The Hidden Truth About Accessible Caravan Holidays in the UK

Why 13.9 million disabled Britons face unnecessary barriers to family holidays - and what needs to change

If you're planning a UK holiday with accessibility needs, you might be shocked to discover what millions of British families already know: the UK caravan park industry operates in a regulatory blind spot that can turn dream holidays into nightmares.

We've spent years listening to families share their experiences, and it's time someone spoke honestly about the challenges disabled holidaymakers face. This isn't about pointing fingers - it's about understanding the reality so you can make informed choices for your family.

The Stark Reality of Caravan Park Accessibility

Here's what most people don't realise: while hotels must meet strict accessibility standards under Building Regulations Part M, caravan parks face no such requirements. None. Zero. Zilch.

That's not a typing error. In 2025, there are literally no specific accessibility standards for UK holiday home parks.

What does this mean for you? It means that when a park says they have "accessible" facilities, there's no standard definition of what that actually includes. We've heard from families who've arrived to find:

• "Wheelchair Accessible" toilets located up a flight of steps

• Shower blocks with lips too high for wheelchairs

• Promised wet rooms that don't exist

• Pathways covered in gravel that make wheelchair navigation impossible

The numbers tell a sobering story: 45% of disabled people can't take overnight holidays, compared to just 35% of non-disabled people. That's not because of their disabilities - it's because of the barriers they face.

Why Booking Accessible Caravan Holidays Is So Difficult

Ever wondered why you can't book accessible accommodation online at most major caravan parks? We investigated the UK's biggest operators:

• Haven: 38 parks, but you must phone to verify accessibility features

• Parkdean Resorts: 64 locations, no online booking for accessible caravans

• Changing Places Toilets: Only 6 out of 38 Haven parks have them

This isn't the 1990s - yet guests with disabilities are forced to make phone calls, often spending hours trying to get basic information that should be readily available online. Many tell us they spend up to six months planning a simple week away or short break.

The Regulatory Gap That Nobody Talks About

Here's the technical bit (we'll keep it brief, promise). Caravan parks fall through a massive legal loophole:

1. Caravans are classified as vehicles, not buildings, so Building Regulations don't apply

2. The Model Standards 2008 for caravan sites contain no disabled access holiday requirements

3. No ombudsman exists for caravan park complaints (unlike hotels, airlines, or almost any other industry)

4. The Equality Act 2010 technically applies, but without specific standards or enforcement, it's virtually meaningless

This isn't an oversight - it's a system that's failed to keep pace with the rights and expectations of disabled travellers.

The Human Cost of Inaccessible Holidays

Behind every statistic is a family just trying to create memories together. The stories we hear follow heartbreakingly similar patterns.

Picture this scenario: A family saves all year for their summer holiday. Grandparents, parents, and children all booking together, excited about a week by the seaside. They've called ahead, been assured the facilities are "wheelchair friendly." 

But when they arrive, they discover the accessible toilet block is across a gravel path that's impossible to navigate with wheels. The "ramped access" to the entertainment complex has a gradient so steep it's dangerous. The pool hoist they were promised? Out of order, with no repair date scheduled.

Or consider this all-too-common situation: A mother travelling alone with her autistic son who uses a mobility aid. She's meticulously planned every detail, knowing that routine and accessibility are crucial for him. 

The "accessible" caravan has a lip at the door that his walker catches on every time. The quiet area she booked near? Right next to the main entertainment complex. When she asks to move, she's told all accessible units are in that location "for convenience." Whose convenience, exactly?

Then there's the isolation factor: While other children race between the adventure playground, swimming pool, and activity sessions, a child who uses a wheelchair watches from the sidelines. Not because they don't want to join in, but because:

• The playground equipment isn't designed for them

• The pool has steps but no hoist

• The craft sessions are in a portacabin with no ramp

• The evening entertainment is in a venue where wheelchair spaces are at the back, behind a pillar

These aren't edge cases or worst-case scenarios. They're the daily reality for thousands of families across the UK. When 45% of people with disabilities can't take overnight holidays - compared to 35% of non-disabled people - it's not about individual parks having a bad day. It's about a system that consistently fails 13.9 million disabled Britons.

