Are Holiday Lodges a Good Investment? An Honest Answer

Are holiday lodges a good investment? It’s one of the most common questions we’re asked, and you deserve a straight answer. If by “investment” you mean something that will grow in value or pay you an income, then generally no, a holiday lodge isn’t that. If you mean an investment in time, wellbeing and peace of mind, it can be one of the best you’ll ever make.

The financial reality

The National Caravan Council, the UK industry’s trade body, says you should think of a holiday caravan or lodge as “a long-term lifestyle purchase and not as a property investment”. It explains that it is a depreciating asset and the resale value will be less than what you paid (NCC guidance). We agree, and we’d rather you bought with your eyes open. Thinking it through? Our step-by-step guide to buying a holiday lodge lists the questions to ask any park.

A lodge vs traditional bricks and mortar

When people talk about investing in a holiday lodge, they often compare it with buying a house. The two work very differently. With traditional bricks and mortar, you usually own the building and the land it stands on. With a holiday lodge, you own the lodge, it sits on a pitch on a lodge park, and you pay an annual site fee. The NCC describes holiday lodges as depreciating assets, so the purchase price is best thought of as the cost of years of holidays, not a sum you expect to grow.

Investing in a holiday lodge as a lifestyle investment

If you see it as a lifestyle investment, the sums change. What matters is how often you’ll use it, what you’d otherwise spend on holidays and short breaks, and how predictable the running costs are. At Epworth Fields the annual site fee is £3,000 + VAT, frozen for five years, and the purchase price includes siting, connection, decking and furnishings. Allow for maintenance costs as well. Our cost of buying a holiday lodge guide sets these out. You can’t buy a holiday lodge with a mortgage. More on everyday holiday home ownership.

What about rental income?

Some parks let owners sublet their lodges. Epworth Fields doesn’t. Lodges here are for owners’ own holiday use only, so you shouldn’t buy here expecting rental income. We see that as a real benefit. The park stays quiet, your neighbours are fellow owners rather than a changing stream of holidaymakers, and your lodge is always ready for you exactly as you left it.

Where the real value is

For many buyers, a lodge on a quiet holiday park is an attractive option because the costs are predictable and the place is theirs to use whenever they like.

Time you’ll actually use. The park has a 12-month season, giving you 365 days of leisure use. A lodge you can reach in under an hour gets used far more than one at the far end of the country.

Predictable costs. Site fees at Epworth Fields are frozen for 5 years. That kind of certainty is rare, and it makes budgeting much easier.

A place that’s yours. No booking, no packing for a hotel, no checking out. Your things are there and your bed is made up.

Wellbeing on your doorstep. You have 12½ acres of secluded grounds, woodland, a fully stocked fishing lake with carp, bream and roach, and walks from the door. It’s a quiet place to switch off, and there’s room for the dog too.

Time outdoors. There’s a children’s play area and a picnic area, with plenty of easy days out nearby (see our local area page).

Questions to ask before you buy

• How long is the pitch licence, and what happens when it ends?
• How have site fees changed in the past, and how are future rises calculated?
• What are the rules and charges on resale?
• Is the park licensed for holiday use, and what is the season?

These are the kinds of questions the NCC and NSCOU recommend asking. Every purchase is tailored, so we’ll talk you through running costs and terms when you visit.

FAQ

Do holiday lodges go up in value?
Generally no. The NCC describes them as depreciating assets. Buy one for the lifestyle, not for capital growth.

Can I make money by letting my lodge?
Not at Epworth Fields. Lodges are for owners’ own use only.

Why are fixed site fees important?
Site fees are the biggest regular cost of ownership. Ours are frozen for 5 years, so you know what to expect.

Can I live in my lodge?
No. It’s a holiday home, so you’ll need a main residence elsewhere.

Do you accept part-exchange?
Yes. We take motorhomes, static caravans and touring caravans in part-exchange. Tell us what you have when you book your viewing.