Less maintenance and more family time for Laurence Coles.

“When my late wife and I moved to Lymington all those years ago, I was in my early sixties and able to do lots of work to the house including creating a large garden from scratch. Now, although I’m reasonably fit, I just can’t face a lot of maintenance work. Even mowing the lawn makes my back ache,” says Mr Coles.

“About a year ago, I decided that the time had come to make a move and, initially, started to search in the Lymington area. My youngest daughter, however, suggested that I move closer to her family and, as I feel sufficiently confident that she isn’t going to move for the next few years, I agreed.”

“My house in Lymington had been on the market for about nine months, and I’d had an offer which I’d initially refused. Then, the estate agent convinced me to accept the offer as my prospective buyer was now in a cash deal situation.  At that stage, I hadn’t found anything to move into and had begun to search for somewhere to rent near my daughter at Boorley Park.  Then my daughter said she’d found somewhere that would suit me down to the ground in Bishop’s Waltham. Coincidentally, my late wife and I visited Bishop’s Waltham when we were searching for a retirement home all those years ago and we both thought it a very pretty town.”

Abbey Mill Place is located within a designated Conservation Area, adjacent to Bishop’s Waltham Palace, overlooking South Pond and just a short walk from the High Street. Mr Coles and his late wife, who were English Heritage and National Trust members, once visited the Palace grounds at Bishop’s Waltham and now, as Mr Coles has discovered, he will be living right next door.

Abbey Mill Place comprises 19 two, three and four-bedroom houses created by Beechcroft’s Special Projects division, along with a collection of new and converted homes designed for the over 55s. Each new house provides generously proportioned living space, a sunroom, balcony, private garden and allocated parking and owners also benefit from an estate management service, a communal lounge and luxurious guest suite.

“When we looked round the development, there were two houses which were suitable and the sales consultant said another one had just come back onto the market.  As soon as we walked into the house and saw the views of the beautiful open countryside from the balcony, I decided it was the one for me and I reserved it straight away,” continues Mr Coles.

My daughter has taken responsibility for the blinds and curtains and has been collecting swatches. When my wife was alive, she would have made the choices but I’m lucky that my daughter loves doing it.”

“I have been very impressed with the Beechcroft team. My experience has been excellent. Everybody has been careful, taking time to make sure that everything is as it should be. I have used the ‘Manage Your Move’ service so all my furniture and possessions were packed up and transported to my new home, and I’ll have the services of a handyman for a morning or afternoon to help me with a few jobs.”

“On a final note, a friend, with whom my wife worked in the 1960s has recently moved to Tunbridge Wells and was telling me about their lovely new home which also turns about to be on a new Beechcroft development!”

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