Why Owners-Only Caravan Parks Are the Smart Choice for Holiday Home Buyers in 2026

You've been thinking about an escape. Somewhere peaceful. Somewhere close enough to reach on a Friday evening without sitting in traffic for hours.

But every park you look at seems to come with a catch. Rental schemes. Commission fees. Neighbours who change every weekend.

It doesn't have to be that way.

This guide explains the real difference between commercial parks and owners-only parks — and why, heading into 2026, the smart money is on owners-only.

1. Two Very Different Worlds

The holiday home market has split.

In one world, you have the big commercial parks — the kind you see advertised on TV. Busy, loud, full of energy. They make their money renting caravans to holidaymakers week after week.

In the other world, you have owners-only parks. Private communities where you know your neighbours by name, and nobody's there for a weekend stag do.

For years, people bought on commercial parks because the entry price was cheap and the sales team promised "subletting covers your costs."

But heading into 2026, the rules have changed. The government has cracked down on second homes and tax perks, making buy-to-let much riskier than it used to be.

For most buyers looking at a static caravan in Shropshire, an owners-only park is now the safer, smarter choice.

2. Understanding the Difference

What Is a Mixed-Use Commercial Park?

These are the big parks you see advertised on TV. They make their money from rental income — either their own fleet, or commission from owners who sublet through the park.

• The Goal: Fill every bed, every night.
• The Atmosphere: Busy, high-energy, lots of check-ins on Fridays.
• Your Role: You're often just a number. If you sublet, you're effectively an unpaid hotel room provider for the park.

What Is an Owners-Only Park?

An owners-only park doesn't have a rental fleet. They don't allow commercial subletting through Airbnb or booking sites.

• The Goal: Keep owners happy so they stay for the long term.
• The Atmosphere: Quiet, secure, friendly.
• Your Role: You're a valued member of a small community.

In short: A commercial park is a holiday resort. An owners-only park is a village.

3. Key Differences at a Glance

If you're short on time, this comparison tells you what you need to know.

4. The Money Stuff: Why 2026 Changed Everything

The boring financial stuff is actually the most important reason to rethink your options this year.

The Brick and Mortar Tax Trap

If you were thinking of buying a holiday cottage instead of a static or lodge, think carefully.

From April 2025, councils in England can charge a premium of up to 100% (double the bill) on many second homes.

In Wales, councils can charge even more — up to 300% in some areas.

A standard £2,000 bill can quickly become £4,000 in England, or potentially up to £8,000 in parts of Wales, depending on where your property is and what your local council decides.

The Static Caravan Advantage: Static caravans and lodges on holiday parks are generally not liable for Council Tax as long as they're not used as anyone's sole or main residence.

Instead, the park pays business rates and recovers a share of that cost through your site fees. This means you generally aren't directly hit by the new second-home Council Tax premiums.

The Buy-to-Let Reality Check

Commercial parks used to sell caravans by saying: "Rent it out and it pays for itself!"

That dream took a big hit in April 2025 when the government abolished the Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHL) tax regime.

• Mortgage Interest: You can no longer automatically deduct all your mortgage interest from your profits.
• Tax: For many owners, that means a higher overall tax bill on the same level of rental income.
• Wear and Tear: Renters treat your caravan like a rental car. Carpets get ruined. Mattresses sag.

On an owners-only park, you don't make rental income. But you also don't deal with the tax headaches — and your holiday home stays in good condition for years.

Note: Tax rules change regularly. This guide is general information only — always check your personal position with a qualified adviser.

5. Security of Tenure: The Upgrade Myth Explained

You might have read stories about the "Wild West" of holiday parks. The controversy usually centres on how parks handle older caravans.

The Commercial Churn Model

On many aggressive commercial parks, the goal is sales turnover. They often have strict clauses designed to force you off — or force an upgrade — purely to generate a sales commission.

The Ethical Approach

At Spring Lea and other Salop Caravan Sites parks, we also have age limits (typically a 10 to 15-year cycle depending on the unit).

Why? To protect the standard of the park for everyone.

We're an owners-only community. That means our owners take pride in their surroundings. Nobody wants to invest in a luxury lodge and sit next to a 25-year-old caravan that's falling into disrepair.

• Transparency: You know the lifecycle of the caravan from day one.
• Pristine Standards: Our policy ensures the park always looks fresh and well-kept.
• Reasonable Management: When the time comes to upgrade, it's handled ethically — to keep you as a happy customer.

