Latest news with #staticcaravan
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
I live off-grid in a caravan – it might be tiny but it's cheaper than renting & has a double bed, a bath & a log burner
A YOUNG woman has opened up on living off-grid in a static caravan. Libby, who runs a business named Herd and Hive, a family-run company in Yorkshire offering natural goat's milk soap, raw honey and beeswax products, recognised that while her home might be small, it's much cheaper than renting. 2 Posting on social media, the content creator gave her followers a close-up look inside her 12ft wide caravan, which is set on a large piece of land. On the land, Libby also has a 'big barn' where she keeps goats, sheep and donkeys. Standing outside her tiny home, Libby said: 'I live fully off-grid in my static caravan so let's show you around.' As well as having a 'lovely little porch' where Libby keeps her 'mucky clothes, shoes and toolboxes,' the caravan also has a kitchen that is 'small but does the job.' Libby then filmed inside her cosy home as she proudly showed off her living room, which has a huge log burner that is used to heat the caravan. 'Back to the other end of the caravan, we have a spare room that we just use for storage and into the bedroom, we've got a little ensuite here with a bath and our bedroom - just enough space for a double bed,' she continued. In a follow-up clip, Libby got candid on why she decided to live off-grid - and claimed that financially it made the most sense. She explained: 'There was one main factor as to why I wanted to live off-grid with my boyfriend Ollie and it was purely financial - I run the business Herd and Hive and I wanted to quit my full-time job, so did Ollie, so that we can run our business. 'There was no way we'd be able to quit our jobs as well as paying all the rent, electric bills, water bills, whatever else that most people pay on a monthly basis - there was no way we could do it as well as paying all those. 'It made perfect financial sense and if we hadn't have done that, if we wouldn't be able to live so cheaply, we wouldn't be able to quit our jobs and grow our business to what it is today.' We moved into a caravan in my mother-in-law's garden for a year, sure it was cramped but we saved £20k Libby's TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ herdandhive, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 77,400 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 2,701 likes and 209 comments. Social media users were impressed with Libby's tiny home and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. One person said: 'When someone asks me what my dream place is…. 'THIS' this is my dream.' Another added: 'Looks lovely, it's just enough and that's all you need. And the log burner is fantastic.' How much does it cost to live in a caravan? LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs: Initial Costs Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year Ongoing Monthly Costs Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40 Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time) Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400 Utilities: £80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40 Internet and TV: £40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25 Total: £585 Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000 Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself. Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs. While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK. A third commented: 'That's amazing. I would love to live like this.' Meanwhile, someone else gushed: 'You're living my dream.' At the same time, one user asked: 'How did you get permission to stay there full-time in a static, no hate just really curious.' To this, Libby responded and confirmed: 'We got planning permission as 'agricultural workers'.'
