Willerby has given the Sierra a new look for 2023, and we feel it’s a big improvement all round!
The biggest holiday caravan and lodge manufacturer Willerby has an immense back up in design and quality production with the factory adding an extra line to keep up with demand. With a large in-house design team and a pedigree going back 75 years, the Willerby brand is well known both at home and abroad.
One of the popular ranges from Willerby is the Sierra. With just three layouts they follow the popular 12ft wide size that most holiday caravan site plots are designed for, but it’s a hotly contested market sector.
We looked at the 38ft x 12ft three bedroomed Willerby Sierra, sleeping up to eight – including using the settee in the lounge. Re-vamped for 2023, our review model had the optional front patio doors as well as central heating and dishwasher.
The exterior of the Sierra is typical Willerby styling with the front end having a large roof overhang. It’s clad in aluminium, though you can ask for an environmental green finish if needed. A galvanised chassis isn’t standard but is on the options list, and if you’re putting your Sierra on a seaside pitch we would recommend it.
Using the optional front patio doors, the L-shaped seating offers a comfortable seating area and a newly added freestanding armchair adds to the cosiness of this area.
There’s also a padded stool with storage and a large side TV cabinet (now made by Willerby) fits snugly and offers shelving as well as a place for the “fitted” optional 2 kw fan heater.
There’s a small coffee table and a floor-to-ceiling cabinet has handy storage, plus several well-placed mains sockets and integrated LED ceiling lights.
Entering the Willerby Sierra via the side door entrance, the designers have made the interior feel really spacious.
New dark green cupboard doors with gold handles give the Sierra a definite upmarket appeal. As you enter the side door, the dining area is on your right and comes with a wooden top table with that dark green in the legs and chairs. There are four dining chairs plus two upholstered stools with the fridge and separate freezer opposite.
The kitchen is a C-shaped design, offering a gas hob and oven complete with overhead extractor. There’s a microwave fitted and plenty of worktop with storage plus space for an optional dishwasher. We liked the trendy wall shelves fitted next to the good-sized opening window and the light granite-look worktop which contrasts well with the dark green cupboards.
Now with two twin bedrooms for 2023, the Willerby Sierra static caravan is ideal for family buyers. The first twin bedroom is surprisingly spacious with plenty of storage including overhead shelves and cupboards. A single wardrobe with inbuilt drawers is included and the twin beds have padded head boards too.
The second twin bedroom isn’t quiet as big but for it’s suitable for children and again the designers have given it as much storage as possible with two wall mounted cupboards and a small wall mounted wardrobe.
The third master bedroom also has built-in wardrobes and a dressing table with padded stool and large mirror tucked in the corner. Although the walkway around the bed is quite narrow, most people shouldn’t find it too restricting.
In the bedrooms you’ll find accents of pink in the curtains to compliment the grey colour scheme in the walls and bedding.
The master bedroom has an en-suite with a toilet, hand basin, ladder radiator and large frosted window. Storage here is restricted to four wall shelves.
The main bathroom has a shower cubicle with sliding doors, plus loo and hand basin and a trendy patterned floor adding a pop of colour. Again, storage isn’t in abundance, with the same shelving unit as in the en-suite.
Verdict: There’s little doubt that the refreshed Willerby Sierra static caravan has benefited from some great new décor. The free-standing armchair adds a little extra luxury, while the twin bedrooms don’t feel as small as some other competitors in this sector.
There’s a super feel to the front lounge with its L-shaped settee which can be used as another bed if needed, and it’s light colour scheme.
It’s a shame the galvanised chassis isn’t standard but few Sierras will be ordered with just a painted chassis.
Plus points: Solid build quality, lounge area with free standing chair, large L-shaped settee, spacious twin rooms.
Minus points: Not much storage in the main bathroom and en-suite, front patio doors an option.
In a nutshell: Willerby could have sat on the Sierra for another season, but instead chose to give it a boost and it certainly has to very good effect. A static that will no doubt be on buyers’ shortlists and in high demand.
Size: 38ft x 12ft
Build Standard: BS EN 1647
Sleeps: Up to eight
Bedrooms: Three
Other Sierra’s available: 35ft x 12ft two bed; 38ft x 12ft two bed
Others to look at: Willerby Manor 38ft x 12ft three bed; Arronbrook Topaz 37ft x 13ft three bed; Carnaby Ashdale 38ft x 12ft three bed; ABI Beverley 40ft x 12ft three bed.
Key optional extras: Dishwasher, exterior colour choices and finishes, optional central heating, galvanised chassis, integrated Bluetooth sound system, Eco pack, graphite uPVC windows, front patio doors, lighting upgrade pack, upgraded mattress, electric fire
Ex-works price: From £50,100*
Spotted in the classifieds: A 2023 Willerby Sierra static caravan with wrap-around decking for sale in Fife. (KY16). Sited costs £72,800
Cost to insure this sited static caravan would be £436**
*Extra charges will be made by park operators and/or distributors for transport and siting and annual maintenance. Please check the price carefully before you commit to buy as prices vary considerably dependant amongst other factors, on the geographical location of your chosen park
**Leisuredays static caravan insurance quote based on 2023 Willerby Sierra 38ft x 12ft holiday caravan with decking insured for £77,800 (£72,800 for structure and £5,000 contents). Owners are a 68-year-old retired couple with previous holiday caravan insurance and three years no claim discount. £5,000 contents included. £75 excess applies. Insurance premium includes insurance premium tax at the current rate and is correct as of 09/01/2023.
For more information about the range of holiday caravans and lodges from Willerby visit www.willerby.com or call 01482 707808
Stay cations are becoming far to expensive with the dramatic rise in the price of new statics and the frightening rises in site fees which the little Lords of the Manor or site owners /operators are charging, hell mend the caravan industry in this country if the bottom falls out of the market and a lot of them go bust, I for one in this current financial climate am having to seriously consider selling my van but I think that that will be a challenge in itself