A holiday lodge is there to help you relax, and a little regular care keeps it that way. Most lodge maintenance is simple: a few seasonal checks, keeping the deck clear and making sure the lodge is ready for winter. This guide covers the basics. It’s general advice, so always follow the maker’s guidance for your own lodge, and ask us if you’re unsure about anything.
Why lodge maintenance matters
A lodge that’s looked after stays comfortable, looks good and tends to last longer. Small jobs done regularly also stop little problems turning into bigger ones. If you’re thinking about lifespan, our guide to how long lodges last explains how care makes a difference.
Every visit
- Open up and air the lodge. Let fresh air through, especially after a few weeks away.
- Look for anything unusual. Damp patches, drips, sticking doors or windows are easier to sort out early.
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms if your lodge has them.
- Check the deck for leaves, standing water or anything that could be slippery.
- Lock up properly when you leave, and close windows and doors.
Spring
Spring is a good time for a fresh start after winter:
- Give the outside of the lodge a gentle clean, following the maker’s advice.
- Clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris.
- Clean the deck and check that rails and steps are firm.
- Check that windows and doors open, close and seal properly.
- Check under the lodge, where you can see, for anything that’s moved or looks out of place.
Summer
- Keep the deck swept so it’s ready for long evenings outside.
- Keep vents clear so the lodge can breathe.
- If you have a hot tub, follow the maker’s care instructions for cleaning and water care. Hot tubs are allowed at Epworth Fields. We can add one, or you can add your own; they’re not standard.
Autumn
- Clear fallen leaves from the deck, gutters and around the lodge.
- Check that outside lights and steps are safe for darker evenings.
- Have any appliances checked or serviced as the maker recommends.
- Start thinking about winter, especially if you’ll be away for long spells.
Winter care
Epworth Fields is open 12 months a year, so you can use your lodge through the winter. Winter weekends by the fire are some of the best times to be there. A few extra steps help:
- Keep the lodge aired and warm when you’re using it, so condensation doesn’t build up.
- Ask us how best to protect the water system if you’ll be away during a cold spell. What’s right depends on the lodge, so ask at handover.
- Keep the deck clear of leaves and ice for safe footing.
- Visit when you can. A lodge that’s used through the year is easier to keep on top of than one that’s shut up for months.
Inside the lodge
- Clean regularly, just as you would at home.
- Keep furnishings aired and dry.
- Keep kitchen and bathroom areas well ventilated.
- Report anything you can’t fix yourself.
Making ownership easy
Part of what makes lodge ownership easy is the park around you. Epworth Fields is a small, family-run, owners-only park, with no letting, camping or touring. Lodges are used by the people who own them, and everyone takes pride in their lodge.
Every lodge comes sited, connected, decked and furnished, and the site fee is £3,000 plus VAT a year, frozen for 5 years. There’s no council tax on a holiday lodge. For the full picture of costs, see our guide to the cost of buying a holiday lodge.
