Wales

PARKDEAN LAUNCHES ALL-INCLUSIVE BREAKS

Posted on February 11, 2026

FAMILIES CAN NOW ENJOY hassle-free four-night getaways with meals and unlimited drinks included at 42 Parkdean Resorts across the UK.

Parkdean Resorts is making UK family holidays easier and more affordable than ever with the launch of its all-inclusive offer at 42 parks nationwide. Following a successful trial at ten parks in 2025, the holiday operator is now rolling out the upgrade across coastal and countryside destinations in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Available exclusively on four-night Monday-to-Friday breaks during select spring and early summer dates, the all-inclusive package covers three meals a day and unlimited soft drinks, including Costa Coffee. Prices start from just £25 per adult and £10 per child per day, offering families a simple, cost-effective way to enjoy a stress-free getaway.

For example, a family of four can enjoy four nights of accommodation, meals, and drinks for under £93 per day—a saving of over £300 compared with standard bookings. Guests can book the package in advance or add it after arrival at parks such as Bideford Bay in Devon, Camber Sands in Sussex, or White Cross Bay in the Lake District.

With over 65 parks, Parkdean Resorts provides activities for all ages, from swimming and mini golf to high ropes and arts and crafts, making it one of the UK’s largest and most family-friendly holiday operators. The all-inclusive offer is designed to combine convenience, value, and the beauty of the UK’s most scenic holiday destinations.

PARKDEAN RESORTS CLEANS UP COASTLINE

Posted on November 12, 2025

THE CLEAN-UP TEAM at Parkdean Resort Cayton Bay Holiday Park in Yorkshire.

Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, has celebrated another successful year supporting the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean. More than 150 volunteers from 35 Parkdean Resorts parks across England, Scotland, and Wales collected nearly 300kg of litter from UK beaches.

Now in its eleventh year of participation, Parkdean Resorts also encouraged inland parks and central offices to take part by organising local litter picks and canal path clean-ups. The nationwide initiative, which attracts thousands of volunteers each year, helps the Marine Conservation Society gather essential data to support its marine conservation efforts.

Tim Scott, Head of Sustainability and Energy at Parkdean Resorts, said: “We’re proud to support the Great British Beach Clean once again and grateful to every volunteer who helped us achieve these fantastic results. Initiatives like this reflect our commitment to protecting our parks and giving back to local communities.”

Clare Trotman, Beachwatch Officer at the Marine Conservation Society, added: “We’re so thankful to Parkdean Resorts and their volunteers. Every piece of litter removed helps protect marine life and provides vital data to influence change.” Parkdean Resorts operates 65 parks across the UK, covering 3,500 acres of diverse natural landscapes.

TOP WINS AT WALES IN BLOOM AWARDS

Posted on November 12, 2025

TREE TOPS CARAVAN PARK in Flintshire took the top spot in the category of parks with 100-plus units

BH&HPA member parks have been celebrating big wins at this year’s Wales in Bloom awards, announced at a glittering ceremony in Wrexham. Thornley Leisure Parks dominated the contest, with eight of its parks taking home prizes.

Maenan Abbey Caravan Park, set in the scenic Conwy Valley near the ruins of a 13th-century abbey, was named overall winner in the category for parks with fewer than 100 units. The group’s other seven parks earned six gold awards and one silver.

Thornley Leisure, a family-run business operating ten parks across North and Mid Wales, Cheshire, and Yorkshire, credits its dedicated gardening staff and seasonal planting teams for the success. “Exceptional surroundings reflect our commitment to quality, care, and community pride,” said marketing manager Hope Carter.

Meanwhile, Tree Tops Caravan Park in Flintshire took the overall award for parks with more than 100 units, marking its 32nd consecutive Wales in Bloom victory. The 18-acre park features themed gardens, a Japanese garden, and orchards with heritage fruit trees, using 16,000 plants each year, many grown from cuttings in its own nursery.

