The Vale Living

The Vale Living Elegant, contemporary, high-spec apartments to rent for retirement living at the Vale. Expertly designed for maximum comfort and easy entertaining.

Secure, gated development. Lounges, bar, restaurant and cinema room. Bespoke support services available.

Streatham – From Small Village to Bustling CentreThe Vale residents were treated to a fascinating talk on their surround...
30/07/2025

Streatham – From Small Village to Bustling Centre

The Vale residents were treated to a fascinating talk on their surroundings by Emma from The Streatham Society. Emma, who is a trained guide for Lambeth Walks and also takes people on tours of the London Transport Museum, has a wealth of information on the history, fame and even, infamy of the area

She began by informing her audience about Streatham’s rise from a small village to a bustling part of London over a relatively short period of time. Upper Norwood was built for the ‘upper classes’ and lower Norwood, today known as West Norwood, for the ‘working classes’.

Given Emma’s particular interest in transport, she was able to introduce us to Thomas Tredwell, a railway pioneer and contractor, who lived at Knights Hill in Norwood. Another resident, mentioned briefly but known of by all, judging by the laughter when her name was mentioned, was Cynthia Paine. She certainly put Streatham on the map, although not necessarily for the right reasons, and was the focus of a couple of highly rated films.

The talk passed so quickly and the subject matter was so interesting that The Valees are looking forward to the next lecture. Streatham has such a rich history and scintillating set of celebrities and characters, the planned follow-up can’t come soon enough. What the audience didn’t have to wait for, however, was the delicious two-course lunch that followed the talk and included complimentary strawberries and meringues.

The Streatham Society is a community amenity that exists to raise awareness and appreciation of the local area for those who live or work in Streatham. Membership is some 300-strong and affords access to a regular newsletter, talks, events and an insight into the area’s rich and fascinating heritage. Further information is available at: https://www.streathamsociety.org.uk


Streatham Sunsets- following on from last month’s class where The Vale’s art group learned to paint using palette knives...
23/07/2025

Streatham Sunsets- following on from last month’s class where The Vale’s art group learned to paint using palette knives to create a more textured effect, July’s session afforded a chance to enhance their skills. Instead of waterlilies, which was our previous focus, sunset was the theme this time.
Participants could choose from round or rectangular boards on which to layer their paint. One of our residents, Andrea, brought along her sister, who said she had never painted so freely before.
The group all worked well together, as they usually do, and the results were pretty spectacular. They can all be proud of themselves and have something lovely to look at when the sun goes down.


Anyone for Tennis? Game, Set … Dinner!The Vale Retirement Living residents were truly on the ball this weekend as we ser...
14/07/2025

Anyone for Tennis? Game, Set … Dinner!
The Vale Retirement Living residents were truly on the ball this weekend as we served up a Wimbledon-themed evening that was nothing short of a grand slam!
Centre Court may have its stars, but we had our very own tennis legend gracing the lounge – fully kitted out in tennis whites, racket in hand and clearly ready to volley any canapé that came his way.
We were treated to a truly ace experience with a special Wimbledon-themed dinner, bringing the elegance and summer charm of Centre Court straight to our Bar & Bistro. In honour of the world’s most iconic tennis championship, our inhouse Chef served up a menu that was both fresh and full of flavour - a perfect match for the season.

Starters served with flair included Salmon & Dill Rolls or Grilled Goat Cheese Salad. Main course options that served up a win from Grilled Prawns with Garlic Herb Butter or Chicken Stroganoff with Creamy Mashed Potatoes. For the grand finale – dessert … what else but classic Strawberries & Cream, a Wimbledon must. It was an evening of delightful flavours, great company and nods to tradition - capturing the essence of summer and sport. A big thank you to our Chef and Team for making it a smashing success!

Stay tuned for more themed evenings coming soon to The Vale Living, Streatham.

The Vale’s patio garden is proving to be a real hit in this warm weather. It is a place to relax, connect with nature an...
08/07/2025

The Vale’s patio garden is proving to be a real hit in this warm weather. It is a place to relax, connect with nature and be with friends.

First thing in the morning, the bird spotters are out watching the various species that visit the feeders and water fountain. The sound of the bubbling water and the songs of our avian friends are soothing and simply delightful.

Later, but before the real heat of the day kicks in, residents are out in twos and threes for their daily stroll. Amidst the greenery and flowers, it’s a chance to catch-up with neighbours and clock up some useful steps.

And what better way to round off the morning than with a light lunch from the Bistro, sheltered under a patio umbrella? There can be nothing better than savouring the delights of a plate of tasty food while surrounded by the sounds and scents of summer.

