Well my mum and dad actually live on one of the Southlakeland parks, Marina Park in Glasson Dock, Lancaster and so I thought I would write a little review about the company and the parks.

Southlakeland Parks are a company of Sites across the Lancashire and Cumbria areas, the parks vary from just Static Caravans, to touring sites. There are 3 sites in the Lake District, and 6 in the Lanaster area. These parks are:

Todber: The Ribble Valley
Marina: Glasson Dock
Hawthorne: Middleton Sands
Ocean Edge: Morecambe Bay
Regent: Morecambe Bay
Gatebeck: North Kendal
Fallborrow: Lake Windamere
White Cross Bay: Lake Windamere
Limefitt: The Lake District

Some of the parks are "ownership only" which means that to stay on the site you must own one of the park homes, and you can't hire them out for holiday. These sites are: Marina; Gatebeck; Hawthorne. If you are wanting to own a caravan, in my opinion these sites are the best as you get to know the people around you and know who they are. On the "holiday" type sites, there are new people coming every week and you dont know who your neighbors will be from one week to the next, making meeting new friends a litle difficult. But some of the parks are like this, which is good if you want to go to a holiday park, the caravans are a great quality and the parks are always well cared for.

As I have not been to the other parks I am reviewing mainly Marina Park which is an owners only park.

Park Itself: The park has around 150 caravans ranging from one bedroom (2-4 berth) to 3 bedrooms (6-8 berth). The park has an inside pool, which was refurbished in 2008, and is now housed by a glass room which sides open up in nice weather, surrounded by a wonderful decking area where you can sit and relax in the sun!

A pool Bar, which is open every weekend, and some days during the holidays, which serves alcoholic and soft drinks, but doesn't serve food (other than the usual bar snacks or crisps and nuts).

A games room: which contains a pool table and a variety of slot machines.

The park itself is situated in the middle of the countryside with the River Lune to the front of the park, and the Lancaster canal at the back of the park, the canal leads right up to the village of Glasson Dock which has a lovely little cafe, two pubs, a crown green bowling green, the "smokehouse" which makes and sells smoked goods, a village shop, as well as an ice cream van which also sells chips and coffee etc, a play area for children. As well as the dock where you can go "crabbing", or just amble along peacefully and look at the boats in the marina.

In the other direction along the canal you can walk all the way up to the little village of Galgate which has a chip shop, Spar, post office and other amenities. And along the way is a lovely little pub called the Mill Inn which does amazing meals at reasonable prices- the village and the Mill Inn are both a 10 minute walk along the canal and so very easy to get to.

As well as nearby, there is the city of lancaster 3 miles away, though walking is around 8 miles as you need to go along the old railway line which has been converted into a cycle path, due to the road leading to the city not been particularly safe. But there is a local bus service which stops right outside the gates of Marina Park, its every 2 hours, but once you know the timetable is VERY handy! And can take you as far as Knott End, right through to Lancaster (where you can go to the bus interchange and go on to Kenal, Keswick etc).

Marina is presently managed by Linda and Dave Campbell who are very friendly and are a great help if you ever need anything!!!

The site is open from March through to January 2nd (so 10 months), and the site fees this year were around £2300, plus your electricity and gas on top, as well as "rates", which vary. There are always caravans available to buy and they vary in price from around £11k right through to £60k. But your sure to find something to suit your needs, and your bound to make new friends.

Me and my husband looked into moving onto the site as we have seen what a great difference it has made to my parents lives, probably extending them by 10 years!!!! Its in the perfect location, and of all the sites I have come across, Marina will always be my favourite!!!!

So if your looking to buy a holiday home...and your looking in the North West area, I would 100% recommend Marina or another South Lakeland site :0)