Exploring Willow Park, it’s hard to believe you are in a location conveniently close to villages and not far from cities, either. This is an oasis of amazing lakeside charm and tranquility. Many of the homes border the park’s lake and some of these have decking that stretches out over the water.

Typically, as you walk near the shores of the lake, shoals of enormous carp rise, open-mouthed, in the hope of food, as we discovered during our visits here. Ducks quack for their share of our attention, too. And the willow trees which inspired the name of the park reach their fronds of fine leaves down towards the water. It’s a captivating scene; we could stand here for hours but time pushes us on. We continue our walking tour of the park, impressed by the fact that this scene which captivates us so briefly is in fact home for purchasers of park homes here.

We find our way to another brilliant feature of Willow Park. We were astonished to discover that this park has its own allotments. Owners of homes on the park simply make use of them – no rent, no formalities. Raised beds are here, constructed by the park’s carpenter. Sometimes, chickens are kept here: residents share the care – and the eggs.

Willow Park is an unusual park home estate in so many ways. It has its own water supply, from a natural spring on the park, so water rates are low. Another money-saving feature is the arrangement over gas. Each home has its own Calor gas tank and the park is on an advantageous group rate; 35pence per litre. The park pays for the installation of the gas tanks and residents simply set up their individual direct debits for gas payment.

Willow Park has been carefully created by the family owners and their team. The lake which is the park’s gorgeous centerpiece was originally just a pond. It was enlarged and deepened to become the lovely feature it is today. Reinforced-plastic edging is installed around it and controlled reeds are allowed to grow, for a natural look.

Tree planting is a constant programme at Willow Park. Topographical surveys have taken place to that the park is aware of how many trees need to come down and how many are to be replaced; the results are used in future plot planning to achieve the optimum in terms of tree and bush design in relation to plot shape and size. The park owners polarise on species which are especially suited to the clay soil, especially laurels and eucalyptus. The careful planning pays off – the park looks lovely.

Director Sophie Brown, who runs the park with her brother Alex, tells me: “It’s a small team here: just four maintenance staff. We do everything ourselves, including the decking which is designed by Alex and constructed by the park’s own carpenter.”

So what of the wider picture? Willow Park is on the edge of the village of Calverton, which has a supermarket, leisure centre, golf course, newsagents, post office, pubs and restaurants, plus necessities including a chemist, a doctors’ surgery. Calverton is on a bus route to Nottingham. Its location is one reason for its popularity, within easy distance of the A1, train lines and A46. Sophie Brown comments: “This area of Nottinghamshire is quite sought-after and expensive in terms of property – the Trent Valley is nearby – so park homes offer an affordable option.”

Willow Park is a secure fob-controlled gated community. Some of the homes back onto a little brook with a golf course beyond. All the plots are of a generous size and are set at different angles.

Show Homes

Stately-Albion Windsor - £250,000

46ft x 22ft

Reeds Close, Willow Park

This home overlooks the lake. The Windsor has a galley kitchen which leads to the dining room that forms an L-shape with the lounge; a feature here is a white fireplace with a stone-effect fire.

There’s a utility room. Two big cupboards are in the corridor that leads to the bedroom area that is very separate from the day rooms.

The large master bedroom has sliding doors to a whole wall of wardrobes. The generously-sized en suite, with a large shower, is fully-tiled in a rock effect.

The bathroom has a feature tiled wall and a tiled panel behind the ladder-style feature radiator.

The spare bedroom has lots of cabinet and a desk style dressing table in attractive pale grey wood.

Stately-Albion Woburn - £185,000

38ft x 22ft

Reeds Close, Willow Park

In this home the dining room is totally separate from the lounge. A stunning, large, triangular window, high up close to the ceiling, stretches the length of the dividing wall between the lounge and the dining room. It’s a unique feature which lets light penetrate to both rooms from each other.

Another Woburn hallmark is an angled wall on one corner of the lounge, where the fireplace sits. An alcove is above the fireplace, for media equipment.

Floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides of the room ensures it’s a very light room.

The main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and a shower en suite. The spare room’s eye-catching feature is fabric; almost deckchair striped curtains and bed head.

Horizontally aligned feature tiles are a keynote of the bathroom; the tile panel emphasises the ladder radiator.

The Woburn has a utility room.

Contact

Willow Park
Killarney Homes, Moor Lane, Calverton, Nottinghamshire NG14 6FZ
killarneyhomes.co.uk
0845 340 2861