HOLIDAY PARKS URGED TO ENTER 2026 UK POOL & SPA AWARDS

Posted on February 10, 2026

Holiday Parks, Caravan Parks & Hospitality Sites with swimming pools, spas, or wellness facilities are being encouraged to enter the 2026 UK Pool & Spa Awards, following a spectacular showcase of innovation at this year’s event.

The 15th edition of the awards, hosted by water leisure specialists Waterland Media, saw 250 entries from 75 companies, celebrating excellence in pool, spa, hot tub, and wellness design. Categories ranged from One-Piece Pool Project of the Year to Swim Spa Project of the Year, Energy Efficient/Eco Award, and Health & Wellness Project of the Year.

“The industry continues to raise the bar every year, with customer experience and wellbeing at the heart of design and innovation,” said Christina Connor, Managing Director of Waterland Media, publishers of Pool & Spa SCENE magazine. “We champion the companies, individuals, and products that are shaping the sector and inspiring a new era of home and commercial leisure facilities.”

This year’s awards highlighted the growing demand for wellness features that combine fitness, leisure, and family enjoyment. Popular trends include compact swim spas, quick-build one-piece pools, smart swim jet technology, and eco-efficient installations, alongside saunas and fire-and-ice wellness experiences.

Among the winners, Kelling Health Holiday Park in Norfolk, designed by Newson Pools, took home the prestigious Holiday Park Pool of the Year award, showcasing a combination of innovative design, energy efficiency, and guest-focused features. Other top performers included Buckingham Pools, Essex’s Aquascapes, Surrey’s Tanby Swimming Pools, and Northern Ireland’s Starview Hot Tubs & Outdoor Living.

For holiday parks, an award-winning pool or spa is more than a facility – it’s a key differentiator, enhancing guest satisfaction, increasing bookings, and supporting premium rates. Parks with pools, spas, or wellness suites are encouraged to enter the 2026 UK Pool & Spa Awards to gain recognition for high standards, design excellence, and operational innovation.

Full details and entry information are available at www.ukpoolandspaawards.co.uk

FROM SWIM SPAS TO LUXURY POOLS, recognition at the UK Pool & Spa Awards highlights the facilities that elevate guest experiences and boost bookings

THE UK’S PREMIER WATER LEISURE & WELLNESS SHOWCASE

Posted on November 11, 2025

SPATEX 2026 exhibitor 1 Stop Spas

Water leisure and holiday parks go hand in hand, which is why SPATEX 2026 - the UK’s ONLY dedicated water leisure exhibition - is designed for YOU. Free to attend, Tuesday 3rd to Thursday 5th February, at Coventry Building Society Arena, the show covers hot tubs, ice baths, saunas, spas, wellness suites through to steam rooms, enclosures, swimming pools, and all the ancillary products.

Whether you’re looking to refurbish or install from scratch, SPATEX 2026 is a vital industry event. With more stand space and companies than ever before, the expo is celebrating its milestone 30th anniversary.

A bumper edition, and the first and only time in the UK in 2026 that every aspect of water leisure will be gathered under one roof, this is the edition not to miss. Best showcase in the UK - view and compare a host of new innovations on the stands and in the New Product Zone.

With over one hundred and twenty exhibiting companies, including all the leading water leisure manufacturers and suppliers from around the world, the glittering showcase will include every aspect of water leisure. Exclusive deals & discounts - Many of the exhibitors will be offering special visitor discounts.

Energy saving is at the heart of SPATEX 2026 with talks and the latest products, from variable speed pumps, heat retention covers and LED lighting to air source heat pumps and super insulated one-piece pools.

SPATEX 2026 exhibitor Aqua Warehouse

Free learning – SPATEX will host a free-to-attend double seminar programme with a diverse range of need-to-know information, including the latest on AI and its impact on holiday parks, up-to-the-minute health and safety guidance, and the handling of waterborne bacteria, such as Legionella and Cryptosporidium.

