Sharon’s “Banksy” brings home her Devon holiday heaven

Every day, Sharon Sweet is able to gaze out of her window at the blissful sight of Devon’s Ladram Bay with its gentle blue waves lapping the picture-perfect beach.

It’s an idyllic view, and one which mum Sharon never tires of – even though she and her husband Garry live 50 miles away in Bridgwater, Somerset.

That’s because Sharon has turned her garden wall into a giant canvas for a painting of the scene she enjoys so much on her family’s visits to Ladram Bay Holiday Park.

Dreaming of Ladram Bay

The 48-square-foot artwork shows the park’s private beach with its iconic off-shore sea stack, and even includes the couple’s three sons  – Max, Sam and Jay – on paddle boards.

Sharon, who works as manager for her local rugby football club, and builder husband Garry, first started visiting Ladram Bay Holiday Park ten years ago:

“We had some friends who owned a holiday caravan at the park, and when we and our small children went down to see them one day, it was love at first sight,” said Sharon.

“Shortly afterwards we bought a touring caravan which we kept at the park, and have also hired a holiday caravan on occasions – so our family became very regular visitors.

“All that came to an end, of course, when the country went into lockdown. But it didn’t stop us dreaming of Ladram Bay, and then I thought, why not bring the bay to Bridgwater!

“So after the park re-opened in July, we booked a holiday at the park and arranged for the painting to be completed while we were away – and the result is absolutely fantastic.”

Inspired by a holiday view

The work was created over four days at Sharon and Garry’s home by Bridgwater designer Dean Trowsdale who owns a sign painting business in the town called White Squirrel Art.

Dean worked from a selection of photographs supplied by Sharon as well as images of the bay found on the internet, and used acrylic paints to help ensure its long lifespan.

So inspired was Dean by the view that, as soon as the job was done, he took his own family for a break at Ladram Bay – and said he found it was indeed as pretty as a picture.

The Budleigh Salterton holiday park has been run by the same family for over 75 years, and director Zoe House believes it occupies one of the most privileged positions in Devon:

“It really is a lovely spot for creating lifelong memories, and in fact many of our customers go back through generations of the same family who return time after time.

“Everyone here was thrilled to see Sharon’s fabulous painting, and it certainly does capture the spirit of Ladram Bay!” said Zoe.

More information about the park, including its many family-friendly attractions and accommodation options, are detailed on its website at www.ladrambay.co.uk