Discover the best of Beechwood Park and beyond

Who said your retirement years should be restful?! There is a whole world of new experiences out there – things to see, share, taste, explore and do. And that’s especially true if you live in a Brio Retirement Community.

Brio’s Beechwood Park, for example, is set within Stow-on-the-Wold, at the heart of the Cotswolds. It’s a place where history, heritage, culture and culinary delights can be found on your doorstep. So read on for our round-up of all the things that make Beechwood Park such a fantastic place to live.

Community life

Beechwood Park has much to offer, including a fitness studio, wellness suite and exercise trail for those who like to keep active. It also features beautifully landscaped gardens for those who like to connect with nature, and a homeowners' club lounge for those who like to connect with others. Plus, there’s the Slate & Grain brasserie and bar and coffee lounge for enjoying a well-deserved treat.

But whilst there’s more than enough on offer at Beechwood Park to keep you busy, there is also much to be discovered if you explore a little further afield…

Must-see local attractions

Stow-on-the-Wold is well served by transport links, making it easy for anyone to head out exploring. As well as a regular bus service, the nearby market town of Moreton-in-Marsh has its own train station. Whether you’re heading out for the day on a solo adventure, or you’ve been tasked with keeping the grandkids entertained, there is something for everyone. Take a look at our top 20 attractions in the surrounding area:

Close to Stow-on-the-Wold

Huffkins: Located in a stunning 17th Century listed building in the centre of Stow’s historic market square, you can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea, indulge in a premium wood roasted coffee or shop their selection of luxury food gifts. huffkins.com/pages/stow-cafe-bakery

Roly’s Fudge Pantry: A must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth, Roly’s Fudge Pantry sells a variety of original and limited-edition fudge flavour. rolysfudge.co.uk/stores/rolys-fudge-stow-on-the-wold

Fosseway Garden Centre: Who doesn’t love a trip to a local garden centre? Stock up on plants and let the grandkids run wild at The Play Barn soft play. fossewaygardencentre.co.uk

Batsford Arboretum: Perfect for nature lovers, this 56-acre arboretum at Batsford, Morton-in-Marsh is a year-round spectacle of colour. batsarb.co.uk

The Amphitheatre at Berrybank Park: From music concerts and plays, to stand-up comedy – enjoy it all at this unique venue that features a grass-terraced amphitheatre for entertainment in the great outdoors. Bring a picnic and enjoy the show! amphitheatreberrybankpark.co.uk

The Cotswold Motoring Museum: Visit the 100-year-old museum packed full of vintage cars and toys – many of which you’ll no doubt remember from yesteryear! cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk

Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park: Best known for his role on BBC Countryfile, Adam Henson’s home is open all year and is a great place for all the family. Meet more than 50 rare breeds of British farm animals, watch your grandkids whizz along the zipline, hold little chicks and pedal on the tractors. cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

Cotswold Lavender: Pay a visit to this family farm on the Cotswold Hills overlooking Broadway and the Vale of Evesham where lavender has been grown for more than 20 years. It’s open every summer, June – August. cotswoldlavender.co.uk

All Things Wild: Get up close with a range of animals, step though time to discover the dinosaurs, visit the Ocean Voyage attraction, and finally relax in the cafe for some much-needed refreshment. allthingswild.co.uk

Broadway Tower & Park: Visit the Tower Museum with roof platform, then head out and explore the beautiful 200-acre parklands, stop by the deer park, then tuck into a picnic in the grounds. www.broadwaytower.co.uk

The Toddington Steam Railway Station: Take a guided tour of the loco sheds, peruse the memorabilia displays, stop by the signal box and ride the Toddington Narrow Gauge Railway. gwsr.com/stations/toddington

Blenheim Palace: There is plenty to explore at this stunning 300-year-old country house and estate. Marvel at the gilded state rooms, priceless collections of portraits, tapestries and furniture, see the room where Winston Churchill was born, and enjoy the formal gardens in full bloom. blenheimpalace.com

Cotswolds Water Park: The Cotswold Water Park in Cirencester is an area of 42 square miles and 180 lakes with no end of activities available to try – from swimming and sailing, to water-skiing and windsurfing. www.waterpark.org

Cotswolds Wildlife Park & Gardens: Head to Burford and come face-to-face with a whole host of amazing animals, from lions and giraffes, to red pandas and wolverines, all at home in 160 acres of landscaped parkland and gardens. www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

Far Peak Climbing: Far Peak Climbing is the Cotswolds only dedicated climbing and outdoor centre, boasting a comprehensive range of indoor and outdoor climbing facilities. www.farpeakclimbing.co.uk

Cheltenham: This beautiful regency town has everything including more than 30 vibrant festivals, a host of independent shops and Michelin-starred fine dining. www.visitcheltenham.com

Oxford: The City of Dreaming Spires is famous the world over for its university, but there’s plenty more to explore besides, including inspiring art galleries, mouth-watering restaurants and more. www.oxfordcity.co.uk

A little further afield

Stratford-upon-Avon: Visit Shakespeare’s hometown in the heart of England, on the banks of the river Avon, where the great bard was born and buried. rsc.org.uk/your-visit/shakespeares-stratford

Warwick Castle: Over 1000 years in the making, enjoy the ultimate historical experience. Shows are held all year round, from spectacular live jousting to the UK’s largest birds of prey show. warwick-castle.com

Bath: Just one hour away from Beechwood Park lies the ultimate wellbeing destination, the city of Bath. Visit the ancient Roman Baths and take a dip in the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain you can bathe in. www.visitbath.co.uk

There’s no place like home

There’s nothing quite like enjoying an action-packed day of exploring, then coming home to the place you love.

Beechwood Park comprises 106 thoughtfully designed homes with a range of layouts to suit your lifestyle and living arrangement needs. With one, two- and three-bedroom apartments still available, we can help you find the right home for you within this vibrant age-exclusive community.

Together with a range of lifestyle support services available, we can ensure your retirement years are as independent and adventurous as you want them to be!

To find out more about life at Brio or to book a viewing, head to our Contact Page.