Cutting through the noise — here’s what you really need to know about owning a holiday home on a holiday park, without the pressure, or the sales pitch.
Holiday parks often make the headlines for the wrong reasons. Stories about overzealous salespeople, hidden fees, and false promises have clouded the reputation of a sector that, at its best, offers peace, relaxation and a better quality of life. At Acorn Leisure, we want to shift that narrative — with transparency, integrity, and a focus on wellbeing, not wealth.
The Truth Behind the Headlines
Yes, some holiday parks do get it wrong. But painting the whole industry with the same brush is not only unfair — it risks overlooking the positive impact a well-run holiday park can have on your lifestyle, community, and even the environment.
Holiday Homes at Maes Mynan Park and Misty Waters Holiday Park are a world away from the high-pressure sales tactics and fine-print pitfalls often criticised in the media. We are a family business and look after every aspect of the holiday park’s operations.
Choosing Lifestyle Over Profit
At Acorn Leisure, you’re not just buying a lodge or a caravan — you’re gaining access to peaceful countryside, wildlife, and a supportive holiday home community. Our parks are especially suited to:
- Couples or individuals downsizing from a large home or bricks-and-mortar second property.
- People who want to invest in their wellbeing and time, rather than property markets.
- Flexible workers, semi-retirees and retirees looking to embrace a slower pace of life — with the freedom to come and go as they please, surrounded by beauty, nature, peace, stunning views and personal space.
- Those with no children or heirs, who want to enjoy life now, rather than leave behind an inheritance that may be taxed away.
- Expats looking for a UK base – Acorn Leisure Holiday Parks are within 50 minutes drive of Liverpool and Manchester Airports.
- Those who crave a countryside location to contrast with their everyday home settings in towns or cities, without the drama of too much travel to get there.
- People who love to walk, cycle, adventure and the great outdoors.
- Those who love what North Wales offers and who want to explore the culture and beauty of the whole region.
Holiday homes, like cars, depreciate. But when you choose the right location and community, the lifestyle value far outweighs the lack of monetary return. Depreciation is a reality with all holiday homes, but the rate at which value declines isn’t fixed. It depends on a variety of factors, including the age of the holiday home, the specification and design of the model, the location of the park, and the market demand at the time of resale as a pre-loved holiday home. These are all important considerations at the point of purchase.
Choosing the right holiday park — one with a desirable setting, good upkeep, and clear long-term policies — can make a meaningful difference to the long-term enjoyment and residual value of your investment.
Let’s Talk About Pitch Fees
There’s often confusion around pitch fees — sometimes wrongly compared to rent. But think of them more like a combined site rental (your licence) and service charge for a managed development with communal areas, just as you’d pay if you owned a flat in a shared building.
At Acorn Leisure, we manage around 180 acres of landscaped parkland across Maes Mynan Park and Misty Waters Holiday Park. This includes not only natural beauty, but also miles of hedgerows, communal roads, verges, lakeside areas, and amenity space — all of which require care and investment.
Pitch fees contribute to:
- Grounds keeping, tree work and landscaping (including rising costs like fuel and maintenance)
- Infrastructure upkeep (septic tank emptying, road repairs, communal lighting)
- General security and service management
- Staff wages, National Insurance, and pension contributions — all of which continue to rise, particularly following changes in the UK budget that impact private businesses like ours
- Business rates payable to the local authority (which vary based on government revaluations), insurances and legislative compliance measures.
- Investment in and maintenance of park machinery and equipment, such as mowers, tractors, hedge cutters, and utility vehicles, essential for keeping nearly 200 acres safe, accessible, and beautiful
- Repairing and replacing fencing, boundary edges, and other essential infrastructure that protects and defines each park’s natural layout
- Tree planting and ongoing landscaping to support wildlife, enhance the scenery, and contribute to our environmentally conscious parkland setting
- Management and administration — including holiday home records, seasonal services, and keeping operations running smoothly behind the scenes
- Working with an energy consultant to secure the best possible LPG and electricity rates for holiday homeowners — helping protect everyone from unpredictable energy price
- Compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, ensuring the park is safe, secure, and future-proof for all
- Waste management and recycling systems that align with government standards and support sustainability
We believe in keeping things fair and sustainable — for everyone. Our goal is to support a long-term, low-impact lifestyle that’s as rewarding for the environment as it is for our homeowners. That’s why our fees are not arbitrary, but calculated based on real costs, with notice given of any change.
