Severn Beach local knowledge required

[double-trouble]

Anyone have any knowledge on the Rustic Caravan Park that was situated very near to the railway station .
When was it started , by who and was it for the holiday boom of the day?
I believe it was still there about 5 years ago when I visited the area but from memory I believe it was a private site with some older looking vans present

[KGarrad]

I believe my in-laws used to use it! They lived in Henbury. Unfortunately, they have both passed on.

I'll have to do some digging

It's still there today!
See: http://www.parkhome.org.uk/park/rustic/

News of the heyday of Severn Beach - and some possible contacts?
http://www.kingswoodmuseum.org.uk/uncategorized/golden-years-severn-beach/

[KGarrad]

History of Severn Beach Railway Line:

In 1924 the line was extended northwards from Avonmouth to Severn Beach. This is the line which we have today. Severn Beach was intended to be a seaside resort and for a while, in the ‘30s, 40’s and 50’s it was very popular, with its 100 yards long Blue Lagoon Swimming Pool, a boating lake, donkey rides, funfair and cafés.**But with the rapid increase in private cars, its heyday was over by the 1960’s as people were able to explore and more easily travel further afield for a weekend or holiday on the beach.

The wikipedia page for Severn Beach (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severn_Beach) states that a local entrepreneur, Robert Stride had a hand in most of the development in 1922.

[hanes teulu]

Old Maps
http://www.old-maps.co.uk/index.html#/Map/355500/185500/10/101324

This is the 1954 map - no sign of a chalet/caravan site.

There is a 1965 map but the section covering Severn Beach is missing!!.

Click on "Enlarge view" of 1972 map for first appearance of chalet/caravan site.

(You may need to use zoom ( - not +) to reveal old map and then scroll to desired location

[KGarrad]

Unfortunately the "Know Your Place" mapping doesn't include South Gloucestershire - or Severn Beach!

Only on the 2016 map.
Nothing on 1921, 1946, or 1949 maps at all.

http://www.kypwest.org.uk/

[double-trouble]

I do have a book somewhere at home and purchased a few years ago..Around Severn Beach I think it was called . It gave many photos of the area including the caravan park..but cannot find it.
The caravan park was definitely there c.1963/4 and accepting residents and it seems not holiday makers as I would have expected .