By William Coleman
When on your touring holiday I imagine that the main requirement of the trip is peace and quiet. Something that family friendly sites may not always have an abundance of during school break times. As some of get a little older and do not have to look after our children any more we flock to adult only sites, but why has there been such a large influx of adult only sites?
Child free sites are starting to become a lot more popular throughout the UK, one popular park has now declared itself a child-free zone. The BBC decided to do a radio feature on the site and why the rising phenomenon of adults only holidays is happening.
BBC reporters ventured to Back of Beyond park near Ringwood for an indepth look into why a large proportion of holiday makers prefer to escape to a more peaceful childless getaway.
Martin and Vicki Bowrey, who had acquired the park 5 years ago, were happy to help explain to the BBC why they immediately placed an 18+ age requirement on guests when they took over.
The decision that the couple made had a “one hundred percent positive” reaction from guests new and old. From the get go it seemed to get a thumbs up across the board with the no vacancy sign getting very little rest in peak season.
Speaking live, from the park, on BBC Radio Solent’s popular morning show Vicki told the audience that grown up holidays have a special appeal to certain sectors.
There are very specific groups such as teachers and child care professionals who want to get away on their holidays and not be constantly reminded about their jobs which are waiting for them when the get back. Another group who enjoy not hearing the pitter patter of little feet are young professional couples who have yet to dip their toe into parenthood.
As well as speaking with the park owners the BBC took the opportunity to speak with guests who were staying at Back of Beyond. The holiday makers wanted to express that the decision to go 18+ had nothing to do with disliking children in any way, shape or form.
Having spoke with families with children there does seem to be an overwhelming feeling that a site that is 18+ has something to do with being anti child, something I disagree with. It is just a preference, not a political stance.
Although there is no ill feeling towards youngsters, elderly couples explained that they found it a lot easier to relax when there are no children running around the site.
The site covers 40 acres of tranquil Dorset countryside, over 50% of which is woodland. Back of Beyond offers pitches for camping, touring caravans and motorhomes.
If you want to leave the leisure vehicles at home but still visit the site you can book ready-erected tents, yurts and timer lodges for glamping. The glamping facilities offers some pitch perfect creature comforts such as full size double beds, heating and kitchen areas.
Those who listened to the BBC broadcast were told that Back of Beyond adopting the 18+ rule is not a one off, and that more parks across the UK are adopting the adult only policy.
Back of Beyond, said Vicki, is also a member of the Tranquil Parks group whose 40 members are all exclusively for people of voting age and above:
“There are hundreds of parks in Britain which welcome children, and which we greatly enjoyed visiting when our three teenage sons were younger,” she said.
“Parks like Back of Beyond are simply offering an alternative for those who want to chill in a gorgeous environment, and wake up to bird song rather than chirping children.
“It was great to be able to explain this type of holiday to the BBC audience, and the interviewer finished up by saying that the park sounded just like her cup of tea!” added Vicki.
There is more information about Back of Beyond at Caerphilly County Borough Council
