With more than 17,000 options now available in the UK, it's no wonder choosing a care or nursing home for your loved one can feel overwhelming. But as life expectancies continue to rise, it's vital to take time and care over this decision. Fees can differ vastly, and paying more doesn't necessarily guarantee a better experience for the individual.

'When looking for a home you should research pricing, online reviews and its CQC (Care Quality Commission) rating,' says Rachel Tiff, director of marketing at Oakland Care. 'Do the residents and staff seem happy? Does it seem clean? Does the menu look enticing? Was it relatively easy to park?'

A care home's staff also play an enormous role in the atmosphere and wellbeing of its residents. 'Ask a prospective care home where [they source] staff from', says Francesca Dey, Registered Manager at Abbeydale Residential Home, Ilkley. 'Have you got a manager? How long have they been in post? Do you use agency staff?'

Bobbie-Jo Owen, at Sanders Senior Living, says, 'A good care home is a sanctuary, offering safety, comfort and a sense of value. It creates a strong community with compassionate carers who understand each resident's needs and preferences. Personalised care plans, engaging activities and nutrition are key focuses. Living spaces should be cosy and homely, and safety is prioritised while supporting independence.'

Fortunately, a high proportion of care homes have had a makeover in recent years, with improved interior design, catering, technological advancements and improved therapies pushing the bar higher and higher.

With such a wide array available, from elegant historic buildings to ultra-modern purpose-built homes, there's somewhere for everyone. And to help make this all-important decision that little bit easier, we've compiled a list of Britain's 50 best care homes around the UK.

NORTH EAST

Cheviot Court, South Shields, Tyne and Wear

Set amongst landscaped gardens, Cheviot Court has earned a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk. Some of the ground floor bedrooms open directly onto the attractive gardens, and many upstairs ones have pleasant views of the Cleadon Hills.

'Colleagues and residents at Cheviot Court are one big family and getting to know each other is crucial to delivering individual, person-centred care,' says Louise Damms, home manager. 'There's something for everyone here – whether we're hosting events in the home, like recent St Patrick's Day celebrations, granting residents' special requests from our Wishing Tree or heading out to see the sights of Sandhaven or Roker beaches.'

Cheviot Court has a range of shared spaces including different lounges, and a TV and music area, and there is an activities room, conservatory, hair and beauty salon and minibus for outings.

'I chose Cheviot Court because I'm from the area and my family lives close by,' says Cheviot Court resident, 83-year-old Harry. 'My mam used to be in the home and she was happy here, too. I love the staff who work here – they support me every day.'

Bedrooms: 73 single rooms with ensuite wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,323 per week

Park House, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham

Situated in the Oxbridge area of the desirable market town of Stockton On Tees, a stone's throw away from the North York Moors National Park, Park House has a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

A small family-run care home, facilities include a TV lounge, a quiet lounge, a smoking room and a hot tub. Close to shops and public transport, there are regular visits from a doctor, dentist, chiropodist, optician and hairdresser, and the staff conduct quizzes, card games, bingo and skittles. They also arrange day trips and musical evenings.

As well as older person, respite and dementia care, younger adults are accepted and there is also support for a number of other specific care needs such as epilepsy, hearing and speech impairment and other conditions.

Bedrooms: 16 single rooms (11 with ensuite wet room); one companion/couples room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £880 per week

Abingdon Park View Care Home, Northampton

A winner in the Top 20 Care Home Awards 2025, Abington is conveniently close to the town centre and faces the grounds of Abington Park.

Facilities include a bar/cafe and various lounges, and the regular activities include reminiscence and board games, baking, mindfulness sessions, daily exercise classes, a book club and movie nights in the cinema lounge. There are also church services to help residents feel more connected to the wider community.

Bedrooms: 21 single rooms and four couples/companion rooms ensuite

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £995 per week

NORTH WEST

Dystlegh Grange, Stockport, Manchester

Set in attractive landscaped gardens, Dystlegh Grange dates back to 1890 and was a former clubhouse of Disley Golf Club. It has been extensively transformed and redesigned since the early 1980s, and has received a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk and has an 'outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission.

