Creating a successful lodge park takes more than simply choosing the right lodges and positioning them on a site. The most attractive and commercially successful parks are carefully considered from the outset, with the layout, landscaping, amenities and accommodation all working together to create an experience guests want to return to.
At Oakgrove, we understand this from both sides. As well as manufacturing luxury holiday lodges and park homes, we own and operate two successful holiday park developments ourselves – Faringdon Grange in Oxfordshire and Penally Grange in Pembrokeshire. This first-hand experience gives us a unique understanding of the opportunities and practical considerations involved in developing and operating a lodge park.
With decades of experience in the industry, we work closely with landowners, park operators and developers to help bring lodge park visions to life – combining thoughtful design, quality accommodation and practical insight to create developments built around the needs of both operators and guests.
Here are some of the key factors to consider when planning a lodge park that stands out.
Strategic Layout: Making the Most of Your Site
The layout of your lodge park can have a significant impact on both the guest experience and the overall appeal of your development.
Consider how each lodge sits within the landscape, taking advantage of views, natural light and the surrounding environment. Giving guests a sense of space and privacy can make a real difference, particularly when creating a premium lodge park experience.
When planning your layout, think about:
- Positioning lodges to make the most of views, sunlight and natural features.
- Creating privacy between individual plots without making the park feel disconnected.
- Using clusters or carefully planned groupings to create character and a sense of community.
- Designing roads, parking and pathways to provide easy access while maintaining the visual appeal of the park.
- Considering how guests will move through and experience the site, from arrival to their lodge and shared facilities.
A well-planned layout should feel natural rather than crowded, allowing the landscape and accommodation to complement one another.
Landscaping and Green Spaces
Good landscaping can transform a lodge park. It helps properties sit naturally within their surroundings while creating attractive spaces for guests to enjoy.
Native planting, mature trees, hedging and carefully considered planting schemes can help define individual plots and provide natural screening and privacy. Green spaces can also create a stronger connection between the lodges and their surroundings.
Depending on the site and target market, you could consider:
- Walking routes and landscaped pathways.
- Gardens and planted communal areas.
- Outdoor seating and relaxation spaces.
- Natural screening between lodges.
- Water features or other existing natural features.
- Open green spaces that give the park a sense of scale and space.
The aim is not simply to make a park look attractive, but to create an environment where guests enjoy spending time.
Amenities That Add Value
The right amenities can enhance the guest experience and help differentiate your park from the competition. However, more facilities do not necessarily mean a better park.
The key is understanding your target market and choosing amenities that genuinely add value to their stay.
Depending on your development, this could include communal spaces, children’s play areas, outdoor seating, BBQ areas, cycle storage or walking routes. Considerations such as reliable Wi-Fi and electric vehicle charging can also help meet changing guest expectations.
Amenities should be integrated into the overall design of the park rather than added as an afterthought. Thoughtful planning can help ensure they are accessible to guests while still allowing the lodges themselves to remain the focus.
Design for the Future
A lodge park should be designed with the future in mind.
For landowners and operators, flexibility can be particularly important. Leaving scope for future development or upgrades can allow your park to evolve as the market changes, without having to redesign the entire site.
Choosing accommodation that can work across different plot sizes can also give operators greater flexibility.
At Oakgrove, we offer a range of lodge designs that can be tailored to suit different requirements. From the overall layout and specification through to individual design details, our bespoke approach allows our lodges to complement the vision and character of each park.
Create a Consistent Look and Feel
Your lodges, landscaping, signage and communal spaces should all contribute to a recognisable park identity.
A consistent aesthetic helps create a memorable guest experience and can reinforce your brand across your website, marketing and on-site experience.
Whether your vision is contemporary and luxurious, traditional and rural, or something completely bespoke, the accommodation should feel like part of the wider development.
Oakgrove offers a range of modern and classic designs, giving park operators the flexibility to create an accommodation offering that reflects their individual brand and target market.
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Experience That Goes Beyond Manufacturing
One of Oakgrove’s key advantages is that our experience doesn’t stop at the factory.
We own and operate two successful holiday park developments ourselves – Faringdon Grange in Oxfordshire and Penally Grange in Pembrokeshire – giving us first-hand experience of what it takes to create and operate a successful lodge park.
Faringdon Grange is located at Great Coxwell, near Faringdon in Oxfordshire, on the edge of the Cotswolds. The development has been thoughtfully planned to make the most of its countryside setting, with careful consideration given to the positioning of the lodges and their surrounding landscape.
Penally Grange is situated in Penally, just outside Tenby in Pembrokeshire, South West Wales. This exclusive development features holiday lodges set within landscaped surroundings, creating a peaceful setting close to the coast and the attractions of Tenby.
Having developed and operated our own parks means we understand the process from a park owner’s perspective – from planning and site layout through to lodge specification, landscaping, customer experience and the long-term considerations of running a development.
It’s experience we can bring to every project we work on, helping landowners and park operators make informed decisions about their own lodge park developments.
Choosing the Right Lodge Partner
The success of a lodge park doesn’t rest solely on the site plan. Choosing the right manufacturing partner is equally important.
An experienced lodge manufacturer can provide valuable insight throughout the development process, helping you consider the practicalities of your chosen accommodation alongside the wider vision for your park.
At Oakgrove, we work with landowners and park operators from the initial concept through to delivery. Our family-run business has been manufacturing holiday lodges and park homes since 1998, combining craftsmanship and experience with a focus on creating high-quality accommodation designed for modern parks.
Build a Park Guests Want to Return To
The best lodge parks are about more than the individual accommodation. They create an experience.
From the way lodges are positioned and landscaped to the facilities available and the overall look and feel of the site, every detail contributes to how guests perceive your park.
With careful planning and the right partners, a well-designed lodge park can create a distinctive destination, support strong occupancy and provide long-term value for the operator.
At Oakgrove, we don’t just manufacture lodges for parks. We own and operate parks ourselves. That experience gives us a valuable understanding of the challenges, opportunities and decisions that landowners and park operators face when developing a successful lodge park.
Whether you’re starting from an initial idea, expanding an existing park or looking to refresh your accommodation offering, we can bring experience from both sides of the process.
Planning a new lodge park or looking to enhance an existing development?
Explore the Oakgrove lodge range or get in touch with our team to discuss your plans. We’d be happy to talk through your requirements and explore how Oakgrove could support your next development.