A WALK IN THE PARK
Easy-to-maintain holiday homes need not cost a fortune, says Jane Slade
there’s been a lot of talk this year about the 75th anniversary of the death of Beatrix Potter. The children’s author was inspired by her childhood holidays in the Lake District and later bought a home in the area.
At her death, she left 14 farms and 4,000 acres to the National Trust — a gesture that paved the way for the creation of the Lake District National Park, the largest national park in england and now a world heritage site.
such is the popularity of the area that a small cottage in Ambleside, close to Wray Castle where her family used to stay on the shores of Windermere, can sell for more than £350,000.
Britain’s 15 national parks are hotspots for second- home ownership. Unspoilt, protected and far from the hustle and bustle, their desirability has pushed property prices skywards.
But there is a more affordable alternative as company director Martin hibbert, 50, discovered. he bought a holiday home with his wife Karen 11 years ago in skelwith Fold Caravan Park in the Lake District and escapes there every three to four weeks.
‘We did look at buying somewhere in the south of France or the Algarve, but the travel put us off,’ says Martin.
‘skelwith is fantastic for destressing — we love walking in the hills, there are great pubs and the community is friendly.’
Last year they upgraded their home to a larger one costing £70,000, which is more modern and spacious with a walk- in wardrobe, en-suite bathroom, and south-facing views through the trees to the fells. They also have a large deck with a barbecue and seating for ten, so plenty of space for visiting friends.
The hibberts pay £4,000 a year pitch fees and the park is closed between November and March. It has a launderette and a shop selling local produce, wine and fresh bread.
Other bonuses of holiday park homes are that they don’t incur stamp duty and are cheap to maintain. Of course, they cost far less to buy than traditional homes. New ones at skelwith are from just £25,000. The skelwith park is owned by henry Wild, whose family bought the 150-acre site in 1996.
‘Lakeland is a real property hotspot for second-home buyers,’ he says. ‘holiday parks such as ours offer folk the chance to buy an affordable bolt- hole in this amazing region.’ seAvIeW
second houses command a premium, but at Far Arnside holiday Park in the south of Cumbria, new holiday homes start from £60,000 (annual pitch fees from £3,395).
house prices are even higher in the New Forest National Park, a wildlife-rich former royal hunting ground. According to the Fells New Forest estate agents, the average price for a property in the area in January was £459,079.
however, at shorefield Country Park in Lymington new holiday lodges are available from £114,995. Annual site fees at shorefield start from £5,297 and include access to a health and fitness club, indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, steam room and spa bath.