Cream Of Devon

EVERYONE KNOWS about the national park which is Dartmoor (to the north), but far fewer visitors head south off the A38 into the criss-crossing network of lanes and fields, hills and hamlets, rivers and inlets that makes up the South Hams of Devon. Which is their loss.

There has been a park for campers and caravanners on the site in Modbury - now occupied by The Thatches - as far back as anyone can remember. That all changed in 2002, when it was taken over by CLP. This family business transformed, landscaped and completely redeveloped the 16.5 acre holding, turning it into the top-rated holiday village it is today.

Last year the present owners, McFarland Leisure Partnership (MLP), took over. MLP is a subsidiary of McFarland Homes of Bedfordshire, owners of three parks with a total of around 150 residential park homes in that county.

These days it is top-of-the-range luxury lodges only at The Thatches. But these are early days for the new owners. Nonetheless, they have big plans, not least to make this holiday village, already a premier site, into the best park in the country.

Services either already available or soon to be introduced include a maid to do the housework; a concierge (contactable by fax or email) who can organise everything from doing the shopping to running errands; a nanny to babysit or childcare in your home; an osteopath; and a chef who will come in and prepare, cook and clean up after a meal.

Not to mention window cleaning, grass cutting, exterior lodge maintenance (emptying gutters, re-coating the wood cladding) and general upkeep of gardens and the grounds.

Don't forget, either, the on-site heated swimming and paddling pools, gym, beauty parlour, outdoor spa bath and woodland walk within the grounds. Access to indoor facilities is via an electronic pass card issued only to lodge owners.

Link: www.thethatches.co.uk