Tranquil Parks news May 2026
As late spring rolls into summer, our collection of adults-only touring camping and glamping parks are really coming back to life. This is a busy month with more guests arriving and spring growth, while welcome, is also keeping the park teams fully occupied.
Whether you already have your stays booked in, are planning a last-minute getaway, a longer touring holiday or a relaxing glamping break, we hope you find these news updates from our member parks around the country interesting and useful.
(Top photo: sunset and blossom from Somers Wood Caravan Park in Meriden, West Midlands)
Win a glamping break in beautiful North Wales
The stunning Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales is the location for this month’s giveaway. We have a relaxing 3-night glamping break at Yr Helyg / The Willows Caravan and Camping Park to be won.
The unique Chill Pod offers a simple, comfortable glamping experience near to campsite facilities – ideal for couples (and up to 2 dogs) looking for a relaxed coastal getaway. Up to 2 dogs can also stay. Bedding, towels and hot drinks tray are all included.
Availability updates and special offers
(Information correct as of mid-May, but likely to change)
South Wales Touring Park is fully booked for the May Bank Holiday but still has pitches available throughout June, July, August and September. Availability also remains for the park’s special 50th anniversary celebrations on 14 June (see below), with two standard pitches and one fully serviced pitch still remaining.
At Back of Beyond Touring Camping & Glamping Park, availability for the Spring Bank Holiday is now very limited, with only Emma’s Glade (wild camping) and the 2 new ensuite shepherd huts currently available – a photo of one is shown here. These new glamping units have ensuite shower rooms, are dog friendly and sit in a fabulous location by the lakes.
Summer bookings at the park are filling quickly too, although there are still a handful of pitches remaining in the Damson area for the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Briarfields Touring Park (who sent us this new photo of their conker tree) enjoyed a very busy Bank Holiday earlier this month thanks to the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Park owner Jo says that bookings remain extremely busy for the next bank holiday period.
Long Acres Touring Park near Boston in Lincolnshire has reported availability for the Bank Holiday period and into the summer season, while Hallsdown Farm Touring Park (a dog-free park) near Barnstaple in North Devon also still has some availability remaining for both the May Bank Holiday and summer stays.
Cartref Caravan & Camping Site is now full for the late May Bank Holiday, with limited weekend availability remaining across May and June. Weekday stays still offer more flexibility for guests looking for a quieter getaway.
Guests booking a longer touring break at Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park can currently enjoy 10% off published pitch prices on stays of 7 consecutive nights or more before 27 August this summer. Book an economy, standard or fully-serviced touring pitch online, using discount code TT710.
There’s no additional charge for awnings or electricity at the park and you can also bring up to 2 dogs free of charge. Check availability and secure your preferred dates on the park’s booking page.
Events, entertainment and what’s on
At Blue Rose Country Park in Brandesburton, East Riding of Yorkshire, there will be a live music evening on Saturday 23 May featuring Chris Lawrence, alongside bingo, a raffle and bar from 6pm. A few pitches were available at the time of writing.
Music lovers visiting Delph Bank Touring & Glamping Park can look forward to a Soul and Motown Night with live singer Paula Burrows on 11 July, complete with delicious Thai cuisine served in the clubhouse.
Cartref Caravan & Camping Site near Shrewsbury has opened up the marquee in the beer garden ready to enjoy the warmer weather. There will be a holiday home open day at the end of this month, plus a MacMillan Coffee Morning and band on 27 June.
Among the events in Monty’s Bar at Back of Beyond Touring Camping & Glamping Park, is the Pride Weekend celebration celebration over 3 days from 5-7 June. A unique addition to the summer calendar, this is possibly the first of its kind for Tranquil Parks! See all events on the park’s website.
The Davies family at South Wales Touring Park will be celebrating a major milestone on 14 June – 50 years since Hywel, Cathrin and their parents moved to Llwynifan Farm in 1976. Guests visiting during the anniversary weekend in June will be helping commemorate five decades of farming, hospitality and welcoming visitors to this peaceful part of Wales.
Park owner Hywel is organising a BBQ on 14 June and guests staying that weekend will receive a special memorial Myddfai gift set.
There’s a beer festival from 22 to 24 May at Brookside Country Park‘s local pub, The Ferry House Inn, Burton upon Stather. The event will featre real ales a food court and bands over 3 days.
Events taking place near Hallsdown Farm Touring Park (dog free) in North Devon include the annual South Molton Vintage Rally on 30-31 May, where farmland is transformed into a show site with displays and parades of cars, motorcycles, stationary engines, tractors and steam engines with refreshments and stalls.
Also nearby, the 2026 Lyn Valley Classic is on Sunday 14 June in Lynton & Lynmouth featuring hundreds of classic cars, tractors, supercars, motorbikes, and more, set against a stunning backdrop, in aid of worthy causes.
