Experts have revealed the most luxurious retirement properties across the UK, from chic modern flats to Victorian Gothic mansions.
The Picture Perfect Retirement Homes Index, from money.co.uk, lists the most glamorous retirement communities in the country – with purchase prices starting at just £188,000.
The site took into account interiors and exteriors, online reviews, facilities, grade listings, and views of the surrounding area to come up with a conclusive list of the most lavish retirement complex’s in the country.
The properties include flats located in a Grade II Listed Georgian Manor nestled in 450 acres of Kentish countryside, as well as trendy south London flats with a pool, restaurant and in-house cinema.
Many are part of the Older People’s Shared Ownership which allows over 55s to buy a share of between 25 and a maximum of 75 per cent of a property and pay rent on the remainder. Those who meet the 75 per cent threshodl do not have to pay rent.
Personal finance expert Salman Haqqi said: ‘With our working lives lasting longer and the official retirement age likely to be raised further in coming years, the idea of retiring to a life of luxury is but a distant dream for most.
‘However, when it comes to planning your retirement, money should be the first thing on your mind. The sooner you set up and start making contributions to your pensions the better.’
Nightingale Place, London
Prices start from £599,000 (other fees apply)
Nightingale Place, with prices starting from £599,000, is located adjacent to Clapham South tube station in south London
Nightingale facilities include a stunning indoors swimming pool, hot tub and health club (pictured)
The complex also boasts an indoors cinema (pictured), as well as a stunning penthouse apartment with views over Clapham Common
The sleek and sophisticated architecture of Nightingale Place in the trendy area of Clapham, south London, is perfect for those who like their lifestyle a little more fast-paced.
Located adjacent to Clapham South tube station, the properties boasts some great views across the city and offers 94 one to three bedroom apartments.
The effortlessly chic design of the interiors is matched by the luxury of the facilities which include an indoor pool, hot tub, health club, restaurant and even an in-house cinema.
The complex boasts a stunning penthouse apartment with two bedrooms, study and a large private rooftop terrace with views over Clapham Common.
Nightingale House provides access to highly-trained personal assistants who can help with domestic tasks, shopping or collecting prescriptions and personal care such as help with eating or looking after pets.
They also offer help and company while recovering from an illness, and live-in care if needed as well as short-term emergency care.
Binswood, Warwickshire
Prices start from £225,000 based on 75% equity share (other fees apply)
Leamington Spa’s Audley Binswood retirement village is situated in the heart of the Royal Leamington Spa conservation area
Binswood Hall features its very own bistro bar and restaurant all housed within its 19th Century walls
The village has 114 retirement properties and is centred around Binswood Hall. Pictured, the gym at Binswood Hall
With brickwork inspired by Hampton Court and the colleges of Oxford, ex-school Binswood Hall also offers some very lavish interiors.
Leamington Spa’s Audley Binswood retirement village is situated in the heart of the Royal Leamington Spa conservation area.
The village has 114 retirement properties and is centred around Binswood Hall, an imposing Grade II listed Victorian Gothic mansion.
Binswood also features a pool, health centre, gym, library, bistro bar and restaurant all housed within its 19th Century walls. .
All Audley care homes are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and provide highly-qualified carers to help with domestic or personal tasks.
Binswood received an Outstanding grade in their latest report when it came to how ‘caring’ the service is, with the report stating staff treated residents with ‘dignity and respect’, while meeting their diverse needs.
Mote House, Kent
Prices for pre-owned properties start from £ 379,950 (other fees apply)
With 450-acres of wide open spaces, Mote House in Kent offers breathtaking views of the English countryside. Pictured, the exterior
Near the village of Bearsted, Mote House is situated in the 450-acre Mote Park and features a stunning dining area (pictured)
Audley Mote House retirement complex has 101 cottages and apartments all with access to the complex’s stylish communal areas (pictured)
With 450-acres of wide open spaces, Mote House in Kent offers breathtaking views of the English countryside.
