Gradwell Park by Retirement Villages

09/09/2025

Find out more at: https://www.retirementvillages.co.uk/about-us/careers/

03/09/2025

The Thursday Murder Club released last week across cinema and Netflix and we gifted some lucky winners tickets to the release! La-Vern, Brian and Madeline from our Debden Grange village went to watch it along with friends and here was La-Vern's review! 🍿

"Having read the book, written by Richard Osman, I was interested to see the film.

The cast looked very promising with Helen Mirren as Elizabeth, Pierce Brosnan as Ron, Celia Imrie as Joyce, and other talented actors.

The residential home as a theatre for action and intrigue seemed unlikely until you realise that these people had all had very diverse lives and the clientele a force of life experience.

The story began with a group of 4 who met up to try to solve murder crimes from the past that had never been resolved. Very quickly they had their own murder and became a group fighting for their own existence as the owner was hell bent on selling the property to build new houses on the site, with very little thought for the current residence.

The Thursday Murder Club matched the determination and lack of respect for the law shown by the owner and the result was a witty and sometimes hilarious story with enough interest to keep you going until the end. Thoroughly enjoyable." 💚

03/09/2025

The rain is looking to take a break on Saturday so we are looking forward to a dry spell for our Summer Fair! Just 3 days to go!

02/09/2025

Thinking about joining one of our Discovery Days this September?

If you’re feeling unsure about what to expect, you’re not alone, and that’s exactly why we’ve created a short video just for you.

Our Discovery Day: Start to Finish film gives you a friendly introduction to the calm, enjoyable and personal experience that awaits. With no pressure and a relaxed atmosphere, you’re free to explore at your own pace.

Meet our team 👋🏻
Enjoy one-to-one tours 😊
Start the day with refreshments ☕
Chat informally with residents and like-minded people 💚

Watch the video and read the blog to discover helpful tips, insights, and the full journey of a Discovery Day! https://www.retirementvillages.co.uk/open-days/

29/08/2025

28/08/2025

The Thursday Murder Club is out on Netflix - and we can't wait to watch it! 📽️

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman is a witty, heartwarming mystery set in a quiet retirement village where four unlikely friends - Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron - meet weekly to dig into unsolved crimes. When a real murder lands on their doorstep, they swap puzzles for police work, proving it’s never too late to solve a mystery… or cause a little mischief!

Let us know your thoughts on the movie by leaving your comment below. 🤩

22/08/2025

Here at Gradwell, we are proud to support local hospices by raising funds at our summer fair, one of these is Ste Peter & St James Hospice. This Summer, St Peter & St James Hospice in Mid-Sussex is celebrating 50 years of providing expert care to adults with life-limiting illnesses and those close to them. The hospice, which serves the areas of Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Lewes, Uckfield and the villages in between, has maintained the same vision throughout the decades; ‘to provide the best possible care, in the right place, and at the right time, to everyone who needs us’. If you would like to find out more or donate to their appeal, please visit their website: www.stpjhospice.org

20/08/2025

"Coopers Chase is full of the great and good, people who have done something or other with their lives. It's really a lot of fun. There's someone who helped design the Channel Tunnel, someone who has a disease named after them and someone who was the ambassador to Paraguay or Uruguay."
- Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club

Like Cooper's Chase, our retirement communities are home to people from all walks of life, each with incredible stories, experiences, and achievements. They're communities as vibrant and diverse as the lives within them.

The community featured in Richard Osman's best-selling books is actually based on a real retirement village, and the stars of the book inspired by the residents he spent time with there. Our latest article follows a journalist from Good Housekeeping who spent time with the real life residents who inspired the stories. Read more on our blog here:
https://www.retirementvillages.co.uk/thrive-life/purposeful-living/retirement-lifestyle/the-real-thursday-murder-club/

"What I’ve learned is that this community is definitely not about ‘retirement’ – not in the conventional sense, in any case. What I can see is growth. And joy. And it’s pretty damn inspiring."

19/08/2025

The Thursday Murder Club Countdown - A Day at the Open Air Theatre!

