Carry On Glamping

Posted on March 19, 2018

Carry On Glamping

Visitors can escape to an idyllic glamping retreat in a secluded beachy area of Cornwall courtesy of Melody Farm.

Award-winning sites in the annual camping and glamping awards ....

Good work deserves recognition and each of the award winning sites in the 2017 Campsites.co.uk camping and glamping awards has offered something above and beyond to their guests. We bring you the sites that offered guests something extra special in 2017. The judges cherry-picked the very best glamping sites, the campsites that welcome four legged friends with open arms, and much, much more besides.. It’s high time to say thanks and give credit where it’s due, so well done to all the winners - and here’s to more of the same in 2018!

POPULAR CHOICE AWARD

When it comes to camping, the overall experience matters for a boost that will stay with you long after you return to daily life. The chosen sites were not only immensely popular on the website, but also generated a buzz from their happy campers.

WINNER: Park Cliffe, Cumbria Set in gorgeous countryside just a short distance from Lake Windermere’s eastern shore, this park offers gorgeous fell-side pitches and range of quality glamping options. With locally sourced delicious dishes in its restaurant, a dog-friendly bar terrace and the undeniable luxury of private bathrooms for hire, Park Cliffe is the perfect base for a tour of the Lakes!

The National Winner in the Popular Choice award category, Park Cliffe is the perfect base for a tour of the Lakes!

REGIONAL WINNERS
South West Winner: Golden Cap Holiday Park, Dorset Commended: Cofton Country Holidays, Devon
South East Winner: Long Meadow Campsite, Hampshire Commended: Aldridge Hill Campsite, Hampshire
West Midlands Winner: Alton, The Star C&CC Site, Staffordshire Commended: Greenway Touring and Glamping Park, Shropshire
East Midlands Winner: Wolds View Touring Park, Lincolnshire Commended: Crowden C & CC Site, Derbyshire
East of England Winner: Searles Leisure Resort, Norfolk Commended: King’s Lynn Caravan and Camping Park, Norfolk
North West Winner: Baystone Bank Farm Campsite, Cumbria Commended: Waterfoot Park, Cumbria
North East Winner: Buckden Camping and Pods, North Yorkshire Commended: York House Caravan Park, North Yorkshire
Scotland Winner: Highfield Holidays, Argyll Commended: Loch Ness Shores C&CC Site, Highlands
Wales Winner: Penrhyn Bay Caravan Park, Anglesey Commended: Fishguard Bay Resort, Pembrokeshire

BEST GLAMPING SITE AWARDS
It’s time to really put the glam in glamping! When holidaymakers book a glamping break, they’re looking for something extra special - the experience factor, a high standard of service, and those allimportant luxury touches that bring your stay to life. These sites deliver the best of the best, so give them a big hand for understanding exactly what makes you tick!

WINNER: Melody Farm Shepherd’s Huts, Cornwall Escape to an idyllic glamping retreat in a secluded beachy area of Cornwall, with these two heart-warming shepherd’s huts for company. Not only can visitors indulge in their own romantic haven, with a double bed, your own en-suite and a rustic kitchen area, you can also make full use of the site’s boutique facilities. Residents be well entertained with a swimming pool, tennis court, state-of-the-art gym and five luscious acres to wander in.

Residents can indulge in their own romantic haven complete with a double bed, en-suite and a rustic kitchen area

REGIONAL WINNERS

South West: Winner: Caalm Camp, Dorset Commended: Enchanted Valley Yurts, Cornwall
South East Winner: Plush Tents Glamping, West Sussex Commended: Woodside Spa and Glamping, East Sussex
West Midlands Winner: Woodhall Farm, Worcestershire Commended: Canvas and Clover, Worcestershire
East Midlands Winner: Glamp in Style, Lincolnshire Commended: Country Bumpkin Yurts, Northamptonshire
East of England Winner: Happy Days Retro Vacations, Suffolk Commended: Brambells Glamping, Norfolk
North West Winner: Samlesbury Hall Shepherd’s Hut Hamlet, Lancashire Commended: Lantern & Larks Bleasdale, Lancashire
North East Winner: Yurtshire Fountains, North Yorkshire Commended: Camp Katur, North Yorkshire
Scotland Winner: Craighead Howfs, Perthshire Commended: Harvest Moon Holidays, Edinburgh and the Lothians
Wales Winner: Cosy Under Canvas, Powys Commended: Ceridwen Centre, Carmarthenshire

