Renting in Retirement in Dorset
Posted 22nd April 2024
Exploring retirement communities in Dorset
Renting in Retirement in Dorset offers a wealth of opportunities that appeal to many retirement lifestyle aspirations.
The county of Dorset is in the south of England. Bordered by four counties (Somerset, Devon, Wiltshire and Hampshire), it is famed for having over 250 million years of history.
The Jurassic Coast is a long stretch of coastline on the English Channel. Rock formations show millions of years of geological history, and it is a World Heritage Site.
So, what can you expect when you retire to Dorset?
Retiring to the coast in Dorset
If you’re a fan of the coast, Dorset has some of the prettiest beaches around, teamed with a generally very calm sea. Most of the beaches have soft sand and are easy to navigate.
Weymouth is a vibrant town with a large beach. With many high street branded shops and eateries, you can relax on the beach, or enjoy the hustle and bustle – or a bit of both!
Bournemouth has seven miles of award-winning beaches. It’s a university town, so has a youthful culture which contrasts with the picture postcard Victorian Pier. A recent poll on the quality-of-life score nationwide, saw Bournemouth ranked as the highest, scoring 84 out of 100.
Dorchester is the county town of Dorset. Situated between Poole and Bridport on the A35, it’s a historic market town with lots of heritage. There are museums, historic houses, and lots of information on its most famous resident, author, and poet Thomas Hardy.
Retiring inland in Dorset
Whilst the coastline in Dorset is stunning, there are many more places inland to explore too. There are some pretty and quaint villages, for example, Corfe Castle. Built by William the Conqueror, the castle is situated between Swanage and Wareham. The village offers several pubs, restaurants and tea rooms along with a bakery. There are museums and lots of historical architecture to take in. There is a heritage railway that stops here for easy access.
To the north of Dorset, you have the pretty town of Gillingham. Nestling in the Blackmore Vale area, it is rich in history. It was the first town to build a grammar school in 1526 and by the end of the 18th Century, it had its own silk mill.
Sherbourne is a market town in northwest Dorset. Sited on the river Yeo, it’s close to the Somerset border, being only 6 miles from Yeovil. It’s ideally situated for ease of travel around the whole of the south of England. It has not one, but two castles! One is a romantic ruin, and another is more modern, with vast castle grounds which were designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in 1776. The town is full of art galleries, antiques shops, and cafes, so is the perfect place to while away a few hours.
Dorset is a retiree’s paradise. With a mild (for England!) climate, low crime rates and pretty towns and coastlines to explore, there’s lots to fill your newly found time.
Explore the retirement rental apartments available in Dorset.
