Camping Business

THE UK’S TOP CAMPING AND GLAMPING SITES

Posted on February 10, 2026

The AA Caravan & Camping Awards 2025–26 have once again set the benchmark for excellence across the UK’s camping, glamping and holiday park sector, recognising operators that are raising standards, innovating sustainably and delivering memorable guest experiences at a time when demand for high-quality outdoor stays shows no sign of slowing.

This year’s awards celebrate 13 standout sites across the UK, from coastal touring parks and woodland retreats to luxury glamping destinations, all selected following rigorous inspections by the AA’s expert team. Together, the winners reflect a sector that continues to evolve – balancing affordability with premium touches, and environmental responsibility with commercial success.

At the top of the honours list, St Helens in the Park, North Yorkshire, was named AA Campsite of the Year for England and crowned Overall Winner. The park impressed inspectors with its exceptional facilities, immaculate presentation and consistently high levels of customer satisfaction.

Set within a mature, landscaped environment, St Helens in the Park exemplifies how traditional camping and touring can be elevated through thoughtful design, attentive management and a strong sense of place. The accolade reinforces North Yorkshire’s position as a powerhouse for domestic tourism and highlights how well-run parks can thrive by focusing on quality, community and repeat custom rather than scale alone.

Elsewhere, the AA Glamping Site of the Year title went to Camp de Rêves in Guernsey, Channel Islands. The award recognises the site’s ability to deliver a high-end glamping experience while remaining rooted in its natural surroundings.

WHITEFIELD FOREST Touring Park, Isle of Wight – awarded AA Campsite of the Year for South East England

With demand for glamping continuing to grow among couples and families seeking comfort without compromising on the outdoors, Camp de Rêves stands as an example of how design-led accommodation and strong storytelling can differentiate a destination in a competitive market. Sustainability also took centre stage, with The Quiet Site in Cumbria awarded AA Sustainable Park of the Year.

Long regarded as a pioneer in environmentally responsible tourism, The Quiet Site continues to demonstrate that sustainability and commercial viability are not mutually exclusive. From renewable energy initiatives to waste reduction and nature-first planning, the park shows how long-term investment in green practices can enhance guest appeal while future-proofing the business.

The national campsite winners further highlight the geographic and operational diversity of the sector. Whitefield Forest Touring Park on the Isle of Wight and Old Hall Caravan Park in Lancashire were both recognised as National AA Campsites of the Year, reflecting excellence in customer experience, facilities and location.

Whitefield Forest’s woodland setting and strong connection to the island’s tourism offer underline the value of destination-led marketing, while Old Hall Caravan Park demonstrates how well-established touring parks can continue to evolve and compete through ongoing investment and attention to detail. Regional winners across England also showcased the strength of local operators.

Parks such as Love2Stay Shrewsbury (Heart of England), Alders Caravan Park (North East England) and Treloy Touring Park (South West England) illustrate how tailored offerings – from activity-led stays to peaceful rural escapes – can meet the varied expectations of today’s campers and tourers. Beyond the headline winners, the awards also recognised progress and adaptability within the industry.

HOPTON HOLIDAY VILLAGE, Norfolk – awarded AA Holiday Park of the Year, highlighting excellence in large-scale holiday park operations.

Eye Kettleby Lakes in Leicestershire took home AA Most Improved Campsite of the Year, highlighting the impact of targeted upgrades and responsive management. Hallsdown Farm Touring Park in Devon was named AA Small Campsite of the Year, proving that smaller operations can compete at the highest level through personal service and a clear identity.

Meanwhile, Hopton Holiday Village in Norfolk received AA Holiday Park of the Year, underlining the continued relevance of larger holiday villages within the wider outdoor accommodation landscape. With strong entertainment offerings, accommodation choice and coastal appeal, the park demonstrates how holiday parks can successfully cater to multi-generational audiences while maintaining quality standards.

Hosting the awards, Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, noted that British camping and caravan parks are “more inspiring than ever,” offering everything from peaceful rural retreats to dramatic coastal locations. His comments reflect a broader industry reality: guests increasingly expect more than just a pitch or pod – they are seeking experiences, authenticity and reassurance around quality.

