Why Dorset park was twinkling with stars this summer

Riding high: holiday guests at South Lytchett Manor found themselves in star-studded company summer

THERE WAS A TRIPLE taste of stardom this summer for a Poole holiday park which found itself to be glittering with its guests in three very different ways.

Funny man: staying at the park was John Challis from TV’s Only Fools and Horses

Family-owned South Lytchett Manor began by being showered in stardust by VisitEngland when the national tourist board announced its 2020 awards.

It scooped a maximum five stars as a tomer service.

VisitEngland also gave the park a to older and less mobile guests – whilst the AA chipped in with its ultimate platinum award.

The next star shining at South Lytchett Manor was funny-man John Challis who plays Boycie in BBC TV’s much-loved sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

Boycie was at the park tomotive Leisure, and proved a big hit among guests during his stay.

The third star this summer at South Lytchett Manor was entirely home-grown after the park’s marketing manager, Emily Freeman, triumphed in the Ironman Triathlon.

Emily’s performance in the tober in Hawaii.

She recorded the second overall best women’s time after completing a 2.4-mile swim followed by a 112-mile bicycle ride, topped off by a 26.2 mile marathon.

Emily Freeman triumphed in the tough Ironman Triathlon

Joanne Bridgen, who with her husband David has owned South Lytchett Manor for the past 14 years, said everyone was delighted with the park’s star-studded summer:

“Our VisitEngland and AA awards were fantastic news, not least because both put a big emphasis on the high standards of hospitality and welcome given to guests,” she said.

“Delivering this is very much in the hands of our loyal and hardworking staff, so they deserve a big share of the credit for these accolades.

“The icing on the cake was, of course, Emily’s Ironman success – and we’re all very proud of her achievement, and are crossing our fingers for October!” added Joanne.

Emily’s success came despite her relying in the cycling stage on a budget-priced bike – and now she has launched a crowdfunding campaign to the national finals.

More details and a link for donations are at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/emilyfreeman – and there is more information about South Lytchett Manor at www.southlytchettmanor.co.uk