Retire to Great Dunmow

Retirement living in Great Dunmow
The medieval market town of Great Dunmow is rich in character and steeped in history. While the town may appear sleepy, there’s plenty to do here and in the surrounding areas.
Local retirees enjoy:
- Amenities including cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops, the market, community groups and a leisure centre with pool.
- Exploring the town’s vibrant history, which dates back to the Roman era, and medieval architecture. Visit the Great Dunmow Maltings and Town Museum to learn more.
- Enjoying the many parks and green areas around town, ideal for bird watching, walking and cycling.
- Over 40 U3A-supported groups where you can learn new skills and multiple community centres with activities where you can meet new people.
Retirement developments in Great Dunmow
Explore retirement property for sale or rent in Great Dunmow, and find your ideal home for senior living.

Amenities in Great Dunmow
Great Dunmow is a thriving market town with all the amenities you need to enjoy your retirement.
- Groceries
You’ll find a Tesco superstore in town as well as a small Co-op, a butcher and several bakeries. The popular Tuesday Market offers a greengrocers, fishmongers and local cheese and pies. - Shops
Great Dunmow is blessed with a lovely range of independent stores including a pet shop, wine seller and sweet shop. - Healthcare
The nearest hospital is the Broomfield Hospital, just 10 miles away on the outskirts of Chelmsford. Several GP surgeries serve Great Dunmow, including the Angel Lane Surgery. There are plenty of pharmacies too, like Ropers the Chemist and Yogi Pharmacy as well as multiple dentists and opticians.

Things to do in Great Dunmow
Great Dunmow is perfect for retirement living, with a range of delightful activities to while away the time, including:
- Traditional pubs serving classic food and quality drinks.
- A wide selection of restaurants - with tapas, Indian and Thai as well as contemporary British cuisine and afternoon tea.
- Facilities like a library, community centre, gym, fitness centre and a swimming pool.
- Enjoy nature and the local history in the Gardens of Easton Lodge and Talliston House.
- The Dunmow Flitch Trials which are held every four years on a leap year and mentioned in the 14th century Canterbury Tales. At the trails the happiest married couple are awarded a ‘flitch’ of bacon.
- Or how about a spot of goat walking?

Transport and connections
While it has all the charms of a British small town, Great Dunmow is also connected to big cities and the wider Essex and East of England area with a range of transport options.
- By car
Great Dunmow is situated alongside the A120, offering a direct route to larger settlements like Bishop’s Stortford and Braintree. - By bus
The 133 and 59 bus run fairly regularly and provide easy access to nearby towns like Chelmsford, Braintree, and Bishop’s Stortford. - By rail
There is no train station in Great Dunmow, but the nearest stations at Braintree and Bishop’s Stortford allow travel to London and Colchester. - By air
London Stansted Airport is around six miles from our retirement home in Great Dunmow.
Popular places to retire in the Waltham Abbey area
Explore more brilliant retirement locations close to Waltham Abbey.
Browse by Retirement Living services
Our retirement developments offer differing amenities and assisted living services. Choose from two options to find your perfect fit.
McCarthy Stone community news from Essex
Frequently asked questions
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.