9 Best 'Outstanding' CQC Care Homes in England
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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rates every care home in the UK, ranging from ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Inadequate’ based on safety, efficiency and much more. Only 3.5% of care homes in England are rated as ‘Outstanding’, and achieving this prestigious rating takes plenty of hard work. In these homes, the staff go the extra mile for their residents, providing top-quality care in the process.
Here, we’ve highlighted 9 amazing care homes in England - all of which boast a coveted ‘Outstanding’ rating. We’ve also explained more about the CQC and how their rating system works.
If you’re currently a carer for a family member and are looking for an Outstanding care home then we’ve made this search much easier.
Kickstart your care search
Discover 'Outstanding' rated care homes in your area through Lottie.
Explore ‘Outstanding’ Lottie Care Homes:
- Admiral Court - Southend on Sea
- Burcot Grange - Bromsgrove
- Chelsea Court Place - London
- Lucerne House - Exeter
- Bridgeside Lodge - London
- Maids Moreton Hall - Buckingham
- Hassingham House - Norwich
- Richmond Villages Northampton
- South Chowdene - Gateshead
What is the CQC?
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independent regulator across health and social care providers in England. The CQC registers care providers (such as care homes) and then makes sure that standards are being met through inspections, reports and monitoring.
Following in-depth visits, the CQC will publish their findings and performance ratings (these can be viewed by anyone).
The CQC aims to inspect all new care homes within 6-12 months of opening. Homes will remain ungraded until they’ve had this first inspection and subsequent report.
Learn more about the CQC here.
CQC Ratings Explained
The Care Quality Commission gives care homes one of the four following overall ratings:
| Rating | What This Means |
|---|---|
| Outstanding | The care home is performing exceptionally well. |
| Good | The care home is performing well and meeting the CQC’s expectations. |
| Requires Improvement | The care home isn’t performing as well as it should and the CQC has told them how to improve. |
| Inadequate | The care home is performing poorly and the CQC have taken action against it. |
One of the four above ratings is given for each of the CQC’s key questions:
| Question | What This Means |
|---|---|
| Are they safe? | You should be protected from abuse and avoidable harm. |
| Are they effective? | Your care, treatment and support should achieve good outcomes while helping you to maintain an excellent quality of life. |
| Are they caring? | Care home staff involve and treat you with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. |
| Are they responsive to people’s needs? | Care homes are properly organised, allowing them to meet your needs. |
| Are they well-led? | The leadership and management within a care home will ensure high-quality care is provided that’s based around your individual needs. The home should also encourage constant learning and innovation. |
Admiral Court in Southend on Sea, Essex
If you’re looking for a home in Essex then Admiral Court care home may be the perfect choice.
This modern care home is located between Southend and Leigh-on-Sea, so residents have plenty of options when it comes to visiting relaxing yet entertaining seaside resorts. With 60 spacious bedrooms and all-inclusive pricing, Admiral Court also has a vibrant café, a cosy hair salon, a dedicated therapy room and even beautiful landscaped gardens with a potting shed.
Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, Admiral Court were also finalists at the National Dementia Care Awards 2020 for ‘Dementia Care Team of the Year’. The team at this home pride themselves on a relationship-centred approach to care. They work with residents to create a sense of independence in care and enjoyment for all!
| Admiral Court Care Home at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Type(s) of Care Offered | The main types of care offered here are residential, dementia, nursing and respite care |
| Cost of Care | Permanent care starts from £1,660 a week |
| Facilities, Services and Activities | Some of our favourite things to enjoy include an activity room, restaurant, cinema, gardens, library, beauty salon and private dining area |
| Number of Beds | 60 |
| Is the Home Purpose Built? | Yes |
| Are Bills Included in the Price? | Yes |
| Are There En Suite Facilities? | All rooms have en-suite facilities |
| Operator | Hallmark Luxury Care Homes |
Are you interested in viewing Admiral Court?
For availability and pricing, call 01702 967130.
