61 years on site

It’s been 75 years for Ruda Holiday Park in Croyde – and 61 years for its most frequent customer.

The park's been open since 1937, and will have a gallery up this July and August to showcase 75 years of holidays, as well as free surf taster sessions, rock pool rambles to collect shells for a commemorative mural, and weekly birthday shows.

One customer who’s guaranteed to be there is Margaret Lewis, who’s spent every one of her summer holidays at Ruda since 1951. She made her first trip in 1951 with her late husband Albert, travelling the hundred miles from their home in Bristol.

The couple loved Croyde Bay so much they decided to go back every year.

Margaret said: ‘When I first came here with Albert in 1951, we stayed in a tiny two-man tent with nothing but a toilet block in the corner of the field and a butcher who used to come round the pitches selling meat to campers.

‘We've had so many happy holidays at Ruda and it holds lots of treasured memories.

‘I brought my parents here when they were in their nineties, Albert and I brought my children here, and now I bring my great-grandchildren. It's always a joy to see how happy they are here.’

Margaret celebrated her 80^th birthday at the park, with a cake and a bottle of champagne presented by staff.

If you want to check Ruda out for yourself, there’s plenty to do on site, including a tropical indoor pool complex, kids’ clubs and activities, DJ workshops for teenagers, and a dedicated surf shop. You’ll find loads to do nearby as well – try surfing at one of the three beaches, taking a walk to the headland at Baggy Point, or seeing life-sized model dinosaurs at the Combe Martin Wildlife Park.