Shortlist

Orchards remains pick of crop for awards judges

Pictured at the Red Funnel Ferry awards are (left to right) Red Funnel CEO Kevin George, The Orchards business owner Julie Gray, and the park's general manager Karen Tosdevin
Pictured at the Red Funnel Ferry awards are (left to right) Red Funnel CEO Kevin George, The Orchards business owner Julie Gray, and the park’s general manager Karen Tosdevin

A multi-award winning Isle of Wight holiday park looks set to continue its winning streak in 2016 after receiving two more honours at the start of the year.

The Orchards holiday park in Newbridge was declared as “The Best Place to Hook-up” in the annual Red Funnel Ferry awards for top tourism businesses.

The family-run park’s accolade followed on from a count-up of the votes cast by more than 38,000 Isle of Wight visitors last year.

The Orchards, the ferry-using holidaymakers decided, was the top spot on the island for taking a touring caravan, motorhome or tent.

Then, in the second of its awards, the five-star park was put under the spotlight by the prestigious Alan Rogers guide to camping and caravan park.

In the guide’s yearly awards, judges bestowed on it the “Best Progress” title in recognition of the consistently high standards it maintains.

Julie Gray, who with her husband Tim took on The Orchards 13 years ago, said the awards were especially welcome as they reflected the positive experiences of customers.

She added that much of the credit was due to the park’s hard-working staff team who always went the extra mile to make guests feel welcome and at home.

Julie said The Orchards enjoyed one of its busiest ever summers last year after it received a clutch of awards starting with the AA’s best regional campsite accolade.

The Orchards also triumphed when the readers of top-selling magazines Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome voted it their favourite place to stay in Great Britain.

The next award came when botanist David Bellamy declared The Orchards as the winner of his prestigious conservation award at its top gold level for the eighteenth successive year.

But the accolades didn’t stop there, for the park was once again flushed with success when it was presented with the 2015 Loo of the Year Award!

Bordering an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the park provides camping, touring caravan and motorhome pitches with spectacular views across the island’s gentle countryside.

There are also luxury caravan holiday homes to hire, and facilities including heated indoor and outdoor pools, a coffee shop, mini-supermarket and activity games areas.

The park is a member of the Best of British group, a consortium of independent parks providing some of the highest quality standards and levels of hospitality in the UK.

The Orchards is also affiliated to the Caravan Club, and has achieved a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor based on the many glowing reviews submitted by guests.

There is more information about the park at www.orchards-holiday-park.co.uk

<< Blue Peter star follows memory lane to Ladram Bay Official: Devon’s Woodovis is best in South West! >>