Staycation

NEW £1M STAFFS HOLIDAY DEVELOPMENT

Posted on August 2, 2023

NEW £1M STAFFS HOLIDAY DEVELOPMENT

ADAM BREAKSPEARE has decided to pitch the Oakland Holiday Park lodges at the top end of the market

Rising demand for holiday homes in rural Staffordshire has prompted a local family to create a new £1 million development on its long-established holiday park. Oakland Holiday Park, near the village of Brewood and close to the Shropshire border, says that sales enquiries have been booming since the end of pandemic.

Now the park is getting ready to open up a new phase of luxury lodges which are all located on the banks of the Shropshire Union Canal which runs through the grounds. Adam Breakspeare, whose family has owned the park for 35 years, says that although the investment is substantial, he is confident the demand will be there: “Many people took a holiday in Britain for the first time during the pandemic years, and clearly enjoyed the experience,” he says.

“Now many are looking to own a holiday home in tranquil countryside which they can enjoy throughout the year, both for short breaks and longer stays. “We have decided to pitch our new development at the top end of the market, and all of our new holiday lodges are fully equipped and furnished to the highest standard,” said Adam.

Starting at around £145,000, the lodges are for a limited period being offered with a free hot tub in which owners can unwind. Each also has its own exterior decking for al-fresco dining. Owners will have full use of Oakland’s extensive guest facilities which include an indoor pool and sauna, fitness suite, fishing pool, and friendly park bar serving snacks and meals.

The park is a previous overall winner of the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Awards in the parks category, thanks to its first-class standards and welcoming atmosphere. The wildlife-rich nine-acre grounds of Oakland, says Adam, are a haven for wildlife which the family encourages with a raft of conservation initiatives.

Rainfall is harvested for irrigating the many shrubs and flowers planted throughout the park, a lot of which have high nectar-bearing blooms which draw butterflies and honey bees. In addition, the family has installed many bird, bat and owl boxes, and provides heating for its pool with a highly efficient solar energy system.

£7 MILLON MAKEOVER FOR ABER BAY

Posted on August 2, 2023

£7 MILLON MAKEOVER FOR ABER BAY

ABER BAY’S NEW SWIMMING pool complex provides family fun in light, airy surroundings

Staff and the family owners of a Mid Wales holiday park are celebrating the opening of a massive £7 million makeover of the park’s facilities. Aber Bay Holiday Park near Aberystwyth now boasts one of Wales’s most environmentally-friendly entertainment and leisure complexes.

The project by owners Allens Caravans was undertaken in tandem with an extension of the park which has seen the addition of 55 new holiday homes, available to own from around £70,000. Aber Bay Holiday Park is just a short stroll from the beach at Clarach Bay and is especially popular with young families and others who enjoy the many nearby walking opportunities.

It is one of twelve top-end parks operated by Allens Caravans which was founded over 80 years ago by Bill Allen, and is today still run by his grandchildren and family members. The new development at Aber Bay is the biggest single investment ever made by the company and is intended to meet the ever-rising quality expectations of guests.

Its striking new clubhouse has a rooftop terrace providing dramatic and far-reaching views of the coast, and of the surrounding countryside with its mountain backdrop. The clubhouse also includes a bar, restaurant, lounge areas and professional lighting and sound systems for the staging of live family entertainment.

A new heated indoor swimming pool can be enjoyed throughout the 10.5 months when the park is open. Other facilities include a games room and outdoor children’s play areas. Allens Caravans’ longstanding commitment to sustainability is evident in the many features of the new centre designed to conserve energy and reduce the park’s carbon footprint.

BEVERLEY BAGS DOUBLE GOLD

Posted on August 2, 2023

BEVERLEY BAGS DOUBLE GOLD

A TEAM EFFORT HAS SECURED winning success for Devon-based Beverley Holidays.

The awards cabinet at Beverley Holidays is positively bursting after the family-run holiday park group scooped not just one but two top industry accolades. Based in Paignton, the family-run group overcame tough competition to take the coveted Tourism Business Of The Year title for a second year at the 2023 Torbay Weekly Inspiring Business Awards.

The award follows hot on the heels of further good news for Beverley Holidays which was also recently given AA Gold Pennants – a much-coveted accolade only reserved for the best camping parks in the UK. A recent AA inspection saw it total up a quality score of 90%, a reliable marker more that the standard of quality and variety of facilities offered at the holiday park group is top-class.

