Elcombe House
CQC Outstanding
Elcombe House is a care home in Bedford, Bedfordshire, providing care for 23 residents.
Care homes in Kempston
Kempston is a busy town east of Bedford with solid everyday amenities and good green space, making it a practical choice for those wanting a lively local community. However, recorded crime rates and the availability of care homes are important factors to weigh carefully before deciding.
Average residential fee in Kempston: £1,586/week — above the UK average of £1,279
Living in Kempston
SafetyC
Limited — safer than 21% of similar areas
Green SpacesB
Good — parks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby
Daily ConveniencesB
Good — shops, supermarkets & places to eat nearby
How we grade areas
Grades are relative, comparing this area against others of the same type across the UK. Amenity grades are based on OpenStreetMap counts within a fixed radius. The Safety grade ranks recorded police crime — per head of population where ONS figures are available, otherwise by total recorded crime. Figures are estimates to aid research, not a substitute for visiting an area.
Sources — crime: Police.uk, April 2026; amenities: OpenStreetMap, updated June 2026.
How care costs compare
The estimated average residential care fee in Kempston is about £1,586/week, above the UK average of £1,279.
Estimated from published weekly fees for homes in the area. Actual costs vary by care needs and room type.
The care market in Kempston
100% of Kempston’s CQC-rated care homes are rated Good or Outstanding — above the national average of 79%, including 3 rated Outstanding.
Good or above in Kempston
100%
National average
79%
CQC-rated homes
20 of 20
Of the homes in and around Kempston, 3 offer nursing care, 7 offer dementia care and 6 offer residential care.
Based on 20 CQC-rated homes in and around Kempston. National baseline: CQC State of Care (2024/25).
Council funding & top-up in Kempston
The average residential care home in Kempston costs about £1,586/week, while Bedford’s published usual rate is around £1,077/week (2025). If you qualify for council funding, expect a likely third-party top-up of about £509/week (≈ £26,468/year) to bridge the gap.
Average fee in Kempston
£1,586/wk
Bedford usual rate
£1,077/wk
Likely top-up gap
£509/wk
Estimate only. Councils fund care only when the person’s assets are below the means-test threshold, and actual fees, funding and top-ups vary by home, room and assessed needs. Compares the area average against Bedford’s published usual cost of residential care (2025).
Care homes in Kempston on the map
- Outstanding
- Good
- Requires improvement
Care homes (3)
0 in Kempston, 3 more within 10 miles · updated September 2026
Top-rated in Kempston
Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission — the CQC’s highest rating.
Victoria Cottage
CQC Outstanding
Victoria Cottage is a 12-bed care home in Bedford, Bedfordshire.
Danecroft
CQC Outstanding
Danecroft is a residential care home in Bedford, Bedfordshire, providing care for 34 residents.
DementiaResidential
Run a care home, property or business in Kempston?
If it’s missing from this page — or a listing looks out of date or incorrect — let us know and we’ll get it added or put right.
What care costs in Kempston
Residential (avg)
£1,586/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,586/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,586/week
Wondering if that’s cheaper than staying put? Compare a care home with care at home, or see who pays.
House prices in Bedford
The average house price in Bedford is £329,830, based on HM Land Registry data. The graph shows sold-price trends by property type over the last 30 years.
Average price by property type
- All property types
- £329,830
- Detached
- £560,990
- Semi-detached
- £346,527
- Terraced
- £275,742
- Flats & maisonettes
- £159,325
Source: HM Land Registry UK House Price Index, to Jun 2026 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Figures are area averages for the wider local authority, not retirement properties specifically.
Types of care in Kempston
Residential care homes
6 in KempstonResidential care homes provide help with everyday living in a safe, sociable setting — the right choice when someone needs support day to day but not round-the-clock nursing.
Nursing homes
3 in KempstonNursing homes provide everything a residential home does, plus registered nurses on site 24 hours a day — for people with ongoing or complex health needs.
Dementia care homes
7 in KempstonSpecialist dementia care homes provide trained staff and a carefully designed, calm environment for people living with dementia — supporting safety, routine and wellbeing.
Respite care
2 in KempstonRespite care is a short stay in a care home — to give a family carer a break, or to help someone recover after a hospital stay.
Safety
237 crimes reported in April 2026, sourced from Police.uk.
- Violent crime92
- Anti-social behaviour40
- Criminal damage & arson21
- Shoplifting16
Is Kempston a good retirement location?
Kempston works well for people who value convenient shops, parks and social spots over a quieter setting. It suits those with family nearby in Bedfordshire or ready access to Bedford itself, and those comfortable in a busier, more urban environment. Crime is a consideration — the town recorded 237 offences in 2026–04, with violent crime, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage being the most common types — so it's worth asking care homes directly about security and local policing presence.
