Holidays and events 2020
It’s always a good idea to book your holidays and getaways well in advance. As you’d expect, our quality adults-only caravan parks and touring parks can get booked up at peak times. But public holidays are not the only times our parks get busy because popular local events are also a big draw.
Some events are national, if not international showcases. Others give you a real flavour of the local area. Either way, festivals, sports events and fairs can make a great day out during your stay. And what better way to relax and recuperate after a hectic day than putting your feet up at one of our peaceful adults-only campsites!
We can’t mention all the events taking place up and down the country here, so some of our parks have put together their local highlights. In this article, we’ll take you on a tour starting in the South West and working northwards. But first, here’s a quick reminder of national holiday dates:
- Friday 20 – Sunday 22 March – Mother’s Day weekend
- Friday 10 – Monday 13 April – Easter weekend
- Thursday 7 May – Sunday 10 May – VE Day & May Day weekend (bank holiday Friday) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of ‘Victory in Europe’
- Friday 22 – Monday 25 May – Spring Bank Holiday
- Friday 28- Monday 31 August – August Bank Holiday
Cornwall
Wayfarers Caravan Park near Penzance recommends the Porthleven Food Festival from 17-19 April. It’s a well-established community led event in this picturesque fishing port.
Dorset and the New Forest
With something going on just about every weekend from spring to autumn, we can’t list all the events near Back of Beyond Touring Park. Head to the park’s website for updates. Popular events include:
- 186-17 May – Dogstival, a festival for our four-legged friends in the dog-friendly New Forest
- 28-30 July – New Forest and Hampshire County Show
- 1 & 2 August – Great Dorset Chilli Festival
- 20-23 August – Bournemouth Air Show with the largest single audience of any aviation event in Europe
- 27-31 August – Great Dorset Steam Fair
North Somerset and Bristol
Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park have shared the events listed below, and they’re just a small sample of what the area has to offer. Experience local country traditions and international festivals, or explore the cities of Bath, Bristol and Wells:
- 1-2 May – 819th Wells Charter Fair, Wells Market Place
- 15-24 May – The Bath Festival, Free Party in the Park, Arts Festival, Finale weekend 22-24 May
- 20 & 21 June – Dog Fest, Bristol, premier dog event at Ashton Court Estate
- 4 July – St Pauls Bristol Summer Carnival
- 11 July – Bath Carnival, free entertainment in the park and carnival procession around Bath City
- 17-19 July – Bristol Harbour Festival with entertainment, street food, visiting vessels, harbour trips.
- 6-9 August –Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, the foremost hot air balloon festival in UK
- 7-21 November – Somerset Carnivals, Europe’s largest Carnivals Circuit
- 26 November – 13 December, Bath Christmas Market (provisional dates)
South Wales
The annual celebration of all things Welsh takes place in from 16 February to 3 March in Carmarthen, which is just under half an hour’s drive from the South Wales Touring Park at Llwynifan Farm. Events take place all over the town over a fortnight with the St David’s Grand Parade on Saturday 29 February. See full schedule.
29 February is also the day that the National Botanic Garden of Wales, just a short drive from the park, is hosting a special Star Party. It’s co-hosted with astronomical societies in the garden’s iconic Great Glasshouse. Pembrey Country Park is also celebrating the Welsh national day on 1 March with the St David’s Food & Drink Festival.