Director of Beverley Holidays, Nicola Furneaux, said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be adding not just one but two new accolades to our awards total – a much-deserved win for our hard- working team who pride themselves on going above and beyond for our guests”.

NEW NORTHUMBERLAND DESTINATION UNVEILED

Posted on August 2, 2023

NEW NORTHUMBERLAND DESTINATION UNVEILED

THE NEW PARK HOLIDAYS UK destination will have waterside holiday homes similar to those at other parks in the group, such as Chichester Lakeside in West Sussex

Intending to put the region firmly on the tourist map, Park Holidays UK is investing in a major new holiday park in North East England. Widdrington Lakes Holiday Park is still around 12 months away from welcoming its first guests, but Park Holidays UK is promising ‘our most ambitious and exciting new park to date’.

Located near the village of Widdrington in Northumberland, the 300-plus acre park is close to both Druridge Bay with its seven miles of sand dunes, and the Northumberland National Park. When it opens next spring, the development will provide in its first phase up to 475 pitches for luxury holiday lodges to own and rent, plus facilities for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

Outline consent has also been obtained for a second phase of development which will further increase the park’s capacity in the future. Many of the holiday homes will have spectacular views across the two lakes which sit at the heart of the park, and around which extensive landscaping and biodiversity work will be taking place.

Both lakes attract a myriad of wildlife, including many different migratory and native bird species which the park is working closely with Northumberland Wildlife Trust to help protect. There will also be many other conservation projects in the park’s grounds, including the creation of new wildlife habitats and the planting of native trees and shrubs.

Also planned is a wildlife meadow to provide foraging for honey bees and butterflies, plus wetland areas in which protected plants and animals can flourish. Leisure facilities on the multi-million-pound development will be provided for guests and holiday home owners, plus a bar and restaurant where locally sourced food will feature on the menu.

TREGOAD ACCELERATES SUSTAINABILITY

Posted on August 2, 2023

TREGOAD ACCELERATES SUSTAINABILITY

CORNWALL’S TREGOAD Holiday Park has stepped up its sustainability investment.

Tregoad Holiday Park, near Looe in Cornwall, has stepped up its sustainability efforts as part of a multi-million-pound investment programme, including introducing various new wildlife species and installing more than 3,000m2 of wildflower turf. The park has invested £300,000 in planting various indigenous plant species, and installed various new habitats including three natural beehives, duck houses, bird and bat boxes made from recycled electric cable colonies.

This year, the park is spending £36,000 on upgrading its wildlife walk, adding an additional 2km to allow guests access to more of the park’s rich landscape and range of wildlife. “Our wildlife assets are central to Tregoad, with our signature lakes and woodland walk a core part of our guest experience,” comments Matt Way, General Manager at Tregoad Holiday Park. “We believe we have a responsibility to nurture and enhance our natural surroundings, helping Cornwall’s local environment thrive and contribute to a greener future.

“As well as focusing on wildlife and planting, we’ve been assessing everything we’re doing at Tregoad to ensure we’re operating as sustainably as possible,” Matt continues. “For example, we’ve introduced a new foul waste treatment to allow the park to be self-sufficient, installed water refill taps, and reused construction materials across the site such as our toilet blocks, which have been crushed and reused as road infill.”

“We’re also continuing to work with Climate Vision to identify ways in which we can continue to reduce our carbon footprint.” Tregoad Holiday Park was acquired by family-run Waterside Holiday Group in 2020, representing the company’s fourth holiday park and its first in Cornwall. Located in the heart of the Cornish countryside, the park offers a range of high-quality facilities and self-catered accommodation, including static caravans complete with hot tubs, holiday cottages, and a Manor House.

BIGGER NOT ALWAYS BETTER

Posted on August 2, 2023

BIGGER NOT ALWAYS BETTER

THE TWO CENTRE RESORT Potters tops the Which? holiday park survey

Butlins, Pontins and Center Parcs were all beaten by smaller independents in the Which? annual survey of holiday park destinations published this summer. The consumer group asked 1,355 Which? members and members of the general public to complete an online survey about their experience of recent stays at UK holiday parks and resorts.

Which? rated 18 holiday parks for cleanliness, accommodation, facilities, customer service, entertainment, food and drink, value for money and costs per night. It was the lesser known names that triumphed over their megabrand rivals in the results which were undertaken from April 2022. Only the top performing parks and resorts have been awarded Which? Recommended Provider (WRP) status.