TOP DOG AWARDS
Not much matters more to us Brits than our four-legged friends, and we need their company on holiday just as much as when we’re snuggled at home. These pooch-pampering sites know that dogs are a part of the family, and make sure that they feel like it! From dedicated dog walks, to on-site groomers and pet friendly pods, man’s best friend has never been made more welcome! When you get peckish and head to the site’s restaurant, your four-legged friend is welcome too. And even if you decide to explore on two wheels, you can rent a doggy trailer locally and bring your pooch along for the ride. Talk about a dog’s life!

WINNER: Sandy Balls Holiday Village Sandy Balls Holiday Village in Hampshire has been running for more than 95 years and in that time tens of thousands of guests have enjoyed its superb customer service, luxury facilities, quality accommodation and an abundance of activities in a breath-taking setting. Five-star Sandy Balls has something for everyone, so whether it’s a long weekend, mid-week break or longer, it offers the perfect holiday destination.

Sandy Balls offers a site where pets are recognised as members of the family.

REGIONAL WINNERS

South West Winner: Portesham Dairy Farm Campsite, Dorset Commended: Deanwood Caravan and Camping, Gloucestershire
South East Winner: Rye Harbour Holiday Park, East Sussex Commended: Long Acres Caravan and Camping Park, Surrey
West Midlands Winner: Poston Mill Park, Herefordshire Commended: The Green Caravan Par k, Shropshire
East Midlands Winner: Cakes and Ale Holiday Park, Suffolk Commended: Old Brick Kilns, Norfolk
East of England Winner: Billing Aquadrome, Northamptonshire Commended: Grace Park, Lincolnshire
North West Winner: Elm Cottage Touring Park, Cheshire Commended: Dalston Hall Holiday Park, Cumbria
North East Winner: Crows Nest Caravan Park, North Yorkshire Commended: Brenda House Touring Caravan Park, East Yorkshire
Scotland Winner: Barnsoul Caravan Park, Dumfries and Galloway Commended: Castlewigg Holiday Park, Dumfries and Galloway
Wales Winner: Graig Wen, Gwynedd Commended: Bryn Gloch Caravan and Camping Park, Gwynedd

MOST UNIQUE SITE AWARD
These sites offer something truly quirky and unique, allowing the visitor to experience the most unusual accommodation ever dreamed of - for memories that last a lifetime.
WINNER: Blackberry Wood, East Sussex
Situated within the South Downs National Park, only 10 miles from Brighton, Blackberry Wood is a truly unique camping and glamping site with private camping glades in a woodland setting, each with their own fire pitch for the essential campfire. Glamping options include a double-decker London bus, a converted Wessex helicopter, a gypsy caravan, an ‘Eco Perch’ log cabin and two incredible treehouses.

Blackberry Wood, East Sussex, caught the judges eye.

Blackberry Wood, offers a unique camping experience.

Commended: Glamping Thorpe, Oxfordshire

Commended: Stonehenge Campsite and Glamping Pods, Wiltshire

GREENER SITE AWARD

These environmentally friendly sites are top of the leaderboard when it comes to working in harmony with nature and finding ways to save the planet and preserve our beautiful countryside without diminishing your holiday experience.

WINNER: Wild Boar Wood Campsite, West Sussex

Get away from it all and discover the freedom of wild glamping with a visit to Eco Camp UK’s Wild Boar Wood Campsite. Set in a private five-acre woodland near Haywards Heath in West Sussex, our small off-grid glamping site offers a fantastic option for those looking for glamping near London. The campsite has just nine bell tents tucked away among the trees and opens from April to October. Here, you can enjoy the simpler things in life as you relax around the campfire, enjoy the natural surroundings and make a hobby of waving at steam trains passing on the nearby Bluebell Railway.

Please get in touch to see the full feature!

