Posts tagged with "South Lakeland Parks"

Here at South Lakeland Parks we have a luxury lakeside lodge for sale that is the “closest you can get to the lake without actually being in it”.

The luxury lodge at Fallbarrow Park in the popular holiday town of Bowness on Windermere is the largest property on the site and boasts 1,144 square feet of living space - more than a typical city apartment.

Priced at just under £675,000, it is also the most expensive holiday lodge in the UK.

However, the unique selling point is the location. Looking directly out onto England’s largest lake, Windermere with split level decking reaching the waters edge, it also has the exclusivity of being the last ever lakeshore lodge to be built on this site.

The three bedroomed lodge comes with modern open plan kitchen, dining and living areas, which all have uninterrupted views from floor to ceiling doors onto the lake and stretching out to the impressive Lake District fells. 

The master bedroom has the same view from the king sized bed as well as having a spacious dressing room and ensuite wetroom with underfloor heating.

It is the most technically advanced of its kind available today and has been fitted with all the latest mod cons; from dial-in controlled lighting and heating to an integrated FM sound system that runs throughout the entire property.

The Lakeside lodge is part of the new Lakeside Development - an exclusive 23-lodge development set in a private and secluded area of Fallbarrow Park with properties ranging from £295,000 to £674,995.

Fallbarrow is a peaceful, relaxing five star holiday park set in extensive private grounds yet situated just a couple of minutes’ walk from the shops, bars and restaurants of Bowness on Windermere. It has held a David Bellamy Gold Award for its commitment to conservation for the last 13 years.

To enquire about the Lakeside lodge and other properties on the Lakeside development, call 01539 261455.

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A little more than 120 years ago, John Bickerstaffe, one time Mayor of Blackpool visited the Great Paris Exhibition and was so impressed by the Eiffel Tower that he returned home with a dream of building a similar tower in the resort.

With £2,000 of his own money he gathered together a local group of investors and in February 1891, the Blackpool Tower Company was born. Three years later the tower was completed and ever since has been one of the country’s top tourist attractions.



To find out more we sent our Web Communications Co-ordinator Matt Hartnett out again to check out the Tower and other nearby attractions. He was accompanied by Heather Clough and two friends from Blackpool and their eight-month-old son. Their visit was on a cold but bright January afternoon.

The weather though was quickly forgotten with the warmth of the welcome inside the tower building. Parking was no problem with plenty of nearby pay and display parks all providing easy access to the tower.

Matt writes: “The attraction has three different parts to it; a 4D cinema, the exciting lift to the top of the tower itself and then the special interaction once at the top. We were all struck by the helpful and friendly staff which made the visit even more enjoyable.

We all enjoyed the cinema which was my first experience of 4D and I would recommend this to anyone. We enjoyed the lift to the top and once there, the view was amazing. We were helped because it was such a clear day and we all looked out across the Irish Sea towards the Isle of Man. It is said you can even see Ireland on a clear day.

At the the top of the tower there is a glass ‘walk of faith’ floor which allows you to see right down to The Promenade. The more nervous visitor can be assured that only a section of the floor is actually glass.



Elsewhere within the complex there is Jungle Jims, the Circus, the Dungeon and, of course, the world famous Tower Ballroom now such a major feature on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. There is also a large gift shop selling everything you might want related to the tower. There is also the chance to have a photograph taken when you first arrive.

We all enjoyed our visit and we agreed that Blackpool Tower has something for everyone whether they are in a family or a large group. We all decided we would return for another tower adventure.”

Attraction costs:
Adult £12.60 Child £9.60 Family £39.60 (two adults & two children)


Rating: 5 out of 5
Review by Matt Hartnett,
South Lakeland Parks Website Co-ordinator

Did you know?
Blackpool Tower is 518 ft high and cost £290,000 to build and it took five million bricks, 2.500 tonnes of iron and 93 tonnes of cast iron to complete the construction. The iron and steel were constructed and designed in such a way that if ever the tower was to fall, it would fall into the sea. A time capsule is buried at its base.

