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Care homes in Essex – page 9

302 homes

There are 302 care homes in and around Essex on AskBart. 81% of those rated by the CQC are Good or Outstanding, against 79% nationally (CQC data, October 2026). Published fees average about £1,344 a week, while Essex usually pays £849. The largest is Admirals Reach Care Home, with 158 beds.

care homes
302
rated Good or Outstanding by CQC
81%
typical residential fee
£1,344/wkbelow the UK average of £1,716
what Essex council pays
£849/wk

Free, independent advice from Janet, Claire and the AskBart teamHow we check our information

Essex

Care homes in Essex (302)

★ With family reviews

1 in Essex, 301 more within 3 miles · updated October 2026

  • Outstanding
  • Good
  • Requires improvement
  • Inadequate
  • Not rated

Top-rated in Essex

Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, its highest rating.

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Compare every home in Essex in one table
Mountdale Nursing HomeGood · Feb 2025On request241.2 mi—
Mountfitchet House Care HomeGood£1,6496010.6 mi—
Mundy HouseGood · Jul 2018On request661.7 mi—
Myland HouseGood · Apr 2019On request50.5 mi—
Nayland House Care HomeGood · Feb 2023On request544.6 mi—
New Copford Place Residential Care HomeGood · Jul 2018On request274.4 mi—
Newbrae Care Home LimitedGood · Jan 2023On request100.8 mi—
Nightingale House Care Home—On request300.9 mi—
OakdaleGood · Mar 2020On request274.4 mi—
Oaklands (Essex)Good · Oct 2024On request552.1 mi—
Okeley Care HomeGood · Sept 2023On request842.1 mi—
Old Shenfield PlaceRequires improvement · May 2022On request317.3 mi—
Palmerston House Care HomeGood · Jul 2026On request241.2 mi—
Park ViewGood · Dec 2023On request877.6 mi—
Parklands Nursing HomeGood · Jun 2023On request544.7 mi—
Paternoster House Care HomeRequires improvement£1,5911086.2 mi—
Penfold LodgeGood · Jun 2019On request1813.7 mi—
Penny Pot Care HomeGood · Apr 2018On request3813.7 mi—
Peverel Green Care Home—On request606.6 mi—
Phoebe House—On request79.6 mi—
Pinetree Care HomeGood · Jul 2026On request605.4 mi—
Poppy Lodge Care HomeGood · Jul 2024On request160.8 mi—
PrimecareGood · May 2024On request421.3 mi—
Prince Edward Duke of Kent CourtGood · Apr 2020On request509.9 mi—

Fees are the home’s published “from” figure, or an indicative one; “on request” where none is published. Ratings are the regulator’s. Click a heading to sort.

Run a care home or business in Essex that’s missing or out of date? Add or update a listing

Areas in Essex

Essex in numbers

81% of Essex’s CQC-rated care homes are rated Good or Outstanding, in line with the England average of 79%, with 6 rated Outstanding. Based on 284 rated homes; England figure from CQC State of Care (2024/25).

The average residential care home in Essex costs about £1,344/week, while Essex’s published usual rate is around £849/week (2025). If the council funds care, expect a likely top-up of about £495/week (about £25,740/year), usually paid by a relative or friend. An estimate: councils fund care only below the means-test threshold, and fees vary by home, room and needs.

What Essex council pays care homes, and whether it will help with your fees

Care homes listed302
Rated Good or Outstanding231 of 284 (81%)
Rated Outstanding6
Rated Requires improvement or Inadequate53
Average published weekly fee£1,344
Essex usual weekly rate (2025)£849
LargestAdmirals Reach Care Home (158 beds)
Most recently inspectedLoughton Hall (December 2023)
Homes by care typeResidential 124 · Nursing 55 · Dementia 102 · Respite 72
Average house price, Chelmsford (HM Land Registry, June 2026)£383,103
Outstanding6
Good225
Requires improvement51
Inadequate2
Not yet rated18
Average weekly fees
  • Residential, Essex£1,344/wk
  • Nursing, Essex£1,397/wk
  • Dementia, Essex£1,383/wk
  • East of England average£1,324/wk
  • UK average£1,716/wk
  • Essex usual rate£849/wk

Fees: averages of the weekly fees published by the homes listed here and across East of England. UK average: published residential fees across all homes on AskBart. Council rate: Essex's usual cost of residential care (2025). Actual costs vary with care needs and room.

See how care is funded or compare a care home with care at home.

Guides: Residential care homes · Nursing homes · Dementia care homes · Respite care

Data: CQC register, updated October 2026. Figures are for the homes listed on this page.

House prices in Chelmsford

The average house price in Chelmsford is £383,103, 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
£383,103
Detached
£690,495
Semi-detached
£429,216
Terraced
£342,756
Flats & maisonettes
£211,852

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.

