FAQ’s
Your questions answered. Find out all you need to know about owning one of our holiday homes in Dorset…
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What is the history of WDLH?
West Dorset Leisure Holidays (WDLH) is a family-owned business that purchased Highlands End Holiday Park as the first park in 1971. 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.
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Can I sub-let 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.
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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.
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How long is the season?
The season length on all Caravan Holiday Homes across our parks is 9 months.
2021 - Friday 26th Feb to Sunday 28 Nov
2022 - Friday 4th March to Sunday 27th Nov
2023 - Friday 3rd March to Sunday 3rd December
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 DecemberThe 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.
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How long is the licence agreement?
The licence agreement on all new Caravan Holiday Homes is 15 years and on all new Lodge Holiday Homes is 35 years, 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.
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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 -
Is there WIFI on the Parks?
WIFI is currently available at all of our Holiday Parks and is chargeable at £90.00 for the season, other than at Larkfield and Sandyholme Holiday Parks where it is included in the Pitch Fee. 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.
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Are your parks dog friendly?
Yes, all of our 5 Holiday Parks are dog-friendly. You are permitted to bring up to 2 dogs with you on holiday. Dogs that are specified under the Dangerous Dog Act of 1991, are not permitted on the parks.
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Are there any exclusive benefits for Holiday Home Owners?
Holiday Home Owners benefit from reduced prices at Highlands End Leisure Club, a Holiday Home Owner’s Loyalty Card for Martin’s Bar & Restaurant and a range of exclusive events during the year. 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.
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Can I choose my own caravan with a manufacturer for a vacant pitch?
Yes, we have a range of vacant pitches of different sizes across the 5 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.
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Can I have a decking on our 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. At Jurassic Retreat at Larkfield, all Lodge Holiday Homes come with a decking already installed.
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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 £51.00 + VAT is included as part of the Pitch Fee.
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How are electricity and LPG gas charged?
You will be invoiced at the end of the season for your electricity and gas usage, taken from your meter readings. A small percentage of Holiday Homes still use bottle gas, which can be purchased from the Park Receptions and Highlands End, Golden Cap, Graston Copse and Sandyholme Holiday Parks.
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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 and motorhomes 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.
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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 charged apply), decking (if advertised, otherwise basic steps), smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fridge/freezer, TV aerial or satellite dish and VAT.
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.
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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 2021, the Pitch Fees are as follows:
Highlands End Holiday Park - £4,602 to £4,976
Golden Cap Holiday Park - £4,938 to £5,319
Graston Copse Holiday Park - £4,176 to £4,445
Larkfield Holiday Park - £4,830
Sandyholme Holiday Park - £3,840 -
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 £50 + 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.
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Do I need insurance?
You are required to ensure that you have comprehensive insurance for your Holiday Home at all times. We have a preferred insurer and manage a company scheme. If you opt against joining this scheme, we will require a copy of your insurance certificate.
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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.
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Do you offer finance?
We do not directly offer finance.
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What deposit is required to secure my Holiday Home?
We require a deposit of 10% of the purchase price, which is payable by card or bank transfer.
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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.
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When is my balance due?
The balance on your Holiday Home is due 14 days before handover.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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What happens at the end of my Licence Agreement?
At the end of the Pitch Licence Agreement, WDLH will arrange for your Caravan 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.
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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 and 7.5% of the purchase price plus VAT on all Lodges. This includes the marketing of your Holiday Home, administration and licence transfer. There is also a disconnection charge for a Holiday Home to be removed.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Can I charge my electric vehicle?
All of our parks have at least 1 electric vehicle charger, with Highlands End and Golden Cap having more. These are found in key locations on the parks such as by facility blocks, car parks or receptions. We are currently looking into the infrastructure of the parks to enable charging vehicles from holiday homes, but this is not possible at the moment.