About Us

Akebar has deep roots in North Yorkshire, long before it became one of the best holiday parks in North Yorkshire. Once a thriving medieval village recorded in the Domesday Book, Akebar was heavily depopulated during the 14th-century Great Plague. Today, the only surviving building from that time is the beautiful St Andrew’s Church, still standing watch over land that once held many more homes. Akebar Farm itself sits on the footprint of an ancient dwelling, with more traces of the old settlement resting quietly beneath the surrounding fields.

For centuries the area formed part of the vast Jervaulx Abbey estate, which was seized by Henry VIII during the Dissolution. Following generations of change and division, the land was purchased by the Ellwood family in 1941—beginning a new chapter that would shape Akebar as we know it today.

A Caravan Park Is Born

In spring 1970, Colin and Joyce Ellwood opened a small caravan park on part of the family farm. Managed by Major and Mrs Temple—he a resilient veteran of Montgomery’s North African campaign, always in his trademark khaki shorts—the early park offered little more than open fields, wild swimming and fresh Yorkshire air. It resembled a pop-up summer camp, but its potential was undeniable.

Over the following decades, the site gradually expanded southward to Leeming Beck and beyond. Tents and tourers gave way to statics and chalets, marking the beginning of what would eventually become a leading destination for those seeking statics for sale in North Yorkshire.

Growth, Evolution and Character

As the Park developed, so too did the farms. Limousin beef cattle replaced the Frisians at Akebar, while at Scotton, Leicester tups were crossed with Swaledale ewes. Horses—always part of the Ellwood family tradition—rose to prominence, with eventers competing internationally each summer.

By the mid-1980s, the caravan park had outgrown the farm itself, prompting a shift in land use. Distant fields were sold or traded for land to the east, paving the way for Akebar’s golf course. Later, the Friars Head pub was lovingly created from former cottages. Progress wasn’t without challenges: cows occasionally wandered through the caravans, sheep once served as eco-friendly greenskeepers, and planning battles were fierce at a time when rural tourism was far from universally supported.

Colin Ellwood eventually chaired the BHHPA, championing the industry nationally and leaving a lasting impact—particularly in the area of green, sustainable development.

The People Who Shaped Akebar

Akebar Park’s community has always been wonderfully diverse. Visitors from the North East—where Mrs Ellwood’s family had strong manufacturing ties—were among the first to return year after year. Guests from the West Riding followed, thanks in part to discreet brochure drops in the finer postcodes of Bradford and Leeds. At one time, Dutch holidaymakers arrived in droves via Hull, seeking hills before continuing north to Scotland.

Festivals and gatherings have long been part of Akebar life. In decades past, themed summer barbecues—Druids and Ghosts being particular favourites—were held in the open fields to raise funds for the church. And every early November, Bonfire Night brought the season to a spectacular close with a towering pyre and an unforgettable fireworks display.

A Family Legacy Continues

In recent years, Akebar Park has continued to evolve while staying true to its heritage and natural charm. In 2016, The Friars Head underwent a full refurbishment, including the addition of two new conservatories to enhance the dining experience. By 2018, the golf course had been fully re-designed, resulting in the engaging and picturesque layout enjoyed by guests today. Growth continued in 2020 with the creation of the Lake View and Willow Water developments, expanding our premium holiday home offering and strengthening the park’s reputation for quality.

Today, Akebar is guided by the fourth generation, bringing exciting plans for the future while honouring nearly a century of family stewardship. Few holiday parks can claim such continuity, but here at Akebar, history runs deep. After all, St Andrew’s Church has stood for almost 1,500 years—a powerful reminder that every chapter in Akebar’s story is part of something much larger, shaped by time, tradition, and the landscape that surrounds us.