OUTSIDE, this Cranborne Colonial 48ft x 20ft model has a very different look from the Cranborne. There’s a dormer set centrally on the front elevation with a three-pane, triangular window feature set into the pitch and a large, three panel, leaded window unit below.

The front door and arched inset porch are placed to the left of the dormer, with another large three panel, leaded window unit to the left, at the corner of the home. There are Purbeck stone-effect features around the arch to the porch, and on the corners of the home, and a full length, textured glass panel (which actually opens from inside) beside the partially glazed front door.

Accessed from the roomy porch is a cupboard for storing boots, wet wear, umbrellas etc.

Multi-purpose

You enter into a large lobby with glass panelled twin doors to right (kitchen/diner) and left (lounge). There’s a vaulted ceiling and a wooden beam hides the centre join. Ahead is an extension of the lobby that could be used as a study or reception area – or something else, it’s up to you. A table sits against the side wall with a modern picture light above.

There is hardwood-effect flooring throughout the communal areas (the real thing is an optional extra) – and this is one of the home’s eco features, as it reduces the need for vacuuming. Other green features include energy-saving lighting throughout; near full height windows to the end wall of the lounge to increase the amount of natural light and with a high-tech coating to limit heat loss; a spacious utility room with a ‘laundry mail’ airer to reduce the need for a tumble dryer; and Band A appliances.

Traditional style

The full-width, cream carpeted lounge has two tall windows on the end wall and French doors on the back wall. A traditional fireplace sits between the windows, with a coal and flame-effect electric fire and  arched mirror.

A nice aged wood coffee table is accompanied by a matching side table, a dark wood antique-style chest of five drawers and a country-style, creamy-green, glass-doored display cabinet. The two sofas (3 + 2) are also antique style, with brown velvet, buttoned upholstery.

Lighting includes two single pendants, a traditional-style standard lamp and four contrasting, ultra-modern uplighters. Wooden venetian blinds cover the two end windows, but contemporary cream and brown drapes hang over the patio doors and side windows on aged-style brass poles.

Provençal

The kitchen is largely L-shaped and fascias are all in cream distressed panel (‘Provençal’) style. To the left is an integrated fridge/freezer and a short worktop with cupboard above and drawers and cupboard below. Then there was a superb range cooker, with five-burner hob and various griddle and hotplate features, plus two ovens and grill compartment, and a extractor above covered by a decorated canopy.

Continuing round, there were cupboards above and drawers below the worktop beside the cooker. On the second leg of the L are more wall and floor cupboards next to an old-style deep ceramic sink with plate racks above. Modernity returns with the integrated dishwasher next to the sink, then more cupboards above and below.

There are downlighters below the cupboards and uplighters above, plus spots fixed to the central beam.

A separate peninsular unit partly divides the kitchen from the dining area, with cupboards and drawers on the kitchen side.

A door leads from the kitchen through to the spacious utility room, with plenty of worktop and cupboard space in the same style, plus an integrated washing machine.

Spacious

Beyond the kitchen/diner a third pair of double doors leads into an inner hall, off which are the bathroom and bedrooms.

The master is excellent, with tons of walk-round space, plus two mirrored sliding door wardrobes – though a vanity table might be a useful extra – two three-drawer cabinets topped by table lamps.
The en suite has a spacious shower and an attractive oblong basin set on a lovely cabinet with two deep drawers and with a mirror-doored cabinet and a modern light above.

The second bedroom is furnished in similar fashion to the master, with a single mirrored sliding door wardrobe, and it has its own separate access to the bathroom. The latter has a p-bath and is otherwise fitted out like the en suite, though with a modern half-moon on a single-drawer cabinet.

Rustic

The dining areas is to the front side of the home, beneath the dormer with its triangular window, with the kitchen beyond it. The dining table and four chairs are in attractive rustic style. There’s lots of light from the large windows and the dormer panels and across the vault of the dormer is a wooden beam to which is attached a modern light fitting with four lamps suspended from it. Two spots are fixed to the top of the beam, and there are two more high-tech lamps on the walls.

OUR VERDICT

In some ways, the Colonial is a strange hybrid, with furniture and fittings in a variety of styles – rustic, Victorian, Provençal and ultra-modern among them. The contrasts don’t actually jar too much, but some people might prefer a more consistent theme.

Of course, Wessex offers customers a choice of interiors, so there’s plenty of scope for you to play around with the design.

In terms of an overall living space, I think the home is superb, with an unusual but excellent layout. It’s well equipped, too – especially the kitchen and utility areas. I’d have no hesitation in recommending it to buyers.

Technical details
• Type: twin unit residential park home
• Standard: BS3632
• Size: 48ft x 20ft
• Bedrooms: 2

Other versions
• 40ft x 20ft, with one semi-en suite bathroom

Main features
• Porch with Purbeck stone effect  and boot store
• Purbeck stone effect quoins
• Glazing in gable
• Energy-saving lighting
• Loft space
• Vaulted entrance hall/study
• Vaulted ceiling in kitchen/diner/utility
• Douglas fir central beam
• Free standing range cooker with integrated extractor
• Integrated dishwasher and washing machine
• Hardwood style flooring to hall, kitchen, diner and utility

Selected options
• Real engineered hardwood flooring

Price
As seen £103,786 ex works (inc VAT)

CONTACT

Wessex Park & Leisure Homes Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 0RB. Tel: 01258 860455. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.wessexparkhomes.co.uk


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


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