Blakemere

What Blakemere does

Blakemere is a privately held, single-site family destination attraction and holiday park in Sandiway, Northwich, Cheshire, founded in 1994 and co-owned by Ginny White and Tim Gerrard. The business operates an integrated Shop-Eat-Play-Stay proposition: a cobbled courtyard village of 20+ shops hosting 100+ independent retailers (antiques, crafts, homeware, pets, gifts, jewellery), 15+ paid family activities (archery, axe throwing, air rifles, Segway tours, falconry, crazy golf, low ropes, miniature railway, craft workshops, soft play), five on-site bars and eateries, and a multi-award-winning holiday park comprising 12 luxury glamping lodges with private hot tubs, touring and camping pitches, and 23 holiday homes. The site is free to enter with free parking and operates daily, with ticketed seasonal events (circus, Christmas woodland experience, model railway) and a dedicated group and coach party trade.

The underlying technology stack is conventional and non-proprietary: a WordPress-based marketing website (blakemerevillage.com), a separate e-commerce booking platform (stayatblakemere.co.uk), MailChimp email marketing, TicketSource third-party event ticketing, and standard social media channels (Facebook, Instagram). There is no mobile app, no public API, and no proprietary platform or AI/ML components. The company does not publish revenue or employee counts beyond a stated 11-50 headcount range; the management structure visible publicly consists of the two co-owners and a Tenant Liaison Officer, with most on-site labour supplied by tenant businesses and activity operators.

Name

Blakemere

Legal name

Blakemere Village

Website

https://blakemerevillage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Blakemere is a privately held family-run destination attraction and holiday park in Cheshire, UK, integrating 100+ independent retailers, 15+ family activities, five eateries, and 12 glamping lodges on a single free-entry site. It serves regional day-trippers, families, coach groups, and UK staycationers across Shop, Eat, Play, and Stay revenue lines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Family Attraction and Holiday Park

NAICS

Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (713990)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Adventure/Outdoor Base Hostels (Ski/Surf/Trek) (THAGAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF), Outdoor & Adventure Multi-Category Retail (CRAMABAB), Campground & Overnight Facilities Operations (Campsites, Cabins, Backcountry Huts) (THAAAGAE)

Keywords

• Family attraction center
• Holiday park accommodation
• Glamping lodge stays
• Independent retail shops
• Outdoor activity experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Northwich

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Retail Tenant Rentals: Blakemere leases retail space to over 100 independent retailers and artisans operating across 20+ shops, including antiques, crafts, gifts, jewellery, homeware, pet supplies, and sports equipment. Tenants include individual stallholders in emporiums, boutique operators, and established businesses.
2. Activity and Experience Bookings: Revenue generated from paid activities including archery, axe throwing, air rifles, Segway experiences, falconry, crazy golf, Segway tours, and craft workshops. Activities are priced per person with durations ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
3. Holiday Accommodation: Multi-award-winning holiday park offering glamping lodges (12 luxury units with private hot tubs), touring pitches for caravans/motorhomes, camping pitches, and holiday homes. Revenue from nightly and multi-night stays with varying pricing by season and lodge size.
4. Event Admissions and Tickets: Revenue from ticketed events including James Richards Circus, Christmas at the Magical Woodland, Pete Waterman's Making Tracks model railway, and seasonal markets. Free community events are also hosted to drive footfall.
5. Food and Beverage Operations: Five bars and eateries operate on-site including The Village Restaurant, Blakemere Village Social (heated tipi with multiple food stalls), Steve's Artisan Experience, The Wee Howff micropub, and Cheshire Farm Ice Cream. Some venues are operated by third parties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Blakemere operates a physical destination attraction in Cheshire, UK, integrating over 20 retail shops (hosting 100+ independent retailers), 15+ family activities (archery, axe throwing, Segway, falconry, crazy golf, crafts), five bars and eateries, and multi-award-winning holiday park accommodation including 12 luxury glamping lodges, touring pitches, camping, and 23 holiday homes. The site offers free entry and free parking, generating revenue through tenant rentals, activity bookings, accommodation stays, event admissions, and food and beverage operations.

