Worcestershire

TRAILBLAZERS OF UK TRAVEL

Posted on November 12, 2024

Campsites across the UK have won in this year’s Caravan and Motorhome Club’s 2024 Awards for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as best newcomer and the Sustainability Award that recognises valuable work being undertaken to protect the environment.

The awards celebrate privately-owned, maximum five-pitch campsites certified locations (CLs) – that are open exclusively to Caravan and Motorhome Club members. Many CLs are found in the countryside and remote locations such as farms, country estates and inns, providing a valuable and additional income stream for the campsite’s owners and local communities, whilst offering more choice for Club members to get out in the great outdoors.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has been a cornerstone of outdoor adventure in the UK for over 116 years, proudly representing the interests of more than 1.1 million caravan, motorhome, campervan, and trailer tent owners. The Club champions the spirit of adventure, helping members make the most of the great outdoors— whether through glamping, touring, or simply enjoying nature.

With an annual membership fee of just £63, members gain access to over 2,700 high-quality campsites across the UK and Europe, all curated to ensure a great value experience. As the UK’s No. 1 rated touring club, the Caravan and Motorhome Club goes above and beyond to deliver savings and exclusive offers, both for touring adventures and at home.

Members can also explore a range of escorted European tours, all protected by ABTA, as well as independent tours in Australasia, North America, and Southern Africa, providing peace of mind during their travels.

With expert advice, comprehensive overseas travel services, and tailored insurance options, the Caravan and Motorhome Club is dedicated to enriching its members’ experiences. To discover more about the benefits of membership and join a community passionate about outdoor adventures.

The Caravan & Motorhome Club
01342 318 813
www.camc.com

THIS YEAR’S WINNERS INCLUDE…

BEST CL IN WALES & OVERALL CL WINNER
Brambles in Anglesey

Brambles is the only campsite to win two categories in this year’s CL awards. The adult-only campsite is perfect for those looking for beach, waterside or peaceful stays.

It is owned by Eric and Sue Marchbanks, avid caravanners themselves, who are members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club and have travelled far and wide in their motorhome, as far as Czechoslovakia.

The campsite offers scenic walkways among three ponds, trees and shrubs, perfect for dog walkers and offers plenty of wildlife for those who like to get close to nature, tourers can expect to find red squirrels, rabbits and ravens.

Owner, Eric comments: “Winning an award is recognition that we are making guests happy and they are wanting to stay here and are enjoying the area surrounding us.”

 

BEST CL IN ENGLAND NORTH
Drake House Farm in Lancashire

Drake House Farm is owned by Ann Chippendale and is located in the Ribble Valley just three miles from the market town of Clitheroe.

The campsite is known for its gorgeous views, excellent dog walks and wildlife. The campsite has peaceful pitches, is an area of outstanding beauty, with its own woodland with a brook.

Owner, Ann Chippendale comments: “It truly is a beautiful location, it’s like the Lake District without the crowds”.

 

 

 

BEST CL IN ENGLAND SOUTH
Goodleigh Hill in Worcestershire

Goodleigh Hill is situated in an ideal spot to explore South Worcestershire and the North Cotswolds.

The campsite is known for its scenic views, dog walks and its convenient location to nearby local eateries and pubs and a short walk to the town of Pershore.

Owners, Matthew and Emily Horton, have ensured the CL is peaceful and clean. It is convenient for those who want to explore the beautiful Malvern Hills and the Malvern Spring.

Emily comments: “Matthew really wanted to help increase the biodiversity here, and he saw that creating a CL that is viable in the fabulous rural countryside would allow him to fulfil his ideas and increase wildlife here.”

 

 

BEST CL IN SCOTLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND
Firbank Park in Aberdeenshire

Firbank Park is set in the beautiful Royal Deeside within Cairngorms National Park, perfect for those who enjoy nature and tranquillity.

The five-acre campsite has hardstanding pitches that are spaced out and each pitch offers an electric hook up and their own fresh water source.

The campsite, owned by Archie and Justine Buchanan, is close to an abundance of walking trails, cycling tracks, and Munros (mountains at least 3,000 ft high) to climb. Additionally, fishing and horse riding are available on the nearby Glen Tanar Estate.

Archie comments: “We have built somewhere that we would want to go to, so we’re hoping that other people will like that as well, and it seems to be the case. It’s like being on our holidays.”

 

BEST NEWCOMER
The Courts in Essex

The Courts campsite, owned by Paul and Collette Murphy, is set in the serene woodlands of Little Baddow and is great for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Tourers can access a multitude of forest rambles and embrace the local wildlife, head off on their bikes for an off-road adventure or visit the local dock for boat rides, canoeing and paddle boarding.

Despite the area’s rural setting, Little Baddow is also close to several larger towns and cities, including Maldon and Chelmsford.

Owner, Paul Murphy comments: “We have lovely walks through ancient woods directly from the site. We’ve got a local pub, local restaurant, paddleboarding and the river nearby so we have a lot to offer.”

 

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Birch Hill in Shropshire

Birch Hill campsite is located in the beautiful lake-lands of Shropshire. The campsite, owned by Major Ian and Janet Kelly, was established over 40 years ago and over the years has received various awards.

This is the 2nd year for the Sustainability Award and Birch Hill has been recognised in this category for its Dark Skies initiative, local links with shops, restaurants and pubs, promotion of formaldehyde-free chemicals on site, and use of renewable energy and water consumption controls.

The campsite is on one of the main Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle routes and Ellesmere is also a great spot for country walks, dog walking and bird watching. Owner, Major Ian Kelly comments:

“Sustainability is not just about what we do around the site, but it’s also about what our guests do - whether it is efficient recycling or helping our local economy, it’s important to note that they’re the ones helping to keep our local shops alive for us.”

SITES IN BLOOM AWARD
Pembrey Country Park Club Campsite & Fairlight Wood Club Campsite

The multi-couple campsite winner for 2024 is Pembrey Country Park Club Campsite in Wales for the second-year running.

Pembrey Country Park Club Campsite is known for its phenomenal summer flowers display and blend of coast and countryside. The 2024 single-couple campsite winner is Fairlight Wood Club Campsite in East Sussex.

This intimate campsite set in flower rich woodland has plenty of footpaths for tourers to wander along. The campsite’s surrounding woodlands are listed as a Biodiversity area that is ideal for nature lovers and spotting wildlife.

 

 

 

 

SITES TO INSPIRE AWARDS
MULTI-COUPLE SITE WINNER
Cayton Village Club Campsite

Cayton Village Club Campsite in North Yorkshire is the 2024 winner of the multi-couple campsite category.

Cayton Village Campsite has had some great improvements over the past few years which has helped to increase visitor satisfaction scores for overall facilities to 9.8 out of 10.

The new improvements include two brand new shower blocks, more touring pitches and new premium pitches, a new designated dog walking area, a multi-use games area and an enclosed playground.

Regional Manager, Phil Monkman, said: “Cayton Village is a relatively newly refurbished site and the campsite staff have worked very hard over the last few seasons to add a unique character.”

 

 

SITES TO INSPIRE AWARDS
SINGLE-COUPLE SITE WINNER
Baltic Wharf Club Campsite

Baltic Wharf Club Campsite in Bristol is the 2024 winner of the single-couple campsite category. This campsite is located in the heart of Bristol’s beautifully redeveloped dockland, near the city centre with lively shops and entertainment.

There is also a selection of boat trips available nearby for tourers looking to discover gorgeous scenic views in the county and many excellent cycling paths for those desiring for an adventure.

Regional Manager, Mark Houghton, said: “Despite the known and inevitable future closure of the campsite, newly promoted site managers Lyndsay & ‘Chelle have placed their hearts and souls into the campsite throughout the season and their comment sums up their enthusiasm: ‘We may not have any control over the campsite’s future, but we CAN control her last season, meaning Baltic Wharf won’t simply fade away with us here to see it out on a high.’”

 

 

SUSTAINABILITY CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
Blackpool South Club Campsite

Also running for its fourth consecutive year is the Sustainability Chairman’s Award, created to celebrate the campsite network’s environmental, social and economic commitments, actions and engagements.