Respectable marks were attributed to Center Parcs at 72% and Butlins with 71% but Pontin’s could only manage 59% based on reviews of ‘grotty chalets’ and ‘lacklustre’ entertainment. First and second-placed Potters Resorts and Waterside Holiday Group, are both family-run brands that have been in the business for decades. They scored five stars in every category, including customer service and value for money.

Operating for over 100 years, Potters was opened by founder Herbert Potter after he won £500 in a competition. With all-inclusive resorts in Norfolk and Essex, Potters scored top marks with an impressive overall score of 88%. More a resort than a park, accommodation at Potters is in bungalows, hotel rooms and suites. Nudged into second spot with 87%, the small regional brand, Waterside Holiday Group has four luxurious parks, three in Dorset, one in Cornwall.

INDEPENDENTS like Fowlers scored highly in the Which? survey

Their caravans are as classy as they come – at least 3.6 metres wide, with central heating and double glazing, plus fully equipped kitchens and widescreen TVs. Or you can glamp in a safari lodge with a private hot tub. Unlike Potters, Waterside does not offer an all-inclusive rate, meaning visitors pay extra on top to dine at its beachfront bars or restaurants.

A close third, Bluestone Wales attracted a customer score of 81%. Founder William McNamara originally opened up his dairy farm to guests in the 1980s when milk quotas threatened his livelihood. Today this single five-star resort has expanded to a sprawling 500 acres, where rolling countryside meets rugged coastline within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Scoring 78% in fourth spot, John Fowler began in 1953 as one caravan in a field but has expanded to 11 coastal locations across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, with a wide range of accommodations and prices. Like many independents, John Fowler Holidays stood out for its customer service – rated five stars with the Which? verdict: “It’s cheaper than Pontins and about the same price as Butlin’s, but better than both.”

A DECADE OF DESTINATIONS

Posted on May 11, 2023

A DECADE OF DESTINATIONS

Celebrating Holiday Park SCENE's tenth anniversary...

Flip the rewind switch on the time machine to 2013 and we find British Prime Minister David Cameron publishing a draft European Union Bill aimed at holding a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union by 2017. It was the year that former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher died, following a stroke, while Catherine, now Princess of Wales, gave birth to George Alexander Louis at St Mary’s Hospital, London.

On the sports scene, Andy Murray became the first British man to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936; defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in straight sets. Rising temperatures led to health warnings being issued, for Southern England and the Midlands, in the UK’s first prolonged heatwave since 2006. The weather continued to be challenging as, at the end of October, what became known as the St Judes’ Day storm, brought with it gusts of 99 mph at The Needles on the Isle of Wight.

2013 also saw the launch issue of Holiday Park SCENE, a new print and on-line magazine, packed with fresh ideas and a must-read for anyone who runs or works in a holiday park sector. The Holiday Park SCENE team set out its ambition to work as an extension of destination management teams. These core aims have stayed entrenched in the magazine’s mission statement to inform and inspire UK holiday destinations, boosting visitor experiences and reaping rich returns on investments.

For more than a decade now, Holiday Park SCENE has offered the inside track on the latest market news and reports covering all aspects of holiday park management. We have brought you behind the scenes news on destination businesses that are performing well as generously, they shared their experiences. But most importantly, we have talked to the people who matter – people who add the experience, energy and enthusiasm to keep raising standards across all areas of the UK and Eire holiday park sector.

With the help of our knowledgeable writing team over ten years, we have covered subjects as varied as holiday lodges, glamping, hot tubs, catering and entertainment. The Holiday Park SCENE team has looked at some of the latest options from camping to glamping and investigated the potential for health and wellness as an added value income for business, not just in the summer but all year through.

Over the course of its first decade, Holiday Park SCENE has held hands with some of the biggest names in UK holidays from Butlin’s to Parkdean and from Park Holidays to Hoseasons. Throughout ten busy years, that have simply flown by, the magazine has featured more than 250 destinations and well over 1,000 businesses within the magazine. Holiday Park SCENE has been granted a ten-year long front row seat as the boost in staycations and investment in family time saw the holiday sector enjoy a sustained boom period.

A fountain of inspiration, Holiday Park SCENE supported the networking opportunities at some of the industry’s leading trade shows and event to find out what they can offer businesses in the way of fresh ideas as well as new products and services. Holiday Park SCENE has frequently relied upon some of the UK’s leading parks to share their tips for an effective entertainment programme that will keep guests coming back for more through play and on-site attractions.

