PEMBERTON is known as an expensive manufacturer, but do customers know what comes as standard? For instance, included across the range is 60mm fibreglass insulation in walls and under the floor, and 150mm in the roof (most heat is lost through the roof). On a hot day you will not swelter; on a cold day you will need less heat to stay warm.

All exterior water pipes are lagged. A pre-galvanised twin axle chassis is standard, too, promising many trouble-free years. The floor is tongue-and-grooved and moisture resistant.

These are real considerations when you compare prices. Pemberton’s confidence in their product is backed by a three-year structural warranty, worth having! All Pemberton models also have the option of timber cladding, adding further to the environmental benefits possible.

These features (except timber cladding) are standard on the Serena, so you start with a well-constructed body. The 42x13 3-bed version I saw is just over £52,000. Not cheap, but built to last.

In you think of Pemberton as safe but rather old-fashioned, you are out of date! With the Serena, in my view, Pemberton have taken a leap forward in interior design. I was impressed.


COUNTRY LIVING

With its French doors, the Serena has joined the extensive club of holiday homes with an opening front. The living space is light and airy and home-style. Carefully chosen colours are gentle shades of beige, cream, mocha and blue, blending very successfully. Freestanding furniture includes three-seater and two-seater sofas (the latter a sofa-bed), plus an upholstered storage stool.

A country-style built-in fireplace surrounds a pebble effect electric fire. As well as the light frontage, a large double window with shaped glass panel above sheds light on the dining area. Adjacent to that is a glass side door.

The curtains throughout the living area hang on stainless steel poles and are very tasteful in blue/mocha combination. Upholstered chairs in the dining suite are cream ladder-backed with beige seats. The coordinating table has a light wood-effect top and cream frame and legs. It is reminiscent of a country cottage kitchen table.

The cream theme carries through into the well-equipped kitchen, open plan to the dining and living areas, with Shaker-style wall and floor cupboards (one incorporating a swing bin). Standard features include externally vented extractor hood, inset five-burner gas hob with electric ignition, gas oven and grill with electric ignition, microwave, large integrated fridge-freezer, and large 900mm kitchen worktop.

There is a one and a half bowl stainless steel sink with modern tap. A slim-line dishwasher is an option, as is a washer-dryer. This is a workable and large kitchen, when the section by the side door is added into the equation. A useful skylight is in the shape of a Velux, which could be opened to let steam out if necessary!


BED AND BATH

Living and bedroom areas are divided by a domestic-style door with two opaque glass panels. The three bedrooms are not large; the twins have the usual limitations in fitting two beds in the width available, though there is the extra foot to play with in this 13ft version.

The master, too, is more limited compared with the lovely 12ft room in the two-bed, which even has the luxury of a window seat. (I’d buy the two-bed and let someone use the sofabed when necessary!) But the master in the three-bed does still have a good walk-in wardrobe and dressing table, plus an en suite shower.

Off the inner hall is another shower room with a large shower and modern unit with round basin, plus chrome ladder radiator.

All bedrooms are attractively finished in green, with co-ordinating country-fresh flowery fabric. Bedside lamps are standard in the master bedroom but not in the twins. A range of matching accessories such as lamps, bed cushions and throws are available as extras.

You can also personalise the Serena with a leather suite – though without a sofabed – and electric instead of gas central heating. A space-saving fold-under bed could be a boon if you need the twin rooms just for one person each.


VERDICT

THE Serena is for those who appreciate quality, and want to stick with the same holiday home for years to come – park permitting! It will also appeal to people who know the obvious, that more insulation will make a holiday home both more soundproof and also cheaper to run, and those who almost bought a country cottage then decided on a holiday park unit, but still want the cottage feel. If you want space, the extra length and maybe width will be important to you.

When Pemberton add good interior design to good quality, they get my vote! Parks know what new customers need to get to know, that you can expect few problems with a Pemberton, and the Serena is one you can call your home from home. If you can stretch your budget just a little further, you can also have the very sturdy and attractive timber cladding option, and then you will really blend into the countryside!


INFO

Pemberton Leisure Homes, Woodhouse Lane, Wigan, Lancashire WN6 7NF
Tel: 01942 321221 Email: [email protected] Web: www.pembertonlh.co.uk






TECHNICAL DETAILS

• Type: Single unit caravan holiday home
• Standard: BS EN1647
• Size: 42ft x 13ft
• Bedrooms: 3
• Other versions: 39ftx12ft, 2 bed; 42ftx13ft, 2 bed

MAIN FEATURES

• Pre-galvanised steel chassis
• French windows to front and skylight above kitchen
• Vaulted ceilings throughout
• Gas combi central heating
• Pebble effect electric fire with remote control
• 5-burner hob with extractor
• Integrated cooker with separate oven and grill
• Integrated fridge/freezer
• Microwave
• 2 and 3-seater sofas (plus sofabed) with ottoman
• Walk in wardrobe in 42x13 2 and 3 bed
• En-suite shower in 42x13 2 & 3 bed
• Family shower and separate WC in 39x12 2 bed

SELECTED OPTIONS

• Leather lounge suite (without sofa bed)
• Alternative electric heating in place of gas
• Serena Lodge with timber, vinyl or Canexel cladding


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


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