News | Inspired Villages

An Inspired Year...

A packed programme of activities and events ensured 2019 was another year to remember for residents of Cheshire retirement community Gifford Lea. Active retirees who have made the later living…

16th January 2020

Rise of The Golden Gap Year

Nearly a quarter of retirees go on holiday five or more times each year If cost was not an issue, retirees would increase travel from 11 days to three months per trip Dream destinations are New…

6th September 2019

Inspired Villages Group crowned Property Investor of the Year at HealthInvestor Awards 2019

Inspired Villages Group is delighted to have won Property investor of the year at the HealthInvestor Awards 2019. “Over the next 20 years the population aged 80+ will double, 90+ will triple and…

2nd July 2019

Jim Buttress judges local gardening competition at Durrants Village

On Friday 28 June, renowned horticulturalist and head RHS judge Jim Buttress visited Durrants Village to give a talk on how to make the most of a small garden space and judge a residents’ gardening…

30th June 2019

Hundreds turn out to Grand Opening Gala with Gregg Wallace

Austin Heath, an award-winning later living community in Heathcote, Warwick officially opened its eagerly anticipated Village Centre on Saturday 22nd June, with a family fete ‘Grand Opening Gala’…

27th June 2019

Inspired Villages welcomes Gloria Hunniford OBE & Dame Helena Morrissey DBE to Durrants Village for 101 Ways to Enjoy Getting Older event on 5 June, with Legal & General

On Wednesday 5 June, Durrants Village, the retirement village in Faygate, West Sussex, hosted a special event with veteran broadcaster Gloria Hunniford OBE. 101 Ways to Enjoy Getting Older was an…

11th June 2019

MasterChef star Gregg Wallace to officially open new Clubhouse in Heathcote

Austin Heath will be officially opening its eagerly anticipated Clubhouse on Saturday 22nd June, with a family fete ‘Grand Opening Gala’ for residents and the local community. Gregg Wallace, best…

10th June 2019

Cycling to live better – for longer

Hundreds of residents and staff at retirement villages, across the UK, joined celebrities in an epic 1,000-mile cycling challenge, amid new research findings on the link between exercise and mental…

4th June 2019

Sittingbourne resident takes part in Inspired 1,000 mile cycle challenge to raise funds for MIND

A keen cyclist and resident of Sittingbourne, Stephen Butt, has taken part in a gruelling 1,000 mile cycle challenge to help raise funds for the mental health charity, MIND. The 64 year old, who is a…

3rd June 2019

Inspired Villages Group crowned Retirement Living Operator of the Year at prestigious awards event

Inspired Villages Group – which owns and operates later living communities around the UK – has won the coveted title of Retirement Living Operator of the Year at the prestigious RESI Awards 2019. The…

27th May 2019

Kingswood community is invited to view plans for Legal & General House

Inspired Villages, an operator and developer of later living accommodation across the UK, is bringing forward proposals to deliver a vibrant retirement community on the site of Legal & General…

3rd May 2019

Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst at Millbrook Village

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Millbrook Village retirement community to give free antiques valuations

On Wednesday 20 March, BBC TV presenters and antiques valuers Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst paid a special visit to Millbrook Village, the later living community in Exeter, to offer free…

21st March 2019

James Cobb, Jackie Usher, Dr Dawn Harper, John Kennedy, Fab Marcarian, Liam Stack

TV’s Dr Dawn Harper visits Durrants Village later living community to help launch new Assisted Living option and discuss how to live well for longer

On Saturday 19th January, Durrants Village later living community in Faygate, West Sussex hosted an event to launch a new Assisted Living package at the village, featuring a Q&A with TV’s Dr Dawn…

21st January 2019

TV’s Dr Dawn Harper visits Millbrook Village later living community to help launch new Assisted Living option and discuss how to live well for longer

On Monday 14th January, later living community Millbrook Village in Exeter, Devon hosted an event to launch a new Assisted Living package at the village, featuring a Q&A with TV’s Dr Dawn Harper…

14th January 2019

TV’s Dr Dawn Harper to visit Durrants Village later living community to help launch new Assisted Living option and discuss how to live well for longer

On Saturday 19th January, Durrants Village later living community in Faygate, West Sussex is hosting an event to launch a new Assisted Living package at the village, featuring a Q&A with TV’s Dr…

11th January 2019

National Wellbeing plan piloted at Millbrook Village sees pensioners walk twice as far as average Briton

A new national wellbeing plan for older people has been launched at Millbrook Village later living community in Exeter which has seen residents clock up more than 7 million steps in the space of just…

