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Across the UK, more and more people are leaving behind busy cities and concrete jungles in search of a little more space, peace and fresh air. And it’s easy to understand the appeal.
Whether you’re planning for an idyllic retirement, rattling around an empty nest and ready to downsize, or simply fancy a change of pace, the chance to wake up to beautiful landscapes, open skies, and a slower way of life can be incredibly tempting.
There are many avenues people explore when planning a move like this. Some have the time and energy to find a doer-upper and embark on a renovation adventure before moving in. Others seek out a remote house on a plot of land, embracing a truly rural, self-sufficient lifestyle. But for many, what really matters is a cosy home, an easier pace of life, and a strong sense of community, all in a beautiful location.
If this sounds like the kind of low-stress lifestyle you’re looking for, Park Home living could be the answer. And once you’ve made the decision, perhaps the biggest question is whether you’d like to live in the countryside or by the sea.
To help you explore your options, we’ve partnered with Tingdene Residential Parks, who offer full-time residential park homes for sale across 29 carefully selected parks throughout England. These are designed specifically for over-45s seeking a comfortable, low-maintenance lifestyle with a strong sense of community, all while enjoying the security of a safe, picturesque setting from dramatic coastal spots to rural retreats with rolling hills and open fields.
Park homes are generally cheaper to buy than traditional houses, though you can’t get a mortgage on one since it doesn’t come with land ownership – most Tingdene buyers fund theirs by selling up, downsizing, and releasing equity to give themselves some cash for their retirement. There’s no stamp duty, and homes come fully furnished and ready to move in, with the option to have move specialists help you move in quicker and stress-free. Before buying, always check documentation thoroughly and ask about ongoing costs, like pitch fees.
Your next move – coast or countryside?
Before diving into some of Tingdene’s beautiful locations, it’s worth thinking through what matters to you day-to-day, since coastal and countryside living each come with distinct advantages and considerations.
There are things you can probably expect from park homes in both settings, such as idyllic scenery and a well-built, warm and secure living space. But what about the rest? Seasonal crowds, transport links, and winter living are among the many factors you’ll want to think about, and your choice of setting can make a big difference to everyday life.
Coastal living
Coastal living tends to suit those who want the sea built into their everyday life, and there are many for whom life by the sea is the ultimate goal. Beautiful sea views, salty air, beach walks, and the feeling of being on holiday without having to go anywhere are all part of the dream.
Coastal towns often foster a strong sense of community among permanent residents, too, particularly in the off-season when the same familiar faces show up at the same spots, long after the summer visitors have gone home. It’s worth visiting potential locations at different times of year to help get a feel for what it could be like.
Many coastal towns offer much more than summer sunshine, with independent shops, cafés, restaurants, markets, leisure facilities and community activities providing plenty to enjoy year-round. For retirement, this can mean an active social life, easy access to everyday amenities and plenty of opportunities to get out and about.
Countryside living
Countryside living suits those who value peace, space, and an overall slower pace of life, offering plenty of room to garden, walk, and simply be outdoors without crowds. This alone can be a winner for many buyers.
Many countryside parks are also closer to market towns than people expect, meaning day-to-day amenities aren’t as far away as the “rural” label might suggest. That said, it’s worth checking transport routes and drive times to the nearest town to make sure you won’t feel too isolated.
The verdict?
When deciding between coast and countryside, neither is objectively better or worse – it really comes down to what kind of day-to-day life you’re picturing for yourself. Do you dream of morning walks along the beach, or would you rather have rolling countryside and plenty of space on your doorstep?
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up six idyllic Tingdene Residential Park locations to help bring both options to life – and perhaps help you decide which one feels right for you.
Unlock more freedom for retirement
Could downsizing to a park home give you more freedom to enjoy retirement? With a low-maintenance home and the potential to release equity from your current property, park home living could mean more time and financial flexibility for travel, hobbies and the things you enjoy most.
Download Tingdene’s FREE Beginner’s Guide to Park Home Living and discover whether this lifestyle could be right for your next chapter.
6 park home locations to consider
1. Hazelgrove Park, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Yorkshire
Coastal location
Hazelgrove is one of the more popular parks in the Tingdene collection for good reason. The park sits in the heart of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, a charming Victorian coastal town on Yorkshire’s Heritage Coast, known for its dramatic and beautiful headland.
Both the beach and the town’s historic centre are within easy walking distance of the park, and just minutes from the seafront, the oldest water-powered funicular railway in Great Britain, and some of the best fish and chips the coast has to offer.
For those who love the outdoors, the surrounding coastline forms part of the stunning Cleveland Way National Trail, offering dramatic headland walks and an abundance of fresh sea air, right on your doorstep. Homes here start from around £179,950, with plots available in a range of sizes.
