Park life: The great British holiday park comeback

From hot tub lodges to countryside shepherd’s huts, the traditional UK holiday park is getting a modern makeover as holidaymakers seek better value, comfort and a little nostalgia.

The humble British holiday park is enjoying a revival, with new data suggesting holidaymakers are looking closer to home as they plan their next escape.

Google searches for “holiday parks” have risen by 25% over the past year, while deal site Wowcher has reported a 9% year-on-year increase in visits to its Lodges & Caravans deals. The biggest shift, however, could be when people are choosing to book.

Visits to the category between October and January rose by 55%, with October alone seeing an 82% increase. December and January also recorded significant growth, up 62% and 60% respectively, suggesting that interest in UK holiday parks is extending well beyond the traditional summer booking season.

For a type of break once associated with childhood seaside holidays and rainy days in static caravans, the modern holiday park is increasingly looking like a serious contender for 2027 getaways.

Jason Wallace, Travel Expert at Wowcher, believes the changing image of holiday parks is helping to drive their popularity.

“The traditional holiday park has had something of a rebrand. Hot tubs, lodges, countryside locations and better-quality accommodation have helped move the holiday park away from its old-fashioned image,” he says.

“The fact that people are now browsing these breaks months earlier suggests they’re becoming a holiday people actively choose, rather than a fallback when overseas travel feels too expensive.”

Beyond the traditional caravan

The renewed interest in holiday parks appears to be part of a wider appetite for UK accommodation that offers something more than simply a place to sleep.

Wowcher recorded a 22% year-on-year increase in visits to its Shepherd’s Huts & Pods category, while visits to Cottages rose by 136%. Its wider Lodges & Glamping category also grew by 11%.

The figures suggest that holidaymakers are increasingly drawn to accommodation that feels like part of the experience, whether that means a secluded shepherd’s hut, a countryside lodge with a hot tub or a cosy cottage within walking distance of local attractions.

Rather than recreating the caravan holidays of previous generations, today's UK breaks appear to be borrowing the best bits of the traditional holiday park and giving them a contemporary twist.

“We’re seeing a much broader appetite for UK accommodation that feels like part of the holiday, rather than simply somewhere to sleep,” says Wallace.

“Lodges, pods, shepherd’s huts and glamping offer that sense of escape while giving people the flexibility and value they’re looking for. It’s less about bringing back the caravan holiday exactly as it was and more about a new generation putting its own spin on it.”

The appeal of a more affordable escape

Value is likely to be another important consideration for holidaymakers weighing up their options.

The cost of an overseas trip can quickly climb once flights, luggage, airport transfers and car hire are factored in. For families in particular, a UK break can offer a more straightforward alternative, with accommodation, entertainment and activities often available in one location.

Holiday parks can also offer flexibility, from budget-friendly caravan stays to more luxurious lodges, allowing visitors to tailor their trip to their budget without sacrificing the feeling of getting away from everyday life.

The appeal is not limited to those planning their next break during the colder months, either. Visits to Wowcher's Lodges & Caravans deals during July and August rose by 18% year on year, with July 2026 marking the category's busiest month in two years.

That suggests the renewed interest is not simply a reaction to the summer holiday rush or a seasonal search for alternatives to overseas travel. Instead, the UK holiday park could be finding a more permanent place in people's holiday plans.

A new generation of staycationers

Nostalgia undoubtedly plays a part in the appeal. For many British holidaymakers, the holiday park evokes memories of family trips, seaside towns, fish and chips and entertainment that keeps everyone occupied.

But today's visitors have different expectations. Comfortable accommodation, attractive surroundings and memorable experiences increasingly matter just as much as the destination itself.

“The modern holiday park is tapping into that sweet spot between nostalgia, experience and value,” says Wallace. “There’s clearly still an appetite for a great-value UK escape, but expectations have changed. People want somewhere that feels comfortable, memorable and worth travelling for.”

With interest in lodges, glamping and alternative accommodation also growing, the trend looks bigger than a simple return to the caravan holiday.

The British holiday park has evolved, and with more people already browsing breaks for next year, its next chapter could be less about looking back to childhood holidays and more about redefining what a UK escape can be.