Ventress Hall Care Home
CQC Good
At the heart of the picturesque market town of Darlington, you'll find Ventress Hall, a tranquil Care UK home that offers exceptional residential, dementia,…
DementiaResidentialRespite
Care homes in Darlington
Darlington is a North East market town with a slightly above-average retired population, solid local care-home provision and good access to shops and social spaces. It suits people drawn to a smaller, established town with reasonable amenities and close ties to the region—though crime rates and transport links merit careful thought.
Average residential fee in Darlington: £956/week — below the UK average of £1,279
Living in Darlington
Green SurroundingsWell Served
What do these badges mean?
- Green Surroundings — Excellent access to parks, playing fields and other green space nearby (OpenStreetMap).
- Well Served — Excellent everyday amenities nearby — shops, supermarkets, cafés and places to eat (OpenStreetMap).
SafetyC
Limited — safer than 7% of similar areas (per head of population)
Green SpacesA
Excellent — parks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby
Daily ConveniencesA
Excellent — 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 Darlington is about £956/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 Darlington
100% of Darlington’s CQC-rated care homes are rated Good or Outstanding — above the national average of 79%, including 1 rated Outstanding.
Good or above in Darlington
100%
National average
79%
CQC-rated homes
16 of 16
Of the homes in and around Darlington, 2 offer nursing care, 4 offer dementia care and 2 offer residential care.
Based on 16 CQC-rated homes in and around Darlington. National baseline: CQC State of Care (2024/25).
Council funding & top-up in Darlington
The average residential care home in Darlington costs about £956/week, while Darlington’s published usual rate is around £843/week (2025). If you qualify for council funding, expect a likely third-party top-up of about £113/week (≈ £5,876/year) to bridge the gap.
Average fee in Darlington
£956/wk
Darlington usual rate
£843/wk
Likely top-up gap
£113/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 Darlington’s published usual cost of residential care (2025).
Care homes in Darlington on the map
- Outstanding
- Good
- Requires improvement
Care homes (2)
North Park Care Home
CQC Good
Nestled in the picturesque region of Darlington in North East England, North Park is a warm and inviting care home that offers specialised residential,…
DementiaResidentialRespite
Run a care home, property or business in Darlington?
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 Darlington
Residential (avg)
£956/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,001/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,092/week
Wondering if that’s cheaper than staying put? Compare a care home with care at home, or see who pays.
House prices in Darlington
The average house price in Darlington is £158,188, 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
- £158,188
- Detached
- £280,470
- Semi-detached
- £174,223
- Terraced
- £127,724
- Flats & maisonettes
- £95,115
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 Darlington
Residential care homes
2 in DarlingtonResidential 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 DarlingtonNursing 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 DarlingtonSpecialist 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 DarlingtonRespite 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
534 crimes reported in April 2026, sourced from Police.uk.
- Violent crime141
- Anti-social behaviour130
- Shoplifting72
- Criminal damage & arson49
Is Darlington a good retirement location?
Darlington has a settled retirement community (20.6% of residents aged 65+, above the national average of 18.6%) and three care homes rated as good by the CQC, ranging from 49 to 106 beds. It's a practical choice for those wanting a compact town with straightforward day-to-day services, though not a destination with resort-like attractions. It suits people with roots in the North East, or those prioritising care-home choice and community over vibrant urban life.
Health & support
- Medical access: You'll find several GP surgeries and pharmacies in the town; Darlington Memorial Hospital is locally based for routine and emergency care.
- Safety: Recorded crime stands at 534 offences in the 2026-04 period, with violent crime, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting among the most common. This is above average for smaller English towns and a fair consideration when weighing safety and peace of mind.
- Family & connection: Think carefully about how close your family or support networks are—Darlington is in the North East, which suits those with regional roots, but distance matters for frequent visits and hands-on help.
Finances & daily life
- Cost of care: Local weekly care-home fees sit close to the national average; Darlington offers competitive pricing versus pricier southern regions, making it broadly affordable for standard residential care.
- Transport: The town has bus services and a railway station with connections to nearby cities including Newcastle and York; local walking is feasible for many amenities, though a car or taxi support is helpful for some journeys.
- Housing options: Three care homes with good CQC ratings provide a modest range of choice, with bed counts spanning 49 to 106 residents—enough for different needs, though not extensive.
Lifestyle & environment
- Green space & hobbies: Darlington has 18 parks and 14 allotments, offering good scope for outdoor activity and gardening interests; you'll also find 82 restaurants and cafés and 52 pubs and bars for social life and eating out.
- Community: A settled, above-average retired population means established social groups and memory cafés are likely; ask care homes directly about on-site activities and local clubs.
- Climate: The North East has a temperate maritime climate, cooler and windier than southern England, with regular rainfall—typical for the region.
Things to weigh up
- Crime level: At 534 offences in the period measured, the recorded-crime rate is worth factoring into your personal safety assessment, especially evening mobility and local patterns.
- Care-home choice: Only three homes in the area means less breadth of choice if your first preference cannot accommodate you; early conversation with homes about waiting lists and availability is wise.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Darlington?
There are 17 care homes listed in and around Darlington 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 Darlington cost?
Care homes in Darlington range from around £902 to around £1,092 per week, with averages of £956 for residential, £1,001 for dementia, £1,092 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.
How do care home fees in Darlington compare to the national average?
The average residential care fee around Darlington is about £956 per week — below the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.
Which care homes in Darlington are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?
16 of the 17 care homes in and around Darlington 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 Darlington?
Homes in and around Darlington offer dementia (4), respite (3), nursing (2), residential (2). Availability varies by home — use the filters above to find homes offering the specific care type you need.
How many care homes in Darlington offer dementia care?
4 care homes in and around Darlington 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 Darlington offer respite care?
Yes — 3 care homes in and around Darlington 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 Darlington area?
Darlington is graded C for safety on AskBart — safer than 7% of similar areas (per head of population). This is drawn from police-recorded crime data and compared against similar areas.
Can I get council funding for care in Darlington?
If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, North East England 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 Darlington?
A care home's weekly fee in Darlington 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 Darlington may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.
Could the NHS pay for care in Darlington?
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 Darlington?
Start by shortlisting homes in Darlington 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 Darlington?
Care homes in Darlington 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 North East England?
If you're widening your search beyond Darlington, nearby areas with care homes include Billingham, Blaydon On Tyne, County Durham, Gateshead and Guisborough. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.
Weighing up your options in Darlington?
Care needs change over time. Compare the other kinds of later-life care in Darlington:
Talk to a Darlington 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.