Wise Moves for a Dream Home - Park Lifestyle Feature

Wise Moves for a Dream Home

When Mike and Ann Lawrence decided to downsize they were looking for something a bit specific, like many of us would be. 

They had sold their home in West Wickham, Kent and wanted a base which was not only a great place to live, but also a great base when they felt like a break in their touring caravan.   They researched the market very well and approached their park home move from two directions initially – visiting shows and visiting park home sites.  They managed to narrow the sites down to three and of those they found that a Tingdene park in Wiltshire, Trowbridge Park, really stood out. 

“It wasn’t regimented,” Ann said.  “It’s wooded too, the homes are well spaced out, the location is good for access to many areas we like to visit and the local amenities and transport links are good too in case we ever need them. 

Near to the park entrance there’s a bus stop, Spar shop and garage and a Tesco store is also within walking distance, yet here we’re tucked away from the noise and bustle.”

After looking at the range of homes displayed at shows, Mike and Ann also visited two manufacturers at their own show sites, as like many other parks and park groups, Tingdene Parks are not tied to one manufacturer.  Ann says; “Actually that’s really not as obvious as it seems, we’ve met a couple of people since who didn’t realise that.”

When they visited Prestige at their Kettering base Silvano Geranio showed them around the Anthem home on site.  They say it immediately ‘felt right’ for them and was a good price too.   At that point they knew it was the home they wanted, opting for a 50’ x 22’ version but with exactly the same plum colour scheme as the show home, so everything seemed to be coming together a bit. 

They even chose their plot at Trowbridge Lodge Park - one with a great position where they’d be able to get the sun all day if they positioned the home in a certain way.   However a hiccup with the exchange of contracts on their house meant that the build on the home couldn’t get started as anticipated.  “Tingdene Parks were very fair though,” said Mike. “They arranged temporary accommodation for us which wasn’t too expensive over near Lowestoft. It wasn’t ideal, but we got through.”

After spending three months in Lowestoft they finally moved into their new Anthem on Trowbridge Lodge Park in October 2010.  Interestingly, Ann and Mike had worked out where the sun would be at different times and managed to get the home positioned to take best advantage of that too in relation to how they like to spend their time, something Tingdene were happy to accommodate.  That simple move and the combination of lovely large windows in their home means that they now get the sun throughout the day, either in the living areas of the home or in the garden. 

They are enjoying the extra floor space too, and say in many ways it’s better than their last home.  Ann says; “The kitchen is designed in a way which means you don’t feel isolated in it, the flow of the home is really well thought through.”  

She adds that you can tell that a woman had a hand in the design as there were several little touches which made a lot of difference, such as having an airing cupboard, cloaks cupboard and plenty of additional storage.   Mike adds; “Yes people are surprised, we even have loft space for storage.” 

They are enjoying life on the park too and describe it as a fantastically friendly community. Several neighbours introduced themselves straight away to welcome them to the park and Ann and Mike are really enjoying being in an environment where everyone is like-minded, although they say a walk to get a paper can occasionally take longer than anticipated because most folk often stop to say hello to one another! 

Looking back on their moving experience they both say it worked out very well and they are extremely happy in their new home.  “Prestige have impressed us so much as a manufacturer,” Ann says.  “Just over a year after we moved we bumped into Silvano at the NEC and he asked if everything was still ok on the home. We’d had a minor problem with the vent over the cooker which we mentioned to him and within a couple of weeks someone came out from Kettering specifically to fix it for us.  Their aftersales service is really exceptional.  All in all it was a good experience and one we’d recommend to anyone.”

Our verdict:

Mike  and Ann had done their research really thoroughly and were very switched on to what could be done for them to identify the home of their dreams. Both Tingdene as park owners and Prestige as their home manufacturer worked hard together with Ann and Mike to help turn that dream into a reality.  The result was well deserved and we wish them every happiness in their home.

Info point:

Trowbridge Lodge is an exclusive park home development situated in the heart of Wiltshire. The park has been established within part of the grounds of what was a large, private country estate and the entrance to the park is via one of the original lodge gates which is now a private residence.  The park is set amongst woodland, where the majority of the trees are protected under preservation orders providing an idyllic setting. 

To find out more about Trowbridge Lodge Park or any of Tingdene’s other parks visit www.tingdene-parks.net, call 0800 043 1629 or email developments@tingdene.net. 

For further information the Anthem or to take an online 360° tour visit www.prestigeparkandleisurehomes.com