Retirement homes in Garstang

Retire to Garstang

RETIREMENT LIVING IN GARSTANG

Pubs, boats and vibrant community groups - there's a lot to love in Garstang

The rural market town of Garstang, Lancashire, is equidistant between Preston and Lancaster and the bright lights of Blackpool. Its name derives from the ancient Norman word for spear pole and it is famous for being the first ever Fairtrade town. Unsurprisingly it’s steeped in history and packed with independent shops, traditional pubs and quintessentially English teashops. With riverside walks beside the river Wyre and the romantically ruined Greenhalgh Castle to enjoy, it’s an idyllic spot for retirement living.

McCarthy Stone Developments in Garstang

SIGHTS

Garstang has a fantastic location, whatever your passions. Blackpool with its famous Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Tower Ballroom and illuminations makes a fun day out with family and friends. Nearby Preston offers the striking Harris Museum and Art Gallery which houses 20^th Century artworks by the likes of Turner and Freud. Lancaster boasts the medieval Lancaster Castle as well as a maritime museum. And Manchester is close enough for a day trip to the Lowry Centre – or Manchester United’s Old Trafford.

If you love exploring the wilds of nature, Bowland Fells, also known as The Forest of Bowland, can be reached in under an hour. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty features peat moorlands, valleys, rivers and woodlands as well as quaint towns, castles and history – including the Tolkien Trail at Hurst Green.

COMMUNITY

You definitely won’t be short of things to do if you opt for retirement home in Garstang. The town boasts an impressive array of community groups from the active – Garstang Canoeing and Kayaking Club, Garstang Ramblers, Garstang Rugby Club, for example - to the cerebral: Garstang Historical Society, the Theatre Group and Garstang Camera Club. for instance. Then there are groups fighting for good causes, like Garstang Fairtrade Steering Group and Garstang Soroptimists, And, of course there are plenty of groups where you can just be sociable, like the WI, WRVS lunch club and Garstang Wine Circle

If you enjoy meeting new people and making new friends, then it’s good to know that 83% of McCarthy Stone homeowners experience a sense of community in their new retirement property.

TRANSPORT AND CONNECTIONS

By road, Garstang is in easy reach of the M6 and you can be in Blackpool, Preston or Lancaster city centres in around half an hour by car. There are also regular bus services connecting the town. The nearest railway stations are in Preston, Lancaster, or Poulton-le-Fylde, but again there are regular bus services to complete the journey.

The nearest airport is Blackpool Airport which offers direct short haul flights to sunny holiday spots like Malaga and Alicante in Spain. For unlimited long-haul options the best bet is Manchester International Airport which you can get to in just over an hour by car.

For relaxed travel, you can’t beat exploring the Lancaster canal and waterways by boat. There are plenty of boat hire options in the vicinity, including traditional barges and narrow boats.

SURROUNDING AREAS

If you like to be active in the great outdoors, Garstang has plenty to do on the doorstep: try Wyre Parks Fishery for coarse fishing; golfers will love Garstang Golf centre and if you want to explore the Lancaster Canal, boats are available from Bridge House Marina & Caravan Park, a pleasant 10-minute walk from Garstang centre.

Food lovers will enjoy The Cheese Shop at Dewlay – which offers a factory tour as well as local specialities like Special Reserve Lancashire.

Brock Bottom is a beautiful wooded area with a shallow stream perfect for paddling – look out for the Bluebells in spring. Cobble Hey Farm & Gardens has a petting zoo as well as offering peaceful nature walks and a superb café. Finally, Garstang Arts Centre has a lovely little exhibition space and tearoom.