Caravan holidays among the most eco-friendly

Caravan owners and hirers are among the most environmentally friendly holidaymakers in the UK, according to recent findings from scientists at Lancaster College.

Greenhouse gas experts at the university carried out research on the carbon footprint of Skelwith Fold Caravan Park in the Lake District, measuring over a hundred carbon-creating park elements including gas, electricity, grass cutters, coffee machines and even the employees’ Skelworth Fold T-shirts.

The scientists concluded that caravans provide ‘the means to enjoy a very low carbon holiday’, as energy use and wastage are minimal.

An overnight stay by two guests in a touring caravan would produce just 4kg of carbon dioxide, compared to nearly half a tonne for a trip flying to Spain and back, said Skelwith Fold park director Henry Wild.

‘Even when the carbon footprint of the journey by vehicle to the park is taken into account, staying in a caravan on a park is just about the greenest kind of holiday you can have,’ he said.

The report can be applied to caravan holidays in general, Henry added.

‘Many of Britain’s three thousand parks will have similar energy usage designs to ours, which appears to suggest that their holidaymakers can enjoy their breaks with a fairly distinct conscience,’ he said.

‘This is, I think, the initial time that our industry has been place below this kind of environmental scrutiny – and the message appears to be that green tourism is definitely caravan-formed.’