7th January 2019

Jane Shotliff community liaison manager at Inspired Villages

Inspired Villages appoints Community Liaison Manager for new retirement village in Kent

Inspired Villages has appointed former journalist and PR consultant Jane Shotliff as its Community Liaison Manager for its forthcoming retirement development in Leeds, Kent. The role has been newly…

11th December 2018

Millbrook Village sponsors inaugural Exeter Literary Festival

Millbrook Village sponsored the inaugural Exeter Literary Festival which took place over three days between 15 -18 November 2018. The festival was held across a range of venues in Exeter and featured…

23rd November 2018

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Bramshott Place retirement village to give free antiques valuations

On Wednesday 31 October, BBC TV presenters, valuers and auctioneers Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visited Bramshott Place to offer free antiques valuations for residents of the village and…

13th November 2018

Discover the Salutation Inn, Exeter

The Salutation Inn, just a short trip from Millbrook Village, the restaurant has received glowing reviews from critics and customers alike. We decided to pay them a visit and hear from the team…

2nd November 2018

Timothy Medhurst values some vases at Bramshott Place

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Bramshott Place retirement village to give free antiques valuations

On Wednesday 31 October, BBC TV presenters, valuers and auctioneers Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visited Bramshott Place, a later living community in Liphook, Hampshire, to offer free…

1st November 2018

Christina Trevanion values a sculpture at Durrants Village

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Durrants Village retirement community to give free antiques valuations

On Tuesday 30 October, BBC TV presenters, valuers and auctioneers Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visited Durrants Village, a later living community in Faygate, West Sussex, to give free…

31st October 2018

Inspiration for Activities with your Grandchildren

Many of us are looking forward to spending precious time looking after grandchildren and maybe even great-grandchildren. We thought we would highlight family activities located near to our villages…

25th October 2018

Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst at Bramshott Place

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Bramshott Place retirement village to give free antiques valuations

On Wednesday 31 October, BBC TV presenters, valuers and auctioneers Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst will be paying a special visit to Bramshott Place, the later living community in Liphook,…

24th October 2018

Timothy Medhurst and Christina Trevanion at Durrants Village

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Durrants Village retirement community to give free antiques valuations

On Tuesday 30 October, BBC TV presenters, valuers and auctioneers Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst will be paying a special visit to Durrants Village, the later living community in Faygate,…

23rd October 2018

Interview with Sandra Dodds of The Flower Studio

The Flower Studio visited Bramshott Place on Thursday 5 July to host a stall at the pop-up artisan food and craft market which the village held to celebrate the launch of the final phase of homes.…

8th October 2018

TV presenter Julia Bradbury joins residents on a walk through the Warwickshire countryside

Residents and staff were joined by TV presenter and walking enthusiast Julia Bradbury on a walk exploring the area around Great Alne Park in Warwickshire. The three-mile walk, which took place on 6th…

25th September 2018

Residents pose with Sue Cooper (Front Office Supervisor at Gifford Lea) and Kate Mylchreest (Storyhouse)

Inspired in Cheshire teams up with Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre in Chester

Gifford Lea showed its support for the regional arts scene by sponsoring a renowned Chester theatre. Gifford Lea teamed up with Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, one of the country’s best-loved open…

25th September 2018

Mayor of Warwick officially opens new apartments at Austin Heath

The Mayor of Warwick, Richard Eddy, cut the ribbon to mark the launch of the first apartment blocks to reach completion in phase two of the development at Austin Heath on Saturday 4th August. Guests…

10th August 2018

Toby Buckland judges gardening competition

On Wednesday 25 July, BBC gardening broadcaster Toby Buckland paid a visit to Millbrook Village to judge a gardening competition at the later living community. The Gardeners’ World and Flower Shows …

10th August 2018

Mayor of Warwick to Officially Open Austin Heath’s 8 new apartments

As the UK continues to enjoy the most sun-drenched summer in decades, Austin Heath, has been reaping the benefits of a quintessential Great British Summer, with a host of ‘traditionally British’…

30th July 2018

Austin Heath Residents raise over £350 for Myton Hospice

Residents from Austin Heath ran a gift tombola, raising over £350 alone for the hospice’s life-changing funds. On Sunday 15th July, Austin Heath sponsored the annual Myton Hospice summer fete,…

30th July 2018

Hundreds turn out to PARKFEST music festival at Great Alne Park

Hundreds of people flocked to Great Alne Park on Saturday 21st July for the inaugural PARKFEST. The event gave lucky ticket winners FREE entry to the event, which included entertainment by 4 Poofs…

30th July 2018

Great Alne Park to host exclusive music festival to celebrate opening of new clubhouse