From tree planting and waste reduction projects, growing wild meadows, hosting local food vendors and raising money for local charities, a great range of sustainable activities have taken place at campsites throughout the year.

The entrants were judged on the award criteria by the Club Chairman, David Turner, who made the final decision on the winner of the 2024 Sustainability Chairman’s Award. The 2024 winner is Blackpool South Club Campsite in Blackpool, Lancashire.

The campsite was awarded for its new improvements this year to establish a sustainable environment for their guests. This includes more serviced pitches, upgraded motorhome waste point, roadway resurfacing, solar PV roof panels which provide renewable energy, and ongoing pitch improvements and resurfacing.

 

ALL-YEAR-ROUND APPEAL

Posted on October 24, 2023

ALL-YEAR-ROUND APPEAL

KESWICK is one of a growing number of parks open to visitors all year round.

The seasons might be changing but The Camping and Caravanning Club has 18 sites open year-round and a total of 23 sites open until the end of the year. “Camping, caravanning and motorhoming doesn’t have to stop when the nights draw in,” says Simon McGrath, Head of Communications at the Club.

“We have 23 Club Sites open through to Christmas and into the New Year and 18 that welcome campers year-round,” he continues and adds: “Modern motorhomes and caravans are warm, comfy and well-equipped for year-round use – and even tent campers can still enjoy pitching up in colder weather with a little more preparation.”

The following Club Sites are open year-round:

THE BOROUGHBRIDGE CLUB Site in North Yorkshire provides an ideal base from which to explore York and the North York Moors National Park.

• Blackmore, Worcestershire
• Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire
• Bowness on Windermere, Cumbria
• Braithwaite Village, Cumbria
• Canterbury, Kent
• Chertsey, Surrey
• Conkers, Derbyshire
• Delamere Forest, Cheshire
• Derwentwater, Cumbria
• Devizes, Wiltshire
• Hertford, Hertfordshire
• Keswick, Cumbria
• Kingsbury Water Park, West Midlands
• Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway
• Oxford, Oxfordshire
• Salisbury, Wiltshire
• Tavistock, Devon
• Theobalds Park, Hertfordshire

To help people prepare for the autumn and winter, Iain Geddes, Senior Technical Advisor at the Club, has compiled five top tips for making the most of a winter camping break:
• Set up camp while it’s still light
• Insulate from the ground up
• Check the power
• Complete vehicle checks
Keep your eyes and ears on the weather

For more advice on autumn and winter camping check out the Club’s advice pages: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/advice

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Posted on October 28, 2021

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

 

LONG CARRANT enjoys spectacular vistas of the Bredon Hills and is located in a designated area of outstanding beauty

 

Highgrove Parks aims to offer an exceptional lifestyle for the over 50s…

Highgrove Parks Limited, formerly Fury Park Home Estates is an established family business with six park home estates across the southwest of England.
The Highgrove portfolio includes Long Carrant Views in Evesham and Three Counties Park in Malvern, Worcestershire; Beverley Hills Park in Amesbury, Wiltshire; Lea Villa Park in Lea, Herefordshire; Poplars Park in Cambridge, Gloucestershire; and Greenacres Park in Yeovil, Somerset.

Directors Jim and Eliza Fury first decided to invest in residential parks around 25 years ago after being inspired by the nature of the business:
“Looking in from the outside, I always thought it [the parks industry] was an interesting business to be in. What a lovely way to live when you’re over 50. A close community. Safety and security, as well as great quality and affordable homes. I can’t think of anything better!”
Each of the Highgrove Parks cater exclusively to the over 50s and their scenic countryside locations are ideal for those wishing to enjoy a leisurely semi-retirement and retirement.

 

BEVERLEY HILLS PARK in Amesbury is the largest of the Highgrove Parks. The head office (pictured) is also at the park.

