Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat on the Isle of Wight has won the AA Holiday Centre of the Year for 2018. You may remember back in September we announced that 5 Darwin Escapes locations had been awarded the highest AA Black Pennant Awards, however Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat has gone one step further and has been named the Holiday Centre of the Year for 2018!

Chosen as one of the best spots in Britain, Woodside Bay offers luxury UK holidays in the Isle of Wight, with fantastic accommodation and 5 star facilities, all in beautiful surroundings. The AA have heaped praise on Darwin Escapes, stating “the company has raised the standards of holiday home and lodge parks to a new level in recent years…high quality lodge accommodation, superb landscaping and top-notch leisure facilities.”

Darwin Escapes works hard to create beautiful locations and breathtaking facilities, with Woodside Bay undergoing on extensive redevelopment, finally opening its doors in 2016. Known as the ideal peaceful escape in the Isle of Wight, the AA praised the landscaping of the location, which was designed to complement the natural slope of the land, with AA saying it creates and “outstanding effect” and state our beautiful views of the Solent can be seen throughout the park.

Darwin Escapes’ mission is the help our guests carve memories to last a lifetime, the AA has recognised this and stated “The high standards and the exceptional customer care make Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat a worth winner”. We are proud beyond measure to have been recognised for our first class customer service!

what’s woodside bay all about I hear you ask?

Located a stone’s throw from the beautiful Solent, Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat offers a peaceful retreat, with luxurious accommodation and 5 star facilities. After undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment, Woodside Bay opened its doors in 2016 to much delight! Offering luxurious accommodation, including large holiday lodges with private out door decking areas to soak up the tranquillity and a number of lodges with hot tubs, so you can really relax. Our quirky treehouses have been a hit since opening, offering luxurious copper finishings throughout, sleeping two in the sumptuous bed, with side screen TV, kitchenette, ensuite shower room and private decking to soak up the nature around you, as well as a luxurious hot tub to unwind in.

Our 5 star facilities include the onsite Kellermans Restaurant, which serves family favourites in the form of mouth-watering meals, light lunches and decadent desserts. Keep up with your workout regime in our state of the art, air conditioned gymnasium, which includes a range of cardio and weight machines, as well as a range of free weights, so no matter your fitness needs or levels, we will have the equipment for you.

Relax and unwind at our wonderful Woodside Bay Spa Lodge, which offers indulgent Aromatherapy Associates treatments from full body treatments such as, a hot stone massage or try a bespoke skin polish, which will leave your skin smooth and shining. Opt for a rejuvenating facial and clear your skin and pores, or try a Jessica Nails and GELeration hand treatment, before taking some quality ‘me time’ in the relaxation room, and if the weather is on your side, soak up the sun in the private, screened, outdoor decking overlooking the Solent.

We are proud to be the winners of the AA Holiday Centre of the Year 2for 2018, Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is ideally placed to explore the whole island, while retreating back to a beautiful location which offers everything you could need on a self-catering holiday, including an onsite shop which sells all the essentials, plus some added luxuries.

Why not book your holiday at this award-winning destination and see for yourself how stunning it really is?

Well Done to Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat!

The Ezina Spa offers a wide range of treatments in 5 Star surroundings and utterly beautiful facilities in South Devon

Located at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa in Axminster, South Devon, our beautiful Ezina Spa offers outstanding views of the Axe Valley. Perfectly placed for those searching for a spa in Lyme Regis will love the short distance into peace and tranquillity to Hawkchurch.

A firm favourite to our luxury lodge owners and holiday guests, Ezina Spa is also becoming increasingly popular with residents of the local area, with any realising the 5 Star facilities and stunning spa is open to them too.

what do we offer

Partnering with Aromatherapy Associates who bring 30 years of experience and expertise, Ezina Spa can offer a wide range of treatments using these award-winning products.

Our signature treatments range includes the Ezina Spa Indulgence, 60 minute treatment which is designed to melt away your tension. Beginning with a beautiful Rose Hydrating Body Gel, which will heat up your muscles ready for your soothing massage. The treatment is then finished with a Ayurvedic scalp and shoulder massage to help clear your mind and really relax you.

