Introducing Essex’s Best Care Homes

The UK has such a wide array of fantastic care homes to select from that choosing a care home is harder than ever. Each care home seems to offer something different, whether it’s top-class facilities, an amazing activities programme, nearby attractions and the range of care services available. In this article we look at the care homes Essex has on its roster.

The county of Essex has so much to offer those who live there, including beautiful countryside and forests, busy shops and eateries and easy transport into London.

Although Essex has drawn attention for reality TV over the years, some of its towns have been called out in lists of the most desirable towns to live in the UK, including Ingatestone, Epping and West Mersea.

Essex also offers sights and attractions like Castle Hedingham, Dedham Vale, Colchester Zoo and Cattawade Nature Reserve, amongst others.

You’ll find average weekly care fees are around £1,047 in towns like Colchester, but care costs tend to vary greatly between different care homes and locations so it’s well worth doing plenty of research before making a decision.

So, let’s get going on our tour of the best care homes in Essex. To see more options, take a look at our full list of care homes in Essex here.

The Grange

• Care Home Group: Country Court Care
• Where: Newport
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Good
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 10
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for personalised care packages

The first stop on our Essex care homes tour is The Grange, a warm and welcoming purpose-built care home in Saffron Walden in Newport that provides family-led residential and specialist dementia care for up to 40 residents. Part of the Country Court Care group, luxury facilities at The Grange include en-suite bedrooms, a lounge and dining area on every floor, cinema room and a pub with a spacious terrace.

Manager Maria leads the care team to deliver the highest standard of compassionate and personalised care, tailored to each individual resident. In fact, the standard of care here is so good that The Grange was awarded a top score of 10 from carehome.co.uk, plus a coveted ‘Good’ from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The Grange is well-located to nearby shops and amenities - and just a short drive from nearby Cambridge.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1300 per week
• Tell me more about The Grange
• To book or for more information call 01799 619452

Woodland View Care Home

• Care Home Group: Barchester Healthcare
• Where: Colchester
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Good
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 10
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for specialist dementia care

Next up we have Woodland View Care Home, another purpose-built care home located in Colchester, that provides residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The first-class facilities at Woodland View include a bar and café, activities room, landscaped gardens and en-suite bedrooms which residents are encouraged to add their own personal touches.

Manager Adrien heads up the care team, who are dedicated to providing high-quality care and services and there is an on-site activities coordinator to keep residents entertained. The home also has a dedicated Memory Lane Community area featuring memory boxes, adapted crockery and tableware, sensory gardens and activity kitchens to help residents living with dementia.

As well as the nearby shops and amenities of Colchester, residents at Woodland View are lucky enough to benefit from the home’s proximity to the beautiful High Woods Country Park, where they are often taken for visits.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1350per week
• Tell me more about Woodland View Care Home
• To book or for more information call 01206 489871

Admiral Court

• Care Home Group: Hallmark Care Homes
• Where: Leigh-on-Sea
• Local Authority: Southend on Sea Borough Council
• CQC Rating: Outstanding
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.9
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for active lifestyle

We now head over to Admiral Court, a Hallmark Care Homes purpose-built care home located in the charming coastal town of Leigh-on-Sea. Admiral Court provides industry-leading residential, nursing and dementia care in a modern setting, featuring 60 spacious bedrooms, bustling café, hair salon, cinema, dedicated therapy room and landscaped gardens.

The care team at Admiral Court, led by manager Sue, take a relationship-centred approach to care, working closely with residents on an individual basis to help them maintain their independence, keep up with old hobbies and discover new interests with the home’s activity programme, including Zumba, arts and crafts and gardening. It’s no wonder the home was awarded an impressive ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC!

Admiral Court is well-located, with the local pubs and shops of neighbouring towns Westcliff-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea just a short drive away and a 45 minute trip on the train to London.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1660 per week
• Tell me more about Admiral Court
• To book or for more information call 01424 237967

Anisha Grange

• Care Home Group: Hallmark Care Homes
• Where: Billericay
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Outstanding
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.8
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for community involvement

The second ‘Outstanding’ Hallmark Care Homes care home on our list, Anisha Grange is located in Billericay and provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for up to 72 residents. Featuring a ‘His & Hers’ hair salon, vibrant café with conservatory, beautiful gardens and award-winning specialist dementia environments, residents at Anisha Grange truly want for nothing.

The home, which has been recognised for its community involvement in national TV and newspapers, offers a unique community room which is used by local groups and classes, allowing residents to try new things. There’s also a packed weekly activities calendar where residents can choose what they would like to participate in, including trips out in the Oomph! minibus.

