The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show 2026
The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show 2026 is where the industry meets both the trade and the public. It’s the show shaping the future of park and leisure homes. The Stoneleigh Park based show has firmly established itself as one of the most significant events in the UK’s park home and leisure home sector. Held annually at the site in Warwickshire, the show unites manufacturers, park operators, suppliers, and service providers, forming a central meeting point that highlights a steadily moving market. What makes the event particularly valuable is its scale and its ability to connect consumers directly with the industry. Visitors can explore a wide range of fully furnished homes, each demonstrating the latest in design, build quality, and innovation. How does the sector benefit? For manufacturers, the show provides a platform to unveil new models, test emerging trends, and engage with an audience actively considering their next move. For park operators, it offers direct access to potential residents and holiday home buyers who are seeking clarity, reassurance, and inspiration. The show attracts a diverse and highly engaged audience, from down-sizers looking for a more manageable lifestyle to families exploring flexible leisure options. This creates a commercially productive environment where conversations are meaningful and decision making is often accelerated by the ability to compare homes and speak to experts in person. Beyond the homes on display, the event has evolved into a broader industry hub. Financial advisors, part-exchange specialists, insurance providers, and aftercare services contribute to a complete ecosystem of support. This holistic approach mirrors the sector’s increasing professionalism and the rising expectations of consumers seeking longterm lifestyle solutions. As demand for alternative living and leisure models continues to grow, The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show remains a vital indicator for the industry. It not only showcases the best of what the sector offers today but also highlights the trends shaping its future. Contact Us The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show 📍 NAEC Stoneleigh, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2LH 📧 organisers@parkandleisurehomeshows.co.uk 📞 01789 491451 🌐 www.parkhomeandleisure.co.uk
Devon holiday park owner welcomed as Chair of HARPA
Claire Flower, Director of Beverley Holidays in Paignton, has become the National Chair of the Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA). Claire was elected to the office by fellow members of the association to which some 3,000 holiday and residential park businesses in Britain belong. She will now be helping to spearhead a fast-growing industry which generates £12.2 billion of visitor spending each year, and supports over 226,700 full-time jobs. In her new role, Claire will take on a range of responsibilities, including talks with national and regional governments on matters affecting the parks industry. It’s a task for which she is well qualified having served as the association’s Vice Chair for the past two years, and held senior posts within various HARPA executive committees. Claire is also an active member of HARPA’s Devon Branch, and is a Director of the English Riviera BID Company for which she additionally acts as its Media Spokesperson. Beverley Holidays, of which Claire is a Director, was established by her family, the Jeavons, just over 65 years ago on a small pocket of farmland with spectacular ocean views. Through a policy of continual investment, it has grown to become one of Devon’s most highly acclaimed parks, winning a raft of awards for its high standards and environmental responsibility. Claire has also been personally honoured for her local community engagement, and has been presented with Visit Devon’s annual award for Outstanding Contribution to Devon Tourism. Claire said she is especially excited to be assuming her role as National Chair at a pivotal point in the association’s 75-year history. In January this year, the British Holiday and Home Parks Association became known as HARPA – but, says Claire, much more than just a fresh identity has come into being: “We now represent even more positively the modern and dynamic park businesses which our members operate, and helping them realise their ambitions for the future,” she said. “HARPA will be championing the interests of our members with even greater vigour, further reinforcing the influence our association has among decision-makers. “We will also be highlighting more strongly the breadth and diversity of today’s park businesses, and the many benefits they bring to local economies and communities. “I want to see our association help members to grow by embracing change, collaborating, and by supporting and mentoring the upcoming generation of park leaders. “My family has been actively involved with our association for many decades, and I feel proud and privileged to be able to play a part in its continuing evolution,” added Claire.
