Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park

FINALISTS FOR 16TH DEVON TOURISM AWARDS

Posted on November 12, 2025

CLAWFORD LAKES has been named as one of the finalists of the Holiday Park of the Year.

The finalists for the 16th Devon Tourism Awards have been announced, following three months of 91 judging visits across the county. This year’s awards will be presented at a glittering ceremony at Sandy Park, Exeter, on 27 November 2025.

A total of 77 finalists have been selected, with a few categories deliberately kept secret to maintain surprises for the big night. In addition, two special awards will be announced and ten businesses will receive Commended status. Gold winners in each category will be nominated to represent Devon in the 2026 national Visit England Awards.

This year sees the launch of a new Regenerative Tourism category, reflecting the sector’s growing focus on sustainability and community engagement. Awards organisers also retained their ‘Outstanding’ accreditation from the Awards TrustMark scheme.

Mark Worden, Director of lead sponsors MiHi Digital, said: “It’s inspiring to see the talent, creativity and hard work that make Devon such a special place to visit. Every year the standard gets higher, and these awards celebrate the people and places that make this one of the best tourist destinations in the UK.”

Robin Barker of Services for Tourism added: “Judges have sampled the Devon tourism experience first-hand, and their reports show the passion for excellence shared across the industry.”

CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY ANYTIME BOOKING
Finalists include:
• Harford Bridge Holiday Park, Tavistock
• Lynmouth Holiday Retreat, Lynton
• River Dart Country Park, Ashburton
• Yeatheridge Farm Caravan Park, Crediton

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY TOZERS
Finalists include:
• Andrewshayes Holiday Park, Axminster
• Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa, Holsworthy
• Cofton Holidays, Dawlish
• Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park, Woolacombe
• Beverley Holidays, Paignton

DEVON AMONG WORLD’S BEST

Posted on July 31, 2025

Three North Devon holiday parks have achieved global recognition, earning a coveted spot among the top 10% of destinations worldwide according to Tripadvisor’s prestigious 2025 Travellers’ Choice Awards.

Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park, Twitchen House, and Easewell Farm, operated under the Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks brand, have all been named winners in this year’s awards, completing a remarkable clean sweep for the coastal collection.

The Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards are based entirely on feedback from real travellers, recognising accommodations, attractions, and restaurants that consistently receive high ratings. For Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks, it’s a milestone that reflects both quality and consistency.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that all three of our Parks have received the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2025,” said Kevin Darvill, Sales and Marketing Director. “What makes this recognition so special is that it’s based entirely on real feedback from our guests. It’s a true reflection of the hard work and passion our team puts into making every holiday memorable.”

ALL THREE PARKS HOLD TRIPADVISOR ratings of 4 stars or higher, scoring particularly well for cleanliness, facilities and location.

That passion includes significant reinvestment in facilities, over £6 million in just two years. This year alone, the group unveiled £3 million worth of upgrades, including the new energy-efficient outdoor pool complex at Woolacombe Bay featuring a twisting flume, splash pad, and multi-lane slide. Meanwhile, Twitchen House introduced the WaveSurfer surfing simulator, further boosting its family-friendly activity offering.

Guests have responded enthusiastically. All three parks hold Tripadvisor ratings of 4 stars or higher, scoring particularly well for cleanliness, facilities, and location. The area’s outstanding natural beauty certainly helps too, Woolacombe Beach is consistently voted one of the UK’s best, and all three parks are within easy reach of its golden sands.

As Devon remains one of the top five counties for overnight visits, standout destinations like these are vital to its thriving tourism economy. With stellar reviews, fresh investments, and unbeatable surroundings, Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks are riding the crest of a wave, one glowing review at a time.

Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park
01271 870 221
www.woolacombe.co.uk

A New Lease Of Life For Woolacombe

Posted on May 4, 2016

A New Lease Of Life For Woolacombe

Woolacombe Bay climing wall and view (big)

The entertainment facilities at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park in Devon have undergone a £4 million upgrade.

Easter saw the opening of the massive £4 million development at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Village in Devon.

New facilities include a redeveloped family entertainment centre housing an all-day cafe with a sea view terrace and an entertainment lounge and bar. Other new highlights include a cinema, a children’s soft play area, a fitness gym, a pottery painting studio and an indoor pool with fun features. There are also new accommodation options including a raft of caravan holiday homes, such as the luxurious Platinum with central heating and double glazing.

