After 37 years in Berkshire, Robert and Jackie Powell found their dream home in the heart of the New Forest. Now retired, the couple — along with their beloved dog, Cassie — are embracing a life surrounded by nature. Their spacious, high-quality home at Whitsbury Green in Fordingbridge offers direct access to the ancient forest trails and sweeping heathland that make the New Forest so special.
“We wanted somewhere peaceful and not too busy,” comments retired aerospace engineer Robert (71). “During our 37 years in Woodley, near Reading, the village got bigger and bigger. The surrounding area now has the largest housing development in Europe. We wanted to step away from all that and return to the serenity of life in a small village. Fordingbridge is perfect.”
The couple discovered the New Forest when their daughter, an aerospace quality engineer, moved down to Bournemouth Airport for work. “We visited every month or so and just absolutely fell in love with the area,” continues Rob. “The air is so fresh and clean, and the abundance of nature is wonderful.”
Robert and Jackie’s homebuying journey took an exciting leap forward when they discovered Whitsbury Green – the place they instantly fell in love with and knew was meant to be their new home. The exceptional build quality, combined with the breathtaking location — perched above the Swale with sweeping views over the countryside — made it an easy decision. Their new three-bedroom home is everything they’d hoped for, and more.
“It’s such a joy to look out from our new home and see nothing but peaceful, green landscapes,” enthuses Jackie (67), a retired theatre box office employee. “The view is my favourite part. The house is beautifully built, and we couldn’t be more pleased. And it’s lovely to have so much of the New Forest on our doorstep. We can explore a different area of it every time we visit. It’s beautiful at this time of year and we’re looking forward to roaming across it with Cassie as the seasons change.”
Robert and Jackie have also fallen for the quaint, welcoming charm of Fordingbridge, just a short walk from their new home. As Robert shares: “It’s like going back to the 1960s. It’s so
quiet and cosy. There’s a good selection of shops, cafes and pubs, and most places let dogs in, which is ideal. The high street has everything you could need and it’s a very pretty place.”
The couple are now enjoying long walks with Cassie in the vast countryside, as well as spending time in their new home. The kitchen and bedrooms are larger than in their previous property, and they also now have the bonus of an en-suite bathroom.
Six weeks after moving in, Robert and Jackie are still excited by how much there is to explore in the local area. Robert, a fan of radio-controlled model flying, is looking forward to joining a local club, while the nearby Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum is perfect for nurturing his passion for classic motorbikes. Jackie is eager to visit the many National Trust properties in the region and can’t wait to enjoy shows and concerts at the area’s theatres — with several nearby, including The Barn at Ringwood, just ten minutes away. And of course, the couple are looking forward to welcoming their children and grandchildren to share in their new home and its beautiful surroundings.
“The family has already visited,” comments Rob. “Everyone was astonished at how countrified and peaceful it is here. We walked down the Swale and saw brown trout in the river. You normally only see those at the fishmongers!”
The couple are only too happy to recommend Whitsbury Green – and Pennyfarthing Homes – to other homebuyers. Rob comments:
“The service from Pennyfarthing has been excellent at every point, from our initial contact with Richard, the Sales Advisor, through to the aftercare. We actually missed the completion deadline for this home by about three weeks because of an issue with the person buying our former property. But Pennyfarthing were understanding and helpful throughout. Richard was very proactive, phoning and chasing our estate agent and solicitor, keeping everyone communicating and getting answers even when Jackie and I couldn’t!
“We would absolutely recommend Pennyfarthing Homes. Everybody we have dealt with has been first-class in their attitude and approach. Nothing has been too much trouble. And the homes are top notch. They’re not just good quality houses – they are homes of distinction.”
