Our story
Discover what has led to Pinewoods becoming the holiday park it is today.
The land we’re on has been owned by Holkham for centuries, but it’s only fairly recently that Holkham has run the holiday park here.
Take a peek into Pinewoods’ past using the timeline below.
With thanks to Harry Collins, a previous Pinewoods owner, for contributing his knowledge of Pinewoods.
Post-war
Council run
Though Holkham owned the land, Pinewoods Caravan was expanded by the Town Council and North Norfolk District Council. At this point it was just tents and tourers.
Post-war
February 1953
Severe flooding
Severe flooding destroyed everything, including the pine trees that formed the Pinewoods Caravan Park. The belt of pine trees in the dunes were not affected.
February 1953
1965
‘Statics’ arrive at Pinewoods
The park was made up of touring caravans. Some were very large, which were classed as statics.
These were wider and longer than tourers, but were allowed to be moved on the highway as they had their own chassis. They were few and far between.
1965
1968
Orchard Caravans
Orchard Caravans started to be involved in running Pinewoods Caravan Park.
The coordination of removing and returning all caravans for the winter period was a huge task, many caravans were taken out of town to various storage areas.
1968
1972
Orchard Caravans
Orchard Caravans began supplying new and used caravans to the park.
1972
February 1978
Severe flooding
There were no caravans on the park as they all had to be removed for the winter period and returned before the start of the season – a mammoth job!
The toilet blocks were destroyed and the offices were badly damaged.
North Norfolk District Council rebuilt the toilet blocks, offices and shops.
February 1978
1986
Power!
Working with the NNDC leisure department, Orchard Caravans designed and installed the infrastructure in developing areas to supply all services to caravan plots.
In 1986, a pilot scheme ran for 6 static caravans on what was ‘D’ block.
Once up and running the demand for a service plot was huge. The development covered A, B, C, D, E and G blocks.
1986
1988
A stressful task
With so many caravans becoming connected to the services, the park was getting ‘chewed’ up with all the caravan movements each winter.
It became impossible to remove the caravans for the colder months and to return them in time for the start of the season.
1988
1989
Staying in place
In consultation with NNDC, a license was agreed to allow the caravans to stay on the park, coming into force from the 1989 season.
1989
1996
Holkham
Holkham took the park back ‘in house’ in October 1996, after Lord Leicester left the army and returned to Norfolk to run the estate.
Holkham started to undertake major developments, including creating larger plots and putting all caravans on to mains water/sewage and electric.
1996
2018
Touring field
A new touring field was developed, originally known as the Horse Paddock. Shortly after, it was renamed Spoonbill Drift.
Once this new area was opened, it marked the end of tents being at Pinewoods due to planning permissions.
2018
2021-2023
WONDER
In line with WONDER, Holkham and Pinewoods’ sustainability action plan, Pinewoods looked for a number of ways to become more environmentally friendly. This includes changing all caravan bulbs to LEDs and fitting thermostats, steadily investing in electric vehicle fleet and equipment, and improving waste management systems with General, Recycling, Glass and Food Waste provisions now at each bin bay.
2021-2023
2023
Curlew
The new Curlew development was created: an area of 39 large plots accommodating top of the range caravans complete with wrap around decking and parking bays.
2023
2024
Electrifying!
Our first all-electric caravan arrives, the first of its kind in the East of England.
e-Lakeside Luxe