West Midlands Safari Park
Luxury lodges on the wild side
West Midlands Safari Park Luxury Lodges
| Location | Bewdley, Worcestershire |
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Tucked into the Worcestershire countryside, West Midlands Safari Park has created something special. Its luxury Safari Lodges invite guests to wake up eye to eye with some of the world’s most remarkable animals, from Sumatran tigers to African wild dogs and white lions.
To match that level of experience outside the glass, the park needed external spaces that felt just as considered as the interiors. Millboard decking was chosen for the private terraces of key lodges, including the Sumatran Tiger Lodges and Wild African Dog Lodges, where guests can sit out with a coffee or step into a hot tub while wildlife roams just beyond.
This is where Millboard Enhanced Grain and Weathered Oak decking comes into its own, bringing the warmth and character of timber, with the reassurance and reliability of the world’s finest resin mineral composite decking.
The brief: immersive luxury, year round
The lodges are in constant demand and used heavily throughout the year. That meant the team at West Midlands Safari Park needed more than just attractive external finishes. The brief called for:
- A premium, natural look that would complement the rich textures of the interiors and the wild landscape beyond.
- External spaces that stayed comfortable and inviting in all weathers, from bright summer days to damp winter evenings.
- A surface that would offer exceptional slip resistance around hot tubs and high traffic areas, supporting guest safety at all times.
- A low maintenance solution that would withstand daily use without routine sanding, staining, treatment, or frequent replacements.
As Neil James from West Midlands Safari Park explains, when they design lodges they look for materials that feel authentic and different, and that stand apart from the usual choices. The decking had to look and feel natural, but also perform far beyond what traditional timber could offer in this demanding environment.
Why Millboard decking was selected
After exploring a range of options, the park chose Millboard decking for its luxury lodge terraces. Several factors made the decision clear.
Authentic, nature-led aesthetics
With its intricate grain detailed and textured surface and hand-finished appearance, Millboard Enhanced Grain decking delivers the warmth and detail of real timber. Weathered Oak adds an aged, characterful feel that blends beautifully with the rockwork, planting and animal habitats nearby.
From the guests’ perspective, the decks feel like natural wood underfoot, without the worries that can come with it. Floor-to-ceiling glazing opens onto Millboard decking that visually extends the lodge interiors out towards the animals, creating one seamless space.
Exceptional performance in a demanding setting
The safari lodges operate in all seasons, and the decking has to take everything in its stride: constant footfall, rolling luggage, wet swimwear from hot tubs, and the British weather. Millboard products use a unique wood-free resin mineral composition that is highly resistant to fading, splitting and warping.
In practical terms, that means the decks retain their shape and appearance, season after season. There are no splinters, no exposed nails, and far less movement than traditional timber, which helps to keep the lodge terraces looking immaculate for guests.
Exceptional slip resistance
Safety around hot tubs and external seating areas was critical. Millboard decking features an exceptionally slip resistant surface, even in wet conditions. This gives the park confidence that guests can step straight from the hot tub onto the terrace or walk out in the rain to enjoy the view, without the concerns that can arise with smooth, wet timber.
That level of reassurance is especially valuable in family-focused environments, where guests of all ages are moving between inside and outside throughout their stay.
Low maintenance for a busy operation
With a large estate to manage and lodges frequently booked, the team could not afford regular downtime for sanding, staining, or replacing external surfaces. Millboard decking does not require routine sealing, painting or oiling, and it can be cleaned quickly between guest stays and brought back to its best with minimal effort.
This allows the park team to focus on what they do best: delivering memorable wildlife experiences and outstanding hospitality, instead of scheduling ongoing maintenance for outdoor flooring.
A reliable British partnership
As British designed and manufactured products, Millboard decking and cladding can be delivered quickly to site, helping the park keep tight build schedules on track and reducing the need for storing materials for long periods, potentially risking damage within a busy build environment.
Just as importantly, the relationship does not end with the first order. The West Midlands Safari Park team value the ongoing support from Millboard, from help during the design stages through to being introduced to new finishes and product ideas for future phases. They started with one project. Now, Millboard decking has been identified as the preferred choice for many more lodges to come.
“Working with the team at Millboard has been brilliant, they help us through the design process and they’re always showing us new products and ideas. We were really pleased on the first project, we’re now three projects in, and we’ve already got it identified as a product we’ll be using for the next, 20 lodges.”Neil JamesWest Midlands Safari Park
Guest experience: closer to wildlife, closer to nature
For guests, the result is effortless. They arrive at their lodge to find a beautifully lit, private outdoor space that feels like an extension of the interior. The texture and tone of the Millboard decking echo the natural materials used inside, while the views beyond the glass remain the star of the show.
In the Sumatran Tiger Lodges, guests can sit out on the terrace, coffee in hand, as tigers move through their habitat just beyond the boundary. At the Wild African Dog and lion lodges, the decks provide a calm viewing platform where visitors can watch the animals explore, play and rest as the light changes through the day.
At night, when day visitors have gone and the park falls quiet, the lodges come into their own. Guests can step out onto the Millboard decking and listen to the sounds of the animals under the night sky. The surface underfoot feels secure and comfortable, even when damp, so the focus stays on the experience, not on watching every step.
A growing family of lodges
The success of the first luxury lodges paved the way for further development. The park is now several projects in, and Millboard decking has become a familiar element in new designs, including plans for additional lodges.
For the West Midlands Safari Park team, that consistency means they can trust the performance, appearance and service they will receive. For guests, it ensures that every lodge delivers the same seamless blend of immersive wildlife viewing and premium comfort on the terrace outside.
Planning your next project?
If you are designing hospitality spaces, luxury lodges or visitor attractions that need to perform in all weathers while still feeling warm and inviting, Millboard decking and cladding can help you create external areas that guests remember long after they leave.
- Order a sample to experience the look and feel of Millboard decking and cladding for yourself.
- Visit a Millboard Experience Centre to explore the ranges in person and speak with our team.
- View more case studies to see how Millboard products are being used in other high profile projects.
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