Couple’s Dream Caravan Purchase Turns into Nightmare
Daniel and Abigail Crimmins of Cardiff are sharing their harrowing experience after purchasing a caravan from Haven Holidays in 2023 for over £18,000. What they anticipated to be a dream holiday retreat turned into a nightmare they have been trying to escape from ever since. The Crimmins family had initially fallen in love with Haven Burnham-on-Sea Holiday Village during a holiday three years ago, prompting them to invest in their own mobile home within the park. However, the reality of their purchase did not match their expectations.
Upon arrival at the caravan park to view their new purchase, the Crimmins family were shocked to find a dirty and unkempt caravan that was far from the “show home” they were promised. Issues ranged from a ripped sofa with bleach stains, a faulty electric heater, to bird faeces covering the roof. Despite being assured that all necessary repairs and cleaning would be completed before their arrival, the caravan was still in the same condition upon their inspection.
Daniel and Abigail paid a significant amount for the caravan with the hope of creating lasting family memories, but instead, their weekends at the caravan were spent cleaning and dealing with ongoing issues. The couple faced delays in essential repairs, with the roof remaining covered in filth for seven months. They also discovered water damage in various parts of the caravan, further adding to their distress.
After months of back-and-forth with Haven Holidays, the company finally agreed to fix the water damage in November 2024. However, the promised repairs were continuously postponed, leaving the Crimmins family in limbo. Even when they attempted to prepare their caravan for guests in March 2025, they were met with the shocking discovery of missing roof panels and exposed insulation, turning their holiday home into a construction site.
Despite paying annual fees of around £9000 to keep their caravan in the park, the Crimmins family felt that their investment was far from worth it. The constant stress and disappointment over the past three years have taken a toll on their family’s holiday experiences. Additionally, the couple had to turn away guests due to incomplete repairs, further highlighting the ongoing frustrations they have faced.
In response to the situation, a spokesperson for Haven Holidays issued an apology for the delays and disruptions caused to the Crimmins family. The company assured that all agreed-upon improvements were eventually addressed and that resolving the roof leak was a top priority. While the Crimmins continue to seek a resolution to their caravan woes, their story serves as a cautionary tale for others considering similar purchases.
Circumstances like those faced by the Crimmins family highlight the importance of conducting thorough research and inspections before making significant investments such as purchasing a holiday caravan. It is crucial for buyers to clearly communicate their expectations and ensure that all promises made by sellers are fulfilled to avoid finding themselves in a similar predicament.