Holiday Makers

Holiday Park Pool Title For Plas Coch

Posted on January 9, 2019

Holiday Park Pool Of The Year Title For Plas Coch

Holiday Park Pool Title For Plas Coch

Plas Coch Coastal & Country Retreat has scooped the title of Holiday Park Pool Of The Year in this year’s UK Pool & Spa Awards. The Leisure Complex, part of an outstanding holiday resort in Anglesey, has recently undergone some remodelling, in order to offer more privacy for guests and to improve the exterior pool area. This year has seen the addition of an even wider variety of water based activities to our calendar, such as kayaking, underwater explores and birthday pool parties Exclusive to Plas Coch members, Plas Coch’s luxury hydrotherapy pools are designed to provide state of the art hydrotherapy treatments. Being immersed, buoyant or massaged in water relieves the body in a variety of different ways, ensuring guests feel fully relaxed. The pools use varying temperatures and speeds of water, allowing a different pampering experience as guests travel through the pool. The facility is overseen by Leisure Complex Manager, Luke Mitchell, Assistant Complex Manager, Cole Whittle and Complex Supervisor, Chris McNaught with Estelle Loynd as Activity Coordinator.

Luke says: “Each year, we invest in the development of the team in various ways. We ensure that our team members are Pool Plant Operator qualified, in order to guarantee that all technical aspects involved in the running of the pool are taken care of.” Luke adds: “We invest heavily in training our team members in activity instruction, with industry leading providers In2Action - who deliver a number of exciting and exhilarating activities such as; Archery, Underwater Explorers, Body Zorbs and much more.” The judges, that included category sponsors, BioChemica Leisure, commented: “The quality on display at Plas Coch was astonishing; words and pictures did not do it justice. “The pool was quite clearly well-kept and had a really clean nonchlorine smell. The hydro pool was a great extra and the treatment rooms were out of this world. We were all left purring over the features of this amazing pool.”

Rich Harvest For Farm Diversification

Posted on January 9, 2019

Rich Harvest For Far m DiversificationRich Harvest For Farm Diversification

Outdoor holiday accommodation specialist Pitchup.com has reported the strongest year to date for farm bookings on its website. The business, which represents more than 300 farms across the UK, has reported that 53,000 bookings on farm sites were taken in the last year, a whopping 32% annual increase. One site on Pitchup books took £90,000 in accommodation bookings in the last 12 months. Given that average Farm Business Income (FBI) is just £33,000, this is a real opportunity for farmers to invigorate their business and reap the rewards diversification brings. “Parts of the farming industry have struggled in recent years and large numbers have now embraced diversification to sustain their agricultural businesses,” said Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com. “Many farmers’ main asset is their vast swathes of land, much of which can lie unused. We want to encourage farmers to use the space for creating camp and glamping sites. It’s relatively inexpensive to set up a basic site - planning permission and licences are not always required - and the returns are immediate. “With our help these last few statistics can change. Farming is vital to the economy of Britain and to supplement core income from agriculture, we are actively encouraging more farmers to consider diversification. “The British domestic camping and caravan market is worth £2.2bn per annum and we’re encouraging farms to get on board and enjoy a slice of this income. Farmers already own the land in most cases – why not put unfarmed parts of it to use?

Five Star Short Break Holidays

Posted on September 5, 2018

Five Star Short Break Holidays

five star short break holidaysLeading luxury holiday home company Park Leisure has introduced five-star short breaks and longer stays as it embarks on its next phase of expansion. The announcement follows an increase in guest demand for first-class, luxury escapes  closer to home and sees the premium holiday home company welcome holiday makers looking for a little rest and relaxation in a Lodge or Caravan holiday home at three of its parks:
• Brynteg Coastal & Country Retreat,North Wales
• Par Sands Coastal Holiday Park, Cornwall
• Pentire Coastal Holiday Park, Cornwall

Park Leisure has also introduced five-star glamping at its Littondale Country & Leisure Park, in the Yorkshire Dales, this summer, with a range of serviced luxury safari tents and mega pods – stylishly simple wooden huts,for those looking to sleep under the stars. Speaking on the announcement, CEO of Park Leisure Miles Dewhurst said: “With more people looking to holiday in the UK than ever before the demand for luxury short stays and longer breaks has never been greater. Combining first-class facilities and services in some of the UK’s most stunning locations,we’re perfectly placed to respond to the demand and are delighted to provide guests with the opportunity to enjoy five-star holidays closer to home.”

