Local Preston council okays Longridge caravan site

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan lovers touring the north west of England this summer will have one more stop-off to add to their list, as Longridge caravan site has been cleared to open in May.

The site had its licence approved last week by Ribble Alley Borough Council, the Preston and Leyland Citizen reported.

Visitors can bring their own caravan or choose from 21 deluxe timber chalets, which are situated at Lower Moss Farm on Lower Lane.

Farm owner David Rainford said that he was branching out to try and attract more tourists to his part of Lancashire.

“We are hoping that once it is open it will attract more visitors to the area and so increase footfall to other local businesses,” he said.

Visitors have been invited to explore the new site on an open weekend in May, with many of the timber lodges available for sale as holiday homes.

Other caravan sites in Lancashire include Blackpool South and Burrs County Park, which are both certified Caravan Club sites.

Millions of families to holiday with grandparents

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Millions of Brits will head off on holiday with three generations of the same family in tow this year.

According to research from Park Resorts, 2.7 million families will go on “greycations” – holidays in the UK where grandparents, parents and children will all spend a vacation together.

The firm suggested that the weak economy may be partially responsible, but that the trend should be seen as positive as it brings families closer together.

Around one in five (19 per cent) families holidaying together said they did so to save money, while half (49 per cent) wanted to give kids some time with their grandparents.

Meanwhile, 18 per cent of parents admitted they had brought the grandparents along to provide free babysitting services.

Park Resorts owns 37 holiday sites across the country and has seen a steady rise in greycations over the years.

Marketing director Andy Edge said: “The UK family holiday has undergone a renaissance over recent years and that is not only due to the fact that UK breaks can provide much better value.”

Meanwhile, Park Resorts recently released figures showing that Brits spend millions of pounds a year while waiting at airports.

Family breaks ‘essential for bonding’

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Heading off on a caravan trip with your kids or parents could be one of the most important experiences you have together, it has been suggested.

According to takethefamily.com, even short breaks with the family are essential for bonding with those closest to you.

Managing director Lucy Ace explained that vacations help re-establish the family unit and suggested that it can be essential to take a break from the monotony of day-to-day life and enjoy a trip together now and again.

Whether this is for a fortnight or just a few days, getting away from it all can bring families closer together, she said.

“There is definitely evidence to suggest that over the past few years, families are opting for several shorter holidays than the traditional two weeks away,” Ms Ace added.

Recent research from HolidayExtras.com found that the majority (62 per cent) of Brits plan to take one or two trips this year.

Despite this, a DWP study showed that many families are ditching the annual holiday in favour of weekends and days away.

Caravan park operator extends loan deal

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The rise in Brits looking to take caravan holidays in the UK has led to one operator extending its finance deal.

Parkdean Holidays has chosen to add two years to its deal with Anglo-Irish Bank, giving it until 2014 to repay the loan.

According to travelweekly.co.uk, the park operator, which has 24 sites across the UK, credited increased interest from customers as the motivation behind the move.

Chief executive John Waterworth told the website that a combination of a good relationship with the lender and strong performance during tough times helped it secure the agreement on favourable terms.

While the firm has struggled with caravan sales, it reported a rise in on-park spending and holiday bookings, which helped boost turnover to £124 million at the end of January.

Earnings before interest, tax, amortisation and depreciation also rose to £31.5 million from 28 million and are expected to increase further this year.

Meanwhile, the importance of fire safety in caravans has been underlined by an incident in Essex in which a vehicle was completely destroyed, according to the Evening Star.

Site operator Parkdean sees Dorset as British golf haven

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Caravan enthusiasts heading to Dorset may wish to pack their golf clubs after the region was identified as a haven for fans of the sport.

According to caravan site operator Parkdean, the area is ideal for those looking for a relaxing break and a few rounds in the summer sun.

The firm has compiled a list of golf courses it feels are perfect for holidaymakers in Dorset.

It features everything from the 100-year-old Weymouth Golf Club to the Bridport and Dorset Golf Club, perched on the Jurassic Coast.

With three holiday sites in Dorset, Parkdean believes it can offer an ideal base for golfers heading to the area, while also providing great destinations for family breaks and relaxing getaways.

While its list may be useful for those new to the area, it is by no means complete and the company hopes its regular Dorset customers will be kind enough to add to it with their own favourite courses.

Meanwhile, Parkdean recently recognised Hampshire as an excellent holiday destination for those who like walking.

Caravanners to celebrate tiger’s birthday

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Brits holidaying at Haven sites next month will be able to party down with Rory the Tiger.

The mascot celebrates his birthday soon and is inviting families on a special four-night break from May 10th.

A host of activities aimed at under-fives will include party games such as musical bumps and pass the parcel.

The celebration will be taking place at all 35 of the company’s sites and will be in addition to all the usual fun activities on offer.

Creative Kitchen allows kids to decorate and eat their own birthday cakes and cookies, while Learn2Swim classes will help boost confidence in the water at the heated indoor pools.

Adults can also enjoy the fabulous evening entertainment schedule, while children can use the sports facilities and games rooms at each site.

Many of the resorts are also located close to the beach, so touring caravan owners should not have far to go for a nice seaside stroll or watersports.

Parkdean announces major investment

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A British caravan site operator has announced a £10 million investment into its parks for 2010.

Parkdean operates 24 facilities around the country and is improving each one of its sites, with almost half (£4.5 million) spent on accommodation.

