Killarney Homes’ latest park, in Nottinghamshire, strikes a perfect balance between town and country

Words Clare Kelly

There’s birdsong in the air and ducks waddling across the lawn. In the lake, fish skate along just under the surface, their scales glinting in the morning sun.

A jetty presides over the lake and perched on it, a bistro-style table and chair beckons you to sit down with a glass of wine and watch the world go by. Walk along a little further and see the gardens abundant with pops of pink and purple – petunias, fuchsias, roses. Cheering yellow dahlias stretch up tall from their beds as sparrows dart back and forth to the bird table in search of crumbs.

The cluster of ducklings scatter naughtily away from their mother. One cheeky coot makes a dash for an open door and the possibility of a sneaky breakfast bite. Nature is abundant but, though we feel as if we are in the depths of the countryside, we are not in the middle of nowhere.

The Best of Both Worlds

We are on the outskirts of Calverton, Nottinghamshire and the city centre of Nottingham is just 10 miles away. There’s a bus stop right outside the park which takes you to the surrounding villages and into the city. Sitting between a golf course and stunning countryside, with the village providing essential amenities as well as several pubs and restaurants, the park has the best of both worlds.

Killarney Homes’ Willow Park is a sanctuary – not only for wildlife – but for the community who lives here. As we walk around, we meet the gardener who gives a cheery wave, a neighbour says ‘good morning’ and a small waggy-tailed dog who is walking to heel with its owner. For those of you looking for a quiet place to live, you might just have found it – and your dog is welcome too. You could have two! Or a cat and a dog!

This gated community is designed exclusively for the over 45s and each home has a secluded garden and a private drive with space for two cars. Killarney Homes works in collaboration with the Stately-Albion group; you can choose from the latest models, including the Arundel with full height, floor-to-ceiling windows, the Windsor, with bay windows and the Woburn with feature cladding and an inset front door.

And, in early 2018, the Park will also be welcoming homes from Prestige & Homeseeker Park and Leisure Homes.

A Family Affair

Killarney Homes has a long history; the company was established in the 1970s by the same family who still runs the business today. In the offices, there’s an original map of their first park – hand drawn by David Kellam, who founded that park with his wife Sheila. The business was then passed onto their son Gary and today it’s run by his son and daughter, Alex and Sophie.

When I arrive at Willow Park I am met by Sophie who looks after the day-to-day running of the park. As we walk around, she is stopped frequently by people wanting to know if she enjoyed her holiday in Portugal. “Nice tan!”, one says.

But here, every day feels like a holiday. There’s a sense of calm and tranquility that isn’t easy to find and some lucky residents have already moved in. Another 30 plots are currently being developed and it’s Alex who is running that operation.

Sophie says: “We’re still a small family business, but we pride ourselves being small enough to care and experienced enough to cope. With only 10 staff, it’s all about rolling up our sleeves and getting stuck in.”

Eco-Credentials

The residents have embraced ‘village’ life with the addition of a communal allotment and chicken run – perfect for those who like a fresh egg in the morning! There is a natural feel about the place and personality is encouraged – the homes are all arranged to make the most of the natural space and there’s no sense of being regimented, which makes the park all the more attractive.

Willow Park’s residents have embraced the ‘village’ life atmosphere with the addition of a communal allotment and a chicken run

For those interested in the Eco-credentials, there’s plenty of those, too, with the water supplied to the homes sourced on site from a natural spring which is better for the environment and saves you money, too.

Willow Park surely attracts those who are seeking more than just a place to live – it’s a place you’d be proud to call home.

Contact Us

Address

Killarney Homes
Moor Farm
Moor Lane
Calverton
Nottingham
NG14 6FZ

Telephone 0115 965 2426

Website killarneyhomes.co.uk