British holidaymakers

Nation Of Happy Campers

Posted on September 1, 2017

Nation Of Happy Campers

Almost half of Brits set off on a camping holiday in the UK this summer, with 43 per cent of holidaymakers looking forward to sleeping under canvas, according to research by Halfords the camping and leisure equipment retailer.

HalfordsA survey of 2,000 people revealed that for 54 per cent, exploring the great outdoors is their main motivation, while half of Brits said they’ll be camping because it’s a more affordable option than holidaying abroad. A total of 41 per cent describe camping as ‘the perfect way to spend time with family’, while one in four look forward to switching off from the stresses of modern life.

Negative comments included having to go outside to use the toilet – 42 per cent cite this as the most annoying part of their camping trip – and 34 per cent said disruptive neighbours tend to get on their nerves.

“Our sales across camping and outdoor leisure were up 45 per cent on April to May last year, and it’s no surprise that Brits are choosing to holiday in the UK rather than travelling abroad, which can be expensive and stressful,” comments David Howell, Halfords’ motoring and leisure accessories expert. “It’s really easy to forget that we live in one of the world’s top tourist destinations – and summer is a great time to get out and explore.”

Recycled Furniture

Posted on September 1, 2017

Recycled Furniture

RondeauRondeau Leisure is backing the effort to recycle plastic waste that is often dumped in the worlds’ ocean.

The business is supported by its own range of Pacific Ocean outdoor furniture which is produced from recycled plastic cartons that would otherwise find their way back to the seas. The aim of Pacific Ocean furniture is to turn plastic waste into durable garden additions with a lifespan of 10 years and beyond.

The range of chairs, tables, stools, loveseats and benches are made from milk cartons but are moulded into the same grain as wood – without the worry of rotting, splitting, cracking, fading or being burnt by cigarettes.

Rondeau Leisure’s managing director, Stuart Cooke, says: “The plastic waste issue is about more than just water bottles.  “Sports, leisure and hospitality providers – even care homes and hospitals - need to get on board by not buying plastic furniture that has to be scrapped after a season or two."

Green Footprint Scheme For Parks Trio

Posted on September 1, 2017

FootprintGreen Footprint Scheme For Parks Trio

Scottish holiday parks group Abbeyford Leisure is encouraging guests to help safeguard South East Scotland’s natural heritage. Guests at Elie Holiday Park, St Andrews Holiday Park, and St Monans Holiday Park are being asked to add a voluntary £1 donation when booking their stay. Money raised will go towards the Big Green Footprint Scheme, an initiative that was recently launched across the region by the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust.

Peter Davies, sales and marketing manager for Abbeyford Leisure, said the work of the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust was especially close to its heart. “The Fife Coastal Path, which connects our three parks, is one of the charity’s main responsibilities, and is enjoyed by many of our guests every year,” he said. “It’s a hugely important and much-loved feature of our coast, and it’s essential that the path and the surrounding wildlife habitats are properly cared for and safeguarded. The Big Green Footprint Scheme is an exciting and imaginative way to ensure this happens, and we’re delighted to become one of its founding champions,” added Peter.

Christmas Present Hopes For Debra

Posted on September 1, 2017

DebraChristmas Present Hopes For Debra

In the summer of 2014, Debra Drew was enjoying a holiday at Woolacombe Bay, Devon, with her family when disaster struck.

After spotting a nine-year-old boy struggling in the choppy waters she plunged into the sea in an attempt to save the youngster. The boy survived – but Debra suffered catastrophic brain injuries when sand was swept into her mouth by the seawater, stopping her breathing. The 48-year-old from Stourbridge, Worcestershire, was in a coma for six months and doctors believed she would be unlikely ever to move again without assistance.

Although still paralysed, Debra is putting up a brave fight – and is determined to be back home in time for Christmas this year. Park Holidays UK are now helping to raise funds to deliver Debra’s dream of returning home for Christmas. For this to happen, however, her friends and family need to raise £25,000 to buy a range of different medical equipment, including a specially built wheelchair.

Tony Clish, director of Park Holidays UK, said that Debra’s story is truly inspirational: “Debra has undergone many operations since the horrific incident and defied doctors’ expectations that there would be little chance of her surviving. She has shown remarkable spirit and now it’s time for us to do our bit by helping her return home full time to be among her treasured friends and family.”

Park Holidays UK operates 24 holiday parks in Southern England, including five in seaside Devon – and have offered Debra and her family a free stay whenever she feels able to take up the offer.

Record Breakers

Posted on July 4, 2017

Record newsRecord Breakers

It has been a record year so far for inbound tourism to Britain, with visits up by six per cent on last year.

In the first two months of the year there were with 5.2 million visits to the country from overseas visitors and visitor spend reached a record £2.7 billion in January and February, up 11 per cent on the previous year.

Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch said: “This record-breaking start to the year once more underlines the strength of our tourism industry.

“Our fantastic welcome and world-class attractions are continuing to attract huge numbers of visitors from across the globe, which is great news for the whole country.” There were 3.6 million visits from the EU in January and February, up five per cent on the previous year. VisitBritain’s forecast predicts that growth is set to continue in 2017 with 38.8 million visits and with spending reaching £23.9 billion

Post-Brexit Boom In Holiday Home Sales

Posted on July 4, 2017

Post-Brexit Boom In Holiday Home Sales

Brexit boomWith holiday caravans and lodges being more affordable than traditional houses, but certainly no less of a second-home in terms of space and style, sales at South West Holiday Parks’ two sites in Cornwall and their flagship park in Devon, have surged in the past 12 months.

The company has put the increase in sales partly down to more Brits opting to stay closer to home for their holidays, as the uncertainty of Brexit looms. “While Brexit has cast uncertainty over the economy, it is evident to us that people are still buying holiday homes, but here in the UK times have changed,” commented Josh Donald, Managing Director of South West Holiday Parks.

“Rather than watching their savings devalue month by month due to poor interest rates and rising inflation, our owners are buying a great holiday home, in a beautiful location and can sit back and relax knowing we take care of everything for them.”

He added: “Many people either have cash in the bank and are ready to buy a holiday lodge or caravan, or they use equity release so they can buy a holiday home without having to sell their main home and downsize. With a range of finance deals also on offer and more developments planned, we feel the holiday park is on the rise.”

Coastal Breaks Top Holiday Wish List

Posted on July 4, 2017

Coastal Breaks Top Holiday Wish List

‘Seasiding’ is the most popular way to spend your holidays in 2017 according to holiday park operator Parkdean Resorts.

Coastal breakThe new term has been coined by the company to describe a trend in holidaymakers booking up to take a trip to the seaside, either for their children to share in the same experiences they have enjoyed years ago or simply to appreciate the wonders of a holiday by the sea. The UK staycation market has grown steadily over recent years, with many people opting for domestic holidays over going abroad.

As a result, Parkdean Resorts welcomed over 500,000 holidaymakers in 2016, a figure which is set to increase this year - with real demand for coastal breaks in particular emerging. John Waterworth, chief executive of Parkdean Resorts, said: “This year will see more and more people reliving memories of childhood holidays at the sea, reflected by an uplift in our booking figures for 2017 breaks across our coastal parks.

“While nostalgia and tradition play an important part in the trend, ‘seasiding’ is all about holidaying at the coast in new ways. The seaside offering has evolved considerably over the decades since my parents visited as children, not least on our parks which now provide caravans with central heating and double glazing, and often with indoor pools and adventure play areas, making it comfortable to holiday both sides of the peak summer months.” John added: “We have made a significant investment of £50m across our parks on accommodation, retail and leisure facilities this year, where families can create memories that will last a lifetime.”

TV Drama Draws A Crowd

Posted on June 30, 2017

BroadchurchTV Drama Draws A Crowd

Fans of TV drama series Broadchurch have helped set a record year for visitors to West Dorset, according to a major holiday parks group in the region.

West Dorset Leisure Holidays says bookings are currently up 25 per cent on last year’s figures as families go in search of the picturesque vistas and seascapes seen on screen.

The final series of the award-winning drama finished in April, and the parks’ General Manager, James Cox, said that enquiries began to swell from the first episode: “We experienced similar uplifts during the first two series of Broadchurch, and many of those guests became repeat visitors – so obviously the county lives up to expectations!

“Now with this latest wave of demand, we are expecting to see the busiest year yet for our business, and will be helping to point families to some of the locations seen on television.

“So overall, Broadchurch has proved a massive boom for Dorset’s visitor economy,” added James.

Family-owned West Dorset Leisure Holidays owns five holiday parks in the region, including its flagship Highlands End Holiday Park in Bridport. All parts of the business have seen booking figures rise, says James, and there has also been an uplift in sales of new and pre-owned caravan holiday homes.

Happy Hounds

Posted on June 30, 2017

Happy HoundsDog glassses

Some 72 per cent of dog owners consider their dogs to be family member when it comes to booking a holiday. With eight and a half million dogs kept as pets in the UK; that is a customer focus group not to be barked at!

So no wonder that many UK holiday parks now offer options to bring along Rover and Patch with a dog-friendly levy attached. Manager of the North Devon safari tent glamping site, Daisy Meadows; Tina Walters, knows how difficult it can be for dog owners and since taking over the North Devon site in 2013, has aimed to make the park more enjoyable for dogs and owners alike.

The strategy is paying off. In 2016, 80 per cent of Daisy Meadows guests were accompanied on their summer break by their pooch. Visitors can enjoy a spectacular glamping experience as well as including the dog as a special guest, with its Happy Hounds Doggy Day Crèche.

