Amid tranquil Cambridgeshire countryside, alongside the River Nene, Yarwell Mill Country Park is becoming an increasingly popular lifestyle choice. We find out why…

Yarwell Mill Country Park lies on the banks of the River Nene. It's a charming location. Canal boats drift past and wildlife abounds in the many acres of lovely parkland.

A few years ago a residential park home estate began to take shape overlooking the river and the old mill building, which dates to 1839. Now, the homes here are much in demand as Yarwell Mill Country Park's popularity is becoming increasingly well known.

Phase two of the development is nearly complete; many homes in this phase are now occupied.

The twelve show homes that are on display are ready for immediate occupation; it is pointed out that this is the biggest selection of show homes at a park anywhere in the country. There are homes built by Omar, Wessex, Stately-Albion and Prestige.

The old mill is now converted into apartments and the touring area has a new purpose built toilet block and a coffee shop. Fishing and walking are great attractions here – as well as simply enjoying the tranquility.

With the number of show homes on display here, and with its charming riverside location, Yarwell Mill is something of an icon in the park home world; a place to come if you are contemplating a move to a park home and want to see what the park lifestyle is all about…

A new home, all on one level, fully furnished and equipped; everything is covered by warranty and every element here is luxurious.

The latest development here means there are now homes sited around the lake; a delightful setting. A mill stream, willow trees, geese, swans, kingfishers occasionally… it's a serene scene.

And Yarwell Mill is famous for colourful sunsets and sunrises, as Howard's picture on the left illustrates.

During our day at Yarwell Mill we browsed through three of the show homes. This is what we found.

Omar Ikon

The entrance leads straight into a big, impressive dining-kitchen with two Velux windows. The purples and creams of the kitchen set the tone for this ultra modern home.

An island unit with two high chairs, a large light oak dining table… We move on, now into the lounge, which spans the whole width of home. Beautiful wooden flooring is a feature which emphasises the modern appeal of the Ikon.

A balcony reaches out towards the river. There's always something to watch here. As we pause, ducks swim in the reeds at the edges of the fast flowing river; it's a scene of tranquility.

The Ikon has an interesting bedroom area layout, with both bedrooms identical, side by side at the rear. They are both large and luxurious. The décor is greys and subtle purples. One bedroom has a large shower en suite and both have feature ladder-style radiators.

And the price? £310,000.

Yarwell Mill offers a part-exchange service to speed and ease your move onto the park. Three valuations are obtained. The middle one is chosen.

Howard Jones explains:

"We offer market value. We can recommend a solicitor who knows the park home market, which makes the move much more cost-efficient. Most buyers go for this scheme; 95% of our businesses is part exchange, because it's so easy."

OPEN WEEKEND

Yarwell Mill Country Park is holding an open weekend, on 5 and 6 May, displaying the show homes they have at the park.

Activities will include archery, paddle boarding on the park's lake, canoeing, fishing, and the well-known annual Yarwell Mill Duck Race on the River Nene.

In addition, there will be local artisan food and craft stalls and vintage cars on display.

Stately-Albion Harvard

Each of the homes here has a charming address; this one is 4 Waters View. Its exterior is pale grey Canexel; its balcony is white with a grey base.

The front is a huge bay window design; a hexagon of windows.

From the entrance hall we turn left into a huge open-plan lounge-dining-kitchen space. Deep pile high quality carpet defines the lounge area; the dining-kitchen area has wood-effect flooring.

The kitchen has an island unit that serves to accommodate the hob and as a breakfast bar.

The lounge is furnished with two settees and an armchair arranged to face the focal point, a stone and log effect fire with a television recess above. A feature wall of the lounge is composed of horizontally-aligned pieces of wood. A strip of bright LEDs runs above it.

The main bedroom also has a feature wall; this time made of stone-effect. Large wardrobes are on each side of a corridor leading from the bedroom to the shower en suite.

The bathroom has P-shaped bath with a shower above.

Tartan is a theme running throughout the Harvard. In the second bedroom the tartan-inspired curtains are in pale green shades, in the lounge the tartan pattern is in fawn and greys.

The price of the Harvard is £275,000.

Wessex Summerhouse

Number 6 Waters View is a stunning home with a captivating charm. It has a nautical theme and an ultra-modern aspect. You'd always feel you were on holiday in a Summerhouse!

Actually, it has gained an alternative name by décor theme – a large vertical plaque-painting in the lounge bears the words 'The Beach House'.

The seaside scene is firmly established in the lounge with sea-turquoise curtains and two blue sofas.

Two big white beams span the lounge and a triptyque picture of Cornwall's famous abbey island, St Michael's Mount, is over the ultra-modern fireplace.

Floor level spotlights are set into the bases of the kitchen cabinets which incorporate a wine chiller. The main bedroom has an awesomely luxurious layout with a part-wall, behind the bed, concealing an oval bath in a large bathroom; the shower-toilet-washbasin room adjoins.

The second bedroom has twin beds. Everywhere you look are nautical things. Here, cushions have an embroidered outline of a yacht and sea scene and the words 'Sail away with me'.

A miniature oar is on a wall; fishing boats are in a print on another wall. The Summerhouse has a practical layout and beach house styling that's utterly stunning.

It's price - £290,000.