Lake District Holiday Park Awarded Top Platinum Rating By AA
A Lake District holiday park has received the highest rating awarded by the AA after an undercover inspection assessed the quality of its facilities, services, hospitality and overall guest experience.
Skelwith Fold in Ambleside has been awarded a five star Platinum rating for 2026 to 2027. The 130 acre park was assessed across several areas, including its accommodation, facilities, customer service, hospitality and feedback from guests.
The AA’s inspectors carried out an undercover assessment as part of the process. Their evaluation considered not only the physical standards offered by the holiday park but also the experiences reported by people who had stayed there.
The Platinum award represents the highest grade available through the AA's holiday park assessment system. Judges said Skelwith Fold was at the top of its game and considered it deserving of the accolade for the 2026 to 2027 period.
The park is owned by the Wild family, who have been involved with the site for almost 30 years. Henry Wild, who is also a former national chair of the Holiday and Residential Parks Association, said the recognition reflected the efforts of the entire team.
Mr Wild said the award represented more than the standard of the park's accommodation and facilities. He highlighted the importance of customer feedback and the way guests experience the site during their stays.
He also credited the staff for creating a welcoming atmosphere and maintaining a high level of hospitality. According to Mr Wild, the commitment of employees plays an important role in ensuring visitors receive a positive experience from their arrival onwards.
The recognition comes after what has been described as a particularly busy summer for the park. The management said the Platinum award provided an important acknowledgement of the work undertaken by staff throughout the season.
Guest reviews also played a role in the assessment, with the AA considering what customers had said about their overall experiences. This means the recognition reflects both the facilities available and the service provided to visitors.
Skelwith Fold has previously received recognition from the tourism industry. In 2025, it was named the overall winner of the Holiday Park of the Year award by Cumbria Tourism, adding another major accolade to its record.
The park also holds a five star quality grading from Cumbria Tourism. Its latest AA award therefore adds another top level assessment to the park's existing recognition for quality and visitor standards.
Environmental work has also formed part of Skelwith Fold's wider reputation. The site has received recognition through the David Bellamy Conservation Award scheme for initiatives designed to protect wildlife and support biodiversity.
Among the conservation work highlighted at the park are initiatives aimed at protecting red squirrels. These efforts form part of the site's broader approach to managing its natural environment alongside its role as a holiday destination.
The latest Platinum rating provides further recognition for a business that combines accommodation and visitor facilities with environmental initiatives. Its location in the Lake District also places it within one of Cumbria's most important tourism areas.
For the park's management, the award represents recognition of both the facilities provided to visitors and the work carried out by staff. The assessment also demonstrates the importance of customer experience in achieving the highest AA rating.
Skelwith Fold will hold its five star Platinum status for the 2026 to 2027 period, following the inspection and assessment process. The award adds to a growing list of tourism and conservation honours received by the Ambleside holiday park.
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