“Summertime is always the best of what might be…”

                                                                 – Charles Bowden

Summer is the season that teaches us to be fully awake, engaged, and open to everything around us. Being able to bask in the outdoors and enjoy our surroundings, nature, or even an outdoor performance or two, but most importantly, to savour the warmth of the sun on our skin and enjoy a boost of much-welcomed serotonin.

There is no doubt that living in a retirement community, such as the ones operated by award-winning LifeCare Residences, provides residents with a rich and varied later life, but it is fair to say that those benefits and advantages are further highlighted during the summer months.  One of the key reasons for this is because the dedicated teams behind all LifeCare Residences communities select the very best locations which are surrounded by plenty of open green space to explore and enjoy. Battersea Place, the first luxury retirement community in London, is located just a stone’s throw away from the vast and leafy 200 acres of Battersea Park – perfect for a morning walk, evening stroll or a bike ride. Grove Place is a beautiful retirement community set in the rural Hampshire countryside with 27 acres of spectacular grounds and the nearby New Forest. It’s a true haven for those who enjoy the great outdoors. At Somerleigh Court in Dorchester, Dorset, residents are right on the doorstep of Borough Gardens, a beautiful 19^th-century park that is also home to tennis courts for all to enjoy in the sunshine.

The onset of warmer weather gives rise to more opportunities for outings and excursions. All residents at LifeCare Residences communities benefit from the services of an on-site, dedicated lifestyle coordinator who organises local walking excursions which can be enjoyed over the summer months. Furthermore, Somerleigh Court in the summertime has the bonus of being situated in Dorset with its stunning beaches and gets more sun than the rest of the UK with approximately 364 more hours than the national average which means more opportunities to enjoy an ice cream or two. There are also many nearby historical sites to visit, some of which date back to pre-Roman Britain, as well as the nearby Maumbury Rings monument which is regularly used for open-air concerts, festivals, and historical re-enactments. Dorchester is situated close to the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site which stretches for 95 miles, with a plethora of picturesque neighbouring seaside towns, such as Lyme Regis and West Bay to enjoy fish and chips by the sea!  Closer to home, in the centre of Dorchester, there will be a ‘Summer of Sunflowers’ display with sunflower-themed shop windows across town and a scenic sunflower trail walk. The high street in Dorset is vibrant and full of life with plenty of shops and a fantastic local food scene stemming from the abundance of locally grown produce. All the attractions, quaint streets, museums, cafes, and shops of the market town are a mere stroll away from Somerleigh Court. Residents are also able to enjoy a home delivery service that the team at Somerleigh Court have set up for residents to enjoy with an emphasis on local, farm-sourced produce – including fresh fish from the local coast. There is no better time than summer to relish the ice cream cart that has been introduced to Somerleigh Place – a perfect summer addition.

Historic Grove Place is ideally situated right by the beautiful New Forest with its acres of woodland and heathland to get out and explore in the finer weather.  What is more, Hampshire’s beaches are some of the county’s best kept secrets which benefit from being a little quieter, but just as attractive – such as Hayling Island and Lee on Solent. Hampshire is also home to many beautiful towns and villages that are worth a summer excursion, such as picturesque Stockbridge in the Test Valley or Lymington on the Lymington River with its Georgian architecture and cobbled streets, or the quaint market town of Alresford with its colourful Georgian buildings and where watercress has been farmed for over 100 years. Closer to home, as well as enjoying the communal on-site activities on offer over the summer such as croquet in the beautiful sunken garden or aqua aerobics, there are a series of summer coffee mornings laid on for prospective residents to enjoy mixing and mingling over free coffee and cake in June, July, and August. As the weather heats up, what could be better than enjoying a Pimm’s or cream tea on the patio?

Residents at Battersea Place are perfectly placed to enjoy all that summer in London has to offer, right on their doorstep including walks along the Capital’s famous river – Thames. The nation’s capital provides a diverse mix of history and culture, with museums and galleries aplenty, such as The Tate, The Victoria and Albert Museum, The British Museum, and The National Gallery to name but a few, with many providing free entry. From 13^th June, the famous Summer Exhibition is back at the Royal Academy which has been running every summer since 1769. London is also full of historic landmarks, jostling for space among theatres, cinemas, restaurants, and bars. You don’t have to retire to the countryside to enjoy green, wide-open spaces. London boasts a wide variety of gorgeous green spaces to walk in or sit in and escape the bustle of a busy city, such as Hyde Park, Regents Park, St James’s Park, and Battersea Park – to name but a few! Most of these parks have wide, paved paths for walking or cycling and benches to sit and enjoy a picnic. The parks in central London even have deckchairs to rent. Battersea Place is a mere hop, skip and jump away from Battersea Park where residents can take their grandchildren by the hand this summer and step over the road to enjoy the park and the zoo within the park. It’s also a short drive from the famous Natural History and Science Museums. Caroline Hamilton retired to a two-bedroom apartment in Battersea Place and enjoys her spacious apartment in addition to an array of communal activities. Her family especially enjoy visiting in the summer holidays: “My grandchildren love coming to visit because we can all go out exploring together. The last time some of them came, we tried to squeeze in as many museums as possible. My granddaughter also loves being close to all the shops along the King’s Road.” The summer schedule at Battersea Place is brimming with a whole host of activities for residents to get involved in such as garden parties, fitness classes, aqua aerobics and museum and gallery outings – all of which can be arranged by the on-site dedicated lifestyle coordinator. There is even an on-site bar at Battersea Pace for residents to enjoy a summer’s evening sundowner or two, together. As always, the meals at the chef-led restaurant on site are changed seasonally, and summer is no exception where there is a focus on fresh English summer produce such as asparagus, strawberries, and delicious light fish dishes and salads.

What’s better than spending the summer months enjoying fun activities, eating good food, and lapping up the lovely weather with friends – new and old?

If you would like to learn more about our offering and how we can enhance the ‘every day’ please call 0800 009 6950. For those who are unable to visit in person, we are also able to offer virtual tours of our communities at your convenience.

LifeCare Residences.  We care about living life.