The Hawthorns
CQC Outstanding
The Hawthorns is a care home run by Barchester Healthcare in Peterlee, County Durham.
Care homes in Peterlee
Peterlee is a post-war new town in County Durham with a slightly above-average share of older residents and a developing retirement-care landscape. It offers straightforward living costs and reasonable access to local amenities, though choice of care homes is currently limited and you'll need to weigh distance to major regional hospitals carefully.
Average residential fee in Peterlee: £1,018/week — below the UK average of £1,279
Living in Peterlee
SafetyC
Limited — safer than 28% 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 Peterlee is about £1,018/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 Peterlee
100% of Peterlee’s CQC-rated care homes are rated Good or Outstanding — above the national average of 79%, including 2 rated Outstanding.
Good or above in Peterlee
100%
National average
79%
CQC-rated homes
11 of 11
Of the homes in and around Peterlee, 2 offer nursing care, 4 offer dementia care and 5 offer residential care.
Based on 11 CQC-rated homes in and around Peterlee. National baseline: CQC State of Care (2024/25).
Council funding & top-up in Peterlee
The average residential care home in Peterlee costs about £1,018/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 £161/week (≈ £8,372/year) to bridge the gap.
Average fee in Peterlee
£1,018/wk
County Durham usual rate
£857/wk
Likely top-up gap
£161/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 Peterlee on the map
- Outstanding
- Good
- Requires improvement
Care homes (2)
updated September 2026
Top-rated in Peterlee
Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission — the CQC’s highest rating.
Jack Dormand Care Home
CQC Outstanding
Jack Dormand Care Home is a 43-bed care home in Peterlee, County Durham.
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What care costs in Peterlee
Residential (avg)
£1,018/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,018/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,006/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 Peterlee
Residential care homes
5 in PeterleeResidential 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
2 in PeterleeNursing 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
4 in PeterleeSpecialist dementia care homes provide trained staff and a carefully designed, calm environment for people living with dementia — supporting safety, routine and wellbeing.
Respite care
3 in PeterleeRespite 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
342 crimes reported in April 2026, sourced from Police.uk.
- Violent crime114
- Shoplifting65
- Anti-social behaviour42
- Criminal damage & arson38
Is Peterlee a good retirement location?
Peterlee suits people seeking affordable, quieter later-life living in the North East with strong family or community ties locally. The town has more residents aged 65+ than the national average, signalling an established older demographic. However, care-home provision is modest — there is currently one listed home — so choice is tight and you may need to look across the wider County Durham area. Overall, it's a practical option for those prioritising cost and community over a broad selection of facilities.
Health & support
- Medical access: You'll want to confirm your nearest GP surgery and pharmacy locally; the town has basic everyday services but serious emergencies will depend on travel to a regional hospital outside Peterlee.
- Safety: Recorded crime in the area stands at 342 offences in early 2026, with violent crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour as the most common types — broadly in line with similar post-war towns, so worth a candid conversation with local residents about where you'd feel settled.
- Family & connection: Given limited on-site care provision, think carefully about whether family or friends nearby can visit regularly and support you, as your choice of home may be constrained.
Finances & daily life
- Cost of care: Local weekly care-home fees are broadly in line with the North East average, making Peterlee an affordable choice compared to the national picture. You'll want to confirm exact fees with the available home.
- Transport: Peterlee is car-dependent for many local journeys. Bus links connect to nearby towns; rail access via County Durham may require travel. Walkability around the town centre is moderate, so consider whether you'll drive or rely on others.
- Housing options: Care-home choice is currently limited to one listed home rated Good by the CQC. If you need more options, you may need to explore provision in nearby Durham or Sunderland.
Lifestyle & environment
- Green space & hobbies: The town has 5 parks and 9 allotments, offering outdoor space and the chance to garden if that appeals. There are 9 restaurants and cafés plus 6 pubs and bars, giving options for social outings and regular visits.
- Community: Look into local memory cafés, lunch clubs and older-people's groups through your GP practice and the town council — these are often lifelines for staying connected, especially if care-home social programmes are modest given the size of provision.
- Climate: County Durham has a typical North East climate — cooler and wetter than southern England, with short, mild summers and cold, damp winters. Make sure you're comfortable with that.
Things to weigh up
- Very limited choice of care homes || Only one home is listed locally, and it's a single-size provision. If you want to compare options, you'll need to look much further afield or accept limited flexibility.
- Crime profile on the higher side || Violent crime and anti-social behaviour feature prominently in the recorded figures, so spend time in the area and ask locals directly about the neighbourhoods where you'd consider living.
- Distance to major hospital: Peterlee is a smaller town, so non-emergency and specialist care may mean travelling beyond the immediate area; check travel times to your preferred hospital in advance.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Peterlee?
There are 12 care homes listed in and around Peterlee 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 Peterlee cost?
Care homes in Peterlee range from around £968 to around £1,043 per week, with averages of £1,018 for residential, £1,018 for dementia, £1,006 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.
How do care home fees in Peterlee compare to the national average?
The average residential care fee around Peterlee is about £1,018 per week — below the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.
Which care homes in Peterlee are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?
11 of the 12 care homes in and around Peterlee are rated Good or Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, including 2 rated Outstanding. Ratings are published by the CQC following regular inspections.
What types of care are available in Peterlee?
Homes in and around Peterlee offer residential (5), dementia (4), respite (3), nursing (2). Availability varies by home — use the filters above to find homes offering the specific care type you need.
How many care homes in Peterlee offer dementia care?
4 care homes in and around Peterlee 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 Peterlee offer respite care?
Yes — 3 care homes in and around Peterlee 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 Peterlee area?
Peterlee is graded C for safety on AskBart — safer than 28% of similar areas. This is drawn from police-recorded crime data and compared against similar areas.
Can I get council funding for care in Peterlee?
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 Peterlee?
A care home's weekly fee in Peterlee 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 Peterlee may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.
Could the NHS pay for care in Peterlee?
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 Peterlee?
Start by shortlisting homes in Peterlee 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 Peterlee?
Care homes in Peterlee 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 Peterlee, nearby areas with care homes include Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street, Consett and Crook. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.
Talk to a Peterlee care expert.
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