Member Article

Holiday park flourishes amid idyllic natural surroundings

An up-market holiday park in the North York Moors National Park, which was launched last year, has enjoyed a successful first season, thanks partly to its stunning setting in a wildlife haven.

Wayside Lakes is a £500,000 five-star development at Wrelton between Pickering and Filey, whose focal point is two picturesque lakes. The exclusive park can cater for up to 38 exclusive lodges and already there are seven lodges on site, with strong interest coming in for others from across the north of England, as potential owners strive to escape from the stresses of contemporary life.

Prices for the state-of-the-art lodges, which are built to the highest ecological standards, start from £60,000, rising to £120,000.

At the helm of the 10-acre development is Mark Goodson, whose family have owned the successful Wayside Holiday Park since 1975. His father, uncle and grandfather previously ran iconic cinemas in Filey, Tadcaster and Sleaford.

Mr Goodson comments: “Wayside Lakes is the newest addition to Wayside Holiday Park and we believe strongly it’s our best creation to date. The quality holiday lodge market is buoyant, thanks to the strength of the so-called grey pound, and we are discovering that an exclusive holiday park is an idea whose time has come.

“Most of our new owners are 50-plus, professional and white collar workers who are retired or semi-retired. They have decent pension pots and want a comfortable and attractive home, away from the bustling world, but close enough to beautiful countryside and sophisticated tourist attractions. They find our development fits this bill perfectly.

“Location, of course, is crucial,” says Mr Goodson. “Wayside Lakes is ideally situated within easy reach of Yorkshire’s breath-taking coastline, historic market towns, world-class heritage and mile upon mile of superb walking country. Set amid North Yorkshire’s rolling, wood-fringed fields, its peace and tranquillity are perfect for those who want to escape, relax and recharge their batteries.”

And it is the proximity to idyllic nature, which has proved the largest draw. “We are creating a wildlife haven, with special wildlife walks, where nature is unfettered. We are already attracting nature-lovers and bird-spotters and we believe that our new lodge owners will find the natural environment incredibly uplifting and joyful.”

Nature-loving lodge owner Janet Evers certainly agrees saying: “We chose Wayside due to its rural, ‘back-to-nature’ location. It is great place to birdwatch: blue tits, wrens, robins, sparrows are regular visitors, while sparrow hawks, buzzards, kestrels and tawny owls can all be seen from the park and geese and moorhens are regular visitors to the lakes. Roe deer are also common sightings, as are hares, stoats and hedgehogs”.

“There are lots of great walks on the doorstep within a few minutes you can be walking through woodlands or over open fields. There are numerous public footpaths which mean you can access most places. A short drive in any direction will take you to a small village which have walks for all.

“When we were looking for a place to purchase a static caravan I researched lots of sites, Wayside stood out from the rest for a number of reasons the rural location, peaceful, wildlife on the doorstep but only a short drive to local amenities should we need anything,” said Janet.

Describing the aesthetics of the lodges themselves, Mark Goodson emphasises their modern and stylish design that makes the most of the beautiful environment. “Our luxury lodges have contemporary glass surround verandas and CanExel, rather than aluminium, cladding, which allows them to blend into their surroundings.

“Overlooking a stunning landscaped lake and bubbling stream, they are an oasis of calm amid a busy world”, he said, adding: “We believe we have created one of the finest holiday parks of its kind in the north of England.”

On his first visit to the park lodge owner Stuart Simpson, was bowled over by the design and surroundings. “After taking early retirement, I wanted a bolthole within an hour’s drive from home. Wayside is so well landscaped, quiet and exclusive; I could just see myself there in the stunning setting, relaxing and taking in the views over the fields to the hills.

“My veranda edges the lake you can watch the birds skimming the water squirrels collecting nuts and the rabbits. The plot I chose takes in the sun from rising in the east to setting in the west, it is so beautiful. You are only minutes from the Moors and a short drive to the coast and have market towns either side of you.”

For Mark Goodson, the real joy of Wayside Lakes is the memories that will be made there. “We all have a favourite place to holiday. A location that evokes memories of the children growing up, watching the kite being blown away but thankfully caught by another holidaymaker, the stunning views from coastal walks with the family – memories we cherish and look to relive.”

“There’s equally great delight and adventure to be found when discovering somewhere new. The joy of finding the hidden coffee shop, a gem no one really knows, or the valley running parallel to the tourist trap: equally as beautiful but twice as quiet”

Mr Goodson also stresses that Wayside Holiday Park development is an intrinsic part of Yorkshire, not just because so many wonderful tourist attractions, such as the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and the Yorkshire coast are on the doorstep, but also because all the suppliers and contractors of the development are local.

The holiday park also supports the Ryedale Cancer Support and Social Group and the Wrelton playground committee and its village grass-cutting volunteers, demonstrating further commitment to its local community.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .