Holiday Home Glossary: Essential Terms for Buyers

Embarking on the journey to buy a holiday home is an incredibly exciting prospect. However, for newcomers, the industry’s specific terminology can feel like learning a new language. Understanding this jargon is a critical step in making a well-informed decision. As we’re keen to make the holiday home buying journey as transparent as possible, This complete guide to holiday home and caravan park terminology for buyers is designed to demystify the language you’ll encounter. Whether you are viewing a static caravan, a luxury lodge, or exploring different holiday parks, this glossary will provide the clarity and confidence you need to move forward in your purchasing process.

Understanding Holiday Home Terminology

To step into the world of holiday home ownership, we have organised this glossary into key categories. Below, you will find precise definitions for types of accommodation, park-related terms, ownership costs, and essential features and specifications.

Types of Accommodation

Static Caravan: A static caravan is defined as a holiday home constructed off-site and then transported to a park, where it remains stationary on a designated pitch. Modern units are available in a wide range of sizes up to 14ft wide, making them an excellent option for family holidays and as an ownership option. You’ll see us refer to these caravans as holiday homes as we want you to feel at home in one. We have a wonderful selection of luxury static caravan holiday homes for sale to experience this first-hand.

Holiday Home: In the holiday park world, the term holiday home is often used interchangeably with “static caravan” and, designed for recreational use, reflects the high standards of comfort and design in modern units.

Lodge: A lodge is a type of holiday home that is typically larger and more luxurious, built to a higher specification using premium materials. Key features include increased floor space, premium interior finishes, en-suite bathrooms, and private outdoor decking, offering an unforgettable getaway. Our lodges are exceptionally spacious, with widths up to 22 feet, twice the size of a typical holiday home, providing roominess for the whole family. Inside, you’ll enjoy homely comforts such as fully-fitted kitchens, vaulted ceilings, full-size twin beds, fireplaces, double glazing, utility rooms, and additional amenities for relaxation and convenience.

Park Home: It is important to distinguish a holiday home from a park home. A park home is engineered specifically for permanent, year-round residential living and must be built to the rigorous BS 3632 residential standard. A holiday home, in contrast, is intended for recreational use only.

Touring Caravan: Unlike a static caravan, a touring caravan is a mobile unit designed to be towed by a car. It provides accommodation for travelling, rather than remaining in a single location. We do not offer these for sale and only accept these for holidays at Waxham Sands Holiday Park in Norfolk.

The Park & Your Pitch

Holiday Park: A holiday park is the managed estate where holiday homes are situated, often including amenities like play areas, park shop and on-park support. Our Lovat Parks locations in Cornwall, the New Forest, Norfolk, and Suffolk provide a secure and beautifully maintained environment for owners.

Pitch: The pitch is the specific plot of land allocated to your holiday home within the park. The location, size, and orientation of a pitch are variables that will often influence its price.

Decking: This is an elevated wooden or composite platform structure built adjacent to the holiday home. It functionally extends the living area outdoors, creating a space for dining and relaxation. Parks have specific guidelines on the size and materials used for safety and aesthetic consistency.

Siting & Connections: This dual term refers to the process and associated costs of transporting the holiday home onto its pitch, securing it, and connecting it to all essential utilities. We take care of this, so there’s nothing for you to worry about here. This the setting up of water, drainage, electricity, and sometimes piped gas.

Season: The specific period during which your holiday lodge or caravan can be used or let. Seasons are set by the park and may affect occupancy, letting opportunities, and income.

Licence/tenure: The legal agreement granting the owner the right to site and use their holiday home or lodge on a Lovat Parks holiday park. Typically lasting 20 to 50 years, or 100 years only at Penmarlam, it outlines the owner’s rights, responsibilities, and any restrictions, including use, letting, and maintenance obligations.

Park Position / Pitch – The specific location of your lodge or caravan on the park, which may affect views, privacy, and sunlight.