West Midlands
Somers Wood Caravan Park gets fully booked for big NEC events such as The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show in February and for Crufts in March. There are, however, spaces for:
- 27-29 March – Classic Car & Restoration Show
- 18-21 June – BBC Good Food Show and BBC Gardeners World Live (access both events with one ticket)
Shropshire and Mid-Wales
The famous Ludlow festivals are within easy reach of Wheathill Touring Park and Daisy Bank Touring Caravan Park
- 16&17 May – Ludlow Spring Festival
- 11-13 September – Ludlow Food Festival, the original UK food festival
- 28 November – Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre at Ludlow Castle
Also within 30 minutes of Daisy Bank Touring Caravan Park are:
- 10&11 July – Bishop’s Castle Real Ale & Cider Trail
- 14&15 August – Shrewsbury Flower Show
- 19 September – Michaelmas Fair in Bishop’s Castle
Leicestershire
You’d expect Melton Mowbray to big on food and drink because of the famous pork pies. And yes, there is a pie festival here! Eye Kettleby Lakes recommend these local events:
- 2 & 3 May – Artisan Cheese Fair, the UK’s largest cheese fair, Melton Mowbray
- 31 May – Rutland County Show, One of the oldest agricultural shows in the country, Oakham
- 1 & 2 August – UK PieFest, Melton Mowbray
- 3&4 October – East Midlands Food Festival, Melton Mowbray
- 21 & 22 November – ChocFest, Melton Mowbray
- 4-6 December – Victorian Street Market and Christmas Weekend, Melton Mowbray
Derbyshire
From Longnor Wood Holiday Park it’s a short hop to Chatsworth House. Major events here include the International Horse Trials 15-17 May, the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show 11-14 June and the Chatsworth County Fair 4-6 September.
North Wales
The scenic Lleyn peninsular is home to numerous of festivals and events each year. The Willows Caravan & Camping Park has updates on its Facebook page. The area is particularly popular for sporting events because the dramatic landscape makes such a stunning backdrop.
- Abersoch sports events: 10K 20 May, Triathlon 20 June; The ROC Spring 16 May and The ROC Summer 5 September (a gruelling swimming, cycling and running race from the village’s idyllic beach); Half Marathon 24 October
- Abersoch local events: Open Golf Competition 5 August; Regatta Week 5-17 August; Taste Weekend 26-27 September
- 13-20 June – Criccieth Festival, a week of music, lectures, arts and crafts plus fabulous food
- 4 & 5 July – Pen Llyn Ultra Marathon
- 6-9 September – Festival Number 6, music arts and culture in the magical Mediterranean-inspired Port Merion
Lincolnshire
Grooby’s Pit, the lakeside touring park near Skegness, has highlighted these events:
- 8-10 May – VE 75 Festival, East Coast Showground, Skegness
- 3 August – East Kirkby Air Show
- 22 August – Bands On the Bank, Batemans Brewery, Wainfleet
Both Brookside Country Park and Grooby’s Pit are well placed for visiting The Lincolnshire Show, 24 and 25 June. This flagship event offers something for everyone. Watch spectacular acts in the main ring, demos from top chefs and aviation displays, to name a few.
Brookside Country Park is hosting several events onsite this year, including:
- 6 June – Afternoon tea party
- 25 July – Open Day with live music
- 22 August – BBQ, Quiz and live music
The nearby local pub, the Ferry House Inn, will hold the annual Burton Beer Festival with live music, starting on Friday 4 September.
Yorkshire
In May, there will be VE Day events up and down the country and the bank holiday has moved to the Friday. (This also happened in 1995, to mark the 50the VE Day anniversary.) Events onsite at Blue Rose Country Park, as well as in the local area include celebrations for VE Day:
- 11 April – Coffee Morning to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and Easter Saturday Party Night
- 30 April – The Tour de Yorkshire cycle race starts from Beverley, the local town, and the women’s race starts from Skipton the following day.
- 9 May – VE Day celebrations onsite with a street-party themed, fancy dress event featuring Tallulah singing songs from the 40s and 50s
- 17-20 July – Hornsea Carnival, themed around fairytales and legends
Cumbria
Events close to Green Acres Caravan Park are taking place in Carlisle and the surrounding area:
- 17 May – ASICS Windermere Marathon, the UK’s most scenic marathon based at Brathay Hall
- 13 June – The Cumberland Show, a major agricultural show
- 26 July – Tom Jones at Bitts Park, Carlisle
- 26 September – Jason Donovan at The Sands Centre, Carlisle
- 4 October – The Great Cumbrian Run, half marathon
Please ask our parks
All our parks have information about events taking place in their areas. So if you’re planning any holidays or getaways in the busier months, do ask our parks or check on their websites for local event details.