Allerton Caravan Park

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IN a very accessible spot near Knaresborough in North Yorkshire, just about a mile from the A1, lies Allerton Park Caravan Park. A David Bellamy Gold Award winner, it is set in 14 acres of lovely woodland, along a lane which is a dead end, adjacent to Allerton Castle mansion and estate.

This Grade 1 listed gothic castle was allegedly once the home of the Grand Old Duke of York! If legend is correct, he ‘marched his men to the top of the hill’ – the 200ft hill on the estate – to have them build an octagonal ‘Temple of Victory’ at the top. They marched down to get further materials, and looked, from a distance, like 10,000 as they went about their ant-like activity, hence the rhyme.

The temple was restored in the late twentieth century and Allerton estate has been the setting for many film and television programmes such as The Secret Garden, The Sign of Four and Seaforth. It is also sought after as a wedding venue.

I contrived to visit the adjacent Allerton Caravan Park in the pouring rain, a hard test of my appreciation of any park, so whatever I thought of it, it can only be better!

Park layout

This park has been carefully rearranged at some time, to make cul de sacs and secluded areas, clusters instead of rows. This has made for a very attractive park and layout. There are 120 holiday homes, of which a number are lodges and the majority single units. The whole is in a sort of boomerang shape, so almost everyone is near one edge or other of the park, with the attendant views.

At the park entrance, where further planting and landscaping is in progress, are three log cabins to let. Hire one of these and see whether you like the park. They have been there several years now, and are still in excellent condition. The lounges have comfortable leather sofas, and patio doors looking out onto trees – though that’s a dead cert at Allerton, where everyone has tree views! A separate dining area has a hatch through to the kitchen. The lodges are spacious and well-equipped kitchens. They accommodate up to six people.

A further five log cabin bases have been put in this area, close to the entrance, and the lodges all sold before they are sited. Further similar clusters will make more plots available for lodges. Currently a couple are available for purchase. Else-where on the park there are a few single unit holiday homes available for hire.

Distinctive

I enjoyed discovering the park’s small, distinct areas, each with its own character. At the bottom was a lodge section, where everyone seemed to have made themselves very much at home, adding all sorts of amenities on their large plots, including every style of patio furniture, and even one or two greenhouses!
Particularly exciting in one part of the park is a ‘communal garden’ done by the initiative of the residents and lovely with rhododendrons and other plants, a chimenea and seating. It’s a credit to the park that an initiative like this is encouraged, and to the holiday home owners that they have kept it up, sharing the upkeep in a friendly and natural way.

Another area boasts three Vogues, an up-market line-up – very select! – again with planting in pots, which enhances the natural surroundings. One lodge was like coming upon Hansel and Gretel’s little house, hidden among trees and shrubs, then opening out into a little hidden garden with room to sit and enjoy the hanging basket and roses and discreet lighting and mobiles.

Peaceful

Allerton Park has practically no on-site facilities, and I find that parks like this are increasingly popular. They have a special peaceful atmosphere, which would lost with the addition of amusements and bars.

There are low-key activities on site, however, in the shape of a small children’s play area. There is a four- acre amenity field where you can kick a ball about, exercise dogs, play cricket, etc. You will also find public footpaths, bridleways and paths galore.

The nature of the park

Nature it is, indeed. Surrounded by it. A natural park aimed at retired couples, families, any age really, just those who would enjoy the beauty and peace. Well-behaved pets are welcome at Allerton. Groups of youngsters should be supervised at all times, but that’s not to say they aren’t welcome.

The Gold Award will have honed what is already there, but the site has its own charm and the owners have not detracted from that in their sensitive landscaping and subtle siting. There is no ‘fuehrer’ in charge at Allerton, as the owner David Hind told me. I asked the assistant warden what people tended to do at Allerton, and he said ‘Chill out’. There were plenty of cars around, but no sign of anyone! All busy chilling, obviously!

