Care homes in Southsea

Southsea is a seaside town in South East England with good access to parks and community spaces, though care-home provision appears modest. It suits those who value coastal living and proximity to Portsmouth's services, but you'll want to check local care availability carefully before committing.

Average residential fee in Southsea: £1,320/weekbelow the UK average of £1,702

Care homes in Southsea
Living in Southsea
Green SpacesC

Limitedparks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby

Based on South East England data (town-level not yet available)

Daily ConveniencesC

Limitedshops, supermarkets & places to eat nearby

Based on South East England data (town-level not yet available)

Culture & CommunityC

Limitedlibraries, galleries, museums & community venues 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 September 2026.

How care costs compare

The estimated average residential care fee in Southsea is about £1,320/week, below the UK average of £1,702.

Estimated from published weekly fees for homes in the area. Actual costs vary by care needs and room type.

The care market in Southsea

100% of Southsea’s CQC-rated care homes are rated Good or Outstandingabove the national average of 79%.

Good or above in Southsea
100%
National average
79%
CQC-rated homes
16 of 16

Of the homes in and around Southsea, 1 offer nursing care, 6 offer dementia care and 5 offer residential care.

Based on 16 CQC-rated homes in and around Southsea. National baseline: CQC State of Care (2024/25).

Council funding & top-up in Southsea

The average residential care home in Southsea costs about £1,320/week, while Portsmouth’s published usual rate is around £1,145/week (2025). If you qualify for council funding, expect a likely third-party top-up of about £175/week (≈ £9,100/year) to bridge the gap.

Average fee in Southsea
£1,320/wk
Portsmouth usual rate
£1,145/wk
Likely top-up gap
£175/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 Portsmouth’s published usual cost of residential care (2025).

Care homes in Southsea on the map
  • Good
  • Requires improvement
Care homes (16)

7 in Southsea, 9 more within 3 miles · updated September 2026

From £1200/wk·49 beds·All en-suite·Eleanor Healthcare Group

Situated close to the famous Canoe Lake in Portsmouth, the Bluebell Nursing Home, managed by the Eleanor Healthcare Group, provides a warm and inviting…

DementiaResidentialNursingRespite
35 beds

Braemar Care Home is a 35-bed care home located in Southsea.

43 beds

Oakland Grange is a 43-bed care home in Southsea, South East England.

Shearwater

CQC Good
60 beds

Shearwater is a care home in Portsmouth registered for 60 beds.

From £1440/wk·60 beds·All en-suite·Hartford Care

Nestled in the heart of Portsmouth, Hartford Court is a remarkable, purpose-built care home that beautifully marries traditional English aesthetics with…

DementiaResidentialRespite
46 beds

Harry Sotnick House is a 46-bed care home in Portsmouth providing residential care.

52 beds

Mary Rose Manor is a 52-bed care home in Portsmouth operated by Brookvale Healthcare.

Handle With Care provides specialist dementia care for older people aged 65 and over, younger adults under 65, and people with physical disabilities.

Dementia
21 beds

The Wedge Residential Home is a 21-bed residential care home located on Hayling Island in Hampshire.

88 beds

Gorseway Nursing Home is an 88-bed nursing home on Hayling Island in Hampshire, operated by Agincare.

Merlin Park

CQC Good
25 beds

Merlin Park is a 25-bed care home in Gosport, Hampshire.

DementiaResidential

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What care costs in Southsea
Residential (avg)
£1,320/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,320/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,200/week

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

House prices in Portsmouth

The average house price in Portsmouth is £250,999, 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
£250,999
Detached
£517,336
Semi-detached
£349,353
Terraced
£275,161
Flats & maisonettes
£166,579

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 Southsea

Residential care homes

5 in Southsea

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

1 in Southsea

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

6 in Southsea

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 Southsea

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.

Is Southsea a good retirement location?

Southsea offers a gentler coastal setting with reasonable access to parks and local amenities, though recorded crime is on the higher side for violent crime and anti-social behaviour. It's worth considering if you're drawn to the sea and have family or support networks nearby, but do weigh the crime profile and make sure the care-home options suit your needs — the local provision is limited.

Health & support

  • Medical access: Portsmouth's NHS services are within easy reach; you'll want to confirm the nearest GP surgery and pharmacy to any home you're considering.
  • Safety: Recorded crime in the latest period included a significant proportion of violent crime and anti-social behaviour — higher than many UK towns — so safety and local environment are genuine considerations.
  • Family & connection: Think carefully about how often family can visit and whether you have a local support network; coastal towns can feel isolated if connections are thin.

Finances & daily life

  • Cost of care: Check local care-home fees against the national average; South East England is generally a pricier region for care, so expect costs may be above the baseline.
  • Transport: Southsea benefits from rail and bus links to Portsmouth and beyond; the town itself is relatively walkable, though a car is helpful for some journeys.
  • Housing options: Local care-home provision is limited, so availability and choice may be constrained — view early and don't assume easy access to your preferred setting.

Lifestyle & environment

  • Green space & hobbies: Eleven parks and one allotment offer good options for outdoor activity and gardening interests; coastal walks are a natural draw.
  • Community: Two restaurants and cafés plus one pub provide modest social eating venues; look for memory cafés, church groups or hobby clubs in the area to build connection.
  • Climate: South East England has a milder maritime climate than much of the UK, though winters can be damp and coastal wind is common.

Things to weigh up

  • Crime profile: Violent crime and anti-social behaviour are notably present in the recorded figures — visit at different times of day and talk to current residents about their experience.
  • Limited care provision: Few care homes in the area means less choice and potentially longer waiting lists; explore options well ahead and have a backup plan.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Southsea?

There are 19 care homes listed in and around Southsea 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 Southsea cost?

Care homes in Southsea range from around £1,200 to around £1,440 per week, with averages of £1,320 for residential, £1,320 for dementia, £1,200 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.

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

The average residential care fee around Southsea is about £1,320 per week — below the UK average of £1,702. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.

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

16 of the 19 care homes in and around Southsea 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 Southsea?

Homes in and around Southsea offer dementia (6), residential (5), respite (2), nursing (1). Availability varies by home — use the filters above to find homes offering the specific care type you need.

How many care homes in Southsea offer dementia care?

6 care homes in and around Southsea 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 Southsea offer respite care?

Yes — 2 care homes in and around Southsea 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 Southsea?

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 Southsea?

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

Could the NHS pay for care in Southsea?

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 Southsea?

Start by shortlisting homes in Southsea 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 Southsea?

Care homes in Southsea 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 Southsea, 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 Southsea care expert.

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