THE FAMILY OWNERS of three Best of British holiday parks are celebrating after winning top honours in the year’s South West Tourism Excellence awards.
Known as the Oscars of SW tourism, the awards drew hundreds of contenders from across Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the Isles of Scilly.
But there could only be a handful of winners in each category – and it was a trio of BoB members which judges declared to be among the very best for holiday excellence.
For one of them, South Lytchett Manor in Poole, Dorset, their accolade truly glittered for it was the overall gold title in the Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year category.
Joanne and David Bridgen, who run park with their son Matt, said they were “knocked for six” by the result, and gave credit to the hard work and hospitality of their staff team.
South Lytchett provides touring and camping pitches, or guests can enjoy a stay in one of the many glamping options including picturesque Romany caravans and cosy shepherd’s huts.
In the same hotly-contested category, Polmanter Touring Park in St Ives, Cornwall, to holiday guests.
Owned for over 50 years by the same family and run today by husband-and-wife team Phil and Becki Osborne, the seaside park provides spectacular views along the Cornish coast.
Guests are provided with a heated lido pool, spa, tennis court, play areas, and a shop with Cornish food and drink specialities which also appear on the menu of its popular Stable Bar.
Meanwhile, in the Holiday Park of the Year category of the awards, Ladram Bay Holiday Park in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, also came away with one of the main awards.
The Carter family has owned the park for over 60 years and, like the two other BoB winners, has received many regional and national awards for its high standards and welcoming atmosphere.
Ladram Bay has its own private beach and a host of activities, attractions, and entertainment – plus holiday caravans and lodges touring guests.
This year’s South West Tourism Excellence awards ceremony was held as a virtual event, and was viewed by hundreds of tourism chiefs across the regions.
Best of British takes this opportunity tourism industry awards.
More details about all 50-plus independent holiday parks belonging to the Best of British in England, Wales and Scotland can be found on the consortium’s website at www.bob.org.uk