The only ‘occupants’ I met were one or two of the resident peacocks – there are at the last count 13-plus chicks, and a rather unusual rabbit called Zimba, (after the character from the Lion King), originally the pet of one of the holiday home owners. Try as he might to keep Zimba in check, the rabbit kept escaping and causing damage as it went each time. In the end he asked the park’s managers if he could let it go. And it has stayed on site, happy to be wild, and can be seen in close proximity to the peacocks, which seem to accept its presence with no more than a little curiosity!

Location

The mature woodland is simply enchanting. I fell for it straight away, even though the trees accentuated the heavy rainfall. The adjacent 200 acres of the Allerton Castle parkland and formal gardens provide a further beautiful backdrop.

The fascinating old town of Knares-borough is the nearest landmark conurbation. Try the Riverside Cafe, for example, at the Waterside. Or swim in the indoor pool. Or explore the plethora of small and interesting shops, one a very old chemist’s. Wednesday is market day, as it has been since 1310! That gives you some idea of the age and character of the place.

A larger town, Harrogate, is four miles beyond, with its upmarket atmosphere, grand buildings and shops. Ripon, too, is within ten miles, and nearby Fountains Abbey, owned by the National Trust, is a fascinating visit. Also to the North and West is James Herriot country. Wensleydale, Wharfdale and Swaledale are three of the Dales worthy of a day out at least once a year!

The bottom line

Lodge pitches can be filled with a Tingdene or any other make of lodge. For example, a Tingdene Dolben log-clad lodge can be bought sited from £80,000. This 11 month holiday park is only closed for most of the month of January. Many abandon their homes for weeks on end to enjoy their special place, and I’m not surprised! Holiday homes can be on site for 15 years, lodges have a 30 year licence. Single units can be ordered, supplied by any manufacturer. New and pre-owned homes are usually available. A few tourers are interspersed among the holiday homes. The ground rent for a leisure home totals £1,322 in the current year, with rates at approx £440 in addition.

Local information

Local amenities: There is a Spar convenience store in Main Street, Knaresborough (4 miles), plus Tesco and Morrison supermarkets about a mile and a half further. There is a post office and plenty of banks
in Knaresborough, plus all the other necessary shops and services. The local Garden Centre is also towards Knaresborough (about 3.5 miles).
Health: The nearest GP’s surgery is at Green Mammerton (3 miles), with several others in Knaresborough, where there are also dentists, opticians and pharmacies. The district hospital is at Harrogate (6.5 miles).
Transport: Buses are available on the nearby A59 on the York-Knaresborough-Harrogate route, every 90 minutes, Monday to Friday. The nearest railway station is at Harrogate.
Eating and drinking: The nearest pubs are at Coneythorpe (1.5 miles), Whixley (2 miles) and Little Ouseburn (2.5 miles), but there are a number in Knaresborough, along with a wide range of eating places – including MacDonalds!
Entertainment: There’s a small one-screen cinema in Wetherby (5 miles) showing new releases; the nearest multiplexes are in Harrogate (7 miles) and York (11 miles). Harrogate is the nearest cultural centre, with a theatre and an annual international festival. Leeds (15 miles) has plenty, too, including the ‘National Theatre of the North’ at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. There is a Health Club in Knaresborough and a Leisure Centre at Boroughbridge (5.5 miles).

For sale

There are a number of vacant lodge plots on which you could site the home of your choice, and new and pre-owned caravan holiday homes are usually available. Contact the park for the latest details.

VERDICT

You will know by now if Allerton Park is for you. Do you love the idea of the woodland setting, the central location for touring round North Yorkshire and beyond, the relaxed atmosphere and the creative style? Are you happy making your own country-style entertainment, or travelling a few miles for various amenities? Would you appreciate a plot which is not uniform , with scope for additions of your own? Is an 11-month holiday licence what you want? Give this park a try, then, for a weekend or more. You may not want to leave...

CONTACT

Allerton Park Caravan Park, Allerton Mauleverer, near Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 0SE. Tel: 01423 330569; website: www.yorkshireholidayparks.co.uk

Open 11 months, February to January; Rates around £440; 30-year licence for lodges, 15 years for caravans holiday homes; No age limit; Pets permitted.

This feature was published in the July 2008 issue of Park & Holiday Homes magazine.

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