5 Simple Things to Do to Protect Your Caravan This Winter

Here’s the thing nobody tells you before you buy a holiday home: looking after one is easier than you’d think!

There’s a reason people assume otherwise. Search online for caravan winter care and you’ll find checklists as long as your arm.

In practice, protecting a static caravan or lodge through a British winter comes down to one afternoon a year and five straightforward jobs. Do them and the van will be dry, sound and winter ready. That’s it. That’s the whole commitment.

1. Get the water out

This is the only one that genuinely matters, and it’s the reason the other four are easy.

Water expands when it freezes, so any water left sitting in a pipe over a cold night can split it. Getting the water out of the system — turning off at the stopcock, opening the taps, and draining down — removes the risk entirely.

It takes about half an hour once you know where everything is, and your caravan’s handbook shows you the drain points. If you’d rather not, most parks have a maintenance team or a local engineer who’ll do it for a modest one-off fee, and plenty of owners simply book it in and forget about it.

If you want the full step-by-step version, including hot water systems and what your insurer will expect, we’ve covered it properly in our complete guide to winterising a static caravan.

2. Leave it breathing

The instinct when you lock up for winter is to seal everything tight. Do the opposite.

A closed-up caravan with no airflow is where damp comes from. Still, cold air holds moisture against the coldest surfaces and mould takes hold. Moving air prevents it.

So on your way out:

Leave the roof vents and wall vents open and unblocked.
Open all the internal doors, including wardrobes and cupboards.
Stand mattresses on their edge, or prop them up so air gets underneath.
Put a couple of moisture traps in the bedrooms and bathroom.

Two minutes of work, and it’s the difference between walking into a fresh caravan in March and walking into a musty one.

3. Empty the cupboards

Take the food home. All of it, including tins and dry goods.

Mice aren’t fussy and they aren’t deterred by packaging. A forgotten bag of rice will invite them in, and the damage they do to upholstery and wiring costs many times more than the rice.

While you’re at it: empty and defrost the fridge and freezer, wipe them dry, and leave the doors propped open. A sealed empty fridge grows mould with real enthusiasm. Take the bin out too, and take home any damp towels or bedding.

4. Give it ten minutes outside

Autumn gales find whatever’s loose. A quick walk round sorts it:

– Clear the gutters. Leaves block downpipes, blocked pipes overflow down the walls, and water finds its way into seals. This is the single most useful outdoor job.
– Secure the decking furniture. Store it if you can, and fold parasols away rather than tying them up.
– Look up at the roof and the seals around skylights and vents.– You’re looking for anything obviously cracked or lifting.
– Bring the hose inside, drained.

Ten minutes, once, in October.

5. Close the stop tap whenever you leave

If you’re using the caravan through the winter — a weekend in November, New Year, a walking trip in February — then get into the habit of closing the mains stopcock on your way out. Every time, without exception.

The reason is simple. With the stop tap open, a failed joint is connected to mains pressure and will keep running until somebody notices, which on a quiet park in January might be weeks. With it closed, the same failure releases the litre or two already in the pipes.

Same routine every time: stop tap off, taps open, gas off at the bottle. It takes thirty seconds and it’s the best insurance you’ll ever get for free.

That’s genuinely all of it

One afternoon in October, plus thirty seconds each time you leave. No specialist tools, no expertise, nothing that can’t be learned the first year and done on autopilot afterwards.

And what you get in return is a holiday home that’s yours in the best season of the year. Winter in the Lakes and the Dales is quiet in a way summer never is. Empty fells, clear cold mornings, a fire on and the whole place to yourself. Most of the people who tell you owning a caravan is hard work have never had a February weekend at Ingmire with snow on the tops.

A few quick questions

When should I do all this? By the end of October. Late frosts catch out anyone who leaves it into November.

What if I’d rather someone else did it? Ask at your park office. Most sites have someone who drains down for a one-off fee, and it’s money well spent if it means the job’s done properly and on time.

Do I have to do this, or is it just advice? Most insurance policies make winterisation a condition of cover between about November and March. It’s worth two minutes reading your policy wording, because if you haven’t complied and a pipe splits, the claim can be refused.

If you’re weighing up whether holiday home ownership is for you and you’d like a straight answer about what’s actually involved, I’m happy to talk it through — including which of our parks run a twelve-month season if winter use is what you’re after. You can also browse everything we have for sale at your leisure.

No pressure, no sales patter.

