Peter and Freda White are a rather special couple, both about 80, for the last 50 years they have been holidaying at Hoburne Naish, a holiday park on the Hampshire/Dorset borders.
They have an extended family, a son and a daughter in their 50s, 5 grandchildren ranging from 28 to 9 years old and a great-granddaughter of 5! What’s more, they all holiday together. Peter and Freda take a Lodge (very luxurious) and various members of the family come to stay or drop in for the day. For the last 10 years, the senior Whites have been to Hoburne Naish 2 or 3 times a year. Their younger two grandchildren, from Wales, count down the weeks until they are back at the ‘log cabin’ as they call it. They’ve already been for Easter this year and are looking forward to their summer visit. Their great-granddaughter and her mother live in a flat so their holidays are a wonderful chance to get outside and play, as well as enjoy the beach, and the company of the whole family. Today, Peter and Freda are looking forward to a visit from their granddaughter, 26, who is popping down for the day.
When I ask what it is that keeps them coming back, Freda tells me it’s the peace and quiet, beautiful countryside setting, familiarity and easy access to the beach. Even at peak holiday times she says the holiday park is so peaceful. Everyone loves the beach, the older generation to sit and watch what’s happening, whilst the younger Whites are in the sea on their father’s and aunt’s surfboards, stored in the loft between holidays by Peter. The lunchtime picnic is collected from the lodge, a ten minute walk from the beach, and by the evening, after an hour at the play area, the children are ready for bed and sleep.
Freda says feeding the family is easy, she does cook sometimes, however they eat out which makes catering for the vegetarians amongst them easier. Peter tells me that the joy of their ‘home from home’ holidays is greatly enhanced by its safety for the children, they can run about in freedom, enjoying a more traditional lifestyle. The Lodges do have WiFi, iPod docks, XBoxes and other gadgets, however, these aren’t much used as Peter and Freda have other ways to spend their time.
And here’s the twist to the tale, they have 2 wonderful friends, of a similar age, who join them at Hoburne Naish. Even better, Norman and Diana Imm actually met there as young people in the 1950s. Peter and Norman were relaxing from Merchant Navy duties, when they met Diana and a group of girls also on holiday. The rest, as they say, is history. When Freda and Peter got married, she was introduced to this wonderful way of holidaying, and she now counts Diana as her best friend. What’s more, their children and grandchildren have all grown up holidaying together too.
So, what to do on a slightly wet and rainy day? Easy, Peter tells me, sit and natter, have a drink in the evening and natter some more! He loves the fact that he can arrive, park the car, assemble his various family members and happily remain on the holiday park site for a week or two, totally at one with the world, not driving again until it’s time to leave. Perfect. Holiday bliss for all the generations.
Silver Travel Advisor recommends Hoburne Holiday Parks
