VisitEngland

THE HEART OF HOLGATES

Posted on February 10, 2026

We visit Silverdale Holiday Park, just outside Carnforth, is Holgates' flagship, blending top facilities with a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere...

Silverdale isn’t just a place to stay – it’s a destination in its own right. At the heart of the park is the impressive leisure complex, where guests can enjoy two swimming pools, a fully equipped gym, steam room, sauna, and spa pool.

Whether you’re after a morning workout, a relaxing soak, or fun with the family, the complex caters to every need. Beyond the pools, the park offers a large restaurant and bar, bowling alley, arcade, soft play area, and an ice cream parlour. Open seven days a week, these facilities make Silverdale an all-weather, all-ages destination where there’s always something to do.

ACCOMMODATION FOR EVERYONE
Silverdale’s accommodation options are designed to suit all types of guests. Luxury lodges, offer a home-from-home experience for holidaymakers or owners looking for a longer stay. Touring pitches provide spacious, well-maintained spots for caravans and motorhomes, while still feeling part of the park’s welcoming community.

This variety makes the park perfect for multi-generational families, couples, or groups of friends. By combining holiday and ownership options, Holgates ensures every visit is tailored to its guests’ needs, providing comfort, convenience, and a touch of indulgence.

AERIAL VIEW OF SILVERDALE Holiday Park’s central leisure facilities set within the beautiful Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape.

STUNNING NATURAL SURROUNDINGS
One of Silverdale’s standout features is its location. Set within the Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape, the park is surrounded by natural beauty and offers guests easy access to scenic walking and cycling routes.

From cliff-top strolls with sweeping views to gentle countryside trails, outdoor enthusiasts have plenty of ways to explore the area. For those in lodges or touring pitches, mornings can start with panoramic vistas across Morecambe Bay, while evenings provide the perfect backdrop for a sunset walk. The combination of top-notch facilities and natural scenery creates a holiday experience that’s both relaxing and energising.

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY
Silverdale has something for everyone. Children can enjoy soft play, the arcade, and bowling, while adults can unwind in the restaurant, gym, or spa. Communal spaces also encourage families and friends to spend time together, while the park maintains a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere for those who prefer a quieter break.

The team at Silverdale really brings the Holgates ethos to life. Friendly, approachable, and attentive, staff make guests feel genuinely welcome. With around 200 employees across the Holgates group, Silverdale benefits from a mix of experienced full-time and seasonal staff, all committed to delivering that personal, family-run service that Holgates is known for.

DINING AND SOCIALISING at Silverdale’s restaurant and bar, a welcoming hub for meals and evening entertainment.

QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Silverdale’s five-star AA and VisitEngland ratings are testament to the park’s consistently high standards. Holgates also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, from energy-efficient measures to carefully considered landscaping, ensuring the park respects and enhances its beautiful surroundings.

Recent investments across the group, such as new lodges at Beetham Holiday Park, show Holgates’ commitment to growth and improvement, and while Silverdale already sets the benchmark, ongoing investment keeps the park modern, welcoming, and perfectly suited to today’s holidaymakers. A Holiday to Remember After a full day exploring Silverdale, it’s clear why it’s Holgates’ flagship park.

Whether you’re swimming in the pool, dining in the restaurant, or taking a walk along the cliffs, Silverdale offers a holiday experience that’s fun, relaxing, and memorable. For families, couples, or friends looking for a high-quality destination in the North West, Silverdale Holiday Park perfectly combines excellent facilities with stunning surroundings, making every stay a chance to create lasting memories.

Silverdale Holiday Park
T.01524 701508
www.holgates.co.uk/our-parks/silverdale

Seven Decades of Family Holidays

Posted on February 10, 2026

A Family Legacy Shaping Five-Star Escapes in the North West...

With more than seven decades of heritage behind it, Holgates Holiday Parks stands as one of the North West’s most established and respected holiday park operators.

Still proudly family-owned, the business has grown steadily while remaining rooted in the values that first defined it in 1956: quality, care and a genuine passion for helping guests create lasting holiday memories. Today, Holgates operates a portfolio of 10 parks, predominantly located across the stunning landscapes of Lancashire and Cumbria.

