Benefits of Owning a Shipping Container Holiday Home

The UK staycation market has grown steadily in the last few years. Holiday homes have boosted the economy, and after the pandemic, the economy bounced back faster in areas with a lot of holiday homes. 

Part of that growth comes from shipping container holiday homes. They’re cost-effective, long-lasting, and easy to set up. For these reasons, more and more people are investing in shipping containers as holiday homes for business and pleasure.

What is a shipping container holiday home?

A shipping container holiday home is made from a repurposed steel cargo carrier. Because shipping containers are designed to be portable, you can build your holiday home almost anywhere – and even move it around!

What are the benefits of shipping container holiday homes?

Shipping container holiday homes are becoming popular with investors and holidaymakers alike because of their many benefits. These new types of holiday homes not only offer cost-effective, durable, and eco-friendly options for vacation properties but their modular design allows for quick construction, easy customisation, and scalability.

Cost-effective to build

Converting a shipping container is much more affordable than building or buying a bricks-and-mortar house.

Buying a holiday apartment in a popular seaside town might cost you at least £150,000. But you can build your own container holiday home for as little as £90,000, depending on where you’re located and what modifications you make to the container.

Those savings are passed on to holidaymakers, too. Shipping container holiday homes have lower running costs which means they can be cheaper to rent for a short break.

Easier and cheaper to maintain

Shipping container holiday homes are cheap to maintain. Because you’re in charge of the conversion, you can make them as energy-efficient as possible, with extra insulation and modern power systems. You need less heat, light, repairs, and cleaning than standard homes, too.

Depending on where you place the holiday home, you could also avoid paying a mortgage. Many holiday home owners choose to install the shipping container on land they already own. However, in other cases, you might need to pay ground rent or maintenance fees.

Durable

Shipping containers are built to be strong, tough, and long-lasting. The lifespan of a shipping container can last for decades!

However, if you want to get a full 50 years out of your shipping container holiday home, then you’ll need the right conditions.

• New shipping containers will last longer than retired containers which have already been used for years.
• Containers need regular maintenance to remove dents, rust, and chips in the paint.
• Containers last longer when they’re placed on dry foundations to avoid damp and rust.

Environmentally friendly

Second-hand shipping containers are widely available to buy. You’ll save money by choosing a used container, as well as reducing your carbon footprint.

You can make shipping container holiday homes even more environmentally friendly by choosing the right modifications. Extra insulation, efficient appliances, and solar panels can all contribute to sustainability. 

Many people actively look for eco-friendly options when they’re off on holiday. Staying in the UK, in a “recycled” building, ticks a lot of their boxes. 

Versatile

There’s a reason the Airbnb search bar has over 50 different filters: everybody’s looking for something different. From smart city breaks to seaside homes, forest camps, and mountain retreats, the possibilities are endless.

You can convert a shipping container into almost any style. You can even stack shipping containers, extend them, and modify the layout for extra space or amenities! 

Unique

For many people, part of choosing a holiday destination is how unique it is. Is it fresh? Is it different? Will it photograph well?

When you’re designing a shipping container holiday home, consider leaving some clues that it’s a shipping container—you don’t have to disguise it completely! Many visitors will love the uniqueness of staying in a container.

Changes in the UK staycation landscape

The covid-19 pandemic saw a boom in staycations. And the good news is, that level of interest has stuck around. British holidaymakers have rediscovered the beauty of their own coastlines, lakes, mountains, and valleys. 

Shipping container holiday homes tap into that newfound love for staycations—with a unique twist. 

Enables creativity

When you buy a brick-and-mortar holiday home or caravan, it often comes already decorated. The basic layout has already been decided. However, when you get a shipping container, it’s a completely blank canvas. You get to choose the fixtures, fittings, amenities, and design for yourself. 

What kind of holiday homes can you create from a shipping container?

The best thing about shipping containers is their versatility. Their simple metal shape means that you can adapt them and extend them into almost any kind of holiday home.

Shipping containers do come in different sizes. Although they’re all the same width, there are some standard shapes which have higher ceilings – and you can stack or connect multiple containers to make an even bigger space.

For owners on a smaller budget, a single container makes a great studio apartment for short-term holiday rentals. Look for storage tricks and foldaway furniture to make the most of the space.

What types of modifications can I make to shipping containers?

You can change everything in a shipping container, from the internal layout to the doors, windows, flooring, decor, lighting, and ventilation. You can even set it up to be completely off-grid, with alternative power sources and extra insulation.

How can I rent out my shipping container holiday home?

There are a few items to check off before you start renting out a shipping container holiday home. You’ll need:

• Insurance that complies with local regulations.
• Licenses, such as health & safety certificates, depending on where your container is located.
• A way to advertise the container holiday home.
• A plan to maintain and clean the holiday home between visits.

Alternatively, you can partner with a holiday homes rental company or letting agency, who will help you run the business.

Shipping container home examples

Here are five of our favourite shipping container holiday homes from around the UK to inspire you.

1. The Cotswold Cabin

This cute, contemporary cabin comes with a hot tub and bedroom walls that open to the skies. It’s set on the Chavanage Estate, just a short walk from a beautiful period house.

2. The Blencathra Box

This sleek apartment has stunning views across the Lake District. Although it looks smart now, it’s an upcycled shipping container that has seen service all around the world. Now it’s living out a peaceful retirement… right next to a working dairy farm, and with a hot tub for long summer evenings.

3. The Nest above Llangollen

The Nest is perched above breathtaking Welsh hills. With an adapted door design, you can step right out of bed into nature—where activity centres, walking routes, cycling trails, and foodie cafes are waiting for you to enjoy.

4. The Rural Escape in Market Rasen

This cheery red cabin sleeps up to four, with an indoor swimming pool included. That has to be a record for what you can fit into a shipping container holiday home! It’s set amid peaceful fields where you can watch horses grazing.

The Home on the Edge of the Ocean

This energy-efficient lodge sits near an ancient ruin beside the Atlantic Ocean. But it comes with all mod cons, including a wood-burning stove and a bathtub that looks out over the waves.

The bottom line

Shipping container holiday homes are a versatile, cost-effective, and sustainable option for both owners and holidaymakers. They can be placed almost anywhere and adapted for a delightfully comfortable stay. The only limit to the design is your imagination.

FAQs

Do I need planning permission for a shipping container holiday home?

Shipping containers aren’t designed to remain in place permanently, so they are often exempt from planning permission requirements. However, there are exceptions, so you should always check with the local planning authority where you are. 

Check out our guide to placing a shipping container on your land for more information.

How big can a shipping container holiday home be?

There’s no limit on the size of a shipping container holiday home, since you can stack and extend multiple units. However, the size of your design may affect whether you need planning permission.