Oakdown Holiday Park takes a trip down memory lane

Oakdown Holiday Park, a multi-award winning holiday park in Devon, has been regaling its followers on social media with the story of its development from working farm to touring park. 

Back in 1951, the Franks family sited a single static holiday caravan at what would become Acorn Holiday Homes in Weston - a brand-new venture for this working farm.

Two decades later, and springing from the lessons learned at Acorn, Oakdown Holiday Park opened its gates in 1972.

In the years to come, the Franks family developed the campsite into a landscaped haven in the Devonshire countryside. That innovation was deliberately different to other touring parks, too.

Rather than implementing straight lines and rows of holiday homes, Oakdown created a blending, curving structure that feels more organic, as if the campsite had grown steadily from the landscape. Pitches were thoughtfully screened with hedges and mature trees, giving character to touring areas and holiday homes alike. 

Throughout that development, Oakdown maintained its focus on nurturing its local environment. Devon is renowned as a beautiful county and Oakdown's owners have always been keen to create and protect an eco-friendly landscape in their corner of Devon.

Their efforts have paid off, too.

Oakdown won the David Bellamy Gold Award (a highly regarded standard for sustainability) for 16 consecutive years, as well as winning the England for Excellence silver award in 1997. A short stroll around the campsite and it's easy to see why, from the thousands of trees and shrubs planted by hand to the solar panels and rainwater harvesting installed to boost Oakdown's sustainability credentials.

Another important development was the creation of the Victorian Reed Bed system to treat grey water, a move inspired by the Franks' family's heritage as farmers. In this system, rather than using a concoction of chemicals, plants and microorganisms work together to purify water, just as happens naturally in wetlands.

Installed in the early 2000s, this system still works effectively today.

In 2026, Oakdown Holiday Park continues to thrive as a destination that guests return to again and again, from its camping and touring pitches to its holiday homes and luxury lodges.

There are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved this year, including the Sidmouth Folk Festival and Sidmouth Jazz Festival. There is a bus stop immediately outside Oakdown's entrance for guests to travel into Sidmouth, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy a fun event and a brilliant holiday park in one trip!

Keep an eye on Oakdown's Facebook page to keep up with the stories and head to Oakdown's website to book your stay.