Showhome luxury for retired couple in Sussex

Lindy and Thornton Simmons had their hearts set on a brand new, four-bedroom ‘Ardingly’ townhouse at Bryant Homes’ Stone Court development in Worth, West Sussex.

In March last year they had found a buyer for their old home and made their reservation ready to move with Bryant – but when the property chain behind their sale collapsed, they had to pull out.

“We found another buyer earlier this year and went back to Stone Court, but found that all the ‘Ardingly’ homes that were ready at that stage had sold – except for the showhome,” explains Lindy.

“We managed to persuade Bryant to let us buy that one, which was ideal because it was the showhome and its wonderful outlook that we had fallen in love with when we had first looked around Stone Court, it has one of the nicest views from the first floor balcony as well!’

With Bryant’s help, Lindy and Thornton who are both now retired, completed their purchase just a fortnight later.

The couple’s new home features a ground floor kitchen/breakfast room with French doors to the rear garden, a further dining room to the front with bay window, and a cloakroom/utility room off the entrance hallway.

Upstairs, the landing leads to a large reception room with double French doors to an attractive balconied terrace, and the master bedroom with built-in double wardrobes and en-suite shower room. The top floor comprises a double bedroom with en-suite, two further bedrooms and a main bathroom.

Like all new homes at Stone Court, the ‘Ardingly’ enjoys a high standard specification, including central heating, double glazing and a fitted kitchen with built-in oven, hob and hood.

“We are delighted with our purchase, and although we haven’t been living here long, I’ve already bonded with our new house and especially love the lounge and view from this on the middle floor,” says Lindy

Thornton, who retired as an Operations Manager for TNT Airways six years ago, and Lindy, who worked as a human resources manager for Virgin Atlantic in Crawley, have a second home on the Gulf Coast of Florida, which they rent out to holiday-makers. They have turned one of the bedrooms into Thornton’s study, which he uses to manage the paperwork for the rental property, while the second bedroom with en-suite is a guest room.

“We’re not moving again,” adds Lindy. “We have three sons, and three of our grandchildren live locally, meaning we can relax and enjoy our babysitting duties without having to travel too far.”

House-hunters who would like to purchase their own four-bedroom ‘Ardingly’ at Stone Court can currently reserve this popular property design, priced from £375,000. The three-bedroom ‘Danehill’ is available from £299,995 and two-bedroom apartments start at £179,995.

Stone Court enjoys a pleasant position to the east of Crawley, and within easy reach of its shopping and leisure pursuits. Further afield are Wakehurst Place, Kew Gardens and Leonardslee Gardens near Horsham, while families can enjoy the Bluebell Railway at Sheffield Park or Ashdown Forest, famous as the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh books.

Three Bridges Railway Station is a 20-minute walk from the development and offers services to Brighton, Redhill, Gatwick Airport and London Victoria.

For more information, visit Stone Court Marketing Suite located off Balcombe Road, Worth and open every day from 9.30am until 5pm, or log on to Bryant.co.uk.