Devon Holiday Inspiration

What a year it’s been! Very strange, and often stressful for us all.  We were so delighted to re-open on July 4th and get Ladram Bay back up and running, bustling with holiday happiness and positivity –the staycation has definitely taken off! I’m sure you’ll agree our dedicated team have done a fantastic job of adjusting to the ‘new normal’ and making Ladram both a safe and enjoyable place to take a well-deserved retreat from everyday life.Thank you for the many calls and kind words received as a result of our adjustments on park. It truly is heart-warming to hear that you appreciate all the efforts made, your feedback has been a driving force to keep us focused.  Red Zeppelin www.redzeppelin.co.uk #Teamstars We hope you’ve had an enjoyable summer; it’s been great to see you following the unprecedented and surreal start to the season. This year has certainly been one of a kind but throughout the season our five-star team have risen to the challenge and made us extremely proud.The Ladram Bay #Teamstars for season 2020 so far are as follows;  MarchMike, Ladram Stores ManagerAn integral part of our team supplying both our on park employees and the local residents with all important lockdown provisions, he deserved a huge thank you and well done for his efforts. AprilVendy, Accommodation ManagerA true team player, who throughout the lockdown period continued to go above and beyond, continually offering help to all.  MayEmma, Assistant AccountantShowing her dedication and hard work throughout the closed period – with her rapidly growing workload. JuneGuy, Restaurant Team LeaderThroughout the lockdown period he was always supportive, since the re-opening he has been instrumental in helping the Pebbles team safely open following the new guidance. JulyLorraine, HousekeepingHaving recently undertaken a new role within the Housekeeping department, she has proved to be incredibly versatile, dedicated and committed to Ladram. AugustSarah, Kiosk ManagerWorking consistently hard throughout the busy summer running her area independently, her positive attitude contributed to her gaining this award. Watch this space for the announcements of the #Teamstars for the duration of the year. We’ll be sure to publish the winners on our social media pages plus in the Winter blog. Thank you On behalf of myself and the management team at Ladram we’d like to extend our gratitude for the patience and support you’ve shown the teams on park this season.With the ever-changing guidelines and the interpretation of said guidelines providing us with huge challenges on a sometimes-daily basis your understanding has been much appreciated. I hope you managed to take advantage of the recent government ‘Eat out to help out’ scheme – it certainly proved popular with us being fully booked on many of the evenings. The 3 Rocks team coped admirably and continued to provide great quality meals with excellent service.The shop and shack have seen plenty more footfall as many have stayed away from the communal areas and head towards the beach or eaten in their Holiday Homes. The great weather at the start of the summer certainly saw these areas tested and, in my opinion, both teams came through with flying colours. It is likely that many of our new ‘track and trace’ booking systems are going to be with us for a while. If you do have any suggestions as to how we can improve our Retail offering, please contact management to discuss further. Sales Since the lifting of Lockdown and the reopening of Ladram Bay, we have been super busy here in the Sales Department. So busy in fact that we’ve limited stock and pitches available, and for the first time in years, a waiting list for those requesting a Seaview Plot. It certainly seems everyone is keen to consider Holiday Home Ownership! The demand for the staycation has proved exceptionally popular and we are excited to announce that here at Ladram Bay we have secured a limited number of brand-new homes, covering a range of price points and specifications, all of which could be ready for the start of season 2021. If you’re interested to find out more pop in and see us for a chat – our team will be delighted to give you a park tour and discuss the options available.Best wishes   Carl, & Dom   The Three Rocks After 4 months without the sound of the ticket machine, we were ready to fire up our ovens, switch on the beer taps and welcome you all in for meal with a view!  We had a much busier summer than expected, especially when considering our COVID restrictions. If you have dined with us, you will have noticed we are operating a sign-in system with a host station, a one-way system around the restaurant and have changed the ordering process to include us delivering your drinks and food via trays in a way to reduce contact. These changes will still be in effect as we enter autumn.  We also launched our new Ladram Bay App which has certainly revolutionised the experience we offer, with the removal of the need to queue and instead, allow you to relax and order from the comfort of your table. If you haven’t yet used the app, download it via the AppStore or PlayStore before your next visit. The team will be happy to assist with any issues.  Despite how busy we have been, Matt and the kitchen team have still been experimenting with some enticing specials over the summer, including some fantastic fish dishes such as the ‘Fish du Jour’, which has been an ongoing utilisation of daily catches. He is continually looking for inspiration and ways to seize the time of year, whilst showcasing ingredients that are exclusive to our incredible coastal setting. He will no doubt be developing these further into September. Though the Pebbles’ menu has been slightly reduced, we have found our new Poke Bowl and ‘street food style’ small plates offering to be very well received, as has our alternative ‘Soup of the Bay’ flavours, which attempt to elevate those old-fashioned classics with a contemporary and vibrant twist.  