FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hencote is a purpose-built community for people aged 65 and over who are looking for a richer, more connected way of living, whether that’s living independently in your own apartment, assisted living with personalised support, or residential and nursing care. You don’t need to have any particular care need; you can move here simply to enjoy everything Hencote has to offer.

Unlike most retirement communities, which just offer assisted living, Hencote offers a complete continuum of care. From independent living to assisted living, residential care, and full nursing support including specialist dementia care, everything is here. This means, whatever your circumstances you can stay part of your community, and remain close to your friends, family and the Shropshire countryside you love.

Hencote Living was conceived by Andy and Dora Stevens, who created the Hencote vineyard and estate as a lasting family asset rooted in an intergenerational philosophy. Their experience of cultures that prize family closeness and care for older relatives shaped a vision for a community that reduces loneliness, preserves connection and enables care to be delivered as close to home as possible. Andy has undertaken extensive sector research, visiting communities across the UK and beyond, before arriving at the continuing-care model at the heart of Hencote Living.

Alongside Andy, the team responsible for overseeing the development of Hencote Living includes Charles Stevens (Chartered Accountant and Property Portfolio Manager), Paul Harries (formerly Executive Chairman of LifeCare Residences), and Peter O’Malley, an architect with extensive experience in mixed use developments.

Specialist advisors include Carterwood, Christie & Co, Knight Frank and JLL.

Hencote Living has received full planning consent for the development of the care home and the Garden Village on the estate. We are currently negotiating with developers and seeking the right operator for the care home. The vineyard, winery, restaurant and guest accommodation at The Grange already open and operating today.

There will be several places across the estate for residents to come together, relax and spend time with family, friends and neighbours. At the heart of this will be The View, Hencote’s Clubhouse, which already brings life to the estate through its bar, restaurant and events space. In time, this will be complemented by a cinema and games room, with access to the spa and pool area also available.

For residents of Hencote Living, The View will be more than a shared amenity. It will be the social centrepiece of the community: a place shaped by the natural rhythm of the vineyard, from harvests and seasonal menus to events and gatherings throughout the year. This gives daily life at Hencote a sense of depth, character and vitality that a purpose-built amenity block simply cannot recreate. Residents will be joining an estate that already has a natural life of its own.

Hencote Court care home will also have its own communal lounge and access to sensory gardens, providing calm, welcoming spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.

We are developing a rich and varied programme of activities and events drawing directly on the life of the estate, vineyard tours and harvest experiences, wine tastings, seasonal dinners, film evenings, talks and creative workshops. Beyond estate events, our team will coordinate a regular calendar of activities within the Clubhouse, gardens and wider community. Residents will always be free to participate as much or as little as they choose. The aim is to give life at Hencote a gentle rhythm, while leaving residents entirely free to take part in their own way.

Hencote is located on the edge of Shrewsbury, one of England’s finest medieval market towns. Our dedicated electric shuttle bus will connect residents directly with Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury railway station offers direct connections to Birmingham, London and North Wales. The estate is readily accessible by car from the M54 and wider Midland’s road network, and within reach of Birmingham International Airport. We are happy to provide a detailed location guide and map when you make an enquiry.

The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital is located on the edge of the town and provides a full range of acute and specialist services. There are also local GP practices, dental surgeries and specialist clinics within easy reach of the estate. We will also be creating a medical consulting space on site. Our team can provide a full overview of local health services as part of your enquiry information.

Hencote Living will offer a range of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments designed to suit different households and ways of living. Full details, including indicative floor plans and specifications, will be made available as the development progresses. If you register your interest, our team will keep you informed and discuss which type of home is likely to suit you best.

Yes. The best way to understand whether Hencote is right for you is to visit the estate in person. Our team will be delighted to show you around, walk you through the Garden Village plans and the care home, and answer your questions over a coffee, or a glass of Hencote wine. We will also offer the opportunity to spend time on the estate at one of our Open Days or by private arrangement, so you can get a genuine sense of daily life here before making any decision.

Absolutely. Your apartment is your home. You will be able to bring the furniture, artwork, and personal belongings that matter most to you. Our apartments are designed as a beautiful blank canvas; the finishing touches are entirely yours.

