England

PARKDEAN LAUNCHES ALL-INCLUSIVE BREAKS

Posted on February 11, 2026

FAMILIES CAN NOW ENJOY hassle-free four-night getaways with meals and unlimited drinks included at 42 Parkdean Resorts across the UK.

Parkdean Resorts is making UK family holidays easier and more affordable than ever with the launch of its all-inclusive offer at 42 parks nationwide. Following a successful trial at ten parks in 2025, the holiday operator is now rolling out the upgrade across coastal and countryside destinations in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Available exclusively on four-night Monday-to-Friday breaks during select spring and early summer dates, the all-inclusive package covers three meals a day and unlimited soft drinks, including Costa Coffee. Prices start from just £25 per adult and £10 per child per day, offering families a simple, cost-effective way to enjoy a stress-free getaway.

For example, a family of four can enjoy four nights of accommodation, meals, and drinks for under £93 per day—a saving of over £300 compared with standard bookings. Guests can book the package in advance or add it after arrival at parks such as Bideford Bay in Devon, Camber Sands in Sussex, or White Cross Bay in the Lake District.

With over 65 parks, Parkdean Resorts provides activities for all ages, from swimming and mini golf to high ropes and arts and crafts, making it one of the UK’s largest and most family-friendly holiday operators. The all-inclusive offer is designed to combine convenience, value, and the beauty of the UK’s most scenic holiday destinations.

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.

PARKDEAN RESORTS CLEANS UP COASTLINE

Posted on November 12, 2025

THE CLEAN-UP TEAM at Parkdean Resort Cayton Bay Holiday Park in Yorkshire.

Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, has celebrated another successful year supporting the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean. More than 150 volunteers from 35 Parkdean Resorts parks across England, Scotland, and Wales collected nearly 300kg of litter from UK beaches.

Now in its eleventh year of participation, Parkdean Resorts also encouraged inland parks and central offices to take part by organising local litter picks and canal path clean-ups. The nationwide initiative, which attracts thousands of volunteers each year, helps the Marine Conservation Society gather essential data to support its marine conservation efforts.

Tim Scott, Head of Sustainability and Energy at Parkdean Resorts, said: “We’re proud to support the Great British Beach Clean once again and grateful to every volunteer who helped us achieve these fantastic results. Initiatives like this reflect our commitment to protecting our parks and giving back to local communities.”

Clare Trotman, Beachwatch Officer at the Marine Conservation Society, added: “We’re so thankful to Parkdean Resorts and their volunteers. Every piece of litter removed helps protect marine life and provides vital data to influence change.” Parkdean Resorts operates 65 parks across the UK, covering 3,500 acres of diverse natural landscapes.

FULLY MANAGED

Posted on July 31, 2025

A New Fully Managed WiFi Service for Parkdean Resorts...

Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s leading holiday park operator, runs 65 parks across England, Scotland, and Wales. Each year, over 3 million guests and 20,000 homeowners rely on its WiFi.

Reliable WiFi is essential—not just for guest satisfaction and loyalty, but also for operations like mobile payments, ordering, and team support. When the old system had reached its limit, Wifinity stepped in to upgrade the infrastructure, boosting performance for both guests and staff.

WIFINITY PROVIDED
• Great connectivity for guests, employees and secure operations
• Simplified guest WiFi user experience
• Premium ‘paid for’ and freemium tiers
• Scalable network to cope with park expansion
• Fully managed service
• Cost effective integration with existing infrastructure

Site surveys began in 2019 and continued through the 2020 COVID-19 closures. Parkdean Resorts used the downtime to restructure and upgrade its WiFi, preparing for growth, expansion and rising guest demand. The upgrade included a direct-to-van (DTV) setup with Cambium backhaul, Ruckus access points and a fully branded captive portal for easier guest access.

A corporate SD-WAN delivers high-speed local internet for cloud services, while a VPN overlay links to private datacentre systems. Both corporate and guest networks are fully managed by Wifinity, which ensures performance, handles network operations with Parkdean, and provides 24/7 UK-based support—so staff can focus on giving guests a great holiday.