The bar team are also excited to finally have some time to play around with some cocktail ideas and milkshake flavours, we are introducing a team-made cocktail list so watch out for some of their inventions and give them a try!We’re really proud of our incredible team here at the complex who have worked extremely hard, upheld our excellent customer service standards, continually produced fantastic food, all with smiles on their faces despite some very tasking days! The team’s commitment to offering a great product and service has been unfaltering and we’re looking forward to a few quieter days to rejuvenate and energise!  Donna, Kayleigh, Matt & Team Entertainment WOW, what a year we’ve had so far and for Entertainments it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride!We’ve been told we can, and we can’t a million times but, we thank you all for your constant support. The ever-changing schedule has left you guessing at times but, we can assure you that we are going to end with a BANG! Our Allstars are back in rehearsals and are very much looking forward to providing you with a fun-filled, jam-packed autumnal schedule for the coming weeks.Until then, we hope you’ve enjoyed your time with us. We thank you for helping us stay safe and abiding by our new measures whilst enjoying what we’ve had to offer in Waves Bar and outside.See you soon. Joe & Ozzie’s Allstars   Sports & Leisure Thank you all for your great feedback regarding the pool re-opening.  We hope you’ve been enjoying having use of our fantastic facilities again. The booking system seems to be working very well and we expect it will be around for a while. We do appreciate that we’ve been booked up quickly over recent weeks and thank you for your patience and understanding. It should certainly start to quieten down now, and we are seeing many spaces still available daily, available for both Holiday guests and Owners. (Please note day visitors are currently prohibited) Many thanks The Leisure Team   Coast Takeaway We’d like to say a big thank you for your support throughout these very strange and testing times. It has been challenging getting used to our new procedures but with everyone’s help & understanding, we feel we’ve succeeded in supplying you with our delicious takeaway goods to our usual high standards, safely. I hope everyone has familiarised themselves with ordering via the new Ladram Bay App. Please do remember if you can’t find a time slot which suits, we will always endeavour to fit you in if you give us a call on 01395 567733. Our opening times from Friday 9th September are 5pm – 9pm (Closed Wednesdays).Hope to see you soon!Scott, Jay & Team Coast   Ladram Shop & Shack As your tan fades, and the height of summer 2020 becomes a distant memory, relax knowing that we are still fully stocked both at the Shop & Shack and will continue to run beach activities throughout the autumn. (weather permitting). Our opening times from September until October half term will be as follows;  ShackSunday – Thursday: 10am – 4pm  Friday & Saturday: 9am – 5pm ShackSunday – Thursday: 10am – 4pm  Friday & Saturday: 9am – 5pm Marketing Marie and I were delighted to return to the office to continue to raise awareness of Devon’s best kept secret! Whilst it hasn’t quite been the social event-based summer we may have predicted and prepared for; we have however been busy with creative projects & wonderfully uplifted by the positivity of all on park. To see the beach bustling and the families making memories again really has been superb.Lockdown for many of us was a time of home & garden improvements. For Sharon Sweet and family, regular Ladram guests, they dreamt up an inspired plan ready to put into action as soon as it was deemed safe to do so. Whilst Sharon and family came for their well-needed getaway in July, local artist White Squirrel began his transformation in the Bridgwater property. Taking 4.5 days to create and based upon photos of their holiday memories and paddle boarding sons, this impressive 8x6ft mural was created in time for their return home! We think it’s the perfect backdrop to enjoy an evening dip in the hot tub with a G&T in hand and so did the regional and national press! We were overjoyed to receive the Best of the Best 2020 status recently by Trip Advisor. This prestigious award is their highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travellers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide. Onward & upward! Carla and Marie  Competition time The search has now begun for inspiring landscape imagery to use within our 2021 calendar & promotional materials. Have you captured some stunning local scenery which you feel deserves pride of place as one of our 12 top shots within our calendar next year? We’re looking for photos taken throughout the season, in all weather, of our splendid location plus the flora and fauna on park. To enter, email your imagery to carlanewman@ladrambay.co.uk and we’ll be sure to credit you & send a thank you prize too if your image is selected. Please note photos must be of landscape orientation, you must have permission to use the image and it must be high resolution. Photos of individuals cannot be entered on this occasion.Many thanks all.

