Modern day seniors want more out of their golden years than ever before and retirement villages are stepping up to the plate all over the UK. These developments come in the form of bungalows, flats, and houses and they offer a range of facilities and services to ensure their residents have a high-quality life.
One thing that many may lack is the similar amount of space residents are previously used to having and when transitioning from their larger homes to a village where they have a greater sense of community in a smaller space, they will have all of their belongings to consider. Over the years a great selection of keepsakes and heirlooms will have been collected and even though companies like Move In Matters can affectively assist them when it comes to the actual move, finding the right place to settle down could be the bigger issue.
With the hundreds of retirement villages across the UK, it may be hard to find one that suits you best. We’ve therefore compiled a list of five of the best care villages in the UK to help you find a community that ’s right for you.
1. Cooper’s Hill, Englefield Green, Surrey
Formerly part of Brunel University, this luxury village is built on 66 acres of land that sits adjacent to River Thames and Windsor Great Park. It is set to open in autumn 2019 and will house 128 apartments. Cooper’s Hill will have several facilities including a fitness studio, swimming pool, hair salon, restaurant, bar bistro, library, and spa. It will also offer a range of activities including fitness classes, guided walks, aqua aerobics, Pilates and sight-seeing trips to name a few.
2. Hampshire Lakes, Yateley, Hampshire
Hampshire Lakes retirement village is quite unlike most retirement villages and a place you’ll be proud to call home. The village combines first-class facilities with the great outdoors to create a real community. On-site facilities include a fully equipped gymnasium, spa, beauty salon, and a heated swimming pool. The great outdoors feature lakeside scenery, manicured gardens and wooded glades that create an idyllic atmosphere where you can relax, unwind and socialise with friends.
3. Gittisham Hill Park, near Honiton, Devon
Set in 12 acres of neatly landscaped grounds, Gittisham Hill Park is a thriving retirement community for seniors over 65 years. It is home to 32 independent bungalows, a 37-bed residential care home, and dementia care suite. The retirement village offers a variety of community facilities including a reading area, an outdoor terrace, small kitchen, and dining space.
While the retirement villages in this list offer an idyllic-looking lifestyle, the costs can be very high. Therefore, before you choose a village, be sure to get advice on key retirement finance and later-life planning.
4. Durrants Village, Faygate, West Sussex
Durrants Village is a collection of retirement cottages and apartments nestled on 30 acres of idyllic private parkland in the hamlet of Faygate. It features a residents’ clubhouse that has a relaxation pool, library, gym, café, and bar. There’s also a lake pavilion and a croquet lawn where residents can relax and unwind.
5. The Croft, Bourne, Lincolnshire
The Croft is a stunning development of 75 one, two and three-bedroom properties including villas, chalets, and bungalows. Ideally located within Bourne, the village offers a perfect balance of rural tranquillity with easy access to many local amenities. Its unique setting, with attractively landscaped courtyards and gardens, makes it an attractive and stimulating place to live.
