Over a relatively short time span Emma McCaffrey’s has gone from being “very much a London girl”, embracing all the excitement the city has to offer, to solo parenthood in Winchester.
“I really thought I would die in London,” she said. “My life has completely turned on its head, and I have ended up a provincial housewife. The thing is that I love it, and I don’t regret anything.”
During her London years Emma built a high powered career, ending up as head of events for a major media company.
“I really embraced all the things you can do in London,” she said. “I love newness and being at the cutting edge, so culturally I really did use the amenities and there is always something new in London. I enjoyed the diversity and the atmosphere.”
Things changed when, well into her thirties, Emma had her first child. She was able to negotiate to work part time, but still felt torn between spending time in the office and time with her baby. When she had a second daughter she decided to quit altogether.
With a young family Emma found herself spending more time with her parents, who live in Winchester, and began to toy with the idea of moving down to be closer to them. Eventually she and her ex agreed to rent out the two bedroom terrace they owned in Acton, and rent in Winchester, just to test the water.
“I didn’t look back,” said Emma, now 47. “This was not part of my life plan, and not something I ever thought I would do, but I found I really liked being close to nature and to the sea, with my family around.”
By 2017 Emma was convinced enough to decide to sell the London house, for £720,000, and buy a property in Winchester. Her choice was a detached, five bedroom 1930s chalet bungalow with a quarter acre garden which cost £950,000. “We could never have afforded anything like it in London,” she said.
In 2022 she and her husband split. The house was sold and they have both since bought separate properties in Winchester. Emma lives in a three bedroom terrace close to the girls’ school. “I step out of my house and all I can see is meadows,” she said.
During the divorce Emma found a great deal of solace in being outside and in exercise. The comfort it gave her encouraged her to set up her own business, Move With Emma (@move_with_emma) running outdoor exercise classes and online training sessions. “I rebuilt myself with exercise and I wanted that for other people,” she said.
When not working Emma spends time with her girls, Esther, ten, and Penny-Wren, eight, and still makes regular trips to London - less than an hour away by train.
“I am completely happy now,” she said. “I love being in nature and being by the coast. I really look forward to the winter because of the cold water swimming. I go to bed at 8pm or 9pm and read because my daytime is more precious to me than going out. My life is really wholesome.”
