Touring Caravans

WISH YOU WERE HERE – Treasure Chest

Posted on February 15, 2023

WISH YOU WERE HERE - Treasure Chest

We pay a visit to Dorset's Wareham Forest Tourist Park...

Named as the South West’s Campsite of the Year 2022 by the AA in its annual celebration of Britain’s top park destinations, Wareham Tourist Park stood out for its high-quality standards, first-class hospitality and tranquil location. Not far from Poole, Dorchester and the Purbeck coast, Wareham Forest Tourist Park was acquired 20 years ago by husband-and-wife team Tony and Sarah Birch.

Since then, they have invested much time and energy into creating five-star facilities and surroundings for campers and owners of touring caravans and motorhomes. Today, the park draws guests from all over the UK and mainland Europe and says that 70% of its customers comprise people making repeat visits. As well as paths to explore around the park’s wooded grounds, there is a heated outdoor pool, children’s play area, park shop, and comfortable modern shower and toilet facilities.

 

 

Wareham Forest Tourist Park also has a reputation for its pet-friendly nature, and even provides a warm shower to pamper pooches following their countryside rambles. Highlights include an outdoor heated swimming pool, open from late May to early September, a popular play area and the Park organises regular visits, for the convenience of guests, of a wide range of street food stalls.

The park is managed today by Tony and Sarah, assisted by their daughter Chrissy and her husband Benn the park is open all year round, enabling touring guests to enjoy the countryside throughout the four seasons, and when nearby visitor attractions are less busy. Wareham Forest is also a member of the Best of British group of independently-owned parks in Britain and has won other awards for helping to sustain wildlife.

Wareham Forest Tourist Park
Tel. 01929 551393
www.warehamforest.co.uk

FLORAL FANFARES FOR WINDERMERE

Posted on February 16, 2022

FLORAL FANFARES FOR WINDERMERE

 

BLOOMING MARVELLOUS: pictured at Park Cliffe are (from left) Cumbria in Bloom judges Ronnie Auld and Chris Scales, together with the park’s head groundsman Roger Holmes who masterminds the annual floral displays

 

Lakeland’s Park Cliffe holiday park has returned from the recent Cumbria in Bloom awards with a whole bunch of floral and environmental accolades.
The family-run park, near the shores of Windermere, scooped no fewer than four glittering prizes in the competition which attracted hundreds of entries from across Cumbria.
Judges described Park Cliffe as “outstanding” and a perfect fit to the world-famous landscape where wildlife and nature were given the same VIP treatment as guests. The four awards celebrated different aspects of the park including its stunning floral displays, the care of its woodlands, and the wide range of biodiversity in its grounds.
The park has been owned for over 13 years by Susan and Derek Dickson and has won a host of awards for its care of the natural world and conservation work. But Susan says that the real credit for its 2021 Cumbria in Bloom success was owed to its green-fingered staff team, and especially head groundsman Roger Holmes.
“Guests often comment on how visually stunning the park looks, not just in spring but also right throughout the year, thanks to Roger’s imagination and careful planning.

 

LOTS OF THE BLOOMS are specially chosen for their high nectar content, providing valuable foraging for insects

 

“Roger also gives priority to high nectar-bearing blooms, including wild flowers, which provide valuable foraging for butterflies, honey bees and other pollinators.
“We also try and ensure that there are plenty of late-flowering plants at this time of year so that these insects can top-up their energy levels before winter sets in.”
Park Cliffe nestles in 25 acres of picture-perfect countryside, and provides holiday homes to rent and buy, glamping pods, and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents. The park has been praised for the many wildlife habitats it has created, its championing of local foods in its shop and restaurant, and the use of low-level lighting so guests can enjoy the night sky.
Other initiatives include the banning of single-use plastics throughout the business, and the switch to non-polluting all-electric vehicles around the grounds.

