Heavenly scent that summer is on the way

I love this time of year when Cornwall really comes alive with the trees in blossom, lambs in the field and everywhere you turn bluebells.  Now I am no gardening expert but I suspect that the winter weather is the driver behind the stunning carpets of blue which seems to be everywhere you turn in Cornwall right now, and the scent of the bluebells is just wonderful and really raises hopes for the glorious summer I am certain is just around the corner.    A short stroll along the river bank that hugs the park you will find stunning carpets of flowers and if the wind is in the right direction the smell drifts over the park.  Luxulyan Valley is a bit of a locals secret,  but worth a visit this time of year.  The old woods are littered with mining history and is a brilliant place for dogs and children alike and must for bluebell lovers right now.

Talking of woods, I was excited to see that Tehidy Woods, about a 30 minute drive away is, hosting the Wild Woodland Summer Ball, by the fantastic Rogue Theatre Company.  The magical woodland experience will have little  people and grown ups too enthralled in the magic of fairies, dragons and mermaids.

Closer to home is the exciting summer of theatre promised at the Lost Gardens of Heligan.  The 20th August sees the grounds play host to The Tempest by The Miracle Theatre Company - a show not to be missed.  We have had the enormous pleasure of seeing two productions by the Miracle Theatre Company and they are without fail brilliant.  So funny and wonderful actors.  If that was not enough we then see the arrival of the Kneehigh Theatre Company with Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs).  The Kneehigh are a well known theatre company who normally play to sell out crowds so book early to avoid disappointment.

The bank holiday here has been beautiful and we have enjoyed welcoming so many of you to the park.  As the children return to school we enter a time when it is mainly only adults on site making the most of our brilliant 7 nights for the price of 5 offer - which makes us the best value campsite in the valley.  So why not pop in, enjoy our great location, well stocked shop, WiFi access and onsite facilities for as little as £40 for 7 nights.

Many of you have been asking how our new little arrival is getting on, which is most kind thank you.  She is now four weeks old and getting on nicely. In fact she is asleep next to me at the office desk as I type - giving guests who check in a little startled when she moves and they notice her!  Big sister is enjoying her new role, but more importantly is loving having people back on site to meet again, as we are too!

Happy Birthday to us!

one of first jobs was to install a new play area

Well campers, we have made it through our first year.  A year ago today we officially opened for business having taken over the business just a few months before.  We opened with some trepidation, with no one booked in and just a hope that everything worked after hours and hours of rigorous testing.  To our delight one year ago, one person came in off the road - what excitement it caused - the poor person was a bit taken aback by our excitement.  But a year in and we are truly blown away by the popularity of the site and the numbers of you already returning or re booking with us.  To all of you who have stayed or are planning on staying - thank you for making this a truly memorable year for our family.  obviously we hoped we could make the old place a success like it's golden days - we wouldn't have taken the business on if we didn't believe in it, but the rate in which we have built up customers is humbling to us.

improvement works to the bottom field

The year has seen the full board up in August, two rallies, a fantastic  summer of heat waves and much improvements.  The improvements include redesigning the shop and reception, new hook ups, installation of tv aerial points and hard standing pitches, drainage work, lots of new tarmac, pitch dividers to name but a few jobs that have kept us all busy!

As a family we thank you for your support and look forward to seeing many of you in 2014.

**UPDATE** We have very limited availability for the last week of July and first week of August so please do contact us if you are hoping to book up then.

The park 2013

Exciting Easter

Gosh what a fantastic Easter!  We welcomed the Devon and Cornwall Rally to the site, which meant we were officially full - quite an achievement so early in the season.  The site was buzzing with an events marquee playing host to music, bingo and big breakfasts.  We loved welcoming all who came with the rally and very much look forward to welcoming everyone back in August, plus the other rallies we have booked for this season and next season.  Not only was the rally a success but the weather was sensational too.  Leading to a couple of burnt noses over the Easter break (me included!).

