The last week has flown by. The exciting buzz from our first Holiday Home Show & Open Day weekend at Maes Mynan Park is still very much a ‘thing’. The sun was shining, the views stunning and it made our hidden gem called ‘Little Switzerland’ even more beautiful.
In some ways, it was a long time coming.
But in reality, we’ve only just finished tarmacking the final phase of our caravan park section of Maes Mynan Holiday Park. No mean feat in the grand scheme of things. It took over 10 years to buy the land from the former quarry owners, and when we did finally mange to do so in November 2015, we then had to secure planning!
Peter’s vision started when he was 25 years old. He used to be one of those pesky motocrossers racing around the sand tracks in the quarry when it was closed at weekends. He stood where the office is today and saw that the site would make a wonderful holiday park for holiday homeowners to enjoy.
25 years later, he took his first steps to create that vision.
Planning for a mixed leisure holiday park was granted in May 2018 and we’ve been working on the project ever since. Lord Dafydd Ellis Thomas opened the lodge section of Maes Mynan Park on the 19th September 2019. On that day, the lodge park didn’t have tarmac and we only had one show lodge in situ!
Roll on 6 months and Covid-19 struck!
However, rather than stop work, we all carried on with construction and finished 23 lodge park bases. By April 2020 the first tier of the static caravan park was being bulldozed in through the sandy ground. By October 2020, we had our first holiday homeowners on Maes Mynan Park and since then we haven’t looked back and nor have our holiday homeowners.
We have worked tirelessly over the last 4 years, with a small team, through heatwaves and torrential rains, so that we can finally share this special space with others.
Our ethos, as custodians of this historical and stunning place, is to share the beauty of Maes Mynan Park with like-minded people, who relish the wonders of beautiful scenery and far-reaching panoramic views. Our holiday homeowners all appreciate the feel good factors Maes Mynan Park offers, with nature and the great outdoors being their ‘go-to’ well-being peaceful haven. Space is important to us, so all holiday home plots have great aspects and plenty of space to enjoy the natural wonders of Maes Mynan.
At Maes Mynan Park we work with the land, to create a hidden gem that boasts amazing views across, moorland, hills, woodland, lakes and park land. Nature can be seen in abundance everywhere you look, and Spring is one of the busiest times of the year for wildlife at Maes Mynan Park. The bird song is amplified by the amphitheatre setting, and the cuckoo can be heard every day from across the way!
Ducklings and goslings are a delight to see and our holiday homeowners love to watch their shenanigans.
So our first Holiday Home Show and Open Day was a big deal for all the Acorn Leisure Team on the 11th and 12th of May. We felt ready to proudly invite people to look around and view the holiday home exhibition that saw 17 holiday homes for sale.
We were supported by great people too, including a range of manufacturers. We were able to offer something a little bit different to a ‘normal’ holiday home show, as our setting offered a uniquely stunning backdrop, in a quiet corner of Flintshire in North Wales.
David Hall and Trudy Young of Beverley Leisure Homes, Martyn and Katy of Lloyds Caravans and Charlie Dawson of Pemberton, were in attendance too. Graeme Craig, CEO of Omar Wessex showed people around our Bespoke Carw Lodge and Nigel Heslington of Regal Caravans also helped out to make the weekend a success. In fact, we had an excellent selection of caravan manufacturers covered at our Holiday Home Show – something we could accommodate as we have the space!
However, the event wouldn’t have been the same without the wonderful support of the local businesses and artisans who attended to make a little market in front of the Maes Mynan Park office. Together, they created a great atmosphere in perfect sunny weather, taking advantage of the stunning backdrop overlooking Moel Y Parc. Everyone was amazing and kept up the banter to showcase their talents and goods.
The Moel Famau Donkeys (miniature donkeys) were a great hit too with our holiday homeowners (and what a great business for those seeking wellbeing activities too). The Mynydd Sleddogs were also well-behaved. What an adventure for those who fancy an adrenaline fuelled ride through the woodland tracks of North Wales with a team of sled dogs. Book your slot today! Dewi from Llan E-Bikes rental gave us a demonstration, filming his rides around Maes Mynan Park as he rode!
