Fairlawn Care Home
CQC Good
Nestled in the heart of Dorset, Fairlawn is a contemporary and inviting care home, committed to delivering top-notch residential, dementia, and respite care.…
DementiaResidentialRespite
Care homes in Ferndown
Ferndown is a well-established retirement area in South West England with above-average numbers of older residents and a solid local care-home offer. It combines good everyday access with a quieter pace, though it's worth weighing the local crime picture and care costs against your family's priorities and proximity.
Average residential fee in Ferndown: £1,378/week — above the UK average of £1,279
Living in Ferndown
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 76% of similar areas
Green SpacesC
Limited — parks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby
Daily ConveniencesC
Limited — 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 Ferndown is about £1,378/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 Ferndown
100% of Ferndown’s CQC-rated care homes are rated Good or Outstanding — above the national average of 79%, including 2 rated Outstanding.
Good or above in Ferndown
100%
National average
79%
CQC-rated homes
18 of 18
Of the homes in and around Ferndown, 5 offer nursing care, 9 offer dementia care and 11 offer residential care.
Based on 18 CQC-rated homes in and around Ferndown. National baseline: CQC State of Care (2024/25).
Council funding & top-up in Ferndown
The average residential care home in Ferndown costs about £1,378/week, while Dorset’s published usual rate is around £1,156/week (2025). If you qualify for council funding, expect a likely third-party top-up of about £222/week (≈ £11,544/year) to bridge the gap.
Average fee in Ferndown
£1,378/wk
Dorset usual rate
£1,156/wk
Likely top-up gap
£222/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 Dorset’s published usual cost of residential care (2025).
Care homes in Ferndown on the map
- Outstanding
- Good
- Not rated
Care homes (20)
15 in Ferndown, 5 more within 10 miles · updated September 2026
Top-rated in Ferndown
Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission — the CQC’s highest rating.
Kings Park Care Home
CQC Good
Nestled in the picturesque town of Ferndown, Kings Park in Dorset is a warm and inviting care home that offers top-notch residential, dementia, and respite…
DementiaResidentialRespite
Heathland House is a luxury Cinnamon Care home in Ferndown, Dorset, offering residential, dementia, respite and nurse-supported care across 59 en-suite rooms…
DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
Amberwood House
CQC Outstanding
Amberwood House is a 55-bed care home in Ferndown, Dorset, operated by Colten Care.
Marchfield House
CQC Good
DementiaResidential
Ferndown Nursing Home
CQC Good
Ferndown Nursing Home is a 29-bed care home in Ferndown, Dorset.
Fernside
CQC Good
Residential
Ferndown Manor Care Home
CQC Good
Ferndown Manor is a Care UK care home in Ferndown, Dorset, offering residential, nursing, dementia, respite and end-of-life care with en-suite rooms and…
DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
Stanton Court Care Home
CQC Good
Stanton Court Care Home is a 75-bed home run by Care UK, located in Bristol.
DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
Brook View
CQC Good
Brook View is a 56-bed care home in Ferndown, Dorset, operated by Colten Care.
Summerhill Residential Care Home
CQC Good
Summerhill Residential Care Home is a 15-bed care home in Ferndown, Dorset.
Hyacinth House Care Home
CQC Good
Hyacinth House is a Barchester care home in Stapehill, Wimborne, Dorset, offering residential and respite care in a warm, friendly environment.
ResidentialRespite
Fernhill
CQC Outstanding
Fernhill is a 58-bed care home in Ferndown, Dorset, operated by Colten Care.
Five Gables Care Home
CQC Good
Five Gables Care Home is a 13-bed care home in Ferndown, Dorset.
Denewood House Care Home
CQC Good
Denewood House Care Home is a 21-bed care home in Ferndown, Dorset.
Moors Manor Care Home
CQC Good
Nestled between the tranquil Hurn and Avon Forest, Moors Manor in Ringwood is a purpose-built care home that offers exceptional residential, respite, and…
DementiaResidentialRespite
Parley Place Care Home is a premier facility offering top-notch residential, dementia, and respite care for the elderly in the charming village of West Parley,…
DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
Great Oaks Care Home
CQC Good
Tucked away in the private woodlands of Bournemouth, you'll find Great Oaks, a meticulously designed Dorset care home. This Encore care home is dedicated to…
DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
Abbey Rose
CQC Good
Abbey Rose is a 24-bed care home in Ringwood, Dorset.
Waterloo Care Home
CQC Good
Waterloo Care Home is a 36-bed residential care home in Wimborne, Dorset, operated by Agincare.
Run a care home, property or business in Ferndown?
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What care costs in Ferndown
Residential (avg)
£1,378/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,381/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,428/week
Wondering if that’s cheaper than staying put? Compare a care home with care at home, or see who pays.
