Live in a Caravan UK: Legal Rules, Costs, and Real-Life Tips

When you live in a caravan UK, residing permanently in a mobile or static caravan on a licensed site or private land. Also known as caravan living UK, it’s not just a budget hack—it’s a lifestyle choice with serious legal and practical hurdles. Many assume it’s as simple as buying a caravan and parking it anywhere. But in the UK, that’s not true. You can’t just pull up to a field, plug in, and call it home. The law is strict, and local councils don’t take kindly to unapproved setups. Even if you own the land, you’ll likely need planning permission. And if you’re thinking of staying on a holiday park year-round? Most sites ban permanent residency—unless they’re specifically licensed for it.

There are two main ways to make this work legally: static caravan parks, licensed residential sites that allow year-round living, often with utilities and waste disposal, or caravan ownership on private land, where you own the plot and the caravan, but still need planning permission and building regulation approval. The difference matters. A park might charge £500–£1,200 a month in pitch fees, plus service charges. On private land, you pay for connections, permits, and inspections—but you gain control. Neither option is cheap. You’ll also need to prove you have a permanent address for mail, voting, and healthcare. And yes, your kids still need to go to school. Some people try to live off-grid in a touring caravan, but that’s nearly impossible without breaking the law. Wild camping for more than a few nights? Not allowed. Sleeping in your van on a public road? Risky. The UK doesn’t have a ‘right to roam’ for homes.

What you’ll find below isn’t just theory. It’s real stories from people who’ve tried it, failed it, and made it work. You’ll read about the hidden costs no one tells you—like insurance spikes, council tax bands, and winter heating bills. You’ll see which caravan parks actually let you stay year-round, and which ones kick you out after 6 months. You’ll learn how to avoid scams selling "permanent caravan living" packages that don’t exist. And you’ll get straight answers on whether you can legally live in a caravan if you’re retired, working remotely, or just want to escape rent hikes. This isn’t a dream. It’s a decision. And you need the facts before you sign anything.