 

“We believe our parks offer an exceptional choice based on both location and lifestyle,” explains Jim Fury.
“We strive to manage and maintain our parks to the highest standards and are proud to be Members of the BH&HPA, which assists with park legislation, regulation and safety issues for the benefit of park owners as well as our residents.”
Largest of the Highgrove Parks with 128 homes, Beverley Hills Park in Amesbury lies in the heart of the Salisbury Plains, well-known for Stonehenge just a short drive away. The main head office of Highgrove Parks is on site and all of the homes have private gardens and enjoy widespread views across open countryside, whilst also being conveniently located close to local shops and facilities.

 

WIDESPREAD VIEWS

At the other end of the scale is Green Acres Park in Somerset. The smallest park in Highgrove’s portfolio, Green Acres has just 17 residential park homes and is also the most southerly of the Highgrove Parks.
“Green Acres is a real little gem,” says Jim Fury proudly. “We bought this park in the early 2000s. It’s fairly traditional in style but a real favourite with prospective buyers and residents who appreciate the quiet location but easy access to amenities on the outskirts of the vibrant market town of Yeovil.”

 

GREEN ACRES PARK in Somerset is a ‘little gem.’ It has just 17 residential homes at the moment.

 

Green Acres will shortly be expanding with three new plots due to be released in the near future. Also currently under development is Highgrove’s Lea Villa Park, which boasts a superb rural location on the doorsteps of the beautiful Forest of Dean and Wye Valley in Herefordshire. Five new plots will be available at Lea Villa Park in the first quarter of 2022, bringing the total number of homes on the estate to 73. Residents at Lea Villa enjoy participating in village life, as well as venturing to nearby Ross-on-Wye and Gloucester.
Highgrove’s remaining three parks are all relatively close to Lea Villa. Three Counties Park at Sledge Green offers 74 residential park homes nestled in glorious Worcestershire countryside enjoying beautiful views across to the Malvern Hills. More plots will be available to purchase at Three Counties early next year.
Poplars Park is a small quiet estate with 37 homes located in the village of Cambridge, close to the famous nature reserve of Slimbridge in Gloucestershire.

 

POPLARS PARK is a small quiet estate with 37 homes in the village of Cambridge, Gloucestershire.

 

The Fury’s acquired their final park, Long Carrant Views in December 2020 and the park is currently being further modernised and developed. Long Carrant Views is licenced for 52 homes and there is a lake and a well-stocked woodland area with picnic benches for residents to sit and enjoy the surroundings.
“Long Carrant enjoys spectacular uninterrupted vistas of the Bredon Hills and is located in a designated area of outstanding beauty,” explains Jim. “We’re very excited about the development of this park which is set to become the flagship in our portfolio.”
Long Carrant Views is situated just a short drive from the beautiful honey- coloured, period homes of the scenic village of Broadway, often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds.

 

PREMIUM SPACE

Another advantage of Long Carrant is space – an absolute premium in this area.“Not many parks can take the size of homes that we can install at Long Carrant,” explains Jim. “The plots have space for homes up to 54 x 22. They also have super large gardens and splendid views. The potential at this park is really great for the future but we’re always on the lookout to expand and add more parks to our portfolio.”

 

THE FURY’S acquired their flagship park, Long Carrant Views in December 2020. Pictured, an Omar Middleton at Long Carrant Views.

 

The Fury’s have developed good links with all the main home manufacturers in the UK and work particularly closely with Stately Albion. A maintenance team works across all the parks and Jim and Eliza are assisted by Susie Moxey in Sales and Marketing who works directly from the head office, as well as the smaller offices at Long Carrant and Three Counties.
Visiting each and every park on a regular basis is a key commitment and residents know Jim as a personable and approachable owner – not just as a name on a piece of paper.

 

HIGHGROVE PARKS is a team effort. Jim Fury – second from the right – with Susie Moxey, Sales & Marketing, and Chris Andrews and Mark Andrews from the maintenance team.

 

“I like to meet all the customers personally if I can,” says Jim. “I enjoy explaining the very real benefits of park home living and what it means to move to a park community.”
“My wife and I came into the parks business with a fresh perspective and we’ve worked hard to establish and build an excellent reputation within the industry,” adds Jim. “Taking time to get to know residents personally is really important to me. I truly believe that a hands-on approach is the only way to successfully do business.”

