Thousands of pounds has been invested into a Weymouth holiday park with some brand-new facilities open this summer.

The Waterside Holiday Group has invested £200,000 in a new outdoor leisure space at its Waterside Holiday Park and Spa at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth, including a new beach bar and family play area.

The Weymouth-based destination has developed an area to the south of the park, which has private access to Bowleaze Cove beach. Covering nearly 2,000 square metres the facility includes a bar, play park and picnic area, and also incorporates watersports hire, courtesy of Jurassic Coast Activities, offering kayaking, paddleboarding and bodyboarding during the summer season.

The beachfront bar, The Shack, is open daily from 10am until late, dependant on weather conditions. Originally created inside a shipping container, the team at The Waterside Group have given The Shack a new lease of life serving cocktails, a selection of local beers, soft and hot drinks.

Fish and chips and fresh pizzas from the park’s take away outlet can also be ordered from The Shack to be enjoyed on the beach, and a varied children’s menu is also available.

The play park includes swings, roundabouts, slides and climbing frames, suitable for children of all ages. A picnic area has been installed with benches and free to use deckchairs are available on the grass.

Allen Main, general manager at Waterside Holiday Park, said: “The Shack and the outdoor play area are great additions to the park, and we’re very excited to be able to open our offering to local residents so they can get a taste of what life is like at Waterside as well.”

This area of the park is open to non-residents as well as owners and guests.

Formed in 1963, Waterside started life and has remained as a family-owned business, priding itself on delivering five star holiday experiences to visitors across its parks.