One of the joys of park home living is having your own outdoor space where you can relax and entertain. Whether it’s a summer evening with friends or a quiet Sunday lunch, outdoor cooking adds something special to park home life. But before you fire up that barbecue, you’ll want to understand the rules around park home outdoor cooking and how to enjoy these features safely and responsibly.
Let’s walk through what you need to know about having a barbecue at park home, the regulations that apply, and how you can make the most of outdoor entertaining whilst keeping everyone safe.
Key takeaways
- Park home BBQ rules vary between parks, but most residential parks allow barbecues with proper safety measures in place
- Gas and electric barbecues are typically preferred over charcoal due to better control and reduced fire risk
- You’ll need to maintain safe distances from your home, neighbouring properties, and vegetation
- Getting written approval from your park management helps avoid misunderstandings
- Being considerate of neighbours and following residential park fire safety guidelines keeps everyone happy
Understanding park home regulations for barbecues
When it comes to park home outdoor cooking regulations, there’s no single blanket rule that applies everywhere. Each residential park operates under a site licence that sets out safety requirements, and individual parks then create their own specific guidelines based on their layout and community needs.
Why do these park home garden regulations exist? It’s all about balancing your enjoyment with safety. Residential park homes are built to BS3632 standards and positioned closer together than traditional houses, which means fire safety becomes more important. We want you to enjoy outdoor cooking whilst protecting your investment and your neighbours’ homes.
The regulations typically cover what types of equipment you can use, where you can place them, and when you can use them. Some parks have restrictions on open fires, whilst others might specify that barbecues must be a certain distance from the home itself.
Your park’s Written Statement (provided under the Mobile Home Act 1983) will outline the basic rules, but it’s always worth having a conversation with your park management about specific equipment before you buy anything. This saves you from investing in something you can’t actually use.
What types of barbecues you can use safely
Not all barbecues are created equal when it comes to park home outdoor living. Here’s what you need to know about your options:
Gas barbecues are usually your best bet for park homes. They’re easy to control, quick to turn off if needed, and produce less smoke than charcoal. You can get excellent compact models that work brilliantly in the outdoor spaces around park homes.
Electric barbecues are another safe option, particularly if you have a covered patio area with power access. They’re clean, produce minimal smoke, and your neighbours will appreciate the lack of charcoal smell drifting across the park.
Charcoal barbecues can be trickier. Many parks allow them, but they require more attention. You’ll need to ensure they’re completely extinguished after use, and you should never leave them unattended. The main concern is that embers can remain hot for hours.
Whatever you choose, size matters. You’re working with limited outdoor space compared to a traditional garden, so a massive barbecue station probably isn’t practical or necessary. Compact, well-designed equipment works better and is easier to store when you’re not using it.
Safety guidelines and best practices for outdoor cooking
Following some straightforward safety practices helps you enjoy barbecues without worry. These aren’t just bureaucratic rules – they’re practical measures that protect you and your community.
Distance is your friend. Keep your barbecue at least three metres from your park home, garden shed, and any fencing. This prevents heat damage to your property and reduces fire risk. You should also consider your neighbour’s proximity and keep equipment away from their side too.
Surface protection matters. Never place a barbecue directly on grass, wooden decking, or your driveway without protection underneath. Use a proper barbecue mat or paving slabs to prevent heat damage and catch any falling embers or grease.
Check the wind. A breezy day might seem perfect for outdoor cooking, but strong winds can blow embers around and direct smoke straight into someone’s window. If it’s particularly windy, consider postponing or repositioning your setup.
Keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of water nearby. You probably won’t need it, but having it close gives you peace of mind. A small kitchen fire extinguisher suitable for grease fires works well for barbecue-related incidents.
Never leave cooking unattended. This seems obvious, but it’s worth repeating. Whether you’re grilling burgers or enjoying outdoor cooking, someone should always be keeping an eye on things.
Be considerate with timing. Late-night barbecues might be fun, but your neighbours might not appreciate smoke drifting through their windows at 10 pm. Being thoughtful about when you cook outdoors helps maintain good community relationships.
What we allow at Arden Parks and how to get started
We want you to enjoy outdoor entertaining at your park home, and we’ve designed our policies to make this possible whilst keeping everyone safe. At both Leedons Residential Park and Broadway Park, we allow barbecues with some sensible guidelines in place. However, please note that fire pits are not permitted at Arden Parks for safety reasons.
