Practical Caravans Top 100 Parks Awards 2006

From the moment you arrive at Oakdown Park, you know you can expect a high level of service. One of the team of friendly wardens will give you
a warm welcome and personally show you to your pitch. Without exception, the wardens are conscientious and professional. Security is just as good: the five CCTV cameras and anti-ram-raider barriers have resulted in its winning the East Devon Secure Caravan Park Gold Award.
The owner, Valerie Franks, is
a remarkable woman. Her vision of an ecologically friendly site has earned Oakdown a Gold David Bellamy Conservation Award. Like many sites, it
has recycling points and encourages wildlife. And the
use of reed beds to filter its water shows that it is prepared to
go that little bit further to
protect the environment.
Landscaping is imaginative. Gone are the regimented rows of caravans. Instead, areas are partitioned off in small ‘groves’, ensuring space and privacy. From bluebells in spring to begonias in summer, Oakdown’s floral displays are a delight. Little wonder that it won the prestigious Excellence
in England Award last year.

Practical Caravan Top 100 Parks Awards 2005

From the moment you arrive at Oakdown Touring and Holiday Home Park, you know you are assured a high level of service. One of the team of friendly wardens will give you a warm welcome, and personally show you to your pitch. Without exception, the wardens are conscientious and professional. They all hold first aid certificates, have taken the tourism industry’s Welcome Host course in customer care and are trained fire wardens.
Security is just as good: the site’s five CCTV cameras and anti-ram-raider barriers have resulted in its winning the East Devon Secure Caravan Park Gold Award.
The owner, Valerie Franks, is a remarkable woman. Her vision of an ecologically friendly site has earned Oakdown a David Bellamy Conservation Award. Like many sites, it recycles materials and encourages wildlife. However, the use of reed beds to filter its water shows that it is prepared to take its commitment to protecting the environment that little bit further.
Moreover, the landscaping is imaginative. Gone are the regimented rows of caravans so common at sites. Instead, areas are partitioned into small ‘groves’, ensuring space and privacy.
From bluebells in spring to begonias in summer, Oakdown’s floral displays are simply delightful. Little wonder that it won the prestigious Excellence in England Award last year.

Practical Caravans Top 100 Parks Awards 2004

From the moment you arrive at Oakdown Park, you know you are assured a high level of service. One of the team of friendly wardens will give you a warm welcome, and personally show you to your pitch. Without exception, the wardens are conscientious and professional. They all hold first aid certificates, and all have undertaken the Welcome Host scheme and a Fire Wardens course. Security is just as good: the site’s five CCTV cameras and anti-ram-raider barriers have resulted in its winning the East Devon Secure Caravan Park Gold Award.

The owner, Valerie Franks, is a remarkable woman. Her vision of an ecologically friendly site has earned Oakdown a gold David Bellamy Conservation Award. Like many sites, it recycles materials and encourages wildlife. However, the use of reed beds to filter its water shows that it is prepared to go that little bit further to protect our environment.

Landscaping is imaginative. Gone are the regimented rows of caravans. Instead, areas are partitioned in small ‘groves’, ensuring space and privacy. From bluebells in spring to begonias in summer, Oakdown’s floral displays are simply delightful. Little wonder that it won the prestigious Excellence in England Award last year.

Practical Caravans Top 100 Parks Awards 2003

The site is cleverly laid-out in spacious cul-de-sacs which give a feeling of privacy. The pitches are large and sited around the superb amenity block. All but a few have a double hardstanding. All have 16A electric hook-up, and 26 have their own fresh water supply and waste-water drainage.

The heated washing facilities include male and female showers, as well as a unisex ‘overflow’ area for use in peak season. A family bathroom is also provided and this can be booked for a small charge. It includes a shower, bath, toilet and baby-changing facilities. The laundry has all the usual facilities, as well as a microwave for campers’ use.

In many ways the facilities block is the main communal area of the site. Photos of previous visitors cover the walls and you can catch up on the local information thanks to the fact that a radio broadcast is piped into the block. It also provides a counter to the rest of the site, as Oakdown’s onus is definitely on peace and quiet amid beautiful surroundings.

It is primarily aimed at people looking for a tranquil break and offers little for families with older children. There is a well-equipped children’s play area provided, but cycling is not permitted and there is no programme of evening entertainments. But if you are looking for a quiet break there’s plenty to keep you occupied. The gardens are attractive and well kept with plenty of trees and manicured shrubs.

Dog owners will particularly enjoy the tree-lined field trail countryside walk. It runs past a donkey sanctuary, which is well worth a visit and has walks laid out around the fields. And if you do happen to go for a ramble you can rest assured that everything is being safely looked-after. Oakdown has a plethora of CCTV cameras, and it recently won a Police Gold Award for security.