Hampshire Couple Relocate to Rivers Edge and Uncover 260-Year-Old Family Tie
Drawn to the charm and convenience of a walkable market town, Mike and Eleanor Fletcher relocated from Hampshire to Rivers Edge – and soon discovered it was where Eleanor’s ancestor was born in 1764.
After living in a quiet village in Hampshire for 25 years, Mike and Eleanor decided they wanted to move to somewhere that was better placed – but still within an hour of Mike’s golf club in Basingstoke.
“We made a list of market towns that were an hour from Mike’s club, that he was a founding member of, so it was important that he could still reach that easily. We also knew we wanted a new build, as we didn’t want to take on any big projects,” said Eleanor.
After looking at new build homes in Shaftesbury, on their way home they stopped at Rivers Edge in Wimborne. While having a coffee in the town square, they decided that Wimborne was where they wanted to live.
“We saw the Wyatt development as we were leaving the town and we instantly knew we wanted one of their homes. Even though we were meant to be downsizing, we fell in love with our five-bedroom home. It’s ideal when we have family to come and stay and Mike gets a room for his model railway layout and I work from home so one is a study too,” added Eleanor.
“The homes made a fantastic first impression,” said Mike. “You can see the quality outside and feel it as soon as you step in.”
After their first visit to the development, Eleanor found out that she had a historical connection with the town: “It felt like our move to Wimborne was meant to be. While searching my iPhone for “Wimborne” to find the photos we’d taken of the new homes, an old image appeared: a snapshot of handwritten family‑tree notes I’d forgotten about. I’d taken it years earlier when helping my mum move home, and it recorded that a William Cox – my four times great grandfather – was born in Wimborne in 1764.
“On our next visit to the town we went into Wimborne Minster aiming to research birth records and the church warden knew of my ancestor William and showed us the house he’d lived in. It felt like a full circle moment.”
Now happily settled, the couple recommended our development to a neighbour in Hampshire, receiving a £500 thank‑you under Wyatt Homes’ referral scheme.
“After living next door for 25 years, we now live down the road in our new homes in a great location,” said Eleanor.
Nestled along the tranquil banks of the River Stour and just a short walk from Wimborne Minster, Rivers Edge offers a rare blend of luxury, location, and lifestyle. The development is ideal for professionals working in Bournemouth, around 12 miles away, together with those needing to reach either Christchurch or Poole on a daily basis.
Prices currently start from £700,000 and there is £35,000 cash back on selected homes. To find out more visit: https://www.wyatthomes.co.uk/riversedge