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.

MP’s enthusiasm shows demand for caravan holidays is strong

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Interest in caravanning holidays across the UK is as high as ever, with MPs joining everyday enthusiasts in hitching up their trailers and taking a ‘staycation’.

That is according to the Caravan Club, which has welcomed one politician’s support for caravanning with an insistence that demand for pitches across the country is as strong as ever.

Oliver Heald, who serves as an MP for North East Hertfordshire, visited Caravan Club site Ashridge farm in Baldock as part of a wider effort to further promote domestic tourism, with the politician noting the “high standards” evident at the site.

Following the visit, the Caravan Club’s marketing director Nick Lomas stated his confidence that this summer the popularity of caravan holiday within the UK will be as strong as ever.

“The domestic tourism industry had an unprecedented opportunity to encourage holidaymakers to take breaks and holidays on home ground in 2009 and the Caravan Club saw an increase of half a million ‘bed nights’ on its sites network,” he said.

Perhaps the best-known political caravanner is Margaret Beckett, who famously insisted on taking a summer caravan holiday in 2006, despite having to be accompanied by security personnel due to her then role as foreign secretary.

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Caravanners should check tyres this Easter

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Easter is a favourite time of the year for caravan breaks, but Brits have been warned to make sure they do not end up ruining their holiday due to a flat tyre.

According to Protyre, ten million motorists will take to the road over the Easter long weekend, which could increase the number of breakdowns on the UK’s roads.

However, people can cut their chances of experiencing difficulties by making some last minute checks of their vehicle and the caravan they hope to tow.

A quick look at tyres can reveal wear and tear and clues to problems with suspension, as well as alert drivers to punctures or simply just that the treads need to be inflated.

Protyre claimed that almost one in every four cars and vans have at least one defective or badly-worn tyre, which could increase the chances of an accident.

“It’s easy to forget to check your tyres with all the distractions of an Easter getaway, but they are critical to the safety of your vehicle,” retail director Simon Hiorns said.

Police warn of caravan theft risk

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Caravan owners in Cambridgeshire have been advised to take extra care following a spate of recent thefts in the Fenland region.

Highlighting the need for vigilance and caravan anti-theft measures, local police have confirmed that caravans and equipment worth £20,000 have been stolen from homes over the past week alone.

As well as a Swift Charisma touring caravan, an Avante 534 was also taken from a driveway in the area, prompting Fenland Police community safety manager Trevor Bracken to advise owners to “rethink their security”.

“They should consider installing tracking equipment which helps police trace their caravan if it is stolen,” he told Fenland Today.

“Post coding is recommended and can aid the identification of a stolen caravan.”

Meanwhile, England football captain Rio Ferdinand has told the Times that, rather than jetting off to the Caribbean, he enjoys taking his family on caravan holidays within England and Wales.

Caravaners boosted by Easter Weekend roadworks suspension

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Caravan owners have been given a boost with the news that a majority of UK roadworks will either be completed or suspended in time for the upcoming Easter weekend.

According to the Highways Agency, some 60 per cent of roadworks will either be finished or put on hold for the long weekend, spelling good news for those holidaymakers keen to hitch up their caravans and get away.

This comes in spite of the fact that the bad weather experienced over the winter caused a number of road improvement projects to be hit by delays, with the government department stating that, as well as boosting reliability, the extra effort has been driven largely by an aim to make the UK’s 9,534 miles of major carriageway safe for drivers.

Announcing the good news, Highways Agency director of network delivery and development Derek Turner said: “We wish to reassure the travelling public that the Highways Agency is lifting as many roadworks as is safe and practical to do so for this Easter bank holiday.”

Meanwhile, the Met Office has predicted that UK weather will remain ‘unsettled’ over the Easter weekend, with snow likely in Scotland and some parts of northern England.

Caravanners could head on Easter egg hunt

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Those spending the Easter weekend in a caravan could be interested in taking part in one of 220 Easter Egg Trails being set up by the National Trust in conjunction with Cadbury’s.

The chocolate firm is providing Egghead Easter eggs that come in environmentally-friendly packaging.

Each child who completes one of the trails will be given one of the chocolate treats, while the National Trust will be offering face-painting, crafts and Easter egg painting.

The organisation has recorded an increase in visitor and membership numbers over the past year and is hoping to encourage families to spend the bank holiday weekend outdoors by hosting the events.

Interested parties are able to head to the National Trust website to check where their nearest Easter Egg Trail is taking place.

Meanwhile, Enjoy England is celebrating the release of the new Alice in Wonderland movie by inviting Brits to explore “Alice’s England” by visiting Antony House near Plymouth.

Britain’s roads ‘could be improved’

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Caravan enthusiasts may know as well as any road user how well maintained their regular routes are.

However, the condition of the UK’s highways could be set to improve if the Transport Committee has its way and regulations are passed to develop how local authorities operate.

According to the group, many local authorities are not spending their entire roads budget allocated by the government.

It has suggested that parliament sets out clear guidelines for how this money should be spent and that it ensures there is more clarity from councils on how they are maintaining their local transport infrastructure.

A recent statement by the committee concluded that more has to be done to manage both repairs and traffic congestion.

The body suggested that a combination of sustainable transport, careful planning and the use of modern technology could improve Britain’s highways for all road users.

In other news, one happy caravan owner was reunited with his vehicle just hours after it was stolen after the TRACKER device he installed helped police catch the criminal.

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