2:50pm Monday 26th July 2010
By Emma Lidiard
A SURGE in visitors has seen South Lakeland placed among the country’s top 10 caravanning holiday spots.
The Caravan Club says the pulling power of the Lake District and its attractions is boosting the local economy by £4 million every year.
This money is going directly into the tills of attractions, restaurants, garages and shops, it said.
Drawn up using Parliamentary boundaries, the Caravan Club’s ‘elite’ list of holiday destinations placed Westmorland and Lonsdale in second place.
It has beaten off strong competition from Cornwall and its golden beaches and the Cotswolds with its picture postcard villages.
North Norfolk, which has more caravan sites than South Lakeland, topped the chart.
“The economy of the Lake District depends on tourism, and I’m delighted to see caravanners choosing to spend their money here in the South Lakes above almost anywhere else in the UK,” said Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron.
“I’m hoping, especially now that most businesses have got back on their feet after last winter’s floods, that we will have the best season yet here in the Lakes.
“Cumbria is most definitely open for business.” There are four Caravan Club sites in the area – Low Park Wood, Sedgwick; Braithwaite Fold, Bowness; Meathop Fell, near Grange-over-Sands and Park Coppice, Coniston – which together provide 618 pitches.
“There has been quite a big increase in recent years of people coming here,” said Low Park Wood warden Maureen Varty.
“There’s been a lot of first-timers coming. The euro has made a big difference and lots of people are preferring to stay in this country.”
A Cumbria Tourism spokesman said that the area boasts ‘many fantastic sites offering impeccable facilities, world-class settings and excellent green credentials’.
The other eight constituencies rolling in caravanning cash are Truro and Falmouth, Totnes, The Cotswolds, North Devon, Derbyshire Dales, Dwyfor Merionnyd, Richmond and Thirsk and Malton.
Nick Lomas, the Caravan Club director general, said: “Domestic tourism is increasingly recognised as being of vital economic importance, providing employment that can never be moved offshore, and as having huge potential for growth, even in these times of economic austerity.
“Caravanning plays a key role in the tourism mix.
“It’s the most popular ‘paid for’ holiday accommodation choice in the country which, makes our members true investors in the UK.”
Across the whole of the UK, a million Caravan Club members spend over £400 million on their holidays every year.
The Westmorland Gazette went to Low Park Wood, Sedgwick, to find out what the caravanners liked about the South Lakeland area.
Teresa Stubbs, 61, of Wigan: “It’s unique, it’s very fresh and pretty. I come here ever year for a week and sometimes come at weekends too. Its a beautiful spot to get away to.”
David Whalley, 65, of Appley Bridge: “There is nowhere in the world like the Lakes, its scenery is unbeatable. Sometimes I have to book six months in advance it’s so popular.”
Susan Broadhurst, 66, of Wakefield: “It is really peaceful, relaxing, quiet place to escape to. I come maybe three times a year. There is a lot to do and this camp site is excellent.”
Avril Whalley, 65, of Appley Bridge: “It is just beautiful. It is really easy to get to the whole of the Lakes from here. There’s a lot of choice of things to do – we went on a jazz cruise last night.”
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