Danny Dyer is out to save the UK caravan park
TV stars Danny and Dani Dyer hit the small screen tonight (February 24) with their new show The Dyers’ Caravan Park. Danny Dyer has tackled a lot in his showbiz career – gangsters, geezers, even the Bard himself. But now he’s facing his biggest challenge yet: investing in and running a holiday caravan park with his daughter Dani by his side. As Danny said himself: “Clarkson’s got his Farm, Hammond’s got his workshop. If Jamie Oliver can save school dinners – why can’t I save the great British holiday”? With childhood nostalgia in his heart and business ambition in his sights, Danny and Dani are diving headfirst into the £7 billion holiday park industry. They’ll stop at nothing in their quest to transform a caravan park into a place that lives up to Danny’s misty-eyed memories of the best holidays he’s ever had in his life. But this venture is no knees-up at the Queen Vic. Danny will soon discover that running the park is a world away from the life of an A-list actor as he faces everything from dodgy plumbing to demanding punters, rogue acts to reinvigorating the restaurant menu. But will his new business partners, the park’s residents or even Dani be on board with his grand, nostalgic vision? With an unforgettable cast of real-life characters, The Dyers’ Caravan Park is a hilarious, heartwarming and occasionally chaotic trip into what really makes the Great British holiday so great. Danny Dyer commented: “What you might not know about me is I love a caravan, and I love a caravan site. So, with my daughter Dani by my side, as the voice of reason, I’m taking charge of one. I’m chucking in a few quid, and will try and make the greatest of British holidays cool again. Now this could be a triumph; or a complete f***ing failure. But there’s only one way to find out and that’s to roll the f***ing dice.” Dani Dyer said: “My dad wants to get involved in the caravan park and I’m all in: I love a caravan, so why not? My dad is a very friendly person – he’s good at bringing everyone in – but has he got what it takes to make a success of this? I think he has, just so long as people don’t decide to go to Magaluf.” Phil Edgar-Jones, Executive Director, Unscripted Originals at Sky, commented: “The Great British Holiday is about to get a turbo-charged makeover like never before as the Dyers’ Caravan Park prepares to open its gates. If anyone can make caravanning cool again it’s Danny and Dani, and we cannot wait to see them bring the fun.” Ben Wicks, Creative Director, Entertainment at Expectation said: “We are thrilled about working with Danny and Dani Dyer as they try to save the Great British Summer holiday. Their passion for caravanning is unlimited, yet their experience of running a caravan park is extremely limited. Based on our extensive research, running a caravan park if you don’t know what you are doing is quite frankly, a nightmare. We feel this is the perfect setting for a series as rich in comedy, jeopardy, and warmth – even if the weather isn’t – and we’re delighted that Sky feel the same.” As reported, The Dyers’ Caravan Park was helped by HARPA members Willerby and and distributor Southern Counties Leisure. The two firms took part in a high-profile publicity event in central London, providing a luxury Willerby holiday home as the venue for media interviews in support of the new Sky original series. The brand-new Sky Original six-part series from Expectation (Clarkson’s Farm, Miracles, Dynamo is Dead) airs at 9pm on Sky One every Tuesday.
HARPA 2026 conference ushers in new name, new energy and a new era
This year’s conference of the Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA) in Westminster saw a new record set for the number of delegates attending the event, and also the number of MPs visiting the QEII Centre to show their support for park-owning businesses in their constituencies. All of those present at the two-day January conference witnessed the official launch of HARPA’s new identity as an important new milestone was established in the association’s proud 75-year history. The upbeat and energised mood of the summit was summed up by HARPA national chairman Ian James who said that a shared sense of purpose and resolve would make this a landmark event. And there was another very literal landmark to celebrate because sited right outside the front of the QEII Centre was a 42-foot long park home from Omar which made a stunning centrepiece to photographs of politicians and HARPA members. Modernity and a future-focussed vision summed up the association’s reinvigorated role, director-general Debbie Walker told delegates, adding that these were also the directions of travel which would be taken by speakers at the event. That was certainly the focus of Lewis Iwu who is CEO of the Purpose Union which helps organisations, campaign on social and environmental issues. A former Oxford graduate, Lewis has worked closely with HARPA on its Parks Make Places initiative. He unveiled the results of the year-long exploration into how parks are benefitting local communities, describing it as sending an important message to politicians and decision-makers. The message from international speaker Steve Judge was equally as positive as he told the inspirational story of how a horrific car accident had put him in a wheelchair and told that he would never walk again. Refusing to accept that grim diagnosis, Steve fought against the odds not just to walk but also to run, cycle and swim again, twice becoming a World Paratriathlon Champion. There was inspiration also to be drawn from the address to delegates by Will Lankston, the MD of Timpson Direct which owns a portfolio of 2,100 stores in Britain offering services from shoe and phone repairs to dry cleaning and key cutting. Will expanded on Timpson’s policy of “Upside Down Management” which gives employees – some 12.5% of whom have served time in prison – total authority to do whatever they can to please customers. They are supported by the firm’s philosophy of ensuring that the happiness of staff is its main goal. The group owns 19 holiday caravans on parks across the UK which each year, provide