Co-owner Andy Walker said, “Three generations have gone into our gardens, and we aim to offer something spectacular in every season.”

JOHN FOWLER GROUP ACQUIRES RUDA PARK

Posted on July 31, 2025

JOHN FOWLER Holidays Leadership Team on Croyde Beach

John Fowler Holidays has announced the high-profile acquisition of Ruda Holiday Park at Croyde Bay from Parkdean Resorts, marking a major milestone for the family-run business. The multi-million-pound deal adds one of the UK’s most iconic coastal holiday parks to the North Devon-based operator’s growing portfolio— bringing its total to 14 parks across the South West and Wales.

“This is a landmark day for us,” said Managing Director Martyn Fowler. “Ruda’s location and reputation are second to none, and we’re proud to continue its legacy.” The 300-acre park features 817 pitches, a glamping village, a tropical pool and flume, multiple food and drink outlets, and direct access to Croyde’s blue flag beach—now under John Fowler’s stewardship.

Parkdean Resorts, who owned Ruda for 23 years, said the sale aligns with its strategic goal to reinvest in its wider UK park network. CEO Steve Richards praised Ruda’s staff and legacy, confident John Fowler will maintain its high standards. The deal cements John Fowler’s position as one of the UK’s largest family-owned holiday park groups, with over 800 employees and a turnover of £50 million. Guests with existing Ruda bookings will be contacted directly as the site transitions to new ownership.

FULLY MANAGED

Posted on July 31, 2025

A New Fully Managed WiFi Service for Parkdean Resorts...

Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s leading holiday park operator, runs 65 parks across England, Scotland, and Wales. Each year, over 3 million guests and 20,000 homeowners rely on its WiFi.

Reliable WiFi is essential—not just for guest satisfaction and loyalty, but also for operations like mobile payments, ordering, and team support. When the old system had reached its limit, Wifinity stepped in to upgrade the infrastructure, boosting performance for both guests and staff.

WIFINITY PROVIDED
• Great connectivity for guests, employees and secure operations
• Simplified guest WiFi user experience
• Premium ‘paid for’ and freemium tiers
• Scalable network to cope with park expansion
• Fully managed service
• Cost effective integration with existing infrastructure

Site surveys began in 2019 and continued through the 2020 COVID-19 closures. Parkdean Resorts used the downtime to restructure and upgrade its WiFi, preparing for growth, expansion and rising guest demand. The upgrade included a direct-to-van (DTV) setup with Cambium backhaul, Ruckus access points and a fully branded captive portal for easier guest access.

A corporate SD-WAN delivers high-speed local internet for cloud services, while a VPN overlay links to private datacentre systems. Both corporate and guest networks are fully managed by Wifinity, which ensures performance, handles network operations with Parkdean, and provides 24/7 UK-based support—so staff can focus on giving guests a great holiday.

THE GUEST USER JOURNEY
• “One and done” process: User connects to login page
• Key lasts indefinitely: Account created key shown and sent
• Works with any device: Home-like connection process
• No interruptions: No need to re-login or re-enter the password

Most of the park is covered, allowing guests to roam without drop-offs, and staff devices stay connected too. During its first full season with the new guest WiFi solution:
• More than 500,000 individual accounts were created
• The premium, paid service generated added revenue
• There was a 400% increase in devices using the optimised DPSK user journey
• Customer satisfaction ratings increased
Wifinity and Parkdean continue to collaborate to improve service and respond to feedback, aiming for a successful 2025 and high guest satisfaction.

THE UPGRADE NOW DELIVERS WIFINITY PROVIDED
• Park-wide, high-speed internet access
• Corporate WiFi service with firewall to run EPOS, guest services and corporate devices
• Automatic onboarding for corporate managed devices with certificate-based network authentication for Parkdean Resorts’ MDM services
• Streaming and entertainment across devices
• High quality VOIP and video calls, supporting remote working
• Home-like guest onboarding using DPSK
• Free or premium ‘paid for’ options
• Flexible plans by day, weekend, week, month or year
• Fully branded Park Connect service
• 24/7 customer services, co-branded communications, help guides
• Monthly service reviews, for customer satisfaction and troubleshooting
• Proactive issue identification and resolution for a better overall network service

Wifinity
020 8090 1290
www.wifinity.co.uk/holidayparkscene

£750,000 INVESTMENT IN LUXURY GLAMPING RESORT

Posted on May 3, 2025

AN AERIAL VIEW of the Love2Stay touring and glamping resort.