Gas and electric barbecues are welcome, and we also permit charcoal barbecues when used responsibly. What we ask is that you position them safely, use them considerately, and get written approval from our management team before setting up any permanent outdoor cooking areas.
The approval process is straightforward. Simply let us know what type of barbecue equipment you’re planning to use and where you intend to position it. We’ll check that it meets safety requirements and doesn’t create issues for neighbouring properties. This usually takes just a few days, and it protects everyone involved.
If you’re planning something more elaborate – perhaps a built-in barbecue area – we’ll need to review the plans in a bit more detail. Remember that any permanent structures need written approval as outlined in your Written Statement.
Many of our residents enjoy regular barbecues throughout the warmer months, and it’s become part of the community atmosphere at both parks. You’ll often see neighbours chatting over garden fences whilst dinner’s cooking, and some residents organise small gatherings for summer evening barbecues.
We’re here to help you make the most of park home outdoor cooking. If you have questions about specific equipment or you’re not sure whether something’s allowed, just get in touch with our on-site management team. We’d rather answer questions upfront than have you invest in equipment that doesn’t work for your situation.
Making the most of outdoor living at your park home
Having a barbecue at your park home adds another dimension to your lifestyle. You can host friends and family, enjoy alfresco dining, or simply relax outdoors on a pleasant evening. The outdoor spaces at residential park homes might be more compact than traditional gardens, but they’re perfectly sized for comfortable outdoor entertaining.
Here’s what to remember:
- Check your park’s specific regulations before purchasing any outdoor cooking equipment
- Choose equipment that’s appropriate for the space you have available
- Follow safety guidelines around distances, surfaces, and supervision
- Get written approval from park management for your setup
- Be considerate of neighbours when cooking outdoors
Outdoor cooking and entertaining is absolutely part of park home living. With the right equipment and a bit of common sense, you can safely enjoy barbecues throughout the year. The combination of your own outdoor space, a supportive community, and the beautiful Worcestershire countryside setting makes for some memorable meals and gatherings.
If you’re considering park home living and wondering about the lifestyle it offers, why not visit us and see for yourself? We’d be happy to show you around, answer your questions about outdoor living, and help you understand what makes residential park home life so appealing. Get in touch with our team to arrange a visit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build a permanent outdoor kitchen at my park home?
Permanent structures like built-in outdoor kitchens require written approval from your park management. We need to review plans to make sure they meet safety requirements, don’t affect neighbouring properties, and comply with your park’s licence conditions. Many residents successfully install permanent features, but the approval process protects everyone involved. Contact your park manager early in your planning process to discuss what’s possible.
Are there specific times when I can’t use my barbecue?
Most parks don’t have strict time restrictions, but we ask you to be considerate of neighbours, particularly in the evenings. Avoid late-night cooking that might disturb others, and be mindful of smoke direction during times when people typically have windows open. If you’re planning a larger gathering, it’s courteous to give nearby neighbours a heads-up. Good communication helps maintain the friendly community atmosphere that makes park living special.
What should I do with hot coals and ash after barbecuing?
Coals and ash remain dangerously hot for much longer than most people realise – sometimes up to 24 hours. Never dispose of them in plastic bins or near flammable materials. Let them cool completely in the barbecue, then dispose of them in a metal container. Some residents keep a dedicated metal ash bucket for this purpose. Never pour water on hot coals in a way that creates steam or spreads ash around, and ensure complete cooling before final disposal.
Can I use a barbecue on my home’s decking area?
Using barbecues on decking requires extra caution because the heat can damage or even ignite wooden surfaces. If your park home has decking and you want to barbecue there, you’ll need proper heat-resistant protection underneath – a simple barbecue mat isn’t sufficient. Purpose-made deck protector pads that provide substantial insulation work better. Gas and electric models are safer choices for decking than charcoal. Always check with your park management about specific requirements for your situation.
What happens if I don’t follow the barbecue regulations?
Park home regulations exist to protect everyone’s safety and enjoyment. If you don’t follow the rules, your park management will typically have a conversation with you about the concerns and how to address them. Repeated violations could potentially breach your Written Statement terms. However, we’ve found that most issues arise from misunderstandings rather than deliberate rule-breaking. That’s why we encourage residents to ask questions and get approval before setting up outdoor cooking equipment – it prevents problems before they start.
