Check out Spear’s ranking of the best later living facilities and retirement homes in 2026 that blend nursing care with luxury
Each year, the Spear’s Research Unit reassesses and refreshes its rankings of the leading retirement living providers by gathering data from and about their developments, carrying out peer reviews, reviewing data from third-party sources, gathering references and recommendations, canvassing experts and conducting hundreds of interviews.
After painstaking research, these four developments are the very best retirement communities in the UK for 2026
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.
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.
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.
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.’