Ultimate guide to retirement villages in Kent

Later life is an opportunity to embrace freedom, community, and a lifestyle that feels truly your own. If you’re looking for retirement villages in Kent, the county has a great deal to offer. Known for its rolling countryside, charming market towns, and scenic coastline, Kent provides an inviting setting for those planning to spend their golden years in comfort and style.

The county is also home to a growing number of retirement communities, which complement retirement villages by offering slightly different living options. While villages often feature larger developments with resort-style facilities, communities tend to be smaller in scale. Together, they create a wide spectrum of choice, allowing you to find the balance of independence, support, and social connection that best matches your lifestyle.

This guide will take you through both, showing why Kent has become such a sought-after destination for later-life and how you might choose the right path for your future.

What makes retirement villages so appealing?

A retirement village is a large purpose-built community designed specifically for people in later life. It often includes different property types such as bungalows, flats or cottages, with access to shared spaces, onsite services, and a ready-made social circle.

One of the things that makes them so appealing is that you have access to a wide range of amenities and leisure facilities right on your doorstep and within the village itself. You can enjoy the reassurance of strong safety and security measures, all within a purpose-built environment designed for your comfort and peace of mind.

Why retirement communities are growing in popularity

Retirement communities share many of the benefits of retirement villages, offering a lifestyle designed around comfort, independence, and social connection. They tend to be smaller and more intimate than retirement villages, creating a close-knit environment where it’s easy to make friends and meet like-minded people.

Whether you’re seeking companionship, convenience, or reassurance for the future, retirement communities in Kent offer a flexible and welcoming option for later-life.

Featured retirement villages and communities in Kent

Below, we highlight some of the best retirement villages and communities in Kent, designed for those who value independence and support when they need it.

Audley Mote House | Retirement Village

Audley Mote House near Bearsted stands as one of the most distinguished retirement villages in Kent, offering an exceptional living experience within the stunning 450-acre Mote Park near Bearsted.

At the heart of the village is its magnificent centrepiece - a beautifully restored Grade II* listed Georgian mansion that overlooks the countryside.

The village also features Audley Club at Inglewood, a comprehensive facility that brings together restaurant dining, bar bistro, fully equipped gym, swimming pool, and beauty spa services all under one roof. This integrated approach to wellness and social living creates a resort-like atmosphere that distinguishes Audley Mote House from other retirement villages.

The development is part of the Audley Villages group and comprises 101 thoughtfully designed cottages and apartments, with properties featuring double aspect living rooms that showcase delightful views across the historic parkland.

Audley Mote House also offers a flexible support structure through its Audley Care services, which includes on-demand domestic help, personal care, and companionship services, which are available 24 hours a day.

Lakeside Retirement Village

Nestled just four miles northwest of Ashford, Lakeside Retirement Village stands out in Kent for its breathtaking setting, truly one-of-a-kind ambience, and thoughtful amenities.

Set within 17 acres of tranquil grounds, this village boasts its own private lake and direct access to Hothfield Common and Nature Reserve, one of the last remaining substantial areas of heathland and lowland valley bog left in Kent. Residents enjoy the remarkable sight of cattle roaming freely across the common, which can often be viewed directly from the village grounds.

The village includes extensive on-site amenities including three dedicated residents' lounges, a restaurant serving freshly prepared meals, professional hairdressing services, and beauty treatment rooms. For those with a passion for gardening, the village offers the unique opportunity to take on allotments where residents can grow their own fruit and vegetables.

All properties are newly refurbished self-contained apartments, featuring 1 or 2 bedrooms with emergency call systems for peace of mind.

Southdowns Retirement Village

Southdowns Retirement Village is known for its harmonious blend of serene countryside and warm community life. Located on 17.5 acres of protected greenbelt land near Dartford, it offers the peaceful charm of rural living with easy access to transport links and nearby towns.

What makes Southdowns Retirement Village uniquely appealing is its vibrant Shaw Hall, which serves as the social heart of the village. This well-designed central hub includes a licensed bar, TV lounge, billiard room, grocery shop, launderette, and a coffee shop, all creating a welcoming, “club-like” atmosphere.

For active residents, the village offers exclusive allotments where they can cultivate fresh vegetables and flowers, croquet facilities within the private grounds.

The Landings | Retirement Community

The Landings set a new standard among retirement communities in Kent, offering a premium collection of 75 luxurious one- and two-bedroom apartments designed specifically for the over-55s.

Operated by Life in Place, its apartments are more spacious than typical new-builds, and feature luxurious underfloor heating and designer kitchens complete with integrated appliances. Each apartment also comes with its own generous balcony or terrace overlooking beautifully landscaped communal gardens.

The sophisticated social infrastructure of The Landings centres around the elegant Residents' Club Lounge, an interior-designed communal space offering complimentary WiFi and a refined atmosphere for socialising or quiet relaxation.

Located in the peaceful setting of Kings Hill which was once an aviation landscape-turned-thriving-village, The Landings offers the best of both worlds: tranquility and proximity to modern conveniences.

Weavers House | Retirement Community

Developed by McCarthy Stone, Weavers House in Hawkhurst is a standout option when it comes to retirement communities in Kent, offering an elegant blend of comfort, security, and community spirit.

The development's sophisticated apartment design eliminates difficult-to-reach places and awkward tasks through clever architectural features, while tasteful décor and luxury furnishings ensure every home feels as good as it looks. Most apartments include well-sized balconies offering gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside.

Its location in Hawkhurst offers retirees an exceptional lifestyle with abundant local amenities including a cinema, squash and tennis clubs, lawn bowls, and an eclectic shopping area.

Situated in the High Weald, between the North and South Downs with rolling farmland and close proximity to the Kent coast, Weavers House offers the perfect balance of peaceful village living with easy access to both natural beauty and London's attractions.

Rosewell House | Retirement Community

Located in the peaceful setting of Tudeley Lane, Tonbridge, Rosewell House sits proudly among the premium retirement communities in Kent, offering a sophisticated extra care housing scheme for those aged 55 and over.

This retirement community is available through an Older Person's Shared Ownership (OPSO) scheme or alternatively to rent on an affordable basis, via the local authority, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

Residents can enjoy restaurant-style dining with daily two-course lunches prepared by Catering Academy, using locally sourced ingredients with a seasonal menu.

It also features an on-site Caring Companions service, available from 6am to 10pm, allowing residents to maintain their autonomy while having professional support readily available. The pet-friendly policy ensures beloved companions can accompany residents, recognising the important role pets play in wellbeing and quality of life.

Looking for a retirement property in Kent?

If you are looking for the perfect place in Kent to spend your golden years, Autumna can help. Simply head over to our homepage and select ‘Retirement Living’ above the search bar. You can then type in Kent as a location and press enter, to view a list of properties in Kent.

Under ‘Living type’ you can then select ‘Retirement Villages’, ‘Retirement Community’, or ‘Retirement Housing’, depending on which option works best for you.

Alternatively, our shortlisting tool can make this process even easier by doing all of the legwork for you. After answering a few short questions, the tool will then generate an even more personalised list of retirement properties to serve your needs.

If you want to talk through your options, our friendly and knowledgeable team can help and are available 7 days a week. You can contact them on 01892 335 330.