Meet Pete & Polly
The story behind Casa Lara
A Little About Us
We’re Pete and Polly — teenage sweethearts from opposite ends of England, one from Sussex and one from Yorkshire.
We married at 21 with a fairly simple plan: work hard, enjoy life and make the most of the opportunities that came our way.
Life took us to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, where we raised our daughter, Lara, and filled the years with family life, horse riding, golf and plenty of European holidays.
Frequent visits to family in France had already planted the idea that perhaps, one day, life abroad might be part of our story too.
We always knew we wanted to spend more of life somewhere sunny.
One Weekend Changed Everything
In 2016, Pete spotted an advert in a golf magazine for properties on golf resorts in Murcia and we booked what was meant to be a simple inspection weekend.
Three days after arriving, we bought a villa…
It was spontaneous, exciting and, as it turned out to be, one of the best decisions we ever made. Over the years, Murcia became our second home. We returned whenever we could, bringing friends and family and exploring a little further on every visit – discovering beaches, restaurants, historic towns, golf courses and plenty of hidden corners along the way.
From Holiday Home to a New Life
Back in the UK, our careers were becoming increasingly demanding and both involved a great deal of travelling.
When Covid arrived, life became busier than ever. Pete was working in banking on the government business lending schemes, while Polly was involved in major construction projects, including the Nightingale facilities. That intense period made us rethink what we wanted life to look like. The dream of living in Spain, which had been quietly sitting in the background for years, suddenly became much more important.
After plenty of planning, paperwork and preparation, we made the decision to leave the UK and begin a new chapter in Murcia.
Sometimes the right time to change direction simply becomes clear.
And Then Came Casa Lara
Having spent so many years holidaying in the area, we knew exactly what we valued in a place to stay — somewhere comfortable, relaxed and easy to settle into from the moment you arrive.
Casa Lara is our way of creating that experience for other people.
We wanted it to feel like a real home from home: somewhere for slow breakfasts on the terrace, sunny afternoons by the pool, evenings exploring local restaurants and days spent discovering everything the Mar Menor has to offer.
And, of course, it had to be called Casa Lara, after our daughter.
Why We Love It Here
Beaches & Sunshine
From the calm waters of the Mar Menor to the Mediterranean coastline, there always seems to be another favourite spot waiting to be discovered.
Golf & The Outdoors
Golf & the Outdoors Golf may have brought us to Murcia in the first place, but the year-round outdoor lifestyle is one of the reasons we stayed.
Food, Places & People
Long lunches, local markets, historic towns and relaxed evenings out are all part of what makes this corner of Spain so special to us.
We Hope You Will Love Casa Lara Too
Casa Lara is more than simply somewhere to stay. It’s part of a place that has meant a great deal to our family for many years.
Whether you’re coming for the sunshine, golf, beaches, good food or simply some time to relax, we hope you feel at home here and enjoy discovering this wonderful part of Spain as much as we have.
Pete & Polly
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