Freestanding / Fixed Furniture – Furniture that is either built-in (fixed) or moveable (freestanding).

Buying, Selling & Running Costs

New & Pre-loved: Buyers can choose between a brand-new holiday home direct from the manufacturer or a “pre-loved” (second-hand) unit from a previous owner. At Lovat Parks, we offer a selection of both new and pre-loved holiday homes for sale to suit various budgets and preferences.

Licence Agreement: This is the legally binding contract between the holiday homeowner and the park owner. It is a critical document that specifies the terms of ownership, including the length of time the holiday home can be kept on the pitch and the park’s rules and regulations.

Site Fees (or Pitch Fees): These are the annual fees paid to the park owner. This ground rent covers the use of the pitch, maintenance of the park’s communal areas, and access to on-site facilities. We ensure all running costs are explained with full transparency during the buying process.

Drain Down: This is a vital maintenance procedure performed to protect your holiday home during colder months. It involves draining all water from the pipes and water system to prevent freezing and bursting, which could cause significant structural damage. This often happens during the period in which some of our parks close.

Guaranteed Letting: A scheme offered to holiday lodge owners where income from pre-agreed rental periods is guaranteed, allowing owners to offset the cost of their lodge purchase through our Love To Let service.

Love To Let: This is our fully managed lettings service, where your holiday home is professionally marketed and let to holidaymakers, giving you the opportunity to offset your site fees while retaining personal use of your home.

Part Exchange: A scheme where you can trade in your existing holiday home, motorhome, or touring caravan towards the purchase of a new holiday home. You can also part exchange your current holiday home, with the value based on market conditions, making it easier and more convenient to upgrade. At Waxham Sands, our only touring park, motorhomes or touring caravans qualify for a minimum £5,000 trade-in.

Holiday Season / Closed‑own Period: Some holiday parks may restrict use of holiday homes for a specific seasonal period rather than full year residency. Owners should check terms regarding seasons, closed‑owns or minimum occupancy rules.

Depreciation / Resale Value: When buying a holiday home you should be aware that it may not appreciate in value as a standard bricks and mortar residential property might. For a park‑owned holiday home the resale value and ongoing costs (site fees, maintenance) are important considerations.

Features & Specifications

BS 3632: This is the British Standard that specifies requirements for the manufacture of residential park homes. Holiday homes built to this standard offer superior levels of thermal insulation and energy efficiency, making them more comfortable for use throughout the year.

Chassis: The chassis is the load-bearing steel frame that serves as the foundation for the holiday home. A galvanised chassis offers superior long-term protection against corrosion, a particularly important consideration for homes in coastal locations.

Double Glazing & Central Heating: These features are fundamental to thermal performance and comfort, allowing you to enjoy your holiday home for more of the year. Our commitment to a low-maintenance ownership experience means our Lovat Parks lodges come with these features as standard.

Caravan Skirting: A protective barrier fitted around the base of a static caravan or holiday home. Skirting conceals the undercarriage, helps insulate the unit by reducing heat loss, prevents pests and debris from getting underneath, and gives the home a more finished, attractive appearance. It can be made from materials such as PVC, wood, or composite panels and may be removable for maintenance access.

Still Have Questions?

Buying a holiday home is a significant decision, and it is natural to have further questions. We believe in providing clear and comprehensive information to all our prospective owners. For answers to more specific queries about ownership and holidays with us, our dedicated frequently asked questions page is an excellent resource.

Begin Your Ownership Journey with Confidence

Understanding these essential terms is the first step toward a confident and rewarding purchase. Here at Lovat Parks, we are committed to complete transparency and supporting our buyers through every stage of their journey to ownership. We invite you to explore our stunning parks across Cornwall, Norfolk, and the New Forest to find your perfect home from home.

To learn more about the purchasing process, we recommend reviewing our guide on the steps to holiday home ownership.

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Our complete guide to holiday home and caravan park terminology helps buyers understand key jargon and make a confident, informed purchase.