Chesham and Amersham, a leafy area in Buckinghamshire, has been named Britain‘s top retirement destination, according to a new comprehensive index.

The area, celebrated for its convenient transport links to London, charming historic streets, and as a gateway to the picturesque Chilterns, secured the highest ranking in L&G’s study.

It particularly excelled in health measures, reflecting a significant proportion of its over-65 population enjoying robust physical and mental well-being.

The index also lauded Chesham and Amersham for its high scores in financial security, access to nature, and community engagement, collectively fostering a “well-rounded environment for later life”.

L&G’s analysis evaluated areas against six core “pillars”, namely housing, health, social and community, financial, nature, and amenities, encompassing factors such as healthcare provision and opportunities for social connection.

Elsewhere, Mid Dunbartonshire and Monmouthshire were recognised as the leading retirement locations in Scotland and Wales respectively.

This was based on an analysis of a wide range of existing data including Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, census data and housing and house price reports.

Monmouthshire was recognised as the best place to retire in Wales (Getty/iStock)

Monmouthshire was recognised as the best place to retire in Wales (Getty/iStock)

Opinium survey findings from research among 3,000 UK retirees in April 2024 were also analysed. The happiest retirees were defined as those with a life satisfaction score greater than the sample median average.

Lorna Shah, managing director – retail retirement, L&G, said: “This research gives us a more complete picture of what shapes a happy later life. It’s not just about one factor – it’s the combination of health, social connections, environment, and financial security that all play a part in retirement wellbeing.

“Financial security in particular, is an enabler for many of the other measures, giving people the freedom to choose where and how they want to live in later life.”

L&G said the south west of England performed well in its index in relation to housing, which considered factors such as access to residential care homes and the availability of suitable senior housing in the region.

Bristol Central in Bristol, Gloucester in Gloucestershire, and Bournemouth East in Dorset all performed well for suitable housing for those in retirement.

Meanwhile, Lancashire’s Fylde area was the top performer in terms of social and community connection, followed by Lowestoft in Suffolk and Dorking and Horley in Surrey.

This pillar considered the number of adults in the area aged 65 and over, life satisfaction levels, reported levels of happiness, and distance to the nearest station.

The East of England scored well when ranked according to the nature pillar with Castle Point, Essex, South Holland and The Deepings, Lincolnshire, and South Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire, making the top three.

Bournemouth is among the best places to retire according to a new survey (PA)

Bournemouth is among the best places to retire according to a new survey (PA)

This pillar involved looking at air quality, reported summer days, the percentage of addresses with private outdoor space, and the average size of private outdoor space.

London constituencies claimed the top spots when assessed against the amenities pillar with Cities of London and Westminster, Holborn and St Pancras, and Islington South and Finsbury, all making the top three.

Wales and Scotland also made the top five with Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Wales, Gwynedd) and Glasgow East taking fourth and fifth spots respectively.

This pillar considered access to chemists, supermarkets, post offices, banks, libraries, and theatres, among other amenities.

Here are the best places to retire in Britain, according to L&G’s index:

  3. Dorking and Horley, Surrey

  4. Godalming and Ash, Surrey

  7. Farnham and Bordon, Surrey

  10. East Grinstead and Uckfield, West Sussex

  11. Henley and Thame, Oxfordshire

  13. New Forest West, Hampshire

  14. Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, Outer London

Here are the best places to retire in Scotland, according to L&G’s index:

  4. West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

  6. Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber

  8. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

  9. Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

  11. Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

  12. Edinburgh North and Leith

  15. Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale

  16. Angus and Perthshire Glens

  17. Arbroath and Broughty Ferry

  20. Aberdeenshire North and Moray East

Here are the best places to retire in Wales, according to L&G’s index:

  5. Mid and South Pembrokeshire

  10. Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe

  19. Cardiff South and Penarth