Baltic Wharf Caravan and Motorhome Club site in Bristol closed permanently on August 11, ending nearly five decades of operation on the city’s harbourside.
The 56-pitch facility, known for its waterfront location beside the Floating Harbour, had been in operation for 47 years and was often fully booked, particularly during major events such as Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta.
The land, owned by Bristol City Council, will be redeveloped by Goram Homes, the council’s housing company, in partnership with the Hill Group. Plans for the site include 166 residential flats, alongside cafes, shops, and landscaped public spaces.
According to Goram Homes, the project will make the area more accessible to the wider public for the first time. Work to clear the site is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Stephen Baker, managing director of Goram Homes, 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.”
The closure follows several lease extensions for the holiday park, according to a report by The Sun. In a statement, the Caravan and Motorhome Club confirmed the end date, 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.”
Visitors and members expressed their disappointment on the club’s website, with one noting: “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.”
Another guest wrote: “The best place to cycle and get around, so sad this site has to close when it’s nearly always full. We will never visit Bristol again.”
For outdoor hospitality professionals, the closure highlights the ongoing challenge of securing and maintaining prime urban locations for caravan and motorhome accommodation.
The decision leaves Bristol without a central city caravan site, potentially impacting tourism from travellers who prefer to stay within walking distance of key attractions. The loss of Baltic Wharf may prompt other urban destinations to reassess how they balance competing demands for land use between housing and tourism infrastructure.