Nestled in the historic suburb of Bedhampton, Portsdown View is a state-of-the-art care home that offers top-tier residential, dementia, and respite care. This…
ResidentialDementiaRespite
Care homes in Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a large coastal city with good medical access and strong transport links to London and beyond. It has fewer retirement residents than the national average and relatively modest care-home fees — but a straightforward approach to cost means you'll want to weigh the local crime rate and what family support looks like for you here.
Average residential fee in Portsmouth: £1,250/week — in line with the UK average of £1,279
Living in Portsmouth
Green SpacesC
Limited — parks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby
Based on South East England data (town-level not yet available)
Daily ConveniencesC
Limited — shops, supermarkets & places to eat nearby
Based on South East England data (town-level not yet available)
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 Portsmouth is about £1,250/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.
Council funding & top-up in Portsmouth
The average residential care home in Portsmouth costs about £1,250/week, while Hampshire’s published usual rate is around £1,245/week (2025). If you qualify for council funding, expect a likely third-party top-up of about £5/week (≈ £260/year) to bridge the gap.
Average fee in Portsmouth
£1,250/wk
Hampshire usual rate
£1,245/wk
Likely top-up gap
£5/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 Hampshire’s published usual cost of residential care (2025).
Care homes in Portsmouth on the map
- Good
- Requires improvement
- Not rated
Care homes (2)
Latham Lodge Care Home
CQC GoodLatham Lodge is a Caring Homes nursing and residential home in Purbrook, Portsmouth, offering residential, nursing and palliative care with en-suite rooms and…
ResidentialDementiaRespiteNursing
What care costs in Portsmouth
Residential (avg)
£1,250/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,233/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,025/week
Is Portsmouth a good retirement location?
Portsmouth suits people drawn to a busy seaside city with practical healthcare and affordability in mind. Its over-65 population (15.8%) is lower than the national average (18.6%), so it's less of an established retirement hub — but that can mean more independence and younger energy in the community. Care-home fees sit below the national average, and transport links are strong. It's not a quiet retreat; it's a working city by the sea.
Health & support
- Medical access: The city has good GP and pharmacy coverage, and Queen Alexandra Hospital provides full acute emergency care locally.
- Safety: Recorded crime is notable — violent crime and anti-social behaviour appear most frequently in the data. This is something to weigh carefully if peace of mind matters to you.
- Family & connection: Portsmouth's size and rail links make it accessible from London and across the south coast. Ask yourself honestly how often family or support networks can visit, and whether isolation might be a risk.
Finances & daily life
- Cost of care: Local care-home fees are below the national average, making Portsmouth a relatively affordable choice for residential care compared to many UK regions.
- Transport: Excellent rail connections to London and Brighton; local buses serve the city well. It's reasonably walkable in central areas, though car-dependent further out.
- Housing options: A range of care homes operate across Portsmouth; choice is available, though you'll want to visit and compare what suits your needs and budget.
Lifestyle & environment
- Green space & hobbies: Portsmouth has 11 parks plus a waterfront with history and walks. The naval heritage and seafront add character, though social and leisure provision in the DATA appears limited.
- Community: A large, working city means groups and activities exist, but you may need to seek them out. Memory cafés and retirement-focused support networks are less obvious than in established retirement towns.
- Climate: South coast weather — milder winters than inland, but often cloudy and damp; good for coastal walks if you enjoy maritime settings.
Things to weigh up
- Crime rate: Recorded crime, particularly violent crime and anti-social behaviour, is present in the local data. If a very quiet, low-crime setting is important, you should research specific neighborhoods carefully and visit at different times.
- Younger retirement population: With fewer over-65s than the national average, Portsmouth is less of a traditional retirement community. This brings independence and variety, but fewer age-peer social structures than seaside towns like Eastbourne or Worthing.
- Limited social provision in DATA: The data shows only a handful of restaurants, cafes and pubs — fewer than you might expect in a city of this size. This may reflect how the data was gathered rather than reality, so it's worth visiting to assess community life firsthand.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Portsmouth?
There are 9 care homes listed in and around Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth cost?
Care homes in Portsmouth range from around £1,025 to around £1,475 per week, with averages of £1,250 for residential, £1,233 for dementia, £1,025 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.
How do care home fees in Portsmouth compare to the national average?
The average residential care fee around Portsmouth is about £1,250 per week — broadly in line with the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.
Which care homes in Portsmouth are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?
6 of the 9 care homes in and around Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth?
Homes in and around Portsmouth offer dementia (3), 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 Portsmouth offer dementia care?
3 care homes in and around Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth offer respite care?
Yes — 3 care homes in and around Portsmouth 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.
Can I get council funding for care in Portsmouth?
If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, South 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 Portsmouth?
A care home's weekly fee in Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.
Could the NHS pay for care in Portsmouth?
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 Portsmouth?
Start by shortlisting homes in Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth?
Care homes in Portsmouth 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 East England?
If you're widening your search beyond Portsmouth, nearby areas with care homes include Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Datchet, East Sussex and Hampshire. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.
Talk to a Portsmouth 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.