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I traded in my flat for a £26k caravan, everyone tells me I made a huge mistake but I'm laughing all the way to the bank
SINKING back into her plush sofa, Katrina flicks on her electric fire while she admires the gorgeous interiors of her dream home. With her chic open plan living space complete with a stylish kitchen and coordinating sitting room you would be forgiven for thinking Katrina lives in a posh London flat. 8 8 8 But the reality is that Katrina's perfect pad is a static caravan. Katrina, 31, ditched the rental market after years of dealing with poor living conditions and financial stress and says she has never been happier. The business owner, who lives in the south of England, instead chose to invest £26,000 in a 2021 caravan – a move she calls the most freeing decision of her life. But not everyone agrees and Katrina regularly has to deal with people calling her decision a 'waste of money' on TikTok. 'Getting a mortgage just wasn't on the cards,' Katrina says. 'I could have rented, but in my area, a basic one or two-bedroom flat is around £1,000 a month. 'With bills, you're looking at closer to £1,700. I didn't want to live just to pay bills. 'I value quality of life, and the caravan offered me a more affordable, freeing alternative. 'Honestly, I didn't have many other options, and this one made the most sense.' After viewing a series of 'cold, mouldy and badly maintained' flats, Katrina was inspired by a friend living in a caravan park. Watch the video to see inside the family-of-seven's caravan home One visit later, and she knew she'd found her new home. She moved in March 2025 – and hasn't looked back since. Katrina says she's making massive savings compared to before – spending £528 a month on ground rent, Wi-Fi, gas and electric. 'I know I made the right decision for me,' she says. 'I'd viewed a few flats that were, quite frankly, depressing. Cold, mouldy, and badly maintained. 'Then I visited a friend who lives on the park I'm now in, and I'd always loved where she was. It just clicked. 'I reached out to the park owner to see what was available, and that's when I found my caravan. 'Everyone around me has been so supportive. 'Most people actually think it's a brilliant idea and have even considered doing something similar.' 8 8 8 However, Katrina says she's faced some snide comments about her choice on her TikTok page, Katrinas Caravan. She said: 'On TikTok there's been some negative comments, but it doesn't phase me. 'Unless you've walked in someone else's shoes, you can't always understand their choices, and that's okay. 'People who are quick to judge often have their own stuff to work through. I'm happy for them to form opinions.' Living alone in the caravan, Katrina says she finally feels like she can breathe – both emotionally and financially. Having disposable income is the best part. I hadn't experienced that in years Katrina She's even found an unexpected community. She said: 'Having disposable income is the best part. I hadn't experienced that in years. 'I even managed to take a few days off work and just enjoy myself – something that used to feel impossible under financial pressure. 'My 90-year-old neighbour came round every day to check on me when I sprained my knee. 'That sort of kindness and connection wasn't something I ever had in previous places I lived.' Katrina says that hers is far from a stereotypical caravan. She explains: 'Once you're inside, you'd never guess it was a caravan. I'm decorating room by room, adding my own touches. 'I live quite minimally, and the caravan has brilliant storage. How much does it cost to live in a caravan? LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs: Initial Costs Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year Ongoing Monthly Costs Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40 Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time) Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400 Utilities: £80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40 Internet and TV: £40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25 Total: £585 Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000 Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself. Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs. While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK. 'Everything has its place. I'm not tripping over anything, and it actually feels spacious and calm. 'Everyone seems to want to come to mine now because they love it so much. They call it a cosy sanctuary.' However, there are some downsides, like not having a washing machine or anywhere to dry clothes. Katrina adds: 'Things like cooking are no different than when I was in a flat, except I might have to be a bit smarter with space. 'I've got a lovely walk-in shower in my bathroom, so no complaints there. I've gained other luxuries – peaceful surroundings, a slower pace of life, and access to lovely leisure facilities. Katrina 'Laundry is a bit more of a juggle – I either use the on-site laundry or drop a bag to my sister when I see her. 'Drying clothes was a bit annoying, so I bought a clothes line for outside. 'I'm also looking to get an outdoor washing machine too.' Despite a few minor headaches, Katrina says that she can't imagine herself going back to bricks and mortar. 'Never say never, but I doubt I'd ever go back to renting,' she says. 'Even if I don't live in a caravan forever, I think I'll always want to live a little differently. Maybe a lodge or even something off-grid that I build myself 'I've gained other luxuries – peaceful surroundings, a slower pace of life, and access to lovely leisure facilities. It's been a trade-up, not a sacrifice.' 8 8
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Very, very stressful months - static caravan owner from Coventry
