AN open weekend seemed a good time to visit Scampston Park, as others would be around too, and I might gauge how well they felt the park lived up to its claim.

Although the lodges are new, the estate in which it is set isn’t. Scampston Park belongs to the Legard family, who have lived there for generations – since the 17th Century, in fact – and aren’t planning on downsizing! This sense of history is played out in the fine old buildings at the heart of the estate, and in the established trees, which were planted with future generations in mind. You can feel a part of history by cycling through the parkland established by Capability Brown, to the award-winning Walled Garden. Lodge owners have a season ticket.

Chris Legard and his team want to create something special at Scampston, and I tried to get hold of what the essence of that something is. I think they want a sense of continuity in every way on the estate, so that lodge owners, too, feel a part of something peaceful and permanent, with the best that both nature and lodge living has to offer. I believe that intention to be genuine; a family that has built that way for centuries can probably not manage to think any other way, even if they wanted to!

This is demonstrated in the sense of space surrounding the lodges. They have not succumbed to any temptation to ‘pack ‘em in’ and there is a minimum of 12m between each lodge, sometimes more. This is more than twice what is required by the regulations. Chris would like Scampston Park Lodges to be “a haven of peace and tranquillity”.

Amenities

No, it’s not bingo-land! But there will be a 9-hole pitch and putt course, tennis courts and cycle paths. Scampston Hall’s grounds has a restaurant, too.

Space is not usually mentioned as an amenity, but it is one of the most valuable, not only between lodges but all around, in the 65 acres within which the lodges have been allocated a 35-acre area. Eventually the development will comprise 75 quality lodges in four phases.

There are seven lakes, too, laid out with the result that almost every lodge will have a lake view. These lakes will generate a life all of their own, as waterfowl and the like move in. Planting has begun of further trees for landscaping, and a wild flower meadow.

Owners will be able to relax at home, knowing that the lodge park will have a resident warden to deal with any emergencies. At the entrance are impressive security gates, so whether at home or in your lodge, you will know that you and your possessions are kept as safe as is possible.

Locality

Set off the A64 about half way between York and Scarborough, Scampston has very easy access by road from across the country. The location also means there are many attractions nearby, both coastal – in places like Scarborough, Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay – and inland in Scampston itself, and Castle Howard, York, Pickering, Malton, and many more.

The nearest village for shopping purposes is Rillington, just over half a mile away. There are also a couple of pubs here. Four miles further, Malton has a good selection of supermarkets and local shops.

Who for?

I think Scampston is aiming at a particular clientele. Chris summed it up in describing the kind of people they are looking for as those who want to be sitting on their deck enjoying a bottle of Chablis without being disturbed. Is that you?

It is important that you want to subscribe to that way of relaxing. (Not necessarily Chablis, but you know what he means!) That doesn’t mean that children are not welcome – there will be doubtless both couples and families on site – but everyone will on the one hand respect each other’s privacy and, if the concept works, develop a sense of community.

The market is also defined by the ‘no subletting’ rule. Those who buy have to be able to afford it without recourse to letting out their lodge. The same people who are in a position to buy this way often, too, prefer to preserve their privacy.

The typical Scampston Park lodge dweller will be retired or semi-retired, or a family looking to the future, wanting somewhere which they will be able to visit for many years, and pass on to the children perhaps.

This is a well-thought out development, which has allowed the landscape to inspire the design, and was enthusiastically affirmed by planning officers. Amenities are low-key and non-intrusive. The best thing about it is the space. A park with this much between lodges is a rare find and this alone for me places it well up the league table of ‘Yorkshire’s Finest’!

WHAT DO YOU THINK, TONY AND TINA?

I caught up with Tina and Tony Zawada in the refreshment tent. Their friends, who live locally, had come with them to have a look. But they were not just out for the day, Tina and Tony are seriously interested in buying at some point.

Their first reaction was that it was much nicer than they thought. Their view prior to visiting had been coloured by their holiday experiences in caravan parks with their children on the East Coast. The activity parks had been appropriate then, but once the children have grown up priorities change, and Tony and Tina are looking for peace and quiet.

The couple like the Advent Jasmine. They love the lighting and the big shower. For them, the lounge has the ‘Wow!’ factor and has a sense of space, and plenty of seating. The size of the rooms, the bathroom and utility all appeal.

