Quick answer: For a successful first touring caravan holiday in Devon, check your caravan and tow vehicle before departure, practise hitching and manoeuvring, confirm the pitch details, arrive in daylight and follow a simple setup order. A base near Ashburton gives convenient access to Dartmoor and South Devon without moving the caravan during your stay.
Your first touring caravan holiday in Devon is an opportunity to enjoy the freedom of your own accommodation while exploring one of England’s most varied counties. It can also involve unfamiliar routines: towing, arriving, levelling, connecting services and organising a compact living space. A little preparation turns those jobs into a repeatable process rather than a source of stress.
This practical beginner’s guide covers planning, towing preparation, pitch selection, arrival, setup, daily routines and common mistakes. Always follow the instructions for your own caravan, tow vehicle and equipment, and obtain professional advice where necessary.
Contents
- Why tour Devon by caravan?
- Checks to make before booking
- Preparing the caravan and tow vehicle
- Planning a safe route
- Arriving and setting up your pitch
- Electricity, water and waste
- Living comfortably on site
- Exploring Ashburton and Dartmoor
- Departure checklist
- Frequently asked questions
Why Devon works well for a first touring holiday
Devon combines countryside, coast, market towns and family attractions. A touring caravan lets you establish a comfortable base and explore by car, returning to familiar accommodation each evening. Staying near Ashburton places visitors close to Dartmoor while keeping South Devon day trips within reach.
Parkers Farm Holiday Park is a family-run park in the countryside near Ashburton. Before booking, review the dedicated touring caravans and motorhomes in Devon page for current information about pitches, facilities and availability.
Start with the caravan’s limits and your legal responsibilities
The most important planning decisions are made before the holiday. Confirm that the tow vehicle, caravan and combined outfit are suitable and compliant. Check current UK rules through authoritative sources and use a qualified professional if you are uncertain about weights, loading, tyres, brakes or towing equipment.
Essential pre-departure checks
- Caravan and tow-vehicle tyre condition and pressures
- Wheel fixings, lights, indicators and number plate
- Breakaway cable, coupling and stabiliser condition
- Mirrors that provide the required rearward view
- Battery condition and gas-system safety
- Doors, windows, lockers and rooflights secured
- Heavy items loaded low and securely
- Water containers drained or carried as recommended
- Insurance, breakdown cover and relevant documents
- Fire extinguisher, alarm tests and first-aid supplies
Do not rely on a general checklist alone. Your caravan handbook may specify additional procedures, and servicing should be completed at the recommended intervals.
Practise before the holiday
If you are new to touring, practise hitching, unhitching and reversing in a suitable safe location. Many difficulties on arrival come from trying an unfamiliar manoeuvre for the first time while other people are waiting. A towing course can provide structured instruction and confidence.
Agree simple hand signals with the person guiding the driver. The guide should remain visible in a mirror, stand clear of the caravan’s path and avoid moving between the caravan and obstacles. Stop immediately if communication is lost.
Choose the right touring pitch
A suitable pitch depends on the size of your outfit, the equipment you use and the needs of your group. When enquiring, provide accurate dimensions for the caravan, awning and tow vehicle rather than assuming every pitch has the same space.
Questions to ask before booking
- Will the pitch accommodate the caravan and any permitted awning?
- What surface and connection options are currently available?
- Where are water, waste and washing facilities located?
- Are there any approach, arrival or outfit-size considerations?
- What time can guests arrive and when must they depart?
- What facilities are open during the intended dates?
- Are dogs permitted and what rules apply?
Review Parkers Farm’s holiday park facilities before travelling. Knowing where services, food options and play areas are located helps families decide what to bring and how to organise the first evening.
Plan the route, not just the destination
Routes that suit a car may not suit a towing outfit. Use navigation designed for caravan dimensions where possible, but also review the route manually. Check height, width and weight restrictions, narrow lanes, steep gradients and the final approach supplied by the holiday park.
Allow more time than an ordinary car journey. Build in safe rest stops and avoid setting an arrival target that encourages rushing. If the park provides recommended directions, follow them rather than relying solely on a postcode or the shortest route suggested by general navigation software.
Pack for stability and easy access
Correct loading affects stability. Place heavier items low and close to the appropriate axle area in accordance with the caravan manufacturer’s guidance. Secure everything that could move. Do not use overhead lockers for heavy objects that may fall when opened after travelling.
Keep arrival equipment accessible. Chocks, levelling aids, a spirit level, corner-steady tools, connection leads and a torch should not be buried under bedding and outdoor furniture. Prepare a small arrival box so the first twenty minutes on site are organised.
