Heathfield Residential Home
CQC Good
Heathfield Residential Home is a 35-bed care home in Ashford, Kent, providing residential care.
Care homes in Ashford
Ashford is a sizeable South East England town with a slightly older demographic than average and a modest care-home sector of four homes. It offers decent local services and green space, though you'll want to weigh its crime figures and limited choice of homes carefully before deciding.
Average residential fee in Ashford: £1,325/week — above the UK average of £1,279
Living in Ashford
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).
SafetyB
Good — safer than 32% 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 Ashford is about £1,325/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 Ashford
100% of Ashford’s CQC-rated care homes are rated Good or Outstanding — above the national average of 79%.
Good or above in Ashford
100%
National average
79%
CQC-rated homes
8 of 8
Of the homes in and around Ashford, 3 offer nursing care, 3 offer dementia care and 3 offer residential care.
Based on 8 CQC-rated homes in and around Ashford. National baseline: CQC State of Care (2024/25).
Council funding & top-up in Ashford
The average residential care home in Ashford costs about £1,325/week, while Kent’s published usual rate is around £1,187/week (2025). If you qualify for council funding, expect a likely third-party top-up of about £138/week (≈ £7,176/year) to bridge the gap.
Average fee in Ashford
£1,325/wk
Kent usual rate
£1,187/wk
Likely top-up gap
£138/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 Kent’s published usual cost of residential care (2025).
Care homes in Ashford on the map
- Good
- Requires improvement
Care homes (8)
updated September 2026
Ashminster House Care Home
CQC Good
Nestled near the charming, historic market town of Ashford, Ashminster House is a custom-built care home that offers specialised residential, respite, nursing,…
DementiaRespiteNursing
Warren Lodge Care Home
CQC Good
Warren Lodge Care Home is a 64-bed care home in Ashford, Kent, operated by BUPA Group.
Southfields
CQC Good
Southfields is a residential care home with 10 registered beds in Ashford, Kent.
Residential
Montfort Manor Care Home
CQC Good
Nestled in the heart of Willesborough, Ashford in Kent, you'll find the purpose-built Montfort Manor, a beacon of expert dementia care, specialised nursing…
DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
The Grange
CQC Good
The Grange is a care home in Ashford, Kent, providing residential care for 29 residents.
Cedar Bungalows
CQC Good
Cedar Bungalows is a 4-bed care home in Ashford, Kent, operated by CareTech Community Services.
Run a care home, property or business in Ashford?
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What care costs in Ashford
Residential (avg)
£1,325/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,420/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,420/week
Wondering if that’s cheaper than staying put? Compare a care home with care at home, or see who pays.
House prices in Ashford
The average house price in Ashford is £344,332, 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
- £344,332
- Detached
- £555,528
- Semi-detached
- £344,990
- Terraced
- £282,684
- Flats & maisonettes
- £163,241
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 Ashford
Residential care homes
3 in AshfordResidential 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
3 in AshfordNursing 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 AshfordSpecialist 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 AshfordRespite 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
300 crimes reported in April 2026, sourced from Police.uk.
- Violent crime91
- Anti-social behaviour72
- Criminal damage & arson35
- Shoplifting27
Is Ashford a good retirement location?
Ashford suits families seeking a busy, established town with good shops and services but who are willing to view a smaller pool of care homes and accept a somewhat higher crime rate. The area has a notably higher share of over-65s than the national average, suggesting a settled retirement community. Most homes are rated Good by the CQC, though one requires improvement — so choice and quality vary. It's not a remote or genteel retirement destination, but a practical, town-centre option for those who value walkability and local amenities over a specialist retirement scheme.
Health & support
- Medical access: Ashford has everyday pharmacies on the high street, and several GP surgeries serve the town; Kent's major acute hospitals are within reasonable reach by car or bus.
- Safety: Recorded crime runs at 300 offences in the latest 2026–04 period, with violent crime and anti-social behaviour among the most common types — higher than many quieter retirement areas, so personal safety and community feel are worth investigating in person.
- Family & connection: If your support network is local or in the South East, Ashford's central location and rail links make visiting straightforward; if family is distant, check how the home's social programme and community links help offset isolation.
Finances & daily life
- Cost of care: Care-home fees in Ashford sit broadly in line with or slightly below the national average for the South East, making it modestly affordable compared to pricier coastal or London-adjacent areas.
- Transport: Ashford has good bus coverage for daily errands and strong rail links to London and the Kent coast, so you're not car-dependent; the town centre is compact and walkable for those still mobile.
- Housing options: Four care homes operate locally, ranging from roughly 60–95 beds each, offering a limited but defined choice; most are rated Good, though availability may be tight during peak demand.
Lifestyle & environment
- Green space & hobbies: The town boasts 32 parks and 12 allotments, plus 68 restaurants and cafés and 19 pubs, giving good scope for outings and social meals if you're still fairly active; Ashford town centre has a lively, mixed community feel.
- Community: As an established town, Ashford hosts the usual clubs, groups and memory cafés; the high over-65 share suggests a receptive peer community, though you'll want to ask individual homes about their specific social and wellbeing programmes.
- Climate: Being in South East England, Ashford experiences a relatively mild maritime climate with average rainfall; winters are cooler than the south coast, but the region rarely sees heavy snow or extreme cold.
Things to weigh up
- Limited home choice: Only four care homes serve the town, so your options are constrained; waiting lists may be competitive, and if a home doesn't suit you, alternatives are few.
- Higher crime rate: Violent crime and anti-social behaviour are recorded more frequently than in quieter retirement towns, which may affect your sense of safety in the local community, especially after dark.
- Busy town setting: Ashford is a working market town with traffic and commercial activity, not a quiet or genteel enclave — this suits those who enjoy liveliness and local bustle, but not those seeking a withdrawn, resort-like atmosphere.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Ashford?
There are 10 care homes listed in and around Ashford 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 Ashford cost?
Care homes in Ashford range from around £1,150 to around £1,612 per week, with averages of £1,325 for residential, £1,420 for dementia, £1,420 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.
How do care home fees in Ashford compare to the national average?
The average residential care fee around Ashford is about £1,325 per week — above the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.
Which care homes in Ashford are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?
8 of the 10 care homes in and around Ashford are rated Good or Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission. Ratings are published by the CQC following regular inspections.
What types of care are available in Ashford?
Homes in and around Ashford offer dementia (3), nursing (3), residential (3), respite (3). Availability varies by home — use the filters above to find homes offering the specific care type you need.
How many care homes in Ashford offer dementia care?
3 care homes in and around Ashford 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 Ashford offer respite care?
Yes — 3 care homes in and around Ashford 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 Ashford area?
Ashford is graded B for safety on AskBart — safer than 32% of similar areas. This is drawn from police-recorded crime data and compared against similar areas.
Can I get council funding for care in Ashford?
If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, Kent 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 Ashford?
A care home's weekly fee in Ashford 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 Ashford may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.
Could the NHS pay for care in Ashford?
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 Ashford?
Start by shortlisting homes in Ashford 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 Ashford?
Care homes in Ashford 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 Kent?
If you're widening your search beyond Ashford, nearby areas with care homes include Birchington, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Charing and Chatham. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.
Weighing up your options in Ashford?
Care needs change over time. Compare the other kinds of later-life care in Ashford:
Talk to a Ashford care expert.
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