We offer a range of full body treatments, including Scrub & Wrap Treatments, such as our beautifully Bespoke Skin Polish, which will exfoliate your skin, leaving you glowing! We all offer a range of men and pregnancy treatments, so you are sure to find the perfect treatment for you.

spa facilities

Hawchurch Resort & Spa was built with relaxation in mind, so whether you are a luxury lodge owner, holiday guest or local resident, you will feel utterly relaxed when you visit the Ezina Spa. Out 5 Star facilities include, a beautiful sauna and stunning Hammam-style stream room to open your air waves and make you feel rejuvenated. We also have a soothing Relaxation Room to take advantage of and a private spa terrace, overlooking the beautiful Axe Valley.

But the jewel in Hawkchurch’s crown is the outstanding Hydrotherapy pool, with underwater beds to relax on and jets sending soothing waves to ease your aches. The Hyrdrotherapy pool is scientifically proven to reduce muscle tension and increase blood flow, which helps to ease tension and aching pains!

spa day packages

We have Half Day and Full Day spa packages and both are available for one and two people offerings. Our Half Spa Day offers a 1 hour treatment, with lunch included and full access to the spa facilities for 4 hours. The Full Spa Day Package also includes full access to the spa facilities, as well as a 90 minute treatment, which can be changed for a 60 minute and 30 minute treatment, with lunch being included.

So why not give us a call on 01297 678402 and book your spa treatment or indulge in a spa day and really relax at the beautiful, and 5 star, Ezina Spa.

Relax and Unwind with us at Ezina Spa

There are endless reasons you should visit a spa, but we’ve put together a list of the top four reasons to really convince you

If you have never been to a spa before you might not be aware of all the benefits regular spa visits can bring. The UK views a spa trip as a ‘treat’ for now and again, but other European countries see ‘spa’ as a lifestyle. The spa becomes a place where families gather to spend the day and business partners visit for brain storming meetings. If we see spa days more as a way of investing in ourselves, we will get so much more out of the experience.

for your health

As well as offering social and relaxation benefits, spa treatments have physical health benefits too! Ancient records have referenced massage therapy, including the Greeks, Romans, Japanese and Egyptian cultures promoting the health benefits.

Regular treatment can have positive effects on muscle ailments by softening the tissues, as well as reducing inflammation and helps to soften and stretch scar tissue. Massage therapy can even stimulate the healing of connective tissues and muscles, and although more research is needed for scientific recommendation, studies have found that it can help with nausea, anxiety and depression for those undergoing chemotherapy.

Studies have also shown that hydrotherapy pools (like the one at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa can improve the severity of lower back pain. When used along with standard therapy, the pool can help general pain, help to increase range of motion and improve muscle strength. Taking to the spa can improve all aspects of your health, even if you are complaint free, the simple act of relaxing will sooth any tension your muscles are holding.

for social time

A spa is the perfect place to stash your phone away in the locker, take some time away from scrolling and really relax, spending time with your friends and family.

Us humans are social creatures living in an ever increasing anti-social world, with screen time taking more importance than quality one-on-one time. But socialising is important to your health, having a strong, supportive network impacts your mental and physical health.

The Pschoeuroendorinology Journal published a study stating extroverts have the highest level of immune system, meaning they are less likely to catch the common cold. Spending time with family and friends also helps to fight off depression and anxiety, as well as making you more productive and keeping your brain sharp.

And let’s not forget, socialising is fun! Laughing and relaxing together is the most important reason to book your spa day.

for relaxation

In our digitally, fast paced lives, stress has now become unavoidable, making it essential to find ways to de-stress and relax our minds. Regularly visiting spas helps to decrease stress levels and fight long term stress. Long term stress affects us emotionally, mentally and even physically with the hormone cortisol in excessive production, which is highly damaging.

Cortisol over-production creates ‘free radical’ hormones, which attack the brain cells by actually punching holes in the brain cells walls causing them to rupture. Eating junk food and drinking too much alcohol to relax is actually producing more ‘free radicals’, where as a spa provides the right quality of relaxation, helping to release endorphins, such as serotonin and dopamine, to reduce stress levels and slow the excessive cortisol production.

