Member Article

Upmarket Yorkshire holiday park enjoys stellar year

An upmarket holiday park in the North York Moors National Park, which was launched 12 months ago year, has enjoyed a stellar year.

The 10-acre £500,000 Wayside Lakes development between Kirkbymoorside and Pickering is situated next to the popular Wayside Holiday Park. Both are owned by Yorkshire businessman Mark Goodson.

Mr Goodson, whose family are steeped in the entertainment business and ran iconic cinemas in Filey, Tadcaster and Sleaford, is hoping that 2017 will prove even more successful for Wayside Lakes.

The five-star development, whose focal point is two picturesque lakes, caters for up to 38 exclusive lodges. Already ten lodges have been bought and are occupied on site, with strong interest coming in for others from across the north of England. Prices start from £60,000, rising to £120,000.

Mr Goodson commented: “Wayside Lakes is the latest 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 have discovered that an exclusive holiday park is an idea whose time has come.

“Last year began brilliantly, but the uncertainty caused by the looming Brexit vote in June slowed everything down. No-one wanted to make a decision. Post-Brexit, despite worries about the future, the market has picked up well and we are looking forward to an excellent year.

“Currently the fall in the strength of the pound means that holidays abroad are markedly more expensive and the idea of a ‘staycation’ is increasingly attractive. What better than making that staycation permanent by investing in a high-quality but affordable lodge in beautiful surroundings?

“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,” said 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.”

“We have enhanced this beauty and tranquillity, too, by 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.”

Run by three successive generations of the Goodson family, dedicated to personal service, quality and stewardship of the land, the original Wayside Holiday park development provides static caravan holiday home luxury, together with a provision for seasonal touring caravans.

Mark Goodson, though, has come relatively late to the holiday park world. Whilst he has always had an interest in the family business, he was a co-director of an IT business in Hull for 25 years, before semi retiring and joining his father at Wayside Park in 2011.

He is delighted to have made the move and is tremendously enthusiastic about what Wayside has to offer, saying: “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.

“Our luxury lodges with their contemporary glass surround verandas, overlooking a stunning landscaped lake and bubbling stream are one such discovery. They are an oasis of calm amid a busy world,” he said. “We believe we have created one of the finest holiday parks of its kind in the north of England.”

Mr Goodson stressed that Wayside Holiday Park development was 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.

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

CASE STUDY/TESTIMONIAL: Lodge owner Stuart Simpson: “After taking early retirement, I wanted a bolthole within an hour’s drive from home. I came over to Wayside and found there a jewel in the crown lakeside. Two lakes with a small stream between is so idyllic. It is also so well landscaped, quiet and exclusive. I could see myself there in a stunning setting, tranquil and relaxing 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 choose 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. I really am enjoying my new holiday lodge by the lake and hope to do so for many years to come.

I also have to mention the great team that make up Wayside. They are so helpful and friendly and nothing’s too much trouble for them all.

For further information, please contact Mark Goodson on 01751 472608 or mark.goodson@waysideparks.co.uk or visit http://www.waysideholidaypark.co.uk http://www.waysidelakes.co.uk ends

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