Badger Lodge was once a country estate. Now the area has been turned into an exclusive development of luxury lodge retreats.
The lodges overlook a lake populated by Canadian geese who wander freely on manicured lawns, they come ready to move into with fixtures and furnishings and they are comfortable.
What’s more, there is about 40 feet of space between each of the lodges which are situated in a quiet location.
Owners have exclusive use of a well-appointed lounge with wi-fi and satellite TV.
Meals (breakfast, light bites, lunch and dinner until 8pm) are available inside or on the decking which overlooks a lake with an adjacent kids play area.
The site administrators also organise a busy owners’ schedule of social events including a wine club, parties, brunches and visits. The weekend we were there was a trip to Lightwater Valley fun park.
Badger Lodge buyers can, of course, also enjoy bars (with entertainment), restaurants (a Chinese buffet) and takeaways (burger, fish and chips and pizza outlets – the pizzas can be delivered to you free of charge – the two on-site pools, the well-maintained, nine-hole golf course, tennis and soft play areas spa and mini-market at a nearby, award-winning holiday park.
Our stylish luxury lodge (called a Contemporary with its design and furnishing inspired by the sea, basically blue, beige and white) was available to buy at £221,999.
The contemporary sofas and armchairs, modern dining table and tasteful, fully-lined curtains undoubtedly provide a relaxing space.
The open-plan dining room and built-in kitchen (five burner gas hob, single, eye-level oven and built-in microwave) with integrated fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washing machine plus island breakfast bar and stools was easy to manage and a good family space.
However, there was no wi-fi and that could be a major stumbling block for some as the availability of internet is considered an essential element for many.
Head for the Owners’ Lounge to see the number of adults and children alike on their mobiles and tablets to underline the point.
The master bedroom with dressing table, sliding wardrobe and en-suite shower room was tastefully decorated and comfortable.
The second bedroom enjoyed a sizeable walk-in wardrobe and there was a separate bathroom with bath and shower.
The veranda was extensive and overlooked the lake but the constant prevailing wind, sadly, made it impossible to sit out. We did, however, indulge in an ice cream as the van came to our door.
And we ventured off-site. We enjoyed exploring Berwick upon Tweed (there was so much more to see in the Border town than we had imagined : quirky small shops plus leading brands), Lindsfarne (a gem of small houses and, at this time of the year, with colourful rose gardens but watch the tides).
If you are hungry don’t walk past 1st Class Food. It is, just as the name suggests, first class with a wonderful range including healthy options including two slices of toast with Nutella and banana. The prices are good too.
We also enjoyed the nearby white-walled, riverside village of Etal (such a shame about the demise of The Black Pig pub but we understand it will be relaunched later this year) and enjoyed a bracing walk along the wonderful beach at Goswick. Pop into the golf club for a burger, great taste and value and try the Belhaven Scottish Stout.
You can’t miss stunning Bamburgh beach in the shadow of magnificent Bamburgh Castle which has been used in major films.
Bamburgh also boasts the Grace Darling Museum (she risked her life to save sailors in a terrible storm) and nearby Seahouses is famous for the fish and chips. There is also the option of a boat trip to the Farne Islands to go puffin and seal spotting or visit Longstone Lighthouse (weather permitting).
Badger Lodge is near atmospheric Alnwick Castle, one of the world’s most contemporary gardens and the Aln Valley standard gauge heritage railway.
Fishermen can also visit the complete angler store and House of Hardy museum adjacent to the factory which has a reputation for producing quality angling equipment.
A host of testing golf courses sits invitingly along the coastline and the area is host to a number of events during the summer.
The lodge package is linked to one of the UK’s leading holiday and holiday home ownership providers and you can use your holiday home from March to December, friends can come and visit, you can bring your dog (the company reserve the right to refuse certain breeds but there is a dog walk on site). There is a dedicated ownership team on-site.
You can buy a holiday home with the right to occupy a pitch providing you pay the annual running costs (from over £4,000 to nearly £8,000), and you can renew your site licence after 12 years if you comply with the rules. If you leave the park and no long wish to be an owner, there are other options.
But the company says: “Buying a lodge holiday home is really a lifestyle choice. Because resale values will reduce over time, buying a holiday home should not be seen as an investment for the purposes of yielding an income.”
Lodges are available from £175,999 to £279,999. The choice is yours and Badger Lake provides a holiday option less than 90 minutes from the Lothians.
More information here.
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