Inspired Villages and Great Alne Park are offering people the chance to win tickets to Parkfest, on Saturday 21st July, in a special ballot. The FREE event will include entertainment by 4 Poofs and a…

10th July 2018

Dawn Harper, Gloria Hunniford and Rebecca Parker

101 Ways to Enjoy Getting Older at The Storyhouse in Chester

Gifford Lea host celebrity panel discussion with Gloria Hunniford at The Storyhouse in Chester. Over 100 people from Chester and further afield turned up to take part in a lively panel discussion…

3rd July 2018

Inspired Style at Austin Heath

Ladies turned out in their droves to Austin Heath last month, for a fashion-filled evening with fashionista Sarah Gray. Guests were welcomed with a complimentary drink and nibbles, before sitting…

21st June 2018

Great Alne Celebrates Royal Wedding

As the nation prepared for the biggest party of the year, retirement villages up and down the country didn’t shy away from embracing Royal Wedding fever on Saturday 19th May. Great Alne Park, the…

25th May 2018

Royal Wedding Garden Party In Great Alne

On Saturday 19 May, Inspired Villages Great Alne Park is hosting a Royal Wedding party to remember from 11am! The event is open to all interested to attend. The royal wedding will be shown live on a…

14th May 2018

Relive our 101 Ways to Enjoy Getting Older Event

Over 100 residents filled Leamington Spa Town Hall for our '101 Ways' event which saw Gloria Hunniford OBE join a panel including Dr Dawn Harper, Inspired Villages Chairman, Keith Cockell, Matt…

14th May 2018

101 Ways to Enjoy Getting Older Success

We are delighted at the success of our ‘101 Ways to Enjoy Getting Older’ event, held on Friday 20th April at Leamington Spa Town Hall. Attended by over 100 local residents, the discussion was…

26th April 2018

Shirley Anderson poses in her Team GB kit

Inspired Achievement for Gifford Lea's Shirley Anderson

Shirley Anderson, Village Advisor at Inspired Gifford Lea, was sponsored by parent company, Inspired Villages Group, to compete in the World Championship Long Distance Duathlon on 2nd September as…

15th April 2018

‘I want to be as active as I possibly can’

Helping others is important to The Reverend Canon John Moore. It’s what he has done for a lifetime. The 83-year-old grandfather had a distinguished career. He was made a Canon in Coventry Cathedral…

10th March 2018

A taste of things to come at Gifford Lea

A Taste of Things to Come, Gifford Lea

On Thursday 22nd February, an exclusive event for residents and foodies was held in the restaurant at Gifford Lea. Restaurant guests were joined by Mark Ellis, well known from the BBC’s the Great…

5th March 2018

A Taste of Things to Come, Austin Heath

On Tuesday 27th February, Austin Heath hosted an exclusive complimentary pop-up lunch with Paul Foster, award-winning Head Chef at Salt, Stratford-upon-Avon. Residents and local foodies were invited…

5th March 2018

Quizzing in the dark? It's snow problem for residents of Gifford Lea

An eventful evening was had by all at our monthly quiz and fundraiser when a power cut struck on February 28th. Just as the second round had finished, the event was plunged into total darkness and…

2nd March 2018

Inspired Retirement Myth-busting

Whether it’s advertising, the press, government or even those around us — it’s common that we view retirement with woes and the prospect of loneliness in later life. Here at Inspired, we are striving…

1st February 2018

Moving here was the Right Decision

The crests of four ships hang proudly in the hallway of Bob Dobney’s apartment. Each one brings back memories of the ships he served on, during a 25-year career with the Royal Navy. Bob Dobney, OBE,…

17th January 2018

Quintessentially English - England are through to the Finals

Last Friday saw England and Australia face off in the Ashes One Day International at Tattenhall Cricket Club. The prestigious fixture continues our sponsorship deal with Tattenhall Cricket Club in…

19th December 2017

Proud to Represent Team GB

Our very own village advisor Shirley will soon be taking part in The Pig Ultra Duathlon. She is extremely proud to be representing Team GB as well as the Inspired Villages team. Here's what she had…

19th December 2017

Bake Off Star Brings Festivities to Gifford Lea

It may only be October but that didn’t stop residents and guests getting into the festive spirit at Gifford Lea on the morning of the 24th. Joined by star of The Great British Bake Off, Howard…

27th October 2017

Inside Housing Development Awards

We’re delighted to announce that our Austin Heath village has been shortlisted as a finalist in the ‘Best Residential Development’ category at the 2017 Inside Housing Development Awards. The…

25th August 2017

Austin Heath welcomes first residents

John and Jean Radford were among the first to get the key to their new Inspired Villages home, set within the first phase of development at Warwick Gate. The couple, both in their 70s, who moved from…

