Park group’s lodges get even warmer welcomes

More people than ever are giving forecasters the cold shoulder and enjoying year-round breaks whatever the weather, says major leisure group Park Holidays UK.

It’s less to do with guests getting tougher, says the company, and a lot to do with the new generation of super-snug holiday homes available to buyers.

Now the 26-strong parks group has announced that it is taking further steps to make four-season holidays a comfortable reality for owners in 2017.

From this autumn, says Park Holidays UK, all new holiday lodges it offers for sale will meet the rigorous thermal efficiency specifications of a tough and recently uprated British Standard.

The standard, known as BS3632, lays down minimum performance levels across a raft of features, including insulation, double glazing, heating and energy usage.

Its purpose is to make the accommodation both economical to run, and suitable for year-round occupation – even though the lodges will only be used for holiday visits.

The specifications laid down under BS3632 were revised and up-scaled at the start of the year, and now take into account new technical advances in energy efficiency.

But although holiday homes are not required by law to meet the standard, Park Holidays UK says it is now insisting on full compliance for all the lodges it provides.

For buyers, this means their holiday homes will not only warm up quickly and minimise heat loss through walls, roof and windows – but also be highly economical to run.

These factors, says the company, together with the bigger living space and contemporary architect-inspired designs, are all making the case for lodges more compelling than ever.

So too are the extended opening seasons on its parks – of up to 11.5 months – which mean families can now take more holidays and short breaks than ever before.

Lodge prices start from around £79,995 with extended occupancy rights available on new models for up to 30 years on the majority of Park Holidays UK holiday parks.

The group says decking or verandas are today regarded by buyers as “must have” complements to the lodge lifestyle, and that many people decide to include this within their purchase.

For the first time in its 25-year plus history, Park Holidays UK says that lodge sales next year could outstrip those of caravan holiday homes.

But, it pledges, the traditional holiday caravan will never be ousted – not least because they can represent a very affordable start for newcomers to holiday home ownership.

Details of all types of holiday homes for sale, together with buying advice and a profile of all the parks which make up the group, can be found www.ParkHolidays.com