Where's a great place to retire?

[utterflapdoodle]

Lovely MN hive mind. Help me out with a question I've been pondering quite a lot recently. Where the heck should I retire?

I live in continental Europe but have a hankering to retire back home in the UK sometime between two and seven years from now.

I'm a foodie so good independent food shops, markets and restaurants are important to me. Either in a town or close to a town for culture and shopping but close to some pretty countryside. Ideally not too far away from an airport, say within two hours drive or train.

I've considered the areas of Bath and York so far but I'm not tied to any particular area so it could be literally anywhere in the UK. Fire away with your suggestions!

Friends of mine, who currently live in Northern Italy, are looking at Shropshire.

I second Shropshire - stunning countryside and Ludlow is foodie heaven. Property prices are relatively reasonable too.

My first thought was Shropshire too, particularly around Ludlow.

DH and I live in London but think we might retire to Sussex: South Downs National Park is very picturesque, the coast close by. There are many cute towns and other than the local culture, it’s easy to pop into London for a day trip. Heathrow and Gatwick for airports and very convenient for driving to the continent too.

I hadn't considered Shropshire before. Just googled Ludlow. It looks charming and I had no idea it was such a foodie destination.