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Best Static Caravan Parks in the Yorkshire Dales: Where to Buy a Holiday Home in 2026

Sep 2
9 min read

If you're thinking about buying a static caravan in the Yorkshire Dales, choosing the right park is just as important as choosing the right holiday home.


The Yorkshire Dales and surrounding North Yorkshire countryside offer some fantastic locations for holiday home ownership. You can spend your weekends walking through the countryside, visiting traditional market towns, finding new country pubs or simply escaping somewhere that feels a million miles away from everyday life.

But not every holiday park offers the same experience.


Some are ideal for families who want plenty to do. Others are designed for owners looking for peace and quiet, while some offer a more luxurious countryside escape.

We've put together our guide to some of the best static caravan parks in the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire to help you decide where to buy a holiday home in 2026.

If you're still comparing locations across the wider region, you can also read our complete guide to the Best Holiday Parks in Yorkshire.


Why Buy a Static Caravan in the Yorkshire Dales?

For many owners, the biggest advantage of buying a holiday home in this part of Yorkshire is the variety.

One weekend might involve a long countryside walk followed by lunch in a village pub. The next could be spent exploring Richmond, Leyburn or Bedale, visiting local attractions or simply relaxing at your holiday home.

It's particularly appealing if you live within a few hours of North Yorkshire.

Rather than planning one or two big holidays each year, owning a static caravan gives you somewhere you can return to regularly for weekends, school holidays and spontaneous breaks.

And unlike some of the UK's busier coastal holiday destinations, the Yorkshire countryside can offer a much slower pace of life.

So, where should you buy?


Best Holiday Parks in Yorkshire

1. Akebar Park – Best All-Round Static Caravan Park

Best for: Families, couples, golfers and buyers who want good on-site facilities


If you're searching for static caravans for sale in the Yorkshire Dales, Akebar Park is one of the first places we'd recommend looking.

Situated in the North Yorkshire countryside near Leyburn and Bedale, Akebar combines a peaceful rural setting with enough facilities to make spending your weekends on the park easy.

One of its standout features is its golf course, making it an obvious choice for golfers. But you certainly don't need to play golf to enjoy Akebar.

The park is also home to The Friars Head, its popular pub and restaurant, as well as an on-site beauty salon.

For families, there's space to enjoy the outdoors, while the location makes exploring the wider Yorkshire Dales easy.

There's also a good selection of holiday homes, ranging from modern static caravans through to more luxurious models.


Why choose Akebar Park?

  • Excellent location for exploring the Yorkshire Dales

  • 18-hole golf course

  • On-site pub and restaurant

  • Beauty salon

  • Static caravans and lodges available

  • Suitable for couples and families

  • Good choice for regular weekend breaks

At Your Leisure verdict: Akebar is one of the strongest all-round choices for holiday home ownership in North Yorkshire. If you want countryside without sacrificing facilities, it should be high on your shortlist.



2. Thorpe Farm Holiday Park – Best for Families

Best for: Families and owners who want plenty to do


For families looking for a static caravan park near the Yorkshire Dales, Thorpe Farm offers a different experience.

Located near Barnard Castle and within easy reach of the northern Dales, Thorpe Farm has a busier feel than some of the smaller countryside developments.

That can be a major advantage when you're buying a holiday home for the whole family.

Rather than needing to plan every day away from the park, there's plenty around you, while the location gives you access to some fantastic countryside and days out.

Thorpe Farm is particularly worth considering if you're looking for a static caravan rather than exclusively searching for a luxury lodge.


Why choose Thorpe Farm?

  • Great option for families

  • Plenty to see and do

  • Good access to the surrounding countryside

  • Range of static caravans available

  • Ideal for weekend and school-holiday use

  • Easy access to Barnard Castle


At Your Leisure verdict: If you're buying primarily for family holidays and want somewhere with a little more going on, Thorpe Farm is well worth considering.



3. Kiplin Country Park – Best for a Luxury Alternative

Best for: Couples, relaxation and buyers considering upgrading from a static caravan to a lodge


Kiplin Country Park isn't a traditional static caravan park, but we've included it because it's worth considering if you're deciding between a static caravan and a luxury lodge.

Set in the North Yorkshire countryside near Richmond, Kiplin is centred around relaxation and wellness rather than traditional holiday park entertainment.

The lodges have private hot tubs, and owners can enjoy facilities including a sauna and cold plunge, e-bikes, walking routes and a children's play area.

It's the sort of park you choose because you want somewhere to escape to.

There isn't a busy clubhouse or entertainment schedule. Instead, the attraction is having your own luxury retreat surrounded by countryside.


Why choose Kiplin Country Park?

  • Private hot tubs

  • Sauna and cold plunge

  • E-bikes

  • Countryside walking routes

  • Children's play area

  • Luxury lodge selection

  • Peaceful North Yorkshire location


At Your Leisure verdict: If you started your search looking at static caravans but find yourself wanting more space and a higher specification, Kiplin is a great place to compare the difference a luxury lodge can offer.



4. Flowery Dell – Best for a Woodland Setting

Best for: Couples, dog owners and buyers looking for peace and privacy


Another alternative worth considering is Flowery Dell, a woodland holiday park close to Richmond.

Again, this is somewhere we'd recommend particularly to buyers who are open to a lodge rather than being completely set on purchasing a static caravan.

Flowery Dell's biggest selling point is its setting.

The established woodland gives the park a secluded feel, with lodges surrounded by mature trees and countryside.

You're also only a short distance from Richmond, so you can combine peaceful weekends at your holiday home with restaurants, pubs, shops and days out.


Why choose Flowery Dell?

