There has been a dwelling at Smytham Manor since before 1066. There is even an entry in the Domesday Book!
Smytham Manor has been used for many different things over the years but in the early 1960s a man named Bill Tuck created a campsite, which has been here ever since. This has consequently grown as a business by keeping up with market trends. There is a bench on park to commemorate Bill.
The Harper and Wiseman families purchased the park in 1999. They were farmers from Hampshire looking for a new business opportunity. Tony had grown up on a holiday park in Yorkshire owned by his parents, so it was decided that this would be the industry the families would invest in. After looking at different parks across the south of England, Smytham Holiday Park was chosen.
The 'Front Row', consisting of holiday homes number 36 to 46 was added in 2001. These plots gave customers views of the valley towards the Manor House and down towards the ponds and woodland.
With all the holiday homes on the ‘Front Row' sold, a new development was needed. With some major earthworks to convert some old touring pitches Sycamore Way was created.
To celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Smytham Holiday Park ran a Fun Day with its customers. This included an Inflatable assault course and bouncy castle, cream tea, a BBQ and fireworks in the evening!
The park originally had seven 1960s style chalets lining the driveway. To meet and exceed customers’ expectations these were replaced by three luxury wooden lodges.
Again, with the need for further development due to full occupancy, the 'Country View' development was created. This was a completely new development, away from the existing holiday homes. This development consisted of 30 plots with views over the rolling Devon countryside.
A new toilet block was built to upgrade the facilities for touring customers. These upgrades included underfloor heating and free showers.
With the completion of the new toilet block, the office and bar building could be constructed on the site of the old toilet block. This moved the location from the Manor House to a more central location within the holiday park.
With the completion of the new reception and bar building during the previous year, the Manor House was closed as a reception, bar and guest house. The Manor House was then converted into two dwellings which are both occupied by the family.
Smytham moved in to the glamping market when they purchased their first pod. Known as the Escape Pod it sleeps 2 adults. After a hugely successful year with this pod, a family pod that sleeps 2 adults and 2 children was added in 2014 and another in 2015.
Ben left his job in accounting to come home to work within the park. He made this decision as he was looking for a change of career and it coincided with Gordon wishing to retire - although he still potters around doing the odd job!
The children’s play area was revamped. This invloved removing the old double swing and slide and adding two climbing frames, one of which is for toddlers, a new double swing set, a wind surfer and a second slide for the younger children. This new equipment extensively increased what was originally on offer.
Smytham Holiday Park is committed to conservation. The park has entered the David Bellamy Award Scheme since 2001 and has always achieved gold! The award for the 2015/16 year also marked the 15th consecutive year of achieving the gold award. See more about our conservation commitment.
A bug hotel was built by Lucy with Richard helping with the roof. The bug hotel is located by the ponds to give a home to all the bugs that want to use it. Materials used were all recycled from around the site and the maintenance yard.
With the increase in demand for touring pitches, especially those that are fully serviced, the decision was made to develop a new touring area known as 'The Orchard'. This development took nine months to complete and consists of standard pitches, fully serviced pitches (posh pitches) and luxury ensuite pitches, which allow guests to enjoy the use of their own private toilet and shower cabin on their pitch during their stay.
In 2017 Smytham sponsored the rugby shirt for the local team Torrington RFC, for who Ben plays rugby. This sponsorship covered the 2017-18 and the 2018-19 season. This 2-year kit sponsor is on top of their other sponsorship which include program and pitch side advertisings.
With the Park’s recent growth on the touring side of the business, it was decided to partner with Westcountry Resorts to have a dedicated sales team on park to provide customers with the best possible experience and service. So that Westcountry Resort could provide the service level required, a sales office and showground were added to the park.
To add to the experience of the holiday for pod customers in 2018 the pods were relocated. This relocation meant they had better views, bigger decking and more green space. The new location is also much more secluded.
In January, 2019 work started on the new toilet block. The majority of the building work was carried out by the park’s staff seeking outside specialist help for jobs such as electrical work and cubicle installation. The toilet block has been finished to a high standard good enough to not look out of place in any good quality hotel. To meet this standard the shower cubicles are bigger with heat adjustable touch free controls, allowing you to adjust the temperature to just how you like it. The cubicles are also full height for extra privacy. Underfloor heating throughout means you will never get cold feet.
Not only is this building home to toilets and showers there is also a new easy access toilet and shower room giving our customers easier access from the close by pitches. There is also an indoor washing up area for those colder months and wetter days. There are also planned addition for the winter with speakers being added to give customers that home from home feeling of singing in the bathroom. There is even talk of a sperate bathroom being added relax you after those busy days out and about or cycling the Tarka Trail. Also, of a dishwasher being added to the washing up room so you don’t even have to do that. Could camping be any more luxurious?