It is evident that a lot of thought has been put into the running and design of the home, which has glass windows the heigt of the building, projecting natural lighting throughout and promoting a bright feel. Other than the chefs, the staff do not wear uniforms, giving the residency a moral informal, friendly atmosphere that's greatly appreciated by its residents.

Bedrooms: 40 single rooms with wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,300 per week

YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER

Outram Fields, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

This purpose-built home, situated in the suburb of Bradway, only opened in 2024 – but has already earned a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

Boasting swish interior design, it features luxurious lounges and dining rooms, an on-site café/bar and hair salon. There are daily activities organised and regular day trips to nearby villages or local attractions.

Bedrooms: 69 single rooms and six couples/companion rooms with ensuite wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,500 per week

Abbeydale, Ilkley, Yorkshire

Sitting proudly amongst among only 4% of care homes in England rated 'outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, and with a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk, Abbeydale is one of the most sought-after care homes in the country.

The 32 residents are cared for by 38 staff, 22 of whom are fully-qualified care workers. The family-run home organises a range of activities, including art classes, flower arranging, games and quizzes, as well as visiting entertainers and musicians.

'We also have breathtaking gardens, which continue to achieve a 'Yorkshire in Bloom' Gold Award and 'Ilkley in Bloom' Gold Award every year,' says manager Francesca Dey. 'Our residents have access to our gardens all day. We also have an eight-seater minibus, giving the residents freedom to get out and about in our beautiful countryside.'

'Another area we shine in is our dining experience. Residents regularly sing the chef's praises. The overall aim of our catering team is to provide an outstanding catering service that meets and exceeds the individual needs of all our residents, ensuring all meals are nutritious, well-presented and provide a balanced diet, and to always ensure the dining experience is a sociable and enjoyable time for all our residents.'

Some rooms have garden terraces, and residents can bring their own furniture if required. There are excursions four times a week using Abbeydale's minibus.

Bedrooms: 32 single ensuite rooms, two companion/couple rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,350 per week

Park Mount Care Home, Macclesfield, Cheshire

This purpose-built care home opened in 1984 by the Pallottine Missionary Sisters, who are still the registered provider. It has been given a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

The home is set in well-established gardens, which have a summer house, nature trail, chickens and a fishpond, with plenty of areas to sit and enjoy the view. There are two lounges, two dining rooms and a number of communal areas for the residents to enjoy. There is a chapel on site for all denominations.

Shops and public transport are nearby, and you can bring your own furniture if preferred.

Bedrooms: 44 single rooms with wet room and two companion/couples rooms with wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,140 per week

EAST MIDLANDS

Royal Windsor, Grantham, Lincolnshire

Royal Windsor is located in the former grounds of the Magistrate's Court in historic Grantham and has a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk. The property's heritage is reflected through features such as the Judges Bistro and artwork throughout the building.

Purpose-built in 2021, it has a bar/cafe and beautifully manicured gardens. There is a hair salon, residents' lounge and small cinema. Some of the rooms also have French doors that open onto a patio, offering great views of the gardens.

As well as older person and dementia care, there is support for a number of other specific care needs such as epilepsy, hearing and speech impairment, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, cancer care, Parkinson's Disease and other conditions.

Bedrooms: 68 single rooms with ensuite wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,275 per week

Holdingham Grange Care & Nursing Home, Sleaford, Lincolnshire

Located on the outskirts of historic Sleaford, this purpose-built care home offering dedicated residential, nursing, and dementia care has earned a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk. Local attractions, such as shops, Sleaford Museum and the Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum, are minutes away.

Within its attractive grounds, residents enjoy facilities that include lounges and a library, bistros, a cinema room, activity room, sun decks and private dining opportunities. A host of regular activities and day trips are organised too.

Bedrooms: 60 single rooms and four couples/companion rooms with ensuite wet rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,423 per week

WEST MIDLANDS

Arkall Manor, Tamworth, Staffordshire

Situated 40 minutes from Birmingham and only opening in 2024, Arkall Manor has already earned a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

Accommodation is spacious, and facilities include sensory gardens, a hair and beauty salon, state-of-the-art cinema, and well-curated library. Activities include anything from a fruit tea or gin tasting to a poetry recital, armchair exercise sessions, art gallery visits, bird watching or a wine and board games evening.

