Holiday Home Ownership FAQs
View Frequently Asked Questions relating to Holiday Home Ownership at West Dorset Leisure Holidays and the purchasing process. For any other questions, please give our team a call on 01308 416917 or email sales@wdlh.co.uk.
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How long is the holiday home season?
The season length on all Caravan Holiday Homes across our parks is 9 months.
2024 – Friday 1st March to Sunday 1st December
2025 – Friday 28th February to Sunday 30th November
2026 – Friday 27th February to Sunday 29th November
2027 – Friday 26th February to Sunday 28th November
2028 – Friday 3rd March to Sunday 3rd December
2029 – Friday 2nd March to Sunday 2nd December
The season length on Lodge Holiday Homes at Larkfield Holiday Park is 10.5 months and the dates of this vary each year but the “down time” is a 6 week period during January and February.
What are the Park addresses?
Highlands End Holiday Park, Eype, Bridport, DT6 6AR
Golden Cap Holiday Park, Seatown, DT6 6JX
Graston Copse Holiday Park, Annings Lane, Burton Bradstock, DT6 4QP
Larkfield Holiday Park, Bredy Road, Burton Bradstock, DT6 4ND
Sandyholme Holiday Park, Moreton Road, Owermoigne, DT2 8HZ
Eype Beach Holiday Park, Mount Lane, Eype, Bridport, DT6 6AL
Is there WIFI on the Parks?
WIFI is currently available at all of our Holiday Parks and is chargeable at ÂŁ90.00 for the season, other than at Larkfield and Sandyholme Holiday Parks where it is included. If you purchase a Holiday Home part way through the season, WIFI is available at a reduced cost, which goes down on a sliding scale.
Are your parks dog friendly?
Yes, all of our Holiday Parks are dog-friendly. You are permitted to bring up to 3 dogs with you on holiday, though some accommodation has restrictions. Dogs that are specified under the Dangerous Dog Act of 1991, are not permitted on the parks.
What benefits are there for Holiday Home Owners?
Holiday Home Owners benefit from a number of offers and discounts at local attractions, Highlands End Leisure Club, Martin’s Bar & Restaurant, Dorset Foot Golf and more. A Holiday Home Owner’s calendar is sent out in the post at the start of the year, detailing all the events taking place on the parks and around the local area.
Visit the Benefits & Perks page to find out more.
Can I choose my own holiday home with a manufacturer for a vacant pitch?
Yes, we have a range of vacant pitches of different sizes across the 6 Parks. There are a number of Holiday Homes that would be suitable for each pitch and you can work with a Caravan or Lodge manufacturer to choose your own bespoke Holiday Home and decking.
Can I have a decking on my Holiday Home?
Yes, the Holiday Home Sales Team have contact details for preferred suppliers who will work with you and the park. The size of the decking and whether it is a side deck or a wraparound deck will depend on the pitch and will be discussed at the point of sale. We do not permit Holiday Home Owners to construct their own deckings.
Do I need a Ramtech alarm?
Ramtech is an alarm monitoring system that lets you relax and enjoy your time, safe in the knowledge that whether you’re on the park or not, your Holiday Home is protected by a discreet intruder alarm system that links directly to the Holiday Park’s wardens and team members.
A Ramtech alarm system is compulsory at Highlands End, Golden Cap, Graston Copse and Larkfield and is included with all new Holiday Homes. The annual service charge of ÂŁ51.00 + VAT is included as part of the Pitch Fee.
How are electricity and LPG gas charged?
You will be invoiced every November for your electricity and gas usage, taken from your meter readings.
Can I park my car next to my Holiday Home?
On the majority of pitches, there is space for 1 car to be parked next to the Holiday Home, either on the grass or a parking bay. Vans, commercial vehicles, motorhomes and boats are not permitted to be parked between Holiday Homes. At Graston Copse and Sandyholme Holiday Parks, cars have to be parked in the car parks provided and not next to the Holiday Homes. At Highlands End Holiday Park during wet weather, we ask you park your cars in the car parks or speak to a member of the maintenance team about alternative parking.
What is included in the purchase price?
The advertised price of a new Holiday Home includes the purchase of the Holiday Home, transport, siting, connection to services, a Ramtech Alarm system (ongoing charges apply), decking (if advertised, otherwise basic steps), smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fridge/freezer, TV aerial or satellite dish and VAT. Some Lodges include storage boxes as standard.
