Retire to the South West
South West England – home to lush countryside, magical legends, dramatic coastlines, and lashings of locally-brewed cider. This region encompasses the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire, and is a magnet for retirees.
Local retirees love:
- Beautiful natural scenery
- Relaxed pace of life in friendly communities
- Opportunities to explore the great outdoors
- Great access to healthcare and amenities
Find out what makes the South West an idyllic region to choose for retirement, and discover our retirement developments throughout the region.
40 retirement developments in the South West
Kingfisher Court | Taunton
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 6 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £105,000/£241 pcm
- Rent from £2,345 pcm
Crescent Place | Warminster
Retirement Living- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £115,000/£264 pcm
Stour Gate | Blandford St Mary
Retirement Living- Properties 6 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £122,500/£281 pcm
- Purchase from £270,000
- Rent from £2,085 pcm
Gilbert Place | Swindon
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 5 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £125,000/£287 pcm
- Rent from £3,765 pcm
Foxglove Place | Cullompton
Retirement Living- Properties 7 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £130,000/£298 pcm
- Purchase from £245,000
Mewstone Place | Dartmouth
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 45 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £132,500/£304 pcm
- Purchase from £275,000
- Rent from £2,840 pcm
The Curlews | Exmouth
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 20 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £132,500/£304 pcm
- Purchase from £316,000
- Rent from £2,965 pcm
Hawkesbury Place | Stow-on-the-Wold
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 4 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 75% example share/no rent £135,000
- Rental available
Locks View | Swindon
Retirement Living- Properties 4 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £135,500/£311 pcm
- Purchase from £270,000
- Rent from £2,000 pcm
Orchid Place | Exeter
Retirement Living- Properties 12 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £137,500/£316 pcm
- Purchase from £280,000
- Rent from £2,135 pcm
Monument Place | Salisbury
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 2 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £192,500/£442 pcm
Casterbridge Court | Dorchester
Retirement Living- Properties 13 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Purchase from £199,000
- Rent from £2,060 pcm
Market House | Wimborne
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 38 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Shared Ownership 50% example share/50% rent £207,500/£476 pcm
- Purchase from £330,000
- Rent from £3,090 pcm
Truro | Truro
Retirement Living- Properties 50 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. £260,000
Papermaker House | Ivybridge
Retirement Living- Properties 43 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. £270,000
Minehead | Minehead
Retirement Living- Properties 35 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. £275,000
Padstow | Padstow
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 54 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. £300,000
Sidmouth | Sidmouth
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 51 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
The Old Market Gardens | Wimborne
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 4 available
- Bedrooms 2 bed available
- Purchase from £475,000
Applegate House | Trowbridge
Retirement Living- Properties TBC
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
Bowes Lyon Court | Dorchester
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £2,550 pcm
Canning Place | Marlborough
Retirement Living- Properties 1 available
- Rent from £3,030 pcm
Castle Gate | Salisbury
Retirement Living- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £2,700 pcm
Cribbs Causeway | Cribbs Causeway
Retirement Living- Properties 50 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Purchase available
- Rental available
Gordon Court | Bridport
Retirement Living- Properties 2 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £2,700 pcm
Greenhaven | Poole
Retirement Living- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–3 beds available
- Rent from £2,325 pcm
Keatley Place | Moreton-in-Marsh
Retirement Living- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £1,725 pcm
Lambrook Court | Bath
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
Lock House | Taunton
Retirement Living- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £2,305 pcm
Pym Court | Topsham
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £3,645 pcm
Shackleton Place | Devizes
Retirement Living Plus- Properties 3 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £2,750 pcm
Tumbling Weir Court | Ottery St. Mary
Retirement Living- Properties 1 available
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rent from £2,650 pcm
Llanthony Place | Gloucester
Retirement Living Plus- Properties TBC
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Purchase from £176,950
- Rental available
The Pottery | Clevedon
Retirement Living Plus- Properties TBC
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Purchase from £270,000
- Rental available
Clarendon House | Poole
Retirement Living- Properties TBC
- Rental available
Magpie Court | Bristol
Retirement Living Plus- Properties TBC
- Bedrooms 1–2 beds available
- Rental available
Meadowsweet Place | Melksham
Retirement Living- Properties TBC
- Bedrooms 1 bed available
- Rental available
Pen Morvah | Bude
Retirement Living- Properties TBC
- Rental available
Pinnoc Mews | Exeter
Retirement Living- Properties TBC
- Rental available
Scudamore Place | Gloucester
Retirement Living- Properties TBC
- Rental available
Retirement living in the South West
The South West region of England offers a mild climate, green rolling countryside, and unrivalled coastlines. Discover its artistic cities, ancient towns, and quaint villages, where you can uncover fantastic local produce and even mythical tales.
