Free touring pitch if it rains

A South Lakeland caravan park is offering a "rain cheque" to its guests if the weather dampens their holiday plans this July.

Skelwith Fold caravan park in Ambleside says it will give families an extra free night's stay for every day of their holiday when the rainfall exceeds the daily average for the month.

Park director Henry Wild says the offer could cost his business thousands of pounds - but he sees the move as a way of persuading holidaymakers not to head south in search of drier weather.

"We will monitor rainfall every day with a scientific collector on our reception roof - and if it's ever wetter than an average July day last year, the free stays will kick in," said Henry.

"The level will be set at two millimetres of rain in a twenty-four hour period which is actually a little below what the Met office recorded in Cumbria on an average July day last year.

"Once that water mark is reached, everyone on the park will be offered a free night's stay which can be taken anytime this year," added Henry.

With 150 pitches on the park, it means that Skelwith Fold could be picking up an eye-watering tab of up to £3000 for every above-averagely wet day.

"The main holiday season is about to begin, and although the recent rainy weather has affected all of the country, some people may be tempted to go south in search of sunshine," he said

"In reality, the forecasts suggest that nowhere is safe from the present wet spell, and that you're just as likely to find blue skies in Cumbria as elsewhere.

"Now we're saying that people can hedge their bets by visiting Britain's most beautiful region, and return for another visit at no cost if their brollies go up too often," added Henry.

As well as putting his faith in a change in the weather, Henry is also hopeful that his park's microclimate will shield him from having to reach too deeply in his pockets:

"We have often noticed that this area can remain dry and sunny whilst the surrounding mountains have a covering of cloud," he commented.

"Our staff also say that they are the first to get suntans each year - so I hope we'll not be feeling heat too strongly in terms of paying out for free holidays!"

More information about Skelwith Fold can be found on park's website at www.Skelwith.com

Cover photo © Skelwith Fold