Park Cliffe Holiday Park
www.parkcliffe.co.uk

WISH YOU WERE HERE – Brighouse Bay Holiday Park in Southern Scotland

Posted on February 16, 2022

WISH YOU WERE HERE

Picture postcards from Brighouse Bay Holiday Park in Southern Scotland…

 

Southern Scotland’s Brighouse Bay Holiday Park in Dumfries and Galloway has been named by the AA as the best campsite in Scotland. The family-run business near Borgue beat hundreds of other eligible parks in Scotland to the title when it was announced in November.
Awards given by the AA – based on guest reviews and a “secret shopper” visit by inspectors - are regarded as the Oscars of the holiday parks industry. The seaside park’s facilities, services and levels of hospitality all went under the microscope – and each was found to meet or exceed the AA’s highest standards on every level.

 

 

As well as welcoming campers and the owners of touring caravans and motorhomes, Brighouse Bay provides a number of other accommodation options. They include luxury holiday lodges to own and to hire, some with private hot-tubs, plus cosy glamping lodges which are especially popular with young families.
A member of the prestigious Best of British group of independent parks, site facilities include an 18-hole golf course with spectacular coastal views, and a leisure complex which features an indoor pool, bistro, bar and family entertainment.
Activities available on the park include a mountain bike pump track and, during the summer, pony trekking for all ages as well as an all-tide slipway for boat owners.

 

 

Not that Brighouse Bay is any stranger to awards for it has been graded 4 stars by inspectors from VisitScotland and won a number of environmental accolades. These include the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level, achieved for over 20 successive years in recognition of its many wildlife initiatives.
It also gained an additional award last year for its work to conserve hedges and woodlands, plus wildflower areas which provide vital foraging for honey bees and other pollinators. The park is also undertaking an ambitious rewilding project in areas of the grounds which will help provide additional wildlife habitats.

Brighouse Bay
Tel. 01557 870 267
www.brighousebayholidaypark.co.uk

THREE GENERATION GRAMPING HOLIDAYS

Posted on October 28, 2021

SKELWITH FOLD’S HENRY Wild says families are making room for grandparents on their holidays.

THREE GENERATION GRAMPING HOLIDAYS

Many families with children are taking more than just suitcases on their holidays this year - they are also making room for grandma and grandad.
That’s the finding of major Lake District holiday park Skelwith Fold which reports a rise in multi-generation holidays booked for summer and autumn.
The park’s Henry Wild believes that many families are motivated by wanting to spend quality time together after months of lockdowns.
The Ambleside park says the trend is evident amongst those hiring glamping accommodation such as safari tents, and people staying in motorhomes and touring caravans.
“The three-generation holiday is a throw-back to what was once a common practice in this country many years ago,” said Henry. “It diminished with the popularity of overseas holidays which weren’t as practical for extended family groups – but, of course, Covid has now changed all of that.
“A holiday park is the ideal environment for this as everyone can enjoy breathing fresh air in natural surroundings, and just take it easy in a laid-back atmosphere. As well as enjoying each other’s company, mum and dad also have a built-in child care service so that they can make an occasional escape and be just a couple again,” added Henry.

STAYCATIONERS ANXIOUS ABOUT HOTEL STAYS

Posted on May 5, 2021

STAYCATIONERS ANXIOUS ABOUT HOTEL STAYS

New research from investment holding company MBH Corporation shows nearly one in 10 people (9%) plan to take a caravan holiday in the UK for the first time this year as tourists worry about potential COVID risks when on vacation. That is three times the number who took a UK caravan holiday for the first-time last year and points to a boom year for caravans which are set to be more popular for holidays than UK hotels.

MBH Corporation’s nationwide survey found that of those people who have already booked a holiday for later this year, 14% have opted for static or mobile caravans in the UK narrowly ahead of the 13% booking UK hotels, and just behind the 16% who have booked cottage stays.

The study for MBH Corporation, which owns caravan dealer Robinsons Caravans as part of its portfolio of successful, strong-performing small to medium enterprises, found 41% of people who have already booked their holidays are put off hotels because of worries about being among large groups of people. The study found caravan ownership is also growing with nearly one in 20 people (4%) considering buying a caravan. Robinsons Caravans has already seen a surge in demand for pre-owned caravans and has launched caravans4cash. co.uk to help source more used caravans and offer a simple, speedy, and honest service to value and buy people’s touring caravans.

The UK caravan industry contributes more than £6 billion a year to the economy, and usually around 50 million nights are spent in caravans each year. There are currently over one million leisure caravans in the UK but, based on the research, this is expected to increase dramatically.