We served Mug Run coffee from the water shed, which we shared with artist Gill Benjamin. Gill painted some wonderful scenes of Maes Mynan Park and the donkeys, during the course of the weekend and loved being with us.
My nephews Jonas and Joseph helped Ann and Wendy serve the drinks, and we all enjoyed food and ice creams from Buttercup Street Food and Bluebell Ice Cream – served from 1970’s vintage touring caravans! Thanks goes to Jo too, who helped with the pre-prep, flower planting and showing everyone around our Bespoke Maes Mynan Lodge For Sale on Plot 9.
Cariad Gin was as popular as ever. Our holiday homeowners travelled from Misty Waters Holiday Park just for Fiona’s gin! Rosie’s Cider was also in attendance along with Lizzy from Shlizzy Liquor. Artisan cider, fruit liqueurs and gin, all made from home-grown apples and fruits. Amazing talent all in one place.
Glasfryn Gallery attended with a selection of their showcasing artists, and owner David Roberts (also a professional artist) brought a selection of his Welsh landscape prints with him too. Kath Morley from Touch Art arranged her artwork brilliantly and featured her original pièce de résistance – a stag with antlers that are in fact a tree – on an easel, with Moel Y Parc in the background, which ironically was once a medieval Royal Deer Park! I loved it!
Nightingale Glass featured some lovely glass art, which included coasters, lamps, pictures and so much more. The floral standing pictures were my favourite, and I couldn’t resist the heart coaster!
Clair Young showcased her sculptures perfectly. It was her horse’s head that caught my attention, with it’s a beautiful blue haze and elegant poise.
The scents of the aromatherapy creams and potions from Tree Bee Apothecary were a wonderful hit with visitors, their presentation making excellent gift ideas and the perfect way to indulge oneself too!
Lady R Boutique, on Sunday, certainly knew how to attract her audience. Bright and colourful clothes, bags and scarves – all great for cheering you up on a dull day. Sunday was so sunny, Rebecca’s light and wispy cover-ups were a delight to see.
Coastal Craft Design brought an array of lovely scents to her stall, with soaps, creams and gift ideas to tease us with. It was easy to appreciate the hand creams, foot creams and wave inspired soaps, all of which would make the best of gifts.
Vanilla Jewellery were a delight to behold. Colourful and bold. My nephews were so enamoured, they both bought heart broaches for themselves!
Turning to the food stalls. Beeches Meats were in attendance on Saturday with their home-grown beef. Everyone agreed it was delicious, succulent and tender! Their own herd of cows must be very happy grazing on the grassy hills overlooking the Dee estuary!
Jane Marsh of Ffynnon Beuno was a delight to meet. Her artisan produce – jams, chutney and preserves – all had a story behind them and are delicious to boot. Ffynnon Beuno has a fascinating story and as Jane is so passionate about what she does, her enthusiasm is catching!
Daniel Morris Butchers from Denbigh and Mold joined us on Sunday, with a full cold counter of meats, pies, cheese, free-range eggs and lots of other wonderful produce. Daniel came with his family, who supported him all day. His meats are from local farmers, and his free-range eggs are local too. My brother’s verdict on the gluten-free sausages and lamb and mint pie were ‘awesome’. Daniel, like many of the small businesses and artisans who attended our Holiday Home Show, will deliver to Maes Mynan Park, which is the perfect service for our holiday homeowners, as they can tie in delivery with their arrival!
Richard Jones of Flintshire County Council was also in attendance, promoting Flintshire as a tourist destination. There are some many beautiful areas to visit in Flintshire and it is so important not to overlook them, especially as tourism and holiday homeowners all support local businesses and communities.
So, we’d like to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who attended and supported our first Holiday Home Show and Open Day this May. Everyone enjoyed the weekend and the weather couldn’t have been kinder!
Thank you again for all your support. We hope to see you all again soon!
