When Clare and Phil began searching for their next home, they weren’t looking for a new-build. Instead, the retired couple wanted to downsize from their four-bedroom home in Sarisbury Green while remaining close to the River Hamble, the walks they loved and the local community they had called home for many years.

After visiting Bargate’s show home at Admirals Green in Warsash, however, their plans quickly changed. By reserving one of the first homes at the development early in the build stage, Clare and Phil were able to personalise many aspects of their new three-bedroom detached home. From the kitchen and flooring to worktops, cupboards, fitted wardrobes and upgraded appliances, they were able to create a home perfectly suited to their lifestyle.

Clare said: “We weren’t particularly looking for a new-build, but as soon as we walked into the show home, it just felt like home.”

The couple moved to Admirals Green, the final phase of Bargate’s Rivercross development, earlier this year after spending months searching for the right property. Although they have downsized, Clare and Phil say their new home feels surprisingly spacious thanks to its thoughtful layout, generous storage and practical design.

Phil explained: “The clever design has genuinely surprised us. The moment you walk through the front door, the entrance hall creates a wonderful feeling of space. Then you discover all the storage, from the generous cupboards and fitted wardrobes to the large garage. We’ve downsized from a much bigger house, but we’ve never felt that we’ve had to compromise.”

One of the biggest advantages of reserving early was the opportunity to tailor the home to their own tastes through Bargate’s Customer Experience Centre. Working alongside Bargate Experience Centre Coordinator, Tamsin, the couple carefully selected their preferred kitchen, flooring, worktops, and finishes, and also chose to upgrade to a double oven, which has become one of Clare’s favourite features.

Clare said: “Being able to choose everything ourselves made such a difference. The choice was overwhelming at first, but Tamsin guided us through all the options and made the whole experience enjoyable. One of the best decisions we made was upgrading the oven. Having a double wall oven, instead of two singles, has freed up valuable storage space and therefore provided me with more worktop space.”

The couple have also been impressed by how easy their new home is to maintain compared with their previous property.

Clare added: “It’s a very easy house to look after. Everything has been well designed, and it’s easy to keep clean and tidy.”

Remaining in the local area was equally important. Admirals Green allows them to continue enjoying everything they loved about Warsash, from walks along the River Hamble and the Solent to nearby shops, cafés and everyday amenities.

Phil said: “We’ve lost none of the lifestyle we enjoyed before. We’re still close to the river, the walks and everything familiar to us, but now we have a home that’s much easier to manage.”

Since moving in, Clare and Phil say Bargate’s customer care has exceeded every expectation, with the sales, construction and customer care teams providing continued support throughout their move.

Phil said: “It’s not just a house that’s on offer, it’s all the backup that goes with it. Nothing seems to be too much trouble. Everyone we’ve had contact with has been so personable, and everything we were promised has been delivered.”

Admirals Green is the final phase of Bargate’s award-winning Rivercross development in Warsash, offering a collection of energy-efficient homes close to the River Hamble, village amenities and the South Coast.

Find out more about Admirals Green here.

We enjoyed a successful first appearance as an exhibitor at this year’s New Forest & Hampshire County Show, welcoming hundreds of visitors to our stand over the three-day event.

The impressive stand was designed in partnership with our Southampton-based interior partner, The Garden Society, who also create Bargate’s award-winning show homes. The idea was to give visitors a genuine flavour of a Bargate home, showcasing our signature interior design, specification and attention to detail. Beautiful floral displays by Blooms completed the welcoming space.

Visitors were invited to relax with a complimentary alcohol-free refreshment from the bar, pick up a Bargate dog lead for their four-legged companions and explore our interactive map highlighting our current and forthcoming developments across Hampshire and the New Forest.

These included Shepherds Green in Hordle, Heritage Place at North Stoneham Park, Admirals Green at our award-winning Rivercross development in Warsash, Horizon Wood in Pennington, along with a number of exciting new communities due to launch over the coming months.

Our team also welcomed New Forest District Councillor David Penny, who stopped by to find out more about Bargate’s growing portfolio of developments.

Visitors also had the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a luxury four-piece rattan garden furniture set, which proved to be one of the most popular attractions across the event.