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Jim Black Siting Team Supervisor


Fact File
Job title: Siting Team Supervisor
Role: Supervise the movement and siting of all holiday homes across nine Parks
Home town: Arnside, Lancashire
How long have you worked for South Lakeland Parks? Seven years
Unusual fact about me? I have a degree in Graphic Design from Staffordshire University
Interests when not working? Enjoying a pint at my local

Open spaces have always fascinated Jim Black which probably explains why he enjoys nothing better than visiting the Isle of Mull in the Hebrides.

As he explains: “The island is so peaceful and the people are great. Whenever I am there I just enjoy the tranquillity, the scenery and the feeling of freedom. I enjoy walking and the Hebrides is a perfect place to ramble and climb.”

Mind you Jim also enjoys the scenery nearer to home. His favourite more local areas are the nearby national parks, both in Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales. He says: “I suppose we might take for granted, so much of the beauty that surrounds us because we are seeing it every day. But I spend a lot of time walking the fells and the dales and I never fail to be impressed by the views.

We are all so very lucky living in this corner of the North West where such wonderful scenery is only a short walk or ride away. Whenever I am asked about the Lakes I always say the best way to see them is to explore.

Get out of your cars and, if you can, walk. That way you will not only get some wonderful exercise, but you will also see some unrivalled sights.”

Jim, of course, has more chance than most to see these sights. His job takes him to all of South Lakeland’s Parks because he and his team have the responsibility of ensuring that all the holiday homes are properly sited. “I get the chance to enjoy some of the best countryside around and all as part of my job”, he explains.

Jim’s job also involves moving new vans and lodges on to the parks and on to their sites and that means using cranes, winches and heavy loaders to transport them safely. He says: “As you can imagine this can sometimes be tricky because lodges are getting bigger and bigger and the roads seem to be getting smaller. It can take some real effort to manoeuvre them around the areas without disturbing some of the structures already in place.”

Once the new lodges and vans have been sited, Jim and his team then swing into action ensuring that all the plumbing and other services are in place.

“I like meeting people across all our parks, particularly our customers at their holiday homes. They always appreciate the work we do, especially when they see the siting work for themselves.”

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South Lakeland Parks launch lowest ever priced holiday home.

Holidaying at home is set to become even more affordable at four Lancashire holiday parks when their new, lowest ever priced holiday caravans are launched this weekend.

Ocean Edge, Regent and Hawthorne holiday parks on Morecambe Bay and Todber holiday park in the Ribble Valley, all part of the South Lakeland Parks group, will be unveiling the brand new caravan over this Easter weekend, 6th-9th April 2012.

The ABI Seashore, priced from just £19,995 is the group’s lowest ever priced new holiday home and is exclusively available only on these four seaside and countryside parks.

The two-bedroom caravan is fully equipped with everything needed to enjoy a break away from home including gas fire, 4- hob cooker and twin oven, shower, family dining table seating, and an extra pull out bed in the lounge.

The 36 by 12 foot model also comes with a separate en-suite to the master bedroom and uPVC double glazing and full central heating as standard.
With the average cost of a one-week family holiday to Europe being around £2000, a family of four could easily recoup the cost of this great value home within just five years. 

The seaside parks of Ocean Edge and Regent have a wide range of facilities for all the family to enjoy including indoor heated swimming pools and saunas, indoor and outdoor play areas and family cabaret lounges complete with entertainment and live shows.

For those looking for a more peaceful and laid back way of life, the smaller Hawthorne Park on the shores of Morecambe Bay is the perfect place to relax. Owners also have the added benefit of being able to use the leisure facilities at nearby Ocean Edge.

Todber holiday park in the picturesque rural setting of the Ribble Valley is ideally placed for exploring The Trough of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales whilst the park itself has all the charm of a private countryside hideaway.

Caroline Farrer, Group Marketing Manager at South Lakeland Parks, said: “Holidaying at home does not have to be an expensive option and with the introduction of these exciting new homes on four of our parks, we are making it more affordable than ever.

“So, if the idea of limitless holidays and short breaks appeals to you then come along to our unveiling events at the parks this weekend and be one of the first to take advantage of these brand new, great value homes.”

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Nurture Lakeland Riverside Walk - Official Opening

South Lakeland Parks are active supporters of Nurture Lakeland, an organization which aims to make the Cumbrian tourism industry more sustainable by creating ways for businesses and individuals to donate to conservation.

