Dorset Holiday Park Group Raises Over £9,000 for Jurassic Coast Causes
Guests and holiday home owners at a leading Dorset holiday park group have been thanked for helping raise more than £9,000 for good causes connected to the Jurassic Coast.
The total was raised throughout 2025 by West Dorset Leisure Holidays, which owns six top rated holiday parks located along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Supporting the Jurassic Coast Community
The donation was described by parks group Director Martin Cox as a fantastic boost for four organisations working tirelessly to protect the region’s beautiful but fragile coastline. He paid tribute to the generous spirit of park guests and holiday home owners who contributed to the group’s long running voluntary fundraising scheme.
“Many of our visitors and holiday home owners choose our parks because of their passion for the natural beauty of this exceptional stretch of England’s coast,” said Martin.
“For that reason, they have always been keen to support causes connected with its conservation and to help protect it for future generations.”
Local Organisations Benefiting from the Donations
West Bay Discovery Centre
This free Jurassic Coast themed visitor attraction is run by volunteers and offers insight into the natural, cultural and maritime heritage of West Bay. Exhibitions, activities and guided walks take place throughout the year.
West Dorset Leisure Holidays’ donation will help fund a new West Bay guidebook and support a collaborative environmental art project involving local schools.
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
The centre helps visitors understand and enjoy responsibly one of the UK’s best fossil hunting locations. It provides hands on exhibits, expert guidance and guided walks, and leads several conservation initiatives.
Funding will support educational sessions for local schools and community groups.
Clean Jurassic Coast
This not for profit Community Interest Company organises coastal clean ups on beaches and by kayak or boat in hard to reach areas. Volunteers are passionate about tackling marine plastic pollution and protecting wildlife.
The donation will fund recycled plastic beach toy libraries and help develop improved methods of removing microplastics from the sea.
South West Coast Path Association
The association protects and maintains England’s longest National Trail, allowing millions of walkers to enjoy coastal landscapes safely. This work is especially important along the Jurassic Coast where erosion reshapes the cliffs each year.
Funding will help support the work of more than 100 volunteers.
A Voluntary Scheme with Strong Support
West Dorset Leisure Holidays operates a voluntary donation scheme applied to bookings and pitch fees, allowing guests to support local conservation charities directly.
“Although donations are optional, around ninety percent of people using our parks choose to contribute,” said Martin. “They like knowing they are helping to make a real difference.”
The group says the scheme will continue into 2026, with rising visitor numbers expected to generate a record total for local charities.
A Family Run Dorset Holiday Park Group
West Dorset Leisure Holidays is run by Martin and his wife Vanessa, along with their sons James and Robert. The group’s flagship is Highlands End Holiday Park near Bridport. The farm based park first welcomed guests in 1971 and enjoys a dramatic cliff top location with panoramic views across 99 miles of Dorset and Devon coastline.
Key Facts
- Business: West Dorset Leisure Holidays
- Type: Family run Dorset holiday park group
- Parks owned: Six holiday parks along the Jurassic Coast
- Funds raised: Over £9,000 during 2025
- Beneficiaries: Four Jurassic Coast conservation organisations
- Flagship park: Highlands End Holiday Park near Bridport
- Founded: First park opened in 1971
Highlights
- Guests and holiday home owners helped raise a significant sum for conservation
- Strong focus on protecting the Jurassic Coast and supporting education
- Voluntary donation scheme sees very high participation levels
- Support for coastal conservation, wildlife protection and community projects
- Continued commitment planned for 2026 with potential record fundraising
FAQs About West Dorset Leisure Holidays
What is West Dorset Leisure Holidays?
WDLH is a family run Dorset holiday park group operating six holiday parks along the Jurassic Coast.
How much money was raised in 2025?
More than £9,000 was raised through voluntary donations from guests and holiday home owners.
Which organisations benefited?
West Bay Discovery Centre, Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Clean Jurassic Coast and the South West Coast Path Association benefited from the donations.
How does the donation scheme work?
A voluntary contribution is added to bookings and pitch fees, allowing guests to support local charities directly.
Is donating compulsory?
No. Donations are optional, but around ninety percent of guests choose to take part.
Will the scheme continue?
Yes. West Dorset Leisure Holidays has confirmed the scheme will continue into 2026.
Where is the flagship park located?
Highlands End Holiday Park is located near Bridport and offers panoramic views of the Dorset and Devon coastline.