The real tragedy? Many families simply stop trying. They've faced disappointment so many times that the worry of planning another‌ ruined holiday becomes too much. 

That's 22% of our population effectively excluded from a fundamental British tradition - not by their disabilities, but by an industry that hasn't moved with the times.

What Needs to Change (And How You Can Help)

Real change requires action at every level:

For Government:

• Introduce mandatory accessibility standards for caravan parks

• Create an independent ombudsman for holiday park complaints

• Give local authorities real enforcement powers

• Close the "vehicle" loophole that exempts caravan parks from Building Regulations

For the Industry:

• Adopt genuine accessibility standards, not voluntary guidelines

• Provide detailed accessibility information online

• Train staff in disability awareness

• Stop treating accessibility as an afterthought

For Holidaymakers:

• Document accessibility failures with photos and details

• Report discrimination to the Equality and Human Rights Commission

• Share experiences on review sites to help other families

• Support businesses that get accessibility right

Practical Tips for Planning Accessible Caravan Holidays

Photo by Johnny Briggs on Unsplash

While we wait for systemic change, here's how to protect yourself:

Before Booking:

1. Get everything in writing - especially accommodation options confirmed at time of booking

2. Ask specific questions: Door widths, shower lip heights, path surfaces

3. Request photos of the actual accessible facilities

4. Check reviews from other disabled travellers

5. Know your rights under the Equality Act 2010

6. Please note: Always verify if the park is a short drive from accessible medical facilities
   

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Vague descriptions like 'wheelchair accessible' without specifications

• Refusal to provide specific measurements

• No photos of accessible facilities

• Staff who seem unsure about accessibility features
  

If Things Go Wrong:

• Document everything with photos

• Speak to management immediately

• Request a full refund if facilities aren't as promised

• File a complaint with Trading Standards

• Consider a claim under Section 75 if you paid by credit card

Planning Your Accessible Holiday: Quick Checklist

• Book wheelchair accessible accommodation well in advance

• Confirm all accommodation options at time of booking

• Please note: Guests with disabilities should request written confirmation

• Consider a short break first to test facilities

• Check if accessible attractions are a short drive away

• Verify your holiday home meets your specific needs"

Looking Forward: Hope on the Horizon

Change is possible. We're seeing growing awareness of these issues, with disability rights groups mobilising and some politicians beginning to take notice. The National Accessible Scheme may be ending in July 2025, but this could be an opportunity to build something better - with real standards and real enforcement.

At CoachBuilt, we've chosen a different path - creating fully accessible holidays and holiday home options. But we shouldn't have to exist as an alternative to discrimination. Every family deserves access to every type of holiday.

The UK's 13.9 million disabled citizens contribute £14.6 billion to the tourism economy annually. It's time they were treated as valued customers, not afterthoughts.

Your Voice Matters

While we push for systemic change in the holiday parks industry, families need solutions today. At CoachBuilt, we've spent over 15 years creating a different path - one where accessibility isn't an afterthought or a phone call away, but built into every journey from the start.

Our accessible motorhomes, campervans and caravans are designed around real people with real disabilities. No more calling ahead to check if you can actually use the toilet. No more arriving to find promises were just words. No more watching your family miss out.

What makes the difference:

• Every vehicle designed around your specific accessibility needs

• True wheelchair accessibility - not just marketing speak

• Wet rooms, hoists, and adaptations that actually work

• Your accessible accommodation travels with you

• Freedom to choose your own adventure

We shouldn't have to exist as an alternative to discrimination. But until the industry changes, we're here to ensure every family can create those precious holiday memories together.

Ready to explore without barriers? Discover your accessible holiday options or call our team on +44 (0)24 7634 1196 to discuss your specific needs. Because everyone deserves the freedom to explore.