LAUNCHED at the National Boat Caravan and Outdoor Show to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary, the aim of the Mulso
Lodge is to provide buyers on a tight budget with a home of real style and quality, and I believe Tingdene has succeeded brilliantly.

Though directed at the park home market, the Mulso has some of the characteristics of a leisure lodge, too, and could easily serve as an up-market but well-priced holiday home.

This is evident from its attractive yellowy-cream exterior, on which stucco finish is combined with shiplap-style timbers on the bays on the front end and front side elevations.

The side elevation has a gable hip over the large, square suspended bay and front porch. On the right side of the porch is a nice, diagonally-cut partition, which acts as a wind break

Memorable

From the front door, you step into a hall with radiator and cloak cupboard (four hooks) to the right and a tall mirror to the left. The hall doglegs to the right, and on the corner is the doorway to the largely open-plan living area.

As you enter you will be struck by a memorable sense of spaciousness, quite unexpected for a 42x20 home, especially as the ceilings are flat, not vaulted. The lounge area is towards the centre of the home, covering its full width, with patio doors on one side (the rear elevation) and on the other the large square bay, incorporating a long window seat in the overhang.

Ahead is a diagonal wall against which is a matt white fireplace with outward sloping side columns and a feature electric fire with flame effect and coloured pebbles. Above this is the 32in LCD TV, which is included as standard.

The furniture is simple, but attractive – the main items being a pair of comfortable and chunky two-seater sofas in dark chocolate faux leather with back and seat cushions in a lighter fabric weave. Also included are a sizeable and slightly rustic coffee table in dark wood with two deep drawers and a pair of matching two-drawer side tables.

There are two large radiators on the walls to right and left of the doorway, two three-lamp ceiling pendants and double power points at either end of the window seat and in the corner beside the patio doors.

Windows and patio doors have lined curtains on chrome poles – the fabric is heavily patterned in browns and golds. This contrasts with the neutral décor elsewhere (creamy textured wall covering and slightly darker carpet throughout), but works well. There are scatter cushions on the sofas and wall seats, some matching the curtains.

Fine dining

To the right at the end of the home, beside the end bay window, is the dining space. This is furnished with a table and four chairs that match the coffee table, and the chairs have dark faux leather seats. It’s a comfortable space, with direct access to and from the kitchen

On the side wall is a three-drawer, three-cupboard cabinet with a large mirror on the wall above – again, both of these pieces match the other wood furniture.

A three-lamp pendant hangs over the dining table, there is a large radiator beneath the window in the end bay (which is full height) and there is a two-gang power socket in the corner by
the bay.

Excellent

Open to the dining area, but separated from the lounge by the diagonal wall, is an excellent U-shaped kitchen. It’s not as large as in some park homes, but more than adequate for a couple who have guests from time to time.

There are granite-effect worktops with matching one-course splashback and cream tongue-and groove fascias. To the right is a cupboard, followed by freestanding low level Hotpoint fridge and freezer, then another cupboard that gives access to the corner space.

At the end of the U is a wall cupboard in the corner for the Heatline combi boiler, the stainless steel sink and drainer in the centre, with free-standing Hotpoint washer dryer cupboard and stack of four drawers.

On the left hand leg is the five-burner Bau-matic hob, integrated oven and extractor hood, with smoked grey plastic splashback between hob and hood.

There are cupboards below, either side, and four further cupboards on the wall above. Three two-gang sockets provide more than enough extra power, especially as all the appliances are wired and switched separately.

Fit for a King

The master bedroom at the end of the hall is a very good size, with plenty of walk-round space – even though the double bed is king-size. There are four-drawer cabinets either side of the bed, with attractive lamps (though the power points are a bit difficult to get at), and a radiator beneath the window.

To the left of the door is a square arch leading into a dressing room area with a vanity table with full-length drawer, stool, a large mirror on the wall above and a ceiling spot, plus a double power point.
Straight through is an excellent en suite with corner shower, basin and cabinet, and glossy white décor. The floor is carpeted.

Even better, to the right of the dressing area is a fantastic open walk-in closet with tons of shelf and hanging space, a full-length mirror, radiator and double power point.

The only real criticism I have of the Mulso is that the electricity consumer unit is in a corner above the top of the shelving – impossible to reach without steps even for a six-footer-plus like me.

Guest room

Exiting the lounge into the hall, directly left is the second bedroom, with a full-size double with overbed cupboards and narrow wardrobes either side, plus two narrow, free-standing bedside cabinets, but no other furniture. The room is lit by a single pendant, plus two bedside lamps with shades to match. Like the amster, the power points seemed to be in a difficult-to-reach spot behind the bed.

Practical

Further along the hall to the right is the bathroom. The full size bath has half-height tiling around it, and there is an attractive basin with mixer taps and a cabinet beneath and a sizeable mirror above. There is no shower attachment on the lever-operated bath taps, though.

Walls are textured white, matching the shiny white bath and cupboard fascias, the chequerboard vinyl floor is practical, and there is a nice brown blind on the window. A single, circular low-energy light and a shaver point finish off the fittings.

OUR VERDICT

As you would expect, keeping the price down means the Mulso Lodge has fewer frills than some other homes – yet the real surprise is that Tingdene has been able to include so much (TV, washing machine, superb walk-in closet etc) and still come in at below £60,000 (ex VAT).

I could find little to criticise, beyond the bedroom power points and hard-to-reach fuse box, but plenty to praise, such as the master bedroom and the excellent use of space in the living area. The furniture is comfortable and attractive and the neutral décor means  you can impose your own style without any jarring clashes.

I would go as far as to say that, price and all other factors taken into consideration, this is one of the best park homes I have seen – and I’d be very surprised if the Mulso did not soon become
Tingdene’s biggest seller.   

Technical details
• Type: twin unit park home
• Standard: BS3632
• Size: 42ft x 20ft
• Bedrooms: 2

Other versions
• Different sizes are available – contact Tingdene for details
 
Selected features
• Double-glazed K Glass windows
• Double glazed French doors to lounge
• Separate fridge and freezer
• Integrated five-burner gas hob  and oven
• Washer/dryer
• 32in LCD TV
• King-size bed in master bedroom

Room sizes
Please note: all dimensions are approximate only.
• Lounge 19ft x 10ft
• Dining area 9ft 6in x 6ft 6in
• Kitchen 10ft x 9ft 6in
• Master bedroom 9ft 6in x 9ft 6in
• Walk-in + En suite 9ft 6in x 12ft
• Bedroom 2 9ft 6in x 8ft 6in
• Bathroom 7ft x 6ft 6in

Price
£59,950 ex works (plus approx £1,707 VAT)



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


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


Park & Holiday Homes magazine offers reprints of all homes and parks we've reviewed in our magazine. To view our latest index of reviews see our current issue click here.