Named one of the UK’s best places to retire, Windsor offers a healthy, happy lifestyle. Explore over-55s living at Beechcroft’s Pinewood Place.
What makes a happy and healthy retirement location? Ask any retiree and you’ll probably discover that scenic locations, a strong sense of community, plenty of social activities and good access to healthcare services all contribute to their health and happiness. These are certainly a few of the factors considered by leading retirement developer, Beechcroft, when selecting development sites and is the reason that the company’s locations frequently top the lists of the country’s happiest and healthiest places to retire.
Windsor, in Berkshire, is revealed as one of the happiest and healthiest places to live in retirement, topping a list compiled by Health Connect Global for The Sunday Times (17 January 2026). Windsor had the second longest life-expectancy and scored well for happiness, GP provision, care home places and A & E waiting times. In 2025, Legal and General used a wide range of data including Office of National Statistic figures, census and housing data, house price reports and the opinions of 3,000 retirees.
Homeowners at Beechcroft’s Pinewood Place development in Windsor would certainly agree that the town is a delightful place to live but they’ll also confirm that Pinewood Place itself is a happy and healthy place to retire.
“Windsor is a really good place to retire. It’s a lovely area with a wonderful sense of history, a theatre, some good shops and lots of restaurants and pubs where we’re able to meet up with friends. There’s a leisure centre, although I haven’t ventured there as yet. In the summer, we catch the river boat and head down to Windsor’s Monday night races. Of course, there’s easy access to the motorway and we can get into central London easily from Terminal 5. I volunteer at the Thames Hospice in Bray and that’s only about seven minutes’ drive from home. It isn’t far from West Drayton where we used to live but it’s so much nicer and we are really happy at Pinewood Place.”
, Pinewood Place, Windsor
“There’s a wonderful sense of community at Pinewood Place. When we first looked round, we chatted to a friendly group of residents. On the day we moved in, even before we’d finished unloading the removals van, one neighbour came round with a bottle of prosecco for me and beer for my husband and another brought us a home-made cake. We have been made to feel really welcome, and we’ve visited some of our neighbours’ apartments to get furniture ideas. We’ve already attended several social events including Christmas drinks at a local pub, coffee mornings and pub quizzes.”
Liz Bossley, who moved into Pinewood Place in August 2024, agrees that it’s a happy place to live, as she explains.
“From my new apartment, I have a lovely view over trees and greenery, and I can even see grouse running around. The neighbours are all so nice and friendly and there are plenty of social events to get involved with. We’ve been to Rock the Rec, Windsor’s music festival and are regulars at local pub quizzes. We’ve planned a visit to the cinema and some of us are going to the three-day race meeting in Windsor”
, Pinewood Place, Windsor
Pinewood Place is a gated development of elegant new homes, designed for the over 55s and set in beautifully landscaped gardens off Hatch Lane in Windsor. Each home comes with a terrace, balcony or private garden along with allocated parking and there’s an Estate Manager to handle the day-to-day administration of the development including the cleaning and maintenance of the communal areas and the upkeep of both private and communal gardens.
Currently, prices start from £450,000 for a two-bedroom apartment with a private balcony. Full details are available from the Beechcroft sales team on 01753 963095.
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