A popular holiday park is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
Park Foot Caravan and Camping Park at Pooley Bridge and is run by the Allen family.
At the centre of the 70th anniversary celebrations is Jimmy Allen, 89, who first opened his land to campers in 1951 and still plays an active role in the business today.
With over 500 touring pitches and holiday caravans plus a popular bar and restaurant, Park Foot has very much moved with the times said director Fiona Bell.
Fiona and her sister Barbara Allen are Jimmy’s daughters and run the business with Fiona’s husband Malcolm.
Fiona said: “We’re very proud that our family helped to popularise fresh air holidays in the Lake District, and make them accessible and affordable for so many people.
“Because of our farming background, we have always been conscious of the importance of trying to protect this beautiful but fragile landscape.
“That’s why we do everything possible to run our business along sustainable lines, for instance by installing a biomass boiler and solar panels to drive down our carbon footprint.
“We also have a firm buy-local policy when it comes to goods and services, and always try to use Cumbria quarried stone for projects such as our new amenity building.
“The lockdowns of the past year have hit many Lake District businesses very hard, but since reopening we have seen bookings soar and it will be a very busy summer for us.
“Luckily, we have a very loyal and hard working team at Park Foot who will help ensure that guests enjoy the type of holidays they need and deserve.
“Many of our guest comments pay tribute to our warm and friendly atmosphere, and it’s our staff who deserve the lion’s share of the credit for providing this.”
She said Park Foot was currently pressing ahead with a new development of 10 luxury holiday lodges which will be on the edge of Ullswater and available to buy.
Also opening this year will be additional new super-pitches for motorhomes and touring caravans, featuring extra spacing with electricity and water connections.
But while the park continues to evolve, Fiona said that its greatest strength remained being able to offer a traditional good-value Lakeland holiday.
She added: “It’s wonderful to be welcoming second and third generations of families who regularly visit Park Foot, and we’re all so proud of what we stand for.”
