The UK’s best place to retire has been named – and it’s not where you might expect. The charming corner of Buckinghamshire is proving retirement doesn’t have to mean slowing down
After decades of tireless work, retirement can be a time to truly start savouring life, exploring what’s actually on our doorstep without the constant stress of professional commitments.
Many envision their golden years filled with leisurely strolls up rolling hills, lunches out and afternoons at the local bowling club where everyone knows your name.
For many, it’s about striking that perfect balance between a peaceful place to unwind and relax, but also lively enough to keep the days interesting.
Factor in a close-knit community, a thriving food scene, and easy connections to the wider world, and you’ve got the ingredients for an ideal retirement.
A new study by pension experts at L&G has identified this perfect place. The study, which considered factors such as housing, health, social and community, financial, nature, and local amenities, found that people are happiest when they’ve retired, reports the Express.
Buckinghamshire, Surrey, and West Sussex topped the retirement rankings, with areas like Beaconsfield, Dorking and Horley, Godalming and Ash, and Mid Sussex scoring high.
But the absolute pinnacle?
A delightful corner of Buckinghamshire that proves retirement doesn’t have to mean slowing down.
The towns of Chesham and Amersham have officially been crowned the UK’s best places to retire. With their picture-perfect streets, bustling markets, and an increasingly renowned culinary scene, they offer the perfect place to keep you engaged without the stress.
It’s the sort of location where you can savour morning strolls through the countryside before popping into a Michelin-recommended bistro for lunch.
Achieving 74 out of 100, the towns are nestled at the edge of the Chiltern Hills, yet just a brief train journey into London to visit family or for a day out. It’s so well-connected to the capital that it even sits on the Underground network, positioned at the terminus of the Metropolitan line.
Amersham in particular offers excellent dining options, boasting Michelin-starred Artichoke in the old town, Japanese tapas at Koyo, or genuine Italian cuisine at Zaza Lusso; for a settlement of its size, it certainly doesn’t lack quality restaurants.
The L&G study said: “It performs exceptionally well on health, with a score of 93, reflecting a strong proportion of over 65s in good physical and mental health, as well as good access to GPs.
“It also scores highly on financial security (78), and across the other remaining pillars: nature (72), social and community (69), housing (66), and local amenities (64), making it a well-rounded environment for later life.”
The south of England and the home counties dominated the top 20 list with Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire all ranking among the top.
The top 20 best places to retire in Britain:
- Chesham and Amersham, Buckinghamshire
- Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
- Dorking and Horley, Surrey
- Godalming and Ash, Surrey
- Mid Sussex
- Woking, Surrey
- Farnham and Bordon, Surrey
- Esher and Walton, Surrey
- Suffolk Coastal, Suffolk
- East Grinstead and Uckfield, West Sussex
- Henley and Thame, Oxfordshire
- Sevenoaks, Kent
- New Forest West, Hampshire
- Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, Outer London
- Tatton, Cheshire
- West Dorset
- Surrey Heath, Surrey
- Maidenhead, Berkshire
- Windsor, Berkshire
- Guildford, Surrey