As the weather warms up we’re looking forward to a hot, fun-filled summer at Ladram Bay and we’ve been pulling out all the stops to prepare for this year’s busiest period! In addition to our recent winter projects, the installation of solar panels and the expansion of our electric vehicle fleet, we’re excited to embrace a new challenge for 2020 and focus our attention on our carbon footprint as both individuals, and as a business and reducing our impact by 33%. Winter has seen many improvements to security, lighting and the guest experience – we’re sure you’ll notice the efforts made.  I’m delighted to announce the return of all key team members plus introduce our new talented & versatile Entertainments Manger Joe Sims, we’re certain he’ll be a welcome addition to the Ladram team. Our annual team conference prior to the start of season proved to be a valuable experience for all Ladram employees, a chance to focus and share our passion for the season ahead. Inspirational to all, our keynote speaker this year was record-breaking amputee Andy Grant. Andy explained that life will put you in all kinds of challenging situations, but it need not determine you as a person – it’s how you react to these challenges. We’re proud to have recently been awarded both the Gold Accolade at the Devon Tourism Awards, and just last month presented Silver Status at the SW Tourism Awards, Exeter Cathedral. Carla & the team are all set on attempting the double gold this year – watch this space!  We’re excited to be entering our 77th year of Ladram Bay and to still be a park with family at its heart. Cheers to 2020!  Three Rocks Hopefully you’re all ready for an exciting 2020! We can’t wait to welcome you back in style! As a result of your feedback we’re pleased to confirm that our wine menu is expanding and will encompass a broader variety – something for all occasions! Just ask the team for their recommendations. In addition to the delicious wines, we’re exploring a few more spirit avenues and will be stocking a selection of Dead Man’s Finger Rums. If you fancy a spiced rum with attitude, walk the plank to the bar and indulge in a pirate’s life! We will of course be retaining our extensive gin selection whilst introducing some new local products including Copper Frog, made and distilled in Exmouth. Finally, we’ll be unveiling a new draught lager; Birra Moretti to tantalise your taste buds.  We were absolutely chuffed with the 2019 menu, but this year we’re pushing the culinary boundaries further by expanding our seafood cuisine which utilises a variety of local produce. In addition to this, by popular request we’re solidifying some of your favourite specials and placing them onto the menu (look out for our Fowey mussels and duck hash!) Head Chef Matt has spent time modernising and creating our delicious contemporary classics – we’re sure you’ll be impressed. Be sure to check out our new colourful Poke bowls inspired by the 2019 Buddha Bowl, increasing the range of healthier alternatives available. Don’t panic – the super-popular Buddha Bowl remains on the menu!  We are developing our desserts menu and are thrilled to be exhibiting some new extravagant milkshakes. Make sure you leave some room to try one of these! Ladram Shop & Beach Shack With the 2020 season just around the corner the Shop & Shack team are very much looking forward to seeing our venues busy again with your familiar faces! Look out for new additional lines within the shop to further our offering based on your valued feedback, these include a brand-new alcohol display plus additional hot warmer to enable us to expand our hot food offering. Our menu down in the Beach Shack is also developing and with the introduction of our Jacket Potato oven, healthier and delicious alternatives can be offered to fuel your long days at the beach. Coast Takeaway We had a wonderful 2019 & ended the season achieving The Good Chippy Award for the second consecutive year – yet another huge boost to our team knowing we are so appreciated by our loyal customers. This season we are embracing the current trends in vegan/plant-based alternatives. Throughout the winter we have been working with our suppliers to find suitable products that can be served alongside our menu so that no one gets left out at mealtimes. Another improvement we are actively committed to is reducing our carbon footprint at the Takeaway, we have changed our suppliers in the hope that reducing the amount of deliveries will help. We’re proud to announce that Coast Takeaway is also now 90% plastics free, thanks to our bio box packaging range, which was fully introduced last season, produced from sugar cane and recycled carboard. Please check our store front for our seasonal opening times. Sports and Leisure With 2019 but a distant memory, we cannot wait to welcome you back to Ladram Bay for a fun-filled 2020! Our swimming pool has had some great updates this season. With the park being so forward-thinking about the environment and caring about our planet, the whole of the pool roof has been covered with solar panels, massively reducing electric usage and as a result, our carbon footprint. The slide step platforms have been improved with new safety flooring and the bubble pool has had some much-needed safety railings installed. A really exciting one for us here in Sports & Leisure is the revamp of our Hover Archery and activity room! We can’t give too much away but we are really excited for you to see it! Entertainment It’s the start of a new year, and the start of a new season, and in keeping with this theme, we have a few things that are very new for Entertainment here at Ladram Bay. As you may have seen via Facebook, our new Entertainments Manager Joe has taken over from the marvellous Kelly Griffiths.   He’s extremely excited to get this season underway with such a fabulous team, ensuring that you all experience the five-star entertainment that you’ve been privy to in previous years. The wonderful Rachel and Emily are returning for another season and we have three newbies joining the Ladram Bay Family. Misty, Al and Zack complete this year’s team! All our 2020 Allstars are incredibly talented, and you’re guaranteed to experience some remarkable entertainment this season, perfect for all the family. We’ve brand-new daytime activities, exhilarating new production shows, some fancy additional surprises as well as those fan-favourite visiting acts that you all know and love. It’s our mission to keep adding and developing the Entertainment here and we’re all looking forward to seeing you in Waves Bar very, very soon. Our 2020 Production Shows are: 21st Century Anthems: A feel good party production that includes music from the last 20 years, including Little Mix, Panic at the Disco, Stevie Wonder and much more. The Great American Road Trip: Jump on board as we journey across the United States of America, stopping at New York, California, Las Vegas and Tennessee. Motion Picture Magic: A collection of iconic movies are being brought to life, with a cinematic spectacle that’s jam-packed full of dance, music and comedy. The Music People: The Most Magnificent Mixture of Massive Melody-Makers! Featuring music from Meatloaf, M People, Madness, Madonna and more. Marketing from around the globe! Back in January we were pleased to support the #HeadSouth team led by Alan Chambers MBE & Wayne Hoyle. The dedicated group completed the 60 nautical mile trek across the Antarctic plateau to the South Pole in aid of The Lewis Moody Foundation. On hearing of their challenge plans, and after our previous flag on the North Pole back in 2018, we just had to ask if they’d be so kind to spread the word of Ladram Bay Holiday Park to the opposite site of the world! The expedition endeavours to #TackleBrainTumours and has so far raised over 375k for The Brain Tumour Charity. Support their mission and donate here.

