Caravan Club CL of the Year - Birch Hill Farm Certificated Location

Birch Hill Farm CL has been a Caravan Club CL since 1982. In 1987 it was a runner-up in the Certificated Location of the Year Award, so the basics were there before Ian and Janet Kelly took over and turned it into something really special. So why exactly did Birch Hill CL win the Caravan Club CL of the Year Award? You decide!

Could it be the location? Situated just outside the town of Ellesmere in Shropshire, it is perfect for extensive touring or just pottering around the local countryside.

Perhaps it’s that every visitor can choose their own pitch from 10 settings in two different areas – lower and upper, each with their own special view, most with hook-up and on firm, level ground (some on eco grid matting).

Personally (as dog owners), we think it could be the individual greeting every visitor gets from Tara the golden labrador, who insists on welcoming everyone, particularly campers with dogs, to the site.

Or maybe it’s that Ian and Janet are experienced caravanners and know what caravanners want from a site and have designed and run their site around that knowledge?

It might be the military precision with which the site is so smoothly run. Not surprising given Ian’s former army background. Attention has been paid to every little detail and the site is absolutely pristine.

Perhaps it’s that Birch Hill visitors receive THE most comprehensive welcome talk ever, accompanied by an equally detailed Information Pack? This gives details of cafes, restaurants, shops and takeways based on Ian and Janet's own experience or feedback they get from caravanners. I don’t think there is anything they don't know about the local area (although it would be nice to try and catch them out!) So if you want to know which Chinese takeway offers the best quality and huge portions, Ian will tell you New Wan Loy, who also have a phone-to-order service. Wet weather? Not a problem, the Info pack includes ideas for what to do when raining. How many sites offer that?

Or it might be all the thoughtful little touches, like the loan of a dog tag with the site’s telephone number and address in case Mutley goes missing, or clear details of EXACTLY what to do in the event of a medical or animal emergency.

Maybe it’s the natural attractions - wildlife is abundant on this site and Ian will happily tell you about the foxes, the badger’s set and the huge variety of wild birdlife including greater spotted woodpeckers, tawny owls and buzzards, all viewable from your pitch.

A favourite with visitors is that really special place called “The Dingle" - a nature area of trees, hedgerows, trickling water and waterside paths at the entrance to the site following the route of an ancient stream. This was horribly overgrown when Ian and Janet bought the farm and has been lovingly transformed into the perfect place to escape for peace and quiet, a picnic or just to read a book.

Finally, at the end of your holiday, is it that you are welcome to stay on after noon on departure day, after parking your unit in the special caravan storage area thus ensuring the total of 5 units is not breached?

Whatever it is, the only way to find out is to visit for yourself. Already popular before the award, Birch Hill have seen business increase by over a third. So, as they say, book early or you may be very disappointed.

Image above : Ian welcoming visitors to the site