A total of 321 new holiday homes have been created across the country, while a number of parks have new restaurants, bars and other facilities.

One such site is White Acres Holiday Park in Cornwall, which received £360,000 of investment in new accommodation, refurbishment of lakeside lodges and a new pub and eatery.

“Try out our new top of the range extra wide Tolcarne caravan with three bedrooms plus double glazing and central heating for your comfort,” the company suggested.

It recommended that guests staying at the site head to the new Polkerris Bar, Pizzeria and Grill, which will be serving up tasty meals throughout the summer.

Those heading on a caravan park break over the warmer months may enjoy relaxing by the pool or following England on TV as they attempt to win the Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

Musical treats for young caravanners

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Parents of children under the age of five may be tempted to take their kids on a caravanning holiday to a Haven site over the summer.

The firm recently announced the launch of its Tiny Mites Music sessions, which introduce youngsters to rhythm, rhyme and song using puppets and percussion instruments.

According to the tourist provider, the activity is perfect for kids as young as six months and is just one of many things for little tykes to busy themselves with on a caravan holiday.

The firm is also running Annabel’s Creative Kitchen, which will see toddlers encouraged to design and decorate their own cookies and cakes.

Meanwhile, the activities for older kids and adults are just as fun, with fencing, archery and golf just some of the sports on offer.

A full entertainment schedule should ensure that everyone is catered for and families can feel safe in the knowledge that the parks are situated away from busy roads and have 24-hour security on duty.

Haven recently noted that holidaying in the UK is becoming more popular thanks to airline industrial action and a weak pound.

Devon top choice for dog owners wanting a caravan holiday

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Pet owners enjoying a break in a caravan to recharge their batteries are most likely to head to Devon than any other UK location, it has been noted.

Park Holidays UK has disclosed information from its booking figures which show that three destinations in Devon were its most popular among dog owners last year.

In two of its parks in Dawlish and another in Paignton, over ten per cent of bookings included a dog, in comparison to three per cent across its other parks around the UK.

Park Holidays UK director Tony Clish believes that the vast amount of open countryside on offer in Devon is one of the reasons that a large number of dog owners are attracted to Devon.

He said: “There’s plenty of room in a caravan holiday home for everyone, and our holiday parks are a great place to exercise a dog on a lead as the grounds are virtually traffic-free.

“Dogs benefit as much as humans from a change of scenery, and owners won’t have to fret that their pets are pining for them in expensive boarding kennels far away.”

Norfolk is an ideal caravan holiday destination for families with children, caravan site operator Parkdean has previously suggested.

Haven sees rise in spring bookings

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The number of Brits taking caravanning holidays seems to be on the rise with a popular site operator seeing an increase in spring bookings.

Haven Holidays reported a 60 per cent hike in seven-night bookings for the May half-term break, with many families heading to seaside caravan parks.

While old favourites like Blackpool, Great Yarmouth and Clacton-on-Sea remain popular, the company’s West Country and south coast resorts have also enjoyed a surge in bookings.

PR manager Naomi Woodstock explained that families now seem to be holidaying much closer to home.

“Statistically most of our holidaymakers drive about two hours to get to their choice of Haven Holiday Park, but our latest research shows people are now travelling even shorter distances with many selecting destinations no more than an hour from where they live,” she said.

Ms Woodstock added that since many of the parks have direct beach access, guests do not have to drive after they arrive.

A full programme of entertainment and great sports and leisure activities also make the parks an attractive proposition for many, she noted.

Meanwhile, the firm has teamed up with West End star Paul Nicholas to launch a School Of Rock for children.

More Brits holidaying in the UK

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A UK-based holiday park operator has noted that an increasing number of Brits are holidaying at home during 2010.

Flight cancellations combined with the after-effects of the recession have combined to encourage holidaymakers to look to caravan parks and other British attractions as alternatives to jetting off abroad.

Haven Holidays revealed that it recorded a 20 per cent year-on-year rise in bookings for the weekend of April 17th and 18th.

It also reported a 25 per cent rise on weekend bookings for St George’s Day, which takes place on April 23rd.

“More and more families are opting to holiday closer to home with most people choosing holiday destinations no more than two hours driving distance from where they live,” the firm noted.

The holiday park operator offers family breaks from £149 for six people and is hoping to encourage Brits to book up for the May Day bank holiday weekend.

Meanwhile, the company is set to offer special activities as part of the birthday celebrations for its mascot Rory the Tiger.

Family’s love of caravans the secret behind business’ success

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A pair of caravanning siblings have set up their own caravan business using the money they inherited from their late grandmother, it has been reported.

John and Jo Grove are now the proud owners of Venture Caravans, which is located in St Aspeth, Denbingshire, and sells not only caravans themselves but also a range of accessories for the great outdoors.

However, while the enthusiasm for the hobby has always been present, the duo were only able to get their enterprise off the ground after they inherited some money through their grandmother’s will, the Denbingshire Visitor has reported.

“We have always been interested in caravanning as a family and were introduced to caravan holidays from an early age, touring all over Europe,” John told the newspaper.

“My late grandmother also enjoyed the odd caravan holiday and knew what an integral part of our lives it was… so we felt it only appropriate to use the money she left us by reinvesting it in the business,” he added.

Just recently, North Wales Fire and Rescue Services advised caravanners to take extra care after a man set fire to his trailer while carrying out DIY work using a grinding machine.