Bedrooms: 66 single rooms with ensuite wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,445 per week

Burcot Grange, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

Considered one of the highest-rated care homes by Lottie, the free online marketplace and service helping families find care options in the UK, Burcot Grange Care Home is situated in the rural village of Blackwell, offering stunning views of the countryside.

A period property set in attractive gardens, the home is the ideal location for al fresco afternoon tea, a barbecue or a spot of gardening. Burcot also hosts plenty of events and day trips to keep residents happy and stimulated, and there's a good range of activities whether pottery, painting or music, and games such as Trivial Pursuit. The home also invites the local Sixth Form school to play a game of scrabble with residents, which is always popular.

Bedrooms: 28 single and six couples/companion rooms with ensuite wet rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,250 per week

Cofton Park Manor Care Home, Cofton Hackett, Worcestershire

Located in Cofton Hackett, a sought-after area with stunning countryside, attractive housing and a rich history, Cofton Park was purpose-built in 2022. The sleekly-designed building is set within attractive, tranquil gardens, and the residency has also been awarded a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

Facilities include a bistro and pub, as well as a wellbeing and beauty salon, offering relaxation treatments, hairdressing and a nail bar for manicures and pedicures. There's also a cinema, private dining suite and cosy living spaces.

It is conveniently close to public transport and shops, and offers support for a range of conditions.

Bedrooms: 72 single rooms with ensuite wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,200 per week

EAST OF ENGLAND

Hassingham House, Hingham, Norfolk

Situated in a pretty Georgian market town, Hassingham House is considered one of the highest-rated care homes by Lottie and enjoys an 'outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission.

Purpose-built, the home specialises in supporting residents with neurological conditions and spinal injuries, alongside older person and younger adult care as well as dementia, sensory impairment and other care categories.

There are regular quiz nights, arts and crafts sessions and garden parties, with barbecues in the gardens during warmer weather. Other activities range from screening sports matches on the widescreen TV, scheduling manicures and blow-dry treatments in the in-house salon, and trips to local churches, parks, green spaces and shops.

Bedrooms: 44 single rooms with ensuite

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,540 per week

Harleston House, Lowestoft, Suffolk

Harleston House is an attractive period care home in a quiet residential area, close to a park and all local amenities. It is considered one of the highest-rated care homes by Lottie, and has an 'outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission.

'I chose this home as my sister-in-law used to live here and said wonderful things about it,' says resident George Walker. 'She always seemed to be happy when she was here, so I thought I would too. I've got used to the staff, and everybody looks after me well, especially being 102.'

Facilities include a spacious lounge and hair salon, and a dedicated social activities team plan a wide variety of daily activities and organise a range of regular external trips.

'I've been working at Harleston house for 17 years and would not leave it to work in another care home,' says Gareth Harding, activities coordinator. 'The key factor for me is to make every day different but every day count, making those differences to somebody's day in a positive way – this is hugely rewarding. So, having 17 years of doing just that is a huge success for me and the team.'

Bedrooms: 39 single rooms with ensuite wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,587 per week

Anisha Grange, Billericay, Essex

Anisha Grange is one of the highest-rated care homes by Lottie, and it is also rated 'outstanding' by the Quality Care Commission.

The home boasts a cinema room, quiet lounges, an in-house hair salon and therapy room, dining rooms, garden cafe and landscaped gardens with a pretty summer house to explore. Residents are also welcome to bring their own furniture to help settle into their new room. There are regular activities, and the residency is just a short walk from the local church and local shops.

Bedrooms: 74 single ensuite rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,675 per week

Eve Belle, Wickford, Essex

Located in the attractive market town of Wickford, 30 miles from London, this purpose-built care home has a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk. Set over two floors, it features a cinema, hairdressing salon, cocktail and coffee bar, family room and bistro lounges.

'The home is stunning, and the whole staff team are amazing,' says resident Sandie Westlake, aged 85. 'They cannot do more for me, for us. I have been here since the home opened, and I am so proud to be here. My daughters made the right choice.'

