RETIREMENT LIVING IN THE COTSWOLDS

Chocolate box charm, rich history and stunning natural beauty

Think of the most idyllic English setting and chances are you’re picturing the Cotswolds. It’s famed for the beauty of its rural landscapes and traditional clotted-cream coloured ‘chocolate box’ towns and villages. Surrounded by beauty, immersed in history, it's no wonder the Cotswolds is such a popular place to retire to. From river walks in the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, beautiful Bourton-on-the-Water, to antique shopping in Stow-on-the Wold, or fine dining in Cheltenham, you’ll find plenty to do.

Retire to the Cotswolds

Things to do in the Cotswolds

Wondering where to go in the Cotswolds? From towering cathedrals to curious museums, there's plenty of history to discover. For example, you can visit the tomb of Henry VIII's sixth wife at Sudeley Castle, see the second-largest parish church in England at Tewkesbury Abbey, or explore a Jacobean manor at the 17th century Chastleton House. In addition, you'll find Neolithic, Roman and Victorian artefacts at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester and a huge range of classic cars at the Cotswold Motoring Museum.

All this exploring is enough to make you hungry. So what are the best places to eat in the Cotswolds? Many of the top restaurants in the Cotswolds are found in Cheltenham, including Muse, L’Artisan and Lumiere, but if you love Indian food then the Prince of India in Stow-on-Wold is hard to beat.

Community

From touring theatre companies to bustling shopping centres, you'll find lots to keep you busy on the doorstep of our retirement properties. You can catch ballet and opera at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, music and films at The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, or see four centuries of paintings at The Wilson art gallery in Cheltenham.

When you feel like treating yourself, you'll find over 50 different stores at the Gloucester Quays shopping centre, Gloucester, locally produced goods at the award-winning Stroud Farmers' Market, Stroud and independent stores at the many market towns scattered throughout the region.

Thinking of retiring to the Cotswolds? McCarthy Stone has retirement properties across the area. And it’s good to know83% of McCarthy Stone homeowners experience a sense of community in their retirement property.

Transport and connections

The Cotswolds is a fantastic base to explore the many wonders of the counties of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Wiltshire and has excellent road links to the M4, M5 and M40. If you are wondering how to get to the Cotswolds by train, the region is well served by major rail routes including the Bristol to London High Speed line, The Bristol to Birmingham main line, The Golden Valley Line and the Cotswold line.

Walking and cycling in the Cotswolds are understandably popular pastimes, allowing you to appreciate all the natural beauty the area has to offer. From gentle circular pub walks in the Cotswolds to hilly hikes, riverside strolls and long treks along the Thames Path or the 102 mile Cotswold Way National Trail, the region offers something for all levels of fitness.

Surrounding Areas

With nearly 800 square miles of hills, meadows and woodland to uncover, the Cotswolds is offers some of the best landscapes in the country. You can wander through the Prince of Wale’s gardens at Highgrove), see almost 3,000 trees in the 55-acre Batsford Arboretum, or take in views that stretch as far as Wales from the top of Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds.

For days out with the grandchildren, visit the owls and eagles at the Falconry Centre in Moreton-in-Marsh, penguins and flamingos at the Birdland Park and Gardens, and over 260 different species of animal at the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens near Burford. So whether you’re after long country walks, family fun or hours spent mooching around antique shops, this could be the place for you.

Retirement Homes in the Cotswolds

Retiring to the Cotswolds - frequently asked questions

The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the South West and central England. It is made up of the rolling Cotswolds Hills spread over an area of around 40km by 90km. This area lies mainly within Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, but also extends into parts of Somerset, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Wiltshire. Its beauty and charm make it a popular place to retire.

The Cotswolds has a quintessentially English charm with pretty villages like Morton-in-Marsh and Winchcombe, as well as buzzing historic market towns like Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cirencester, Tetbury and Stroud, all surrounded by bucolic rolling green countryside. As well as that the famous historic attractions like Sudeley Castle and Tewkesbury Abbey, you’ll also find plentiful walking routes, like the Cotswold Way, wildlife parks and Cotswold Water Park for water-based adventures.

There are lots of variables that make this a difficult question to answer, but one simple tip is to multiple the amount you’d like to live on every year (say £24,000) by 25 (in this case the answer is £600,000). That is the amount you’d need to save. However this figure doesn’t consider things like your annual state pension, benefits, tax, or the equity you might hold in your home. Talk to McCarthy Stone about flexible retirement living options.

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"As if moving into my beautiful new apartment wasn’t enough, everything that led up to the move was handled by McCarthy Stone. I couldn’t believe how easy it all turned out to be; I was left with just two boxes to unpack which suited me and Meira just fine."