Celebrating 40 Years of Park Life
Porth Beach Holiday Park near Newquay, Cornwall is celebrating 40 years in business as one of the county’s finest parks.
What began as a town dump with adjoining Petrol Station and Bus Depot in 1975 has blossomed into one of Cornwall’s most popular beach holiday destinations for touring, camping and caravan holidays.
The land on which the park now stands was first purchased by Dennis and Rosemary May, who were also involved with the founding of nearby Hendra Holiday Park. By the summer of 1976 the land had been cleared, drained and levelled. The site opened for the 1976 season with 201 touring pitches a purpose built toilet block and launderette with a first class public beach front car park. Over the following years huge investments were made in improving the facilities for guests, upgrading pitches, introducing a holiday caravan fleet, which grew from twelve to thirty units and, more recently, glamping pods.
Two generations of the May family have now owned the park and two generations of the Case family have managed the park, with current managers Chris and Katy Case both living on site.
Chris said: “The secret to the parks success is simple it’s all about the personal touch we can provide and the fact that guests return year after year across generations. Those who first came as children with their parents are now coming back and bringing their own children with them. It’s like one big family; we see a lot of familiar faces and we know a lot of our guests personally. That’s what sets us apart.”
Chris, 40, who has managed the site for the last 8 years, said the park also had one other unique selling point. “It’s all about the location – you’d struggle to find a holiday park with a tranquil setting so close to the beach and with all the amenities of Newquay close by too.”
After 40 years in business, Chris said he and the park’s owners can never be complacent. ‘You’ve got to keep one step ahead of the competition and constantly improve what’s provided,” he said. “Marketing and accommodation booking has now shifted to the internet and social media so we have also to continuously update how we communicate with guests.”
To mark their 40th year, the park is offering huge discounts for stays throughout September and October, including stays in their new luxury Holiday Homes. For full details see their website.