Near the village of Bearsted, Mote House is situated in the 450-acre Mote Park, previously a country estate, before being converted to landscaped park land at the end of the 18th century.
Audley Mote House retirement complex has 101 cottages and apartments, including a beautifully restored Grade II listed Georgian mansion at the heart of the village.
Nestled among Mote Park, these include the Walled Garden, Gate House Lodge and the beautifully restored The Brewhouse.
Audley Care Mote House provides care to owners in the village and those living locally, making sure to provide ‘the promptest response possible’ for residents.
With Maidstone hospital just an 18 minute drive from the village, and a local GP surgery just seven minutes away, residents have easy access to healthcare services if they need them.
Great Alne Park, Warwickshire
Prices start at £317,000
Great Alne Park is nestled in historic Warwickshire, outside Henley-in-Arden and eight miles from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Pictured, the exterior
Facilities include a wellness spa and relaxation pool as well as a gym and fitness studio (pictured)
Great Alne Park is nestled in historic Warwickshire, outside Henley-in-Arden and eight miles from Stratford-Upon-Avon.
The stunning village features 78 acres of parkland to explore, including 20 acres of woodland.
Facilities include a wellness spa and relaxation pool, restaurant, clubhouse bar, cinema, games rooms, events room, library, gym and fitness studio.
The facilities also boast a chauffeured transport service which can be reserved by individuals, couples or small groups for trips outside the village.
Inspired Village homes include 24-hour emergency care service to provide residents with comfort and reassurance at any time of the day.
They also offer a ‘Wellbeing Navigator’ who is the primary point of contact to assist in day-to-day issues for residents, including filling out forms or helping to plan social events.
Durrants, Sussex
Prices for new properties start from £340,000
Durrants village in leafy Sussex is situated near the market town of Horsham and boasts 30 acres of private parkland with its own lake. Pictured, the exterior
The properties feature sleek minimal design including bright walls and matching furniture, as well as stylish and modern furniture
Durrants village in leafy Sussex is situated near the market town of Horsham and features 30 acres of private parkland with its own lake.
The retirement village is home to 173 modern two and three bedroom cottages and spacious two-bedroom apartments
While situated in the countryside, the village is just a stone’s throw away from smart boutiques, high-street shopping and excellent restaurants.
The properties feature sleek minimal design – including bright walls, as well as stylish and modern furniture.
Inspired Village homes include regular house cleaning, laundry, spring clean and shopping services for residents.
Kitchens and bathrooms at Durrents are fitted with easy-turn taps, easy-open windows, level-access showers and power sockets positioned at a convenient height, and are all linked to a 24-hour emergency call system.
Millbrook, Devon
Prices start from £368,500
Close to the historic city of Exeter and the West Country coastline, Millbrook offers a quiet and comfortable village life
The properties include contemporary bedrooms with chic interior design including large windows and a light grey and white colour scheme
Close to the historic city of Exeter and the West Country coastline, Millbrook offers a quiet and comfortable village life.
Exeter is home to the fourteenth-century cathedral, and Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery – meaning there’s plenty to keep residents entertained.
If that isn’t enough, the retirement complex also boasts a pool, spa, restaurant and cinema to keep you busy.
The properties include contemporary bedrooms with chic interior design, including large windows and a light grey and white colour scheme.
Residents are free to purchase care if necessary from any care provider of their choice, but each village has an identified ‘preferred provider’.
The preferred provider is a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered provider while residents of Inspired Village homes will also have access to the Village Well-being Navigator.
St Elphin’s House, Derbyshire
Pre-owned properties start from £210,000 (other fees apply)
Nestled in the Derbyshire Dales is St Elphin’s House, spread across 14 acres close to Matlock and Bakewell
St Elphin’s House was a Victorian school and the building’s architecture has maintained a gorgeous Gothic appeal with a grand staircase
The property boasts 127 properties as well as its own health club, library (pictured) and restaurant, all included in the monthly management fee
Located in the Derbyshire Dales is St Elphin’s House, spread across 14 acres close to Matlock and Bakewell.