THE GUEST USER JOURNEY
• “One and done” process: User connects to login page
• Key lasts indefinitely: Account created key shown and sent
• Works with any device: Home-like connection process
• No interruptions: No need to re-login or re-enter the password

Most of the park is covered, allowing guests to roam without drop-offs, and staff devices stay connected too. During its first full season with the new guest WiFi solution:
• More than 500,000 individual accounts were created
• The premium, paid service generated added revenue
• There was a 400% increase in devices using the optimised DPSK user journey
• Customer satisfaction ratings increased
Wifinity and Parkdean continue to collaborate to improve service and respond to feedback, aiming for a successful 2025 and high guest satisfaction.

THE UPGRADE NOW DELIVERS WIFINITY PROVIDED
• Park-wide, high-speed internet access
• Corporate WiFi service with firewall to run EPOS, guest services and corporate devices
• Automatic onboarding for corporate managed devices with certificate-based network authentication for Parkdean Resorts’ MDM services
• Streaming and entertainment across devices
• High quality VOIP and video calls, supporting remote working
• Home-like guest onboarding using DPSK
• Free or premium ‘paid for’ options
• Flexible plans by day, weekend, week, month or year
• Fully branded Park Connect service
• 24/7 customer services, co-branded communications, help guides
• Monthly service reviews, for customer satisfaction and troubleshooting
• Proactive issue identification and resolution for a better overall network service

Wifinity
020 8090 1290
www.wifinity.co.uk/holidayparkscene

AWAY RESORTS’ NEW ENTERTAINMENT MANAGER

Posted on February 13, 2025

Away Resorts has taken a bold step toward elevating guest experiences by appointing Melody Munday as its new Senior Head of Entertainment Operations. With an impressive 34-year career spanning hospitality, leisure, and entertainment management, Melody is no stranger to transforming experiences into unforgettable memories.

Her resume boasts work with leading UK brands like Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo, where she introduced innovative entertainment concepts that successfully appealed to younger audiences. Now, she’s set to bring that same creativity and expertise to Away Resorts, broadening the scope of live shows, seasonal events, and activities across its 27 parks in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Known for its vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere, Away Resorts has built its reputation on providing memorable holidays with entertainment at the heart. Holidaymakers rave about the unique shows and activities, which are often highlighted in glowing online reviews. Melody’s appointment signals a renewed commitment to enhancing these experiences even further.

AA REVEALS TOP UK STAYCATION SPOTS FOR 2025…

Posted on February 12, 2025

As UK travel trends continue to favour local and sustainable tourism, the annual AA Caravan & Camping Awards have announced the top outdoor accommodation spots for the 2024-25 season.

This year’s winners offer the best of scenic retreats and luxurious glamping, with a new Sustainable Park award showing a growing preference for eco-friendly and unique staycations among UK travellers. The awards celebrated 12 exceptional sites across the country, selected by the AA’s expert inspectors for their outstanding quality and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Categories included AA Glamping Site of the Year, AA Campsite of the Year, and AA Most Improved Campsite of the Year. This year’s winners span the UK, from the rich history and sweeping views from the Isle of Anglesey in Wales to the stunning ancient woodlands nestled within the South Downs of West Sussex.

Hosting the awards, Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, said, “As local travel continues to grow and sustainable tourism gains momentum, we are excited to announce the best camping and caravanning destinations for the upcoming year.

This year’s winners have demonstrated outstanding quality along with a strong dedication to eco-friendly practices and customer satisfaction, making them excellent options for UK travellers.” All winners of the awards feature in the 57th edition of the AA Caravan & Camping Guide, which is £14.99 and available to buy in bookshops now.

Congratulations to all 2024-25 winners, the full list of this year’s AA Caravan and Camping Awards winners can also be found on RatedTrips.com.

Rated Trips by AA Media
The UK’s top campsites and caravan parks for 2025 | AA RatedTrips.com

TRAILBLAZERS OF UK TRAVEL

Posted on November 12, 2024

Campsites across the UK have won in this year’s Caravan and Motorhome Club’s 2024 Awards for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as best newcomer and the Sustainability Award that recognises valuable work being undertaken to protect the environment.

