HARPA Conference 2026 underlines industry's role in housing and communities...
The newly branded Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA) last week brought the UK parks industry to the heart of Westminster as it hosted its 2026 Conference, marking a high-profile debut for the association’s new identity.
Formerly known as the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, HARPA officially adopted its new name and branding in January 2026 following a member-led rebrand launched at the close of its 75th anniversary year. The Westminster conference provided the first major opportunity to present the new identity, vision and strategic direction to policymakers, partners and the media.
A central feature of the event was a full-scale demonstration of the sector’s contribution to the UK’s housing needs. A brand-new, British-manufactured residential park home was installed at the entrance to the conference centre, offering parliamentarians a tangible example of how modern park homes and responsibly run residential parks could help deliver some of the 30,000–50,000 new later-living homes the country needs to build each year, as identified by the Government’s Older People’s Housing Task Force.
HARPA said the installation was designed to challenge outdated perceptions of park living, highlighting quality design, modern construction and the role of professionally managed parks in creating sustainable communities. Political engagement was a key focus of the two-day conference, with 22 MPs and peers attending across the programme.
CLAIRE FLOWER, DIRECTOR OF BEVERLEY HOLIDAYS, took on the role of National Chair of HARPA at the 2026 Conference
Some of the MPs and peers in attendance were Nigel Huddleston, Dame Harriet Baldwin, Lord Mark Harper, Sir Julian Smith, Sir Christopher Chope, Caroline Voaden and Lord Attlee. Parliamentarians joined delegates for lunches on both days, enabling direct discussions on planning reform, housing supply, later-living provision and the economic contribution of park businesses to rural and coastal communities.
The conference also marked a leadership moment for the association, with Devon park owner Claire Flower, a director of Beverley Holidays, formally taking on the role of National Chair. Flower, who served on the working group that guided the rebrand, said HARPA represented more than a change of name, positioning the organisation as a modern, inclusive and proactive voice for the sector.
HARPA’s new vision focuses on building a strong, sustainable and well-respected parks industry, with connected and engaged members at its heart. Its mission commits the association to specialist advice, raising standards and delivering effective advocacy, underpinned by values of collaboration, transparency and ambition.
With a new identity, a clear policy message and Parliament firmly in its sights, HARPA’s 2026 Conference is designed to position the parks sector as both economically significant and socially relevant — and ready to be heard.
Holiday and Residential Parks Association
01452 526911
www.harpa.org.uk
-
- The lovely team from Caravan Park Electrical were exhibiting at the HARPA Conference.
-
- A BUSY EXHIBITION AREA buzzed with activity as delegates networked between seminar sessions
-
- Designed to challenge outdated perceptions of park living, highlighting quality design, modern construction…
centrepiece of the Northamptonshire company’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
with seating and entertainment areas as well as an energy efficient spa adding that final touch of luxury living.
Patrington Haven Leisure Park is celebrating its 35th anniversary by engaging with its customers and the local community. Founded by Graham Sparkes in 1984 on a disused RAF base near the East Yorkshire coast, after he sold his caravan-building business, the site is now run by Graham’s son, Guy Sparkes, his wife Karen and their extended family, who have grown the team from 35 employees, five years ago, to more than 70 today.
shared beliefs, you can achieve anything.” The park has been awarded the Remarkable Holiday Park/Holiday Village Award in the Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs) for the past three years, racking up the latest win in March. It also received the Visit England Gold Award for exceptional quality of accommodation and customer service 2018/2019. The success is based on creating a home away from home environment for owners and making the leisure park a hub for the local community. Although the pool and gym require membership, appointments at the Elemis spa can be booked and the restaurant, bar and other facilities are open to everyone all year round. The leisure park draws its customers from across Yorkshire, the M62 corridor and the Midlands and enjoys remarkable loyalty, with the longestserving caravan owners having called Patrington Haven their home away from home for more than 20 years. Andy and Kerry Naylor live in nearby Hedon and have owned a caravan on the park for four years, regularly staying in their current Willerby Vogue with their cocker spaniels, Charlie and Rosie. Mr Naylor, 57, said: “This is the third caravan we have had on the site. It’s like home away from home. “As well as my family, I bring work colleagues and engineers I know through my business to stay in the lodges and they all love it. “We like the takeaway service too. They’ve got it right with good chefs, and you can order online through Just Eat.” Eric and Linda Thompson, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, first bought on the park in 2003 and have owned three caravans during that time, including their current Winchester model. Mrs Thompson, 66, said: “We came to look at Patrington Haven one Saturday morning and we loved it straight away, so we bought our first caravan on the same day. “The plots all have their own gardens and it’s a very healthy environment. I walk, as well as swim, most days. The people are lovely and it’s like a small village. We’ve made friends here and everyone looks out for each other. “The park is family-run and that family feel is reflected in everything. We really feel part of that," she adds.
• The park operates an 11-month season for owners t o enjoy, but its five-star facilities are open all year round.
Taking the plunge with a holiday park swimming pool can be as daunting as diving off the highest board. But be bold. Investing in on-site swimming offers many avenues for return on investment from initial visitor appeal to encouraging maximum ‘on park’ spend. But don’t just think swimming pool – rather, think water leisure and entertainment. After all, maximum payback will come from an aquatic feature that does not just offer lane swimming, but entertains all ages and abilities with excitement and splash appeal.
certainly an activity that many of visitors enjoy when on holiday, and therefore a swimming pool will influence bookings.
Ustigate's 31-station Dippy the Dinosaur inspired splashpad has met its original goal in making Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Norfolk, even more popular than before.
Rather than spend money on renovating the outdated outdoor pool, Freshwater Beach Holiday Park on the Jurassic Coast, decided to undertake a temporary upgrade to the filtration plant and line the pool with a commercial pool liner. They also decided to undertake a feasibility study, to develop a brand-new indoor pool facility. Cresta Leisure was invited to join the project design team, to develop and deliver a wet-leisure facility that would appeal to all ages. This co-operation has resulted in a very popular, purpose built pool complex that incorporates a splash zone, a paddling pool, a play pool, interactive tower with tippers, sprays and slides, a stand-alone four-lane slide with integral catch, a 20m deck level swimming pool and a spa. Following the success of the new indoor pool complex, Freshwater asked Cresta Leisure to come up with a scheme to improve the outdoor pool facilities. Because the filtration and circulation on the existing outdoor pool was below current standards, it was decided to break out the old pool and start afresh. All the groundworks were undertaken by Freshwater’s own team. In just five months, Cresta has built a brand new 25m x 12m outdoor pool with 12m2 paddling pool packed full of interactive water play features from Hippo Leisure. This new pool facility is fully compliant with European standards and is proving to be a smash hit with everyone.