The advertised price of a pre-owned Holiday Home includes the purchase of the Holiday Home, decking/steps that have already been installed and VAT. The contents of the Holiday Home are not included unless specified on the purchase order.
The advertised price of any Holiday Home does not include the annual Pitch Fee, utility charges or local rates, unless specified.
How much is the Pitch Fee?
The Pitch Fee varies depending on the Park you choose and the area of the Park you choose and includes local rates, VAT, water and sewerage. For 2024, the Pitch Fees are as follows:
Highlands End Holiday Park – ÂŁ5,760 to ÂŁ6,702
Golden Cap Holiday Park – ÂŁ6,024 to ÂŁ6,627
Graston Copse Holiday Park – ÂŁ5,589
Larkfield Holiday Park – ÂŁ6,054 to ÂŁ6,702
Sandyholme Holiday Park – ÂŁ4,848
When is the Pitch Fee due?
The Pitch Fee is invoiced in December (25%) and a balance invoice in February. If you pay upfront in this way, you will receive a ÂŁ50 + VAT discount off the pitch fee. Alternatively, you can pay the full amount by a standing order split over 7 months. As per the Pitch Licence Agreement, an annual review of the Pitch Fee takes place in June and the change in Pitch Fee is due to a number of factors.
Do I need insurance?
You are required to ensure that you have comprehensive (new-for-old) insurance for your Holiday Home at all times. We have a preferred insurer (Compass) and manage a company scheme. If you opt against joining this scheme, we will require a copy of your insurance certificate. In 2024, premiums ranged from ÂŁ250 to ÂŁ450 a year.
West Dorset Leisure Holidays is an Appointed Representative of Bspoke Lifestyle Ltd and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN number 414424. Compass Insurance is a trading name of Bspoke Lifestyle Ltd, registered in England and Wales under Company Number: 11429456 at Registered address: 7 Pullman Court, Great Western Road, Gloucester GL1 3ND. Bspoke Lifestyle Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN number: 820727.
Does my Holiday Home come with a warranty?
All new Holiday Homes come with a manufacturer’s warranty. The details of what is covered and for how long varies between manufacturers – see their websites for more details.
Do you offer finance?
Finance is now an available option when purchasing a holiday home with us and is offered through Gavin Dixon Finance Solutions. Speak to our Sales Team for more information.
What deposit is required to secure my Holiday Home?
We require a deposit of 20% of the purchase price, which is payable by card or bank transfer. For purchases made in full, the remaining balance is due 14 days before the handover date. We do not accept business cards or Amex.
Is there a cooling off period?
It is very important to us that you are fully aware of your obligations when purchasing a Holiday Home and if there is anything you are unsure of or wish to have explained to you in more detail, please do not hesitate to ask. Should you decide to withdraw from your purchase within 5 days of agreeing to purchase, we will refund your deposit and cancel the sale. If you withdraw from a purchase after the 5 day cooling off period, you may be subject to an administration fee.
When is my balance due?
The balance on your Holiday Home is due 14 days before handover.
What happens on handover day?
We will arrange an appointment for you with a member of the sales team and a member of the park maintenance team on handover day. The balance has to be settled and all paperwork completed prior to the handover day. Please leave up to 2 hours for the appointment with our team. After handover is complete, we are available for questions via the Park Reception or owners@wdlh.co.uk.
What maintenance am I responsible for?
As a Holiday Home Owner, you are responsible for the maintenance of the Holiday Home and decking. It is recommended that you clean the exterior of your Holiday Home and decking at least once a year and we can put you in touch with a local company that does this.
You are also responsible for the cleanliness of your storage box and the grass immediately around your Holiday Home, where our ride-on lawnmower cannot reach.
Weeding beneath the caravan and decking is your responsibility. Surrounding park land, hedges and flower beds are not to be touched and will be cut by the Park Maintenance team. There is an option for our team to carry out works on your Holiday Home – charges apply.
How do I close my Holiday Home up for the winter?
Our Maintenance Team undertakes the drain down and turn-on of your Caravan Holiday Home. This is a service included within your Pitch Fee. This service is carried out when the park closes for the winter period and when it opens again the following year. For details of how to “winterise” your Holiday Home, please speak to the park receptions. Ensuring the antifreeze is topped up, can prevent damage in Caravan and Lodge Holiday Homes.
