Care homes in Bishop Auckland

Bishop Auckland is a North East market town with a notably mature population—over a fifth of residents are 65 or over—and one care home on the directory. It offers modest local services and a tight-knit feel, but your choice will hinge on whether the single listed home meets your needs and whether you're comfortable with limited choice nearby.

Average residential fee in Bishop Auckland: £980/weekbelow the UK average of £1,279

Living in Bishop Auckland
Well Served
What do these badges mean?
  • Well ServedExcellent everyday amenities nearby — shops, supermarkets, cafés and places to eat (OpenStreetMap).
SafetyB

Goodsafer than 46% of similar areas

Green SpacesB

Goodparks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby

Daily ConveniencesA

Excellentshops, 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 Bishop Auckland is about £980/week, below 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 Bishop Auckland

100% of Bishop Auckland’s CQC-rated care homes are rated Good or Outstandingabove the national average of 79%, including 1 rated Outstanding.

Good or above in Bishop Auckland
100%
National average
79%
CQC-rated homes
9 of 9

Of the homes in and around Bishop Auckland, 1 offer nursing care, 2 offer dementia care and 2 offer residential care.

Based on 9 CQC-rated homes in and around Bishop Auckland. National baseline: CQC State of Care (2024/25).

Council funding & top-up in Bishop Auckland

The average residential care home in Bishop Auckland costs about £980/week, while County Durham’s published usual rate is around £857/week (2025). If you qualify for council funding, expect a likely third-party top-up of about £123/week (≈ £6,396/year) to bridge the gap.

Average fee in Bishop Auckland
£980/wk
County Durham usual rate
£857/wk
Likely top-up gap
£123/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 County Durham’s published usual cost of residential care (2025).

Care homes in Bishop Auckland on the map
  • Outstanding
  • Good
Care homes (9)

updated September 2026

Top-rated in Bishop Auckland

Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission — the CQC’s highest rating.

10 beds

Thornfield Grange is a care home in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, operated by Cygnet Health Care.

92 beds

Sandringham Care Home is a 92-bed care home located in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Eden House

CQC Outstanding
53 beds

Eden House is a 53-bed residential care home in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, providing care for older people and younger adults with a range of support…

DementiaResidential
From £980/wk·70 beds·All en-suite·Four Seasons Health Care

Nestled in the charming market town of Bishop Auckland in County Durham, Barrington Lodge Care Home provides a warm and welcoming environment for its…

DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
40 beds

St Helens Care Home is a 40-bed care home in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, run by North Bay Group.

25 beds

Devonshire House is a 25-bed care home in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Redworth

CQC Good
68 beds

Redworth is a care home in Shildon, County Durham, operated by Bondcare.

41 beds

Holly Lodge Care Home is a 41-bed care home in Shildon, County Durham.

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What care costs in Bishop Auckland
Residential (avg)
£980/week
Dementia (avg)
£980/week
Nursing (avg)
£980/week

Wondering if that’s cheaper than staying put? Compare a care home with care at home, or see who pays.

House prices in County Durham

The average house price in County Durham is £138,148, 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
£138,148
Detached
£236,657
Semi-detached
£138,892
Terraced
£114,222
Flats & maisonettes
£77,271

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 Bishop Auckland

Residential care homes

2 in Bishop Auckland

Residential 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

1 in Bishop Auckland

Nursing 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

2 in Bishop Auckland

Specialist dementia care homes provide trained staff and a carefully designed, calm environment for people living with dementia — supporting safety, routine and wellbeing.

Respite care

1 in Bishop Auckland

Respite 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

189 crimes reported in April 2026, sourced from Police.uk.

  • Violent crime54
  • Anti-social behaviour41
  • Shoplifting30
  • Criminal damage & arson20

Is Bishop Auckland a good retirement location?

Bishop Auckland suits those seeking a quiet, established retirement area within a community where older residents are the norm rather than the exception. The town has the basic services most people need day-to-day, though the directory lists only one care home, so options for residential care are limited. Family proximity and your comfort with that single provider should weigh heavily in your decision.

Health & support

  • Medical access: You'll need to check directly with local GP practices and the nearest pharmacy; the nearest hospital with emergency services will be accessible but verify distance and transport links with your GP.
  • Safety: Recorded crime in the area stood at 189 offences in the most recent reporting period, with violent crime, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting among the most common reports. This is a point to weigh against national and regional figures.
  • Family & connection: With just one care home listed, how close is it to your family's home? Visiting frequency and your support network's ability to stay involved will be especially important here.

Finances & daily life

  • Cost of care: Check fees directly with the listed home; this guide cannot compare them to the national average without that data. Regional care costs in the North East are generally lower than southern England, though variation between individual homes is significant.
  • Transport: The town has basic bus services; check whether they reach the care home and any destinations you'd want to visit. Rail links to nearby cities exist but require verification for your specific needs.
  • Housing options: One care home is listed on the directory, with capacity around 70 beds. This means your choice is constrained; you may wish to explore homes in neighbouring towns if this one doesn't suit.

Lifestyle & environment

  • Green space & hobbies: Two parks and eight allotments serve the town; there are restaurants, cafes (22) and pubs (21) offering social outlets. You'll have space for walks and community interests, though scale is modest.
  • Community: Social groups and memory cafés depend on local health and voluntary services; contact the listed home and local council to understand what's available.
  • Climate: The North East experiences cool, fairly damp winters and mild summers typical of northern England; prepare for regular rain and chilly spells.

Things to weigh up

  • Single care home: With only one provider listed, you have no real choice if it doesn't meet your needs or values. Explore homes in neighbouring areas carefully before committing.
  • Limited care provision: The small number of available beds may mean waiting lists; enquire early and have a backup plan.
  • Crime context: Recorded offences, including violent crime and anti-social behaviour, are present; whether they concern you depends on your own tolerance and the home's specific location and security.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Bishop Auckland?

There are 9 care homes listed in and around Bishop Auckland 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 Bishop Auckland cost?

Care homes in Bishop Auckland range from around £980 per week, with averages of £980 for residential, £980 for dementia, £980 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.

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

The average residential care fee around Bishop Auckland is about £980 per week — below the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.

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

9 of the 9 care homes in and around Bishop Auckland are rated Good or Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, including 1 rated Outstanding. Ratings are published by the CQC following regular inspections.

What types of care are available in Bishop Auckland?

Homes in and around Bishop Auckland offer dementia (2), residential (2), nursing (1), respite (1). Availability varies by home — use the filters above to find homes offering the specific care type you need.

How many care homes in Bishop Auckland offer dementia care?

2 care homes in and around Bishop Auckland 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 Bishop Auckland offer respite care?

Yes — 1 care home in and around Bishop Auckland 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 Bishop Auckland area?

Bishop Auckland is graded B for safety on AskBart — safer than 46% of similar areas. This is drawn from police-recorded crime data and compared against similar areas.

Can I get council funding for care in Bishop Auckland?

If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, County Durham 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 Bishop Auckland?

A care home's weekly fee in Bishop Auckland 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 Bishop Auckland may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.

Could the NHS pay for care in Bishop Auckland?

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 Bishop Auckland?

Start by shortlisting homes in Bishop Auckland 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 Bishop Auckland?

Care homes in Bishop Auckland 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 County Durham?

If you're widening your search beyond Bishop Auckland, nearby areas with care homes include Barnard Castle, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Crook and Durham. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.

Talk to a Bishop Auckland 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.