Events coming up in York provided by York Naburn Lock Caravan Park (closing for the 2026 season on 4 January 2027):
- York Food Festival 18-27 September, Halloween in York 29-31 October, York Christmas Markets 12 November-20 December
- York Racecourse – 13-15 May Dante Race Festival, 12-30 June Mid-Summer Race days, 27 June Summer Music Saturday, 10-11 July John Smith’s Meet, 19-22 August Ebor Racing Festival, 9-10 October Season Finale
Ways to travel and scenic days out
If you’re looking for a slower-paced, car-free escape, Hampshire Hills (formerly Two Hoots Glamping, Caravan Park and Campsite) is highlighting a scenic journey from London via The Watercress Line heritage railway. Travellers can take a train from Waterloo to Alton and then take the steam train through the Hampshire countryside to Ropley station, just a short walk from the park’s lodges overlooking the South Downs National Park – this stunning new photo captures Ubuntu safari lodge.
The Watercress Line continues to be one of Hampshire’s best-loved heritage attractions, offering visitors the chance to travel aboard beautifully restored steam and diesel locomotives while enjoying views across the surrounding countryside.
Guests at York Naburn Lock Caravan Park, can arrive in York City as the Vikings once did and sail upriver aboard a City Cruises Riverbus from Naburn Lock Quay. The river bus operates on Saturdays and Sundays with additional Tuesday and Thursday services during school holiday periods. It’s a relaxing 1.5-hour cruise, passing by the magnificent Bishopthorpe Palace and York’s Millennium Bridge before arriving at York’s historic King’s Staith pier.
Walkers and cyclists can also explore the Ouse riverside pathways and the popular Solar System Cycle Trail directly from the park.
While Somerset is great for walking all year round, May is National Walking Month, providing the perfect opportunity to take advantage of footpaths around Chew Valley Lake and the Mendip Hills from Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park.With a convenient bus service from Bishop Sutton, the local village into Bristol, you can also to enjoy the city’s month-long Bristol Walk Fest which includes a daily tour of ‘The Harbourside’s Hidden History.’
Wildlife, nature and seasonal colour
Spring colour is blooming across many Tranquil Parks member sites.
Brookside Country Park in Burton-upon-Stather, Lincolnshire, has shared photographs of its fabulous flower beds coming into bloom, bringing fresh colour across the park for the new season.
Somers Wood Caravan Park in Meriden, North Warwickshire, has also shared some photos of new colour in the park, along with the job of keeping spring growth under control!
There’s also plenty of spring colour at Blue Rose Country Park, where a great tit has made its home inside the cigarette disposal near the shower block! The area has been temporarily closed off to avoid disturbing the young family.
A heron has become a frequent visitor to the York Caravan Park lake, although it seems to be more elusive than the resident kingfisher. Many guests enjoy whiling away the hours by the lakeside trying to catch something.
Recently, one gentleman did manage to catch both of the Golden Orfe – a very rare occurrence. (Photos on right.)
Around Chew Valley Lake, just a short walk from Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park, visitors can spot this season’s newest wildlife arrivals emerging from the reeds for their first swim. (Photos on left.)
Behind the scenes, staff news and community spirit
At Briarfields Touring Park, work is well underway for a brand new onsite bar and eatery set to open later this year. Here’s park owner Jo directing the builders. We can’t wait to let you know when the new facility opens.
The staff at Eye Kettleby Lakes near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire recently delivered 400kg of aluminium cans to a local recycling centre to raise funds for the local air ambulance service. The 7-month collection totalled around 31,000 cans, equivalent to over 24,000 pints!
Red Kite Touring Park near Llanidloes in Mid Wales has welcomed two new team members — Lauren and Lauren —(no, that’s not a typo, they both share the same name) to the park team this season. Guests visiting the park can expect a warm welcome from both Laurens as they settle into their new roles.
Special moment and memorable day
There was a particularly memorable moment recently at Back of Beyond Touring Camping & Glamping Park, where a guest proposal took place beside the lakes on the park. Set against the peaceful Dorset surroundings, the special occasion added another unforgettable memory at Back of Beyond.
Congratulations to the family at Yr Helyg / The Willows hosted a wonderful wedding earlier this month, when the owners’ eldest son Owain married his beautiful bride Alaw during a momentous gathering at the park. The site was closed to touring guests for a few days while a marquee was erected in one of the park’s scenic view fields, with seasonal pitch holders joining the evening festivities.
Fortunately, the weather cooperated, helping create what the family described as a perfect day. These photos show the happy couple (left) and proud parents (right), park owners Hywel and Eleri. See more wedding photos on Facebook.