We have discussed the e-marketing revolution with the rise and rise of social media which we warned you would ignore at your peril. The New Year is often the traditional time to re-evaluate our business goals. An opportunity to take stock of the previous 12 months and resolve to make a difference for the year ahead. We examined the Winning Ways of maximising the potential of amusement and arcade game attractions.

The holiday park industry has always been ahead of the field when it comes to preserving the business development balance with Mother Nature. David Bellamy was a holiday park ambassador when it came to highlighting the eco-factor, building in green spaces and protecting nature. Holiday Park SCENE has reflected this with frequent looks at everything from eco-friendly accommodation and energy-efficient business choices like heat pumps and electric vehicles.

The first rule of marketing is that it is not good enough to be good. You have to be perceived to be good. So Holiday Park SCENE urged you to pick up your bucket and spade with a heap of tips and ideas that will enable your business to stand out from the crowd. We looked at the increasing use of automated control systems to dramatically reduce the risk of human error in the management of holiday park swimming pools. Holiday Park SCENE has regularly tackled the thorny issue of security with features like Lock Down.

We frequently carried advice on how holiday park destinations can maximise the potential of their water leisure offering, with the addition of splash pads, flumes and water play equipment. We urged you to put up the ‘do not disturb sign’ as we invited you to relish this packed edition with a wealth of inspiring initiatives and ideas to weave into your future business planning.

Probably our most popular and ‘stand-out’ cover of the first ten years, the September 2019 front cover featured one of the life-size wooden horse sculptures now on permanent display at two holiday destinations. More soaring temperatures had accommodation booked to full capacity and then some rain which had the happy visitors spending more on site activities, arcades and in the bars and restaurants. We regularly urged decision-makers to take time away and weigh-up the highs and lows for the season.

What worked well? What could have worked better and what short and long term improvements can be introduced. As well as our regular tips from fellow operators, we brought you timely features like Fashion Statements with the case for quality investment that some argue is crucial for the holiday park sector. We shared the catering thoughts of three holiday park businesses with their Recipe For Success. We also took a look at minimising hassle and maximising sales with our look at on-line management systems in, Click Here.

Like the rest of the sector, Holiday Park SCENE was eagerly anticipating the peak summer season ahead. There had been a general feeling of optimism and positivity in the air with early bird bookings up considerably, even on 2019’s high-flying figures. Then the small matter of COVID 19 hit. Not just the holiday sector but the entire plant. Official figures confirm the travel and tourism industries contributed 6.7% of all gross value added in the UK in 2018.

Since then, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic impacted the sector heavily in 2020 and into 2021, with government restrictions both in the UK and worldwide preventing tourism for large periods of time. Within the UK, unnecessary travel was first discouraged on 16 March, before a nationwide lockdown was announced on 23 March. Travel was again impacted by the second and third English lockdowns in November 2020 and January 2021 and travel corridors were suspended on 18 January 2021.

Heavily into a stop-start-stop-go scenario, government measures helped in the retention of key staff with some timely business funding initiatives. Restrictions-permitted, the industry’s quick-thinkers took an opportunity to rethink and reinvest in facilities, while the customers were forced to stay away. Holiday Park SCENE reported on the top holiday accommodation trends and revealed the UK’s most popular holiday park destinations while raising the emerging issue of on-site e-charging.

Bonkers busy we knew, but we encouraged managers to locate a quiet cupboard or handy hidey-hole, to escape to, as they soaked up the packed ideas and inspiration throughout the latest edition of Holiday Park SCENE. With the pandemic truly behind us, we challenged business development planners to create an action list with at least five short and long term goals that will help you future-proof business.

The Holiday Park SCENE team pulled out all the stops to keep you abreast of industry trends; sharing good practice with a lodge-full of ideas on maximising the boom in the UK holiday sector. With nearly half of all businesses reporting cyber-crime security issues as well as crucial advice, you could not afford to miss in Lock It Or Lose Out. As we set out on the second decade of reporting on the vibrant UK holiday industry, we feel proud and privileged to work alongside some exceptional businesses and some outstanding people.

We will continue to recommend a pack of sticker notes to mark those pages that you would like to share with the team and to contact some of the advertisers that make Holiday Park SCENE possible. Three cheers to the first ten years as we toast the second decade yet to come!