Yes, we want to sell caravans. But we also want owners to stay for 15 years, not leave after 5. That only happens if the park stays beautiful and the community stays strong.

6. Lifestyle: Peace vs. Party

The Friday Night Problem

On a commercial park, Friday night is check-in time. Hundreds of cars arrive.

• Noise: Music, BBQs, and parties until late.
• Facilities: You can't get in the pool or the restaurant because it's packed with renters.

The Owners-Only Sanctuary

On a park like Spring Lea, Friday night is when you pour yourself a drink and listen to the birdsong.

• Security: You know who's on the park. No rental changeovers, no surprises — just familiar faces and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Community: You know the person two doors down. If you leave a chair outside, it'll still be there next week.
• Events: Instead of kids' discos, you get fishing matches, walking groups, and charity coffee mornings.

The Work-From-Holiday-Home Revolution

In 2026, a holiday home isn't just for holidays. It's a third place between work and home.

• Commercial Parks: Often suffer from network congestion. When 500 renters try to stream Netflix at 8pm, the Wi-Fi crashes.
• Owners-Only Parks: At Spring Lea, all pitches come with wired broadband as standard — no fighting for bandwidth.

Many of our owners use their holiday home as a peaceful place to catch up on emails on a Friday, enjoying views across the fishing lakes while they work — so when 5pm arrives, the laptop closes and the weekend begins.

7. Decision Framework: Is It Right For You?

Use this quick checklist to decide.

Choose a Commercial / Rental Park if:

• You absolutely need rental income to afford the monthly payments (check the tax rules first)
• You want loud entertainment, arcades, and mascots for the kids every night
• You don't mind strangers staying in your bed

Choose an Owners-Only Park if:

• Peace is your priority. You want to relax, fish, walk, or read without noise.
• You want value protection. You want your caravan to last 15 years, not be wrecked by renters in 5.
• You hate hidden costs. You prefer a clear site fee over commission charges.
• You want a community. You want to make friends with like-minded people.

8. Why Choose Spring Lea?

Spring Lea is part of the Salop Leisure family, with over 60 years of expertise in holiday home ownership across Shropshire and Mid Wales.

• Brand-new development (completed 2023)
• Four on-site fishing lakes with carp up to 33lbs
• Paddleboarding and kayaking on Lake Kingfisher
• South-west facing pitches with piped gas and wired broadband as standard
• Children's play area and enclosed dog walking area
• Hot tubs allowed (subject to park approval)
• 5 miles from medieval Shrewsbury
• Near Shropshire Hills AONB

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I let my family use my caravan?
Yes, family and close friends are welcome. "Owners-only" means no commercial renting to strangers through Airbnb or booking sites. Your family and close friends can use your holiday home whenever you like.

Are site fees higher on owners-only parks?
They can look higher on paper, but the total cost of ownership is often lower. Commercial parks subsidise fees with rental income, but you pay in wear and tear, commission charges, and shorter caravan lifespans. When you factor in the lack of damage, security of tenure, and better resale value, owners-only parks often work out cheaper over time.

Do I pay Council Tax?
No, in normal circumstances. Spring Lea is a holiday park, and static caravans here can't be used as your main residence. That means they're not treated as residential dwellings for Council Tax purposes — your contribution to local services is wrapped into your annual site fees instead.

Can I live there permanently?
No, Spring Lea is a holiday park. You must have a main residential address elsewhere where you pay Council Tax. You can visit as often as you like during the open season, but you cannot move in full-time.

Can I have a hot tub at Spring Lea?
Yes — hot tubs are allowed subject to park approval. This is different from many other parks where they're not permitted.

Is it easier to sell a caravan on an owners-only park?
Generally, yes. The caravans are in better condition because they haven't been rented out, and buyers love the security of an exclusive park. We can help you with the resale process when the time comes.

How do I get to Spring Lea?
We're easy to reach from the A49. From the M54, take the A5 towards Shrewsbury, then head south on the A49. We're near Lea Cross, about 5 miles from Shrewsbury centre. Full directions and the postcode (SY5 8HU) for sat-nav are on our website.

The Bottom Line

In 2026, buying a static caravan is no longer about chasing risky rental profits. It's about investing in your quality of life.

Owners-only parks offer your own patch of peace. They protect you from the taxman, the tourist crowds, and the aggressive sales tactics of the big commercial chains.

Picture it: your own place in the Shropshire countryside. The view across the fishing lakes. Birdsong instead of traffic.

It costs a bit more upfront to be exclusive. But the peace of mind? That's free.