The Ultimate Haven Gold Caravan Tour

As you may have seen, I recently wrote about our family trip to Haven Kent Coast/ Haven Allhallows site and some things to do with kids near Haven Allhallows, but whilst I went into the actual site in more detail on that blog, I thought it would be good to do a write up of our accommodation, on this particular Haven Site, which was a Haven Gold Caravan.

After reading some slightly dubious reviews when it came to certain Haven accommodations, I went mentally prepared to not get my hopes up too high, but thankfully I couldn’t have been more wrong! On arrival our 3 bedroom Gold Caravan was much bigger than I expected and was spotlessly clean inside which we were absolutely delighted about.

I could ditch the preemptive Flash and the Dettol! 

So was our experience up there with the best UK family holidays? Let me take you on a little tour of our Haven Gold Caravan at their Kent Coast/ Allhallows Haven holiday park site in Kent, which is such a friendly holiday park, and tell you what I thought of it and the main facilities on offer…

What’s Included in a Haven Gold Caravan

Before we get into the tour, let’s cover the basics because this is the question I get asked most often.

Haven Gold caravans include:

• Towels (this is one of the key upgrades from Silver and below)
• Bed linen, with beds made up ready for your arrival
• Dishwasher
• Large fridge-freezer
• Bluetooth speakers
• Hairdryer
• TV in the lounge
• Smaller TV in the main bedroom
• Wrap-around decking with outdoor furniture
• Allocated parking space
• Gas, water, electricity and heating (heated radiators, cost included)
• Crockery, cutlery and basic cooking equipment

What you need to bring yourself:

• Dishwasher tablets (this is the one that catches everyone out, including us)
• Washing-up liquid and cloths
• Tea towels and oven gloves
• Toilet roll and hand soap
• Toiletries
• Any specialist cooking kit (sharp knives, specific pans)

The beds being made up on arrival is one of those small touches that makes a bigger difference than it sounds after a long drive with three children in the car. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated not having to wrestle with a duvet cover the second we walked through the door.

The Layout: What a 3-Bedroom Haven Gold Caravan Actually Looks Like

On entering a signature caravan you have a mini ‘corridor’ area with plenty of hooks to hang coats etc, and a boiler cupboard on the immediate right with broom, dust pan and brush, plus an easy-to-operate boiler for turning the heating on and off (we stayed at the time of year where you needed a quick heating blast first thing in the morning!).

Walking through the spacious kitchen area, a dining area with table for 4 greets you, before you happen upon a large lounge area with 2 large sofas. The whole set up is open-plan (as you’d expect), which is fine as adds to the feeling of spaciousness, with stylish herringbone lino(?) throughout the entrance area and kitchen, before walking onto surprisingly soft carpet in the living room. The TV is big but not intrusive (I’m afraid I’m not sure what inch tv there was, but it was of a decent size), and a range of extra homely features including a mock fireplace with faux stove and overhead mirror give a feeling of homeliness. The sideboard cupboard is useful if you’re perhaps bringing several board games or small children’s toys that need storing away.

What was also nice about this caravan was the fact there are loads of windows throughout, offering plenty of light through different aspects, as well as a lakeside view and stunning views of the estuary. The sliding doors lead from the living room onto the modern outside decking, again offering fantastic views and great seating for drinks and meals, especially in the summer (I believe Gold Caravans in Haven parks have wrap-around decking as standard).

Kitchen

I was genuinely impressed by the size and setup of the kitchen. As someone who has spent a lot of time in Eurocamping caravans across France and Italy, where the kitchen and living space always feels frustratingly small for a family of five, this felt like a significant step up.

The large fridge-freezer is a proper highlight. If you’re planning on doing a big food shop and cooking in rather than eating out every night (which with three kids is often both the saner and cheaper option), it genuinely gives you the storage to do that properly.

The dishwasher, however, is the thing that will trip you up if you’re not prepared. Haven don’t include dishwasher tablets, and we forgot to pack ours. We spent the entire week washing up by hand. I’m not going to let that happen to you. Write “dishwasher tablets” on your packing list now. You can thank me later.

Kitchen equipment varies between caravans. Ours had enough plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery for five comfortably, but cooking equipment was more variable. Sharp knives and a decent bread knife are worth packing, as is anything specialist like a baking dish or a decent non-stick pan if you’re planning to cook properly.

Master Bedroom

The Main Bedroom was again, a surprisingly decent size, with plenty of storage space. Some caravans or mobile holiday homes seem to have tiny wardrobes, but ours was large and very deep, although an extra hanging rail or shelf would’ve been useful. There was also great under bed storage that could be used, although my only criticism of this would be that it was pretty dusty- it would be good if this was remembered and cleaned as well as the rest of the caravan was before arrival. 

