WITH its origins in the early 1970s, Carlton Meres is a well-established holiday park, two miles west of the market town of Saxmundham in rural Suffolk, and just a stone's throw from the Suffolk Heritage Coastline. It was originally a touring park called Lonely Farm, with a small lake used for model boats. It went through a succession of owners who gradually expanded and developed it over the next 25 years, until it was bought in 1998 by Mike and Judy Walker.

Formerly from Yorkshire, where they ran a nursing home, Mike and Judy wanted a change of direction at a time when there were huge changes being imposed on nursing homes. They were looking for something in the countryside and, with their business experience in a people-orientated care environment, buying a run-down caravan park fitted the bill.

Much of the park's infrastructure needed to be updated and a considerable amount of money was invested in the park.

Then, in May 2007, they sold up to Lifestyle Investments, which also bought Haveringland Hall at Corston in Norfolk. The directors want to purchase further parks to increase their company portfolio and plan more investment in Carlton Meres over the next two years.

Developing lodges

The park has a mix of lodges and caravan holiday homes on 190 pitches in 52 acres of parkland, and there are now two lakes, a couple of ponds and a small stream. Under the new owners, the park will be further developed with lodges as second homes for leisure use.

Home ownership at Carlton Meres at present is largely geared towards the over 50s, empty nesters, semi-retired and retired people. There are no facilities for children and the lakes, ponds and stream are unfenced. The oldest caravan holiday home is about 14 years and the most recent are 2007 models. The maximum age limit for caravan holiday homes on the park is 15 years, but there is a 40-year limit for lodges.

Manoeuvring a new delivery of a longer model on to some of the pitches requires considerable skill, as in some areas the turning circle is a bit tight. But the average pitch size is 15m x 10m and grass separates most pitches. This is mown by the park staff, thus ensuring that the surroundings are kept neat.


Excellent amenities

About 50 models, including lodges and pre-owned caravan holiday homes, are sold on site each year and prospective owners are required to purchase from the park's own sales team. Makes on offer include Tingdene, Advent, Cosalt, Willerby, BK Bluebird, Atlas, Pemberton, Swift, ABI, Delta and Carnaby. There are always three display models on show.

A standard decking and an external storage box are included in the purchase price. Insurance is mandatory and can be done through the park, though owners can choose their own supplier.

Tarmac roads have been laid and each pitch has a parking space for one car. There is a 16 amp electricity supply to the pitches and the park's newly developed area has piped gas, but the older section doesn't, though cylinders can be ordered on the park and delivered.

There is also BT telephone feed, but very few people have taken up the service due to wide mobile phone use; an emergency phone dedicated to 999 calls has been installed on the wall by Reception. WiFi access is under consideration.


Sticking to the rules

It is a park rule that no post is delivered to any of the lodges or caravan holiday homes, though deliveries of goods are allowed as are, currently, supermarket grocery deliveries. There is a certain wariness about this, however as there are concerns that it might mean an owner is residing on the park. The park's owners' stick rigidly to the codes of practice - no residency is allowed under any circumstances, and it is carefully pointed out in the paperwork given to prospective purchasers that Carlton Meres is a holiday park.

There are several ways that this is monitored, including by the computerised security barrier, with each car registered as it passes the security barrier.
Washing machines and dishwashers are not standard features in the homes sold, as it is felt this will discourage residency.

There is an on site bar, open on Friday and Saturday nights, where organised theme evenings occasionally take place. Newspapers can be ordered and collected from reception.

We didn't see this park at its best - after seven rainless weeks, this was the day that dawned grey and the sky turned violet and black as the heavy rain fell. But I was aware of the friendly atmosphere and warm welcome, the genuine care for the park and owners and the peace and quietude.

CARLTON MERES COUNTRY PARK

• Open March 7 to January 6
• Annual fees for 2007 £2191-£2781, depending on the pitch location and whether a lodge or caravan holiday home - increased annually in accordance with BH&HPA code of practice and due in January
• Rates £133
• Insurance if taken via the park is around £340-£450 with £11.60 per thousand for contents
• Electricity is metered and estimated to be around £60, payable in December
• Gas bottles cost £53.47
• All prices include VAT the current rate
• To find the park, leave the A12 and turn west onto the B1119 towards Framlingham; after about one and a half miles, on a double bend, turn right, signposted Kelsale and Carlton Meres; after a few hundred yards the park will be on your left, clearly signposted.

CONTACT:

Rendham Road, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 2QP. Tel: Sales Hotline (freephone) 0800 970 0120 (10am to 6.30pm daily). Email: [email protected]. Website: www.carlton-meres.co.uk



This park review was published in the September 2007 issue of Park & Holiday Homes magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.



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