Health & support
- Medical access: Your GP and pharmacies are within the town; Bedford Hospital is nearby for emergency and specialist care.
- Safety: Recorded crime in 2026–04 was 237 offences, with violent crime, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage among the most common. Ask local care homes how they manage safety and what police presence is visible in the area.
- Family & connection: Consider how close your family and support network are, and whether Kempston's proximity to Bedford suits your need to stay connected.
Finances & daily life
- Transport: Kempston has road links to Bedford and beyond; check with potential care homes about local bus services and how walkable the town centre is for daily needs.
- Housing options: Care home provision in Kempston varies — contact local providers directly to see what choice and size of home suits your needs and budget.
Lifestyle & environment
- Green space & hobbies: The town has 34 parks and 6 allotments, plus 19 restaurants and cafes and 14 pubs and bars, offering good scope for walks, dining out and social activities.
- Community: A lively high street and varied eating and drinking venues mean reasonable scope for joining groups and staying socially active, though you'll want to check what clubs or memory cafés are run by individual care homes.
- Climate: Kempston sits in the East of England, so expect typical UK Midlands weather — cool winters and mild summers.
Things to weigh up
- Crime rates: At 237 recorded offences in 2026–04, Kempston's crime is notable. Check how the care home and local policing approach safety and whether the environment feels right for you.
- Urban setting: This is a busy, fairly built-up town rather than a quiet village — not ideal if you prefer a slower pace, but good if you want shops, services and social activity on your doorstep.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Kempston?
There are 23 care homes listed in and around Kempston on AskBart. You can filter them by care type, CQC rating and facilities to find the right fit.
How much does a care home in Kempston cost?
Care homes in Kempston range from around £1,533 to around £1,638 per week, with averages of £1,586 for residential, £1,586 for dementia, £1,586 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.
How do care home fees in Kempston compare to the national average?
The average residential care fee around Kempston is about £1,586 per week — above the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.
Which care homes in Kempston are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?
20 of the 23 care homes in and around Kempston are rated Good or Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, including 3 rated Outstanding. Ratings are published by the CQC following regular inspections.
What types of care are available in Kempston?
Homes in and around Kempston offer dementia (7), residential (6), nursing (3), respite (2). Availability varies by home — use the filters above to find homes offering the specific care type you need.
How many care homes in Kempston offer dementia care?
7 care homes in and around Kempston offer specialist dementia care. Use the dementia filter above to see them, and check each home's CQC report for its record on caring for people living with dementia.
Do any care homes in Kempston offer respite care?
Yes — 2 care homes in and around Kempston offer respite (short-stay) care, for recovery after a hospital stay or to give a regular carer a break. Availability changes often, so contact the home directly to check.
How safe is the Kempston area?
Kempston is graded C for safety on AskBart — safer than 21% of similar areas. This is drawn from police-recorded crime data and compared against similar areas.
Can I get council funding for care in Kempston?
If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, Bedford Council may contribute towards fees. You can request a free care needs assessment and financial assessment through the council's adult social care team before choosing a home.
What's included in a care home's weekly fees in Kempston?
A care home's weekly fee in Kempston usually covers accommodation, all meals, day-to-day personal care, housekeeping, laundry and activities. Extras such as hairdressing, chiropody, outings and one-to-one care are often charged separately, so ask each home for a full breakdown of what is and isn't included.
What's the difference between residential and nursing care?
Residential care homes help with everyday personal care — washing, dressing, meals and prompting medication. Nursing homes provide the same support plus a qualified nurse on site around the clock for residents with ongoing medical needs. Homes in Kempston may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.
Could the NHS pay for care in Kempston?
If a person's needs are primarily health-related rather than social, they may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which can fully fund a care-home placement regardless of their savings. Eligibility is decided by the local NHS integrated care board after an assessment — it's separate from means-tested council funding.
How do I choose a care home in Kempston?
Start by shortlisting homes in Kempston by the type of care needed and their CQC rating, then visit in person. On a visit, read the home's latest CQC report, ask about staffing levels and fees, and see how residents are supported day to day. AskBart lists each home's rating, facilities and fees so you can compare before arranging a visit.
Who regulates care homes in Kempston?
Care homes in Kempston are regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. The CQC rates each home as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate following regular inspections — you can read each home's latest report on the CQC website.
What other nearby areas have care homes in Bedford?
If you're widening your search beyond Kempston, nearby areas with care homes include St Neots. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.
Talk to a Kempston care expert.
Our independent advisors know the local homes inside out. Get free, friendly guidance with no obligation — just clear answers when you need them.