Holiday Living Editor Bella Brodie reports

Thornton Lodge Country Retreat is a wonderfully mature and green lodge park nestled in the stunning Yorkshire countryside – the perfect getaway destination with a 12-month licence for leisure use, making it accessible at any time of year. It’s not just the resident swans who love this park – those who have bought here already are quick to sing its praises, and glad they found it.

The park was bought by Chris Prince and his family a few years ago, and they have already created a lovely little haven of tranquility in the countryside here. Most of the lodges overlook water and the park is designed to make the most of the mature planting already in place, so every plot is a good one. To keep the park’s peaceful ambience, this is an owner-only lodge park, with no subletting. For those looking to get away from all the hustle and bustle of a busy life, here they would be able to relax and take in the big skies and glorious views, enjoying miles of country walks, popping out to the quaint local villages with pubs serving superb meals all within easy reach. You feel like you are in your own little exclusive bubble, untouched by the passing world.

Having visited recently we were wowed by the location. It’s set on the outskirts of the market town of Easingwold, so all the amenities you could need are within easy reach, yet with incredible views around sweeping hills and countryside. However, we’d definitely recommend first-time viewers visit via Easingwold from the A19, or you could think it’s more remote than it actually is!

Hutton-le-Hole is a lovely place to visit

York, Harrogate, Northallerton, Thirsk and Wetherby are all within easy striking distance and there are so many attractions and restaurants in the area that you’ll be spoilt for choice. From Castle Howard to nearby Byland Abbey, Helmsley Castle and old town, Ryedale Folk Museum through to the World of James Herriot, there’s plenty to explore, and we’ve hardly scratched at the surface of them here.

Riveaulx Abbey is one of the many visitor attractions nearby

FAMILY OWNED PARK
Chris, Jordun and the team are rightly very proud of the park and keep it looking at its best all year round, maintaining the lake banks and ensuring the local wildlife are looked after as well, with wilding areas being put in place and careful management of the grounds and surrounding areas. Chris has extensive knowledge of the surrounding area and villages and is more than happy to point out all the best watering holes and places to eat until you have discovered them all for yourself. He mentions The George in Easingwold and Stapleton Arms as key early targets.  There’s also a market in Northallerton on Saturdays, and Barkers Department store has a choice of restaurants within, catering for all tastes, and Chris tells us they do an outstanding three course lunch, with the shopping experience on a par with Harrods.

There are plenty of leisurely walks nearby and there’s a dog walking field opposite the park

AVAILABILITY
The park has a range of lodges available for potential ownership, from midrange affordability through to two brand new lodges launched to the marketplace in 2023; The Kingston Palazzo and the Victory Kahlo; both creating quite a stir in the marketplace. All lodges here are set well apart from each other and built to BS:3632 residential standard so are suitable for use whatever the weather. Most are set within the main lodge park, but there is also a brand-new, secluded development of five single unit luxury lodges overlooking their own part of the lake, where a Kingston Harmony is already sited and the Victory Kahlo was due in shortly at the time of going to press.


The Palazzo, is available at £250,000 – a very reasonable price when you consider how high the specification is, and that’s sited within the main park.

The Harmony is another lodge ready for occupation here, recently sited. This has been designed with quality in mind and for those who do not need a twin unit but instead want a high-quality residential specification lodge with an more compact open-plan layout, this single unit Kingston Harmony still feels remarkably spacious. We took a tour of this, and, like the Palazzo it has a terrific decking area included by Yordeck Solutions which felt really firm underfoot. With steps down to the lake it really is in a beautiful spot and very well appointed for £185,000.

The Harmony is in a superb position at Thornton

Other lodges available include an Omar Westfield 40 x 20 £175,000 and a Wessex Classic, both within the main park area and both complete with raised decking.

The latest arrival is a Victory Lakewood which is sited near to the Kingston Harmony in a secluded area of the park which feels a little like a private cul-de-sac, overlooking one end of the main lake, priced at £99,950 plus decking.  A Victory Riverwood is also available at £89,950.

You can choose a plot and bespoke your own lodge, with options like underfloor heating, triple glazing, blue tooth sound system, hive auto heating and lighting all available.

Plot sizes here range from 40’ x 20’ up to 50’ x 22’, and we could see there were a few bases being set during our visit, so potential owners could have a say in what goes on their chosen plot. But with such a great choice of lodges already available and sited, the sooner you get there to have a look, the quicker you could be enjoying your own ultimate lodge at Thornton Lodge Country Retreats.

INFO POINT:

Thornton Lodge Country Retreats is at:

Thornton Lane, Easingwold, York  YO61 3QA
T: 01347 468100
E: info@thorntonlodgepark.co.uk
W: www.thorntonlodgepark.co.uk