NORMANDY is fast building a reputation in this country for a wide and comprehensive range of well-built models. A few years ago the company produced caravan holiday homes largely for the export market, but a change of ownership has led to expansion into the UK static market, lodges and even park homes, including semi-detached models.

Like other small companies, Normandy builds to order, which gives it the flexibility to design and deliver bespoke homes of various sizes, both single and twin units.

Owner and managing director Gary Cooper (pictured left) likes to think his team can exceed your expectations!

While some companies have been cutting back on production, Normandy has had to lease a second production unit to keep pace with demand. Looking around, there are fewer small companies in the market, so those that, like Normandy, have survived are in a key position to manufacture the bespoke units many parks prefer, and the customised versions many customers like.

There is not a huge difference in price between the bespoke models and the standard units. In general, its prices are neither the cheapest nor the most expensive, but there is nothing cheap about the spec used, and where a piece of equipment is of doubtful longevity, it will be changed for something that will last.

A prime selection

Most people like to have some models to look at to give ideas to work from. Here is a selection of those built by Normandy.

HOLIDAY – 28x12 or 32x12 2 bedrooms, 32x12 3 bedrooms
Available in the larger 2-bed size with an end lounge, and in both sizes with the more common continental centre lounge, the Holiday also has exterior shutter features on the doors and windows and French doors opening either into the lounge or dining area. Cladding is white woodgrain-effect aluminium and there is extra insulation in the walls (49mm) and carpet in the bedrooms. Central heating is an option, as is a sofabed in the lounge. There is a shower/WC and a separate WC.

ISAMAR – 29x12 or 35x12 2 bedrooms
The company’s latest single unit caravan holiday home, designed for the UK market. It’s an ultra-modern design with continental-style birch wood finish and black nickel fittings. The lolunge and U-shaped kitchen provide an open-plan living area, with large, Georgian-style windows and a front bay providing plenty of natural light. Like the Holiday it features extra insulation (49mm) and other standard items include integrated fridge/freezer, freestanding sprung beds, carpets to the bedrooms and woodgrain- effect aluminium cladding. There’s a sofabed beneath the fixed lounge seating and a bathroom/WC and separate WC

COAST AND COUNTRY – 37x12 1 or 2 bedroom
These cabin-style leisure or park homes can be built to either BS EN1647 or BS3632). They combine the features of an up-market home with the superior structure of a Normandy unit. The result is a four-season cabin suitable for all-year use. Importantly, they offer a ‘room of choice’ so you can have one or two bedrooms, with a utility room, dressing room, study – you name it! Both models have an array of goodies as standard, including central heating, double glazing, LCD TV, solid wood dining and lounge furniture, large fridge-freezer, fitted microwave, remotely-controlled electric pebble or log effect fire, and so on.

HELME LODGE – 38x20 2 bedroom
With two big french doors and large bay windows, the lounge is light and airy and enables you to make the most of the views. The Helme was the first of Normandy’s twin units and has gone down well. The interesting style feature is a ‘waterfall’ of inset LED lights in the front overhang. There’s a modern kitchen with stainless steel integrated oven and hob, spacious en suite bathroom and fitted bedroom furniture, leather sofas and solid oak dining furniture. It’s one for those who like a separate kitchen and all rooms off an internal hall. Just like home!

INDIGO – 38x20 2 bedroom
The same size as the standard Helme, the Indigo offers a different perspective, with the kitchen, dining area and lounge all on one side. Depending on plot orientation, this could be just the outlook you are looking for. The master bedroom has a wall-mounted plasma TV and en suite shower room. Bedroom two boasts ample proportions and fitted wardrobes. As with all Normandy lodges, the Indigo can be finished in uPVC, timber or Canexel. There is no skimping on spec: the modern fully-fitted kitchen includes stainless steel integrated oven and hob, microwave, dishwasher, washer dryer, fridge/freezer, microwave and extractor. The leather sofas and solid oak dining furniture complete the luxurious feel. The flooring of the Indigo is particularly attractive.

