Our Story
From humble manufacturing roots to our collection of parks across Lancashire, Cumbria and the Ribble Valley
1956
The Beginning
The Beginning
Billy and Miriam signed the lease on the perfect plot of land, Middlebarrow Plain in Silverdale. Holgates Caravan Parks Ltd was incorporated.
Early 1960s
Growing our Silverdale Park
Growing our Silverdale Park
By the time the 1960s began, the family had grown our Silverdale park to include 200 pitches. More than quadrupling the park’s original capacity, this was a sign of bigger things to come.
Late 1960s
Facilities Join our Silverdale Park
Early facilities added to
our Silverdale Park
Middlebarrow Plain now featured gravel roads, toilet blocks, a new entrance way and shop – a world away from where they started in 1956.
1964
The End of an Era
The End of an Era
Manufacturing operations cease at Great Harwood, giving the family time to focus on building up Silverdale Holiday Park.
1967
Welcoming Different Ways to Stay
Welcoming different ways to enjoy a stay in Silverdale
Expanding again and again, by 1967 Middlebarrow Plain had 420 pitches welcoming touring caravans to the site as well as statics.
1967
Family Owned
Family owned & operated
The family purchase the lease to Middlebarrow Plain, making the park family property and providing a firmer foundation for even more growth.
1970s
A Growing Operation
Expanding our facilities
The dawn of a new decade brought even more growth, with the introduction of better facilities such as: the first outdoor pool at Silverdale Holiday Park, expanded shop and new café.
A growing collection of facilities meant an extended family of staff. Established facilities welcome everyone from pool attendants to admin support and café waiters, highlighting the park as a popular destination both for visitors and the local economy.
Frank and Judith settled into their roles at the head of the company, ensuring the day-to-day running and customer service were both the best they can possibly be.
Having built an enviable reputation across the region, new visitors were flocking in from Manchester, Bolton, Liverpool and beyond!
1980
Bigger & Better
Bigger & better than ever
After the success of the 70s, Frank and his team got to work on achieving his vision for an even greater offering.
1985
First Indoor Swimming Pool
Our first indoor
swimming pool
Major improvements to the infrastructure at Silverdale Holiday Park welcomed our first indoor swimming pool, resurfaced roads across the park and a remodelled café and shop.
Silverdale Holiday Park opens for 10 months a year, giving visitors the chance to squeeze more holidays into each year.
1986
A Year of Change
A year of change
Miriam Holgate sadly passes away. Having founded the business with her husband Billy and leading the business for many years.
Driving the business forward in Miriam’s memory, the nearby Far Arnside park is brought into the Holgates Family Group. With a beautiful cliff-top setting and stunning views across Morecambe Bay, the location was (and is) second to none.
Late 1980s
Thirty Years On
30 years on
By the late 1980s the park was unrecognisable from its humble beginnings in 1956. Building a fantastic destination at Silverdale for over 30 years and taking the first steps beyond Silverdale, Holgates was on the way to becoming a leading holiday park group.
1994
Focused on the Future
Focused on the future
Frank Holgate bought out his brother’s share of the business, allowing him to make his visions a reality and his children: Michael, Susan and Roger take on more responsibility in the day-to-day operation of the parks.
1999
Second-to-none Facilities
Second-to-none facilities
In the works since the mid-90s, permission was at last granted to build a larger pool and redevelop the café, bar & restaurant, providing premium facilities to be enjoyed by holiday home owners and guests. The challenges faced with development in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (National Landscape) were well worth the wait!
2004
Netherbeck Joins the Family
Netherbeck joins the
Holgates Family Group
Netherbeck Holiday Park joins the Holgates Family Group, a quaint little park offering holiday home ownership on the outskirts of Carnforth.
Late 00s
Say Hello to Hollins Farm
Say “Hello” to Hollins Farm
The fifth park to join the Holgates Family Group was Hollins Farm, a small camping and touring park at the foot of Arnside Knott. Sat between Silverdale and Far Arnside, purchasing the park and giving it the Holgates touch was the only option!
2010
Silver Ridge Joins the Family
Silver Ridge joins the
Holgates Family Group
By 2010, Michael, Roger and the team were well practiced at the art of turning a standard holiday park into part of the Holgates group. Situated just of the A6 in Hale near Milnthorpe, Silver Ridge was a natural addition with scope to transform the park into a truly ideallic woodland retreat.
2015
Remembering a Hero
Remembering a Hero
In January 2015, Frank Holgate sadly passed away. Pancreatic Cancer continues to be a cause close to the family’s heart, with countless charity events and fundraisers held in the years since his passing.
Visit our Charity page
2016
Remembering a Hero
Celebrating 60 Years
Continuing Frank’s legacy we celebrated 60 years in the leisure and tourism industry with a huge event on park.
September 2019
The Cove
The Cove
Just across the road from our Silverdale Park at the old Leeds Children Holiday Camp we regenerated the land into a new luxury holiday lodge park called The Cove. A hallmark of the quality and craftsmanship provided by Holgates for over 65 years.
July 2020
Lodge Development Launch at Holgates Ribble Valley
New Development launches at Holgates Ribble Valley
Following a variety of development work at our holiday park in the Ribble Valley, such as: brand-new road surfaces, secure park barriers and planting across the park, we have also expanded to produce two brand-new areas of the park. These new areas make the most of views towards Pendle Hill.
2021
Our 65th Year
Further development at Holgates Ribble Valley
Summer 2021 introduces a brand-new outdoor children’s play area and renovated bar, including a conservatory extension.
2022
Marsh House joins the Holgates Family
Marsh House joins the Holgates Family
March 2022 saw Marsh House reopen as our 9th park following significant investment. Boasting exquisite views of Morecambe Bay, this park was the perfect fit to join our family.
2022
Beetham joins the family as our 10th park
Beetham joins the family as our 10th park
Located in the Cumbrian countryside, Beetham is in a stunning National Landscape. Explore local walks, neighbouring nature reserves and coastal charm.
The Story continues...
Top 10 Holiday Parks UK: Holgates’ Finest Destinations
Holgates Ribble Valley Holiday Home Sale Show
Holgates Beetham & Silver Ridge Holiday Home Sale Show
Family owned and operated since 1956, Holgates Family Group providing outstanding holiday parks and accommodation to enjoy our natural locations throughout the year.
01524 701508
info@holgates.co.uk
Head Office
Holgates Caravan Parks, Middlebarrow
Plain, Cove Road, Silverdale,
Lancashire LA5 0SH, United Kingdom (UK)
Our Parks
Ribble Valley
Ribble Valley
Copyright 1956 – 2024 | Holgates Holiday Parks | Company No: 570 598 | VAT No: 153 8708 49