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Holiday Pools Shortlisted For Awards

Posted on November 3, 2017

Holiday Pools Shortlisted For Awards

Entrepreneur, television celebrity and former winner of The Apprentice, Michelle Dewberry, will be the VIP guest at the UK Pool & Spa Awards at the NEC, Birmingham on December 4th.

With record-breaking entries, the Holiday Park Pool category is shaping into one of the most hotly-contested groups with ten shortlisted entrants vying for success. Last year’s category winners, Tydd Giles Golf & Country Club, return to defend their title. They are joined by 2016’s gold standard winners; Lady’s Mile Holiday Park, Brean Leisure and Holiday Park Unity, and Plas Coch Holiday Homes.

New entrants this year include Bourne Leisure, Ladram Bay Holiday Park, Ribby Hall Village Holiday Park, Seashore Holiday Park, Calypso Cove Waterpark, and Kelling Heath Holiday Park make up the ten parks battling it out to be crowned ‘Holiday Park Pool of the Year 2017’.

With entries for the hotly-anticipated UK Pool and Spa Awards closed, and votes pouring in across over 30 categories, the tenth anniversary of the awards are shaping up to be most tightly contested yet.

Log on to www. ukpoolandspaawards.com to see this year’s entrants, cast your vote and book your place at the awards show.

Red Letter Event

Posted on November 1, 2017

Red Letter Event

Mark off two crucial red letter days in the diary this month that are truly unmissable for anyone involved in the delivery of holiday parks. Wednesday and Thursday November 8th and 9th should be strictly reserved for the Holiday Park & Resort Innovation show; simply Europe’s leading event dedicated to providing the country’s most ambitious holiday park and resort owners and managers. Promising the best advice, services and products needed to make holiday businesses stand out from the crowd – get set for a lodge-load of information, inspiration and practical know-how – and all delivered to you completely free.

We bring you a round up of some of the must-see exhibitors...

Award Winners

World Leisure (UK) is a multi-award winning provider of a complete range of design, technical and installation services for the water leisure industry. With expertise in pool and plant design and installation, the company delivers projects ranging from exclusive domestic developments through to large international projects. Associated with the best manufacturers in the world for specialist equipment supplies, energy conservation is always at the forefront of design. As well as pool finishes, other core areas of expertise include water treatment plants, wave machines, water features, water slides, moveable floors, wellbeing controlled environments, and all other aspects of swimming pools that developments require. The company also has a dedicated wellness division, working throughout the UK, installing high quality climate-controlled environments and treatments rooms, including fully automatic rasul and serail mud treatments, Japanese salt steam rooms, Turkish hammams, and ice baths, for skin, respiratory and immune system health.

World Leisure UK - Stand 2750
Tel. 01772 284883
www.worldleisureuk.co.uk

Bespoke Pods

Pods by Future Rooms offer a range of sizes and styles to cater for all needs and budgets. Any of the Pods by Future Rooms can be adapted and modified to your specific requirements and they have recently introduced a new full specification upgrade option for Premier, Maximus and Abode models. With this Pods can be supplied fully fitted with en-suite and kitchenette and furnished ready for letting out, meaning all that is needed to be done once the pod is delivered and placed, is to connect to services and it’s ready to instantly start generating an income. Flexibility as a manufacturer and the options and choices that Future Rooms can provide ensures that customers are fully involved and have input all the way through the design and build of the Pods, making them unique to each customer and their target markets. Visit stand 2310 to discuss your specific requirements.

Pods By Future Rooms - Stand 2310
Tel. 01452 840234
www.podsbyfuturerooms.co.uk

Smart Metering

Energy Controls is the UK`s leading supplier of electricity SMART Meters and prepayment metering systems to Holiday Parks throughout the UK. The company specialises in providing customers with ‘cost neutral’, fully managed metering solutions including installation and support for prepayment meters as well as data collection for SMART Meters. Through their exclusive relationship with PayPoint, Energy Controls customers can now top up their meters using a variety of consumer-friendly options such as: Paypoint retailers nationwide, online or via the new ‘Smart Prepay’ mobile app for greater prepayment flexibility. Energy Controls appreciate the importance of safe, reliable and accurate metering and have become market leaders, not only by supplying the highest quality UK manufactured metering products, but also in terms of keeping customers informed about important changes in metering legislation. With 30 years of knowledge and expertise Energy Controls are perfectly placed to help businesses to plan and prepare for the future with confidence. Energy Controls guarantee to supply only the very latest metering products that have been designed and tested to Utility Company standards and therefore comply with the UK and EU`s current and future legislation such as MID (Measuring Instruments Directive).