ENHANCING YOUR EXISTING PLAY AREA

Posted on May 11, 2023

ENHANCING YOUR EXISTING PLAY AREA

PLAY SPECIALISTS, EIBE, offer a free design consultation service.

With over 40 years of experience, eibe play can offer you professional advice on how to enhance your existing play area to increase guest dwell time. Theming allows children to get lost in their imagination, engaging them for much longer periods than in non-themed play areas.

Enhance your play area by adding themed panels, popular ideas include seaside, woodland, jungle, pirate and medieval. Organising play sessions with staff members can help parents take a break and relax while their children are engaged. Simply adding a storyteller’s chair to your play area will allow one staff member to entertain a large number of children and help enhance their parent’s experience of your park.

Are you aware of the five core play values that create a well-rounded play area? Swinging, sliding, spinning, rocking and climbing. Maybe you don’t need a whole new play area, maybe you just need to add one piece of new equipment that rounds off the play values you offer and engages children for longer. Contact the eibe play team to receive a brochure and to find out more about their free design consultation service.

eibe
01483 813834
eibe@eibe.co.uk
www.eibe.co.uk

HOLE IN ONE FOR STONHAM BARNS

Posted on May 11, 2023

HOLE IN ONE FOR STONHAM BARNS

STONHAM HAVE ADDED a pay and play adventure footgolf course to its sporting offering.

The Golf Park at Suffolk’s Stonham Barns Park is a family business – owned by Tony and Helen Dobson – which has been operating since 1996 and has evolved from a driving range and mini putt course to a full-blown golf activity centre including Adventure Golf, Indoor Simulator Golf, Scenic 9 Hole course with Footgolf and now a dedicated Adventure Footgolf course.

The centre employs eight members of staff plus it has three PGA coaching professionals, Tony Dobson, Rob Pritchard and Luke Green. The business peaks during the summer season but stays busy during the off season with its variety of golf facilities including its indoor golf simulators.

Stonham Barns Golf Park has been offering Footgolf – the hybrid sport combining football and golf – since 2014 and as a result of the Golf Park’s growing reputation, has developed its facilities to include a new nine-hole Smugglers Pass Adventure Footgolf course from this spring. Its name Smugglers Pass Adventure Footgolf works in synergy with Stonham Barns Golf Park’s ever-popular Pirate Themed Adventure Golf Course which is already a favourite with both holiday visitors and locals alike.

The Smuggler’s Pass Adventure Footgolf Course includes …
• Pirate Themed - 9 holes
• Par 36
• 632 yards long
• Suitable for all ages and abilities
• Still a challenge for the serious player
• Over 700 plants/trees on the course
• Over 50 barrels as obstacles

Footballs are provided by the club and once players have finished their game, they can head over the Legends Sports Bar for drinks and food. The bar has Wi-Fi access and BT Sport and Sky Sports to catch up on all the sporting action.

YOUR ONE STOP PARK HOME SHOP

Posted on May 11, 2023

YOUR ONE STOP PARK HOME SHOP

MORE THAN 60 HOMES will be on display at June’s Stoneleigh event.

Don’t miss the UK’s largest free outdoor show for holiday and residential park homes as the World of Park and Leisure Homes returns in June to the NAEC Stoneleigh Showground in Warwickshire Open from June 9th to 11, park owners and trade are welcome on all days but especially encouraged to make full use of the ‘Trade Preview Day’ on Thursday June 8th where you can discuss your requirements and consider options in comfort and privacy with leading manufacturers.

There will be over 60 homes on display from at least 22 manufacturers including many familiar names and others new to the industry. The show provides a fantastic chance to meet manufacturers with homes to sell, find the best deals and get the best delivery dates in a relaxed yet professional atmosphere.

It is the perfect opportunity to see so many homes all on display together, compare models and see the latest designs and innovations! Open daily from 10am to 4pm, visitors are welcome to bring along family members and even well-behaved dogs are invited.

For those wishing to extend their stay, there are a wide range of hotel, B&B and other accommodation options in the area and motorhomes, caravans and camping facilities are available to book on the NAEC Stoneleigh showground itself. With free parking available, the NAEC Stoneleigh is situated between Leamington Spa, Kenilworth and Coventry and is very well signposted from the many major routes that run close by. Simply plug CV8 2TA into your Satnav.

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