Nine of these parks sit within 10 to 15 minutes of the Carnforth and Silverdale area – a location long admired for its proximity to the Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. The tenth park extends the brand’s reach into the Ribble Valley, offering a contrasting but equally compelling countryside setting.

A CAREFULLY BALANCED PORTFOLIO
Holgates’ portfolio reflects a deliberate and considered approach to growth. None of the parks are residential, allowing the business to remain focused exclusively on holiday and holiday ownership experiences. Six parks welcome both holiday guests and holiday homeowners, while four parks are dedicated entirely to ownership, offering owners a peaceful, community-focused environment.

Across its six holiday parks, accommodation options are varied and tailored to different guest needs. Five parks offer a combination of holiday caravans, touring pitches and glamping pods, while Hollins Farm stands out as a touring-only park enhanced by two thoughtfully positioned glamping pods.

Complementing the parks is the Holgates Collection of 11 self-catering cottages, all located within easy reach of the core Carnforth and Silverdale area, further strengthening the brand’s appeal to multi-generational families and longer-stay guests. This diversity enables Holgates to attract a wide demographic – from touring enthusiasts and first-time holidaymakers to loyal owners who return year after year.

SILVERDALE HOLIDAY PARK’S flagship leisure complex, featuring indoor swimming pools, spa facilities and a fully equipped gym, open seven days a week.

FLAGSHIP FACILITIES AT SILVERDALE
Silverdale Holiday Park is widely regarded as the flagship of the Holgates portfolio, setting the benchmark for facilities and guest experience across the group. At the heart of the park is a comprehensive leisure complex that rivals many standalone attractions. Open seven days a week, the complex features two swimming pools alongside a fully equipped gym, steam room, sauna and spa pool.

Beyond leisure, guests and owners can enjoy a large restaurant and bar, a bowling alley, arcade, soft play area, pitch & putt, ice cream parlour and on-site shop – creating a true all-weather destination. Silverdale also serves as Holgates’ head office, reinforcing its role as the operational and cultural hub of the business.

INVESTMENT WITH LONG-TERM VISION
Recent years have seen continued investment across the estate, with a strong focus on enhancing quality rather than expanding at pace. A standout project has been the redevelopment at Beetham Holiday Park, where 20 new lodges and caravans have been added across a two-phase development.

The first phase completed in 2023, with the final phase finished in 2025, reflecting Holgates’ long-term commitment to careful, phased growth that respects both guests and surroundings. This approach has allowed the business to future-proof its parks while maintaining the character and tranquillity that its owners and guests value.

SET IN THE HEART OF THE NORTH WEST, Holgates parks offer easy access to beautiful walking routes through coast, countryside, and the Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape.

PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF THE BUSINESS
Holgates employs approximately 200 staff across its parks, a mix of full-time and seasonal roles. As a family-run business, the emphasis on personal service and staff engagement is clear, with many team members developing long-term careers within the group.

This stability not only supports consistent service delivery but also reinforces the welcoming atmosphere that has become synonymous with the Holgates name.

ETHOS, CHALLENGES AND SUSTAINABILITY
Holgates’ ethos is rooted in its family heritage and trusted reputation. The business positions itself as a provider of exceptional coastal and countryside escapes, where quality facilities are matched by genuine personal care.

This philosophy has proven particularly valuable during a period of wider industry challenges, including rising operational costs, changing guest expectations and increased focus on sustainability. In response, Holgates has continued to invest in energy efficiency measures across its parks, alongside thoughtful park layouts and landscaping that minimise environmental impact.

Sustainability is approached as an ongoing commitment rather than a single initiative, aligned with the company’s desire to preserve the landscapes that underpin its success.

GLAMPING PODS NESTLED IN NATURAL surroundings, providing a contemporary holiday option across selected Holgates parks.

RECOGNITION AND COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
Quality and consistency have been recognised through industry accolades, with all Holgates parks holding five-star ratings from both the AA and VisitEngland. Netherbeck Holiday Park has also received the prestigious VisitEngland Rose Award, while the Ribble Valley park was named a winner at the 2025 Stars in Tourism Awards.