Rising demand for short breaks has prompted Salop Leisure to invest £750,000 in expanding the award-winning Love2Stay glamping and touring resort near Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The investment will fund five new luxury holiday lodges at the popular Love2Stay glamping village, enhancing the resort’s existing accommodation options.

According to Salop Leisure’s joint managing director, Mark Bebb, the 25 to 35 age group is increasingly opting for up to five short breaks per year, driven by a desire for convenience, flexibility, and luxury. “We’re attracting visitors from across the UK and beyond, particularly from Holland,” said Mr. Bebb.

“Guests love our natural cold water bio swimming pool, hot springs, and the chance to reconnect as a family away from technology.” The resort’s appeal extends to multi-generational holidays, with grandparents often staying on the touring park while their children and grandchildren enjoy lodge accommodation.

Families value the opportunity to spend quality time together surrounded by nature. Set within 22 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, Love2Stay offers panoramic views of the Shropshire Hills and Wales. Guests enjoy access to a bio swimming pool, splash pool and beach, a cinema, wellness services, and diverse outdoor activities.

Designed by Mr. Bebb to promote tranquillity and wellbeing, the resort aims to help guests “experience the grass between their toes.” Now featuring 27 lodges alongside touring caravan pitches, Love2Stay celebrates its eighth anniversary this May, continuing to deliver five-star luxury escapes for romantic retreats and family getaways alike.

GIVE YOUR PARK A LIFT

Posted on February 13, 2025

For more value from your transport choice, the STAR Capella 2-HCX Lifted is a versatile option for holiday parks. It serves equally as a people carrier and a work machine. Seating two with ample luggage space and with a towing capacity of 320kg and cargo box payload of 150kg means it gets the work done.

Being a ‘lifted’ model means it stands at 170mm off the ground giving it great off-road capabilities and meaning it suits most surfaces and hilly sites. It comfortably delivers up to 80 miles on a full charge and can be charged to full overnight.

And there’s no fear of ‘range anxiety’ as it’s really easy to tell via the app what the battery life is so there’s no chance of ever getting caught out no matter how big your site. But there’s no need to take just our word for it, Three Cliffs Bay, a five-star holiday park, in Gower, Wales, has one for its 52-acre cliff land site where it quickly established its reputation for quiet motoring and a productive performance.

Specifically, it is being used for off road carrying situations and gardening jobs and owner Tom Beynon says: “This machine proved very quickly that it could take on all the tasks we needed it to. The big, strong cargo area at the back and the fact that we can add a trailer means it’s an essential part of our gardening arsenal.”

With zero emissions and very low noise, the work day doesn’t interrupt the customers’ holiday, early work schedules or operations near the caravans, glamping, camping and yurts at the venue. With a comprehensive warranty: two-years bumper to bumper on the vehicle, four years on the chassis and six-year limited warranty on the lithium battery, a STAR people carrier is a safe and reliable choice.

Reesink e-Vehicles
01480 226800
www.reesink-evehicles.co.uk

AWAY RESORTS’ NEW ENTERTAINMENT MANAGER

Posted on February 13, 2025

Away Resorts has taken a bold step toward elevating guest experiences by appointing Melody Munday as its new Senior Head of Entertainment Operations. With an impressive 34-year career spanning hospitality, leisure, and entertainment management, Melody is no stranger to transforming experiences into unforgettable memories.