Being located in Billericay, Anisha Grange benefits from close proximity to the shops, amenities and eateries of Essex, as well as enviable road and rail links with London and surrounding wooded countryside and nature reserves.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1660 per week
• Tell me more about Anisha Grange
• To book or for more information call 01277 674195

Mountfitchet House

• Care Home Group: Care UK
• Where: Stansted Mountfitchet
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Outstanding
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.8
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for transport links

Mountfitchet House is a Care UK purpose-built care home located in Stansted Mountfitchet in the Essex countryside. Awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC and a high score of 9.8 from carehome.co.uk, Mountfitchet House accommodates up to 60 residents, providing residential, nursing and dementia care and sensitive end of life care.

Facilities at Mountfitchet House include a cinema room, hair salon, café and pub, as well as gardens and a shop. Residents are encouraged to join in the activities programme to ensure their lives are as fulfilling and enjoyable as possible, but there’s also plenty of time to relax in the peaceful communal areas within the home.

Mountfitchet House is easy to get to by road and public transport, with great links to major motorways and a regular train service to the cities of London and Cambridge. It is also accessible from Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1462 per week
• Tell me more about Mountfitchet House
• To book or for more information call 01279 598518

Lambwood Heights

• Care Home Group: Oakland Care
• Where: Chigwell
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Good
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.8
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for five-star environment

Our next stop is at Lambwood Heights from the Oakland Care group. Located in a peaceful woodland area in the heart of Chigwell, Lambwood Heights is a luxury, purpose-built care home offering high-quality residential, nursing, dementia and respite care.

In addition to the 73 private en-suite bedrooms, the state-of-the-art facilities at Lambwood Heights include a café bistro, cinema room, hair and beauty salon, multiple relaxing communal lounges and a pleasant courtyard garden which can be viewed from many of the balconies around the home. The team at Lambwood Heights put their all into creating bespoke care packages and offering a wide variety of activities to keep residents engaged and happy.

Lambwood Heights is well-connected by road and public transport, with leafy Epping Forest right on the doorstep for walks in nature.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1440 per week
• Tell me more about Lambwood Heights
• To book or for more information call 0330 175 5385

Baycroft Great Baddow

• Care Home Group: Baycroft
• Where: Chelmsford
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Good
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.8
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for range of facilities

Baycroft Great Baddow is an elegant care home offering residential, nursing and dementia care. Located in Chelmsford, the care home has 64 bedrooms, numerous lounges, restaurants and terraces, a café, cinema, hair salon, spa treatment room, gym, activity room and a library, plus a children’s entertainment room.

Residents have access to 24-hour personalised care, as well as respite care for conditions including Parkinsons, stroke rehabilitation and intermediate reablement following hospital stays. The care staff, led by manager Paul, are given regular training to ensure they are fully up to date with the best care practices, while the experienced catering staff cook up delicious, fresh meals in the kitchen each day.

Baycroft Great Baddow enjoys proximity to Chelmsford for shopping and dining, as well as nearby attractions such as Chelmsford Cathedral, Hylands Estate and the Chelmsford City Racecourse. The home is also just a quick train ride away from London.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1390 per week
• Tell me more about Baycroft Great Baddow
• To book or for more information call 0204 538 8602

The Beeches

• Care Home Group: Signature
• Where: Brentwood
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Good
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.7
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for top quality care

The Beeches is a purpose-built care home in Brentwood providing luxury residential and nursing care, as well as respite, dementia and end of life care. The home offers both larger bedrooms with separate lounge, kitchenette and en-suite bathroom and smaller studios for those who want something more cosy. All bedrooms come unfurnished, so residents can bring furniture and personal items from home.

The care team at the Beeches focus on dignity, encouraging independence and involving family and friends in residents’ lives, an approach to care that earned the home a ‘Good’ from the CQC and a score of 9.7 from carehome.co.uk. The home has not just one, but two fantastic restaurants, where residents have the opportunity to choose the menu, plus a cinema, café and landscaped gardens that are perfect for residents with green fingers.

The Beeches is situated in a quiet area close to Brentwood high street and its shops, eateries and transport links. The home is easily accessible via the M25 and there is a car park on-site for visitors.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1385 per week
• Tell me more about The Beeches
• To book or for more information call 01277 674190

Colne View

• Care Home Group: Care UK
• Where: Halstead
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Good
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.8
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for retro décor

Next up is Care UK’s Colne View, a purpose-built care home located in the charming town of Halstead. The home offers a range of high-quality care services, including residential, nursing, respite and specialist dementia care, in addition to sensitive palliative and end of life care.

