TO say that the Classic is Manor Park Homes' first 'off the peg' model is not entirely accurate.

The company's other ranges, such as the Oakleigh, Denford and Carlyon Grange, do begin with standard versions, which a customer on a small budget might be happy to stick with. The difference is that their lines can be redrawn to such an extent that when one of these homes emerges from the factory, it might bear only a passing resemblance to another with the same name on an adjacent plot.

The Classic, however, is offered with only a limited number of options. It is aimed (as mentioned in our profile of Manor on page 48) at buyers who want the build quality and personal service offered by the company, but whose budget doesn't run to some of the more extravagant touches Manor customers sometimes demand.

From the outside, the Classic lives up to its name. There is nothing flamboyant about the home, but it has clean lines and a classic park home profile - an oblong box, but one that is smart, capable of fitting in well on pretty much any park in the country. The model shown at the company's Open Days and at the Newbury Show was a 46ft x 20ft home (sizes from 36ft to 60ft are available, and widths of 20ft or 22ft). It was finished in rough white stucco, with white PVCu window frames, downpipes, guttering, etc. The roof is Decra tiled.

The front elevation has the main entrance positioned precisely in the middle, with a wide pitched dormer above and leaded-style windows fitted flush on either side. At each end of this elevation are curved suspended bays with attractive curved lintels above and leaded-style panes. All windows are double glazed and fitted with energy-efficient glass.

The left end elevation (as you face the front) has a further two of these bays, the other end is a blank wall. At the rear is a centrally situated back door with windows either side, a third window at the left end and French doors to the lounge (an option - the standard floorplan includes only a window here).

The dormer above the front entrance has very little overhang, and there is no porch - just modern, stainless steel carriage lamps either side - so there's no shelter from inclement weather when you're having trouble finding your keys. But by way of compensation, a notable point about the Classic's front entrance is that it has double doors opening onto a substantial lobby area.
Here there will be no squeezing through a narrow doorway into a cramped hall. There's loads of room for removing outdoor clothing, and plenty of space to add something like an umbrella stand or a boot rack. And that's not to mention the two roomy cupboards to the right of the door, one with shelves and the other with an eye-level shelf and a hanging rail beneath for coats.


Bedtime and bathtime

As you enter through the front door, the entrance to a utility room is straight ahead, to the left is a wide arch opening onto the L-shaped lounge/diner and, to the right, the
hall leads round to the bedrooms and bathroom.

At the end of the hall is the master bedroom, well lit by the large bay window and four inset spots. The bed is a regular 4ft 6in double with three-drawer bedside cabinets either side and almost ceiling-height wardrobes beside these in the corners, each with shelves and hanging rail. There are two twin-doored overbed cupboards, too, and beneath these are twin reading lamps operated by switches centrally placed above the bedhead. There are also twin power points above the bedside cabinets for additional lights, alarm clocks, etc.

On the partition wall at the foot of the bed is a good-sized dressing table with two four-drawer pedestals and a large mirror above and two power points conveniently placed.
The bedroom takes up just half the width of the home because, to the left of the bed, is a walk-through  closet and the en suite shower room. The former has shelves and hanging rails either side, and an additional vanity table with four-drawer pedestal and mirror above (his'n'her vanity tables is certainly an innovation!).

The en suite, lit by three inset spots, has tile effect vinyl flooring and large off-white tiles to ceiling height throughout, a standard style pedestal washbasin with attractive mirrored cabinet above, dual flush loo and good size corner shower.

Returning back along the hall, the family bathroom is to the right. This again is fully tiled and has plenty of storage along one side, incorporating an overhanging half-moon washbasin with a large mirror above and a lever-flush loo with concealed cistern. There's a shelf almost at ceiling height with inset spots beneath.

Along the other wall is the full-size bath - but it's a pity there is no shower unit incorporated into the mixer taps. The room is also carpeted, and bathroom carpet is one of my bete noirs. But I'm sure both these elements could be changed if required.

Opposite the bathroom is the second bedroom, not too much smaller than the master and with a 4ft 6in bed, plus cabinets, wardrobes and overbed storage in an identical (if slightly slimmer) layout, but no dressing table or mirror.