It seems Scampston ticks a lot of boxes for Tony and Tina. They think it is a lovely peaceful setting around water. The idea of a permanent warden appeals for peace of mind and security. They are pleased there is no subletting, and like the idea of a community you get to know.

For them, the location feels accessible and do-able from their home in Huddersfield, and as they have family in York, and friends in the area, Scampston is all the more appropriate.

THE LODGES

Chris has chosen two manufacturers for the development – Advent and Lissett. Both are Yorkshire companies based in or near York, so any after-sales issues should be easy to deal with. Advent build solid, house-like lodges and Lissett have a track record of 30 years in the park and holiday homes business to draw on.

Two lodges are already sold and in use, and a further two show homes are currently for sale. These are a Lissett Utopia 2, 42ft 8in x 22ft, with two bedrooms and a master en suite, a generous study and priced at £189,000 fully sited with extensive decking. It has a fountain view, facing in a southerly direction for full sun.

The other showhome, at the other side of the lake, is an Advent Jasmine Opus, £184,000 at a slightly longer 46ft by 22ft.

All plots could take up to the max lodge size of 65ft by 28ft. Disabled access is also no issue as there is plenty of space to fit ramps etc.

An ‘entry level’ lodge would be a 38ft x 20ft two-bedroomed model with an en suite, for £140,000. At the other end of the scale would be a £250,000 large size premium specification model.
There is endless flexibility as you can ‘design your own’ by working with the manufacturer to decide on features and decor.

FOR SALE

At present, homes on site are a Lissett Utopia 2, 42ft 8in x 22ft, 2 bed, £189,000; and an Advent Jasmine 46ft x 22ft, 2 bed, £184,000. Vacant pitches from 38ft x 20ft up to 65ft x 28ft available.

LOCAL INFO

• Local amenities There are shops and a post office in Rillington (10 minute walk), with supermarkets, banks and other services in Malton (5 miles).
• Health GP’s surgery in Rillington; dentists, pharmacies and opticians can be found in Malton. The nearest hospital with A&E is Scarborough (13 miles)
• Transport Nearest station is Malton on Scarborough-York line. Hourly buses on nearby A64 on Leeds-Scarborough route.
• Food and drink Pubs and takeaways in Rillington. Restaurant at Scampston Hall itself, and wide choice in Malton.
• Entertainment Cinemas in Malton, Scarborough (14 miles) Bridlington (20 miles), York (22 miles); theatres in Pickering (8 miles), Scarborough and Driffield (14 miles). Leisure centres in Malton. Fishing and 9-hole golf will be available on the estate.

WHAT CAN I DO AROUND HERE?

Eden Camp – Former World War II POW camp now a museum dedicated to British military and social history since 1914, with exhibits housed in and around the original prison huts, including military vehicles and hardware. Also café and bar with locally brewed beer.

Wolds Way Lavender – Very close to the estate, this attraction features 120 varieties of the plant, and you can visit the distillery, a nature walk, the world’s largest beehive and a narrow gauge railway and buy plants and lavender products. Tea room as well.

Nunnington Hall – Picturesque manor house, owned by the National Trust, on the banks of the River Rye, with spring-flowering organic meadows and orchards. Fascinating miniature rooms in attic. Regular art and photography exhibitions. Tea room and shop.

Kirkham Priory – Ruined 12th-century riverside priory in the Derwent valley, an English Heritage property, with World War II associations – Churchill and King George VI visited when the site was used as a training ground for troops and a test centre for landing craft.

CONTACT

Scampston Park Lodges, Mill Lane, Wintringham, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 8HW. Tel: 01944 758258. Email: enquiries@ scampston-park-lodges.co.uk. Web: www.scampston-park-lodges.co.uk

• Lodges from £140,000
• Site fees £3,000pa, including rates, water, maintenance, security and refuse collection
• Metered LPG, electricity and water
• BT phone line and broadband available for each lodge
• Analogue and digital TV available for each lodge via underground cable
• Parking for two cars outside each lodge
• Open 11 months of the year, holiday use only
• 99 year licence
• No subletting, but family and friends are welcome
• Up to two well-behaved dogs allowed


This review was published in the August 2010 issue of Park & Holiday Homes. To order your copy please click here