Mark White, Managing Director at Bargate, said: “The New Forest Show gave us a fantastic opportunity to meet people face to face, introduce Bargate to new audiences and showcase the quality and character that runs through all of our developments. We were delighted by the response and would like to thank everyone who visited our stand. We look forward to returning next year.”

Bargate has welcomed retiree Christine as one of its proud homeowners at Rivercross in Warsash. Aged 70, Christine moved into her four-bedroom detached home in June last year and has spent the past year settling into both her new home and a thriving community.

A retired lawyer, Christine previously lived in Devon but decided to relocate back to Hampshire to be closer to her two daughters. “I originally retired down to the South Hams near Modbury, which was beautiful, but it never stopped raining,” she explained. “I’m a keen golfer and I was ready to hang up my waterproofs! My daughters live locally, and I wanted to be near them again. As soon as I drove into Rivercross, I knew this was the place. It wasn’t cluttered or overwhelming like some of the very big estates. It just felt right.”

Her daughter, who used to work for a small property developer, had already heard of Bargate’s reputation and recommended that Christine look at Rivercross. “She said Bargate had a really good reputation and that I should definitely visit. And she was right. When we turned into the development, I immediately had a good feeling. There’s a sense of space here that you don’t find everywhere. The houses aren’t on top of one another, there’s green space and pathways throughout, and you can see the big skies. It just has a lovely feel.”

Christine purchased her home for £495,000, mortgage-free, after selling her previous property. “I’ve bought three new builds in my lifetime and this is by far the best experience I’ve ever had,” she said. “Bargate’s customer service is beyond good – it’s unbelievable. Nothing is too much trouble, you always get an immediate response, and the fact that Bargate use their own team rather than outsourcing to other trades makes such a difference.”

Her new home features a front-to-back kitchen-diner with bay window, a separate living room and four bedrooms upstairs. Christine has made it her own by installing large fitted wardrobes in the master bedroom and landscaping her south-facing garden. “My garden is very generous, and I’ve since added a large patio and raised beds where I grow tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, strawberries and raspberries. I absolutely love it,” she said.

Lifestyle was a huge part of Christine’s decision to buy at Rivercross. A keen golfer, she plays at Cams Hall Estate Golf Club near Fareham regularly and enjoys the pool and spa facilities there too. She also takes daily walks with her little dog, Mitzi, down to the quay – just ten minutes away. 

“It’s such a lovely area for me and Mitzi. We walk by the water every day. There are three pubs within walking distance, cafes, and a coastal path that takes you to a beautiful riverside restaurant for special occasions, called Riverside Social. I used to swim in the sea too, but now I use the pool at my golf club. And with the new footpath soon to connect to Locks Heath shopping centre, I’ll be able to reach Waitrose, the chemist and more within 20 minutes on foot. I like to keep active, and it’s wonderful being able to pop out for essentials without driving my car.”

The community has also made a big difference. “The neighbours are wonderful – lots of families and I’ve met numerous single ladies like me. We’re very sociable and go for cream teas, pub lunches, and even have a ferry trip across to Hamble planned next. I can honestly say, it’s the nicest place I’ve ever lived. It’s got everything I need here. It really is lovely and the people here are so welcoming.”

Rivercross is nearing completion with the final phase, Admiral’s Green, now underway. For your last chance to be a part of this community, there are a handful of homes available at Herons Quarter and Marlow Walk – or register early for Admiral’s Green by clicking here. 

Bargate has proudly welcomed three promising graduates from the local area into key roles across our design, development and planning departments at our Hampshire head office. The latest investment in graduate recruits signals our long-term commitment to addressing the construction sector’s escalating skills shortage. 

Felicity Jenkinson‑Hutchison from Hedge End and Jenni Hardy from Salisbury have joined the business as Design & Development Graduates, while Elise Hutton from Petersfield has joined the Land & Planning team as a Graduate Planner. Each brings fresh perspectives, creativity, and determination to help deliver the homes local communities need.

Mark White, Bargate’s Managing Director, said: “The construction industry continues to face a skills shortage, while the government’s target is to build 1.5 million new homes in England. There is much work to be done to encourage new talent to increase the workflow of these new homes. We are proud that our talented graduates are actively responding to the government’s call for new homes, working right across the pre-construction complexities of residential development.”

