Where is the Best Place to Retire in the Cotswolds?

According to research, three in four people in the UK would like to move to a new location when they retire. 

The UK is studded with beautiful locations to retire to, including Devon, York, and Cumbria, but one of the most ideal locations to consider retiring to is the Cotswolds.

With pale limestone buildings, soft flowing rivers, quaint winding roads, and magnificent Tudor architecture, it’s easy to see why so many people are keen to make the move to one of Britain’s most recognisable Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Cotswolds area spans across six counties: Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Bath, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire. With so much choice, choosing exactly where to live when retiring to the Cotswolds can be somewhat difficult.

If you’re thinking about retiring to the Cotswolds but are unsure as to where you should be looking, we’ve put together a list of some of the most popular towns and retirement villages in the Cotswolds for you to consider.

Cirencester

Many people looking to retire discount towns and cities and look solely at villages. However, those looking for retirement housing in the Cotswolds will do well to broaden their horizons and make an exception for the market town of Cirencester. Known as the Capital of the Cotswolds, it is the biggest town in the area and was even the second biggest town in England during the Roman times, behind London.

Nowadays, Cirencester has a population of around 20,000 people and is known for its narrow medieval streets and sprawling forest garden designed by Alexander Pope. The town has a market culture that has been thriving since it was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1086 and still continues to this day.

With good transport links, sprawling green space, rich historical buildings, and a quiet pace of life, Cirencester is a great place to retire to. Yet, it can be quite costly to live in this quaint market town. In the last twelve months, the average house price is over £470,000.

Tetbury

The southern gateway to the Cotswolds is the small town of Tetbury, dating back to 681 AD. With under 6,000 residents, the town retains its archaic charm from all those years ago. Many of the original wool houses that helped the town prosper in centuries gone by still stand.

If you’re wondering if Tetbury is good enough for your golden years, be reminded that King Charles calls the town home and has done so since he first moved into Highgrove estate in 1980. Fond of the rich history and stunning scenery, it’s the perfect town to spend your retirement.

With the average house price standing at over £700,000 in September 2024, it’s certainly a higher-end retirement town! But it is one that’s worth every penny if you would like to sit back and enjoy your retirement in pure Cotswolds bliss.

Cheltenham

From the southern gateway of Tetbury to the western gateway of Cheltenham, every corner of the Cotswolds is as beautiful as the next. Known for the races, Cheltenham is a historical spa town. Just like Tetbury, it is also known for its popularity amongst the royals. Zara Phillips, the oldest granddaughter of the late Queen, lives in Cheltenham with her husband and children. 

There is plenty to keep you occupied in the town, including shopping on the Promenade (which was voted in 2011 as one of the top five shopping streets in Britain), a range of festivals – including the jazz festival, cricket festival, and literature festival, and let’s not forget about the superb green spaces. The town was once referred to as a ‘town within a park’, an ode to the seemingly endless parks, flower beds and open spaces where you can absorb nature.

Current house prices in Cheltenham average at £393,000, making it one of the more affordable slices of the Cotswolds, and even more affordable if you choose to retire at a caravan park!