Premier Park named AA Campsite Of The Year

The AA has revealed the winners of its Caravan and Camping Awards 2018 with Premier Parks scooping three of the main titles, including the prestigious campsite of the year.

Old Oaks Touring Park in Glastonbury, Somerset, has been named overall AA Campsite of the Year 2018 as well as the winner for England. It’s the second time the adult-only Premier Park, described as “absolutely stunning” by the AA, has landed the title.

Inspectors said Old Oaks had developed to an “exceptional level” this year and that the vision and effort of owners James and Tara White was “outstanding”. In 2017, the site introduced four “fabulous” mini-lodges and two new shepherd’s huts, one of which has its own hot tub.

Premier Parks is a collection of 100 of the best, high quality campsites across the UK and Ireland, inspected and rated by the Camping, Caravan and MMM editorial team.

The winner for Wales is Red Kite Touring Park, another adult-only Premier Park, located just one mile from the historic market town of Llanidloes. It features 66 fully serviced pitches for caravans and motorhomes and a state of the art amenity block. Trossachs Holiday Park, in Aberfoyle, near Stirling, is the Scotland winner.

Trevalgan Touring Park in Cornwall, also a Premier Park, was named the best site in the South West while the other winners are Whitefield Forest Touring Park, Isle of Wight (South East), Cakes & Ale, Suffolk (Heart of England), Skelwith Fold Caravan Park, Cumbria (North West; Caravans, motorhomes and trailer tents only), Herding Hill Farm, Northumberland (North East), Wheathill Touring Park, Shropshire (Most Improved; Caravans and motorhomes only), Seal Shore Camping & Touring Site, Isle of Arran (Small Campsite), Runach Arainn Glamping, Isle of Arran (Glamping) and Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat, Isle of Wight (Holiday Centre)

Brexit and the plunging pound has helped contribute to a rise in glamping and luxury camping in the UK, according to the AA. More and more sites now provide the likes of luxury yurts and huts in addition to the more traditional options.

The winners will feature in the 50th Anniversary Edition of the AA Caravanning and Camping Guide. Each of the 800 sites in the guide have been visited by one of the AA’s  campsite inspectors, grading sites from one to five Pennants, based on their facilities and hospitality. The best parks are awarded the Gold Pennant award.

Here is the full list of winners:

OVERALL WINNER AND ENGLAND WINNER
Old Oaks Touring Park, Glastonbury, Somerset

SCOTLAND
Trossachs Holiday Park, Aberfoyle, Stirling

WALES
Red Kite Touring Park, Llanidloes, Powys (caravans and motorhomes only)

REGIONAL WINNERS

SOUTH WEST
Trevalgan Touring Park, St Ives, Cornwall

SOUTH EAST
Whitefield Forest Touring Park, Ryde, Isle of Wight

HEART OF ENGLAND
Cakes & Ale, Leiston, Suffolk

NORTH WEST
Skelwith Fold Caravan Park, Ambleside, Cumbria (Caravans, motorhomes and trailer tents only)

NORTH EAST
Herding Hill Farm, Haltwhistle, Northumberland

MOST IMPROVED CAMPSITE OF THE YEAR 2018
Wheathill Touring Park, Wheathill, Shropshire (Caravans and motorhomes only)

SMALL CAMPSITE OF THE YEAR
Seal Shore Camping & Touring Site, Kildonan, Isle of Arran

GLAMPING SITE OF THE YEAR
Runach Arainn Glamping, Kilmory, Isle of Arran

HOLIDAY CENTRE OF THE YEAR 2018
Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat, Wooton Bridge, Isle of Wight (luxury lodges)

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