Dorset glamping park pair strike gold in AA awards
Back of Beyond, a hideaway touring and glamping park near the New Forest in Dorset, is now officially providing its holiday guests with gold standard hospitality.
AA Top British Holiday Parks
That’s because the Ringwood business has joined a small elite of parks flying the coveted AA five-star Gold Pennant, the prestigious award given out by the AA to its top parks.
In order to qualify for the award, Back of Beyond was subjected to a rigorous inspection regime which scrutinised almost every aspect of its facilities and services.
In the opinion of the AA’s holiday experts, the family-run business can truly be described as a holiday park right at the top of its game.
“This is fantastic news, and we can’t wait to celebrate the award with our customers when parks are allowed to re-open,” Martin Bowrey who owns the park with his wife Victoria.
“This has been a record year for bookings, even during the current lockdown, and we hope Back of Beyond will be buzzing again as soon as possible this spring.
Quality hospitality for guests
“We’ve recently been putting a lot of time and investment into ensuring the park meets the highest standards, and its great to see our efforts recognised in this way by the AA.
“An important factor with the AA awards is the quality of hospitality provided to guests, and delivering this is largely in the hands of our friendly and hard-working staff.
“That’s why they also deserve a large share of the credit for this achievement,” added Martin.
Not that Back of Beyond is any stranger to awards, and it was last year voted the best park in Dorset by the readers of two top touring magazines, Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome.
In the same poll, Back of Beyond was also voted Britain’s best park for eco-friendly holidays.
Bellamy Conservation Recognition
The park was presented with the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level in recognition of Back of Beyond’s many environmental initiatives
They include the creation of wildlife ponds, planting new hedgerows, and installing hives for honeybee which forage on the park’s many high nectar-bearing flowers.
It was just eight years ago that Martin and Victoria sold their London photography business and took a gamble on their future in rural Dorset.
The aim, said Martin, was to run a sustainable holiday park for nature-loving guests in a part of the country where they, as a family with young children, often went camping.
The couple are both keen supporters of local tourism groups, and Victoria was recently elected chair of the Southern Counties branch of BH&HPA, the holiday park industry’s national body.
Back of Beyond provides pitches for camping, caravans and motorhomes – plus luxury glamping options including yurts, pods, shepherds huts and timber lodges.
There is more information about Back of Beyond at www.backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk
