Best Care Homes in County Durham (2026)
146 care homes compared by CQC rating, type, beds, and specialisms.
Care Home Comparison Table
| Care Home | Rating | Type | Beds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradbury House - Care Home with Nursing Physical Disabilities | Outstanding | Nursing | 25 |
| Resolve | Outstanding | Residential | 7 |
| Grizedale | Outstanding | Residential | 7 |
| Hawthorn House | Outstanding | Residential | 10 |
| Jack Dormand Care Home | Outstanding | Nursing | 43 |
| Lothian House Care Home | Outstanding | Residential | 48 |
| Highview House | Outstanding | Residential | 8 |
| River Cottage | Outstanding | Residential | 3 |
| Tenlands Care Home | Outstanding | Residential | 40 |
| Eden House | Outstanding | Residential | 53 |
| The Hawthorns | Outstanding | Nursing | 108 |
| St Mary's Convent | Good | Residential | 18 |
| Leazes Hall Care Home | Good | Nursing | 50 |
| Cedar Court Residential and Nursing Home | Good | Nursing | 68 |
| Devonshire House | Good | Residential | 25 |
| Broom Lodge | Good | Residential | 6 |
| West Lodge Care Home | Good | Residential | 60 |
| Beachcomber Care Home | Good | Residential | 48 |
| The Fields Care Home | Good | Residential | 24 |
| Beddell House | Good | Residential | 60 |
| Durham House Residential Care Home | Good | Residential | 31 |
| Rosemount Home | Good | Residential | 16 |
| Melbury Court | Good | Nursing | 88 |
| Garden Lodge | Good | Residential | 8 |
| Orchard House | Good | Residential | 7 |
| East Dene Court | Good | Residential | 9 |
| Lawreth | Good | Residential | 2 |
| Education and Services for People with Autism Limited - 35-37 Portland Avenue | Good | Residential | 4 |
| Belmont Grange Nursing and Residential Home | Good | Nursing | 30 |
| Castle Bank Care Home | Good | Residential | 28 |
| West House Care Home Limited | Good | Nursing | 26 |
| Peterlee Care Home | Good | Nursing | 44 |
| Beamish Residential Care Home | Good | Residential | 21 |
| Eastholme | Good | Residential | 5 |
| Willowdene Care Home | Good | Nursing | 48 |
| Lambton House | Good | Residential | 57 |
| Lindisfarne CLS Nursing | Good | Nursing | 56 |
| Lindisfarne CLS Residential | Good | Nursing | 30 |
| Lindisfarne Ouston | Good | Nursing | 57 |
| Lindisfarne Seaham | Good | Nursing | 62 |
Showing top 40 of 146. See all →
Choosing a Care Home in County Durham
With 146 care homes in County Durham, families have 132 well-rated options to choose from. 8 homes currently require improvement — always check the latest CQC inspection report before visiting. The area has 57 nursing homes for people with complex medical needs, alongside 89 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.
County Durham care homes offer specialist support for dementia care, residential care, physical disability care, learning disability care and more. Use the links below to filter homes by care type.
Specialist Care in County Durham
Top Dementia Care Homes in County Durham
Helpful Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many care homes are in County Durham?
County Durham has 146 CQC-registered care homes with a combined 5,371 beds across the area.
How many Outstanding care homes are in County Durham?
County Durham has 11 Outstanding-rated care homes and 121 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 County Durham?
County Durham has 57 nursing care homes and 89 residential homes, including 93 specialising in dementia care. Other specialisms include dementia care, residential care, physical disability care.
What should I look for when choosing a care home in County Durham?
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 County Durham?
County Durham 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.