There are many proactive steps you can take to fight off long term stress, and regularly utilising your nearest spa facilities is one of them.

for fighting depression

Depression affects more than 350 million people worldwide, learning to combat this debilitating illness is now essential to everyday life. Massage therapy is hugely beneficial to those struggling with depression, as physiologically it will help to balance the hormone system by reducing the cortisol level by half and giving a boost to the serotonin level (the ‘happy hormone’), helping to bring the body back to its natural state.

The physical touch aspect of a massage is often undervalued, depression can leave people feeling alienated, separated from the world and often feeling lonely, a massage offers a compassionate touch, soothing understanding and giving them a connection outside of depression.

The type of massage will be discussed beforehand, as massages can awaken and stimulate, while others can cocoon and offer a gentle touch to soothe those in need. Your therapist is there to help you and give you what you need to help heal.

A spa day can impact your emotional, mental and physical health more than what you knew. Book your spa day today!

Visit the Eden Spa in Somerset for one of the most relaxing times you can have and first class treatments on offer. Located at Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa, the Eden Spa carries on the 5 start, award-winning atmosphere throughout. Surrounded by the beautiful Mendip Hills in Somerset, you can truly relax at the Eden Spa and indulge in luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatments. The Eden Spa is a favourite pastime to our lovely holiday home owners and holiday guests, as well as becoming increasingly popular with the local area in and around Cheddar. With our a range of spa days to enjoy and a wide range of fantastic treatments, you can spend some quality ‘me’ time, really taking care of yourself and refreshing you mind, body and soul.

what do we offer

Partnering with Aromatherapy Associates, the Eden Spa offers everything from full body treatments to rejuvenating manicures, we will have the treatment perfect for you.

Try out our Intensive Muscle Release Treatment, where a Swedish style massage is designed to target tight, stressed and aching muscles. This 50 minute treatment is combined with wonderful essential oils from the Aromatherapy Associates collection, and will leave you feeling relaxed and rightfully indulged.

We also offer a range of Pregnancy Treatments and treatments designed specifically for men too. No matter the reason for visiting, or your age/gender, you will find a treatment to suit you, we even have a range of Teenagers Treatments, so you can have a fun filled spa day as a family too!

spa day packages

If one treatment just isn’t enough for you, really treat yourself with one of our spa day packages! Including the Half Spa Day Afternoon Tea Package, with a 25 minute treatment, spa facilities included as well as the sauna, steam room and tropically heated swimming pool, with afternoon tea being served for lunch.

For a fantastic, full day experience, splurge on our Indulgence Package, including unlimited use of spa facilities and two relaxing treatments, as well as a 2 course lunch with a glass of Prosecco.

There is also a wonderful Group Package, perfect for birthdays or hen do’s, as well as a soothing Mother To Be Package to indulge in too.

So if you live in or around Cheddar, what are you waiting for? Call 01934 742610 and book your treatment or indulge in a spa day with your friends and family!

This beautiful spa on a 5 Star, award-winning park, is open to all!

Entertainment is a huge part of what we do here at Darwin Escapes, we want to make your stay as enjoyable as possible! Everything is family fun, so we cater to the children as much as the adults. Our New Pines Holiday Home Park entertainments team is expertly managed by Rebecca Twist, or Becci as she is known to everyone.

Becci has been with the entertainments team for around 8 years now; she loves every part of her job and how much it varies from day to day! Every week she sits down to plans new activities and events for the week ahead – so the children get to do something different every day! Rebecca likes to do activities that the children wouldn’t be able to do at home, saying she likes it to be “as messy as we can possibly get it” and what kid doesn’t like to get messy?! She makes sure all activities are scheduled, so her team always know what is going on and when. Every activity can be adapted for all ages, from toddlers to tweens, keeping everyone happy and involved!