Praise for Devon’s Ladram Bay Holiday Park was sung out at Exeter Cathedral this February when the business was named as one of the West Country’s top park destinations. The glittering ceremony at Exeter cathedral was attended by tourism chiefs and VIP guests from across Dorset, Devon and Cornwall as well as Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the Isles of Scilly. Stepping up to receive one of the top trophies in the Holiday Park of the Year category was Ladram Bay director Zoe House whose family has owned the park since 1943. Zoe was accompanied by other team members from Ladram Bay who last November saw Ladram Bay crowned as overall park winner in the Devon Tourism Awards. In total, more than 770 tourism businesses had crossed their fingers for a place at the finals. “We all feel so very proud to be bringing such a prestigious trophy home to Devon, and to have the national spotlight shining on this beautiful holiday county!” said Zoe. “What makes us especially happy is that the judges, who also assessed us on a personal visit, looked not just at the quality of our facilities, but also at the hospitality we provide. “We have always tried to create happy memories by offering a warm and friendly atmosphere, so our team also need to take a bow for their crucial role in providing this,” added Zoe.

With preparations for the touring season underway we thought we would put together a checklist for caravan care, enabling your touring caravan or holiday home to shine on its pitch during your first trip of the year. It goes without question that a caravan or holiday home should be kept clean, but this guide aims to give you that little bit extra so no part of your home from home is overlooked or under cared for. Checking your caravans gas As you would with any gas system in your home an annual service is advisable to ensure that your holiday home remains efficient and most importantly safe. Before your first trip of the year check your carbon monoxide / smoke alarms and then check your fire extinguishers are still in date. Checking your caravans electrics Check all your caravans internal lights and replace bulbs where required. If you let a fluorescent flicker for long periods of time it can lead to the light fitting being damaged. Efficiency tip: have you considered switching your caravan or holiday home’s lights to LED where possible? Adopting energy efficient lighting will reduce you energy consumption thus increasing your batteries usage or reducing your electricity bill. All caravan road lights must be in working order before heading out on holiday, but don’t overlook your bulb lenses and clean / repair where necessary. Always carry spare fuses and bulbs in your caravan supplies and ensure that all leads that connect into your caravan are sprayed with WD40 (excludes pin sockets). Checking your caravans tyres Caravan tyres often remain stationary for long periods of time and generally don’t get many miles put on them during the winter months, this can lead to cracks in a tyres wall and treads. Ensure your caravan’s wheels are turned frequently and even consider lifting them off the ground when stationary for longer periods to prolong your tyres’ life. Servicing your caravan You service your car annually, so why not your caravan? Remember its always best to pickup any faults early on so they can be rectified before they come serious and potentially expensive. Servicing Tip: Try to get your caravan booked in for its service in the winter, it will be quieter and it gives you more time to repair any problems that may come to light before you holidays. Checking your caravans hitching & brakes Check the condition of your caravan’s brake cable, handbrake and jokey wheel. If necessary grease your caravans jokey wheel to allow for smoother hitching and unhitching as demonstrated in the picture below. Checking your caravans window blinds & furnishings Over the winter months you are unlikely to be using your caravan, during this period you should not leave your blinds down, this will put 4-5 months of unnecessary strain on the recoiling mechanism. Remember that blinds are reflective and if left down can lead to heat building up that can damage plastic windows – a potentially expensive repair. Those owning caravans with removable upholstery should do so and place out of direct sunlight, this will help air flow and prevent the material from fading. If you cannot remove your seats try covering them and purchasing a moisture trap to prevent air bound moisture from causing damage. Cleaning your caravan Every caravan owner will have some experience of cleaning, but taking some preventative measures will make the job far easier in the long run. First up a caravan cover, this will stop tree sap, bird droppings and the British weather from damaging your caravan’s exterior. When returning from any trip always remove any food from the fridge and wash down. Don’t keep any food in the caravan for long periods of time as it will only encourage vermin – packet & tins included. It might seem like a great time saving idea but avoid using a pressure washer when cleaning, they are too powerful. Caravan Checklist Here are a few essentials for the exterior to help you along the way… Non-abrasive shampoo Bucket Chamois cloth Long handled brush Sponge Clean cloth (for the windows) Soft bristle brush (for cleaning the awning) Polish Step ladder (for the roof) And a few essentials for the interior… Battery – use a voltmeter to check the charge Gas bottle – weighing the bottle lets you know how much gas is left Water system – flush the system and clean with steriliser such as Milton 2 Fridge – to clean, use a solution of bicarbonate of soda then leave the door ajar to dry Cooker – the flame should be a consistent blue Interior lights – check for blown bulbs Smoke alarm and security alarm – check batteries and replace if necessary Toilet – use a weak soap solution Furnishings and floor – vacuum and clean Damp – check for signs of damp using a damp meter (and your sense of smell!) Appliances – make sure all are operational Remember if you spot any problems make a note of it and bring it up when you next get your caravan serviced.

