Verdant Parks, a North East holiday parks firm, has invested £2 million across two of its sites, including the addition of two new glamping 'hideaway' pods at its Heather View Holiday Park near Stanhope in County Durham. The investment comes as the company reports growing consumer appetite for glamping getaways and UK staycations.
New Accommodation at Heather View
The two new pods, named The Hideaway and The Hideout, sleep up to six guests each and feature outdoor decking, a hot tub, and views of the surrounding countryside. Located by the River Wear, they are described as ideal for family and couple getaways. Heather View, situated off the A689, has earned a 4.4 rating on TripAdvisor based on visitor reviews of its facilities and nearby attractions.
Investment Across Parks
In addition to the Heather View pods, Verdant Parks has also invested at its Thurston Manor Holiday Park near Dunbar, Scotland, where four new lodges have been introduced. These lodges include hot tubs and come in two- and three-bedroom configurations with patio space, parking, and open-plan interiors. The company operates three sites in the North East—Heather View, Kingfisher in Bishop Auckland, and Riverside in Wooler—as well as eight others in Scotland.
Consumer Trends Driving Demand
Jonathan Alcock, Chief Marketing Officer of Verdant Parks, said: “Hot on the heels of investment put into our accommodation and facilities across our 11 holiday parks this spring, we are excited to invest in our parks even further this summer, allowing us to address consumer trends and offer experiences we know our customers are seeking. We are pleased to enhance our accommodation offering, which was in response to the feedback of our customers and demand for glamping and UK staycations.”
Alcock added: “There is a rise in consumers booking UK staycations instead of - or even as well as - going abroad and we’re seeing a rise in holidaymakers wanting a short break without a long travel time. Consumers are also looking for new and different staycation options as an alternative to more traditional camping or hotel holidays as a means of getting away from it all and taking a deserved pause in nature.”
Popularity of New Pods
The new accommodation, including The Hideout, The Hideaway, and the lodges at Thurston Manor, are already proving popular, according to Alcock. He noted that holiday parks are perfect for those wanting to stay close to home and discover local attractions. The investment follows earlier upgrades across Verdant Parks' 11 sites this spring, reflecting the company's commitment to meeting evolving consumer preferences for short breaks and nature-focused getaways.
