Dorset Tourism Awards

WISH YOU WERE HERE

Posted on May 6, 2026

Back of Beyond Touring, Camping & Glamping Park

Back of Beyond Touring, Camping & Glamping Park in St Leonards, Dorset, is a beautifully run adults-only retreat that blends peaceful woodland surroundings with excellent facilities and warm, attentive management.

Run by Martin and Victoria Bowrey since 2013, the 30-acre, five-star park has grown a loyal following for its calm atmosphere, spacious layout and thoughtful touches that make every visit feel restorative. The park offers 98 well-maintained pitches, ranging from fully serviced options to astroturf and non-electric pitches, ensuring that both touring guests and traditional campers are well catered for.

Those seeking something a little different can choose from cosy glamping pods, huts or even a yurt, all nestled among the woodland, lakes and heathland that define the site’s character. Facilities are excellent: two modern amenities blocks provide clean toilets and showers, while Monty’s Bar and a rotation of visiting caterers create a friendly social hub in the evenings.

Guests also benefit from on-site Wi-Fi, a handy shop stocked with essentials and locally sourced treats, and a dog wash—perfect after exploring the park’s extensive woodland. Nature lovers will particularly appreciate the dedicated wildlife lakes, part of a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the 18 acres of off-lead dog-walking woodland.

There’s even a rustic pitch-and-putt golf course for relaxed afternoons outdoors. The team’s commitment to sustainability is evident through their recycling efforts, support for local producers and on-site beehives, whose honey is sold in the park shop—a charming and delicious reminder of their eco-friendly ethos. Location is another major draw.

Just three miles from Ringwood, the park is well placed for exploring Moors Valley Country Park, Avon Valley Country Park, the New Forest National Park and the sandy beaches of Bournemouth. It’s easy to see why Back of Beyond has earned recognition including Dorset Tourism Awards for both Best Campsite and Dog Friendly Business, plus a place among the Top 100 Sites and Adult-Only winner for 2025.

Peaceful, welcoming and impeccably maintained, Back of Beyond offers the perfect escape for adults seeking tranquillity, nature and a touch of comfort in one of Dorset’s most scenic corners.

Back of Beyond Touring, Camping & Glamping Park
St Leonards,
Dorset
01202 876968
info@backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk
www.backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk

RAISING THE BAR

Posted on May 6, 2026

MAJOR UPGRADES and new attractions are set to welcome guests at Highfield Grange and Vauxhall Holiday Parks in Spring.

Park Upgrades Keeping Guests Coming Back

In the highly competitive UK holiday park sector, the key to keeping guests returning season after season is continual reinvestment. Operators who regularly refresh their facilities, introduce new activities, and enhance the overall guest experience build loyalty, generate repeat bookings, and stay ahead of market expectations.

Modern holidaymakers increasingly seek parks that combine high-quality accommodation with engaging leisure, entertainment, and dining options. Failing to evolve can leave even established parks struggling to meet rising expectations. Innovation doesn’t always have to mean massive expenditure, but a well-thought-out investment strategy can transform a park’s appeal.

From upgrading play areas and leisure complexes to introducing new sports and interactive attractions, small and large enhancements alike contribute to guest satisfaction. Successful investments often have a dual purpose: elevating the visitor experience while supporting local employment and boosting regional tourism.

Operators who take a proactive approach to upgrades also position themselves strongly in awards, reviews, and media coverage, which further strengthens their reputation and revenue. In this issue, we look at some of the standout examples of investment and upgrades across the UK, from multi-million-pound leisure developments to creative re-imagining of classic park attractions, demonstrating how operators are keeping their parks fresh, exciting, and profitable.

“There is a strong argument for rethinking some of the attractions our industry has long provided – and Footgolf is a perfect illustration of this.” - James Loveridge, Highlands End Holiday Park

Parkdean Resorts - £50M Investment
Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, is set to invest £50 million across its portfolio in 2026, focusing on both facilities and guest experiences. Highfield Grange Holiday Park in Essex and Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth will each receive £5 million in upgrades, introducing new attractions such as indoor adventure golf, upgraded high and low ropes courses, and immersive Bear Grylls escape rooms.

Existing Tots Zones are being expanded, and off-road driving ranges will offer activities for children aged four and over. A new sports bar concept, Hat-Tricks, will combine food and drinks with interactive indoor sports like darts and shuffleboard. Beyond enhancing guest experiences, the investment will generate up to 100 new jobs in the local communities.

