MY final note after inspecting the Arronbrook Topaz 38ft x 12ft two-bed holiday home was that at £23,103 (ex VAT) it offered very good value for money. Outwardly it is little different from many statics that come with a painted steel chassis, aluminium sides and a pantile roof. But unlike some similar homes it has double glazing as standard while both central heating for an extra £1,800, and a galvanised chassis at £1,350 are two important options.

The latter is an extra I’d recommend for anyone intending to site the home on a park near the sea, where the chassis can be affected bysalt in the atmos-phere. Environmental colours (basically green to you and me) are also available.

There are in fact, eight Topaz models – Arronbrook’s entry level range – starting with the 28ft x 10ft, rising to 38ft x 12ft. All have two bed-rooms, though each of the five 12ft wide models sleep six as a sofa bed is included.


Dine and eat

The entrance to the 38ft x 12ft home I visited is part way along the front side elevation, with the dining area immediately on the left as you go in. Furniture here comprises a circular dining table and four chairs.

Opposite the dining area is the kitchen. This is U shaped, with the sink unit on the home’s back wall. Though it isn’t all that big, there is a reasonable amount of worktop space and adequate storage in the floor and wall cupboards. Included as standard is a four burner gas hob and double oven with an extractor above, and there is also space for a small fridge freezer and a microwave – though I felt this second position might be too high as it is basically above some people’s eye level.

It’s also worth mentioning that the hob has a hinged cover that also serves as a splashback. This is a good feature since the walls in the kitchen are not tiled.


Relax

A base unit projecting from the home’s rear wall and the edge of a carpet serve as the demarcation between the dining/kitchen area and the lounge. The latter is rectangular in shape and though not especially large does have seating running along the front wall, across the end of the home below the bay window, before turning through 90 degrees to run along the back wall.

As you enter the lounge from the kitchen/diner there is a unit containing a gas fire on your left. Above the gas fire is a shelf with a power point and TV aerial socket on the wall and a wall cupboard above that. There is a second, similar unit on the opposite – rear – wall of the home. Circular lights have been fitted on the ceiling, which is vaulted in the living area.


Sleeping space

On the right of the main entrance is the boiler cupboard, with a second cupboard next to it. Ahead is the second bedroom, fairly small, with two divan beds, though there is adequate space to walk between them. Above the beds are two wall cup-boards spanning the width of the room, while opposite the foot of the bed on the outside wall is a small wardrobe. Also on the wall facing the beds is a mirror with – in this model – a radiator below it.

At the end of the hall is the master bedroom. Again, this isn’t over-large but does have a double bed with single narrow wardrobes each side, though there are no bedside cabinets due to the restricted space. Like the second bedroom, there are overbed cupboards, while facing the foot of the bed is a very nice dressing table containing a single drawer with a mirror on the wall above it. Also on the wall here is a single 13 amp socket and a shaver socket. Next to the dressing table is a good size double wardrobe.

On the right as you enter the bedroom is an en suite with a thermostatically-controlled quadrant shower in the corner, a pedestal washbasin and a low level toilet. Behind the washbasin is a splashback – again no tiling – and above it a mirror-door toiletry cupboard providing the only storage. In the wall behind the toilet is an obscure glazed window with an extractor fan above, and a ladder radiator – though not as tall as the one in the bathroom.


Bathing

Opposite bedroom two is the bathroom, which also has an overbath shower. The walls here are plastic clad and there is a shower screen separating the bath from the pedestal basin, above which is a toiletry cupboard with a mirror door, but no light (the only light is in the ceiling). The space between basin and bath is fairly restricted.

There is a small cupboard in the corner next to the low-level toilet and – because this show home had the central heating option – a tall ladder radiator on the wall opposite the bath. There was also an extractor fan in the wall above the window.


OUR VERDICT

There’s nothing externally to distinguish the Arron-brook Topaz from many other holiday homes clad with aluminium and with pantile roofs. It is, after all, one of the company’s entry level models so it’s unlikely to have any real Wow! factor. What I did like was that double glazing is standard and the central heating option not unduly expensive. Certainly, for anyone wanting to use the home during the colder months, the combination of double glaz-ing and central heating should make for a cosy, comfortable retreat at reasonable cost.

Bearing in mind the price, it’s not surprising a fridge isn’t included in the spec, though I have no doubt one will be on the list of any owner’s essential extras – as, possibly, would be a TV.




Technical Details
• Type: single unit caravan holiday home
• Standard: BS EN1647
• Size: 38ft x 12ft
• Bedrooms: 2
   
Other Versions
• 24ft, 26ft, 28ft x10ft, 2 bedrooms; 26ft, 28ft, 30ft, 32ft, 35ft x 12ft, 2 bedrooms; 38ft x 12ft, 3 bedrooms

Main Features
• Aluminium cladding
• uPVC double glazing
• Vaulted ceiling to open plan lounge/kitchen/dining area
• Gas fire
• Sprung fixed lounge seating
• Integrated cooker
• Space for fridge and microwave
• En suite shower to master bedroom
• Thermostatically-controlled shower
• Sofa bed in lounge

Price
£22,430 ex works (excl VAT)


CONTACT

Arronbrook Ltd, Popple Street, Hedon Road, Hull, East Yorks HU9 1LP Tel: 01482 210327 Email: [email protected] Web: www.arronbrookcaravans.co.uk


This feature was published in the April 2011 issue of Park & Holiday Homes. To order a copy of Park & Holiday Homes please click here