Highgrove Parks
Tel. 01386 335434
www.highgroveparks.com

CLUB EXTENDS CAMPING SEASON

Posted on October 28, 2021

CLUB EXTENDS CAMPING SEASON

 

CAMPERS will be able to extend their touring dates this autumn and winter

 

Responding to demand, the Camping and Caravanning Club will be opening a number of campsites for longer this winter including those that will enable campers to pitch-up any time of year.
In total, 30 Club sites will be open beyond the traditional camping season, meaning people can still enjoy a much-needed break well into the autumn and winter, and over the Christmas period.
The Club’s Simon McGrath said: “Autumn and winter can be a fantastic time to enjoy your caravan, motorhome or even tent and we believe many people will be keen to continue to enjoy the fresh air on a camping break, even as the nights draw in.
“Given the huge popularity of pitching up on a campsite, we wanted to offer campers more choice of locations later in the year by extending the season of a number of our sites.”
The Club has 13 sites with extended opening:
• Barnard Castle, County Durham; Cannock Chase, Horsley, Surrey; Kendal, Lake District all plan to stay open until November 30th.
• Bellingham, Northumberland; Cheddar, Somerset; Polstead, Sufolk; Sandringham, Norfolk; Scone, Perthshire; Winchcombe, Gloucestershire; Windermere, Lake District; Wolverley, Worcestershire all plan to stay open until January.
A further 17 Club sites remain open year-round along with five Camping in the Forest sites.

TURNING TIDES

Posted on August 5, 2021

TURNING TIDES

LEEDONS RESIDENTIAL PARK IS THE FLAGSHIP in Allens Caravans residential portfolio.

Planners are favourable to Park Home applications reports Jane Herbert...

Back in the mid-1930’s, when auto trader Bill Allen decided to display touring Allens Caravans on his garage forecourt in Wolverhampton to fill some empty space., He could never have foreseen that Auto Selling Cars would grow into the huge success Allens Caravans is today. But times were changing, and caravan sales took off. Bill’s curiosity was piqued. Just a few years later in the 1950’s, with business growing, Bill moved the company to the historic stately home of Wootton Hall inWarwickshire’s Henley- in-Arden, which is still Allens Caravans headquarters today. Here, he hosted the first-ever Annual Midlands Caravan Exhibition, and its success made Bill realise that he was onto something. In the 1960s he travelled to the USA where he was inspired not just by the trend for caravan holidays, but also by the increasing popularity of Allens Caravans for all-year residential living. Bill returned toWootton Hall convinced of the potential growth for residential caravan parks in the UK, and with caravan sales soon outstripping car sales, Allens Caravans was born. Today, Allens Caravans is one of the country’s leading Park Operators with a portfolio of 13 Holiday and Residential Parks across the Midlands and Wales. The business, which now employs around 160 staff, is still managed by Bill’s grandchildren and other family members, with joint Managing Directors, Joe Folkes and James Allen, heading up the team.

THRIVING BUSINESS
“Allens Caravans has come a long way since its foundation in the 1930’s,” explains Joe Folkes. “But at heart we are still a thriving family business, the owners of which are not just faceless names, but third generation working Directors who can be found at our Head Office or on the Parks looking after the day-to-day running of the company,” he continues. “As a whole team, we ensure the highest possible standards are delivered at our Parks, for the benefit of our customers,” he adds. “We are so proud of the excellent reputation we have built with those customers, and also our colleagues within the caravan industry.” Currently, five of Allens Caravans 13 Parks are residential: Broadway Park with 82 residents and Leedons Residential Park with 129 residents in Worcestershire; Wootton Hall in Warwickshire with 290 residents; Pendeford Hall inWolverhampton with 62 residents; and Overstone Solarium Residential Park with 80 residents in Northamptonshire. Typically, Allens Caravans Parks have all been chosen for their stunning locations in the great British countryside. Residents of both Wootton Hall and Pendeford Hall can enjoy the outstanding surrounding scenery of two former historic country estates. Similarly, Overstone Solarium is set amongst 115 acres of beautiful woodland – the perfect spot to relish in the peace and quiet of retirement.


