Swift has not rested on its laurels over the years; they have become proactive in developing their static caravan and lodge ranges with no major re-vamps for the sake of it. Instead they listen and design ranges to what buyers want – which is good value and contemporary interior and exterior designs.
The latest Swift Vendee range – a long-established name in the firm’s line-up – looks better than ever for 2023. We look at the 43ft x 13 ft Vendee lodge with its twin bedroom arrangement and built to BS3632 standards, making this an all-year full-use lodge.
The Vendee lodge has the Swift exterior look about it and that’s an attractive, modern profile with full French doors, grey finish window frames, full guttering and a Can-Excel finish.
Steeping inside the Swift Vendee lodge and you’ll find a country cottage feel with a style of décor that’s become popular in the holiday caravan industry.
Using copper styled handles and off-beige colours in the living room furniture, it feels very homely. A large settee, a free-standing armchair and TV stand with drawers, plus a neat fireplace all add to the appeal.
The dining area encompasses a table with four mushroom coloured upholstered chairs, with three copper coloured pendant lights above. Opposite the dining table is a large side dresser offering excellent storage with cupboards and drawers.
The Swift Vendee’s kitchen is an L shaped design, with units in a light brown “Dakar” colour with a Larch woodgrain detailing. There’s plenty of storage and acres of worktop, and the Velux roof light brightens up this area.
The worktops are a brown Mountain Larch which extends to the splashbacks to create a country cottage feel. The white sink and copper finish tap complete the look.
A Belling oven with five burner hob is fitted, along with an 800 watt microwave, plus an integrated fridge/freezer.
From here you enter a small hallway, which has a handy seat bench and coat hooks for taking off outdoor gear.
The Swift Vendee’s twin bedroom comes with a wardrobe and a small dressing table too. The single beds are fine for children and adults too, and feature new, deeper and more luxurious Aurora Duvalay mattresses.
Mains sockets with USB points fitted between the beds, will take care of all your charging needs.
A shelf above the beds or on the large side wall would have been handy, although there is a small cabinet between the beds and the bed heads each have a narrow shelf.
Into the master bedroom and the large portrait end window allows in plenty of natural light as well as adding ventilation. The king-sized bed has Duvalay’s Alba Ortho mattress, plus lift up storage.
There’s good night lighting and over the headboard are deep large cupboards. A wooden side dresser offers more storage, plus there’s also a dressing table with a large mirror, lighting and a stool.
Twin wardrobes with a seat in-between is a nice feature, although some might favour a larger wardrobe without the small seat.
The en-suite shower is well planned with a good amount of floor area. A walk-in shower and a deep hand basin is fitted, while a large side window allows in light and again good ventilation.
There’s shelving and cupboard storage next to the sink and overall it’s a good size.
The main bathroom is also equipped with a shower cubicle, deep hand basin and toilet, plus white radiator / towel rail. It isn’t quite as big as the bedroom’s en-suite but it still gives users a practical washing area and there are some shelves to take care of your cleaning products.
There are a few options to add to the Swift Vendee to give buyers more, such as a dishwasher, washing machine and Bluetooth speaker connections.
Verdict: Swift hasn’t made major changes to much of its ranges for 2023 – possibly due to difficulties with supply issues. However, the Swift Vendee lodge has a nice homely interior which will attract buyers. The colour scheme certainly gives the Vendee a cosy ambience.
The Vendee has proved a popular lodge in Swift’s line up and with its excellent kitchen and spacious lounge area, they urge you to escape the everyday!
Plus points: Large kitchen area with excellent worktop, home comfort feel and build quality
Minus points: Lack of shelves in the twin bedroom, the seat in the master bedroom is not much use
In a nutshell: The Swift Vendee is a well-established lodge and one which grandparents could find ideal for the grandkids to come and stay in the twin room.
Size: 42ft x 13ft
Build standard: BS3632
Sleeps: Up to four
Bedrooms: Two
Others to look at: ABI Ingleton 40ft x 13ft two bed; Willerby Manor 38ft x 12ft two bed; Atlas Sherwood 41ft x 14ft two bed; Europa Mulberry 38ft x 12ft two bed
Key optional extras: Dishwasher, washer/dryer, exterior colour choices and finishes, Velux window in kitchen, integrated ceiling speaker system, Lux Pack
Ex-works price: £85,260*
To find out more about insuring a Swift Vendee lodge or your current lodge visit our holiday lodge insurance page.
For more information about the Swift Vendee holiday caravan and lodge range visit: www.swiftholidayhomes.co.uk or call 01482 847332.
* 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
I’m looking to buy a new swift very shortly, I would prefer a residential and the vandee ticks most of the boxes.
Having purchased a vendee in 2021 ,I hope that the quality of the workmanship in the fitting out of the lodge has vastly improved for all future purchasers.
Pity there are 3 non opening windows in living room space and bedroom. 2 identical shower rooms without a bath is a big mistake on a lodge approaching 90k and still having to pay £70 each for shaver sockets in the shower rooms.
Fly screens should be standard, for all windows similar to being standard in Motorhomes and Touring Caravans, have the designers ever spent time in a caravan in a field or by a stream?.
I think the press/media guys who review these holiday homes /lodges should point out potential issues and help the designers in the industry make better choices,they obviously don’t listen customers including myself.
We got our Vandee last Sept 2022 best thing we have done ideal for myself as I mobility problems moving about the bedroom and on suit are ideal lots of space decking looks great it stands out on a night time with the lighting above the patio doors . Only down fall is that I have found was the sofas are low so I tend to sit at the table we will resolve the issue later .We used the vandee during February and found it very warm and no issues. Very pleased it’s a battle to who gets to the van/lodge at weekends etc.
We purchased a 2021 vendee lodge and I must say we love it and use it from March to October we had no problems what so ever considering the travel distance from England to Ireland with all the movement ,just one thing that could be addressed the bathroom sinks are to low and need to come up three to four inches