All award winners are featured in the 58th edition of the AA Caravan & Camping Guide, reinforcing the continued importance of trusted third-party endorsements in influencing booking decisions. For park operators, recognition from the AA remains a valuable marketing asset, supporting both direct bookings and wider destination visibility.

As the sector looks ahead to the 2026 season, this year’s winners provide a clear snapshot of where the industry is heading: towards higher standards, stronger sustainability credentials and guest experiences that turn first-time visitors into loyal advocates. For holiday park owners and operators, the message is clear – investment in quality, people and purpose continues to pay dividends.

LAND LEISURE & TOURISM SHOW REVIEW

Posted on February 10, 2026

We Look Back at the Land Leisure & Tourism Show 2025...

The Land Leisure & Tourism Show returned in November 2025, welcoming thousands of visitors from across the holiday park, attraction, resort, farm business and wider hospitality and tourism sectors. Across two busy days, the show once again proved itself to be a key industry meeting point, bringing together forward-thinking operators keen to explore new ideas, discover practical solutions and gain insight from experts shaping the future of leisure.

With more than 250 exhibitors on the show floor, the event showcased a diverse mix of products and services. Global brands such as Mars Wrigley sat alongside established sector suppliers including Gemapark, leading online booking systems specialist, Outdoor Living Hot Tubs and PIB Insurance Brokers.

Attendees were able to explore everything from interior furnishings and landscaping equipment to booking systems, guest experience technology and high-impact entertainment attractions. Alongside the exhibition, a packed programme of seminars, workshops and panel discussions provided valuable insight into the trends, challenges and opportunities facing today’s leisure and tourism operators.

The show was officially opened by Geoffrey Smith, CEO of Meadow Bay Villages, whose keynote set the tone for the event. Smith highlighted the importance of innovation rooted in a deep understanding of the guest. “If you can make the park compelling, an experience that feels like an escape, then why wouldn’t people keep coming back?” he said.

OUR OWN BETH CONNOR was at the event distributing the latest issue of Holiday Park Scene Magazine.

He encouraged operators to focus on the fundamentals: understanding who their customers are, creating a welcoming environment, serving great food and providing opportunities for people to spend time together. Efficiency, Smith stressed, should always be tied to guest value. Wellness tourism was another recurring theme.

Simon Wright, Managing Director of Walter Geering, reminded audiences that wellbeing begins the moment guests arrive. “True wellness starts with how you feel when you arrive at your destination. It’s not an add-on – it sets the tone for the entire stay,” he explained. Branding and authenticity also took centre stage.

Derry Green, Founder of Secret Garden Glamping, noted that guests remember experiences rather than aesthetics, while Natalie Green, Head of Performance Media at Sykes, emphasised the importance of trust and storytelling in building meaningful brand connections. Operational resilience was explored by James Sinclair, Founder and CEO of Fabadousa, who spoke candidly about managing seasonality and cash flow.

Event specialist Sam Beech of Laughing Bulldog Events closed with practical advice on creating standout experiences, from competitor research to influencer partnerships. With its blend of innovation, insight and collaboration, the 2025 Land Leisure & Tourism Show once again reinforced its status as a must-attend event. The show will return in 2026, promising even more exhibitors, expertise and opportunities for operators to thrive.

Please pre-register to join us again in 2026 to explore the future of land, leisure, and tourism.
Land Leisure & Tourism Show 2026
www.lltshow.com/pre-register-2026

TURN YOUR WIFI AND BROADBAND SERVICES INTO PROFIT AND ENGAGEMENT

Posted on February 10, 2026

We hear from Kendal Stacey, Holiday Parks & Leisure Lead, Wifinity

I work with 4/5 of the UK’s largest holiday park operators, including Parkdean Resorts, Butlins and Haven. One topic keeps coming up. With tax, business rates, utilities, staffing and supplier fees rising, parks want to make every asset work harder.

Connectivity is one of those assets, delivering commercial returns when set up in the right way. Look beyond basic guest WiFi and towards the potential of your network as an income generator, an operational tool and a differentiator. This article shows how it can support your commercial goals.