Subject to availability, we offer homes available to purchase or to rent, giving you the choice to decide what is best for you.

Buying ‘off-plan’ gives you the opportunity to buy the property before the development is completed (usually around 6 months before). This gives you the benefit of the first choice of Hencote Living properties and plenty of time to prepare. Buying a retirement property before it’s finished may sound daunting, but we’ll give you plenty of information, including floor plans and choices you’re able to make on fixtures and finishes, to help you picture how your new home will look and feel.

We will publish the service charges together with the pricing for the apartments. The annual service charge will cover the maintenance and upkeep of all communal areas and grounds, 24-hour on-site support, security, building maintenance, and access to Hencote’s shared facilities and amenities, such as The Clubhouse and the Spa.

No. Anything inside your home, including utilities, contents insurance, TV licence etc, will need to be covered by you and is not included in the service charge.

For apartments, your council tax will need to be paid direct to the local authority. The council tax you pay will be dependent on the size of your apartment.
You will also be able to subscribe to broadband, Sky and Digital TV services.What are the key financial considerations I should be aware of?

We want to make sure every household has the information they need to make a considered decision. We are therefore committed to making financial arrangements fully transparent. We will provide you with clear information on:

• The purchase price or rental terms for your home
• The annual service charge, which covers communal maintenance, 24-hour support and shared facilities
• Any event fee or deferred management fee that may apply on resale
• How the service charge is reviewed and increased annually
• The process and costs involved in reselling or exiting your home
• How personal care costs are structured separately from accommodation costs

Independent living means living in your own apartment, entirely on your own terms, with support available when you ask for it. You have your own front door, complete autonomy, and access to everything the estate has to offer.

Assisted living offers personal support in your home with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing or medication. The level of support can increase or decrease over time, as you need it.

Residential and nursing care are provided through our dedicated care home, Hencote Court, when your needs become more complex and you need 24-hour support. We will also provide specialist dementia care.

This is precisely what sets Hencote apart. Because assisted living, residential care, and full nursing care are all on the same estate, you can remain in your community, surrounded by familiar faces, with care that simply grows around you.

Yes. One of the most important aspects of Hencote’s care model is that couples don’t have to be separated. If one partner requires nursing or residential care while the other lives independently, both remain on the same estate; close, connected, and supported.

Yes. Well-behaved pets are welcome at Hencote, subject to our pet policy. We know that pets are part of the family, and for many people they are central to the feeling of home. That is exactly how we want Hencote to feel from the moment you arrive.

Of course. Hencote is your home, and your family and friends are always welcome. Guest facilities are available on site at our bookable luxury guest accommodation (The Grange) for those who wish to visit for a short stay, and our family spaces within the care home mean that visits can be relaxed, private, and unhurried.

Yes, parking is available on the estate for residents, with additional spaces for visiting family and friends.

Moving to Hencote is one of life’s significant decisions, and we understand the thought and emotion that goes into it. If you are moving from a larger home, our complimentary moving service is there to make the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible; helping you thoughtfully sort through your belongings, pack with care, and settle into your new home feeling immediately at ease.

We even offer the services of a handyman when you move in to help put up pictures and move things to your liking.

Yes.  If you are returning from abroad or relocating from elsewhere in the UK to be closer to family in the Midlands, we recognise you will have to juggle timing, logistics and the move itself.

Our team is experienced in supporting longer-distance moves and can help you with everything from shipping to storage.

The development will be built in three phases.
Phase 1 (XX): Construction of the care home, Hencote Court begins.
Phase 2 (XX): Construction of the care community, the Garden Village begins.
Phase 3 (XX): The first residents will move in.

Registering your interest simply means our team can keep you informed as the development progresses, share updates on home availability, and invite you to Open Days and estate visits. There is no financial or legal commitment until you are ready to proceed, and even then, every step will be explained clearly.

Whether you have a simple question or want to get a feel for Hencote, you can get in touch without obligation by:

• Contacting us by email at hello@hencoteliving.com with a question, however brief
• Arranging a personal visit or tour of the estate and vineyard
• Attending one of our Open Days
• Requesting a brochure or detailed information pack
• Registering your interest so we can keep you up to date