Would you like to live the Thursday Murder Club retirement lifestyle?

Where Was the Netflix Thursday Murder Club Filmed?

The Thursday Murder Club was filmed at the Elizabethan Englefield House in Berkshire although the real retirement community that inspired author, Richard Osman, is in Sussex and is not exactly like Cooper’s Chase, which looks like an impossibly idyllic location. Murders, and the threat of the residents’ homes being sold from under them aside, who wouldn’t want to live in a place with beautiful drawing rooms, sweeping staircases, orangeries, swimming pools and sumptuous apartments?

Is A Retirement Village Like Cooper’s Chase Affordable in Real Life?

One of the questions about the Thursday Murder Club that everyone is asking is how the main characters can afford to live at Cooper’s Chase. Surely it would be beyond the financial reach of a former nurse, a spy, a psychiatrist and a union man? Pierce Brosnan’s character might be fine, if his famous son was funding his retirement, but it’s unlikely that the others would have enough savings to cover the expensive service charges for the rest of their lives. All those fabulous facilities need cleaning, maintaining and staffing, the upkeep of the extensive landscaped parkland must be costly enough alone.

What Are The Benefits of a Development Like Cooper’s Chase and Could You Find These At Beechcroft?

The benefits of living at a retirement development like the fictional Cooper’s Chase include friendship, independence in retirement, the ability to become involved in a range of engaging activities – even a Thursday Murder Club, if you so wish. If you’d like to live in an elegant home in beautiful surroundings and become part of a friendly community of like-minded people, you can find all this at Beechcroft without the exorbitant service charges that members of the Thursday Murder Club would have to pay.

What do Real Retirees Think of Retirement Villages like those in the Series?

Jane Reynard on Hidden Fees vs Beechcroft Living

When retiree, Jane Reynard, was searching for a retirement home, she visited and discarded several developments offering a whole range of facilities and chose, instead, to relocate to Beechcroft’s Cotswold Gate development, opposite the Cotswold Garden Company, in Burford.

“I looked at various retirement villages and properties and marvelled at the facilities on offer – spas, swimming pools, restaurants, 24-hour concierge services, right up to the moment I was told the monthly service charges, which were enormous,” says Mrs Reynard. “Most of them charged an exit fee as well. I knew that despite my good intentions, I would not take advantage of many of the facilities on offer and that I would prefer to use some of that monthly sum as I choose and that these options were simply not for me.”

Annie Inglis on Choosing Community Over Expensive Facilities

Annie Inglis, who bought at Beechcroft’s Pinewood Place development in Windsor would certainly agree with this sentiment.

“If I was giving someone tips on moving in retirement, I would say location is very important and also to look for a development with a good sense of community rather than lots of facilities which cost a lot of money in terms of service charges. Retirement living doesn’t have to cost the earth. Beechcroft doesn’t charge exit fees like some developers,” says Mrs Inglis. “At Beechcroft, you’re able to get together with your neighbours without having to pay for expensive onsite restaurants. We have plenty of local restaurants if you want to eat out. I find the service charge here very reasonable – you get a lot done for you including gardening and cleaning of the communal areas and the external windows. You also have the services of an Estate Manager who is available during the day..”

What Does Beechcroft Offer Instead of Netflix-Style Luxury?

“The vast majority of our homebuyers take the same attitude towards facilities as Mrs Reynard and Mrs Inglis,” comments Angela South, Sales and Marketing Director for Beechcroft. “Our home buyers appreciate the quality of our new and converted homes, our beautifully landscaped and fully maintained grounds, the communal lounges, the guest suites for visiting family and friends and the on-site estate management service but, as we choose locations close to villages or market towns which have plenty to offer, they don’t need to have additional facilities, such as on-site gyms or pools, however much the latter may appeal to visiting grandchildren.”

“At Beechcroft, we don't charge exit or deferred management fees, which are additional charges payable when you sell your retirement home. These can be high and have caused a lot of controversy over the last couple of years. Whilst we don’t need to employ a lot of staff, there is an estate manager on each development to handle the cleaning, the maintenance and the upkeep of the communal gardens as well as keeping an eye on properties whilst owners are on holiday.”

“Our residents are always able to find clubs and societies, fitness and sports facilities in their local areas and the communal lounges on each development soon become hubs of activities, hosting events, quiz evenings, film nights, suppers and so much more. I don’t think that anyone has set up a Thursday Murder Club as  yet, but we do have book groups and craft mornings.”

Does Beechcroft Have the Same Social Life as the Thursday Murder Club?

Mrs Markham, who bought a new home at Castle Gardens in Watlington, is typical of Beechcroft homeowners who immerse themselves in the local community as well as enjoying the retirement development’s activities.

“When I first moved to Watlington, I made an effort to go out and meet people. Now I’m on the committee of the local Women’s Institute and a member of the bowling club. I also volunteer at the Florence Nightingale Shop in Chinnor which raises funds to support Stoke Mandeville Hospice,” says Mrs Markham. “I’m able to walk into Watlington and do my shopping. The Estate Manager has been as helpful as can be and I’ve been to the residents’ pavilion for drinks and helped with the art exhibition we held there. I’ve met some very nice people here and a few of the residents at Castle Gardens have joined the bowls club.”

Do any of Beechcroft Developments offer facilities like Cooper’s Chase?

Each and every Beechcroft development is different but every one offers something special.  Many developments have neighbouring care homes and Beechcroft residents are able to take advantage of an additional menu of services from laundry and cleaning to hot daily meals, social activities and short respite stays – but only need to pay for the services they use.

Several developments have extensive grounds The impressive 27 acres of parkland and woodland at Grove Park, Nettlebed, for example, would give the backdrop of the Thursday Murder Club a run for its money.  At Beechcroft, we aim to keep the service charges to a manageable level and to ensure that the development is efficiently managed to a high standard.