Her resume boasts work with leading UK brands like Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo, where she introduced innovative entertainment concepts that successfully appealed to younger audiences. Now, she’s set to bring that same creativity and expertise to Away Resorts, broadening the scope of live shows, seasonal events, and activities across its 27 parks in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Known for its vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere, Away Resorts has built its reputation on providing memorable holidays with entertainment at the heart. Holidaymakers rave about the unique shows and activities, which are often highlighted in glowing online reviews. Melody’s appointment signals a renewed commitment to enhancing these experiences even further.

A SERENE GETAWAY TO NORTH WALES

Posted on February 11, 2025

Beth Connor visits Plas Isaf Lodge Retreat, a perfect peaceful break...

Some of Wales’ most iconic landscapes and heritage sites can be found in the Dee Valley area. Close to the sandy beaches but surrounded by the stunning mountains it’s the ideal retreat! Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of North Wales, the Plas Isaf Lodge Retreat offers a serene escape for guests looking to unwind in nature’s embrace.

Combining the rustic charm of a traditional lodge with the modern amenities that enhance comfort, this retreat is an ideal destination for those seeking tranquillity in a natural and historic setting. Located within a stone’s throw from Snowdonia National Park and other iconic Welsh landscapes, the lodge appeals to outdoor enthusiasts, families, and couples alike.

The accommodation at Plas Isaf are well-designed to blend modern luxury with countryside charm. Each lodge has been thoughtfully decorated with a mix of traditional Welsh character and contemporary comfort, creating a cosy yet refined atmosphere.

From wood-panelled walls to plush sofas and local artwork, every element is curated to enhance the sense of warmth and connection to the local culture. Each lodge includes a spacious living area, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a private outdoor area. Many lodges are fitted with fireplaces, perfect for chilly Welsh evenings, adding a comforting ambiance to evenings spent indoors.

OUR HOT TUB HOLIDAY BREAKS are ideal for an intimate getaway for two or for families looking to relax

The lodges also cater to a range of group sizes, making it suitable for couples on a romantic getaway, small groups of friends, or even families. The bedrooms are comfortable and spacious, with high-quality bedding, ample storage space, and, in some cases, en-suite bathrooms. The bathrooms are fitted with modern fixtures and come stocked with premium toiletries, adding a touch of luxury to the experience.

Some lodges even offer private hot tubs, which are a real treat after a day of exploring the rugged landscapes of North Wales. Plas Isaf Lodge Retreat is well-equipped with a range of facilities aimed at enhancing the guest experience. The retreat offers high-speed Wi-Fi, which is convenient for guests who need to stay connected, although the surrounding environment encourages a digital detox.

The private outdoor areas are a highlight, with many lodges featuring outdoor seating, barbecues, and scenic views, allowing guests to soak in the natural beauty around them. For guests staying in lodges with hot tubs, the experience is elevated even further, as there’s nothing quite like soaking in a warm tub under the stars after a day spent hiking or sightseeing.

The retreat offers communal spaces, including a reception area with knowledgeable and friendly staff who are always ready to help with directions, local recommendations, or even provide a map for nearby walking trails. There are options for laundry facilities, which can be particularly useful for longer stays, especially for guests who partake in outdoor activities.

ALL DARWIN ESCAPES resorts are pet-friendly

While the lodge does not have an on-site restaurant, the fully- equipped kitchens make self-catering easy, and nearby towns offer a variety of dining options, from quaint cafes to classic Welsh pubs serving local delicacies. One of the standout features of Plas Isaf Lodge Retreat is its proximity to some of North Wales’ most stunning natural attractions.

Located a short drive from Snowdonia National Park, the lodge is an excellent base for those looking to explore the majestic mountains, lush forests, and scenic lakes of the region. Popular nearby trails include the paths leading up to Mount Snowdon, where hikers are rewarded with breath taking views.

Other nearby natural attractions include the Conwy Falls, Lake Bala, and the Gwydir Forest, each offering unique opportunities for hiking, fishing, and photography. The lodge is also a short distance from historical landmarks and charming Welsh towns. Betws-y-Coed, a picturesque village known for its quaint architecture and riverside views, is just a short drive away.

