A SUCCESSFUL SUMMER at South Lytchett Manor Camping and Caravan Park in Poole has been crowned with the news of two star-studded awards.
In the first, business owners Joanne and David Bridgen learned that their park has earned the AA’s five-star Platinum rating, the highest grade awarded by the organisation.
Platinum awards given by the AA – based on guest reviews and a “secret shopper” visit by inspectors – are regarded as the Oscars of the holiday parks industry.
South Lytchett’s facilities, services and levels of hospitality all went under the microscope – and each was found to meet or exceed the platinum standard on every level.
It is the tenth year in succession that South Lytchett has attained the AA’s maximum grading, placing it among an elite of UK parks recording a decade or more of triumphs.
And there were again stars in the eyes of the park and its team when Visit England announced that South Lytchett had achieved a 99% excellence rating in its most recent assessment.
The rarely-given high score means that the business retains its top five-star rating in the Holiday, Touring and Camping Park category of the tourist board’s grading scheme.
It followed a detailed audit made by inspectors of South Lytchett’s facilities and services as well as the levels of hospitality on offer and the many glowing reviews posted by guests.
Joanne and David Bridgen took over the glamping and camping park almost 20 years ago, and run it today with the help of their son Matt and daughter Megan.
The park provides glamping pods, Romany caravans and shepherd’s huts which have recently been joined by eight luxury Mongolian yurts with decor and furnishings on an opulent North African theme.
The dome-shaped yurts have been hand-built in neighbouring Devon using sustainable ash hardwood, and feature Moroccan-themed lanterns, mosaic tiles, and ornamental mirrors.
Recent new features on the park include The Manor’s Tap, a chic Airstream bar with cosy outdoor seating, upgraded café services, and new Nomadic Bell Tents.
Joanna Bridgen said that both the family and the park team were delighted to see their busy summer season finish with a flourish of stars from the AA and Visit England.
“We are a family business, and everybody here shares our passion for providing the best experiences possible for guests from the moment they arrive,” said Joanna.
“That’s why these awards mean so much because they are based not just on our quality standards, but also the welcoming atmosphere and level of hospitality provided,” she added.
There is more information about the park, as well as its new yurts and other glamping options, on its website at www.southlytchettmanor.co.uk