Care homes in Barnstaple

Barnstaple is a well-established retirement area in Devon with a noticeably higher share of over-65s than the national average, suggesting good local infrastructure for later life. The town offers a blend of everyday amenities, green space, and social venues, though you'll want to weigh family access and specific care-home provision carefully.

Average residential fee in Barnstaple: £1,400/weekabove the UK average of £1,279

Living in Barnstaple
High Retirement CommunityWell ServedLow 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.
  • Well ServedExcellent everyday amenities nearby — shops, supermarkets, cafés and places to eat (OpenStreetMap).
  • Low Recorded CrimeRanks among the safer areas of its type on recorded police crime (Police.uk).
SafetyA

Excellentsafer than 94% of similar areas

Based on North Devon data (town-level not yet available)

Green SpacesB

Goodparks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby

Daily ConveniencesA

Excellentshops, 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, March 2026; amenities: OpenStreetMap, updated June 2026.

How care costs compare

The estimated average residential care fee in Barnstaple is about £1,400/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 Barnstaple

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

Good or above in Barnstaple
100%
National average
79%
CQC-rated homes
6 of 6

Of the homes in and around Barnstaple, 1 offer nursing care and 2 offer residential care.

Based on 6 CQC-rated homes in and around Barnstaple. National baseline: CQC State of Care (2024/25).

Council funding & top-up in Barnstaple

The average residential care home in Barnstaple costs about £1,400/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 £290/week (≈ £15,080/year) to bridge the gap.

Average fee in Barnstaple
£1,400/wk
Devon usual rate
£1,110/wk
Likely top-up gap
£290/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 Barnstaple on the map
  • Good
  • Requires improvement
Care homes (8)

updated September 2026

18 beds

Arundel House is an 18-bed care home in Barnstaple, North Devon.

16 beds

Clayfield Care Home is a small care home in Barnstaple, North Devon, with 16 registered beds.

Greenfields

CQC Good
5 beds

Greenfields is a residential care home in Barnstaple, North Devon, run by Devon County Council.

Residential
28 beds

Pilton House Trust is a 28-bed care home in Barnstaple, North Devon.

40 beds

Park Lane Care Home is a 40-bed care home in Barnstaple, North Devon.

From £1400/wk·60 beds·46% en-suite·Care South

Situated in the heart of the friendly town of Barnstaple, Fremington Manor care home provides top-notch residential, nursing, and respite care. Our dedicated…

ResidentialRespiteNursing

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What care costs in Barnstaple
Residential (avg)
£1,400/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,400/week

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

House prices in North Devon

The average house price in North Devon is £281,532, 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
£281,532
Detached
£426,255
Semi-detached
£284,136
Terraced
£225,930
Flats & maisonettes
£137,033

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 Barnstaple

Residential care homes

2 in Barnstaple

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 Barnstaple

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.

Respite care

1 in Barnstaple

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 Barnstaple a good retirement location?

Barnstaple suits people seeking a quieter Devon base with solid local services and an active over-65 population (26.3%, well above the national average of 18.6%). The town has reasonable shops, parks and social outlets, but it's not a major urban centre, so access to specialist healthcare and the choice of care homes may be more limited than in larger cities. It's worth checking what specific care-home options exist locally before committing.

Health & support

  • Medical access: You will need to confirm the locations of local GP surgeries and the nearest hospital; Devon's geography means some rural areas have longer travel times to major centres.
  • Safety: Recorded crime in the area is very low, with only 1 offence recorded in the most recent reporting period (criminal damage arson).
  • Family & connection: Consider how close your family and support network are; Barnstaple is a market town in Devon, so travel from elsewhere in the UK may take planning.

Finances & daily life

  • Cost of care: Local care-home fees are not provided in the data; you should request quotes from homes in the area and compare them against the national average to assess affordability.
  • Transport: Barnstaple has bus services and rail links to nearby towns and cities; the town centre is moderately walkable, though you may rely on transport for some journeys.
  • Housing options: The town has a modest local care-home market; you should contact the local authority or a care broker to understand the full range of provision.

Lifestyle & environment

  • Green space & hobbies: Barnstaple has 10 parks and 6 allotments, plus 36 restaurants and cafes and 26 pubs and bars, offering good scope for walking, dining out and social gatherings.
  • Community: A higher over-65 population suggests established social networks; you may find memory cafés and older-person groups, but it's worth asking care homes and the council directly.
  • Climate: Devon's South West location means a milder, wetter climate than the UK average, with fewer hard frosts but more frequent rain.

Things to weigh up

  • Limited specialist choice: Care-home selection in Barnstaple may be smaller than in major cities, so early research and site visits are important.
  • Rural travel for some services: While the town centre is accessible, some medical specialists and major services may require travel further afield.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Barnstaple?

There are 8 care homes listed in and around Barnstaple 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 Barnstaple cost?

Care homes in Barnstaple range from around £1,400 per week, with averages of £1,400 for residential, £1,400 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.

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

The average residential care fee around Barnstaple is about £1,400 per week — above the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.

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

6 of the 8 care homes in and around Barnstaple 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 Barnstaple?

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

Do any care homes in Barnstaple offer respite care?

Yes — 1 care home in and around Barnstaple 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 Barnstaple area?

Barnstaple is graded A for safety on AskBart (based on North Devon) — safer than 94% of similar areas. This is drawn from police-recorded crime data and compared against similar areas.

Can I get council funding for care in Barnstaple?

If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, North 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 Barnstaple?

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

Could the NHS pay for care in Barnstaple?

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 Barnstaple?

Start by shortlisting homes in Barnstaple 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 Barnstaple?

Care homes in Barnstaple 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.

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