Where to move to once we retire

[AppleCherryBlossom]

I’m looking for any advice or suggestions on possible places to move to when we retire in a couple of years. Where we live now is convenient for work but we would like to live somewhere with a bit more going on. We are not restricted by family commitments so can move anywhere.
Ideally we would like a town or city (somewhere with a train station), easy access to music, films, theatre etc, a bit of a creative vibe, close to water for canoeing and near a good hospital. We are thinking of a 3 bedrooms house with 2 bathrooms and a garden. Ideally we’d like to be semi detached or somewhere where the soundproofing is good (we’ve had very noisy neighbours before and don’t want to go through that again). Our budget is £800,000. Cambridge would have been great, but it is out of our budget for what we want. Any ideas would be gratefully received!

You will get all that round Bath and surrounding villages - it is hilly though in parts -

Shit hospital though

Honestly, I wouldn't move some where just to retire unless you already have a connection to the place.

My aunt did this and she was miserable, all the promises of social activities etc never materialised and she became very bitter and resentful as she could not afford to move back.

Visited Southwell last time I went to Lincoln and thought it was very nice. I’m Scottish so English market towns and villages seem quite exotic to me!
North Berwick and any of the nice villages nearby would be worth a look, lovely town with all the culture of Edinburgh nearby.

I like Chichester but it’s very expensive.

Oxford is certainly worth a look. The JR Hospital is outstanding. Loads to do and 1 hour to London by train.

Southwell is lovely. I would live in North Berwick if I won the lottery and could have a house anywhere in the UK.

Yes it is expensive but the OP has a decent budget. Not that I have checked prices recently!

My budget is exactly 25% of the OPs but following as my wish list for facilities is similar. I might be able to find a modest place & it's good to hear other people's recommendations. Good luck OP. I'd say that Northumberland is wonderful. (my most likely destination unless I get better ideas here) Scottish Borders similar but very poor NHS facilities.