Renting in Retirement in Somerset

Posted 12th January 2024

Exploring retirement communities in Somerset

Retiring to Somerset is proving to be a popular choice.

Somerset is a rural county in the southwest of England. Towns and cities are separated by large swathes of countryside, gently rolling hills and tall trees.

Retiring in a city in Somerset

There are two cities in Somerset, Bath and Wells. Bath is a walled city with many historic buildings of importance, including the Roman built baths. Did you know that Bath was named after these baths? It’s been a well-being destination since the baths were built and now has an enchanting blend of traditional heritage and contemporary culture.

Wells is the UK’s smallest city which makes it easy to navigate all the places of interest with ease. Wells Cathedral is vast for the city’s size and has been described as ‘the most poetic of the English Cathedrals’. Nearby is the famous site of the Roman Baths.

Both Bath and Wells have all of the amenities that you would expect in a city, with Doctors, dentists, pharmacies and hospitals within easy reach.

Retiring in a town in Somerset

Taunton is the county town of Somerset and is well known for shopping and eating. You’ll find many high street brands along with independent retailers for a wide variety of products. Many of the pubs and bars pride themselves on serving locally sourced food and drink. There’s a self-guided tour from the Taunton Heritage Trail to ensure you see everything the town has to offer.

Retiring near the coast in Somerset

The north of the county is bordered by the Bristol Channel and offers a wide variety of coastal walks. There is a 630-mile coastal path stretching from Minehead to Poole harbour in Dorset.

Bossington is worthy of a visit, a picturesque village around half a mile for the beach. A long pebble beach which has a unique marshland ecosystem which attracts numerous rare species of birds and insects.

Minehead is Somerset’s most famous seaside town, being home to one of the remaining Butlins Holiday Camps. It has a sandy beach and many sports, eateries and a mix of independent and chain shops. It’s also the gateway to Exmoor National Park which is a vast area of open moorland with dramatic hills.

For a bit of history, Watchet is worth a visit. Full of quaint architecture, this harbour town has a rich maritime history. It has a busy marina and the beaches are home to many fossils.

Easy days out in Somerset

Somerset runs an ‘Exmoor Coaster’ bus service from Minehead to Lynton in Devon which operates all year round. In the high Summer, this continues to Ilfracombe and it’s a great way to see the sights from the open top double decker. You’ll follow the coast with great views and can choose to stop anywhere along the journey and re-join another bus at a later stage.

There’s lots of opportunities for sport and leisure in Somerset too, with fishing opportunities up and down the coast and a selection of golf courses.

Inland, you have the rugged Cheddar Gorge that is an area of outstanding natural beauty. What’s even better, is there is a windy road that goes through it, so you can see this site of special scientific interest from the comfort of a car.

Explore the retirement rental apartments available in Somerset.