Hotel Unveiled

Posted on September 5, 2018

Hotel Unveiled

hotel unveiled

Leading holiday park operator Argyll Holidays has announced the completion of its brand-new Drimsynie Estate Hotel. Located in the award-winning Drimsynie Estate Holiday Village overlooking Loch Goil in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the multi-million pound investment officially opens its doors to guests at the end of September. A total of £6.5million has been invested in the new hotel by Argyll Holidays. The company, still run by the Campbell family who set it up in 1967, opened its first holiday park on the site just over 50 years ago and the new development doubles the size of the existing hotel.

 

 

Camping On NHS Prescription

Posted on September 5, 2018

Camping On NHS Prescription

camping on nhs prescription

The managing director of a multi award-winning caravan dealership believes doctors should be prescribing camping and caravanning as an alternative to medication for stress related conditions. Mark Bebb from Shrewsbury-based Salop Leisure has welcomed a pledge by Government’s new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, o reduce people’s reliance on ‘unsophisticated drugs’. The comments came after it was revealed that 7.3 million people in the UK were given antidepressant drugs last year and 70,000 of them were children. Mr Hancock plans to give GPs alternatives and pledged to expand schemes to treat patients with mental health problems through social activities. “Evidence has shown the potential benefits of approaches like social prescribing, which addresses people’s physical and mental wellbeing and has been shown to both improve patients’ quality of life and reduce pressure on other NHS services.”

PATIENT REFERRALS

Social prescribing, which aims to improve people’s overall health and wellbeing rather than medicating a single condition, entails referring patients to community activities, volunteering, arts groups, gardening and cooking classes. Now Mr Bebb wants camping and caravanning added to the list, as he believes that both have been proven to possess therapeutic benefits. Salop Leisure has developed its Love2Stay caravanning and glamping resort in Shrewsbury to be “at one with nature” and to instil a feeling of well-being and tranquillity in visitors.

Experts have said that medicine is being used  a first resort too often in mental health care and doctors must explore more options before handing out pills. One in six adults took antidepressants last year, according to NHS figures, which is 500,000 more than in 2015. Previous research has suggested that that while nearly two thirds (57%) of non-campers are stressed or anxious on an average day, just a third of campers (35%) are stressed out.

Camping On NHS 2HAPPY CAMPERS

A study by outdoor holiday specialists Camping in the Forest found that campers (77%) are much more satisfied with their quality of life than noncampers (59%), while research by the Camping and Caravanning Club discovered that 93% of campers say camping can make you happier. Bob Hill, from Camping in the Forest, said: “With the advent of technology in all aspects of our personal and professional lives, the reality is that it can be very difficult for people to switch off. Unfortunately, this can make life very stressful as we need time out to relax, rejuvenate and just be.”
Researchers at the University of Essex found that nine out of 10 patients suffering from depression felt ‘higher self-esteem’ after a walk through a park. Almost three-quarters reported feeling less depressed and the researchers found that people recovered faster from illnesses through an ‘immunising’ effect that protected them from future stresses. Ecotherapy is the name given to a wide range of treatment programmes which aim to improve mental and physical wellbeing through doing outdoor activities in nature.

 

Thumbs Up For Beach Lodges

Posted on May 15, 2018

Thumbs Up For Beach Lodges

Above : Lodges on Bournemouth Beach are proving a five star attraction.

