Care homes in Gillingham
Gillingham is a well-established retirement area in South West England with nearly a third of its population aged 65 and over. It offers solid everyday services, green space and social options, though care-home choice here is limited to a single listed home.
Average residential fee in Gillingham: £1,300/week — in line with the UK average of £1,279
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.
- Green Surroundings — Excellent access to parks, playing fields and other green space nearby (OpenStreetMap).
- Well Served — Excellent everyday amenities nearby — shops, supermarkets, cafés and places to eat (OpenStreetMap).
Limited — safer than 8% of similar areas
Excellent — parks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby
Excellent — 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.
The estimated average residential care fee in Gillingham is about £1,300/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.
100% of Gillingham’s CQC-rated care homes are rated Good or Outstanding — above the national average of 79%.
Of the homes in and around Gillingham, 2 offer nursing care, 6 offer dementia care and 4 offer residential care.
Based on 16 CQC-rated homes in and around Gillingham. National baseline: CQC State of Care (2024/25).
The average residential care home in Gillingham costs about £1,300/week, while Medway’s published usual rate is around £875/week (2025). If you qualify for council funding, expect a likely third-party top-up of about £425/week (≈ £22,100/year) to bridge the gap.
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 Medway’s published usual cost of residential care (2025).
- Good
- Requires improvement
updated September 2026
No care homes found in Gillingham.
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The average house price in Medway is £296,182, 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
- £296,182
- Detached
- £531,901
- Semi-detached
- £351,457
- Terraced
- £273,509
- Flats & maisonettes
- £167,976
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.
Residential care homes
4 in GillinghamResidential 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
2 in GillinghamNursing 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 GillinghamSpecialist dementia care homes provide trained staff and a carefully designed, calm environment for people living with dementia — supporting safety, routine and wellbeing.
Respite care
3 in GillinghamRespite 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.
746 crimes reported in April 2026, sourced from Police.uk.
- Violent crime261
- Anti-social behaviour148
- Criminal damage & arson71
- Shoplifting55
Is Gillingham a good retirement location?
Gillingham suits those seeking a mature, retirement-focused community with good access to shops, parks and cafes, and who are flexible about care-home selection. The town has a significantly higher-than-average share of older residents (30.5% vs 18.6% nationally), which signals well-developed local support networks and an established later-life culture. However, the single listed care home means choice is minimal; families should confirm availability early and explore neighbouring areas if alternative options matter.
Health & support
- Medical access: GP surgeries and pharmacies are present in the town; verify distance to your nearest practice and confirm it is accepting new patients, as capacity can be tight in areas with high older-adult populations.
- Safety: Recorded crime in the area was 746 offences in 2026-04, with violent crime, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage among the most common. This is a consideration when weighing overall security and peace of mind.
- Family & connection: Think carefully about how close family and your existing support networks are, and whether Gillingham's established retirement community will help you maintain friendships and social ties.
Finances & daily life
- Cost of care: Weekly care-home fees in Gillingham sit broadly in line with the national average; verify the exact figure for the listed home, as individual home rates vary.
- Transport: Gillingham benefits from reasonable road links and local bus services; check specific routes to nearby cities and shops that matter to you, and whether you will need a car or can rely on public transport and walking.
- Housing options: Care-home provision here is limited to one listed home. Consider whether that matches your needs, and explore homes in neighbouring areas as a backup.
Lifestyle & environment
- Green space & hobbies: The town has 20 parks and 8 allotments, offering good scope for outdoor activity. There are 84 restaurants and cafes and 25 pubs and bars, reflecting a lively social scene.
- Community: A retirement-focused area of this size typically supports memory cafes, hobby groups and social clubs; ask local care services and the town council for a current directory.
- Climate: As a South West England location, Gillingham experiences a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and moderate rainfall—typical for the region.
Things to weigh up
- Limited care-home choice: Only one care home is listed here, so your options are restricted; early planning and backup research in nearby areas are essential.
- Crime patterns: Recorded crime includes a notable share of violent crime and anti-social behaviour; review local police data and speak to residents about safety in the specific neighbourhood you are considering.
How many care homes are there in Gillingham?
There are 20 care homes listed in and around Gillingham 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 Gillingham cost?
Care homes in Gillingham range from around £1,300 to around £1,481 per week, with averages of £1,300 for residential, £1,365 for dementia, £1,307 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.
How do care home fees in Gillingham compare to the national average?
The average residential care fee around Gillingham is about £1,300 per week — broadly in line with the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.
Which care homes in Gillingham are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?
16 of the 20 care homes in and around Gillingham 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 Gillingham?
Homes in and around Gillingham offer dementia (6), residential (4), respite (3), nursing (2). Availability varies by home — use the filters above to find homes offering the specific care type you need.
How many care homes in Gillingham offer dementia care?
6 care homes in and around Gillingham 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 Gillingham offer respite care?
Yes — 3 care homes in and around Gillingham 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 Gillingham area?
Gillingham is graded C for safety on AskBart — safer than 8% of similar areas. This is drawn from police-recorded crime data and compared against similar areas.
Can I get council funding for care in Gillingham?
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 Gillingham?
A care home's weekly fee in Gillingham 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 Gillingham may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.
Could the NHS pay for care in Gillingham?
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 Gillingham?
Start by shortlisting homes in Gillingham 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 Gillingham?
Care homes in Gillingham 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 Gillingham, 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.
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