Dairy farmers Stan and Marjorie Lawrence moved to Andrewshayes Farm after they were married 1929.  Soon afterwards they started to welcome passing campers, providing a helpful additional income to the dairy farm.

The park was granted a licence under the Public Health Act of 1936.

Despite the basic facilities offered including an Elsan toilet in an old shed, many campers and caravaners returned year after year as the fashion for caravan holidays grew.

Sadly in 1949 Stan died unexpectedly of cancer which had gone undiagnosed.  Marjorie was soon struggling to make ends meet at the farm with three young children.

Fortunately, after the war more holiday makers started to arrive supplementing the farm’s income. With help from her children Valerie, Harry and later Richard, as well as farming support from the local community, this was enough to save Andrewshayes from being sold.

In 1959 Harry Lawrence married Stephanie and so another Mrs Lawrence came to live at Andrewshayes, pictured with Marjorie Lawrence (Henny)

The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 was made law in July 1960.  Harry and Stephanie applied for the new licence that was needed for the future development of Andrewshayes Caravan Park which was granted in November of that year.

The start of Andrewshayes as we know it. The first toilet block with flushing toilets and running water was provided for campers. Pitches were created for static caravans.

A large wooden shop was built which was stocked with the farm’s milk and other produce. This was very popular for many years. This has found a new lease of life as in 2020 it has been transformed into warden’s accommodation.

New reception office, games room and workshops built replacing old sheds. This picture shows Clare in 1974!

The first front field toilet block was built and the park’s own sewage works were established.

The swimming pool opened – much to the delight of family, friends and visitors, a pool was built of the site of a copse of elm tress that had to be felled due to Dutch Elm disease.

A new A35 Road layout and junction was built which created a new entrance off the main road and also a small field. This small field was cut off from the rest of the field owned by another local farmer. Andrewshayes was able to purchase it and it is stilled called New Field.

A new front field toilet block was built.

The following year the old toilet block was converted into the shop, it’s now the bar!

A big step on the park was to open a clubhouse with a bar. Always looking to make best use of a building, what was once a toilet block, then the shop now was a bar (don’t tell anyone)! The conservatory was added soon afterwards.

The swimming pool was covered with fabulous retractable roof and a new games room built.

A development of lodge style holiday homes are situated in our Orchard Retreat, which is on a more secluded part of the park. Phase 1 opened in 2019 and was completed in 2020.