Many of us will have heard of the famous water lilies at Giverny, painted by Monet, but few will be familiar with those ...
02/07/2025

Many of us will have heard of the famous water lilies at Giverny, painted by Monet, but few will be familiar with those at the Rookery, Streatham Common. Not so, for those who attend The Vale art classes, as they have tackled both.

A couple of years ago, our artists studied the work of the famous French impressionist painter. They also produced their own works depicting water lilies using acrylic paints.

At our most recent session, they focused on the water lilies at The Rookery pond, Streatham Common, as their inspiration. There was also a change of technique as they were encouraged to use paint spread with palette knives and blobs of paint to build up the flowers. This effect, known as ‘impasto,’ produces more of a 3-D effect.

Not only did this approach create interesting results but it was also a little easier on the hands, fingers and wrists. As one resident explained to her husband that it was like using a trowel but then admitted that as he was not into DIY, he might have never used one. Another, meanwhile, surprised herself. “I can’t believe such a mess can create something so beautiful,” she said.

The artists were so impressed with their final results that they plan to join them together and frame them.

Keen to pursue this new technique further, the next session at The Vale, at the retirement living in Streatham, will see how they reproduce a sunset.

Whilst the ‘Royals’ and race goers risked heat stroke whilst dressed up to the ‘nines’ at Ascot, our elite, here at The ...
20/06/2025

Whilst the ‘Royals’ and race goers risked heat stroke whilst dressed up to the ‘nines’ at Ascot, our elite, here at The Vale, enjoyed their own stylish event in the cool of the Bar & Bistro.
Formal dress was not obligatory but this did not stop some dusting off their best summer hats. John, meanwhile, who never disappoints, managed to conjure up a jockey outfit.
Everyone enjoyed a lovely, summer lunch and an appropriately themed Ascot quiz. Competitors were quick to identify the trick questions, for example – ‘what are flats and jumps?’ – most knew these were the two racing seasons and not a type of pudding popular at Ascot. And they certainly could identify what goes into a glass of Pimm’s.
It was nice to see one of our residents joined by friends for both lunch and the quiz.
The eventual winners were the ‘cul-de-sacs’ who generously shared their prize of a box of chocolate mints with the rest of the guests.
Unlike The King, whose horse, sadly finished in 9th place out on the race course, everyone left feeling like an Ascot winner.

Dress Like A Druid For Summer CelebrationSome came dressed as Druids, while others donned their party best or were just ...
16/06/2025

Dress Like A Druid For Summer Celebration
Some came dressed as Druids, while others donned their party best or were just ‘smart casually’ attired as residents got together to celebrate the start of summer.
There was a nod to sustainable fashion too with hats made from tin foil and Druid headwear constructed from a box and a bin bag!
The tempting dinner menu, served in the Bistro, more than lived up to the occasion with a choice that included: golden fried prawns with roasted garlic tomato sauce; salmon & monkfish skewers with herb rice; pot roasted beef with pitted apricot and cherry tomato sauce; gnocchi with creamy basil sauce; grilled peaches with ice cream or cheesecake with summer berries.
The conversation – and a few beverages – flowed. The room was full of chatter and laughter. Everyone had a good time and they now look forward to further treats and celebrations as the summer unfolds. And who knows? Come mid-summer day, those Druid costumes might make another appearance.

The Fleming is a stylish, one-bedroom apartment. Relax in the spacious open-plan living area. Cook up a storm in the lux...
11/06/2025

The Fleming is a stylish, one-bedroom apartment. Relax in the spacious open-plan living area. Cook up a storm in the luxury, fully-fitted kitchen. Thoughtfully designed lighting means your workspace is well lit. Savour the fruits of your labours in the adjacent dining zone. At the end of the evening, retire to the comfort of the double bedroom. Hang your clothes in the spacious built-in wardrobes with automatic LED lighting. Soothe away the excitement of the day in the chic sanctuary of the bathroom with its under-floor heating for toasty toes. Or, wake up to an invigorating power shower and a new day at The Vale.

Whatever the time, your security is assured with 24-hour emergency response that is onsite, a CCTV door entry system, fob operated car park gates plus hard-wired smoke and heat detection systems.

Apartment 124 with lovely sunny, south facing windows is now available on the top floor. The building has two lifts.

Bloomin’ Lovely! The Vale Gets Creative with Summer MeadowsSunshine, paintbrushes, and a splash of inspiration - what mo...
23/05/2025

Bloomin’ Lovely! The Vale Gets Creative with Summer Meadows

Sunshine, paintbrushes, and a splash of inspiration - what more could you want? The spirit of the Chelsea Flower Show was clearly in the air as The Vale Retirement Living in SW16 transformed into a blooming oasis during this month’s art masterclass.