Activities for retirees in the South West
Whether you enjoy adventurous days out or relaxed tours, you’ll be spoiled for choice in the South West.
- City trips - There are plenty of exciting cities in the region. Just to name a couple, Bath is famous for its Georgian architecture, thermal spa water, and Roman Baths. Bristol, home to Banksy, is renowned for its rich culture, hot air balloons, and Aardman Animations.
- Historic attractions - Visit the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, or the Cerne Abbas giant chalk image in Dorset.
- Shopping - Whether you enjoy discovering hidden gems and local businesses or prefer a large shopping centre, transport connections make it easy to enjoy retail excursions in Stroud, Cheltenham, and Bristol.
Enjoy an active retirement in the South West
There’s not much more invigorating than spending time in nature. The South West offers retirees limitless opportunities to explore the great outdoors.
- Outdoor sports - With over 600 miles of coastline, the region is a mecca for walkers, surfers, and wild swimmers.
- Beach visits - Bournemouth beach offers golden sands and plenty of comforts, Summerleaze beach in Cornwall boasts a sheltered sea pool for swimming, and Lulworth Cove in Dorset is dramatically beautiful with rock formations.
- Countryside - Discover unspoilt landscapes in Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks. The Cotswolds National Landscape is home to chocolate box villages nestled amongst lush countryside.
Arts, culture, and community in the South West
The South West is known for its laidback attitude and lively communities. You’ll find plenty of arts and crafts, sports, and social clubs to get involved with.
- Festivals - Celebrate the sea at the Boardmasters festival in Cornwall. Sample the region’s finest treats, including cream teas, seafood, and cheese, at events like Salcombe Crabfest in Devon, Gloucester Food Festival in Gloucestershire, or Dorset Seafood Festival.
- Culture - The region has a rich cultural fabric, making it great for retirees who want to stay engaged with local culture. Find quaint museums, celebrations of local artists, and unique events in every county.
- Socialising - Community organisations provide social clubs, friendship cafés, and hobby groups designed for older people to stay connected.
Transport links and connections
Our retirement communities in the South West are in fantastic locations close to transport hubs and main roads – making travel a breeze.
- By car - The M4 and the M5 take you all the way to Exeter. From there, you can connect to the counties further south via easy-to-navigate A roads.
- By bus - Frequent and reliable bus networks operate across towns and cities, though some villages may see fewer services.
- By rail - Trains in the region are primarily served by GWR, running from London Paddington, through Bristol, and all the way down to Penzance in Cornwall in about 5 and a half hours.
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:
The reason why I chose to buy 75 percent of my apartment is because it meant that I could enjoy financial freedom for the future. One process and everything was completed, with no stress, so I could move with ease and enjoy my new home.
Helen, homeowner, Crescent Place
You needn’t worry about privacy. Once you close the door to your apartment, it’s like you’re in your own little world. The great thing about independent living is the balance – the social aspect is there if you want it, but you can also enjoy your own space.
Erika and Stephen, homeowners, Foxglove Place
We decided to eliminate unnecessary stress by downsizing while we could do it - and where better to move to than the same development as mum so that we could keep an eye on her too!
Linda (left) with mum Daphne (right), homeowners, Fussells Court
Browse by property types in the South West
Our retirement villages and developments offer a range of property types from superb apartments to brilliant retirement bungalows.
Browse by property type
Browse our retirement housing by the number of bedrooms you'd like.
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 South West
Retirement living in the South West FAQs
Yes, absolutely. The South West offers a variety of retirement communities, including villages, cottages, and apartments in desirable coastal and rural locations throughout the region. Get in touch with our friendly team to find your ideal retirement property.
There are lots of variables that make this a difficult question to answer, but one simple guide is to multiply the amount you’d like to live on every year (say £24,000) by 25 (in this case, the answer is £600,000). That is the amount you’d need to save. However, this figure doesn’t consider things like your annual state pension, benefits, tax, or the equity you might hold in your home. Talk to McCarthy & Stone about retirement homes for sale or rent in the South West.
Many towns and cities in the South West have good access to GP surgeries, pharmacies and local hospitals. Due to the region’s large geographical size and rural areas, travel distances to specialist hospitals can be longer than in major cities.
South West England is one of nine regions in the UK, lying in the south-west of England. The region is mostly bordered by water, with over 630 miles of spectacular coastline that can be walked via the South West Coastal Path. It is divided from Wales by the Bristol Channel. In the northern part of the region, you can find Cheltenham and Gloucester in Gloucestershire, which borders Bath in Somerset, and Swindon in Wiltshire. Further south, the South West is home to Exeter and Plymouth in Devon, and Bournemouth in Dorset. In the most westerly corner of the region, you’ll find various towns in the coastal county of Cornwall.
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.