Living in Essex

Essex covers a broad sweep of eastern England, from coastal towns to commuter villages, with a well-above-average share of older residents. For families weighing up later-life care, it offers a substantial choice of care homes and a mix of settled, community-minded areas worth a closer look.

  • Peaceful Neighbourhood
What do these badges mean?
  • Peaceful Neighbourhood — Among the lowest for recorded anti-social behaviour and public disorder of comparable areas (police-recorded crime).
Safety & PeaceA

Excellent — quieter than 66% of similar areas for anti-social behaviour & public disorder (per head of population)

Green SpacesB

Good — parks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby

Daily ConveniencesC

Limited — shops, supermarkets & places to eat nearby

Culture & CommunityC

Limited — libraries, galleries, museums & community venues nearby

97 crimes reported in April 2026, Police.uk.

  • Violent crime45
  • Anti-social behaviour24
  • Other theft9
  • Public order6
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 & Peace grade ranks recorded anti-social behaviour and public-disorder incidents (the offences most relevant to a quiet neighbourhood) — per head of population where ONS figures are available, otherwise by count. Scottish towns are graded against other Scottish towns, from Police Scotland’s 12-month figures for the council wards they sit in, per head of those wards’ population (National Records of Scotland). Figures are estimates to aid research, not a substitute for visiting an area.

Sources — crime: Police.uk, Apr 2026; amenities: OpenStreetMap, updated September 2026.

Community & connection in Essex

Local clubs, charities and support groups that help older residents stay active and connected.

Charity

Age Concern Chelmsford

Day Centre and Luncheon Club operating for the benefit of the older residents of Chelmsford and the surrounding area.

2.1 miles away · Source: Charity Commission (1209522)
Charity

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…

6.8 miles away · Source: Charity Commission (280552)
Charity

Stock Over 60's Club

Provides recreational facilities for elderly people

7.5 miles away · Source: Charity Commission (287190)
Charity

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,…

7.5 miles away · Source: Charity Commission (1175821)

Essex: health, services and environment

Hospitals near Essex

Is Essex a good retirement location?

Read our guide to living in Essex

Essex has a higher proportion of over-65s than the national average, suggesting it's a well-established area for later-life living. With 30 care homes to choose from and mostly good CQC ratings, it suits those wanting a range of options across a large, varied county. Being a county rather than a single town, quality of life will vary a good deal by specific area.

Health & support

  • Medical access: Essex is well served by everyday amenities, though as a large county, distance to GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals will depend heavily on the specific town or village chosen.
  • Safety: 97 recorded offences were logged in the latest month, most commonly violent crime and anti-social behaviour, figures worth weighing against the specific local area under consideration.
  • Family & connection: With such a large county, it's worth thinking through how close any particular home would be to family, and how easily they could visit.

Finances & daily life

  • Cost of care: Specific weekly fee figures aren't available here, so it's worth checking costs directly for any shortlisted homes against the national picture.
  • Transport: Essex has strong rail links into London and good road connections, though many areas outside town centres are more car-dependent.
  • Housing options: There are 30 care homes across the county, ranging roughly from 26 to 123 beds, giving a reasonable spread of home sizes to suit different preferences.

Lifestyle & environment

  • Green space & hobbies: Local amenities include public parks, playing fields, tennis courts and playgrounds, alongside a good choice of restaurants, cafes and takeaways.
  • Community: The higher-than-average over-65 population suggests a well-established base of older residents, which often supports local clubs and social groups.
  • Climate: Essex has a typical southeast England climate — relatively mild and slightly drier than much of the UK, with warm summers and cool, damp winters.

Things to weigh up

  • Ratings spread: Most homes are rated good or outstanding, but 3 are currently rated as requires improvement and 1 has not yet been inspected, so it's worth checking the rating of any specific home.
  • Scale and variation: Essex is a large county, so experiences of health access, safety and community will vary significantly by exact location.

Questions about care homes in Essex

How many care homes are there in Essex?

There are 302 care homes listed in and around Essex 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 Essex cost?

Care homes in Essex range from around £939 to around £1,790 per week, with averages of £1,344 for residential, £1,383 for dementia, £1,397 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.

How do care home fees in Essex compare to the national average?

The average residential care fee around Essex is about £1,344 per week — below the UK average of £1,716. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.

Which care homes in Essex are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?

231 of the 302 care homes in and around Essex are rated Good or Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, including 6 rated Outstanding. Ratings are published by the CQC following regular inspections.

What types of care are available in Essex?

Homes in and around Essex offer residential (124), dementia (102), respite (72), nursing (55). Availability varies by home — use the filters above to find homes offering the specific care type you need.

Weighing up your options in Essex?

Care needs change over time. Compare the other kinds of later-life care in Essex:

Thinking about downsizing to an independent community?Explore retirement living in EssexPrefer to stay in your own home with visiting carers?See home care in Essex

Near Essex

Paying for care? See how care is funded and check what the council may pay.

Guides for families

More in our choosing a care home guides.

Header photo: Derek Voller, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons