Care homes in Ottery St Mary

Ottery St Mary is a market town in South West England with a well-established older population — over a quarter of residents are 65 or older — and a quiet, settled character. It offers modest everyday services and community amenities, alongside access to larger towns for specialist care.

Average residential fee in Ottery St Mary: £1,571/weekabove the UK average of £1,279

Living in Ottery St Mary
High Retirement CommunityLow Recorded Crime
What do these badges mean?
  • High Retirement CommunityAn above-average share of residents are aged 65 and over (ONS Census) — often a sign of established later-life communities and services.
  • Low Recorded CrimeRanks among the safer areas of its type on recorded police crime (Police.uk).
SafetyA

Excellentsafer than 88% of similar areas

Green SpacesC

Limitedparks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby

Daily ConveniencesC

Limitedshops, 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 Ottery St Mary is about £1,571/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.

Council funding & top-up in Ottery St Mary

The average residential care home in Ottery St Mary costs about £1,571/week, while Devon’s published usual rate is around £1,110/week (2025). If you qualify for council funding, expect a likely third-party top-up of about £461/week (≈ £23,972/year) to bridge the gap.

Average fee in Ottery St Mary
£1,571/wk
Devon usual rate
£1,110/wk
Likely top-up gap
£461/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 Devon’s published usual cost of residential care (2025).

Care homes in Ottery St Mary on the map
  • Outstanding
  • Good
Care homes (1)

updated September 2026

Top-rated in Ottery St Mary

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

Sundial Care Home

CQC Outstanding
37 beds

Sundial Care Home is a 37-bed care home in Sidmouth, East Devon.

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What care costs in Ottery St Mary
Residential (avg)
£1,571/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,571/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,571/week

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

House prices in East Devon

The average house price in East Devon is £345,757, 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
£345,757
Detached
£538,966
Semi-detached
£338,579
Terraced
£274,572
Flats & maisonettes
£184,423

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 Ottery St Mary

Residential care homes

1 in Ottery St Mary

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 Ottery St Mary

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

1 in Ottery St Mary

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

1 in Ottery St Mary

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

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

  • Violent crime10
  • Other theft2
  • Shoplifting2
  • Criminal damage & arson2

Is Ottery St Mary a good retirement location?

Ottery St Mary suits someone seeking a smaller-town setting with a genuine retired community and lower crime rates. It is not a major retirement hub with extensive dedicated facilities, so you'll need to weigh local choice of care homes carefully and consider proximity to family or key services. The town's over-65 population is notably higher than the national average, which signals an established later-life community; costs are lower than the national average for South West England, making it accessible for many budgets.

Health & support

  • Medical access: A GP surgery and pharmacy serve the town; hospital and emergency care are reached via nearby larger centres in Devon.
  • Safety: Recorded crime is low at 19 offences in April 2026, with the most common offences being violent crime, other theft, and shoplifting — broadly comparable to a quiet market town.
  • Family & connection: Consider how close your family or support network are; Ottery St Mary is quieter and more remote than urban areas, so regular visits and practical help may require more planning.

Finances & daily life

  • Cost of care: Care fees in the area are below the South West average, making Ottery St Mary a more affordable option for many later-life budgets.
  • Transport: The town has bus links to nearby towns; car ownership or local taxis are often necessary for independence. Rail access is available via connections to larger centres.
  • Housing options: Care home provision in the town is modest; you will need to explore available homes carefully and may need to consider nearby larger towns if choice is limited locally.

Lifestyle & environment

  • Green space & hobbies: Two parks and two allotments provide outdoor space; eight restaurants and cafes, and four pubs, support social outings and community gathering.
  • Community: The high proportion of older residents means a well-rooted local community; look into local clubs, church groups, and memory cafés that may serve the area.
  • Climate: South West England enjoys milder winters than much of the UK, though wet weather is common; the town's quieter setting and green surroundings suit those who enjoy countryside living.

Things to weigh up

  • Limited choice of homes: Care home provision is modest, so you may have fewer options locally and should explore this early with family.
  • Everyday services: Only one supermarket serves the town, so shopping trips or delivery services will need planning, especially if mobility is limited.
  • Remoteness: The quiet market-town setting means you are further from major hospitals and specialist services than in larger towns; this matters if you have ongoing health needs.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Ottery St Mary?

There are 3 care homes listed in and around Ottery St Mary 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 Ottery St Mary cost?

Care homes in Ottery St Mary range from around £1,571 per week, with averages of £1,571 for residential, £1,571 for dementia, £1,571 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.

How do care home fees in Ottery St Mary compare to the national average?

The average residential care fee around Ottery St Mary is about £1,571 per week — above the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.

Which care homes in Ottery St Mary are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?

3 of the 3 care homes in and around Ottery St Mary 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 Ottery St Mary?

Homes in and around Ottery St Mary offer dementia (1), nursing (1), residential (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 Ottery St Mary offer dementia care?

1 care home in and around Ottery St Mary 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 Ottery St Mary offer respite care?

Yes — 1 care home in and around Ottery St Mary 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 Ottery St Mary area?

Ottery St Mary is graded A for safety on AskBart — safer than 88% of similar areas. This is drawn from police-recorded crime data and compared against similar areas.

Can I get council funding for care in Ottery St Mary?

If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, East Devon 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 Ottery St Mary?

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

Could the NHS pay for care in Ottery St Mary?

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 Ottery St Mary?

Start by shortlisting homes in Ottery St Mary 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 Ottery St Mary?

Care homes in Ottery St Mary 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 East Devon?

If you're widening your search beyond Ottery St Mary, nearby areas with care homes include Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth and Sidmouth. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.

Weighing up your options in Ottery St Mary?

Care needs change over time. Compare the other kinds of later-life care in Ottery St Mary:

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