- The United Kingdom boasts numerous high-quality rural, semi-rural and urban retirement villages
- Many communities offer flexible care options to support your independence if your health needs change
- Choosing a retirement village can allow older adults to enjoy a vibrant lifestyle without worrying about home maintenance
Whether you’re looking to downsize in your local area or fancy a complete change of scene, moving to a luxurious retirement community can allow you to lead an independent lifestyle with the convenience of on-site amenities. Many retirement villages in the United Kingdom offer some of the facilities you’d expect from a high-end hotel, including on-site spas, restaurants and gyms. Some communities also provide flexible care services to support residents with healthcare and domestic tasks.
Choosing the right retirement community is an important decision, and it’s worth comparing a few options to find the best fit. Below, you can find out about the United Kingdom’s best rural, semi-rural and urban retirement communities.
SolStock / Getty1. Audley Cooper’s Hill
The Audley Cooper’s Hill1 retirement village sits nestled in 67 acres of manicured grounds in the Magna Carta Park in Surrey. The imposing Victorian Gothic building houses stylish, self-contained retirement flats, with many offering views of nearby Windsor Castle. On-site amenities include live-in care services, a restaurant and a fully equipped health centre.
Audley Cooper’s Hill has all the facilities older adults need to live a vibrant and active lifestyle, including a putting green and tennis courts. RHS Wisley, Windsor Great Park and the renowned Cliveden House National Trust property are also just a short drive away.
2. The Croft
The Croft2 is a modern and chic retirement community in the charming village of Bourne, Lincolnshire. The accommodation consists of luxurious, fully accessible bungalows with a choice of one, two or three-bedroom properties. The community welcomes buyers aged 55 and over and generally accepts members with pet cats and dogs. Residents can enjoy exploring the landscaped courtyard and gardens with a lovingly restored manor house at the centre.
The Croft is designed for independent retirement living and offers a 24-hour emergency monitoring service. It boasts a wide range of amenities, including a community library and clubhouse. It’s also within walking distance of local bus services, GP practices and shops.
3. Gittisham Hill Park
Gittisham Hill Park3 in Honiton in Devon is the ideal retirement village for older adults craving a peaceful retreat. The community boasts an enviable position on 12 acres of beautifully maintained parkland and offers stylish, low-maintenance bungalows with either one or two bedrooms. Although the village is designed for people looking for an independent lifestyle, it provides regular cleaning and emergency care services.
One of Gittisham Hill Park’s primary benefits is its supportive community, and plenty of resident-run hobby and interest groups are available. There’s a clubhouse complete with a restaurant and an outdoor terrace, ideal for enjoying a drink or meal with friends. Minibus transport is also available, providing easy access to the charming town of Honiton and the nearby Devon coastline.
4. Audley Nightingale Place
Audley Nightingale Place4 in Clapham, London is the perfect choice for those who love the vibrancy of city life but want the convenience of retirement village facilities. This slick and contemporary complex contains a range of elegant apartments with generously sized living areas. The highly trained staff can offer a care package to meet residents’ needs, from occasional help with domestic tasks to full-time, live-in care.
The luxurious Audley Club is the community’s hub and offers a range of luxury facilities, including a swimming pool, spa and cinema. An on-site restaurant and bar offer an ideal spot to socialise with loved ones. Clapham South tube station is right on the doorstep, providing excellent transport links to the rest of London.
5. Hampshire Lakes
Hampshire Lakes5 is a vibrant retirement community near the lively town of Yately in Hampshire. It’s an ideal setting for older adults who love spending time outside, and the manicured gardens and extensive grounds are the perfect places to unwind and exercise. A communal greenhouse is available along with allotments for green-fingered residents to grow plants without the maintenance commitment of a garden.
Hampshire Lakes caters to a wide range of care needs, and its team provides domestic, on-site care and emergency response services. The accommodation includes contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments as well as state-of-the-art shared facilities. On-site amenities include a bistro-style restaurant, wellness centre and library.
