As the proportion of elderly people in the world (>65) increases, conversations around how and where we will live in later life are becoming increasingly important. For HNW individuals, retirement planning is no longer solely about financial security, but about continuity: preserving independence and a sense of purpose.
Popular culture has caught on. Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, set within the luxury retirement village of Cooper’s Chase, presents later life not as a withdrawal from public life but as an opportunity to meet new people and live a more sociable life.
The later living developments featured in this year’s Spear’s index have more in common with private members’ clubs than traditional retirement homes. Designed in consultation with leading architects and doctors, they balance discreet medical support with beautifully decorated interiors and allow residents to transition comfortably into retirement.
What is a later living development?
Luxury later living complexes are usually designed for HNWs and UHNWs over the age of 65 who wish to enjoy high-end living while having easy access to health and nursing resources.
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Those developments can be located in tranquil rural areas away from the hustle and bustle of the city, just as well as in coveted urban areas such as central London or Highgate, for those who prefer to be close to their families.
With amenities often including world-class concierge services, private car arrangements, wellbeing programmes and exceptionally high levels of privacy and security, these are the top later living developments in the UK.
Click the links below to jump to a section of this article:
- Methodology
- The best later living and retirement homes: some names to know
- The best later living and retirement homes: the complete list
- Contact us
Methodology
Each year, the Spear’s Research Unit reassesses and refreshes its rankings of the leading providers in each sector by gathering data from and about the advisers and firms themselves, assessing submission forms, collating nominations, carrying out peer reviews, reviewing data from third-party sources, gathering references and recommendations, canvassing experts and conducting hundreds of interviews.
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Advisers are evaluated using a proprietary scoring system that assigns different weightings to certain attributes. These scores feed directly into each new set of rankings in the Spear’s Indices. Each of these indices are published first online (according to the research calendar) and then in print. Print publication takes the form of the annual Spear’s 500 directory, which includes the top advisers in every index.
[See also: A guide to The Spear’s 500: Everything you need to know]
Each featured adviser is profiled on spears500.com. The site allows users to search the Spear’s database of more than 4,000 entities to find one (or more) to meet their specific requirements by filtering for specific attributes such as an adviser’s location, their specialist expertise and information about their client base.
The best later living and retirement homes: some names to know
KYN Hurlingham
- Focus: Round-the-clock holistic care
- Location: Parsons Green, London
KYN Hurlingham may be a newcomer to London’s later-living space, but it is quietly setting a new benchmark for luxury care in the UK. Located in the heart of Parsons Green, just minutes from the renowned Hurlingham Club, KYN offers residential, nursing, respite and palliative care.
The Grade II-listed building, originally built in 1855, has been styled by designer Nina Campbell with art selected by Adam Ellis, whose work can also be found in Annabel’s and The Ivy. Alongside high-quality healthcare services, residents enjoy a curated library, spa services, physiotherapy and wellness classes such as yoga and Pilates.
Read KYN Hurlingham’s full profile on Spears500.com
Auriens Chelsea
- Focus: Chelsea community living
- Location: Chelsea, London
Auriens Chelsea, which opened in 2021, is a luxury later-living development located just off the King’s Road. The 56 generously appointed one- and two-bedroom apartments are available for over-65s to rent or purchase.
Auriens’ five-star facilities include a health club, swimming pool, library, wine room, cinema and restaurant run by a former chef of The Savoy. In addition to these amenities, there is on-site healthcare provided by the highly regarded Draycott Nursing & Care, and which is available 24 hours a day.
Read Auriens Chelsea’s full profile on Spears500.com
Signature at Highgate
- Focus: Luxury care on Billionaire’s Row
- Location: Bishops Avenue, London
Signature at Highgate is a luxury care home on the prestigious Bishops Avenue in London. As the flagship property of the Signature brand, the facility is designed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings on the prestigious ‘Billionaire’s Row’.
It boasts 96 luxury suites, including 24 specialist dementia suites, and is one of the most expensive care homes to be built in the UK. With services ranging from concierge and personal drivers to a hair salon and spa, Signature at Highgate offers everything residents might need, regardless of their care requirements.
Read Signature at Highgate’s full profile on Spears500.com
Riverstone Kensington
- Focus: Contemporary living in Kensington
- Location: Kensington, London
Riverstone Kensington is an award-winning residence for over-65s located in one of London’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. Situated just moments away from Kensington High Street, the facility comprises a number of elegant one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments available to buy or rent.
As Dame Joanna Lumley remarked at the opening event: ‘I feel sorry for those of you who aren’t yet 65. Coming in through these doors, meeting the people and going around, it seems they have thought of everything we long for.’
Read Riverstone Kensington’s full profile on Spears500.com
The best later living and retirement homes: the complete list
Click on the individual names to be directed to more detailed profiles of each company on The Spear’s 500 website. The table is ordered by ranking and then alphabetically.
Contact us
- Click here to order a print copy of The Spear’s 500.
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- If you have missed calendar deadlines for our research cycles in 2025, you can still register your interest for updates about upcoming research and rankings.
With additional reporting by Caitlin Kilpatrick.