Facilities at Colne View include 70 tastefully furnished en-suite bedrooms, retro kitchen and lounge, coffee shop, multi-faith room, library, reminiscence room, cinema and hair salon.

The friendly care team strive to create a lively yet homely and comfortable atmosphere at the home, involving residents in all aspects of their care and preserving their independence, whether that’s relaxing in the landscaped gardens or joining in with the home’s activities programme.

Colne View is easy to get to by road or public transport, is close to the nearby shops and eateries of Halstead town centre and has on-site parking for visitors.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1418 per week
• Tell me more about Colne View
• To book or for more information call 01787 323790

Woodland Grove

• Care Home Group: Oakland Care
• Where: Loughton
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Good
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.6
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for hospitality services

Next on our tour is Oakland Care’s Woodland Grove, a purpose-built care home located in Loughton, offering the highest standards of residential, nursing, dementia and respite care.

The state-of-the-art facilities at Woodland Grove include 72 elegant ensuite rooms decorated in a traditional style, multiple day rooms, a cinema room, hair salon, bar and bistro area and landscaped gardens to keep residents active and engaged at all times. The dedicated care team are all highly trained in creating tailormade care plans to suit residents’ personal needs and requirements, with the specialist Lifestyles team on-hand to organise activities and outings.

With such a focus on creating a meaningful and purposeful experience for all residents who set foot in Woodland Grove, you’ll find a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the home that’s hard to beat!

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1440 per week
• Tell me more about Woodland Grove
• To book or for more information call 0330 175 5385

Hutton View

• Care Home Group: Hallmark Care Homes
• Where: Brentwood
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Good
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.8
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for local connections

We’re reaching the end of our tour of Essex care homes, but there’s still one or two more to go. Located in Brentwood, Hutton View care home offers residents tailored personal care and support packages, including exceptional residential and industry-leading dementia care. All 77 bedrooms come with en-suite facilities and eight have a kitchenette for residents who like to cook. The ground floor rooms even have access to their own private patio.

Facilities at the home include a farmhouse kitchen, hair salon, cinema, music room and library and staff have big plans to expand the home’s offering with log cabins, newly planted trees and sensory walks in the generous landscaped gardens.

With nearby shops and amenities a stone’s throw away, Hutton View is well-located to Brentwood town centre and the home also has strong links with local businesses through its membership with the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, links which are used to benefit residents.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1730 per week
• Tell me more about Hutton View
• To book or for more information call 01277 674179

Leonard Lodge Care Home

• Care Home Group: Barchester Healthcare
• Where: Brentwood
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Good
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.8
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for bespoke care plans

Our penultimate Essex care home is also in Brentwood. Leonard Lodge Care Home is part of the Barchester Healthcare group and offers first-class nursing care, as well as dementia care, convalescent and intermediate care.

The highly-qualified care team, led by manager Fiona, focus on residents’ individual needs to create a bespoke care plan for each person, an approach that is evident in every aspect of daily life at the home, including cooking, hospitality, activities and healthcare.

The home is located in a peaceful area at the back of the Hutton Poplars Estate, but is a short drive or walk from Shenfield town centre, making it easy to get to local shops, pubs, restaurants, rail services and other amenities in the local area.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1216 per week
• Tell me more about Leonard Lodge
• To book or for more information call 01277 674134

Paternoster House Care Home

• Care Home Group: Barchester Healthcare
• Where: Waltham Abbey
• Local Authority: Essex County Council
• CQC Rating: Good
• Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.8
• Lottie’s Verdict: Best for exploring local surroundings

To complete our list of the best care homes in Essex we have Paternoster House Care Home, also part of the Barchester Healthcare group. Set in extensive grounds, Paternoster House offers respite, nursing and residential care, with special support for those with physical disabilities and dementia.

The dedicated care team work tirelessly to ensure that residents receive the best possible care for their unique needs, all in a relaxed and homely atmosphere. Residents are encouraged to keep up with their personal interests and hobbies, as well as trying new activities and making new friends and staff are always on-hand to provide everything a resident may need, from dining to excursions to local attractions.

Waltham Abbey has plenty of interesting sites to explore, from the Abbey to Epping Forest and the River Lea. The home is near to public transport links and local shops and there is a minibus service available for day trips.

• Prices From: Care home residencies start from £1296 per week
• Tell me more about Paternoster House
• To book or for more information call 01992 927331

We hope this guide has given you a flavour of Essex and what life is like in its many towns and villages. If you’re starting out on your care journey and want to know more, check out our Care FAQs page, or get in touch.