Nurture Lakeland makes sure that the money raised goes to the areas that need it the most, so that the Lake District remains a beautiful place to visit. They also deliver responsible tourism campaigns and advice to help businesses, residents and visitors understand how they can help.

As members of the Nurture Lakeland organisation, South Lakeland Parks has been able to raise money – through the
generosity of owners and visitors.

South Lakeland Parks has been helping visitors of all ages and levels of fitness to enjoy the countryside by supporting the ‘Miles without Stiles’ project. This raises money towards upgrading and developing footpaths to improve access for people with limited mobility throughout Cumbria and the Lake District.

Working in association with Nurture Lakeland, South Lakeland Parks has already raised over £50,000.

One of the main routes South Lakeland Parks has been supporting is the Staveley Riverside Walk. This walk was officially opened in July by Eric Robson, the writer, broadcaster and Chairman of Cumbria Tourism. Now  improvements to the footpath have been completed, making it safer for everyone to walk along.

The Staveley Riverside Walk route runs from the Duke William pub along the path to the footbridge and then turns left  along the riverside to the road.

The new wall next to the riverside walk was built over two weekends by the Friends of the Lake District Annual Walling Competition. Members of the Dry Stone Walling Association built a new field boundary wall alongside the path. Over 140 metres was built over three days. The money raised also went towards building a wheelchair accessible bridge and a link to Staveley Mill Yard where visitors can access local shops and cafes.

A 68 tonne crane was needed to lift the new seven tonne bridge into position. The new, bespoke footbridge now spans the River Kent directly behind Staveley Mill Yard and its design, reflects the yard’s unique history of wood turning. The flowing shape of the bridge resembles the form of a wood shaving.
www.nurturelakeland.org

If you want to try the walk  CLICK HERE for the walk route.

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Riverside Walking Route
Route type: For all. A level path alongside the River Kent and minor tarmac road, return to Staveley Mill Yard - OS Explorer Map OL7
Distance: 1.25 km or 0.8 miles
Start and end point: Staveley Mill Yard - grid ref. SD 472983
Facilities: Café, pub and toilets all in the Mill Yard
Getting there: Bus: The 555 bus from Kendal to Windermere stops at Staveley every hour until the early evening. Train: The Kendal to Windermere train also stops at Staveley on request.

Route
Reach the footbridge over the River Kent by either walking past the front of the glass fronted Hawkshead Brewery in Mill Yard, and through a gap in the yard wall, or walking along Main Street to St Margaret’s Chapel and taking the public footpath on the left.

The River Kent is one of England’s fastest flowing rivers and historically was essential to the success of local industry. There were once over 30 mills reliant on its waterpower. The mill on this site was constructed around 1825 by local businessman Thomas Taylor. He recognized that with the new canal to Kendal, there was a ready market for bobbins and reels for the Lancashire cotton mills, and plenty of local timber in Staveley to provide the raw materials.

Continue past the weir, built in 1853, and alongside the deeper waters of the river. Watch out for kingfishers and dippers speeding by. The path soon reaches a minor road. Continue along this to Barley Bridge and turn left and left again to return to the village centre. Once past the church, Back Lane is the quietest route to the Mill Yard.

It is a great walk for all the family so make your way to Staveley and see for yourself what South Lakeland Parks has done for the Lake District!

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There are so many things to see and do in the Lake District that sometimes you could be spoilt for choice. In an effort to help you make up your mind, We are planning to highlight some of the attractions near some of our parks. For this issue we dispatched Matt Hartnett and Heather Clough off to Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre.

They report: “We arrived by car and the first things we immediately noticed were the wonderful scenic views and the beautiful gardens which stretch right down to the shores of Windermere. Further investigation quickly revealed that there is loads to do.

There is an adventure playground, a new crazy golf area and 20 acres of garden and woodland to admire and explore. Boat hire is available for a trip around the lake and a new pier.

Inside the imposing house there are always exhibitions to enjoy and to inspire. We enjoyed Rugged Reflections, History of the Lakes as well as touch screen computer games. There is a café which serves good food, most of which has been freshly prepared and locally sourced. There is also a wide range of cakes and sandwiches on sale.



