Caravan Park

PICTURE PERFECT

Posted on May 16, 2024

Landal GreenParks offer an impressive 18 locations across the UK and Europe with new destinations being steadily added. I was immediately struck by the immaculate grounds and welcoming atmosphere as I arrived at Landal Gwel an Mor holiday resort at Portreath, near Redruth in Cornwall.

Set against the backdrop of rolling hills and overlooking the turquoise shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean, Landal Gwel an Mor presents a postcard-perfect scene that promises relaxation and adventure in equal measure. Boasting 140 lodges, accommodation options at the resort are varied and cater to every taste and preference.

From cozy Scandinavian lodges nestled in woodland settings to contemporary luxury eco-friendly lodges boasting panoramic sea views, there’s something to suit families, couples, and solo travellers alike. The Scandinavian-style lodges with stylish decor feature kitchens, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, as well as furnished sundecks.

THERE ARE 18 STYLES of accommodation offered with the 140 lodges on site.

Some have hot tubs and barbecue grills.There’s a Mediterranean restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Other amenities include an indoor pool and a spa, as well as a sauna, a steam room and a gym. Walking paths, tennis courts and rental bikes are also available.

During my stay, I opted for one of the eco-friendly lodges, which seamlessly blended modern amenities with sustainable design, providing a comfortable and guilt-free stay. One of the highlights of Landal Gwel an Mor is its commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship.

The on-site nature reserve, home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, offers guests the opportunity to reconnect with nature through guided walks and wildlife encounters. Whether observing the wide variety of birds between trees or spotting seals basking by nearby cliffs, the resort’s dedication to preserving Cornwall’s natural beauty is truly commendable.

LANDAL GWEL AN MOR presents a postcard-perfect setting including its fishing lake.

GREAT ESCAPE
For those seeking relaxation, the resort’s leisure facilities are second to none. The luxurious spa, with its range of indulgent treatments and serene ambiance, provided the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Meanwhile, the heated swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness centre catered to guests looking to maintain their wellness routines while on vacation.

Adventure awaits around every corner at Landal Gwel an Mor, with a plethora of outdoor activities to suit all interests. From surfing and kayaking along the rugged coastline to exploring nearby hiking trails and picturesque fishing villages, there’s no shortage of ways to immerse oneself in Cornwall’s rich natural heritage.

The resort’s dedicated activity centre offers expert guidance and equipment rental, ensuring that guests can make the most of their time outdoors. No visit to Landal Gwel an Mor would be complete without sampling the culinary delights on offer. The on-site restaurant, The Terrace, serves up an array of locally sourced dishes, showcasing the best of Cornwall’s culinary heritage.

From freshly caught seafood to hearty traditional fare, each meal was a culinary journey that delighted the senses and left me eager for more. Landal Gwel an Mor holiday resort offers a truly unforgettable holiday experience in the heart of Cornwall. With its breathtaking surroundings, top-notch amenities, and commitment to sustainability, it’s a destination that caters to the discerning traveller seeking both relaxation and adventure.

ON SITE FACILITIES include an indoor soft play area.

LANDAL LABEL
Landal GreenParks is a market leader in the field of holiday resort management, operation, and rentals. Landal GreenParks has more than 100 resorts in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, offering a total of almost 14.000 holiday accommodation units and campsite pitches.

Taking the portfolio to 18 destinations, Landal GreenParks UK announced the addition of two new resorts into its UK portfolio earlier this year. The new sites, which will benefit from a multimillion-pound investment, will showcase the Landal experience and build on the strong demand for UK holidays in 2024. Landal Whalesborough Resort & Spa in Bude, Cornwall and Landal Twin Lakes in The Lake District.

Each year, more than 3.2 million guests opt for Landal GreenParks, resulting in a total of 15.6 million overnight stays. The resorts and the company’s various offices employ a staff of 3.500 people. A proactive approach to sustainability has resulted in all Landal GreenParks’ resorts obtaining Green Key certification. Landal say they have witnessed a surge in last minute bookings that is driving an increase in summer holiday sales.

ATTENTION TO décor detail makes an immediate impact.

The self-catering holiday specialist has seen summer bookings up 20% YoY, with 30% of its breaks being taken within a month and 10% going within a week of being booked. The south-west continues to be the best-performing region for Landal GreenParks UK, with new and additional accommodation offering at its resorts, helping contribute to a 30% increase in summer bookings compared to last year.

