The Fleet Care Home
CQC Good
Nestled in the charming town of Dartmouth, Devon, The Fleet Care Home is a haven of expert care for the elderly, offering residential, nursing, dementia, and…
DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
Care homes in Dartmouth
Dartmouth is a picturesque South West England town with a well-established retired population—over a quarter of residents are 65 or older—and ready access to waterside walks, local shops and cafes. It suits those seeking a quieter pace with strong community roots, though crime rates and care-home choice merit careful review.
Average residential fee in Dartmouth: £1,200/week — below the UK average of £1,279
Living in Dartmouth
High Retirement CommunityLow Recorded Crime
What do these badges mean?
- High Retirement Community — An above-average share of residents are aged 65 and over (ONS Census) — often a sign of established later-life communities and services.
- Low Recorded Crime — Ranks among the safer areas of its type on recorded police crime (Police.uk).
SafetyA
Excellent — safer than 83% of similar areas
Green SpacesC
Limited — parks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby
Daily ConveniencesB
Good — 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 Dartmouth is about £1,200/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 Dartmouth
The average residential care home in Dartmouth costs about £1,200/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 £90/week (≈ £4,680/year) to bridge the gap.
Average fee in Dartmouth
£1,200/wk
Devon usual rate
£1,110/wk
Likely top-up gap
£90/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 Dartmouth on the map
- Good
Care homes (2)
1 in Dartmouth, 1 more within 10 miles · updated September 2026
Beacon House
CQC Good
Beacon House is a 34-bed residential care home in Dartmouth, Devon, providing care for older people and those living with dementia.
DementiaResidential
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What care costs in Dartmouth
Residential (avg)
£1,200/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,200/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 South Hams
The average house price in South Hams is £360,571, 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
- £360,571
- Detached
- £545,980
- Semi-detached
- £348,182
- Terraced
- £285,959
- Flats & maisonettes
- £189,993
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 Dartmouth
Residential care homes
2 in DartmouthResidential 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 DartmouthNursing 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
2 in DartmouthSpecialist 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 DartmouthRespite 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
32 crimes reported in April 2026, sourced from Police.uk.
- Violent crime20
- Other theft3
- Anti-social behaviour3
- Criminal damage & arson3
Is Dartmouth a good retirement location?
Dartmouth is genuinely popular with older people; at 26.3% of residents aged 65+, it's significantly above the national average, which means established services and a real retirement culture. It's a good fit if you value a scenic, walkable riverside setting, a strong social scene, and proximity to Exeter and the wider South West—but it's smaller and quieter than larger regional hubs, so check whether the care-home options and family access match your needs.
Health & support
- Medical access: You'll need to confirm GP surgery availability and distance to Torbay Hospital, the main emergency care provider in the area; ask any care home about their healthcare partnerships.
- Safety: Recorded crime stands at 32 offences in the most recent reporting period, with violent crime, theft and anti-social behaviour among the most common categories—higher than many comparable towns, so worth discussing with any home.
- Family & connection: If family live within an hour's drive in Devon or Cornwall, visits are manageable; if further afield, factor in the travel time from your usual support network.
Finances & daily life
- Cost of care: Check local weekly care-home fees against the national average; the South West tends to be moderate compared to the South East, but Dartmouth's reputation may influence pricing for individual homes—ask for transparent quotes.
- Transport: Buses connect Dartmouth to nearby Totnes and Exeter; the town is walkable along the waterfront but car-dependent for some services. Rail is a short drive away in Totnes.
- Housing options: Dartmouth has a range of care-home provision, but choice is more limited than in larger towns—visit homes in person and check availability early.
Lifestyle & environment
- Green space & hobbies: Two local parks plus the River Dart itself offer riverside walks and a strong sense of place; two allotments support gardening interests, and a good calendar of restaurants, cafes and pubs (29 and 16 respectively) makes social dining easy.
- Community: With over a quarter of the population retired, there are established social groups and a genuine community of older residents; confirm any home offers memory cafés or regular outings.
- Climate: South West England has a mild, maritime climate with more rain than the national average but fewer frost days—pleasant for outdoor life year-round if you enjoy the weather.
Things to weigh up
- Crime levels: At 32 recorded offences including violent crime and theft, the rate is notably higher than many quieter retirement towns—ask homes about their security measures and the reality on the ground.
- Limited care-home choice: Being a smaller town, your options are fewer than in Exeter or Plymouth, so start your search early and visit all available homes to find the right fit.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Dartmouth?
There are 2 care homes listed in and around Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth cost?
Care homes in Dartmouth range from around £1,200 per week, with averages of £1,200 for residential, £1,200 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 Dartmouth compare to the national average?
The average residential care fee around Dartmouth is about £1,200 per week — below the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.
Which care homes in Dartmouth are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?
2 of the 2 care homes in and around Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth?
Homes in and around Dartmouth offer dementia (2), residential (2), nursing (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 Dartmouth offer dementia care?
2 care homes in and around Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth offer respite care?
Yes — 1 care home in and around Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth area?
Dartmouth is graded A for safety on AskBart — safer than 83% of similar areas. This is drawn from police-recorded crime data and compared against similar areas.
Can I get council funding for care in Dartmouth?
If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, South Hams 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 Dartmouth?
A care home's weekly fee in Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.
Could the NHS pay for care in Dartmouth?
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 Dartmouth?
Start by shortlisting homes in Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth?
Care homes in Dartmouth 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 Hams?
If you're widening your search beyond Dartmouth, nearby areas with care homes include Ivybridge. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.
Talk to a Dartmouth care expert.
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