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Later-living homes have evolved past the traditional idea of retirement. Today, many combine stylish design with facilities that help residents get the most out of their later years – from leading healthy lifestyles to staying connected with loved ones and forging new connections.
Plus, many are situated in vibrant, desirable locations. So whether you’d prefer to spend your retirement immersed in the welcoming vibe of a picturesque village, discovering a city’s cultural delights, travelling the globe, or exploring areas of natural beauty, the right later-living home can offer all of this and more.
To help inspire your next chapter, we’ve partnered with Life in Place, part of Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing for people in later life, to bring you seven modern examples of later-living homes.
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1. Pemberley Place, Bath
With its gorgeous Georgian architecture, quaint cobblestone streets, and elegant vibe, it’s easy to see why Bath is featured on so many lists of the best places to retire in England.
Bath has the relaxed feel of a town with the conveniences and cultural experiences of a city – all in a compact package. And when you aren’t strolling along the River Avon, sampling the sensational culinary scene, or visiting museums and galleries, Bristol, the north Devon coast, and the idyllic hamlets of the Cotswolds are all a stone’s throw away.
Life in Place’s Pemberley Place community is set in the countryside overlooking the city, so it’s well located to make the most of everything the area has to offer. But the first-class facilities, landscaped gardens, and stylish design – which blends locally quarried stone with contemporary finishes – make staying on-site just as enjoyable as venturing out.
As well as a café and lounge – with floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the space with natural light – Pemberley Place also has a modern hair and beauty salon and, like all Life in Place communities, spacious guest suites where friends and family can stay. Outside, the sun-trap patios are lovely places to enjoy a glass of wine or unwind with a book after a long day.
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2. The Chimes, Bingley
Mixing modern architecture with smart, contemporary materials, each apartment at The Chimes boasts an open-plan design plus a private outdoor space. Whether you’re entertaining loved ones or relaxing by yourself, there’s plenty of room.
That’s not to mention the communal areas and other extras – including a landscaped garden, café, activity room, and hair and beauty salon. “We were just wow-ed by the facilities that were here,” said Dave and Pam, who moved to The Chimes to be closer to their family. “Everything about the place seems to meet our needs.”
The Chimes is tucked away in West Yorkshire’s scenic Airedale Valley, in the quaint market town of Bingley. There are opportunities to connect with nature all around – from strolling along the nearby canal to exploring the rolling Yorkshire Dales, just a short drive away.
Bingley town centre has a great selection of independent shops, bars, and restaurants. Browse the treasure-filled stalls at Bingley Market or catch amateur theatre productions at the local arts centre. Or, if you’re yearning for the hubbub of a big city, Leeds is just 20 minutes away by train.
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3. The Peaks, Stockport
If your goal is to spend lots of time amongst natural beauty during your later years, it’s worth considering The Peaks, opening in autumn 2025.
Nestled on the edge of the Peak District National Park in the idyllic village of Woodford, residents of The Peaks have easy access to this swathe of heather-crested hills, shimmering lakes, and sweeping valleys. Spend your days exploring scenic hiking trails, magnificent stately homes, and charming towns and villages – from the enchanting cobblestone streets of Bakewell to Pilsley’s sandstone cottages.
There are endless opportunities for adventure further afield, too. Manchester is just a short train ride away from nearby Bramhall Station. Plus, the airport is just 11 minutes away by car, so checking off experiences on your travel bucket list is simple – whether you fancy setting off on an island-hopping cruise or a cultural city break.
Back at The Peaks, residents will be greeted by a warm community. The lounge and café – which has a soothing contemporary interior with cerulean accents – is a great place to kick back after a day of exploring. Or why not head to the hair and beauty salon for some pampering?
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4. The Landings, Kings Hill
The apartments at The Landings – Life in Place’s later life community in Kings Hill, Kent – are larger than your average new-build retirement apartment. They’re designed with luxury in mind, prioritising space and light – from the underfloor heating, which means there’s no need for bulky radiators, to the contemporary bathrooms and en-suite shower rooms.
“People who come into our apartment who don’t live here really like it and are quite amazed by it,” says Jack, who lives at The Landings with his wife, Tina.
