Some of the best places for those looking to retire near London can be found across Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, West Sussex and Kent. You have Amersham and Chesham at the top of independent research lists, Woking and Byfleet a stone’s throw from Heathrow Airport, and even Tunbridge Wells, home to the iconic The Pantiles promenade and Henley-on-Thames, where you can catch the infamous Henley Royal Regatta every summer – and that’s just to name a few on our list.
This guide covers everything you need to know about each of the top places to retire near London, from lifestyle to things to do, as well as your access to amenities, healthcare and, of course, London. We’ll even outline the top retirement villages in the South East to buy or rent, making it easy to thrive in later life.
What Makes a Good Place to Retire Near London?
Best Places to Retire With so many commuter towns and transport networks that lead to London, it can be difficult to know where to retire near London, or even what to look for when retiring near London. That’s why we’ve gone deep to find the best retirement locations near London, considering everything from healthcare access to affordability and, of course, transport to London.
- Healthcare access and services
- Transport into London
- Local shops and everyday amenities
- Green space and natural environment
- Community
- Suitable housing
- Affordability
Near London at a Glance
There are so many excellent places to retire near London, whether you’re hoping to stay near all the arts, entertainment, and culture of the city or you have friends or family you want to keep within reach; this retire near London comparison of top countryside and market towns is sure to deliver.
|
Location |
County |
Best for |
London connections |
Lifestyle |
Retirement Villages option |
|
Amersham & Chesham |
Buckinghamshire |
Retirement wellbeing |
Metropolitan line & Chiltern Railways |
Chiltern Hills, market towns, green space |
— |
|
Beaconsfield |
Buckinghamshire |
Leafy London-commutable living |
Chiltern Railways to Marylebone |
Green surroundings, amenities, countryside |
— |
|
Woking |
Surrey |
London access and modern retirement |
SWR ~25 min to Waterloo |
Surrey Hills, urban amenities |
Mayford Grange |
|
West Byfleet |
Surrey |
Station-side independent living |
SWR direct to London Waterloo |
Village feel, Surrey countryside |
Botanical Place |
|
Chorleywood |
Hertfordshire |
Chiltern countryside close to London |
Metropolitan line & Chiltern Railways |
Woodland, traditional high street |
Cedars Village |
|
Berkhamsted |
Hertfordshire |
Historic market-town retirement |
Avanti West Coast ~35 min to Euston |
Canal, countryside, town centre |
Castle Village |
|
East Grinstead |
West Sussex |
Countryside and community |
Southern to London Victoria |
Green space, local amenities, landscape |
Charters Village |
|
Henley-on-Thames |
Oxfordshire |
Riverside retirement living |
GWR to London Paddington |
Thames, Chilterns, walkable town |
Thamesfield (to rent) |
|
Tunbridge Wells |
Kent |
Walkable town-centre retirement |
Southeastern ~55 min to Charing Cross |
Parks, restaurants, culture |
Paramount Place (opening 2026) |
1. Amersham and Chesham, Buckinghamshire – Best Overall for Retirement Wellbeing
Amersham and Chesham are among the best places to retire near London. Regardless of whether you retire in Amersham or retire in Chesham, you will have access to excellent amenities and services. Both fetch top scores for their health services and the health of its over 65 community, financial security, natural environment, and community. Residents in particular love the outstanding natural beauty and easy access to green space in the Chiltern Hills.
London Marylebone is less than a 35-minute journey away, accessible by both the Metropolitan line and Chiltern Railways, making it easy to get into London at any time during your Amersham retirement.
2. Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire – Best for a Leafy, London-Commutable Retirement
Beaconsfield is a commuter town nationally recognised by the top retirement wellness indexes for healthcare, safety, and community. Those looking to retire in Buckinghamshire near London will adore Beaconsfield for its countryside feel and strong London connections that can get you into London Marylebone in less than 30 minutes by train. Retiring in Beaconsfield means being able to walk the stunning Chiltern Hills, or enjoy shopping at local and independent shops and eateries amongst its striking Old Beaconsfield centre.
Where a Beaconsfield retirement does fall short is its affordability, with average 2-bed flat prices sitting at £431,000 and rent between £1600 to £1855 per month.
3. Woking and West Byfleet, Surrey – Best for London Access and Modern Retirement Living
Retirement in Surrey combines countryside living with London accessibility, which is why so many are interested in retiring in Surrey today, with Woking and West Byfleet’s retirement villages in Surrey at the top of the charts with quick connections to London Waterloo in under 30 minutes.
