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About
Blackthorns is a 62-bed care home in Halstead, Essex, run by Runwood. It provides residential care, dementia care and respite care. The home is on Dooley Road and offers comfortable bedrooms, spacious living areas and dedicated facilities. Its activities are intended to support residents' wellbeing and to keep them connected with the local community, and the home describes its approach as person-centred.
The Care Quality Commission rates Blackthorns as Requires Improvement overall, in a report published in 2025. Effective and Caring are rated Good. Safe, Responsive and Well-led are rated Requires Improvement.
Food hygiene rating
Very good
Food Standards Agency · inspected April 2026
What's nearby
- Set back from main road noise
Straight-line distances. Road and rail noise from government strategic noise mapping (modelled, not measured). A&E departments from the NHS website. Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors.
What’s in the area
Outdoor Spaces
- AllotmentsAmple
- Play SpaceLimited
- Golf CourseLimited
- Public ParkLimited
- Tennis CourtLimited
- Bowling GreenSparse
- Playing FieldLimited
Local Amenities
- Pubs & BarsSparse
- Restaurants & CafesSparse
- Retail ShoppingSparse
- SupermarketsAdequate
- TakeawaysSparse
Local crime statistics
108 recorded crimes in the local area (April 2026)
Top categories:
Source: data.police.uk · within 1 mile
Fees and funding
| Care type | Weekly fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Residential care | Fees on request | — |
- Funding accepted
- Not stated
Fees depend on the room and the care needed, so ask the home for a written quote. Check who pays with the funding calculator, or see what Essex council pays.
Care fee trajectory
| Year | Council rate (per week) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | £807 |
| 2025 | £849 |
What Essex council pays care homes, and whether it will help with fees
Weighing up the options? Compare a care home with care at home, or check who pays with the means-test calculator.
Local health safety net
Blackthorns is backed by a local NHS health network. The nearest A&E is Colchester Hospital, 11.9 miles away. The local GP practice is THE ELIZABETH COURTAULD SURGERY, 0.5 miles away, rated ‘Good’ by the CQC.
Nearest services from NHS ODS + postcodes.io + CQC, by straight-line distance.
Community & connection in Halstead
Local clubs, charities and support groups that help older residents stay active and connected.
Braintree Area U3a
The advancement of education and in particular the education of older people and those who are retired from full-time work by all means including associated activities conducive to learning and…
Crossroads Braintree and Chelmsford Ltd
Our main activity is to provide short breaks to unpaid carers who care for adults and children with care needs as a result of disability, illness or age. In doing so we aim to relieve some of the…
William Bendlowe
The charity was started in 1573 to provide coal and clothing to 4 elderly people in the village of Shalford but times have changed and now the charity promotes community spirit and organises…
Halstead Day Centre
The charity provides day care (including transport,bathing, a shopping service, advocacy and recreational activities) for people over 60 and who are isolated for whatever reason living in a radius…
Cressing Temple Community Shed
The purpose is to share skills and experiences, provide a haven to combat loneliness and isolation and to add value to communities. It is an opportunity to use your skills in wood working,…
Gostart Community Transport
Provision of low cost accessible transport for any who is disadvantaged by reason of age disability or location. We operate Dial A Ride within 8 mile radius of Sudbury and accessible community…
Part of Runwood
Blackthorns is one of 66 homes run by Runwood on AskBart. See how the group's homes are rated and where it operates.
More care homes near Halstead
Information last reviewed October 2026.
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