Business is booming for the Bournemouth Beach Lodges now entering their second season. Waking up to the sounds of the sea with stunning views of the Purbecks and Isle of Wight, many guests have commented their Lodge stay has been typical of a five-star experience. Designed and built by local New Forest craftsmen, each Lodge is heated with a fully equipped kitchen and shower room, can sleep up to four adults and two children, all of whom can stay connected via wifi and great local 4G coverage.

The 15 contemporary overnight stay Lodges are situated a stone’s throw from the water’s edge, a short walk east of Boscombe Pier, and include bespoke interior details which complement the natural warmth and look of the Lodges. Since their launch last April more than 1,250 bookings have been made and more 12,500 Dorset biscuits have been dunked into more than 7,500 cups of Dorset Tea, both found in the complimentary Beach Lodge welcome packs.

Acclaim For Former Dairy Farmers

Posted on November 3, 2017

Acclaim For Former Dairy Farmers

Acclaim For Former Dairy FarmersA family-run holiday business has claimed a double victory at this year’s Rural Business Awards (RBA’s).
Not only did Hoe Grange win the Best Rural Tourism Business category, it also pipped 12 other category winners to be crowned as the Champion of Champions. The Derbyshire farm, which specialises in high quality disabled access, was awarded the prize by Harper Adams University, ahead of runners-up Barleylands Farm Park and Craft Village in the only UK-wide programme dedicated to showcasing the success of rural businesses.
David Brown from Hoe Grange Holidays said: “We started out as dairy farmers but spotted an opportunity to diversify our business and offer a positive experience for people to enjoy the Derbyshire countryside.
“To have our success acknowledged at the Rural Business Awards is testament to all our hard work and to the people who have supported us along the way. It’s obviously a great honour to be named as Champion of Champions at this year’s ceremony and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for our business.”
When David and Felicity Brown first investigated self-catering tourism to supplement their dairy farm income in 2005, market research showed there was a large supply of standard self-catering properties in the Peak District but a lack of accessible accommodation. Over the past decade Hoe Grange Holidays has become a specialist in accessible accommodation, winning many national awards.

Post-Brexit Boom In Holiday Home Sales

Posted on July 4, 2017

Post-Brexit Boom In Holiday Home Sales

Brexit boomWith holiday caravans and lodges being more affordable than traditional houses, but certainly no less of a second-home in terms of space and style, sales at South West Holiday Parks’ two sites in Cornwall and their flagship park in Devon, have surged in the past 12 months.

The company has put the increase in sales partly down to more Brits opting to stay closer to home for their holidays, as the uncertainty of Brexit looms. “While Brexit has cast uncertainty over the economy, it is evident to us that people are still buying holiday homes, but here in the UK times have changed,” commented Josh Donald, Managing Director of South West Holiday Parks.

“Rather than watching their savings devalue month by month due to poor interest rates and rising inflation, our owners are buying a great holiday home, in a beautiful location and can sit back and relax knowing we take care of everything for them.”

He added: “Many people either have cash in the bank and are ready to buy a holiday lodge or caravan, or they use equity release so they can buy a holiday home without having to sell their main home and downsize. With a range of finance deals also on offer and more developments planned, we feel the holiday park is on the rise.”

Keeping Up Appearances

Posted on July 4, 2017

KUAKeeping Up Appearances

From weather-proofing picnic areas, to investing in new playground equipment and waste recycling systems, holiday park owners that take pride in their park’s exterior appearance and make the most of their outdoor appeal will ultimately reap the rewards.

If you’re considering transforming your outdoor areas it needn’t be a daunting task. In fact, investing in a few simple and cost effective measures can go a long way in improving aesthetics, comfort and facilities for your guests. “It’s important to keep outdoor spaces well-maintained as this is one of the first impressions visitors will experience at your park,” says Stephen Toone, Managing Director of Fordingbridge Plc – a leading manufacturer of canopies, walkways and sustainable buildings.

“Your clientele are more likely to return to your site and recommend to their friends and family if the external appearance is tidy.”

Maximising the use of outdoor spaces all year round by weather-proofing your facilities can not only improve your customers’ experience, but also set your park apart from the competition.

