The five best coastal places to retire in the UK

When it comes to deciding on the best places to retire in the UK, moving to the coast might be just the change you’re looking for. With a quieter, relaxed lifestyle and stunning scenery, a coastal retreat could be a peaceful place to enjoy your retirement years. If you are one of the people at or approaching retirement age who might be contemplating moving to the coast, one of your main questions may be what locations are best for you. Whether you’re planning to retire for good or buy a second home for regular weekend breaks, finding a place that fits your preferences is an important part of your decision-making journey. The five best coastal places to retire in the UK Looking for the best coastal places to retire to? Fulfill your dream of living by the sea and leave city life behind. Here are five of the best coastal places to retire in the UK 1. Worthing, West Sussex Average price of a detached house: £600,000* Average price of a flat: £182,000* Figures are based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) property price data as of August 2026. Worthing offers coastal views alongside many independent shops. If you like to engage in culture, the Montague Gallery run by resident artists might be interesting to you too. There are a number of connections to Brighton, Chichester and nearby coastal towns such as Littlehampton, while the South Downs and Cissbury Ring give lots of scenic walking trails and country pubs. 2. Dorset Average price of a detached house: £518,000* Average price of a flat: £168,000* Figures are based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) property price data as of August 2026. According to the latest local data from the Office for National Statistics 2024, Dorset had a population of 389,947 in 2024, with a median age of 52. This points to an older age profile in the county, which may be relevant for people considering Weymouth or the surrounding area as a place to live in later life. Dorset offers a mix of seaside destinations, market towns and attractive countryside. The county is home to the Jurassic Coast, while its coastline, local amenities and access to open spaces may make it an appealing place to enjoy later life. 3. East Riding of Yorkshire Average price of a detached house: £337,000* Average price of a flat: £102,000* Figures are based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) property price data as of August 2026. East Riding of Yorkshire combines coastal scenery with market towns, countryside and a range of local amenities. The area offers a balance of quieter communities and well connected locations, which may appeal to those considering retirement. Coastal destinations such as Bridlington are known for their seaside promenades and historic character, while the wider area provides access to green spaces, walking routes and a variety of leisure opportunities. 4. Tendring Average price of a detached house: £369,000* Average price of a flat: £131,000* Figures are based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) property price data as of August 2026. Located on the north-east coast of Essex, Tendring offers a mix of coastal communities, green spaces and local amenities. With a number of seaside destinations and good transport links to London, the area may appeal to those considering retirement by the coast. Tendring is home to towns including Frinton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze and Brightlingsea, which offer traditional seaside charm, beaches and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. 5. Exeter, Devon Average price of a detached house: £516,000* Average price of a flat: £165,000* Figures are based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) property price data as of August 2026. Exeter offers a mix of city amenities and access to open spaces. With a range of shops, cafes and local services, the city provides a variety of options for day-to-day living and community activities. Exeter also offers a range of housing options and is well placed for access to the wider Devon area, combining city amenities with nearby green spaces and coastal locations. What is the cost of retiring to a coastal town? Regardless of how you plan to spend your retirement, it demands careful financial planning. On average, a couple needs £45,400 a year to maintain a moderate standard of living. Figures are based on the Retirement Living Standards 2025, which use research by Loughborough University. These estimates assume you own your home outright and exclude housing costs. Actual costs may vary depending on lifestyle, location, and inflation. Rising house prices present both a challenge to those looking for the best coastal town to retire to in the UK and a possible solution, as some of that value could be unlocked to help finance the move. How equity release can help you purchase a seaside property UK homeowners aged 55 or over may be able to use equity release in two main ways: either to help fund the purchase of a second home, or to buy a new home and release equity from that property as part of the same legal transaction. Seeking professional advice is key to understanding which option may be right for you. The most popular equity release product is a lifetime mortgage. A lifetime mortgage is a loan secured against your home. It will reduce the value of your estate and could affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits. There is no obligation to make monthly repayments with a lifetime mortgage, although you can choose to make some if you wish. Instead, the full amount plus interest is only repaid when the last homeowner dies or enters permanent long-term care, and this is usually done with the sale of the home. You must always seek professional help when considering equity release. Make sure your adviser is looking at products from lenders that are members of the Equity Release Council. The Equity Release Council, the industry trade body, requires its members to offer plans that comply with its product standards. Planning retirement? Find out if equity release is right for you Bear in mind that a lifetime mortgage is a loan secured against your home, that will reduce the value of your estate and may affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits. Therefore, it’s best to find out if equity release is the right option for you from an expert adviser. They can provide you with a personalised illustration so you can understand all the features and risks. To provide you with access to one such equity release advice service, the Telegraph Media Group has teamed up with specialists Royal London Equity Release Advisers. By using the equity release calculator you can see an estimate of the amount that you could release from your home. If you choose to provide your contact details, the Information Team can get in touch to answer your general questions and arrange a no-obligation appointment with an expert adviser to explore how equity release could apply to your personal circumstance. - Discover how much tax-free cash you could release with the free equity release calculator Frequently asked questions Royal London Equity Release Advisers lines are open Mon 8:30am - 6pm | Tues to Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm. The above article was created for Telegraph Financial Solutions, a member of the Telegraph Media Group. For more information please click here. Equity release is only available to homeowners that own a property within the United Kingdom. If you choose a mortgage with required payments during your lifetime, your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with the payments. Borrowing with a lifetime mortgage or retirement interest-only mortgage will reduce the value of your estate. Receiving a cash lump sum may also affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. The Telegraph Media Group Equity Release Service is provided by Royal London Equity Release Advisers. Royal London Equity Release Advisers is a trading style of Responsible Life Limited which is registered in England & Wales. Company No. 7162252. Registered Office: Princess Court, 23 Princess Street, Plymouth, PL1 2EX. Responsible Life Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register (https://register.fca.org.uk/) under reference 610205. Responsible Life Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal London Group who may benefit if you choose to take regulated mortgage advice. Being a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal London Group does not alter Responsible Life Limited’s regulatory responsibilities. Only if you choose to proceed and your case completes will Responsible Life Limited charge an advice fee, currently not exceeding £1,890. Their adviser will talk through the setting up costs before you choose to proceed.