When Lionel Lovell purchased the village shop in the 1940’s, included was all the land surrounding the premises. Along with grazing land for pigs and cows there was also an orchard and an area set aside for potato crops. ‘Garden Cottage’, a renovated barn, once housed the harvest from this land.
With the expansion of the EMI electronics site on Wookey Hole Road there was an immediate need for accommodation. Requests for suitable land were made by the company’s management to which Mr. Lovell replied. It was not long after that the first mobile home units were being positioned in the grazing field. Their success is now evident and with the motive being to develop the site commercially the camping area soon followed.
In September 1968 Godfrey and Barbara Seddon purchased the Park and continued its commercial development. The old garages which were used as an office were demolished in 1973 and replaced with a new reception area and house for the owners. The touring pastime peaked in the late 70’s but soon started to decline with the opening of the M5 motorway. Holiday makers now had the ability to travel further south without the need for a break in their journey.
A second park was purchased in Shropshire in 1984 and was run by Godfrey and Barbara. Son-in-law Stuart Palmer took over the management of Homestead Park and to this day continues to do so. In 1989 the Shropshire caravan park was sold and the couple returned to Wookey Hole.
Homestead Park made the national headlines during August 1987. On suspicion of plotting to kill the then Northern Ireland secretary Tom King, three members of the IRA who were camping at the park were arrested.
Over a period of 20 years mobile home units have advanced from glorified caravans to luxury park homes containing all the expected modern conveniences. Homes that are well looked after can expect to have a life span in excess of 35 years. The main layout of the park has changed little over the years although improvements have included the introduction of street lighting and tarmac roads. Additional car parking for the residents replaces what used to be until recently a tennis court and crazy golf area.
S. Palmer, D. Hudsmith