Off-grid caravanning swaps the hook-up for peace, space and simpler stays. This guide covers the power, water and kit you need, plus the small sites that suit quieter touring.
Off-grid caravanning means touring without mains electric hook-up. Instead, you rely on a leisure battery, gas, solar panels or other independent power sources.
It suits tourers who want quieter, simpler stays. In fact, some of the most beautiful UK sites have no hook-up at all. Many small farm sites also keep things deliberately basic.
However, it takes a little planning. You need enough power, enough water and the right kit. So this page brings together all the off-grid advice on Caravan Adventuring, plus the small sites reviewed first-hand.
Your leisure battery runs the 12V systems, such as lights, the water pump and USB sockets. So keep it topped up, and avoid running it completely flat.
For typical UK touring, 100W to 150W suits moderate use. 50W to 80W suits battery maintenance, while 175W to 250W and 300W or more suit longer off-grid stays. Choose a quality MPPT controller.
An inverter converts 12V battery power into mains-style power for compatible appliances. However, high-draw items like kettles and microwaves are usually beyond what solar can supply.
Gas runs the hob, and often the heating and fridge too. Propane suits cold weather, while butane suits summer. Long winter trips use a bottle surprisingly quickly.
On big sites, your pitch may be a long way from the tap. So bring a large water container, and plan where you’ll empty waste water.
A phone hotspot may be enough for occasional use. For more, Starlink Mini scored 48/50 and earned a Caravan Adventuring Recommended award.
Small sites are a great middle ground. They’re quiet and simple, yet many still offer hook-up and basic facilities.
CL (Certificated Location): privately run sites for Caravan and Motorhome Club members only. Each one takes a maximum of five caravans or motorhomes at any one time.
CS (Certificated Site): smaller, independently run sites linked to the Camping and Caravanning Club. They’re often in peaceful countryside, and you’ll need to be a member.
Farm sites: many farms run their own small campsites too. Facilities range from full hook-up to fields with a tap and toilets.
As a result, it’s worth checking exactly what’s on offer before you book, especially if you need hook-up.
Caravan Adventuring personally visits every campsite in its official reviews. These are the small and off-grid ones so far.
A Certificated Location near Lincoln, with three hardstanding and four grass pitches, all with hook-up. Better still, there’s homemade bread and a pub next door. Note that the approach road is narrow in places.
A huge site with no electric hook-up anywhere, but facility blocks, water points and a shop. It takes motorhomes and tents only, not caravans.
A seasonal farm site near St Austell, with no hook-up. Instead, there are flushing and compost toilets, free hot showers, campfire rings and a lake with a free rowing boat.
Before you head off-grid, run through this list. Many of these tips come from the Shell Island off-grid guide.
For everything else, use the full caravan checklists.
It depends on four things: power, gas, fresh water and waste. Whichever runs out first sets your limit.
Power is usually the first to go. A good leisure battery with solar can last for days in summer. However, solar produces far less in winter, so short winter breaks are easier than long ones.
To stretch your stay, use LED lighting and charge phones while you drive. Also, run the heating on gas rather than electric. In addition, top up water whenever you pass a tap, and empty waste before it’s full.
Touring in the colder months? Then read Winter Caravanning first.
Not usually on solar or battery power, as kettles draw too much. Instead, use the gas hob, or a stovetop kettle.
For typical UK touring, 100W to 150W suits moderate use. For longer off-grid stays, 175W to 250W or more. The solar panel guide explains more.
Yes. Certificated Locations are only open to Caravan and Motorhome Club members, with a maximum of five caravans or motorhomes.
Both are small sites. However, CLs belong to the Caravan and Motorhome Club network, while CSs belong to the Camping and Caravanning Club. In both cases, you’ll need to be a member of that club.
Some do and some don’t. For example, Ashleigh Farm has bathrooms, while other small sites only offer a tap and waste point. So if you rely on site facilities, always check before you book. A caravan with its own washroom gives you far more choice.
No. Shell Island doesn’t allow caravans, but motorhomes and tents are welcome.
Yes, but plan carefully. Solar produces much less in winter, and heating uses more gas. So short breaks work best, with a spare gas bottle and a fully charged battery.
Yes, very well. Many motorhomes are built to be self-contained. See Motorhome and Campervan Touring for more.
Save campsites, plan upcoming stays and meet other tourers in the Community. Joining is free and takes under a minute.
