Acorn purchasers Mr & Mrs Bodenham discovered our Hope House development back in 2017 before construction had begun and kept an eye on the site as it progressed. Attracted by its tranquil position in the historic city of Bath, the couple chat to us about their love of the city and why purchasing at Hope House was a dream come true.
What is it that appeals to you about Bath as a city?
“For a small city, it punches well above its weight in terms of cultural, historical and culinary attractions. We also have a home on the Pacific northwest coast, where the allure is more about the spectacular scenery and wildlife. Consequently, Bath offers us a completely contrasting living experience, which we enjoy in equal measure to life in Canada.”
Did you have a home in the area before buying at Hope House?
“No. We lived in Rutland before emigrating to Canada in 2013. Much of the Somerset countryside and the honey-coloured Bath stone remind us of Rutland.”
When did you start your property search? What were you looking for?
“We began our search in 2016. Our main criteria were to have a place within a few minutes’ walk of the centre of town with parking and in a new construction in period style. These meant our choices would be restricted, so we were prepared for a long search.”
What appealed to you about Hope House?
“Hope House met all our initial criteria plus it offered so much more. As it was set in the former Bath High School’s parkland, it enjoys an open, tranquil position not found elsewhere within such proximity to the city centre. Also, we discovered the proposed building specification and level of finish were of a very high standard, which sets the project apart from many other new-build developments. As we were prepared to commit early, we found Acorn most willing to accommodate changes to the interior layout of our home, something we found a very pleasant and welcome surprise. Despite the distance and eight-hour time difference when we were in Canada, the process was very easy: much of our early dialogue with the Acorn team was via Skype and email. The two-and-half-year wait was hard to bear but well worth it.”
What is your favourite thing about Hope House and life in Bath?
“Having owned our new home for four months now, we love how the new build aspects of the development marry well with the restored and renovated features of the main original house. The formal gardens and parkland are delightful, and our home is wonderfully quiet, surprisingly so given its proximity to the city centre of Bath. Having already met a few of our new neighbours, we like that they represent a cross-section of age groups and backgrounds.”
“Another positive aspect to living in the centre of Bath is how easy it is to reach other parts of the region by train.”
What are your favourite locations, parks, pubs, museums, restaurants (in the region not just city), markets, etc.?
“On the food front, we like things we can’t easily find in North America. For example, we like Indian and Spanish cuisines, but we struggle for choice in Canada. In Bath, we have discovered great restaurants such as Mantra and Pintxos. Also, the city offers a great wine bar and gastro-pub scene, as evidenced by our favourites, The Chequers and The Beckford Bottle Shop. Whilst Jules loves to cook, it’s nice to let someone else do the cooking! It is a real luxury being able to walk from our home at Hope House and within minutes be spoilt for choice.”
If you would like to find out more about the homes available at Hope House, why not call the team on today on 01225 614 307.
