A SCOTTISH ESCAPE

Beth Connor visits Oban Holiday Park, a scenic Scottish escape by the sea...

Oban Holiday Park, situated within the picturesque 340-acre expanse of Gallanachmore Farm, offers a tranquil retreat on Scotland’s west coast. Located just three miles from Oban’s vibrant town centre, the park provides a serene escape with breath-taking views of the Isle of Kerrera.

Operated by Highland Holidays, Oban Holiday Park has undergone significant investment in recent years, resulting in a beautifully maintained and modern park that manages to retain its connection to the wild Scottish coastline.

JUST A SHORT DRIVE from Oban, the park is a peaceful base for ferry trips and seaside strolls.

ACCOMMODATION WITH A VIEW
One of the standout features of Oban Holiday Park is its wide choice of accommodation and the views that come with it. Guests can choose from a range of luxury lodges, glamping pods, touring & camping pitches.

The high-spec lodges in particular are a real highlight, many of which feature private hot tubs on decking that overlooks the bay, a setting that’s hard to beat for a sunset soak. For those who enjoy the charm of camping without compromising on comfort, the glamping pods offer a cosy and convenient alternative, with electricity, heating and spectacular sea views as standard.

Touring and motorhome guests are also well catered for, with spacious pitches and excellent on-site amenities including modern shower blocks and laundry facilities.

MODERN LODGES with private hot tubs offer the perfect way to relax after a day of exploring.

THE GATEWAY TO THE HEBRIDES
Oban Holiday Park’s location makes it the ideal base for exploring the wider region. Often referred to as the “Gateway to the Isles” the town of Oban is a hub for ferry travel to the Hebridean islands, including Mull, Iona, and Coll - perfect for adventurous day trips.

Back on the mainland, visitors can enjoy scenic drives, coastal walks and wildlife watching, with regular sightings of seals, otters and sea birds.

Within a short drive, there’s a rich selection of attractions including Dunstaffnage Castle, the Oban Distillery and the dramatic landscapes of Glen Coe. Whether it’s hiking, fishing, kayaking, there’s no shortage of ways to connect with nature.

SOAK UP THE PEACEFUL surroundings and unwind with all the comforts of home.

WARM HOSPITALITY & FAMILY-FRIENDLY
The park is particularly popular with families, offering a safe and peaceful environment for children to play and explore. On-site play areas and open green spaces give kids plenty of freedom, while parents can enjoy a more relaxed pace of holiday life.

The park is also dog-friendly, which means four-legged family members are more than welcome to join in the fun. Oban Holiday Park strikes a great balance between providing freedom and convenience. While it doesn’t have the loud entertainment you might find at larger commercial resorts, it excels in offering a more tranquil, nature-led experience that many holidaymakers increasingly crave.

What really sets Oban Holiday Park apart is the warmth of its hospitality. Staff are known for going above and beyond to make guests feel welcome, from check-in through to departure. Visitors frequently comment on the friendly and helpful team who are always on hand to offer local tips and support.

A Highland Escape to Remember In a world where holidays often feel fast-paced and overly commercialised, Oban Holiday Park offers something refreshingly different. It’s a place where you can truly unwind, take in the scenery, reconnect with nature and loved ones, with a slower, more meaningful kind of holiday.

Whether you’re a returning visitor or discovering the area for the first time, Oban Holiday Park is the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression and a longing to come back.

Oban Holiday Park
0333 188 1930
www.highlandholidays.com/holiday-parks/oban/

PANORAMIC VIEW OF OBAN Holiday Park set against the stunning backdrop of the Island of Kerrera.

THE PARK IS ALSO DOG-FRIENDLY, which means four-legged family members are more than welcome.

OBAN IS A CHARMING COASTAL TOWN in Scotland, known as the “Seafood Capital of Scotland”.

PRAISE HEAPED ON WATERSIDE RESORT

PRAISE HEAPED ON WATERSIDE RESORT

WATERSIDE’S BOWLEAZE COVE Holiday Park & Spa is seeing returns on significant investment.