Obviously during peak season, school holidays and bank holidays, our resorts become a flurry of activity and fill up with more children for the entertainments team to have fun with! So with the warmer weather and the influx of children, the activities jump up a notch for Becci; she comes up with different theme days for one day every week during the school summer holidays. So from the Under the Sea day, to Pirate day and Superhero day, all the day’s events and activities will revolve around this theme. For Superhero day, the team started early and handmade outfits and capes for the kids to dress up in for the day! Once the kids came along they helped them cut out masks and decorate them so they could be any superhero they wanted to be, they then gave the kids Spongebob Squarepants cameras (there is no better superhero for me…) and a scavenger hunt list; in groups of hero’s they then travelled the park completing the hunt! The groups were placed so that the bigger children could stay with the younger ones and everyone could enjoy it together – even the grounds team and receptionists got involved with photos and poses with each group for the hunt. Becci loves that everyone at Darwin is so willing to get involved and have fun, saying “I never have trouble asking for help, everyone is always happy to help out”.

Out of all the activities Becci plans and gets involved in, her favourite is the evening ‘Rangers Fun Time’ show for families. This involves lots of things, starting at 7:30 and running for an hour, the whole team manage to pack quite a lot of activities in and change the show every day! Lots of party dances are performed by the team and copied by the wonderful kids on the dance floor is brilliant to see, the fun that both team and kids have is infectious! They play games, like Jenga competitions or moving a balloon around a group without using your hands – this is a lot harder than it sounds! Or my personal favourite, Heads Up, which is like charades but in my opinion harder, this always has Becci, her team, the children and their families in fits of giggles with the great descriptions they come up with! Charlie Bear often drops in for a visit and joins in on the fun and the party dances, with Becci telling him all about the day’s activities. The kids love to share this time with cheeky Charlie and it’s a great photo opportunity for the parents too. Becci loves this time because it makes her laugh and she gets to see all the families together having fun and enjoying their holiday breaks, and with this much fun on offer in the Cabaret Lounge its not hard to see why she loves it!

All summer the team teach the children songs and dance routines and then, at the end of the summer, it is all put together for the New Pines Music Mash Up Show! Becci adores this ‘end of summer’ show, as the families get to see how hard the children have practiced and how excited the kids get when they are performing. Songs from Hairspray, to a pair of children doing sign language along to The Script’s hit ‘Hall of Fame’ there is something for everyone. Becci’s stand out performance this year is an adorable 5 year old boy singing Grease Lightening with his twin sisters as his backing sisters – how cute does this sound! There is also a little girl singing Annie’s song ‘Dumb Dog’ and Becci will be making a star of her own dog Daisy, who will take to the stage with the little girl – Daisy is a darling, very beautiful and will love the attention!

With Becci’s base resort New Pines Holiday Home Park being a holiday home owners resort, Becci enjoys the feeling of them all being one big family – she knows how corny that sounds but it is the truth, and from walking the resort with her I can vouch for that. She gets to know each family and child personally and builds a great relationship with them as she gets to see them almost every weekend throughout the year -not just on the summer holidays. Becci loves to see how much the kids enjoy the activities she comes up with however they may not always go to plan, for example, at the sports day event it rained so they moved it all inside and the kids still had a blast! Planning for everything so no one is left bored! From nature walks and karaoke to arts and crafts and colouring competitions; Becci does a fantastic job at making each activity new and exciting for the kids, and she loves every second of it!

So why don’t you pop in and see Becci and her team? They are always there to help and have fun!

Take a look at the luxurious accommodation before you book or stay with us at our beautiful Kent countryside retreat! Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat opened its doors in late December 2016, offering a peaceful getaway in the heart of the Kent countryside with sumptuous accommodation to relax in. If you’ve already booked or are thinking about joining us and would like to see the luxurious lodge-style accommodation before you book your holiday at Canterbury Reach, take a sneak peek at the gallery images here!

Are you excited for your Kent holiday break? Treat yourself to a stay with us at Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat and explore the local area, discover the hidden gems of the historic city and stroll through the fields to the breathtaking Canterbury Cathedral, then retire back to your lodge for a cosy night on your private decking while soaking up the nature-filled atmosphere around you.

Enjoy a countryside side retreat in luxurious accommodation!