Beyond tourism, Holgates places strong emphasis on community and charitable engagement. Each year, the business selects a charity to support across its parks. In 2025, Holgates chose Breast Cancer Now, setting an ambitious fundraising target of £10,000 – a figure the team exceeded, reaching £10,319!

LOOKING AHEAD TO A MILESTONE YEAR
As Holgates approaches its 70th anniversary in 2026, the focus remains firmly on the future while honouring the past.

With a loyal customer base, a well-invested portfolio and a clear sense of purpose, the business is well positioned to continue delivering five-star holiday experiences for generations to come Holgates Holiday Parks is a family-owned holiday park operator with over 70 years of experience in delivering high-quality coastal and countryside escapes across the North West of England.

With a portfolio of 10 five-star parks and a collection of luxury holiday cottages, Holgates is known for its commitment to quality, personal service and long-term investment.

Holgates Holiday Parks
01524 701508
www.holgates.co.uk/our-story

POLMANTER TOURING PARK TAKES GOLD AT VISITENGLAND AWARDS 2025

Posted on November 12, 2025

The 2025 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence celebrated the very best in UK tourism, with the coveted Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year category highlighting outstanding parks across the country. This year’s Gold winner was Polmanter Touring Park in Cornwall, with Rebecca and Phillip Osborne proudly accepting the award on stage at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange.

Joining them were VisitEngland Advisory Board member Allan Lambert and compere Peter Hancock. Polmanter Touring Park has long been recognised for its exceptional customer service, welcoming atmosphere, and outstanding facilities. Its award-winning status reflects a commitment to quality, innovation, and creating memorable experiences for visitors.

The Osbornes’ dedication to both the park and the wider tourism community was evident in their heartfelt acceptance, with many praising their attention to detail and passion for the holiday park sector.

Silver was awarded to Mendip Basecamp in Somerset, a site known for its adventurous glamping offerings and family-friendly activities, while Bronze went to Hippersons Boatyard in Suffolk, which impressed judges with its combination of traditional charm and modern facilities.

The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence continue to showcase the innovation and dedication that make the UK holiday park and glamping sector one of the most competitive in Europe. Winning parks, like Polmanter, set the standard for service, quality, and guest experience, inspiring operators across the country to aim higher.

For holiday park professionals, the awards serve as a benchmark for excellence, proving that attention to detail, creative offerings, and a focus on visitor experience remain the keys to success in this growing and dynamic sector.

The awards serve as a benchmark for excellence, proving that attention to detail, creative offerings...

HENDRA HOLIDAY PARK RETAINS GOLD AWARD

Posted on November 12, 2025

STAFF AT HENDRA HOLIDAY PARK in Newquay celebrate another Five-Star Gold Award from VisitEngland.

Hendra Holiday Park in Newquay has once again achieved VisitEngland’s prestigious Five-Star Gold Award, earning an exceptional 96% quality rating for 2025. This marks the 18th consecutive year the Cornish park has been assessed by VisitEngland, reflecting its enduring commitment to excellence in UK holiday hospitality.

During the August inspection, Hendra was praised for its outstanding facilities, high-quality accommodation, friendly staff, and immaculate presentation. The inspector commended the park’s continued investment and described it as “a jewel in the crown of Cornish hospitality,” noting the recent redevelopment of the Beach House Bar and Pizza and upgrades to the Deck Bar, which now hosts up to 450 guests in a vibrant, festival-style setting.

Further improvements include new staff accommodation and ongoing investment in team development — with 75 employees celebrating over five seasons of service in 2024. Park Manager Chris North said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with VisitEngland’s continued recognition. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. Ending the season on such a high is incredibly rewarding.

ACCESSIBLE ESCAPES

Posted on February 12, 2025

Marketing your accessibility the easy way...

Did you know that 87% of disabled people and carers expect there to be accessibility information on a venue’s website? Providing information on what you do – or do not – have enables customers with accessibility requirements to make an informed decision of where to stay and visit.

This includes not just wheelchair users but people who are deaf or have hearing loss, have a sensory or cognitive impairment, older people, families with young children, and more. It is a VisitEngland scheme requirement for participants to have accessibility information on their website, stating the venue’s key accessibility features.

