Renting in Retirement in Gloucestershire

Posted 20th September 2024

Exploring retirement communities in Gloucestershire

Nestling in the southwest of England, amongst the picturesque honey-stone towns and villages of the Cotswolds, is the county of Gloucestershire.

Conveniently located near to major motorways, it’s a great county for the accessibility, teamed with the feeling of being in the countryside.

The county is bisected by the River Severn, entering near Tewkesbury. It widens into a large tidal estuary, which eventually leads to the Bristol Channel.

Retiring to a city in Gloucestershire

Gloucester is a city and the county town of Gloucestershire. There is a tall and impressive Cathedral which was used for filming some scenes in the Harry Potter films. The last remaining Rococo Garden in the country is in Gloucester which was planted in 1740.

In the high street itself, there are several historic pubs amongst the shops. There are multiple shopping centres, including one dedicated to antiques.

Retiring to a town in Gloucestershire

Newent is a picturesque town in the Forest of Dean. It appeared in the 1086 Domesday Book and has been settled since Roman times. Full of historical architecture, there are over 100 listed buildings. Just off the town centre, is the lake and park which is filled with flowers and plants. There’s a broad range of eateries in the town alongside convenience stores and hardware shops for everyday needs.

Tewkesbury is a riverside town with a vibrant history. You can enjoy a level walk along the river, or perhaps have a boat ride. There is an Abbey which has stood for around 900 years. Delving into more history, you could enjoy the museums, heritage centre or take a walking trail. There are regular events too, including a medieval festival and a food and drink fair.

Cirencester is dynamic market town dating back to the Roman Empire. It has a market every Monday and Friday and the streets offer a large variety of shops, restaurants, and pubs. There are also museums and the tallest Yew hedge in the world! It’s famed for its Roman History and the Corinium museum is great to showcase this.

Cheltenham has a thriving culture of food, drink, arts, and nightlife. It’s home to one of the most famous racecourses, where regular events are held. The architecture is from the regency period and the town is noted to be the most complete regency town in England. The Wilson Art Gallery and museum is a great way to while away a few hours and there is a café on site. For fitness, there is an open-air swimming pool at Sandford Parks Lido.

Thornbury is a market town in the southern part of the county. It has a high street with branded shops, independent retailers and two supermarkets. There’s musical and drama groups to either join or watch and it has its own radio station!

Moreton-in-Marsh is a chocolate-box pretty market town in the northern part of the county. It has several old inns and pubs dating back to the 1600s. It is on the mail railway to London Paddington, so is an excellent choice for retirees who like to travel.

Retiring to a village in Gloucestershire

Bishop’s Cleeve is a large village near Tewkesbury – in fact, it’s the largest village in England. The A435 runs through it with access to Cheltenham and Evesham. There are convenience stores in the village centre along with a large supermarket. There are a few pubs and restaurants in the area.

Find your perfect retirement rental apartment in Gloucestershire.