally and you could select 2nd and 3rd options if you didn't get your 1st choice. Most people booking seasonals stay almost every week, otherwise it's not such good value (that might not matter to others though).

But I think a tourer is a different kettle of fish to a static. To start with you need a car with a towball to tow the van, and to be able to drive and manoeuver with the van attached (you can buy a mover, but they're not cheap). Plus with a tourer you need to think about all the utilities that you're not hooked up to with a static: water; gas; loo; electricity and TV. You sort these for yourself when you arrive on site with a tourer and have to monitor some like water, loo and gas during your stay. There's loads more to think about with a tourer than with a static, or at least think about them in a different way. A static is much more like a home from home than most tourers. Seasonal pitches for tourers make like easy, as do fully serviced pitches, but it is still more work - usually for the males though!

Incidentally even caravaners can be snobs, looking down their noses at older vans and I confess I didn't like the Caravan and Camping Club because is seemed more down market than the Caravan Club.

A tourer would let you try out lots of sites and, as GillT57 suggested, you can book in for the season so you'd only have to set up and pack up once a year. There are some fantastic tourers now. We looked at new ones even though we knew we couldn't afford one just to see what we could get if we won the lottery. They come with all the home comforts including a fixed bed so you don't have to make it up and take it down each day. If you get a motor mover fitted then you don't even have to stress about reversing up to it to attach it to the car or getting it onto the pitch. Our seven year old can move ours as it's just a simple remote control.

The cost of seasonal pitches vary and you usually have to pay extra for electricity but there are some really nice small campsites around (google uk.campsites).

If/when we win the lottery, we're buying one with twin beds. I know just the layout I want! Of course, DH would probably say if we win the lottery we won't need a caravan! ☺

We know a couple of retired couples who sold their family home and bought something smaller where they lived and a park home on the coast. They live on the coast from late spring until early autumn and then move back inland until the weather improves again. Actually, thinking about it one couple lives mainly on the coast.

Thanks everyone for very helpful comments and suggested links.

We love our tourer although a peaceful weekend without DGC would be nice once in a while ( we daren't even say the C word in front of them)Looking at new vans is my DH's favourite pass time VQ

New vans are brilliant. So well planned and so much room.

I love our caravan. Can't wait until next week. We're going to Friskney in Lincolnshire. Most people would say there is nothing there. Actually there are sunrises and sunsets to watch, owls, parrots, wildlife, trees, plants, butterflies, insects, bats....so much to see.

I don't know the place but it sounds like heaven VQ
We are off to the lakes on Monday with 3 DGC in tow ( as usual) they love the site . Nothing there but a pile of rocks and a stream! although having said that it's touch and go at the moment as grandma was admitted to hospital yesterday.

DH is hankering after one if those new vans with a transverse bed.

gillybob fingers crossed for your grandma.

Will have to Google a transverse bed vampirequeen. I think I know what one is, but I will check!

We're off to our van at Llanrwst in North Wales for a week on Saturday. It's in Snowdonia, but only 10 miles from the coast at Llandudno which is great for shopping, so we are never stuck for something to do. My mobility became a problem in March this year when I was diagnosed with a rare condition called Transverse Myelitis, so each trip away is different as we adjust to not being able to go off on long walks. Just being by the sea is so rejuvenating and really helps my spirits.

Yes, the newer transverse beds are great vampirequeen - makes you wonder why it took the designers so long to put a fixed bed that way around.

There are some very nice sites about some are for the over 50s. Those sites that close for two weeks a year are classed as holiday sites thereby you have no council tax to pay and they have different laws covering them to the all year round residential sites.with the holiday site you must have an alternative postal address.