What's The Difference Between Haven Caravan Grades?

17/11/2021

Yes folks, it's our 2021 comparison of saver v bronze v silver v gold v signature models of Haven caravan

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There’s a significant difference in price between the different types of Haven accommodation –particularly during peak season. So, what are you getting for upgrading?

The grading for Haven caravans changed in November 2021. The old system of standard, deluxe, prestige, platinum and platinum plus has been replaced with a new grading system. Personally, I think the new system is easier to understand.

The current system looks like this. From cheapest to most expensive:

Saver (cheapest)
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Signature (most expensive)

For anyone who has been to Haven before, the new 'saver' caravans are similar to the 'standard - older model' caravans whilst the 'bronze' caravans are similar to the 'standard - newer model' caravans. Gold is similar to the old platinum plus models.

You'll find that some Haven parks don't have every grade of caravan and some have extra options such as lodges, chalets, apartments, glamping or beach houses. This guide will just focus on caravans.

Here's our table showing some key differences, along with further explanation below. Some of this information took us a long time to figure out so apologies if there are any inaccuracies (feel free to politely comment below).

Details are correct at the time of writing - it may well change over time.

Grade/ facility	Saver	Bronze	Silver	Gold	Signature
Width	10ft	12ft	12ft	14ft	12ft
Central heating and double glazing	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Towels	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
TVs	1 TV (32")	1 TV (32")	2 TVs (40" and 22")	2 TVs (40" and 22")	2 TVs (40" and 22")
Dishwasher	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Pull out bed in lounge	No	Yes	No	No	No
Microwave, oven, hob	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sea views/ lake views	No	No	No	No	Yes
Fridge/ Freezer	Under counter fridge	Under counter fridge	3/4 size fridge /freezer	Full size fridge/ freezer	Full size fridge/ freezer
Decking/ veranda	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes

Width: A couple of feet makes a big difference if you are filling up a caravan with a family and assorted relatives but it's less of a big deal if you're just a couple or a couple with one child. Saver models are 10 foot wide, which is 3 metres (the equivalent of one and a half adult males lying down). Bronze and silver are 12 foot which is 3.6 metres (roughly two adult males lying down) whilst gold caravans are 14 foot or 4.2 metres.

It's worth noting that the 'Signature' models are actually narrower than the gold models. The Signature models have the best views, but they're a couple of foot narrower.
Central heating and double glazing doesn't come with all Haven caravans. The saver models just have heating in the lounge. Of course, heating is less important in August but double glazing is good in summer because it helps keeps a caravan cool (double glazing keeps heat out as well as keeping heat in). Saver models also don't have decking or outside space, so it's a bit harder to spread yourselves out.
Towels are only included with the silver, gold and signature Haven caravan grades. They aren't included with the saver and bronze caravans. However, you do get bedding with all grades of caravan including saver. Beds are made up regardless of which grade of caravan you choose. You can also pay a one-off to get towels included.
TVs come in all caravans but you get bigger 40 inch TVs in the silver, gold and signature caravans. You also get a smaller 22 inch TV in the bedroom with those three grades. Personally, I could cope with a smaller TV for a week - back in my day we had a 14 inch TV in the lounge whilst on holiday and we thought we were doing alright...
Dishwashers are only in the gold and signature Haven caravans. I love having a dishwasher on holiday because we don't eat out very much so it's a big bonus for me. However, if you aren't cooking much then I wouldn't say it's a big deal for a smaller party.
A pull out bed in the lounge is provided in the bronze model but you don't get a pull out bed in the saver, silver, gold or signature caravans. That means that a two bedroom bronze caravan can actually squeeze an extra two people in so might be cheaper overall. However, keep in mind that a pull out bed is OK for a night or two but isn't great for a whole week. Also, it's inconvenient if Aunt Ethel is sleeping in the lounge and wants to go to bed at 7pm.
Microwaves, ovens and hobs are provided in all caravans.

Fridge/freezers vary depending on grade. The saver grade and bronze grade Haven caravans only have an undercounter fridge whilst the silver model has a 3/4 size fridge freezer. The gold grade and signature models have a full size fridge freezer. Again, this will be a big deal if you are cooking a lot but less of an issue if you plan to eat out most nights. We like to have a box or two of ice creams in the freezer on holiday but if that's your only reason for having one then you're probably better to buy a few McFlurries whilst you're out and about.
Decking/veranda space is a real plus point during the summer, particularly if you have a sea view. The saver and bronze models don't offer this at all, as far as I can tell. With the silver and gold models you get outside decking. With the signature models you get outside space plus a sea view or a lakeside view.
Gas, water and electricity are included with all models.
Hair dryers and bluetooth speakers are only included with silver, gold and signature models. I didn't include them in the table as I don't think they will sway a lot of people's decisions.
Sea Views/ Lake Views are guaranteed with a Signature grade of caravan at Haven. However, some cheaper grades of caravan come with a good view. These are usually called something like 'Bronze - Front Row Sea View' on the booking form.

