SITUATED in an area of natural beauty and surrounded by stunning scenery, yet only three miles from the bustling town of Dunstable, Whipsnade Park Homes is a privately owned and operated park for the over 50s.

Good road links and regular bus services are available to Dunstable, Hemel Hempstead and Leighton Buzzard, which are both under ten miles away, and from where a railway journey to London can take less than half-an-hour.

The wonderful surroundings of the park are alive with wildlife, and more exotic species can be seen at the nearby Whipsnade Zoo. The countryside and hedgerows adjoining the park are maintained, and there is a grassed area with flowerbeds and trees in the centre. All homes are connected to a separate electricity meter that is read quarterly by the park, with the supply provided by Eon.

Water and sewage is provided, and the price is included in the pitch fee, which this year stands at £137.59 per calendar month. If a garage is required, an additional monthly charge of £31 is made.

Oil and bottled gas is ordered directly from the suppliers by residents and delivered to their door. Milk is delivered to the park on a daily basis, and on request bread, eggs and potatoes can also be delivered. Newspapers are delivered daily from the village, and there is a newsagent and Post Office/general store in nearby Kensworth. A mobile library visits the park alternate weeks.

South Beds District Council collects household waste every other Monday, together with glass bottles for recycling. On the intervening Monday, paper, cardboard, cans, plastic bottles and garden waste are collected for recycling.

Now managed by the National Trust, The Tree Cathedral lies 10 minutes’ walk away and is a popular local beauty spot. Religious services and even weddings are held there periodically. It is also possible to take a brisk 15-minute walk over Dunstable Downs to enjoy the breathtaking views. The more adventurous may like to try their hand at gliding or hang-gliding, or simply flying a kite. There is a visitor centre and shop/restaurant on site.

For refreshment, the Old Hunters Lodge is a five-minute walk from the park. This traditional restaurant, pub and hotel has a thatched roof, stone floor and open fireplace.


INFO

Whipsnade Park Homes, Whipsnade, Bedfordshire LU6 2LP. Tel: 01582 873103 or 0771 4767061. Website: www.whipsnadeparkhomes.co.uk

• Pitch fee is £137.59 per month
• 50+, semi-retired and retired; no resident children
• Pets allowed at park owner’s discretion
• For sale – At the time of writing properties included a new 40x20 Omar Ashbourne at £139,950 ono; a 40x20 Homeseeker at £145,000; a 40x20 Omar Woburn at £95,000; and a 36x20 Omar Suburban at £69,950, all previously owned


This review was published in our annual Residential Parks Guide 2009 distributed with the September 2009 issue of Park & Holiday Homes magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.


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