Holiday Park Pitch Fees Explained: What You're Really Paying For

What Are Pitch Fees?

If you own a static caravan or lodge on a holiday park, you pay an annual pitch fee (also called site fees or ground rent) to the park operator for the right to keep your caravan on their land. Think of it as renting the plot your home sits on.

Pitch fees are the single biggest annual cost of caravan ownership, and they vary enormously — from under £3,000 to over £8,000 depending on the park.

What's Included?

Standard pitch fees typically cover:

• The right to occupy your pitch for the agreed season (usually March–October or year-round)
• Water supply and sewerage
• Grounds maintenance, landscaping, and communal area upkeep
• Waste collection and recycling
• Security services and CCTV
• Access to communal facilities (though some parks charge separately for pools and gyms)

What's Usually Extra?

• Gas and electricity — Metered and billed separately (£600–£1,200/year)
• Council rates — Some parks include this, others don't (£800–£1,500/year)
• Wi-Fi — Many parks now charge for premium Wi-Fi access
• Entertainment passes — The bigger chains often charge for pool and entertainment access

How Are Fees Set?

Park operators set their own fees with limited regulation. The industry body (BH&HPA) recommends increases linked to RPI inflation, but this is guidance not law. In practice, annual increases of 3–8% are common, and some parks have imposed double-digit rises.

Regional Variations

Location is the biggest factor in pitch fee pricing:

What to Watch Out For

1. Above-inflation increases — Check the park's fee history before buying. PitchPulse tracks this data.
2. Hidden extras — Always get a full breakdown of what's included and what's extra
3. Season length — A 10-month season at £5,000 is better value than 8 months at £4,500
4. Operator financial health — Struggling operators often raise fees to compensate