I revisited the huge English holiday park following £8million revamp – it feels much more upmarket
LIKE a phoenix rising from the ashes, there’s a holiday park in the heart of England that’s been given a new lease of life after it went into administration last year.
My boys and I returned to Billing Aquadrome near Northampton to experience all the facilities installed by new owner, Meadow Bay Villages, which now runs the 80-year-old park.
It’s impressive how much change the £8million regeneration has led to since we visited last year.
This time around, we found a brilliant new pump track for bikes and scooters, lots of nature activities at the Adventure Island ranger station and an upgraded outdoor entertainment space overlooking the marina.
With an amphitheatre stage, food vans, a splash zone, playgrounds and adventure golf all within eyesight of each other, every member of the family can find activities they love while spending time together.
It’s fantastic to see Meadow Bay building on the foundation of the firm family favourites already on site, including a little train that runs around one of the lakes and a glass-fronted venue looking out across the water, housing a restaurant, soft play, arcade and indoor swimming pool with flume.
The beating heart of Billing has always been family-friendly fun set in a lovely lakeside location and now it really feels like it’s going upmarket, thanks to the huge investment.
There are even a couple of saunas by Willow Lake to relax in after some outdoor swimming, paddlesports or, if you’re feeling adventurous, racing around on the inflatable aqua park.
One of the things I love now is how many of the activities are included in the price of your holiday.
Last year, it cost a couple of quid to go for a ride around the lake on the train, but that’s now free as is the swimming pool.
Lots of the amphitheatre activities like circus skills, team sports and scavenger hunts, are free too.
Most of the paid-for onland activities are a fiver a head, like pond dipping, den building and adventure golf. And even the watersports are reasonably priced, with pedalo and canoe hire at £20 per vessel.
One problem this site has always had to contend with is the risk of flooding.
The touring and camping fields were still waterlogged on the weekend we visited, while the rest of the facilities were gradually reopening after heavy rainfall in mid-September saw the entire site evacuated.
All the staff I encountered were upbeat, friendly and working hard to get everything back up and running after the floods.
I think you know you’ve found a good holiday spot when the people working there seem happy to be on site. When it comes to accommodation, there’s something for all price ranges at Billing.
You can stay in a bring-your-own-bedding glamping pod with access to the shower and toilet block for just £38 a night, while there’s also a full range of caravans and lodges to choose from.
Bedlinen is included, but towels aren’t provided so don’t forget to bring your own.
Our gold caravan was cosy with nice fittings and fixtures, including a little veranda for sitting out in the autumn sunshine.
Day guests are also welcome at £5 a head plus £5 for parking, which is a bargain if you go off-peak as it includes swimming and the little train, as well as the on-site entertainment.
We certainly saw the best of Billing this time around and with more still to come, it’s one to watch if you want a break by the water.
GO: NORTHAMPTON
STAYING THERE: Three nights in a two bed Gold Caravan sleeping six at Billing Aquadome Family Holiday Park in Northamptonshire is from £315 in total, arriving October 25.
Three night breaks in 2025 average £219.