The Wooda Holiday Park recently installed EV Charging points for visitors having first heard about the offering from a Keep It Local campaign instigated by local stationery workplace supplier and retail shop, Axminster Printing.
The Wooda Holiday Park has been owned and operated by the Colwill family for nearly a century. Once a working farm, remnants of its agricultural past, like the original milk churns, can still be found around the property. However, since 1975, when Ken Colwill recognised the area’s potential for tourism, the farm has evolved into the thriving Wooda Holiday Park. Located in Bude, a region celebrated for its expansive landscapes and coastal beauty, the park has become a popular destination for unforgettable farm holidays.
Now, three generations later, Wooda Holiday Park has grown far beyond its roots as a small family-run business. With Charlotte, the eldest granddaughter, now actively involved, the park has expanded to include 55 holiday homes, 3 cottages, 9 eco-lodges, and 200 touring pitches. The Colwill family remains deeply committed to fostering family togetherness by encouraging outdoor activities.
With Charlotte’s influence, sustainability has become a central focus at Wooda. The park has made significant strides in its commitment to environmentalism and sustainability by using low-energy light bulbs, sourcing local products, and utilizing their own groundwater. Charlotte’s dedication to keeping Wooda up to date is evident in her awareness of the need to accommodate guests with electric cars.
Recognising that many guests arrive in electric cars, the Wooda family wanted to offer EV charging as a premium service while furthering Wooda’s commitment to environmental conservation.
Forward EV spoke to Graeme Colwill about their investment in EV charging.
“We had EV chargers on-site for five years,” shared Graeme, “but they weren’t contactless, which made them a pain to use”
Graeme wanted a more user-friendly solution, one that offered customers a simple ‘plug in and play’ experience. This need led them to partner with Forward EV.
“With 300 cars on-site daily during the six-week summer holiday, many of which are electric, and our available power capacity, we wanted to offer EV charging near our high-end accommodation,” Graeme explained.
Forward EV installed an EV charger, and according to Graeme, the process was seamless. “The experience with Forward EV was fantastic. Materials arrived on time, and the entire installation was very efficient.”
The Colwill family is dedicated to continuing the legacy of Wooda Holiday Park for future generations, and with granddaughters Elsie and Rose now in the picture, a fourth generation seems likely to take the reins.
“It wouldn’t take much to add another two or even three chargers with Forward EV, and Andrew, the Forward EV Director, truly knows his stuff,” Graeme added.
As the family grows and the demand for EV chargers with no lengthy contracts or long leases increases, we may well be speaking to many more generations of the Colwill family in the years to come.
To get in touch with Wooda Holiday Park, you can see their website here – www.wooda.co.uk
