Care homes in South Shields

South Shields is a seaside town on the Tyne estuary in the North East with good everyday amenities and genuine green space. It offers an honest, affordable backdrop for later life — though you'll want to check how close family networks are, and understand the local crime profile before deciding.

Average residential fee in South Shields: £1,223/weekbelow the UK average of £1,279

Living in South Shields
Green SurroundingsWell Served
What do these badges mean?
  • Green SurroundingsExcellent access to parks, playing fields and other green space nearby (OpenStreetMap).
  • Well ServedExcellent everyday amenities nearby — shops, supermarkets, cafés and places to eat (OpenStreetMap).
SafetyC

Limitedsafer than 8% of similar areas

Green SpacesA

Excellentparks, 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 South Shields is about £1,223/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 South Shields

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

Good or above in South Shields
100%
National average
79%
CQC-rated homes
19 of 19

Of the homes in and around South Shields, 2 offer nursing care, 3 offer dementia care and 4 offer residential care.

Based on 19 CQC-rated homes in and around South Shields. National baseline: CQC State of Care (2024/25).

Council funding & top-up in South Shields

The average residential care home in South Shields costs about £1,223/week, while South Tyneside’s published usual rate is around £915/week (2025). If you qualify for council funding, expect a likely third-party top-up of about £308/week (≈ £16,016/year) to bridge the gap.

Average fee in South Shields
£1,223/wk
South Tyneside usual rate
£915/wk
Likely top-up gap
£308/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 South Tyneside’s published usual cost of residential care (2025).

Care homes in South Shields on the map
  • Outstanding
  • Good
Care homes (19)

11 in South Shields, 8 more within 10 miles · updated September 2026

Top-rated in South Shields

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

52 beds

St Thomas Complex is a care home in South Shields with 52 registered beds.

40 beds

Garden Hill Care Centre is a 40-bed care home in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, operated by Maria Mallaband Care Group.

From £1082/wk·40 beds·95% en-suite·Countrywide

Nestled near the picturesque coastline of South Shields, Garden Hill is a distinguished, purpose-designed care home that has been recognised for its…

DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
50 beds

Chichester Court Care Home is a 50-bed care home in South Shields, operated by Roseberry Care Centres.

40 beds

Westoe Grange Care Home is a 40-bed care home in South Shields, South Tyneside.

Ashlea Mews

CQC Good
40 beds

Ashlea Mews is a 40-bed care home in South Shields, operated by Orchard Care Homes.

75 beds

Princes Court is a care home in North Shields, North Tyneside, run by Akari Care Limited.

8 beds

Dean View Villas is an 8-bed residential care home in South Shields, Tyne and Wear.

Residential
25 beds

Holmlea Care Home is a 25-bed care home in North Shields, North Tyneside.

52 beds

The Lodge Care Home is a 52-bed care home in South Shields, South Tyneside, providing residential care to older adults.

73 beds

Cheviot Court is a 73-bed care home in South Shields, operated by Welltower.

Haven Court

CQC Good
80 beds

Haven Court is an 80-bed care home in South Shields, South Tyneside.

From £1363/wk·62 beds·All en-suite

Harton Grange is a CQC-Outstanding purpose-built Barchester care home in South Shields, offering residential, dementia and respite care in its own grounds.

DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
57 beds

Needham Court is a 57-bed care home in Jarrow, South Tyneside, providing residential care.

45 beds

Stapleton House is a 45-bed care home in Jarrow, South Tyneside.

Coble House

CQC Good
52 beds

Coble House is a 52-bed care home in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, providing personal care and nursing care for older adults.

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What care costs in South Shields
Residential (avg)
£1,223/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,223/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,223/week

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

House prices in South Tyneside

The average house price in South Tyneside is £161,372, 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
£161,372
Detached
£315,106
Semi-detached
£190,545
Terraced
£153,775
Flats & maisonettes
£95,346

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 South Shields

Residential care homes

4 in South Shields

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

2 in South Shields

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

3 in South Shields

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

2 in South Shields

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

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

  • Anti-social behaviour102
  • Violent crime92
  • Shoplifting66
  • Criminal damage & arson39

Is South Shields a good retirement location?

South Shields suits someone looking for a lower-cost retirement option in a well-serviced coastal setting, with decent access to local shops and parks. It's not for those seeking a pristine, crime-free environment — crime is above the average for England — but it has real community character and fewer fees than southern regions. Families should be ready to visit regularly and help navigate some of the rougher neighbourhoods.

Health & support

  • Medical access: GP surgeries and a pharmacy are available locally; South Tyneside Hospital is within the town, serving emergency and routine care.
  • Safety: Recorded crime in 2026–04 was 378 offences, with anti-social behaviour, violent crime and shoplifting among the most common types. That's considerably above the national average and worth factoring in.
  • Family & connection: Consider honestly how often family can visit and whether you have local support networks; South Shields has real community groups, but day-to-day support matters.

Finances & daily life

  • Cost of care: Care-home fees in this area are well below the national average, making it one of the more affordable options in England for residential care.
  • Transport: Local buses serve the town well; rail links connect to Newcastle and beyond. The town is broadly walkable in the town centre, though you'll depend on cars or buses for outlying areas.
  • Housing options: Care-home provision exists in the area; choice and size vary, so early enquiry with local providers is wise.

Lifestyle & environment

  • Green space & hobbies: The town has 19 parks and 4 allotments, plus seafront walks along the Tyne estuary. There are 87 restaurants and cafés and 73 pubs, supporting an active social life if that appeals.
  • Community: A range of local clubs and groups operate; memory cafés and support networks exist through health and community services.
  • Climate: North East coastal winters are cold and often damp; summers are cool. It's a typically British maritime climate.

Things to weigh up

  • Crime levels: The local crime rate is markedly above the national average. While South Shields has many law-abiding residents and real community spirit, this is a genuine factor to weigh, especially if you are vulnerable or isolated.
  • Transport and distance: Unless family live nearby, you'll rely on buses or occasional car visits. Newcastle is accessible, but South Shields can feel distant from family in the South.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in South Shields?

There are 19 care homes listed in and around South Shields 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 South Shields cost?

Care homes in South Shields range from around £1,082 to around £1,363 per week, with averages of £1,223 for residential, £1,223 for dementia, £1,223 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.

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

The average residential care fee around South Shields is about £1,223 per week — below the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.

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

19 of the 19 care homes in and around South Shields 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 South Shields?

Homes in and around South Shields offer residential (4), dementia (3), nursing (2), 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 South Shields offer dementia care?

3 care homes in and around South Shields 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 South Shields offer respite care?

Yes — 2 care homes in and around South Shields 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 South Shields area?

South Shields is graded C for safety on AskBart — safer than 8% of similar areas. This is drawn from police-recorded crime data and compared against similar areas.

Can I get council funding for care in South Shields?

If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, South Tyneside 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 South Shields?

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

Could the NHS pay for care in South Shields?

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 South Shields?

Start by shortlisting homes in South Shields 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 South Shields?

Care homes in South Shields 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 South Tyneside?

If you're widening your search beyond South Shields, nearby areas with care homes include Boldon Colliery, Hebburn and Jarrow. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.

Weighing up your options in South Shields?

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

Talk to a South Shields care expert.

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