With watercolours in hand, our resident Picassos dived into the delightful world of summer meadows. They began by mastering the art of the wash — creating serene blue skies and lush green fields that practically swayed with a breeze of imagination.

While waiting for their scenic backdrops to dry, the artists took a well-earned coffee break, complete with cheerful chatter and laughter echoing through the room. Then it was back to the paintings for some dry brush action to craft tall grasses, topped off with pops of floral colour using bold opaque paints.

The results? Utterly blooming marvellous! In fact, one inspired resident was so taken by the floral fever that they set off on the Chelsea in Bloom walk — exploring the fabulous displays decorating Sloane Square and the Kings Road, created in harmony with the Chelsea Flower Show.

From brushstrokes to blossoms, it’s safe to say creativity is in full bloom at The Vale! 🌼🎨

As Eurovision fever gripped the nation, The Vale residents opted to mark the occasion, in their own style, with a glance...
21/05/2025

As Eurovision fever gripped the nation, The Vale residents opted to mark the occasion, in their own style, with a glance back to the 1970s.
It may have been ‘Waterloo’ that won the competition for Abba in 1974 but our diners chose ‘Dancing Queen’ as the sound track to their appropriately themed dinner. There was even a nod to ‘Abigail’s Party’ with a menu that included seafood chowder, cheese balls, prawn skewers with coconut and ginger sauce, chicken a la king with pineapple, minute steak, baked Alaska or fresh fruit salad to follow. Vegetarians were also catered for.
There weren’t any tight, shiny, catsuits, platform soles or indeed, dancing queens, but one thing we can be sure of is that everyone entered into the spirit of the occasion with full gusto. Most will have believed that they were “young and sweet, only 17,” again.

VE Day RememberedResidents at The Vale paid tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and celebra...
12/05/2025

VE Day Remembered
Residents at The Vale paid tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and celebrated the freedom that VE Day marked with a special lunch and quiz.
Although our war time families would still have been subject to rations, our menu gave a nod to the food of the time with a choice of Scotch broth, cheese and onion potato cakes, beef stew with dumplings or fish and chips.
The highlight, though, proved to be a Victoria sponge with fresh strawberries, raspberries and lashings of cream. Something people would have yearned for 80 years ago.
The quiz, not surprisingly, was themed around VE Day – what does VE stand for? Who were the two princesses who escaped to the join the crowds to celebrate? Which Prime Minister made the announcement that the war in Europe was over? If anything, our bright sparks found the questions a little too easy, so everyone was a winner and they all shared the boxes of truffles.
A good time was had by all the guests but they also recognized the contributions and hardships endured during those long, dark, days.

Night Scenes Light Up The Vale Living in StreathamResidents at The Vale Living retirement community in Streatham enjoyed...
30/04/2025

Night Scenes Light Up The Vale Living in Streatham
Residents at The Vale Living retirement community in Streatham enjoyed a truly magical art masterclass this week, celebrating creativity and connection through paint and laughter. The session, themed around "Night Scenes," drew inspiration from the great Vincent van Gogh — who once lived in Streatham — and brought a fresh, modern twist to his iconic style.

Using black canvas as their base, participants explored vibrant acrylic paints to create stunning nighttime landscapes. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy as residents experimented with sponges and palette knives, learning new techniques to capture the mysterious beauty of the night sky. The hour-long class resulted in a collection of brilliant works featuring shimmering stars, glowing reflections, and swirling skies, each piece showcasing the individuality and imagination of its artist.

Led in a jovial and relaxed style, the workshop highlighted the joy of creative expression and the power of art to bring people together. It was a fantastic reminder that inspiration can strike at any age — especially when community, creativity, and a touch of Van Gogh come together.

The finished artworks are now proudly displayed at The Vale, brightening up the halls with their vibrant energy and reminding everyone that it’s never too late to dream and create.

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93 Knollys Road
London
SW162JR

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The Vale Living

The Vale Living. Luxury retirement apartments available to rent in South London.

At The Vale, we've been able to utilise our knowledge and passion that we have gained from building and managing purpose built and bespoke luxury retirement villages and care centres for over 30 years. But our experience in providing high quality accommodation and care for older people goes back much further.

It was in the early 1980s that our chairman, Dr Nick Dhandsa, a trained physician at St Thomas’ Hospital, London founded a company called ANS plc. ANS was an innovator and in the 1990s, offered assisted and independent living in 200 purpose-built units on its care campuses around the UK which are the origins of our sector today.

An apartment at The Vale enables you to live a truly independent life in your very own secure environment and community. Our facilities include a garden bistro bar and restaurant, library, hobby room, wellness suite and on-site hairdresser facilities. If you require additional care in the future, our team is on hand to provide the support you require and to give you security and peace of mind that we are here to help as you need.