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Campsites and caravan parks are a vital part of the UK rural and tourism economy. From family-run
camping sites and seasonal touring parks to large static caravan parks, holiday lodge developments
and mixed-use leisure estates, these businesses combine land ownership, hospitality, infrastructure
management and seasonal trading in a way that few other sectors do.
Despite their strong long-term fundamentals, campsite and caravan park businesses often struggle
to access appropriate finance through traditional banks. Seasonal income profiles, high asset
values, planning considerations and mixed trading activities mean that many parks do not fit
standard lending models.
At Gable Business Finance, we specialise in arranging tailored finance solutions for
UK campsite and caravan park operators. We understand how parks operate in the real world – from
cash flow seasonality and pitch utilisation to infrastructure investment and long-term land value.
This page explains the different types of finance available, how they are used, and which options
are most suitable depending on your stage of development.
Campsite and caravan park businesses are fundamentally different from most commercial enterprises.
While they often own valuable land and physical assets, their income is rarely smooth or evenly
distributed across the year.
Key characteristics of the sector include:
Traditional lenders often focus heavily on monthly cash flow and standard affordability metrics.
As a result, they may undervalue asset strength, misunderstand seasonal performance, or impose
repayment structures that do not align with how parks actually trade.
Specialist finance allows campsite and caravan park operators to structure funding around assets,
long-term value and realistic income patterns rather than rigid banking assumptions.
There is no single “best” type of finance for a campsite or caravan park. The right solution
depends on what you are trying to achieve, the assets involved and the stage of your business.
Broadly, finance for campsites and caravan parks falls into the following categories:
Each plays a different role within a well-structured funding strategy.
Asset finance is one of the most commonly used funding tools in the campsite and caravan park
sector. It allows businesses to acquire essential equipment, facilities and accommodation units
without tying up large amounts of capital.
Typical assets funded using asset finance include:
Rather than paying upfront, the cost of the asset is spread over an agreed term, with repayments
aligned to the useful life of the equipment. This helps parks preserve cash flow while continuing
to invest in quality facilities.
At Gable Business Finance, we structure asset finance specifically around seasonal
trading, allowing repayments to reflect peak and off-peak income where appropriate.
Commercial mortgages are typically used for:
Because campsites and caravan parks are often classed as specialist leisure assets, fewer lenders
operate in this space. Those that do will assess not only income, but also:
Mortgage terms are often longer than standard business loans, reflecting the long-term nature of
land-based assets. However, the structure must be carefully designed to avoid cash flow pressure
during quieter periods.
Development finance is used when a campsite or caravan park is being:
This type of finance is typically released in stages, linked to development milestones. It allows
park operators to fund large projects that would otherwise be impossible using cash reserves
alone.
Development finance is more complex than standard borrowing and requires careful planning around
costs, timescales and exit strategies. Specialist support is essential to ensure the funding
structure matches the development reality.
Bridging finance is a short-term funding solution used to bridge timing gaps. Common uses include:
Because bridging finance is short term, it must always be used with a clear exit strategy. When
structured correctly, it can provide flexibility and speed that traditional lenders cannot offer.
Seasonality is one of the biggest challenges faced by campsite and caravan park operators.
Costs such as staffing, maintenance, insurance and compliance continue year-round, even when
income drops sharply in winter months. Working capital finance can help smooth these fluctuations
and ensure the business remains stable.
Options may include:
At Gable Business Finance, we design cash flow solutions that reflect the true
trading pattern of your park rather than forcing monthly repayments that strain quieter periods.
Many campsite and caravan park businesses are operating with finance that no longer suits their
needs. This may include:
Refinancing allows businesses to restructure borrowing in line with their current scale, asset
base and future plans. This can release cash flow, reduce costs and create capacity for further
investment.
The right finance solution depends on:
In many cases, the most effective solution is a combination of funding types rather than a single
facility.
Specialist advice ensures that finance supports your business rather than restricting it.
Campsite and caravan park finance requires more than access to lenders. It requires understanding
of how these businesses operate in practice.
When you work with Gable Business Finance, you benefit from:
We do not force parks into unsuitable funding models. We build finance around how your business
actually works.
Whether you are buying a park, expanding facilities, upgrading accommodation or restructuring
existing borrowing, expert finance advice can make a significant difference.
Contact Gable Business Finance today to discuss tailored finance solutions designed
specifically for UK campsites and caravan parks.