FIVE YEARS OF TRANQUILLITY

Cambridgeshire Lakes Proves the Promise of Log Lodges...

When developer Charlie Alexander embarked on creating Cambridgeshire Lakes, nestled in rolling countryside near Cambridge, he knew his ambition would rest not just on beautiful surroundings but on creating an enduring experience.

Five years on, his vision is testament to how carefully crafted timber lodges and authentic design can become the heart of a holiday park success story. From the outset, Norwegian Log’s proposition was compelling. Charlie opted for bespoke log lodges that evoke Scandinavian calm and a deep connection with nature.

Over the years, those cabins have not simply matured; they have deepened the park’s identity, elevating guest expectations and yielding commercial resilience. The log buildings age gracefully, their timber textures becoming part of the environment rather than fighting against it.

What is striking about Cambridgeshire Lakes is how the lodges themselves do much of the hard work in creating atmosphere. Guests return to warm, quiet interiors, natural materials, and characterful detailing.

That sense of place is a major draw in today’s staycation market, where holidaymakers, tired of digital overload and city stress, look for escapes that feel real. It is not just a roof over one’s head but a retreat that speaks to wellbeing.

Operationally, the park has benefited from the durability and low-maintenance advantages of quality log construction, while the lodges’ inherent insulation and thermal performance help smooth seasonal transitions.

As lettings continue to perform and repeat bookings strengthen, Cambridgeshire Lakes reaffirms a key lesson: investment in distinct, high-quality structures pays dividends over time. Yet the story is not only about buildings. It is about the balance between nature, design, and guest experience.

The setting of water, woodland, and unspoilt views matters as much as the cabin walls. The response from visitors has been enthusiastic, with many remarking on the immersive, calm ambience that lingers after they leave.

For holiday park operators seeking differentiation, Cambridgeshire Lakes offers a living case study. The decision to build with timber was not purely aesthetic; it was strategic. Today, it communicates a message: parks that commit to quality, authenticity, and environment-led design create something lasting.

It is a competitive edge that transcends marketing and one that resonates with the trends shaping guest expectations across the UK. As more parks look to refresh or expand, take heed: the lodges you choose may do more than house your visitors; they may become your calling card.

Norwegian Log
0118 9669 236
www.norwegianlog.co.uk

HOLIDAYS ON A SHOESTRING

Latest consumer spending figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal UK households spent over £175.4bn on hotels and restaurants in 2023, as the holiday industry rebounded from Covid. The figures reveal a rise of almost 6% on 2022’s spend of £165.7bn.

Brits also splashed £21.8bn on UK-based tourist activities, up from £16.7bn in 2022. It wasn’t only hotels that benefitted from last year’s ‘staycation’ bug. Last year, they also spent £38.3bn on holiday accommodation, such as holiday lets. That was up 6.7% from 2022’s £35.9bn.

While these record figures eclipse even the peak pre-Covid year of 2019, and are encouraging results for Britain’s tourist trade, the sharp rise in spending is also causing some concern. “It’s really great to see Britain’s hard- pressed hotel and tourism industries bounce back from the horrific impact of Covid,” says Lily Smith, a travel expert from the specialist accommodation finder UniversityRooms.

“The amount Brits spent on UK hotels and restaurants plummeted from a height of £144bn in pre-Covid 2019 to £88bn in 2020 – a collapse of nearly 40% – so damaging was the impact of the virus. “Similarly, spending on other accommodation fell from £31.9bn in 2019 to £15.4bn in 2020 as Covid took a grip.”

Looking at these ONS figures, it’s little wonder that many Brits, who want to enjoy seeing new parts of their own country, are now thinking twice. Some Brits clearly feel overseas holidays already represent better value than holidaying in the UK. “We spent £77.9bn on foreign holidays last year, another new record and up significantly from £66.8bn in 2022,” says Lily.

“Clearly, Brits on a budget need to think beyond traditional hotels and holiday accommodation to visit some of our most popular holiday spots. That’s why an increasing number of us are planning to stay in vacant university rooms for our next holiday. “That’s a clever call, as many universities offer rooms that are great value, centrally located and are still readily available to book for the peak summer season.

Best of all, you can stay in them even if you are not a student. Some universities are a destination in their own right. It’s possible to stay in rooms in historic locations such as Oriel and Magdalen colleges in Oxford. Similarly, you can have rooms dating back centuries in Corpus Christi or have breakfast or brunch in the dramatic Gothic dining Hall at Kings in Cambridge. A night’s stay in Magdalen college can cost as little as £55, dependent on date.

OXFORD TOPS UK STAYCATION SPOTS

OXFORD TOPS UK STAYCATION SPOTS

OXFORD has topped a UK staycation survey.

 

A new study has revealed the UK’s top staycation spots for a weekend getaway. The research, conducted by travel insurance experts Forbes Advisor, scored UK locations based on factors such as the cost of eating out, the average price of a local stay, and transport costs in and around each town or city.

It also analysed the number of attractions per 10,000 people to discover where offers the best experience for a staycation this autumn. The research revealed that the historical city of Oxford offers the best experience, with a Staycation Score of 93.6 out of 100.

Visitors can enjoy a three-course meal for two that costs just £50 on average with local taxi fares priced at just £1.75 per mile. Second place goes to York with its Staycation Score of 92.8. At 32.73, the city, which dates back to ancient Rome, offers the highest number of attractions per 10,000 people.

With its Staycation Score of 91.4, Cambridge takes third place as a staycation hotspot. The city also offers 29.51 attractions per 10,000 people.

Commenting on the findings, Laura Howard, personal finance expert at Forbes Advisor, said: “The continued prospect of flight and airport disruptions, lingering Covid testing requirements in some popular overseas destinations, and rising living costs are just some of the many good reasons why a short break within the UK might appeal this autumn. “And the good news is, our very own shores have so much to offer in terms of history, architecture, nature and scenery.”