Member Article

Wookey Hole Caves buys holiday park

One of Somerset’s most established holiday parks has been purchased by Wookey Hole Caves in a move that will boost tourism income into the Mendip Hills area of Somerset.

Bucklegrove, which features luxury lodges, a swimming pool, restaurant and pitches for caravans and camping, is already a popular destination and the new owners are planning a programme of investment aimed at increasing visitor numbers.

Bucklegrove started out as a tea rooms in the 1940s and is the longest established family-friendly holiday park in the Cheddar Valley.

Daniel Medley, owner of Wookey Hole Caves, said: “We know the families who stay at Bucklegrove well as they are also regular visitors to the cave and its attractions over the years. We are drawing up plans for a major investment in the holiday park, creating 100 more holiday lodges bringing thousands more tourists to the area, which will benefit local businesses.

“The aim is to develop Bucklegrove sympathetically as we believe its main attraction is the breathtaking local countryside and scenery, which many of us take for granted as we live in it every day.

“We will be upgrading the facilities, improving access for people with disabilities to the self-catering lodges and providing everything that the modern family expect to find on a relaxing holiday.”

Wookey Hole Caves said the purchase and redevelopment represents a multi-million pound investment in the region and further cements the attraction’s contribution to the local economy.

Said Mr Medley: “We are constantly investing to ensure Somerset remains at the front of people’s minds when they consider a West Country holiday. Unlike other areas that can rely on their coastline we need to show people that the wonderful countryside, Glastonbury Tor, the City of Wells and the caves can provide an exciting and diverse holiday.

“In recent years we have invested in the expansion of the caves; built a 58-bedroom family hotel for short stay visitors and built our own Mendip View Holiday Lodges. The purchase of Bucklegrove is the next step in ensuring that visitors have the choice of holiday accommodation they want when they come to Somerset and the Mendip Hills.”

More information about Wookey Hole Caves can be found at http://www.wookey.co.uk/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clarke Willmott .