Burcot Grange in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
The gorgeous Burcot Grange care home sits within five acres of stunning grounds, with beautiful fireplaces, oak panelled walls and a spacious dining room. What’s more, the large lounge area provides the perfect place to entertain family and friends. This restored Victorian manor house can be found in the quaint village of Burcot near Bromsgrove.
With excellent transport links via road, family and friends can easily visit their loved ones. Some of the best facilities at Burcot Grange include a hair salon, conservatory, dining room and landscaped gardens. With personalised care plans and a busy social calendar that contains something for everyone, it’s no wonder that the CQC has rated this care home as Outstanding.
| Burcot Grange Care Home at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Type(s) of Care Offered | The main types of care offered here are residential, dementia and respite care |
| Cost of Care | Permanent care starts from £1,250 a week |
| Facilities, Services and Activities | With a terraced area, gardens and a separate area for meditation, there are plenty of places to relax. Residents can also enjoy a bar, cinema and reading room |
| Number of Beds | 40 |
| Is the Home Purpose Built? | No |
| Are Bills Included in the Price? | Yes |
| Are There En Suite Facilities? | 97% of rooms have en-suite facilities |
| Operator | Berkley Care |
Are you interested in viewing Burcot Grange?
For availability and pricing, call 0121 817 7509.
Chelsea Court Place in London
Located in Chelsea - near the Thames and in the heart of London - Chelsea Court Place care home provides award-winning residential, dementia and respite care to its elderly residents. This incredibly luxurious yet comfortable home boasts a range of superb facilities, including gorgeous private suites, elegant dining rooms, a cinema, a library and even luxurious spa hydrotherapy facilities.
With just 15 rooms, Chelsea Court Place is designed to the highest specifications, in line with ergonomic designs that aim to make the lives of its residents as easy as possible. Meanwhile, the area of Chelsea is jam-packed with independent shops, cafés, restaurants and department stores, so there really is something for everyone to enjoy!
| Chelsea Court Place Care Home at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Type(s) of Care Offered | The main types of care offered here are residential, dementia, nursing and respite care |
| Cost of Care | Permanent care starts from £3,000 a week |
| Facilities, Services and Activities | This premium care home boasts a bar, restaurant, cinema, private dining area, family rooms, gardens, meditation area, spa and more |
| Number of Beds | 15 |
| Is the Home Purpose Built? | Yes |
| Are Bills Included in the Price? | Yes |
| Are There En Suite Facilities? | All rooms have en-suite facilities |
| Operator | Loveday & Co |
Are you interested in viewing Chelsea Court Place?
For availability and pricing, call 03330 155012.
We’re here to help you find the right care home for you or your loved one. You can request a free list of care homes from our care experts, who will then share homes matching your budget, location and type of care needed. You can also search for a care home through our easy-to-use directory.
Lucerne House in Exeter, Devon
If you or your loved one are after rural living in the heart of coastal Devon then Lucerne House care home is one of the best choices out there - especially considering this home possesses a coveted ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating. Situated just south of Exeter’s city centre, Lucerne House is a renowned care home that offers residential and respite care.
There’s a huge amount for residents to do at Lucerne House, including a charming garden for relaxing in or enjoying a gentle stroll on a warm afternoon, stylish dining areas and comfortable communal lounges. There’s even a café bar where residents can socialise with each other.
Meanwhile, care plans are tailored to individual needs, while the dedicated activities organiser ensures residents enjoy a busy social calendar.
| Lucerne House at a glance: | |
|---|---|
| Type(s) of Care Offered | The main types offered here are residential, nursing, dementia and respite care |
| Cost of Care | From £1,662 a week |
| Facilities, Services and Activities | Some of our favourite things to enjoy include an activity room, a bar, a café and restaurant, lovely gardens, a beauty salon and a quiet room |
| Number of Beds | 75 |
| Is the Home Purpose Built? | Yes |
| Are Bills Included in the Price? | No |
| Are There En Suite Facilities? | All rooms have en-suite facilities |
| Operator | Barchester Healthcare |
Are you interested in viewing Lucerne House?
