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Caravanning statistics

Discover more about caravans in the UK.

Danny Butler
Danny Butler

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Caravanning is an increasingly popular option for people holidaying in the UK. This booming industry contributes more than £9.3 billion to holiday parks and campsites every year and employs around 130,000 people. Caravanning has also become part of the growing popularity of staycation holidays, as people look to save money while enjoying the convenience of a home on the move.

Quick facts

  • There are over 555,000 caravans in use in the UK.
  • More than 2 million people take holidays in caravans and motorhomes every year.
  • Nearly 65 million nights were spent camping and caravanning in Great Britain in 2018.
  • The country with the most caravans is Germany, which has over 674,700 caravans in use.

Google search interest

If you were thinking about camping or renting a caravan this year, we’re not surprised. Every year around July, the Google search interest for “caravan” and “camping” hits its highest levels. In July 2020, interest was at an all-time high for the last five years – 56% higher than it was in July 2019.

Camping industry revenue

The camping industry drives a big revenue each year, and probably even more so in 2020, the year of the staycation. In 2019, £2.41 billion was spent by campers all over the UK. This was a bit lower than the hot summer of 2018, when campers and travellers spent £2.5 billion while on the road.

In total, the whole industry contributes more than £9.3 billion to the UK economy each year, which is 8% of the holiday spending market. The industry also employs around 130,000 people.

Year Amount spent by campers
2019 £2.41 billion
2018 £2.50 billion
2017 £2.25 billion
2016 £2.14 billion
2015 £2.49 billion
2014 £2.34 billion
2013 £2.43 billion
2012 £2.53 billion
2011 £2.57 billion
2010 £2.30 billion

Number of motorhomes registered each year

Motorhomes are becoming an increasingly popular option in the UK, with the number of new motorhome registrations almost doubling between 2012 and 2017. During the hot summer of 2018, 14,700 new caravans were registered in the UK – the most it’s ever seen in one year.

Year Number of new registrations Decrease/increase from the previous year
2018 14,655 4.22%
2017 14,062 14.03%
2016 12,332 16.65%
2015 10,572 21.06%
2014 8,733 17.62%
2013 7,425 -4.00%
2012 7,734 6.46%
2011 7,265 -0.68%
2010 7,315

Number of touring caravans in use across Europe

Caravanning isn’t only popular in the UK. Many other European countries also enjoy holidaying in caravans and motorhomes. Germany has the highest number of touring caravans in Europe, with an estimated 674,700 vehicles. This is closely followed by the UK, with 555,000 motorhomes. Touring caravans are also popular in France and the Netherlands, where there are close to half a million caravans in each country.

Country Number of caravans in use
Germany 674,700
UK 555,000
France 535,800
Netherlands 433,900
Spain 330,000
Sweden 285,200
Denmark 127,700
Norway 119,400
Finland 66,700
Italy 63,000
Others 52,000
Belgium 45,000
Austria 38,500
Switzerland 35,100
Portugal 18,000
Slovenia 11,000
Total 3,391,000

The best camping sites across the UK

From “glamping” (glamorous camping) to caravanning, there’s something for every person and taste in the UK. Hendra Holiday Park in Cornwall won the People’s Choice award in 2019 for being the best camping site in the country. If you need some inspiration, these are the award-winning caravan and camping sites in each region of the UK.

Region Winner Commended
Scotland Craighead Howfs, Perthshire Highfield Holidays, Argyll
Wales Trwyn yr Wylfa Camping Site, Conwy Florence Springs, Pembrokeshire
South West South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Dorset Golden Cap Holiday Park, Dorset
South East Blackberry Wood, East Sussex Hill Cottage Farm Camping and Caravan Park, Hampshire
East of England Deepdale Camping, Norfolk Pinecones Caravan and Camping, Norfolk
West Midlands Lucksall Caravan and Camping Park, Herefordshire Castle Farm Holidays, Shropshire
East Midlands Dale Farm Rural Campsite, Derbyshire Middlehills Farm, Derbyshire
North West Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park, Cumbria Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Estate, Cumbria
North East Buckden Camping and Pods, North Yorkshire The Hideaway at Baxby Manor, North Yorkshire

Sources

  • National Caravan Council
  • TNS
  • VisitEngland
  • Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  • European Caravan Federation
  • Motor Home Depot

Click here for more research. For all media enquiries, please contact:

Matt Mckenna
UK Communications Manager
T: +44 20 8191 8806
matt.mckenna@finder.com@MichHutchison/in/matthewmckenna2

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