Two-day break left us wanting more
SELF-catering short breaks, like cars, come in many guises – from the Robin Reliant shoebox in a field to the family saloon holiday park with its caravans, chalets and lodges.
And then there's the Rolls-Royce luxury of Rudding Park near Harrogate.
Being more a family saloon sort of self-caterers, we weren't exactly prepared for our two-day break in one of the Repton Green luxury lodges, though we got a clue when our guide from the multi-award-winning Rudding Park Hotel next door led us on the short drive through rolling parkland past the two (yes, two) golf courses to the development of just 18 two and three-bedroom lodges and activated the electronic gate to let us in.
There were further clues on the decking outside some of the lakeside lodges nestled among the trees – hot tubs, gas barbecues and heaters.
Even so, the interior of ours just blew us away with its creature comforts, professionally designed colour co-ordinated rooms and, above all, the space.
Each lodge comes with flat screen TVs (with Sky channels), wireless broadband connection, luxury bathrooms and fully-fitted kitchens as standard and everything is top-of-the-range.
We could live here, we said wistfully – and you could: the holiday homes are for sale and there's a managed-letting scheme for owners (the park's open 11 months of the year, closed in February).
Every owner has automatic membership of Rudding Park's magnificent 18-hole Hawtree championship golf course (par 72) and the challenging Repton short course, with its signature hole modelled on the notorious island green 17th at Sawgrass.
There's also a golf academy and driving range – a golfer's paradise. Another plus is access to the hotel's award-winning Clocktower Restaurant and Bar, serving both A La Carte and Yorkshire Food Heroes (all ingredients sourced in Yorkshire within a 75-mile radius of the park).
As a taster, house specialities include Whitby Crab and Crayfish Cocktail, 30 Day Matured Yorkshire Beef Fillet, Yorkshire Tapas and Harrogate Sticky Toffee Pudding. Starters are from 7.50, main courses from 15 and puddings from 7. We tested the food heroes menu, though you can mix and match – deliciously different.
Also available on site is the Deer House pub with its outdoor swimming pool, open throughout the main holiday season.
All in all, our two-day stay left us wanting more – not least because of the park's location, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Not being golfers we took advantage of some warm spring sunshine with a trip to nearby Bolton Abbey, with its Strid and stunning walks.
One of us only got half way across the stepping stones – I'm not allowed to say who but it wasn't me.
The lodges are available to hire from 570 for a minimum three nights or to buy from 199,000. You can buy a ready decorated lodge and add your own touches, such as a sauna and hot tub – or work with the makers to design your own.
Repton Green, Rudding Park, Follifoot, Harrogate HG3 IJH. Tel 01423 844 900. www.ruddingpark.co.uk/repton-green
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Friday 10 February 2012
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