Here, visitors can explore local shops, art galleries, and cafes. Additionally, the castles of Conwy and Caernarfon are within driving distance and provide a fascinating glimpse into Welsh history, architecture, and culture. These attractions make Plas Isaf Lodge Retreat a fantastic choice for those looking to combine outdoor activities with cultural exploration.

IT’S A PLACE to disconnect and soak in the scenery

Staying at Plas Isaf Lodge Retreat is a memorable experience that captures the essence of North Wales. The lodges’ rustic charm paired with modern comforts make it a perfect choice for travellers seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, and with the abundance of natural beauty surrounding the area, it’s hard not to feel inspired by the landscape.

The outdoor spaces and hot tubs add an extra layer of luxury, creating a spa-like atmosphere that enhances relaxation. One of the most appreciated aspects of the retreat is the friendly and attentive staff. Their local knowledge, willingness to provide recommendations, and eagerness to help make guests feel welcomed and well-cared for.

The attention to detail in the lodges, from the decor to the amenities, reveals a commitment to quality that is rare to find, making each stay feel special. Plas Isaf Lodge Retreat in North Wales is an excellent choice for travellers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Its location, amenities, and thoughtful design make it suitable for a variety of travellers, whether they are seeking adventure in the Welsh wilderness or simply hoping to unwind in a cozy setting. While the lodge may be a bit remote for those looking to stay connected to city life, the seclusion is precisely what many guests love about it.

It’s a place to disconnect, soak in the scenery, and enjoy the quiet beauty of North Wales. Overall, the Plas Isaf Lodge Retreat combines the rustic appeal of a traditional lodge with modern luxuries, creating a memorable getaway. Whether enjoying a sunrise over the mountains from your private deck or unwinding in the hot tub under the stars, a stay here is bound to leave a lasting impression.

Plas Isaf Lodge Retreat
www.darwinescapes.co.uk/plas-isaf
01352 961506

THE STAYCATION IS BACK FOR 2025!

Posted on February 3, 2025

More Brits plan to holiday in the UK than travel abroad this year, according to research from holiday park operator Away Resorts. Scotland tops the list of most desirable UK destinations for 2025, followed by the South West and Wales.

Yorkshire, London, and Northern Ireland also rank highly, while the West Midlands was deemed the least desirable. The survey of 2,000 adults revealed that 76% feel there are still plenty of UK spots they’d love to explore.

Top motivations for a staycation include rest and relaxation (36%), a change of scenery (26%), and quality family time (25%). Key 2025 travel trends include train travel (21%), nostalgia trips to childhood destinations (18%), and cold-weather “cool-cations” (15%). Solo travel is also gaining popularity, particularly among 25–40 year olds, with 21% planning solo trips, as well as 7% of over 65s.

AWAY RESORT’S PRESTIGIOUS Gara Rock Penthouse.

Inspired by 2024’s UK sightings of the northern lights, 14% of Brits aim to stargaze or chase the aurora borealis this year. Carl Castledine, Founder of Away Resorts, noted, “It’s encouraging to see the appetite for staycations remain strong. The UK offers incredible opportunities for adventure and relaxation in stunning surroundings.”

Planning habits vary, with 37% booking holidays far in advance for better deals, while 17% prefer last-minute spontaneity. This year, 28% of Brits aim to take more UK breaks, with 23% resolving to embark on small monthly adventures.

The staycation trend is alive and well, as Brits rediscover the beauty and variety of their own backyard. Away Resorts is one of the UK’s most-popular holiday park operators, with 25 locations across the UK, including Scotland, Lincolnshire, Isle of Wight, North Wales, Hampshire, Dorset, Cornwall, Hayling Island and Essex.

Away Resorts
0330 127 7834
www.awayresorts.co.uk

 

AWAY RESORTS St Ives Bay Holiday Park.

AWAY RESORT’S Glendevon Residential Country Park.