Family’s joy as its Cornwall holiday park records a triple triumph
Trethem Mill Touring Park on Cornwall’s Roseland Peninsula has been named by the AA as South West England’s top destination for campers, caravanners and motorhome owners.
But the AA accolade was just one of three top honours received this winter by the Akeroyd family who have been welcoming guests to their park for over 25 years.
AA’s five-pennant platinum flag for Holiday Parks
For Trethem Mill has also joined a small elite of UK parks which are now entitled to fly the AA’s five-pennant platinum flag, the organisation’s new and highest award.
On top of that, the business has been told by world-famous botanist David Bellamy that it has scooped his prestigious annual Conservation Award at its top gold level.
Husband-and-wife team Ian and Jane Akeroyd say the trio of successes has allowed them to finish with a flourish one of their busiest years to date.
Its South West Campsite of the Year award is based on guest reviews and a “secret shopper” visit by the AA who put all aspects of the park under the microscope.
The inspectors reported that Trethem Mill met their highest standards in every respect – and that the park’s rare 95%-plus rating also merited its being granted the new platinum pennant.
Ian and Jane, who run the park together with their son Jake and Ian’s father Derek, said they were also delighted with their latest David Bellamy award.
Professor Bellamy praised the park’s extensive areas of high nectar-bearing flowers that provide vital foraging for honey bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Nesting boxes and other wildlife habitats have also been created in the 12-acre grounds, and the couple’s care of its traditional Cornish hedging was highlighted.
Green Initiatives lead to award
Other green initiatives leading to the award included Trethem Mill’s harvesting of rainwater for irrigation, and its low-level illumination to help guests to enjoy the night sky.
Last year, Trethem Mill was crowned as England’s top holiday park in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, beating around 3000 other eligible parks to take the overall title.
“These awards have crowned a very busy and successful year, and it’s very humbling to receive the award from the AA as South West England’s top park,” said Jane.
“We’re especially proud as the award is largely based on feedback from our guests, and it’s great to know that we are creating such memorable experiences for them.
“This is a beautiful corner of Cornwall in which to live and work, and I hope these awards will also help highlight it as a first-class holiday destination,” added Jane.
More details about Trethem Mill can be found on its website at www.trethem.com
