Compare the best residential care homes in England

What to look for in residential care

The key difference between a residential care home and a nursing home is that a nursing home has registered nurses on site at all times. If the person needs regular medical or nursing care, a nursing home is usually the right choice.

When comparing residential care homes, look at the CQC rating, the staff-to-resident ratio, how personal care is delivered, the activities on offer and whether the home can meet changing needs over time.

The counties with the most residential care homes are Greater London (847), West Midlands (594), Kent (418), Sussex (415), Greater Manchester (408), Essex (388). Choose your area to compare local homes, each with its current CQC rating and a link to the full inspection report.

The Care Quality Commission inspects every care home in England and gives one of four ratings: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. The rating reflects whether the home is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. A Good or Outstanding rating is a strong starting point, but it is worth reading the full inspection report, which we link to on every profile, to understand the detail behind the rating.

When you visit a shortlisted home, it helps to ask how staff are trained for residential care, what the staff-to-resident ratio is on each shift, how care plans are reviewed, what activities are on offer, and how the home communicates with families. Trust your impression of how residents and staff interact, and ask current residents' families about their experience where you can.

Fees for residential care homes depend on the home, the level of care and how the place is funded. Self-funded residents pay the full weekly fee; nursing and specialist care cost more than basic residential care. Where savings fall below the means-test threshold the local authority may contribute, and the NHS funds the nursing element of care in a nursing home, or the full placement through NHS Continuing Healthcare for those with the highest health needs. Fees are not held in the CQC record, so confirm the current fee with each home.

Every home in this directory is listed using official information from the Care Quality Commission, including its rating, registered beds and the care it is registered to provide. As homes claim and complete their profiles, you will also be able to compare facilities, photos, current vacancies and reviews to help you choose with confidence.