2. Sandpiper Gardens, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
Coastal location
Sandpiper Gardens is a relatively new Tingdene development, nestled in the traditional seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea. It offers a peaceful coastal setting without leaving you cut off from everyday amenities.
The town itself is the epitome of timeless British seaside charm: brightly-painted beach huts, sticks of rock, long stretches of sand, and a lively calendar of summer events that keep the town buzzing during the warmer months. In winter, the atmosphere is different – quieter and more community-focused, with plenty to keep full-time residents occupied.
Clacton Shopping Village is nearby, with a great mix of high street and independent shops just 10 minutes or so from your front door. The wide, golden beach is even closer, at just over 20 minutes away on foot. Homes are available here from around £199,950.
3. Wixfield Park, Great Bricett, Suffolk
Countryside location
Set in the blissful landscape of Suffolk countryside, Wixfield Park is a well-established park, and one that’s genuinely rural. Here you will find yourself surrounded by open fields, but still within easy walking distance of the historic village of Great Bricett.
Despite the peaceful setting and the feeling of being away from it all, the everyday amenities you need aren’t far. Grocery stores, doctors, and the post office are all around 10 minutes away, and there’s a pub just four minutes from the park, perfect for those who like having a local.
Ipswich and the Suffolk coastline are both within easy reach for days out, and for those who yearn for the sea, there are beaches within an hour’s reach of the park. Brand new homes on this development start from around £219,500.
4. Stonecliff Park, Welton, Lincolnshire
Countryside location
Spread across around 13 acres in the village of Welton in Lincolnshire, Stonecliff Park offers a tranquil and semi-rural setting that has fostered a strong “village community” feel since it was built.
Welton itself punches well above its weight for a small village; here you’ll find everything from a Co-op, butcher, and pubs to a library, and even a popular sports and social club. There’s also lots of space for long, peaceful country walks around here, but with regular bus links into Lincoln, you’re not far from a day in the city if you want one.
Stonecliff could be a great fit for anyone who wants a quieter pace of life, without giving up easy access to a larger city and all the amenities and entertainment that come with that. Homes are available here from around £195,000.
5. Bedwell Park, Witchford, Cambridgeshire
Countryside location
Bedwell Park sits on the edge of Witchford, a thriving village in rural Cambridgeshire that’s full of clubs and facilities, making it a great choice for those looking for an active retirement. While Bedwell Park is a rural gem, it’s also on the doorstep of the medieval city of Ely, just three miles away.
The park has a lively, active community at its heart, and the busy sports and social club located just metres away has become a vital community hub that brings people together and keeps the community fit and healthy.
Transport links at this location are another major advantage, with direct connections from Ely right into London King’s Cross, Cambridge, Norwich, and Stansted Airport, making it an excellent base for anyone who likes to travel. Homes start from around £159,950.
6. Ashfield Park, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
Countryside location
We say it’s countryside, and it is, but as quiet and rural as Ashfield Park feels, it’s also just minutes from Scunthorpe. This location is ideal for those who want a rural setting, but perhaps don’t want to live too remotely. Tingdene’s Park offers a blend of both worlds.
Residents get the benefit of private, semi-rural living – fishing, rural walks, golfing, gardening – alongside easy access to Scunthorpe, its hospital, restaurants, shops, cinema, leisure centres, pubs, and much more – giving you the convenience of town life without having to live in the middle of it.
The coast is within easy reach, too, with Cleethorpes Beach under an hour’s drive away, and Skegness and Mablethorpe just a little further, ideal for bigger days out in the summer. Ashfield Park could be a good fit for anyone who wants countryside calm with town convenience, and a seaside not too far away. Homes here start from around £169,950.
Unlock more freedom for retirement
Could downsizing to a park home give you more freedom to enjoy retirement? With a low-maintenance home and the potential to release equity from your current property, park home living could mean more time and financial flexibility for travel, hobbies and the things you enjoy most.
Download Tingdene’s FREE Beginner’s Guide to Park Home Living and discover whether this lifestyle could be right for your next chapter.
Final thoughts…
Whether you’re moved by the pull of the sea air and morning beach walks, or the quiet of open fields and idyllic village life, the right setting really does come down to what suits your day-to-day best.
Park home living offers you the freedom to make this choice while still enjoying the comfort, security, and sense of community that come with life in a residential park. Of course, you’ll also want to balance the location with the type of home you’re looking to live in.
With 29 well-planned parks dotted across England’s most lovely locations, spanning both coast and countryside, Tingdene Residential Parks offers the chance to find a home and a setting that fit the way you want to live.