We enjoyed a refreshing cup of tea on the terrace enjoying the splendid views and later we found a bench where we had our picnic with the sun on our backs. Nearby children were enjoying the adventure playground.

Whilst we travelled to Brockhole by car, owners can walk from Limefitt, White Cross Bay and Fallbarrow. Entry to the house, grounds and lakeshore is free. There is free WiFi, but parking charges apply.

Brockhole is a not-for-profit attraction run by the Lake District National Park Authority. All profits go towards its upkeep. There are various events throughout the year so it is best to visit http://www.brockhole.co.uk/ Whats on to see what is on.

The visitor centre is open all year round (except Christmas Day) and opens at 10am till 5pm while the gardens open 8am to 6pm.

We will definitely be going back as there is so much more to explore.

The Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole is located just off the A591 between Windermere and Ambleside. 015394 46601 www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

Rating: 4 out of 5.
Review by Matt Hartnett,
South Lakeland Parks website Co-ordinator

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Park Life the Magazine for Owners at South Lakeland Parks ...

It may have flown by but we at South Lakeland Parks have come a long way in 6 years. With the 3rd edition of 'Park Life'  now ready this is what can be found in our latest edition of Park Life;

- Owners' Inbox - Competition, letters, Owner feeback
- New Developments for 2012
- David Bellamy Awards - What they mean to us.
- Charity News
- Exclusive Owner Events
- Attraction Review - Blackpool Tower
- Manufacture's review - ABI Seashore
- Owners Discount Vouchers - with great savings on local attractions.
- What's On
- Plus much more

So to view the magazine CLICK HERE

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This is a very short walk but one which should never be rushed. It should be done in the summer and at that time you will see plenty.
This stroll begins in the centre of Windermere close to the A591 and below the Windermere Hotel, the bus stop, Booths Supermarket and the railway station. There are plenty of places to eat but Orrest Head on a nice day is the perfect place for a good picnic.

Map OS L96 or OL7
Grid reference: 412 989
Length of walk: 1.5 miles
Time: You could do it in an hour but you may want to take a little longer than that.

Route
1 - Find a sign on the road seen from the parking area indicating Orrest Head. This is only a few yards and bears left into lovely woodlands. Follow the track through the woods and continue to a junction and turn right. At this time of the year, the woodland flowers, trees and birdsong are at their very best and on the day of my visit I watched pied flycatchers catching insects in flight and taking beakfulls to their nests to feed their young.
Here is a lane with a stony floor and contained between walls which must be very old as they are covered in moss as well as plants such as ferns, herb robert and ivy-leaved toad flax.

The route now bears left and here you begin the climb towards Elleray Bank.

2 - Look out here to see what is left of a kitchen garden which once fed the inhabitants of the estate of Elleray House. The mix of native and introduced plants are open areas close to woodland has proved ideal for butterflies and on the day of my visit I watched several species including Comma, Peacock and Red Admiral. On hot days photographing butterflies is hard work but early in the morning it is easy. Butterflies are cold blooded and in the early morning they spread their wings wide on the surface of flowers and let the sunlight warm them up.

3 - Rhododenrons thrive in this area and follow the meandering path up towards Elleray Bank. There are splendid views down to the left and the route then begins to level out and leaves the trees, dominated by Scots Pine and enters a lovely little lane. Follow this lane until a kissing gate is reached.



4 - Pass through this gate and climb for a short distance to reach the summit of Orrest Head. Look for an inscribed stone dated to 1902 and celebrating the fact that the Heywood family gave the area to the people of Windermere. I would add that it is not just a treat for the people of Windermere but for all of us because here is one of the best views in the whole of Cumbria. All this in just over a mile from the town centre which can easily be reached by public transport. I always picnic here and enjoy a view over the whole of Windermere water and on a clear day, Morecambe Bay can be seen as well as the Langdale Pikes, Scafell Pike, Coniston Old Man and many of our hills and mountains.

5 - From the Orrest Head view I am always reluctant to start the descent leading to the starting point, but there is still much to see, but Elleray Woods has other gems on offer. Apart from a picnic I always carry a little flower book because the variety of plants here is wide and attracts birds and butterflies. A little hand lens and a light pair of binoculars always com in handy. An obvious track leads to the road and the starting point.

