Beyond the Plate

Turning Every Meal into a Feel Good Moment

At Adlington Retirement Living, dining is about so much more than just good food. It’s about connection, companionship and comfort. Whether it’s a freshly brewed coffee with a neighbour, a Sunday roast with visiting family, or simply taking a break from cooking.

Our elegant on-site restaurants and welcoming homeowners’ lounges offer an enriching experience that feeds both body and soul.

In every community, mealtimes are transformed into moments of joy. Homeowners can savour nutritious chef-prepared meals and beyond the convenience and flavour, it’s the shared experiences that make dining in our restaurants so special.

Frank, a homeowner at Brookfields House in Newcastle-under-Lyme, still enjoys preparing meals at home in his apartment, especially baking, but he also treats himself by dining in the restaurant.

Homeowner Frank. reading in the homeowners lounge

“When my wife Janet returned to work after our third child, I taught myself to cook,” Frank recalls. “When she became ill, I missed her baking, so I gave it a go myself. It took me three tries to perfect a lemon drizzle cake!”

Margaret and Keith, who moved to The Spindles in Menston, have made the homeowners’ lounge part of their daily routine.

“We use the lounge quite a lot,” Margaret explains. “It’s like a cosy extension of our living room. We got the paper this morning and came downstairs to read it.”

“You never sit alone for long,” Keith adds. “People just drop in and soon we’re all chatting away, it’s lovely.”

The couple dine at the restaurant several times a week and often invite friends along.

“The food’s excellent,” says Keith. “And the staff are always so friendly.”

Homeowners Margaret and Keith, enjoying a cup of tea

For Lesley, who lives at The Newells in Kempston, the restaurant offers the perfect setting to entertain guests.

“Every time I bring  a friend, they say, ‘Oh, it’s like a  lovely hotel!’”

She adds “If I ask where they’d like to go for lunch, they always pick here. It’s a real treat.”

She still cooks for herself most days but loves having the option to dine out without leaving the building.

“I usually have lunch here on a Sunday. It’s part of my weekly routine now.”

Homeowner Lesley in the Garden

David, another homeowner at The Spindles, highlights the warm, welcoming atmosphere that defines the Adlington experience.

“I eat in the restaurant almost every day, then head to the lounge for a coffee or sit outside in the garden. It’s easy to join in a conversation. Everyone’s so friendly.”

Angela and Tim, also homeowners at The Spindles, say the on-site restaurant was a major factor in choosing their new home.

“We actually ruled out another community because it didn’t have a proper restaurant,”

Angela explains. “This one was perfect. It’s ideal when you’ve just come back from holiday and haven’t got any food in the house!”

“We even booked lunch before we went away,” she adds. “And the lounge is great for a quick coffee after shopping or a walk.”

For Trevor, a retired GP now living at The Sidings in Lytham, the flexibility is key.

“I eat in the restaurant a few times a week, just whenever I feel like it,” he says. “Sundays are special though. I usually have my sister, or a friend join me for lunch.”

A couple being served a meal in the on-site restaurant 

And for Margaret, now at The Woodlands with her husband John, the restaurant represents more than just convenience. It’s freedom.

“I’ve cooked every meal for nearly 53 years,” she laughs. “I’m a good cook, but I’ve had enough. When I saw there was a restaurant here, I thought, ‘thank goodness!’”

Now, she and John dine there daily.

“The food is delicious and it’s great value too. We often have friends or family come and join us. It really is fantastic.”

Mealtimes are not simply about eating, they’re about living well. Whether you’re tucking into a light bite, indulging in a hearty Sunday lunch, or enjoying a relaxed coffee with neighbours, these shared spaces are designed to foster connection, comfort and community.

So whether you’re an experienced home baker like Frank, or finally ready to hang up the apron like Margaret, Adlington’s approach to dining offers something for everyone.

Explore the lifestyle you could be enjoying at an Adlington Retirement Community and the other health and well-being benefits that come along with it.

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