Summary of what you do and don't get in each grade of Haven caravan

Saver Haven caravans

Haven saver caravan (formerly Haven standard caravan)

Haven's saver caravans are the cheapest option

The saver Haven caravans are the cheapest. They are the narrowest and they don't have a freezer or a dishwasher. You don't get outside decking and you don't have a pull out bed in the lounge. However, you get an oven, microwave, hobs and one modestly sized TV. You don't get towels as standard but you do get bedding.

You don't get central heating or double glazing but you do get heating in the lounge.

They are similar to the older 'standard' models of caravan, for the benefit of anyone who was familiar with Haven's old grading system.

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saver caravan holidays

Bronze Haven caravans

Bronze caravans are the second cheapest model - they're a bit wider than saver and have a couple of extras

The bronze Haven caravans are a modest step up from the saver caravans. The caravan is a couple of foot wider, so it doesn't feel as cramped. You also get an extra pull out bed in the lounge. Perhaps most significantly, you get double glazing and central heating rather than relying on a heater in the lounge.

However, most other things are the same as the saver model - you only get one small TV, you don't get outside space, you don't get a freezer and you don't get towels provided.

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bronze caravan holidays

Silver Haven caravans

Silver caravans are the same width as a bronze but they have an extra TV and outside space

The silver Haven caravans are quite a big step up in facilities from the bronze models.

They are the same width as a bronze caravan but you get a fridge/freezer rather than just a fridge which you get in the saver and bronze caravans. You get a larger TV in the lounge and an extra TV in a bedroom.

You also get towels provided, unlike saver and bronze. The only downgrade is that you don't get a spare pull out bed in the lounge.

For me, the most significant upgrade is that you get a bit of decking or a balcony. I love sitting outside in a summer's evening whilst sipping on a can of Lilt. If you have young children, it's much nicer than just sitting in the lounge with the TV turned down low.

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silver caravan holidays

Gold Haven caravans

A gold Haven caravan is a bit wider and it comes with a dishwasher and larger fridge/freezer

The gold Haven caravans have just a couple of key upgrades compared to a silver caravan.

The main upgrade is that they are a couple of feet wider. That makes them feel a lot more spacious if you've got a caravan full of children. You also get a slightly bigger freezer and a dishwasher which are both useful additions for a big group.

I probably wouldn't bother upgrading from silver to gold if you're a couple who plan to eat out all week.

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gold caravan holidays

Signature Haven caravans

A signature caravan isn't as wide as a gold caravan but it has a lakeside view or a seaview

The signature Haven caravans are pretty much the same as the gold caravans.

The major difference is that they offer better views.

However, they are actually a couple of feet narrower (about 60cm) than the gold models.

You get everything else that you get on cheaper models including outside decking/veranda, a dishwasher and two TVs.

Again, you don't get a spare pull out bed in the lounge.

So, which grade of caravan should I choose?

That's a good question.

For me, a silver caravan or a higher grade is ideal, but it really depends on what's important to you.

For me, the most important differences between the cheaper caravans and the more expensive Haven caravans are a) the fridge/freezer b) the dishwasher and c) the outside decking/veranda.

However, that's because we like to self cater on a caravan holiday or a lodge holiday and it is very limiting if you don't have a decent freezer. We find that it's less of a holiday if you have to wash up all the time.

I also love sitting outside on a summer's evening, so a bit of decking is worth it for me. A sea view is something I'll pay for as long as it's not extortionate but I don't want a lakeside view as I prefer to keep the children away from lakes!

I'm less bothered about towels, hair dryers and bluetooth speakers because I can bring my own. I'm also not bothered about how big the TV is.

I would certainly want central heating and double glazing during the colder months but Haven close their parks in winter, so I could probably live without that if I had to. A slightly wider caravan is certainly more spacious but we tend to get out and explore a lot anyway so it's not essential.

Of course, the amount that you are paying extra is a big consideration. As an example, we searched for a week's holiday for a family of four in early October 2022 (off peak) at Haven Allhallows in Kent. Prices looked like this:

Saver caravan - £206
Bronze caravan - £236
Silver caravan - £368
Signature lakeside - £539

(They didn't have any gold models available when we checked).

So, in this instance it would only cost about £30 to upgrade from saver to bronze. I'd certainly pay that for a wider caravan with central heating in October. In fact, I'd probably pay £160 to jump from the lowest grade to the silver grade. I wouldn't pay for the top grade as I'm not likely to spend much time sat outside looking at the view in October.

We then looked for a week's holiday at Haven Perran Sands in Cornwall in early August 2022 (peak season). Prices were:

Saver caravan - £1945
Bronze caravan - £2216
Silver caravan - £2671
Gold caravan - £3414
Signature caravan - £3694

So, in this instance there is a difference of about £1750 between the cheapest and most expensive grade of caravan. Upgrading from saver to bronze is more than £250, which I don't think is worth paying as you won't use the heating in summer. It will be a little cramped but we would spend most of our time out and about in summer.

In this instance, I'd be much less keen to upgrade from saver to gold. I'd rather save myself about £1500 and make do without a dishwasher and a freezer. With the money I'd saved I could take the family out for dinner every night.

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