It is a VisitEngland scheme requirement for participants to have accessibility information on their website.

SO HOW CAN YOU PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION?
The best way to do this is to have a specific section on your website, clearly linked to from your homepage. People expect to find accessibility information in a similar place across different websites (as they do with information about opening times or room availability), so this should be easy to locate via the main website navigation menu - not hidden in the footer or an ‘about us’ page.

When naming this section, remember not everyone with accessibility requirements identifies with the term ‘disabled’ so use terminology that is more inclusive such as ‘Accessibility’ or ‘Access for All’. The informative elements you should ensure are available in this section for prospective customers are:
• A warm welcome;
• Contact information;
• Key accessibility features;
• Accessibility Guide, including images of your accessible facilities;
• Accessibility videos and virtual tours;
• Accessibility resources;
• Accessible destination highlights.

KEY ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES
People with accessibility requirements want to easily find out what key accessibility features are available at tourism venues. VisitEngland has led a UK and Ireland-wide project that identifies the features that are most important to people with a range of accessibility requirements.

The list of features has been informed by new consumer research with 800 disabled travellers in Britain and a focus group in Ireland. You can now download a business-type specific questionnaire to help you identify which of these features you have at your venue - ensure you list all available features in your accessibility section.

Don’t feel constrained by this list; add any additional features and services you provide for disabled customers and others with accessibility requirements. If your business is listed on any tourism listing websites (such as online travel agents and local destination websites), these companies may ask you to specify what key accessibility features you offer.

This is so that they can list available features as part of your venue listing on their website and provide customers with the ability to filter venues by these features. In addition to the key accessibility features listed in the downloadable questionnaires; you should also highlight any other useful facilities or information.

This may include:
• Wi-fi availability;
• Information relating to the online booking process and prices, including concession availability;
• Directions to your business;
• Details of any dedicated access sessions and/or events that you offer with tailored support e.g. ‘quiet sessions’, sessions for children with learning disabilities and dementia- friendly sessions. Add them to any ‘What’s On’ listings;
• Any firm future plans for accessibility improvements;
• Customer reviews that mention accessibility, ideally by linking to them on a site like Euan’s Guide for full transparency;
• Details of any accessibility awards you have won or schemes that you belong to.
You may wish to group key features that relate to each of mobility, hearing, visual and neurodiversity.

PEOPLE WITH ACCESSIBILITY requirements want to easily find out what key accessibility features are available at tourism venues.

ACCESSIBILITY GUIDES
Research by VisitEngland in 2022 reaffirmed that today’s travellers want detailed and factual descriptions of venue accessibility, in the form of an Accessibility Guide, to empower them to make personal choices.

An Accessibility Guide provides information on all areas of a venue, giving hundreds of pieces of accessibility information, including measurements and photographs. An Accessibility Guide describes and visually shows the layout of each area of the business, following the route a visitor will typically take from arrival, entering and getting around.

They are particularly useful for people with mobility impairments, but they also include accessibility features of relevance to people with a range of other access requirements. This means there will be some duplication with the key access features you list on your own website.

To support tourism businesses across England to provide robust Detailed Access Guides, VisitEngland has joined forces with AccessAble, a leader in quality accessibility information provision. In addition to outlining your key accessibility features, you should provide detailed accessibility information, with the recommended format being an AccessAble Detailed Access Guide.

You can now use the new AccessAble Your Accessibility Guide portal to book and pay for either a Guided Assessment or On Site Assessment of your venue, where a professional access surveyor will create a quality-assured Detailed Access Guide.

This approach removes the burden and responsibility of collecting information that can be technical, greatly reducing the risk of incomplete and inaccurate information. All guides are published and searchable on AccessAble’s well-established website, currently used by more than six million people a year, and you will also receive an Accessibility Improvement Report as part of the service.

