Akebar Park: A Thousand Years in the Making — The Story Behind One of North Yorkshire’s Most Historic Holiday Destinations
When guests arrive at Akebar Park today, they discover beautifully landscaped surroundings, sweeping Yorkshire scenery and one of the region’s most welcoming holiday parks. But long before Akebar became a destination for staycations, weekends away and holiday home ownership, it was something very different — a medieval village, a farming community, a battleground of the Great Plague, and later a growing countryside retreat shaped by generations of one family.
Akebar’s story is far richer than most visitors ever realise. This is a place where history isn’t just preserved — it is woven into the very fabric of the landscape.
In this long-form blog, we’re travelling back nearly a thousand years to explore the fascinating journey that has shaped Akebar Park, from its earliest mention in the Domesday Book to its role today as one of the best holiday parks in North Yorkshire.
A Medieval Village Lost to Time
Akebar’s earliest recorded history appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as a substantial settlement. At that time, the area was home to a thriving community — houses, fields, livestock, families and livelihoods. But the 14th century brought devastation. The Great Plague swept through England, and Akebar was one of the many villages to fall victim. Its population collapsed, leaving behind little more than farmland and memory.
Today, the only surviving structure from this era is St Andrew’s Church, a beautiful and remarkably quiet place that has stood for almost 1,500 years. It remains one of the oldest continuously active churches in the region and serves as a powerful reminder of Akebar’s deep-rooted history.
Under the rolling fields lie the traces of the medieval village — foundations of old homes, lanes long forgotten, and the faint imprint of a life once lived here.
A Place Shaped by Monks and Monarchs
Before Akebar became farmland, it was part of the enormous Jervaulx Abbey estate, owned by Cistercian monks who managed vast areas of Yorkshire. Their influence shaped the agricultural landscape, and Akebar played its part in feeding, funding and supporting the abbey community.
However, the estate’s story changed dramatically in the 16th century during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. Jervaulx Abbey was seized, its lands broken up, and Akebar began a long period of division and private ownership. Farms grew, shifted and changed hands over centuries — until 1941, when Akebar entered a new era.
The Ellwood Family Arrives — And a New Chapter Begins
In 1941, the Ellwood family purchased the land that would eventually become Akebar Park. At the time, it was a traditional Yorkshire farm with cattle, fields and a rich agricultural heritage. But the Ellwoods were not only farmers — they were visionaries.
By the late 1960s, holiday parks were becoming increasingly popular in the UK as families sought countryside escapes. In Spring 1970, Colin and Joyce Ellwood saw an opportunity to bring people closer to the landscape they loved.
They opened a small caravan park on part of the farm. It was simple, natural and full of charm — a place of wild swimming, fresh air and tents pitched under the open sky.
It was managed by Major and Mrs Temple, the Major being a wiry veteran of Montgomery’s North African campaign who famously wore khaki shorts in all weathers. With their help, the park began to take shape and attract its first visitors.
From Tents to Touring — And Eventually to Statics
In the 1970s and 80s, Akebar Park evolved at speed. What began as a handful of tents soon expanded southward to Leeming Beck, then across it. Visitors returned year after year, bringing families, friends and traditions with them.
The landscape changed alongside the holidays. Bit by bit, tents and tourers were replaced by statics and chalets as more guests sought a home-from-home escape. This set the foundations for what Akebar is today — a leading destination for those looking for statics for sale in North Yorkshire.
As the holiday park grew, the farms also changed. Cattle breeds evolved, farming practices modernised, and livestock diversified. Horses — long a passion of the Ellwood family — became a strong presence. Eventers competed internationally during the summer, while winters were filled with hunting across the region.
Akebar was no longer just a farm. It had become a lifestyle, a community and a destination.
Cows in the Caravan Park & Sheep on the Greens — The Fun of Growing Pains
Progress rarely runs smoothly, and Akebar’s development came with plenty of memorable moments. Cows occasionally wandered through the caravan park, much to the surprise of holidaymakers. Sheep grazed the early golf course, keeping the grass perfectly trimmed — although the greens had to be protected by low electric fencing to prevent over-enthusiastic mowing.
Planning permission battles were common too. In the mid-20th century, rural tourism was far from universally supported, despite the jobs, investment and renewed life it brought to countryside communities. Colin Ellwood championed the industry and eventually became Chair of the BHHPA, representing holiday parks nationally and pushing forward green, sustainable practices.
Akebar’s evolution wasn’t easy, but it was determined — and it shaped a destination ahead of its time.
The Guests Who Made Akebar What It Is
A holiday park is nothing without its guests, and Akebar’s early visitors were as colourful and diverse as its history.
Many came from the North East, where Mrs Ellwood’s family had business connections. Some were union leaders — including one whose father had once battled Mrs Ellwood’s father in negotiations, proving that Yorkshire holidays transcend even workplace rivalries.
Others travelled from the West Riding, often inspired by brochure drops delivered discreetly into the more affluent corners of Leeds and Bradford.
For a time, Akebar also attracted large numbers of Dutch visitors arriving at Hull, venturing inland in search of hills before continuing their journeys to Scotland. The Yorkshire hospitality and scenery kept many coming back year after year.
Festivals, Barbecues and Bonfire Night Traditions
Long before holiday parks hosted organised entertainment, Akebar was running its own events — often in the fields themselves.
Every summer, the Ellwood family hosted themed charity barbecues to raise funds for St Andrew’s Church. Past themes included Druids, Ghosts and other wonderfully eccentric ideas. Guests dressed up, food was cooked over open flames, and the sense of community grew stronger every year.
At the end of each season, Bonfire Night was celebrated with a huge fire and a fireworks display. Sometimes the fire included the odd piece of general rubbish that caused an unexpected explosion — but no one was ever hurt, and the memories live on fondly today.
Four Generations and Counting
Today, Akebar is run by the fourth generation of the family, bringing new ideas, energy and direction, ensuring that Akebar continues to grow while staying true to its heritage.
Few holiday parks in Britain can claim such long-standing family ownership. Fewer still sit on land with roots stretching back over a millennium. Akebar is, in every sense, a place where history, family and community meet.
Akebar Today — History Meets Modern Holiday Living
From its medieval beginnings to its modern identity as one of the best holiday parks in North Yorkshire, Akebar has never stopped evolving. Visitors today enjoy:
- A stunning 130-acre park
- Beautiful countryside views
- A renowned 18-hole golf course
- The much-loved Friars Head country pub
- Luxury static caravans and holiday lodges
- A welcoming community of owners and guests
And through it all, the ancient church still stands — a quiet reminder of the many lives, stories and generations that came before.
A Place Where History Lives On
Akebar isn’t just a holiday park. It’s a place where families return year after year, where memories are made, and where the past and present coexist beautifully. Its story is one of resilience, reinvention and rural Yorkshire spirit — and it continues to unfold with every new season and every new guest.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend, browsing statics for sale in North Yorkshire, or simply exploring its heritage, Akebar’s history is always part of the experience.