Plus, interactive workshops provide hands-on demonstrations. CPD points and certificates of attendance are issued to all attendees of Arena 1. Industry Hub – several esteemed industry associations, such as IOS (Institute of Swimming), RLSS UK (Royal Life Saving Society UK), and STA (Swimming Teachers’ Association) will all be conveniently situated on one large stand (adjacent to seminar Arena 2) to offer information and guidance.

Expertise on tap - Bring your plans with you – there’s no better place to seek impartial advice from a variety of specialists, and all for free. Pick up inspiration: the BSPF (the British Swimming Pool Federation) will be hosting the British Pool & Hot Tub Awards, showcasing the best examples of design, construction, and installation.

Photos of the winning projects will be displayed. Register early and have a FREE Meal Deal on SPATEX 2026 It’s simple! Scan the QR code below by Friday 19th December to register for SPATEX 2026 and you will qualify for a Meal Deal valid within the exhibition hall, available on either the 3rd, 4th or 5th February. Your voucher will be waiting for you at registration, and full details will be sent prior to the show. SPATEX provides free car parking for all its visitors.

SPATEX
The Pool, Spa & Wellness Show
www.spatex.co.uk

£3 MILLION UPGRADE FOR WOOLACOMBE BAY

Posted on February 11, 2025

Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks is set to launch its luxurious Emerald caravans in 2025, part of a £3 million investment to meet rising demand for high-end caravan holidays, which has grown by 77% over five years.

The caravans, in prime locations with stunning views, offer 15% more space, en-suite master bedrooms, family bathrooms with tubs, fully-furnished interiors, and private decking with gas barbecues. Pet-friendly options are also expanding, reflecting a 72% rise in families traveling with pets.

This includes designated caravans, dog-friendly café bars, and the popular Woof Park play area. New attractions for 2025 include a Wavesurfer simulator at Twitchen House and an energy-efficient outdoor pool with a splash pad.

Upgraded dining options will feature extended café bars with quality, affordable meals. Woolacombe Bay’s facilities across its three parks offer something for everyone, from spas and swimming pools to water activities like Aqua Inflatables.

The parks’ commitment to reinvestment ensures top-tier experiences at reasonable prices. To make holidays more accessible, an interest-free monthly payment plan launches in 2025, with early booking discounts saving up to £300 and family stays starting from just £99.

EXPLORE EVERYTHING WATER LEISURE AT SPATEX 2025

Posted on November 12, 2024

Hot tubs and swimming pools are one of the most sought-after facility when choosing a holiday destination, which is why SPATEX 2025 - the UK’s ONLY dedicated water leisure exhibition - is designed for YOU.

Free to attend, Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th February, at Coventry Building Society Arena, SPATEX caters for both the commercial and domestic markets, and covers swimming pools, saunas, spas, wellness suites through to steam rooms, enclosures, hot tubs, and all the ancillary products. Here’s what a visit to SPATEX 2025 will give you:

1. EXPLORE NEW PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Whether you’re looking to renovate or dip your toe into the water for the first time, it’s the first opportunity in 2025 to see, touch, compare and discuss the latest innovations and cutting-edge products.

2. EXCLUSIVE DEALS & DISCOUNTS
Many of the 100 plus exhibitors, including the industry’s major manufacturers and suppliers, will be offering visitors special show discounts.

3. HANDS-ON KNOW-HOW
Interactive workshops and demonstrations provide inside track knowledge.

4. ENHANCE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
Energy-saving the cornerstone of its agenda. View the most insulated hot tubs, new generation heat pumps, the latest heat retention covers, enclosures, water circulating pumps, chemical dosing systems – all have undergone big technological advances in the last few years.

5. ACCESS TO EXPERT INSIGHTS
With the world’s top water leisure experts on hand, access free advice. Come to the SPATEX Help Desk at the entrance of the hall if you need a starting point.

6. FREE KNOWLEDGE
Talks and demonstrations in the show’s free-to-attend, three-day double seminar programme are open to everyone and cover an extensive range of topics, from the latest time-saving maintenance of commercial pools and spas to future trends, social media and marketing.

7. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Attendees of the technical workshops, curated by the Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers (ISPE) in Arena 1, will be awarded CPD accreditation.

