Retire with peace of mind baked in

THE ribbon has been cut, the champagne poured, and the cakes — naturally approved by Dame Mary Berry herself — have been eaten. Audley Shiplake Meadows, Henley’s newest luxury retirement village, is officially open.

It’s designed for those looking to downsize without compromising on comfort — 65 cottages, apartments and penthouses spread across six acres of landscaped grounds between the Chiltern Hills and the Thames.

But you don’t have to buy a property, or even be over 65, to enjoy it. Seven days a week, anyone can drop in for a cappuccino in Tennyson’s Lounge Bar and Bistro, linger over lunch, or hire the private dining room free of charge for a family celebration. There’s even a bridge club and other social activities you can join as a guest.

The interiors are contemporary without being clinical. Think calm colour palettes, generous living spaces and an attention to detail that runs from quartz kitchen worktops to Villeroy and Boch bathrooms.

The developers have been careful too to use traditional South Oxfordshire materials in the design, so the village feels like it belongs here, rather than something parachuted in.

Sustainability has been a priority, with air-source heat pumps, EV charging points and insulation built into the scheme. For those who do choose to make Shiplake Meadows their permanent address, there’s peace of mind baked into the model.

Owners buy on a 250-year lease and pay a monthly management fee (currently from around £575) which covers everything from discreet state-of-the-art security to gardening and upkeep.

There’s also a deferred management charge when the property is sold on, a transparent system explained fully on the Audley website. Prospective owners also have the option to rent before buying.

For many, it’s the reassurance of a 24-hour receptionist, support on hand if needed and the ability to tap into flexible care services that tips the balance.

To walk around the village during its opening was to see that it isn’t just about peace of mind, it’s about quality of life. The gym has a fitness studio that opens on to a terrace for summer yoga, while the treatment rooms offer hairdressing, massages and facials from local therapists.

The grounds include allotments for those who can’t quite give up on the joy of home-grown tomatoes. And with Henley only five minutes’ drive away, the best of town and country is on the doorstep.

Nick Sanderson, the chief executive of Audley Villages, described Shiplake Meadows as “a stunning village in a beautiful setting” and Dame Mary, who has lived locally for seven years, was equally enthusiastic. “I can already see how Audley Shiplake Meadows will become a wonderful part of the local community,” she said. “It has a beautiful bar and bistro open for everyone to enjoy.”

That spirit of openness is perhaps its biggest selling point. Shiplake Meadows is a lifestyle choice, not a compromise. You can live independently in a home that’s been designed with comfort, safety and beauty in mind, while still being part of something bigger.

If you’re not moving in? Well, you can still meet a friend for coffee, drop by for a glass of wine, or simply wander the grounds and admire the planting.

The team is already planning its first public Christmas Fair on Saturday, December 6, with stalls open from 11am to 3pm. All are welcome.

For more information, call 0118 234 9010 or visit audleyvillages.co.uk/shi