Wooed by the charm of rural England, nature lovers James and Gladys Thomas are revelling in their new life in Derbyshire having spent more than a decade living and working in the Middle East.
The married couple spent 12 years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), renting accommodation in Abu Dhabi and other locations, while James was employed as a head of brand operations and Gladys as a marketing executive. By contrast, today they live in their own house at a brand new development in the village of Holmewood. Purchased in 2023, their home is just 5-10 minutes south of Chesterfield and 30-40 minutes from the edge of the famous Peak District national park.
“We loved the Middle East, but after 12 years abroad, we wanted to move back to the UK,” said James. “My mother and siblings live in Chesterfield, and I’m from the area myself, so our development was perfect. As much as I loved the UAE, this part of England has always been home to me. Yes, we loved the heat and the glamour of the UAE, but honestly we’d really started to crave that rural English feel.”
Gladys, who is originally from the Philippines, hadn’t previously lived in the UK, but has quickly fallen in love with the diversity of the seasons and the lovely woodland walks that surround the couple’s new home.
“It’s wonderful to see the variety of colours and weather patterns throughout the year,” said Gladys. “I know people aren’t always keen on the colder weather, but I’d never even seen snow in real life until I came here, so for me, it’s all magical!”
A qualified master scuba diver, shark conservationist and all-round outdoor enthusiast, the variety of outdoor activities available in the wider Derbyshire area was a big draw for James: “Right on our doorstep there are brilliant spots for climbing, hiking, swimming, biking – you name it. At the same time, the development is close to the M1, which makes it ideal for getting out and about to the surrounding cities. We can visit our family without having to catch a flight! After years abroad, that’s really something special.”
Looking for a smooth, stress-free move over from the UAE, the couple were attracted by the benefits of buying a brand new home that was ready for occupying.
“We wanted rural surroundings, but we also wanted the comforts of modern living, particularly because the ongoing maintenance costs are lower in new houses,” continued Gladys. “There is better sound insulation and they are more economical to heat. More than that, we didn’t want to have to any DIY: with our new home, we could move straight in.”
Added James: “After 12 years of renting apartments in Abu Dhabi, there’s something wonderful about coming home to something you own. There’s a sense of fulfilment and purpose to it, not to mention a feeling of comfort and satisfaction in having things arranged the way you want them. We’ve settled in well and couldn’t be happier. We’ve got everything we want here, and it’s wonderful to be back home again.”
The Thomases home is at Thorpe Meadows, a new development consisting of three and four-bedroom homes in Holmewood, Chesterfield, with prices starting from £199,995.
Holmewood is well-equipped village with shops, a pharmacy and an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ primary school, while other everyday needs are satisfied by neighbouring North Wingfield. Less than five miles away from Holmewood is the historic market town of Chesterfield, where you can find a range of chain and independent shops and eateries, as well as the famous open-air market.
Thorpe Meadows is conveniently located for commuters with easy access to surrounding towns and cities including Mansfield, Nottingham, Derby, and Sheffield. The developments also has easy access to the Five Pits Trail, an off-road route packed with wildlife and natural beauty and ideal for walking, running, and cycling.