There is also demand in the Midlands, Yorkshire and Scotland due to pet friendly staycations – with bookings up 25% compared to 2022. The company has also noticed a trend for shorter summer breaks, with almost a third of all summer bookings being for four nights. Landal GreenParks UK launched their summer campaign with up to 40% off summer breaks starting from £479.

Landal Resorts
Landal Gwel an Mor
Tel. 01209 842354
www.landal.co.uk/gwel-an-mor

CELEBRATING HAMPSHIRE’S TOURISM STARS

Posted on May 16, 2024

Winchester MP Steve Brine has marked this spring’s English Tourism Week with a visit to a family’s wildlife-friendly glamping park near the village of Bighton near Winchester in Hampshire. Mr Brine was the guest of Two Hoots Glamping Site where he was welcomed by Shaun Ascough and his wife Michele who say they put sustainability at the top of their business agenda.

The couple acquired the park three years ago as their “dream project” after spending a career in property development both in the UK and South Africa. Now, they told the MP, their ambition is to embark on a new holiday park development of super-luxury accommodation which will include eco-lodges with a minimal carbon footprint.

Mr Brine was shown around the five-acre grounds which, said Shaun Ascough, are a ‘wildlife wonderland’ for a host of different animal, bird and plant species. The hilltop site, where guests can enjoy panoramic views across the Hampshire countryside, includes hare, red squirrels, deer, pheasants, red kites and even glowworms among its residents.

The MP was also shown an oak-frame barn which the family is converting as their new home, and which will use solar power and an air source heat pump to generate much of its own energy.

EV charging points for guests with electric cars are hoped to be installed soon, and the couple – who have three grown-up children – will be creating extra wildlife habitats around the park. There is also a wildflower meadow with many different native blooms which, said Shaun, provide vital foraging for honey bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

LUXURY GIRLIE STAYS IN SCOTLAND

Posted on May 16, 2024

Girls’ weekends away aren’t new, but more and more female groups are looking for a getaway where they can really get away from everything. A place where there are few people, no nightclubs and definitely no kiss me quick hats!!

Combining luxury, stunning scenery and a quiet bar and restaurant nearby, Loch Tay Highland Lodges, one of Largo Leisure Holidays stunning, Scottish parks in Perthshire, has two unique premium houses perfect for groups looking to relax, reconnect and recharge.

Not only is it the best way to spend time together, but also the best way to clear your own mind and keep your mental health on a high being away from home while still having home comforts. Loch Tay House sleeps up to 10 people, perfect for those big groups of friends to go away together without having to find separate accommodation, meaning you can enjoy each other’s company morning, noon, and night.

The house boasts five beautiful bedrooms, four of which are en-suite, a large upper living room, and its own secluded private garden. As you step outside, the 10-person hot tub and stunning garden views, give you a great place to all relax together for a chilled girl’s night in.

Mill House sleeps up to eight with 4 bedrooms, including similar facilities for your dream girls’ trip. Their downstairs snug TV room is just what you need to sit back with a glass of wine and watch your favourite chick-flick together after an evening in the hot-tub with views of waterfalls which run alongside the property.

Founded in 2003, then in March 2022, the group was acquired by Limerston Capital. Largo Leisure Parks offer award winning glamping and lodge holidays in six stunning areas of Scotland. Each park has its own unique characteristics and offers a varied choice of holiday accommodation to rent and own including self-catering glamping, wooden cabins, cottages, deluxe beach huts, premium lodges, and caravans.

BEACHES IN INSTAGRAM FRAME

Posted on May 16, 2024

New research has revealed that Cornwall’s Kynance Cove is the UK’s most Instagrammable beach in the UK. A study by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analysed Instagram hashtag data and the length of 50 of the UK’s most popular beaches to find the top ten beaches and coves with the highest hashtags per metre count.

The study found that Kynance Cove in Cornwall is the most Instagrammable beach in the UK. The cove has over 66,000 posts on Instagram, and with a length of just 200 metres, this equates to 331 posts per metre. Kynance Cove is known for its white sands and turquoise as the cove is part of the National Trust.

Taking second place is Brighton Beach, located in East Sussex. The popular tourist hotspot has over one million posts on Instagram, which equates to 214 posts per metre of the three-mile-long beach. Brighton Beach is host to multiple watersports such as windsurfing, Kayaking and sailing for tourists to enjoy.