5th April 2017

Autumn Open Day Success

Last Tuesday we welcomed visitors to Inspired Warwick for our Autumn Open Day, celebrating the progress of our phase two development. Current resident, 70-year-old great grandmother Lizzie Dunne…

25th January 2017

The retiree revolution

Nicholas John talks to David Scott-Malden, Operations Director at Inspired Villages, about how the population is ageing and how its needs can be met. We hear in the media that people are living…

4th October 2016

Designed for a new age

It’s a worrying fact that many accidents occur in the home. A fall or an accident could become a major issue and safety in the home is an important topic. Nicholas John talks to Keith Cockell about…

19th September 2016

Bungalows in the sky

Nicholas John talks to the Chairman of Inspired Villages, Keith Cockell, about the planning that goes into the design of a care village. Keith, do we perhaps have a misconception in this country…

19th September 2016

An inspiring introduction

The first in a series of articles introducing Inspired Villages, market leaders in the care village sector. Nicholas John talks to Chairman, Keith Cockell. Keith, why are you looking to publish this…

19th September 2016

Sun plays ball as Inspired and Cheshire celebrate championship win

Cheshire’s 8-wicket win over Wiltshire at Tattenhall Cricket Club (Wiltshire 166 & 233, Cheshire 303 & 98-2) as part of the Unicorns Championship was celebrated by fans and visitors last…

6th August 2016

More tea, Ern? New village hub at Austin Heath pays tribute to comedy star

Inspired Warwick is delighted to open the doors to Eric’s – a social hub for residents to meet up for a coffee, enjoy a light lunch, play bridge or any other activity they choose. Named after much-…

28th June 2016

Bungalows: A storey of decline and Inspired Solution

News of a national ‘bungalow crisis’ has been widely reported across the UK in recent weeks, with a shortage of the single-storey housing being blamed on developers neglecting the needs of today’s…

9th June 2016

Hundreds inspired by star-studded Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival

Packed audiences enjoyed an inspired day of discussions and workshops at The Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival on 30 April, which was supported for the second year by Inspired Warwick Retirement…

4th May 2016

Plans for retirement take central stage at expert forum

Retirees gathered at Rowton Hall in Chester this week to receive independent advice from a panel of experts on existing retirement trends and the future of retirement planning. Guests at the free…

7th April 2016

Inspired living - a solution to loneliness and isolation

If you’ve recently retired, been bereaved or found yourself living alone, you might be feeling isolated and lonely. If that sounds familiar, you’re one of a growing number of older people facing this…

25th February 2016

Interview with Inspired Villages' Richard Fenn

With over 30 years experience in the world's most exclusive hospitality venues, we catch up with Inspired’s Director of Leisure and Hotel Services, Richard Fenn. We catch up with Inspired’s Director…

31st January 2016

Adapting to retirement - maintaining a strong relationship

Retirement can be an exciting but challenging time for couples. If one or both of you have stopped working, your day-to-day life will change. Planning your retirement together can help make this…

25th January 2016

Show Home offers glimpse of Inspired lifestyle

Retirees in search of the luxury lifestyle will soon get a glimpse of what Warwick has to offer, when a show home is unveiled at a new retirement village coming to Warwick Gate in Heathcote. Inspired…

12th January 2016

Warwick’s first purpose-built luxury retirement village is officially the best designed in UK

A new development in Warwick has been officially lauded for having the most outstanding new retirement village design in the UK. Inspired Villages, part of the Warwick Gates LLP site at Gallagher…

12th January 2016

Topping out ceremony at Warwick

The Mayor of Warwick, Cllr Mandy Littlejohn, has laid a commemorative brick at the county’s first purpose-built luxury retirement village, to mark the latest milestone in its construction. Cllr…

3rd November 2015

Work begins on £50m retirement village in Tattenhall

Work has begun on a £50m purpose-built retirement village in Tattenhall that will offer the over 65s an ‘active and luxurious’ lifestyle. New images show for the first time how the initial phase of…

29th July 2015

Retirement villages let you lock up and leave

Taking the lead from the US, developments are springing up around the country - though they aren't a budget option. For many expats, there are compelling reasons to return to their homeland when they…

29th July 2015

Inspired Villages launches new sales suite at Warwick retirement village

Inspired Villages is inviting people from Warwick, Leamington and the surrounding area to visit its new sales suite located on the site of the retirement village, which is currently being constructed…

29th July 2015

Work set to start on luxury retirement village in Warwick

Work is set to get underway this month on a purpose-built luxury retirement village at Heathcote in Warwick. New images show for the first time how the initial phase of 49 apartments will look at…

29th July 2015

Tattenhall residents make their mark on new retirement village

Tattenhall residents are putting their own stamp on a new retirement village after taking part in a competition to name the apartments that form part of the £50m scheme. Inspired Villages, which is…

8th April 2015

News & Press

An Inspired Year...

