"The Miller Homes team were so helpful and reassuring throughout the whole process, and they really pulled out all the stops to make sure we were kept informed which was fantastic considering the journey we had had up until that point."

A North East couple has found their forever home at leading homebuilder Miller Homes’ Roman Fields development in Corbridge. Barbara and Jimmy wanted to move into a smaller home with better connectivity to local amenities after the Beast from the East in 2018 made them reassess the practicalities of their rural barn conversion.

Barbara said, “Once we had made the decision we knew it was the right thing do, but it was a tough journey before we finally found our Miller Home. Two homes fell through after we had already sold our original property. We ended up renting two different properties before moving into our new home – we had given up any hope of being in before Christmas really but the team went above and beyond to make sure everything was ready and we ended up moving in on the 22nd December. Being able to spend Christmas stress free and in our own space was really the perfect gift.

“Boxing Day took on a bit of a different meaning for us this year, the whole Christmas period was really spent unboxing, but we did take a break to enjoy a peaceful New Year’s Day walk along the river.”

Barbara continued, “We were members of Matfen Hall so we were familiar with the area and interested in the village and how easily accessible it is. We love Corbridge’s mix of independent shops and cafes, its lovely when the weather is nice and you can sit outside in a beer garden. I was researching the local area and I came across the Roman Field’s development, we booked to visit a show home as it looked like it would tick all of the boxes for us.
“We chose the Thetford house type at the Roman fields development with the future in mind. Corbridge is only a 6-8 minute walk from home now which means we are less dependent on our cars in bad weather, or when we do get older and might not be able to drive. There are also really easy transport links to bigger towns like Hexham and Newcastle too. We were one of the first people on the development but the people who we have met already have all been lovely, its comforting to know that we will be part of a really tight knit community who will be looking out for each other.
“Our daughter, her husband and our grandchildren live around 30 minutes away and they already love coming to visit us here, the children – aged 3 & 6 – recently went tobogganing when it snowed and the new play area onsite will be a big hit we think, combined with the Corbridge ice cream shop they won’t want to go home! Not that we mind that at all.”
The couple are enjoying adding the finishing touches to their new home, after deciding to upgrade a few pieces, including half tiling the bathrooms, upgrading the kitchen work tops and the upstairs carpet, along with personalising their kitchen units, appliances and light fittings.
“The Miller Homes team were so helpful and reassuring throughout the whole process, and they really pulled out all the stops to make sure we were kept informed which was fantastic considering the journey we had had up until that point.”
The couple are sharing their home with their two cats, and a tortoise called Henry. Jimmy is planning to turn part of the garden into a run for Henry and the couple are looking forward to spending time together in their outside space over the summer months.
“The cats are being kept inside at the moment while there is still building work going on around us”, Barbara said. “Henry will be hibernating until the spring, he went to sleep in the autumn so he has slept through all of the excitement of moving house. He’ll get quite a surprise when he wakes up in his wonderful new home!”