When residents aren’t making the most of the communal facilities, there’s plenty to discover on The Landings’ doorstep. Culture seekers can visit rolling exhibitions at the nearby Control Tower Gallery. And nature lovers can unwind at Warren Woods Nature Park, a verdant patchwork of ancient woodland, former orchards, and open grasslands just a short walk away.
While the idyllic village of King’s Hill has everything you might need – from charming pubs to cricket and golf clubs – there’s plenty to do within driving distance. The historic market town of West Malling (just five minutes away) is home to exciting historical sites and captivating country parks, while nearby Maidstone offers wineries, an exciting food scene, and much more.
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5. The Standard, Berystede Court
If you’re looking to retire in the North West, The Standard, Life in Place’s retirement living community in Greater Manchester, is a great spot to consider.
As with every Life in Place community, each apartment at The Standard is practical and stylish, blending contemporary interiors with design features that make everyday life easy. For example, kitchen worktops and wall units are mounted lower than usual, and plug sockets are raised higher, for comfort and convenience. Windows are also fitted with electric opening mechanisms.
“It’s amazing how much space there is in the apartment,” says Eric, who moved to a one-bedroom apartment at The Standard after the maintenance of his three-bedroom house became too much. “Everything is catered for — just what I need to give me an independent life.”
You’ll find The Standard on Standish High Street – and there’s a great range of pubs, restaurants, and shops on its doorstep. While Standish has good access to the nearby cities of Manchester and Liverpool, it retains that quintessential English village feel, with Tudor Revival shopfronts, a centuries-old church, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Plus, nearby areas of natural beauty – such as Yarrow Valley Country Park and the sweeping sand beaches at Formby – offer excellent places to unwind.
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6. The Dials, Hinckley
Located in the heart of Hinckley, Leicestershire, The Dials offers residents everything you can expect from a Life in Place later-living community. This includes 24-hour support through the Anchor on Call pull-cord system and their Be Well 360 service, an inclusive and holistic programme that supports residents to live a healthy, active, and connected lifestyle.
“We felt a connection from when we first came in,” says Michael, who moved to The Dials with his wife Linda last year. “And we just feel going forward into our retirement and later life [that] it’s the perfect solution for us.”
It’s easy to see why residents of Hinckley are so proud of their home. As well as boasting a fascinating heritage, this warm and welcoming town is surrounded by some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside. The town itself is often described as ‘picturesque’, with winding roads lined with independent cafes and boutiques, and colourful bunting strung overhead.
Residents can also make the most of some fantastic local events and amenities – from a state-of-the-art leisure centre to Green Flag award-winning parks – all within walking distance of The Dials.
“The development is very well-located,” Linda explains. “I love walking into town, and the fact that […] I’ve got all the facilities of the town centre.”
Want to find out more about The Dials?
7. The Signals, Hook
Life in Place’s later-living community The Signals is located in Hook, in the Hampshire district of Hart. Hart has been named the most desirable place to live in the UK multiple times by the annual Halifax Quality of Life Survey, which looks at factors like weather, crime rates, and life expectancy.
The Signals offers modern, stylish apartments. As with all Life in Place developments, each apartment has unique features and views, but all share the same high standards of finish, with access to stunning gardens and communal areas and facilities, such as a café-bistro and an activity room.
As for the village itself, Hook packs a big punch in terms of things to do. There’s an exciting calendar of cultural events throughout the year – including OffTheHookFest, a chilled-out ‘micro-festival’ where locals come together to enjoy food, beer, and live music. Plus, there are various community groups to get involved with – from a choral society to a Morris dancers club.
Hook is surrounded by tranquil Hampshire countryside, so residents won’t be short of opportunities to connect with nature. But if you’re craving the buzz of a bigger town or city, there are excellent transport links nearby to London, Southampton, Reading, and the surrounding villages.
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Final thoughts…
These seven later-life homes demonstrate that retirement living has moved past our traditional ideas of what our later years can be, offering modern and stylish homes in vibrant communities with plenty of features and services to help us make the most of life.
So whether you’re looking forward to pursuing your hobbies, making new connections, or fostering a healthy lifestyle in later life, why not consider doing it at one of these later-life homes?
Want to find out more about Life in Place?
Have you or a loved one been thinking about moving to a later-life home? Or have you already taken the leap? If so, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below.