Fistral Beach is the third most Instagrammable beach, with over 134,000 posts. Fistral Beach is often called the UK’s best surfing location and has 180 posts on Instagram per metre of beach. The beach is home to the international surfing centre and holds many surfing-related contests and events throughout the year.

CALL FOR STANDING CHARGE ACTION

Posted on May 16, 2024

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called for the energy regulator Ofgem to take action on the standing charges paid by small businesses, many of whom have seen the daily fixed price they pay, regardless of usage levels, soar over recent months.

FSB has written to Ofgem’s chief executive Jonathan Brearley to draw his attention to the issue, and to recognise the “specific, negative impact standing charges are having on small firms”. Small businesses based in rural areas have been disproportionately affected by standing charge increases, which exacerbates the existing rural-urban divide and ‘[undermines] efforts to level up more remote parts of the UK’, the FSB’s letter says.

Standing charges are used to fund network infrastructure, operating costs, and policy costs for schemes such as the Warm Home Discount, but this can be difficult for small firms to comprehend. Business customers are not covered by the energy price cap for consumers and many small firms suspect that their costs have been hiked as a result.

FSB’s Policy Chair, Tina McKenzie, commented: “We want Ofgem to do a thorough review of standing charges for businesses as well as consumers, for better transparency and to discern whether energy companies are behaving fairly towards their small firm clients. “Small business energy customers behave in a way more akin to consumers than big businesses, lacking the resources, the expertise and the buying power necessary to get the best possible deal out of their energy suppliers.

However, they do not benefit from anything like the same level of protection as that rightly available to households, leaving them caught between two stools. “Many small businesses could be forgiven for suspecting that they have been seen as something of a soft target for price hikes in their standing charges, and they do not have a full picture of where the money they pay on a daily basis is going – something that needs to change.”

Helping you have a more sustainable and cost-effective future!

Posted on May 15, 2024

Helping You Have A More Sustainable & Cost-Effective Future!

The rising cost of energy bills has become increasingly concerning across the industry, with many looking at making their holiday parks greener and switching to an alternative energy supply. Although CPES manufacture a large number of electrical distribution units, we also have a number of options to support your solar installations.

The flexibility within our products sets us apart from others in the industry, allowing us to suit your specification. When it comes to solar output, it’s proven the highest period is April to October which conveniently coincides with your park visitors – meaning you can save money during peak season.

At Caravan Park Electrical Services we manufacture our Mains Panels and Distribution Units to incorporate the appropriate safety components ensuring you have a panel which supports your solar installation. Alongside these products, we manufacture Inverter Isolation Panels allowing you to isolate the solar panel supply enabling the appropriate work to be carried out. If you’re looking to move from traditionally wired lights to solar powered, our portfolio holds both low and high-level options.

If you’re looking for supporting infrastructure for your solar installation, contact a member of the team who can talk you through the options!

Caravan Park Electrical Services Ltd
Tel: 01790 753153
enquiries@cpes.co.uk
www.cpes.co.uk

HOLIDAYS ON A SHOESTRING

Posted on May 15, 2024

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.

LONDON MEET IS JUST CAPITAL

Posted on March 13, 2024

LONDON MEET IS JUST CAPITAL

DEVON MP Kevin Foster was invited by Beverley Holidays to the recent British Holiday & Home Parks Association annual conference.

Devon MP Kevin Foster was invited by Beverley Holidays to the recent British Holiday & Home Parks Association annual conference. Torbay MP Kevin Foster was the guest of Paignton’s Beverley Holidays at February’s annual conference of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.

Held at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster, just a short distance from Parliament, the event was attended by representatives from many of Britain’s 3000-plus holiday parks. The MP was welcomed to the conference by Beverley directors Claire Flower, Nicola Furneaux and Gary Furneaux whose family business last year marked its 65th anniversary.

Started originally by Claire and Nicola’s grandparents in the 1950s, Beverley Holidays is today one of Devon’s most thriving park enterprises providing over 50,000 bed nights each year. It employs up to 180 people in the main holiday season, and maintains 70 full-time posts all year round with training opportunities for those seeking a career in tourism and hospitality.

Kevin Foster heard at the conference how the park was currently investing in new top-end accommodation and guest facilities for visiting families and holiday home buyers in 2024: “For 65 years, Beverley Holidays has been making magical holiday memories for those who visit our beautiful bay at the heart of the English Riviera,” he said. “For Torbay, family fun is a serious business, with thousands of local jobs and many businesses supported by our holiday parks.

