LYNMOUTH HOLIDAY RETREAT in North Devon has seen a boom in summer bookings after running a national competition to name its two young Highland cows.
The bonnie bovines arrived at the five-star glamping and holiday lodge park earlier this year, and were an instant hit with guests.
But whilst they lacked nothing in charm, the park’s family owners couldn’t agree on what to call them – and launched a social media search for the most memorable names.
The campaign, offering the prize of a free holiday at the seaside park, drew thousands of page view across Facebook and other platforms, and earlier this summer the winner was announced.
Now the shaggy duo will be officially known as Eddie and Dean – names which celebrate the cities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen in their ancestral home country.
The winning suggestion came from Helen Peers and her 14-year-old son Ollie who live in Leicester – and both will now enjoy a luxury stay at the park in one of its new Stargazer Geo Domes.
But Ian James, Director of Lynmouth Holiday Retreat, said the competition had given the site more than just a welcome solution to it naming quest:
“The campaign has done a fantastic job of raising our park’s profile across the country, and we’re now likely to be at almost full capacity during the summer school holidays,” said Ian.
“Some people have even been asking if they will definitely be able to see Eddie and Dean during their stay because their children have been captivated by their pictures.
“We’re delighted to assure them that nobody will be disappointed, and that the pair seem very content to be admired by holiday guests and to have photographs taken.
“They have a very easy-going temperament, and seem to regard the beautiful rugged landscape of Exmoor as a perfectly acceptable alternative to the Highlands!” said Ian.
Overlooking the iconic Devon coastal town, Lynmouth Holiday Retreat provides pitches for tents, touring caravan and motorhomes, plus luxury holiday homes and glamping stays.
It is one of four West Country parks which comprise the Coast & Country Parks group, founded 35 years ago by Ian James and now run by him and his son Chris.
Earlier this year, Ian stepped down as National Chairman of the Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA) after a two-year term of office heading up the 3000-strong organisation.
Not that Lynmouth Holiday Retreat is any stranger to being in the spotlight for giving its four-legged guests the same VIP treatment as its holiday visitors.
That’s because it has also been named as Britain’s top holiday park for pet owners by Dog Friendly magazine after it asked readers to name their favourite doggie destinations.
In the camping and caravan park category, Lynmouth Holiday Retreat was voted into the number one spot, beating thousands of other eligible holiday centres.
Dog-owning families and Highland cow devotees can view the different staying options available at Lynmouth Holiday Retreat on the company’s website at www.coastandcountryparks.co.uk