“We created Daisy Meadows as just the right mix for guests, particularly those who have dogs,” says Tina. “We can provide a doggy day crèche so that you can still bring your dog on holiday. We realise that sometimes you might want to spend the day shopping or go to a show and still come back at the end of the day to your happy hound.”

Tina adds: “They are always cared for as if they are our own. On site, dogs are free to roam in the meadow, but we always ask guests to check with their neighbours, and pick up their dog’s poo and pop it in the bins provided, of course!”

Happy HoundThe family-run business is situated in two-and-a-half acres of land in the Blackdown Hills area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - also known as the ‘Gateway to Devon’ - and offers a back to nature safari tent experience. The site is set in a secluded corner of the county, but within easy access of the M5, linking it to Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks.

PAMPERED POOCHES

“This is a great base to explore areas of outstanding natural beauty,” says Tina, “And it’s a doggy-walking paradise. Guests can set off in a different direction every day and be at a beach or place of interest within minutes.” Not only do their owners enjoy the amenities laid on for pampered pooches, but it is also cost-effective. The average cost of a kennel is around £140 per week, whilst many holiday parks allow pets for free – or a nominal fee, often to cover cleaning costs and supplies – although one in four are happy to pay the same amount to take their dog on holiday, as it would cost to take another adult.

Dennis O’Connor, Tourism Liaison Manager of Pembrokeshire Tourism says: “Increasingly, visitors are looking for dog-friendly destinations to avoid the distress of leaving their pets in kennels. “The wonderful coast and countryside is a very special place for visitors, and we are delighted to have been able to recognise the work of dog friendly businesses throughout the county as well as our fantastic towns and beaches.”

Coastal Wood Camping was crowned ‘Best Dog Friendly Campsite’ in May. The Pembrokeshire site is rapidly becoming a first-choice holiday destination for dog owners – not only for its beautiful coastline but for the many facilities that now welcome holiday makers with their dogs. Dog Shower

This status was celebrated at the inaugural Dog Friendly Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards ceremony to recognise businesses, villages and locations going the extra mile, and awarded by Pembrokeshire Tourism and Burns Pet Nutrition. The judges assessed a wide range of criteria to decide the winner, but most specifically; an area dogs can enjoy safely with exceptional dog litter facilities, facilities to wash dogs if they got muddy and excellent dog friendly facilities and supplies.

Although the majority of campsites, holiday parks and beaches allow dogs, vacations in caravans and motorhomes are usually accessible for pet owners, perfectly tailored for their animal’s needs. With some of the most beautiful national parks, forests and beaches in the world, the UK is perfect for a caravanning dog-friendly holiday. Woodhill Park in East Runton, Norfolk has been dog-friendly since its owners took over the site in 1988, but the park has noticed a steady increase in the number of guests bringing their pets with them in the last 18 months. “

To read more about Dog Friendly Holiday Parks subscribe to Holiday Park Scene

Company Contacts

Daisy Meadows  Tel. 07852 544219  www.daisymeadowsafaritents.co.uk

Coastal Wood Camping  Tel. 01994 453214   www.coastalwoodholidays.co.uk

Thornley Leisure Centres  Tel. 01606 861043  www.thornleyleisure.co.uk

Whitehill Country Park  Tel. 01803 782338  www.whitehill-park.co.uk

Woodhill Park  Tel. 01263 588181  www.woodhill-park.com

 

Into The Woods

Posted on June 30, 2017

Into The Woods

Wood Leisure

For over 35 years Blairgowrie Holiday Park was the Wood family’s flagship site, but after the expansion of the company – extending to a further four parks – the 2008 purchase of Deeside has since changed the landscape.

The Deeside site boasts exquisite hot tub lodges, contemporary holiday homes and en-suite glamping pods. The Woods’ also welcome campers with large areas of hardstanding and fully serviced pitches available. Says Park Manager Shona Stewart: “The park provides a peaceful and tranquil environment for its guests to have a relaxing stay while enjoying picturesque countryside views with nature on your doorstep. The area is popular among visitors from Scotland and further afield who come to explore Royal Deeside.”

As the parks have spread across the country, so too has the family’s involvement in running the company. Colin and Margaret, who started the business three decades ago have since been joined on the team by their daughters, Rachel, Kirsty and Sarah.

The eldest, Rachel, is in charge of the administrative and financial side of the business. Middle daughter, Kirsty, manages the HR and Health & Safety sectors, and the youngest, Sarah, is the head of the Marketing and Sales department.

The girls are also joined by their husbands, who oversee the parks operations, and most recently Shona Stewart who — two years ago — was promoted to Park Manager after six-years as the Administrator for Deeside Holiday Park.

Wood Leisure
Tel. 01250 878123
www.woodleisure.co.uk

To read more about Wood Leisure and Deeside Holiday Park subscribe to Holiday Park Scene