Best Care Homes in Essex (2026)
402 care homes compared by CQC rating, type, beds, and specialisms.
Care Home Comparison Table
| Care Home | Rating | Type | Beds |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Oakes | Outstanding | Residential | 7 |
| Firstlings | Outstanding | Residential | 32 |
| Manor Lodge | Outstanding | Nursing | 120 |
| Alderwood Care Home | Outstanding | Nursing | 65 |
| Clayburn Lodge | Outstanding | Residential | 6 |
| Howard Lodge Care Centre | Outstanding | Residential | 74 |
| Hallmark Anisha Grange Luxury Care Home | Outstanding | Nursing | 74 |
| Hillside Lodge | Good | Residential | 2 |
| Brentwood Arches Care Home | Good | Nursing | 110 |
| Oaklands | Good | Residential | 5 |
| Longcroft Residential Care Home | Good | Residential | 7 |
| Abberton Manor Nursing Home | Good | Nursing | 26 |
| Kacee Lodge | Good | Residential | 8 |
| New Copford Place Residential Care Home | Good | Residential | 27 |
| Lime Trees | Good | Residential | 10 |
| Maple House | Good | Residential | 5 |
| Acorn Village | Good | Residential | 60 |
| 21 Mill Lane | Good | Residential | 4 |
| Penny Pot Care Home | Good | Residential | 38 |
| The Firs | Good | Residential | 11 |
| Dudbrook House | Good | Residential | 73 |
| Parklands Nursing Home | Good | Nursing | 54 |
| Homeacre | Good | Residential | 5 |
| Hilton House | Good | Residential | 10 |
| Willow Health Limited | Good | Residential | 7 |
| Frintondene Care Home | Good | Residential | 8 |
| The Haven Residential Care Home Limited | Good | Residential | 5 |
| Shaftesbury Anvil House | Good | Residential | 7 |
| Shaftesbury Netteswell Rectory | Good | Residential | 9 |
| Butterfly's Care Home | Good | Residential | 9 |
| Butterfly's Care Home | Good | Residential | 9 |
| Meadows | Good | Residential | 7 |
| Butterfly's Care Home | Good | Residential | 5 |
| Queens Court Care Home | Good | Nursing | 90 |
| Marmora Care Home | Good | Residential | 27 |
| Hatherley Care Home Limited | Good | Nursing | 37 |
| The Belfry Residential Home | Good | Residential | 12 |
| Tye Green Lodge | Good | Residential | 61 |
| Alexandra House - Harwich | Good | Residential | 47 |
| Ashview | Good | Residential | 13 |
Showing top 40 of 402. See all →
Choosing a Care Home in Essex
With 402 care homes in Essex, families have 299 well-rated options to choose from. 61 homes currently require improvement — always check the latest CQC inspection report before visiting. The area has 89 nursing homes for people with complex medical needs, alongside 313 residential homes.
We recommend shortlisting 3–5 homes, visiting each in person, and using our choosing guide to compare them systematically. Pay attention to staffing levels, the atmosphere on the day, and how staff interact with residents. Understanding how care home fees are funded — including local authority support and NHS Continuing Healthcare — is also essential before making a decision.
Essex care homes offer specialist support for residential care, dementia care, physical disability care, learning disability care and more. Use the links below to filter homes by care type.
Specialist Care in Essex
Top Dementia Care Homes in Essex
Browse by Town
Find care homes in specific towns within Essex:
Helpful Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many care homes are in Essex?
Essex has 402 CQC-registered care homes with a combined 13,105 beds across the area.
How many Outstanding care homes are in Essex?
Essex has 7 Outstanding-rated care homes and 292 Good-rated care homes. Outstanding is the highest possible CQC grade and means inspectors found exceptional, person-centred care.
What types of care are available in Essex?
Essex has 89 nursing care homes and 313 residential homes, including 218 specialising in dementia care. Other specialisms include residential care, dementia care, physical disability care.
What should I look for when choosing a care home in Essex?
Start with the CQC rating — Outstanding and Good-rated homes have passed independent inspections. Then visit in person: speak with staff and current residents' families, ask about staffing levels, activities, and how they handle changing health needs. Our choosing guide walks you through each step.
How are care home fees funded in Essex?
Essex Council will carry out a care needs and financial assessment for those seeking local authority funding. Anyone with assets above £23,250 typically funds their own care. NHS Continuing Healthcare is available for complex medical needs. See our funding guide for full details.