family values

A NORFOLK COASTAL CLASSIC

Posted on May 5, 2026

Blending tradition, variety, and year-round family-run excellence on the Hunstanton coast...

 

Located on the beautiful North West Norfolk coastline in Hunstanton, Searles Leisure Resort is one of the region’s most established and well-loved family-run holiday parks.
Known for its welcoming atmosphere, wide range of accommodation, and strong sense of tradition, the resort continues to attract families, couples, and holiday home owners seeking a classic British seaside escape with modern comforts.
Set against the backdrop of Norfolk’s sweeping coastline and famously sunny microclimate, Searles offers a complete holiday experience where guests can relax, explore, and enjoy a wide variety of on-site facilities and activities.

 

A TRUE FAMILY-RUN COASTAL RESORT
At the heart of Searles is its identity as a long-standing family business. This heritage is evident throughout the park, from the warm welcome guests receive on arrival to the ongoing focus on quality, care, and consistency across all areas of the resort.
The park is also a significant local employer, with up to 250 staff members working across the site depending on seasonal demand. This workforce plays a vital role in maintaining the resort’s high standards across accommodation, entertainment, dining, maintenance, and guest services.
This strong team structure ensures that whether guests are staying for a weekend break or a longer summer holiday, they benefit from a seamless and well-supported experience.

SEARLES LEISURE RESORT offers a traditional seaside escape on the North West Norfolk coast.

A WIDE RANGE OF ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Searles Leisure Resort offers one of the most diverse accommodation selections in the region, catering to a wide variety of holiday preferences and budgets. The resort features 153 holiday hire units, including well-appointed lodges and comfortable holiday homes designed to provide a home-from-home experience close to the sea.
For guests seeking a more flexible or traditional outdoor stay, Searles also offers dedicated touring and camping facilities, including pitches for tents and tourers. These areas are popular with returning visitors who enjoy the freedom of outdoor holidays combined with access to resort amenities. In addition, the resort provides camping pods, offering an elevated camping experience that bridges the gap between traditional camping and lodge-style comfort.
These are particularly popular with families and couples looking for something a little different while still enjoying the outdoor environment. This mix of accommodation types ensures that Searles appeals to a broad audience — from first-time campers to long-standing holiday homeowners.

A complete holiday experience where guests can relax, explore, and enjoy on-site activities.

LEISURE, ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT
Searles Leisure Resort continues to enhance its guest experience with a wide and varied programme of activities designed to suit all ages and interests. Among the most popular recent additions are outdoor cinema experiences, which offer guests the chance to enjoy films under the stars in a relaxed and social setting.
This has quickly become a highlight of the seasonal entertainment calendar. Another standout activity is laser clay shooting, which adds a more adventurous and unique offering to the resort’s leisure programme. These experiences reflect Searles’ commitment to providing more than just accommodation, focusing instead on creating memorable and engaging holidays.
Alongside these, the resort continues to offer a full programme of family-friendly entertainment, ensuring there is always something happening on site throughout the season. Looking ahead, Searles is also developing a new range of safari-style bell tents, which will introduce a fresh glamping option to the park.
This addition reflects the growing popularity of experiential outdoor stays and will further diversify the resort’s already extensive accommodation offering.

SIDNEY THE SEALION AND HIS FRIENDS are always ready to make every guest smile, bringing fun, laughter, and unforgettable holiday memories at Searles!

A RESORT THAT CONTINUES TO EVOLVE
While Searles has a long and proud history as a traditional seaside holiday park, it continues to evolve in response to changing guest expectations.
Recent operational developments, including improved team facilities and enhanced infrastructure, have helped support a more efficient and guest-focused environment behind the scenes. With up to 250 staff working across the resort, this investment in people and systems plays an important role in maintaining the high standards for which Searles is known.
However, at its core, the resort remains focused on delivering enjoyable, high-quality holidays in a relaxed coastal setting — something it has done successfully for generations.