6. Burrstone Grange
If you’ve often fantasised about coastal living, the Burrstone Grange6 community may provide the perfect sanctuary for your retirement. Situated in the Lancashire district of Thornton-Cleveleys, this chic retirement village is within easy reach of the Fylde coastline. Nearby, residents can enjoy countryside walks in the stunning Wyre Estuary Country Park or a day out in Blackpool.
Burrstone Grange caters exclusively to people aged 60 and older and features stylish, low-maintenance apartments and advanced security and safety systems. It offers delightful facilities for socialising with friends and family, including landscaped grounds, a community lounge and a luxurious guest suite.
7. Richmond Letcombe Regis
The Richmond Letcombe Regis7 retirement community boasts an enviable rural location in the Berkshire Downs in Oxfordshire, just a short distance from the historic town of Wantage. The village offers luxurious, hotel-style one and two-bedroom apartments, and suites are also available with a lifestyle package covering meals, utilities and domestic tasks.
The village includes a picturesque lodge cafe and community store with a thatched roof, and its well-maintained grounds offer access to the nearby nature reserve. If residents’ needs change, an on-site care home offers high-quality health and dementia care and in-home domiciliary services.
8. Audley Clevedon
Audley Clevedon8 is a sophisticated retirement village in Ilkley, Yorkshire. The community specialises in luxurious, maintenance-free apartments centred around the impressive Clevedon House property, which was once a Victorian schoolhouse. The Audley Clevedon care team offers personalised care packages to suit resident needs, and the village prides itself on supporting its community members to live independently and make their own care decisions.
One of Audley Clevedon’s standout features is its elegant communal facilities. The Clevedon Restaurant serves delicious seasonal dishes made using local ingredients in opulent surroundings, and a health club with a spa, fitness suite and swimming pool is on-site. Audley Clevedon’s location affords easy access to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the nearby town of Ilkley.
9. Signature at Ascot
Signature at Ascot9 offers high-quality health, dementia and respite care in luxurious and homelike surroundings for those who need more support with daily living activities. Each hotel-style room includes an en-suite bathroom and a private terrace, perfect for relaxing with a cup of tea in the sunshine. The enrichment team provides a range of enjoyable, social activities, including sports, arts and crafts and music sessions.
Signature at Ascot’s holistic approach to retirement living includes nutritious and tasty food, and residents can enjoy communal meals prepared by expert chefs and served in the elegant dining room. The complex is just a stone’s throw from the world-famous Ascot racecourse and sits within easy reach of Maidenhead, Slough and Bracknell.
10. Miami House
The Miami House10 retirement community is ideal for older adults who enjoy the convenience and excitement of city life. This slick, modern apartment complex contains tastefully decorated one and two-bedroom flats and accessible amenities. It’s less than a mile from the city of Chelmsford in Essex, which boasts excellent transport links into London.
Chelmsford is packed with attractions and beautiful open spaces, including the historic Highlands House and Chelmsford Cathedral. The renowned Tropical Wings Zoo is also just a short drive away, ideal for days out with visiting grandchildren. For those who prefer to stay closer to home, the on-site bistro restaurant and comfortable communal lounge are perfect for relaxing with loved ones.
11. Durrants Village
Durrants Village11 is a picturesque retirement community near Horsham in West Sussex that offers contemporary apartments and cottages. Its idyllic parkland setting includes a private lake against the breathtaking background of the Sussex Downs. The village provides flexible care options through Bluebird Care to help people with health conditions maintain independence.
The village is surrounded by charming rural hamlets steeped in history and beautiful countryside for walks and relaxation. Residents can also easily access nearby Horsham, a vibrant market town with a range of boutiques and chic eateries.
12. Castle Village
Finally, Castle Village near Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire is home to a thriving community of retirees in grand surroundings. At the heart of the village is an opulent, Grade II listed manor house, which is home to the community’s social hub. Shared amenities include a restaurant, bar and snooker room, and residents can enjoy a spot of croquet with friends on the games lawn.
Castle Village12 welcomes pets, and residents’ friends and family members can make full use of the shared facilities. The community also boasts several attractions in the surrounding area, including the Berkhamsted Golf Club and the National Trust Ashridge Estate.