Most of us use our cars to reach the starting point for walks, but it is good that this one can be reached by both bus and train.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.

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So we have launched our NEW Ownership Brochure for the 2012 season, this was re-designed by Blumilk, at the start of the process we had two very different concepts that were then tailored into the one we have now. 

To coincide with the new brochure we also re-designed the website with Fat Media and added some great new features too ...



Some of these include;
- Budget Calculator which can help you find your ideal holiday home within your budget.

- New Search Functionality you can now search by Lake District, Morecambe Bay, Ribble Valley, then select the parks in that area you want to view.

- Live Chat you can now chat live with one of our sales team and get the answer straight away.

- Finance Options these are available on our units so you can see the repayment periods and monthly payments.

- Special Offer Functionality you can see straight away if we have a offer available on these units.

- Ownership & Lodge Brochures are now online to download or if you want we can post it too you.

To download or receive in the post our NEW Ownership Brochure CLICK HERE

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It was one of those days that you look back on and remember as a turning point -  dull summer weather, coming up to the big birthday….. We were out for a drive at the weekend and casually talking about holidays abroad, where to go next but also how we'd always day-dreamed about spending more  time by the sea, but not just that, having somewhere  to stay that we could afford and at least have a passing chance of sea view.....
 
How do you make that happen…..? Well that's what we did when we called in on spec that weekend. We parked up and walked to the edge of The Ocean Edge and what a sea view! .... We didn't check anything else out that day and just came home but the week after we decided to have a look at other sites but none gave us the necessary sea view feel.

We were probably the classic holiday home virgins so to speak - grown up family now with a little more cash to spend wisely,  loads of holidays abroad behind us, but not having ever had or stayed in a holiday home in the UK before.

Less than an hour's drive away, we tentatively returned to Ocean Edge for a second look - and after a brilliant day with expert and patient staff spent checking out lots of caravans, we gradually formed a view on what we didn't want as much as what we did want. We picked the first van we looked at and two weeks later it was ours and we were in!  
 
Reflecting back on the whole experience, we had sound advice from the genuinely friendly and professional staff  from the word go without any pressure and I have to stress that we were always in the driving seat - that is except when Janice took control of the golf buggy - an experience not to be missed.

We had decided to check things out a bit more and as we did we found the site suited. There was a good range of starter vans and options within our budget.  It was clearly excellent long term value for money overall with a wide range of facilities and entertainment available on the doorstep with the added bonus that our grown up family and our grandchildren could also join in the fun.

Well, we've spent every weekend and more here since then. Some quiet and some busy and we are now upgrading to a newer model now that we know we love it ! it's given us a whole new future to look forward to that was really only a step away -  sometimes it can be just about doing it and not just thinking about it.
 
We now look forward to the long summer days and shorter spring and autumn days to spend walking, bird-watching, visiting lovely places, doing something or nothing, joining in the excellent on-site entertainment or just staying put to chill out, relax and watch the sea.

We certainly don't get the sea-side glorious sunsets and the inevitable but absolutely spectacular sea storms back home.
 
As I started off by saying - just what we had always day-dreamed about is now a reality!
 
Mr and Mrs Truran from Chorley, Lancashire – Owners at Ocean Edge

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Winterisation is necessary to help protect your holiday home from frost damage. Water pipes, shower valves, taps, boilers, radiators can all freeze leading to expensive repairs/replacement costs. It is also important to note that many insurance policies require draining down as part of the conditions of your cover.

We unfortunately cannot guarantee the continuous supply of utilities to your holiday home, and respectfully remind you that boilers will not operate on frost stat setting when there is a break in supply of electricity, furthermore there is no guarantee that the boiler will re-set itself, which could lead to your holiday home exposed to frost damage.

Some parks offer this winterization service in-house, and all parks can provide a list of approved contractors/tradesmen upon request. Alternatively you can follow the procedure below, however please be aware that any small amount of water left in the system could freeze. When closing down for winter it is advisable to use a compressor (no more than 3 bar pressure) and blow through the pipe lines to ensure all water is removed.

