Meet the owners: Riverside Caravan & Camping Park

Set within 70 acres of north Devon countryside, the River Mole runs right through the middle of this site. It’s a park where space is immediately noticeable, with landscaped grounds, woodland walks and three carp lakes all adding to a really peaceful feel.

We had a chat with the team behind Riverside Caravan Park to find out what makes it such a popular spot and how they’ve created a site that balances outdoor space with high-quality facilities.

How long have you been running the site? 
We started to develop the park back in 2002. Before that it was our farmland and a working scrapyard. We opened our gates to guests in back in 2006, and in 2026 we will be celebrating our twentieth anniversary of welcoming holiday guests.

What did you do before becoming owners? 
In 1990 we married and started our journey together. We wanted to build a business that all the family could be part of, so we applied for change of use and in 2002 our lives changed as we started on the massive task to develop the park. Our two children, Francesca and Hamileen, were young at the time; they played in the fields while we started to develop and create something special.

What made you want to own and run a campsite? 
Passion for the outdoors and the beautiful countryside of Devon. We wanted to develop and create something special and offer a friendly and welcoming space for all our guests to enjoy and make their own lasting holiday memories.

What do you like about being a campsite owner? 
The best part of the job is the chance to connect with our guests and see them create wonderful memories together. We get to meet people from all different backgrounds and nothing makes us happier than seeing their smiling facies enjoying our campsite and the beauty of north Devon. When we read the lovely reviews they share on social media it really warms our hearts and reminds us why we do what we do.

What are the challenges? 
Owning a campsite comes with its challenges, particularly due to the weather. We have diversified our park to attract guests throughout the year and have invested in the park’s bar and restaurant and en suite rooms offering luxury along with modern facilities all year. We also offer luxurious statics, providing an alternative to traditional camping. This type of accommodation is designed to appeal to families and couples looking for a little bit of luxury.

What makes your site special to the guests who return every year? 
We have guests who are still returning after 20 years from the beginning. It is lovely to remember them as children in 2006 who are now grown up and are visiting us with their families. Returning guests love the fact we do not rest on our laurels; every year we reinvest in new pitches, improvements and buildings.

What do you love about the region where your site is based? 
Here in north Devon there is so much to choose from but our favourite is Exmoor and the north Devon coast. We are blessed with the beautiful landscape and rolling moors, unspoilt scenery and open space of the area; it is so green.

What do you do on a day off? 
We spend quiet time together relaxing, enjoying walks around the grounds of the park, driving through Exmoor and visiting the north Devon coast.