Energy Controls - Stand 2553
Tel. 08452304535
www.econtrols.co.uk

Unique Features

Urban Cedar has been building and installing hot tubs for over 10 years. Designed in the UK and manufactured in the USA their hot tubs are eco friendly and engineered to last. A choice of award-winning models have been designed specifically for the holiday industry and have several unique features including tamperproof controls and automatic chlorine dosing. Contemporary in design our hot tubs combine the beauty of a solid wood hot tub with the comfort, low running costs and ultralow maintenance of a modern hot tub. Urban Cedar is proud to be working in partnership with many companies within the industry including Away Resorts, Classic Glamping, Woodthorpe Leisure and many more. With factory direct pricing from £2495 + VAT Urban Cedar hot tubs come with a comprehensive two-year guarantee for your piece of mind. In addition to award-winning cedar hot tubs, they will be showcasing a brand new exclusive range of solid cedar saunas at the show for the first time!

Urban Cedar Hot Tubs - Stand 2152
Tel. 01934 833 844
www.urbancedarhottubs.co.uk

Cloud Booking Solutions

Gemapark is a cloud booking and park management solution. Offering you the benefits of access from any location, reliable infrastructure and automated backups, they can get you up and running in just a few weeks. GemaPark provide a comprehensive range of easy to plugin booking widgets or a full booking API. Their booking widgets allow you to easily add online booking to your website and can provide an availably search, availability calendars, or park maps from which you can check availability and book. Features such as interactive chart, check-in dashboard and task lists make managing bookings easy. Automated emails for balance reminders, welcome and post visit emails, coupled with the ability to take online bookings and online balance payments, greatly reduce booking admin. At the show GemaPark will be able to demonstrate the system and give out an idea of the costs and benefits of the system.

GemaPark - Stand 2546
Tel. 01983 282420
www.gemapark.co.uk

Specialist Cover

The Compass Insurance team is looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show. Call into their stand for a chat with their insurance experts. Whether you need information on park business insurance, or would like details on how you can effectively sell or introduce our specialist cover to your holiday home owners, they are happy to help. Compass Insurance have lots on offer to anyone who is seeking to diversify into the holiday market, so why not take advantage of the opportunity to ask them about the unique, specialist insurance requirements of holiday-related businesses and products. And that’s not all... If you’re looking for legal advice, have a chat with their special guest, Paul Kelly of Tozers Solicitors. Paul is a leading expert in park industry law and he’ll be delighted to help. Not all insurance cover is the same. Compass has specialised in holiday park insurance for over 40 years and will cover more park businesses this year than any other provider - stop by to find out why.

Compass Insurance - Stand 2020
Tel. 01452 511430
www.compass.co.uk

Software Savvy

Achieve transparency and efficiency savings with EliteParks Park Management Software. EliteParks comprehensively provides functionality to control the management of the whole business using the following business processes – Leads, Sales, Park Management, Owners, Reservations and Finances. EliteParks was created to disrupt a market saturated by archaic technology and systems using Microsoft Dynamics NAV technology. Their team includes consultants, developers and project managers with situational experience of working within the Caravan and Holiday Home industry. They work with the likes of Michael Paul Holidays UK, Park Holidays, Park Leisure and Shorefield Holidays. EliteParks is the most advanced management solution in the market to date being scalable for both multi-discipline income streams operating one park to multi park operators. If you are a holiday park operator and are looking for a consulting partner from the holiday park sector with Microsoft experience then book a demonstration to see how you can get better transparency and analysis across the whole business.