Choosing the Right Holiday Home for You
Selecting a holiday home is a personal decision that should suit both your lifestyle and your budget. Availability and price will vary, but above all, your holiday home should offer you something more than you have at home.
If you live in a busy town surrounded by buildings, cars and noise, then a countryside setting with open views, quiet surroundings and outdoor space might be exactly what you need. But it’s also important to reflect on what that means for you in practice — how often you’ll visit, what kind of environment you’ll truly enjoy, and whether it aligns with how you want to spend your free time.
At Acorn Leisure Holiday Parks, that means access to countryside walks, stunning views, peace and quiet among like-minded neighbours, and a lifestyle centred around space, privacy and security. Our parks are a base to explore North Wales, unwind in nature, and reconnect with yourself.
Owning a holiday home is a long-term financial commitment, and it should also be an emotional one — offering that little extra spark of joy each time you arrive.
What Impacts the Price of a Holiday Home?
The cost of your new holiday home will depend on several factors — not just the price tag on a brochure. Key considerations include the location, model and layout, whether the unit is bespoke or standard, any optional extras such as decking, and essential costs like transport, siting and connection.
The price you see will also reflect the unique setting of the holiday park and the infrastructure costs associated with its creation — from landscaping and access roads to drainage, electricity, and broadband networks.
That’s why it’s important to do your homework. Once you’ve chosen your holiday park, take time to define your wish list for your holiday home and match it to your budget and priorities.
At Acorn Leisure, we always say:
Decide upon your Holiday Park first, then your holiday home.
Why? Because once you’ve formed an emotional connection to the location — its scenery, energy, and atmosphere — everything else tends to fall into place.
Many holiday parks offer a wide range of facilities such as shops, clubhouses, restaurants, and swimming pools. But we often hear from buyers:
“We never use the facilities — we just want peace and quiet.”
It’s worth noting that facilities often factor into pitch fees and influence annual increases — even if you don’t use them. That’s why Acorn Leisure Holiday Parks take a different approach.
We don’t offer clubhouses, bars or cafes.
Instead, we offer countryside locations in peaceful settings, where natural beauty, stunning views, and open space are the true luxuries.
Our amenities are simple:
- Peace and quiet
- Changing landscapes
- Room to breathe
Owning a holiday home with Acorn Leisure is about investing in your own time, wellbeing, and peace of mind. We offer a haven — a calm, restorative escape from the noise and pace of everyday life. It won’t appeal to everyone, and we’re okay with that. We welcome those who truly value what we offer.
Aftersales and Snagging Support
Every new holiday home — much like a new-build house — may have a few small snags. While manufacturers and dealerships do their best to deliver each home to a high standard, sometimes issues only appear once the home is in use.
That’s why Acorn Leisure only works with trusted manufacturers and dealerships who take pride in their aftersales service and respond quickly and effectively when support is needed. We are here to help coordinate that process and ensure that things are put right wherever necessary.
12 Essential Questions Every Holiday Home Buyer Should Ask
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| What is the licence period for the holiday home? | Ours is 35 years for lodges and 20 years for caravans – clearly stated, not hidden. The licence period is calculated from date of manufacture, unless otherwise agreed. This gives you the right to occupy a pitch with your holiday home for that period, but the land remains the property of the park owner and is not purchased as part of your holiday home. |
| Are rentals or sub-letting allowed? | No – we prioritise peace and security for owners. |
| Who owns the park and how is it managed? | Acorn Leisure is family-run, with no external sales agents or pressure. |
| Are pitch fees capped or reviewed transparently? | Yes – pitch fees usually increase by no more than the equivalent of £3–£5 per week over the course of a year, in line with inflation and running costs. |
| Are there clear T&Cs or is there small print? | Our T&Cs are open, fair, and fully accessible to all buyers. |
| What fees apply if I sell my holiday home? | A 15% + VAT resale commission applies — clearly outlined in our T&Cs. All sales must be handled through Acorn Leisure and private sales without our involvement are not permitted. This ensures terms are upheld, standards maintained and the peaceful nature of the park protected. It also helps safeguard other holiday homeowners by protecting their privacy and expectations. |
| Is there flexibility if I want to sell or leave? | Yes – with clearly explained options for private resale or buyback. |
| What makes this location special? | Maes Mynan Park is in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape; Misty Waters offers a quiet, landscaped park near the North Wales coast. Both provide peace, privacy, and access to nature. |