For all the returning guests I am sure you will have seen the Easter Newsletter we sent out, if you would like to have a look at what we have been up to then check out our website for the full installment!

As we mentioned in the last blog our family has grown over the last few weeks, pictured is Richard and I with Bethany and Jessica.  (I am rocking Bethany in her bouncer chair with one foot as I type!). As a family run park we love welcoming you and your families to Little Winnick and can offer first hand experience of what is happening locally so please do ask us for advice of great places to go with little people.  We are very excited by the uprising in Gruffalo activities across the County.  To celebrate the Gruffalo's 15th Birthday there are lots of activities happening from free walks to events at Eden.  Why not follow the Gruffalo Trail around The Eden Project or take part in the Gruffalo's birthday party preparations? Or if you would like to take in the great outdoors and do a free event then visit Cardinham Woods.  Not only is the play area amazing there is a free Gruffalo Trail around the woods.  The cafe there does fantastic cakes too.

The beauty of Little Winnick is that there is so much to do on our door step.  Last week we walked down to Pentewan as I mentioned in the last blog, and the lunch I rushed off to at Heligan was sensational - as always.  I had a Dexter Beef Sandwich with salad, doesn't sound much but was the best sandwich I have had in a long time.  On my next visit (I am a regular with my season ticket), I had Dexter Beef Goulash and a cheese scone followed by the biggest meringue in the world!  Pictured are the shire horses sowing poppy seeds in the fields at Heligan, it was a spectacular site which made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck - it was like going back in time.  Also nearby is the small fishing harbour of Mevagissey - a great place to get fish and chips from followed by a walk around the village.  The Roseland Peninsula is also a short drive away with stunning quiet beaches and the King Harry Ferry.

If you are hoping to visit in August then please do book soon to avoid disappointment as we are getting very full.

First new arrivals for 2014 season...

I must apologise lots for the lack of blog when we opened for the 2014 season last Tuesday.  Hopefully you will forgive us, it is just our first new arrival of the season came a few days early- on Sunday 6th April our daughter Bethany Eve was born, a little sister for Jessica. A very quick birth meant Richard was back at the park for the opening day of the season just a day later!  As a result you will not being seeing much of me this year as I have two little people to keep me very busy however Richard will be on site most of the time.

So we are officially open for the season and already full over Easter which is just fantastic.  We have the Devon and Cornwall Rally taking place on site right now, and what fun they seem to be having with entertainment, breakfasts and walks out.  We have some pictures which I will get ready for the next blog.

Finally a blog that is super positive about the weather.  It is stunning.  So hot and not a cloud in the sky.  So much so I have been caught out a couple of times and got a little burnt.  By all accounts the weather is on the up now, so why not make the most of it and pop down to Cornwall to recharge in the glorious sun. We are offering 7 nights for the price of 5 after Easter.  Yesterday we walked from Little Winnick down the cycle trail to Pentewan with the pushchair laden with a picnic.  We sat by the harbour and watched the ducks and the comings and going of the village followed by an ice cream, it was so lovely.

Just a short blog today, as my parents who are down visiting and looking after Jessica for the morning have called and invited me to lunch at Heligan....my favourite lunch treat, so better decamp there for lunch!

Fourth Generation

Families are really important to us.  And whilst talking to the mother in law this morning, we had a proud moment when it hit us that four generations of our family have taken a great deal of pride in running family holiday parks for families.  Ok, so Jessica is only 20 months old and the main running she does is away from us to be honest, but we are very proud to be the only family run holiday parks in the Pentewan Valley.  But what does this actually mean for our guests? Well for a start that we have generations of experience and know how to run a good, clean, family orientated site. It also means we know all the great places to visit and have sampled them ourselves, whether with our daughter or with the dog.  We also know what it is like going on holiday with children.  How much stuff do little people need?  We have toys, games, sports equipment, books and new for this season a craft box in reception for you to borrow during your stay so it is one less thing for your to pack!