Felicity Jenkinson‑Hutchison, a University of Portsmouth graduate in Property Development BSc, has recently started working on the upcoming Southleigh Park site. Having previously worked at a national housebuilder, she brings experience and a fresh perspective. Felicity said, “I’ve already learnt so much – the role here has opened my eyes to the full complexity of pre-construction. It’s exciting to be growing alongside Bargate as the business itself evolves.”

Jenni Hardy, who studied Interior Architecture & Design at the University for Creative Arts in Farnham, joined Bargate in May and is already contributing to a range of active projects, including its new development in Pagham, Marlow Walk in Warsash, and Heritage Place, North Stoneham Park. Jenni said, “This has been a steep and exciting learning curve – everything is new, and I’m gaining hands-on experience from day one.”

Elise Hutton graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Geography and joined Bargate in March. She is now working closely with the Land and Planning team, supporting new sites including Whiteparish and Medstead. Elise said, “Planning was a leap into the unknown for me, but I’ve found an incredibly supportive team and a role that’s both challenging and rewarding.”

As part of its wider talent strategy, Bargate is committed to creating a sustainable, skilled workforce. The company works closely with suppliers to ensure they have the business visibility to train apprentices, and it actively engages with schools to raise awareness of the broad range of careers available in the construction sector.

Mark White, added: “It is immensely rewarding to see young people from the local community working on our live developments, but the whole industry needs a better, more reliable workflow to make construction a more attractive proposition for career choices.”

For further information about our Bargate family, values, and championing local talent, click here.

We’re proud to share that we’ve donated £5,000 to Victory Hall in Warsash to support essential facility upgrades. Our funding will specifically contribute to the provision of a new accessible toilet within the foyer, ensuring all hall users can benefit from improved facilities.

Located in the heart of the scenic village of Warsash, Victory Hall has been a vital hub for local events, social gatherings, and recreational activities for 50 years. However, recent assessments highlighted the need for improvements, particularly the addition of an accessible toilet that is easily reached by all users. Our contribution will help fund these vital enhancements, ensuring the hall continues to serve as an inclusive space for the community.

Mark White, our Managing Director, said: “We are committed to supporting the communities where we build, and we’re pleased to contribute towards these facility upgrades at Victory Hall. With our nearby Rivercross development in Warsash, it’s important to us that we play a role in strengthening local amenities for both new and long-standing residents.”

Mike Ford, Trustee of Victory Hall, said: “The donation from Bargate Homes is a fantastic boost to our improvement efforts. The addition of a fully accessible toilet and the upgrade of existing facilities will make a real difference for our users. We’re incredibly grateful to Bargate Homes for their support in maintaining and enhancing this valued community space.”

Victory Hall is undergoing a phased programme of improvements. The work includes a new accessible toilet in the foyer, upgrades to the existing toilet facilities, and additional general storage. Construction is set to begin at the end of March, with completion expected in the summer.

The hall is located less than a mile from our flagship and award-winning Rivercross development. Located off Brook Lane, this idyllic community features a range of two- to four-bedroom energy-efficient new homes, all in a sought-after coastal location.

We have unveiled a refreshed brand and launched a bespoke website to acknowledge our rapid growth and status as a 5* HBF housebuilder.

bargatehomes.co.uk is the first asset to be unveiled in the comprehensive suite of marketing materials that is currently undergoing a rebrand. In the coming months, new look brochures, signage, digital displays, adverts, marketing suites and show homes will be launched to fully showcase the refined new look.

Bargate’s refreshed brand focuses on modern heritage and timeless elegance. A capital B has become our new logo emblem, with crisp imagery emphasising the importance placed on design, craftsmanship, and the commitment to enhancing the local landscape.

Mark White, Managing Director of Bargate said: “We concluded the 2024/5 financial year by delivering the highest number of homes and turnover in our history. 250 energy-efficient houses and apartments were handed over to customers, while our growth trajectory is supported by live planning applications equating to a total gross development value in the region of £460m. I am immensely proud that we have also achieved a five-star rating in the Home Builders Federation (HBF) Customer Satisfaction Survey.

“Entering our 20th year was the trigger that prompted us to embark on a strategic marketing review and really consider everything our brand needed to reflect. With Bargate having grown and evolved over recent years, we set out to elevate our brand style and our 24/7 shop window – which is essentially what a website is – to meet the heightened aspirations of this brilliant business and our customers.