Searching for sensational recipes to enjoy whilst you ‘Go Vegan’ this month or perhaps after all the festivities a simple yet healthy & delicious option is what’s required? Our fantastic Head Chef Matt Wadsworth enlightens us with a couple of inspiring, tasty & terrific Vegan favourites, one sweet & one savoury depending on your preference. Smoothie Bowl Ingredients: Banana – 1 sliced  Strawberries – 15 sliced Blueberries – two handfuls Coconut flakes Chia seeds – 1 teaspoon Granola – 2 tablespoons (add raisins for sweetness) Mango – 1/2 sliced  Dragonfruit – 1 innards scraped out Apple – 1 peeled and chopped Coconut milk – 1 tin Maple Syrup/ Bee Free Honee (Apple based Vegan alternative to Honey) – 2 tablespoons Mint – 1 sprig  Method: For the smoothie base, take the apple, coconut milk, dragonfruit, half of the strawberries, half of the banana and 1 tablespoon of honey and blend to a smooth liquid. Put in the freezer for one hour. Once moderately frozen, pour into a small bowl. Assemble your berries, banana and mango in an aesthetic like manner on top of this, then add granola followed by seeds and coconut flakes. Finish with the final table spoon of Maple Syrup/Bee Free Honee and a sprig of mint – DELICIOUS! Sri Lankan Yellow Curry Paste Ingredients; Ginger – thumb sized piece Garlic – 3 cloves White onion – 1 medium peeled Red chilli – 1 no seeds Fennel – half bulb  Coriander stalks – 1 bunch (save leaf for garnish) Curry powder – 2 tablespoons Garam Masala powder – 1 tablespoon Turmeric – 1 teaspoon Lime – 1 juice and grated zest White sugar – 1 tablespoon  Few splashes of water  Salt and pepper Other Ingredients;  2 tins of coconut milk 3/4 pint of veg stock Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon Black mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon (optional) Selection of Stir fry vegetables. Matt suggests mange tout, spring onion, baby corn, peppers, courgette & cooked sweet potato Method: Blend all paste components and put to one side. Heat either coconut oil or sesame oil in pan with cumin and mustard seeds. When seeds begin to pop add paste and fry on a medium heat for 3 mins, making sure not to brown anything. After, add the coconut milk and veg stock. Reduce by a third or until desired thickness is reached. Add stir fry veg and cook for 2 minutes making sure it’s still crunchy. Serve and finish with coriander leaves. ENJOY!

We can hardly believe its December already – hasn’t the year flown by! It’s always nice to achieve and we’re proud to have received a great deal of awards and accolades recently allowing us to stay ahead of the competition! We were awarded the Hoseasons Diamond Award for Family Fun in Devon & Somerset for the 9th consecutive year just last month. Last fortnight we were delighted to win Gold for Holiday Park of the Year in the Devon Tourism Awards, being recognised as ‘A true leader of Holiday Parks in the South West.” As a result of this amazing accomplishment we have now been announced as a finalist within the South West Tourism Awards. With the ceremony being held in February 2020, we’ll be sure to update you on our progress after the event. We’ve had an amazing Team this year and the commitment and enthusiasm shown by all was celebrated at our Teamstar awards last month. Outstanding effort & dedication to Ladram Bay were recognised with individual department winners however the overall 2019 winner was announced as René Synáček for his exceptional commitment to both the Housekeeping & Restaurant teams throughout the season. Did you know there is still 70 team working hard all winter to continually improve and get our beautiful park ready for next year. In fact the countdown to season 2020 has already begun! As part of our continued environmental efforts, we were most excited to pick up our brand-new electric van recently. Alongside the addition of our new vehicle we’ll also be introducing electric charging points for guest usage from 2020 as well as solar panels across key facility buildings on park.  As the festive period approaches, on behalf of the Directors and team at Ladram Bay we’d like to wish you a very happy Christmas & here’s to an amazing 2020.      