As a regular visitor to the Lake District, I assumed I had already seen the most beautiful parts of Cumbria. But I was faced with my own naivety about what the area had to offer when I was invited to view a new lodge park in development on the Southern outskirts of the Lake District.

On arrival at Doe Wood Lodges I realised that there is a side to Cumbria many people, especially tourists, rarely see. The coastal village where the park is being developed, Aldingham, sits on one of the most dramatic coastlines I have seen in the UK. The mountainous horizon of the Lakes and the surrounding area fall dramatically to the sea, with the rolling hills gradually turning into an amazing sandy estuary.

The park will transform the land of farm owners Mark and Helen Towers from open fields to a landscaped beauty spot with panoramic views of Lakeland mountains and Morecambe bay.

It was this view that inspired the couple to create space where people could share their view and enjoy the peace, tranquility and natural beauty. The amazing views from each of the planned lodge plots will be unique and will take in some of the area’s most magnificent sights. Beautiful beaches are just a pebble’s throw away and the surrounding area is perfect for walking, with various country footpaths and trails to explore.

PROTECTIVE

The land on the park itself, despite being naturally beautiful, is under-going intensive landscaping. Special attention is being given to expanding the natural habitat of local wildlife.

Mark Towers explained that he intends to provide a protective environment for the resident roe deer, which partly inspired the name of the park. And he aincludes the red squirrel and grey partridge in the list of other wildlife he will introduce. “The intention is to create a space where people and nature can live together, without affecting each other’s habitats,” he added.

It is easy to see why this romantic image of a beautiful park, surrounded by nature and overlooking an incredible bay has been such an inspiration to Mark and Helen’s hard work and determination to realise their vision.

PICTURESQUE

Anyone sitting on the quiet hillside of the park could be forgiven for thinking they were miles from civilisation, but there are a number of towns and villages nearby area, including the picturesque market town of Ulverston. With its cobbled streets and cosmopolitan mix of visitors it offers the perfect balance of traditional and modern living. In the summertime the town really comes into its own, with local festivals and carnivals filling the streets.

The annual flag festival adorns its buildings with a mass of decor-ative colourful flags. The local arts organisation, Lanternhouse Inter-national, organises a lantern procession where locals and visitors take to the streets with a vivid and spectacular selection of illuminated lanterns.

PERFECT BASE

This new park is just a ten-minute drive from Ulverston, and is a perfect base for accessing the beautiful towns and villages of the south Lakes within 15 minutes. With only 25 minutes drive through beautiful countryside from the M6 junction 36, even getting to Doe Wood Lodges will be an enjoyable experience.

Arriving at Colt Park, an award-winning farm and home of the Towers family, I experienced the warm welcome that lodge owners at Doe Wood can look forward to.

As we talked about the couple’s dream we walked from their farmhouse kitchen to the top of the hill that will be the highest point of the park. It was from here I discovered there was a different side to Cumbria. Imagining the outlook from the high-spec lodges nestling into the undulating hillside, I realised why Mark and Helen told me their driving passion was for other people to “share the view”.

I found it astonishing that the dram-atic landscape and hidden coastline was so untouched and peaceful when there is so much happening nearby. It seems that peace and tranquility doesn’t always depend on isolation.

Four years in the planning and now a reality – with launch events this month (August) – Doe Wood Lodges, with its combination of coastal and countryside qualities, will make this different side of Cumbria one of the UK’s most desirable lodge home locations.

FOR SALE

Show lodges are on site for viewing and sale – prices on application. Open weekend – For more information and to book a VIP preview at the Doe Wood Lodges launch days on August 16-17 from 1-4pm – telephone or email as above or see the website.

LOCAL INFO

• Local amenities: The village of Bay, about a mile away, has a farm shop selling groceries and local produce, and Ulverston (5 miles) has markets on Thursday and Saturday. There is a co-op in Dalton (4 miles) and a Morrisons in Barrow (5 miles); Barrow has a Debenham’s department store. The nearest post office is in Great Urswick (2.5 miles), there’s a bank in Dalton, and others in Barrow. The local garden centre is at Ulverston.
• Health: GP’s surgeries, an optician, a dentist and a pharmacy can be found in Dalton. The nearest hospital is in Barrow.
• Public transport: There are railways stations at Dalton, Barrow and Ulverston on the lien to Morecambe or Preston and the south. The no 11 bus passes near the park on the Ulverston-Barrow route.
• Eating and drinking: The nearest pub is at Baycliff (1.5 miles), and there are four more in villages within three miles: A number of chippies and Chinese takeaways can be found in Dalton and Barrow, less than four miles away. There are restaurants in Gleaston (1.5 miles) and Great Urswick (3 miles), and numerous others in Dalton, Barrow and Ulverston.
• Entertainment: Ulverston and Barrow have cinemas and theatres – and more venues can be found in Morecambe, about 11 miles away. Dalton and Barrow have leisure and sports centres.

WHAT CAN I DO AROUND HERE?

Another fine mess... – Ulverston was the birthplace of Stan Laurel, and if you’re feeling nostalgic for the days of classic Hollywood slapstick, you shouldn’t miss the Laurel and Hardy Museum, with the world’s largest collection of memorabilia devoted to the duo.

Romney and the castle... – Dalton Castle was mentioned in the Domesday Book, and the site possibly dates back as far as the 1st century AD. Now owned by the National Trust, it houses an exhibition on the work of painter George Romney, who was born in Dalton.

The rhino sleeps tonight... – Dalton is also home to the South Lakes Wildlife Park. Hand feed giraffes and wander among kangaroos (though perhaps not the lions, tigers and rhinos!), or enjoy a meal in the new African restaurant.

The wheel turns... The historic Gleaston Water Mill features some impressive machinery, and a working water wheel. Also on site are Dusty Miller’s traditional English tea room, the Pig’s Whisper Country Store and a working apiary with weekly Saturday beekeeping sessions.

CONTACT

Doe Wood Lodges, Colt Park, Aldingham, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 9RU. Tel: 07885 201436. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.doewoodlodges.co.uk

• Open March 1 to January 10
• 45 year licence for lodges
• All lodges will have Sky Plus, wi-fi broadband and telephone connections
• Gas and electricity metered and billed by park
• Key fob-operated security gates and CCTV
• No age limit and pets welcome
• Introductory DVD available
• Ground rent £2,600pa


This park review was published in the August 2008 issue of Park & Holiday Homes magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.


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