“Since 2006, we’ve been committed to building exceptional homes that put people and quality first. As we embrace the future, we do so with a renewed identity that reflects our continued dedication to craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and community-focused development.”

The new logo embraces Bargate’s heritage, featuring a bespoke font inspired by the architectural elements of our distinctive porches. The identity extends into flexible design elements that reflect the individuality of every Bargate home.

Andrew French, Sales and Marketing Director for Bargate, added: “Central to our brief for this brand refresh was for our website and marketing assets to illustrate the hand-picked exclusivity of owning a Bargate home. We’re known for our prime developments in aspirational locations, designing beautiful spacious family homes that blend into their scenic surroundings, and the huge emphasis on personalised care that we put into every customer journey.

“While Bargate’s brand has evolved, our mission remains the same – to create homes that stand the test of time, enriching the landscapes and communities we are privileged to be part of. We couldn’t have reached this milestone without our valued customers and partners.

“Through everything we do and communicate, we want to make it clear that a reservation signals the point at which we take a new customer under our wing and look after their greatest asset.”

The brand refresh and website design were undertaken by Basingstoke-based design studio The Escape. The bespoke website has been designed to be customer-focused and intuitive to navigate and explore across smart phones, tablets and computer screens.

Earlier this year, we received the 2025 Outstanding Achievement Award for Customer Satisfaction from In-House Research, together with an overall Gold Award. In-House Research’s newly released Annual Benchmark indicates where by all housebuilders who participate in the comprehensive customer survey stand, compared against an average benchmark score. Bargate consistently scored above the benchmark in every category. In the ‘would you recommend to a friend’ category, Bargate scored 98.8%.

We recently started onsite enabling works for our 100th development. Major developments where homes are currently available to purchase include Heritage Place at North Stoneham Park in Eastleigh, our flagship site Rivercross located in Warsash, and Norton Chase in Lovedean. New developments will be launched later this year.

Bargate was one of the first SME housebuilders to join the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) Register of Developers, which offers our customers increased peace of mind and enhanced protection.

At Bargate Homes, we’re incredibly proud to share that our Marketing Executive, Bryony Brennan, has successfully completed her Digital Marketing Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Chichester, earning a 2:1 Bachelor of Science (BSc).

Bryony has been an integral part of our team for over two years, working closely with our sales department to enhance the marketing and promotion of our residential developments. Her academic journey was made possible through the Government’s ‘Move’ apprenticeship funding scheme, with us fully supporting and funding the final stage of her four-year course.

The degree required Bryony to balance her studies with her role, spending one day a week at university while applying her knowledge directly to her work with us. She managed successful events and created engaging social media campaigns, strengthening the Bargate brand across multiple platforms through effective branding strategies.

Her hard work and commitment culminated in her graduation ceremony in February 2025, held at the historic Chichester Cathedral.

Bryony Brennan, Marketing Executive at Bargate Homes, said: “Balancing work and study over the past four years has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful for the support from Bargate Homes, which allowed me to gain hands-on experience while developing my skills through the degree. Graduating at Chichester Cathedral was a proud moment, and I’m excited to apply everything I’ve learned to my role and future career.”

Matthew Lunney, our Sales & Marketing Manager, added: “We are incredibly proud of Bryony’s achievement. Investing in our team is vital to the continued success of our business, and Bryony’s development is a testament to the opportunities available for growth within our company. We look forward to seeing her career flourish even further.”

The Digital Marketing Degree Apprenticeship is designed to equip individuals with in-depth knowledge of digital marketing strategies, tools, and platforms. Delivered by the University of Chichester, the course blends academic study with practical workplace application, ensuring graduates are fully prepared for the demands of modern marketing roles.

As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in January 2025, we remain committed to supporting the professional growth of our team. Investing in people is key to delivering high-quality developments and exceptional customer service.

Currently, we are delivering several residential developments across Hampshire, including our flagship Rivercross development in Warsash. With additional phases under construction, such as Heron’s Quarter and Marlow Walk, and plans approved for up to 155 homes in Hordle, our dedication to creating high-quality, community-focused housing continues to drive us forward.