Hot Hot Hot

When I married a Cornishman and three days later moved to Cornwall I thought we would be enjoying wall to wall sunshine all year round.  I had a bit of a shock the first year; it rained quite a bit and felt more like monsoon season over the first Winter.  Richard had to buy me a posh raincoat just to persuade me to stay.  As a Cornishman of course he knew how unpredictable the weather is down here, but when it is good it is REALLY good.  And here we are, three years since that fateful move and dare I say it we are 'living the dream' that so many people imagine it is like living in such a stunning place.

It has been gloriously hot and sunny for a few weeks now.  After a busy check in today we headed to Mevagissey for a fish and chip supper.  We strolled to near the Harbour Office side of the little village to tuck into our feast, the quieter area of the village.  It was without any doubt glorious.  So, so, so hot and the views that postcards are made of with the brightly coloured houses nestled into the steep hills with the fishing boats bobbing in the harbour.

With two small children I am all for easy to access walks right now and the stroll from Respryn, just past Lanhydrock proved perfect for us with a pushchair for the 10 week old and the toddler strapped to my back.  The walk follows the river to Bodmin Parkway station along what used to be the carriage drive to Lanhydrock House.  We were lucky enough to see a steam engine pull out of the station, the noise and sounds that such an engine makes are wonderful.  Park at the small car park in Respryn which asks for a £2 donation and follow the footpath from the car park.  You can also cross over the road and head into the woods towards Restormel Castle.

Whilst I am off on exciting adventures with our two girls Richard is hard at it at Little Winnick.  It is so busy at the moment, with lots of advance bookings coupled with a good number of people checking in for a night or two without booking. The park is looking lovely, with the grass growing well and a fantastic buzz created by all our guests.  For those of you who have been following the blog you will know over the winter we cleared the bottom field to aid drainage and tidy the area up. The next stage which recently took place was to spray the field to prevent the development of some serious weeds, once the field has died back (hence it looking brown) we will be reseeding the area.

The bookings continue to come in thick and fast for the summer holidays - don't forget to book to secure the dates you would like.

Happy Campers

Wowie it is hot hot hot here and according to the weatherman this is set to last.  As a result last night we were full and tonight we have just a handful of pitches available.  It is just wonderful to feel the buzz around the park and to see so many people having a lovely time.  The first three weeks of the August are full now too and limited availability throughout the rest of the holiday period so please do book to avoid disappointment.

Apologies for the lack of blogs recently we have had a number of large rallies in and have been away ourselves introducing our nine week old to family in Norfolk. .  We are well equipped to cater for rallies of all shape and sizes so please do contact us if you would like to discuss coming to Little Winnick.

The best place to enjoy the sun right now has to be the stunning Cornish coast.  Yesterday we enjoyed a stunning day at Caerhays Beach.  The beach has a car park (£3.50), a small cafe and is dog friendly.  The sheltered cove is ideal for people who don't want a long walk to the beach.  From Little Winnick you can walk to Pentewan Beach.  The beach does not allow dogs, but has a lovely cafe, play area and small harbour.

Tomorrow we are off to The Kingswood Bar and Restaurant for Father's Day after work - I will let you know what we have.  The restaurant is highly regarded locally and walking distance along the trail from Little Winnick and child friendly.

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.