One Show star unveils £15m holiday park revamp

Under new ownership since the end of 2024, the 240-acre family park has been transformed and the first fruits of an eight-figure investment were opened by the celebrity who has presented BBC’s The One Show for more than 15 years.

“It was a privilege to cut the ribbon for Unity Beach,” she said.

“It was just so nice to see all the people coming out and to be part of that legacy of trying to rejuvenate and reinvent British seaside holidays.

“That is so important and it is something I am really passionate about.

“We have stunning beaches and people need to come here for their holidays in order to help the regeneration.”

Among the new features on display at the official opening were the Wonky Donkey pub, Sports Cafe and restaurant.

The enhancements to the park, which has been operating for five decades, are the brainchild of two names well-known in the UK holiday business - former Butlin’s MD Dermot King and Mark Seaton, who was previously MD of Cove UK.

The pair have joined forces to begin building a portfolio of family parks where the emphasis will be on the great British seaside holiday.

“I’ve got some great memories of UK holidays as a child,” said Alex at the opening event.

“In fact that was all we knew. I don’t think I even got on a plane until I was about 13 or 14. Up until then all our holidays had been UK-based.

“The thing I remember about holiday parks as a child is the amount of freedom they give you.

“Suddenly you’re in a safe environment. Your parents can be cooking a barbecue and having a glass of wine, and the children can run free.

“It’s the only place you can feel independent as a child.”

The Wonky Donkey pub will be open from breakfast through until late, offering excellent quality family-favourite meals and a wide range of drinks, while the Sports Café blends old favourites like pool, shuffleboard and darts with cutting-edge virtual reality gaming.

Mingling with holiday homeowners and guests in the Wonky Donkey while live shows were being performed on the stage, Alex stressed the importance of a venue that can bring everyone together.

“If at the end of a day when you’ve been out exploring, if you’ve been on the beach, if you’ve been in the pool, then comes the time when you all want to come together, get dressed up a little bit, and go out for dinner as a family,” she said.

“To have that hub where you can all go, and there will be entertainment for the children so the adults can relax and don’t have to tell them to be quiet every two minutes, is really nice.

“Everybody here is on the same wavelength and wants to have a good time, be that adults or children.”

The new facilities complement Unity Beach’s famous Splash Waterpark, that guests can use for free, and hugely-popular Brean Play for the younger guests – while discounts are available at Brean Theme Park.

Having toured the resort, Alex said she would urge people to think British when it comes to family holidays.

“The first thing I’d ask is have you ever tried a British seaside holiday? If you haven’t, why haven’t you? What puts you off?” she said.

“The misconception is British seaside holiday parks are really run down; they’re a little bit 1970s/1980s and haven’t been updated.

“But that’s just not how it is, if you look at Unity Beach for example.

“I’m sitting in a lovely holiday home that has everything you could want for a really comfortable family holiday.

“It’s super important for me as a Mum to show my children that you don’t need to get on a plane to have a great holiday.

“So before you go abroad, just try a long weekend even. I bet you people who do would come back.”

• A four-night midweek break in June or early July at Unity Beach starts from £99, based on four people sharing a two-bedroom caravan.

Three-night weekend breaks begin at £199, while seven-night holidays – which can start on Mondays or Fridays – are available from £469.

For more details, go to hru.co.uk