The Three Rocks We will be looking to develop the menu further over the next couple of months, hoping to wow you with some new ideas. Don’t forget to send your #dreamdish ideas to us at kayleighwilliams@ladrambay.co.uk – it’s well worth a quick email as our lucky winner will receive their first meal on us! We always welcome feedback and strive to continually improve our offering. We appreciate everyone who has joined us at The Three Rocks over the holidays and New Year from the Three Rocks Team! Reception Our current opening times throughout winter are 9am – 5pm, 7 days a week however over the Christmas period the office hours will alter slightly as follows; 21/12/19 – 26/12/19 Closed 27/12/19 – 30/12/19 Open 10am – 4pm 31/12/19 – 1/1/20  Closed Should you need to contact us please do call on 01395 568398 and or email info@ladrambay.co.uk – we will endeavour to reply to all messages asap upon our return. Coast Takeaway Here at Coast Takeaway we’ve had a sensational 2019 and are delighted to have been awarded the Good Food Award 2020  for the second consecutive year.  These highly regarded accolades are awarded on the success of tasty, delicious dishes, ranking amongst competitors, consistent positive customer feedback and a great food hygiene score. Watch this space for exciting new menu developments for 2020. Entertainment The 2020 Entertainment offering was a great success, the team shows with intricate harmonies and complex choreography, outstanding daytime activities and daring gameshows all have proved popular. Sadly, Kelly will be leaving us this season, but she will not be disappearing altogether. Her involvement with show creation for 2020 is firmly in place. She and Roger Parkes cannot wait to start creating new content for some brand-new productions. We have some superb acts planned for 2020, we can’t wait to share the diary with you. Highlights include: Riviera Dogs – June Decades Live UK – April & August  El Loco (mime speciality act) – August Explorer Dome – brand new show  Complete Madness – September Ladram Stores On site over the winter period? The shop is open for both your essentials and tasty treats between 9-5 each day (excluding 23/12/18 – 2/1/20 inclusive). Looking for stocking fillers? Don’t miss;  Ladram Bay 2020 calendars available at £4.99  Ozzie the Otter toy – £13.95  Lobster Blue Hoodies and T-shirts (Adults & Children’s sizes available) – prices starting at just £9.95  Winter hats – £8.99  Plastic water bottles £8.99  Steel water bottles £14.95  Available now in the shop or contact our Reception Team and they will send out your products for a small additional charge. Sales Although the 2019 season has come to an end, the Sales office remains open throughout the year and we have a fantastic range of 2020 Holiday Homes located both on the showground and arriving soon.  

We are delighted to announce that Ladram Bay Holiday Park has won gold at the Devon Tourism Awards 2019 within the ‘Holiday Park of the Year’ category. In delivering their verdict, judges declared that Ladram Bay was “a true leader of holiday parks in the South West.” Their announcement was made at the sparkling finals of the closely-fought competition, held at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay on Thursday 28th November. The Devon Tourism Awards was marking its tenth anniversary, and this year’s event was attended by senior tourism leaders from across the county. In order to reach the final stages of the competition and take the overall top spot, Ladram Bay was subjected to a close scrutiny of its business by professional assessors. Our facilities, services, accommodation and hospitality all went under the microscope – and, reported Devon Tourism, were all fully deserving of the principal honour. Our director Zoe House, said that being named as Devon’s premier park was “a fantastic honour”. “Visitors to Devon have the choice between some of the finest holiday parks in the whole of Britain, as well as world-beating scenery and glorious beaches,” she said. “To be named as the county’s leading park on which to stay is a tribute not just to our quality standards, but also to the memorable experiences which guests enjoy. “A big part of that experience is the friendly warm atmosphere for which we are renowned, and our loyal and hardworking employees deserve great credit for helping us deliver this,” said Zoe.   It’s the second time we’ve celebrated in November as, earlier in the month, we scooped the top Diamond Award for Family Fun in Devon and Somerset at the Hoseasons Awards. It’s the ninth year in succession that Ladram Bay has taken the overall regional family fun trophy from the holiday bookings giant at its annual awards. The award is based on the number of customer votes received over the year by Hoseasons from families staying on hundreds of parks throughout the UK.

We’re delighted to share with you our Environmental efforts and upcoming projects given the green light.

