Holiday Home Ownership: What Owning a Lodge Is Really Like

Holiday home ownership sounds simple: buy a lodge, go whenever you like. In practice, the experience depends a lot on the park, the costs and how you’ll use it. This guide covers what owning a holiday lodge is really like, week to week and year to year. It’s written by Epworth Fields, a small, gated, owners-only lodge park in North Lincolnshire, where lodges start from £49,995 with everything included.

Holiday home ownership week to week

Most owners settle into a rhythm. Maybe it’s Friday evening to Sunday most weekends, plus longer stays in the school holidays. The joy is in the small things. There’s no packing for a hotel, your own bed and kitchen are waiting, and the dog knows the walk. At Epworth Fields:

• you can come whenever you like. We have a 12-month season.
• your things stay put. Your clothes, fishing tackle and bikes stay at the lodge.
• it’s quiet. Lodges are for owners’ own use and can’t be let, so the people around you are fellow owners, not holidaymakers.

The benefits of owning a holiday home

• A regular escape without booking, packing or paying each time
• Somewhere to relax
• Countryside on the doorstep. Here, that means woodland walks, a picnic area and an owners-only fishing lake inside the gate.
• Room for the dog. Dogs are welcome.
• Community. On a small, owners-only park you get to know your neighbours.

What to plan for

Owning a holiday lodge is a lifestyle purchase, so go in with your eyes open:

• The site fee. It’s the biggest ongoing cost. Ours is £3,000 plus VAT a year, frozen for 5 years for every buyer.
• Running costs and upkeep. Every purchase is tailored, so we’ll talk you through them when you visit.
• Value over time. Lodges generally don’t rise in value the way houses can. Our honest guide, are holiday lodges a good investment?, explains why.
• Holiday use only. A holiday lodge can’t be your main home. See can you live in a holiday lodge?

For a full breakdown, read the cost of buying a holiday lodge.

Holiday lodge ownership: owners-only vs letting parks

Some parks encourage owners to let their lodges to holidaymakers. That changes the park. There are changeovers, cleaners and new faces every few days. At Epworth Fields, lodge ownership is just that, ownership. No one lets, so the park stays peaceful and owners get to know each other. If you’ve owned a static on a busy holiday park, you’ll notice the difference straight away.

Is holiday home ownership right for you?

It usually suits people who already holiday in the UK several times a year, love the countryside and like the idea of somewhere that’s always ready. It suits people less if they want a different destination every trip, or are mainly looking for a financial return. Be honest about how often you’ll go. The more you use it, the better the value of owning.

Lodge ownership through the seasons

• Spring: the woodland comes back to life, and it’s a good season for the lake.
• Summer: long evenings on the deck.
• Autumn: quiet walks, and cosy evenings indoors.
• Winter: lodges are double-glazed and insulated, and our 12-month season means you can still escape for a weekend.

Questions people forget to ask

Beyond the price and the site fee, here are the other things worth knowing about owning a lodge at Epworth Fields.

• Council tax. You don’t pay council tax on a holiday lodge.
• Mortgages. You can’t buy a holiday lodge with a mortgage.
• Hot tubs. They’re allowed but aren’t standard. We can add one to your lodge, or you can add your own.
• Fishing. The fishing lake is for owners only.
• Who else is on the park. Owners. There’s no letting or subletting, and no camping or touring.
• The park’s future. Epworth Fields has been going for many years, and our lodge plans were approved on appeal.

Lodges start from £49,995, and the site fee is £3,000 plus VAT a year, frozen for 5 years. We accept lodges, motorhomes, static caravans, touring caravans and chalets in part-exchange.

Who makes the lodges?

Our new lodges are by Love Holiday Homes, and we also have a Victory lodge.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes. Dogs are welcome.

Starting your holiday home ownership

1. Read our buying a holiday lodge guide for the steps.
2. Browse the lodges for sale, new and pre-owned. Each comes sited, connected, decked and furnished.
3. Book a viewing, by appointment, to see the park and the lake for yourself.

Already own a motorhome, static caravan or touring caravan? We take all three in part-exchange. See part exchange your static caravan.

FAQ

How often can I use my lodge?

As often as you like. We have a 12-month season. It’s a holiday home, so it can’t be your main residence.

Can I let my lodge out to help with costs?

No. Lodges at Epworth Fields are for owners’ own use.

What does lodge ownership cost each year?

The main cost is the site fee, £3,000 plus VAT, frozen for 5 years. We’ll talk you through running costs at your viewing.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes, dogs are welcome.