The awards celebrate privately-owned, maximum five-pitch campsites certified locations (CLs) – that are open exclusively to Caravan and Motorhome Club members. Many CLs are found in the countryside and remote locations such as farms, country estates and inns, providing a valuable and additional income stream for the campsite’s owners and local communities, whilst offering more choice for Club members to get out in the great outdoors.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has been a cornerstone of outdoor adventure in the UK for over 116 years, proudly representing the interests of more than 1.1 million caravan, motorhome, campervan, and trailer tent owners. The Club champions the spirit of adventure, helping members make the most of the great outdoors— whether through glamping, touring, or simply enjoying nature.

With an annual membership fee of just £63, members gain access to over 2,700 high-quality campsites across the UK and Europe, all curated to ensure a great value experience. As the UK’s No. 1 rated touring club, the Caravan and Motorhome Club goes above and beyond to deliver savings and exclusive offers, both for touring adventures and at home.

Members can also explore a range of escorted European tours, all protected by ABTA, as well as independent tours in Australasia, North America, and Southern Africa, providing peace of mind during their travels.

With expert advice, comprehensive overseas travel services, and tailored insurance options, the Caravan and Motorhome Club is dedicated to enriching its members’ experiences. To discover more about the benefits of membership and join a community passionate about outdoor adventures.

The Caravan & Motorhome Club
01342 318 813
www.camc.com

THIS YEAR’S WINNERS INCLUDE…

BEST CL IN WALES & OVERALL CL WINNER
Brambles in Anglesey

Brambles is the only campsite to win two categories in this year’s CL awards. The adult-only campsite is perfect for those looking for beach, waterside or peaceful stays.

It is owned by Eric and Sue Marchbanks, avid caravanners themselves, who are members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club and have travelled far and wide in their motorhome, as far as Czechoslovakia.

The campsite offers scenic walkways among three ponds, trees and shrubs, perfect for dog walkers and offers plenty of wildlife for those who like to get close to nature, tourers can expect to find red squirrels, rabbits and ravens.

Owner, Eric comments: “Winning an award is recognition that we are making guests happy and they are wanting to stay here and are enjoying the area surrounding us.”

 

BEST CL IN ENGLAND NORTH
Drake House Farm in Lancashire

Drake House Farm is owned by Ann Chippendale and is located in the Ribble Valley just three miles from the market town of Clitheroe.

The campsite is known for its gorgeous views, excellent dog walks and wildlife. The campsite has peaceful pitches, is an area of outstanding beauty, with its own woodland with a brook.

Owner, Ann Chippendale comments: “It truly is a beautiful location, it’s like the Lake District without the crowds”.

 

 

 

BEST CL IN ENGLAND SOUTH
Goodleigh Hill in Worcestershire

Goodleigh Hill is situated in an ideal spot to explore South Worcestershire and the North Cotswolds.

The campsite is known for its scenic views, dog walks and its convenient location to nearby local eateries and pubs and a short walk to the town of Pershore.

Owners, Matthew and Emily Horton, have ensured the CL is peaceful and clean. It is convenient for those who want to explore the beautiful Malvern Hills and the Malvern Spring.

Emily comments: “Matthew really wanted to help increase the biodiversity here, and he saw that creating a CL that is viable in the fabulous rural countryside would allow him to fulfil his ideas and increase wildlife here.”

 

 

BEST CL IN SCOTLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND
Firbank Park in Aberdeenshire

Firbank Park is set in the beautiful Royal Deeside within Cairngorms National Park, perfect for those who enjoy nature and tranquillity.

The five-acre campsite has hardstanding pitches that are spaced out and each pitch offers an electric hook up and their own fresh water source.

The campsite, owned by Archie and Justine Buchanan, is close to an abundance of walking trails, cycling tracks, and Munros (mountains at least 3,000 ft high) to climb. Additionally, fishing and horse riding are available on the nearby Glen Tanar Estate.

Archie comments: “We have built somewhere that we would want to go to, so we’re hoping that other people will like that as well, and it seems to be the case. It’s like being on our holidays.”

