The Baltic Wharf Caravan and Motorhome Club site in Bristol, which has been in operation for nearly 50 years, has closed its gates for the final time as it is to be redeveloped
A holiday park has shut its gates permanently after nearly five decades of operation.
Baltic Wharf Caravan and Motorhome Club site, situated on Bristol’s harbourside, welcomed its final visitors on August 11. Caravanners will no longer be able to enjoy stays at the location, which boasted a prime waterfront position beside the Floating Harbour.
Bristol City Council, which owns the land where the site was situated, is now transferring it to Goram Homes, the council’s housing developer, for the construction of 166 apartments. The new buildings will be up to six storeys high, and the scheme overlooking the Floating Harbour will also include two commercial units at ground level and new public spaces. It follows an announcement that caravan owners can claim a free service on their vehicle.
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According to the Bristol Post, 66 will be ‘affordable’ in planning terms. Of those, 16 will be available to buy as shared ownership properties with Sovereign, while 50 apartments will be let out by Sovereign at ‘social rent’ – the cheapest kind of affordable rent and the same level as a council flat.
The caravan site will be sorely missed, given the excellent ratings if earned on TripAdvisor and the many people who stayed there over its decades of operation.
One visitor penned: “A beautifully located city campsite with slightly older but very clean sanitary facilities. The reception was warm and we were given several recommendations along the way. The place is lovingly designed and with a lot of humour.
“Our place was directly behind the hedge facing the water and was sufficiently large. The walk to Bristol purely along the water is fantastic and the whole harbourside with the many interesting and mostly colourful houses is beautiful. There was nothing to complain about! We would love to come back. Too bad that the course has to be closed!”
The decision has sparked significant backlash within the caravanning community. Just one or two caravans remained before the entrance was locked for the final time. The planning application was granted unanimously by councillors despite a number of issues being raised, including the risk of flooding, Bristol 247 reported.
The Caravan Club issued a statement saying: “Following a number of lease extensions, sadly the site will permanently close on 11 August 2025. Thank you to everyone who has stayed with us at Baltic Wharf Club Campsite. Our nearest alternative campsites are Cheddar Club Campsite and Bath Chew Valley Affiliated Club Campsite.”
On the club’s website, those who had enjoyed holidays there shared their fond recollections of their visits.
One visitor wrote: “We have many happy memories from visiting here, not just because Bristol is such an amazing city… It’s such a shame that this site is closing.”
Stephen Baker, Goram Homes’ managing director, said: “We cannot ignore the housing crisis… a significant portion of any profit we make will go back to the council, to be reinvested into the city or the development of more new homes.”