| What if I want to remove my holiday home or sell it off-park? | You own your holiday home outright (subject to any finance agreement you may have entered into at purchase) and can remove or sell it off-park at any time. A disconnection fee applies (detailed in the T&Cs), covering the work to safely disconnect and prepare the unit for transport. Like other service fees, it may increase with inflation over time. |
| Do you offer finance or credit arrangements? | No — we don’t offer finance or earn commission on loans. We encourage buyers to explore independent options such as personal bank loans, which may offer better rates and less pressure. |
| Can I live in my holiday home full-time? | No — holiday homes cannot be used as your main residence. While Acorn Leisure parks offer a 12-month holiday season, they are designated for holiday use only and cannot be your permanent home address. |
| Can I pass on my holiday home to a family member? | Yes — with park management approval. Holiday homes can be gifted or inherited by family members, subject to agreement and confirmation that the new owner will meet the park’s terms and conditions. This helps maintain the peaceful community feel of the park. We encourage early conversations with us around this sensitive subject for your reassurance. |
Understanding the Commitment Before You Buy
Whether you’re buying a second home on a holiday park or investing in bricks and mortar in a village or town, it’s important to recognise that you’re making a financial commitment — and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Owning a holiday home on a holiday park is a lifestyle decision that requires ongoing planning and budgeting. From pitch fees and utilities to insurance, maintenance, and future resale or removal, it’s essential to understand these costs before making the commitment.
But it’s not just about money — it’s also about time. Making the most of your holiday home means investing in the slower pace of life it offers. That includes taking time to unwind, reconnect with nature, get involved in the local area, or simply switch off from daily pressures. If you’re not ready to use it regularly, or carve out space for rest and enjoyment, it might not yet be the right move for you.
Holiday Parks: Transparency, Clarity and Human Connection
Holiday parks don’t always get it right — especially when human factors come into play. But choosing a park that speaks to you should be the start of your journey. That connection creates space for honest conversations, trust, and opportunity.
Our Terms & Conditions are in place to support the security, wellbeing, and peaceful enjoyment of all owners. We encourage you to read them carefully before purchasing. Repeated or serious breaches can lead to a holiday homeowner being asked to leave the park — something we work hard to avoid through openness and communication from day one.
What Makes Maes Mynan Park and Misty Waters Holiday Park Special?
Both parks are unique in their setting, character, and appeal — offering holiday homeowners distinct options depending on the lifestyle they’re looking for.
Maes Mynan Park is set within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With panoramic views over Moel Y Parc, this is a place where nature takes centre stage — a living landscape that changes with the seasons and the weather. The park is spacious, serene and thoughtfully designed to offer privacy, tranquillity, and year-round natural beauty — perfect for those who want to escape, unwind, and reconnect with themselves and the world around them. As a new development, Maes Mynan Park offers a choice of stunning south facing plots to choose from for luxury lodges and static caravans. As a hidden gem in a quiet countryside location, this exclusive escape could be exactly what you are looking for. Here we share some of our holiday homeowner testimonials.
Misty Waters Holiday Park is located in Lloc, close to the A55 for easy access, and is a beautifully landscaped park with mature planting and a quiet, established feel. Surrounded by countryside and tucked away down a country lane, it offers peace and privacy in a setting that feels off the beaten path, yet is well-connected. The park is ideal for those seeking a smaller, more intimate environment and we now have new plots becoming available, making it a great time to make an enquiry.
Rewriting the Narrative
Owning a second home and holiday home on a holiday park doesn’t have to be stressful, confusing, or expensive. At Acorn Leisure, we believe in honest conversations, clear commitments, and investing in what matters most: your time, your wellbeing, and your happiness.
If you’re ready to discover the joy of owning a holiday home for you — and not the headlines — get in touch or explore the stories shared in our Acorn Leisure Life blog.
While we support transparency and high standards across the holiday park sector, it’s also important to recognise that increasing regulation could limit the flexibility and choice that many holiday homeowners currently enjoy. At Acorn Leisure, we believe in clear communication and fair practice — without compromising the freedom that makes owning a second home such a personal lifestyle decision. Download our Thinking of Buying a Holiday Home? Your Guide to Ownership with Acorn Leisure Holiday Parks PDF here.
🪴 At Acorn Leisure, we believe a holiday home is a lifestyle decision. The best investment is the one you make in yourself.