 

BEST NEWCOMER
The Courts in Essex

The Courts campsite, owned by Paul and Collette Murphy, is set in the serene woodlands of Little Baddow and is great for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Tourers can access a multitude of forest rambles and embrace the local wildlife, head off on their bikes for an off-road adventure or visit the local dock for boat rides, canoeing and paddle boarding.

Despite the area’s rural setting, Little Baddow is also close to several larger towns and cities, including Maldon and Chelmsford.

Owner, Paul Murphy comments: “We have lovely walks through ancient woods directly from the site. We’ve got a local pub, local restaurant, paddleboarding and the river nearby so we have a lot to offer.”

 

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Birch Hill in Shropshire

Birch Hill campsite is located in the beautiful lake-lands of Shropshire. The campsite, owned by Major Ian and Janet Kelly, was established over 40 years ago and over the years has received various awards.

This is the 2nd year for the Sustainability Award and Birch Hill has been recognised in this category for its Dark Skies initiative, local links with shops, restaurants and pubs, promotion of formaldehyde-free chemicals on site, and use of renewable energy and water consumption controls.

The campsite is on one of the main Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle routes and Ellesmere is also a great spot for country walks, dog walking and bird watching. Owner, Major Ian Kelly comments:

“Sustainability is not just about what we do around the site, but it’s also about what our guests do - whether it is efficient recycling or helping our local economy, it’s important to note that they’re the ones helping to keep our local shops alive for us.”

SITES IN BLOOM AWARD
Pembrey Country Park Club Campsite & Fairlight Wood Club Campsite

The multi-couple campsite winner for 2024 is Pembrey Country Park Club Campsite in Wales for the second-year running.

Pembrey Country Park Club Campsite is known for its phenomenal summer flowers display and blend of coast and countryside. The 2024 single-couple campsite winner is Fairlight Wood Club Campsite in East Sussex.

This intimate campsite set in flower rich woodland has plenty of footpaths for tourers to wander along. The campsite’s surrounding woodlands are listed as a Biodiversity area that is ideal for nature lovers and spotting wildlife.

 

 

 

 

SITES TO INSPIRE AWARDS
MULTI-COUPLE SITE WINNER
Cayton Village Club Campsite

Cayton Village Club Campsite in North Yorkshire is the 2024 winner of the multi-couple campsite category.

Cayton Village Campsite has had some great improvements over the past few years which has helped to increase visitor satisfaction scores for overall facilities to 9.8 out of 10.

The new improvements include two brand new shower blocks, more touring pitches and new premium pitches, a new designated dog walking area, a multi-use games area and an enclosed playground.

Regional Manager, Phil Monkman, said: “Cayton Village is a relatively newly refurbished site and the campsite staff have worked very hard over the last few seasons to add a unique character.”

 

 

SITES TO INSPIRE AWARDS
SINGLE-COUPLE SITE WINNER
Baltic Wharf Club Campsite

Baltic Wharf Club Campsite in Bristol is the 2024 winner of the single-couple campsite category. This campsite is located in the heart of Bristol’s beautifully redeveloped dockland, near the city centre with lively shops and entertainment.

There is also a selection of boat trips available nearby for tourers looking to discover gorgeous scenic views in the county and many excellent cycling paths for those desiring for an adventure.

Regional Manager, Mark Houghton, said: “Despite the known and inevitable future closure of the campsite, newly promoted site managers Lyndsay & ‘Chelle have placed their hearts and souls into the campsite throughout the season and their comment sums up their enthusiasm: ‘We may not have any control over the campsite’s future, but we CAN control her last season, meaning Baltic Wharf won’t simply fade away with us here to see it out on a high.’”

 

 

SUSTAINABILITY CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
Blackpool South Club Campsite

Also running for its fourth consecutive year is the Sustainability Chairman’s Award, created to celebrate the campsite network’s environmental, social and economic commitments, actions and engagements.

From tree planting and waste reduction projects, growing wild meadows, hosting local food vendors and raising money for local charities, a great range of sustainable activities have taken place at campsites throughout the year.

