The UK's 'oldest' seaside village that pensioners keep moving to after abandoning London

The UK's population is getting older. In 2022, 9% of the population were aged 65 or over, and this number is projected to increase to 27% by 2072. The most recent Census results showed that the number of people aged 65 years and over increased from 9.2million in 2011 to over 11million in 2021, and the proportion of people aged 65 years and over rose from 16.4% to 18.6%. Some areas of the country are more aged than others, and statistics suggest that the average age of people living in Barton-on-Sea in Hampshire, 65, is the highest when it comes to coastal towns.

Tending to flowers outside his apartment is Peter Rogerson, 83, a retired building society manager. He has lived in Barton for 13 years, moving from New Milton 1.6 miles away, and relishes being able to walk along clifftops along the shore, gazing out to sea and looking at the Isle of Wight. "I think any seaside area tends to be somewhere where people like to finish off their years," Mr Rogerson says.

He adds that there are plenty of meetings for elderly people put on locally, where locals can play whist or knit.

"If you're prepared to make an effort, there are all sorts of groups," Mr Rogerson says.

"There's a very popular group my wife goes to. Zumba in the town centre has 60 regular members."

He notes that participants do "gentle" dance routines.

There are buses that run once per hour in either direction, Mr Rogerson adds.

"I notice most people getting on are using the local [senior free travel] card to cover their journey," he explains.

"I think most of the drivers wouldn't know cash if they saw it.

"It's enough for us because we have a car, but I'm sure most people would perhaps like it a little more frequently, and it finishes quite early, at five or six o'clock."

Mr Rogerson says that residents often have to book taxis if they are returning late from, say, Bournemouth or Lymington.

"Cinemas and the like are out if you haven't got a car," he adds.

Barton is "a bit overwhelmed" and "noisy" during the summer as day-trippers drop by, but Mr Rogerson emphasises that "that's really not unusual for a coastal resort".

"I think it's as nice a coastal place as you could wish for," he says.

"But that also applies to Milford-on-Sea."

Sarah Kett, 67, works in adult education at Brockenhurst College.

She says the seaside, public transport and "slower pace of life" attracts people to the area.

She adds that she has not seen many young families in Barton, but many have come into neighbouring New Milton and Milford-on-Sea.

There needs to be "a few more national shops around", Ms Kett says.

"We do have to travel quite far to get to... bigger shops.

"But then perhaps that wouldn't be a good idea. It's quite nice as it is."

The area is "fairly affluent" and "people come down and retire quite nicely", Ms Kett says.

There are many semi-detached houses as well as apartments, and people from elsewhere - such as "lots from London" - live "comfortable" lives when they move to Barton.

Indeed, house prices in Barton-On-Sea have an overall average of £554,156 over the last year, according to Rightmove.

The majority of properties sold in the town were detached properties, going for an average price of £678,287.

Flats sold for an average of £325,523, with semi-detached properties fetching £368,667.

However, overall, the historical sold prices over the last year were 1% down on the previous year and 9% down on the 2022 peak of £609,051.

The average house price in the UK is now £263,600, according to Zoopla.

Sarah's husband, Ron Kett, 93, a former hotel manager, says: "I think that [there's] a time when [you] settle down into a slower form of life in an area of great beauty, which it is down here."

When one reaches a certain age, there "isn't the need to be near places of earning a living", he added.

He explains: "In the middle of London, there are loads of jobs.

"There aren't many companies around [Barton] that employ a lot of people."

Sue Pett, 77, lives in New Milton having moved there from Potters Bar, which was "lovely until they built the M25".

She thinks that the reason so many older people are living in the area is because they come to look around as visitors, and then decide to move because they like the look of it.

New Milton is "not a bad little town, not bad at all", Ms Pett says.

She appreciates the Marks and Spencer food hall, which "attracts a lot of people".

There's also a Tesco and Morrisons.

A 78-year-old friend, who does not wish to be named, says it is the fact that Barton is a quiet place on the coast that attracts older residents.

Highcliffe is also popular with pensioners, she adds.

John Hawkes, 72, a retired mechanical engineer, and his wife, Linda Hawkes, also 72, who worked as a support assistant at a school and in a bank, are relaxing on a bench looking out to sea.

The couple are on the south coast staying in the New Forest to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

Mr Hawkes says Barton is very different to places like Bournemouth and Southend, adding: "It's a lovely area around here.

"There are not many people around here at all; it's peaceful."

However, he says he would not retire in the village.

"When the weather is like this, it all looks good." Mr Hawkes tells the Express.

"But in the winter and the wind's blowing, it's not quite as nice as this.

"When it's cold, it's cold. I'd prefer to be inland."

Mrs Hawkes adds: "It reminds me of Frinton-on-Sea [in Essex].

"You can take the children there, and you don't spend a penny."