Unlock stock picks and a broker-level newsfeed that powers Wall Street.
Where are the best places to retire in the UK?

In This Article:

Path along river Thames in Richmond, Surrey, England
Richmond-upon-Thames has the lowest crime rate in the top 10 list of retirement locations - Franz Marc Frei/The Image Bank RF

Britons are living longer and dreaming of a better quality of life in retirement. Instead of quietly retreating to the garden, they’re seeking opportunities to meet new friends, travel and embrace new hobbies.

Many also seek to downsize their home, seeing it as a natural step to unlock extra funds in later life. However, where to move can be a difficult decision – particularly for people who’ve been in the same place for a number of years.

With this in mind, Telegraph Money worked with Savills Research to produce exclusive data on the ideal retirement spots.

Methodology

The research examined key factors, like the number of hospitals, GPs and dentists per 10,000 people and the availability of shops and green spaces nearby. Crime levels, apart from fraud, were also taken into account, before the figures were cross-checked against average property prices (excluding new builds).

Frances McDonald, of Savills Research, who crunched the numbers, said: “Owner occupiers aged 65-plus hold an estimated £2.6 trillion of net housing wealth, with many having reached the point where they have paid off their mortgage debt.

“In some cases, these movers are likely to reconsider the location of their home to ensure the convenience and proximity of local amenities and health services, so they can be less reliant on others in later life.”

The data revealed the UK’s 100 best retirement destinations. Here are the top 10:

  1. Exeter, Devon

  2. Merton, South West London

  3. Richmond-upon-Thames, South West London

  4. Epsom & Ewell, Surrey

  5. Worcester, Worcestershire

  6. Sutton, South West London

  7. Bromley, South East London

  8. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

  9. Kingston-upon-Thames, South West London

  10. Westminster, Central London

1. Exeter, Devon

exeter devon
Exeter has the advantage of being close to both the south Devon coast and Dartmoor National Park - Greg Balfour Evans/Alamy Stock Photo
  • Scenic highlights: The winding South Devon coastline, Dartmoor National Park and the River Exe

  • Healthcare ranking (for number of hospitals, GPs and dentists per 10,000 people): 15

  • Average house price: £338,000

  • Public transport: Highly rated, with a bus network and trains running from surrounding areas

A hop, skip and a jump from the coast, this South West cathedral city sits at the summit of our list.

A mixture of accessible activities and amenities, combined with affordable house prices, are proving attractive for retirees.

Richard Speedy, of Strutt & Parker, said there were pockets of the city “where you can be incredibly self-sufficient with little need to go into the centre because you’re so well catered for on your doorstep.”

Richard Addington, of Jackson-Stops, suggested those interested in boating and sailing could join one of the many maritime clubs in their much-deserved downtime.