From Burgundy waters to Stathern, Nicola and Bob find their perfect home with Davidsons
When Nicola and Bob moved into their new Davidsons home at The Paddocks in Stathern a year ago, it marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Before settling in this picturesque Leicestershire village, the couple spent six years living on a barge in Burgundy, France.
Initially, their dream home looked very different from what they eventually chose.
“Our tick list was an old cottage, with a log burner – definitely not a new build!” Nicola laughed. While browsing Rightmove, they spotted a Davidsons home in Stathern and decided to take a look.
Nicola said: “We were buying another house, when we saw the house online and just showed up at The Paddocks! What impressed us most was the energy efficiency. When we saw the EPC rating and solar panels, we realised how much we’d save compared to an older property, a new build home just made sense.”
It has already proved to be so.
Since moving in, Nicola and Bob have fallen in love with village life, with its bustling social scene. From afternoon tea and films at the village hall, complete with mulled wine at Christmas courtesy of Davidsons, to regular community lunches where volunteers serve a three-course meal for just £9, Stathern offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Nicola said: “It’s relaxed and friendly, everybody says hello and has time to talk to you. There’s even a WhatsApp group so everyone can stay connected, but you don’t have to join in if you don’t want to.”
The village itself is full of charm and convenience. The local pub has recently been taken over and looks to be turning into a great gastro pub, possibly serving breakfast and also takeaways. There is a family-run shop offering fresh local produce and delicious breakfast cobs, next door to the very useful garage, which are both owned by a local couple. A mobile fish and chip van even visits a nearby village.
Nicola said: “Walking around the village is stunning – it gets us out and keeps us moving. There are amazing routes like Toft Hill and walks across the fields to the pubs in Harby and Branston in the summer.”
They also appreciate the easy access to Melton Mowbray just eight miles away and the handy Fox Connect bus service.
Nicola loves the little touches that make Stathern special.
She said: “There’s a mobile hairdresser who lives in the village – she drives up, and we have a chat, it’s so easy! It is also lovely to see parents walk their children to the primary school. It’s such a high-standard school and a great environment for the children. The village hall hosts a very popular ballet academy, Pilates, art classes and lots more.”
Life at The Paddocks has been just as rewarding.
Bob added: “We love the layout of the development – the green spaces make it feel open and spacious. It’s a very friendly community, and the design of the properties mean that no one needs to park on the road, so it’s neat and tidy. The EV charging point was a bonus for our hybrid car, and the solar panels are fantastic – we’re even selling energy back to the grid! It’s great having a new boiler too, running on mains gas, especially in a small village.”
For both Nicola and Bob, the sense of community is what truly stands out.
Nicola concluded: “I don’t think I could sum it up in three words, but if I had to: Community, Active, and Walking. Everyone cares for each other here.”
For Nicola and Bob, moving to Stathern wasn’t just about finding a house – it was about discovering a community and a lifestyle they truly love.