Darwin Escapes gives a warm welcome to the Kilnwick Percy Resort. The KP Resort joined the Darwin Escapes family in April 2017, bringing luxurious holidays and championship gold breaks in the heart of the Yorkshire Wolds. Located in charming Pocklington, the KP Resort offers the same level of luxurious holiday breaks you’d expect from a Darwin Escapes destination.

With two storey lodge accommodation over-looking the 180 acres of woodland and manicured golf course, you can feel your stresses and strains slip away. Marvel at the views from the floor to ceiling windows and soak up the atmosphere from your private hot tub outside, while enjoying your self-catering holiday at the KP Resort. We also offer one-night and short breaks in our wonderful and unique hotel room accommodation, where you are also offered breakfast.

first class facilities

Our onsite Glasshouse Restaurant serves mouth-watering meals, delicious light lunches and snacks and even decadent afternoon tea for an indulgent evening out, as well as a fully stocked bar and relaxing lounge area. Take your meal or drink on the outdoor decking area overlooking the Yorkshire Wolds and relax next to our peaceful water feature. If you’re visiting for a special event and are looking for a private dining area, our beautiful Vale of York venue could be just what you need, offering an opulent private dining experience, with floor to ceiling windows giving unrivalled views of the stunning Yorkshire Wolds around.

If fitness is your thing, The Box fitness suite has everything you could need, from state of the art equipment to a fantastic range of exercise classes to join in with. Indulge in some ‘me time’ at our outdoor Nordic Spa, soak up the atmosphere in the hot tub, or enjoy an invigorating session in our swim-spa, before relaxing in the heat of our barrel-style saunas.

golfing haven

Home to 120 acres of championship golf course, the KP course will test every aspect of your game, while being surrounded by breathtaking beauty. The perfectly manicured greens and deceptively difficult bunkers will please experienced golfers and beginners alike. Offering a mix of terrains you will thoroughly enjoy your time on our championship course, regularly playing host to amateur and professional competitions such as the televised William Hunt Trilby Tour. The KP Golf Pro-Shop also offers a wide range of products from specialist brands including Nike, Under Armour and Proquip for all your golfing equipment needs.

Our Head of Instruction, Oliver Cross offers expert tuition to all ages, from beginners and children to experienced players. Oliver is continually improving his coaching skills and will tailor his sessions to your learning style, making the lesson far more enjoyable for you.

With so much to offer, the Darwin Escapes family, are thrilled to welcome the Kilnwick Percy Resort join our ever growing family. Why not book your holiday break in Yorkshire today?

Say a warm welcome to Kilnwick Percy Resort!

Who doesn’t love a cute beach hut? We have the 11 perfect gifts to yourself or someone you love who’s obsessed with beach huts!

Beach Cove Coastal Retreat is located on the breathtaking Hele Bay Cliffside, and is home to our unique beach hut accommodation, offering luxury and romantic getaways. These sumptuous studio-style huts sleep 2 people and have all the modern conveniences you could want for a UK holiday in Devon.

If you love beach huts as much as we do, you’ll love the list of all things beach hut related below:

beach hut tea light holders

Light up your living room with these adorable tea light holders, found on Amazon here

cute salt & pepper shakers

A subtle way to show your beach hut love in your home, found here on Amazon

couples mugs

Perfect for a couple in love with beach huts! Found here on Amazon

quirky cushion cover

A colourful addition to any sofa, found here on Amazon

beach hut book ends

Perfect for the book lovers, keep your library in order with these little beach huts, found here on Amazon

beach hut perpetual calendar

It literally never goes out of style… perfect! Found on Down The Cove here

row of beach hut photo frames

A classic and subtle touch to your beach hut dreams, found on Amazon here

rustic wooden plaque

A wonderful beach addition to any wall, found on Amazon here

a beach hut keyring

Take your beach hut wherever you go! Found on Down The Cove here

another cute cushion cover

You can never have too many cushions, plus it’s a different shape, adding that extra cuteness to your beach hut theme. Found on Down The Cove here

a beach cove holiday

The ultimate in beach hut must-haves! Come to explore our stunning beach huts and the local area, you’ll never want to leave! Book your holiday here.

