THE Hayden is a long-established Tingdene brand, but the model has been given a complete makeover and the impressive result was on show at this year’s Stoneleigh show. It has an unusual floorplan that owes a little to the company’s Sandpiper lodge, but this is a much lower-cost home – a sold, entry level twin.

Externally there isn’t much to say. Being a low-cost home, there are no fancy adornments, just a substantial walk-in bay at one end and white cornerstone features to all four corners.

The part-glazed front door is about three-fifths along the front side, with a tall, two-panel frosted window beside it. You enter into a small lobby with four coathooks, a radiator and heavy-duty carpet.

Another door leads into a rectangular central hall, off which are all the home’s other rooms. In a corner behind the door was a simple but stylish console table (an option to the standard model).

Immediately to the left is the L-shaped lounge and diner, with a flat tongue-and-groove style ceiling. The first, larger, rectangular section of the room is provided with two two-seater sofas in a beige, rough-weave fabric. The carpet here is on the beige side, too, with wall coverings mostly in a similar but slightly darker hue.

In the centre of the front side wall, between two tall, narrow windows is a stainless steel feature electric fire, with flame and pebble effect, all set in a white surround. This wall in the show home had a striking flowered wall covering that received a good response from visitors. It is another optional extra, though.

There was a mirror on the wall above the fireplace, and in the corner was an attractive TV cabinet with two-door cupboard. Two three-lamp pendants hung from the ceiling.

The other, roughly square leg of the L is the dining area, here furnished with an oak-style dining table and four leather-style dining chairs. Another three-lamp pendant hung over the table
The lounge and diner was supplied with three double power points, plus the TV point in the corner.

New location

Returning to the hall, directly opposite the lounge, where one normally expects a bedroom or bathroom to be, are the kitchen and utility room, in the front corner of the home. The kitchen area is galley-style, with the sink and drainer set to one side in a granite style worktop beneath a front window.

To the left of the sink is a work area which doubles as a breakfast bar; there are no cupboards or other obstructions underneath, and two bar stools are supplied. Beneath the sink is a large double cupboard.

On the other side of the room is another worktop with the white four-burner gas hob placed centrally with oven and grill below, and smoked glass splashback rising to the extractor hood. To the right is a large double cupboard and to the left is a stack of three drawers (including two pan drawers) plus a narrow cupboard. There are no wall-mounted cupboards (but I dare say you could ask for some as extras), except for one top-hinged unit above the extractor.

The walls and ceiling are white tongue-and-groove style; the floor has nice tile-effect vinyl.

A door leads through to the utility, where there is a ‘back’ door, a freestanding fridge/freezer and a worktop with the boiler cupboard mounted on top and a cupboard and a freestanding washer/dryer below.

The kitchen has two double power points and the utility room one double; not enough these days, I feel, even with the usual separate connections for some appliances.

Bath and beds

There are three doors at the ‘back’ of the hall. The centre one leads into the home’s single bathroom/WC. In alcoves either side of the door are the toilet and a pedestal sink with a mirror above, while against the back wall is the bath. The floor is plank effect vinyl and ceiling and walls are tongue-and-groove style. Unfortunately there was no storage provision and no shower attachment on the bath.

Either side of the bathroom are the two double bedrooms, each roughly the same pretty reasonable size, though the one to the right has a short access hall within it and might therefore be regarded as the master.

There was patterned wallpaper behind the beds (an optional extra, as in the lounge), each of which has bedside cabinets either size. Each room also has an inset, double-doored fitted wardrobe with hanging rail and shelving.

VERDICT

The layout is unusual, with a bedroom where the kitchen is usually found and the kitchen some way from the dining area (usually there is direct access between them). This is ideal if you prefer dining well away from the smells and sounds of meal prep; it also makes the bedroom configuration very practical, with the bathroom between the two, easily accessible from both. I liked the breakfast bar in the kitchen (with a view out of a front window), and the feature wall coverings (though remember that those are extra).

My criticisms are the bathroom, with no storage or shower attachment; the limited number of power points in the kitchen; and the general lack of storage – both kitchen and bedrooms seem a little under-provided. This is a budget home, though, and some of these things could be added as extras without breaking the bank. On the whole the Hayden is a comfortable and roomy entry-level home, simple but substantial.


INFO

Tingdene Homes, Bradfield Road, Finedon Road Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northants NN8 4HB
Tel: 0845 803 7622 Email: [email protected] Web: www.tingdene.co.uk



Technical details

• Type: Twin unit park home
• Standard: BS3632 (residential)
• Size: 40ft x 20ft
• Bedrooms: 2
• Other versions: tbc

Main features

• Cornerstone features to all corners
• PVCu windows and doors
• Gas combi central heating throughout
• Flat tongue-and-groove style ceilings throughout
• Entrance lobby
• Walk-in bay window to lounge
• Two two-seater sofas
• Dining table and four chairs
• Feature electric fire
• Breakfast bar and two stools to kitchen
• Four-burner gas hob with electric oven/grill
• Freestanding fridge/freezer
• Freestanding washer/dryer

Selected options

• Feature wallcoverings to lounge and bedrooms
• Console table to hall


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

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