The entrants were judged on the award criteria by the Club Chairman, David Turner, who made the final decision on the winner of the 2024 Sustainability Chairman’s Award. The 2024 winner is Blackpool South Club Campsite in Blackpool, Lancashire.

The campsite was awarded for its new improvements this year to establish a sustainable environment for their guests. This includes more serviced pitches, upgraded motorhome waste point, roadway resurfacing, solar PV roof panels which provide renewable energy, and ongoing pitch improvements and resurfacing.

 

LANDAL GREENPARKS UK

Posted on November 12, 2024

A market leader in holiday resort management and operations since their inauguration in 1954, the Landal GreenParks portfolio comprises more than 200 resorts in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, France and Denmark.

20 of these parks are spread across England, Scotland and Wales - from five parks in Cornwall, to the furthest north in Dundee. It’s an impressive portfolio, but one with a common ethos. Getting back to nature is at the heart of the Landal GreenParks business.

Despite its size, there is a priority across the entire organisation towards what they refer to as “sustainable and engaged entrepreneurship.” Each of the parks is located at the “heart of nature” in stunning, natural locations.

And a holiday at a Landal GreenParks resort is one that focuses on offering guests the enjoyment of immersive outdoor adventures from the comfort of top-tier accommodation. Their aim: to deliver “unforgettable holidays in nature.”

MUCH OF THE ACCOMMODATION at Landal Barnsoul is designed to bring nature closer to the interior space.

All parks are Green Key accredited, and parks employs an interdepartmental “Green Team” to ensure global sustainability standards are met. At grassroots level this involves everything from using fewer chemicals to installing LED park lighting, from implementing sustainable procurement to accessible accommodation.

Each step is one closer to Landal GreenParks overall goal of being CO2 neutral by 2030. Landal GreenParks UK, with its Head Office in Norwich, offers a diverse range of resorts. From luxury spas like Landal Dylan Coastal Resort and Landal Laceby Manor Resort & Spa, to resorts that focus purely on accommodation in beautiful natural settings, such as Landal North Lakes and Landal Rockingham Forest.

The resorts primarily feature lodge accommodations, but they also provide a wide selection of cottages and apartments. Recently, the brand has expanded its offerings with more innovative options, such as treehouses, domes, and pods, all centred around high quality and luxury. Many accommodations also feature outdoor hot tubs for added relaxation.

Landal GreenParks operate a pure holiday rental model. Some park owners retain ownership of all the accommodation, whilst others sell lodges to lifestyle investors who want a mix of return and some holiday usage. There is plenty to keep guests entertained.

GWARI SPA BARN at Landal Whalesborough Resort & Spa.

Cornish Parks Landal Gwel an Mor and Landal Whalesborough Resort & Spa both feature onsite ‘farms’, giving holidaymakers the chance to interact with animals and explore local wildlife. “At Feadon Wildlife Centre in Landal Gwel an Mor, guests can enjoy a variety of unique experiences,” explains Paul Hardingham, Managing Director of Landal GreenParks UK.

“These include activities such as a night-time Badger Watch, woodland picnic breakfasts, reindeer walks, becoming a ‘keeper for the day,’ owl encounters, and even fox feeding, making Landal Gwel an Mor an ideal choice for family getaways.”

Additionally, the same park has introduced a Wild Kitchen concept, where guests can enjoy a variety of cooking styles under a retractable canvas and hardwood tent, providing an al-fresco dining experience in any weather. Careful expansion is always on the agenda as Landal GreenParks UK seeks to maximise the experience of their guests and capitalise on the continuing demand for staycations.

“Landal GreenParks UK is always seeking new partnerships to help us innovate and introduce the next generation of holiday resorts,” explains Paul Hardingham, Managing Director of Landal GreenParks UK. Landal Whalesborough Resort & Spa and Landal Twin Lakes were added to the Landal GreenParks portfolio in 2024, alongside Scotland’s Landal Whitekirk Hill.

FEADON WILDLIFE Centre in Landal Gwel an Mor offers guests many unique experiences.

