MP marks English tourism celebrations at Devon park

MP Anne Marie Morris flew the flag for Devon tourism on Friday 04 March when she made a special visit to Lady’s Mile Holiday Park in Dawlish as part of English Tourism Week.

The event, which runs until 13 March, is designed to put the spotlight on England’s tourism sector, and the £127 billion annual contribution it makes to the UK economy.

Anne Marie Morris, MP for Newton Abbot, toured Lady’s Mile Holiday Park to see how the multi-award winning family business attracts thousands of visitors each year to the Dawlish region.

The MP met with park owners Paul and Jason Jeffery whose parents, Alf and Joan, first acquired the former farm on which the park is based in 1958, shortly after which they began welcoming camping guests.

Over the following decades, the couple invested much time and energy into expanding the business into a world-class leisure resort, winning a raft of national accolades.

These include a top five-pennant rating from the AA, and a gold David Bellamy Conservation Award for the many initiatives taken at Lady’s Mile to protect the natural environment.

Today, the 60-acre park provides almost 300 luxury caravan holiday homes and timber lodges for sale and hire, plus cottages, camping pods and over 500 pitches for touring caravans and tents.

Anne Marie Morris was also able to see some of the many attractions which make Lady’s Mile popular among families from both the UK and mainland Europe.

Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a 500-seat restaurant and entertainments complex, a bowling alley and plenty of children’s activities are among the facilities on offer.

Jason and Paul also manage the family’s sister park, Oakcliff, which is based in Dawlish Warren.

Anne Marie Morris heard from Jason Jeffery that the park employs almost 100 people in the main season, and that spending by park visitors also helps support many other local businesses.

Jason Jeffrey also told the MP that, in his view, further improvements to public transport links would be likely to have a positive impact on tourism in South Devon.

“Anne Marie Morris clearly understands the importance of this region’s visitor industry, and the beneficial effect which it has on the local economy and employment,” said Mr Jeffery.

“We were delighted that the MP found time to visit our park, and to show her support both for English Tourism Week and the many businesses here which help draw visitors,” he added.

There is more information about the park at www.ladysmile.co.uk