Rise of The Golden Gap Year

Inspired Villages Group crowned Property Investor of the Year at HealthInvestor Awards 2019

Jim Buttress judges local gardening competition at Durrants Village

Hundreds turn out to Grand Opening Gala with Gregg Wallace

Inspired Villages welcomes Gloria Hunniford OBE & Dame Helena Morrissey DBE to Durrants Village for 101 Ways to Enjoy Getting Older event on 5 June, with Legal & General

MasterChef star Gregg Wallace to officially open new Clubhouse in Heathcote

Cycling to live better – for longer

Sittingbourne resident takes part in Inspired 1,000 mile cycle challenge to raise funds for MIND

Inspired Villages Group crowned Retirement Living Operator of the Year at prestigious awards event

Kingswood community is invited to view plans for Legal & General House

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Millbrook Village retirement community to give free antiques valuations

TV’s Dr Dawn Harper visits Durrants Village later living community to help launch new Assisted Living option and discuss how to live well for longer

TV’s Dr Dawn Harper visits Millbrook Village later living community to help launch new Assisted Living option and discuss how to live well for longer

TV’s Dr Dawn Harper to visit Durrants Village later living community to help launch new Assisted Living option and discuss how to live well for longer

National Wellbeing plan piloted at Millbrook Village sees pensioners walk twice as far as average Briton

Inspired Villages appoints Community Liaison Manager for new retirement village in Kent

Millbrook Village sponsors inaugural Exeter Literary Festival

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Bramshott Place retirement village to give free antiques valuations

Discover the Salutation Inn, Exeter

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Bramshott Place retirement village to give free antiques valuations

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Durrants Village retirement community to give free antiques valuations

Inspiration for Activities with your Grandchildren

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Bramshott Place retirement village to give free antiques valuations

TV antiques experts Christina Trevanion and Timothy Medhurst visit Durrants Village retirement community to give free antiques valuations

Interview with Sandra Dodds of The Flower Studio

TV presenter Julia Bradbury joins residents on a walk through the Warwickshire countryside

Inspired in Cheshire teams up with Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre in Chester

Mayor of Warwick officially opens new apartments at Austin Heath

Toby Buckland judges gardening competition

Mayor of Warwick to Officially Open Austin Heath’s 8 new apartments

Austin Heath Residents raise over £350 for Myton Hospice

Hundreds turn out to PARKFEST music festival at Great Alne Park

Great Alne Park to host exclusive music festival to celebrate opening of new clubhouse

101 Ways to Enjoy Getting Older at The Storyhouse in Chester

Inspired Style at Austin Heath

Great Alne Celebrates Royal Wedding

Royal Wedding Garden Party In Great Alne

Relive our 101 Ways to Enjoy Getting Older Event

101 Ways to Enjoy Getting Older Success

Inspired Achievement for Gifford Lea's Shirley Anderson

‘I want to be as active as I possibly can’

A Taste of Things to Come, Gifford Lea

A Taste of Things to Come, Austin Heath

Quizzing in the dark? It's snow problem for residents of Gifford Lea

Inspired Retirement Myth-busting

Moving here was the Right Decision

Quintessentially English - England are through to the Finals

Proud to Represent Team GB

Bake Off Star Brings Festivities to Gifford Lea

Inside Housing Development Awards

Austin Heath welcomes first residents

Autumn Open Day Success

The retiree revolution

Designed for a new age

Bungalows in the sky

An inspiring introduction

Sun plays ball as Inspired and Cheshire celebrate championship win

More tea, Ern? New village hub at Austin Heath pays tribute to comedy star

Bungalows: A storey of decline and Inspired Solution

Hundreds inspired by star-studded Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival

Plans for retirement take central stage at expert forum

Inspired living - a solution to loneliness and isolation

Interview with Inspired Villages' Richard Fenn

Adapting to retirement - maintaining a strong relationship

Show Home offers glimpse of Inspired lifestyle

Warwick’s first purpose-built luxury retirement village is officially the best designed in UK

Topping out ceremony at Warwick

Work begins on £50m retirement village in Tattenhall

Retirement villages let you lock up and leave

Inspired Villages launches new sales suite at Warwick retirement village

Work set to start on luxury retirement village in Warwick

Tattenhall residents make their mark on new retirement village