Howard House Care Home
CQC Good
Nestled in the heart of Kilmarnock, Howard House Care Home is renowned for its team of compassionate and seasoned caregivers. They provide a broad range of…
DementiaResidentialRespiteNursing
Care homes in Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a working town in Ayrshire with a modest care-home provision and good access to everyday services. It suits people with local family ties and a preference for a quieter Scottish setting over a busy urban centre.
Average residential fee in Kilmarnock: £1,097/week — below the UK average of £1,279
Living in Kilmarnock
Green SurroundingsWell Served
What do these badges mean?
- 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).
Green SpacesA
Excellent — parks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby
Daily ConveniencesA
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 — amenities: OpenStreetMap, updated June 2026.
How care costs compare
The estimated average residential care fee in Kilmarnock is about £1,097/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.
Care homes in Kilmarnock on the map
- Good
Care homes (1)
Run a care home, property or business in Kilmarnock?
If it’s missing from this page — or a listing looks out of date or incorrect — let us know and we’ll get it added or put right.
What care costs in Kilmarnock
Residential (avg)
£1,097/week
Dementia (avg)
£1,097/week
Nursing (avg)
£1,097/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 Ayrshire
The average house price in East Ayrshire is £138,898, 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
- £138,898
- Detached
- £270,368
- Semi-detached
- £153,389
- Terraced
- £121,011
- Flats & maisonettes
- £77,604
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 Kilmarnock
Residential care homes
1 in KilmarnockResidential 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 KilmarnockNursing 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 KilmarnockSpecialist 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 KilmarnockRespite 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 Kilmarnock a good retirement location?
Kilmarnock offers a straightforward retirement option in a smaller Scottish town. Two care homes operate here, ranging from 41 to 47 beds, with one rated good and one adequate by the regulator. It works well for those rooted in Ayrshire, close to family, and content with a limited choice of residential settings. The town has reasonable amenities — seven supermarkets and a modest social scene — but lacks the broader care-home choice you'd find in larger cities. Cost is a key consideration: establish whether local fees fit your budget early on.
Health & support
- Medical access: Kilmarnock has GP surgeries and pharmacies within the town; Ayrshire Hospital is the main NHS facility in the area for more complex care.
- Safety: Kilmarnock's recorded crime rate is above the Scottish average, which some prospective residents may wish to factor in.
- Family & connection: Consider whether your family and support network are based locally or within visiting distance; isolation can be a real issue if you're moving away from established ties.
Finances & daily life
- Cost of care: Weekly care-home fees in Kilmarnock are broadly in line with the Scottish national average; confirm exact costs with individual homes, as they vary.
- Transport: The town is served by bus routes and has rail connections to nearby Ayrshire towns and Glasgow; it is reasonably walkable in the town centre but some journeys may require transport.
- Housing options: Two care homes operate in Kilmarnock, limiting choice; both offer similar size (41–47 beds), so availability may be tight at busy times.
Lifestyle & environment
- Green space & hobbies: Kilmarnock has 16 parks and three allotments, providing scope for outdoor interests; 22 restaurants and cafes and 19 pubs and bars offer local eating and social venues.
- Community: Social and hobby groups operate in the town; check directly with prospective homes about memory cafés, activity programmes and links to local clubs.
- Climate: Ayrshire has a typical west-coast Scottish climate: damp, mild winters and cool summers — wrap up for wind and rain.
Things to weigh up
- Crime rate: Recorded crime is above the Scottish average, which may concern those prioritising a low-crime setting.
- Limited care-home choice: Only two homes operate here; if neither suits you, you may need to look further afield into neighbouring areas.
- Distance from major services: While Kilmarnock has local amenities, specialist healthcare and a wider retirement offer are in Glasgow or further afield, which can mean travel for some needs.
Common questions
How many care homes are there in Kilmarnock?
There are 1 care homes listed in and around Kilmarnock 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 Kilmarnock cost?
Care homes in Kilmarnock range from around £1,097 per week, with averages of £1,097 for residential, £1,097 for dementia, £1,097 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.
How do care home fees in Kilmarnock compare to the national average?
The average residential care fee around Kilmarnock is about £1,097 per week — below the UK average of £1,279. Individual fees depend on the home, room and level of care.
Which care homes in Kilmarnock are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?
1 of the 1 care homes in and around Kilmarnock 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 Kilmarnock?
Homes in and around Kilmarnock 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 Kilmarnock offer dementia care?
1 care home in and around Kilmarnock 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 Kilmarnock offer respite care?
Yes — 1 care home in and around Kilmarnock 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.
Can I get council funding for care in Kilmarnock?
If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, East Ayrshire 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 Kilmarnock?
A care home's weekly fee in Kilmarnock 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 Kilmarnock may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.
Could the NHS pay for care in Kilmarnock?
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 Kilmarnock?
Start by shortlisting homes in Kilmarnock 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 Kilmarnock?
Care homes in Kilmarnock 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.
Talk to a Kilmarnock 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.