Landal Whalesborough Resort & Spa is set in 450 acres of secluded Cornish countryside close to Bude. The park offers a range of 24-character cottages, barn conversions and a refurbished farmhouse dating back to the 14th century. Currently undergoing a multi-million-pound investment, the resort will see 50-60 new, luxury self-catering units developed over the next two years.

Landal Twin Lakes, which makes the most of its superb setting in Carnforth between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, will also see significant expansion plans over the coming years with 60 units available for rental. Earlier this year, Markus Deutsch, Chairman of Landal Twin Lakes, said: “We’re delighted about the partnership with Landal GreenParks - it’s clear our values align on various levels.

All our lodges are made from timber harvested from sustainable forests and classified as contributing towards UK’s ‘Net Zero’ goal.” Another exciting new development opened in Scotland in late Autumn 2023. Landal Barnsoul, set amongst ancient woodland in Dumfries & Galloway, is believed to be the first architect-led holiday resort in the region.

The accommodation is not only extremely innovative in design, but also underpinned by strong environmental credentials. Paul Hardingham, Managing Director of Landal GreenParks UK, said that the organisation had wanted to create a concept holiday resort since launching in the UK and believed that “this site will act as a blueprint for the future of the sector.”

INNOVATIVE AND MODERN accommodation at Landal North Lakes.

He continued: “To help us achieve this objective we have worked with different architects and interior designers to create new lodge styles to offer the very best of modern and innovative living in a wonderful part of the UK countryside. Landal Barnsoul aims to be one of the greenest and most technologically advanced parks in Europe”

The lodges at Barnsoul are designed to combine the outdoor experience of modern glamping, with the interior look and feel of a boutique hotel. Each Landal GreenParks resort is firmly rooted in its local community but with some 6,000 employees across the wider company, the organisation also recognises that having an enthusiastic and motivated team is essential to the success of the business.

Potential challenges affecting all organisations within the sector include rising operating costs and staffing difficulties, especially in rural and remote locations. Paul Hardingham, Managing Director of Landal GreenParks UK says: “We are committed to creating an environment that attracts and retains talented staff while leveraging innovation and automation to eliminate repetitive administrative tasks.”

Key initiatives that have been introduced to this end include keyless check-in, digital food ordering and automated facility cleaning. These measures free up staff to focus on what they do best, providing excellent service to Landal GreenParks UK’s guests.

Landal GreenParks Resort
www.landal.co.uk
01603 367 066

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MARTYN’S LAW?

Posted on August 7, 2024

Compass Insurance takes time to tell us about something a little different than the usual world of insurance but about some legislation that, potentially, could affect many parks.

WHAT IS MARTYN’S LAW?
To give it the correct title, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill is a piece of legislation contained within the King’s Speech last November. It has recently completed a public consultation and the Home Office will respond on this in the near future with a view to pushing the Act through Parliament in the current term.

It will be applicable across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This Bill has its origins in the Manchester Concert Bomb attack in 2017, where alongside 21 others Martyn Hyett lost his life. Since the attack, a campaign has been led by Martyn’s mum to pass a law requiring hospitality and retail venues to improve their awareness of and their level of security against terrorist threat.

WHAT WILL MARTYN’S LAW DO?
Through Martyn’s Law premises will be better prepared, ready to respond and their staff will know what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. It will enhance public safety by ensuring there is better preparedness for, and protection from, terrorist attacks. This will be done by mandating, for the first time, who is responsible for considering the risk from terrorism and how they would respond to a terrorist attack at certain premises and events.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME?
The proposed law will require any venue with a capacity for over 100 people to carry out certain measures and assessments to be able to lawfully conduct their business. There are several requirements for a venue to fall under the jurisdiction of Martyn’s Law, including:

• Premises and events must be open to the public.
• The premises’ purpose must be listed in the bill – these can include retail areas, events venues, entertainment, and leisure venues, etc.
• Premises must have capacity for at least 100 people.
• Premises may be a building or location with clearly defined boundaries and access routes (by permission).
• Temporary events like festivals are also included in the bill, where they need permission to enter and a capacity of more than 800 people.
• It is proposed that there will be a standard tier (100 to 799 capacity) and an enhanced tier (over 800 capacity).