It offers older person and dementia care, physical disability and respite care as well as other care needs such as epilepsy, hearing impairment, multiple sclerosis and other conditions. Wickford Country Park is nearby, which is ideal for when friends and family visit, and the high street has a choice of shops and restaurants.

Bedrooms: 58 single rooms with ensuite wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1580 per week

Mountfichet House, Stansted, Essex

Considered one of the highest-rated care homes by Lottie, Mountfichet House has also earned an 'outstanding' rating from the Quality Care Commission.

'Fulfilling the lives of residents is our number one priority,' says manager Joanna Duke, manager. 'As well as holding regular dance classes, we recently hosted an afternoon choir session with the local church and celebrated Holi Festival and St Patrick's Day with activities and food. We make sure that residents remain part of the local community and work hard to make their wishes come true every day.'

There are two floors at Mountfichet, divided into four suites that create a 'home within a home'. Each suite has its own lounge, bistro-style dining room and set of bedrooms. Facilities include a bar, cinema, hair and beauty salon and activities room. The activities on offer are extremely varied too. In the space of a week, residents can take part in pot planting, a pub quiz, arts and crafts, exercise classes and even bird watching.

There's a minibus for outings, which could be anything from the local pub to Saffron Walden Museum, Audley End House or Duxford War Museum. Residents also enjoy trips out to the seaside, visiting places like Walton on the Naze. Back at the home there's always something going on – regular activities include baking, enjoying afternoon tea and gardening.

'Everyone at Mountfitchet House was very friendly when I came to view it,' says resident 59-year-old Sian. 'I loved being taken out into the garden, as it made me excited for spending my time out here in warm summer days.'

'The best thing about living at Mountfitchet House is the staff. Each and every one of them is lovely, great within their job role and always does whatever is asked of them. I have had plenty of good times with them over the years, including many garden parties, a trip to the zoo, musical entertainment and many lifestyle activities throughout the day. When it comes to food, we can get anything that we wish for, and the staff listen to our views to ensure they can best support us. My room is always sparkling clean and my clothes come back with such a quick turnaround. I love it here!'

Bedrooms: 60 ensuite rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,462 per week

Admiral Court, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Situated on a leafy residential street in a very pleasant, peaceful town with boutique shops, good restaurants and cobbled streets, Admiral Court is one of the highest-rated care homes by Lottie.

Only a 10-minute drive from the beaches of Southend, the modern, purpose-built Admiral Court, has a café, hair salon, cinema, dedicated therapy room and beautifully landscaped gardens. The care team work with residents to help them feel more independent and keep up old hobbies and interests.

Bedrooms: 60 single ensuite rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,660 per week

Sweyne Court, Rayleigh, Essex

Also one of Lottie's highest-rated care homes, Sweyne Court is close to the bustling town of Rayleigh, and just seven miles from Southend-on-Sea.

Set in pleasant enclosed gardens, the property has excellent views of the surrounding countryside. There is a hairdressing salon, mobile library and visiting optician and chiropodist. Activities include live entertainment, gardening, art and craft activities, cooking classes, and visits from local schools and other community groups.

Bedrooms: 40 single rooms, 15 with ensuite wet room, four with ensuite, three couples/companion rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,400 per week

Barchester Iris Court, Hitchin, Hertfordshire

This purpose-built care home only opened in 2024, but has already earned a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

Within its modern, bright building it features a wide range of facilities including a cafe with outdoor seating, dining rooms with garden access ideal for summer nights, a cinema to watch the classics and a relaxing spa bathroom located on each floor of the home.

There is a full and varied schedule of virtual and live activities every day, as well as regular themed dining experiences, where family and friends are invited to join their loved ones.

The home also arranges regular outings, guest speakers, live entertainment, animal therapy and inter-generational activities to ensure that there is a wide range of activities available each week.

Bedrooms: 56 single rooms and 2 couples/companion rooms with ensuite wet rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,500 per week

LONDON

Signature at Highgate, London

Winner of the Luxury Care Home Award at the Knight Frank Care Home Awards 2025, Signature at Highgate is considered the most expensive care home ever built in the UK, with a £50 million investment in construction and design,

It has a bistro restaurant offering gourmet dining, private dining rooms, a cocktail bar (complete with mixologist!), art-deco cinema, and a hair salon.

