Their best-value holiday lodge – a fantastic brand new all-rounder!

Bella Brodie reports

Unveiled at Birmingham’s Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, The Hayward was probably one of the most significant lodge models on display at the show, thanks to the concept, price point and potential capacity.

This is a lodge designed to tick all the ‘basic’ boxes every holiday home occupant would want from the outset, yet it’s far from basic, with a good, solid level of luxury built-in. So, the key for this lodge is affordability, and that’s what may well make it a lodge that might even challenge Willerby’s own Clearwater in terms of popularity with both parks and consumers alike.

Willerby Commercial Director Darren Black explains: “The Hayward offers everything you need from a leisure lodge and is fantastic value for money. It has all the essentials, without breaking the bank. Our research has shown there’s a huge demand for lodges of this size and high standard”

Speaking about the Hayward’s potential, Rob Lawrence, Head of Product Management at Willerby, said: “Due to its size and value for money, particularly in the four-bedroom model, this is a great opportunity for shared ownership of a holiday lodge between friends or perhaps a multi-generational family investment, sharing the cost and making it even more affordable. As well as being ideal for owners, the Hayward is attractive for holiday parks as a rental model. It offers maximum living space at the right price and comes complete with everything you could need in a holiday lodge.”

Speaking about the show and launch, Willerby’s CEO Peter Munk added; “We’re a consumer-led brand, so it’s crucial we listen to the consumer and hear what they want, and the show offered a fantastic opportunity to do just that. Around 80% of visitors to the show had not been before, reflecting the influx of new consumers to the market since before the pandemic. We saw a lot of non-existing owners, who viewed our fabulous modern products and were blown away by them.”

EXTERNAL APPOINTMENT

A sleek looking luxury lodge, the Hayward has under canopy exterior spotlights as standard, steel bargeboards and several options for the external finish. A single sliding patio door to the dining area opens up to the decking, and tall windows let light flood in several places.

ACCOMMODATION AND LAYOUT

In addition to the two and three bedroom models, the Hayward range also offers a unique four-bedroomed layout capable of sleeping 10 people in the industry standard 40ft by 20ft footprint, making it ideal for sharing with family or entertaining larger groups of guests.

The four-bed option offers a separate WC and shower room instead of a separate bathroom and en-suite, and the island in the kitchen is exchanged for a ‘U’ shaped kitchen hosting a breakfast bar to add dining seats. One of the lounge chairs is also replaced by a sofa, with the option of that being a pull-out bed to accommodate 10 in the sleeping arrangements.

INTERNAL APPOINTMENT

Inside, the Hayward is homely yet contemporary, with navy blue, grey and mustard furnishings throughout, and is fully central heated, also benefiting from black-out curtains throughout. There are plenty of charging points throughout, and it feels light, bright and spacious.

OPEN PLAN LIVING AREA

The spacious, open plan kitchen, living and dining area comes complete with one fixed and one freestanding dining table and bench, perfect for sharing special times with family and friends. That’s quite a striking element giving it a bit of a modern twist, yet it’s also practical as it’s designed to stow away when not in use, and has useful under-seat storage. There’s even a USB power outlet incorporated.

The kitchen has an island unit (in the two and three bed versions), making it ideal for morning coffees and catch-ups, delivering a further chill-out vibe. There’s some fine detail worth noting here, such as the concealed storage and USB points to the island and we think it’s worth looking at the deluxe pack as that would integrate more appliances and add soft-close hinges, adding a touch of luxury that will be seen and felt. That said, there is an integrated microwave, freestanding fridge/freezer, hob with glass splashback and integrated concealed extractor, so even the ‘basic’ level would have solid appeal. The kitchen lighting pack also includes plinth lighting and under-cabinet spotlights, so that would also add to the atmosphere and ambience at night. Dimmable spotlights to the lounge come as standard though so that’s a lovely little extra included.

We’ve already touched on the extensive seating in the Hayward, and that’s been well thought through regardless of how many bedrooms you choose. As the four-bedroomed model sleeps up to 10, that’s a lot of seating needed, and it’s provided in a way that won’t feel crowded, making this a truly sociable lodge multi-generational families will love. The inset electric fire with storage on either side is a good design point, yet it doesn’t ‘eat up’ floor space. The TV point is well-positioned to be visible to all.

BEDROOMS AND BATHROOMS

In the two bedroomed model picture windows add to the feeling of space, and again there’s generous floor space. In the second bedroom, there’s an option of either a double bed or twin beds. In the master bedroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe adds to the homely feel, and with the mirrored dressing area and en-suite shower room, that gives the grown-ups a great additional escape room if needed for a few moments of peace and quiet, while still being within earshot of family activity. Even with a King-sized bed in, this still feels large. Further bedrooms are equipped with bedside cabinets, a mirrored dressing area and wardrobe storage.

The family bathroom houses a bath with shower over, clad with a homely side panel and splash screen. The bath can be replaced by a shower if preferred, and the en-suite is designed to match, similarly uplifting, complete with vanity mirrors and heated towel rails.

OUR VERDICT

The Hayward is a bit of a surprise, and we think parks will really like the potential it has. We deliberately didn’t ask the price point before walking through it, preferring to just see how it would feel to the average buyer first. To hear the price point afterwards was a bit of an eye-opener, and as such the Hayward could become a natural default showhome option that parks will opt for in their droves. The four-bedroomed option could also have massive appeal as a fleet lodge as it’s a bit of a tardis in terms of how many guests it can absorb comfortably. This combination of keen price, social living spaces, uplifting décor and value for money will give it mass appeal.

HAYWARD FEATURES

In addition to ‘The Basics’ below, Willerby has made it easy for buyers to add a bit more, with the introduction of two further at a glance specification suggestions, the Willerby Recommended add-ons, and a Have It All spec. These should make it really easy for buyers to find their own level according to budget.

Holiday Homes Specification (EN1647)
Double glazing
Gas central heating system featuring high efficiency condensing combi boiler
King-size bed
En-suite shower room
Integrated microwave
Freestanding fridge-freezer
Single sliding patio door to dining area
Coordinated bedding pack
Optional fully galvanised chassis

WILLERBY RECOMMENDED ADD-ONS

Optional eco pack
Optional fully galvanised chassis
Optional Hayward deluxe pack – including brushed chrome sockets and switches, swivel chair (not in 4 bed model), hive thermostat, soft close kitchen units, integrated washer/dryer, integrated dishwasher, internet ready pack, bar stools to kitchen island, storage footstool

‘HAVE IT ALL’ OPTIONAL ADDITIONS

These would be in addition to the recommended add-ons

Optional CanExel cladding
Coordinated bedding pack
Optional trace heating
Optional wireless thermostat
Optional Residential Specification BS 3632 (2015)
Optional lighting pack

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

The Hayward is available to view, by appointment, at Willerby’s Hull Showground. To explore Willerby’s range of holiday homes you can book a showground visit in Hull, Scotland or Southport or go to www.willerby.com for further details.

Home

About

The Willerby Hayward