House prices in Dorset
The average house price in Dorset is £325,410, 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
- £325,410
- Detached
- £515,144
- Semi-detached
- £330,336
- Terraced
- £264,807
- Flats & maisonettes
- £167,991
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 Ferndown
Residential care homes
11 in FerndownResidential 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
5 in FerndownNursing 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
9 in FerndownSpecialist dementia care homes provide trained staff and a carefully designed, calm environment for people living with dementia — supporting safety, routine and wellbeing.
Respite care
9 in FerndownRespite 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
39 crimes reported in April 2026, sourced from Police.uk.
- Anti-social behaviour12
- Violent crime10
- Shoplifting5
- Other theft3
Is Ferndown a good retirement location?
Ferndown suits those seeking a gentler, retirement-focused setting with decent shops and social spaces nearby. The population is notably older than the UK average — three in ten residents are 65 or over — which means the area is geared to later-life living. Six care homes operate locally, most rated well by the CQC, offering a fair choice. It's not a major urban centre, so you'll depend on good transport links or family visits; affordability sits in the mid-range for the South West.
Health & support
- Medical access: You'll have access to several GP surgeries and pharmacies in the town; the nearest hospital will be within reach for routine and emergency care, though distances vary depending on your specific location.
- Safety: Recorded crime in the area runs at 39 offences in the latest reporting period, with anti-social behaviour and violent crime among the most common types — not unusually high by national standards, but worth noting if you're sensitive to local safety concerns.
- Family & connection: Consider how close your family or support network is; Ferndown is quieter than a city, so regular visits or video calls will matter more if you're isolated.
Finances & daily life
- Cost of care: Care-home fees in Ferndown sit in the mid-range for the South West; they tend to be above the national average, so factor this into your planning alongside any savings or state support you may be eligible for.
- Transport: Buses run locally and link to nearby towns; rail connections are available, though not all homes are equally near public transport — ask individual providers about accessibility and how easy it is to visit or leave.
- Housing options: Six care homes are registered locally, ranging roughly 60–75 beds each, with four rated good by the CQC and two awaiting their first inspection — a reasonable spread of choice.
Lifestyle & environment
- Green space & hobbies: Three parks are accessible locally, offering space for walks and quiet time; the town has 15 restaurants and cafés and 5 pubs and bars, supporting both a social scene and everyday needs.
- Community: Check whether care homes near you host social groups, memory cafés, or link to local clubs; Ferndown's strong older population means there's often good peer company and activity on offer.
- Climate: South West England is mild year-round with moderate rainfall — generally kind to older knees and mobility, though winters are damp rather than snowy.
Things to weigh up
- Mid-range fees: Costs are above the national average, so you'll want to compare individual homes and explore what state funding or savings can help bridge the gap.
- Crime context: Anti-social behaviour and violent crime are recorded at a noticeable level; if personal security is a priority, visit homes at different times and ask current residents about their experience.
- Quieter pace: The trade-off for a retirement-focused area is less buzz than a city; if you thrive on busy social life or easy access to cinemas, galleries and nightlife, you may feel the pace slower.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Ferndown?
There are 20 care homes listed in and around Ferndown 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 Ferndown cost?
Care homes in Ferndown range from around £1,195 to around £1,469 per week, with averages of £1,378 for residential, £1,381 for dementia, £1,428 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.
How do care home fees in Ferndown compare to the national average?
The average residential care fee around Ferndown is about £1,378 per week — above the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.
Which care homes in Ferndown are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?
18 of the 20 care homes in and around Ferndown are rated Good or Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, including 2 rated Outstanding. Ratings are published by the CQC following regular inspections.
What types of care are available in Ferndown?
Homes in and around Ferndown offer residential (11), dementia (9), respite (9), nursing (5). Availability varies by home — use the filters above to find homes offering the specific care type you need.
How many care homes in Ferndown offer dementia care?
9 care homes in and around Ferndown 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 Ferndown offer respite care?
Yes — 9 care homes in and around Ferndown 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 Ferndown area?
Ferndown is graded A for safety on AskBart — safer than 76% of similar areas. This is drawn from police-recorded crime data and compared against similar areas.
Can I get council funding for care in Ferndown?
If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, Dorset 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 Ferndown?
A care home's weekly fee in Ferndown 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 Ferndown may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.
Could the NHS pay for care in Ferndown?
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 Ferndown?
Start by shortlisting homes in Ferndown 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 Ferndown?
Care homes in Ferndown 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 Dorset?
If you're widening your search beyond Ferndown, nearby areas with care homes include Beaminster, Blandford Forum, Bournemouth, Bridport and Charmouth. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.
Talk to a Ferndown 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.