The 5-star-style accommodation ranges from studios to double-suites, alongside a broad variety of carefully-designed communal spaces such as a lounge, activity room, a landscaped garden complete with inviting walkways and serene water features.

Bedrooms: 96 ensuite apartments

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £2,245 per week

Eden Grange, Battersea, London

Also highly ranked by Lottie, Eden Grange is ideally located just south of the River Thames and close to historic Battersea Park, making it easily commutable from Chelsea, Fulham and Earls Court.

The purpose-built home boasts three communal dining rooms, a range of luxury lounges, a cafe, courtyard gardens and a fitness studio. The six larger care suites comprise an en-suite bedroom plus a lounge and kitchenette.

Bedrooms: 67 ensuite single rooms and six care suites (companion/couples rooms)

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,950 per week

Park Avenue Care Home, Bromley, London

This southeast London purpose-built modern home is set within attractive gardens with a BBQ that hosts an array of wildlife. It also has a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

Activities include exercise classes, gardening and sing-alongs, and there is a bar/cafe, a lounge and dining room on each floor. Offering older person care, respite and convalescent care, it supports those living with dementia and other conditions needing skilled nursing care.

Bedrooms: 51 single ensuite rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,680 per week

Kew House, Wimbledon, London

This south London residency is another top-rated care home, according to Lottie, and has an 'outstanding' rating from the Quality Care Commission.

Nestled in a leafy cul-de-sac in the heart of Wimbledon, this purpose-built home is just a stone's throw away from the train and tube stations. Facilities include a café with patio terraces, lounges, a cinema room, library and hair salon.

Bedrooms: 65 single rooms, eight couples/companion rooms all with ensuite wet rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £2,040 per week

Coplands Nursing Home, Wembley, London

Coplands Nursing Home is conveniently located in a quiet residential street in Wembley, within easy access of Wembley Central station and other local transport links. It has a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

Facilities include communal and quiet lounges and a secure landscaped garden, and the activities – or 'lifestyle programme' as Coplands call it – includes anything from anything from baking to dancing, movie nights, coffee mornings, lunch clubs, gardening, nature walks and trips out.

Arts and crafts, live music, singing and performance are all popular, and there's also a focus on wellnesss, such as tai chi, pilates, mindfulness and yoga.

Bedrooms: 79 single rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1559 per week

SOUTH EAST

Birchwood Heights, Swanley, Kent

Purpose-built in 2022, Birchwood Heights has facilities that include an air-conditioned cafe bistro, cinema, hair and nail salon, barber, activities room, private dining room, sensory room, therapy room, garden room and multiple air-conditioned lounges, some with covered balconies that overlook the landscaped courtyard garden areas.

It is run by care provider Oakland Care, which has won numerous awards, including being recognised as a Top 20 Mid-Sized Care Home Group in 2025 by carehome.co.uk.

'My family actually chose my home and I love living at Birchwood Heights as it's a wonderful and beautiful place,' says resident Iris Gutteridge. 'I love all the staff as they are all well-trained and love their jobs, and it makes me feel loved, and that I will live a more fulfilled life.'

Bedrooms: 77 single rooms with wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,659 per week

Oaklands Rest Home, Marchwood, Southampton

A winner in the Care Home Awards 2025, Oaklands Rest Home is in an attractive Victorian house on the edge of the New Forest. It organises a range of activities for residents, such as baking, gardening, arts and crafts and animal therapy sessions, where residents can interact with animals to promote relaxation and emotional well-being.

There are inter-generational activities such as visit from a local toddler group, and themed days such as barn dances and summer carnivals. There are also regular outings to local garden centres and beaches.

Bedrooms: 29 single rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,145 per week

Coxwell Hall, Faringdon, Oxfordshire

A winner in the 2025 Care Home Awards, Coxwell Hall is located within a short distance from the historic market town of Faringdon amongst beautiful countryside.