Your connectivity affects booking decisions, guest satisfaction, spend on site and the workload for your reception team. Some parks create direct revenue through tiered or upgraded packages. Others drive indirect returns like better loyalty, increased venue footfall, longer dwell times, smoother digital journeys or reduced strain on reception teams.

CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS:
1 Basic or traditional WiFi A small number of outdoor access points create a simple mesh. It’s easy to install and is enough for very small parks with low demand. Performance drops at peak times, indoor coverage is patchy and it’s unreliable for streaming or remote work.

2 Park-wide professionally managed network A purpose-designed network with consistent coverage across the park and units. Handles many devices, supports streaming and work use, cuts your support burden using central management. Larger operators choose this.

3 In-unit broadband Each unit gets its own router or customer premises equipment for a private, home-style connection. Works well where predictable performance matters – lodge owners or long-stay guests. Supports tiered or premium packages. Backhaul is critical in every case. You’ll have several options like private 5G, fibre or fixed wireless access.

COMMERCIAL OPTIONS:
• Free access for all: Simple to communicate. Removes barriers for guests.
• Freemium. Basic free access with optional paid upgrades.
• Paid only. Be mindful that most visitors expect basic free access.
• Revenue share. A supplier like Wifinity, owns and manages the network.

Income from paid passes is shared. Different parks choose differently based on layout, guest type and commercial priorities. We consider things like terrain, accommodation mix, guest behaviour and operational goals.

That context usually points to the right model. At Parkdean Resorts, for example, we moved from a mix of legacy systems to a consistent managed network with in-van routers and structured backhaul. The focus wasn’t on headline speeds but on stable coverage and reducing support issues, which also enabled digital services. If you’re reviewing connectivity ahead of the season, start with what you want the network to deliver for users and the right model becomes easier to choose.

Please click here for more information.

STABLE, FAST, AND PROFITABLE: the right network can transform your park’s guest experience and commercial returns.

HOLIDAY PARKS URGED TO ENTER 2026 UK POOL & SPA AWARDS

Posted on February 10, 2026

Holiday Parks, Caravan Parks & Hospitality Sites with swimming pools, spas, or wellness facilities are being encouraged to enter the 2026 UK Pool & Spa Awards, following a spectacular showcase of innovation at this year’s event.

The 15th edition of the awards, hosted by water leisure specialists Waterland Media, saw 250 entries from 75 companies, celebrating excellence in pool, spa, hot tub, and wellness design. Categories ranged from One-Piece Pool Project of the Year to Swim Spa Project of the Year, Energy Efficient/Eco Award, and Health & Wellness Project of the Year.

“The industry continues to raise the bar every year, with customer experience and wellbeing at the heart of design and innovation,” said Christina Connor, Managing Director of Waterland Media, publishers of Pool & Spa SCENE magazine. “We champion the companies, individuals, and products that are shaping the sector and inspiring a new era of home and commercial leisure facilities.”

This year’s awards highlighted the growing demand for wellness features that combine fitness, leisure, and family enjoyment. Popular trends include compact swim spas, quick-build one-piece pools, smart swim jet technology, and eco-efficient installations, alongside saunas and fire-and-ice wellness experiences.

Among the winners, Kelling Health Holiday Park in Norfolk, designed by Newson Pools, took home the prestigious Holiday Park Pool of the Year award, showcasing a combination of innovative design, energy efficiency, and guest-focused features. Other top performers included Buckingham Pools, Essex’s Aquascapes, Surrey’s Tanby Swimming Pools, and Northern Ireland’s Starview Hot Tubs & Outdoor Living.

For holiday parks, an award-winning pool or spa is more than a facility – it’s a key differentiator, enhancing guest satisfaction, increasing bookings, and supporting premium rates. Parks with pools, spas, or wellness suites are encouraged to enter the 2026 UK Pool & Spa Awards to gain recognition for high standards, design excellence, and operational innovation.

Full details and entry information are available at www.ukpoolandspaawards.co.uk

FROM SWIM SPAS TO LUXURY POOLS, recognition at the UK Pool & Spa Awards highlights the facilities that elevate guest experiences and boost bookings

WISH YOU WERE HERE at River Dart Country Park

Posted on February 10, 2026

River Dart Country Park has been welcoming guests as a holiday park and visitor attraction since 1976. Set within 90 acres of beautiful Devon countryside on the edge of Dartmoor, it blends outdoor adventure with relaxed, family-friendly camping.