Consumer champion, Which? has named Waterside one of the UK’s best value holiday park providers for the second year in a row. The company, which operates three holiday parks in Dorset and one in Cornwall, scored 87 per cent in a survey of more 1,355 participants – a close second next to the top spot at 88 per cent.

Waterside achieved a full house of five out of five stars in every category, including quality of accommodation, customer service, and value for money. The company was praised for its luxury offering, with acknowledgement for its ‘top end stays in beautiful coastal locations’.

Waterside has continued its significant investment into its parks over the past year. The brand recently unveiled two new, exclusive holiday home developments - The Stables, situated at Bowleaze Cove Holiday Park & Spa in Weymouth, and Samphire Cove at Tregoad Holiday Park near Looe.

Both feature a private collection of bespoke, luxury lodges with open plan living, deluxe bathrooms, king-sized bedrooms, hot tubs, and full wrapped decking. Dave Bennett, CEO of Waterside commented: “It’s fantastic to triumph in a renowned nationwide survey for two consecutive years, with a consistent score that reflects all our parks’ exceptional standards delivered by our dedicated team!

“As a family-owned business with knowledge that’s been passed down in generations for the past 60 years, we’re proud to offer a holiday experience that goes the extra mile for our guests. Each of our parks offers something different and we’re continually investing in each site to uphold our quality promise. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without our team, and our consistent recognition by Which? is testament to their fantastic work year after year.”

FIRST HAVEN OPENING FOR EIGHT YEARS

FIRST HAVEN OPENING FOR EIGHT YEARS

HAVEN SKEGNESS HAS OPENED following an £11m renovation project.

The wraps have come off Haven Skegness, the company’s first new holiday park to open in eight years. An £11 million pound renovation project follows Haven’s acquisition of the Richmond Holiday Park in 2022 and is the first new holiday park opening under Blackstone’s ownership of the business.

Now with Haven’s heritage firmly embedded in family ownership and following significant investment, the park will continue to deliver the holiday experience that guests and owners have enjoyed for decades, as well as enhance its offering to UK holidaymakers across its three parks in Lincolnshire.

One of the UK’s most famous seaside holiday destinations, Haven Skegness has benefitted from wide ranging renovations. These include a brand-new state of the art Marina Bar & Stage entertainment venue, a fun-filled arcade and new food and drink options, including a Cook’s Fish & Chips, Papa John’s and Burger King.

Meanwhile, the park’s outdoor piazza and stage provide an inviting escape for holiday makers to relax and be entertained. Additionally, the Richmond Arms, a stylish 80-seater restaurant, offers guests a gastro-pub style option. As the domestic tourism market continues to grow, Haven is welcoming more holidaymakers than ever, with projected guest numbers expected to reach 3.5 million across all Haven parks throughout 2023.

Bookings for this year’s summer school holiday period have exceeded pre-pandemic levels up 31% compared to 2019. Signalling a resounding vote of confidence in UK seaside resorts, Haven Skegness has increased its guest capacity by 33% and team numbers have more than doubled from 85 last summer to 191 in 2023.

CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN COASTAL PARK

CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN COASTAL PARK

MULTI-MILLION pound plans have been submitted for the development of a state-of-the- art leisure complex at a popular holiday park. SF Parks submitted proposals for a six-lane bowling alley, rooftop bar, extended amusement arcade and relocated reception and offices at its Golden Gate Holiday Centre in Towyn, Wales.

The revamped facilities will complement a new swimming pool and recently renovated clubhouse on-site and come as the business seeks to increase the current 7 ½ month season to 10 ½ months in a bid to further boost the local economy and create more full-time jobs.

Doing so would also mean these high-quality attractions could be used by caravan owners and the public throughout the year. It is another significant investment by directors Oliver and Jonathan Seldon, who want to build the seaside town’s reputation as a popular tourist destination.

“Bringing people to the area throughout the year, not just in the summer, is vital for Towyn and surrounding areas,” said Jonathan. “Which is why the application to extend the season at Golden Gate to 10 ½ months goes hand-in-hand with our plans to transform the leisure facilities and continue improving the experience for our loyal customers.”