By William Coleman
The judging has taken place and the results are in. The Caravan and Motorhome Club is proud to announce this year’s top CL locations who have taken home the gold.
At this time of year, the CaravanTimes team are usually dusting off our suits and polishing our finest shoes in preparation for an evening at the Houses of Parliament to be part of the CL of the Year Award. Due to current events, the award ceremony did not take place, but that has not stopped the Club from picking the winners.
For those who do not know, Certified Location (CL) sites are privately-owned, maximum five-pitch sites found across the UK, open exclusively to Caravan and Motorhome Club members.
To become a CL site you must meet certain criteria, such as being set in idyllic and remote locations such as farms, country estates and beside inns.
This year’s Certified Location of the Year Award went to Woody Kiln Farm. This picturesque spot is situated in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, and 2020 marks the second win for Woody Kiln, as the team also took the top award in 2016.
Coming in second place is the pristine Sorbie Primary School in Dumfries and Galloway. Third place went to Cholsey Grange in Buckinghamshire and the Best Newcomer accolade was won by Goodleigh Hill in Worcestershire.
Nick Lomas, director general of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “CL of the Year Awards celebrate owners who truly go above and beyond to give visitors the very best holiday experience. Our network of around 2,300 CLs provides Club members with opportunities to stay at unique locations throughout the UK.
“CLs are the jewels in the crown of our nationwide campsite network and we are delighted that over 80 new CLs have joined the network this year. I’d like to congratulate all of the winners and wholeheartedly thank our CL owners for their hard work.”
A word from the winners
The winning location, Woody Kiln Farm, has been run by Sharon and Dean Philpin since being opened as a CL location in August 2015.
The husband and wife duo opened the site on the ground where they tied the knot, which is now home to touring pitches. Before being rebranded a CL site, the farm was owned by Dean’s parents. Dean took over running things with his wife Sharon and daughter Eryn.
Following the news of the win, Dean and Sharon spoke with the Club. They said: “Our aim is for visitors to enjoy their holiday, relax and to be connected to all services within 20 minutes of arrival. Visitors tend to really enjoy the farmland, which can be accessed for a daily stroll or to exercise dogs and totals over ten acres, which are all lawned. This includes a large pond, which has ducks, moorhens and swans at different times of the year.”
The site’s touring pitches are flanked by paddocks where horses and sheep frolic and graze. On-site there is also a small orchard where guests are welcome to pick and sample the fruit when in bloom.
We have visited several CL sites in the UK and it is clear to see why these locations are so popular. They have limited touring accommodation and amazing scenery, which makes for a much more quiet and tranquil holiday experience.