The park is run with a strong sense of heritage, sustainability and community, and remains one of Devon’s best-loved destinations for active families. The campsite offers a wide choice of accommodation, with 243 grass pitches and 38 hardstanding touring pitches suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes.

Guests can choose between non-electric pitches, electric hook-up options, hardstanding, or “super-pitches”, which combine hard base with grass. Each pitch is generously sized at approximately 11m × 11m, giving families plenty of space.

Facilities include modern amenity blocks with hot showers and free hot water, washing-up areas, laundry rooms, Wi-Fi zones, a well-stocked onsite shop and the popular Old Sawmill café-restaurant. Secure barrier entry, disabled and family-friendly amenities and a dedicated dog-walking area add to the convenience.

GENERAL MANAGER IS ROGER SELL

Adventure is at the heart of River Dart Country Park. From extensive outdoor playgrounds and a lakeside pirate ship to climbing pods, a tree-top tower, canoeing, kayaking, high-ropes courses, zip wires and an impressive Bike Park, the park offers activities for all ages.

Younger visitors love the mini-beach and gentle water play areas, while the surrounding woodland and riverside trails provide a peaceful contrast. Being just a mile from the A38 and sitting at the gateway to Dartmoor National Park, the location is both accessible and scenic.

The park has received multiple accolades, including success at the Visit Devon Tourism Awards and, most recently, a Bronze for “Touring Camping & Caravanning Park of the Year” (2025). Sustainability is a defining part of its identity. River Dart Country Park uses a hydro-dynamic screw turbine to generate electricity, biomass heating for its facilities, solar PV, electric site vehicles and an extensive recycling policy.

Its family-friendly Eco Trail helps visitors discover these initiatives first-hand. What truly sets the park apart is its blend of nature, adventure and atmosphere. As many families say, the pirate-ship lake alone makes it “their favourite place ever.”

River Dart Country Park
Ashburton,
Devon,
postcode TQ13 7NP
T. 01364 652511
E. info@riverdart.co.uk
www.riverdart.co.uk

KUBOTA ZERO -TURN TICKS EVERY BOX FOR WINDSOR HOLIDAY PARK

Posted on February 9, 2026

Gareth Hagan, Owner of Windsor Holiday Park, knows the importance of creating a strong first impression for his guests. That’s why, when it comes to the maintenance of the lawned areas of the site – nestled just outside of Newcastle, County Down - nothing less than a ‘bowling green’ finish is acceptable.

Delivering that, alongside significant efficiency and safety benefits and so much more is a ZD1211 from Kubota. Windsor Holiday Park is proudly a five-star, AA Gold-rated resort, family owned and operated by Gareth, his wife and two children. The commitment to quality extends well beyond hospitality – it’s evident in every blade of grass across their 7-acre site.

“The presentation of the grounds is what creates either the right or wrong first impression of someone’s holiday which is why we put so much emphasis on this being perfect” he explains. “I’ve grown up in the industry and was familiar with Kubota, so turned to Laird Grass Machinery when we needed to replace our previous mower.

The team at Laird are absolutely first-class. They knew exactly what we needed and, while we knew the specification of the ZD1211 was going to be spot on, its performance has truly exceeded all expectations.” “We’ve cut our mowing time by 50%.” Gareth expands, “The productivity of this machine is outstanding, and we can navigate between the statics and glamping pods with such ease that the whole job can be done in just half a day in good weather.”

The manoeuvrability of the ZD1211 has also made the day-to-day work much safer and simpler. “Before, we had to reverse in and out of pitches, which isn’t ideal with guests and children moving around. Now, we can turn on the spot, so we’re always forward facing with full line of sight.” From Kubota’s recently expanded Zero-Turn mower range, the ZD1211 prioritises efficiency with a 60” cutting width and hydraulic-lift deck.

Its suspension seat means greater comfort and less operator fatigue – something Gareth and his team of wardens appreciate. “Gone are the days of sore backs… The seat is like nothing else on the market, you could literally have it in your living room!” To reduce the transportation of clippings around the site, Gareth opted to equip the ZD1211 with Kubota’s mulching kit.