THE TERRORISM (Protection of Premises) Bill is a piece of legislation contained within the King’s Speech last.

STANDARD TIER
Under Martyn’s Law, the standard tier is a baseline measure for venues with a capacity between 100 and 799. The Bill will aim to set out low-cost, practical, and effective measures to help improve preparedness in case of an attack. This may include sharing information, providing additional training for staff, and creating a preparedness plan to ingrain certain practices.

Examples include locking doors to prevent easy progress through a venue, or providing enhanced first-aid training to staff members so they can provide vital care before the emergency services arrive. Currently, the standard tier of Martyn’s Law is under consultation before it can be formalised.

This is because the law needs to provide a proportionate response that is possible for smaller venues to achieve, without being a burden. This balance is essential, as the law is designed to protect people, not penalise businesses because they don’t have the infrastructure or budget to meet the new requirements.

ENHANCED TIER
Larger events and venues, with 800+ capacity, will fall under the enhanced tier of Martyn’s Law. The enhanced tier has additional requirements to fulfil, largely in recognition that there is the possibility for more serious ramifications of a successful attack at a larger venue, like the number and severity of injuries, and the difficulty of a response on a large scale.

Measures under the enhanced tier include taking ‘reasonably practicable’ actions to reduce the risk of a terrorist attack and reduce the physical harm caused, keeping, and updating an assessed security document and designating a ‘senior member’ of staff for the venue or event.

THE PROPOSED LAW will require any venue with a capacity for over 100 people to carry out certain measures and assessments to be able to lawfully conduct their business.

SO, WILL THIS REALLY AFFECT ME?
Most clubhouses, bars and cafés will have a capacity of over 100, especially if outside tables/seating are included (which must be when calculating capacity!) and any members of staff that are involved in serving in this area at the time should also be included. From time to time, we receive requests from parks to cover festivals, displays or exhibitions that may exceed the 800 attendance mark. Below are some of the covers that may be relevant to members when Martyn’s Law is passed.

• Material Damage and Business Interruption
• Terrorism cover is very rarely purchased by holiday parks as terrorist attacks most often occur in cities and major towns.
• We are not suggesting park owners rush out and buy this as the proposed legislation does not impact a park’s decision to purchase this cover.
• Employers’ Liability (EL)
• Standard EL cover will include a limit for terrorism – usually £5 million for any one claim.
• Public Liability (PL)
• Standard PL will also include an inner limit for terrorism, usually £5 million for any one claim.

Once this legislation is passed, if members have a qualifying venue, then they will be required by law to carry out the necessary risk assessments and implement any necessary risk controls. So, this isn’t the law yet, but it could be pretty soon and it’s helpful to know what might be coming down the track.

One final note – there are plenty of ‘deals’ being offered from training companies at the moment with comprehensive-looking packages and services available. Our advice is to ignore all of them at this stage! The full parameters are not known at this time and the legislation is still being formulated.

Compass Insurance
0344 274 0876
www.compassparks.co.uk

BLUE FLAGS FLY ON PRISTINE SHORES

Posted on August 6, 2024

SEASIDE AWARDS are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.

In total 150 sites – made up of 148 beaches, along with a marina and an inland bathing water - in England have been presented with awards recognising the quality of the sites, the way they are managed and the facilities they offer to visitors. Seventy two beaches across the country met the high standards required for a Blue Flag award - the world’s most recognised award for beaches, marinas and inland bathing waters. The Blue Flag was also achieved by the Royal Albert Dock and Salthouse Dock in Liverpool and Rutland Water in Oakham, East Midlands, which is the first inland water to achieve a Blue Flag, alongside a Seaside Award. Two beaches - Sandbanks in Poole and Oddicombe in Torbay, Devon - have scooped the Blue Flag award every year since it was launched 37 years ago. In order to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria. A further 136 beaches - six of which are newcomers - are proudly displaying Seaside Awards and this includes 60 that have achieved both Blue Flag and Seaside Awards. Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “It’s wonderful to see the flags flying proudly over these 150 fantastic beaches that are a real asset to both residents and from visitors across the country”.