THE RESORT CONTINUES to invest in enhancing guest experiences across all areas of the park.

OWNERSHIP AND LONG-STAY APPEAL
In addition to short breaks and touring holidays, Searles is also a popular destination for holiday home ownership. The resort offers a dedicated ownership community, with a strong sense of belonging among owners who return year after year.
The introduction of a dedicated sales showground further enhances this offering, allowing prospective owners to explore available options in a more structured and accessible way.
This focus on ownership helps strengthen the resort’s long-term community feel and ensures a consistent base of returning guests who are deeply connected to the park.

DIVE INTO FUN at the swimming pool facilities, where guests can splash, relax, and make the most of every moment of their holiday.

THE NORFOLK COASTAL EXPERIENCE
One of Searles’ greatest strengths is its location. Hunstanton, often known as “Sunny Hunny,” is one of the East of England’s most popular seaside destinations, offering traditional charm, sandy beaches, and stunning sunsets over the Wash.
Guests staying at Searles benefit not only from the resort’s facilities but also from easy access to Norfolk’s wider attractions, including coastal walks, nature reserves, and nearby historic towns and villages.
This combination of resort-based amenities and regional exploration makes Searles a strong all-round holiday destination.

 

A LASTING COASTAL FAVOURITE
Searles Leisure Resort continues to stand out as one of Norfolk’s leading holiday parks thanks to its combination of scale, variety, and strong family values. Its ability to balance tradition with modern guest expectations ensures it remains relevant in a competitive and evolving holiday park market.
From its wide range of accommodation options and diverse activity programme to its strong sense of community and coastal location, Searles offers a complete holiday experience that appeals across generations.
As it continues to evolve, one thing remains unchanged — its commitment to delivering memorable seaside holidays in one of the UK’s most iconic coastal settings.

Searles Leisure Resort
01485 534211
www.searles.co.uk

A WIDE RANGE of accommodation ensures Searles caters for families, couples, and returning owners alike.

FAMILY VALUES

Posted on May 16, 2024

The Hoburne Group was established in 1912 in Dorset when ‘Hubborn Farm’ was acquired at auction by its tenant farmer John Burry. Embracing his new life as a landowner, Mr Burry soon added nearby Naish Farm to his budding property empire and, amidst the growing interest in caravanning, the seeds of the Hoburne Group were sown.

Today, the Hoburne Group is one of the south’s largest and most successful tourism companies and is still, crucially, family-owned and operated, now by the fifth generation of the Burry family. “Without question, what makes our business unique is our family values,” explains Jim Forward, Chief Executive of the Hoburne Group.

“Like most family businesses, these start with integrity, a factor which is of the utmost importance to the board of directors; it is vital that as a company, we behave in a way that is genuine and provides customers with genuine products, genuine services, professionalism, efficiency, and value for money.”

FAMILY ACTIVITIES ARE KEY within the family- run Hoburne Group. Pictured, Adventure Golf.

The Hoburne Group encompasses eight holiday parks in the south and southwest of England, offering modern holiday accommodation and holiday home ownership with accompanying leisure, entertainment, and dining facilities. These are Hoburne Park in Dorset; Hoburne Naish and Hoburne Bashley in Hampshire; Hoburne Devon Bay in South Devon; Hoburne Cotswolds in Gloucestershire; Hoburne Blue Anchor in Somerset; and Hoburne St Mabyn and Hoburne Doublebois in Cornwall.

Holiday home ownership accounts for 70% of Hoburne’s business and the company caters to 2,500 holiday home owners. The remaining 30% is hire fleet for holidays. Hoburne also owns and operates two residential parks: Hoburne Naish in Hampshire has a small residential offering, and there is one solely residential park located in Swanage, Dorset.