Are you ready to take your beach hut obsession to the next level? A Beach Cove holiday is also perfect if you’re looking at spoiling a special someone in your life, fast becoming the romantic capital in the UK, you can stroll across the beach before relaxing in your private hot tub surrounded by the beautiful seaside.

Book your Beach Cove holiday today and live your beach hut dreams!

Rob from Chapters & Adventures has recently returned from a relaxing babymoon at Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat, read his reasons why you should book yours with us below…

why Wareham?

4 Reasons Why Wareham Forest is Perfect for Your Babymoon. Words and Photos by Rob Haggan

More than half of the entire county of Dorset is classed as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and three quarters of Dorset’s coastline is categorised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With credentials like that it’s no surprise that it’s a beautiful location that draws in around 18 million visitors a year. When it comes to choosing a destination for your babymoon, you’d struggle to find a county more suited, with its variety of bustling seaside towns, quaint rural villages, rugged coastline and stunning beaches, there really is something for everyone.
Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat is located in the heart of Dorset within easy driving distance of its popular towns, villages and beaches.

Here are our four reasons why Wareham Forest makes the perfect place to book your babymoon.

1. the beautiful forest location

After weeks, or even months, of morning sickness and exhaustion, your babymoon should be all about relaxing, recharging and spending some time with your partner before your lives turn upside down with your new arrival.

When it comes to relaxation, Wareham Forest is the perfect spot. We all know that getting outside and being active is good for us, but did you know that spending just 40 minutes in a forest has measurable benefits for your wellbeing?

In Japan, there is a popular therapy known as ‘shinrin-yoku’ (forest bathing) and researchers have found that spending just 40 minutes in a forest can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, lower blood sugar, improve immunity and increase vitality.

What better way to look after yourself and your bump than sitting on your lodge’s decking area, or taking one of the many local walks, soaking up the forest surroundings.

2. there’s so much to do

The ideal babymoon is a happy mixture of adventures and afternoon naps. There may be days when you want to get out and explore, or there may be days when you just want to sleep in and enjoy a lazy breakfast in your lodge.
For the days when you are feeling fit and ready to explore, there are opportunities for adventure in every direction.
If it’s a walk in the fresh coastal air that you fancy then take the cliff top walk out to Old Harry Rocks and check out the iconic chalk cliffs. Or, for a more relaxing stroll, head to The Blue Pool, just a few minutes’ drive from Wareham. This pool varies in colour from bright blues to emerald greens and is surrounded by 25 acres of woodland for you to wander through and enjoy the views.
If all of that walking has worked up an appetite, then head to Corfe Castle and enjoy a cream tea in the gardens overlooking the castle, on a sunny day it’s probably one of the best spots in Dorset to sit and enjoy a coffee.
If retail therapy is more your thing then head to nearby Poole to enjoy a morning shopping before grabbing a harbour-side lunch and watching the yachts go by.

3. the family that retreats together, eats together

With an ever growing list of baby related things that you need to buy over the course of the next few months you may be conscious of trying to stick to a budget when on your babymoon. At Wareham Forest our lodges have fully equipped kitchens, meaning that you can sit with your feet up while your partner does his best Jamie Oliver impression and cooks you up a feast, and you don’t need to go out and over-spend on meals each evening.

Just think of all of those cute little outfits you can buy with the money you’ve saved from eating in.

4. life’s a beach

Many pregnancy books and websites note that Vitamin D is particularly important during pregnancy and the best source of Vitamin D is sunlight. Vitamin D is produced in the body when skin is exposed to sunlight and it helps to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
If that’s not a fantastic excuse to slap on some sun cream and head to the beach for the day then I don’t know what is.

Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast has an abundance of incredible beaches and coves to explore and whether it’s the golden beach at Sandbanks, or the picturesque Lulworth Cove, you will definitely find the perfect spot to sit and soak up the sun.

Durdle Door is a ‘must-do’ for anyone that visits. The famous limestone arch is one of the most photographed stretches of coast in the UK and is a firm favourite for many of the amazing photographers you see on Instagram. Remember to use #darwinescapes when sharing your beautiful beach photos.

