Childhood Sweethearts Find Family's Forever Home At The Pitchings
26 Oct 2015

Childhood sweethearts Ben and Emma Walker found their family’s forever home at The Pitchings, in the charming Oxfordshire village of Steventon.

The couple met when they were in their late teens, married five years ago and now have two young children. But they feared they would never find a property in the little community where they had set their hearts on settling down together.

Their prayers were answered when award-winning housebuilder Linden Homes delivered the collection of two, three, four and five-bedroom properties just off The Causeway, the famous cobbled pathway that runs through the village.

Before becoming the very first household to arrive at The Pitchings, Ben (29) and Emma (30) lived with their children, Zachary (2) and – briefly – new-born Isobel in a small three-bedroom house just nine miles away in Compton.

“Steventon has always been a village we wanted to live in,” explained Ben. “We both grew up around here and when I was younger I used to be a postman, which gives you a good feel for the area.

“But nothing ever came up to buy – which I suppose says a lot about the village in that nobody ever wants to move away. Steventon has the advantage of being a quiet village but it’s close to several towns and also to our families.”

Ben, who runs his own events company, Zenn Events, from their new home, admits a new-build property was not on their initial tick-list, until a friend of his father’s alerted them to the opportunity at The Pitchings – and is now one of their neighbours.

The development was still a building site when Ben and Emma arrived for the first time, but Ben remembers: “Almost as soon as we saw it we wanted to put down a deposit. Somebody else had it already, though – but that fell through and we were able to buy it.

“All the space is well thought out and it is space that we actually use rather than those areas that sometimes just get ignored.”

Ben added: “On the day we moved in we were completely overwhelmed and excited. It felt like home straight away. The garden still surprises me every time I walk through it – it’s just so big. Friends and family are amazed when they visit. We’re just over the moon with the build quality.

“When you have kids everything is about them. We have stretched ourselves to buy here but it’s so good being out in the country and the home ticks every box.”

The Walkers are the latest additions to Steventon’s well-established community, which boasts a range of facilities including a primary school, shops, several popular pubs and restaurants, a village hall and recreation ground, and an award-winning bakery.

Approximately 10 miles south of Oxford, and between the towns of Abingdon, Didcot and Wantage, Steventon is well placed for travelling by road via the A34, M4 and M40, and by rail from Didcot Station. From here excellent rail services link to Reading and London, with the journey time to London Paddington taking approximately 45 minutes.

Steve Garton, Linden Homes Thames Valley’s sales and marketing director, added: “I’m so glad we were able to provide a home for Ben, Emma, Zachary and Isobel in the place where they really wanted to live.

“Steventon has so much going for it – beautiful surroundings, connections and a strong community. I think The Pitchings is a perfect place to enjoy this special lifestyle and we wish the Walkers all the best for their new life here.”

For more information on the new homes available at The Pitchings call 0844 644 8253.

-ENDS-

Media can contact Claire Oakley or Kelly Ward at Remarkable Content on 01962 893 893 for more information, images and interviews with Linden Homes.

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