“They make our bay what it is, and it was great to join the team from Beverley Holidays at the conference to reflect on how national policy can further support them,” added Kevin Foster. Claire Flower told the MP that Beverley was proud to be able to play a major role in the tourism economy of East Devon, and that its visitors supported many other local businesses.

The conference, she said, had coincided with the publication of a new independent study which examined the economic impact of holiday parks in the UK. It found that parks generate £12.2bn in visitor expenditure each year in the UK and provide over 226,000 FTE jobs whilst representing 5% of the GDP of all UK tourism.

EXPANSION GETS THE GO AHEAD

Posted on March 13, 2024

EXPANSION GETS THE GO AHEAD

The multi-million expansion of a south Pembrokeshire holiday park, that will create dozens of new jobs and provide a welcome boost for regional tourism and leisure, has been given the green light by Pembrokeshire County Council. The proposed development at the Heritage Park, Stepaside, will be delivered by Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd.

It will result in the provision of 48 new, high-quality holiday lodges, along with an equestrian centre, five-star leisure spa, café, and cycle hire facility. The £6 million project will expand the local tourism offer while also breathing new life into a former pub, craft village and animal farm that have been abandoned and vacant for a number of years.

Heritage Park sits within a popular tourism location, attracting high levels visitors due to its close proximity to the seaside resort of Tenby as well as other local attractions and towns, including Saundersfoot. According to the Welsh Government, Pembrokeshire is ranked as the fifth overall most visited local authority in Wales, with millions of people coming to the region from within the UK and overseas annually.

The proposed development will provide a significant boost to the local economy in this area. An economic impact assessment estimates that people staying at the site are expected to spend significantly within the area, and together with Park spending, there will be an extra nearly £1 million additional expenditure in the local economy each year. Jobs will also be created during construction phase of the development, which is now expected to start next year.

These will be in addition to a number of full-time and part-time jobs that will be created once the park and the other the associated leisure facilities fully open for business. Working on behalf of the owner and operator, Helen Ashby-Ridgway, planning director at the Cardiff office of planning and development consultancy Lichfields, said Heritage Park is well-deserving of its 5* Visit Wales award.

Karl Watson, owner of Heritage Leisure Development, added: “We’re clearly delighted to have secured approval, which marks the next phase in ambitious proposals to provide top quality hospitality and leisure facilities in south Pembrokeshire for holiday- makers and visitors. This project will also breathe new life into a location that’s ready to be transformed, signalling a new chapter for the local area and creating opportunities and jobs for local people.”

SMART MOVE FOR WELSH PARK

Posted on March 13, 2024

SMART MOVE FOR WELSH PARK

THREE CLIFFS’ TWO CAPELLE 2HCX and Capella 2HCX Lifted comfortably deliver up to 80 miles with their 210AH batteries.

When Three Cliffs Bay needed new utility vehicles to maintain the five-star standard at its holiday park in Gower, Wales, it chose STAR EV. In the move it upgraded to lithium power from petrol and that is always a smart move. From full charge to discharge, STAR smart lithium batteries deliver higher peak power for improved performance all round.

It delivers full power for longer drive distance with no sacrifice in power. Maintenance-free STAR Smart Lithium batteries take a charge, hold a charge, and recharge over 2,000 times. With an extremely low self-discharge rate, the batteries provide maintenance free peace of mind, while Android and iPhone Smart Lithium app monitors battery usage, voltage and temperature, so STAR smart batteries are ready to go when the day’s work starts.

There need be no anxiety when it comes to range. Three Cliffs opted for two Capella 2HCX vehicles, which comfortably deliver up to 80 miles with their 210AH battery and a Capella 2HCX Lifted which offers similar features but with great off road capability and higher ground clearance.

Tom Beynon, owner of Three Cliffs Bay, confirms the point: “These machines have proved to us very quickly that they can take on all the tasks we need them to without any difference in productivity to their petrol counterparts and without disturbance. “We use them for rubbish collection and recycling. The big, strong cargo area at the back of the Lifted and the fact that we can add a trailer means it’s become part of our gardening arsenal too.”

Reesink
Tel. 01480 226800
www.reesink-evehicles.co.uk

THE CAPELLA 2HCX Lifted offers great off-road capability and higher ground clearance.