Tip 1 Add the correct level of anti freeze to your central heating system
Tip 2 Shut off the main supply outside your holiday home
Tip 3 Leave open all taps including the shower and drain
Tip 4 Flush the toilet to empty the cistern
Tip 5 Put anti freeze also into all sinks and shower traps
Tip 6 Open the drain cock provided under the holiday home and leave open
Tip 7 Drain and set any water heaters or central heating systems to defrost setting
Tip 8 Ensure you home is left locked and secure. When you return simply reverse the procedure and turn on the mains supply slowly (with an assistant)
Tip 9 Speak to a park team member for advice if unsure

For more advice on draining down for the winter, speak to a member of your park staff.

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The UK’s most luxurious holiday lodges opened in April

It has been described as a new dawn in luxury home ownership and there was certainly many other compliments paid when the Lakeside lodge development at Fallbarrow was officially launched in April.

The sun shone brightly as Tim Farron, local MP and president of the Liberal Democrats opened the development which offers a chance for holiday home ownership in one of the Lake District’s most prestigious locations.

Mr Farron said: "We have a world class product here in the Lake District and these staggering and gorgeous lodges have really raised the bar of the standard of accommodation available.  The product is ambitious and visionary offering a wonderful standard of residence in the Lake District that is cheap by comparison for a second home.  It’s a great opportunity for others to share in what we enjoy on a daily basis without robbing a local of much needed general housing."

His views echoed that of South Lakeland Parks MD Nigel Wimpenny, who is the brains behind this exciting development He said:  “We wanted to create a market for people to own a holiday home without putting the strain on local housing prices.  These lodges offer just that and there are few, if any, better locations for a holiday home than here on Lake Windermere. 

"The lodges have a unique quality in their proximity to Bowness and offer owners the highest quality of accommodation at half of the average house price in the area."

The Lakeside is a collection of 23 high specification holiday lodges which can accommodate up to six guests each.  Features within the lodges can include:

• Remotely activated heating and lighting
• An overall living space of up to 62 x 22ft
• Meile kitchens
• Bose sound systems
• Outdoor decked area for owners to enjoy barbecues or even install their own hot tub
• Parking for up to two cars
• Lakeside location with views to the surrounding mountains
• Luxury furnishings and carpets
• Mooring for luxury motor and sailing boats

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Subletting is a great way to earn additional income and offset some of the annual running costs of your Holiday Home when it would otherwise not be in use..

Why sublet through South Lakeland Parks?

Choosing to sublet through South Lakeland Parks holiday division South Lakeland Holidays allows you to relax while others take care of everything else. The Parks team will ensure that your Holiday Home is in safe hands. You will also have the support of our ‘Holiday Reservations’ and ‘Marketing Teams’.
South Lakeland Holidays will provide you with:

• A FULL CLEAN of your holiday home after each booking
• LINEN and LAUNDRY for all your holiday bookings
• ADVERTISING in newspapers and on the internet
• TARGETED MARKETING SUPPORT – brochures, letters, flyers
• ONLINE PROMOTION
• CUSTOMER CORRESPONDENCE including confirmations, invoices and collection of payments
• KEY HANDLING service via our reception teams
• GAS CHECKING SERVICE (for units on bottled gas) and invoicing direct to the holiday home owner (i.e. no need for holidaymaker to pay up front for a new bottle)
• EXTENDED MAINTENANCE SUPPORT through our maintenance staff who are available during office hours seven days per week throughout the season and after office hours a night warden will be available to assist holiday home users
• INVENTORY CHECKING of your holiday home
• HOLIDAY LETTINGS STATEMENT Quarterly statements of all of your bookings and weekly income breakdown

South Lakeland Holidays have a wealth of experience in holiday park marketing and a significant marketing budget is allocated for brochure production, mailings, internet development and advertising to support our subletting programme. This combined with an excellent booking system and experienced professional staff will ensure your property is effectively marketed.

How much income can I expect?

The income you can expect will depend on park location, category and size of your holiday home plus ever changing market conditions. South Lakeland Holidays does not guarantee any income levels from subletting your unit.

To request a sublet guide or for more information call 015395 69835 or email janette.vaughan@southlakelandparks.co.uk

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