Jon Driver — Hanley Caravans 0️⃣7️⃣7️⃣2️⃣2️⃣ 2️⃣9️⃣8️⃣ 8️⃣8️⃣9️⃣ hanleycaravans.co.uk

Here’s to a dry winter and an early spring 🍃

There’s something about autumn in the Lake District. The bracken turns copper, the trees go gold, the air gets that crisp bite, and suddenly a good walk followed by a warm drink feels like the best thing in the world.

And when you’ve got a lakeside lodge to come back to, it really is.

Our Pemberton Park Lane at Violet Bank sits on one of the finest plots on our new development, right beside a beautifully kept lake, with water views from every room and fell views from the living room and kitchen. It’s the perfect base for exploring the fells, so here’s how we’d spend an autumn day there.

Morning: Boots On, Flask Filled

Start slow. Put the kettle on and look out over the lake while the morning mist lifts off the water. From the kitchen, you can see the fells you’ll be heading into later.

Fill the flask, dig out the walking boots and grab a proper coat. It’s autumn in Cumbria, after all.

Late Morning: Into the Fells

This is where Violet Bank really comes into its own. You’re on the quieter western side of the Lake District, so the fells are right on your doorstep without the crowds you’ll find further south.

If you fancy something gentle, Whinlatter Forest has trails for every ability, and the autumn colours through the trees are something special. For a bit more of a climb, Low Fell above Loweswater is a local favourite with big views over Crummock Water for relatively little effort. And if you want the classic postcard, the lakeside walk around Buttermere is hard to beat when the leaves are turning.

Wherever you end up, stop somewhere with a view, pour a cup from the flask and take it all in.

Afternoon: Coffee in Cockermouth

After a morning on the fells, there’s only one thing for it.

Head into Cockermouth, one of Cumbria’s loveliest market towns, where the rivers Cocker and Derwent meet. The streets are lined with independent shops and cosy coffee shops, and at this time of year that means one thing: pumpkin spice lattes.

Grab a seat by the window, wrap your hands around something warm and sweet, and watch the town go by. Add a slice of cake if you’ve earned it (and after the fells, you definitely have).

Then take a wander. Browse the shops, pop into Wordsworth House, the poet’s birthplace, or find a pub with a fire going for a quick one before heading back.

Evening: Home to the Lake

This is the moment the whole day has been building to.

Pull up at the lodge, kick off the muddy boots and put the heating on. The Park Lane is everything you’d expect from Pemberton: thoughtfully designed, generously proportioned and finished to an exceptional standard throughout. After a day outdoors, it feels like the warmest, most welcoming place in the world.

The evenings draw in earlier now, which just means more time to enjoy the view. Wrap up in a blanket, take a glass of wine outside and watch the last of the light fade across the water. When it gets too chilly, head in and carry on watching from the sofa, because every room looks out over the lake.

Tomorrow: Do It All Again

Different fell, different café, same view to come home to. That’s the beauty of owning your own lodge: the Lakes are yours whenever you want them, in every season.

If this sounds like the lifestyle you’ve been looking for, call today on 07722298889

Buying a static caravan or lodge is a big decision, and most people only do it once or twice in their lives. That puts you at a disadvantage: the person on the other side of the table does it every week.

The fix is simple. Ask better questions, and ask them early.

Below are the twelve we think matter most. Take this list to any park you visit — including ours. A good park will answer all of them without hesitating. If someone gets vague, that tells you something too.

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1. Is there an age limit on the holiday homes?

Many parks make you remove or replace your caravan once it reaches a certain age — often fifteen or twenty years. Some will let you stay on if you buy a newer model from them.

Ask what the limit is, ask what happens when you reach it, and ask for the answer in writing. This single question changes the long-term cost of ownership more than almost anything else.

2. Who else owns here?

You’re not just buying a holiday home, you’re joining a park. Ask who your neighbours would be — families, couples, retired owners, or a mix. Ask how long people tend to stay.

A park where owners have been in place for years is usually a park worth being on.

3. What’s included in the site fee — and what isn’t?

Rates, water, insurance, gas and electricity, waste, grass cutting, winterising. Some parks bundle several of these in; others charge everything separately.

Ask for a full list of the annual costs of ownership, not just the headline fee. The gap between the two can be considerable.

4. How long is the season?

Some parks open for ten months, some eleven, some a full twelve. If you want your holiday home available in January, you need to know before you buy, not after.

