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Posted 05/04/2023 in Experiences

Accessible UK Caravans -Suitable or Not?


Accessible UK Caravans -Suitable or Not?

Caravan Design

When you wish to take a holiday or short break, accessible caravans on established sites, with lots going on, may seem the perfect option when you are on a budget. BUT - be careful; not all 'accessible' caravans are the same. The big holiday village operators such as Haven, Parkdean , Hoburne and Park Holidays generally offer caravans supplied by one or two manufacturers. These companies buy the caravans 'off the peg'  to the manufacturer's design.

ABI's Derwent Model at Hoburne Holday Park, Cotswold
'Zelda' at Parkdean Resorts, Newquay from Holistic Thinking Holidays

Who Makes Them?

It is possible to book an accessible caravan with the park operator directly, but many privately owned units located on these sites can also be reserved, such as those from :

Holistic Thinking Holidays

In the UK, two names seem to be the prime manufacturers of accessible caravans - 'Atlas' and 'ABI'. Atlas are manufacturers of the 'Debonair Access' , whilst ABI offer the 'Derwent'. At the time of writing we could not gain enough information from two other manufacturers ' Willerby' and 'Pemberton Leisure Homes' which appear to be less popular.

A good deal of thought has gone into the design of these accessible holiday homes, but they can differ in design. Privately owned accessible caravans , in the main, offer extra features as the owners have personal experience of mobility challenges, and have ensured that guests are offered extra features such as a mobile hoist, profiling bed etc, and in some cases a track hoist.     Such as These

Bathroom Flooring in the 'Debonair Access'ABI's 'Derwent' - note the slight ridge in the floor of the shower area.
'Debonair Access' - Space under the bed for mobile hoist legsMain bedroom in the 'Derwent' by ABI. Filled in bedsides make it challenging for mobile hoist users.

What's The Difference?

What differences exist between the ABI and Atlas units?

The author has had personal experience whilst staying at Hoburne's Cotswolds Holiday Park, the differences on the units visited were quite noticeable:

  • Debonair Access (by Atlas) : Empty space under the bed for mobile hoist legs. Good, flat wet room flooring.
  • Derwent (by ABI) : Filled in bed sides, so no access underneath the bed for the legs of a mobile hoist. Ridges in the shower area designed to keep the water in could possibly impede the passage of a mobile hoist with a person in a sling.
Sometimes the entrance thresholds could be a bit lower?Close up of the floor ridges in ABI's 'Derwent'

We would recommend that the owner of the holiday home is contacted well in advance so that you can be sure in which type of caravan you are to be accommodated. Our Personal Profile Form can help in this regard.

The main thing is to be prepared, and ask lots of questions. If you are able to use a pool hoist to access the swimming pool ask in advance about this - not all sites have one, and often those that do often don't advertise the fact!

Here's a link to a video made by 'Annalise' about her accessible caravan at Haven Devon Cliffs. From the images, it looks like an Atlas Debonair model.

No.5 Harley Mead - An ABI Derwent model at Haven Holidays, Hastings.

Here is an extract , courtesy of My Holiday Caravan which goes into some detail. Please bear in mind that this article is aimed at the purchaser, but the details are useful:


"Willerby Richmond Wheelchair-Accessible Static Caravan

Specially designed with wheelchair users in mind, the Willerby Richmond Static Caravan is bright, spacious, and fully accessible for those with disabilities. A two-bedroom holiday home, it includes wide access doors, a galley kitchen with low-level work surfaces and appliances, a full-size wet room with integrated support handles, and airy bedrooms with integrated storage and a portable helper frame (hoist) to aid lifting from the bed to the wheelchair.

You can buy this wheelchair-friendly caravan as it is, or customise it with a range of additional extras to meet your specific needs. Holiday Parks in the UK that offer Willerby Static Caravans includes Parkdean Resorts, Park Holidays, and Haven, so they are a great place to start in your search for the perfect disabled caravan."

"The Derwent Disabled Static Caravan by ABI

The Derwent by ABI is another wheelchair-friendly holiday home that you can buy direct from the manufacturer, from many UK Holiday Parks, or from an independent static caravan retailer. Remodelled in 2020; this two-bedroom holiday home features a range of thoughtful features to make it easily accessible to wheelchair users and those with mobility issues. There are wide access doors, a roomy living room, sliding internal doors to maximise space, a disabled-adapted kitchen, a brand-new wet room design, and the main bedroom comes complete with a hoist. You can order this ABI caravan for wheelchair users at Park Holidays, Parkdean Resorts, Wyldecrest Holiday Parks, Haven, and Surf Bay Leisure, but to name a few."

"Debonair Access Wheelchair-Friendly Static Caravan by Atlas Leisure Homes

Described as “country style living for everyone” the Debonair Access Disabled Caravan by Atlas Leisure Homes is 100% wheelchair accessible and equipped with everything you need for comfortable living in your holiday home. As with most “off the peg” disabled static caravans, this stylish option is perfect for families with two bedrooms, wide access doors, a wet room with all the necessary support features, low-level kitchen work surfaces, and a hoist in the master bedroom."

"You can buy the Debonair Access disabled static caravan directly from the manufacturer, from an independent retailer, or Park Holidays, The Leisure Company, Surf Bay Leisure, Parkdean Resorts, and more."