Club announces its Certificated Location of the Year 2022 Award winners
Caravan and Motorhome Club announces its Certificated Location of the Year 2022 Award winners
Broadmarsh Farm Certificated Location (CL) in Norfolk has won first place in the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Certificated Location of the Year 2022 Awards. The awards celebrate privately-owned, maximum five-pitch sites – Certificated Locations – across the UK that are open exclusively to Caravan and Motorhome Club members. Many CL’s are found in idyllic and remote locations such as farms, country estates and beside inns, providing a valuable and additional income stream for the campsite owners and local communities.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club are able to grant certificates to landowners to operate CLs due to the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act (1960). Members nominate their favourite site for the CL of the Year Awards, recognising the best in the country and rewarding hard-working owners who go above and beyond for guests.
Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “We have a growing number of CLs across the UK, and each one in our network provides our members with a unique stay. There are so many that do great work in their communities and offer something special to their guests, and it is these awards that recognise and celebrate owners who truly go that extra mile to deliver the best visitor experience. I would like to congratulate all the winners for their great work.”
First Place Winner – Broadmarsh Farm Certificated Location
Broadmarsh Farm is situated on a working farm in Norfolk with a mixture of hardstanding and grass pitches overlooking peaceful fields. Owners, David and Julie Matthews opened the CL site in July 2020 and as caravanners themselves for over 30 years, set about creating a site for a mixture of guests. Each site comes with individually serviced electric and water points and the on-site honesty shop provides local produce such as local meats, eggs, jams and sweets.
The south facing CL is in the village of Great Ellingham that has a local village shop, post office and pub, two miles away is the town of Attleborough and there is easy access to the Norfolk coast, the Norfolk Broads and the city of Norwich.
The site is dog-friendly providing owners keep their dog on a lead, and there are plenty of lovely walks on the doorstep in the great outdoors. David comments: “The best part of owning a CL is meeting all our lovely guests, many of whom book their next stay before they leave. Thank you to all our guests who have stayed with us over the years.”
Second Place – Hillcroft Certificated Location
Hillcroft is set in 2.25 acres of lawned field four miles from Tenby in Pembrokeshire. While the site is quiet and surrounded by countryside views it is only 1.5 miles to Saundersfoot’s beautiful sandy beach. The nearest village is half a mile away in Kilgetty and the site is an easy drive from the Rosslare Irish Ferries terminal.
Open all year, Hillcroft has won the CL award five times previously, and its owners Ann and Bruce Regimbal take pride in the amenities on offer including toilet and shower facilities, level hard standings with electrical hook-ups. Pets are also able to feel at home and there is a separate paddock for them to run free in.
Ann comments: “We are delighted to receive a Caravan and Motorhome CL of the Year award, we have been running Hillcroft CL since 2000 and still very much enjoy welcoming holidaymakers, both new and returning.
“As Club members and caravanners ourselves, it is very rewarding to see our guests enjoy their holiday here and all the great places to explore nearby. Thank you for all the nominations.”
Third place – Corner Cottage Certificated Location
Set in a tranquil spot with access to both Lincoln and Newark, Corner Cottage CL is doggy friendly and surrounded by uninterrupted views of fields and the countryside. The pitches are tucked away on large 13-metre lawned grass, flat pitches with electric hook up and plenty of space for awnings.
The site is securely fenced in and there are several great dog walks directly from the site with plenty of natural wildlife to spot from deer, rabbits and hares to a large variety of birds.
A local pub is a short stroll away in the village and the next nearest village is 1.5 miles away in a thriving, friendly community offering many amenities. A local Chinese restaurant even delivers to the CL while many local attractions are a short drive away including fishing lakes, Newark Showground and Antiques Fair and Lincoln Cathedral. Owners Andrew and Maggie Kitson said: “We love living at Corner Cottage in a picturesque, quiet and rural location. As caravanners ourselves Andy purposely set the site up so it had everything we would look for and prides himself on keeping it spotless for guests. We’ve made some very good friends since we opened in 2020 who return regularly. It’s great to know we are obviously doing something right, so a massive thank you for these nominations and this prestigious recognition.”
Best newcomer – Garden House Certificated Location
Garden House CL site is situated on the outskirts of Tattingstone Village, near Ipswich, within the grounds of owners Martin and Mandy Ackers home. The adult-only site has five grass pitches set in a meadow. Pitches are spacious, level and well drained, all with electric hook up points.
The CL site is dog-friendly for those on a lead and there is a fully fenced secure area where dogs can run free and play ball. The three quarters of an acre site has mostly been kept wild for nature and there is often an abundance of visitors including Mistle Thrush, Green and spotted Woodpeckers, Gold Finches and Skylarks. A short walk away is Alton Water where you can hire a bike or learn to paddleboard. Mandy Ackers comments: “We opened fully in August 2022 after five years of renovating our house and designing our CL site. Our first season has been truly amazing, meeting so many lovely people and we are looking forward to welcoming guests in 2023.”
For small businesses anywhere in the UK and Northern Ireland such as a pub, a farm or a golf course with an expanse of land that would fit up to five caravans or motorhomes registering via the Caravan and Motorhome Club is easy. Owning a CL can be a hugely gratifying experience and anyone with enough land can apply.
For more information on the Caravan and Motorhome Club or for how to apply to become a Certificated Location owner, please visit www.camc.com.