LINDETH LODGE – 40 x16  2 or 3 bedrooms
The Lindeth is a quality lodge, offering warmth and comfort in winter and space and light during summer. The 16ft width makes it easier to move into some awkward locations, and a 28x16 ‘baby’ version, the Sycamore, packs all the quality into a diminutive but useful footprint.

CARRICK LODGE – 45x22 2 bedrooms
See page 24 of Park & Holiday Homes February 2009 for a review of this model.

DENNY SEMI – 34x20 or 38x20 1 double/1 single per unit
The Denny offers two single unit park homes inside a twin unit shell, each with a front end lounge with a bay window to the front and access to a separate kitchen. A door from the kitchen opens into a hall off which are a bathroom, a single bedroom and a double bedroom. The front door opens into the kitchen, but the lounge also has French doors.

NORMANDY FAQ'S

Is the Normandy HQ in France? No! The name comes from an army camp, called Normandy Barracks, which was near the original headquarters in Beverley, East Yorkshire. All Normandy’s manufacturing has been done in East Yorkshire since it started production in 1981.

Why have I only recently heard of Normandy holiday homes? Though the company has been going strong for more than 27 years, it has only in the last couple of years started producing for the UK market. Before that, everything was for export, predominately to Holland and Belgium.

So Normandy mass produces holiday homes? No. It is a relatively small manufacturing company in comparison to some of the bigger names, and all units are made to order. Everything is checked by experienced craftsmen (some of whom have been working with Normandy for more than 25 years) before being dispatched to customers.

Where can I put a Normandy lodge? The lodge can be positioned on any land that has planning consent for a holiday caravan or park home, or where an existing unit with permission is to be replaced.
 
Can Normandy help me find a holiday park? Yes. If you buy a Normandy lodge, the company can provide you with details
of existing caravan parks, or up and coming developments of Normandy lodges and their locations. The company builds to the recommended British Standards – holiday home standard BS EN 1647 or residential park home standard BS 3632.

What about a residential park? Yes. Normandy has a number of homes available on sites around the country, or they can produce a unit to your individual specification. For all-year living, Normandy meet stringent requirements regarding thermal insulation, sound insulation, safety, construction and durability. The National Park Homes Council makes three unannounced visits per year
and one full inspection to ensure that the standards set out in BS3632 are being met.

Can I take a Normandy home abroad? Yes. The homes comply with all the relevant European Standards, and can be exported around the world.

Can the Lodge be used by people with mobility problems? Yes. As all lodges are built to order. Normandy can take on board any modifications you require. It is worth giving the company a call to discuss your needs. For an example of an accessible home, see the Normandy website.

PRICES

Ex works (inc VAT)

Helme...38 x 20 2B...£74,995
Indigo...38 x 20 2B...£84,995
Carron...38 x 20 2B...£64,995
Nairne...38 x 20 2B...£64,995
Carrick...45 x 22 2B...£106,000
Sycamore...28 x1 6 2B...£57,995
Lindeth...40 x 16 2B...£68,999
Denny Semi...34 x 20...£74,995
Denny Semi...38 x 20...£74,995
Coast Lodge...37 x 12 1/2B...£50,532
Country Lodge...37 x 12 1/2B...£50,532

The more traditional caravan-style holiday homes are available from around £21,000 to £35,000.

SPECIAL OFFER

There is a Carrick available now at a very special price. Contact Gary Cooper at Normandy for more details. (Information correct at the time of the February 2009 issue of Park & Holiday Homes going to press.)

The company’s UK brochure is available now.

CONTACT

Bontoft Avenue, Kingston upon, Hull HU5 4HF. Tel: 01482 475100. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.normandy-holiday-homes.co.uk


This review was published in the February 2009 issue of Park & Holiday Homes magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.


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