high standards

STRIKING GOLD WITH AA FIVE-STAR GRADING

Posted on July 31, 2025

LOVE2STAY JOINT MANAGER Charlie Ward with the new AA Five Star grading plaque.

Shropshire’s Love2Stay touring and glamping resort is celebrating after earning a prestigious Five AA Gold Star rating in the 2025 AA Caravan and Camping Awards. Located in Emstrey, Shrewsbury, the luxury resort received an impressive 95% quality score following a recent inspection by AA Hotel and Hospitality Services.

AA inspector Stephen Wilkinson praised the site’s thoughtful layout, top-tier facilities and scenic setting, stating: “The BBQ and pizza oven areas are a great feature, and the open water pool, beach and paddle pool were well used and clearly enjoyed by guests during my visit.”

AN AERIAL VIEW of Love2Stay resort.

Joint manager Charlie Ward welcomed the award as “fantastic recognition” of the team’s hard work and investment. “We pride ourselves on our high standards, customer service and range of facilities that allow guests of all ages to unwind, stay active and reconnect with nature,” he said.

Celebrating its eighth birthday this year, Love2Stay has recently invested £750,000 in five new Severn holiday lodges, adding to its glamping village of safari and woodland lodges. The 22-acre site, set next to parent company Salop Leisure, offers panoramic countryside views and access to a bio pool, cinema, wellness services and outdoor activities.

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”.

SOUTH WEST TOURING SUCCESS

Posted on May 17, 2024

DISPLAYING RECENT AWARDS at the Wareham Park (from left) park managers Adam and Nicky Wake, plus family members Sarah Birch, Tony Birch, Chrissy Bracey and Ben Bracey.

The South West’s top destination for campers and the owners of motorhomes and touring caravans has been officially named as Wareham Forest Tourist Park near Poole. The family-owned business was awarded the top gold accolade against fierce competition in the Camping and Caravanning Park category of this year’s South West Tourism Excellence Awards.

Judges announced their decision at the glittering awards ceremony at the Great Hall of the University of Exeter, attended by finalists and sponsors from the tourism and hospitality industry across SW England. Lynmouth Holiday Retreat near Exmoor beat hundreds of other parks to take the silver accolade in the Camping and Caravanning Park category of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.

The family-owned business is one of four award-winning holiday parks in Devon, Somerset and Cornwall owned by the family’s 35-year-old business, Coast & Country Parks. The group’s parks provide not just pitches for tents, touring caravan and motorhomes but also luxury holiday homes to own and to rent.

Ian James said everyone was delighted that Lynmouth Holiday Retreat had been singled out by judges as one of the South West’s top destinations for people seeking a perfect rural escape: “What makes us especially proud is that the South West Tourism Award judges looked not just at the quality of our facilities, but also at the high standards of hospitality we provide.

“Delivering this is largely in the hands of our park team, and they deserve a big share of the credit for their crucial role in creating a warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere,” said Ian.