Product overview

Blakemere is a physical village destination and holiday park in Cheshire, UK, not a software product. The offering consists of a unified destination venue featuring: Blakemere Village (core attraction with 20+ shops, 100+ independent retailers, 15+ family activities, and 5+ eateries), Accommodation options (Glamping/Hideaways luxury lodges, Touring Park, Camping, Holiday Homes), and Services (children's nursery, wellness services, events, and group bookings). The products operate as an integrated destination rather than a modular software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cheshire Outdoors: Outdoor activities including archery, axe throwing, air rifles, low ropes, crazy golf, Segway experiences, and falconry
• The Playbarn
• QC Auctions
• Oakmere Day Nursery
• Blakemere Village Social
• The Village Restaurant & Coffee Bar

Products and services

• Blakemere Village A free-entry family tourist destination in the Cheshire countryside offering 20+ shops, 100+ independent retailers, 15+ family activities, and five bars and eateries, open daily 10am-5pm with free parking.
• Blakemere Hideaways Glamping Lodges Luxury 5-star glamping retreat with 9 standard and 3 larger lodges, each featuring ensuite bathrooms, king-sized beds, and private hot tubs on decked gardens. Part of the multi-award-winning Blakemere Holiday Park.
• Touring Park Multi-award-winning Cheshire touring park with pitches for caravans, motorhomes, campervans, and American-style RVs, including licensed shop, reception, and full amenities block.
• Holiday Homes 23 exclusive holiday homes on the 5-star Holiday Park nestled between woodlands and fields in the Cheshire countryside, available for ownership and stays.
• Camping Pitches Grass camping pitches with electric hook-up, supported by a large amenities block with hot showers, toilets, disabled facilities, family shower room, laundry, food preparation, and dishwashing area.
• The Playbarn Warm indoor soft play area with disco area, featuring soft play for crawlers, under-3s area, big ball pool, large play area with rope bridges and slides, plus a cafe serving freshly ground coffee.
• Cheshire Falconry Hands-on bird of prey experiences including Raptor Encounter and Eagle Adventure sessions with an expert falconry team.
• Axe Throwing Recreational axe throwing activity with safety instructions from trained professionals, priced at £20 per person for 30 minutes.
• Air Rifles Air rifle shooting experiences with appropriate safety training and equipment, available for ages 10 and above at £20 per person for 30 minutes.
• Forest Glide Segway Segway PT experiences including safety briefing, training session, assault course, and guided tour of 15 acres of Cheshire woodland.
• Crazy Golf Outdoor crazy golf course built to excellent standard, testing problem solving, timing, and concentration; priced at £5 adults, £4 children, £15 family.
• Archery 30-minute archery sessions teaching concentration and skill to make accurate shots, suitable for ages 10 and above at £20 per person.
• Aviary Experience Indoor bird of prey experience featuring a weathering lawn and aviary complex, available without booking at £5 adults, £4 concessions, under 4s free.
• Low Ropes Course 15-element low ropes course one metre off the ground challenging balance and coordination, suitable for ages 6+, priced at £10 per person for 1 hour.
• Miniature Railway Miniature railway operated by Mid Cheshire Society of Model Engineers on Sundays 12pm-4pm and bank holidays, priced at £1 per person (under 4s free).
• Cheshire Craft Workshop Creative space offering pottery painting, pottery throwing, and jewellery making sessions for all ages and abilities, available as walk-in sessions or pre-bookable workshops.
• The Village Restaurant & Coffee Bar Licensed restaurant serving breakfasts, barista coffees, home-cooked meals, afternoon teas, and daily specials, available for hire for meetings and functions.
• The Wee Howff Bar specialising in craft beers with special events and fun nights.
• Steve's Artisan Experience Coffee shop and deli in the cobbled courtyard specialising in cheese, spirits, speciality gins, local produce, gift hampers, brunch, light lunch, cakes, and hot and alcoholic beverages.
• Blakemere Village Social Heated tipi venue with outdoor licensed bar featuring Little Fryer fish and chips and grill, Little Italian wood-fired pizzas, hot dogs, and sweet treats stalls.
• Cheshire Farm Ice Cream

