Church of St Mary and All Saints in Chesterfield

Retire to Derbyshire

In the heart of the East Midlands, Derbyshire is a county of rolling green hills, peaceful market towns and incredible natural beauty. It has all the amenities you need to thrive in retirement, as well as a wealth of sights to enjoy. Our range of retirement properties in Derbyshire will give you lots of options on location too.

Local retirees love: 

  • Breathtaking countryside, including the Peak District National Park on the doorstep, plus plenty of historic houses and attractions. 
  • Excellent access to amenities like shops, supermarkets, restaurants and healthcare, especially in the bigger towns like Chesterfield and Buxton, and in its one city, Derby
  • Fantastic bus and rail services taking around the county and beyond – you can be in London in just 90 minutes.

1 retirement developments in Derbyshire

Explore places in the Derbyshire area

Three retired ladies and a McCarthy & Stone retirement development manager chatting and laughing during a coffee morning.

Life at McCarthy & Stone retirement developments in Derbyshire

Our retirement apartments, bungalows and villages in Derbyshire are thoughtfully designed to make life easier for you.   
We’ve two options for independent living, Retirement Living and Retirement Living PLUS, each with differing levels of services and assisted living facilities to support you now and in the future – so you can live retirement your way. 

Our Derbyshire retirement homes have on-site access to amenities and services including:

  • A friendly community with events and clubs
  • Sociable lounges and gardens
  • An on-site manager
  • Full maintained shared areas
  • A guest suite for visitors  

Retirement living in Derbyshire

Derbyshire is ideal for those seeking a peaceful, rural retirement, close to the beautiful wilds of the Peak District but with modern conveniences too.

buxton pavillion gardens exterior

Things for retirees to do in Derbyshire

Derbyshire has something for everyone, from outdoorsy types to history buffs and foodies.

  • Enjoy the variety of walking and biking trails spread across the Derwent Valley and the Peak District, perfect for exploring this green and pleasant land.
  • Visit historic landmarks, including Chatsworth House, thought to have inspired Jane Austen’s 'Pride and Prejudice'.
  • The city of Derby has lots of attractions, including parks, markets, cinemas and several museums celebrating its industrial past.
  • There’s an array of quaint towns and villages, such as Chesterfield and its famous spire, the spa town of Buxton with its Pavilion Gardens, or Bakewell, famed for its cakes.
  • In the wider East Midlands you can visit vibrant nearby cities like Nottingham, Sheffield and Birmingham with ease.
aerial view of headstone viaduct

Enjoy an active retirement in Derbyshire

Derbyshire’s welcoming communities have plenty of groups to keep you active and so you can meet new people too.

fountain in the grounds of bolsover castle

Arts, culture and community in Derbyshire

No matter where you live in the county, Derbyshire is all about community, making it the perfect place to settle in retirement.  You can enjoy:

A red bus in Buxton town centre

Transport and Connections

Derbyshire is well connected in terms of transport links – which is another reason it is a popular choice for retirement.

  • By car - the M1 connects the county to the rest of the country, making it easy to reach Sheffield, Leeds, Birmingham and London.
  • By bus - towns, villages and cities in the county are connected by bus services, primarily Trent Barton and Stagecoach, though the service can be limited in more rural areas.
  • By rail – you can reach London in just 90 minutes, while Nottingham, Leicester and Birmingham are all only half an hour away.
  • By air – East Midlands airport near Derby serves the surrounding area with convenient flights to European holiday destinations.  

Browse by Retirement Living services

Our retirement developments offer differing amenities and assisted living services. Choose from two options to find your perfect fit.

Retirement living in Derbyshire FAQs

While rural, the county has convenient access to public transport with plenty of buses and a reliable rail network. Train stations at Derby and Chesterfield provide direct travel to Manchester, Birmingham, and London.

Derbyshire has several hospitals, such as Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Buxton Hospital, and Royal Derby Hospital. You can also find GP services, pharmacies, opticians and dental clinics available in most areas.

Derbyshire has a wide range of attractive locations for retirement. Buxton and Chesterfield are more metropolitan, with plenty of culture and amenities to explore. Meanwhile, Bakewell, Matlock and Ashbourne are all more rural, ideal for exploring the county’s natural beauty. The city of Derby is best for those looking for a lively retirement in the heart of all the amenities.

Browse our retirement homes by city and county

Search for the best places to retire in the UK by selecting a city or county to explore.

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