THE exterior of the 42ft x 20ft Cranborne has a plethora of distinctive features, with dormers over both the inset porch for the front door and the suspended box bay to its left. A similar-sized box bay to the right, with two larger suspended box bays on the end elevation, and windows either side of the front porch are fitted with brown faux shutters.

The windows have Georgian pane features, there is horizontal Canexel cladding to the pitch of both front dormers and the end bays have sloping tops. Traditional-style wall-mounted lamps sit either side of the porch.

The double-glazed front door has two leaded glass panels, and beside it is a similar narrow, full-length glazed panel.

Attractive

You enter into a small lobby with coir matting. Passing through a second door, to the right is a storage and cloak cupboard and an airing cupboard with radiator.

The dining area to the left is furnished with an extendable wooden table and is lit by a side window, an optional velux window in the vaulted ceiling, a glass-shaded uplighter and a couple of ceiling spots. There are four leather chairs with curving upholstery.

The lounge is full width at the end of the home. It is furnished with a couple of comfortably plump two seat sofas with scroll arms and light fabric weave.

Against the end wall, between the two large bays, is a shelving unit, opposite which, on the partition wall to the kitchen, is a coal-effect, electric fire in a lovely cream, roughcast steel surround with a mirror above.

Décor is generally subdued, with creamy brown carpet and slightly lighter wall covering, except for the two partition walls to the kitchen, which have a darker brown pattern.

Well lit

From the hall, straight ahead from the front door, is the utility room (with worktop, cupboards and integrated washing machine), from which there is a square arch into the kitchen, plus a back door. The U-shaped kitchen has an upright fridge/freezer and plenty of cupboards and drawers. In kitchen and utility, fascias are glossy cream with brushed chrome handles and lights beneath the wall units.

At the end of the U is the integrated four-burner hob and oven, hidden extractor above, flanked by two glass-fronted, spot-lit cupboards. The 11/2 sink and drainer is to the right, with optional dishwasher below. There are plenty of power points and the vaulted ceiling has adjustable spots, plus another optional Velux unit.

Excellent

Towards the end of the hall, on the right, is the master bedroom, an excellent room with a whole wall taken up by wardrobe space (there’s a radiator inside) and, behind the door, a vanity table with three-drawer pedestal, mirror above – but no stool.

The full-size double has three-drawer cabinets either side, plus tall, freestanding, Victorian-style bedside lamps, plus double power points.

As in the lounge, there are contrasting wall coverings, mostly creamy brown, with darker brown behind the bed. The ceiling is only partially vaulted at this end of the home, allowing for a loft space accessed from the hall.

A fairly small but adequate en suite features a roomy shower, and a pedestal basin with shelves beside and a mirror above, with large, bright light, but no cabinet or other storage. There’s a single towel rail with radiator beneath.

Contemporary

The door at the very end of the hall leads into a the second bedroom, another full-sized double with quite good walk-round space, a wall of fitted wardrobes, two bedside cabinets with free-standing lamps  and power points. The home’s consumer electrical unit is at a nice height in the wardrobe.

The headboard and bedcover I saw here in the showhome are the only items I felt jarred with the overall interior design scheme – but you would have a choice of interiors, anyway.

Modern

Beyond the utility room, the hall leads on to a bathroom on the left with a ‘p’ bath and shower unit with Perspex splash screen. The pedestal basin and loo are in fairly traditional style, and the former has a mirror-doored, brushed-chrome cabinet above and a modern wall light. A single towel rail hangs over a low radiator on the other wall.

OUR VERDICT

The Cranborne is a very comfortable home, with a practical layout and pleasant, generally low-key interiors. It also has a distinctive exterior profile.

There’s a mixture of very trad-itional and more modern touches in the fixtures and fittings, so there’s scope for you to lean one way or the other when specifying your individual home. The inclusion of things like the lighting over the kitchen worktops and lights over mirrors in the bathroom and en suite are definite plus points. The only real minus is the lack of a cabinet in the en suite.

On the whole, though, the Cranborne should be high on your ‘to see’ list if your budget is in the £95,000-£100,000 bracket.

Technical details
• Type: Twin unit residential park home
• Standard: BS3632
• Size: 40ft x 20ft
• Bedrooms: 2
  
Other versions
• 42ft x 20ft, 44ft x 20ft, 46ft x 20ft (with study)
   
Main features
• Georgian leaded windows with exterior shutter features
• Utility room
• Canexel cladding to gable areas
• Vaulted ceilings to lounge, diner and kitchen
• Integrated fridge/freezer
• Integrated dishwasher
• Integrated gas hob, electric oven and extractor hood
• Washer/dryer space
• Loft space

Selected options
• Electric velux windows to kitchen and dining areas
• Integrated washer/dryer

Price
Standard price £94,380 ex works (incl 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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