The group’s largest park, Hoburne Naish, has been attracting caravanners in their droves since John Burry purchased Naish Farm in 1920. Now, Hoburne Naish welcomes over 12,000 holidaymakers each year and has in excess of 1000 units. Covering 110 acres, the park is superbly positioned on the clifftop, with direct beach access and incredible panoramic sea views to the Isle of Wight, Christchurch Harbour and Mudeford Quay.

THE NEWLY OPENED INDOOR play zone is part of a significant investment in Hoburne Cotswold.

HEAVENLY SLICE
Two new developments offer the chance for holidaymakers to purchase their own slice of heaven in this iconic Great British holiday spot. Sunset Cliffs and Chewton Bunny feature a choice of the latest holiday homes from top manufacturers including the new Omar Seafronter Super Lodge, designed specifically with coastal settings in mind.

2024 is a busy year for the Hoburne Group, as they launch a new sister park, Hoburne Cotswold Reach situated next to established Hoburne Cotswold in the middle of the Cotswold Water Park. “Hoburne Cotswold Reach has been designed for those wanting a peaceful hideaway in which to relax and escape,” explains Jim Forward.

“This quiet, exclusive park still allows guests to enjoy the main park facilities at Hoburne Cotswold, giving them truly the best of both worlds.” £4.7m is being invested in the park facilities at Hoburne Cotswold to support the expansion which will bring an additional 84 holiday homes to the business.

Several major developments are underway to improve the overall functionality and appeal of the park’s leisure facilities. “Phase one of the substantial upgrade is already complete with the opening of our exciting brand-new indoor play zone just before Easter,” says Greg Nolan, General Manager for Hoburne Cotswold.

“This new area provides a dedicated play space for families with young children. Working with the industry’s leading play equipment suppliers, we have designed an inspiring forest-themed play area with incredible features for our younger guests.” The redesigned indoor pool area including changing rooms, sauna and steam room is scheduled to re-open in early Summer. The work on the main pool will see the addition of children’s water play equipment to suit a range of ages.

INDOOR POOL
With a mission statement that emphasises the importance of providing “an outstanding customer experience”, delivering “exacting standards” and “continual investment”, it’s not surprising that the Cotswolds development is just one of many being masterminded by the team at the Hoburne Group headquarters in Christchurch, Dorset.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to continually enhance the customer experience, we also have an exciting refurbishment taking place at Hoburne Devon Bay this year,” explains Jim Forward. “We’re upgrading key elements within the South Devon park’s main venue to ensure they meet the highest standards of comfort and functionality, whilst carrying out a comprehensive interior and exterior makeover, incorporating contemporary design elements that complement the park’s coastal surroundings.

Through this investment, we will undoubtedly enhance our operations, expand our capabilities, and overall improve our offering for our guests by creating an even more enjoyable and fulfilling experience.” The rise of low-cost package holidays abroad might have cast a temporary shadow over homegrown holidays, but more recent developments have led to the introduction of a whole new customer base.

“The pandemic enabled us to promote our beautiful locations, plus the ease of travelling to our sites versus the many issues and delays which can be experienced with airline travel,” says Jim. “We welcomed a new audience, many of whom had never been to a UK holiday park before. With our extensive and continual programme of investment in park accommodation and facilities, Hoburne’s holiday guests and owners enjoy the very best of what holiday caravan and lodge accommodation has to offer.”

LUXURY LODGE WITH HOT TUB at Cornwall’s Hoburne St Mabyn.

ECO INVESTMENT
As part of this continual investment, the Hoburne Group is at the forefront of embracing initiatives that save energy and improve sustainability. In 2022, they became members of the Green Tourism programme, which promotes greener ways for businesses and organisations to operate.

In the last two years, Hoburne has rolled out solar technology including the installation of 2,231 solar panels; replaced all street lighting with LED lightbulbs; replaced all petrol grounds tools with battery-powered equipment; installed 24 EV vehicle chargers; introduced new food waste bins and the use of 100% recycled paper for welcome packs; and joined the David Bellamy Blooming Marvellous Pledge For Nature, planting new trees and wildflower meadows, as well as building bug hotels and bird boxes to create new wildlife habitats across their parks.

