Our history timeline
1940`s
How it started
The Hoseasons we know and love today began with one small boatyard on the southern broads owned and run by Oulton Broad harbourmaster Wally B Hoseason. (So no, it isn’t a made up name, it’s from the Norse “Son of Hosea”.) After getting rather good at selling his own holidays, Wally started to help out his boatyard neighbours - and Hoseasons Holidays was born.
An early brochure edition when a holiday on the `Trixie` motor cruiser cost a mere £15 a week
1950`s
New Beginnings
Wally’s son James succeeded him as heir to the family business, giving up his career as a civil engineer. Under his inspired leadership, we would become a household name in UK holidays within the next two decades.
1952
Happy to Help
Our first move into land-based holidays; we were pleased to help a handful of boatyard owners in marketing their riverside “holiday homes”. Many were little more than wooden huts, popular with anglers!
1954
More on the Norfolk Riverside
Expansion of riverside holiday homes with the acquisition of the Thurman booking agency in Potter Heigham.
1957
London gets the Message
The first-ever boating holiday ads on TV were trialled in the London region.
The growth in popularity of bungalow and caravan holidays meant they earned a place in the back of the brochure.
1960`s
Do-it-Yourself Holidays
We spearheaded the explosion in UK self-catering, travelling the length and breadth of the country to find the best holiday locations in the UK for our customers.
A cup of coffee and newspaper in bed? Our idea of a perfect morning on holiday hasn't changed much in 50 years.
1970`s
1972
What’s on TV?
We were first ‘on the box’ across the national network in Britain with our TV adverts for boating holidays and holiday parks. People still sing us those old jingles!
1975:
The Number to Call
Death of the coupon! We pioneered the telephone dial-a-brochure request service. By now most people were booking by phone, too.
1976:
Holiday parks fly off the shelves
Holiday parks took off to become our best selling holidays, ousting old-fashioned ‘hi-de-hi’ holiday camps as Britain’s family favourites.
Going high-tech
Another No1 – the first computer reservations system for UK holidays. Out go the wall-charts!
Colourful walls and wacky carpets made for a stylish holiday home back in the 1970`s.
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1980`s
1982:
Bonjour La Belle France
Our first overseas holidays….we cast off on the waterways of France.
1985:
Up Your Street
Hoseasons gets an early foot in the door for UK holidays, distributing brochures through high street travel agents for the first time. Customers still love our brochures and this year we printed over 2 million copies.
Up Your Street - we began distributing brochures through high street travel agents for the first time.
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1990`s
1996
Roses Round the Door
Hoseasons Country Cottages was launched. Now we feature over 2300 hand picked properties in all the loveliest parts of Britain.
1999
Click Here to Book
Hoseasons are the first UK holidays to be booked directly online. Today, over 35,000 of you visit our website everyday – that’s one every two seconds!
1999
Long Service Award
By now awarded an OBE for his services to tourism, James Hoseason retired after almost 50 years at the helm of Hoseasons. At the turn of the millennium, we were leaders in UK self-catering, with over 12,000 places to stay and over a million holidaymakers a year.
The fashion may have changed but spending quality time together as a family on holiday is still what it's all about.
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2000`s
2001
Even Better Interaction
The new century saw the launch of our first fully interactive website. This meant visitors could see full details of their holidays online, make easy, fast searches, check availability and book. Progress and innovations have been continuous ever since to keep our site at the forefront.
2006
A place in the sun
Hoseasons Villas with Pools offers our customers a fantastic new choice of villas, farmhouses, cottages and apartments throughout Europe.
2008
The Freedom of the City
Hoseasons first web-only holidays – City Break Apartments are born. Now our customers can enjoy stylish accommodation, luxury facilities, lots of space and exceptional value for money – a fantastic alternative to hotels.
2009
Get Set and Go With Us
With the Olympics around the corner, there is a “feel good, get active” mood in the air. And our new “Go Active Breaks” are the perfect opportunity to do that. We give you the chance to enjoy your favourite sports, kick-off a new interest or simply have fun and games together.
Make the magic of a city break last longer with a Hoseasons city break apartment.
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2010`s
2010
Lodges and parks in Europe is launched
With the ever increasing popularity of our UK parks and lodges programme, we have expanded our portfolio into Europe. Expect the same level of quality and service that has made our UK holidays so popular in Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium!
2010
Wyndham Worldwide aquired Hoseasons
Joining forces with other leading holiday brands, Hoseason is now part of The Hoseasons Group.
2011
A return to TV advertising
Fronted by TV presenter and Legally Blonde star Denise Van Outen and shown nationwide the brand new TV commercial and supporting marketing campaigns represent the continuing commitment to drive the Hoseasons brand forward.
Make the magic of a city break last longer with a Hoseasons city break apartment.
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