Today, residents at The Wyldewoods by Thrive Living enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Open Air Theatre to see The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes as guests of the amazing team at Storyhouse, thanks to our partnership.

This also marked the launch of our Thursday Night Murder Club theme month here at the village, with more themed events to follow. What a fun way to start, and a lovely day out with great company and plenty of laughs. 💛

18/08/2025

“It was a community, and in Ibrahim's opinion that was how human beings were designed to live. At Coopers Chase, anytime you wanted to be alone, you would simply close your front door, and anytime you wanted to be with people, you would open it up again. If there was a better recipe for happiness than that, then Ibrahim was yet to hear it.”
― Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club

We are delighted to begin our 10-day countdown to the official release of The Thursday Murder Club film! Based on the best-selling series of novels by author and TV personality Richard Osman, the story follows the adventures of four friends living in a retirement community similar in many ways to our own villages. Using their unique backgrounds and life experience, this group set out to examine cold cases, but end up solving real life mysteries.

Starring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie, the film will be released on Netflix on the 28th of August and will have a limited cinema pre-screening on the 22nd. Over the next 10 days, our communities will be hosting themed events, discussing the series and attending screenings.

We will keep you updated here, so please do check back regularly for more!

18/08/2025

Last week we were delighted to unveil the name of our latest sustainable Integrated Retirement Community in West Malling: The Russetts, (Thrive Living in West Malling) as part of the topping out ceremony which was celebrated with the local community.

The name, chosen by members of the community, reflects the area’s rich apple growing heritage including at the adjacent Maceys Meadow, as well as Kent’s symbolic status as the leafy garden of England.

Community is at the heart of everything we do and we’re proud to be integrating with and supporting the local area:

🏫 Inspiring and teaching local West Malling CofE Primary School & McGinty Language Centre primary children about architecture and construction
🏏 Supporting Town Malling Cricket Club with sponsorship and club house renovations
🍜 Sponsoring the Kent Food Festival
🌱 A landmark partnership with local charity Communigrow.org.uk to deliver a therapeutic gardening initiative focused on improving mental and physical wellbeing for older adults and those with long-term health conditions

A huge thank you to everyone who is bringing this incredible project to life. We’re proud to be creating spaces that support wellbeing, community connection, and long-term environmental responsibility.

Find out more about The Russets here:
https://www.retirementvillages.co.uk/our-villages/west-malling-kent/

14/08/2025

Today we’re at The Priory by Retirement Villages for our Great Communities, Amazing Lives campaign, hearing Olive’s story. Olive is getting her hair and make-up ready and set for her time in front of the camera.

We’re sharing the experiences of our residents and giving a glimpse into the warmth, friendships and everyday moments that make life in our villages so special.

Find out more about life at our villages here: https://www.retirementvillages.co.uk/about-us/

13/08/2025

🎥Capturing Village Life🎬

We’re out filming our Great Communities, Amazing Lives campaign at Blagdon Village by Retirement Villages, The Priory by Retirement Villages and Roseland Parc by Retirement Villages.

This shoot is all about showing the warmth, energy and joy that fill our villages every day. We’re celebrating the wonderful stories, passions and experiences of our residents, and how these make our communities such special places to live.

Find a community near you here: https://www.retirementvillages.co.uk/our-villages/

05/08/2025

Discover Thamesfield at Our Open Day – 14th August 2025
Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire | 10:00am – 2:00pm

Want to know more about retirement living? Join us by the river this summer to explore Thamesfield by Retirement Villages – an elegant, independent community in a stunning riverside setting.

Enjoy a warm welcome, guided tours, homemade refreshments, and the chance to meet residents and staff who make Thamesfield feel like home.

In the words of one resident, “Don’t stop and think about it, just come.”

Whether you're exploring for yourself or a loved one, we’d love to meet you. Find out more about our Thamesfield open day and book your place here:
https://www.retirementvillages.co.uk/events/thamesfield-event/

31/07/2025

🎥 Behind the Scenes at Cedars Village! 🎬

We’ve just wrapped up filming a new Open Day video at Cedars Village, offering a glimpse into what you can expect at an Open Day across any of our communities.

