Sodden impact
Reports confirm that operators in all sectors of Britain’s home-based tourist industry are coming under severe pressure – amid fears that the poor weather of May and June could easily return.
Jon Dale, spokesman for The Camping & Caravanning Club, says: “Atrocious weather in May and June had a massive knock-on effect and made people question the benefit of ‘staycation’ breaks here in Britain after two previous summers when we really began to get that message across.
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Hide Ad“In July and August, I have never seen so many offers to persuade people to holiday here. If businesses haven’t got some money in the bank by mid-September, this is shaping up to be a very difficult year.”
Alistair Handyside, chairman of Premier Cottages, a consortium of five-star luxury self-catering developments, says: “Normally properties would have been booked up for the summer in April, May and June. But awful summer weather has ensured that more properties than usual have availability, providing holidaymakers able to book late with some great deals throughout the UK.”
Premier Cottages discounts top 30 per cent in August: at Wellesley Park, a gated development in 200 acres of countryside in Wells, Somerset, facilities include a spa with heated pool and fitness centre plus, tennis court and fishing lake.
Seven nights in one of the five homes from August 24 starts at £1,200, saving £800. Alternatively, five can share The Byre nearby from August 24 for £1,440, saving £960.
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Hide AdAt the Green, close to Bodmin Moor, the Eden Project, Padstow and Fowey, cottages are set in 14 acres of countryside. The House, sleeping 12, costs £2,700 from August 18, saving £749.
Shorefield Holidays has slashed a whopping 30 per cent off all available accommodation at five holiday parks in Southern England – in the New Forest and particularly Dorset – for arrivals by (and including) August 23.
A family of four can stay seven nights in a Danestream chalet in the New Forest or in a Wimborne Caravan at Oakdene Forest or Forest Edge Holiday Parks, both near Ringwood in Hampshire, for less than £399.