Ledian Gardens is a retirement village with a difference.

Set in the heart of the Kent countryside, the village in Leeds, near Maidstone, is designed to be a community hub not just for its residents, but also the wider local community.

It has everything a retiree could possibly want, from a plush café, bar, restaurant and lounge to a library and hobbies room, and even a state-of-the-art wellness centre.

“It’s all about enabling our residents to live as happy and healthy life as possible, in a safe and secure environment,” said Albert Sinfield, village manager. “We wanted to create a community hub for everyone in the local area, not just our residents, bringing together people from a wide range of different age groups and lifestyles.”

Run by Inspired Villages, the whole complex, which totals 115 one and two-bedroom apartments and cottages starting at £350,000 leasehold, was opened in May 2022. It’s designed with convenience and accessibility in mind, with staff on call 24/7.

Theme nights are held in the 40-seater restaurant every Wednesday, which are always well attended, while traditional favourites such as toad in the hole are served on Throwback Thursdays.

Chapters library has a wide selection of books and a quiet reading area, which doubles up as a cinema with a pull down screen.

Just down the hall, Creations hobby room stocks a range of puzzles and other games, while there are also an art class, a pottery workshop, a bridge club and a bingo afternoon, all designed to encourage residents to share and learn new skills, and socialise.

The wellness centre includes a fitness studio with weights and a gym with specialist equipment to suit everyone’s needs. It also comprises a 12-metre swimming pool, a relaxation area, and a sauna and steam room. It’s these fantastic facilities that are attributed to gym-going residents seeing an average 9.1 year reduction in their biological age and 24% increase in strength.

The village’s residents, who range from 65 to 101, pay an annual service charge, which includes cleaning and gardening services, as well as access to the wellness centre and all activities.

The wellness centre is also open to non-resident members, while businesses and individuals can also hire out the bar and restaurant for meetings and functions. Both the bar and restaurant and wellness centre are open seven days a week.

Additionally, there’s a hairdressing salon and treatment rooms.

In May, a community garden and walk area with a greenhouse and raised beds will be opened. The third phase of building another 40 homes will also start in 2026.

Jenny Cobb and her husband Paul, both 78, who have been residents for just over two years, were sold on the village after coming down to visit from their home in Hertfordshire one day.

“It was just perfect for us – it feels like a real community and our apartment is very comfortable,” she said. “Also, we have always been very active: we are involved with running the choir and we have started doing new activities such as the gym.”

Thanks to the recent completion of second phase, there are currently 50 properties available to purchase or rent.

For more information or to book a visit, call 01622 588314or click here.