I must make a disclaimer when it comes to the bedroom photos- these were taken just before we left and show my rather shoddy bed making! They were made up far more beautifully when we arrived 🙂

Other bedrooms

As ours was a 3 bedroom Haven Gold Caravan, both the other bedrooms housed 2 single beds and were of a similar size to each other. Neither was particularly big, but to be honest our children were mostly out and about and hardly in there, so it wasn’t a deal breaker. Any time spent in the caravan by them when not sleeping was in the main living area. 

Storage space in these rooms isn’t great for 2 children, but our bedroom had enough to house some of the children’s clothes.

Bathroom and en-suite

Both the bathroom and en-suite were small but perfect for a short break, and had been kitted out with more modern decor and fixtures and fitting which was a nice touch. The mirrored wall cabinet and under sink cupboard provide ample storage for toiletries, again, something you don’t find in all holiday caravans. It’s thoughtful touches like these that truly make a difference in a static caravan holiday. After all, even though we’re on a getaway, we all appreciate the creature comforts that make the experience feel like a home away from home. I’d certainly recommend that anyone looking to make their caravan holidays more comfortable take a look at the static caravan bathroom ideas available online. From innovative storage solutions to compact fixtures, there’s a wealth of inspiration out there for transforming small spaces into functional, modern retreats.

The Decking: One of the Best Bits

The wrap-around decking on a Gold caravan isn’t just a nice extra. It genuinely extends your living space, especially in the warmer months. Ours looked out over the lake and the estuary beyond, which honestly stopped us in our tracks when we first stepped out.

There’s a table and chairs out there, and on the evenings where the weather cooperated, we ate out there, had drinks out there after the kids went to bed, and generally made it the heart of the holiday. If you’re visiting in summer, a Gold caravan with good decking is an entirely different proposition from even a Silver with a small balcony.

Haven Gold vs Silver vs Saver Caravans – What is the Difference?

If you are trying to decide which Haven caravan grade to book, here is a quick comparison based on what I have seen and researched. Gold is the premium option, but Silver and Saver still offer comfortable stays depending on your priorities.

Feature	Gold	Silver	Saver
Interior style	Modern, updated decor	Comfortable, good standard	Functional, older style
Dishwasher	Yes	No	No
Fridge-freezer size	Large	Standard	Compact
Wrap-around decking	Yes (usually)	Sometimes	Rarely
Bluetooth speakers	Yes	No	No
Towels provided	Yes	No	No
Price	Highest	Mid-range	Budget-friendly

Haven Gold vs Signature: Is It Worth Paying More?

This question comes up a lot so it’s worth being clear about it.

Haven Signature Gold caravans are essentially Gold caravans with one significant bonus: a front-row position on the park, usually a sea view or lakeside spot. The interior spec is the same as a standard Gold. You’re paying for the location, not extra features.

If waking up to a view matters to you, or if you’ve got your heart set on that front-row experience, it might well be worth the extra. But if you’re mostly out on the park during the day and using the caravan as your base rather than your view, the standard Gold gives you everything you actually need.

Our Gold caravan had a lovely lakeside and estuary view from the decking without being a Signature model, which shows that pitch allocation within the Gold grade can still throw up some lovely spots.

Is a Haven Gold Caravan Worth the Upgrade?

It depends on how you’re planning to use it.

If you’ve got a larger family and you’re planning to self-cater at least some of the time, the Gold grade makes a real difference. The kitchen space, the dishwasher, the fridge-freezer size and the living area all feel meaningfully better than Silver or below. The fact that towels are included also simplifies packing considerably.

If you’re mostly going to be out on the park from morning to night and only returning to the caravan to sleep, Silver will serve you perfectly well, and this post has all the details on what Silver gets you.

For a candid comparison of all the Haven caravan grades, I’ve also put together a full breakdown if you’re still working out which one to go for.

Packing Tips for a Haven Gold Caravan Stay

A few things I’d tell my past self before heading off:

Bring dishwasher tablets. I’ve mentioned this already but I’m mentioning it again.

Check your kitchen kit when you arrive. If anything’s missing, go to reception early. They can usually help but supplies are limited.

Pack layers for shoulder season. The heating works well and it’s included in your stay, but caravan walls are thin and first thing in the morning before you’ve got the heating going can be bracing.

Don’t forget washing-up liquid and tea towels. Haven’s checklist on their website is actually useful for this and I’d recommend downloading it before you go.

A torch or headtorch is worth packing if you’re at a park where the paths between caravans aren’t well-lit at night.

If you’re bringing a big food shop, pack a cool bag for the drive down to keep things fresh until you can get them into the fridge-freezer.

FAQs About Haven Gold Caravans

Do Haven Gold caravans have a washing machine?

No. Haven Gold caravans don’t have washing machines inside the caravan. All Haven parks have on-site launderette facilities with coin-operated washing machines and dryers if you need to do a wash during your stay.

Do Haven Gold caravans have WiFi?

WiFi isn’t typically included in the caravan itself. Most Haven parks offer WiFi in the main facilities areas of the park, but coverage in individual caravans varies significantly by site. Don’t rely on strong in-caravan WiFi. If connectivity matters, check with your specific park before you go.

Are towels included in a Haven Gold caravan?

Yes. Towels are included in Gold and Signature Gold caravans. This is one of the key differences between Gold and Silver (or below), where you’d need to bring your own or hire them on arrival.

Do Haven Gold caravans have a dishwasher?

Yes, Gold caravans include a dishwasher. Haven don’t provide dishwasher tablets though, so pack your own or you’ll be washing up by hand all week. Ask me how I know.

Do Haven Gold caravans have an iron?

Haven Gold caravans typically include an iron and ironing board. It’s worth double-checking when you arrive as kit can occasionally vary between caravans.

What’s the difference between a Haven Gold and a Haven Signature Gold caravan?

The interior spec is the same. The difference is location: Signature Gold caravans are positioned in the best spots on the park, usually front-row sea or lake views. If the position matters to you, Signature Gold is the upgrade worth considering. If you just want the Gold features, the standard Gold will deliver the same interior experience.

Is a Haven Gold caravan dog-friendly?

Gold caravans are generally not dog-friendly at Haven. If you’re bringing a dog, you’ll need to look at Saver, Bronze or Silver options, which include dog-friendly caravan choices. Check with your specific park when booking.

So what did we think?

So is this really the crème de la crème of caravans, and how do signature models compare to their cheaper caravans such as their silver caravans or even their saver models? Overall, I was really impressed with the size, cleanliness and design of our Haven Gold Caravan. Whilst this is our first Haven stay so I can’t judge the other types of Haven accommodation available, the designers have clearly got it right when it comes to these newer caravans. Haven Allhallows clearly also have some great cleaning staff at the moment who care about doing a good job, and it really shows.  Having looked online, there does appear to be a big difference between the quality of a gold caravan and a Haven saver caravan, but you obviously just have to work with your budget. What I do know is that a gold caravan offers buckets of space, so is a good option for larger families. 

We have been recurring Eurocampers over the years, usually staying in one of their larger static caravans, but after going to the South of France with them this past summer, I said to Adam that for the first time I found their caravans a bit too small for our growing family of tweens, as they lack a serious amount of living and kitchen space (bedrooms are largely a similar size). I would love to pick up a Haven Gold Caravan and plonk it in my favourite Italian site! 

I found this great YouTube video tour from Kari, that provides a comprehensive view of a Haven Gold caravan and what it’s actually like. Through her video you can explore the interior alongside the available amenities and spacious living areas which help you visualise your future stay experience. This video proves valuable for those interested in the Haven Gold caravan as well as anyone seeking travel inspiration for their next holiday. Watch it to determine if the Haven Gold caravan is up your street!

This official Gold Caravan Tour from Haven is also a good one to watch:

When staying in a Haven Gold caravan, not only can you have an unforgettable family time and enjoy the beautiful scenery, but you could also bring back a unique travel souvenir if you wish! We love Custom Keyrings and personalised luggage tags UK travellers can treasure — perfect little reminders of your travel memories that you can turn into beautiful keepsakes.These customized details make these souvenirs even more meaningful when it comes to remembering your family trip.

These Gold Caravans definitely enable you to have a home-from-home trip with the extra space, and enjoy yourself for however long you’re there, and feel luxurious- they would definitely be my choice if we ever came on another Haven holiday, but I would book early as I can imagine that they’re popular in peak season.

As for caravan decoration if you own your own Haven caravan or are staying long-term, I would think about customizing a neon sign. Custom Neon signs are the perfect way to add a touch of fun and personality to your mobile home. Whether you want to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere or make a bold statement, neon signs are the way forward! They can be easily mounted on the walls or windows of your caravan.

Planning a Haven trip? You might also find these posts helpful:

• Our full Haven Kent Coast review
• Things to do near Haven Allhallows with kids
• How to choose between Haven caravan types
• Tips for your first Haven caravan holiday

See more of my UK Travel posts here