Motorhomes in fast lane as 2015 holidays get into gear

Motorhomes and touring caravans are currently running neck-and-neck in the race to secure holiday bookings in 2015, says a top-rated caravan park in Lancashire.

Moss Wood Caravan Park in Lancashire, reports that advance reservations are now at an ‘unprecedented level’ with some spring and summer dates already over-subscribed.

Henry Wild (above) says motorhomes and touring caravans are now equal in popularity

And also for the first time this year, motorhome bookings are drawing level with more traditional touring caravans at award-winning Moss Wood.

According to business owner Henry Wild, memories of the sizzling summer of 2014 are persuading many families to commit to the UK this year:

“On many occasions last year, Moss Wood was full to capacity and we had to disappoint a lot of people trying to make last-minute bookings,” said Henry.

“Families seem determined not to want to play “chicken” with their holiday dates this year, and don’t want to risk being unable to get their first choice of holiday park.

“Some people say they have deferred decisions in the past until there was a little more certainty about the weather, but are now far less concerned about forecasts.

“I think that this is in part a commentary on the falling age of park guests which we have noticed in recent years, and the fact that their preferred activities aren’t all weather dependent,” said Henry.

He attributes the increasing youthfulness of park visitors to the continuing rise in the popularity of motorhomes amongst younger couple, and especially those with children.

This year, predicts Henry, almost half of his park’s touring pitches will be occupied  by motorhomes – a contrast to a decade ago when such vehicles were the exception.

Bolstering their appeal, he thinks, is the long list of refinements now on offer such as full-size beds, luxury bathrooms, fully-fitted kitchens, central heating and generous living areas.

“We find that that motorhome users are more likely to make just one or two night stays on parks before re-joining the road to discover a new view to wake up to,” he said.

“Touring caravan owners, by contrast, often prefer to base themselves for all or a major part of their stay in one location, and to get to know the area in greater depth.

“Having two different types of touring guest on the park helps to create a great social atmosphere, and adds to the feeling of the park as a community,” he added.

Henry says that he and his wife, who became first-time parents last year, have even invested in their own motorhome – a Swift Kon-tike – and can pay testament to its versatility.

“Touring holidays are enjoying a great renaissance right now, and holiday parks are responding by constantly upping their game in terms of facilities and attractions,” added Henry.