Hollins Farm caravan and camping site has been winning awards and earning plaudits all over the place. This year alone, it’s not only won the AA’s “Most Improved Campsite” category but picked up a “Loo of the Year” award, too.
The stone built facilities block was completed in 2012 and is very smart with underfloor heating. When I’m camping, traipsing down to the shower block is never the highlight of my day so anything which makes the experience more comfortable – the underfloor heating certainly does – is a positive; the block also includes an integrated pot wash area and laundrette alongside a games area for children.
Hollins Farm is a family-run farm site situated close to the coastal villages of Silverdale (to the south) and Arnside, on the Lancashire/Cumbria border. The site overlooks Morecambe Bay and has a real rural feel to it.
In fact, it has the best of both worlds: its rurality means plenty of peace and quiet but a ten-minute walk across the fields and you reach Silverdale Park with all its facilities.
(c) Richard Webber
(c) Richard Webber
(c) Richard Webber
(c) Richard Webber
(c) Richard Webber
Family-owned since 1956, Holgates Caravan Parks comprises five sites, all easily reached from the M6. Silverdale is the flagship park and guests at Hollins Farm are welcome to use the facilities, including swimming pool, restaurant, bar and shop.
We eat at the restaurant one evening and were suitably impressed; although inside can get a little hot during the summer months, the quality of food and standard of service were high; prices weren’t bad, either!
The 17-metre heated swimming pool was very popular with my two children, aged twelve and six; both the bubble and spa pools were great fun, too. The run of windows in the pool area mean it’s light and airy.
Hollins Farm is open March to November for tourers and tents. I had the pleasure of staying in an Airstream, the “ultimate travel trailer”, according to the company’s website. Well, it was certainly impressive. Airstreams stand out, largely because of their distinctive, shiny, rounded aluminium bodies. Inside, it’s all compact living space with classy red leather upholstery, shower, functional kitchen area, bedroom, etc. It really does ooze class.
(c) Richard Webber
My family and I were invited to stay in the Airstream 604, a van designed and made in Cumbria. Sadly, it’s not available to rent for holidays. But if you ever get the chance to experience a few nights in one of these quirky units – or even the chance to buy one – then I’d seriously consider it because it’s a real experience.
Staying at Hollins Farm was enjoyable. As the brochure states, it contains “all the ingredients for an old-fashioned family holiday” – even lots of friendly farm animals, including goats. The lack of wi-fi (you had to visit Silverdale to get signal) was frustrating, but that is my only moan.
More information:
Far Arnside
Silverdale
Carnforth
Lancs LA5 0SL
www.holgates.co.uk, tel: 01524 701508
For more information on the Airstream, go to www.airstreamandco.com. Alternatively, visit one of their showrooms/service centres.