Riverside Caravan & Camping Park & Country Club, located south of Exmoor National Park in north Devon, is marking its twentieth year of operation in 2026. Established on a 70-acre site previously used as farmland and a scrapyard, the campsite has grown over two decades through phased development and family management.
Owners Joe and Nicky, along with their children Francesca and Hamileen, opened the park in 2006 with essential infrastructure, including a house, small shop, shower block, access road, and storage compound.
Since then, the site has expanded to include additional pitches, a second shower block, holiday homes, a play area, and a restaurant and bar that form the country club element of the facility. Fishing lakes were also added following Hamileen’s interest in angling.
In 2026, Riverside will join the Premier Parks quality campsite group. The year will also feature a series of events to mark the twentieth anniversary, including a 20th Anniversary Weekend over the August Bank Holiday, offering live music, children’s entertainment, food offerings, and other activities for guests.
Future developments are planned as the owners begin transitioning operations to Francesca and Hamileen. According to Out&About Live, these include the addition of luxury holiday homes, new pitches, and accessible fishing lakes.
Joe and Nicky emphasized the importance of combining continuity with forward planning, stating: “We want to stay true to our roots while embracing the future. We’re investing in experiences that are sustainable, memorable and meaningful – for families now and for generations to come, just like our grandparents did for us.”
For outdoor hospitality operators, Riverside’s trajectory demonstrates the potential benefits of gradual, family-led development combined with investment in amenities and guest experiences.
Aligning with recognized industry groups such as Premier Parks can provide marketing and quality-assurance advantages, while a structured events calendar can enhance guest engagement and create opportunities for repeat visitation.
Riverside’s milestone highlights the value of long-term planning, diversified offerings, and the integration of family-centered experiences in creating a sustainable and competitive campsite operation.