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Britain's £2 levy · VanLife Weekly #25

22.06.2026 05:28 6 min РУС
Britain's £2 levy · VanLife Weekly #25
Original source: AI · OpenVan.camp

Last week in the motorhome world had plenty going on: in Britain, a £2 nightly tourist levy could raise the price of budget caravan holidays by 66–100%, Croatia became Europe's most expensive camping country at an average of €73–78 per night, Italy restricted motorhome access to Castelluccio during the flowering season, and in Brazil a convoy of 20 motorhomes and caravans set off on the Circuito Caminhos do Paraná route.

Last week's key points

  • In Britain, the proposed £2-per-person nightly tourist levy could increase the cost of budget caravan holidays by 66–100%.
  • Croatia moved into first place for camping prices in Europe: a family night now costs an average of €73–78.
  • In Italy, the Monti Sibillini park limited car and motorhome access to the Castelluccio plateau on four weekends from 20 June to 12 July 2026.
  • In Stone County, Mississippi, flooding hit the Mill Creek and Perk Beach RV parks, with residents evacuated by boat.
  • In Brazil, 20 motorhomes and caravans started the third stage of Circuito Caminhos do Paraná, with stops from 17 to 21 July.

Britain weighs £2 a night: why caravan holidays may jump in price

Britain is again debating a tourist levy: Labour mayors in up to 10 of England's 14 regions are considering a £2-per-person nightly charge, and that could become a real extra cost for low-cost caravan trips. According to industry estimates, the levy could increase the cost of budget holidays by 66–100%, especially for families choosing a caravan precisely because it is cheaper than a hotel.

The issue is not just the £2 figure itself, but how it adds up for a family and a longer trip. For two adults and two children, a week becomes dozens of pounds on top of the pitch, fuel, food, and the road. At an expensive hotel, that may barely register; in the budget caravan segment, it changes the whole trip calculation.

If the levy spreads widely, some travellers will shorten trips, choose less popular regions, or book pitches outside areas with the extra charge. For campsite owners, that is a risk: they may end up with fewer short family trips in season rather than more income.

What this means for you

If you are planning a trip through England with a caravan or motorhome, calculate the price not only per pitch but per person in your crew. On a short weekend, a £2 levy may look manageable, but on a week with children it quickly becomes its own budget line. Before booking, check whether the local levy is included in the final price or appears later. If your route is flexible, keep a backup region nearby without that charge: it can save more than a pitch discount. And if you travel in high season, book earlier and ask the site directly about any extra nightly fees.

In brief

Where to go

Galicia, Spain, July. On 1 July, the anniversary Yakart Camino de Santiago route starts from A Coruña: 53 motorhomes and 120 participants will cross Galicia over 12 days and finish at Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela. It is a good reason to see the region not only as a walking pilgrimage route, but as a motorhome itinerary with the ocean, towns, and short driving days. Early July works well because the season is open, but August-level crowds have not arrived everywhere yet. If you have long wanted northern Spain but were not sure where to start, this is your prompt.

Be careful

  • Turkey, Kapıdağ: residents and legal campsite owners are asking for tighter controls over illegal caravan parking on beaches and roadsides. Do not count on stopping "wherever works"; choose an official campsite in advance.
  • Switzerland, A23: near Müllheim, a motorhome collided with a semi-truck and overturned with two people injured. On narrow sections and while overtaking, leave more distance than you would in a car.
  • Spain, Tarragona: in Montbrió del Camp, after a fire involving two caravans, firefighters found a man dead. Before overnighting, check gas, extension cables, and distance from nearby structures.
  • Netherlands, Grolloërveen: a camper fell through a wooden boardwalk after accidentally entering a closed route. In nature areas, do not rely only on navigation apps; read the signs on site.

Good news to end on

Two stories worth forwarding.

A camper that helps a sanctuary. In Somerset, Ferne Animal Sanctuary put a 2004 Citroen Berlingo camper up for a charity auction: the opening price is £10,000, and bidding ends on 30 June. It is a rare case where buying a small camper is also a donation.

Coffee from a 60-year-old caravan. In North Yorkshire, Rounton Coffee spent five months turning an old Viking Fibreline into a mobile coffee bar and is preparing to serve coffee all summer. A useful reminder that an old caravan can get a second life as well as any new build.

This week's questions

Why does Britain's £2 levy matter so much for caravan holidays?

Because it is charged per person per night. For a family and a week-long trip, it is no longer symbolic; it becomes a clear addition to the pitch, fuel, and food budget.

What should you do if a region tightens controls on illegal parking?

Do not argue on site or assume "just one night" will be fine. Choose an official campsite or stopover in advance, and when unsure, call the site before arriving.

Why is Galicia a good motorhome route right now?

In early July, an organized 12-day route runs from A Coruña to Santiago, so the region fits naturally into a trip with short driving days and clear stops.

Is Volkswagen's overnight package for the ID. Buzz worth buying?

It suits people who want occasional nights in the vehicle without a full camper conversion. For long self-sufficient trips, a mattress and blinds alone will not be enough.

Can an old caravan become a useful project?

Yes. The Viking Fibreline that became a mobile coffee bar shows how old caravans can work as small businesses, display pieces, or charity projects.

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This article was prepared by the OpenVan.camp editorial team. All rights reserved. Copyright information

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