by John Prince
Skirlington Coast has been rated one of the best family holiday destinations in the country by a travel website.
The family-run holiday park near Skipsea has been voted by its guests as among the best places to stay in the UK.
The resort has been given a 2026 Traveller Reviews award by Booking.com, after receiving an average score of 9 out of 10 in online reviews over the past three years.
Resort director Darren Cavill said the recognition reflects both the work of the team and the changes made since owners Unity Holidays took over the site.
He said: “This is a tremendous award for us because it shows our owners and guests appreciate the hard work and service of our team, and the improvements we’ve made since Unity Holidays bought the park.
“Our owners and guests are our first priority, and our plans for the future reflect that as we continue to enhance the facilities, entertainment, food and activities we offer.”
It is the third time Skirlington Coast has officially been recognised. Both the AA and Visit England awarded it a five-star grading, with the AA also handing it a gold award.
In a message to staff, Booking.com CEO Glenn Fogel praised the resort’s consistency and guest experience, calling the award “a well‑deserved milestone” and thanking the team for “reflecting the heart of hospitality.”
The park is due to reopen to holidaymakers in late March after a multi-million pound redevelopment. Around £10 million has been spent upgrading the indoor pool, and creating a new outdoor pool and lido, along with a splash park and other family attractions.
It is all part of a wider plan to broaden the resort’s appeal, create jobs, and keep up with rising expectations in the UK staycation market.
The work is part of a planned expansion by Unity Holidays, which would see the adjacent Skirlington Market being swallowed up and closed down.
The market has been on the site next to the holiday park for almost forty years, and an official application to redevelop it has been submitted to East Riding Council.
Thousands of people have signed a petition to save it from closure, which campaigners say would bring to an end decades of local trading and hundreds of jobs.
Skirlington Market itself is ranked in the top 30 markets in the UK, and last year was shortlisted for the Britain’s Favourite Market award by the National Association of British Market Authorities.
To find out more about the petition to save the market go to change.org.