From welcoming teams and guided tours to conversations with residents and a feel for village life, the finished video will bring the experience to life for anyone considering a visit.

Thank you to everyone at Cedars Village by Retirement Villages and the wider team who took part, we’re looking forward to sharing the finished film soon!

Find out more about our Open Days here:
https://www.retirementvillages.co.uk/events/

22/07/2025

Come rain or shine, Join us for our summer fair! It is free entry, food & drinks available to purchase and we recommend you bring card and cash to make sure you can purchase from all stalls! This year we will be supporting Friends of Sussex Hospices

14/04/2025

Thinking of joining us at an open day?

From friendly faces and cups of tea to stunning homes and vibrant community life — these open days are all about discovering what retirement can really look like. Whether you're curious for yourself or helping a loved one plan their next chapter, it’s a lovely, pressure-free way to explore the lifestyle on offer.

Think chats with residents, strolls through beautiful gardens, and a real feel for community life.

📍Find your nearest community and pop along — you might just fall in love with the idea of your future self living here! https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0jbL3D0

10/04/2025

The future of retirement living is net zero, and we’re proud to be leading the way.

At Retirement Villages, every new development is designed with sustainability at its heart. From greener homes to thriving, eco-conscious communities, we're building a future that’s better for people and the planet.

Our commitment? Net-zero living that supports a more sustainable, connected, and positive later life.

Read how we’re making it happen ➡️ https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0jbSPz0

25/12/2024

🎄✨ The Best Gifts Are Moments Shared ✨🎄

This Christmas, we're taking a moment to reflect on our incredible communities and the people that make them shine.

To our residents, living fun, sociable, and independent lives, you are the heart of everything we do.
To our dedicated teams, your passion and care make it all possible—you are the magic behind the moments.
And to everyone who helps us create great communities where people can thrive.

From all of us at Retirement Villages Group, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ✨

14/12/2024

There’s just one week left to take advantage of our FREE Support Your Move Package, worth £1,000, available with every property purchase across our communities, nationwide.

This exclusive offer includes:
✔️ Expert Downsizing Support: Practical help to organize, plan, and settle into your new home.
✔️ Relocation Assistance: From managing change-of-address tasks to safely delivering cherished items, we’ll take care of it all.
✔️ Stress-Free Setup: We’ll connect your utilities, internet, and more to ensure a smooth transition.

Offer ends 20th December. Start your next chapter with confidence. Let us handle the logistics, so you can focus on enjoying your new home and community.

Find out more here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0dW27k0

03/12/2024

Your New Chapter Made Simple

We’re offering our Support Your Move Package—worth £1,000—completely free with every property purchase across our communities, nationwide.

Here’s what’s included to make your move stress-free:
✔️ Downsizing Support: Expert help to plan your space and organise your belongings.
✔️ Relocation Assistance: From managing change-of-address notifications to delivering cherished items, we’ve got you covered.
✔️ Practical Moving Help: Get connected with internet, TV, and utilities—all set up and ready for you.

Available until 20th December, this is the perfect opportunity to start planning your next chapter. Let us handle the details while you enjoy the journey into your new home and community.

Find out more: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0f73Fw0

25/11/2024

We know that moving in retirement can feel overwhelming, so we’re here to help. Our FREE Support Your Move Package, worth £1,000, is designed to make the process simple and stress-free.

Here’s what’s included:
✅ Expert guidance for downsizing (or rightsizing)
✅ Relocation assistance tailored to your needs
✅ Practical support to help you settle in quickly

Available until 20th December.

Let us take care of the logistics, so you can focus on settling into your new home and community. To find out more visit https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0dW1Xl0

18/11/2024

Five days to go until our Gradwell Christmas Fair! Opportunities to get some of the Christmas presents for loved ones or yourself! And enjoy some festive treats, live singers at 1pm and free entry for all!

06/11/2024

🌿 Staying connected in retirement 🌿

Retirement brings time for new experiences, and keeping in touch is a big part of enjoying it. Our latest blog shares simple tech tips for retirees—from video calls to online communities—that can help you stay connected with family, friends, and new interests.

At Botanical Place, we’re glad to be part of this supportive community. Find out more here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0dq9FY0