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MP congratulates Lancs holiday park seizing NW top spot award

David Morris MP (left) displays the AA best park award with Dot and David Wightman and their son James

The owners of a Lancashire holiday park, recently celebrated by the AA as the best in the North West, have shared their optimism for the future with their local MP.

David Morris MP visited Old Hall Caravan Park near Carnforth this summer to congratulate the Wightman family on their AA’s 2019 Campsite of the Year award for the North West.

The accolade is based on guest reviews and a “secret shopper” visit by AA inspectors.

Mr Morris, who is MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale in Lancashire, said that Dot Wightman and her husband David were very deserving winners of the accolade.

During his visit, David Morris took a tour of the 30-acre grounds and heard about the park’s plans for the future with the likelihood of even more visitors coming to the area.

After a "secret shopper" visit from the AA, the park's friendly atmosphere and stunning views were highlighted
A “secret shopper” visit from the AA highlighted the park’s friendly atmosphere and stunning views

He was told by Dot Wightman that the family was 100 percent behind plans for an £85m northern version of Cornwall’s Eden Project in nearby Morecambe.

Old Hall, they say, will be among the many local businesses set to benefit from the estimated one million visitors a year which the project could attract.

The holiday park first began welcoming holiday guests 35 years ago onto what was then a farm.

Its picture-postcard setting and tranquil woodland walks soon won a large and loyal following, encouraging the family to invest in further developing the business.

Today Dot and David manage the park with their son James, and provide 260 caravan holiday homes and lodges, plus fully-serviced pitches for touring caravan and motorhomes.

“Mr Morris shared our view that the proposed new Eden Project for Morecambe could provide a fantastic boost for tourism and the local economy,” said Dot.

“The prestigious environmental centre being planned could boost many smaller tourism providers such as Old Hall which offer first-class standards and a friendly atmosphere.

“We’re delighted that Mr Morris was able to take time out to congratulate us on our AA award which I hope will help shine the spotlight on what a fantastic area this is for a holiday,” she added.

The park has its own environmental accolade in the form of the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level, celebrating Old Hall’s many initiatives to protect the natural world.

There is more information about Old Hall Caravan Park – which holds a maximum five-star rating from VisitEngland – at www.oldhallcaravanpark.co.uk

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