Of course we could not run the park alone - we have our brilliant wardens on site - Steve and Jude, who have been with the family for almost a decade now.  They live on the park to offer guests support in emergencies and help us in reception and with the general running of the site.

We are on the final count down to opening...exciting times.

Spring flowers and stunning blue skies

So we are on the final count down to opening, which is pretty exciting.  It is nice having a rest in the winter but the park feels so empty without guests to bring it alive.  This week we have begun to stock the shop, we are putting the final touches to the French drains (some of you may remember me mentioning the work starting on them a few months back but the weather stopped play), we have removed a couple of trees and we have nearly finished putting in the new pitch dividers. This week sees the final touches to the tarmac in the late arrivals area, work begins on a deep clean and we will be out gardening, admiring our very impressive daffodils which are out in full bloom.

I have been lucky enough to go on lots of outings this week as my parents have been down visiting.  As an annual pass holder at Heligan we were back there again.  A lovely walk from the Little Winnick Touring Park,  Heligan really is a great day out - I know I rave about it a lot, but right now the flowers are sensational and with it being pretty quiet you can visit without seeing hardly a soul.  We also ventured up to The Eden Project.  We only popped into the shop for lunch and a few sovereigns for my parents to take home - but the gardens were looking beautiful - again the daffodils are a delight right now with so many different and interesting varieties out.  Don't forget though if you are planning a visit to book your tickets online, or search for an offer as it is pretty pricey to get in.  If you are a National Trust Member you can get in half price for example.

We also had our first ever trip to Trebah Gardens.  Over near Falmouth the gardens are well loved by young and old with a stunning selection of plants coupled with a brilliant children's play area.  The walk down to the beach is magical - a real must if in Cornwall.

I was also spoilt on the food front with a lunch out at the Duchy Nursery.  I love the Duchy; the plants are stunning, and I always have to stop myself spending a fortune - and as for the food.  Well it is delicious.  You have to get there early to nab a table but even if you have to wait the food is well worth it.  As you arrive you are greeted by the smell of a roaring log fire and a huge selection of cakes.  The millionaires shortbread (by which I judge most tea rooms) is one of the best I have tasted - worth a visit just for that!

No blog would be complete without a weather update.  It is good news I am pleased to say.  After a very long wet period we have been enjoying wonderful warm days and stunning blue skies.  It is so strange not going out for the day without layers and layers of coats.  It really feels like spring is on the way and with the nights really drawing out there is a real buzz in the air that we can finally start thinking about the summer in front of us.

Spring is springing!

It is finally here - Spring started on 1st March officially and according to some it will be barbecue weather next week which is so exciting.  And I have to say when the sun is out it is glorious and so many of Cornwall's Tourist Attractions are coming to life.  Jessica and I had lunch at Heligan last week, not only was the food delicious but the lambs they have to pet are adorable.  There are also pigs onsite now too.  We also popped into The Eden Project recently.  That was a lovely day out with so much for children to do and of course dogs are now welcome at both.  

We are busy bees with only a few weeks until opening.  We are cracking on with sprucing up the early arrivals area with new tarmac and the ground work is being done for additional site lighting.  There is also a great deal of painting going on and ordering of new site maps and such like.  Today I will be turning my mind to the shop and getting the huge shopping list ready to restock in the coming weeks and I shall begin the arduous task of choosing ice creams for the freezer!

Perhaps most exciting is the news that we have been granted planning permission for improvements to the exisiting toilet block.  Whilst the facilities that we currently have are very good, with great showers and very clean and tidy, especially the current new block, we would like to consolidate everything under one roof and provide more facilities for our disabled guests and a family bathroom suite to make life easier for parents.  So with that in mind at the end of the coming season we shall be making major changes to what we currently have.  We will have full plans on display at Reception throughout the season so please do come and have a look and ask us any questions you may have.