Elite Dynamics - Stand 2762
Tel. 01616 418926
www.elitedynamics.co.uk

Field Leaders

For more than 25 years, Rolec has been firmly recognised as the leading specialist in the design, supply and installation of utility services to caravan, holiday home and residential parks. They have the most diverse range of electrical distribution, MID approved electrical metering and lighting products designed for use on caravan, holiday home and residential parks. Rolec’s leisure product range consists of static hook-up units, touring hook-up units, touring hook-up bollards, various metering options, low and high-level LED lighting, waste trays, firefighting and safety equipment, distribution units and EV charging units. They also have our own experienced design and installation engineers, in addition to a nationwide network of partners. LeisureTech will be representing Rolec products at this year’s Holiday Park and Resort Innovation Show.

Rolec - Stand 2834 (Leisure Tech)
Tel. 01205 724754
www.rolecserv.com

Read All About It

As a B2B print and on-line magazine for the holiday park sector, Holiday Park Scene has earned a reputation as an essential read for anyone involved in holiday park management. Packed with fresh ideas and essential reading for anyone who runs or works in a holiday park the magazine is available on-line at www. holidayparkscene.com Holiday Park Scene offers the inside track on the latest market news and reports covering all aspects of holiday park management. Most importantly, Holiday Park Scene provides you with a targeted platform to promote your products and services across all areas of the UK and Eire holiday park sector. If you would like to get involved with this exciting new publication, please don`t hesitate to get in touch, so we can decide how best to make you stand out from the crowd!

Holiday Park Scene - Stand 2744
Tel. 01353 666663

www.holidayparkscene.com

Register for free tickets to attend via the website – www. holidayparkshow.co.uk .We look forward to welcoming you to the event on the 8th and 9th November 2017, NEC Birmingham.

Wish You Were Here – Highlands End Holiday Park

Posted on September 7, 2017

Wish You Were Here - Highlands End Holiday Park

For TV drama fans, Highlands End Holiday Park is spectacularly located on the clifftop overlooking West Bay, the setting of ITV’s Broadchurch.

The lodges and some of the touring caravans and motorhome pitches on the park have views out over Broadchurch while some of the other caravans, and camping pitches overlook the ‘Broadchurch Hut’ and Eype Beach. Part of West Dorset Leisure Holidays, a family run group, Highlands End Holiday Park is located on the clifftop near West Bay in Dorset and enjoys panoramic views across 99 miles of World Heritage Jurassic Coastline.

Highlands End has been providing memorable holidays for families, friends and couples for decades and todays accommodation includes luxury lodges, glamping pods, caravan holiday homes, apartments, bungalows and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents – many of which enjoy fantastic views over the surrounding coast and countryside. The park is particularly popular with star gazers and dog owners, who enjoy the clear night skies and mile after mile of footpath to explore.

The Park has a newly refurbished bar and restaurant with one of the largest and most important private collections of fire service memorabilia in the country. The collection has been built up over three decades by Martin Cox, a member of the family who have owned Highlands End – and its four sister parks – for 45 years.

As well as ‘Martin’s Bar & Restaurant,’ the parks highly-praised facilities include a Leisure Club which incorporates a pool, sauna and steam room, a shop specialising in fresh Dorset produce and a pitch and putt course that is great for the whole family.

Highlands End Holiday Park
Tel. 01308 422 139
www.highlandsendholidaypark.co.uk

Peas In A Pod

Posted on September 1, 2017

Peas In A Pod

One in four holidaymakers are now choosing to stay in the UK rather than travel abroad. So, having compromised on flights, when it comes to booking closer to home, the calibre of accommodation is undoubtedly the decision maker or the deal breaker for potential holiday park guests.

From lodges to hobbit holes and from safari tents to yurts, holiday parks offer multiple levels of accommodation, with both varied quality and pricing. Of these, it is the fast-moving pod sector that currently stands out from the crowd.

The explosion of interest in pods is one of the key factors behind the rejuvenation of British camping with increasing numbers of young people and families opting to experience ‘the great outdoors’ while still appreciating the comforts of home. Since its first appearance in 2008 the pod has become a well-established and much enjoyed alternative to the tent and the caravan holiday home and is now a widely available feature on many sites throughout the UK and Ireland as well as most of the countries in Europe.

Although selling the idea of the new concept pods to holiday park operators was a challenge ten years ago, owners are now seeing the perks and can create an interesting setting with the added benefit of using ground that may be unsuitable for camping or tourers. “Pods can and will provide a good stream of income as they are set up nicely to offer an exclusive visitor experience,” says Ian Bone, Director of the Original Pod Company. Creators of the trademarked Pod range, Newfoundland Lodges are the originators of the pod concept.

