We’re on a mission to help the nation love where they live. While this often means supporting home buyers and sellers on their journey to their dream home, it also involves helping homeowners – who already love where they live – through the remortgaging process.
The PLS team understands what it means to make a house a home. And so, in this series, you’ll find out why our team members love where they live.
Already, we’ve spoken to our head of HR, Sarah, about her beautiful family home in Worsley. Today, we’ll hear from our CRM Lead, Ella Boothroyd, who is brimming with praise for her hometown of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.
“I’ve lived in Berkhamsted most of my life,” shares Ella. “I’m really grateful to call this place home. I moved away to Australia when I was younger because I wanted to spread my wings. I had itchy feet, I suppose. But the whole experience made me realise just how much I love Berkhamsted. It’s an amazing place to live.”
Since returning from Australia, Ella has been proud to call this picturesque market town her home. She initially bought a flat on the outskirts of Berkhamsted. Then, two years ago, she and her partner moved into their current property: a two-bed barn conversion.
“I looked at so many places before we found this one,” she shares. “Everything else we’d seen previously lacked heart or was too small. I walked in, and I just knew this property was the one. It felt right, warm and cosy. It just felt like home!”
While Ella and her partner searched far and wide for their current home, they were always adamant that it would be in Berkhamsted. With its pretty cobbled streets, bustling town centre and idyllic countryside surroundings, it’s easy to see why the pair are so happy here.
“Berkhamsted is definitely a unique place. It has the community feel of a village, but it’s incredibly lively and vibrant at the same time. There’s a beautiful quaint high street with so many amazing shops, and everyone knows everyone. For example, even when I go into the local Costa, they know my coffee order – and my Dad’s too!”
She continues: “The town is also just thirty minutes on the train to central London, but it has the most stunning countryside and beautiful canal-side walks. It’s the kind of place where people come to live and then don’t ever leave.”
While Berkhamsted might not be the size of the city, it is undoubtedly just as bustling. Between weekly farmers’ markets, a stream of seasonal events at the stylish Ashridge House and the quintessential British high street, there are plenty of things to do.
“I love going for walks along the canal. There’s a little village called Northchurch with lots of nice coffee shops,” she says. “You can walk from there into town, stopping off at the pub along the way. Then, along the high street, there’s a beautiful antique shop set across three floors, with an amazing coffee shop at the top called Black Goo.”
“There’s also a lovely florist and champagne bar for special occasions like Mother’s Day – not to mention the boutique shops! There’s one called Amalie, which is just lovely. And, of course, there are so many amazing pubs and restaurants throughout town.”
Looking to the future, Ella and her partner are certainly very happy in Berkhamsted. However, with plans to have a family on the horizon, she considers their barn more of a starter home than a forever one.
“I love where I live, but I think we will only be in our current home for a little while longer. There will be family talk, and we will need something a little bigger – but still in Berkhamsted, of course!”
If you’re interested in remortgaging your property, contact the PLS team today. Our dedicated team of specialists can help you remortgage with confidence.
To be in with the chance of winning an Amazon Alexa, Ikea Voucher or Bloom and Wild Flowers to make your lovely home even more lovely, take part in our Love Where You Live competition here.
