Luxury Independent Living in Braintree

Built at the prestigious Meadow Park site, a short distance from the historic market town of Braintree, the Hawthorns retirement community offers residents a charming, vibrant, social atmosphere close to a range of local amenities and surrounded by the beautiful countryside.

Providing a unique style of all-inclusive retirement living, the Hawthorns Braintree offers a choice of elegant studio, 1-bed, and 2-bed apartments, all with a kitchenette and shower room. A simple monthly rental covers all living costs, weekly housekeeping, bed linen and towels laundry, maintenance, all utilities, council tax, three restaurant meals and refreshments throughout the day.

The Hawthorns provide a free programme of daily activities and entertainment to keep the mind and body active and to support residents to stay healthy. There is always something to look forward to, with monthly talks from guest speakers, entertainment from talented musicians, line dancing classes, and activities such as gardening, knitting, and sporting pursuits. Residents recently enjoyed a day of classic cars displayed in the Hawthorns grounds, finding out the history of each vehicle, with some even taken for a spin. A much-anticipated monthly event is ‘Saturday Night at the Hawthorns’, a packed evening with live entertainment and complimentary refreshments to enjoy as residents and guests join in.

There is a minibus for shopping trips and excursions to venues such as Andrewsfield Aerodrome in Stebbing, Great Dunmow, and Braintree District Museum, which conserves and celebrates the history of Braintree and its surrounding areas, focusing on the district’s industrial and cultural achievements.

Scenic drives through the beautiful Essex countryside on our minibus lead to Sudbury, Chelmsford, Bishops Stortford, Rayne, and Finchingfield for shopping and sightseeing or Great Notley Country Park, 100 acres of open space, including a fishing lake, wildflower meadows, and the Skylark Café.

Friends and family are always welcome to visit and often join the community for meals and events, and the private dining room is a popular choice for hosting birthdays and celebrating anniversaries or other special occasions. The Hawthorns residents are proud to play an active role in the local community, with many raising money for charities during events. There is always something to get involved with, and you will often find residents and guests catching up with a drink in the coffee lounge or taking some time out to choose a new book from the library. There is a cinema for film screenings and a salon offering a range of hair and beauty treatments.

The Hawthorns Braintree is led by married super-duo Paul and Sandra Tripney, who have proven themselves as driving forces of innovation for the Hawthorns’ retirement living communities for more than ten years.

Having spent three years at the Hawthorns Clevedon in several positions, the couple relocated to the Hawthorns Braintree in 2012 for temporary Assistant Manager assignments while awaiting visas to work for the Hawthorns’ original parent group in the USA. Plans soon changed, though, and they stayed in Braintree, becoming General Managers in 2015. Their enduring presence at the helm is a testament to their exceptional dedication and ongoing contribution. With a supportive management team, Paul and Sandra oversee the Braintree community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “It’s the business philosophy of putting our retirees first and aiming for 100% resident satisfaction that has appealed to us throughout our Hawthorns career,” says Paul.

Paul and Sandra are keen runners and have participated in half and full marathons for the Hawthorns Braintree’s nominated charity of the year on numerous occasions. Aside from the Hawthorns and fundraising for charity, Paul and Sandra have a tremendous passion for scuba diving. Having been fortunate enough to dive worldwide, they delight in sharing their experiences and underwater photographs with residents after each new adventure.

Accredited with the prestigious Hospitality Assured Award, Braintree offers restaurant-quality dining, freshly prepared meals served using seasonal, locally sourced produce to provide balance and variety. Having been shortlisted as finalists in two categories in the 2022 Avery awards, the staff team at Braintree were delighted to be the winners of the Food and Beverage Service Team award. As part of the Avery Healthcare Group, the Hawthorns recognises and celebrates excellence, passion, and hard work as an integral element of their values.

Led by Head Chef Grant Burton and Sous Chef Terry Clark, the culinary team at Braintree provide a restaurant-standard experience. New residents are welcomed to a meeting to discuss dietary requirements, and menus are created and amended using suggestions gathered from resident feedback.

Commenting on the services provided by the culinary team, one resident stated, “Our Head Chef and kitchen staff are all very hardworking, cheerful, and always have a smile. They know your name and are a happy team working together well.”

Speaking of the awards, General Managers Paul and Sandra said, “We are both extremely proud of the Food and Beverage team for winning this award across the whole of the Avery group. We have an amazing team dedicated, committed, and 100% focused on ensuring our residents are happy, healthy, and thoroughly enjoying living at the Hawthorns Braintree.”

The team provide a warm welcome to individuals from various locations, with Braintree encompassing both luxury and independent living – the perfect combination for those looking to spend their retirement years in a safe, comfortable environment.

Call 01376 335500 for a free information pack, or visit our Facebook page to see more of our activities and events.