Our latest post highlights the benefits of Holiday Home Ownership in the UK. Obviously we’re going to be (a little) biased for this one but for those of you who may never have considered Holiday Home Ownership it’s a pretty compelling argument.   1. Having a hassle-free holiday Nobody likes being stuck in crowded or overpriced airports, putting up with cancelled flights or unsuitable accommodation. The small details such as overseas insurance, transfers or setting aside holiday money can soon add up to become more hassle in our busy lives. Luckily, if you have a Holiday Home in the UK, you won’t have to put up with any of it. Once you’ve bought the home, that stress can all be a thing of the past. 2. Time in a great location There’s nothing better than spending time in an area you love, exploring the culture, activities, food and attractions, going for long walks or even just pottering about. 3. Holidays on demand A Holiday Home is yours to use at any time when you so choose, and if you buy somewhere closer to home a last minute escape is always an option. 4. Your escape, your way When you have a Holiday Home of your own, there’s no need to constantly bring all of your stuff back and forth each time you want to have a break and you can personalise your space to suit your tastes. Spend less time packing and more time relaxing. Everything is right where you left it. 5. Time with the family Buying a Holiday Home is an investment in your family, not just a financial investment. Giving your family fond memories of time spent with each other is priceless.   6. The dog can come with you If you have a Holiday Home in the UK it’s easy to take the dog, so none of the family have to be left behind. We allow Owners to bring up to 2 dogs per visit. 7. De-stressing is good for you The perfect time to unwind and de-stress is while you’re on a holiday, away from the problems of daily life. If you stay in the UK, you don’t need to worry about aspects of local life and travel you’re unfamiliar with, and potentially there’s less to go wrong. Avoid stress and stay in the UK. 8 Have a tech-break It’s hard to put phones down and turn the TV off at home, but when you arrive at your Holiday Home it can be your conscious choice to detox from technology, if you want it to be. 9. An investment opportunity If you’re happy to sublet, you could consider the subletting scheme offered by Ladram Bay Holiday Park. The remuneration made from this scheme can certainly help pay toward your site fees and annual expenses.  10. Treat yourself Most of us occasionally also need a little space from time to time, to rest, recharge our batteries and return to our jobs and families healthy, happy and energised. Having you own escape in case you need a bit of peace and quiet can keep you in better shape both mentally and physically so it’s not necessarily totally indulgent, it’s common sense too. Considering Holiday Home Ownership at Ladram Bay Holiday Park? We’ve a sensational selection of Brand new and Pre-loved Holiday Homes waiting for your perusal. Simply pop into our Sales Showground or call our friendly team on 01395 568761 to book your park tour. We look forward to welcoming you to our fabulous 5-star park.

We can hardly believe Summer has been and gone already! Highlights of Summer 2019 include welcoming Exeter Chiefs and Exeter City Football Club to Ladram Bay for team training days – we look forward to supporting the Exeter Chiefs players in Japan at the upcoming Rugby World Cup. We’re delighted to have been a part of the recent local project to create a special place in Otterton to remember the local servicemen lost in the First World War. Now that both the young Oak tree and circular bench have been planted & installed within the Stantyway Recreation ground we’re certain this delightful spot will be enjoyed by many for years to come. Planning is now well underway for season 2020 and will include the installation of new solar panels in the winter to lessen our carbon footprint. These will be fitted to our key facility buildings and it is estimated will save a predicted 171 tonnes/year of CO2!    After our recent marine wildlife visitors we’re all focussed to do our bit to protect our beach and bay to allow maximum enjoyment for all. Introducing the newest on-park green initiative our One Ton Plastic Challenge. Help us hit our target of plastic collected from the beach and kindly deposit the waste within the large bin adjacent to our new sign on the slipway.  The Three Rocks  Great to hear so much positive response from you regarding our specials this year – the Sea Bass dishes and Pizzas have proven especially popular. We’ll soon be busy reviewing this year’s menu and bar stock, so please continue to share feedback and suggestions with the team. With this in mind, we are running a competition for a new addition to our 2020 menu. The winning suggestion will be placed on next year’s menu and the winner will have their first meal of the season on us (T+C’s apply). Please send any of your ideas to Kayleigh and Matt (kayleighwilliams@ladrambay.co.uk). Opening Times Shack, Shop & Coast Opening times from September until October Half term will be as follows;  Shop:Sunday – Thursday 8am – 6pmFriday & Saturday 8am – 7pm Shack: Monday to Friday 10am – 4pmWeekends 9am – 5pm Coast Takeaway: Sunday – Thursday 5pm – 9pm(Closed Wednesday)Friday & Saturday 5pm – 10pm Gluten Free Menu served Mon, Thurs & Sun.  Sales We were delighted to hold a very successful Lodge open day on Sunday 25th August with prosecco, canapes and many laughs.  The weather was absolutely fantastic and really highlighted the benefits & lifestyle available as a Ladram owner. Missed out on the tour? Simply call the Team on 01395 568761 to book or pop in and book an appointment. With only three remaining lodges, boasting up to a 40-year tenancy on Portland view, if you’re considering Holiday Home ownership don’t miss out! Entertainment After a very successful summer, it has come to that time where Autumn preparations begin. We have some exciting acts to look forward to, such as: 21st September: Complete Madness 5th October: Jukebox 326th October: Dave Can’t Dance Finals weekend will also be upon us from Friday 4th October – we are excited to welcome everyone back to compete in their events. It is sure to be a fun packed weekend.  To conclude the year, we have a spook-tacular Halloween family fun programme lined up. We will be theming all our family activities from Zombie chocolate party to Trick or Treat and hope that we’ll see many of you joining in. Keep your eyes peeled for Halloween updates.  Team Stars Always keen to acknowledge our #Teamstars of the month, the last few month’s superstars are as follows; April – Evelyn (Housekeeping)  Continually raising the game and setting Housekeeping standards high for all team to reach & exceed. Offering continued support to the management team. May – Allan (Maintenance) Often an unsung hero, Allan’s expert wide knowledge and dedication to both Ladram Bay & supporting the Maintenance & Sales teams especially has been invaluable. June – Marie (Marketing & Design) Proving to be a superb new addition to our team, her design skills have enhanced all areas of the park. Incredibly efficient, positive and a pleasure to work with. July – Karen (Accounts) Has adapted wonderfully transferring to the accounts team this season, to recent staffing changes & increased workload. Always dedicated and often going ‘above and beyond’ to cope with the demand of the business. August – John (Maintenance) As a consistently high-performer and dedicated team player within our Maintenance department his positive nature and multi-skilled talents have been recognised. Ever-dependable John is always available to turn his hand to all tasks.

