DELTA is a medium-sized manufacturer with 130 employees, building both for the UK and export. The company prides itself on its after-sales service, so you can buy with confidence.

Sitting mid-price in the company’s range, is the 35ft by 12ft Carlton at £25,286 for the 2-bed version, or £25,551 for three bedrooms. It’s an attractive price, and if you add around £3,000 for double glazing, central heating and extra insulation, you are really ready to go!

Outside, the Carlton blends in with the norm, with a pleasant cream aluminium cladding and plastisol-coated metal tile-effect roof. With this fairly traditional exterior, you will want to see whether you are tempted by the interior layout and design.

Rest and be thankful

The little lounge is not unlike your living room – or mine at least! Freestanding furniture means it can be easily replaced, when the time comes for some renewing. Two domestic-style cream sofas with shaped arms provide enough comfortable seating for all occupants (though the carpeted floor looks soft enough to sit on, too). The lounge is predominantly cream, beige and brown, so there’s a surprise!

No, you are not looking for surprises, just comfort and the ‘calm and relaxing atmosphere’ the Carlton was designed to create. This sitting area is not square ended, it has two cut-off corners which prevent it giving a ‘boxy’ feel. Those corners are not wasted and have shelving units built in, in addition to the free-standing TV and multi-media unit, plus the other storage unit and coffee table provided.

The stylish and practical gas fire backs onto the kitchen area, which is angled so the heat reaches all parts of the room. The Carlton has my kind of curtains, no fuss but good quality plain with interest in the form of a contrasting eyelet header, on stainless steel poles. Lighting is well out of the way, being ceiling spots.

Dining and kitchen

The dining furniture stands on carpet, as is the trend this year. It’s a simple and easy-clean table, with matching chairs with upholstered fabric seats. In the open plan living space the beige carpet runs through, leaving only the kitchen area floored in tile-effect vinyl, in addition to the hall and WC and shower rooms.

The easy-to-use kitchen is in a U-shape, with a particularly useful end cupboard, whose doors open wide to make the shelving accessible. There is an ample range of floor and wall cupboards, and a good amount of work surface in a dark mottled finish, and with an inset stainless steel sink with mono-bloc tap.

All the normal features we have come to expect in a holiday home are present, from full-sized gas cooker with glass lid, to integrated fridge-freezer. There is a stainless steel electric extractor. Lighting is by ceiling spots, and the window is over the sink as is usual. The whole daytime area of this holiday home is a workable space.

Beddy byes

The three-bedroomed Carlton has passable twins for children, as in most holiday homes, and the two-bedroomed twin is a tad larger. All have perfectly usable storage space in light wood-effect. The master is a cosy room with, once again, the light wood-effect in a fairly traditional style. Downlighters are set into the overbed storage cupboards.

A good-sized double wardrobe with mirrored doors is at the other end of the room. Both double and twin bedrooms have fabric headboards. Both models of the Carlton have two toilets – in the two-bed version one WC is en suite to the master bedroom, in the three it is in the hall (more handily when it comes to large numbers staying!) In both WC and shower room there is a large mirror as well as a wall cupboard with mirror, reflecting the light around. The practical shower room has an inset seat in the spacious shower.

In the bedroom area, as throughout this holiday home, domestic-style doors are used with stainless steel handles, the ones with the satisfying ‘clunk’.

Who for?

Those with a really keen eye on price. There may be one or two features less than some similar but more expensive models, but you have a budget and need to stick with it.

If comfort and practicality are your two overriding criteria (after price) then you have the possibility with the Carlton to be cosy for a bit less. No pebble fires and expensive down-lighters, but the savings are passed on to the customer. In important ways, there is nothing lost.

If you would like touches of grandeur, you can add them as you can afford them. It will not appeal so much to those for whom designer touches are key to a good holiday. They come at a price of course.

It will be one to consider for those who have a standard-sized plot. As holiday homes get longer and longer, some owners who love their plot but are restricted on size, may be interested in this one, which is spacious but not over-long.

OUR VERDICT

Delta has eight models in its portfolio, ranging from around £13,000 at the small end to a much heftier £37,000 or thereabouts for the upmarket Belgravia. About halfway between those sits the Carlton.

As a mid-range holiday home, the Carlton scores well in the price department. It has few frills but is not skimped either. It gives you quite a lot of what you want, and moves away from the ‘caravan’ image, with domestic-style seating. It’s a home from home, comfortable and pleasant. The colour scheme and layout are designed to make you relax.

Add double glazing and central heating, and extra insulation, and you will have a warm retreat in which to spend your weekends and holidays.



Technical details
• Type: single unit caravan holiday home
• Standard: BS EN1647
• Size: 35ft x 12ft
• Bedrooms: 2

Other versions
• 35ft x 12ft, three bedrooms

Main details
• Exterior light
• Vaulted ceiling throughout
• Freestanding sofas and dining table with four chairs
• Corner storage box and matching TV stand to lounge
• Gas fire to lounge
• Gas cooker oven and hob, glass lid and stainless steel extractor
• Integrated fridge/freezer

Selected options
• Gas central heating
• Extra insulation
• Pre-galvanised chassis
• UPVC double-glazed windows and door/s

Price
£17,253  ex works (inc VAT)

CONTACT

Delta Caravans, 240 Leads Road, Hull, East Yorkshire HU7 0DF. Tel: 01482 788088. Email: [email protected]. Web: www.deltacaravans.co.uk

This review was published in the November 2010 issue of Park & Holiday Homes. To order your copy please click here