Disabled caravan holidays – A guide to taking adventure that little bit further if you have a disability.
The phrase ‘disabled caravan holidays’ doesn’t sound particularly viable, does it?
Caravans and tents are known to be generally cramped spaces, and as such you might not think they’re suitable for disabled people. However, when I typed ‘disabled caravan holidays’ into Google, I was really quite impressed by the what I found.
This included many companies offering accessible caravans for hire, listing static homes that are adapted for many additional needs and situated all over the UK and Europe, as well as particular parks themselves stating that they have facilities (caravans, homes and lodges) to cater for travellers and holiday makers with disabilities. It seems disabled caravan holidays are being pushed into the mainstream, and here are the sites you should be visiting should you want to find out more:
Disabled Holidays
Disabledholidays.com is a great site if you know what your specific requirements are, but just don’t know exactly where to go for your holidays. This site has an excellent database of adapted caravans and static homes from all over the UK and Europe, with a useful key system to let you know which properties have facilities such as wheel-in showers, grabrails, electric beds and hoist availability. So, all you need to do is decide exactly where you’d like to go!
Haven
As one of Britain’s very favourite holiday companies, it’s good to see that Haven have a range of specially adapted and accessible caravans, suitable for everyone from wheelchair users to guests with guide dogs. But, as they state on their own site, as all impairments and disabilities are dealt with in different ways, Haven have a team of specially trained advisors who will listen to your individual requirements and talk you through every aspect of your booking to help you plan your dream holiday. This way, your holiday can be everything you want it to be. Call 0333 202 5256 to talk to their special needs team. An added bonus: they welcome Registered Assistance Dogs to stay at all of their adapted caravans.
IKnow
If the location of your trip is really important to you (as it is for many of us), then IKnow might be a great site to check out. It lists all the accessible holiday parks available, including whether there’s access to the beach, inclusive water activities on site, and whether or not each park is family and pet friendly. Prices are clearly stated, as is each park’s rating on tripadvisor. A really useful site to visit!
Caravan Owners Direct
If you are simply looking for a caravan to hire that is accessible and suits your needs, and you know exactly where you want to go and the sights you want to see, Caravan Owners Direct may well be the site for you. It has a limited but useful listings page, listing all the accessible caravans available for hire from all over the place! Have a look and let the adventures begin!
Other things to Consider on Disabled Caravan Holidays
One you’ve found your accessible caravan and a good, inclusive, location to stay, it might be worth thinking about the things you can do while you’re there. Does the specific park you will be staying at have accessible pool facilities, good, spacious restaurants, with staff on hand to help, and access to the beach or lovely adapted walking trails? They might even have accessible resources and equipment to hire in order to make any trip that bit more adventurous and enjoyable. Here’s to exciting and truly outdoors-y disabled caravan holidays that can be enjoyed to their full potential. Have fun!