We have been busy transforming this 43-foot long lorry into a mobile poster site for its glorious location. Designed by our own graphics team, the picture shows our cliff-top location above its private beach with an iconic sea stack just off-shore. The breathtaking view, by local photographer Ben Kapur, will be visible across the country as the lorry transports goods to and from the Greendale Farm shop based near Exeter. A major national retailer which even has its own fleet of fishing boats, Greendale Farm was quick to give its thumbs-up to the idea of putting a gigantic picture postcard on the road. Now we hope to create a twitter storm by inviting #LadramLorry tweets from wherever the truck is spotted by car passengers or by drivers when stationary.  Last year marked our 75th anniversary under the ownership of the Carter family, who believe the exercise will also provide a boost for tourism generally in the area: “I’m sure that many people when driving enjoy thinking about where they will go for their next holiday,” said Ladram Bay director and family member Zoe House. “This jaw-dropping picture is a reminder that some of Britain’s most fantastic coastal scenery, along with its finest beaches, is to be found in Devon. “We’re delighted to be partnering with Greendale Farm in this project as they also share our values about sustainability and taking care of our countryside and oceans,” added Zoe.

On Wednesday 17th July 2019 Mascots from across Devon participated in the annual Adventure Golf championship. Prior to Shane Lowry’s success at the Royal Portrush on Sunday, the golfing world’s attention was focused Ladram Bay – it just wasn’t picked up mainstream media. Many in the club house (also known as the swimming pool complex) were calling this the unofficial 5th major of the year & looking at the team lineups it was easy to see why. Our player guide certainly demonstrates the stiff competition Pickles, Ozzie & Captain Scratch were up against. With so many plots & sub-plots, a riveting narrative surrounded the 2019 event, held one one of Devon’s most famous links course. Could Crealy’s Blossom Bear emulate the form Buddy the Bear, which had seen him win in 2016 & 2017, or would Gilbert the Station Master become only the second entrant (after Buddy the Bear) to win back-to-back tournaments? Being super profession partiality was required on our behalf, but only the most partisan fan would begrudge ‘Appy Angus a victory – having finished on the podium in 2016 (3nd) & 2nd in 2017 & 2018. The Winner: Pickles the Parrot Pickles the Parrot celebrates with the other 10 mascots overlooking Ladram Bay A tense opening round saw little to separate the leading group. The smart money had been on the players with big tournament experience, but as it transpired Pickles the Parrot held his nerve to clinch his first Mascot Golf Championship. In second place was Ella the Owl, who held off a late charge from Captain Scratch. The Ladram Bay mascots are ultimately thrilled with their performance, having beaten the previous best showing of 3rd in 2018 (tied with Pippa Pig from Pennywell Farm). Mascot Golf 2019: Image Gallery Player guide Pickles the Parrot greeting fans at the tee off. Pickles the Parrot Representing: Ladram Bay Previous form guide: Group stage exit 2016 2019 Result: 1st Consistent short game form Ella the Owl Ella the Owl Representing: Hospiscare Previous form guide: New entrant for 2019 2019 Result: 2nd Captain Scratch in the zone Captain Scratch Representing: Ladram Bay Previous form guide: Group stage exit 2018 2019 Result: 3rd Ozzie looks to build on his 3rd in 2018 Ozzie the Otter Representing: Ladram Bay Previous form guide: 3rd in 2018 (tied with Pippa Pig) 2019 Result: Group stage exit Grecian the Lion silencing an Argyle fan Grecian the Lion Representing: Exeter City Football Club Previous form guide: Group stage exit 2017 2019 Result: Group stage exit Buddy the Bear celebrates with the fans Blossom Bear Representing: Crealy Previous form guide: New entrant for 2019. 2019 Result: Group stage exit ‘Appy Angus offering advice on the 5th ‘Appy Angus Representing: World of Country Life Previous form guide: 2nd in 2018, 2nd in 2017 & 3rd 2016 2019 Result: Group stage exit 2018 winner Gilbert the Station Master Gilbert the Station Master Representing: Seaton Tramway Previous form guide: 1st in 2018 2019 Result: Group stage exit The Dragon gets fired up at the 3rd hole The Dragon Representing: Pete’s Dragon Previous form guide: Group stage exit 2018 2019 Result: Group stage exit Ambrose the Bear putting in it Ambrose the Bear Representing: Devon Air Ambulance Previous form guide: Group stage exit 2016 2019 Result: Group stage exit Ledley tee’s off with a putter Ledley Representing: LED Leisure Previous form guide: Group stage exit 2016 2019 Result: Group stage exit