Famously one of the preferred homes of the monarch, people have been falling in love with a life in Windsor for centuries, but while its appeal spans both time and demographics, as a place to retire it's a location that has it all.
From entertainment to natural beauty, history and heritage to modern attractions, proximity to London as well as great transport links across the UK, there are lots of reasons to retire to Windsor. So, what should be top of your list of considerations?
In this article, we explore everything from entertainment to where to live, with help from our friends at Castle View independent living so you can achieve the lifestyle that matters to you.
There's a bit of a myth that as we get older we tend to retreat from the world around us. However, research shows that beautiful landscapes and environments that help us foster social connections, even if it's watching the world go by, lead to a better quality of life in old age (and in general for that matter).
Windsor is certainly not short on interest or beauty. Characterised by the iconic, ancient castle at its heart, as well as pretty streets, and the River Thames, it's home to more than 1,000 years of regal history. Today it remains a vibrant town, brimming with places to go, things to see, and attracting visitors from around the world.
Amongst the town’s most impressive features is the impressive 5,000 acre Windsor Great Park with its ancient monuments, rare wildlife, and diverse collection of plants. Established as a royal hunting forest in the 11th century, it's free for visitors to visit, picnicking, walking, horse residing, fishing, cycling, and simply taking it all in. You might even see the occasional royal.
Retirement should, in many ways, be one of the most enjoyable times of our lives, with less pressure around work and more time and opportunity to do the things we love. As a result, when looking for somewhere to retire, it's important to seek out somewhere with plenty of entertainment within easy reach.
Windsor offers a wealth of things to do, whether it's pottering about the shops and doing your grocery shopping, or entertaining friends and family. Brimming with coffee shops, restaurants, and boutique stores, it's a true residential community, complete with both practical requirements as well as leisure and entertainment.
In addition to the aforementioned Windsor Castle, popular attractions range from St. George's Chapel to a stroll along The Long Walk for the best views of Windsor Great Park, or a day trip with the grandchildren to LEGOLAND Windsor Resort.
Ascot Racecourse is just a short drive from the town, while the National Trust's Cliveden House, former home to the Duke of Buckingham as well as William Waldorf Astor, is accessible within half an hour. Then again, you could simply potter across the bridge to Eton to see where the current Prince of Wales once went to school.
For those who prefer their entertainment a little closer to home, Castle View residents also benefit from a regular schedule of entertainment and events on site. That includes a calendar staples like Fish and Chip Friday lunches and dinners, Bridge and Rummikub evenings, the opportunity to join their The Sky Larks Choir, and access to the nearby Windsor Leisure Centre, as well as special events from guest speakers to party nights. This autumn, they're looking forward to a diverse array of opportunities, from an afternoon tea with a poetic twist to a virtual tour of Frogmore House within the grounds of Windsor Castle.
For most of us, access to good healthcare is essential, and that becomes an even greater consideration as we get older. We all want to know that we will be cared for, and in part the knowledge we are in safe hands is one of the reasons we may consider living in a retirement community.
At Castle View, they offer facilities and activities to support a healthy lifestyle, from hobbies and social opportunities to a 24-hour reception. There are physiotherapy classes to help prevent falls and injuries or manage conditions, as well as easy access to the nearby Windsor Leisure Centre, where there's a swimming pool, exercise classes and gym.
Of course, sometimes we need a bit more urgent care, and Windsor is proud to be home to two hospitals - one private, and one NHS. Close by, you will find The Princess Margaret Hospital and the King Edward VII Hospital, both of which have excellent reputations.
It’s important that we don’t feel isolated as we get older - and while most of that relates to our immediate surroundings, it’s also helpful not to feel cut off from the rest of the world. For many of us, driving becomes more challenging, and easy access to public transport becomes more important as we age.
For those who want to go on holiday, or visit friends and family across the UK, and around the world, you could not be better located than Windsor. The town provides excellent national and international transport links by road, rail, and air, including easy access to the motorway, with the M4 less than two miles away. In addition, Castle View is just a 10-minute walk from Windsor town centre.
Key information includes:
● The town is close to the M4 and M3 motorways, providing excellent road connections throughout the UK.
● Heathrow Airport (LHR) is approximately 12 miles away, and can be accessed by road, rail, or bus.
● There are two train stations in Windsor: Eton Riverside station is on the South Western Railway line and connects to London Waterloo, while Windsor and Eton Central station is served by the Great Western Railway line, connecting Windsor to London Paddington via Slough.
● For walkers and cyclists, there are lots of cycling routes in Windsor including National Cycle Route 4, which connects London to Fishguard, Wales, as well as footpaths including the Thames Path.
● Buses in Windsor are regular and frequent, with local buses providing easy access to the centre of Windsor and to the surrounding area.
Chief amongst the considerations when looking for somewhere to retire is somewhere you enjoy living - where you feel safe, supported, happy, confident, and proud of your surroundings. It’s important that it’s located in an area that looks beautiful, feels safe, and offers convenient access to the wider community. Ideally, you also want a home that makes it easy for you to engage and socialise with likeminded people.
Castle View is an award-winning retirement community that offers stylish, independent living at manageable prices, whether you choose to rent or buy. With one- and two-bedroom apartments available, as well as Rooftop Apartments with commanding views over Windsor and ‘pre-loved’ apartments, residents benefit from living in one of the most coveted locations within walking distance of the town centre, for a fraction of the regular cost.
There's also the option of investing in a Personalised Living Incentive Package, which brings together a suite of services and amenities, including cleaning, catering, transport, and a fully furnished apartment that's ready to move into.
Perhaps one of the lesser considered aspects of looking for a place to live in retirement, is finding a place that recognises the importance of finding a home that understands the mixed emotions that can go with moving into a retirement community. Castle View makes clear their dedication to supporting those moving to one of their apartments, from empathising with the combination of nostalgia, grief, anxiety, doubt, as well as relief and hope that can all be part of the mix, as well as providing practical help, such as moving services.
Ultimately, Windsor, and Castle View provides a home where you can enjoy a sense of peace and privacy in contemporary living spaces, whilst being close to all the amenities and attractions that make Windsor such a coveted place to live. That’s something we can all hope for when we retire.
Find out about life at Castle View Windsor