Annual renewal fees also apply and depend on the number of changes at the venue - such as whether you have installed a new bathroom which needs to be re-assessed - but there has been a focus on these being as affordable as possible, starting at £10 + VAT per year. Once your Accessibility Guide has been produced, it is important to link to it prominently from your accessibility section using an AccessAble link button.

www.visitengland.org/access

COASTDALE PARKS QUEST FOR POD PERFECTION

Posted on November 12, 2024

Coastdale, an award-winning independent parks group, is elevating glamping with innovative two-tier sleeping pods. The family-owned business has invested significantly in glamping facilities across its three seaside parks in Whitby, North Yorkshire; Porthmadog, North Wales; and Hayle, Cornwall.

Peter Brewer notes a “massive swing” towards holidays offering unique experiences, especially among younger families. Glamping provides memorable holiday moments, with high-spec accommodations being particularly popular.

Coastdale, established nearly 50 years ago, has chosen top-tier models from UK manufacturers, including the Platinum S-Pod from Swift Holiday Homes, which accommodates four and features a mezzanine floor, vaulted ceiling, and a deck for al-fresco dining.

Each new pod includes private hot tubs, bathrooms, central heating, and hotel-quality linens. These pods are now located at Whitby Holiday Park, Garreg Goch Caravan Park, and Atlantic Coast Holiday Park. Alongside touring pitches and holiday home sales, Coastdale offers an unmatched array of pod experiences.

Peter emphasises the evolution of pod accommodations, which were once basic but have now become popular first choices for guests. The parks have received quality ratings from VisitEngland and positive reviews from guests, alongside accolades for conservation efforts.

Coastdale Parks
www.coastdaleparks.co.uk

CUMBRIA COUPLE CELEBRATES VISITENGLAND’S TOP 100 RECOGNITION

Posted on November 4, 2024

Rachael and Ian Gowing from Kirkby Stephen are thrilled after their holiday business, Pennine View Park, was named one of Britain’s top accommodation providers by VisitEngland. The park received this year’s ROSE award, recognising exceptionally high quality standards.

The accolade was presented by Lady Victoria Borwick at a special ceremony in Newbury, Berkshire. Rachael, a former Red Bull events organizer, launched the park in 2017, with Ian leaving his construction job to join her. They transformed a former railway yard into a premier holiday destination. Pennine View Park has achieved a five-star grading from VisitEngland and is shortlisted for Cumbria Tourism’s Holiday Park of the Year in 2024.

The park, which includes 80 pitches for campers and touring caravans, has also added cozy timber glamping pods. The couple opened The Engine Shed, a family bar converted from an old railway goods shed, featuring outdoor seating and a street-food inspired menu with live music events.

Now among the top 100 businesses recognised by VisitEngland, the ROSE award highlights their commitment to providing an exceptional experience for guests. Rachael expressed pride in this recognition, emphasising that it reflects not just the park’s facilities but also the warmth and hospitality of their team.

“We’re already receiving bookings for next year, with many guests returning or coming through personal recommendations,” she noted.

Pennine View Park
www.pennineviewpark.co.uk

LAKESIDE HOLIDAY PARK ACHIEVES GOLD AWARD

Posted on August 7, 2024

A STUNNING PARK, beautifully landscaped and maintained. A perfect holiday destination, ideal for relaxing and exploring the local area. – VisitEngland

Lakeside Park has achieved the coveted Gold Award five star rating, plus a 95% quality score following a May 2024 assessment by VisitEngland, the official England tourist board.

The flagship park, in North Somercotes near Louth, has seen sustained investment by operator Don Amott Parks in a continued effort to improve the offer and maintain standards – a commitment noted by VisitEngland during their walk-around inspection.

Recent work at Lakeside Park, which was highlighted in their report, includes this year’s installation of a padel tennis court, retarmacking of the roadway into the park with new speed bumps added, the completion of the children’s sand pit, and space-increasing efforts around the exterior of The Waterfront club.

To achieve a five star gold rating from VisitEngland, holiday parks must provide progressively higher quality, and a range of services and physical facilities must be offered across all aspects. Assessments and ratings are based on inspections, with the park offerings narrowed down into various categories.

Each of those is given scores based on a list of criteria. The sections observed, examined and assessed include Cleanliness, Toilet & Washing Facilities, Park Grounds, Pitches and Recreation, Sport & Leisure. Lakeside Park scored consistently highly across the board during the May 2024 visit.

