Retire to Hertfordshire
With historic buildings, scenic countryside and charming market towns, Hertfordshire offers much to enjoy. As an added bonus, it’s just a short journey away from London.
Local retirees love:
- Easy access to stunning nature, from woodland hikes to riverside walks.
- Excellent healthcare services, with numerous GP surgeries as well as Watford General Hospital, Lister Hospital, and the New QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City.
- Plenty of opportunities to get involved in the community through events, festivals, hobby groups, and local clubs.
At our retirement properties in Hertfordshire, you’ll have a number of popular sights and attractions close to home, including the Chilterns National Landscape.
15 retirement developments in Hertfordshire
Norton Place | Baldock
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 6 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 75% example share/no rent £221,250
- Purchase from £294,000
- Rent from £3,300 pcm
Welwyn Garden City | Welwyn Garden City
Retirement Living- Properties 47 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Purchase Properties at this development have not been released for sale yet. The listed prices are guide prices only. £310,000
- Rental available
Chalk Hill Place | Royston
Retirement Living- Properties 32 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Purchase Properties at this development have not been released for sale yet. The listed prices are guide prices only. £320,000
Beesons House | Rickmansworth
Retirement Living- Properties 11 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Purchase from £395,000
- Rent from £2,995 pcm
Hitchin | Hitchin
Retirement Living- Properties 38 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Purchase Properties at this development have not been released for sale yet. The listed prices are guide prices only. £410,000
Wheathampstead Apartments | Wheathampstead
Retirement Living- Properties 33 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Purchase Properties at this development have not been released for sale yet. The listed prices are guide prices only. £430,000
Wheathampstead Bungalows | Wheathampstead
Retirement Living- Properties 13 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Purchase Properties at this development have not been released for sale yet. The listed prices are guide prices only. £595,000
Edward House | Hertford
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £3,200 pcm
Eleanor House | St Albans
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 2 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £5,000 pcm
Highclere House | Hatfield
Retirement Living- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £3,025 pcm
Lowe House | Knebworth
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £4,500 pcm
The Apartments at Royal Gardens | Buntingford
Retirement Living- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £2,500 pcm
Goldwyn House | Borehamwood
Retirement Living Plus- Properties TBC
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Purchase from £299,950
- Rental available
Goodes Court | Royston
Retirement Living Plus- Properties TBC
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
Isabella House | Hertford
Retirement Living- Properties TBC
- Purchase available
- Rental available
Explore places in the Hertfordshire area
Retirement living in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire’s close-knit communities offer a pleasant balance of rural living and urban comforts, with rolling green hills and all the hustle-and-bustle of London never too far away.
Activities for retirees in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire offers retirees an opportunity to dive into fascinating history, explore a number of charming countryside towns and villages, or indulge in new interests.
- Explore the ancient Roman theatre near Verulamium Museum, the 11th-century ruins of Berkhamsted Castle, or take a tour of the Jacobean Hatfield House.
- Museums like the Natural History Museum in Tring offer a wide range of animal specimens, while you can also find the world’s first jet airliner at the de Havilland Aircraft Museum.
- Self-guided historical walks around Hertford, Ware, and Harpenden are also a great way to explore and spend time with loved ones as you follow signs and plaques that tell the history of Hertfordshire.
Enjoy an active retirement in Hertfordshire
Whether you're looking for green hills or intriguing wildlife, there's plenty to keep you busy in Hertfordshire.
- Nature - Just outside of Hertford is Lee Valley Park, with 10,000 acres of nature trails and lakes. The Chiltern Hills offer over 300 square miles of natural beauty, as well as the Ashridge Estate, which covers 5,000 acres of woodland.
- Sports - Enjoy boating or fishing at Lee Valley Park, or visit over 50 golf courses and dozens tennis courts throughout the county. Hemel Hempstead also offers the Snow Centre, which includes skiing opportunities.
- Animals - Visit Hertfordshire Zoo to observe over 400 animals, from tigers and cheetahs to primates.
Arts, culture and community in Hertfordshire
From fine art to the latest theatrical performances, there’s a lot of arts and culture to see in Hertfordshire, from collections at Watford Museum to live performances fresh off the West End.
- Art galleries - Visit the community-led New Maynard Gallery or visit the Wynd Gallery in Letchworth Garden City to explore work by local artists and emerging voices, as well as experience regular workshops.
- Theatre - Watford Palace Theatre, Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage, and Alban Arena all offer a variety of live performances, from drama and comedy to music.
- Community - Local book clubs, crafting circles and choirs offer a relaxed approach to finding new friends, while U3A communities provide interest groups catered specifically to retirees.
Transport links and connections
Whether you’re planning a weekend trip to a peaceful countryside village or an action-packed daytrip to London, our retirement homes in Hertfordshire are well-placed for travel.
- By car - The M1, A1, M25, and M11 all run through or near Hertfordshire, providing easy access to London, Luton, Cambridge, Peterborough, and further north.
- By bus - Providers run regular bus routes throughout the county, keeping smaller towns and villages connected and accessible, with major routes between Watford, Hitchin, Borehamwood, Hatfield and St. Albans.
- By rail - St Albans, Watford, Stevenage, Hertford, Hemel Hempstead, and Harpenden (among others) offer direct rail services to London, while Luton, Brighton, and Cambridge are also easily within reach.
Homeowner testimonials: telling it like it is
We believe we create great places to live. Beautiful award-winning retirement apartments in brilliant locations with thoughtful, reassuring, services on tap and a thriving friendly community on the doorstep.
But what do people living in our communities think? We regularly ask for feedback on everything from the sales and moving in process to the lifestyle and services. Here’s what our homeowners have to say:
On Friday morning, we head to the sky lounge for a coffee, on Sunday we bring our own drinks and sit in the bar. We also have craft mornings, sports nights, along with regular lunches out. It’s a lot of fun as everyone is welcome.
Dave (pictured with his wife and friends), homeowner, Uplands Place
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
Low-maintenance independent living for people aged 60 and over, with a House Manager on-site and a friendly community on the doorstep.
Retirement Living Plus
Independence combined with assisted living for people aged 70 and over, including an Estate Manager, on-site restaurant and optional personal care.
McCarthy & Stone community news from Hertfordshire
Retirement living in Hertfordshire FAQs
Frequent bus services connect towns and villages to larger settlements like St Albans, Stevenage and Hertford, while direct rail links to London are available. In short, you won’t need a car to retire to Hertfordshire - even day trips and weekend getaways remain accessible thanks to public transport and senior concessionary bus passes.
Retirees can enjoy a lively atmosphere in St. Albans and Hertford, where city life is balanced with close proximity to nature and a much more relaxed feel than larger cities like London. Likewise, you can aim for total relaxation when you retire to a town or village like Baldock, Apsley, Hatfield or Borehamwood.
Watford General Hospital, Lister Hospital in Stevenage, and the New QEII in Welwyn Garden City all supply specialist care and medical services when you need it. You’ll also find GP services, as well as dentists, opticians, and pharmacists throughout the county for day-to-day healthcare support.
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.
