THERE is a grand approach to Burton Constable Holiday Park and Arboretum – to give it its full name – via a long driveway flanked by the arboretum itself, which is currently being established in a 30-year programme. At the entrance, the 17th-century castellated lodge that used to form the main entrance to Burton Constable Hall now houses the reception and offices to the park. The lovely setting is further enhanced by two large fishing lakes and a woodland area, where daffodils were blooming when I visited.

I want to highlight a few attractive features of this park and its ethos. For a start it is family-owned, and Mr Constable, though past retirement age, has a hands-on approach, touring the site daily to see that all is well. The park will, of course, continue in the family.

Burton Constable Hall itself is easily accessed across parkland and leisure home owners enjoy concessionary rates of entrance.

Lovely views

The park is open 111/2 months of the year, with a short closed time in February, but the rules state clearly that a home there must not be the owner’s main residence. Units range from very inexpensive used caravan-style holiday homes (when available), to new timber lodges.

One of the most important features of the park is that there is a 20 year licence for caravan holiday homes, more generous than most these days, and a 40 year licence for lodges then the lodges are reviewed yearly thereafter. And if you buy a lodge, the park re-stains it every two to three years on your behalf – one headache you don’t have to worry about!

I was shown round by Sammy, the non-pushy sales manager. The site is very extensive and set within 300 acres, so there are plenty of lovely outlooks. I felt the park was particularly well laid out, with most lodges being arranged around roundabouts, which allows six or seven units to have a lot of breathing space, much more than the minimum requirements.

Existing areas consist of the Meadows, the Lakeside, and Wycliffe phase 1 which are completed, and the new development area of Wycliffe Phase two where 60 units are proposed, and the first 17 are now sold.

There are beautifully maintained areas around some of the lodges, and Sammy explained that owners can opt to have gardens, which they maintain themselves. Clearly many have done that and they are most attractive. However, for those who do not want the effort, the area around their holiday home can be left as grass and is then mowed by the park staff.

The cost

To give you an idea of how much you might be spending, at the time of my visit there were several lodges available, including three show homes, the Normandy Bayeux timber-clad 40x13 at £60,995, Victory Versailles 40x16 at £81,500, and Normandy Helme 41x20 at £109,995. Used lodges were a little cheaper, but seem to have kept their value well. Prices include siting, decking, private drive and a timber shed. Lodges have a 40 year age limit, with an annual review after that.

Pitch fees for 2011 are £2,425-£3,050 depending on size. For caravan holiday homes the charge is £2,010 for 11½ months. Everything is spelt out by the park, so it is clear that the fees include water, sewerage charges and rates. In the case of lodges it also includes external maintenance of your lodge in the shape of that two/three-yearly re-staining. Gas is piped, and both gas and electricity are metered and billed.

Advent Normandy and Victory are main suppliers, but not the only ones. It is also possible to design your own lodge in conjunction with a manufacturer, the park will arrange that. Widths range from 13ft to 22ft, and lengths of up to 60ft can be accommodated.

You must have a main residence elsewhere and be registered for council tax there, as well as on the electoral roll. Post can be delivered to the site office, although all official post should go to your main residence.

Dogs are allowed, and there is plenty of space to exercise them! There is a designated dog walking area adjacent to the site entrance where your dog can be let loose to run around.
So there are plenty of reasons to be happy at Burton Constable Holiday Park! It’s a friendly place with a real community spirit and understanding and efficient staff. Then there are the open spaces and a beautiful setting – and that exclusive 20 year lease. This one has my vote!


WHAT DO YOU THINK, MALCOLM?

Malcolm has an Advent Tarragon. He likes it because of the feeling of solidity, with plasterboard interior walls rather than plywood. Malcolm and his wife also love the quiet at the park. They were among the first occupants of the lodge development about five years ago and have seen lodges spring up all around – though, as he pointed out, none is overlooked, the way they are oriented meaning entrances
are on different sides. He loves to watch the four seasons, the outlook is ever changing at Burton Constable.

Malcolm’s garden is particularly nice and well-maintained, his pride and joy. He did point out that not everyone would like the open spaces at Burton Constable, and that if you prefer to be separate, with fences/shrubs between pitches it would not be to your taste. But it is precisely that open feeling that he likes, so it is each to his or her taste.

The high level of maintenance on the park is another plus in Malcolm’s book. And the sense of community – there are walks, trips arranged and so on. The clubhouse is a meeting place
and the Monday coffee morning attracts about 40 people!


WHAT FACILITIES ARE NEAR THE PARK?

• Local amenities: Convenience store on site; post office and village store in Sproatley (1.25 miles); supermarkets towards Hull or Aldbrough
(4 miles); banks and other services in Hull (5 miles).
• Health: GPs in Bilton or Aldbrough (3.5 miles); dentists and pharmacy in Bilton; opticians in Hull (5 miles); nearest hospital with A&E, Hull (8.25 miles).
• Transport: Nearest bus stops in Sproatley (1.25 miles), on routes to Aldbrough and Hornsea, and Bilton and Hull; nearest station is Hull (6 miles).
• Food and drink: Lakeside Bar on site; handiest pubs are in Aldbrough or Hull, others in surrounding villages; head to hull for restaurants and takeaways.
• Entertainment: Cinemas, theatre and leisure centres in Hull; golf courses at Coniston (2.5 miles) and Sutton Park, Hull (4.5 miles), or Withernsea or Hornsea; horse racing at Beverley (10 miles).


WHAT CAN I DO AROUND HERE?

Elizabethan Burton Constable Hall is open to visitors Easter to October, along with its gardens and parkland; there are various special events, including a Country Fair and open air theatre. Hornsea is a small, old-fashioned seaside resort with a museum displaying Hornsea Pottery (the factory closed in 2000), a Freeport factory outlet shopping centre and a large natural lake and bird sanctuary, popular for sailing. Fort Paull on the Humber is a19th-century pentagonal Palmerston Fort, now a military-themed museum and waxworks. Hull itself has the Streetlife Museum of Transport; the Ferens Art Gallery, with a highly regarded permanent collection; the Guildhall Collection, with fine art, furniture and sculpture; the Hands on History and Hull and East Riding local history museums; and a Maritime Museum.


FOR SALE

2 bed from £60,995 Type: Single unit lodge Size: 40ft x 13ft Make: Normandy Model: Bayeux Lodge
2 bed from £81,500 Type: Twin unit lodge Size: 40ft x 16ft Make: Victory Model: Versailles
2 bed from £109,995 Type: Twin unit lodge Size: 41ft x 20ft Make: Normandy Model: Helme


PARK  INFO

Burton Constable Holiday Park and Arboretum, The Old Lodges, Sproatley, East Yorkshire HU11 4LN
Tel: 01964 562508 Email: [email protected] Web: www.burtonconstable.co.uk

• Season: March 1st to February 15th (lodges & caravans) 11½ months; March 1st to January 1st (caravans) 10 months
• Pitch fees: £2,425-£3,050pa (lodges); £2,010pa (holiday caravans) 11½ months £1,770pa (holiday caravans) 10 months
• Utilities: gas and electricity metered and billed by park
• Refreshments: Lakeside bar
• Supplies: On-site shop
• Leisure: Fishing available on site (day, week or season £6-£80); boating lake; kids’ adventure play area; woodland walks
• Pets: Dogs permitted on site


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

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