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!

CARBON BUSTERS

Posted on February 16, 2022

CARBON BUSTERS

Leading holiday parks share their green credentials…

 

THE QUIET SITE is located near the shores of Ullswater in picture-perfect Lake District countryside

 

When it comes to combating climate change, the holiday park industry stands loud and proud above most other sectors when it comes to carbon neutral investment.
Before you undertake your carbon footprint assessment, there are some outstanding examples from our peers who are putting their green credentials into action.
You will be well advised to follow their example and add your eco-friendly performance to this year’s marketing themes as customers love nothing more than investing in a planted-friendly holiday.
For instance, The Quiet Site, a family’s holiday park on Ullswater, in the Lake District, has been celebrated at the recent COP26 climate change conference for its fight against global warming.
The park, in Pooley Bridge, was highly commended for its carbon neutral initiatives, and hailed as a Hero of Net Zero at the UN conference’s awards ceremony. The award is part of the Together For Our Planet campaign which recognises original and creative actions taken by small businesses to cut their own greenhouse gas emissions.
Park owner Daniel Holder and his family travelled to the COP26 awards ceremony to receive the judges’ commendation from Andrew Griffith MP.

 

 

CLIMATE HUB
More than 160 businesses entered the competition, making a commitment at the UK Business Climate Hub to achieve net zero by 2050, in line with the Government’s own climate commitment.
The Quiet Site was highly commended in the small business category for demonstrating a range of measures taken on their journey to net zero. These included prioritising nature by planting wildflower meadows and native trees, building accommodation that generates more energy than it uses, and opening a zero-waste shop.
“All businesses need to become Heroes of Net Zero if the world is going to have an impact on climate change,” said Daniel.
“Our journey has been fascinating, bringing technologies and techniques together in a unique energy mix to enable us to be carbon neutral.
“We started introducing sustainable practices twenty years ago, not because we wanted to save the world but because the initiatives we introduced were based on elegant engineering and made good business sense.
“Our focus is now to enable our customers to visit us without using private cars. Great holidays don’t have to cost the earth,” added Daniel.
The Quiet Site won over the competition judges by not only reducing its own energy consumption and environmental impact, but also encouraging customers to be more environmentally friendly.

 

DEVON-BASED COFTON HOLIDAYS has been recognised for its rewilding efforts.

 

QUEEN’S AWARD
The business provides quality holidays in the heart of the Lake District, offering pitches for tents, camping, motorhomes and a variety of glamping options. Earlier this year, the park became Britain’s first holiday park to win a Queen’s Award for sustainability which was presented by Her Majesty’s Lord- Lieutenant of Cumbria, Claire Hensmen.
Not to be outshone, multi award- winning South West holiday park Cofton Holidays has scooped the Environment and Sustainability award at the Western Morning News Business Awards 2021, recognising its sustained conservation efforts during the pandemic.
Set within 80 acres of glorious Devon countryside, Cofton Holidays has been a family-run holiday park for over 40 years. Guests return year after year to enjoy its beautiful and convenient location, extensive facilities and wide choice of accommodation types for all the family.
Visitors to Cofton can choose from a range of holiday homes, cottages and lodges in the heart of the main park, or cottages and apartments on the estuary-view Eastdon Estate. Cofton also offers a choice of pitches for touring caravan holidays including hard- standing and RV pitches.
Cofton Holidays offers a variety of accommodation to suit all guests including luxury lodges, dog-friendly cottages, Georgian-style apartments, modern holiday homes and camping and caravanning pitches. Facilities include an indoor pool heated by a biomass hub with a splash pad area and hydrotherapy loungers, a gym, restaurant, pub, steam room, sauna, fitness studio, soft play area, playground, sports wall, outdoor pools and much more.
Guests also have access to five coarse fishing lakes, miles of cycle paths and nature trails that take visitors through woodland to the golden sands of Dawlish Warren beach and nature reserve.
Sustainability and green initiatives have always been at the top of the agenda for Cofton Holidays, but its rewilding project really took of during the pandemic. With 20 years’ worth of David Bellamy Conservation Awards under their belts, the team saw lockdown as the perfect opportunity to give the park back to Mother Nature.