A nineteenth-century Grade II listed building, it has a good range of facilities, including different lounges and quiet areas, a restaurant with varied menus, a hair and beauty salon and film room.

A wide variety of activities are regularly organised, including visiting live entertainment and trips out to local attractions.

Bedrooms: 62 single rooms and two couples/companion rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,500 per week

Combe Hill Manor, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey

Purpose-built, the accommodation at Coombe Hill is spacious, with some studios and suites coming complete with kitchenettes and private balconies. The impressive facilities include a cinema, two restaurants, an art studio, a spa and therapy suite, a hair salon and library. An activity team organises daily events and trips out. Situated near Richmond Park, there is a relaxing garden with ponds and a waterfall. It is also highly-rated by website Lottie.

Bedrooms: 104 ensuite studios and one- and two-bed suites

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,650 per week

Cumnor Hill House, Oxford

The purpose-built residency has features that include a cinema room where residents can enjoy dementia-friendly film screenings, a bar and bistro, a library, a private dining room where residents can entertain guests, a spa, hairdressing salon and gardens. The home also has its own gym with specialist equipment designed for the elderly. This is complemented by the staff including a physiotherapist, personal trainer and holistic and wellness lead. A full-time events manager organises a wide variety of activities and events, while the home has its own chauffeur-driven vehicle for residents to use on days out and special occasions.

Bedrooms: 74 single rooms with wet rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,760 per week

Netley Court, Southampton

Netley Court is located in the heart of Netley, a pleasant village with a great selection of traditional shops and tea rooms. The property itself overlooks Southampton Water, and has a fully licensed café bar and eight lounges, several dining rooms, a hair and beauty salon, plus a patio and mature garden. There are regular days out to local attractions, such as Royal Victoria Park or 13th century Netley Abbey, the most complete surviving abbey built by the Cistercian monks in southern England.

Bedrooms: 70 ensuite rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,400 per week

Shinfield View, Reading, Berkshire

Shinfield View has an 'outstanding' rating from the Quality Care Commission, and is highly rated by Lottie. Overlooking the village green at the heart of the local community, facilities include a bar/bistro, in-house cinema, hair salon and chauffeur-driven cars. Residents are regularly taken on day trips chosen between the activities manager and residents, and games, quizzes, arts and crafts and indoors activities are also available. Health and fitness aren't neglected, either. Whether it's a spot of group chair yoga, Zumba or boules, the attractive outdoor space has something for everyone.

Bedrooms: 66 ensuite rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,400 per week

Country Lodge Care Home, Worthing, West Sussex

A winner of several awards including the Care Home Awards 2025, Country Lodge is a converted and extended Sussex barn in the charming village of High Salvington.

Located in the South Downs National Park, residents and visitors can enjoy beautiful views from the lounge and dining room across the garden to the park beyond. The fields here regularly have sheep and thoroughbred horses, enhancing the bucolic scene.

Bedrooms are regularly refurbished in a bespoke English country style reflecting the location, and many rooms have direct access to the garden via patio doors.

The in-house activities coordinator hosts quizzes and games several times a week, and there are weekly performances from musicians in addition to movie afternoons, show and seasonal parties.

Bedrooms: 33 single rooms, most with ensuite shower/wet rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1000 per week

Eastbourne Gardens, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Considered one of the highest-rated care homes by Lottie and enjoying an 'outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission, Eastbourne Gardens is situated at the eastern end of the South Downs, near the famous Beachy Head beauty spot and offering easy access to nearby shops and public transport.

Facilities include large wheelchair-friendly landscaped enclosed gardens, a cafe, hair salon, various lounges and a minibus for excursions. Activities range from watercolour painting workshops to light exercise sessions, plus entertainment provided by guest singers, bands and musicians.

Bedrooms: 75 single rooms, 16 couples/companion rooms, not all ensuite

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1012 per week

Sonning Gardens, Reading, Berkshire

This purpose-built care home occupies two-and-a-half acres of landscaped grounds near the River Thames. Facilities include a restaurant and a hair and beauty salon.

Staff here try to make residents feel like they're staying at a luxury hotel rather than a traditional care home and activities vary from visits from singers and musicians to arts and crafts sessions and trips to the village church, local pubs, garden centres and more.