  • Established woodland setting

  • Peaceful atmosphere

  • Close to Richmond

  • Great for countryside walks

  • Particularly appealing to couples and dog owners

  • Luxury lodge ownership


At Your Leisure verdict: Flowery Dell is one to visit if privacy and surroundings are at the top of your wish list. It offers a very different experience from a larger static caravan park.



Which Is the Best Static Caravan Park in the Yorkshire Dales?

There isn't a single park we'd recommend to everyone.

Instead, we'd choose based on what you want from your holiday home.

Best all-rounder: Akebar Park

If you want a countryside location, facilities and a good selection of holiday homes, Akebar is our standout all-round option.

Best for families: Thorpe Farm

If children and grandchildren are going to use your holiday home regularly, Thorpe Farm is worth considering for its more family-focused experience.

Best for luxury: Kiplin Country Park

If your budget allows and you'd prefer a lodge with a private hot tub and wellness facilities, take a look at Kiplin.

Best for peace and quiet: Flowery Dell

For woodland surroundings, privacy and easy access to Richmond, Flowery Dell offers something completely different.

You can compare these parks and more in our guide to the Best Holiday Parks in Yorkshire.


How Much Does a Static Caravan in Yorkshire Cost?

The price of a static caravan varies considerably.

Factors including the manufacturer, model, age, size, specification and holiday park can all affect how much you'll pay.

A pre-owned two-bedroom static caravan can provide a relatively affordable route into holiday home ownership, while larger new models with residential-style interiors can cost considerably more.

And the purchase price isn't the only number you need to consider.

Before buying, make sure you understand the ongoing costs associated with your chosen park.

These may include:

  • Annual site fees

  • Electricity and gas

  • Insurance

  • Rates or service charges

  • Decking maintenance

  • Winterisation

  • Additional park-specific charges


Ask for a clear breakdown of the annual running costs before committing to a holiday home.


What Should You Look for When Choosing a Static Caravan Park?

It's very easy to spend your first viewing concentrating entirely on the caravan.

We recommend doing the opposite.

You can change your holiday home in the future. You can't move the park.


Think about how you'll actually use your holiday home and ask yourself:


How long does it take to get there?

A beautiful park three or four hours away may get less use than somewhere you can reach easily on a Friday afternoon.


What is the park like outside the summer?

If you're planning to visit throughout the year, imagine being there on a wet weekend in November as well as a sunny day in July.


Are the facilities important to you?

Some owners love having a pub, restaurant and activities on the doorstep. Others specifically want a park without them.

Neither is better – it depends entirely on how you want to spend your time.


What's nearby?

Look beyond the park gates. Having good pubs, walks, shops, restaurants and places to visit nearby can make a huge difference to how often you use your holiday home.


What are the ownership terms?

Always understand the park's rules around licence periods, holiday home age, selling, family use, pets and subletting before buying.


Static Caravan or Lodge: Which Should You Buy?

This is becoming an increasingly important question for holiday home buyers.

Modern static caravans can offer impressive interiors, spacious living areas and excellent specifications without the price tag associated with some luxury lodges.

For many families, that's exactly what they need.

A lodge generally offers more space and can feel closer to a traditional second home, particularly at the premium end of the market.

The right choice comes down to how you'll use it and how much you want to spend.

We'd always recommend viewing both before deciding.

You may walk into a static caravan and realise it offers everything you need – or you might step inside a lodge and decide the additional space is worth stretching the budget.


Is Buying a Static Caravan in Yorkshire Worth It?

A static caravan shouldn't be viewed in the same way as a traditional property investment.

For most owners, the value comes from using it.

It's the Friday afternoon when you decide to pack a bag and head to Yorkshire for the weekend.


It's having somewhere the family can meet during the school holidays.

It's knowing your favourite walks, finding your regular pub and being able to escape without searching for accommodation every time.

That's why choosing the right park is so important.

The best holiday home isn't necessarily the biggest or most expensive one. It's the one in a location you'll want to return to again and again.


Find a Static Caravan for Sale in the Yorkshire Dales

At Your Leisure helps buyers compare static caravans, luxury lodges and holiday parks across Yorkshire.

We visit parks, tour holiday homes and create video reviews so you can see much more of what's available before arranging a viewing.

If you're starting your search in 2026, we'd recommend exploring a few different parks before deciding what feels right.

Start with our Best Holiday Parks in Yorkshire guide to compare some of our favourite locations across the region.

You can also explore:


Or get in touch and tell us what you're looking for. We can help you narrow down the parks and holiday homes that best fit how you want to spend your time in Yorkshire.


Frequently Asked Questions


Where are the best static caravan parks in the Yorkshire Dales?

Akebar Park is one of our top choices for buyers looking for a static caravan close to the Yorkshire Dales, particularly if you want a combination of countryside and on-site facilities. Thorpe Farm is another option worth considering, especially for families.


Can you buy a static caravan in the Yorkshire Dales?

Yes. There are holiday parks throughout North Yorkshire and around the Yorkshire Dales offering static caravans and holiday lodges for private ownership. Availability and ownership terms vary between parks.


What is the best holiday park near the Yorkshire Dales for families?

Akebar Park and Thorpe Farm are both worth considering for families. The right choice will depend on the facilities you want, your preferred location and how you intend to use your holiday home.


Where can I buy a luxury lodge in the Yorkshire Dales?

There are several luxury lodge developments in and around North Yorkshire. Kiplin Country Park near Richmond is particularly suited to buyers looking for a luxury lodge with private hot tub and wellness facilities, while Flowery Dell offers lodge ownership in a woodland setting close to Richmond.


Can I live permanently in a static caravan in the Yorkshire Dales?

A holiday caravan on a holiday park is generally intended for holiday and recreational use and shouldn't be assumed to be suitable as your permanent main residence. Always check the individual park's licence and ownership conditions before buying.

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