Living in Hampshire
Retire to a county with a rich heritage to uncover
With sandy beaches, thriving cities and a deep history to explore, Hampshire's the perfect place to find a retirement property by the sea. Our retirement properties in Hampshire provide heritage on the doorstep. As well as offering unrivalled access to unspoilt countryside and stunning coastlines, you’ll also have arts and culture within walking distance.
Lifestyle in Hampshire
Attractions
From bustling ports and royal armouries to ancient castles and curious museums, there's a vast history just waiting to be explored in Hampshire. You'll find carefully conserved warships inside the working naval base at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, centuries of royal ancestry at the medieval Winchester Castle, and 16th century architecture at the Tudor House and Garden in Southampton.
You can also see motor vehicles from almost every decade at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, cannons, torpedoes and mines at the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower in Gosport, or some of the most famous aircraft in aviation history at the Solent Sky Museum.
Community
Whether you're looking for modern art or traditional drama, there's plenty to keep you busy around Hampshire. You can catch ballet and touring West End musicals at the 2,300-capacity Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, classical music and comedy at The Anvil in Basingstoke, or dance, drama and family-friendly performances at the Kings Theatre in Portsmouth.
If you'd rather take in some artwork, you'll find paintings and photography at the Southampton City Art Gallery, or contemporary sculptures and paintings at The Wykeham Gallery in Stockbridge. There’s also a range of events throughout the year, such as the Art in the Garden exhibition near Romsey, which features over a hundred sculptures by both emerging and established artists.
Sights
With Blue Flag beaches, nature reserves and seaside cliffs, it's no wonder that so many people are choosing one of our coastal retirement properties in Hampshire for their golden years. You'll find miles of clean sands and family-friendly waters on Hayling Island, sailing and shingle beaches at Calshot, or grassy banks and seaside cliffs in the peaceful district of Lee-on-the-Solent.
You can also discover hundreds of square miles of woodland and open spaces across the massive New Forest National Park and South Downs National Park. Plus, there's a wide range of places to spot interesting wildlife, too. You'll find birds of prey at the Hawk Conservancy Trust in Andover, herds of fallow deer at the sanctuary in Bolderwood, and lizards, snakes and toads at the New Forest Reptile Centre.
Attractions
Whether you're a keen golfer or a hardened walker, you'll find lots of places to stay fit and active around the county. You can ride horses at the Burley Villa School of Riding, swim and kayak at the New Forest Water Park, or improve your game at more than 60 tennis clubs and almost 70 golf courses. Plus, with two huge National Parks on your doorstep, you'll have hundreds of miles of dedicated footpaths and cycling trails to help you explore the scenic countryside.
If you'd like to retire among historic ports, dramatic coastlines and a thriving cultural scene, take a look at some of our retirement properties in Hampshire.
Retirement Homes in Hampshire
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