The trend to leave London has become widespread in recent years, with an increasing number of buyers leaving the capital to get more for their money in the Home Counties. According to research by Hamptons International, almost 94,500 people have made the move out of the capital to the countryside over the past year – the highest number since 2007.[1] One couple who decided to make the move from Mill Hill in North West London have found their forever home at Millwood Designer Homes’ development Lavender Fields in Isfield, East Sussex.
Lavender Fields is an outstanding period style hamlet of luxury new homes surrounded by stunning countryside. Comprising a bespoke collection of 39 homes, the charming mix of architectural styles, creates a visually aesthetic street scene with the appearance of a traditional English village. Simon (48), a Chief Strategy Officer for a group of brand design agencies and Dwayne Black (27), a Sports Rehab Student and Personal Trainer, have recently purchased Draycott House, an enchanting five-bedroom detached home, designed to reflect the true scale and proportion of an agricultural barn conversion.
Simon explains: “Dwayne and I were previously living together in a townhouse-style property in Mill Hill, which I bought as a new build in 1998. We had definitely grown tired of the pace of London life and felt we had outgrown the space. We wanted to find a home that was ‘our’ place; we left a very happy home, but left the rat-race and found our dream forever home together at Lavender Fields.”
Dwayne continues: “We wanted a home that represented both of us and incorporated elements of both our personalities. We had been looking to move for three years and always dreamed of moving out of London to East Sussex, to be closer to our friends in Brighton. We also really wanted more space for future family life. When we visited Lavender Fields, we got the same feeling looking round the development, as we did when we found our wedding venue – it just felt right! We visited every other week and the sales team really took the time to get to know us as a couple.”
Simon adds: “Interestingly, most of the houses we looked at online weren’t new build. We wanted personality and didn’t think we’d get that with a new home. Lavender Fields has such an authentic feel and is beautifully finished. Once we had seen the quality of Millwood and the design standard, we didn’t consider anywhere else!”
Only a handful of properties remain at Lavender Fields, offering bespoke designs including a home that has been designed in the style of an Oast house, a converted Farmhouse and one barn style property. Traditional and locally sourced materials such as weather-boarding, ensure the homes have an individual exterior appearance and establish the true character of the area. Behind the traditional façades, all of the homes offer a first-class specification and the latest trends in modern-day living.
Dwayne says: “The natural light is one of my favourite features of the house and I also love the drama of the architecture. This is where we want to grow old together.”
Simon adds: “We value everything Millwood stand for, they build high quality homes in excellent proportions with high ceilings. Their homes perfectly suit family life and Millwood really understand how people live, not just how people exist. Our home has so much character, it has twists and turns which enable you to feel like you’re not in a standard box. It’s truly unique!”
Isfield is an ideal location that suit’s all lifestyles. Uckfield is approximately four miles away and offers both a Waitrose and Tesco supermarket and a Farmer’s market is held once a month. Just six miles away, Lewes has an array of excellent restaurants, brassieres as well as high street shops and boutiques.
Simon concludes: “We also have an apartment in Farringdon which we can use as base if we need to, as both of our careers are in London. However, from Lavender Fields we can also easily commute and many of our neighbours commute. It’s an eight-minute drive to Uckfield Station or a 12-minute drive to Lewes, which both offer direct trains to London in just over an hour, which is ideal.”
Prices at Lavender Fields for the final few homes start from £1,295,000. For more information please visit www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk or call the sales team on 01825 480499.
[1] http://www.hamptons.co.uk/media/446065/lonreshamptons_aw_digital.pdf