Best seaside towns to retire to in the UK

1. Retirement living in Worthing, West Sussex 

Steeped in history, Worthing, West Sussex, is a beautiful seaside town just 10 miles west of its busier big sister Brighton and close to the South Downs National Park. A hotspot among wealthy Georgians and Victorians, it remains popular for retirement living thanks to its warm climate, five miles of palm-tree lined promenade and the historic Worthing Pier which opened in 1862.  

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2. Retirement living in Exmouth, Devon

The vibrant seaside town of Exmouth is our pick for the perfect place to retire to in Devon and makes a great base from which to explore the spectacular South West Coastal path and the county’s wild moors. On the edge of the Jurassic Coast, it boasts the Blue Flag Sandy Bay beach as well as a pretty riverside setting along the Exe Estuary.

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3. Retirement living in Whitby, North Yorkshire Coast  

This picturesque seaside town on the Yorkshire Coast is famous for its gothic abbey, fish and chips and links to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It also boasts a bustling harbour and glorious sandy beaches, that are easily accessed from the town centre. The most popular is Whitby West Cliff Beach. Also known as Whitby Sands Beach, you’ll find beach huts, boat trips, surf schools and traditional seaside treats. 

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4. Retirement living in Poole, Dorset 

Famous for being Europe’s largest natural harbour – and the second largest in the world, Poole, Dorset boasts a bustling quayside and attractive old town, as well as  three miles of white sandy beaches and award winning Blue Flag beaches including the famous Sandbanks Beach – one of the best in the UK. No wonder it’s so popular for seaside retirement. 

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5. Retirement living in Hunstanton, Norfolk 

Friendly Hunstanton is the largest of West Norfolk's seaside resorts and famed for its stunning Blue Flag beach with a red and white striped cliff face, unique green boulders, fossils and rock pools. It’s a great location for lovers of the great outdoors and The Norfolk Coast Path passes close by so you can easily explore the coastline and the surrounding countryside.  

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6. Retirement living in Swansea, South Wales 

If you want to combine the joys of fresh sea air and coastal beauty with the amenities of a thriving city, then Swansea, or Abertawe, makes the perfect retirement destination. Swansea Bay stretches from the golden sands of Aberavon to the limestone cliffs of Bracelet Bay with its views of Mumbles lighthouse. You’ll find everything you need for seaside retirement from fishing trips to fish and chips. 

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7. Retirement living in Clevedon, Somerset  

The pretty Victorian seaside town of Clevedon, Somerset, has a thriving wild swimming scene, a seawater infinity pool at Clevedon Marine Lake and arguably England’s most beautiful pier. It’s the only one to be Grade I listed. On the seafront you'll find a cafes, pubs and restaurants, a lovely park, a Victorian bandstand, Clevedon Promenade Bowling Club and views to Wales across the estuary.  

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8. Retirement living in Filey, North Yorkshire Coast

The small seaside town of Filey is nestled between its two more famous neighbours - Scarborough and Bridlington and offers a quieter, more natural, beauty, ideal for retirement living. With miles of golden beaches, green gardens, Cleveland Way national trail and Filey Brigg - a narrow rock peninsula home to fossils and rockpools, it’s perfect for outdoor adventures. 

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9. Retirement living in Broadstairs, Kent 

Bonny Broadstairs is in a prime position for an active retirement on the Kent coast with spectacular chalk cliffs and glorious coastal walks. It offers seven sandy and sheltered beaches, including unspoilt Botany Bay with its unusual chalk stacks, Joss Bay which is perfect for surfing and Viking Bay which has colourful beach huts and is ideal for family fun.  

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10. Retirement living in Edinburgh, Scotland

As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh’s attractions need no introduction but you may not associate it with coastal retirement homes. However, it has its very own sandy beach at Portobello less than four miles from the centre and it also is near to some dramatic natural coastline. You can reach Aberlady Bay and Nature Reserve, for example, in around an hour on the bus from central Edinburgh. 

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