For Jim and Anne Mitchell, the Holiday Property Bond (HPB) is more than a way to take holidays – it has become part of everyday life.
When Jim first joined HPB in 1987, he was simply looking for a better way to holiday. What he didn’t realise was how much that decision would shape his family’s experiences for decades. Today, Jim, 83, and Anne, 65, rarely travel outside the Bond.
“We very seldom take non-Bond holidays,” Anne says. “HPB is just… what we do.”
The couple live in Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. Jim ran his own business before retiring, while Anne, a former civil service project manager, now focuses on painting and hiking. Their 26-year-old twins, Callum and Claire, grew up returning to HPB properties year after year.
Anne joined the Bond after marrying Jim and quickly saw its appeal. Their first holiday together, at Barnham Broom in Norfolk, stood out for its space, comfort, and quality.
Over the years, the Mitchells have explored HPB locations across the UK and Europe, from Northumberland and the Lake District to Mallorca, southern Spain, and Madeira. Many of these trips took place while the twins were growing up.
Closer to home, Tigh Mor in the Trossachs holds particular significance. “It was the first holiday we took with Claire and Callum, then newborn,” Anne recalls. “And it’s an amazing place as an artist; the scenery is endlessly inspiring.” It remains a favourite for hiking, art, skiing, and family gatherings – including Christmas 2025.
“It really suits all generations,” Anne says. “That’s not something you find everywhere.”
As Callum and Claire grew older, HPB remained part of their lives. Both now book their own holidays through the Bond. For Callum, it also became a place of work when he took on a role as an Activities Co-ordinator at the Kids’ Club in Madeira.
“That’s a fantastic aspect of the Bond: the friends you make,” he says. “There’s a real sense of community.”
Consistency is another reason the Mitchells return. “Because of HPB’s refurbishment policy, nothing ever feels tired or dated,” Anne says. “You can go back somewhere after several years and it still feels fresh and well looked after.”
“We’re creatures of habit,” Anne laughs. “Every June or July, you’ll find us at Santa Rosa in Lanzarote for a proper dose of sunshine, and a chance to catch up with some of the lifelong friends – both British and Spanish – we’ve met through HPB. Part of the pleasure is returning somewhere familiar, slipping into holiday mode almost immediately, and knowing exactly what you’re going to get.”
Looking back, Anne reflects on how naturally HPB became part of family life. “It’s where the children grew up holidaying. It’s where we go back to again and again. And now they’re using it themselves,” she says. “It’s become part of our family story.”
What began as a practical decision has grown into something more enduring: shared memories, familiar places, and a way of holidaying passed from one generation to the next.
“It’s not just about where you go,” Anne says. “It’s about knowing that wherever you choose, it will feel like coming home.”