The last few months have been "very, very stressful", according to Sandra Thompson, after she and husband Mark bought a static caravan at a park near York was purchased in 2019 and the price was £66,000 including site fees for the Thompsons, from Coventry, were free for the first year and then £3,995. But in just three years, Mr Thompson said they were facing a demand for £7, Golf and Country Park said fee increases reflected its increased costs and enhanced offering. The couple eventually asked the site to buy back their lodge and now have a £40,000 Thompson said: "You feel embarrassed in one way that you've done this and why didn't you think about it more?"But you look at the dream and think 'no, this is what we want to do, we're at that time in our life where we can do it'. "But then you think 'we did read all the contracts, we did everything that we thought... was right'." In September 2024, the couple asked the site to buy back their sales manager offered £23,000 – little more than a third of what they had Thompson has said they had no choice but to accept: "I just said, yeah, let's move on. It is making you ill."But soon after leaving, they were shocked to see their lodge back up for sale, in exactly the same lakeside spot, for £110,000 - £87,000 more than they had been been paid for Thompson stated that at one point "Mark... I don't think he slept for weeks"."It was just, you know, taking his toll on it. He didn't wanna go up there and have the discussions all the time, so that was the last straw."Mr Thompson said: "I was driving up there sometimes and all I was thinking about is what I'm gonna say to the manager when I get there, not 'oh, I can't wait to get there to sit on the decking to have a few drinks and enjoy the sunshine'." Mrs Thompson said the couple had "taken a mortgage out to fund it in the first place"."We've still got that debt now."Their story began with wanting to be closer to their son in Leeds."We thought it'd be nice, lovely part of the country, to see York," Mrs Thompson said."Our son has now had our first grandchild, so that was even better, so we thought we'd spend lots of time having our grandchild there and meeting up with our family."We did. We used it for a long time and friends joined us there and family joined us there."Allerthorpe Golf and Country Park said site fee increases "reflect the growing cost of operations" and "the significantly enhanced offering".It strongly rejected any suggestion of deception, saying "the final decision on whether a caravan remains on park is a business and operational matter and the listing price reflects significant upgrades and premium location, not simply the original unit value". Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I paid £200 for a filthy static caravan & made it my dream home – I even have a walk-in wardrobe
PAYING rent or buying a house can be a huge expense these days - but one woman shared how she bought a static caravan for £200. While the tiny home needed a lot of work doing to it, Catherine shared how she was able to look past the dirty interior and turned it into their dream pad. 3 3 On her @catherineelizabethb, she shared incredible before and after photos of their affordable home. She wrote: 'A year of hard work and determination and we have our home. 'We've been actually living in here for half a year now and I love it so much. 'The best decision we've ever made.' Catherine shared how her partner had found the property in October 2023 for £200 and were lucky enough to use family land to house it. She showed how the interior was 'filthy and had not been looked after.' However, it did not put them off and they set about transforming it into a cosy pad. This included adding a new wooden floor, a rug and new curtains into the lounge. They also added a log burner for warmth which they 'loved' during winter. The savvy couple also gave the kitchen a facelift, and changed the old wooden cabinets and white countertop for cream units and a wooden top. Thankfully they didn't need to replace the oven, which saved them some cash. They then decided to transform one of the twin bedrooms into a bathroom to give them more space and said the last room had been 'too small.' Catherine then turned the old bathroom into a stylish walk-in wardrobe. A year after they bought the caravan they were able to move into their new chic space, with the entire renovation not costing a fortune. 3 Catherine shared: 'I don't have an extra number but I reckon a couple of thousand. 'We got as much second hand as possible and luckily had friends/family who got us stuff for cheaper.' Thousands of people have liked their video, with one saying: 'You've done an amazing job, it's gorgeous.' A second commented: 'How you added so much character to a caravan is beyond me! 'Absolutely incredible job. What a lovely home you've made.' According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2021 there were 104,000 households in England & Wales living in caravans or temporary structures. This was an increase of 19,000 over the previous decade. Meanwhile, the average UK house price in 2024 was roughly between £268,000 and £290,000. How much does it cost to live in a caravan? LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs: Initial Costs Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year Ongoing Monthly Costs Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40 Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time) Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400 Utilities: £80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40 Internet and TV: £40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25 Total: £585 Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000 Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself. Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs. While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK.