In its previous life, St Elphin’s House was a Victorian school and the building’s architecture has maintained a gorgeous Gothic appeal with a grand staircase.
You can also enjoy the fine dining of The Orangery Restaurant, famous for its original Kensington location built for Queen Anne in 1704.
The property boasts 127 properties as well as its own health club, library and restaurant, which is all included in the monthly management fee.
St Elphin’s House also provides on-call personal assistants every minute of every day for longer term or emergency care.
The Audley homes once again provide help with personal tasks such as washing, dressing or shaving as well as live-in, sleep-in or night care or holiday cover.
Ellerslie, Worcestershire
Prices start from £225,000 based on 75% equity share (other fees apply)
Audley Ellerslie Village features 101 properties located in the stunning Worcestershire countryside
The village is centred around three grand Victorian mansion overlooking the Severn Valley on the Malvern Hills, including a Grade II listed building
The complex features its own restaurant, Audley Club, indoor swimming pool, library, as well as stunning Victorian style interior design (pictured)
Audley Ellerslie Village features 101 properties located in the stunning Worcestershire countryside.
The village is centred around three grand Victorian mansion overlooking the Severn Valley on the Malvern Hills, including a Grade II listed building.
The complex features its own restaurant, Audley Club, indoor swimming pool, library, while individual properties feature sleek modern decor including marble bathrooms and oak clad kitchens.
Enjoy views of the surrounding hills – certified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – from the comfort of some similarly outstanding interiors.
Residents have access to highly-qualified carers to help with domestic or personal tasks, or helping to get involved with social activities in the wider community.
Their latest CQC report gave an overall Good rating, and says the service is ‘very well-led’, with residents a ‘valuable part of their local community, who enjoyed social and leisure events with locals’.
Inglewood, Berkshire
Prices for pre-owned properties start from £477,950 (other fees apply)
Inglewood House sits at the centre of this dreamy little retirement village spread across 39 acres of Berkshire countryside
The complex is made up of 91 apartments and cottages and includes a health club, library and in-house hairdresser and spa (pictured)
The village has interiors just as stunning as its exteriors including a library with paintings and vintage leather furniture (pictured)
Inglewood House sits at the centre of this dreamy little retirement village spread across 39 acres of Berkshire countryside.
One mile from Kintbury in Berkshire, the complex is made up of 91 apartments and cottages and includes a health club, library, restaurant, indoor pool and stunning dining room.
At its centre is Inglewood House, an imposing Jacobean manor house that has been rebuilt and returned to its former luxury.
With a bistro complete with impressive floral feature walls, historic paintings and even its own hair salon and spa, the village has interiors just as stunning as its exteriors.
Audley Care at Inglewood House provides a wide range of homecare services provided by a small team of carers, as well as an out-of-hours emergency service for residents.
Their latest CQC report saw the provider score Outstanding in Responsiveness with the report stating Inglewood House was ‘exceptionally responsive to people’s individual needs’.
St George’s Place, Midlands
Prices start from £188,000 based on 75% equity share (other fees apply)
St George’s Place in leafy Edgbaston is moments from busy Birmingham is made up of two Grade II listed Regency villas
Residents of 95 luxury cottages and apartments can dine in the stunning communal dining area complete with lavish furniture an chandeliers
The complex features its own health club, library, restaurant and even an in-house hair salon featuring Victorian style artworks
St George’s Place in leafy Edgbaston is moments from busy Birmingham for those who wish to have access to fast-paced city life.
Two Grade II listed Regency villas, a restored Victorian building and new buildings are home to 95 luxury cottages and apartments.
The complex features its own health club, library, restaurant, hair salon and a beautiful grand dining room.
Walls feature quirky art features while bedrooms include fashionable cream walls and matching furniture.
St George’s Place provides care to owners in the village and those living within close proximity, ensuring a quick response from staff.
The homecare services include company while recovering from illness, someone to accompany you to appointments and assistance with daily tasks from getting out of bed in the morning to cooking and cleaning.