“We don’t have capacity to lift grass so this keeps both the site clean and the guests happy.” He concludes, “We’ve now used the ZD1211 for two seasons and the machine continues to impress. The presentation is consistently where we need it to be, the comments we’ve had from guests are incredibly positive and the back up support we’ve had from Laird is second to none – it just ticks every box.”

Find your nearest dealer at www.kubota.co.uk

THE ZD1211’S MANOEUVRABILITY and mulching kit ensure Windsor Holiday Park’s lawns stay immaculate, creating the perfect first impression for guests.

BEST ADULT-ONLY DESTINATION IN SOUTH EAST

Posted on February 9, 2026

THE PARK PROVIDES A NUMBER OF GLAMPING options, hopefully soon to be joined by luxury safari tents

Two Hoots Glamping Site, near Winchester, has been named the Best Adult-Only Site in South East England at this year’s Camping and Glamping Awards. The accolade recognises parks that offer high-quality, peaceful experiences for adults seeking a tranquil escape.

Judges praised owners Shaun and Michele Ascough for providing guests with a “truly great experience” in stunning surroundings. Set in Brighton, close to the South Downs National Park, Two Hoots occupies five acres of countryside rich in wildlife, from hares and red squirrels to deer, pheasants, red kites, glowworms, and pollinators in the park’s wildlife meadow.

Shaun Ascough said the award was a fitting end to a busy year welcoming guests from across the UK and Europe. “There are many superb parks catering to families, but our focus is on peaceful surroundings for adults,” he said. “We attract visitors who want to relax, enjoy the countryside, and leave the stresses of everyday life behind.”

The park has built a loyal following of teachers, childcare professionals, young professionals in campervans, and mature couples. Plans are underway to expand with new luxury safari-style holiday homes. Two Hoots is the only South East England member of the Tranquil Parks consortium and is affiliated with the Holiday and Residential Parks Association. Shaun added: “Our aim has always been to create memorable experiences in an away-from-it-all setting, and this award shows we are on the right track.”

HOLIDAY PARK SECTOR FACE BUDGET CHALLENGES

Posted on February 2, 2026

Properties with a rateable value under £500,000 will benefit from permanently lower business rates.

The UK Autumn Budget 2025 has delivered a mixed picture for the holiday park, caravan park, and hospitality sectors, offering targeted relief for smaller operators but leaving broader structural challenges unresolved.

From April 2026, more than 750,000 retail, leisure, and hospitality properties with a rateable value under £500,000 will benefit from permanently lower business rates multipliers, alongside a £4.3 billion transitional support package. For small holiday parks and caravan sites, this provides welcome certainty and could ease cashflow pressures, particularly for family-run and independent operations.

However, the picture is less rosy for larger operators. Properties with rateable values over £500,000 face a higher multiplier, increasing costs for major holiday parks, hotels, and leisure complexes. Coupled with rising wage pressures—the National Living Wage will rise to £12.71/hour for workers aged 21+ and £10.85/hour for 18–20-year- olds from April 2026—the budget may force larger businesses to make tough operational and investment decisions.

"The Budget offers short-term relief for smaller operators but leaves structural challenges unresolved." - Amanda French, Head of Retail & Leisure at Clarke Willmott LLP

Hospitality alone is expected to face £1.4 billion in additional employment costs next year. Tourist levies, potentially introduced by English mayors, also pose a risk to visitor numbers, with holiday parks and seaside resorts particularly exposed. On a positive note, the budget offers a 40% First Year Allowance for plant and machinery and full expensing for qualifying assets, supporting investment in lodges, leisure facilities, and retail improvements.

Amanda French, Head of Retail & Leisure at Clarke Willmott LLP, said: “The Budget offers short-term relief for smaller operators but leaves structural challenges unresolved. Wage pressures, fiscal drag, and tourist levies risk dampening demand and profitability across all sectors. However, certainty now may help restore consumer confidence and encourage spending over the Christmas period, providing resilience for holiday parks, caravan sites, and hospitality venues alike.”

While smaller parks may breathe a little easier, the Autumn Budget underscores the ongoing need for strategic planning and careful cost management across the wider sector.