For availability and pricing, call 01392 321521.
Bridgeside Lodge in Islington, Greater London
Bridgeside Lodge care home is another ‘Outstanding’ rated care home. According to the Care Quality Commission, this care home in the London borough of Islington scores best for several key points, including how responsive the care team is to changing care needs and the overall quality of care provided. Bridgeside Lodge is a brilliant setting for care seekers to unwind and relax.
The team at Bridgeside Lodge pride themselves on offering luxury living and exceptional levels of care. What’s more, a fantastic range of social activities is organised by the events team, including quiz nights, musical evenings, art classes and fun crafting days. Residents are free to take part in as many or as few of these activities as they please, with the preferences of every resident catered to on an individual basis.
Bridgeside Lodge also boasts a lovely patio space, where residents often relax and socialise with each other on warm summer afternoons.
| Bridgeside Lodge at a glance: | |
|---|---|
| Type(s) of Care Offered | The main types offered here are nursing and dementia care |
| Cost of Care | From £1,800 a week |
| Facilities, Services and Activities | Some of our favourite things to enjoy include an activity room, a café and restaurant, communal and private dining spaces, beautiful gardens, a beauty salon, a library and more |
| Number of Beds | 64 |
| Is the Home Purpose Built? | Yes |
| Are Bills Included in the Price? | Yes |
| Are There En Suite Facilities? | All rooms have en-suite facilities |
| Operator | Forest Healthcare |
Are you interested in viewing Bridgeside Lodge?
For availability and pricing, call 02039 741291.
Maids Moreton Hall in Buckingham
Situated on the peaceful outskirts of Buckingham, Maids Moreton Hall care home offers a superb standard of nursing, residential, dementia, respite and palliative care within a setting that combines modern and vintage aesthetics to brilliant effect. This peaceful setting carries over to the beautifully landscaped gardens which overlook the village church, providing residents with the perfect spot to relax and socialise on a warm summer’s day.
At Maids Moreton Hall, residents can enjoy stylish lounges, a welcoming café and a stunning collection of bedrooms, all of which are ensuite. The activity programme is incredibly varied, while the minibus means that outings are regularly arranged to local areas of interest. What’s more, the chefs create a balanced menu tailored to individual preferences, with three delicious meals on offer every day.
| Maids Moreton Hall Care Home at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Type(s) of Care Offered | The main types of care offered here are residential, dementia, nursing and respite care |
| Cost of Care | Permanent care starts from £1,275 a week |
| Facilities, Services and Activities | With a café, cinema, computer room, gardens, library and terraced area, residents won’t be short of things to do. There are also wellbeing classes, meditation and yoga |
| Number of Beds | 60 |
| Is the Home Purpose Built? | Yes |
| Are Bills Included in the Price? | Yes |
| Are There En Suite Facilities? | All rooms have en-suite facilities |
| Operator | Care UK |
Are you interested in viewing Maids Moreton Hall?
For availability and pricing, call 01280 736321.
Hassingham House in Norwich, Norfolk
Hassingham House care home can be found in the picturesque town of Hingham, Norfolk, just a short stroll from the town centre. This care home - rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC across four of the five main parameters and also scoring ‘Outstanding’ overall - can cater for up to 46 residents at any one time. This rating places Hassingham House in the top 4% of care homes nationally!
This care home has heaps to offer its residents. Some of our favourite facilities and features are the beautifully landscaped garden and peaceful courtyard, the stylish yet still cosy communal lounge and dining rooms for communal and private dining with family and friends alike.
There are also a brilliant range of activities you can get involved with at Hassingham House, including art workshops, games nights and even musical evenings.
| Hassingham House at a glance: | |
|---|---|
| Type(s) of Care Offered | The main types offered here are residential, nursing, dementia and respite care |
| Cost of Care | From £1,212 a week |
| Facilities, Services and Activities | Some of our favourite things to enjoy include the communal and private dining spaces, the family room, the beauty salon, the meditation space and outdoor terracing |
| Number of Beds | 46 |
| Is the Home Purpose Built? | Yes |
| Are Bills Included in the Price? | Yes |
| Are There En Suite Facilities? | All rooms have en-suite facilities |
| Operator | Forest Healthcare |
Are you interested in viewing Hassingham House?
