Parkdean Holidays celebrates 40th Anniversary of carry on camping

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of Carry On Camping, one of the most enduring and popular films in the ‘Carry On’ series; Parkdean Holidays has taken a look at camping then and now, with a quick glimpse into the future. 

The Parkdean team gives their top 10 tips to making the most of a touring and camping holiday, with a few great gadgets thrown in.

Starring Sid James; Kenneth Williams; Charles Hawtrey; Barbara Windsor; Hattie Jacques and Joan Sims, ‘Carry On Camping’ was set in the ironically named ‘Paradise’ campsite. When they arrive, the campers find to their disappointment that their destination is damp, has no views and no luxuries.  Things only look up for Sid James when a bunch of girls arrive from Chayste Place finishing school, and one of the most iconic ‘Carry On’ moments ensues, when ‘Babs’ Windsor loses her bikini top during an aerobics workout.   ‘Parkdean Holidays claim to fame’ – a touring & camping member of staff was used as an extra during this famous scene, and stood behind Babs at that key moment!

John Waterworth of Parkdean Holidays says: “Fortunately, touring and camping visitors to our parks will have a much better experience than poor Sid James!  11 of our 24 holiday parks around the UK offer extensive facilities for guests who want to sleep under canvas, or bring their own caravan or motorhome and enjoy all the great entertainment on offer.  Plus, they have luxuries galore: restaurants, heated pools, evening entertainment and kids’ clubs.   For those who still want the fun of staying in a caravan, but don’t have their own, we have a range of fantastic static caravan holiday homes on out parks.”

Camping today

Zoe Shand, an administrator at Parkdean’s Grannie's Heilan' Hame Holiday Park in Dornoch Firth, Scotland has noticed a rise in the number of American –style motorhomes that visitors are bringing onsite.  James Carstairs, Office Manager at Parkdean’s Southerness Holiday Park in Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland has observed that its no longer just families pitching up for camping holidays. He has seen a huge increase in the numbers of couples in their late 20s and early 30s catching the camping bug!

Parkdean’s top 10 camping must- haves for 2009

Sandford Holiday Park, in Dorset has been welcoming campers for many years . Touring and Camping Manager, Tracey Rutland recommends:

·         Electric Hook-ups. Who would have thought you could watch television from your tent, or even make a cup of tea, without the aid of a camping stove. All possible, with the emergence of the electric hook-up!
·         Acrylic Glasses. A camping must have and a new emerging trend amongst campers and motorhome owners alike. These are lightweight, non-breakable and available in all shapes and sizes. Luckily, campers can purchase these latest essentials on park at Sandford
·         Solar Panel lights. Charged by the sun, there is no need for electricity or batteries, a must amongst the camping fraternity
·         Battery powered LED light pods.  These are battery powered lights that are great to illuminate your tent.  They have an adhesive back, so you can attach them to any surface and they will provide hours of bright light

·         One Earth Wind-Up Phone Charger.  If you are holidaying under canvas then this will be a must-have for avid ‘texters’.  It is very simple, you wind it up and it charges your phone – although it might give you arm ache if you use your phone frequently!  There is also a solar powered version, although this is a more expensive option

·         The Waspinator.  August in the UK is wasp season and they can be so annoying when you are eating al fresco.  The Waspinator is an environmentally-friendly way of keeping these stripy pests away as it fools them into thinking there is a rival nest and they scarper rather than risk a fight!

·         Lifeboat Matches.  These windproof and waterproof matches have been tried and tested by the SAS and NATO, so should be pretty reliable, but if they do fail and you can’t light your stove and you’re on a Parkdean Holiday Park, you can simple walk to the nearest restaurant on site for a slap up meal!

·         Eurohike Tent Speaker.  You can take your music with you when camping.  Battery powered, you can plug your mp3 player in and turn up the sound (but not too loud please unless you are alone in a field)

·         However, amongst all these gizmos still firm favourites to keep the mozzies at bay are citronella candles!

Camping for the future

And finally, Parkdean brings you a very futuristic look into what caravans could look like in the future.  An exciting new prototype caravan, the Mehrzeller, was revealed at this year’s Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf.  Designed by two Austrian architecture students, Theresa Kalteis and Christian Freissling, this concept is a completely customizable trailer.  A million miles away from the caravans featured in Carry on Camping!

Parkdean’s Holiday Parks with touring and camping facilities:

Scottish Parks: Two in the highlands: Grannies’s Heilan’ Hame, Nairn Lochloy, plus Tummel Valley in Perthshire and  Sundrum Castle & Southerness along the SW Coast.

Cornish Parks: Two near Newquay: Newquay, Holywell Bay and Mullion on The Lizard.

Dorset Parks: West Bay by Bridport and Sandford near Poole.

Devon Parks: Ruda at Croyde Bay, North Devon.

In addition to touring and camping facilities Parkdean Holidays has 24 award-winning holiday parks across the UK, with accommodation ranging from static caravans to luxury lodges. To book a holiday or short break at one of the 24 superb Parkdean Holiday Parks or to request a free brochure, call 0871 641 0170 or visit Parkean Touring and Camping

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