Bedrooms: 61 single rooms, 21 couples/companion rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,330 per week

Bartlett's Residential Care Home, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Situated in an attractive Victorian country house amongst 18 acres of landscaped parkland, residents of Bartlett's enjoy tranquil views of The Chilterns, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has earned a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

The varied activities programme includes weekly events and outings such as stately home visits, as well as music therapy, yoga, gardening and virtual reality experiences.

Bedrooms: 50 single rooms, 36 with ensuite wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,640 per week

SOUTH WEST

Barchester Parley Place, Ferndown, Dorset

Just to the north of Bournemouth and Poole, Barchester Parley Place has earned a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

Purpose-built and recently opened, it has a host of facilities including a hair salon, spa bathrooms, a cinema and a bar lounge area with a large external terrace. There is a fully stocked activities room with dementia-friendly games, puzzles and a 'Magic Table', an award-winning, innovative interactive light projector that is proven to help staff promote stimulation through specialised games. Additionally, the interior space, colours and bedrooms are all designed to help with difficulties associated with dementia.

Like most care homes, Barchester also caters for other care categories: older, convalescent, end of life and respite care, as well as support for conditions such as hearing, speech and visual impairment.

Bedrooms: 68 single rooms with ensuite wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,600 per week

Westbourne Tower, Bournemouth, Dorset

Considered one of the highest-rated care homes by Lottie and enjoying an 'outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission, this purpose-built home located in the coastal village of Westbourne, just outside Bournemouth, offers the the facilities for couples to stay in its apartments.

It has a particular focus on activities for its residents, which could be anything from seated yoga to Tai Chi, pet therapy, gardening, arts and crafts and cookery. Visiting guest speakers and live entertainment enhance the experience of living here, and there are short trips away to the town centre, local beauty spots and popular attractions such as National Trust locations.

Bedrooms: 113 apartments

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,040 per week

The Old Vicarage, Bridgewater, Somerset

A period property set in beautiful landscaped gardens, The Old Vicarage is surrounded by acres of attractive countryside, and was awarded a Top 20 Care Home Award this year from carehome.co.uk. Refurbished in 2023, there are regular activities and outings organised, which could be anything from an arts and crafts session creating stained-glass type images out of tissue paper to an 'owl enlightenment experience', where residents are able to hold owls using the protective gloves and really experience an up-close encounter.

As well as the bedrooms, self-contained 'cottages' are also available for those residents seeking greater independence and freedom. You can bring your own furniture if preferred.

A wide range of support is offered, including convalescent and cancer care, hearing, visual and speech impairment, orthopaedic support and independent living training.

Bedrooms: 24 single rooms (six with ensuite wet room); one companion/couple room with ensuite wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,150 per week

Oak Lodge, Chard, Somerset

Located in the attractive market town of Chard, Oak Lodge is enhanced by an enclosed mature garden, which many of the rooms overlook.

The home's own minibus ensures that residents have regular day trips, whether to a garden centre or just to the seafront down the roads. There's a buoyant activities and events schedule, whether that be a group card game or quiz, or musicians visiting Oak Lodge. Residents are also encouraged to continue with lifelong hobbies and also try new ones.

Bedrooms: 43 single and two couples/companion ensuite rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,250 per week

Malden House, Sidmouth, Devon

Set amongst large landscaped gardens with a summer house, greenhouse and sensory garden with a herb garden for residents to enjoy, Malden House has an 'outstanding' rating from the Quality Care Commission.

The house dates back to 1820 and numerous original features remain. However, it has been thoughtfully redesigned, to provide a safe, appealing and comfortable home for its residents.

They also benefit from being within a popular seaside town, with regular events such as its folk festival and annual airshow. The home has established good relationships with the local churches, library, schools and nurseries who all visit on a regular basis, which is a great way for residents to stay connected with the local community.