For availability and pricing, call 01952 980434.
Richmond Villages Northampton
There are two different types of care provided at Richmond Villages Northampton care home; dementia residential and nursing care. This home also provides bespoke elderly care packages that can be delivered to residents in their apartments or suites. This 30-bed care home in Northampton is a bright and beautifully presented environment with professionally designed interiors.
The corridors and communal areas are wide and spacious alike, making Richmond Villages Northampton a lovely place for residents to live and spend time with their family or friends. The home is divided into two wings; one for residents with dementia and the other for older adults with nursing care needs. Meanwhile, the packed-out activity programme ensures no two days are ever the same.
| Richmond Villages Northampton Care Home at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Type(s) of Care Offered | The main types of care offered here are residential, dementia, nursing and respite care |
| Cost of Care | Permanent care starts from £1,450 a week |
| Facilities, Services and Activities | Richmond Villages Northampton contains several amazing facilities, including gardens, a quiet area, a spa, a restaurant and a lovely dining area |
| Number of Beds | 31 |
| Is the Home Purpose Built? | Yes |
| Are Bills Included in the Price? | No |
| Are There En Suite Facilities? | 94% of rooms have en-suite facilities |
| Operator | Bupa |
Are you interested in viewing Richmond Villages Northampton?
For availability and pricing, call 01604 279329.
South Chowdene in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
Located in Low Fell - a quiet residential area in Gateshead - South Chowdene care home is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and provides 24-hour nursing care, along with support for older adults who need some extra help on a day-to-day basis. Care and support at this home are delivered through personalised care plans, with a plan covering areas like needs, risks, likes and dislikes - including working out what activities you or your loved one will most enjoy!
This Barchester Healthcare establishment contains numerous amazing facilities, such as a selection of stylish lounges and dining areas, manicured gardens and a bright conservatory which is ideal for basking in the sunlight during the summer months. Meanwhile, a small number of rooms at this ‘Outstanding’ CQC-rated home have en-suite facilities.
| South Chowdene Care Home at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Type(s) of Care Offered | The main types of care offered here are residential, nursing and respite care |
| Cost of Care | Permanent care starts from £960 a week |
| Facilities, Services and Activities | Some of the best facilities at this care home include an activity room, dining room and wellbeing classes |
| Number of Beds | 42 |
| Is the Home Purpose Built? | Yes |
| Are Bills Included in the Price? | No |
| Are There En Suite Facilities? | 17% of rooms have en-suite facilities |
| Operator | Barchester Healthcare |
Are you interested in viewing South Chowdene?
For availability and pricing, call 01917 430459.
Lottie matches care seekers with the best care homes for their needs. You can request a free care home shortlist from our care experts, who will share homes matching your budget, location and type of care needed. You can also search for a care home through our easy-to-use directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many care homes are rated Outstanding?
In England, only 3.5% of care homes are rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission. With around 15,000 care homes in England, this would mean that just over 500 of these homes are rated as Outstanding.
What does the CQC look for in care homes?
When the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects a care home, they investigate whether it is safe, responsive to people’s needs, effective, caring and well-led. Each of these aspects is given a rating, varying from Outstanding to Inadequate.
What does an Outstanding CQC rating mean?
The CQC provides care homes with one of four ratings. The most prestigious of these is ‘Outstanding’. An Outstanding care home performs exceptionally well, going above and beyond what is expected of them.
How often should the CQC inspect?
The frequency of CQC inspections depends on the care home’s current rating. If the most recent report finds the home to be ‘Inadequate’, the CQC will revisit to conduct another inspection in six months. If the home is rated as ‘Requires Improvement’ then another inspection will be carried out in a year’s time. If a service is rated as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ then the next inspection will be within five years. The CQC aims to inspect new providers within 12 months of registration.
