2017 Carnaby Stamford lodge review

One of two lodges in the Carnaby range, the Stamford exudes comfort and style.

Carnaby Caravans have designed two interiors with upgrades, new layouts, design flourishes and added details which definitely carry them into ‘lodge’ country.

Here  we review their two-bedroomed Stamford lodge, which has a unique interior. The Stamford sits on a 39ft x 13ft footprint and can also be supplied to residential standard (BS3632) for around £5,000 on top of the standard price.

At first glance the exterior of the Stamford looks like a classic static caravan – a rectangular shape with a pitched, steel pantile clad roof, French style doors to the front elevation with floor to ceiling side windows and a side access door with external light. However, look a little closer and you’ll see subtle touches like timber effect frames to those doors and side panels in a contrasting charcoal colour as well as a Velux style roof light. There’s the usual range of cladding options available from standard uPVC in sand, cream and stone, real timber and the ever-popular Canexcel cladding in a range of colours.  Our review model was a standard uPVC overlap in creamy white.

There are four windows down each side of the lodge, along with a huge, glazed side access door. The Stamford sits on a ‘Fusion’ galvanised chassis with galvanised legs as standard.

The usual insulation specification is provided in walls (25mm), roof (120mm) and underfloor (25mm) but Carnaby also offer a package called Ultrawarm (and Ultrawarm Plus) which, for an extra £1000, seems worthwhile, especially if you want to get the best value from your lodge by using it all year-round. This package also includes a wet system radiator heating system with thermostatic valves throughout the caravan, Argon gas filled uPVC double glazing with a low E glass rating – all worth having if you can afford it.

Stepping into the lounge and open-plan kitchen area you immediately get the impression that some thought has gone into both the layout and styling aboard the Stamford.  The overall look is monochrome with a range of blacks, greys, whites and creams in the sofa seating, carpets, walls and soft furnishings. The lounge comes with two black leather effect sofas, a coffee table and all blinds and cushions are supplied.

The central heating has tall, black designer radiators, which look great against the light walls and would really put out some heat during cold spells. On one side is a feature panel wall in contrasting grey, which has the flat panel television above an inset electric flame effect fire. A niche at floor level allows you to install your DVD player or satellite box.

Next to the lounge, the space is given over to the kitchen and dining table. This really is the heart of the lodge and is stunning – with not only a circular glass dining table and four black leather chairs, but also a projecting breakfast bar with chrome and black leather stools! So, you get space for up to six to dine in relative comfort – kids, especially, would love the breakfast bar!

The main part of the kitchen is galley style, running down the side of the lodge. A row of floor cupboards have a stainless steel sink with mixer tap and a four-burner gas hob with separate central wok burner set into the worktop. Again, design comes to the fore here with cupboard fronts in taupe and drawers in charcoal – all, of course, with soft close mechanisms. There’s an extractor hood above the hob and a window with Venetian blind above the sink with a single wall cabinet in the corner.

Opposite, is an integrated fridge/freezer, oven, grill and microwave – all of which look totally unobtrusive, yet immediately to hand. There’s the option to add an integrated washing machine/dryer and a dishwasher if you want as well as upping the luxury with plinth LED lighting. Central to the ceiling in the kitchen is that Velux rooflight we mentioned earlier.  This, plus an efficient row of spotlights really allow you to prepare meals in a bright, clear environment.

We were very impressed with the kitchen and dining facilities on this lodge – the whole kitchen looks really smart, has plenty of storage and has a high-spec, quality feel to it with those matt silvery worktops and the domestic standard appliances.

At the end of the kitchen corridor you’re faced with three grey doors (the middle one on a slight angle), which take you into the two bedrooms and the Stamford’s main shower room.

The twin bedroom is to the left and is quite small considering the design and luxury criterion placed on the Stamford.  It’s a simply furnished space with two beds sitting aside a small central cupboard and shelf unit. You just have enough space to shuffle between the beds, but Carnaby do offer a space saving fold under bed for this room for only £40 – which might well be a way of extracting some more space.

Above the beds is a four-cupboard unit, which does provide some much-needed storage and at the foot of one bed sits a tall wardrobe with hanging space. Colours are muted greys and taupe with nice floral bedding.

On your right as you leave this room is the family shower room. Once again this room has everything needed for comfortable living with a glass fronted shower cubicle with thermostatically controlled shower, a low profile, close-coupled double flush toilet and a handbasin with mirror above.  The room has vinyl flooring and wipe clean walls with more than adequate inset lighting.

The final room on the Stamford is, of course, the master bedroom.  This is a massive room with bags of space to move around the big double bed with its gas strut lift up mechanism revealing plenty of storage space below the mattress. There’s a big double wardrobe with hanging space and two big bedside cabinets with well-placed power sockets and light switches. The room is, of course, fully carpeted. All in all, this is a comfortable space and would be an ideal room to ‘retreat’ to after a long day. As the Stamford is likely to be bought by retired or young couples, we thing that Carnaby’s decision to make the master bedroom so large will be appreciated.

Off the master bedroom is an en-suite, which is well appointed with all the usual facilities – shower, basin and toilet of a similar standard to those in the family shower room with storage and mirror.  If you don’t just want to shower (again this may appeal to older owners), there’s an option to replace the shower with a bath at a cost of £875.

Verdict

With the Stamford, Carnaby Caravans have pushed the boat out with their bold interior design and layout. It might look a bit like a static caravan from the outside, but it’s definitely more of a lodge on the inside. It should certainly have wide appeal for young families or couples wanting a contemporary look as well as young-at-heart retirees.

Plus points

• Superb, contemporary styling.
• Well laid out kitchen and dining space.
• Breakfast bar bonus!
• Huge master bedroom.

Minus points

• Rather small twin bedroom.

In-a-nutshell

For a medium priced holiday lodge, the Stamford offers great value for money wrapped up in a touch of luxury.

Factfile

• Size: 39ft x 13ft
• Build Standard: EN 1647.
• Berths: 4, in two bedrooms (two twin and one double).
• Key optional extras: BS 3632 Residential Specification; range of cladding options including real timber and Canexcel; integrated dish washer and washing machine/dryer in the kitchen; Bluetooth lounge ceiling speakers; bath to en-suite in lieu of shower; space saving fold-under bed for the twin room.

Ex works price: £47,097.94 inc VAT*

For more information  e-mail: [email protected] or visit www.carnabycaravans.com

*Extra charges will be made by park operators, and/or distributors for transport, siting and annual maintenance. Please check the price carefully before you commit to buy, as prices vary considerably dependent, amongst other factors, on the geographical location of your chosen park.