FINDING SPACE, VIEWS AND VILLAGE LIFESTYLE AT GATCOMBE ORCHARD, WRINGTON
After more than 20 years living in central Bristol, Dawn and Mark were ready for a new chapter. Having moved from a Victorian terrace in Totterdown, they were looking to step away from the pace of city life and towards something calmer without compromising on quality, character or connection.
Dawn first arrived in Bristol as a graduate, buying her first apartment in the city centre before later moving to the much-loved Victorian home she and Mark would renovate and live in for 16 years. But as Mark, a chef at a local school, began thinking about retirement, the couple realised the time was right for a change. Dawn had a clear idea of what she was looking for, a low-maintenance new-build home and to feel part of a community.
“I knew I didn’t have another renovation in me,” Dawn laughs. “I wanted a quality new build in a friendly village.”
And Gatcombe Orchard ticked every box – and then some.
“You may think this is a little odd, but I wanted to live on a hill,” Dawn says. “And we found just that at Gatcombe Orchard. The views across the Mendips are just amazing. Even on an overcast day they’re incredible, and since moving in, we’ve seen the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets.”
The couple first discovered Wrington during lockdown, heading out for a countryside drive
a
nd visiting the Mother Hen cafe. Originally from the North, Dawn was drawn to the warmth of the village.
“I wanted somewhere friendly, the kind of place where if you say hello, people say hello back. Wrington really felt like that. It’s a genuinely welcoming community.”
Their new home has been carefully designed for modern living and offers versatile space with visiting family in mind. A generous layout provides plenty of flexibility, with an additional bedroom that doubles as Dawn’s home office and a snug complete with a sofa bed.
“It means we can easily have family to stay,” Dawn explains. “My parents can visit, and Mark’s son too. There’s space for everyone without feeling cramped.”
Coming from a period property, ceiling height was also important. “We were used to high ceilings, and we haven’t felt like we’ve lost that at all,” Dawn says. “The only downside is I need a stool to reach the top cupboards in the kitchen!”
Having viewed other new-build developments, Gatcombe Orchard stood out to Dawn and Mark. “So many new-builds felt like the living spaces were just too small,” Dawn says. “Here, there’s real space. We actually first visited an Acorn site Bucklands Place Nailsea before the show home here opened, which gave us confidence in the quality of finish.”
Location played a big role too. With Dawn often travelling for work, easy access to the motorway was essential.
“Getting to the M5 from where we lived before could add so much time onto a journey,” she says. “From here it’s so much easier and we can also still be in Bristol city within 25 minutes.”
The move has also been a big win for Bramble, the couple’s dog. Surrounded by countryside, woodlands and coastal walks nearby, there’s no shortage of adventures ahead.
“The walks are going to be brilliant,” Dawn says. “We’re really looking forward to exploring the woodlands. We already spent a lot of time in the countryside before moving, and now we’ve got places like the Mendips on our doorstep, plus Burnham-on-sea, which is a fantastic dog beach, isn’t far away.
While the moving process took a little time, Dawn says the support from the Acorn team made all the difference.
“Everyone has been so helpful throughout. They always had time for my questions, and since moving in, the team have been great — anything we’ve needed has been sorted straight away.”
Dawn and Mark are excited to fully embrace village life. Dawn, a keen runner, is already enjoying the surrounding trails and plans to join the local trail running club. There are also brewery tours booked at Butcombe in Wrington village, just a short walk away.
“It’s a short 10 to 15 minute walk to the village, and that’s at dog pace,” Dawn adds, “with plenty of stops for Bramble to sniff everything along the way.”
For Dawn and Mark, Gatcombe Orchard has offered exactly what they were looking for: space, scenery, community and a place that feels like home both now and for the years ahead.
If you’re looking to make a move, explore Acorn Property Group’s Gatcombe Orchard and discover the available homes.
The Show Homes are open Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and Saturdays by appointment.