around 700 families with completely free stays. For ethical hacker Jamie Woodruff, happiness has always been a computer keyboard and a successful breach of a client firm’s cyber defences, and over the years, he has played a key role in uncovering vulnerabilities within major organisations. Jamie described how parks could best protect their digital footprint and not fall victim to the growing scourge of ransomware infection – and he drew gasps from delegates when he hacked the mobile phones of volunteer guests live on the conference stage. Political insights were provided to conference by Times columnist Fraser Nelson. Despite his press background, Fraser believes that social media rather than newspapers are now shaping political opinion, and that therein lies danger. Algorithms, he explained, can present an apocalyptic vision of the world and can help fashion extremist views. He, however, doesn’t think that Britain is broken, and urged park owners concerned about issues such as visitor levies to stay cool and lobby their local MPs. Next to take the platform was Kellie Bright, the multi-award winning actor best known for playing Linda Carter in Eastenders. For the past eight years, Kelly and her husband Paul have owned a holiday caravan at Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow, and she talked of the joy it has brought them. The couple’s frequent holidays at the park are shared with their three young sons, and her holiday caravan ownership experience has been “nothing but positive” Kelly told delegates. “Positivity” was also at the core of an entertaining talk given by Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Sara Davies. Remaining positive was the key to building business resilience said Sara who first entered the Den in 2019 as its youngest ever female investor. She described how she started her own company, Crafter’s Companion, whilst studying at York University in 2005, and which was turning over £500,000 by the time she graduated. Her message to park owners was all about setting goals, self-belief, and not being afraid to ask for help along the way. Compering the conference and providing lively and entertaining introductions to each session was former BBC journalist Penny Haslam. Penny’s 20-year media career has made her a popular figure across a wide range of TV and radio programmes including The One Show and BBC Breakfast. Penny also had her own speaking slot at the conference with a talk entitled “Make Yourself a Little Bit Famous” in which she encouraged park owners not to hold back when demonstrating the skills, expertise and knowledge they had accumulated. Running alongside the conference at the QEII centre was an exhibition featuring many major suppliers of goods and services to park businesses. Their attendance and generous sponsorship, said Debbie Walker, had played a major part in making the event such a sparkling success. The conference agenda also featured the official handover of the chains of office as HARPA chair from Ian James to Claire Flower, only the second female incumbent to assume the role in the association’s history.
BH&HPA to rebrand as HARPA
The British Holiday & Homes Park Association (BH&HPA) will change its name to HARPA at the conclusion of its 75th anniversary year in 2025. From January 2026, the official representative body of Britain’s parks industry will unveil a major re-brand of its identity as the Holiday and Residential Parks Association, or HARPA. The change will be launched at the association’s national conference in London when Devon park owner Claire Flower takes on the role of the organisation’s National Chair. READ MORE: HARPA conference ushers in new era Claire, a Director of Beverley Holidays, is part of the members’ Working Group that helped steer the creation and implementation of the new identity. HARPA, she says, is much more than a re-naming, and will lay the foundations of a body going forward with even greater dynamism to represent its members’ best interests. “Our Working Group was tasked with looking at both the past and the future of the association, and ensuring that all members are given the opportunity to have their voices heard,” said Claire. “Our goal was to create a representative, inclusive and modern identity that will continue to support and reinforce the vast range of work we do across the industry. “Becoming HARPA is an exciting and ambitious step that will bring us greater recognition and further empower our future in a fast changing political and social environment. “We offer our thanks to everyone who has helped shape our new identity and for being part of this positive change,” added Claire whose park recently celebrated its 65th anniversary. Also helping to direct the Working Group was Lancashire residential park owner Michael Ward who acted as representative for the association’s residential parks sector. “This has been a collaborative process involving all members from the start, and the result reflects both our heritage and our future direction,” said Michael. “We are embracing a new chapter for our organisation while upholding the importance of tradition and consistency. “The new acronym, HARPA, was carefully chosen to be distinctive and easily identifiable, and offers a more accurate and inclusive representation of who we are and what we do. “The logo and design options underwent thorough testing and refinement, with valuable input not only from the working group but also from the wider membership and a range of external stakeholders,” he said. Current National Chair Ian James said: “As Chairman, I have been immensely proud to serve an organisation which, for 75 years, has championed the interests of Britain’s parks with dedication and integrity. “The decision to become HARPA marks not just a change of name, but a bold step into the future for our industry. “I’m confident this new identity will strengthen our voice and secure the association’s place at the heart of our sector for decades to come.” The association’s Director General Debbie Walker said that the consensus for change underscored how closely the member-led organisation worked together and shared collective aims.