CANVAS HOLIDAYS

Ian says the growth in the industry is a cause for innovation. “Our recent wet summers have tempered the ‘canvas holiday’ to some degree which has certainly been to our advantage, plus the pods are an all year round option and will see occupancy outside of the traditional camping season,” comments Ian. The Cowshed - a ‘boutique bunkhouse’ hostel in Uig on the Isle of Skye - highlights where the Pod is well placed, and how to make the most of this sector of the industry.

The Cowshed site was initially transformed by the new owners and quickly became a highly popular stopping off point for visitors to Skye and the Western Isles. To increase capacity and add interest an area of ground was developed at the back of the hostel which offered excellent views down to the harbour and the island seascapes beyond.

Says Ian: “The north-west coast of Scotland is a tough place when it comes to weather so it was decided to use Thermowood as external cladding on all seven of the MegaPod-S units as well as using double skinned outer walls.” The hostel is open all year and comfort levels need to be maintained.

“Overall, I think the diversity on offer is healthy and gives this sector energy,” says Ian. “We have been here from the start and have seen ideas come and go but it does seem to be the case that you have come to the market with something original if you want to survive” Although the glamping experience may be usurping the traditional camping holiday, there are still a variety of options for visitors hoping to have a break under canvas.

To find out more about accommodation options, please subscribe to Holiday Park Scene here.

COMPANY CONTACTS

BOLDSCAN - Tel. 01823 665 849 - www.boldscan.co.uk

FUTURE ROOMS - Tel. 01452 501 455 - www.podsbyfuturerooms.co.uk

NEWFOUNDLAND LTD - Tel. 01539 532 245 - www.thepod.info

PATHFINDER - Tel. 01626 833 799 - www.pathfinderhomes.co.uk

Nation Of Happy Campers

Posted on September 1, 2017

Nation Of Happy Campers

Almost half of Brits set off on a camping holiday in the UK this summer, with 43 per cent of holidaymakers looking forward to sleeping under canvas, according to research by Halfords the camping and leisure equipment retailer.

A survey of 2,000 people revealed that for 54 per cent, exploring the great outdoors is their main motivation, while half of Brits said they’ll be camping because it’s a more affordable option than holidaying abroad. A total of 41 per cent describe camping as ‘the perfect way to spend time with family’, while one in four look forward to switching off from the stresses of modern life.

Negative comments included having to go outside to use the toilet – 42 per cent cite this as the most annoying part of their camping trip – and 34 per cent said disruptive neighbours tend to get on their nerves.

“Our sales across camping and outdoor leisure were up 45 per cent on April to May last year, and it’s no surprise that Brits are choosing to holiday in the UK rather than travelling abroad, which can be expensive and stressful,” comments David Howell, Halfords’ motoring and leisure accessories expert. “It’s really easy to forget that we live in one of the world’s top tourist destinations – and summer is a great time to get out and explore.”

Making A Splash

Posted on May 3, 2017

Making A Splash

The overhaul of the swimming pool facilities at Ribby Hall Village was carried out by World Leisure.

The swimming pool facilities at Ribby Hall Village holiday park in Lancashire have undergone a £1.5million transformation. The pool was refurbished eight years ago but bosses at the attraction decided the time was right for a complete revamp, with added facilities to maintain excitement and interest for visitors.

The work was carried out by World Leisure and the pool now features new slides including a 48m interactive play slide. World Leisure also refurbished the splash pool and added an interactive aqua deck play structure, with tipping buckets and integral slides.

A themed Glass Reinforced Polyester toddlers’ pool links into the splash pool, with a slide and steps to open the pools up to all ages. Mark Leech, Senior Manager at Ribby Hall Village, said: “It is important as a business to continually invest and improve the facilities we offer to our customers. We believe the new interactive slide and new splash pool features will be real talking points that will bring family visitors back again and again.”

Happy Days

Posted on May 3, 2017

Happy Days

An exciting and challenging play area for all ages and abilities gives children somewhere to let off steam and make new friends as well as giving them some independence on holiday. Pic: HAGS.

