Meet the owners: Daisy Bank Caravan Park

Nestled in seven acres of countryside, Daisy Bank Caravan Park is a peaceful, adults-only retreat offering year-round relaxation. This family-run park near Montgomery, Powys, owned by Mark and Nicky, features fully serviced pitches, luxury amenities, stunning views of the Camlad Valley, and easy access to scenic walking trails. Owner, Mark, answers our questions…

How long have you been running your campsite? 
We exchanged contracts on Daisy Bank on 1 December 2006, so by the end of this year we will have been here for 20 years.

Tell us a little about your site and how it first began
Daisy Bank was first developed from farmland that was part of The Farm Snead, our lovely neighbours. We are the third owners of the caravan park. Each of us have added a bit more to what we have today.

What did you do before becoming the owners of this site? 
I was a commercial manager for Marconi Middle East and then Ericsson. Nicky worked in outdoor education and training in the UK and Dubai before stopping to have our first two girls in Dubai.

What made you want to own and run a campsite? We looked at all sorts of options and ideas and locations. Daisy Bank fit the bill.

What do you like most about being a campsite owner? Living and working in a beautiful area.

What are the challenges? Cost!

What is a typical day like for you? 
Nicky is always the first to start the day, beginning with baking croissants and pastries for any morning orders. While they cool, she takes the dogs, Bluey and Bea, for a peaceful walk to Bury Ditches.

Once I’ve dropped our youngest at the school bus, I head to the office with the fresh pastries and open up for the day. From there, no two days are the same. We check and process overnight emails and bookings, and by 9am, the rest of the team arrives.

Daily tasks include managing all the bins and recycling, preparing pods, bell tents and lodges for new guests, cleaning facilities, positioning storage caravans, and loading electricity onto arrival pitches. Whoever is in the office handles guest departures, phone enquiries, shop sales, and general queries throughout the day.

What makes your site special to the guests who return every year? 
Daisy Bank offers a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere where guests can instantly feel at ease and enjoy a peaceful escape. We pride ourselves on creating a space that’s free from rigid rules, allowing visitors to relax and take in the beautiful views of the Powys countryside. Our aim is to foster a respectful and friendly environment where everyone can unwind and feel at home.

What do you love about the area your site is in? 
The South Shropshire Hills and the Welsh Marches are beautiful – as stunning as any National Park but without the thousands of other people there. So many choices for walks in the hills but rarely with another soul in sight. We all love Powis Castle and the gardens – beautiful during the summer months and the castle dressed for Christmas is always fabulous.

What do you like to do on a rare day off? 
I play golf at Welshpool Golf Club while Nicky is happy walking the dogs a bit further afield or just being in the garden at home.