Over the years, the Hoburne Group’s commitment to innovation and excellence in service and standards has resulted in many awards. Most recently, they have been awarded Feefo’s Gold Trusted Service Award in recognition of online reviews from holidaymakers recognising their commitment to providing exceptional customer service.

They have also achieved an industry first with a landmark accreditation for the holiday park sector after passing the stringent requirements of the new Safe to Trade® Hospitality and Retail Industry Food Safety and Hygiene Standard, to become ‘Approved’ on the Safe to Trade® Register.

“We are delighted to have become the first holiday park operator to be awarded the much-coveted approved status,” explains Jim. “Safe to Trade® is a clear, comprehensive, assured standard. It’s the first voluntary, third-party assurance programme for the hospitality sector, designed to protect and care for the public. Something that is at the very heart of everything that we, at Hoburne, strive to do.”

Hoburne Group
Tel. 01425 282358
www.hoburnegroup.com

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS FOR WOOD LEISURE

Posted on October 27, 2022

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS FOR WOOD LEISURE

PHOTO LEFT TO RIGHT: Bruce Thomson, Carlie Woods, Margaret Wood, Sarah Wood MacGregor, Kirsty Wood Thomson, Calum MacGregor.

 

Wood Leisure Holiday Parks are enjoying a double celebration after winning the Best Holiday Park, in the coveted Scottish Hospitality Awards, whilst celebrating their 40th anniversary in business. The award was won by Wood Leisure for Blairgowrie Holiday Park, which was the very first holiday park opened by the company 40 years ago.

The family owned and operated company was founded in 1981 by Colin and Margaret Wood, and has its head office in Blairgowrie, Perthshire. The business has almost 500 holiday homeowners, 130 self-catering lodges, caravan holiday homes, ensuite glamping and camping pods.

Colin Wood commented: “Family has always been at the heart of the business. I am delighted that our three daughters, Rachel, Kirsty, and Sarah, having grown up on the parks, have each returned to take their place within the family business. They continue to uphold our family values for the parks, whilst bringing fresh innovative ideas to take the company forward.”

Sarah Wood, Sales Director added: “We are delighted to be kicking off the summer season by winning Best Holiday Park in Scotland and to be able to bring the trophy back to Perthshire, to our team at Blairgowrie Holiday Park. We recognise that The Scottish Hospitality awards are voted for by the public, and we would also like to thanks all our guests and holiday home owners that took the time to vote for us.”

“After an incredibly difficult period for all tourism business, it is wonderful to be able to celebrate this good news. Demand for staycations with Wood Leisure continues to be incredibly positive in 2022. “The company has also seen increased demand for holiday homes as people chose to invest in lodges and caravan holiday homes for their families to come together and enjoy. The business has also benefitted from the increasing popularity of motorhomes and touring, with the popularity of the Northcoast 500.”

Family Values

Posted on January 16, 2020

Family Values

ABOVE: A vast choice of accommodation available through Shorefield Holidays includes hot tubs lodges.

Visitors to Shorefield Holidays are spoilt for choice…

With an estimated £31 million impact in the local community and over £4.4 million spent annually with local business and suppliers, Shorefield Holidays is influential family-run business within the Dorset and New Forest areas where its eight parks are situated. “As a company we have a huge focus on sourcing locally, whether it be for fresh local produce to use in our restaurants or even our luxury holiday homes,” says Simon Pollock, Chairman and Managing Director. “One of our key suppliers for the ownership side of our business is Regal Holiday Homes, based in Wareham, Dorset,” Simon explains. “We do also make sure we are always up to date with a range of different suppliers and manufacturers, to ensure we’re choosing the very best for our guests and owners.” Shorefield Holidays was founded in 1958 when Dr Robert Pollock, the company’s founder, was unable to find an available pitch for his touring caravan.

