SOLD : Devon based Outdoor Experience bought by Somerset firm - the A38 connection

For anyone travelling along the A38 between Plymouth and Exeter the name of Outdoor Experience is probably well known. Initially trading from a site adjacent to the dual-carriageway at Ashburton and, more recently from a site at Teigngrace, (near Trago Mills and opposite the British Ceramic Tile factory), the business grew from just selling camping gear to offering both new Bailey caravans and used caravans as well as caravan servicing. As the business developed, a website was added offering customers the option to buy suitable goods to be delivered. The 4 acre site at Teigngrace offers a modern caravan servicing workshop, large accessories shop as well as an outdoor display area for tent and awning displays and employs 13 staff.

Looking to retirement the previous owners, Roland Honour and his wife Sandra, instructed specialist business transfer agency, Beardsley Theobalds to act for them. A large promotional campaign was put in place including national and regional advertising and mailshots to owners of similar businesses. Also the business was featured on the leading websites in the business transfer market as well as Beardsley Theobalds’ own website. Interest was shown from across the country from people who owned similar businesses and were looking for expansion to people who were looking to move to the South West but were also attracted by the profits being made by the business.

Mr. and Mrs. Honour chose to sell their business to Highbridge Caravans owned by the Davies family. Roland and Sandra and their small team being a family business, were happy that they chose the Davies family to continue the good family values that they strived for within their business. It is Highbridge Caravan’s aim, with the current helpful and friendly staff, to provide excellent choice and customer service for all Outdoor Experience customers, as can be expected at our main Somerset site which has developed over 50 years.

Highbridge Caravans being an established player in the industry, which has a large 10 acre site, again adjacent to the A38 at Highbridge near Burnham on Sea, Somerset, felt the purchase made perfect sense. This now enables the company to expand further into the South West and also to increase their offering in Devon by way of sales of motorhomes for the first time at Outdoor Experience. The new owners plan a large investment in improving all the current facilities on site and providing Devon customers with a wider selection of both new and used caravans, motorhomes, shop products, awnings and motor annexes to browse.

With the increase in ‘staycations’ due to factors such as the current relative weakness of the pound and security fears from travelling abroad, the position of camping and caravanning industry is looking good and British tourism will benefit as people enjoy all that this country has to offer. Outdoor Experience in Devon, like Highbridge Caravans in Somerset are both great locations to visit whilst enjoying the South West in your caravan or motorhome.

Pictured left to right are Directors Phillip and Matthew Davies shaking hands with Sandra and Roland Honour.