National recognition for excellence -- leisure park celebrates prestigious award
A leisure park at Alford, branded “Lincolnshire’s hidden gem”, is one of only 100 holiday venues in the country to be awarded a prestigious honour.
Woodthorpe Leisure Park, owned and operated by the Stubbs family, has received a 2026 VisitEngland ROSE award, making it an elite provider of accommodation .
VisitEngland (VE) is the national tourist board for the country, responsible for marketing England to domestic and established overseas markets and for improving the nation’s tourism product.
And ROSE, which stands for Recognition Of Service Excellence, is awarded after genuine online guest reviews and independent, unannounced inspections by a VisitEngland assessor.
The national accolade rewards the overall visitor-experience and celebrates establishments that consistently go the extra mile to provide outstanding customer-service, warmth and hospitality.
Woodthorpe has also retained its coveted five-star holiday park rating for 2026/27, one of the highest classifications under the scheme.
And to put the icing on the cake, it has also received official VisitEngland recognition through the Families Welcome, Walkers Welcome, Cyclists Welcome and Welcome Pets programme, ensuring every type of traveller feels entirely at home on site.
Amy Hennessy, marketing and operations manager at the park, said: “To be selected as one of 100 businesses nationally recognised for service excellence is something of which we are extremely proud.
"Because this award isn't something you can enter for, it means everything to know it is built directly on actual guest reviews and assessor feedback.
"For us, this is ultimate recognition of the people who make Woodthorpe what it is every single day: our incredible team.
"A huge thankyou to them for all their hard work and dedication, and to all of our guests, holiday homeowners and visitors, who continue to support and stay with us.”
Nestled across 43 acres of tranquil, picturesque woodland in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Woodthorpe Leisure Park offers a peaceful and idyllic escape for families, couples and outdoor enthusiasts.
As part of the wider British Garden Centres group, which launched with the opening of Woodthorpe Garden Centre in 1990, the park features a diverse array of high-quality accommodation options designed to suit every taste and budget – from pods, cabins and lodges to cottages and caravans.
These range from luxury hot-tub lodges and cosy glamping pods to traditional static caravans, country cottages and spacious touring pitches for motorhomes and caravans.
Guests staying at the park have access to a wide selection of on-site amenities and recreational activities, including an 18-hole golf course, a golf driving range, a relaxing afternoon fishing across two lakes or dining at Woody’s Bar and Restaurant, which serves home-cooked meals and drinks.
Additional features include children's outdoor play areas, beautifully maintained surroundings and a prime location that places holidaymakers within easy reach of Louth, local family attractions and the stunning Lincolnshire coastline.
British Garden Centres is the UK’s largest family-owned garden-centre group, with 80 of them around the country, from Durham to Ramsgate.
Launched by brothers Charles and Robert Stubbs, it has expanded rapidly in the last eight years and employs a team of more than 3,500 staff.