Lodges at Mercia Marina

Today I'd like to introduce you to the holiday lodges at Mercia Marina in Derbyshire. I visited today and I was impressed by this large marina with its awesome retail and hospitality area. I was less than impressed with the weather - no blue skies today, so I didn't take any photos, and I'm afraid this is one of Mercia's stock photos!

Mercia Marina have an open day coming up on 4th and 5th February. If you'd like to attend, please book a slot rather than turning up on spec, to make sure that you arrive when the staff are available and the lodges which interest you are not too busy. I'm hoping to visit myself, so if you have any questions you'd like me to ask, please let me know!

As this is a holiday development, not a residential park, the lodges can only be used as second homes (your residential address can be in the UK or overseas) or holiday lets. You can stay there yourself for up to 6 months per year (cumulative rather than consecutive days), but the site is closed between 14th January and 14th February every year. However, one of the great advantages at Mercia is that you can sublet, which some holiday parks don't allow. The marina even offers services to assist you in letting out your lodge.

If you're thinking of buying here I would definitely recommend booking a stay first. You can find the lodges advertised through Cottages.com. Here's an example: Viburnum Lodge.

New lodges are sold with a 100 year licence, which is much longer than a lot of holiday parks! A pitch fee is paid annually to cover maintenance and certain services. New and resale lodges are marketed by Mercia Marina but you may also see them advertised privately by the owners. (There is currently one advertised on Rightmove via Abode at £229,900, but I was told that Abode's information is out of date, so I recommend going direct to the Marina instead.  

Mooring berths are available at a discount for lodge owners. This is a great option if you want to go off cruising through part of the year, or if you live abroad, as your lodge and berth will be secure and waiting for you when you return, and you could rent out the lodge when you are not there.

If you buy a new lodge it will be built to order, and there are currently a good selection of plots to choose from, overlooking the lake or the moorings. At the moment they can offer the following new lodges:

New England Range:
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, end living or centre living 45’x22’ - Guide price £271,700
3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, end living or centre living 45’x22’ - Guide price £275,000

Nordic Range:
2 or 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, end living or centre living 38’x20’ - Guide price £235,400

If you visit, don't forget to mention to Tony that I sent you!