STAFF and the family owners of Old Hall Caravan Park at Capernwray, near Carnforth, are celebrating after winning a top tourism accolade from the AA.

The park has been officially named as the 2019 Campsite of the Year for the North West, beating scores of other businesses in the region to the title.

Awards given by the AA – based on guest reviews and a "secret shopper" visit by inspectors - are regarded as the Oscars of the holiday parks industry.

After putting its facilities, services and hospitality under the microscope, the AA's experts said that Old Hall was successfully meeting the gold standard in every respect.

The presentation of the park's trophy was made at the AA Caravan and Camping Awards which took place at a glittering ceremony at Warwickshire's Manor Hotel.

Stepping forward to receive the praise of judges were Dot Wightman and her husband David whose family first began welcoming holiday guests 35 years ago onto what was then a farm.

The 30-acre park's picture-postcard setting and tranquil woodland walks soon won it a large and loyal following, encouraging the family to invest in further developing the business.

Today Dot and David manage the park with their son James, and provide 260 caravan holiday homes and lodges, plus fully-serviced pitches for guests with touring caravan and motorhomes.

The citation from the AA's award judges noted that the park "provides a warm welcome and a very friendly atmosphere with stunning views of the surrounding countryside."

It also highlighted "the excellence of the park's layout with highly satisfied holiday home owners appreciating the generously spaced pitches which create excellent privacy."

According to Dot, Old Hall has always attracted lovers of natural beauty who also appreciate the park's easy access to Morecambe Bay, the Forest of Bowland, the Lake District, and the Yorkshire Dales:

"Winning this award is a fantastic start to the holiday year for us, and I hope it will also highlight what a wonderful region this is to come and stay," she said.

"We're especially proud because the AA place a lot of value on the hospitality which parks provide to guests, and this has always been especially important to us.

"That's why our staff also deserve a big pat on the back for the crucial role they play in helping everyone feel relaxed and at home when they stay at Old Hall," added Dot.