Spontaneous weekends by the coast. Spending more quality time with family. Enjoying retirement by the sea. Becoming part of a welcoming community. Every owner has their reasons for choosing holiday home ownership.
Why Waterside? We’ve been helping people create those lifestyles for more than 60 years. Today, more than 800 owners enjoy holiday home ownership across our four 5-star parks, each offering its own unique setting and atmosphere.
In this guide, we’re sharing real perspectives from Dorset holiday home owners to explore what ownership means to them and the things they value most, from the home-from-home feeling and coastal lifestyle to the friendships, facilities and support that make ownership so rewarding.
Why Owners Choose Dorset
Few places offer the variety of Dorset.
Dramatic Jurassic Coast scenery and long coastal walks. Bustling seaside towns and peaceful countryside retreats. Dorset provides the perfect backdrop for a holiday home lifestyle.
Owners can enjoy:
- The Jurassic Coast
- The beaches and attractions of Weymouth
- The iconic views of Chesil Beach
- Coastal walks and nature reserves
- Charming villages and harbours
- Easy year-round escapes
Each of Waterside’s Dorset parks offer something slightly different.
Bowleaze Cove Holiday Park & Spa
Perfect for owners who enjoy having facilities on their doorstep. With restaurants, entertainment, leisure facilities, spa experiences and direct beach access, Bowleaze Cove offers a lively and family-focused ownership experience.
Chesil Beach Holiday Park
With panoramic views across Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon, Chesil Beach offers one of the most spectacular coastal settings in Dorset and attracts owners who value scenery, tranquillity and a true escape from everyday life.
Osmington Mills Lodge Park
Nestled within a quieter coastal and woodland setting, Osmington Mills appeals to owners looking for a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature and countryside.
While every owner’s story is different, many of the themes that emerge are remarkably similar.
Watch our owner stories:
Every ownership journey is different. Some owners are drawn to spectacular sea views, others love the social side of park life, while many simply enjoy having a place they can escape to whenever they choose.
To hear directly from our owners, watch their stories below and discover what holiday home ownership means to them.
Heidi & Geoff at Bowleaze Cove
A Holiday Home Ready When You Are
For many Bowleaze Cove owners, the biggest benefit isn’t just the location, it’s having a place they can escape to whenever they choose. A sunny weekend. A spontaneous break. Quality time with family. Ownership offers the freedom to enjoy the coast on their own terms.
Dawn & Phil at Chesil Beach
Falling in Love With the View
Many Chesil Beach owners talk about the moment they first saw the view across Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon. For some, that first visit was all it took to know they’d found their perfect coastal retreat.
Guy & Val at Osmington Mills
A Home From Home, Made Just For You
Many Osmington Mills owners love the feeling of having a place that’s truly their own. From choosing layouts, furnishings and finishes to creating a space that reflects their lifestyle, ownership allows them to build a genuine home-from-home in one of Dorset’s most peaceful coastal settings.
“You Haven’t Got to Plan the Holiday”
One of the biggest benefits owners talk about is flexibility.
Instead of planning months in advance, booking accommodation or waiting for annual leave, ownership allows them to make the most of good weather and free time whenever it appears.
“[...] You haven’t got to plan the holiday. If we look and see that the weather is going to be nice for the next 3 days, we can come here.[...]” - Heidi & Geoff
For many owners this spontaneous lifestyle becomes one of the greatest advantages of ownership.
“[...] It’s a lifestyle and it’s the convenience as well for us. We could’ve bought a place abroad but then you’ve got to book flights and plan it. We wouldn’t have used it as much as we use this place.[...]” - Heidi & Geoff
The ability to simply arrive, unpack and immediately start relaxing is something that consistently appears in owner feedback.
“It’s a Home From Home for Us”
Interestingly, several owners considered buying traditional second homes before choosing a holiday home instead.
What ultimately changed their minds was the feeling they experienced when visiting Waterside.
“[...] When we were looking for a holiday home, we did actually look at buying a flat or bungalow down here. This feels like being on holiday as opposed to just going to another house somewhere.[...]” - Heidi & Geoff
Unlike a second property that can feel like an extension of everyday life, owners often describe their holiday homes as places where they immediately switch off.
“[...] It’s a home from home for us.[...]” - Guy & Val
The combination of beautiful surroundings, holiday facilities and a dedicated leisure environment helps create a feeling that many owners say simply can’t be replicated elsewhere.
“Just Fell in Love With the View”
For some owners, it only takes one single visit to know they’ve found the right place.
“[...] We came to look at it and that was it. Just fell in love with the view.[...]” - Dawn & Phil
The coastal scenery across Dorset remains one of the biggest attractions for holiday home buyers.
Whether it’s sea views at Chesil Beach, countryside surroundings at Osmington Mills or beachside living at Bowleaze Cove, owners regularly describe the landscape as one of the key reasons they chose Waterside.
“[...] It’s a different feeling when you walk in that door and sit down and see this view, it really makes you feel good.[...] I sit more on the balcony just looking at the view.[...]” - Dawn & Phil
For many, ownership provides an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the things that are often missed during everyday life.
