12 Best 'Outstanding' CQC Care Homes in England

Here, we’ve highlighted 12 of the best ‘Outstanding’ rated care homes in England - the highest rating available. We’ve also explained more about the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and how its rating system works.

The 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.

If you’re currently a carer for a family member and are looking for an ‘Outstanding’ care home, we’ve made this search much easier.

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Explore ‘Outstanding’ Rated Lottie Care Homes:

1. Lucerne House - Exeter
2. Arbrook House - Esher
3. Maids Moreton Hall - Buckingham
4. Chelsea Court Place - London
5. Bridgeside Lodge - London
6. Admiral Court - Southend on Sea
7. Hassingham House - Norwich
8. Burcot Grange - Bromsgrove
9. Asra House - Leicester
10. Richmond Villages - Northampton
11. Belong Atherton - Atherton
12. South Chowdene - Gateshead

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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.

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CQC Ratings Explained

The Care Quality Commission gives care homes one of the four following overall ratings:

One of the four above ratings is given for each of the CQC’s key questions:

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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.

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Arbrook House in Esher, Surrey

Another ‘Outstanding’ rated care home, Arbrook House Care Home is situated in the lovely Surrey town of Esher. This home is surrounded by stunning scenery, including Esher Common which is perfect for older adults to explore.

The experienced team at Arbrook House provide a high standard of residential, nursing and respite care (ideal if you’re a carer for a family member and need to take a break from these duties). Temporary convalescent care is also available if your loved one is recovering after an illness, injury or operation.

Along with an ‘Outstanding’ overall rating, Arbrook House has ‘Outstanding’ ratings for the overall level of care given, how responsive the team is to changing care needs, and how well management runs the home.

We love the facilities at this home, which include beautifully decorated en-suite bedrooms, bright and airy dining spaces, and even a wonderful terrace area with fabulous views across the garden. There’s always something for residents to do, with quizzes, bingo and other games, film clubs, gentle exercise sessions, and trips into London all popular options.

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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.

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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!

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Bridgeside Lodge in Islington, 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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Asra House in Leicester, Leicestershire

Asra House Care Home is situated in the heart of Leicester, near a wealth of shops, delicious restaurants, quaint cafés, and other convenient amenities for older adults.

Asra House is unique as it caters to residents with an Asian background. Various cultural needs are embraced, including through diverse dishes, with residents actively involved in the cooking process. The multicultural care team is also fluent in several languages, and there’s also an Islamic prayer room and a multi-faith Hindu temple.

Other facilities at Asra House include a sun-soaked conservatory, a communal dining room, cosy lounges, a beauty salon, a space dedicated to peace and quiet, and tranquil gardens.

The care team at Asra House specialises in residential care, including if you or your loved one needs help with tasks such as getting dressed, using the bathroom, and taking certain medications. This support is also available to people living with a physical disability or a form of dementia.

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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.

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Belong Atherton in Atherton, Greater Manchester

Belong Atherton Care Home is rated ‘Outstanding’ in four of the five main CQC categories, including for how effective the care given is, and how quickly the care team respond to changing care needs, in accordance with your or your loved one’s care plan.

Several types of care are offered at Belong Atherton. This includes residential, nursing, dementia, respite, convalescent, mental health, and palliative care. Meanwhile, adult day care services and physiotherapy support are both offered as well. This care is given within six cosy households, each providing 24-hour specialist care.

Residents love the wide range of facilities at Belong Atherton, such as the bistro-style restaurant, the hair salon, and the dementia-friendly gardens which provide a calming space during the spring and summer months.

Wellbeing is promoted through a diverse selection of activities, regular events, and personalised exercise programmes. With points of interest like the Bolton Steam Museum and Smithills Farm nearby, there’s plenty to explore in the local area as well.

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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.

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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.