 

WINNING THE ENVIRONMENT and Sustainability Business Award has been a fabulous achievement for the Cofton team.

 

REWILDING PROJECT
Enhancing the park’s carefully considered planting, extensive woodland, wildlife-friendly hedges, wildflower zones and on-site bug and bee hotel, Cofton has planted additional hedges, shrubs and trees to strengthen wildlife corridors across the site, bringing nature to the doorstep of its visitors. Wild deer, buzzards, butterflies, hedgehogs and a range of fascinating migrating birds can all be spotted thanks to the biodiversity on site. As well as planting perennial flora to attract more insects and pollinators, new hedges provide enhanced nesting environments and food for a variety of birds and bats.
A further scheme that gave Cofton the edge over its competitors is its £60,000 investment in 16 electric car charging points. No other business in the South West has more electric vehicle charging points in one location.
Added to that, Cofton has invested in 144kw of solar power units for the park’s 12 luxury lodges, an electric vehicle for housekeeping, an outdoor lighting review, and the planting of 36 mature trees, making it one of the region’s leading sustainable holiday parks.
Helen Scott, Director at Cofton Holidays, is thrilled with Cofton’s success: “Winning the Environment and Sustainability Award at this year’s Western Morning News Business Awards is a fabulous achievement for us.
“It’s testament to the hard work the team have put into our sustainable initiatives this year, and strengthens our reputation as a holiday park that puts the environment at the forefront of all that we do.”

 

DEVON-BASED Cofton Holidays has been recognised for its rewilding efforts.

 

MOTHER NATURE
Helen continued: “Throughout lockdown, we concentrated all our efforts on making improvements to the park. It was the perfect opportunity to enhance the natural landscape whilst our guests were away, ready for them to marvel at Mother Nature’s handy work once they returned.
“Our sustainability efforts have been recognised by a number of award bodies now including iTravel, VisitEngland and VisitDevon, but this is by no means the end to our investment in green initiatives.
“We will continue to nurture our local environment, fulfilling our sustainability commitment with plans to review our outdoor lighting to reduce light pollution overspill, investing in more charging units for guests staying at the cottages and participating in the tree planting scheme which will celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
“As the recent climate change summit, COP26, has highlighted, it’s more important now than ever before that businesses take responsibility for operating in a sustainable way that will protect the environment for future generations. We take this seriously at Cofton and will continue to do all that we can to protect our beautiful corner of South Devon.”

 

 

CARBON BUSTING
Skelwith Fold, an Ambleside holiday park, has cut the green ribbon on a new office complex which can generate all of its own energy – and still have some to spare.
The 3,000 square foot building adjoins the park’s existing offices and has been designed for total self- sufficiency, powering everything from air-conditioning to espresso machines.
Its secret is a bank of high-efficiency solar panels on the roof which will deliver up to 14 kWh per day, even under the gloomiest winter skies.
Skelwith Fold’s Henry Wild says the two-storey complex has taken the park a huge step closer to its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2024:”We wanted to see if we could make the building entirely carbon neutral, and found this was possible by using the latest solar technology to generate electricity.

 

SUSTAINABILITY AND GREEN initiatives have always been at the top of the agenda for Cofton Holidays.

 

“Even in use seven days a week, the building will still produce surplus power to harness elsewhere on the park and further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. With the help of other solar panels elsewhere on the park, we are nearing our goal of all our buildings being self-sufficient in energy.
“I also hope that within two years we will create a state of carbon neutrality, and guests will be able to enjoy totally green holidays, even after their journey by car to the park is taken into account.”
The new building’s sustainable credentials are further enhanced by the use in its construction of recycled timber from larch trees grown in the park’s 130-acre grounds.
Skelwith Fold was forced to fell more than 200 larches last year after the Forestry Commission found them to be suffering from a fungal plant disease called Phytophthoras. Many of the areas left by the trees are now subject to an ambitious rewilding scheme.

COMPANY CONTACTS

Cofton Holidays
www.coftonholidays.co.uk

Skelwith Fold
www.skelwith.com

The Quiet Site
www.thequietsite.co.uk