Away Resorts

Away Resorts is a UK-based holiday park operator that provides a range of accommodations, including lodges, caravans, and camping facilities across more than 20 locations. The company's business model is centered on two main revenue streams: holiday bookings and the sale of holiday homes. They cater primarily to families, offering a variety of entertainment and activities at their parks.

The company was founded in 2008 by Carl Castledine, Neill Ryder, and Greg Lashley, who shared a vision of modernizing the British holiday park experience. Carl Castledine, the CEO, comes from a family with a history in the holiday park industry, stretching back to his grandfather who ran one of Britain's first holiday camps in 1905. The founders aimed to blend the traditional elements of British holidays with contemporary features. Their first acquisition was Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park on the Isle of Wight, followed by Tattershall Lakes Country Park in Lincolnshire.

Away Resorts has pursued a strategy of both organic growth and acquisitions. The company has invested significantly in its existing parks, adding new facilities and entertainment complexes, while also expanding its portfolio through the purchase of new sites. Notable acquisitions include Sandy Balls in the New Forest and St Ives Bay in Cornwall. This growth has been supported by several private equity partnerships. In 2019, Freshstream acquired a majority stake, which was later sold to CVC Capital Partners in 2021 for a reported £250 million. This investment has enabled Away Resorts to accelerate its expansion plans in the growing UK 'staycation' market.

Keywords: holiday parks, staycation, leisure travel, holiday home sales, family holidays, UK tourism, caravan parks, resort operator, hospitality, private equity