Steve Richards, CEO, emphasises the importance of ongoing investment: “Guests return to us year after year because they trust us to deliver the quality and consistency they expect. We are committed to raising standards to remain at the forefront of the UK holiday market.” Parkdean Resorts’ record results and numerous Tripadvisor accolades reflect how a well-planned investment strategy pays dividends, reinforcing both brand reputation and customer loyalty.

INNOVATIVE AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Highlands End’s Footgolf course reimagines a classic park attraction.

Highlands End Holiday Park – Footgolf Innovation
Not all upgrades require huge budgets. At Highlands End Holiday Park in Dorset, marketing chief James Loveridge replaced the traditional pitch-and-putt course with an 18-hole Footgolf course in May 2024.

The result? More than 15,000 visitors have taken part, generating a twentyfold increase in revenue compared with the old course. The course, designed in-house using local suppliers for obstacles, ramps, and themed signage, combines fun with a family-friendly challenge, appealing to both children and adults.

Loveridge believes the success demonstrates that rethinking traditional attractions can refresh guest engagement and create new profit centres. The park’s recognition in the Dorset Tourism Awards highlights the value of innovative thinking combined with minimal investment.

BROTHERS PHIL AND TIM Brierley mark 60 years since their parents pioneered York House Leisure.

York House Leisure – Celebrating 60 Years with £1M Investment
York House Leisure, a family-run group in North Yorkshire, celebrated its diamond anniversary with a £1 million investment across its parks, including residential parks and the popular visitor attraction Monk Park Farm.

The upgrade included a new animal barn and enhancements to existing attractions. Brothers Phil and Tim Brierley, along with sister Heather, emphasise that the business philosophy of constant reinvestment keeps parks appealing while supporting local employment and community engagement. York House Leisure welcomes more than 80,000 visitors annually, and ongoing upgrades ensure both holidaymakers and residential park residents enjoy a high-quality, safe, and enjoyable environment.

These examples highlight that investment and upgrades are not just about adding attractions— they’re about maintaining standards, enhancing experiences, and building guest loyalty. Whether through multi-million-pound leisure complexes, innovative low-cost attractions, or ongoing enhancements to play areas and facilities, UK holiday park operators are demonstrating that reinvestment is essential for long-term success.

From large operators like Parkdean Resorts to family-run groups such as York House Leisure, the message is clear: staying ahead of guest expectations requires vision, creativity, and a commitment to continual improvement, ensuring visitors return year after year.

Highlands End Holiday Park
www.wdlh.co.uk

Parkdean Resorts
www.parkdeanresorts.co.uk

York House Leisure
www.yhlparks.co.uk

Triple Gold For Dorset Park Group

Posted on January 27, 2014

Triple Gold For Dorset Park Group

West Dorset Holidays were the big winners of the night at the Dorset Tourism Awards inaugural ceremony. Pic: Nick Williams Photographer.

West Dorset Leisure Holidays pulled off a hat trick of wins at the recent Dorset Tourism Awards.

The family-owned holiday park based in Bridport scooped two gold accolades for its flagship Highlands End holiday park. It took both the Holiday Park of the Year title, and the Sustainable Tourism award.

The icing on the cake came when the group’s managing director Martin Cox was awarded a special honour for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism.

Launched for the first time this year, the awards highlight the many excellent businesses operating across the county as well as promote Dorset itself as a top quality destination. The competition attracted 60 entries, each undergoing a rigorous three-stage judging process including visits by a team of mystery shoppers, and final assessment by an independent judging panel. Finalists came from across the county with hotels, pubs, attractions, festivals, holiday parks and B&Bs amongst the list of winners.

West Dorset Leisure Holidays’ Sustainable Tourism award also follows other honours won for its care for the natural world, including recently the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level. A host of environmental initiatives at Highlands End have included energy-saving measures and successful moves to protect wildlife with the creation of animal and bird habitats.

The park has also been praised for its links with the local community, and its charity work which includes raising over £36,000 for the Jurassic Coast Trust over the past five years.

Although the cliff-top Highlands End holiday park is no stranger to awards, Mr Cox said he was especially delighted for it to be named as Dorset’s Holiday Park of the Year and that his personal award for outstanding contribution to tourism had come as a complete surprise.

Highlands End, along with other category winners, will now be fast-tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in January 2014. Success here will then see winners move on to the National Visit England Awards later in 2014.