“We’ve Got a Good Community Now”
One of the most surprising benefits many owners mention isn’t the location or even the holiday home itself.
It’s the people.
Over time, neighbours become friends, friendships develop and owners become part of a wider community.
“[...] We’re so lucky to have such lovely people around us, and we’ve got a good community now, lots of friends.[...]” - Dawn & Phil
Waterside’s owner events and social activities help create opportunities for people to connect throughout the season.
“[...] It’s quite social here really, because they do lots of things in the venue. We have some really good times at the owners events.[...]” - Dawn & Phil
For many owners, returning to their holiday home means returning to a community they genuinely enjoy being part of.
“It’s Good For Your Mindfulness”
Several owners spoke about the positive impact ownership has had on their overall wellbeing.
Whether that’s spending more time outdoors, enjoying coastal walks or simply having somewhere peaceful to escape to, many described ownership as beneficial for both physical and mental wellbeing.
“[...] It’s been a godsend to us.[...] It’s good for your mindfulness. That’s the main thing, you come down and everything’s relaxed and you meet up with your friends again. Can’t wish for anything more.[...]” - Dawn & Phil
The Dorset coastline offers countless opportunities to enjoy nature, explore the outdoors and disconnect from the pressures of everyday life.
“[...] We can literally step outside, straight up the coast path and walk for miles, it’s lovely.[...]” - Heidi & Geoff
“They Do Special Deals For Us”
While owners often purchase because of the location, many continue to enjoy the facilities available across the Waterside group.
One owner highlighted the flexibility of being able to enjoy facilities across multiple parks.
“[...] We also go over to Bowleaze and use the spa because they do special deals for us. And, also you’ve got a good bus service here so it’s easy to get across.[...]” - Dawn & Phil
From restaurants and spas to owners events and leisure facilities, many owners find that these additional benefits enhance their ownership experience throughout the year.
“You Can Choose Everything”
For some owners, a major attraction was the ability to personalise their holiday home from the beginning.
“[...] They allowed us to go on the website and choose the lodge. Very good because you can choose everything, all the colours, furniture, flooring, curtains, blinds, everything.[...]” - Guy & Val
Having the opportunity to create a space that reflects their own tastes and lifestyle helps many owners feel even more connected to their holiday home.
“We Bought it For Us to Enjoy”
One of the most interesting themes that emerged from speaking to owners is that everyone uses their holiday home differently.
Some enjoy spending extended periods throughout the year at their holiday home.
Others choose to let their property for part of the season.
Some focus on family time, while others simply enjoy having a quiet place to unwind.
As one owner put it:
“[...] People want it for different things don’t they? We want to come and relax and don’t have to think about the house at home or anything else that’s going on.[...] We bought it for us to enjoy.[...]” - Guy & Val
For prospective buyers, that’s perhaps the most important takeaway of all. Ownership is personal, and the right approach is the one that works best for your lifestyle.
If you’re exploring ownership, it’s also worth learning more about:
- Holiday home ownership costs
- Ownership benefits and rewards
Understanding the Holiday Home Buying Process
If you’re considering ownership, the process is often much simpler than many people expect.
Typically, it involves:
1. Choosing the Right Park
Visit the parks and explore the atmosphere, facilities and surrounding area.
2. Viewing Available Holiday Homes
Compare different models, locations and pitches to find the right fit.
3. Discussing Ownership Options
Speak with the ownership team about pricing, finance options and ownership benefits.
4. Completing Your Purchase
Once you’ve found the right holiday home, the team will guide you through the purchase process.
5. Starting Your Ownership Journey
The exciting part - making memories and enjoying your new lifestyle.
Park Visits
One of the best ways to understand whether ownership is right for you is to experience it firsthand.
Waterside’s Park Visits give prospective owners the opportunity to spend time on park, explore facilities, view available homes and get a genuine feel for ownership life before making any decisions.
What Buyers Can Learn From Existing Owners
When we speak to owners, the same practical advice often comes up.
Before purchasing, consider:
- Visiting the park
- Thinking about how often you’ll realistically use it
- Choosing a park atmosphere that suits your lifestyle
- Looking carefully at views, pitches and locations
- Understanding running costs and finance options
- Considering how friends and family might use it
- Exploring letting opportunities if offsetting costs is important to you
Most importantly, take your time and choose the ownership experience that feels right for you.
Ready to Experience Ownership for Yourself?
The best way to understand holiday home ownership is to see it in person.
A Waterside Personal Park Visit gives you the opportunity to:
- Tour the park and facilities
- View available holiday homes and pitches
- Meet our experienced ownership team
- Discuss ownership and finance options
- Enjoy lunch on park
- Ask questions in a relaxed, no-pressure environment
Whether you’re actively looking to buy or simply curious about ownership, we’d love to welcome you and help you discover what makes life at Waterside so special.
Book a Personal Park Visit today and experience Dorset holiday home ownership for yourself.
Book Your Park Visit
Book a Park Visit and come and see what holiday home ownership is all about.