8. BEST PRACTICE
Ensure your facility meets the latest legal and safety standards. Get up to speed with the latest regulatory changes and compliance issues to implement upgrades or enhancements to attract more customers and improve satisfaction.

9. INSPIRATION
Exposure to the latest trends and award-winning projects. Winners of the SPATA (Swimming Pool & Allied Trades Association) and BISHTA (British & Irish Spa & Hot Tub Association) Awards for 2025 will be announced during SPATEX.

10. PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
There’s nothing like face-to-face business to help promote connections, collaborations and partnerships. Take advantage of SPATEX’s numerous networking opportunities. SPATEX 2025 - Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th February. The Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry CV6 6GE 2,000 on-site free car parking spaces.

Secure your place by registering now and sign up for monthly newslines
Tel: +44 (0) 1264 358558
www.spatex.co.uk
helen@spatex.co.uk

TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPATEX VISIT

Posted on October 28, 2021

TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPATEX VISIT

SPATEX is a must visit for water leisure features from hot tubs to swimming pools and much more besides.

Thinking of installing a hot tub or swimming pool or updating your current facilities? Then SPATEX 2022, at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Tues 1st to Thurs 3rd February, is a must-attend event.
As the UK’s only dedicated annual exhibition, entering its 25th year, over one hundred companies, from home and abroad, will display their latest models and innovations.
Free to attend, it provides holiday park owners with all you need to know about water leisure features such as spas, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, swimming pools, enclosures and much more besides.
With the latest money-saving innovations - energy-saving is the cornerstone of the show’s agenda, you can tap into expert advice from some of the world’s top water leisure experts on hand, access free advice for your existing or future project.
Talks and demonstrations in the show’s free-to-attend, three-day double seminar and workshop programme will focus on how to save time and money. CPD points and a certificate of attendance are awarded to all attendees of the ISPE (Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers) workshops.
Make your first point of call, the SPATEX Help Desk at the entrance to be pointed in the right direction and don’t forget The Big Reunion - SPATEX’s free to attend 25th anniversary networking party on Wednesday after the show closes at 5pm with free drinks, canapes and lots of industry chat.
The Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry CV6 6GE is easy to get to - just 500 yards of the M6 and within two hours commuting time of 75 per cent of the population that ofers 2,000 free on-site car parking spaces.
Register now at www.spatex.co.uk

New Year Destination

Posted on November 7, 2018

New Year Destination

For those thinking of adding a swimming pool or hot tub, the UK’s only dedicated wet leisure exhibition, SPATEX 2019, is a must-attend. SPATEX is a shop window on all that is new and happening in hot tubs, swimming pools, spas, saunas, enclosures, steam rooms, all under one roof, at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, from Tuesday to Thursday, January 29th to 31st. The exhibition offers a unique platform for free professional training and education and repeating last year’s success of a double parallel programme, seminars will run on all three days of the show.

SPATEX
Tel. 01264 358558
www.spatex.co.uk

Swimming Pools Are The Vital Ingredient

Posted on November 14, 2016

Swimming Pools Are The Vital Ingredient

Anyone involved with the operation or management of a commercial water leisure facility will benefit from SPATEX 2017.

If there’s one ingredient that singles out a holiday park from the crowd and secures repeat bookings, it is the quality of its water leisure provision, be it a hot tub, sauna or swimming pool.

As the single best relaxation resource that a resort can provide, they are widely regarded as fundamental to a holiday business’s success. Which is why attendance at the water leisure industry’s annual exhibition, SPATEX 2017 at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena from Tuesday January 31 to Thursday February 2 is one of the most important dates in your 2017 calendar.

Anyone involved with the operation or management of a commercial water leisure facility will benefit from SPATEX 2017. Whether you’re looking to dip your toe in the water for the first time or refurbish an existing facility, SPATEX is the UK’s largest showcase of hot tubs, swimming pools, spas, saunas, enclosures, steam rooms and much more.

With a double seminar programme on all three days, with the emphasis on holiday parks and the commercial sector, it is also a unique platform for free professional training and education.Holiday Park Scene will be in attendance at the three-day trade show, so be sure to pop by the stand to meet the team and discuss how we can help you reach your business goals for the year.

