Retirement Rental Apartments in Kent

Posted 21st May 2024

Retirement communities in Kent

Often referred to as ‘the garden of England’, Kent is a popular choice for retirees. The county offers a wide variety that appeals to many people.

The Kent coastline is great to inspire you to get active and breathe in the sea air. There’s an abundance of rich historical heritage and a contemporary cultural scene.

There are beautiful Cathedrals, castles and heritage sites that are perfect for days out. You’ll also find plentiful museums, theatres, antique shops and art galleries.

Retiring in Kent is great if you are a keen traveler, as you can get into France and Europe with ease, using either ferries or the Channel Tunnel. London is only 40 minutes or so by train or car too, perfect for shopping trips or evenings out. Public transport is efficient, so getting out and about on either trains or buses will help keep you active.

An added bonus is that, on average, Kent receives the most sunny days in the whole of the UK!

Retirement renting in Kent

Kent is ideally suited to retirement living. It borders East Sussex to the Southwest, Surrey to the west and Greater London to the Northwest.

Based on a series of ridges and valleys, the landscape is dramatic and is great for keen photographers and artists. The beauty of the exposed chalk on the coastline is famed and instantly recognisable.

There’s lots to keep you amused in Kent. With plentiful historical buildings dating back to medieval times, there’s lots of heritage to enjoy.

It proved to provide great inspiration to may writers and artists. It’s rich in culture, with many theatres and music festivals throughout the year.

There are several heritage railways throughout the county which makes travelling to different towns easy.

Football and cricket are very popular in the county, so if you enjoy sports, there will be a variety throughout the year to keep you entertained.

Retiring to a city in Kent

Canterbury is the only city in Kent. Dating back to medieval times, the walled city surrounds the impressive Cathedral which is part of a World Heritage Site. With cobbled streets and traditional architecture, you feel transported back in time, yet with modern amenities at your fingertips.

There are shops, events and activities befitting of a city and there are excellent transport links for venturing further afield.

Retiring to a town in Kent

Maidstone is a bustling town with a busy town centre juxtaposing with countryside on the outskirts. There are many cycle and footpaths to discover and take in the beauty of the area. There is heritage and culture to see, including museums and the beautiful Leeds Castle.

Sittingbourne has been transformed from a largely industrialised town to a popular suburb of London. The town is being invested in, with a large regeneration project focusing on the town centre. There are loads of group activities to enjoy in and around the town, from Angling to Yoga, so plenty of opportunities to socialise and keep fit.

Dartford features a large town centre with a plethora of shops, cafes and restaurants. The town is very keen on sustainability and have introduced ‘Active Travel’, a series of cycling routes that are traffic free. Beacon Wood Walk is perfect for some fresh air and exercise and you can choose between two walks, one being 0.6 miles and the other 1.25 miles.

Tonbridge is a market town on the River Medway. There are plenty of places to explore, including a distillery in an old Victorian coach house and Tonbridge Castle, a Motte and Bailey castle with a gatehouse dating back to the 13th Century.

Sevenoaks is full of enchanting countryside yet is only 21 miles outside of Greater London. With plenty of heritage to discover, you can wander the same halls as Anne Boleyn and Winston Churchill.

Retiring to the coast in Kent

Hythe offers stunning views of the English Channel which can be enjoyed from the Victorian Promenade. For a more sedate day, you can enjoy the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, which takes an hour or so to ‘Dungeness’, which is the UK’s only dessert!

Folkestone features traditional cobbled streets with independent shops. It’s home to hundreds of artists and makers and has a creative quarter which offers drop in workshops. There is a coastal park with a bandstand to enjoy music.

Westgate-On-Sea is a traditional Victorian seaside town which has 2 Blue Flag beaches. A perfect place to spend time when the sun is shining, it also features an heritage Edwardian cinema and a selection of cafes and restaurants.

Popular attractions for retirees in Kent:

Shell Grotto

In Margate, someone was digging to create a pond in 1835 and discovered the Shell Grotto. Nobody knows why or who created it which has sparked healthy debates for decades. The walls of the grotto are covered in over 4.6 million shells!

Whitstable Oyster Festival

This is one of the longest running organisations in Europe. It was founded in the 1400’s and you can see the oysters being collected, a parade and an oyster eating competition. You can also stack the shells to make traditional mounds known as ‘grotters’.

They’ll be bluebirds over…

The white cliffs of Dover. An iconic part of Kent’s coastline, you can sometimes see Exmoor ponies grazing on the hills. There’s also a Victorian lighthouse and disused tunnels from the Second World War to explore.

Chartwell House

View the home of Winston Churchill and his family from 1922. Personal effects are on view along with some of his paintings.

Turner Contemporary

Situated in Margate, this modern art gallery is sited on the same spot as the boarding house Turner used to stay and paint his seascapes.

Blean Woods Nature Reserve

Just outside the hustle and bustle of Canterbury, you’ll be treated to trails through this wonderful nature reserve, run by the RSPB. It’s a haven for rare birds – how many will you see whilst walking through the woodland?

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