WISH YOU WERE HERE – Golden Cap Holiday Park

Posted on September 8, 2020

WISH YOU WERE HERE

Picture postcards from Dorset's Golden Cap Holiday Park

Guests to the real-life Jurassic Park on the scenic Dorset coast are unlikely to get bored of the scenery in a hurry. Even after the sunset, Golden Cap Holiday Park have some of the most breath-taking views from their popular Stargazer tents. Marketed under the West Dorset Leisure Holidays banner, Golden Cap Holiday Park has a picturesque location on the Jurassic Coast, just 150 yards from Seatown Beach and surrounded by 2,000 acres of National Trust land. Ideally situated for walkers, dog owners and families, the park is nestled in a quiet valley next to a stream and is surrounded by footpaths. Boasting a fantastic location next to Seatown Beach the Park is a paradise for walkers and dog owners.

There is a peaceful fishing lake on the park as well as a reception, pizza takeaway and visitor information, while the South West Coast Path runs right past the park Just a short drive from the park are Lyme Regis and Charmouth - worldrenowned for fossil hunting and breathtaking scenery. And for those wanting to stay a bit closer to home.

Family-run, Golden Cap welcomes families, friends and couples with a range of accommodation – luxury two and three-bedroom Lodges with sea and countryside views, two and three bedroom holiday homes, glamping units including a Stargazer Belle Tent, Safari tent and camping and glamping options, pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and camping as well as holiday homes for sale. In 2018, the park celebrated 40 years under the ownership of the Cox Family.

The occasion coincides with the arrival of some brand new modern camping pods, perfect for families, couples and groups. These pods expand the popular glamping range to nine units, some of which are dog-friendly.

Golden Cap Holiday Park
Tel. 01308 442139
www.goldencapholidaypark.co.uk

Winning Park Is Wildlife Magnet

Posted on January 5, 2018

Winning Park Is Wildlife Magnet

ABOVE: Woodside Lodges Country Park’s green policies have made it a magnet for wildlife.

ABOVE: Woodside Lodges Country Park’s green policies have made it a magnet for wildlife.

Woodside Lodges Country Park’s green policies have made it a magnet for wildlife. The world-famous botanist, David Bellamy, has presented Woodside Lodges Country Park in Ledbury with his prestigious Conservation Award at its top gold level. Professor Bellamy said the park’s owners, Ken and Janet Davies and their family, have shown themselves to be true friends of the countryside through their careful eco-management policies.

It’s the thirteenth year in succession that the park has scooped the award – but this year David Bellamy announced a bonus accolade. He also designated Woodside as an official “Honey Bee Friendly” park as part of his new initiative to help protect the threatened insects.

The family, said David Bellamy, have created a ‘wildlife wonderland’ on the 28-acre park which was originally bought as a smallholding by Ken and Janet 50 years ago. Today it provides luxury Scandinavian log cabins for hire, plus camping pods and facilities for holidaymakers with their own touring caravans, motorhomes and tents. One of the lakes has been designated for ‘wild swimming’ by guests, and holidaymakers are also invited to help themselves to the old-variety apples and damsons in the park’s orchard. A converted barn on the park has also been provided with a special roof which will allow the resident bats to flourish and encourage nesting swallows.

Lakeland Park Creates A Buzz

Posted on November 13, 2013

Guests at Skelwith Fold caravan park are being ask to keep their eyes out for rare bees.

Lakeland Park Creates A Buzz

Guests at a top Lakeland holiday park are being asked to keep their eyes open for more than 7000 extra visitors winging their way to its grounds this year.

Skelwith Fold caravan park in Ambleside hopes that all the new arrivals will be ‘solitary’ bees, a species said by nature bodies to be under serious threat.

An imaginative habitation project has seen the park create thousands of tiny timber tunnels bored in hardwood logs which are now positioned in piles throughout the grounds.

According to park owner Henry Wild, Skelwith Fold’s 130 acres are now a safe haven where the harmless, nonaggressive insects can be helped to rebuild their numbers.

Skelwith Fold provides pitches for guests with touring caravans and motor homes plus caravan holiday homes for private owners.