Dream kitchen

Next right from Bedroom 2, and situated off that spacious lobby, is the utility room, which incorporates the back door. There's tile-effect flooring and a pinky-grey granite effect worktop with integrated washer and drier below (though these are optional extras), plus a cupboard. In the corners are two ceiling-height cupboards, the one on the left containing the boiler, the other free for storage, with connecting cupboards above the worktop. There's full tiling behind the worktop and two double power points.

Opposite the worktop a single width arch leads to a very well-proportioned and well-equipped kitchen, which incorporates a breakfast bar tucked into the corner beside the single arch that leads through to the diner. It has tiling behind, a cupboard above, and an overhang with a pair of inset spots, plus a couple of power points.

The bar would be my only criticism of the kitchen. Though it is supplied with a pair of those stylish (and now ubiquitous) stools with sculpted seats, I don't think there's really enough room for two normal-sized people to eat breakfast comfortably, even if you wanted to sit staring at the wall. I suspect it will be better utilised as a work station for the commis or the pastry chef, as a handy kettle-boiling or toast-making corner, or as a place to perch while watching someone else work...

The rest of the kitchen is top notch, its L-shaped work area (the same granite effect worktops) incorporating the fridge freezer in one corner, then the four-burner hob (gas or ceramic) with built-under brushed stainless steel oven and steel and glass extractor hood above. Along the other wall, below the window, is a one-and-a-half sink with integrated dishwasher below. There's lots of storage above and below, and an overhang with inset spots above the work areas (plus ceiling spots), as well as full-height tiling behind, and plenty of power points.

The fascias are in high gloss cream finish, the tiles yellowy-brown and giving the impression of being the small, oblong kind.

It would be a lovely kitchen to work in and is possibly the home's best feature.


Spartan lounge

Pass through the arch next to the breakfast bar and you are in the L-shaped lounge/dining area. The diner in the show model was equipped with a glass-panelled dining table placed in front of the window with four comfortable, upholstered and high-backed chairs.

Being a value-for-money home, the lounge isn't bursting with must-have features. Moveable furniture comprises a woven-fabric three-piece suite (three-seater, two-seater and single-seater - all chunky and comfortable) plus a coffee table, and that's pretty much it. The feature fireplace is attractive, though, with simple cream stone-effect surround (colour-matching the fascias in the kitchen) enclosing a black electric heater with wood-burning effect. There are lots of power points, and a TV aerial connection, and inset spots in the ceiling.

The lounge is lit by the two end bays, the window to the dining area and the French doors, so it will be bright and airy during the day. You'll need a verandah or patio to take full advantage of the French doors, of course, and you'll need to think about that when choosing your park and plot (and estimating your budget).


Finishing touches

The Classic is tastefully designed. The show home was decorated with slightly off-white walls throughout and white textured ceilings.

Carpets were an easy-to-live-with yellowy-oatmeal, and yellow and orange predominated in the drapes, blinds and bedroom fabrics - but there nothing eye-achingly bright.

Cupboards and fittings were either colonial beech effect, glossy white or gloss cream, curtains were hung on nice brushed steel poles, and there was nothing that failed to blend in with its surroundings.

The Classic is well-equipped with important necessities such as power points, while winter warmth should not be a problem as there were also plenty of radiators, including two large ones in the lounge and a smaller one in the dining area - and there was even a radiator in the walk-through closet of the master bedroom.


Verdict

I reckon Manor have a winner here. In fact, I'd go so far as to say the Classic was the best 'budget'-priced twin home I've seen (we're talking about £83,000 ex works here for the 46x20). The lounge is a little on the spartan side, but I dare say Manor would offer a good price on additional furniture if you wanted it - but maybe you'll be taking your own. Otherwise, the quality and style of the furniture and fittings is excellent.

There are a couple of things I, personally, would change, removng the bathroom carpet and adding a shower unit there. I'd also want smooth rather than textured ceilings. But there's little else I can find to criticise, and the kitchen and en-trance hall are outstanding features.

Now that Manor has the potential to double its capacity with its new factory building, I don't think it will be long before Classics are popping up on sites across the country.

CONTACT:

Manor Park Homes, Finedon Sidings, Furnce Lane, Finedon, Northants NN9 5NY. Tel: 01536 726009. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.manor-park-homes.com



This model review was published in the July 2007 issue of Park & Holiday Homes magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.



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