Nestled in the heart of the historic town of Dunbar, Lammermuir House is a warm and inviting care home that offers top-notch residential, nursing, dementia,…
Care homes in Dunbar
Dunbar is a coastal East Lothian town with strong community roots and good access to Edinburgh. It offers modest care-home provision, green space and local amenities — a reasonable choice if you're drawn to a quieter Scottish seaside setting and have family or support nearby.
What do these badges mean?
- Green Surroundings — Excellent access to parks, playing fields and other green space nearby (OpenStreetMap).
Excellent — parks, playing fields & outdoor space nearby
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 — amenities: OpenStreetMap, updated June 2026.
Estimated from published weekly fees for homes in the area. Actual costs vary by care needs and room type.
- Not rated
updated September 2026
Run a care home, property or business in Dunbar?
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Wondering if that’s cheaper than staying put? Compare a care home with care at home, or see who pays.
The average house price in East Lothian is £280,383, 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
- £280,383
- Detached
- £536,527
- Semi-detached
- £312,856
- Terraced
- £255,385
- Flats & maisonettes
- £160,499
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.
Nursing homes
1 in DunbarNursing 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 DunbarSpecialist dementia care homes provide trained staff and a carefully designed, calm environment for people living with dementia — supporting safety, routine and wellbeing.
Is Dunbar a good retirement location?
Dunbar suits people seeking a quieter, walkable coastal community with ready access to Edinburgh for hospital care and specialist services. The local care-home choice is limited — one home listed here — so you'll need to check availability early and consider whether the location and provision align with your needs. It's affordable by Scottish standards and appeals to those with East Lothian roots or family in the region.
Health & support
- Medical access: GP services and a pharmacy are present in town; Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and NHS Lothian hospitals are within reach by car or bus for urgent and specialist care.
- Safety: Dunbar's crime rate is broadly in line with rural East Lothian — lower than larger towns — making it a relatively safe community.
- Family & connection: Consider how close your family and existing support networks are; a single care home means less choice if your first preference isn't available or a move becomes necessary.
Finances & daily life
- Cost of care: Weekly fees for the listed home sit close to the Scottish average, making it competitively priced for the region.
- Transport: Buses link Dunbar to Edinburgh and other East Lothian towns; the town centre is walkable, though a car is helpful for wider travel and visiting family further afield.
- Housing options: Care provision is limited — one home with around 48 beds — so choice is narrow; early enquiry and flexibility on timing are important.
Lifestyle & environment
- Green space & hobbies: Parks (30 recorded locally), allotments (4) and seafront walks support outdoor interests; a range of restaurants, cafes and pubs (14 cafes and restaurants, 5 pubs) offer social gathering points.
- Community: A small, established town with local groups and a strong sense of community; visiting family and friends is feasible via good road and bus links to Edinburgh.
- Climate: East Lothian has a temperate Scottish climate — cool, often windy, with moderate rainfall — typical for the east coast.
Things to weigh up
- Limited care-home choice: Only one care home is listed locally, which narrows your options and means you must move quickly if it suits you and has a vacancy.
- Small town trade-off: Dunbar's quietness is an asset for some, but fewer shops (2 supermarkets) and amenities than larger towns may feel limiting if you value busy high streets or frequent outings.
How many care homes are there in Dunbar?
There are 1 care homes listed in and around Dunbar 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 Dunbar cost?
Care homes in Dunbar range from around £1,671 per week, with averages of £1,671 for dementia, £1,671 for nursing care. Fees vary by home, care type and the level of support required.
Which care homes in Dunbar are rated Outstanding or Good by the CQC?
0 of the 1 care homes in and around Dunbar 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 Dunbar?
Homes in and around Dunbar offer dementia (1), nursing (1). Availability varies by home — use the filters above to find homes offering the specific care type you need.
How many care homes in Dunbar offer dementia care?
1 care home in and around Dunbar 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.
Can I get council funding for care in Dunbar?
If the person needing care has savings and assets below £23,250, East Lothian 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 Dunbar?
A care home's weekly fee in Dunbar 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 Dunbar may offer one or both, so check each listing for the care types it provides.
Could the NHS pay for care in Dunbar?
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 Dunbar?
Start by shortlisting homes in Dunbar 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 Dunbar?
Care homes in Dunbar 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 East Lothian?
If you're widening your search beyond Dunbar, nearby areas with care homes include Haddington. You can browse each from the list of nearby locations on this page.
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