Just a few days away will recharge, refresh and reenergise you for the next stage of your pregnancy, and whether you’re looking to explore or just relax, Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat is the perfect starting point.

Huge thank you to Rob from Chapters & Adventures for writing this wonderful post about the perfect babymoon at our brand new, luxurious Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat. Book your retreat now and enjoy a relaxing escape in Dorset!

Enjoy your babymoon at Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat!

Ever wonder what Woodside Bay was like before Darwin Escapes? Once an abandoned and derelict park, Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is now a stunning retreat on the Isle of Wight. Opening its doors in 2016, there was a long road for Woodside Bay’s Cinderella-like transformation, having seen a lot throughout the decades.

Read on for more about the history of Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat…

warner holiday camps

Captain Harry Warner retired from the Royal Artillery in 1925 and opened his first holiday camp in 1931, by the early 1970’s Warner Holiday Camps had grown to 14 parks.

Around 1960 the company purchased Woodside House on the North East Coast of the Isle of Wight, the house dated back to the 1850’s and was set in 30 acres of magical woodland. The site itself had been a naturist’s camp site since the 1930’s, briefly closing during World War II for use by the army, and being reopened after the war ended.

With a lot of local opposition, Warner began building in 1963, building a holiday camp for 650 people, with single, double and family chalets, most with private bathrooms, a luxury in the 1960’s.

The ancient house was demolished and replaced by the main complex building, including receptions, bars, a ballroom, disco, café, gift shop, games room and an indoor pool. The site also had an outdoor pool overlooking the beautiful Solent. The large windows in the complex provided unrivalled views of the Solent, there was always great excitement should the Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth sail by.

In 1966 Warner Holiday Camps purchased the nearby Underwood park, including the surrounding woodland and field to the south of the camp. They built a footbridge over the footpath joining the two sites, this bumped the capacity of Warner’s Woodside to 950 people, making it the largest camp the company owned. The large campsite definitely didn’t deter the wildlife, with red squirrels regularly emptying the bins for food, these cheeky chaps are still around today, although no longer trying to steal food, but they often stop to pose for a photo!

the grand metropolitan years

Warner sold their camps in 1981 to Grand Metropolitan, who closed the site in 1982 with the vision of upgrading the facilities, briefly reopening to house 160 police officers over the August Bank Holiday for the first annual ‘Scooter Invasion’ of the island.

Grand Metropolitan never realised their upgraded vision, having been dealt a crushing blow in August 1985 when a fire completely destroyed the entertainment complex. The complex house furniture, carpets and a large amount of equipment, all that was left standing was a metal skeleton, with an estimated cost of around 1 million pounds lost to the blaze. Two months later another fire destroyed the catering staff quarters, with another fire in 1987 destroying more at this derelict park.

After the fire in 1987, Grand Metropolitan sold the park to the Roche Group, who gained planning permission for a new park but never realised the plans.

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat

Darwin Escapes purchased the abandoned site in August 2010, which included the planning permission and having been through a lot of changes over the decades, the 35 acre land was in need of some TLC.

Darwin Escapes invested millions into the marshland, while working closely with the Natural England and Isle of Wight Council’s biodiversity officer, ensuring no important habitats were effected during the work onsite. While still maintaining the luxurious standard that other Darwin Escapes locations have.

Undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment, Woodside Bay finally opened its doors in 2016, with luxurious family accommodation, including our romantic and one-of-a-kind treehouses. Our first class facilities include the Woodside Bay Spa Lodge, offering indulgent Aromatherapy Associates treatments, a state of the art gymnasium, equipped for all kind of workouts, and a choice of 3 restaurants onsite, all with beautiful views and stunning woodland surroundings. Make sure to explore the magical woodland, you may even see the beautiful glow worms shine along the path on warm summer night.

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is the little holiday retreat that could, having gone through so much to become the outstanding retreat on the Isle of Wight that it is today! Perfectly located on the island, where you can venture just 4 miles away to the popular harbour town of Ryde, or just 10 miles to bustling coastal village of Cowes, known for its yearly sailing regatta.