People living in some of Nottingham's most historic homes have described life as "dreamlike". The Dorothy Boot Homes off Main Road in Wilford were built in 1908 for veterans of the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny, conflicts fought by the then British Empire from 1853-1856 and 1857-1859 respectively.
The 11 almshouses were a form of charitable housing for recovering troops who could make use of its clubroom and library, and were paid for by Nottingham magnate Jesse Boot, who named them after his daughter. The homes have seen internal refurbishments over the years but have not lost their charm, with a plaque proudly stating the mission of the attractive Edwardian properties.
With the veterans long gone, the almshouses have been rented out and sold, creating a unique and close-knit community among the more than 100-year-old homes. Georgina Hale, 54, who has worked for Boots for 35 years, said she had jokingly asked if she could get one of the homes for free after working for the pharmacist giant for three decades.
