• Testimonials

You never forget your first steps onto the property ladder, and for Paige and Lewis, the moment they found their home at Kingsfleet marked the beginning of a long-awaited new chapter. 

For Paige and Lewis, having spent over a year living with family and outgrowing their space, they were ready for somewhere to truly call their own… a home that offered not just more room, but the freedom to settle, grow, and build a future together. With the right support at the right time, their journey led them to Kingsfleet, where that vision quickly became a reality.

A place to call ‘our own’

Before moving to Kingsfleet, we were living with Lewis’ family — sharing the smallest room in the house for just over a year. It worked as a stepping stone, but we knew pretty quickly that we wanted a place of our own; somewhere with the space to actually settle and grow into. That was really the driving factor for us. We weren’t just looking for a house that suited us right now — we wanted somewhere with room for our family to expand, and the kind of home we could spend years putting our stamp on.

Finding the perfect fit

Kingsfleet ticked every box for us. It offered genuinely good value for money in a location that just worked for our lives. With my partner working in Bury St Edmunds and me needing easy access to the A11 to get down to London, the connectivity was a huge factor — and honestly, when we compared it to other developments in the area, nothing else came close on the combination of location, price, and what you actually got for your money. Hopkins Homes stood out as the right choice at the right spot.

Navigating the first milestone

This was the first house either of us had purchased, so we leaned on the Hopkins Homes sales team — Kiera and Lacie — quite a lot, and honestly, we couldn’t have asked for better. From the very first viewings they went above and beyond: taking the time to really understand our

situation, talking us through everything as first-time buyers, and ultimately finding us a deal that meant we could move in a full six months earlier than we’d thought possible. They kept us in the loop at every step, and whenever an issue cropped up — as things inevitably do when you’re buying a house — they helped keep us calm and walked us through it. As first-time buyers, having that kind of support made all the difference.

Support when it mattered most

The biggest challenge we hit during the process was actually with our solicitor — and it really highlighted how important picking the right one is. Throughout it all, Lacie and Kiera were brilliant. They made sure we always understood exactly what the issue was and what was being done to resolve it. Whenever we called, they took the time to talk things through properly, kept us informed, and helped us figure out the next steps. Their advice genuinely helped us prevent the sale from falling through — and honestly, I don’t think we’d be in our house today if it hadn’t been for them.

The moment it became real

Moving in was such a great day for us. Walking through the door and realising this was our home felt completely surreal. We’d watched the house go from a brick box with a mud pit of a back garden to a finished home we could actually live in — so to step inside as the owners was an amazing feeling. That first moment, seeing the welcome gift waiting for us, the huge stack of paperwork, and a hundred moving boxes piled up around us, is one I don’t think we’ll ever forget. It was the kind of moment that only really happens once.

Room to grow

We picked The Oak because it was exactly what we wanted from a first home. It has two generously sized bedrooms plus a third room that comfortably works as my office — and would equally work well as a third bedroom down the line if we ever need it. That flexibility was a big draw for us. The living room is big and spacious, and the garden genuinely surprised us; it bucks the stereotype of new builds having tiny outdoor spaces, and we’ve got plenty of room to actually enjoy it. It’s a home that suits us now and gives us room to grow into it, which was exactly what we were looking for.

The details that make a difference

What’s surprised us most is how well the house functions day-to-day. Little things you don’t really clock on a viewing become apparent once you’re actually living somewhere — the way the rooms hold their warmth, how quiet the house is, the quality of the kitchen and bathroom finishes. It all feels considered. Coming into a brand-new home, everything just works, and that’s been a really nice change after where we were before. The finish throughout feels a step above what we’d expected, and it’s the kind of place that feels easy to live in from day one.

Expert knowledge, exceptional care

The people around us on the Kingsfleet estate have been great. We’ve mostly stayed around the Hopkins Homes side of the development, and our dog absolutely loves the walks around the site. The site managers, Barry and Michael, are amazing — they genuinely feel like part of our extended family. They’re always polite and pleasant, and you can tell they’re actually happy to see you; it’s not the fake kind of nice you sometimes get. Lacie has since moved on from our site, but Kiera has continued to be there for any questions or issues we’ve had. Kiera’s happiness and her knowledge of any issue have made all the difference — and thanks to her, I’d have complete faith in buying a house from her and the Hopkins Homes team again.

The site has also recently been recognised for its high standards, with Kingsfleet site manager Barry Illman receiving a 2026 NHBC Pride in the Job Award. These awards are widely regarded as the highest accolade for site managers in the UK housebuilding industry, selected following rigorous inspections to celebrate those who demonstrate exceptional leadership, health and safety, and meticulous attention to detail during the construction process.

Nature on the doorstep

The dog area behind the development has been amazing for us. It’s well kept, clean, and properly enclosed — which mattered hugely as we’ve got a four-month-old puppy. Knowing she’s safe and secure while she’s still learning was actually a real selling point for us when we were choosing the development. Beyond the site itself, the location is brilliant. We’re so close to Thetford Forest and the King’s Forest for proper walks, and you’re only about an hour from some genuinely beautiful beaches. It’s the best of both worlds — somewhere quiet and green to come home to, with plenty to explore on the doorstep.

Why We’d Do It All Again

Looking back, the best part of the whole experience has honestly been the people. Buying our first home was always going to be a big step, and going from sharing the smallest room in my family’s house to owning a place with the space to grow into could have been overwhelming — but the team at Hopkins Homes made it feel manageable every step of the way. Kiera and Lacie in particular are the reason we’re sitting in this house today; their support through the solicitor issues genuinely saved our sale, and their warmth made the whole journey feel personal rather than transactional.

Would I recommend Hopkins Homes at Kingsfleet? Absolutely — especially if you’re lucky enough to be dealing with Kiera and Lacie. The house itself is everything we were looking for, the development is well looked after, the dog area and surrounding green spaces are a huge bonus, and the location strikes the right balance between quiet and connected. For any first-time buyer who’s on the fence, I’d say this: pick the right team, and the rest takes care of itself. We did, and we couldn’t be happier. To find out more about the new homes available at Kingsfleet, Thetford visit: Kingsfleet, New Homes in Thetford, Norfolk | Hopkins Homes

*Paige and Lewis received a gift voucher as a token of our appreciation for their time and participation in this case study / testimonial. If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact us at stories@untypical.co.uk.