A Vibrant Retirement Community in the Heart of the Country

The Hawthorns, a prominent retirement living community, is located on the western approach to Northampton. This historic town offers captivating attractions and a fascinating past, notably serving as the battleground for the Battle of Northampton in 1460 during the War of the Roses Civil War era, which occurred at the Delapré Abbey site.

The modern studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments feature a kitchenette and a walk-in shower room. Balconies offer stunning views of the Northamptonshire countryside. For safety and comfort, the in-house management team is available 24/7 to provide safety and assistance.

The community provides various amenities, including a games room, indoor bowling, treatment room, nail bar, hair salon, cinema, and gym. The vibrant community encourages social interaction with its bistro and coffee lounges, offering residents opportunities to meet and unwind while enjoying the daily newspaper. A dedicated Well-being and Activities Co-ordinator also organises on-site classes, clubs, and excursions to local attractions using the community’s minibus.

The Hawthorns’ incredible range of activities has recently included a photography exhibition, which provided a platform for emerging photographers to display their impressive work and share it with the local community. Residents also explored their creative side through a pottery session, crafting beautiful items ranging from flowerpots to mugs. The Art, Film and Literature Festival featured entertainment and guest speakers who joined the Hawthorns throughout the week. A Highlight is the poetry workshop with Poet Laurate, Emilie Lauren Jones.

Emilie has performed alongside poets such as Simon Armitage, Roy McFarlane and Hollie McNish. Her poetry has been featured on local and national radio and television, and she facilitates writing workshops for adults and young people to share her love of words.

Working collaboratively with Emilie, residents Angelo, Brian, Judith and Sheila wrote ‘Under the Hawthorns’, which conveys their experience as part of the friendly retirement living community. General Manager Sarah-Lou Haskins said, “This was a fantastic workshop; we are so pleased with the final poem. Our Art, Film and Literature Festival was a great success, and we look forward to our upcoming events.”

Under the Hawthorns

By residents Angelo Amodio, Brian Redding, Judith Crabtree, Sheila Carter-Smith

I came from Bedford. I had two parks, Bedford Park and Russell Park

Northampton has many open areas, parks, many different trees, and so many greens

I like to sit at the end of the building and look out around the wood from my window

The colour green has so many different colours. The colour green is what I love the most.

I like the situation and closeness of the countryside

Where I can breathe deeply and relax my mind

When Marvel and I first arrived, we talked, we walked together

And discovered new places and experiences

I was devastated when Margaret died

But the new places we discovered together

Act now as a memory jogger and keeps her near me

Nature gave me a life of balance

And an escape from daily pressures of modern living

I’m reading my paper a murmuration of coffee drinkers

Laughter and the grind of the coffee machine

We sit in a circle and sing

A not so heavenly choir, but we’re in unison for the moment

Someone upset, distracted, a little bit lost

The young girls are gentle and kind

Peaceful in my room, a book, music, contentment

Acceptance of what is

Down in the bistro, buzzy and bright

Drinking the coffee, no sugar, just white

I sit with the others and chatter and think

My coffee gets cold, so it goes down the sink

We’d tell of the stories of days long ago

And sometimes, with coyness, a photo will show

Time passes quickly, and time for the food

We eat, then we’re drowsy, and we all feel good