5. New or pre-owned — which is right for me?

A brand-new lodge gives you the latest spec, full insulation and a warranty. A well-kept pre-owned caravan gets you onto the park for a fraction of the price, often with decking and furnishings already in place.

Tell the park honestly how you’ll use it and what you want to spend. Anyone worth buying from will point you at the right one rather than the dearest one.

6. What is the subletting policy?

This one is worth thinking about carefully, because it cuts both ways.

If you want to rent your caravan out to cover costs, you need a park that permits it. If you want a quiet park where you recognise your neighbours, you want one that doesn’t. Neither is wrong — but you should know which kind of park you’re standing on before you hand over a deposit.

7. What happens when I want to sell?

Ask whether you can sell privately or only through the park, what commission the park takes, and whether they offer part exchange.

Nobody enjoys asking about the exit when they’re excited about the arrival. Ask anyway.

8. Who actually owns and runs this park?

Is it a family business, a small group, or a large corporate operator? Will you deal with the same people in five years?

There’s no single right answer, but it shapes your experience enormously — from how quickly a leaking tap gets fixed to how decisions get made about the park’s future.

9. What warranty and aftercare comes with it?

Ask what’s covered and for how long, who you call when something goes wrong, and how quickly things get sorted in practice.

Ask about the practical side of the park too — grounds and roads, winter access, and the annual gas safety check. These are the things you’ll never think about again once you know they’re handled properly.

10. Am I buying this pitch?

Confirm the exact plot. Then go and stand on it.

Which way does it face? Where’s the sun at four in the afternoon? What’s the outlook, the drainage, the slope? Where do the neighbours’ windows point? Is there space for decking?

Photographs flatten everything. Ten minutes standing on the actual pitch will tell you more than an hour in an office.

11. What’s the total price, all in?

Ask for one figure that includes the holiday home, siting, connection to services, delivery, steps or decking, skirting, and VAT.

Then ask what isn’t in it. That’s the question that saves people money.

12. What are the day-to-day rules?

Pets, visitors, parking, gas supply, decking specifications, what you can and can’t do to the outside of your home, whether you can leave a car on site over winter.

None of these are dramatic on their own. Together they decide whether the park suits how you actually want to use it.

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How we answer these at Hanley Parks

We’d rather you asked us all twelve than found out later.

For what it’s worth, here’s where we stand across our parks: no age limits on holiday homes, owners-only with no commercial letting, and genuinely dog friendly. Season lengths and site fees vary from park to park, so ask us about the one you’re interested in and we’ll give you the figures and a full breakdown of what a year there costs.

We’re a family-run group with parks across the North of England and the Scottish Borders — from the edge of the Lake District at Violet Bank in Cockermouth and the Yorkshire Dales at Ingmire near Sedbergh, to the Fylde coast at Primrose Bank, Meadfoot and Whalley Villa, up to Blackadder in the Scottish Borders and out to Stanhope in Weardale.

Different parks suit different people. Some owners want fells and forest tracks, some want the coast twenty minutes from the pitch, and some want somewhere quiet enough to hear nothing at all. Tell us how you want to spend your weekends and we’ll tell you honestly which of ours fits — and which doesn’t.

Come up, walk the park, stand on a pitch, and ask us the difficult ones.

07722298889

Hanley Caravan & Lodge Parks — hanleycaravans.co.uk

Ask everything. Then enjoy the view. 🍃

There’s a moment that happens to most people at some point — usually on a Sunday evening, driving home from a weekend away in the Lakes, watching the fells disappear in the rear-view mirror — when you think: what if I didn’t have to leave?

For a growing number of families across the North of England, that thought is becoming a reality. And with our exciting new development progressing at Violet Bank Holiday Park in Cockermouth, the timing has never been better.

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The Lake District Has Never Been More in Demand

Since the Lake District was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2017, the region has seen sustained, growing interest from people looking not just to visit — but to put down roots. Staycation culture, accelerated by the events of recent years, has fundamentally changed how British families think about holidays.

People want somewhere that feels like theirs. Somewhere the kids know by heart. Somewhere you can be there for a long weekend in October just because the mood takes you, without booking months in advance or paying eye-watering hotel prices.

A holiday home in the Lake District isn’t just a luxury. Increasingly, it’s the sensible choice.