Bedrooms: 19 ensuite rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,475 per week

SCOTLAND

Orchar Nursing Home, Dundee, Scotland

Orchar is situated on the picturesque waterfront of Broughty Ferry in Dundee, commanding magnificent views of the River Tay and Broughty Castle. It has a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

Shops, restaurants, bus stops and other amenities are all within a few minutes' walk, and the home has two comfortable lounges, a garden sitting area and a hairdressing salon. The activities programme includes reminiscence, massage, arts and crafts, bingo, ball games, dominoes, card games and table top gardening.

Birthdays, Christmas, Easter and Halloween are celebrated, whilst garden parties, barbeques and theme days are planned regularly. There's also a monthly church service, and regular trips to museums and tourist spots.

Bedrooms: 36 single rooms with ensuite, most with wet room; two companion/couples rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,600 per week

The Meadows, Dornoch, Scotland

The Meadows enjoys a great location, with beautiful sea views over Dornoch Firth and the cathedral, and has also received a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk. It provides residential, dementia, nursing and palliative care, as well as respite care breaks.

There are plenty of activities organised, which includes a variety of visiting musicians – from singers and guitarists to pipers and violinists. There are further activities in the lounges, which have views over the Firth, and include exercise sessions, bowling, baking and painting, to interactive games on a special giant tablet and animal visits. Residents also enjoy trips to the nearby beach and the local cathedral, as well as coffee shops and pub lunches.

Bedrooms: 40 single rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,806 per week

The Cowdray Club, Aberdeen, Scotland

Located in an elegant 19th-century building in the Fonthill area of Aberdeen, The Cowdray Club received a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

Close to the town centre and just ten minutes' walk from attractive Duthie Park, it boasts a large garden with access to a woodland area. Amongst the facilities and activities on offer, the home organises restaurant-style dining, drinks at the communal bar, haircuts from the in-house hairdresser, and beauty treatments from visiting professionals.

Bedrooms: 27 single rooms and four couples/companion rooms with ensuite

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £2,250 per week

WALES

Brynfield Manor Nursing & Residential Care Home, Swansea, Wales

Set within an extended and converted 19th-century manor house, Brynfield boasts sweeping panoramic views of the Gower Peninsula. Overlooking the sea and dramatic cliffs of Langland Bay, it has gardens and terraced balconies for admiring the views.

It has been given a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk and a lively activities programme. Singers, musicians and entertainers visit regularly and residents are taken to concerts, cinema and local shows. There is a library and games and quizzes, carpet bowls, skittles and quoits. The formulation of a 'life-book' for each resident is encouraged, and a range of services including hand massages, manicures, reflexology and foot-spas are available in the hair salon.

Bedrooms: 65 single rooms with ensuite, most with wet room; three companion/couples rooms with wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £848 per week

Blaenos House Nursing Home, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, Wales

This bright, light and airy home, a former convent, received a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk and is within walking distance of the market town of Llandovery.

There is a variety of communal areas including two lounges, a sensory room and in-house hair salon. There is also a conservatory with a bar area, which opens onto a secure patio area and the extensive gardens, and many of the bedrooms enjoy views over the Welsh countryside. Many of the staff speak Welsh as their first language.

Bedrooms: 36 single ensuite rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,071 per week

NORTHERN IRELAND

Annadale Care Home, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Situated within an attractive Victorian building in a residential area of South Belfast, Annadale has been given a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk.

The home has mature gardens with lawns and seating areas, as well as a hairdressing salon and a choice of lounge areas. The activities co-ordinator organises a range of different events, focusing on former hobbies and crafts, as well as parties, events, weekly church services and bus outings.

Bedrooms: 35 single rooms and one companion/couples room with a range of bathrooms and shower rooms

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £1,080 per week

Weavers House, Cookstown, Northern Ireland

Overlooking the beautiful Sperrin mountains, this purpose-built care home that received a Top 20 Care Home Award 2025 from carehome.co.uk actively encourages residents to be as active as possible, continuing with their lifelong hobbies whilst discovering new interests.

There's an emphasis on reminiscence therapy and storytelling, and regular activities include arts and crafts, baking, current affairs discussions, games, exercise sessions, gardening, singing, dancing and listening to music.

Bedrooms: 65 rooms with wet room

Cost: Self-funded residential care from £800 per week

Note: Prices quoted are approximate.