What happens at the end of my Licence Agreement?
At the end of the Pitch Licence Agreement, WDLH will arrange for your Holiday Home to be removed from the pitch. You can of course part-exchange your Holiday Home for a new Holiday Home at any time during the licence agreement and a new licence agreement will be issued.
If I choose to sell my Holiday Home, how does it work?
If you decide to sell your Holiday Home then a member of the team will arrange for it to be inspected and provide you with their recommendations. The transfer fee is 15% of the purchase price plus VAT on all Caravans, or 7.5% of the purchase price plus VAT on all Lodges.
A separate client sale charge of ÂŁ850 includes the following:
- Gas safety check
- Boiler service
- Internal clean
- External clean of holiday home & decking
- Administration – Purchase & Licence Agreement transfer, Invoicing, Services
- Marketing – Website listing & external photographs
- Viewings – up to 5
Additional paid options are available for professional internal photographs and online listings on Right Move and On The Market.
Can I work locally and my children go to local schools?
No. Commuting to work or school from the park would be taken as strongly indicating the Holiday Home is being used as your main residence.
I am retired – can I use the Holiday Home all the time?
Being retired does not mean you are on holiday. The test is whether you have a main residence elsewhere.
My main residence is overseas, does this count?
Yes, but all the same facts are relevant when deciding whether the overseas property or the Holiday Home is your main residence. This would include whether your overseas property is owned or rented (if so, how long it has been rented for) and how much time you spend in the Holiday Home and your overseas property.
Can I run a business from my Holiday Home?
No as this would not be consistent with holiday use. However, if you wanted to keep in touch with work or business while you are on holiday then that is acceptable.
Can I have post delivered to the park?
We cannot facilitate this. If post is delivered as a matter of course, this would indicate that the Holiday Home is being used as your main place of residence.
What happens if I break the holiday rule?
Your Licence Agreement with us contains your undertaking to comply with the holiday rule. If you broke that we would ask you to stop doing so. If you were to fail to comply, we would be entitled to terminate the Licence Agreement and to ask you to remove the Holiday Home. The planning authority might also take action against you for the breach of the holiday rule.
Can I charge my electric vehicle?
We currently have 15 chargers across 5 parks. Just download the Monta App to use and make sure you have your own cable with you, or the VendElectric app at Graston Copse Holiday Park. Charging vehicles from your Holiday Home is not permitted.
Find out more about the chargers and their locations on the parks here
Can I live in my Holiday Home?
All Holiday Homes are designed for occasional holiday occupation and not for use as permanent residences. Both our Local Authority Site Licence and the Holiday Home Pitch Licence Agreements state that Holiday Homes cannot be used as a permanent residence. We require a council tax bill to be submitted annually as proof you have a main residence.
Can I sub-let / rent out my Holiday Home?
No, your Holiday Home may only be used for holidays by you, your family and friends. The Purchase Agreement and Licence Agreement record that the hiring out of a Holiday Home is not permitted.
How long have West Dorset Leisure Holidays been in business?
West Dorset Leisure Holidays (WDLH) is a family-owned business, that purchased Highlands End Holiday Park as the first park in 1971. There are now 6 Holiday Parks in the group and the parks continue to be run by the Cox Family. WDLH are members of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA), which represents the interests of over 2,500 parks across the UK and the business works within the framework of the good practices adopted and encouraged by the association.
How long is the licence agreement?
The licence agreement on all holiday homes varies, but in general, new Caravan Holiday Homes have a 15 year licence. New Lodge Holiday Homes have a 35 year licence, unless otherwise specified. We have a number of pre-owned Caravan and Lodge Holiday Homes for sale that will have a shorter time left on the licence agreement, depending on their age.
What are the Park Rules?
The Park Rules for Holiday Home Owners can be viewed here, thank you.
Can anybody use the facilities at Highlands End?
Yes, Holiday Home Owners at all our parks have access to the facilities at Highlands End. Small charges do apply to use some facilities, including Highlands End Leisure Club, The Little Fire Station Soft Play and Dorset Foot Golf.
Can I transfer a Holiday Home from another park?
This may be an option but depends on a number of factors. Please speak to the Sales Team for more information.
Available Holiday Homes across our Parks
Take a look at a selection of Holiday Homes currently available on our Holiday Parks