Shelburne Lodge Care Home
CQC Good
Nestled in the heart of High Wycombe, you'll find Shelburne Lodge, a Barchester care home renowned for its exceptional 24-hour nursing care. This home boasts a…
DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
Care homes in High Wycombe
High Wycombe is a busy market town in the South East with a slightly above-average share of older residents and two care homes both rated Good by the Care Quality Commission. It offers reasonable everyday amenities and green space, though it's a town rather than a quiet retirement haven—and crime levels sit above the national average.
Average residential fee in High Wycombe: £1,459/week — above the UK average of £1,279
Living in High Wycombe
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 28% of similar areas
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 High Wycombe is about £1,459/week, above 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 High Wycombe
100% of High Wycombe’s CQC-rated care homes are rated Good or Outstanding — above the national average of 79%, including 2 rated Outstanding.
Good or above in High Wycombe
100%
National average
79%
CQC-rated homes
7 of 7
Of the homes in and around High Wycombe, 1 offer nursing care, 1 offer dementia care and 2 offer residential care.
Based on 7 CQC-rated homes in and around High Wycombe. National baseline: CQC State of Care (2024/25).
Council funding & top-up in High Wycombe
The average residential care home in High Wycombe costs about £1,459/week, while Buckinghamshire’s published usual rate is around £1,188/week (2025). If you qualify for council funding, expect a likely third-party top-up of about £271/week (≈ £14,092/year) to bridge the gap.
Average fee in High Wycombe
£1,459/wk
Buckinghamshire usual rate
£1,188/wk
Likely top-up gap
£271/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 Buckinghamshire’s published usual cost of residential care (2025).
Care homes in High Wycombe on the map
- Outstanding
- Good
- Requires improvement
Care homes (1)
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What care costs in High Wycombe
Residential (avg)
£1,459/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,459/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,459/week
Wondering if that’s cheaper than staying put? Compare a care home with care at home, or see who pays.
House prices in Buckinghamshire
The average house price in Buckinghamshire is £490,508, 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
- £490,508
- Detached
- £875,480
- Semi-detached
- £482,969
- Terraced
- £385,998
- Flats & maisonettes
- £241,795
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 High Wycombe
Residential care homes
2 in High WycombeResidential 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 High WycombeNursing 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
1 in High WycombeSpecialist 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 High WycombeRespite 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
346 crimes reported in April 2026, sourced from Police.uk.
- Violent crime138
- Shoplifting50
- Anti-social behaviour39
- Public order32
Is High Wycombe a good retirement location?
High Wycombe suits families seeking established care provision close to London and the wider South East, with reasonable local services. The two care homes here are both rated Good, and the town's over-65 population (19.1%) is slightly above the national average (18.6%), suggesting a settled later-life community. However, it's a working market town, not a specialist retirement destination, and recorded crime is notably higher than many areas—something to weigh carefully if safety and peace are priorities.
Health & support
- Medical access: GPs and pharmacies are present in the town; the nearest major hospital is Wycombe Hospital, within local reach.
- Safety: Recorded crime in the area (346 offences in 2026-04) is significantly above average; violent crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are the most common offences. This warrants honest consideration if you value a particularly quiet or low-crime setting.
- Family & connection: Think carefully about how close your support network is—High Wycombe is in the South East corridor, so visiting from London or the home counties is feasible, but transport times matter if you need frequent visits.
Finances & daily life
- Cost of care: Care home fees in the area sit broadly in line with the national average for this type of provision; check individual homes' charges against your budget, as they can vary.
- Transport: The town has good bus services and rail links to London and Reading, making it accessible for family visits and day trips; town-centre amenities are walkable, though some outlying areas may require a bus or car.
- Housing options: Two care homes listed, both rated Good, with bed sizes ranging from roughly 54 to 72 beds; provision is modest, so early enquiry is sensible.
Lifestyle & environment
- Green space & hobbies: The town has 13 parks and 5 allotments, plus 63 restaurants and cafes and 16 pubs and bars, offering social and leisure options; local walks are available, though the setting is urban rather than countryside.
- Community: A busy market town with a good footfall of cafes and social venues; whether you find community groups and memory cafés will depend on individual homes and local charities—worth asking care providers directly.
- Climate: South East England has a temperate climate, generally mild but damp; winters are cool rather than harsh, summers moderate.
Things to weigh up
- Crime above average: Recorded crime here is notably higher than many retirement areas, particularly violent crime and anti-social behaviour; if a safe, quiet setting is essential, a more rural or low-crime area may suit you better.
- Limited choice of homes: Only two care homes listed means less flexibility to shop around; early contact with both, and clear understanding of their waiting lists, is important.
- Busy town setting: High Wycombe is a working market town with significant traffic and activity; if you prefer a peaceful, rural or quieter setting, the atmosphere may feel less restful than a village or seaside location.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in High Wycombe?
There are 10 care homes listed in and around High Wycombe 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 High Wycombe cost?
Care homes in High Wycombe range from around £1,459 per week, with averages of £1,459 for residential, £1,459 for dementia, £1,459 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.
How do care home fees in High Wycombe compare to the national average?
The average residential care fee around High Wycombe is about £1,459 per week — above the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.
Which care homes in High Wycombe are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?
7 of the 10 care homes in and around High Wycombe 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 High Wycombe?
Homes in and around High Wycombe offer residential (2), dementia (1), 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 High Wycombe offer dementia care?
1 care home in and around High Wycombe 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 High Wycombe offer respite care?
Yes — 1 care home in and around High Wycombe 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 High Wycombe area?
High Wycombe 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 High Wycombe?
If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, Buckinghamshire 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 High Wycombe?
A care home's weekly fee in High Wycombe 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 High Wycombe may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.
Could the NHS pay for care in High Wycombe?
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 High Wycombe?
Start by shortlisting homes in High Wycombe 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 High Wycombe?
Care homes in High Wycombe 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 Buckinghamshire?
If you're widening your search beyond High Wycombe, nearby areas with care homes include Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Bourne End and Buckingham. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.
Weighing up your options in High Wycombe?
Care needs change over time. Compare the other kinds of later-life care in High Wycombe:
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