No, your Woodland Park holiday home won’t make you a penny! (But it will help to create a lifetime of memories)

Looking to make money from your holiday home? Then you’re in the wrong place. Holiday home ownership at Woodland Park is a lifestyle investment, not a financial one. It brings unlimited opportunities for you and your family to experience the wonderful North Norfolk coast and its surroundings, but it’s not a source of income.

However, with so much media attention on exploitative and misleading sales tactics by some parks, it's clear that some prospective buyers are being made promises of investment that just can’t be kept.

In this article, we catch up with Woodland Park General Manager, Andrew Hird, to give us his thoughts on the recent negativity around buying holiday homes, and why Woodland Park is different.

Why has there been such a backlash in the media?

“Ultimately it’s all to do with transparency – or lack of it. It seems that some parks employ sales tactics to draw in buyers that are, quite frankly, deceptive. It’s no secret that some people want to buy an additional property as an investment. They want to be able to rent it out to bring in additional income and there’s nothing wrong with that. 

“But what needs to be made clear is that buying a lodge or holiday home on a park is quite different to a bricks and mortar holiday cottage. It’s important that people understand the difference and buy wisely, depending on what they are looking for; financial gain or to enhance and enrich their lives.”

So why are park homes not a financial investment?

“Holiday homes are depreciating assets, similar to cars. Unlike traditional properties, their value does not increase over time. For those who are buying a holiday home as a lifestyle investment, this isn’t an issue, as they value time at their location of choice and appreciate no longer having to go through the hassle of booking rentals or bed and breakfasts – they are free to come and go as they please, whenever they want.”

Why would someone choose a holiday home over a traditional property?

“In terms of cost, a holiday home is significantly less than a traditional holiday property in a similar area, especially if you go for a pre-loved model. Of course, you do have the addition of site fees as well as any maintenance costs. 

“But more than this is the unique sense of community you get when you own a property on a park. You get to know your neighbours because you’re returning to the same place time and time again. We've got owners who’ve made lifelong friends with the people in nearby homes. 

“This is one reason why we no longer have any holiday lets at Woodland Park: we want our owners to have consistency. They don’t want any unpleasant surprises with who might be in the neighbouring property, they want the comfort and peace of mind in knowing their neighbours.”

What makes Woodland Park special?

“Quite simply, we operate differently to many of the larger, more corporate parks. From the first call, email or visit, our sales team are honest and open about the process of buying and owning a holiday home. We are not here to mislead anyone, we are here for anyone who is looking to spend more time in this wonderful part of the country (and it really is wonderful!)

“We are family-run, with an experienced and dedicated team who genuinely care about standards across the park. Owners love the fact that they know us by name, and that they can call us whenever they need help with something.”

What advice or information would you give someone looking to buy a park home?

• Holiday homes are not residential properties, so it’s important to note that they can’t be lived in all year round. Here at Woodland Park, we operate a 46 week season (we are closed during January and part of February). Any parks promising year-round stays are breaking the law.

• Holiday homes on parks are licensed to be situated on that particular park for a specified time period, not indefinitely. It’s important to find out how long the property you’re interested in is licensed for.

• Make sure you are fully aware of any park policies and site fees at the park you’re interested in so you don’t get any surprises further down the line.

• Beware of any parks who make claims around holiday homes being an investment property.

“We passionately believe that holiday homes are the perfect place for anyone who wants to spend more time in a place they love. These bright, spacious and comfortable homes bring a level of freedom that many people want. They are low-maintenance, have excellent storage and stylish interiors, all within the setting of stunning woodland – what’s not to like?”

“Just like any major purchase, doing your research is crucial, and being clear on your motivation for buying is without a shadow of a doubt the biggest factor. If you want to buy a holiday home to bring in some extra income, a park home is not for you. But if you are looking for a retreat where you can regularly escape to for relaxing weekends, then it’s time you gave us a call.”