Owners of five star caravan parks in Mid Wales who have invested millions of pounds into making them some of the best in the UK have been congratulated for exceptional grading results again this year. Tony Bywater, chairman of leading caravan dealership Salop Leisure in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Stourport, praised the parks for maintaining such high standards despite the challenging weather conditions.

Their hard work has been recognised with 21 five star gradings from Visit Wales, the tourism arm of the Welsh Government, which introduced new grading criteria this year. Nine of the parks are in Powys, eight in Meirionnydd and four in Ceredigion.

Salop Leisure supplies caravans to many of the five star parks in Mid Wales, which not only attract thousands of tourists to the region but also promote a positive image of caravanning, said Mr Bywater.

“Mid Wales is renowned for having fantastic caravan parks that offer great value for money compared to other parts of the UK,” he added. “Great credit is due to the park owners and managers for continuing to raise their quality standard year after year.

“This year’s outstanding gradings in Mid Wales show that the industry is not resting on its laurels but continuing to invest in quality for the future

“Holiday home owners form Manchester, Liverpool, The Potteries, West Midlands, Shropshire and South Wales regularly tell us that they really appreciate the quality and spectacular scenery offered by caravan parks in Mid Wales. They demand home from home luxury and that’s exactly what they get.”

Mid Wales Tourism’s chief executive Val Hawkins congratulated all the parks for maintaining such high standards, adding that their grading success was richly deserved. “We are fortunate in Mid Wales to have some of the finest caravan parks in the UK and they account for one third of the visitor economy of the region,” she said.

The five star parks are: Ceredigion: Aeron Coast Caravan Park, Aberaeron; Green Meadow Holiday Home Park, Clarach Bay, Aberystwyth; Cardigan Bay Holiday Park, Poppit Sands, St Dogmaels, Cardigan and Pencnwc Holiday Park, Cross Inn, Llandysul.

Meirionnydd: Pale Wood Holiday Park, Llandderfel, Bala;  Bala Caravan Park, Plas Moel Garnedd, Llanycil, Bala; Islawrffordd Caravan Park, Talybont, Barmouth; Rowen Caravan Park, Talybont, Barmouth; Trawsdir Camping Park, Llanaber, Barmouth; Min- Y- Don Holiday Home and Touring Park, Harlech; Llandanwg Holiday Home Park, Llandanwg, Harlech; Gwynedd Holiday Home Park, Tywyn.

Powys: Bishops Meadow Caravan Park, Brecon; Pencelli Castle Caravan and Camping Park, Pencelli, Brecon; Morben Isaf Holiday and Touring Park, Derwenlas, Machynlleth; Maesperthi Holiday Park, Penegoes, Machynlleth; Daisy Bank Touring Park, Churchstoke; Gwernydd Hall Holiday Home Park, New Mills, Newtown; Rhyd-Y-Groes Caravan and Camping Park, Marton, Welshpool; Dolgead Hall Caravan Park, Llanfair Caereinion and Seven Oaks Holiday Home Park, Crew Green, near Welshpool.