Quantifiable outcome

• Attracts visitors of all ages with 30 years of continuous operation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Oakmere Day NurseryminorOthersPurpose-built day nursery and pre-school operating as tenant within Blakemere Village. Provides high-quality childcare for 0-5 year olds, Ofsted registered for 65 full-time places. Staffed by qualified professionals at Level 3 or above. Benefits Blakemere by attracting families with young children.
• QC AuctionsminorOthersAntiques, Fine Art & Collectables auction house operating fortnightly auctions at Blakemere with special Fine Art events quarterly. Draws collectors and enthusiasts to the venue. Viewing sessions on Tuesdays, live auctions on Wednesdays.
• Cheshire Woodland WeddingsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdjacent wedding venue offering outdoor ceremonies in woodland setting. Coordinates with Blakemere Hideaways for guest accommodation. Joint packages available for wedding parties booking both ceremony venue and luxury glamping lodging.
• AccessAbleminorOthersAccessibility information provider creating detailed Access Guides for Blakemere Village and Holiday Park. Covers parking, Visitor Information Centre, The Village Restaurant, Farrow House, Vintage and Collectables Emporium, glamping lodges, and touring facilities. Demonstrates commitment to inclusive access.
• Petty Pool Vocational CollegeminorOthersLocal charity providing education for young people with learning disabilities and outdoor adventure activities. Chosen as Blakemere's charity for 2024-2025. Located next door in Sandiway. Supports community relations and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pleasurewood Hills: Suffolk-based family theme park with rides, animal attractions, F&B, and events. Comparable regional UK family attraction scale and operational model.
• Center Parcs UK: Operates UK forest holiday villages combining self-catering accommodation with a wide range of paid family activities (swimming, climbing, Segway, archery, falconry). Closest scaled analog to Blakemere's integrated stay+activity+eat destination model, though at materially larger scale.
• Drayton Manor: UK family theme park and zoo in Staffordshire with on-site hotel. Comparable multi-revenue family attraction (admissions, accommodation, F&B, retail) in the regional UK market.
• Haven Holidays: UK holiday park operator with on-site family activities, entertainment venues, food outlets, and branded retail. Comparable integration of accommodation, activities, and F&B for the UK family staycation segment.
• Gulliver's Theme Parks: UK family theme park chain with on-site accommodation and rides/activities targeted at families with young children. Comparable regional UK family-attraction positioning and pricing band.
• Stockeld Park: Yorkshire adventure park combining outdoor activities, seasonal events (Christmas, Halloween, summer), play areas, and on-site retail and food. Closest like-for-like peer to Blakemere at a similar regional scale, with comparable event-driven GTM motion.

Regional players

• Chester Zoo: Major Northwest England family attraction with paid admission, on-site F&B, retail, and events. Comparable regional family-day-out catchment overlapping with Blakemere's Cheshire/Northwest audience.
• Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet: Major Northwest England retail destination with on-site F&B and family amenities. Comparable multi-category retail destination model in the regional Cheshire catchment, though focused on designer fashion rather than artisan/antique retail.
• Camel Creek Adventure Park: Cornwall family adventure park combining rides, animal experiences, soft play, and seasonal events. Comparable integrated family attraction model, though serving a different UK region.

Emerging players

• Go Ape: UK outdoor activity provider operating adventure courses (high ropes, archery, axe throwing, Segway) across multiple forest locations. Comparable activity product mix to Blakemere's Cheshire Outdoors sub-brand, though without the integrated retail/accommodation offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BlakemereVillage
• Instagraminstagram.com/visitblakemere
• Xx.com/visitblakemere
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blakemere-craft-centre-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blakemere