Free to attend, you can register online at www.spatex.co.uk.

Hot Tubs Are The Golden Goose

Posted on May 4, 2016

Hot tubs are a highly profitable addition to a holiday letting. Pic: Caldera Spas.

Hot Tubs Are The Golden Goose

Hot tubs are the must-have ingredient in the recipe to holiday booking success it has been revealed.

According to self-catering specialists Hoseasons, a private hot tub is the number one searched for item on the website, accounting for more than 100,000 searches each month.

“Hot tubs really are the golden goose of the holiday market,” comments Jon Moxon, business development manager at Hoseasons.

“There’s been a meteoric rise in the popularity of hot tub holidays since our first unit went on sale at Faweather Grange, Yorkshire, in 1997. These days there are more than 2,500 lodges and luxury holiday homes with hot tubs across our portfolio, with unit numbers increasing by 21% since 2013.”

A highly profitable addition to a holiday letting, there are however, potentially hazardous pitfalls to avoid before taking the hot tub plunge. Although more affordable, domestic hot tubs are designed solely for home use and are not intended for commercial use. “Avoid the temptation of buying a cheap spa on the internet,” advises Chris Brady of Lincolnshire-based 1 Stop Spas, who is heading up the UK branch of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals.

“We come across plenty of customers whose opinion when buying was ‘I only want a cheap spa because I’m only renting it out’. Like most electrical equipment, buying cheap isn’t always cost effective over a few years.”

He adds: “Cheap spas can cost up to ten times as much to run, meaning higher overheads. They are often fitted with cheap components, therefore the reliability is not very good meaning in inconvenient downtime for you and rental customers.”

Show Hots Up For Park Operators

Posted on September 8, 2015

Show Hots Up For Park Operators

The Landscape Show features contemporary, cutting edge technologies and methods, and is supported by a comprehensive free seminar programme.

The holiday park industry has not one, but four trade shows to look forward to, covering a variety of park-related hot topics - and what’s more, they are all free to attend.

First up is the well-established Landscape Show in September, which focuses on the design, build and maintenance of indoor and outdoor landscaping projects.

Visitors to the show at Battersea Park in central London will have the opportunity to view cutting edge products and technologies geared towards improving their property, including outdoor furniture, paving options, trees and planting, containers and decking. The show attracts over 3,000 visitors including landscape designers, architects, contractors, facilities managers, local government planners, councils and parks officers, groundsmen and interior designers to name just a few.

Meanwhile the UK’s leading leisure industry exhibition returns to the NEC in Birmingham in September, representing all sectors of leisure including exercise, facilities, food and drink, sport, indoor play and family entertainment. Leisure Industry Week (LIW) is the ideal place to see what’s new, keep up with the latest trends and explore everything the leisure market has to offer. Holiday park owners will benefit from the extensive education and conference programme on offer at the show.

Next up is the new and improved Sports, Amenities, Landscaping Trade Exhibition’s, otherwise known as SALTEX, which gets underway at the NEC in Birmingham in November.

The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show takes place on the 11th and 12th of November at Birmingham NEC and is completely free to attend.

The new, centrally located, national exhibition venue and the more convenient time of year has attracted more than 200 exhibitors representing groundscare machinery, play equipment, landscaping products, pest control and waste management. The new look SALTEX also marks the 70th anniversary of the show and will feature a comprehensive programme of free educational seminars. Visitors can attend any of the 47 educational seminars on the show floor within the two-day Learning Live programme.

The hotly anticipated Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show in November is shaping up to be an unmissable event.

“Given this is such an increasingly competitive industry, those running holiday parks and resorts really need to keep on top of the latest changes, developments and trends if they want to keep attracting customers back and appealing to new ones” says Will Mansfield, event manager for the show.

He adds: “This event has been designed as the one stop shop providing the ideas, resources and inspiration needed to ensure they can evolve, expand and innovate their holiday business.” Top industry speakers are confirmed including Henry Wild of the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, Robbie Davies of Hoseasons and Chris Laxen of Park Resorts. In addition there are over 150 exhibitors, 60 seminars and un-rivalled business opportunities over the two days.