GAMES ROOM
Both Broadway Park and Leedons Residential Park are situated just ten minutes’ walk from the charming and picturesque village of Broadway in the prime location of the Cotswolds. With a scenic setting nestled beneath the Cotswold escarpment and overlooked by Broadway Tower, the Parks are blessed with plentiful wildlife and both Broadway and Leedons hold the prestigious Gold David Bellamy Conservation Award. Residents at the two sister Parks also benefit from an enviable array of facilities including an indoor swimming pool, a three rink bowling green, tennis court, social hall, launderette and games room. Leedons Residential Park is the newer development of the two, and the flagship in Allens Caravans residential portfolio. Originally acquired in the 1980’s, Leedons has been the focus of considerable expansion over the years and several £million investment both in its infrastructure and leisure facilities. A proportion of the Park is devoted to holiday home ownership (ten months of the year) but the focus is on delivering Residential Park Homes for the over 50s semi-retired and retired. Phase three of the Leedons development has recently been released and work is currently continuing on around 40 plots. Phase four is already in the planning with more luxury homes with exceptional countryside views coming soon. Prospective residents can choose from a variety of manufacturers including Willerby, Omar, Stately, Lissett, Homeseeker/Prestige, Tingdene and Pathfinder. Each home has its own garden area, a shed or greenhouse, and parking for up to two cars adjacent to the property. Pets are welcome on site and amongst the team of eight staff, there are resident Park Managers and Wardens for peace of mind.

Despite Allens Caravans obvious growth, long term expansion for the residential park sector as a whole is still reliant on the vagaries of the planning process. “We are always striving to expand our Park portfolio and there are a couple of Parks in the pipeline for the near future,” explains Joe. “The supply of new, modern sites for Parks is always going to be the biggest hurdle. “Fortunately, the tides are turning, and as local communities, councils and consumers start to see Park Homes (rightly so) on a par with conventional housing, the easier planning applications for Residential Parks will be.” Allens Caravans continued success is also evident in their Holiday Park portfolio. A brand new luxury Holiday Park, Bredon View, opened in Worcestershire on May 1st this year, bringing a five year development plan to fruition. No mean feat considering the tricky trading conditions of the pandemic. “Park Homes, much like every supply chain industry, has been hit by delays due to Covid,” says Joe. “With hundreds of supplies involved in manufacture and construction, this has inevitably resulted in a knock-on effect of price increases and, more significantly, longer waiting times,” Joe points out. “But we continue to invest back into all our Parks, both in terms of facilities and infrastructure.We have a solid history of investment spanning nine decades and this spirit is ingrained into every new generation who take on the stewardship of the Allens Caravans brand.”

Allens Caravans
Tel. 01564 792323
www.allenscaravans.co.uk

 

Christmas Present Hopes For Debra

Posted on September 1, 2017

DebraChristmas Present Hopes For Debra

In the summer of 2014, Debra Drew was enjoying a holiday at Woolacombe Bay, Devon, with her family when disaster struck.

After spotting a nine-year-old boy struggling in the choppy waters she plunged into the sea in an attempt to save the youngster. The boy survived – but Debra suffered catastrophic brain injuries when sand was swept into her mouth by the seawater, stopping her breathing. The 48-year-old from Stourbridge, Worcestershire, was in a coma for six months and doctors believed she would be unlikely ever to move again without assistance.

Although still paralysed, Debra is putting up a brave fight – and is determined to be back home in time for Christmas this year. Park Holidays UK are now helping to raise funds to deliver Debra’s dream of returning home for Christmas. For this to happen, however, her friends and family need to raise £25,000 to buy a range of different medical equipment, including a specially built wheelchair.

Tony Clish, director of Park Holidays UK, said that Debra’s story is truly inspirational: “Debra has undergone many operations since the horrific incident and defied doctors’ expectations that there would be little chance of her surviving. She has shown remarkable spirit and now it’s time for us to do our bit by helping her return home full time to be among her treasured friends and family.”

Park Holidays UK operates 24 holiday parks in Southern England, including five in seaside Devon – and have offered Debra and her family a free stay whenever she feels able to take up the offer.