EVERYTHING COVERED

He loved the area and regularly holidayed on the south coast with his family, however after finding that there was nowhere to stay, he bought a small caravan park next to a worked-out gravel pit…and so the company roots were formed! To this day, Shorefield Holidays is proud to still be family-run, with family remaining at the core of everything they do. Shorefield Holidays now boasts eight beautifully landscaped parks in Dorset and the New Forest, each with their own unique selling points and charm. Whether you’re looking for somewhere filled with entertainment and family fun, or a luxury retreat in peaceful surroundings, our parks cover everything. The sites offer a wide range of amenities but their proximity to both the picturesque New Forest and stunning local beaches offer a unique location from which to explore the very best of the south coast. Within minutes of leaving the park, you have some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes and idyllic walks just waiting to be discovered. This, coupled with our family values and warm welcome, is what keeps our guests returning year after year. You’re spoilt for choice on accommodation types and facilities across our parks, meaning there’s sure to be something to suit everyone. Families enjoy a range of caravan options, which we are constantly updating. This means that much of our caravan accommodation is no more than a few years old – something that really stands out to our guests and helps us to ensure we’re offering the best experience. Simon comments: “For something a little more special, our hot tub retreats are the ideal choice. Whether it’s an idyllic hot tub lodge our guests are looking for or a luxury house for the whole family, we have it all. “What could be better than returning to your accommodation after a day of exploring to enjoy a relaxing soak in the warm, bubbling hot tub? And when our largest house sleeps up to 14 guests, there really is room for everyone! Shorefield Country Park is at the heart of the holiday operator’s story and where the company began. It is also the largest, spanning over 100 acres, and has a range of fantastic facilities on site for all members the family to enjoy. “Our aim is to provide unforgettable family moments and memories that our guests will cherish for a lifetime, whilst minimising our environmental impact when doing so,” says Lesley. “We have implemented a range of CSR initiatives across all our parks - from joining the World Community Grid, enabling our idle computers to help power supercomputers research the likes of cancer cures, to regular beach clean initiatives. “We’ve even won multiple David Bellamy Conservation Awards in the process, something we’re extremely proud to be doing.”

ABOVE: The regular timetable of offerings inclue Go Active Activities at the company’s Oakdene Forest Park resort.

STAFF TEAM

Currently, the three family directors working alongside Simon include Sara Bertin as Finance Director and Lesley Lawrence as Marketing Director while Andy Bowden and Paula Curtis fill the roles of ICT Director and Company Accountant and Director respectively. The company recognises that its outstanding staff team are a huge factor behind its success, which is why they invest significantly in training, development and even awards nights to show our appreciation to our outstanding teams across all our parks. “Our stand out feature would have to be our highly skilled staff who regularly go the extra mile for our guests,” says Lesley. “We’re proud to say that many of our fantastic employees have been with us for more than 10 years and without them we would not be anywhere near as successful as we are today

KEY CHALLENGE

ABOVE: Shorefield Holidays are set on the stunning south coast with great beaches nearby.

A key challenge is ensuring a new guest experience and keeping guest retention high. As a business we are always looking for ways to refresh our offering for repeat holidaymakers, who are often our most loyal guests. Each year we invest significantly in new accommodation, ensuring we have the very best to offer our guests, in addition to introducing a range of new facilities and entertainment. We have some exciting plans in the pipeline for the coming year, which form just part of this strategy. Shorefield Holidays are extremely excited to be introducing luxury treehouse accommodation to our Milford-on-Sea park in 2020. Says Simon: “This investment encompasses our aim to continually grow and develop our guest experience.” He continues: “The stunning three-bedroom properties, situated in a secluded woodland area of the park, will offer a truly unique experience and even have their own private hot tub. “We are also looking to expand our portfolio in the coming years through the acquisition of new holiday parks along the South Coast.”

Shorefield Holidays
Tel. 01590 648 300
www.shorefield.co.uk