As any holiday park operator will tell you, happy and entertained children mean happy and relaxed parents. An exciting and challenging play area for all ages and abilities gives children somewhere to let off steam and make new friends as well as giving them some independence on holiday. Mike Harris, Director at Warren Farm Holiday Centre in Bream, Somerset invested in new playground facilities last year, designed and supplied by HAGS. He said: “We are known as a child friendly park, and people purposefully book plots near the play areas.

The initial outlay was definitely worthwhile and we have a large number of repeat visitors because of this, as well as many new ones.” “The more attractive, enticing, challenging and fun the outdoor play equipment is, the more likely it will be that visitors to the play area will continue to visit and enjoy all the facilities on offer and it could be the deciding factor on choice of holiday destination,” comments Stuart Wetherell for Wicksteed Playgrounds. Wicksteed was recently commissioned to create an impressive and imaginative playpark at Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick, Scotland. Reflecting the history of the area, a large bespoke timber castle-inspired feature takes pride of place at the centre of the play area. The custom-built castle is adorned with turrets, slides, climbing nets and monkey bars as well as a bridge over a moat and portcullis entrance.

Wicksteed Playgrounds was recently commissioned to create an impressive and imaginative playpark at Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick.

The £300k play facility was developed as part of a £3.64m park regeneration project, funded by Scottish Borders Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund. “Local children were involved with creating the designs and ideas for the play area and came up with the idea of incorporating Hawick’s history and scenery into the design. The play park proudly features a castle, river design, horse artwork and a common riding flag as part of the surface design,” commented Gordon Webber, Wilton Lodge Park Events Manager.

RANGE OF FEATURES : The play park features a range of different zones with play equipment suitable for a variety of age groups and abilities. A timber fenced area features sensory sound and visual items as well as a central carved timber totem pole. Wicksteed has become the go to for cleverly designed bespoke playgrounds which can reflect the history of the site or have a theme running throughout. The company has also developed an award-winning range of outdoor gym equipment, the FLZ, which is ideally suited to the holiday park environment and suitable for those aged 14 plus.

“Prices do of course vary depending upon the type of equipment, landscaping and installation but a product from Wicksteed’s Toddlers’ range might start at around £500 with individual, interactive panels from around £590,” explains the Stuart. “An entire playground which could contain multi-play, modular units together with fitness products would obviously require greater funds, so it all depends on the project in question. To achieve a ‘wow’ factor a new green site fully supplied area should have a budget of around £70K.”

World of Rides have served the holiday park industry with a fully comprehensive range of coin-operated leisure rides and equipment for nearly five decades.

REGULAR CHECKS
Apart from keeping your play equipment and areas regularly checked to meet health and safety standards, there are no guidelines stipulating when a playground requires updating, this is solely down to playground owners. However, updating your equipment regularly to stay ahead of the competition will certainly help attract and retain customers, providing a greater return on investment.
It is recommended that any equipment purchased for unsupervised use is certified as compliant to EN1176 (the European Playground safety standard), this ensures that the equipment is designed and manufactured to a high standard and will provide an exciting and challenging experience while minimising risk. The safety of children on their playgrounds doesn’t just depend upon the initial design of the area and the selection of equipment within it. Its continued management and the delivery of high quality inspection and maintenance schedules are crucial if the safe opportunities for children to play creatively are to be preserved. Mark Rands, Head of UK Installation and Service at HAGS comments: “We know that a good maintenance regime will significantly extend the life of your equipment and reduce the likelihood of accidents. Regular servicing and replacement of worn out parts is essential to keep your play area safe and compliant.
“Remember it is the responsibility of the owner to keep the play area safe, delaying needed repairs not only shortens the life of the equipment but increases the risk of an accident. The inspection should cover the whole of the site - not just the play equipment. Pathways, fences and seats all need to be checked.”

FIRM FAVOURITES

Fenland Leisure Products’ (FLP) U-Design service is for bespoke projects from small special needs units, access bridges to larger themed multi-play units and fully equipped assault courses. Your project can be based on existing products and tweaked to your specific requirements or wholly new and unique. Bespoke designs are a fantastic group involvement activity. For children, fun is strongly related to play and they have great capacity to extract the fun from it in a spontaneous and inventive way. What a great legacy to build and be a part of. FLP will guide you on the legalities of play equipment design and advise you when it comes to surfacing and fall heights, but the creative ideas are all yours.

