MODEL names can get confusing. Willerby produces ‘lodges’ that can be built to the BS3632 resi-dential standard. But the Meridian Lodge isn’t a lodge by Willerby’s definition; it’s  in the company’s ‘Holiday Homes’ portfolio, available only as a BS EN1647 leisure home.

Does it matter? Not if you know what you are looking for. The Meridian is an up-market, 42x13, single unit holiday caravan, with direct rivals such as the Swift Champagne and ABI Westwood at £50k plus. And very nice it is, too.

Outside is cream, plank-effect vinyl cladding and a front end with either apex-windowed twin bays patio doors replacing one of the bays. Along the front side is one window towards the front end corner and three to the left of the glazed door, which is about three-fifths along.

Through this front door is a small lobby. A door to the left leads into the semi-open plan living area where ahead, beside the three windows, is a glass and brushed chrome dining table with four chairs, fully upholstered in black/grey/white speckled fabric, and a five lamp pendant above. The floor, extending over to the kitchen, has grainy, tile-effect vinyl.

The kitchen, cut off from the lounge by a half-width partition wall, has an almost semi-circle of dark wood-effect worktops, with the sink in the centre, below a window in the back wall, and the five-burner gas hob beside it at an angle, with an extractor above and a splashback behind. At the end of the left-hand area is an electric oven, grill and microwave.

There are two sets of four wall-mounted, top-hinged cupboards, the lower pair in each having glass insets and downlighters beneath. Below the worktops are a low-level fridge and freezer, four drawers, a pan draw below the oven and a number of cupboards, including space for dishwasher or washer/dryer.

Fascias are gloss white with simple brushed stainless steel pulls. An overhang above the win-dow and sink contains two spots, and this con-tinues over the cupboards to the oven tower, where it holds another spot, plus a glass-hanging rack. There are two more ceiling spots.

Beyond the kitchen/diner, vinyl becomes deep pile carpet for the lounge area, which has a three-piece suite (2+1+1) in the same fabric as the dining chairs. Against the partition wall with the kitchen is a well-designed display cabinet with open glass shelves, glass-fronted cupboards, interior lights and three drawers.

On the front wall of the home, between the single and triple windows, is a wall-hung, flame effect feature fireplace with chunky surround in the same style as the cabinet. Other furniture includes a matching TV/AV table (there are also TV points above the fireplace) and a coffee table in the same style as the dining table.

Another five-lamp pendant hangs from the ceiling and the curtains, on chrome poles, are in black, grey and white holizontal stripes – strident, but not overwhelming.

Back in the entrance lobby, to the right is a boiler cupboard. The hallway leads off at an angle, and to the left is the twin. This is unusual, with beds placed ‘head-to-toe’ and offset rather than side-by-side. A wall-hung wardrobe sits to the right of the door at the foot of one bed, and a vanity table with drawers below and cupboards above at the end of the other bed. This is inset into the partition wall, using space provided by the angled unit for the hob in the kitchen. The right-hand bed has a couple of shelves above and a bedside cabinet.

Opposite the twin is the shower room. A good-sized shower cubicle has black marble-effect vinyl surround and sliding glass door. The pedestal sink has a mirror, light and two glass shelves, but no other storage.

At the end of the hall is a spacious master,. A king-size double has chunky, white two-drawer cabinets and wall-mounted glass shelves either side, plus a framed mirror above. At the foot of the bed is a radiator with a wall-mounted panel above holding another mirror plus TV points.

There are two pairs of doors. One set leads into a walk-in wardrobe with lots of shelving, drawers and hanging space, the other into an en suite. This has a bath with shower, cabinet-mounted basin with mirror and glass shelves above, a narrow cabinet and a ladder radiator.


VERDICT

The Meridian is a really well-thought-out, well-designed holiday home. The lounge area is conventional, if roomy, but elsewhere the clever use of angles – including the front bays and the kitchen, where space is created for the vanity table in the twin bedroom – help create an interesting interior within the standard rectangular footprint. The kitchen is practical and well-equipped and the master bedroom is outstanding, even if the bath in the en suite might be a little cramped for taller users. My only criticism would be the style of vinyl wrap on the lounge furniture – the grey somehow looks too artificial compared to the worktop style in the kitchen. But that’s a minor cavil. Otherwise this home is an excellent addition to the luxury end of the market.


INFO

Willerby Holiday Homes Imperial House, 1251 Hedon Road, Hull HU9 5NA
Tel: 01482 707808 Email: [email protected] Web: www.willerby.com

Property type: Caravan holiday home
Sleeps: 4/6
Price: from £50,063 Ex-works (excl VAT)
Size: 42ft x 13ft

Technical details

• Type: Single unit caravan holiday home
• Standard: BS EN1647
• Size: 42ft x 13ft
• Bedrooms: 2

Main features

• Woodgrain-effect rigid vinyl cladding
• Pre-galvanised chassis
• Gas combi boiler central heating
• Vaulted ceilings throughout
• Freestanding three-piece suite
• Fold-out sofa bed
• Coffee table and display cabinet
• Freestanding dining table and four upholstered chairs
• Five-burner gas hob with extractor
• Integrated oven, grill and microwave
• Integrated low-level fridge and freezer
• Kingsize lift-up double bed with storage beneath
• Walk-in wardrobe to master bedroom
• En suite bathroom/WC to master bedroom
• Separate family shower room/WC
• Space-saving fold-under bed to twin bedroom
• Built-in dressing table to twin bedroom

Selected options

• Outlook French doors


This feature was published in the July 2011 issue of Park & Holiday Homes. To order a copy of Park & Holiday Homes please click here