A “fascinating” North East county with "seductive seaside charm" has been crowned one of the most “desirable” places to retire in the UK, but can you guess where?

Tyne and Wear featured among the best 10 counties where people are looking to spend their time once they have stepped away from work, according to new research.

It has also been described as having some of the “most sought-after addresses”.

With an estimated 12 million people aged 65 plus living in the UK, developer and manager of retirement communities McCarthy Stone says that research shows around 4.3 million of those of retirement age would consider moving from their existing property.

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To serve up inspiration for where to move to, McCarthy Stone has unveiled the most sought-after locations to retire in the UK based on visits to its website by prospective homeowners.

With Kent, South Yorkshire and Hampshire taking the top three spots, McCarthy Stone has combined its own findings with the latest data from Google Trends to paint a picture of the most popular locations and what makes them such “desirable” places to retire to.

But where exactly did Tyne and Wear rank? Let’s find out.

Why is Tyne and Wear among UK’s best places to retire?

McCarthy Stone explained: “Antony Gormley’s iconic Angel of the North welcomes visitors to this fascinating county which is home to world-class culture, history and wildlife with seductive seaside charm.

The Northern Echo: Have you thought about retirement plans yet?Have you thought about retirement plans yet? (Image: Getty)

“Whether choosing to live in Gosforth, one of Newcastle Upon Tyne’s most sought-after addresses or South Shields, a popular coastal retreat, retirees can enjoy a lively events calendar throughout the year from the Great North Run through to the International Magic Festival.”

UK's top 10 most 'desirable' counties to retire

  1. Kent
  2. South Yorkshire
  3. Hampshire
  4. Devon
  5. Essex
  6. Dorset
  7. Somerset
  8. Surrey
  9. Tyne and Wear
  10. Cheshire

Kim Caldwell, national sales and marketing director at McCarthy Stone, said: “For many, retirement offers people a chance to reassess life priorities and make the most of their later years while they can remain as active and independent as possible.

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“For others, it’s about moving nearer to friends or family and ensuring their loved ones are nearby should they need a helping hand. One thing’s for sure – with retirement comes a need for change and often the need to downsize or relocate. 

“I think that the mix of locations featured in our top ten list really highlights that people are seeking interesting and varied places to live to suit their needs."

Kim added: "Of course, the warmer months can influence what people are looking for online and that’s when the stunning Yorkshire countryside, or gems such as Brighton or the South West coast also emerge as high performers for those dreaming of a life by the sea.

"Whatever the reason for downsizing, we are constantly monitoring the most searched-for locations on our website to ensure that we can respond to market demand and ensure that we build suitable retirement accommodation in the right places for those aged 65 plus.”