A glamping site in Flintshire has received regional recognition after winning a major tourism award.
Emlyn’s Coppice, located near Gwespyr, Holywell, was named Best Self-Catering Site of the Year at the Go North Wales Tourism Awards, which were held at Venue Cymru and organized by North Wales Tourism to celebrate the region’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The site, owned by actor Nic Breeze, whose television credits include Peaky Blinders, Coronation Street, Brookside, and Hollyoaks, opened four years ago. The two-and-a-half-acre property features bespoke glamping pods, private hot tubs, and a handcrafted sauna.
Mr Breeze said: “My wife, Caroline, and I were planning to open a glamping site long before, but Covid had put things on hold. We found this site, which is in an ancient woodland tucked away above Talacre Beach, and after we cleared brambles which had grown 15 feet high, we discovered this lovely spot.”
The site was developed with a focus on privacy and sustainability. More than 400 trees have been planted, and individual hot tubs have been added to each pod. In its first year, Emlyn’s Coppice achieved over 70 percent occupancy, and its popularity has increased, attracting visitors from Liverpool, Manchester, and the West Midlands.
“We have made the site as private as possible, and there’s a real feel of being in the woods rather than on a caravan park and that is what our guests say about us,” Mr Breeze told The Leader.
The awards also recognized other contributors to North Wales tourism. Yuliia Batrak, 19, won the Young Person in Tourism and Hospitality award, while Geoff Lofthouse received the Service to Tourism award after more than 40 years managing the four-star Imperial Hotel in Llandudno.
Jim Jones, chief executive of North Wales Tourism, highlighted the achievements of both winners and emphasized the contributions of all nominees: “This event really showcases the very best of North Wales, and we have seen so many amazing entries, all of which underlines why this is a truly world-class destination for visitors.”
The recognition offers insight for outdoor accommodation providers on the impact of site development, sustainability initiatives, and guest experience in enhancing occupancy and earning industry awards.
Mark Lawton, sales director at Harlech Foodservice, noted the importance of such recognition: “We’re thrilled to continue our support for the North Wales Tourism Awards so we can celebrate the people and businesses who help make North Wales one of the UK’s top visitor destinations.”