“We are seeing an increase in demand for weather protected activity areas and dining spaces. Popular designs include the soft aesthetics of timber, which blend nicely into forest parks. Alternatively, tensile structures which can be applied to all types of parks in any setting,” says Stephen.

Fordingbridge 1Fordingbridge work in partnership with parks to maximise customer experience and increase revenue potential. The experienced in-house design team assists by designing a canopy, walkway or queuing area pertinent to a park’s individual requirements or brand consistency at different sites. “Canopies can be used for increasing dining and picnic areas, which improve dwell time and all year round usage. Further uses include aesthetically pleasing storage facilities, such as secure bike shelters or outdoor activity equipment,” says Stephen.

ENGAGING IDEAS

“With more competition than ever before within the holiday park and leisure sector, attracting customers with new and engaging ideas are vital to achieve this. One of the many innovative ideas is the inspiring and engaging butterfly exhibit, which provides an attraction to suit all ages in all weather conditions.” A comprehensive outdoor play area is a winning formula for hospitality venues looking to appeal to young families.

Camber Sands Holiday Park in Sussex required a large new play area as part of a refurbishment project earlier this year.  The park owners wanted separate areas for toddlers and juniors and a wide range of equipment.  They enlisted the help of HAGS-SMP to design and install the scheme, which included themed multi-play units, dynamic equipment, a zip line, sunken trampolines and a trail with an 8m traverse wall.

The play area has proven to be a huge hit with customers, and according to HAGS, the only complaint from site has been to ask how to keep the adults off the equipment!  “Theming seems to be a constant favourite with our clients.  From pirate ships to fairy-tale castles you can add real play value to your areas by engaging a child’s imagination,” comments Simon Wright, Head of Sales at HAGS.

BETTER VALUE

“With something to suit all budgets, our products are built to last, providing better value over a longer period of time. A small play area suitable for approximate six to ten children might start from £10k and increase from there.” Simon add: “Remember though, if your budget is tight you might consider planning your scheme in phases, this way you can add to the playground over a period of time that suits.”

To find out more about maximising your outdoor space, subscribe to Holiday Park Scene

Company Contacts

Fordingbridge  Tel. 01243 554 455  www.fordingbridge.co.uk

HAGS-SMP  Tel. 01784 489109  www.hags-smp.co.uk

IvyLiving  Tel. 08448 002215  www.ivyliving.co

Rolec Services  Tel. 01205 724754  www.rolecserv.com

Trimax  Tel. 01933 652 235  www.trimaxmowers.co.uk

Coastal Breaks Top Holiday Wish List

Posted on July 4, 2017

Coastal Breaks Top Holiday Wish List

‘Seasiding’ is the most popular way to spend your holidays in 2017 according to holiday park operator Parkdean Resorts.

Coastal breakThe new term has been coined by the company to describe a trend in holidaymakers booking up to take a trip to the seaside, either for their children to share in the same experiences they have enjoyed years ago or simply to appreciate the wonders of a holiday by the sea. The UK staycation market has grown steadily over recent years, with many people opting for domestic holidays over going abroad.

As a result, Parkdean Resorts welcomed over 500,000 holidaymakers in 2016, a figure which is set to increase this year - with real demand for coastal breaks in particular emerging. John Waterworth, chief executive of Parkdean Resorts, said: “This year will see more and more people reliving memories of childhood holidays at the sea, reflected by an uplift in our booking figures for 2017 breaks across our coastal parks.

“While nostalgia and tradition play an important part in the trend, ‘seasiding’ is all about holidaying at the coast in new ways. The seaside offering has evolved considerably over the decades since my parents visited as children, not least on our parks which now provide caravans with central heating and double glazing, and often with indoor pools and adventure play areas, making it comfortable to holiday both sides of the peak summer months.” John added: “We have made a significant investment of £50m across our parks on accommodation, retail and leisure facilities this year, where families can create memories that will last a lifetime.”