We love sharing photos of the Best of British member parks, usually featuring the location, the accommodation and local tourist spots. The stories behind the scenes are often just an interesting, so we've decided to introduce you to some of the owners.
Taking part in our second feature, we have Broadhembury Holiday Park. Based in Ashford in Kent, the park is set in the beautiful 'Garden of England' and is perfectly positioned if you wanted to visit France via the Eurostar, which is just 20 minutes away. The park is open all year and offers the discerning camper, tourer and glamper true comfort, whatever the season. It has been 5 star graded since 1988 and is a family owned business. Here's what we learned about the park when we spoke to the team.
Q: Tell us about Broadhembury
A: Broadhembury is a second generation family park which is now owned and run by Lee and Sally Stone. The park celebrated its 50th anniversary year in 2019. The park, or a farm as it was then, was originally bought by Sally’s parents, Keith and Jenny Taylor, in 1969 and has continually developed ever since. About 4 weeks prior to the purchase of Broadhembury, the farmer who owned the land said to Keith and Jenny, "by the way, a few people put up their tents in the fields and they use the sheep troughs. They pay 5 shillings a night and they just need 2 pints of milk!”.
Ever since, Broadhembury has continued to develop into the successful 5 star holiday park that it is today, with many visitors returning year after year. Broadhembury is open all year round. The park is split into two distinct areas, a Family Park and a separate Adults' Meadows, each serviced by their own award-winning facilities. The family park has fantastic outdoor play facilities (an area for our older children and a newly renovated under 5’s outdoor play area, which we can’t wait for our younger visitors to enjoy) and indoor games room.
Q: What was your aim with Broadhembury?
A: The park has evolved over the last 50 years, continually expanding as the years have gone by. However, always at the forefront of any changes is ensuring that our guests have a fantastic stay and one which they will want to repeat year after year. We are very proud of the customer service we deliver and are now renowned for.
Q: How do you approach the experience for your visitors?
A: At the forefront of everything we do at the park is our visitors and ensuring they have the best experience possible. Aside from our 5 star facilities, our customer service is everything. So much so that our strapline is ‘Holidays to remember and repeat’. We want all our guests to enjoy all that Broadhembury has to offer, make memories and want to comeback again time after time.
Q: What makes Broadhembury a 5 star experience?
A: Without a doubt it’s not only the 5 star facilities and our countryside location, it is the family feel of the park and ensuring we always deliver the very best customer service. We take pride in the fact the park has retained its family feel over the years and love getting to know our visitors.
Q: What awards have you won?
A: Broadhembury has been lucky enough to win many awards over the years. Most recently our awards include:
- AA Campsite of the Year South East 2018-2019.
- Loo of the Year 2019 Platinum Award
Q: How have recent events affected you?
A: Like all other campsites we have been closed since the end of March, which for us is the first time we have been closed for 51 years! During this time we have followed Government guidelines and ensured that we have all necessary things in place now that we have been given the green light to open again. We have had our 'Good To Go' certification confirmed. Having this industry standard recognition will hopefully further reassure our visitors that we have adhered to all Government and Public Health guidance, undertaken the necessary COVID-19 Risk Assessment and have all required processes in place.
Q: How have your re-opening plans been going?
A: At Broadhembury we are lucky to have lots of space meaning we are perfectly placed for natural social distancing. However, in addition to this we have followed the government guidelines and have done the following:
- Undertaken the British Holiday Parks Association Coronavirus risk assessments.
- Hand sanitisers have been installed at key points around the park.
- The check-in process has been modified. Payment will be taken for all bookings prior to arrival, meet and greet on arrival will be done outside rather than in Reception.
- Clear signage has been put up to guide, reassure and inform guests.
- Only one person will be able to come into reception at any time.
- Newspaper and fresh bread orders will be paid for in advance and left outside Reception for collection.
- Holiday home hire and glamping – we will be asking guests to leave all windows, tent doorways etc open to allow for maximum ventilation when weather permits.
Take a look at our website to read our full
We know that the team at Broadhembury are very keen to welcome back holiday makers. Kent, the garden of England, will be ready to welcome you too. In the meantime, enjoy planning your next trip, and let's make our first holidays of 2020 wonderful ones! Your happy place is waiting for you.