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Something Special Is Happening at Violet Bank

Nestled just outside Cockermouth, with uninterrupted views across the Lorton Valley and Buttermere Fells, Violet Bank has always been one of our most sought-after parks. But right now, something exciting is taking shape.

Our new development at The Meadows is progressing beautifully — a carefully considered collection of premium pitches in one of the most breathtaking settings on the park. We’re talking views from every window, morning light over the fells, and the kind of quiet that you simply cannot put a price on.

New lodges are arriving at The Meadows now, including stunning models from Carnaby — their Chantry and Langdale lodges offer a level of space and finish that genuinely has to be seen to be believed. Think open-plan living, full-height windows, and interiors that feel more boutique hotel than traditional holiday home.

And unusually for the area, Violet Bank operates on a 12-month season with no age limits on caravans — two things that make an enormous practical difference to owners.

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The Numbers Make Sense Too

We know that buying a holiday home is a significant decision, and it should be. Starting prices at Violet Bank from £29,995 mean that ownership is more accessible than many people assume — often comparable to a few years of family holiday spending, but with something tangible to show for it.

Site fees at The Meadows priced competatively and range from £3950 for statics and £4,750 for lodges per annum, covering a full 12-month season. For families who’d use it regularly, the per-visit cost quickly becomes very compelling.

Some owners also choose to offset costs through holiday letting when they’re not using the lodge themselves — something worth exploring if it suits your circumstances.

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Who Is This For?

In our experience, the people who fall in love with Violet Bank tend to fall into a few camps:

Families with young children who want a reliable, beloved place that becomes part of the family story. The kind of place the kids will talk about when they’re grown up.

Empty nesters rediscovering adventure now the school run is behind them — walkers, cyclists, people who want a proper base for exploring Cumbria at their own pace.

People who’ve always said “one day” — and have finally decided that one day is now.

Whatever brings you here, the Lake District has a way of getting under your skin. Violet Bank just makes it a little easier to stay.

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Come and See for Yourself

The best way to understand what we’re building at The Meadows is simply to come and see it. Our team is on hand to show you around, answer every question, and let the views do the talking.

There’s no hard sell at Hanley Caravans — we’d rather you fell in love with the place yourself.

Call us on 07722 298889 or drop us a message on whatsapp to arrange a visit. We’d love to show you around.

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*Violet Bank Holiday Park, Simonscales Lane, Cockermouth, CA13 9TG. Dog friendly. 12-month season. No age limits.*

Are you dreaming of a peaceful retreat with “unbeatable” views of the Buttermere Fells?

At Hanley Caravans, we are thrilled to announce our latest and most exciting development yet: 35 brand-new luxury lodge plots at the prestigious Violet Bank Holiday Park in Cockermouth.

As one of the most sought-after holiday parks in Cumbria, Violet Bank is expanding to offer a premium lifestyle for those looking to own their own slice of the Lake District. But be warned—our premier plots are already generating huge interest!

Why Choose The New Development at Violet Bank?

Located on the edge of the charming “Gem Town” of Cockermouth, this new development has been designed to offer space, privacy, and the very best vistas the Lorton Valley has to offer.

• Exclusive 12-Month Season: Enjoy your holiday home all year round. Whether it’s the bloom of spring or a snowy Lakeland winter, your retreat is always open.

• Stunning Views: The new plots have been carefully positioned to maximize the panoramic fells and rolling countryside.

• Pet-Friendly Paradise: We know your dogs love the Lakes as much as you do! Violet Bank is a fully dog-friendly park with incredible walks right on your doorstep.

• No Age Limits: Unlike many other parks, we do not have an age limit on our lodges, providing you with long-term peace of mind for your investment.

Luxury Lodges from Leading Manufacturers

We are proud to stock the latest models from industry-leading brands like ABI, Willerby, and Carnaby. From “Scandinavian chic” interiors to residential-specification builds with wrap-around decking, our lodges offer a true “home from home” experience.

The Best Plots Go Fast!

In the world of holiday home ownership, location is everything. The “front-row” plots with uninterrupted views across the valley are always the first to be reserved.

If you have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to join our quiet, owner-only community in Cockermouth, now is the time to act. ### Book Your Viewing Today

The best way to appreciate the scale and beauty of this new development is to see it for yourself. We are now officially taking appointments for park tours and lodge viewings.

Don’t miss out on your preferred plot!

• Call Nick today: 07917 855188

• Visit us: Violet Bank Holiday Park, Cockermouth, CA13 9TG