Taking place in November, the UK Pool & Spa Expo boasts the biggest selection of hot tub suppliers under one roof. Pic: Vita Spa.

With the biggest range of hot tubs and spas on display under one roof, the fourth edition of the UK Pool & Spa Expo returns to the NEC in Birmingham in November. Boasting broad selection of pool and spa-related products and services, the Expo promises to both inform and inspire its visitors. Exhibitors from some of Europe’s leading hot tub and spa manufacturers will be on hand to offer assistance on selecting the right products for your park, as well as providing expert advice on hot tub upkeep and maintenance. The Expo also boasts the added attraction of the 2015 UK Pool & Spa Awards that are being held at the new Resorts World, near to the NEC on the second evening of the exhibition, Monday 23 November.

If there’s one ingredient that singles out a holiday park from the crowd and secures repeat bookings, it is the quality of its water leisure provision. As the single best relaxation resource that a resort can provide, it is widely regarded as fundamental to a holiday park’s success. In January, Coventry’s Ricoh Arena plays host to the pool and spa exhibition SPATEX 2016 which, in its 20th anniversary year, attracts well over 100 exhibitors and is the ideal hunting ground to source new products and innovations. Displaying everything from pools, saunas, water play features and pool enclosures to energy saving chemical control and heating and ventilation units, you can be sure to find what you are looking for. Many exhibitors will also be offering special discounts exclusive to the show.

The Landscape Show
22 - 23 September 2015
Battersea Park, London
www.landscapeshow.co.uk
Leisure Industry Week
22 - 23 September 2015
NEC, Birmingham
www.liw.co.uk
SALTEX
4 – 5 November 2015
NEC, Birmingham
www.iogsaltex.com
Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show
11 – 12 November 2015
NEC, Birmingham
www.holidayparkshow.co.uk
UK Pool & Spa Expo
22 – 24 November 2015
NEC, Birmingham
www.ukpoolspa-expo.co.uk
SPATEX
31 January – 2 February 2016
Ricoh Arena, Coventry
www.spatex.co.uk

Show Visitors Spoilt For Choice

Posted on June 26, 2015

Above: The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show took place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire in June.

Show Visitors Spoilt For Choice

Visitors from across the country descended on Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire last month to visit the 2015 World of Park & Leisure Homes Show – the biggest in the show’s history.

With over 50 homes on display from some of the UK’s major manufacturers in the leisure lodge and park homes industry, the visitors were spoilt for choice at the four day outdoor exhibition.

The feel good factor was evident among exhibitors and the trade preview day was an ideal opportunity for park owners, site managers and others working within the industry to visit the show ahead of the general public.

As in previous years, the 2015 show was a one-stop-shop covering all aspects of park life. A varied selection of exhibitors were on hand to offer expert advice and guidance on choosing the right park and the right lodge or park home to fit any budget.

Above: Omar Park Homes celebrated its 50th year in business with a cake cutting ceremony and drinks reception.

A highlight of this year’s show was a pop-up holiday park created by park and holiday home specialists Pathfinder Homes. Located at the main entrance to the show and aptly named the Pathfinder Garden Quarter, the area was equipped with aweinspiring gardens, luxury lodges and a courtyard, and featured some of Pathfinder’s most popular lodges – The Summit, Keeper’s Lodge, Meadow View and Country Retreat. In fact, The Summit lodge was voted ‘Ultimate Lodge of the Year’ at the show for its innovative design and evolutionary detailing.

Mike Wills, Pathfinder Homes MD stated: “We are delighted to have won the Ultimate Lodge of the Year Award for the third consecutive year. The industry is experiencing such an exciting period and we are proud to continue to innovate the standard.”

Meanwhile Omar Park Homes celebrated its 50th anniversary at the show with a special cake cutting ceremony and the launch of its brand new park home – ‘The Anniversary’.

Aside from lodges and park homes, there was plenty of information and advice on refurbishment, maintenance and of course those must-have little luxuries such as spas and hot tubs.

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World of Park & Leisure Homes Show
Tel. 01789 491451
www.parkhomeandleisure.co.uk