HAGS is a global company with a product offering that stretches over an extensive range of thousands of play products– designed for people of all ages. They have gained over 50 years’ experience in providing both landscaped and traditional outdoor areas. The best-selling UniPlay and UniMini ranges from HAGS offer a vast number of play functions and games within a unique modular system.
HAGS offer a wide range of standard ready-made units for every size and budget, and additionally, all units can be customised by adding special features or games to create your ideal play space.
Liz Townsend, Head of UK Proposals for HAGS says: “Our customers want a play area that is visually striking and attractive – something that immediately captures the imagination of children and becomes memorable so families have a great time and want to return again. The design details are what holds a child’s attention for longer than a few minutes, for example: tower structures are very popular with all ages, even more so when they have interactive games and imaginative activities that can involve all generations.” Liz continues: “At HAGS we focus on a ‘cost per user’ model during the design process, this helps eliminate single user items that can be expensive to own for little return in place of items that offer great play and financial value for users and owners alike.”

“Play facilities are vital in holiday parks, in order to both attract and retain the family spend,” says David Robison of World of Rides. “2017 is going to be a milestone year for the UK’s holiday parks, as Brexit and the fluctuating exchange rates are making more and more families stay at home in the UK for their holidays. However, if operators do not invest in new equipment to entertain their visitors and guests during this exceptional year, then they may not return in future years.” World of Rides have served the holiday park industry with a fully comprehensive range of coin-operated leisure rides and equipment for nearly five decades, ranging from battery rides and static rides to quadricycles and rowing boats. “For the past few years our Go-Karts, Super Hero Trikes and licensed character static rides have been the firm favourites with children, but for 2017 holiday park operators are suddenly asking for our driving school cars and above ground pools with bumper boats, in order to satisfy the demand of their customers for new experiences,” says David.

COMPANY CONTACTS

FENLAND LEISURE PRODUCTS Tel. 01354 638359 www.fenlandleisure.co.uk

HAGS Tel. 0845 260 1655 www.hags-smp.co.uk

WORLD OF RIDES Tel. 0191 49 20 999 www.worldofrides.com

WICKSTEED PLAYGROUNDS Tel. 01536 517028 www.wicksteed.co.uk

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New Yorks Park

Posted on May 3, 2017

New Yorks Park

Park Leisure’s new Hawkswick development boasts seven brand new holiday lodges.

Park Leisure has unveiled a state-of-the-art new development at its Yorkshire Dales park. The Hawkswick development will boast seven new lodges and is the result of a £1.3m investment at the park. Yorkshire Dales General Manager Mike Clappison said: “The new lodges will be a great and vital asset to our park as it continues to grow and welcome new customers.

“As well as the site’s various family facilities including a children’s playground, Yorkshire Dales is a gateway to some of the best country walking trails, bridal paths and cycling routes in the UK and we’re at the very heart of that.” The news comes just weeks after Park Leisure announced a £103m partnership deal with Midlothian Capital Partners (MCP) as the luxury holiday company embarks on its next phase of expansion.

We’ll Meat Again

Posted on May 3, 2017

We’ll Meat Again

Hollins Farm park manager Daniele Balia with some of the Holstein Friesian cattle which greet holidaymakers

Hollins Farm park manager Daniele Balia with some of the stein Friesian cattle which greet holidaymakers

Hollins Farm Camping and Caravanning Park near Silverdale is offering youngsters the chance to learn about the food cycle. The farm raises traditional breeds of sheep, cows and chickens in its picturesque Lakeland setting, and then supplies the meat to local dining establishments.

“Surveys suggest that many children have a disconnect with farming, and some don’t know that bacon comes from pigs, or eggs are produced by chickens,” said Park Owner Michael Holgate. “That’s why we’re encouraging mums and dads who stay with us to regard Hollins Farm as a place where youngsters can really have their eyes opened. “As well as discovering more about nature and the countryside, youngsters can also make that important connection between farming and the food they eat,” added Michael.