Woking is rated sixth in national retirement wellbeing rankings across independent research, and for good reason. When you retire in Woking, you have a modern town centre with excellent shops, leisure facilities, and a thriving retirement community at Mayford Grange to keep you entertained and loving life right at your front door.
When you retire in West Byfleet, you get a modern village feel with the Surrey countryside close by. Retirees are also spoiled for choice on where to live, including Botanical Place, a beautiful retirement village within walking distance of the station.
4. Chorleywood and Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire — Best for Chiltern Countryside Close to London
Retiring in Hertfordshire means easy access to the Chiltern countryside and quick London rail links. While there are many great towns in the area, the best places to retire in Hertfordshire by far are currently Chorleywood and Berkhamsted.
Chorleywood is located within the Chiltern Hills National Landscape and, most importantly, is on the Metropolitan line with direct access to London. Those who retire in Chorleywood do so for the woodland walks, traditional high street, and top-rated retirement villages like Cedars Village.
When you retire in Berkhamsted, you have Castle Village, a thriving retirement community found on the edge of town that combines market-town convenience with a close-knit feel. The town itself is home to a thriving high street, a picturesque canal, and strong local amenities, all while remaining less than 35 minutes from London Euston by train.
5. East Grinstead, West Sussex – Best for Countryside and Community
The wider East Grinstead area has frequently been recognised for its retirement-friendly amenities and lifestyle, making retiring in West Sussex a top choice for retirees looking to retire in West Sussex near London.
East Grinstead itself features independent shops, cafes, retailers and leisure facilities to enjoy, but its highlight is how close it is to High Weald. Those who choose to retire in East Grinstead in communities like Charters Village will be able to enjoy a strong sense of local community, be able to connect with an established older population, and can still get to London Victoria via a direct service on Southern Rail.
6. Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire – Best for Riverside Retirement
Henley-on-Thames retirement is notable for its beautiful riverside living. The town is very walkable, featuring many independent shops and restaurants. Most notably, however, is that when you retire in Henley-on-Thames and rent in a top retirement village in the area like Thamesfield, you’ll be on the doorstep of the internationally known Henley Royal Regatta. London Paddington, of course, is just a short train away on the Great Western Railway.
7. Tunbridge Wells, Kent – Best for Walkable Town-Centre Retirement
When you retire in Tunbridge Wells, you choose one of the most walkable town centres in any of the options in this list. Retirement in Kent means enjoying vibrant high streets with independent shops, restaurants, and, of course, the Pantiles. You’ll find strong cultural and leisure offerings, including galleries, theatres, and parks.
When you choose a Tunbridge Wells retirement village, like the up-and-coming Paramount Place, you immediately gain access to a thriving community, social events, and on-site amenities and services to complement the well-established local community in Tunbridge Wells. London Charing Cross is less than an hour away as well, giving you ample opportunities to head into the capital throughout the day.
Should You Buy or Rent a Retirement Property Near London?
The biggest advantage of looking for a retirement property to rent near London is the flexibility. When you rent a retirement property, you have the flexibility to get a feel for the area and community before making any longer-term decisions. With lower upfront costs, renting can also give you more freedom over how you use your capital when downsizing.
If you settle in and decide it feels like home, there may also be the opportunity to buy the property you’re renting.
Alternatively, buying a retirement property may be the right choice if you’re looking to put down roots. It can offer greater long-term stability, along with the potential to build equity.
FAQs About Retiring Near London
Amersham and Chesham are currently in the #1 spot, with near-perfect scores in healthcare and high scores in financial security, natural environment, and community.
When it comes to what to look for when retiring near London, you should consider healthcare access, transport into London, local amenities and shops, green space and natural environment, the community, and the housing options available to buy or rent. How much weight you put into each of these factors, however, will depend on your preferences.
Find a Retirement Village Near London
The right retirement community near London for you combines all the elements of exceptional healthcare, a top-notch lifestyle, and easy connections to get you back into the heart of one of the world’s most infamous cities. Each of these top towns offers everything you need to enjoy a thriving, enriched lifestyle, so focus first on finding the right retirement properties near London for you.
For those looking to meet new people and become part of a warm, welcoming community, there are plenty of retirement villages in the South East to choose from. At Retirement Villages, our communities near London offer beautiful flats and cottages to buy, where you can downsize in style and enjoy everything community living has to offer.
