your own holiday hideaway...

The Lake District and Cumbria is a truly special destination, with uniquely beautiful and varied landscapes, wonderful nature and wildlife, and access to a huge variety of outdoor activities. Combine these natural attractions with a host of cultural locations and special events and a thriving food scene, and it is no surprise that many people fall in love with the region and want to come back year after year.

Buying your own holiday home is a great alternative to staying in hotels. You can escape to the country any time you choose and there is no need to book ahead, or even plan ahead. Just turn up, relax and unwind.

Modern caravan holiday homes and lodges are designed to have all the home comforts of a conventional house, with separate bedrooms (sometimes en-suite), bath or shower room, lounge and kitchen area. There will often be timber decking to give an outside seating area, where you can relax and enjoy your surroundings, and higher spec caravans may even have central heating and double glazed windows. Some of the holiday lodges that are available today offer incredibly high standards of comfort and luxury.

Buying a holiday home is an investment there are a few things that you should consider before taking the plunge. First of all, do you love the site and its location? Is it somewhere that you will want to come back to again and again? How far is it from home? You are more likely to come frequently to one that is easily accessible. How long is the site season? Will it be open at the times of year that you want to come?

Besides the initial outlay for the lodge or caravan - which will depend on size and specification - you will need to allow for annual costs, such as site fees, rates, insurance, and gas and electricity charges. Read the licence agreement carefully to check how many years of occupancy it gives you, and whether there are any restrictions, for instance on subletting or pet ownership.

Of course, one of the advantages of your very own holiday hideaway is that you are free to use it spring, summer and autumn, giving you the chance to experience the beauty of Cumbria and the Lake District in all its moods.