Holiday park welcomed by tourist chiefs

The proposals to build 14 wooden lodges alongside a new campsite and children’s play area, near the grade II listed Druids’ Temple between Ripon and Masham were unanimously approved by Harrogate Council planning committee this week.

The 18th century Druids’ Temple folly, in the grounds of the Swinton Estate, is a popular visitor attraction, but in recent years it has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour and late-night gatherings, particularly during the summer solstice and Halloween.

Now Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire which has backed the plans, said the new holiday park, called Bivouac Swinton, could breathe new life back into the site.

“The addition of this fantastic holiday facility will help to further boost tourism and add to our drive in making Yorkshire the number one holiday destination in the UK”, he said.

It is hoped the site will be opened by next spring.