Arrive in daylight where possible
Daylight makes it easier to assess the pitch, identify service points and position the caravan safely. Stop at reception or the designated arrival point and follow the park’s instructions. Do not assume an empty pitch is yours or drive across neighbouring pitches.
A straightforward setup order
- Confirm the allocated pitch and intended orientation.
- Walk the area and identify boundaries, obstacles and connections.
- Position and level the caravan side to side using approved equipment.
- Chock the wheels where required and apply the caravan handbrake.
- Unhitch using the manufacturer’s procedure.
- Level front to rear with the jockey wheel.
- Lower corner steadies for support, not for lifting the caravan.
- Connect electricity, water and waste equipment safely.
- Turn on systems one at a time and check operation.
- Set up the awning only after the caravan is correctly positioned.
Never improvise with unsafe supports. If you are unsure, pause and ask the park team or consult the equipment manual.
Using the electrical connection safely
Use equipment intended for caravan-site connections and inspect cables before every trip. Uncoil leads fully, keep connections protected and route cables to reduce trip hazards. Understand the electrical capacity available and avoid running several high-demand appliances together.
Test the caravan’s safety devices as recommended. If a connection trips repeatedly, disconnect appliances and seek assistance rather than repeatedly resetting the supply without identifying the cause.
Water, drainage and waste routines
Fresh-water and waste containers are easier to manage when checked daily rather than left until empty or overflowing. Use containers and hoses intended for their purpose and observe the park’s disposal arrangements. Empty chemical-toilet waste only at the designated point and use compatible products.
Keep a small pair of dedicated gloves for waste tasks and wash hands afterwards. Separate drinking-water equipment from waste equipment during storage.
Make the caravan comfortable without overfilling it
Touring caravans work best when every item has a place. Use soft storage bags, keep the floor clear and return keys, torches and travel documents to consistent locations. Ventilate when cooking and follow appliance instructions.
Bring layers for Devon evenings, even after a warm day. Condensation is reduced through sensible ventilation and by avoiding drying large amounts of wet clothing inside. Use park facilities where appropriate and keep damp outdoor equipment away from bedding.
Plan flexible days from Ashburton
Once the caravan is set up, leave it in place and explore with the tow vehicle. Ashburton, Dartmoor and South Devon provide options for different ages and weather conditions. Review local attractions in Devon and create an outdoor plan plus a wet-weather alternative.
Avoid scheduling long drives every day. A touring holiday should include time to enjoy the park, local walks and relaxed evenings. One main destination per day is usually enough for a family break.
Departure without last-minute pressure
Begin organising the evening before departure. Store non-essential items, check the route and prepare breakfast that creates little washing up. Leave enough time for equipment to dry where conditions allow.
Final departure checklist
- Awning and outdoor equipment packed securely
- Waste disposed of at the correct points
- Windows, rooflights, lockers and doors secured
- Gas turned off according to the caravan procedure
- Water and electrical connections disconnected and stored
- Corner steadies raised and jockey wheel secured
- Coupling, breakaway cable and electrics connected correctly
- Lights and indicators tested with another person
- Pitch checked for belongings and refuse
- Final walk-around completed before moving
Frequently asked questions
Is Devon suitable for a first touring caravan holiday?
Yes. Devon’s varied attractions make it possible to adapt plans without moving your caravan. A base near Ashburton offers access to Dartmoor and South Devon while keeping the touring setup established throughout the stay.
Should beginners arrive before dark?
Yes, whenever possible. Daylight helps you inspect the pitch, understand service locations, position the caravan and complete connections safely without rushing.
Do I need an awning on my first trip?
No. An awning adds useful space but also increases setup time and equipment. Many beginners prefer a simpler first trip and add an awning once they are comfortable with the basic caravan routine.
What should I tell the park when booking?
Provide accurate caravan, awning and vehicle dimensions, arrival dates, party details and any specific accessibility, dog or connection requirements. Ask which pitch option is suitable rather than making assumptions.
How can I improve towing confidence?
Practise in a safe suitable location and consider professional towing tuition. Learn the vehicle and caravan limits, plan routes carefully and allow extra time so decisions are not made under pressure.
Plan your Devon touring break
A first touring holiday becomes much easier when each job follows a consistent order. Prepare the outfit, choose a suitable pitch, travel without rushing and keep arrival equipment accessible. Once established, you can enjoy Devon from a comfortable base.
Explore the current touring caravan options at Parkers Farm and contact the holiday park with your outfit details to check suitability and availability before booking.