Sales and marketing director, Kevin Darvill said: “Generations of families have enjoyed holidays at our park, but it was time for an update with new facilities, more space and a true style injection.

“We have taken the existing building, scooped out the insides, extended it and given it a whole new layout, one that really makes the most of the amazing sea views.”

 

Peak Season Booking Boom

Posted on December 15, 2015

Peak Season Booking Boom

Boom

Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks in Devon enjoyed bumper peak season bookings for 2015.

Despite a wet August, the UK’s holiday park sector enjoyed a bumper peak season of bookings this year. The summer was both cooler and wetter than the two previous summers, with temperatures below average and heavy rain at times. But it seems the weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the country’s holidaymakers. In September, Hoburne Holiday Parks revealed a 16 per cent increase in the value of bookings compared to the same period last year, meanwhile Hoseasons celebrated its fifth record summer in a row. Hoseasons managing director, Simon Altham commented: “I don’t think anyone would seriously claim it was a good summer when it came to the weather, but that clearly didn’t affect bookings. “People are more interested in the quality of the accommodation, what’s on offer nearby and having time to catch up with those that matter most to them, rather than the weather. They increasingly want experience-led breaks rather than weather-led ones, so while it’s always nice if the sun is shining, it certainly doesn’t matter if it isn’t.” In Devon, Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks saw bookings increase by six per cent compared to 2014 during the summer season.The company had a 99.3 per cent occupancy level throughout the school holiday period, with many holidays booked at short notice. Forward bookings for 2016 are currently running at 19 per cent up on the same time last year. Sales and marketing director, Kevin Darvill said: “2015 has been a superb year for Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks. We enjoyed record sales and excellent customer satisfaction levels and we look forward to another bumper year in 2016,” he added.

High Demand for Last Minute Breaks

Posted on September 2, 2015
Woolacombe

Last minute online enquiries for peak season were up by 15 per cent at Woolacombe Bay, compared to the same time last year.

High Demand for Last Minute Breaks

Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks in Devon reported a bumper start to the 2015 summer season, with last minute online bookings up by 15 per cent on the same period last year.

Although 93 per cent of the park’s accommodation for the first three weeks of the school summer holidays was booked up well in advance, demand was high for the remaining spaces available for last minute bookings.

Kevin Darvill, sales and marketing director at Woolacombe Bay said: “Clearly the travel disruption at the ports in Dover and Calais, coupled with the economic situation in destinations such as Greece, have all been deciding factors to remain at home.

“Last-minute on-line enquiries for peak season - compared to the same time last year - are up by 15 per cent, on-line sales have risen by 28 per cent and conversion rates have increased by 11 per cent.”

 

Record Breaking Start To The Year

Posted on March 25, 2015
record

Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park in Devon is just one of a number of parks that saw a boost on bookings during January and February.

Record Breaking Start To The Year

The UK could be in for a bumper tourist season as 2015 got off to a flying start for holiday parks across the country, with many enjoying record-breaking booking figures in the first few weeks of the year.

It is estimated that around a third of all summer holidays are booked during January and February, with early birds looking to snap up the best deals and accommodation on offer.

One of Devon’s biggest independent holiday parks, Ladram Bay Holiday Park, saw a surge in bookings and figures were up by nearly 50 per cent on this time last year. The award winning park on the Jurassic coast saw bookings rise by 46 per cent in the first full week of January and then by 52 per cent the following week, compared with the same period in 2014. The holiday firm has now launched a recruitment drive to meet the anticipated high demand for the tourist season.

Director of Ladram Bay, Zoe House said: “It’s very busy and that’s great news for us and testament to the enduring appeal of the West Country and the work we are doing to continue to improve the Ladram Bay experience whether people are staying with us in holiday homes, apartments, lodges, motorhomes, caravans or camping.

“2014 was very good for us but this year people seem to be making their decisions earlier and not just for their main summer break.”

Mirroring the trend, another of Devon’s popular parks, Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park reported its biggest ever online booking day on January 31st, representing an increase of 35 per cent on the same day last year. The park has seen high demand Easter since the school holiday period has been condensed into two weeks as opposed to three in 2014 and also for Spring Bank Holiday as more families are now using it for a second holiday to complement a main summer getaway.

Hoseasons also enjoyed a 16 per cent increase in online bookings as demand for domestic holidays reached peak levels in January. Lodge holidays performed particularly well with bookings up 17 per cent, while boating holidays also started the year well up 12 per cent.